Patents Issued in April 12, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120085096
    Abstract: Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from heat by-product of an overhead stream from a process column are provided. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for directly or indirectly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing electrical or mechanical power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: John David Penton, Leonore R. Rouse, Jerry M. Rovner
  • Publication number: 20120085097
    Abstract: Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from a process heat by-product are provided. Sources of process heat by-product include hot flue gas streams, high temperature reactors, steam generators, gas turbines, diesel generators, and process columns. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for directly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: John David Penton, Leonore R. Rouse, Jerry M. Rovner
  • Publication number: 20120085098
    Abstract: Provided is a device which can reliably generate a vapor explosion. A device which can reliably generate a vapor explosion and shock waves is proposed. This device is provided as an experimental means for research and development of a vapor explosion and shock waves, and paves the way for applications to motors or turbines. A high-temperature liquid (0102) including a molten metal is retained in the inside of a liquid retention container (0101). Heating devices (0103) to maintain the high-temperature liquid at a high temperature are provided around the liquid retention container. An inlet (0104) through which water is intermittently charged is provided in the bottom portion of the liquid retention container, and a pressure-proof valve (0105) is provided in the inlet so as to close the inlet. The pressure-proof valve closes the inlet using a force of a spring (0106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Hisashi Katsuren
  • Publication number: 20120085099
    Abstract: A system and method for tuning a gas turbine combustion system having a plurality of seals positioned between the combustion system and the turbine inlet is disclosed. The system and method provide ways of permitting a predetermined amount of compressed air to bypass the combustion system and enter the turbine so as to control emissions and dynamics of the combustion system. The seals contain a plurality of holes to meter airflow passing therethrough and are positioned such that they can be removed from the engine and modified to increase or decrease the amount of air passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Sherman Craig Creighton, Charles Ellis, David John Henriquez, Peter Stuttaford
  • Publication number: 20120085100
    Abstract: The present application provides for a combustor for combusting a flow of fuel and a flow of air. The combustor may include a number of fuel nozzles, a lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system positioned upstream of the fuel nozzles, and a premixing annulus positioned between the fuel nozzles and the lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system to premix the flow of fuel and the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael John Hughes, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Jason Thurman Stewart, Almaz Valeev, Chunyang Wu
  • Publication number: 20120085101
    Abstract: In a testing overspeed protection system: a) on receiving an order to start a turbomachine, an electronic regulation system (ERS) of the turbomachine sends an order to a control circuit of a fuel cutoff member to close the fuel cutoff member or to keep it in the closed position; b) the closed state of the FCM is verified on the basis of information transmitted to the ERS and representative of the position of the FCM; c) if the result of the verification in b) is positive, the ERS sends an order to the FCM control circuit to authorize opening of the FCM and enable the starting procedure to continue; and d) if the result of the verification in b) is negative, the ERS issues fault information concerning the overspeed protection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Franck Godel, Nicolas Marie Pierre Gueit, Julien Marcel Roger Maille
  • Publication number: 20120085102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing methane from the flue gases of a gas engine, wherein the flue gases are conducted at a temperature of at most 5000 C over a noble metal catalyst, comprising a noble metal on a solid oxidic support, under conditions where no poisoning or inhibition of the noble metal catalyst by SO2 and/or NOx occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Theodoor Petrus Knook, Michiel Makkee
  • Publication number: 20120085103
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a shim for sealing two adjacent turbine transition pieces is disclosed. The shim includes a circumferential member that includes a first lateral flange and a second lateral flange. Further, the first and second lateral flanges each comprise a tab configured to mate to a first surface plane and the first and second lateral flanges are configured to mate to a second surface plane, wherein the first and second surface planes are substantially parallel. In addition, the shim includes a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the circumferential member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Mehmet Demiroglu, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate
  • Publication number: 20120085104
    Abstract: A turbine engine including a channel for injecting a cooling air flow of a high-pressure turbine disk, opening into a cavity that is substantially isolated, upstream, from a cavity in which an air flow sampled at the output of a high-pressure compressor circulates, by a first labyrinth seal, and downstream, from a cavity communicating with the primary flow of the turbine engine, by a second labyrinth seal. The turbine engine includes channels communicating with the injection channel and opening through a static part of the first labyrinth seal between two lips of that seal, so as to allow an air flow coming from the injection channel to be injected between the lips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Fabrice Marcel Noel Garin, Maurice Guy Judet, Patrick Claude Pasquis, Wilfried Lionel Schweblen
