Patents Issued in December 11, 2012
  • Patent number: 8327626
    Abstract: A controller is constructed such that fuel addition by a fuel injection device is automatically conducted when a predetermined time has passed with a diesel engine being in an idling state, and without a regeneration button being manually operated under a condition of a particulate deposition amount being estimated by the controller on the basis of a pressure signal from a pressure sensor to be within a manual regeneration range over said automatic regeneration range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinichi Minamikawa, Hironori Narita
  • Patent number: 8327627
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust emission control device in which only a casing for a particulate filter can be easily taken out of position with a casing for a selective reduction catalyst being left on a vehicle body in a reliably supported state. The exhaust emission control device has a particulate filter 5 and a selective reduction catalyst 6 housed in casings 7 and 8, respectively, and arranged side by side with entry ends of them are directed in one and the same direction, and an S-shaped communication passage 9 which interconnects the casings 7 and 8 and is intermediately provided with urea water addition means 10. The communication passage 9 is intermediately provided with a separable portion for suitable separate-off, and the casing 8 for the selective reduction catalyst 6 is supported by a frame 15 on a vehicle body independently of the casing 7 for the particulate filter 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Kowada
  • Patent number: 8327628
    Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition engine having a three-way catalyst and a particulate filter downstream thereof, comprising: oscillating an exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter to generate air-fuel ratio oscillations downstream of the particulate filter, while increasing exhaust temperature; when the downstream oscillations are sufficiently dissipated, enleaning the exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter; and reducing the enleanment when an exhaust operating parameter is beyond a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 8327629
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a black smoke exhaust purification apparatus capable of equalizing temperature of a particulate filter and facilitating maintenance thereof. The black smoke exhaust purification apparatus is arranged in series therein with an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter wherein an inlet for exhaust gas is disposed between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter, and wherein an exhaust gas passage is extended from the inlet portion through the oxidation catalyst so as to be connected to an upstream space of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Masuda, Hiroshi Masuda, Hiroshi Omote
  • Patent number: 8327630
    Abstract: An exhaust system including an exhaust emission control device with a post treatment unit (e.g., a selective reduction catalyst) for depuration of exhaust gas flowing therethrough is disclosed. The exhaust system includes a layout that introduces the exhaust gas into the post-treatment unit through a turnabout. An introductory part encircles an inlet end of the post-treatment unit and receives the exhaust gas through an exhaust inlet port from a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the selective reduction catalyst. The introduction part is formed with a first depression cambered away from the inlet end of the selective reduction catalyst and approaching toward the inlet end of the selective reduction catalyst as the first depression extends away from the exhaust inlet port and toward an introduction direction of the exhaust gas, thereby promoting uniformity of the exhaust gas flow entering the post-treatment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Hino Motors, Ltd., AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Minoru Kowada, Hisaki Torisaka, Heimo Schreier, Harald Grantner, Thomas Obenaus
  • Patent number: 8327631
    Abstract: A platform mounted emissions control unit includes a first system to reduce Particulate Matter (PM), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and a second system to reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). The systems serially process exhaust from a mobile or stationary pollution source. In one embodiment, first system is an Ionizing Wet Scrubber (IWS) and the second system is a Selective Catalytic Reducer (SCR), wherein the IWS processes the exhaust first to improve efficiency and service life of the SCR. A generator produces power required by the IWS and SCR, and heat from exhaust of the generator may be used convert urea to ammonia for use by the SCR, and to heat the exhaust flow into the SCR. The SCR may further include a heat exchanger to capture heat in the flow out of the SCR and use the captured heat to heat the flow into the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Sal Caro, Henning Ottsen, John Powell
  • Patent number: 8327632
    Abstract: An exhaust system which has a catalysed soot filter (CSF), a control unit, and a catalyzed sensor. The exhaust system, controllable by the control unit, can increase hydrocarbon (HC) and/or carbon monoxide (CO) content in an exhaust gas flowing into the CSF resulting in combustion of the HC and/or CO in the CSF, a temperature increase of the CSF, and combustion of particulate matter collected on the CSF. The catalyzed sensor is disposed between an engine manifold and the CSF, and combusts CO and/or HC in the exhaust gas and inputs the control unit with a datum correlating with an enthalpy of combustion of HC and/or CO in the exhaust gas, thereby controlling the content of the combustible HC and/or CO in the exhaust gas flowing into the CSF. The catalysed sensor is the only catalysed component in the exhaust system disposed between the engine and the CSF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Paul Richard Phillips, Martyn Vincent Twigg
