Patents Issued in April 24, 2012
  • Patent number: 8161934
    Abstract: A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine has an upper piston part with a piston crown, and a lower piston part with pin boss supports and pin bosses connected with the pin boss supports. The upper piston part and the lower piston part each have an inner and an outer support element, which elements delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel. The inner support elements delimit a cavity that is open toward the pin bosses. The cavity is provided with a separate cooling oil collector that has at least one cooling oil opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Scharp, Klaus Keller, Volker Weisse
  • Patent number: 8161935
    Abstract: A method for producing a multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine and the piston itself, which has an upper piston part and a lower piston part, each having an inner and an outer support element, which elements delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber. The inner support element of the upper piston part and/or the inner support element of the lower piston part have at least one recess on their surface. The upper piston part and the lower piston part are connected with one another by pressure welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Bing, Frank Schnaiter
  • Patent number: 8161936
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve for removing exhaust gas from a combustion chamber and an engine braking device with a hydraulic valve control unit by which the exhaust valve can be held in an intermediate open position when the engine braking device is actuated. A hydraulic valve lash compensation mechanism for the exhaust valve and a control channel formed between the hydraulic valve control unit and the valve lash compensation mechanism for feeding oil to the hydraulic valve control unit that can be closed by a closure element to compensate for the valve lash of the exhaust valve. A counter-holder is constructed as a piston-cylinder unit. The counter-holder forms a variable stop for a valve bridge cooperating with the valve lash compensation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Florian Kraft, Thomas Leitel, Norbert Schatz
  • Patent number: 8161937
    Abstract: An air intake device of an engine includes a throttle body provided in an intake passage of an engine, a bypass passage arranged to connect an upstream side and a downstream side of a throttle valve disposed in the throttle body, an idle number-of-revolutions control device that is disposed in the bypass passage and that controls the quantity of air passing through the bypass passage and flowing into the downstream side of the throttle valve according to the state of the engine, and a water collection portion that is disposed on the upstream side of the idle number-of-revolutions control device in the bypass passage and that is constructed so as to include a space portion connecting with the bypass passage. This structure enables smooth operation of the idle number-of-revolutions control device and prevents damage thereto caused by water in a bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokinari Nagao, Takashi Ashida, Atsushi Sawabuchi
  • Patent number: 8161938
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine (10) having a plurality of combustion chambers (12), wherein the combustion chambers (12) make moment contributions during operation of the internal combustion engine (10) to the resulting engine moment of the internal combustion engine (10) and each combustion chamber (12) is assigned at least one inlet valve (14) which is actuated on the basis of a predefined valve lift cam which can be selected from a plurality of valve lift cams, the moment contribution of each combustion chamber (12) is selected, in the case of a valve lift switchover from a first valve lift cam to a second valve lift cam, for a following ignition cycle in such a way that a deviation of a sliding mean value of the moment contributions of all the combustion chambers (12) over a plurality of consecutive ignition cycles from a predefined moment setpoint value is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helge Frauenkron
  • Patent number: 8161939
    Abstract: A vehicle power control that includes a throttle mounting portion and a throttle that is movably mounted to the throttle mounting portion and configured for manipulation and operation by a rider. The power control also includes a sensor in contactless association with at least one of the throttle and throttle mounting portion. The sensor is configured for sensing a position of the throttle with respect to the mounting portion, in the contactless association, and generating a signal based on the sensed position for controlling motive power of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vectrix International Limited
    Inventors: David Dugas, Craig Bliss, Peter S. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8161940