  • Publication number: 20120085105
    Abstract: A cooling system including a first cooling apparatus thermally exposed to a space to be cooled. The cooling system further includes a second cooling apparatus thermally exposed to the space to be cooled and thermally exposed to the first cooling apparatus. Heat discharged from the second cooling apparatus powers the first cooling apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Tony Quisenberry
  • Publication number: 20120085106
    Abstract: A process for heat integration in engineering processes in which, in a heat carrier circuit (10), a heat carrier medium takes up heat from a first process stream (14) in a first heat exchanger (12) and releases it to a refrigeration system (30), in addition in a refrigerant circuit (20) a refrigerant is cooled in the refrigeration system (30) and the refrigerant takes up heat from a second process stream (24) in a second heat exchanger (22) or a second process stream (24) is cooled in the refrigeration system (30), wherein the first process stream (14) is a vapor stream from a thermal separation apparatus, and the temperature of the heat carrier medium is increased by heat supply between egress from the first heat exchanger (12) and ingress into the refrigeration system (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Gerhard Theis, Thomas Borren, Jörg Schlecht, Frans Vansant
  • Publication number: 20120085107
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention permit the transfer of heat energy from one process fluid to another in an industrial process without the need for an energy field or centralized energy storage. Preferred embodiments include one or more heat transfer modules that draw heat from one process fluid into circulating refrigerant in an evaporator heat exchanger and supply that heat to a different process fluid in a condenser heat exchanger. In some embodiments, adjustments are made to one or more parameters of one or more process fluids to ensure the desired heat transfer is accomplished with the heat transfer module's compressor operating near optimum efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: TITAN, INC.
    Inventors: Jack W. Allen, Hans B. Alwin
  • Publication number: 20120085108
    Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ARROWHEAD CENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Nagamany Nirmalakhandan, Veera Gnaneswar Gude
  • Publication number: 20120085109
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an enclosure, a floor system, a UPS, and at least one air conditioning unit. The enclosure defines an interior chamber. The floor system is disposed in the interior chamber. The floor system includes a floor that defines within the interior chamber a main compartment above the floor and a plenum below the floor. The at least one battery is disposed in the plenum. The UPS is disposed in the main compartment and is electrically connected to the at least one battery. The at least one air conditioning unit is operable to generate a first conditioned air flow through the main compartment and a second conditioned air flow through the plenum such that the main compartment is maintained at a first temperature and the plenum is maintained at a second temperature different from the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Angelo Louis Mandarino
  • Publication number: 20120085110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of stabilizer that may be a terpene, terpenoid or fullerene; or a mixture of a terpene, terpenoid or fullerene with other stabilizers. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: JON LEE HOWELL, Velliyur Nott Mallikarjuna Rao, Thomas J. Leck, Barbara Haviland Minor, Mario Joseph Nappa, Nandini C. Mouli, Ekaterina N. Swearingen, Andrew Edward Feiring
  • Publication number: 20120085111
    Abstract: An adsorption type refrigerator with thermostatic control includes a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a third vacuum chamber, and a passage structure. The first vacuum chamber accommodates a first adsorption bed, a first condenser, and a first evaporator, and the second vacuum chamber accommodates a second adsorption bed, a second condenser, and a second evaporator. The third vacuum chamber contains a third evaporator. The passage structure guides hot water into the first adsorption bed and guides cold water into the second adsorption bed simultaneously, or guides the cold water into the first adsorption bed and guides the hot water into the second adsorption bed simultaneously. According to the ambient temperature or the temperature of ice water produced by the adsorption refrigerator, the cold water is stopped being guided into the first or the second adsorption bed timely, thereby ceasing the refrigeration temporarily and achieving the thermostatic control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Yu Chen, Yu-Ming Sun, Chi-Bin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120085112
    Abstract: A heat pump system for conditioning air supplied to a space is provided. The system includes a pre-processing module that pre-conditions supply air. A supply air heat exchanger is in flow communication with the pre-processing module. The supply air heat exchanger receives air from the pre-processing module and at least one of heats or cools the air from the pre-processing module. A processing module is in flow communication with the supply air heat exchanger. The processing module receiving and conditioning air from the supply air heat exchanger. A regeneration air heat exchanger is provided to at least one of heat or cool regeneration air. The regeneration air heat exchanger and the supply air heat exchanger are fluidly coupled by a refrigerant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.
