Patents Issued in February 21, 2012
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Patent number: 8117967Abstract: A projectile (10), where necessary covered with a jacket, possesses a front-side core (1) and a rear-side core (2). The rear-side core (2) here bears positively in a centered manner against the front-side core (1) and this rear-side core (2) fills the entire cylindrical and the frustoconically configured rear region (2) of the projectile (10). A contact zone (11, 12 is respectively configured on the two cores (1, 2), which contact zone allows the projectile (10) to be joined together in a press fit, a perfectly aligned external form (3) of the projectile (10) being obtained and the contact faces (15; 13; 11 to 12) of the cores (1, 2) directly touching one another substantially without a clearance or gap over the whole of the contact face (15; 13; 11 to 12). When the projectile (10) impacts upon a surface oriented in any chosen manner relative to the firing direction (20), the projectile (10) is split into two less dangerous projectile parts.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Saltech AGInventor: Manuel F. Salvel
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Patent number: 8117968Abstract: A magnetic pacer system and method for adjusting vehicle speed in an amusement park ride. The system includes a controller and memory that stores speed settings such as upper and lower speed limits for the vehicle in a specific portion of a ride. A magnetic thruster is positioned near the portion of the ride, and a signal or signals are sent from position sensors to the controller. The controller determines the actual velocity of the vehicle as it travels along a direction of travel and acts to compare the determined vehicle velocity with the stored and desired speed settings. The controller then determines a magnetic force to apply to the vehicle including selecting whether the force is along the direction of travel or opposite to provide acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The magnetic thruster is selectively operated to generate a magnetic force to act on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
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Patent number: 8117969Abstract: A hydrogen hybrid locomotive including a set of batteries for driving a plurality of electric traction motors for moving the locomotive along a set of railroad rails and a fuel cell power plant for charging the set of batteries and driving the electric traction motors. The fuel cell power plant includes at least one fuel cell power module for generating electrical current by reacting hydrogen fuel and oxygen from intake air, the amount of electrical current being proportional to an air mass flow of the intake air. An air system selectively provides an air mass flow to the fuel cell module to generate an amount of electrical current required for corresponding operating conditions of the locomotive. A cooling system cools the at least one fuel cell power module in response to the amount of current being generated.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Arnold R. Miller, Kris S. Hess, Timothy L. Erickson, James L. Dippo
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Patent number: 8117970Abstract: An overhead storage system includes support beams forming a frame to a deck around its perimeter and four corner vertical mounts for suspending the deck from a ceiling. The frame is preferably made of Z-shaped beams supported by vertical L-shaped corner supports to provide strong support for a deck. The Z-shaped beams provide strength and a horizontal surface on which a deck can be rested. A welded wire deck can be strengthened by bonding it to ribs. In some embodiments, center supports can preferably be positioned anywhere along the length of the support beams, and do not require holes in the beams for mounting. The beams are preferably connected to the vertical corner brackets without using threaded fasteners, thereby making the assembly easier for assembly by a homeowner.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Michael Baez