  • Patent number: 8327633
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe for a vehicle-mounted engine. An inner pipe inserted in an outer pipe contacts, at its outer end, with the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe at a first position, the outer pipe contacts the inner pipe at a second position different from the first position, and thus an expansion chamber is formed between the inner pipe the outer pipe. The inner pipe includes a plurality of communication holes for communicating the inside of the inner pipe and the expansion chamber, thereby forming a muffler. An exhaust gas purification catalyst is provided within the outer pipe adjacent to the expansion chamber. On the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe, a weir for stopping condensed water is provided between the outer end of the inner pipe and the exhaust gas purification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8327634
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (10) includes: an exhaust heat exchanger (18) that is communicated with a catalytic converter (16) through an exhaust gas pipe (14A), and that recovers exhaust heat into a coolant; and heat transfer restriction means (50) provided between the catalytic converter (16) and the exhaust heat exchanger (18). The heat transfer restriction means (50) includes a heat insulator (56) disposed between a first exhaust gas pipe (52) and a second exhaust gas pipe (54) that constitute the exhaust gas pipe (14A), and. restrains a released heat from the catalytic converter (16) from reaching the exhaust heat exchanger (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Orihashi, Tadashi Nakagawa, Yoshio Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Kaya
  • Patent number: 8327635
    Abstract: A valve device, in particular for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, has a valve flap which is arranged in a tube and can assume a basic position and an actuating position. A motor-driven valve drive that is arranged outside the tube and is coupled to a shaft of the valve flap by a force transmission element. A mechanical restoring element urges the valve flap into the basic position. The valve drive works against the mechanical restoring element as far as to the actuating position. A lever is connected to one end of the force transmission element and when in the actuating position of the valve flap, is in or near the dead-center position with respect to the force transmission direction from or to the force transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Emcon Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hahnl
  • Patent number: 8327636
    Abstract: A torque converter including a turbine, a vibration damper, a cover, the cover having blades, and a clutch pack, the blades increasing a fluid flow toward or away from the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Aliihsan Karamavruc, Andre Soto
  • Patent number: 8327637
    Abstract: A power transfer system for a vehicle that comprises a an internal combustion engine, one or more drive wheels, and power transfer apparatus transfers power from the prime mover to the wheels for propelling the vehicle. The system further comprises an auxiliary hydraulic pump that has a drive shaft that coupled to a power take-off unit driven by engine, and to an auxiliary hydraulic motor powered by hydraulic fluid supplied from a hydraulic energy storage device such as an accumulator. As a result, the auxiliary hydraulic pump can be powered by hydraulic fluid from the accumulator when the prime mover is not operating, or by the prime mover when operating. A tandem arrangement of one way clutches can be employed to avoid the need to disconnect the auxiliary hydraulic pump from the prime mover during operation of the auxiliary hydraulic motor, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 8327638
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to allow an operator to easily perform desired operations with high hydraulic efficiency, without an increase in difficulty of performing operations. A hydraulic drive apparatus of the present invention includes a pump control unit 31 that includes: a pump reference command value setting unit 31a that sets a pump reference command value for a hydraulic pump 10 in accordance with the engine speed of an engine 3; a pump correction command value calculating unit 31b that sets a pump command value by determining an inching rate in accordance with the amount of operation when an inching operation is performed, and correcting the pump reference command value in accordance with the inching rate; and a pump control command value setting unit 31c that sets a pump control command value for controlling the capacity of the hydraulic pump 10, based on the pump command value set by the pump correction command value calculating unit 31b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Naritoshi Ohtsukasa
  • Patent number: 8327639
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a housing forming a cavity and having an input shaft driving a continuously variable transmission comprising first and second rotatable elements and output shaft is driven by the second rotatable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Patent number: 8327640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustment device (1) for adjusting a valve or a flap, in particular a pressure nozzle for actuating a bypass valve when a limit charge pressure on an exhaust-driven turbocharger is exceeded, which comprises a single- or multi-part housing (2), in particular a housing (2) having a housing lower part (3) and a housing lid. Essential to the invention is that a clip device (4) is provided, by means of which the adjustment device (1) is fastened to a part (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems, GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Berger, Jochen Gückelmann
