Patents Issued in January 31, 2012
  • Patent number: 8104415
    Abstract: A sailboat includes a sail assembly with opposing upper and lower ends, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sail assembly is normally offset from the hull and oriented for generation of a propelling force substantially free of heeling moments. A support structure supports the sail assembly for rotation about an axis inclined relative to vertical and substantially parallel to the leading edge. The support structure includes an upper rotary joint mounting the upper end of the sail assembly to the support structure and a lower rotary joint mounting the lower end of the sail assembly to the support structure. The rotary joints are positioned to allow unobstructed rotation of the sail assembly fully through 360 degrees about the inclined axis. At least part of the support structure is mounted for rotation together with the sail assembly and the inclined axis relative to the hull, largely eliminating weather helm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: John Matthew Higginson
  • Patent number: 8104416
    Abstract: A floating natural gas processing station for receiving dry gas and forming liquefied natural gas for offloading is disclosed herein. The station can use a station heat exchanger, a natural gas liquefaction train, and an offloading device having a primary quick connect/disconnect device, a secondary emergency disconnect device, and a tertiary emergency disconnect device to allow quick connect/disconnect or emergency disconnect of the floating natural gas processing station from a transport vessel. At least two telescoping mooring arms with a boom and a jib in a nested arrangement can hold the transport vessel at a nominal distance from the floating natural gas processing station, while forming a gangway to safely move personnel and loads between the floating natural gas processing station and the transport vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Magee Shivers, III, William T. Bennett, Jr., David Trent
  • Patent number: 8104417
    Abstract: A device for dynamically positioning a ship, assisting in offload of a processed hydrocarbon fluid, and assisting in return of hydrocarbon vapors is disclosed herein. The device can be a soft yoke that is pivotable and collapsible with at least two telescoping mooring arms having a boom and jib in a nested arrangement to safely hold floating stations to transport vessels. The boom and the jib can form a gangway to move personal and loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Magee Shivers, III, William T. Bennett, Jr., David Trent
  • Patent number: 8104418
    Abstract: An anchoring system for a boat includes a pair of anchor fixtures, each having a base and a tube carried by and extending across the base. A first of the anchor fixtures is mountable proximate the peripheral edge of the vessel with the tube oriented to extend in a generally horizontal direction. The other, second anchor fixture is mounted exteriorly to the transom of other surface of the hull such that the longitudinal axis of the tube extends generally vertically. The first anchor fixture accommodates an adjustable pole holder that has a stem for selectively engaging with the first anchor fixture to provide anchoring, transporting and stowed conditions. A sleeve is interconnected angularly to the stem for holding a first pole, which may be operated by adjusting the pole holder to engage the bottom of the body of water. A second pole is received by the tube of the second anchor fixture to likewise engage the bottom of the body of water such that the boat is anchored thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Larry C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8104419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the handling, the attaching to a drag line and the putting to sea of a submersible craft, dragged by a surface vessel. The invention includes a system for automatically attaching and handling submersible craft towed by a tow line, comprising an automatic attaching device for carrying out the mechanical attaching of the submersible craft to the drag line and the linking of the submersible craft to the structure conveying the signals and the energy in this same line. The system according to the invention also includes an automatic device for handling the submersible craft, on which device the submersible craft is positioned when it is not attached to the drag line and from which it is separated after attachment, and which makes it possible to automatically position the submersible craft with respect to the drag line in such a way that the attaching and detaching can likewise be done automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Christophe Coupeaud, Jean-Philippe Goudeau
  • Patent number: 8104420