    Inventor: David Martin Wintemute
  • Publication number: 20120085113
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system, in this embodiment, includes an exterior housing, and a motor having fan blades rotatably coupled thereto located within the exterior housing. The air conditioning system, in this embodiment, further includes a controller coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the fan blades based upon climate conditions proximate the exterior housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John Tran, Mark Olsen, Jeff Mangum
  • Publication number: 20120085114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit and a process for operation of the refrigerant circuit of an HVAC system of a vehicle, particularly an electric or hybrid vehicle. The refrigerant circuit includes a primary circuit with a compressor, a heat exchanger for heat transmission between the refrigerant and the environment, a collector, a first expansion member, a heat exchanger for supply of heat from the fresh air to be conditioned of the vehicle interior to the refrigerant and a heat exchanger arranged switched in parallel to the heat exchanger. Further, the refrigerant circuit is provided with a secondary train that extends starting from a tapping point positioned between the compressor and the heat exchanger up to a connection point and is provided with a heat exchanger for heat transmission from the refrigerant to the fresh air to be conditioned for the vehicle interior, and a subsequent control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Audi AG, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Florian Wieschollek, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120085115
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle may include an evaporator core, a heater core allowing air which has passed through the evaporator core to selectively pass therethrough, a defrost outlet, a vent outlet formed adjacent to the defrost outlet, a floor outlet formed adjacent to the vent outlet, and a sliding door sliding between the defrost outlet, the vent outlet and the floor outlet in series, thus selectively opening or closing the defrost outlet, the vent outlet and the floor outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Myung Hoe KIM, Seon Won Kim, Seung Wook Kim, Jong Heon Lee
  • Publication number: 20120085116
    Abstract: A refrigerator with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: a base disposed on a first member and a second member which are placed within the refrigerator and have one surfaces having facing directions crossing each other; a first fixing member disposed between the base and the first member; a second fixing member disposed between the base and the second member; and an ultraviolet LED being disposed on the top surface of the base and emitting light toward the interior space of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hyoung MAENG, Dong Nyung LIM, Sang Jun HONG, Young Suck BYUN, Dae Soo JEONG
  • Publication number: 20120085117
    Abstract: A refrigerant circuit is configured, which includes an electric compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator, a hot gas introduction path connecting the electric compressor and the evaporator together, and a switching valve for controlling a flow of refrigerant in the hot gas introduction path. In addition, a fan is provided. In a defrosting cycle for introducing refrigerant into the evaporator through the hot gas introduction path to defrost the evaporator, if the pressure of the condenser is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, the fan forms an air flow from a radiator to the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Makoto Ikemiya, Hisaaki Takaoka, Shigeto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120085118
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor that enhances compressor efficiency by both reducing an amplitude of pressure pulsations and reducing pressure losses in a discharge muffler space into which is discharged a refrigerant compressed at a compression unit. A low-stage discharge muffler space is formed in the shape of a ring around a drive shaft. In the low-stage discharge muffler space, a discharge port rear guide is provided in the proximity of a discharge port through which is discharged the refrigerant compressed by a low-stage compression unit. The discharge port rear guide is provided at a flow path in one direction out of two flow paths from the discharge port to a communication port in different directions around the drive shaft, and prevents the refrigerant from flowing in that direction, thereby causing the refrigerant to circulate in a forward direction in the ring-shaped discharge muffler space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuhide Yokoyama, Toshihide Koda, Shin Sekiya, Kei Sasaki, Raito Kawamura, Taro Kato, Atsuyoshi Fukaya, Takeshi Fushiki, Hideaki Maeyama, Masao Tani