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Patent number: 8117971Abstract: A table cloth and trash bag combination having a table cloth upper portion dimensioned to be laid on top of a picnic table or other types of outdoor and indoor tables and made of thin sheet paper, plastic and like material. The upper portion includes decorative designs of toys, animals, birthday cakes, logos, and like festive items for birthdays, anniversary, and other party events. On opposite corners of the upper portion is an outwardly extending first portion of pull strings. A second portion of the pull strings is received through seams disposed along sides of a length and a width of the table cloth upper portion. In the center of the table cloth upper portion and parallel to the length is an elongated opening having sides attached to a top of a folded trash bag lower portion. The opening provides access into the folded trash bag lower portion. The lower portion is made of thin sheet plastic for receiving trash items placed on top of the upper portion and picnic table.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventors: Yettie LaVonne Cotton, M. A. Yah Cotton
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Patent number: 8117972Abstract: A kit and shelving system to store work tools, equipment and supplies in a motor vehicle and plastic shelves for use therein are provided. Each of the shelves includes a reinforced composite panel of the cellular core sandwich-type. Each of the panels has front, back and side edge portions. Each of the shelves includes a first shelf support having an outer facing surface and an inner channel dimensioned to receive and retain a first one of the edge portions of the panel. The first edge portion of the panel is bonded to the first shelf support within the inner channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Larry J. Winget, Nicholas R. Demiro, Darius J. Preisler, Bryan A. Frohriep
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Patent number: 8117973Abstract: A front component has top and bottom panels separated by a height. Left and right side panels are separated by a width. A rear opening and parallel front openings are separated by a depth. A rear component has top and bottom panels separated by a height. Left and right side panels are separated by a width. A rear panel and a parallel front opening are separated by a depth. The rear component is slidable between a forward contracted orientation and a rearward extended orientation. A door with a hinge pivotally couples the door to the front opening of the front component. A lock is adapted to selectively lock the door in the closed orientation. A size limiter precludes the rear component from moving rearwardly and separating from the front component.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Donald E. Frank
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Patent number: 8117974Abstract: An apparatus for extracting energy from fiber introduced as a fuel into a vertically elongated combustion chamber having a suspension burner capable of projecting a flame down the axis of the combustion chamber with a heat collection surface located radially from the flame and below the burner, and an exhaust opening located below the flame and below at least a portion of the heat collection surface, in which the combusted fiber yields a mixture containing hot flue gas and molten ash above the exhaust opening and heat transfers therefrom to the heat collection surface prior to any substantial contact of ash to a surface of the combustion chamber, to yield a mixture containing warm flue gas and non-molten ash, that is thereafter cooled to yield a mixture containing cool flue gas and non-molten ash.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: The McBurney CorporationInventors: Raymond C Ganga, Greg Imig, Blake McBurney, Robert Jensen, John Kerr, Steve J Reust
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Patent number: 8117975Abstract: A fossil-fuel-fired system, which includes an emissions-control-agent dispenser, a furnace, an emissions monitor and, optionally, a controller, is disclosed. The emissions-control-agent dispenser provides a prescribed amount of organic-emissions-control agent, such as, for example, an opacity-control agent to the fossil-fuel-fired system. The furnace includes an exhaust communicating with the atmosphere. The emissions monitor is capable of measuring at least one property of the flue-gas communicated through the exhaust to the atmosphere. For example, when an organic-emissions-control agent is an opacity-control agent, the emissions monitor has the capability of at least measuring opacity. When included, the controller communicates with at least the emissions-control-agent dispenser and the emissions monitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen, LLCInventors: Gary W. Allen, John T. Joyce, Jr.