    Abstract: The problem of providing a submerged vehicle with above-the-surface communications to a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite while traveling at operating speed is solved by an efficiently deployable tethered tow body having a hydrodynamic and buoyant hull body and incorporating a lift-generating wing that provides hydrodynamic lift to efficiently lift the tow body containing antennas and other communications devices to the surface. The tow body allows for stable operation during underwater tow, surface tow, and transitions between underwater tow and surface tow. Disclosed embodiments include communications apparatuses encompassing the principles of the tethered tow body, as well as various underwater systems that incorporate a tethered tow body or communications apparatus for establishing communications with a nearby vessel, shore platform, or satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Adaptive Methods, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wiggins, Walter Allensworth, Kevin Kieffer, Peter Owen, Conrad Zeglin
  • Patent number: 8104421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum chamber and to its production. According to the invention, the vacuum chamber comprises a frame into which insert plates are placed. The insert plates form together with the frame a closed space in which a vacuum can be created. Preferably, the shell of the frame is extracted from an integrally formed metal piece, with a large portion of material being removed, leading to openings for the insert plates to be created. This has among others the advantage that no welding seams are necessary where the individual plates are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Trading AG, Trubbach
    Inventors: Fredy Zünd, Marco Mayer, Siegfried Krassnitzer, Jürgen Gwehenberger
  • Patent number: 8104422
    Abstract: An adhesive take-up, metering and spreading unit, for bonding machines is truck-mounted so that it can be replaced without having to interrupt the operation of the plant, includes a plurality of rollers arranged in series, wherein a first rubber-clad roller takes up adhesive from a reservoir and transfers it to an anilox roller, from which the adhesive is taken up by a second rubber-clad roller, which transfers it to a film to be bonded. Each roller rotates at a higher speed than the preceding one, and the unit is fitted with members that regulate the distance between the rollers, and consequently the pressure that each rubber-clad roller exerts on the anilox roller, in order to meter the precise quantity of adhesive taken up and spread on the film. This characteristic allows even special adhesives, whose application is particularly difficult due to their viscosity characteristics, to be precisely spread and metered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nordmeccanica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Cerciello
  • Patent number: 8104423
    Abstract: A coating material atomizing and dispensing system comprises an atomizer and an assembly of electrodes. The electrode assembly is removably coupled to the atomizer to permit the assembly to be disassembled from the atomizer to permit entry of the atomizer through an opening smaller than the atomizer-electrode assembly can pass through. A device is provided for supporting the assembly when the assembly is disassembled from the atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Roger T. Cedoz, Peter Green
  • Patent number: 8104424
    Abstract: The inventions refer to method of product surface treatment, technological line and device for hot applying the coating on lengthy products. Line for applying the coating on lengthy product comprising supplying device, product surface preparing unit, devise for continuous applying the coating, cooling camera and final product acceptance unit. Device for applying the coating comprises camera (13) for applying the coating, fixed above the tank (14) with melt. In cover (16) of camera (13) there is an outlet 19 for creating pressure discharge, and in cover (21) of tank (14) there is an inlet (22). Camera (13) is provided with intake vertical passage (20) plunged into the melt of the tank. In the walls of camera (13) there are passages (23) and (24) for product (2) transporting. In working state the melt in the tank (14) and in the camera (13) occupies levels (25) and (26) correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Legal and Consulting Agency “Jurepromconsulting”, LLC
    Inventors: Yuriy Sergeevich Volkov, Sergey Vasillevich Marutian
  • Patent number: 8104425
    Abstract: A method for electroless plating of a substrate is provided that comprises exposing an electroless plating reagent comprising a metal to be plated and at least one reducing agent to a solid phase Activation Material to form an activated electroless plating reagent prior to application of the electroless plating reagent to the substrate. The activated electroless plating reagent is applied to a substrate in the process chamber under conditions to cause the metal of the electroless plating reagent to deposit on the substrate. Systems and modules are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Karl Christenson
  • Patent number: 8104426