  • Publication number: 20120085119
    Abstract: A device that enhances compressor efficiency by reducing pressure losses in a discharge muffler space into which is discharged a refrigerant compressed by a compression unit. A low-stage discharge muffler space is formed in the shape of a ring around a drive shaft. In the low-stage discharge muffler space, a communication port flow guide is provided so as to cover a predetermined area of an opening of a communication port from a side of a flow path in a reverse direction out of two flow paths in different directions around the drive shaft from a discharge port through which is discharged the refrigerant compressed by a low-stage compression unit to the communication port through which the refrigerant flows out. The communication port flow guide transforms a direction of a flow into a direction of a connecting flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuhide Yokoyama, Raito Kawamura, Kei Sasaki, Shin Sekiya, Taro Kato, Masao Tani, Atsuyoshi Fukaya, Takeshi Fushiki
  • Publication number: 20120085120
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body portion having an air supply and an air return, a door hinged to the body portion, and an icemaking unit located on the door and having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are adjacent the air supply and air return, respectively, when the door is closed, to receive and return chilled air therefrom and thereto. At least a first sealing member is located at the air supply, the air return, the air inlet, and/or the air outlet. The at least first sealing member includes a first membrane with a slit formed therein, and a first projecting member. The slit and the first projecting member are configured and dimensioned such that the slit is closed when the door is in an open position and that the slit is opened when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew William DAVIS, Wayne Edward Lawson, Krzysztof Struminski
  • Publication number: 20120085121
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for minimizing the cool down time of a mass to cryogenic temperatures including a compressor, an expander, a gas storage tank, interconnecting gas lines, and a control system. The compressor output is maintained near its maximum capability by maintaining near constant high and low pressures during cool down, gas being added or removed from the storage tank to maintain a near constant high pressure, and the speed of said expander being adjusted to maintain a near constant low pressure, no gas by-passing between high and low pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Ralph Longsworth
  • Publication number: 20120085122
    Abstract: A cabinet for refrigerating electronic equipment positioned in a compartment of a cabinet body, said cabinet further being arranged with a cabinet door for closing an access opening to said compartment; at least one partitioning means for partitioning the compartment into at least two sub-compartments, wherein the at least two sub-compartments are in fluid communication; a cooling system arranged in the cabinet door, the cooling system being in fluid communication with the compartment via a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet, the cooling system comprising a fan for discharging cooling fluid via the fluid outlet into at least a first sub-compartment of said at least two sub-compartments and for exhausting fluid via at least a second sub-compartment of said at least two sub-compartments through the fluid inlet; and at least a gasket for abutting, upon closing the cabinet door, the at least one partitioning means to said cabinet door, thereby hindering fluid to pass between the sub-compartments at the cabinet door,
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SiteTel Sweden AB
    Inventors: Krister Thour, Johan Kullberg
  • Publication number: 20120085123
    Abstract: A self-contained, portable refrigeration unit having a construction arrangement which enables it to be compatible with several models, types and variations of refrigeratable compartments. This refrigeration unit is represented by a refrigeration module (1) capable of being removably fitted into a refrigeratable compartment, comprising a first housing (100) and a second housing (200) associated with each other. The first housing (100) is in contact with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment and the second housing (200) is in contact with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the first housing (100) is capable of moving in relation to the second housing (200). The first housing (100) interfaces the refrigeration module (1) with the inside of the refrigeratable compartment. The second housing (200) interfaces the refrigeration module (1) with the outside of the refrigeratable compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA - UFSC, WHIRLPOOL S.A.