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Patent number: 8117976Abstract: A handicraft needle punch set includes a needle puncher, and an assisting tool used in performing needle punching to an object. The assisting tool includes a plurality of tubular template portions each having a desired sectional shape. The needle puncher includes a plurality of needles, a grip member supporting the needles in a manner allowing the tips of the needles to protrude to the outside, and a tubular attachment member detachably attached to the grip member. The tubular attachment member is configured to surround the needles in a noncontact manner and have a contact end portion coming into contact with the upper portions of the tubular template portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Clover Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaharu Tamura
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Patent number: 8117977Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit by a tractive cable, having a first end of the tractive cable connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable connected to a base platform, a guiding line having a first end connected to the aerodynamic wing or to the steering unit, a pole being connected to the base platform. According to the invention, an aerodynamic wind propulsion device as mentioned above is provided, characterized in that a second end of the guiding line is connected to the base platform during and between starting and landing maneuvers wherein the guiding line is guided through or along the pole and is capable of transferring a tensile force onto the aerodynamic wing at least during starting or landing.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Skysails GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Bastian Reusch
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Patent number: 8117978Abstract: A sailing ship comprises a hard sail assembly. The hard sail assembly comprises a plurality of hard sails of wing-shaped hollow cross section. The hard sails are vertically stacked so that each except the lowermost is received in the one immediately below. The sailing ship further comprises an apparatus for driving the hard sails to move each except the lowermost toward and away from the one immediately below, a post extending vertically to support the lowermost hard sail, and a second apparatus for rotating the post around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sails are variably controlled to make the hard sail assembly expand and contract vertically.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignees: Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Inc., GH Craft Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Ouchi, Gaku Kimura
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Patent number: 8117979Abstract: A rudder (1) for ships with a swivellable rudder blade (2) and a fin (3) hinged thereon as well as with a fin control device (S) having control elements which is placed outside the rudder blade (2) in bearing vicinity between a hull (6) and the rudder blade (2), it is provided that protecting guiding elements (L) are fixed to a ship part laterally from the control elements for the protection of the fin control against external influences such as pressure, stroke and impact shock.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Becker Marine Systems GmbH & Co.Inventor: Mathias Kluge
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Patent number: 8117980Abstract: A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end. This attaching end is integrated with a self closing latch. The latch opens when pressed against the craft's mooring fixture then automatically snaps back into place capturing the craft. Pressing the release button opens the latch, freeing the craft. Each device also provides a place for a separate lock to be installed preventing theft or unauthorized use of the craft.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Jeffrey Jerome Cichoski
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Patent number: 8117981Abstract: In order to apply a liquid material including a small number of bubbles, in particular almost no bubbles larger than a predetermined size, a liquid material supplying apparatus includes: a pressure tank applying a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to the liquid material; a syringe having a nozzle for discharging the liquid material; and a liquid path member forming a liquid path leading the liquid material from the pressure tank to the syringe; a valve member which is provided on the liquid path member and which opens/closes the liquid path; a bubble defoaming filter which is provided on the liquid path member between the syringe and the valve member and which removes bubbles from the liquid material lead in the liquid path member; and a pressure applying mechanism which starts/stops discharging the liquid material from the nozzle by selectively applying a first pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure and a second pressure lower than the first pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Origin Electric Company, LimitedInventors: Hironobu Nishimura, Masahiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 8117982Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of coplanar electrical interconnectors. Solder material is deposited onto a wafer, substrate, or other component of an electrical package using a complaint mold such that the terminal ends of the solder material being deposited, i.e., the ends opposite to those forming an attachment to the wafer, substrate, or other component of an electrical package are coplanar with one another. A complaint mold is used having one or more conduits for receiving solder material and having a compliant side and a planar side. The compliant side of the mold is positioned adjacent to the wafer, substrate, or other component of an electrical package allowing solder material to be deposited onto the surface thereof such that the planar side of the compliant mold provides coplanar interconnectors. An Injection Molded Solder (IMS) head can be used as the means for filling the conduits of the compliant mold of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Peter A. Gruber, John Ulrich Knickerbocker
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Patent number: 8117983Abstract: A micro-extrusion printhead assembly utilized in a micro-extrusion system to form parallel extruded lines of material on a substrate includes a material feed system for pushing/drawing materials out of extrusion nozzles defined in the printhead assembly, a Z-axis positioning mechanism, and a base. The micro-extrusion printhead includes a layered nozzle structure sandwiched between back and front plate structures. The layered nozzle structure includes stacked plates including top and bottom nozzle plates sandwiching a nozzle outlet plate. According to various embodiments, at least one of the nozzle structure materials of the printhead assembly, the output geometry of the printhead assembly, and the internal conduit geometry of the printhead assembly are modified to cause the bead traveling through the extrusion nozzle to be reliably directed (biased) toward the target substrate as it leaves the printhead nozzle orifice.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Solarworld Innovations GmbHInventors: David K. Fork, Scott E. Solberg