    Abstract: A paint shield for preventing the misapplication of coating material comprises a shielding member having a leading edge and a base member, an extension handle for enabling a user to hold the leading edge of the paint shielding member against a surface, a pivot member connected to the base member for angularly positioning the shielding member, and a storage location positioned in said base member for storing the pivot member and the extension handle when the pivot member is selectively removed from the base member. The pivot member preferably includes two walls having at least one frictional pad disposed on an inner surface of each wall for frictionally engaging the base member and allowing a user to angularly pivot the shielding member without loosening the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Allway Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Gringer
  • Patent number: 8104427
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed or simply disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Avraham Shekalim, Ascher Shmulewitz, Eyal Teichman
  • Patent number: 8104428
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus that enables formation of a deposit film on a surface of a grounding electrode to be prevented. A substrate processing chamber has therein a processing space in which plasma processing is carried out on a substrate, an RF electrode that applies radio frequency electrical power into the processing space, a DC electrode that applies a DC voltage into the processing space, and a grounding electrode at least part of which is exposed in the substrate processing chamber. The grounding electrode is disposed in a corner portion formed through intersection of a plurality of internal surfaces in the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masanobu Honda, Noriaki Kodama
  • Patent number: 8104429
    Abstract: A pet impact protector is disclosed. This device is directed to a cleanable, removable device for a vehicle car seat comprising a contiguous pliable material having a pet seating area and a pet capture area. The pet impact protector is designed such that the force of the pet impact protector plus the pet, upon impact with the vehicle during a stop or slowing of the vehicle, causes the pet impact protector to partially collapse and form a protective impact area around the pet. This device is directed to the reduction of injury to a pet riding in a vehicle during an accident, stop or slowdown of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Gary Ray Bennett
  • Patent number: 8104430
    Abstract: A pole assembly includes a pole having a hollow interior and at least one longitudinally elongated slot formed through the pole communicating with the hollow interior. A sleeve is slidably disposed around the pole and has at least one arm extending through the slot. A pulley and a counterweight are disposed inside the pole. A cord extends over the pulley between the at least one arm and the counterweight within the hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jerry W. Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8104431
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a self-filling and self-draining watering device. The invention discloses an apparatus comprising a first compartment containing a bowl accepting fluid from an inlet opening, the fluid being continuously drained from the bowl, a second compartment, proximate the bowl, housing a reservoir proximate the bowl which temporarily retains continuously drained fluid, a pump actuated by a float switch to discharge fluid from reservoir, and a sensor detecting a movement, triggering a flow of fluid into the bowl. Additionally, the invention discloses a method comprising providing an apparatus having a first compartment and a reservoir, connecting the inlet supply line to an inlet line which transports fluid into the bowl, continuously draining the fluid into the reservoir, discharging fluid from the reservoir with a pump, providing a sensor to activate a solenoid valve to allow fluid into the bowl, and enclosing the bowl and reservoir in an outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth Klenotiz
  • Patent number: 8104432
    Abstract: Devices, apparatuses, systems and/or methods related to animal enclosure latches. Specifically, the disclosed devices, apparatuses, systems and/or methods relate to animal enclosure latches having an internal latch receptacle and an external latch receptacle, where the internal latch receptacle has a top downward-sloping portion to prevent animal collars and the like from becoming hooked, snagged and/or caught on the internal latch receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Mason Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Silvis, Jeffrey J. Ballman, Troy N. Brown
  • Patent number: 8104433
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are gustatory and/or olfactory aversion compositions comprising one or more bitterants and appropriate adhesives or tackifiers, and the like, which provide a long-lasting effect. The compositions are useful for behavior modification, especially in animals, such as pets or livestock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Vet Planet, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Clement, Kati Clement-Frazier, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8104434