  • Patent number: 8327641
    Abstract: An electricity generation system is presented. The electricity generation system includes a solar preheater for preheating compressed discharge air, a combustor to receive the heated compressed air from the solar preheater, burn a fuel using the heated compressed air to generate hot burned gas, a first turbine to receive the hot burned gas from the combustor, expand the hot burned gas to generate exhaust gas, a heat recovery steam generator to receive the exhaust gas from the first turbine, generate vapor by heating a condensed fluid using the exhaust gas, a solar evaporator/superheater to receive a heated working fluid from the heat recovery steam generator, generate solar vapor by heating the heated working fluid, and a second turbine to drive a second generator using vapor and the solar vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Walter Freund, Kevin Richard Lang, Pepe Palafox
  • Patent number: 8327642
    Abstract: The present application provides a premixer for a combustor. The premixer may include a fuel plenum with a number of fuel tubes and a burner tube with a number of air tubes. The fuel tubes extend about the air tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Balachandar Varatharajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Ertan Yilmaz, Benjamin Lacy, Christian Stevenson, David Felling
  • Patent number: 8327643
    Abstract: A main swirler of a triple annular configuration that is partitioned by a pre-filmer and a separator is installed in an inlet port of a main air flow channel. The vicinity of the inner wall of the main air flow channel provided with a main fuel injection port is bulged radially outward from the innermost surface (innermost surface of a small swirler) of a main swirler. Further, a distance from the main fuel injection port and the pre-filmer is set such that an effective opening area between the pre-filmer and “the inner wall of the main air flow channel provided with the main fuel injection port” is equal to an effective opening area of the small swirler. The swirling directions of the swirlers of the main swirler are “clockwise”-“counter-clockwise”-“clockwise” respectively along the radial outward direction when the swirling direction of the innermost swirler is taken as “clockwise”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Kazuo Shimodaira, Kazuaki Matsuura, Yoji Kurosawa, Seiji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8327644
    Abstract: A micro gas turbine engine for use in a turbo heater or co-generation application is described. The micro gas turbine engine includes a fuel delivery system which minimizes the development of deposits in the air-fuel passageway. To this end, a fuel delivery channel formed between a fuel deflector and a slinger body is formed with a contoured or undulating surface. A fuel deflector ring is interposed between the fuel delivery channel and the slinger impeller to facilitate the flow of the air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: JHRG Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Gordon, Nancy Ann Gordon, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8327645
    Abstract: A supersonic inlet employs relaxed isentropic compression to improve net propulsive force by shaping the compression surface of the inlet. Relaxed isentropic compression shaping of the inlet compression surface functions to reduce cowl lip surface angles, thereby improving inlet drag characteristics and interference drag characteristics. Supersonic inlets in accordance with the invention also demonstrate reductions in peak sonic boom overpressure while maintaining performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Preston A. Henne, Timothy R. Conners, Donald C. Howe
  • Patent number: 8327646
    Abstract: In a combustor section, wherein a forward sleeve is disposed to encircle a leading end of an impingement sleeve comprised of first and second impingement sleeve parts abutted along a longitudinal junction thereof, a retainer member disposed to overlie the longitudinal junction. The retainer member is welded to at least one of said forward sleeve and the impingement sleeve. The retainer member has first and second axial end edges disposed transverse to the longitudinal junction, and at least one of the axial end edges has a cutout defined therein and disposed to overlie the longitudinal junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, James Thomas Brown
  • Patent number: 8327647
    Abstract: A low carbon emissions, combined cycle power plant utilizes vortex nozzles (38) operative at cryogenic temperatures to separate out carbon dioxide (39) from the flue gases. Complexity of the plant is minimized by operating a gas turbine engine component (10) of the plant at a turbine exhaust pressure of at least 2 bar, so that downstream components of the plant, including a heat recovery steam generator (19A), a gas cooling system (30, 33, 36), and the inlets of the vortex nozzles, all operate at the same pressure of at least two bar. To increase carbon dioxide concentration in the flue gases (37) that pass through the vortex nozzles (38), and thereby increase efficiency of carbon dioxide removal from the flue gases, up to 50% of the flue gases that exit the heat recovery steam generator (19A) may be recirculated to a location (L, FIG. 4)) in the compressor of the gas turbine engine where the pressure of the compressor air matches the flue gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Guidati, Camille Pedretti