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Patent number: 8117984Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yung Ming Chen, Jeff H. Smith, Celenia Gutierrez
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Patent number: 8117985Abstract: A laser cladding device for applying a coating to a part comprising a laser which can generate laser light, which is adapted to heat the coating and the part, a main body defining a laser light channel adapted to transmit the laser light to the part, a coating channel adapted to transmit the coating to the part, and a vacuum channel and a nozzle having an exit. The nozzle comprises a delivery port at one end of the laser light channel, a coating port at one end of the coating channel, and a vacuum port at one end of the vacuum channel, wherein the vacuum port is positioned generally adjacent the delivery port. In operation the vacuum port draws a vacuum, pulling the coating towards the part.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Ronald Peter Whitfield
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Patent number: 8117986Abstract: The present invention presents an improved deposition shield for surrounding a process space in a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the deposition shield advantageously provides for a clean processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the deposition shield.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Hidehito Saigusa, Taira Takase, Kouji Mitsuhashi, Hiroyuki Nakayama
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Patent number: 8117987Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inline HWCVD tool may include a linear conveyor for moving a substrate through the linear process tool; and a multiplicity of HWCVD sources, the multiplicity of HWCVD sources being positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the linear conveyor and configured to deposit material on the surface of the substrate as the substrate moves along the linear conveyor; wherein the substrate is coated by the multiplicity of HWCVD sources without breaking vacuum. In some embodiments, methods of coating substrates may include depositing a first material from an HWCVD source on a substrate moving through a first deposition chamber; moving the substrate from the first deposition chamber to a second deposition chamber; and depositing a second material from a second HWCVD source on the substrate moving through the second deposition chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Dieter Haas, Pravin K. Narwankar, Randhir P. S. Thakur
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Patent number: 8117988Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary platform for milking of animal. The rotary parlor comprises a platform (3), a circular rail member (10) connected to a lower surface of the platform (3) and a plurality of rolling members (11) having a wear surface (11?) adapted to be in contact with a wear surface (10b?) of the rail member (10). The rail member (10) comprises a first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) connected to the platform (3), a second part (10b, 18c) comprising said wear surface (10b?) and a connection arranged between said first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) of the rail member and said second part (10b, 18c) of the rail member, which connection is adapted to allow angular movements between the first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) and the second part (10b, 18c) of the rail member (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: DeLaval Holding ABInventor: Christopher K Oliver
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Patent number: 8117989Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson, Duane F. Sellner
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Patent number: 8117990Abstract: An improved nipple for feeding liquids to newborn and young bovine calves and other mammals. A horizontal flat portion of an upper end of the nipple has a downward curving periphery that merges into a vertical portion of a barrel at an exterior radius of 9 to 10 mm and an interior radius of 6.5 to 7.5 mm. The thickness of a wall of the upper end of the nipple is between 5 and 10% less than the thickness of the wall of the barrel. The flat portion of the upper end of the nipple 1 has a diameter in the range of 5 to 7 mm, which is about 20 to 25% of the inner diameter of the barrel. A bump-out may be formed on a base of the nipple to aid in removing and replacing the nipple on a bottle.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: West Agro Inc.Inventor: Arthur Raymond Terwilleger
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Patent number: 8117991Abstract: A pet water dispenser having a system of water pumps to circulate water, a water bowl containing a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the water in the bowl, an ultra violet light and a filter to purify and clean the circulating water, an in-line water heater and a thermoelectric cooling plate to keep the water at a desired temperature, water jets inside the bowl to spray water against the inside of the bowl to clean hair and debris from the bowl, a rotating drain disc in the bowl which periodically opens to permit emptying of old water from the water bowl and closes to permit filling of the bowl with fresh water, a digital controller to permit a pet owner to control the operation of the dispenser and the temperature of the water presented in the bowl to the pet.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Sandra Civitillo
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Patent number: 8117992Abstract: A system related to inland farming of seafood products within an environmentally-controlled seafood-farming environment. The seafood-farming environment is preferably established within at least one substantially buried space. The associated apparatus preferably comprises at least one nutrient supplier to supply adequate nutrients to at least one aqueous medium supporting the farming of the seafood, and at least one waste remover to remove unwanted waste from the aqueous medium. Surface crops are grown above and around the seafood-farming environment to maximize production within the farming site. A kit and methods of implementation are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Aqua Culture Joint VentureInventors: Neal S. Parsons, Steven De Wayne Wooten, Louis J. Raj, Jr.