    Inventors: Luciana Wasnievski da Silva, Márcio Robert Thiessen, Paulo Rogerio Carrara Couto, Taciani Meurer Duarte
  • Publication number: 20120085124
    Abstract: A jet pump includes a discharge outlet configured to discharge refrigerant in which relatively high pressure refrigerant and relatively low pressure refrigerant are mixed, a diffuser disposed coaxially with the discharge outlet in an upstream side of the discharge outlet, the diffuser including an inside diameter which gradually reduces in size away from the discharge outlet, a suction hole following from a minimum diameter portion of the diffuser in an upstream side of the minimum diameter portion, disposed coaxially with the discharge outlet, and to which the lower pressure refrigerant is guided, a high pressure refrigerant path configured to guide the high pressure refrigerant to the diffuser, and a nozzle portion configured to eject the high pressure refrigerant from the high pressure refrigerant path into the diffuser in a downstream side of the minimum diameter portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Tomohiro MARUYAMA, Toru Kawamata
  • Publication number: 20120085125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for separating argon from a gas mixture. The method comprises the method steps of collecting the gas mixture, separating the oxygen present in the gas mixture, drying the gas mixture, and cryogenically purifying the remaining gas mixture for separating the argon in liquid form. The device for performing the method according to the invention comprises a collector for the gas mixture, a component for catalytic and/or adsorptive separation of oxygen from the gas mixture, a component for drying the gas mixture, and a system for cryogenically purifying the gas mixture and separating the argon in liquid form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ReiCat GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wanner, Herbert Nickel
  • Publication number: 20120085126
    Abstract: A distillation system for separating components fluid feed includes a stripper and a rectifier. The stripper includes an inlet to receive a feed of fluid a compressor in fluid communication with a more volatile portion of the fluid within the stripper to provide an output feed, and a reboiler in fluid communication with a less volatile portion of fluid within the stripper. The rectifier receives the output feed and includes a condenser in fluid communication with a more volatile portion of the output feed from the compressor, the condenser including an exit to remove at least one component from the more volatile portion of the output feed, and an outlet to recycle a less volatile portion of the output feed back to the stripper. Heat pipes transfer thermal energy from the rectifier to the stripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ramesh GUPTA, Walter WEISSMAN, Berne K. STOBER, Ian A. CODY
  • Publication number: 20120085127
    Abstract: A method for recovering C2 and higher weight hydrocarbons, or alternatively C3 and higher weight hydrocarbons, from low pressure gas, wherein the method avoids the need to significantly compress contaminated low pressure gas in most cases, and is robust in response to pressure and temperature variations in the low pressure gas feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Rajeev Nanda, Rahul Singh
  • Publication number: 20120085128
    Abstract: A method for recovering C2 and higher weight hydrocarbons, or alternatively C3 and higher weight hydrocarbons, from low pressure gas, wherein the method avoids the need to significantly compress contaminated low pressure gas in most cases, and is robust in response to pressure and temperature variations in the low pressure gas feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Rajeev Nanda, Rahul Singh
  • Publication number: 20120085129
    Abstract: A system of fasteners and connectors that can be used as part of fashion items such as jewelry, leather goods and garments is provided. One or more fasteners can be used interchangeably with a range of connectors to accommodate various kinds of decorative and functional applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CYGNET HILL LTD.
    Inventors: Sarah Yarger Kienzle, Siarhei Murauyou, Marianne Grisdale, Cliff Krapfl
  • Publication number: 20120085130
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving chemical strengthening behavior in glass members are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for processing a glass part formed using a fusion process or a float process includes annealing the glass part and then chemically strengthening the glass part. Annealing the glass part includes at least heating the glass part at a first temperature, maintaining the first temperature, and cooling the glass part to a second temperature using a controlled cooling process. Chemically strengthening the glass part includes facilitating an ion exchange between ions included in the glass part and ions included in a chemical strengthening bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael Kane Pilliod, Christopher Prest, Douglas Weber, Spyros Michail, David Pakula
  • Publication number: 20120085131
    Abstract: A method of making a large area conformable shape structure comprises drawing a plurality of tubes to form a plurality of drawn tubes, and cutting the plurality of drawn tubes into cut drawn tubes of a predetermined shape. The cut drawn tubes have a first end and a second end along the longitudinal direction of the cut drawn tubes. The method further comprises conforming the first end of the cut drawn tubes into a predetermined curve to form the large area conformable shape structure, wherein the cut drawn tubes contain a material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Ilia N. Ivanov, John T. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20120085132