  • Patent number: 8327648
    Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine engine including first and second annular liner portions engaged to one another with an interference fit. The first liner portion includes at least one anti-rotation feature extending therefrom and engaging the second liner portion and having a threaded hole defined therethrough at least substantially perpendicularly to an adjacent radially extending surface of the second liner portion for threadingly receiving a pushing tool for pushing against that surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Phillips, Kenneth Parkman, Bhawan B. Patel, Pierrot Duchesne
  • Patent number: 8327649
    Abstract: Fuel injector assemblies with frictionally damped fuel supply members, including fuel feed strips. More particularly, the invention provides friction dampers and/or assemblies that frictionally damp movement of fuel supply members in at least one direction. Some of the embodiments provide a friction damper that is easily serviceable, and can be installed after final assembly of a fuel injector. Aspects of the invention are applicable to other components of fuel injectors and gas turbine engines in addition to fuel supply members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Fady Bishara, Jeffrey Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 8327650
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cryostat comprising a cryogen vessel (1), a thermal radiation shield (2), and a sleeve (5) for accommodating a cryogenic refrigerator. Also provided is a first thermal contact for thermally and mechanically connecting a first stage of a cryogenic refrigerator to the radiation shield for cooling thereof. A secondary recondensing chamber is provided (8) for accommodating a second stage of a cryogenic refrigerator, and means (10; 24) are provided for thermally connecting the secondary recondensing chamber to a recondensing surface (11a; 44) exposed to the interior of the cryogen vessel. The cryostat further comprises a pressure control arrangement (100) for controlling the pressure of a gas within the secondary recondensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventors: Nicholas John Clayton, Neil Charles Tigwell, Stephen Paul Trowell
  • Patent number: 8327651
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant from a subcritical state to a supercritical state, a cooler for transferring heat from the refrigerant, an expander for expanding the refrigerant in the supercritical state, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant from the supercritical state to the subcritical state and an evaporator for transferring heat from a cooling fluid to the refrigerant in the subcritical state. Work extracted by the expander provides power to the compressor. A method for cooling a vehicle includes compressing a refrigerant from a subcritical state to a supercritical state, cooling the refrigerant, expanding the refrigerant in the supercritical state where work produced by expanding the refrigerant is used to compress the refrigerant, expanding the refrigerant from the supercritical state to the subcritical state, cooling a cooling fluid with the refrigerant in the subcritical state and cooling vehicle components with the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adam M. Finney, Young K. Park, Scott F. Kaslusky, Daniel R. Sabatino
  • Patent number: 8327652
    Abstract: To provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger. In a vehicle humidifying/dehumidifying device 10, when a control unit 26 is switched to an “intermittent operation mode”, a pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are heated simultaneously and intermittently. Additionally, this allows humidified air to be generated by both of the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B when the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are being heated simultaneously by a heater 30. Consequently, in comparison to a case where the humidified air is generated alternately by the heat exchange elements 28A and 28B, the humidifying amount imparted to the humidified air when the humidified air is generated by a humidifying/dehumidifying unit 16 can be increased. Thus, it becomes possible to perform humidifying amount control corresponding to various situations in a vehicle cabin, and it becomes possible to provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Nakaguro
  • Patent number: 8327653
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing an efficiency of a refrigeration system, comprising means for measuring a refrigeration efficiency of an operating refrigeration system; means for altering a process variable of the refrigeration system during efficiency measurement; and a processor for calculating a process variable level which achieves an optimum efficiency. The process variables may include refrigerant charge and refrigerant oil concentration in evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hudson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Zugibe, Douglas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8327654
    Abstract: An apparatus to rotate a cooling fan may employ an engine coolant radiator having a radiator inlet tank attached at an end of the radiator. The radiator inlet tank may be filled with engine coolant and transfer heat into a fan system evaporator contained inside the radiator inlet tank. The tank may contain a liquid working fluid capable of absorbing heat from the engine coolant and becoming a gaseous working fluid. A gas expander with an impeller may be employed to receive the gaseous working fluid from the fan system evaporator and impart rotation in a shaft to which the impeller of the gas expander and cooling fan is attached. A fan system condenser may receive the gaseous working fluid from the gas expander and condense the gaseous working fluid to form a liquid working fluid. A pump pumps the liquid working fluid back to the fan system evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwayne Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 8327655