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Patent number: 8117993Abstract: A pet enclosure includes a cover and a support frame. The cover includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a plurality of side panels extending between the bottom panel and the top panel to define an interior space of the cover. An aperture is defined in at least one of the top panel and one of the plurality of side panels for accessing the interior space. The support frame is pivotable between a collapsed configuration and an upright configuration and is insertable into the interior space of the cover through the aperture in the collapsed configuration of the support frame. The support frame is also pivotable from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration while disposed within the interior space of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: United Pet Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Farmer, Steven J. Behrens
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Patent number: 8117994Abstract: An animal ramp apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A base frame includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first end of the panel is pivotally coupled to the base frame adjacent to the rear wall. The second end of the panel is selectively pivoted upwardly from the frame to define a deployed position. A support member is pivotally attached to the frame and supports the panel in the deployed position at a selected angle relative to the base frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Troy K. Goodlow
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Patent number: 8117995Abstract: A method of protecting a heat exchanger that includes a flue gas cooler having plastic heat recovery tubes arranged on a counterflow principle in heat exchange connection with flue gases generated by a thermal power boiler. The heat recovery tubes are connected by an inlet chamber to an inlet tube and by an outlet chamber to an outlet tube, which form, together with a heater, a liquid cycle in which a liquid heat exchange medium is recirculated by a pump.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia OyInventor: Jorma Pellikka
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Patent number: 8117996Abstract: A water heater capable of suppressing an increase in the combustion air temperature exiting the heater and the generation of nitrogen oxide within an easy structure is provided. In the water heater, a burner is provided in a combustion chamber which is below a hot water storage chamber that is an all primary air burner which takes in the air required for gas combustion, whereby the air is mostly primary air. In addition, the burner is provided with a supporting plate in the combustion chamber at a height that allows part of the burner head to be protruded into a space covered by a lower mirror plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Paloma Industries, LimitedInventor: Hiroshi Oda
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Patent number: 8117997Abstract: Disclosed is a double pipe heat exchanger for a boiler supplying heating water and hot water, which can prevent water from being condensed even if cold heating water or cold water is introduced into an inlet of the heat exchanger in the boiler for supplying heating water and hot water The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of outer heating water pipes to which combustion heat is applied from a burner of a combustion chamber; a plurality of inner pipes, each of which is inserted in each outer pipe; a returned heating water pipe in which cold heating water is introduced; and a cold water pipe in which cold water is introduced, wherein the returned heating water pipe and the cold water pipe are connected to one of the inner pipes.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Kyungdong Everon Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tae-Sik Min
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Patent number: 8117998Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot water supplying system that includes a preheating-circulating system, which heats water to maximally reduce the time to attain a temperature set by a user, and is designed to use a portion of preheating energy for heating, preventing pipelines from being frozen to burst in winter by preheating-circulating.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Kyungdong Navien Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ho Keun Kim, Yong Bum Kim
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Patent number: 8117999Abstract: In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Martinrea International Inc.Inventors: Zdenek Cerny, Francis Michael Burke
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Patent number: 8118000Abstract: An internal combustion engine system and method of its operation are described. As one example, the method includes: repeatedly opening a first intake valve of a combustion chamber of the engine once every four piston strokes; transitioning operation of the combustion chamber from a four stroke cycle to a two stroke cycle by activating a second intake valve of the combustion chamber to repeatedly open once every four piston strokes during a different intake stroke than the first intake valve; and transitioning operation of the combustion chamber from the two stroke cycle to the four stroke cycle by deactivating the second intake valve in a closed position. In this way, the engine may be selectively operated in a two stroke cycle or a four stroke cycle by activating or deactivating or activating one of the intake valves while another of the intake valves continues to operate.