    Abstract: Provided is a spark ignition type internal combustion engine comprising a variable compression ratio mechanism (A) capable of changing a mechanical compression ratio, and a variable valve timing mechanism (B) capable of controlling the closing timing of an intake valve. At an engine low-load running time, the mechanical compression ratio is made so higher than that at an engine high-load running time that the expansion ratio may be 20 or higher. In case the vacuum in an engine intake passage is lower than the required vacuum, the opening of a throttle valve (17) is reduced, and the valve closing timing of the intake valve is controlled so that the intake air in a quantity according to the engine load may be fed to the inside of a combustion chamber in accordance with the opening of the throttle valve. As a result, a brake booster or the like can be properly activated in the internal combustion engine having its mechanical compression ratio enlarged at the engine low-load running time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Hisaminato, Daisuke Akihisa, Eiichi Kamiyama, Yukihiro Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 8161941
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine which, at cold starting, enables an ignition timing retard control for warm-up of a catalyst device and a speed feedback control by means of ignition timing for converging an engine speed to a target speed includes a function for comparing a final ignition timing with a retard lower limit value, and a function for changing the target speed based upon the result of the comparing. When the final ignition timing reaches the retard lower limit value, the target speed is increased by a predetermined speed and when a difference between the final ignition timing and the retard lower limit value exceeds a predetermined angle on an advance side, the target speed is decreased by a predetermined speed. In this way, at cold starting, the engine speed is early converged to the target speed while restricting rotational variations and early warm-up of a catalyst device can be certainly realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Sata, Koichi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8161942
    Abstract: The invention provides an ignition control device and a killing control device correspond. An ignition control device comprises an ignition circuit module and a killing control device corresponds. The ignition circuit module comprises a killing control device including a killing switch and a timing retard circuit module connected to the ignition circuit module. When the killing control operates, the ignition circuit stops igniting. The invention has following advantages: reasonable structure, low cost, stable control circuit and safe operation and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Shao Xing Fenglong Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Deyou Lei, Jiangang Dong
  • Patent number: 8161943
    Abstract: A no-contact ignition control device includes a stop switch which maintains a second switching element at the OFF state so that an induced voltage of a trigger coil triggers a first switching element and shortcircuit a generation coil. A surge absorption element is connected in parallel to the stop switch. This configuration prevents intrusion of a surge current into the ignition control circuit caused by static electricity accumulated on the surface of casing covering electronic parts of the ignition control circuit and surely avoid dielectric breakdown of the electronic parts or malfunction of the circuit by the surge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Oppama Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Iwata, Shigeyuki Suzuki, Kohsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8161944
    Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine that can accurately estimate an NOx concentration in exhaust gas by using a cylinder internal pressure as basic data. A cylinder internal pressure sensor provided to the internal combustion engine detects a cylinder internal pressure P?. An internal energy correlation value (?V·dP?/d?·??) having correlation with internal energy consumed in the cylinder is calculated based on the cylinder internal pressure P? and an in-cylinder volume V? (? represents a crank angle). The internal energy correlation value is standardized by a load ratio KL, then corrected by a function f(kl) as for a load factor KL so as to calculate an NOx concentration estimated value [NOx]={(?V·dP?/d?·??)/KL}×f(kl).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Moriya, Ryo Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 8161945
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply rail having a supply opening. A fuel injector is coupled to the fuel supply rail and configured to control the delivery of fuel from the fuel supply rail through the supply opening. A noise filtering device engages an upstream end of the fuel injector. The noise filtering device has a projecting portion extending at least partially into the supply opening along an axis, and the noise filtering device defines a restriction passage for directing fuel from the supply rail into the fuel injector. A face seal is established at a transverse face adjacent the supply opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Mueller, Venkatesh Kannan, Markus Friedrich, Jason L. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8161946