    Abstract: The distributor unit (10) is coupled to a heat pump (12) and to various circuits for collecting (24, 28, 30) and for delivering (38, 40, 52, 56) heat, with the unit serving to provide selective interconnection therebetween in application of various predetermined combinational schemes for fluid distribution by automatically controlling an integrated network of stop valves (200). The schemes define modes of operation such as natural cooling or freeze-proofing, producing hot water and/or air conditioning from a single installation by optimizing transfers of heat between the circuits so that the heat pump is always operating in its thermodynamically optimum zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hades
    Inventor: Georges Favier
  • Patent number: 8327656
    Abstract: A method of calculating sensible cooling capacity of a cooling unit includes obtaining compressor capacity, subtracting compressor heat loss from the compressor capacity, subtracting latent cooling capacity from compressor capacity, and subtracting fan power loss from the compressor capacity. Methods of controlling a cooling unit and embodiments of a cooling unit are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Ozan Tutunoglu, David James Lingrey
  • Patent number: 8327657
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator which can store foodstuffs like vegetables in a fresh state, restrain reduction of nutritive elements contained in foodstuffs, and prevent damage of irradiation device. The refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber which is provided in the main body to store foodstuffs, and an irradiation device which irradiates light within a visible light region into the storage chamber. The refrigerator farther includes a reflection member which is mounted to the storage chamber to reflect the light emitted from the irradiation device, and a transforming member which transforms the light emitted from the irradiation device into a side light type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Deul Re Min, Eun Jeong Kim, Jong Min Shin, Seok Min Lim, Yeon Yi Hwang
  • Patent number: 8327658
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James T. Schaefer, Jr., Kristen L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
  • Patent number: 8327659
    Abstract: A cooler is particularly configured for application of any selected design or marking. Any design may be easily applied to a standard cooler configuration. The design can be protected with a cover. The cooler also has structure for ease of mounting to different objects, and can be readily stacked. The lid can selectively retain cold or warm packs to cool or heat the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cooler by Design
    Inventors: David R. Winkler, Phillip B. Rideout
  • Patent number: 8327660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochemical device and to a method for producing refrigeration at very low temperature. The device produces refrigeration at a temperature Tf<?20° C., from an available heat source at a temperature Th of 60-80° C. and a heat sink at the ambient temperature To of 10° C.-25° C. It comprises two coupled dipoles, operating in phase opposition. The thermochemical phenomena in one of the dipoles are such that this dipole may produce refrigeration at Tf with a heat sink at the ambient temperature To. The thermochemical phenomena in the other dipole are such that this dipole may be regenerated from the heat source Th and a heat sink at the temperature To.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Driss Stitou, Nathalie Mazet, Bernard Spinner, Caroline Spinner Brossard, legal representative, Anne Christel Spinner Kohler, legal representative, Bruno Spinner, legal representative, Martin Spinner, legal representative, Camille Spinner, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8327661
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses a refrigerant that operates in a region including critical processes, and includes a compression mechanism having first and second compressors, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a utilization-side heat exchanger, an intercooler, and an intermediate refrigerant pipe. The first compressor has a first low-pressure compression element and a first high-pressure compression element to increase pressure of refrigerant more than the first low-pressure compression element. The second compressor has a second low-pressure compression element and a second high-pressure compression element to increase pressure of refrigerant more than the second low-pressure compression element. The intermediate refrigerant pipe causes refrigerant discharged by the first and second low-pressure compression elements to pass through the intercooler and be sucked into first and second high-pressure the compression elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Fujimoto, Atsushi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8327662