    Abstract: The washing machine includes a tub mounted in a cabinet, a drum mounted in the tub, a shaft that transmits a driving force from a motor to the drum, front and rear bearings mounted on an outer circumference of opposite end portions of the shaft, a bearing housing built in a central portion of a rear wall of the tub to support the front bearing, a rotor coupled to the rear end portion of the shaft, a stator fixed to the tub rear wall inward of the rotor, and a connector of the rotor that serration coupled to the outer circumference of the shaft in front of the rear bearing so as to transmit rotating power from the rotor to the shaft. A bearing bracket may be fixed to the rear wall of the tub so as to cover an outside of the rotor and support the rear bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jae Kyum KIM, Ho Cheol KWON, Jong A. PARK, Kang Mo CHOI
  • Publication number: 20120085133
    Abstract: A portable washing appliance for washing small quantities of clothing. A container open at the top has a first compartment for receiving an item of clothing for washing. The container includes a perforated basket which is motor or manually driven to effect a washing operation as well as pre-soaked and rinse operations. Water may be discharged from a first compartment in the container into at least one second compartment, located either below or adjacent thereto, which contains a removable waste receptacle. The waste receptacle collects wash water, rinse water and water extracted during a spin dry operations which may be discarded through a kitchen or bathroom sink drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: I+D+M Creative, LLC
    Inventors: Fran Z. Slutsky, Matthew Cataudella
  • Publication number: 20120085134
    Abstract: A security device is provided herein, the security device being structured for secure attachment to an object. The security device which comprises a housing, locking assembly, and cable, may also carry an alarm system for increased security. The locking assembly locks the cable at a desired length to secure an object. In one embodiment, a ratchet mechanism uses a spool that collects the cable when the ratchet is rotated, such that the cable tightens around the object to secure it. The ratchet mechanism, even when locked, still allows the cable to be tightened. In other embodiments of the security device a slide grip or pressing feature can be moved or pushed to engage a clamp feature, thereby pinching the cable in place. The cable may be comprised of two separate cables combined with sheathing for increased protection and insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Mark Ezzo, Matthew R. Shute
  • Publication number: 20120085135
    Abstract: The subject handcuffs can expand from a retracted position to an expanded position to allow individuals to be safety and effectively apprehended and restrained, including large waisted individuals. The handcuffs (100) include a first cuff (102) and a second cuff (104) interconnected by an expandable connecting assembly (106). The expansion mechanism (112) includes a spool (120) and a release (122). The spool (120) rotates to pay out or retract a cable (108). In operation, the handcuffs (100) can be secured to one wrist of the individual. The release (122) can then be operated to expand the handcuffs (100) so that the handcuffs (100) can be secured to the other wrist of the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Billie Louden
  • Publication number: 20120085136
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a padlock includes a rocker having a central through bore and a tongue extending from an outer periphery of the rocker. A latch member is slidably disposed in a cavity in the rocker. A torsion spring is assembled to a spring retaining surface of the rocker and includes first and second legs extending from a center coil portion positioned around the through bore. The first leg extends beyond the outer periphery of the rocker, and the second leg terminates inward of the outer periphery of the rocker and engages a portion of the rocker to apply a biasing force against the rocker when the first leg is in a spring-loaded condition. The rocker comprises at least one spring fastening member securing the torsion spring to the spring retaining surface of the rocker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary Burmesch, Dean A. Paulson, Thomas J. Schlaefer, John Weber
  • Publication number: 20120085137
    Abstract: A blank is rolled by rolls in transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the blank with the aid of a drive for rockingly moving the rolls in opposite directions. The device comprises upper and lower rolls, a frame, two hydraulic power cylinders provided with pivot levers which kinematically form a four-link articulation mechanism, an upper thrust bearing and an upper axis on which an upper roll is secured. The four-link articulation mechanism is designed with the possibility of lifting/lowering the upper roll and transmitting a rolling force thereto. The device also comprises two hydraulic torque cylinders, a rocker, a lower thrust bearing and a lower axis, on which a lower roll is secured. The rods of the hydraulic torque cylinders are pivotally connected to the ends of the rocker with the possibility of transmitting oppositely directed torques and a rolling force to the lower roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Boris Zelmanovich Boguslavsky, Boris Semenovich Litvak
  • Publication number: 20120085138
    Abstract: A bending apparatus which manufactures a bent metal member with high productivity and excellent dimensional has a first support mechanism, which supports a steel tube while feeding it, a heating mechanism, which heats all or a portion of the steel tube, a cooling mechanism, which forms a high temperature portion in part of the steel tube by cooling a portion of the heater steel tube, a second support mechanism, which imparts a bending moment to the high temperature portion and bends the steel tube to a desired shape by moving two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally while supporting at least a portion of the steel tube, and a deformation preventing mechanism, which prevents deformation of the steel tube. At least one of the second support mechanism and the deformation preventing mechanism has a chuck which has a tubular member with a circular, polygonal, or special transverse cross section for gripping the steel tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: SUMITOMO PIPE & TUBE CO., LTD., SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinjiro KUWAYAMA, Atsushi TOMIZAWA, Saburo INOUE