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving a fuel injection signal from a first driver circuit via a control line, feeding the fuel injection signal to a second fuel injector driver circuit, sending a control signal output from the second fuel injector driver circuit to a fuel injector, monitoring the fuel injector for degradation based on operation according to the control signal, and in response to degradation of the fuel injector, changing a state of the control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8161947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure boosting system for at least one fuel injector of a high pressure injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a hydraulic pressure booster that is actuated by a control valve. The hydraulic pressure booster is configured with a pressure boosting piston, which comprises a first pressure booster piston part having a first diameter and a second pressure booster piston part having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The pressure booster piston is disposed within a hydraulic reservoir chamber, onto which pressure is applied, together with the first pressure booster piston part having the greater diameter, wherein the accumulator chamber in turn is configured within a base body. The base body has a piston guide body for at least one of the pressure booster piston parts. The piston guide body is at least partially surrounded by an annular space, which is part of the hydraulic accumulator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Kuhnke, Dirk Vahle
  • Patent number: 8161948
    Abstract: The switched state of a pressure switch in a tank ventilation system of a motor vehicle is used for testing the function of the tank ventilation system, the pressure switch being in a low-pressure position if the pressure in the tank ventilation system is lower than a predefined pressure limit while being in a high-pressure position if that is not the case. A defective pressure switch can result in wrong assessments. Disclosed is a method for testing the function of the pressure switch, the method encompassing the following steps: a switched state of the pressure switch is detected; a measure is carried out that increases the pressure in the tank ventilation system above the pressure limit if the pressure switch is in the low-pressure position; a defect of the pressure switch is identified if the pressure switch remains in the low-pressure position after carrying out the measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, Audi Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Grunwald, Armin Köhler
  • Patent number: 8161949
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooling system for an internal combustion engine that has an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation cooling system comprises a cooling fluid circuit, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler, a turbine, a condenser, and a compressor. The cooling fluid circuit has a quantity of fluid that circulates through the exhaust gas recirculation cooling system and receives heat from the exhaust gas recirculation cooling system. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler is disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust system to receive engine exhaust gas from the engine and to remove heat from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler additionally disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit. The cooling fluid within the cooling fluid circuit receives heat within the exhaust gas recirculation cooler. The turbine is disposed in fluid communication with the cooling fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Randall L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8161950
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas recirculating device for an internal combustion engine, an EGR gas introduction port (32) for feeding EGR gas to an intake passage (20) includes an inlet end and an outlet end, and has a cross sectional area progressively increasing from the inlet end to the outlet end, the outlet end (49) opening out at an upper part of the intake passage. Because the EGR gas introduction port has a cross sectional area progressively increasing from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof, and the outlet end of the EGR gas introduction port opens out at an upper part of the intake passage, even when an intake flow is blown back from the engine main body, carbon and oil that may be contained in the EGR gas can be prevented from being deposited in the EGR gas introduction port, and this prevents the clogging of the EGR gas introduction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Taira
  • Patent number: 8161951
    Abstract: Blow-by gas in a plurality of crank chambers (71-73) in a V-shaped internal combustion engine is led to a plurality of gas introducing chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) via communicating holes (11-14). The blow-by gas then flows into an oil separator (31), which extends in a front-aft direction of the internal combustion engine, from the gas introducing chambers (9a, 9b, 9c). The blow-by gas inlet (33) of the oil separator (31) is provided in the vicinity of the engine front or the engine rear. By providing a guide member (35, 41) which guides the blow-by gas from the gas introducing chamber (9a) which is closest to the blow-by gas inlet (33) to the blow-by gas inlet (33) in a direction heading away from the blow-by gas inlet (33) and then guides it to the blow-by gas inlet (33), pumping loss in the internal combustion engine can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Mochida
  • Patent number: 8161952