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses a refrigerant that operates in a supercritical range. The refrigeration apparatus includes a compression mechanism, a heat source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a usage-side heat exchanger, a switching mechanism, an intercooler, a bypass tube, and an injection tube. The switching mechanism is configured to switch between cooling and heating operation states. When the switching mechanism is switched to the cooling operation state to allow refrigerant to flow to the heat source-side heat exchanger and a reverse cycle defrosting operation for defrosting the heat source-side heat exchanger is performed, the refrigerant is caused to flow to the heat source-side heat exchanger, the intercooler and the injection tube. After the defrosting of the intercooler is detected as being complete, the bypass tube is used so as to ensure that the refrigerant does not flow to the intercooler and the injection valve is controlled so that the opening degree is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yoshimi, Shuji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8327663
    Abstract: A substrate protective film composed of chromium metal is formed on a molding surface of a mold base material composed of cemented carbide. The substrate protective film is oxidized by heat treatment or ion implantation, so that a surface protective film composed of chromium oxide is formed. A pair of molds having such a constitution are prepared. Softened glass is pressed between the surface protective films of the paired molds, so that optical glass elements are molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Fukumoto, Shunichi Hayamizu
  • Patent number: 8327664
    Abstract: A method for producing transparent conductive glass by a) depositing two barrier layers on the surface of hot glass by chemical vapor deposition; and b) depositing two conductive film layers on the surface of the glass ribbon having the two barrier layers. The method is easy to control and suitable for mass production. The resultant transparent conductive glass has low surface resistance and moderate haze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hangzhou Bluestar New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiying Liu, Jianxun Wang, Ming Zhao, Nianwei Zhao, Yayan Cao, Junbo Liu, Fanhua Kong, Defa Wei, Yankai Ge, Chunjia Peng, Yongxiu Cai, Zhihui Ye, Molong Xiao
  • Patent number: 8327665
    Abstract: There is provided a one-press method for producing a glass vessel, the method enabling efficient production of even a glass vessel having the maximum thick wall part having a thickness larger than a predetermined value by using a divided type forming mold having a specific parting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: KOA Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juji Ishigame, Takenori Yamanaka, Daisuke Date
  • Patent number: 8327666
    Abstract: A method of cutting a glass sheet that has been thermally or chemically strengthened along a predetermined line, axis, or direction with high speed and with minimum damage on the cut edges. The strengthened glass sheet may be cut into at least two pieces, one of which having a predetermined shape or dimension. At least one damage line is formed within the strengthened glass sheet. The at least one damage line is formed outside the strengthened compressive stress surface layers and within the tensile stress layer of the strengthened glass sheet. The at least one damage line may be formed by laser treatment. A crack is initiated in the strengthened glass sheet and propagated along the at least one damage line to separate the strengthened glass sheet along the predetermined line, axis, or direction into at least two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel R Harvey, Alexander Mikhailovich Streltsov
  • Patent number: 8327667
    Abstract: A device and method for bending a glazing unit or plural glazing units positioned one on top of the other, with a first train of carriages, bearing transport supports and running between a loading zone in which at least one glazing unit is deposited on a transport support of a carriage and a transfer zone, a furnace section heating the glazing units to their bending temperature in their path towards the transfer zone, and a second train of carriages running between the transfer zone and a final cooling section with an unloading station, which is equipped with transport supports that differ from the transport supports of the first train of carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Michael Balduin, Michael Labrot, Hubert Havenith, Karl-Josef Ollfisch, Herbert Radermacher, Guenther Schall
  • Patent number: 8327668
    Abstract: A gravity bending mold for bending glass sheets, the gravity bending mold comprising a peripheral shaping rail, the peripheral shaping rail having at least one end section, and at least one auxiliary rail mounted on the peripheral shaping rail, the or each auxiliary rail being respectively mounted adjacent to at least a portion of a respective end section by at least one mount that is adapted to permit relative vertical movement of the auxiliary rail with respect to the respective end section, a tripping mechanism for selectively and temporarily disposing the auxiliary rail in a raised position with respect to the respective end section, and a latch mechanism connected to the tripping mechanism, the latch mechanism being adapted to be engaged by an external actuator to cause relative vertical movement of the auxiliary rail with respect to the respective end section, by operation of the tripping mechanism, so that the auxiliary rail is subsequently disposed in a lowered position with respect to the respective
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Pilkington Group Limited, Pilkington Brasil LTDA
    Inventors: Ian Nicholas Tetlow, Luiz Roberto De Jesus
  • Patent number: 8327669