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering liquid, such as, for example, water, with an acceptable increase in output liquid temperature upon a sudden and substantial decrease in liquid demand. In various aspects, the electric tankless liquid heater comprises an inlet manifold and a plurality of liquid heaters the inlets of which are connected in a parallel flow relationship by the inlet manifold, and the outlets of which are each connected to a separate outlet conduit, and which is configured to provide water to a plurality of automatic water fixtures with a less than about 2° F. (about 1.1° C.) increase in output water temperature upon about a one-and-a-half-fold or greater decrease in water demand that occurs in less than about 500 milliseconds as measured by the increase time of the inlet liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eemax, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Vincent Fabrizio
  • Patent number: 8104435
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Allan Roy Gale, Dinakara Karanth, Steven James Parks, Garrett O'Donohue
  • Patent number: 8104436
    Abstract: A quasi free piston engine uses, a small, lightweight crankshaft to connect the piston assemblies of the free piston engine with a flywheel. While most of the power output from the combustion pistons is extracted by pumping pistons as hydraulic power, the small crankshaft and flywheel ensure exact TDC position of the combustion pistons in operation, and provide a rotating means to drive combustion cylinder intake and exhaust valves. Flywheel speed may be monitored to provide feedback on power extraction for further control of the system. In addition, a hydraulic push-rod system for efficient valve actuation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8104437
    Abstract: An electromechanical device (800) which can be used to control the compression ratio of a variable compression ratio engine, includes mechanical elements for transmitting movement (801) between at least one electric engine (802) and at least one control rod (20) of a control jack (8) of a control device (12) for adjusting the vertical position of a control rack (7) of the variable compression ratio engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Vianney Rabhi
  • Patent number: 8104438
    Abstract: A two stroke engine of a particular configuration can have its power output increased by running bigger pistons and using ports in the piston skirt through which to conduct compressed air within the skirt through short passages in the cylinder housing that conduct the air from within the skirt to above the piston. As a result a larger piston can be used for the same spacing and opening size in the block to save the need to redesign the block and the crankshaft. A position adjuster for the piston moves it axially without rotation of the piston ports out of alignment with inlet ports in the housing. The piston rod is held in the crosshead using a flat to prevent rotation while an adjuster nut that is turned creates axial movement in the piston rod with a lock nut securing the final piston position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce M. Chrisman, Randy Coleman
  • Patent number: 8104439
    Abstract: Traditional camshaft adjusters are connected to a lubricant circuit of an internal combustion engine. Lubricant flows which are too large flood the drive of the camshaft adjuster, which leads to needless churning losses in the drive and needless losses of the pump capacity of the lubricant for other structural components of the internal combustion engine. According to the invention, a flow element (59), which includes a throttle element or screen in the flow channel (26), is used. According to another embodiment of the invention, the throttle element or screen can be used in various ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mike Kohrs, Jens Schafer
  • Patent number: 8104440
    Abstract: The CVVL device includes a rocking cam having a rolling face contacting a rocker arm is formed to press the rocker arm when pivoted, a rocking roller, which is disposed above the drive cam and rolls on an outer circumference of the drive cam, a control apparatus, which changes a position of the rocking roller rolling on the outer circumference of the drive cam; and a rocking apparatus, which pivots the rocking cam according to a position of the rocking roller such that a position where the rocker arm is contacted with the rolling face is changed depending on the position of the rocking roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ki Young Kwon, Young Hong Kwak, Eun Ho Lee, Soo Hyung Woo, Young Nam Kim, Jin Kook Kong
  • Patent number: 8104441
    Abstract: A cam follower for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower has a housing and a cam roller. The cam roller is arranged between the side walls of the housing and is mounted on a journal which bridges the side walls. The cam roller, which has an outer ring, a rolling body set and an inner ring, is a combined plain and rolling bearing. The outer ring and the inner ring are in sliding contact with one another, and the rolling body set is arranged between the inner ring and the journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Michael Kress