    Abstract: An electronically controlled blow-by gas returning apparatus for an internal combustion engine which corrects a fuel injection amount is disclosed. This blow-by gas returning apparatus is provided with an electronically controlled ventilation valve and a control unit. The ventilation valve regulates the flow rate of blow-by gas. The control unit controls the ventilation valve. The control unit controls the opening degree of the ventilation valve such that the actual value of the opening degree of the ventilation valve is maintained at a demand value of the opening degree of the ventilation valve. The control unit corrects the demand value based on the degree of enrichment of the actual air-fuel ratio in relation to a target air-fuel ratio and an intake air amount which is the amount of air fed into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumikazu Satou
  • Patent number: 8161953
    Abstract: Devices and methods for removal of condensed, blow-by contaminants with small molecular dimensions from the circulating lubricating engine oil of internal combustion engines, including automotive engines, with a positive crankcase ventilation system are disclosed. These condensable blow-by contaminants include water, alcohols and hydrocarbons with preponderantly seven or fewer carbon atoms. A macroporous structure comprising alumino-silicate particles with micro-pores is at least partially immersed in the circulating oil. The micro-pores are sized to adsorb the small, condensed, blow-by, contaminant molecules but not the larger oil molecules. The particles may be multi-layered, with an inner layer adapted for adsorption of polar molecules. Adsorption is most extensive at lower oil temperatures and decreases as the oil temperature increases. Thus at low temperatures the contaminant molecules may be adsorbed, removed from the oil and temporarily stored in the micropores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Mordukhovich
  • Patent number: 8161954
    Abstract: A fuel supply control apparatus for an engine includes an alcohol concentration detector and an engine temperature detector. The apparatus increases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine as the detected alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus increases the amount of fuel as the engine temperature becomes lower and as the alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus feed-back corrects the amount of fuel by using a correction value such that an actual air-fuel ratio becomes a theoretical air fuel ratio. The apparatus determines that water is mixed with fuel when the correction value during a cold operational state indicates leaner than the lean value of the correction value used during a warm operational state. The apparatus reduces the increased amount of fuel when water is mixed with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Annoura
  • Patent number: 8161955
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition coil device has an annular seal rubber at its lower side coil. An annular projection is provided on a part of the seal rubber and is pressed against the inner diameter surface of a plug hole. An air path is formed in part of a coil case by mounting the seal rubber into a groove, enabling inside and outside portions of the plug hole to communicate. A gas-permeable thin film resin member is bonded to an inlet of the air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Anzo, Makio Takahashi, Takanobu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8161956
    Abstract: A weapon, such as a crossbow or firearm, may have a main beam, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam and, a support rod that can be positioned into a first use position and a second stowed position. The support rod may have a first end used to support the main beam and a second end used to contact a ground surface. In one embodiment, a contact member with a hemispherical contact surface is attached to the second end of the support rod. In another embodiment, the support rod has a handgrip portion that receives a user's hand in supporting the weapon when shooting the weapon when the support rod is in the second stowed position. In still another embodiment, a mounting bracket is used to provide at least two locations for attaching the support rod to the main beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Bednar
  • Patent number: 8161957
    Abstract: A valve body is in a cylindrical shape and communicates with the rear-side end of a barrel on the front side. The valve body forms an air chamber therein. A discharge valve is positioned in the valve body. The discharge valve is hit by a bolt from behind and thereby opens or shuts the communication between the barrel and the air chamber. When the bolt makes forward or backward slide movement, the valve body is fit into a first opening at the front part of the bolt. The cylindrical portion or the closed end of the bolt is provided with a second opening through which the air in the bolt flows in or out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Maruzen Company Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 8161958
    Abstract: A portable barbecue cooking apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a base; a fire bowl having a topside opening, and the fire bowl is mounted on the base, and the topside opening of the fire bowl is situated above the base; a grill situated within the fire bowl and is moveable within the fire bowl; and at least one shelf is pivotally attached to the base, and the shelf is foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the fire bowl during a usage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Mark Johnson, Adrian A. Bruno, Robert DeMars
  • Patent number: 8161959