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 8118001Abstract: A cooling system for a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes a coolant flow circuit and a coolant return passage. The coolant flow circuit includes a water pump, a water jacket having a plurality of serially connected flow passages, an oil cooler, a radiator, and a pressure-regulating valve for discharging coolant to a reservoir tank when pressure of the coolant in the coolant flow circuit reaches a predetermined target value. The coolant return passage supplies coolant from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit via a check valve, which only allows coolant to flow in one direction from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuru Kowada
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Patent number: 8118002Abstract: In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated valve deactivation device, and the other intake valve does not. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence under low valve lift, one of the intake valves may be deactivated, resulting in mixture intake through only one valve, resulting in strong swirl by unbalanced flow. A CVVL-equipped engine including a valve deactivation device provides the same amount of air flow for the same engine load as a prior art CVVL engine. A method of introducing a swirl to the mixture is also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Richard B. Roe
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Patent number: 8118003Abstract: A pivot cam mechanism included in a valve operating system is configured such that a coupling pin is supported at a pivot member in a position closer to a camshaft than a control shaft, and the pivot member and the driven member are integrally pivotable according to the rotation of the drive cam while changing relative attitudes of the driven member and the pivot member. Positions and shapes of the drive cam, the driven member, and the pivot member are designed so that a valve maximum acceleration point at which an acceleration of a valve body is at a maximum is located in a front part of a valve acceleration period in which the acceleration of the valve body has a positive value while the drive cam is rotating once.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Nishida, Kazuki Nagasawa, Yoshio Watanabe, Yoji Fukami, Toshiyuki Yanamoto
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Patent number: 8118004Abstract: Provided are a rocker arm, a rocker shaft, a valve cap, an adjust screw, a pivot receiving member, and a valve of an arm type valve operating device that can suppress wear and pitching, and attain a long service life. A multiplicity of minute recesses are provided at random in contact portions with other members of those members. A surface provided with recesses has a surface roughness parameter Ryni that is in a range: 0.4 ?m?Ryni?1.0 ?m, and an Sk value of ?1.6 or less. Accordingly, contact surfaces exhibit a high oil-film-forming capacity, so a long service life is attained even under a condition of low viscosity, thin lubrication and extremely thin oil film.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: NTN CorporationInventor: Rino Fukami
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Patent number: 8118005Abstract: Cooperative operation of an auxiliary power unit having a mechanical power output shaft with a transmission coupled power takeoff operation system of a vehicle is provided by allowing the vehicle's main engine to be cranked by the auxiliary power unit through the power takeoff operation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: James C. Bradley, Anthony Joseph Cook, Rodney J. Klinger
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Patent number: 8118006Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection of a dual fuel engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, while pumping is suspended in the second fuel rail, the first fuel is injected to all but one cylinder of the engine and the second fuel is injected to the one cylinder in a predetermined sequence. As such, the fuel injector injecting to the one cylinder is isolated and its performance may be assessed without significantly affecting engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 8118007Abstract: An L-shaped rotary valve has a pair of side plates and a valve plate. The rotary valve is rotatably supported in a housing at a shaft 5. The valve plate moves along downstream ends of side wall portions of an air duct. A gap is formed between a downstream end of an air-intake passage and the valve plate, when the rotary valve is moved to its valve closed position. The side plates of the rotary valve cover the gap in a lateral direction in parallel to an axial direction of the shaft, so that leakage of air flow in the lateral direction of the gap is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Ryo Sano
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Patent number: 8118008Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Nate Trask
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Patent number: 8118009Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a fuel burning engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is provided. As one example, the method includes separating a first fuel and a second fuel from a fuel vapor on-board the vehicle, said fuel vapor including at least an alcohol component and a hydrocarbon component and said first fuel including a higher concentration of the alcohol component than the fuel vapor and the second fuel; condensing the separated first fuel from a vapor phase to a liquid phase; delivering the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel to the engine; and combusting at least the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel at the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Allen Dearth