  • Patent number: 8104442
    Abstract: A mechanical roller tappet (1a, 1b) comprising a tappet housing (2a, 2b) shaped out of sheet metal, a drive roller (3) actuable by a cam (9) and an axle (5a, 5b) on which the drive roller (3) is mounted, end portions (24) of the axle (5a, 5b) being supported in axle eyes (23) of the tappet housing (2a, 2b), said tappet housing (2a, 2b) comprising a tappet skirt (10a, 10b) and a tappet bottom (16) possessing a contact surface (21) for an adjacent engine component on a power take-off side and at an end of the tappet skirt facing the cam, the tappet bottom is connected to the tappet skirt and is shaped into the interior of the tappet skirt while forming a pocket for receiving the drive roller, the axle eyes being arranged in first sections (18) of the tappet bottom while being spaced from an inner peripheral surface (19) of the tappet skirt and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tappet skirt, the contact surface being arranged on a second section (20) of the tappet bottom connecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer, Manfred Jansen, Karsten Kucht, Norbert Radinger
  • Patent number: 8104443
    Abstract: A helical cam device for use with a wide variety of applications generally includes a first cam component, a second cam component and an axial guide. The cam components each have a helical cam track located on an axial end, so that coaxial alignment of the two cam components allows opposing cam tracks to contact and rotate against each other. The helical cam tracks, which are preferably divided into quadrant sections, are designed such that relative rotational movement between the cam components causes a corresponding relative axial movement. According to one embodiment, the axial guide is a cylindrical rod passing through the center of the cam components; in another embodiment, it is a cylindrical sleeve surrounding the cam components. Moreover, barrel slots, detents and/or truncated peaks can be used to control the travel of the cam components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Helical Cam, LLC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Krozek
  • Patent number: 8104444
    Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode associated with the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct RF energy to lower an ignition breakdown voltage requirement of an air and fuel mixture in the pre-combustion chamber. The RF energy alone may be insufficient to ignite and sustain combustion of the air and fuel mixture. The at least one electrode may also be configured to generate an arc that extends to an internal wall of the pre-combustion chamber and ignites the air and fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8104445
    Abstract: A spark plug comprises a spark plug body, which carries two electrodes bordering a spark gap at one end, and exhibits a nut with external thread that can rotate around the spark plug body. A cylinder head exhibits a rotational coding complementary to the rotational coding of the spark plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Peter Seeger
  • Patent number: 8104446
    Abstract: Screw holes are provided on a contacting surface of an insulator so as to enable a carburetor to be mounted on the insulator at a plurality of positions rotated about an axial center of an intake hole. The insulator is mounted on a cylinder at a predetermined position while the carburetor is mounted on the insulator by inserting bolts for mounting the carburetor into the screw holes through through holes of the carburetor. Accordingly, the carburetor can be mounted at a plurality of positions rotated about the axial center of intake holes relative to an engine body. Thus, a protruding direction of a throttle lever from the carburetor, i.e., an operating direction of the throttle lever, can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Husqvarna Zenoah Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Shimazaki, Syouta Takeshima
  • Patent number: 8104447
    Abstract: A method for producing a piston for internal combustion engines includes the following steps: a first part is pre-fabricated by hot forging and a recess which has an undercut is formed in the first part during pre-fabrication by forming on the first part a projection, to which projection a lateral force is applied to form the undercut; a second part is pre-fabricated by hot forging and a projection is formed on this second part whose dimensions are matched to the dimensions of the recess; the two parts are joined together so that the projection on one part engages in the recess in the other part; and a compressive force is applied to the two parts which is sufficiently large and so aligned that the material of the projection on one part flows into the recess in the other part and completely fills it to connect the parts by positive fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Metalurgica Campo Limpo Ltda.