    Abstract: A wood burning furnace providing, in sequential connection, an air box, a fire box with a wood storage box/primary combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber separated by an ash grate, a heat exchanger, an exhaust manifold, and a smoke stack. The air box has an input port attached to an intake air blower. The air box also has two dampers, a thermostatically controlled first damper providing controlled access to an updraft exhaust pipe connected to the smoke stack. The second damper provides controlled access to the wood storage box/primary combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Paul D. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8161960
    Abstract: A built-in cooking appliance includes a top plate, a body frame provided under the top plate and receiving a heat source, a cabinet supporting the body frame and spaced apart from at least one side of the top plate, a support having a first side connected to the cabinet and a second side supporting a top surface of the top plate, a top frame covering a space between the top plate and the cabinet, and an airflow openings formed on the support and the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Soo Cheol Yi
  • Patent number: 8161961
    Abstract: A gas-heated laundry dryer having a heating device. The heating device includes a gas burner, a valve with a gas nozzle configured to supply primary air for formation of a flame and a tubular heating channel configured to enclose the flame. The tubular heating channel includes an inlet opening configured to receive secondary air as combustion air and an outlet opening configured to receive tertiary air mixable with hot gases of the burner. The outlet opening is connected to a process air duct of the laundry dryer. An annular baffle member is disposed in the outlet opening of the heating channel and configured to center, by the secondary and tertiary air, at least one of the flame and a hot air stream in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Freese, Wolfhard Jording, Wiebke Riedel, Frank Schiwy
  • Patent number: 8161962
    Abstract: A sun tracking system includes a reduction device of a servo motor, multiple shafts, multiple couplers, and at least two rows of cylinders and each row having at least two cylinders, a solar panel, multiple pivotal connection units and multiple sliding units. The reduction device of a servo motor drives the cylinders of the first and second rows of cylinders which drive other cylinders. The cylinders of the first row of cylinders are pivotably connected to the solar panel and the cylinders of the second row of cylinders are movably connected to the solar panel. By the cylinders of the same row moving upward or downward while the cylinders of the other row moving downward or upward, the panel is controlled to aim the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Yi-Tieng Kuo
  • Patent number: 8161963
    Abstract: A solar collector is provided that is formed from relatively thin polymer sheet(s). The sheet(s) are welded together to integrally define a storage tank, a plurality of fluid flow channel (e.g. risers), and other desired features within the collector. The storage tank is located at a first end of the panel and a heat exchanger is provided within the storage tank. The heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat from the storage tank to a target fluid (such as water) that is to be heated or preheated by the collector. The collector is arranged so that when it is installed, the collector may be positioned with the storage tank located generally above the fluid flow channels. The storage tank and the fluid flow channels are arranged such that when the collector is installed and filled with a working fluid, a thermosiphon effect will cause the collection of hot water within the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Richard O. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8161964
    Abstract: A direct accumulation tank, defining a closed volume (2), comprising an inlet (3) for filling the tank with a fluid, and an outlet (4) for emptying the tank of the fluid, and exhibiting an upper surface (Ia) exposed to solar rays. The upper surface (Ia) exhibits a plurality of reliefs (5, . . . 5n) for defining a greater surface extension exposed to the solar rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: G.F. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gaiti
  • Patent number: 8161965
    Abstract: Vacuum solar thermal panel comprising a vacuum envelope (30) defining a sealed volume, able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated, at least one heat absorber (12) being disposed inside the vacuum envelope (30), a pipe (13) entering and exiting the envelope (30) and being in contact with the heat absorber (12), said vacuum envelope (30) comprising a first plate (1; 101) made of glass, a peripheral frame (3) disposed substantially at the periphery of the first plate (1; 101), a metallic peripheral belt (4, 5; 104) joining the peripheral frame (3) to the first plate (1; 101), said metallic peripheral belt (4; 104) being joined to the first plate (1; 101) by means of a vacuum tight bulk glass-metal seal (8; 108), comprising glass material (14; 114) and obtained by fusion and subsequent solidification of said glass material (14; 114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: TVP Solar SA
    Inventor: Vittorio Palmieri
  • Patent number: 8161966