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Patent number: 8118010Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel injector temperature determination module and a fuel injector control module. The fuel injector temperature determination module determines a temperature of a tip of a fuel injector based on a first temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in an HCCI combustion mode, and determines the temperature of the tip of the fuel injector based on a second temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in a spark ignition (SI) combustion mode. The fuel injector control module controls a fuel injector pulse width based on the determined temperature and a predetermined temperature threshold, wherein the fuel injector pulse width increases when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Vijay Ramappan, Andrew P Bagnasco
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Patent number: 8118011Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion device includes an engine, a fuel injection device, an intake system, a vapor separator tank arranged to separate fuel vapor from liquid fuel to be supplied to the engine, a pump unit arranged to transport the fuel from the vapor separator tank to the fuel injection device, a fuel pipe arranged to connect the fuel injection device and the pump unit, a vapor pathway arranged to connect the vapor separator tank and the intake system, a valve disposed in the vapor pathway, and an engine control unit. The engine control unit is arranged to control the opening degree of the valve in accordance with a valve opening speed set based on at least the pressure of the fuel in the fuel pipe when starting the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Eiichi Hirose
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Patent number: 8118012Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen gas as fuels and including a fuel injection device that injects liquid fuel, a hydrogen-blended fuel in which hydrogen gas is contained in the form of minute bubbles in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, that is supplied to the fuel injection device. The hydrogen-blended fuel is stored in a fuel tank. Hydrogen gas that has escaped from the hydrogen-blended fuel in the fuel tank is fed to a minute-bubble producing device, which forms the fuel gas into minute bubbles and mixes the minute bubbles back into the hydrogen-blended fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Suzuki, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Masahiko Masubuchi
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Patent number: 8118013Abstract: The present invention provides a crankcase ventilation system and resonator for a turbocharged internal combustion engine assembly. The resonator, designed for intake noise reduction, is mounted to the engine. An oil separation unit, designed for passage of blowby gases, is mounted to a cam cover, sandwiched between the resonator and cam cover. The resonator has a resonator body defining a resonator volume therein. The resonator fluidly communicates the oil separation unit with the turbocharger air inlet pipe, whereby blowby gases are evacuated from the cam cover and delivered through the resonator volume for reintroduction to the engine's air intake system. Integration of the blowby passages into the resonator reduces the number of potential leak paths in the air induction system, and reduces overall engine mass, cost, and packaging size. The present design also offers improved On-board Diagnostics (OBD) by allowing only large flow areas to be disconnected.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Gary J. Arvan
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Patent number: 8118014Abstract: An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes transferring one type of fuel from one fuel tank to a second fuel tank holding another type of fuel and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on the blended fuel mixture by selective operation of a first and second fuel pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
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Patent number: 8118015Abstract: A bottom feed magazine of a paintball gun includes a housing for storing a plurality of paintballs. A circular tray is mounted to the housing. A hub is rotatable about a shaft within the circular tray at a center thereof. The circular tray and the hub together define an annular channel for receiving paintballs dropped therein from the housing. A plurality of arms is provided on the hub for driving the paintballs along the channel. A tube has an inlet end extending into the channel and an outlet end extending generally upwards to a top wall of the housing. When the central hub rotates, the paintballs in the channel are driven along the channel, into the inlet end and pushed up along the tube towards the outlet end.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Real Action Paintball Inc.Inventor: Khanh Tran
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Patent number: 8118016Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: GI Sportz Inc.Inventors: Richmond Italia, Michael Steven Spurlock, Chien Ming Chen, Chun Min Wu