    Inventors: Joao Lester Garcia, Heraldo Carlos Furquim
  • Patent number: 8104448
    Abstract: A bolt fastening structure for an internal combustion engine includes bolt fitting holes formed in a cylinder of the engine. An inner wall of a top portion of a crankcase includes boss portions having openings, as an extension to the corresponding bolt fitting holes, with internal threads formed therein. The crankcase further includes hollow recesses formed thereon between the boss portions and crankshaft rotational support portions. Fastening bolts, each having an external thread formed at a tip portion thereof, are extended through the bolt fitting holes, and engaged with the internal threads of the boss portion. The hollow recesses include portions of the openings of the boss portions having the internal threads opened therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kuribara, Mitsuyoshi Kamiya, Shingo Ueda, Sumiko Fukuzawa
  • Patent number: 8104449
    Abstract: A system for an engine includes an engine block having a cylinder, an oil delivery system including an oil reservoir at least partially enclosing an oil emulsion and providing lubricating oil to at least one cylinder, and a controller configured to adjust the heat delivered to the engine via a heat adjustment mechanism in response to a concentration of water in the oil emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Medville Jay Throop, Adam Denlinger, Amiyo K Basu
  • Patent number: 8104450
    Abstract: Fuel is injected into and through the exhaust port and into the cylinder of the piston engine during the time when the flow is reversed from the normally expected flow. The engine is able to operate with some or all of its fuel injected backwards of conventional expectations. In another embodiment the fuel is injected with solid stream injector sprays directed against exhaust valves and ports and deflected into the piston cylinder against the flow of normally aspirated or supercharged engines. This invention can apply to gasoline or diesel cycles and four and two stroke type cycles of engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Francis X. Gentile
  • Patent number: 8104451
    Abstract: A fuel injection device for injecting fuel includes an electrical-plug-and-socket connection configured as a modular component. The electrical-plug-and-socket connection includes an electric line region and exactly one one-piece plug contact molding. The plug contact molding surrounds the electric line region, and the plug contact molding forms a part of the outer geometry of the fuel injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Schmieder
  • Patent number: 8104452
    Abstract: In known methods for carrying out a high-pressure start of an internal combustion engine, inconvenient starting behavior can sometimes occur. In a method for carrying out a high-pressure start of an internal combustion engine (1), a high-pressure pump (22) is used to feed fuel from a fuel tank (17) to a pressure accumulator (20) and a pressure adjuster (23) is used to control the pressure in the pressure accumulator (20), wherein the high-pressure pump (22) is operated before carrying out a fuel injection into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (1), and the pressure adjuster (23) is activated in such a way that, during the operation of the high-pressure pump (22), the pressure build-up in the pressure accumulator (20) above a pressure limit value pTHRES, upon the exceedance of which the fuel injection is enabled, is delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Bretl, Benoit Chapuis, Martin Cwielong, Matthias Wiese
  • Patent number: 8104453
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating apparatus and method of treating evaporated fuel, that can re-gasify adsorbed fuel within a canister and supply it to an engine, are obtained. A compressor, a first control valve, a storage container and a second control valve are provided at a supply delivery piping that communicates a canister with an engine air intake tube, in that order from the canister side. By driving the compressor, vapor within the canister is fed to the storage container, canister internal pressure is lowered, and gasification of a fuel component adsorbed by an adsorbent is promoted. Further, evaporated fuel stored in the storage container is forcibly fed to an engine by internal pressure of the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahide Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8104454
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Patent number: 8104455
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a passing type fuel reformer which can reform fuel fed into an engine so as to aim at further enhancing the improvement effect of fuel consumption, and which can be simply and surely installed in the vicinity of a fuel tank. Spherical particles (1c) are charged at a filling rate of not less than 90% in a cylindrical body (1) which is formed therein with through-holes at a rate of opening area of not less than 50%, the cylindrical body 1 is loosely fitted in a rigid tube body (2) while a seal member (3) such as an O-ring seal is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body (1) and the inner peripheral surface of the rigid tube body (2), connectors (4) are removably fitted respectively in the opposite ends of the rigid tube body (2), and a connecting pipe (5) is connected to the connectors (4), and is arranged between a fuel tank (7) and the engine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fenie Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Kitajima, Takashi Watanabe, Noriya Sekine
  • Patent number: 8104456