    Abstract: A respiratory muscle endurance training device (RMET) includes a chamber and a patient interface. In one implementation, one or both of a CO2 sensor or a temperature sensor can be coupled to the chamber or patient interface to provide the user or caregiver with indicia about the CO2 level in, or the temperature of, the chamber or patient interface, and/or the duration of use of the device. In another implementation, the RMET may have a fixed volume portion adjustable to contain a measured portion of a specific patient's inspiratory volume capacity. Methods of using the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Martin P. Foley, Jerry R. Grychowski
  • Patent number: 8161967
    Abstract: A bougie device for guiding insertion of an endotracheal tube into an airway of a person, comprises an elongate body of shape memory and self-lubricating material, for example Teflon™. Accordingly no lubrication is required for insertion into the airway for ease of cleaning and sterilizing for reuse. Also, the amount of curvature of the overall rod as well as an angle of the tip of the rod can be adjusted due to the shape memory characteristics of the body to accommodate a particular patent's airway. The body can also be suitably sized to have vibration transmission characteristics such that a contact with one end of the bougie device with tracheal rings of the patient can be felt by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Harms, Chris Christodoulou, Trevor W. R. Lee
  • Patent number: 8161968
    Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for containing plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct medicament dose portions carried thereby, the dispenser having a housing of generally non-circular form, and within said housing a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament dose portions carried by each of said plural medicament carriers. The mechanism comprises at least one receiving station for receiving each of the plural medicament carriers; a release for releasing in combination a distinct medicament dose portion from each of the plural medicament carriers on receipt thereof by said receiving station; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the distinct medicament dose portions releasable by said release; and at least one indexer for individually indexing the distinct medicament dose portions of each of the plural medicament carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Augustyn, Michael Birsha Davies, Stephen James Harvey, Paul Kenneth Rand
  • Patent number: 8161969
    Abstract: The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John D. Burr, Adrian E. Smith, Randy K. Hall, Herm Snyder, Carlos A. Schuler, George S. Axford, Charles Ray
  • Patent number: 8161970
    Abstract: A system that provides a flow of gas to an airway of a user that includes a source of gas, a conduit that carries the flow of gas to the airway of a patient, a first valve that controls a pressure, flow, or volume, of the flow of gas, a pressure sensor coupled to the conduit between the valve and the patient that monitors a pressure of the gas in the conduit, and a controller that controls the valve based on an output of the pressure sensor. A restrictor is provided in the conduit between the pressure sensor and the patient that divides the fluid delivery system with a first smaller volume in the conduit between the valve and the restrictor and a second larger volume between the patient and the restrictor. The system controls the pressure, flow, or volume relative to the first volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventor: Göran Cewers
  • Patent number: 8161971
    Abstract: A patient interface for communicating fluids to and/or from a patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ric Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Michael B. Jaffe, Ivan Bustamante, Kimberly A. Golden, Randall J. Terry, Patrick Tuxbury, John A. Triunfo, Jr., Anthony T. Pierry, Gregory Kenny, Anthony Pannozzo, John DePiano, Julia Rose Anderson, Eric Hyman, Deirdre McKeown
  • Patent number: 8161972
    Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator assembly having inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, and a respiration assembly that can perform repetitive respiratory cycles. The method includes (a) repetitively cycling the respiration assembly so that during the inhalation phase, gas in the inhalation passage flows to the patient, and during the exhalation phase, an exhalation valve is maintained relatively closed and the exhaled gases flow pass the vocal cords and out of the mouth thereby facilitating the patient's ability to speak, (c) monitoring the pressure within at least one of the passages during the exhalation phase, and (d) determining whether a circuit disconnect or an occlusion exists based on the pressure monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventor: Fernando Isaza
  • Patent number: 8161973
    Abstract: A reversible vasectomy device includes a first and a second connector piece for attachment to the severed ends of the vas deferens. Each connector piece has an outer vas deferens attaching end, an opposite inner end, and a passage from the outer to the inner end. A midpiece has end portions that are connectable to the inner ends of the connector pieces, a passage in one end portion and a vent from the passage to an exterior surface. When the connector pieces are connected to the end portions, the passage in one of the connector pieces is in fluid communication with the vent, but is not in fluid communication with the passage in the other connector piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: JC Trussell
  • Patent number: 8161974