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a flat knitted fabric with a secured end border, particularly a bandage, on a flat knitting machine with front and rear needle beds, wherein initially the basic fabric is knitted on both needle beds, wherein in the border region of the fabric, at least on the inner side of the knitted fabric an elastic thread is knitted-in and that at least one of the needle beds a hot melt adhesive thread is knitted-in, and that, for forming the border, knitting is carried out only on the needle bed which knits the outer side of the fabric, so that the elastic thread located on the other needle bed is extended, whereupon the stitches are knitted off, wherein the border is pulled by the elastic threads which contract under load onto the inner side of the fabric, where it is subsequently fixed by heating of the hot melt adhesive thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Medi GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Weihermueller
  • Patent number: 8327670
    Abstract: A motor controller including a vector controller that controls a permanent magnet motor including a rotor being provided with a permanent magnet having a coercivity low enough to allow modification in amount of magnetization and that executes a vector control by detecting current flowing at the permanent magnet motor; a speed/position detector that detects a rotational speed and a rotational position of the permanent magnet motor; a magnetization controller that increases or decreases the magnetization of the permanent magnet depending on the rotational position of the permanent magnet motor through adjustment in status of the magnetization of the permanent magnet by way of armature counteraction; and a demagnetization detector that detects a decrease in the magnetization of the permanent magnet magnetized by the magnetization controller during operation of the permanent magnet motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Consumer Electronics Holdings Corporation, Toshiba Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Sari Maekawa, Tsuyoshi Hosoito
  • Patent number: 8327671
    Abstract: A washing machine having a structure in which operating conditions of the washing machine are inputted by a rotary knob (7), and current operating conditions are displayed by the light emitted from an LED and transmitted through a display unit (130) is disclosed. The interference of the light emitted from the LED is interrupted, whereby the operating conditions of the washing machine are clearly displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8327672
    Abstract: A washing apparatus such as an automatic laundry washing machine includes a wash agent dispenser drawer including an additive compartment for storing various additives such as detergent, bleach and fabric softener. One or more water inflow tubes may extend downwardly into the additive compartment and may be configured to deliver water for diluting the additives contained in the compartment. The inflow tubes are of sufficient length to reach a sub-surface portion of additive held in the compartment. Water may simultaneously be delivered to the surface of the additive. Furthermore, inflow tubes have their outlets positioned adjacent to the base(s) of one or more siphon post/cap assemblies located in the additive compartments, such that a churning effect is produced from the injection of water through the tubes and the siphoning action of the siphon post, whereby mixing is enhanced and additive buildup may be avoided and/or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris H. Hill
  • Patent number: 8327673
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a bubble generator to wash laundry using bubbles. The washing machine includes a tub to contain washing water; and a bubble generator generating bubbles and supplying the bubbles to the tub, the bubble generator including a bubble generation pump allowing the washing water to flow therethrough and an ejector unit formed at one side thereof to mix air with the washing water. The washing machine minimizes a reduction of the speed of the washing water due to a passage resistance, and thus increases an amount of generated bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Min Oak, Sang Yeon Pyo, Hyun Sook Kim, Jae Ryong Park, Dong Pil Seo, Bo Ram Lee
  • Patent number: 8327674
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) comprising a housing (16) and a shackle (14) having a first side (44) and a second side (46). The shackle (14) is slidable between a primary closed position in which the first and second sides (44 and 46) are each engaged with the housing (16) and a primary open position in which the first side (44) is engaged with the housing (16) and the second side (46) is free from the housing (16). A port (65) is provided in the housing (16) exposing a portion of the first side (44) of the shackle (14) in the primary closed position. Severing the shackle (14) through the port (65) allows the shackle (14) to move from the primary open position to a secondary open position, from which the shackle (14) can move back to a secondary closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Origineering Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Theodore Valerio, Stephen Payne
  • Patent number: 8327675
    Abstract: A lock cylinder having: a cylinder core having a key channel for inserting a key which is provided with profiling; at least one feeler element which is disposed in the cylinder core, is acted on by a spring and is held in a blocking position by the spring when the key is not inserted in the key channel; and a blocking element which, when the feeler element is in the blocking position, is held in a blocking position which blocks rotation of the cylinder core. The feeler element can be shifted against the return force of the spring into a release position by the profiling on the matching key inserted into the key channel, in which position the locking element can be deflected into a position releasing the cylinder core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: C. Ed. Schulte Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung Zylinderschlossfabrik
    Inventor: Andreas Baumann