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing exhaust-gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine that has an exhaust-gas turbocharger. The exhaust gas to be recirculated is collected from the exhaust line downstream of a turbine of the turbocharger, passed through a condensate separator, and supplied into the intake line upstream of the compressor. The condensate is filtered, collected in a reservoir, and pumped to an injection device coupled to the engine intake at a location downstream of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub
  • Patent number: 8104457
    Abstract: A diesel engine system includes a diesel engine, a throttle valve, an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) path, an EGR valve and a controller. The throttle valve controls a flow rate of intake air to the diesel engine. Exhaust gas is recirculated along the EGR path from an exhaust port to an intake port of the diesel engine. The EGR valve controls a flow rate of the exhaust gas. The controller controls the throttle valve and the EGR valve such that an opening of the throttle valve decreases and an opening of the EGR valve increases when a load of the diesel engine increases. The controller controls the EGR valve such that the opening of the EGR valve increases after the opening of the EGR valve is held constant for a first predetermined holding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Ide, Hiroyuki Endo, Shinichi Sato, Akihide Okajima
  • Patent number: 8104458
    Abstract: A projectile launcher having a magnet based driver motor. The driver motor is constructed of a coil winding suspended within a magnetic field formed by the combination of a front plate, a magnet and a pole piece attached to a back plate. An electrical controller is electrically coupled to the driver motor and allows for remote operation of the launcher. The coil may include a diaphragm capable of producing sounds wherein electrical current applied to the coil winding causes the coil to vibrate according to an audio frequency to make a desired sound, or travel a predetermined distance so as to cause an ejection of a projectile placed over the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Karl H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8104459
    Abstract: A sling like apparatus comprising a release cord, retention cord, finger loop, release tab, guide assembly, and basket creates a throwing device that is simple to reset, reload and throw while still retaining the power and accuracy of a traditional sling, thus making it user-friendly for anyone to quickly learn and operate. The retention cord comprises a comfortable finger loop that forks about half way in length into two cords that are each attached to specific and unique locations on the basket. The basket deforms into a form fitting structure that secures around a circular object or ball that may be roughly 2.5 inches or smaller in diameter. The release cord is attached to a particular location on the basket and is fed through a guide assembly. The end of the release cord connects to the release tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Alton Young
  • Patent number: 8104460
    Abstract: Bows and crossbows having two limbs, of which at least one limb (4a, 4c or 36a) can elastically deform by deflection or simultaneous deflection and bending thanks to the synergy of the draw on the string (10) and on auxiliary cables (7) secured at the ends (4ad, 4cd or 36ad) of the limbs (4a, 4c or 36a) and to anchors (8, 41) on the heads of the riser (1) or the stock (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Guido Ribi
  • Patent number: 8104461
    Abstract: A crossbow with an improved cocking assembly. The improvement includes a means for automatically disengaging a hook associated with a cocking assembly from a bowstring once the bowstring has been drawn the desired distance behind a bowstring retainer. The automatic disengagement of the hook from the bowstring reduces movement and sound associated with disengagement, and reduces the likelihood of injury associated with placement of the fingers in front of the cocked bowstring. The disengagement mechanism may either be mechanical or magnetic as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: James J. Kempf
  • Patent number: 8104462
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kee Action Sports I LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris Terrence Goddard, David Michael Banks
  • Patent number: 8104463
    Abstract: The proposed invention is a new bolt and gas release valve mechanism for a projectile launching device, such as a paintball marker, that uses significantly less gas per shot than prior art devices. The open gas chamber between the projectile, such as a paintball, and the gas release mechanism is eliminated thereby requiring much less gas to be used for each launch of a given projectile. Thus, only the launching gas to propel the projectile is needed and not the additional gas required to fill the chamber in the bolt directly behind the projectile. This enables desirably smaller gas supply tanks to be used during use to launch the same number of projectiles. Also, with the present invention, more projectiles can be launched using the same gas supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Planet Eclipse Limited
    Inventor: Jack Kingsley Wood
  • Patent number: 8104464
    Abstract: Superabrasive tools and methods for the making thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, superabrasive particles are chemically bonded to a matrix support material according to a predetermined pattern by a braze alloy. The brazing alloy may be provided as a powder, thin sheet, or sheet of amorphous alloy. A template having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern may be used to place the superabrasive particles on a given substrate or matrix support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Min Sung