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing hearing protection to a wearer includes an incorporated set of eyewear having an eyewear frame. In one version, a pair of ear muffler tubes are coupled to the supporting members of the frame or made integral therewith, the muffler tubes each extending to the entrance of the ear canal of a person to reduce the level of ambient noise in the ear canal and includes at least one muffler tube of appropriate dimensions sufficient to isolate the ear canal from ambient air that substantially reduces the acoustic impedance at the entrance of the ear canal over a wide range of audible sound frequencies. A connecting tube for attachment to the ear canal is coupled to the ear muffler tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Gregory D. Post, Jozef J. Zwislocki, Robert J. DiNardo
  • Patent number: 8161975
    Abstract: A two piece dual mode earplug including an integrally molded elongated member having a nose end and an open rear end and a channel extending through. An integrally molded insert member is formed with a base portion and a rod portion and with the rod portion seated within the open rear end of the elongated member and includes an attenuation filter integrally molded as part of the rod portion and includes first and second openings located on each side of a chamber and with the size and length of the openings together with the chamber providing attenuation of impulse noise. The insert member also includes the base portion integrally molded to have a third opening larger than the first and second openings in the rod portion and with the first, second and third openings together forming a passageway through the insert member to the channel extending through the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Moldex-Metric, Inc.
    Inventor: Crest Turdjian
  • Patent number: 8161976
    Abstract: Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Utley, John W Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 8161977
    Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 8161978
    Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Patent number: 8161979
    Abstract: A finished tobacco product is formed by an inner shell and attached outer pre-rolled sheet where the inner shell has a means to open an interior volume to add selected tobacco filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Blunt Wrap U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8161980
    Abstract: A frontal hairpiece for providing a naturally-appearing augmented frontal hairline when applied to the wearer. A frontal foundation has a forward edge, a rearward edge, a first end and a second end. The frontal foundation is thin, flexible and made from a net-like construction which substantially blends with the skin color of the wearer. The forward edge traces a tortuous pathway from approximately the first end to approximately the second end. Embodiments may include an elastic band portion connected to the frontal foundation, with first and second rear strap portions disposed therebetween. Hair is attached to the frontal foundation in a first density pattern which mimics a natural transition of a wearer's forehead into a frontal hairline. The first density pattern of some embodiments may be characterized by a greater density of hair strands applied proximate the rearward edge of the frontal foundation compared to the density of hair strands applied proximate the forward edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Junichi Inoue, Helene Stahl
  • Patent number: 8161981
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hairstyling apparatus for styling hair comprising: a first element, where said first element includes a first front portion and a first rear portion, where said first front portion includes a first heatable plate; a second element, where said second element includes a second front portion and a second rear portion, where the second front portion includes a second heatable plate, where the first element and second element are connected to each other at one end and the first heatable plate and the second heatable plate are in facing engagement with each other; and a power supply mechanism where said power supply mechanism supplies electrical power to the hairstyling apparatus. The first element and second element are pivotally attached to each other and may be attached via a hinge mechanism or a snap fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jennifer Price
  • Patent number: 8161982
    Abstract: A hair ornament includes a body having an engagement section to be in contact with hair of a user. The engagement section includes a row of plates arranged along a length direction of the body. Two of the row of plates adjacent to each other are connected by a connecting member having first and second ends. The first end of each connecting member is pivotably connected to one of two adjacent plates. The second end of each connecting member is pivotably connected to the other of the two adjacent plates. A spacing between two adjacent plates is adjustable by pivoting the two adjacent plates to adjust an overall length of the body in the length direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Shih Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 8161983
    Abstract: A cuticle oil dispenser pen that simplifies the process of cuticle treatment by dispensing moisturizing cuticle oil while cutting and smoothing the cuticle with the associated porous ceramic cuticle stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Young Hoon Lee