  • Publication number: 20120085139
    Abstract: A method for producing a threaded nut (10, 26) of a screw drive, in particular of a ball screw (7, 24), which threaded nut (10, 26) has, on one axial end, a recess (45) which extends over a circumferential segment and which is open at the end side, wherein said recess (45) is delimited radially by a circumferential wall of the threaded nut (10, 26), and wherein said recess (45) is delimited axially by a base (54) formed on the threaded nut (10, 26), and wherein said recess (45) is delimited in the circumferential direction by a stop surface (47), which is formed on the threaded nut (10, 26), for a projection (44), produced according to the following steps: a blank is deformed in a deformation process by deformation of material so as to form the recess (45), wherein the base (54) and the stop surface (47) and the circumferential wall are integrally connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Osterlanger, Josef Miko, Manfred Kraus, Stefanie Barthlein
  • Publication number: 20120085140
    Abstract: A burr removing method includes: pressing, by using a work pressing device (7), the upper surface of a work (W) around a work edge (WE), along which a burr occurs, so as to be relatively freely movable, the work (W) held on a work table in a plate material processing machine so as to be freely movable in X- and Y-axis directions; when the work (W) relatively moves with respect to the work pressing device (7) in the X- and Y-axis directions, vibrating a striker (35) vertically, the striker (35) provided at a position below the work pressing device (7) so as to be freely vertically movable; and, when the striker (35) moves upward, crushing the burr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Shigeru Endo
  • Publication number: 20120085141
    Abstract: A pipe bender includes first and second handles pivotably secured together wherein the second handle includes first and second rotatable pipe receiving grooves at both ends of a forward U; a support member threadedly fastened between a forward bifurcation of the first handle, the support member comprising a spring depressible detent on the bottom, and a plurality of markings on the top; and a slide member comprising a plurality of parallel arcuate pipe receiving channels of different arcuate perimeters on a lower surface, a central U-shaped trough on the top for receiving a lower portion of the support member, retaining holes on the bottom of the U-shaped trough, each retaining hole being aligned with one pipe receiving channel and one retaining hole adapted to lockingly receive the detent for positioning. The slide member is slidably retained by the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Chang Yang Huang
  • Publication number: 20120085142
    Abstract: Described is diagnosing radiometric detectors. The pulse amplitudes of the pulses acquired by the radiometric detector can be measured and stored temporarily. The pulse amplitude distribution determined in this manner is compared to a reference amplitude distribution, whereby error diagnosis and, if applicable, recalibration of the measuring device are made possible. In this manner temperature drifts and damage to the scintillator, EMC radiation and an increased rate of dark pulses of the photosensitive component may be detected and corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Winfried RAUER, Josef Fehrenbach, Ralf Koernle
  • Publication number: 20120085143
    Abstract: A NOX sensor degradation detection system includes: a three-way catalyst disposed in an exhaust passageway of an internal combustion engine; a selective reduction catalyst disposed in the exhaust passageway downstream of the three-way catalyst; a NOX sensor disposed in the exhaust passageway downstream of the selective reduction catalyst; and a controller configured to execute a rich-shift process that is a process for causing air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas that flows into the three-way catalyst to become rich, and to determine that the NOX sensor has degraded on a condition that a measurement value from the NOX sensor does not reach nor exceed a threshold value within a prescribed time that follows start of the rich-shift process. A degradation detection method for use in the system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Sakurai, Toru Kidokoro
  • Publication number: 20120085144
    Abstract: A system includes a signal source that provides a first signal for measuring a gas content of a liquid sample. The system also includes an analyzer that determines the gas content of the liquid sample using a measurement of a second signal, where the second signal is based on the first signal. The system further includes an apparatus with a walled structure having a cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston that pulls the liquid sample into the cavity and pushes the liquid sample out of the cavity. The apparatus further includes at least one measurement window having at least one inner surface exposed within the cavity. The at least one measurement window receives the first signal from the signal source and provides the second signal to the analyzer. The piston could also clean the at least one inner surface, and the piston can include a reference material for calibrating the analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Krolak, Reena Meijer Drees, Frank M. Haran, Sebastien Tixier
  • Publication number: 20120085145
    Abstract: A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Zhili Xiao