Patents Issued in April 9, 2013
  • Patent number: 8413388
    Abstract: A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Vermont Slate & Copper Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cecil Stearns, Douglas Timothy Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 8413389
    Abstract: An openable covering construction for pergolas and verandas, characterized in that said openable covering construction comprise a plurality of adjoining and partially overlapping bands longitudinally mounted on a supporting frame by a driving system allowing each said bands to be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to a sloping side of said covering construction, said driving system driving said bands to at least two positions, a closed position, thereat said bands are partially overlapped onto one another and substantially parallel to the covering construction plane, and an opened position thereat each said band is rotated to a substantially vertical condition with respect to said covering plane, each said band comprising a section member including a contoured surface including, at a side thereof, a perpendicular side wall and, at an opposite side thereof, a channel defining curved wall, thereby a surface directly exposed to rain of said covering construction forms a water collecting and dispo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Frigerio Tende da Sole S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Frigerio
  • Patent number: 8413390
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to telescoping mast assemblies (telescoping “towers”), polygonal sided masts for use in such assemblies, methods of fabricating polygonal sided masts, methods and apparatus for sequentially actuating and deactuating hold-down and locking mechanisms in telescoping towers, and such other aspects as will be understood from the present descriptions and drawings. Telescopic towers are usable for supporting and raising to a height any type of communications payload, including, for example, radio antennas, television antennas, any type of surveillance and/or sensor payloads, including, for example, microphones, cameras, flood lights, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: US Tower Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Pereira
  • Patent number: 8413391
    Abstract: A mounting system for photovoltaic solar panels providing support for different sized panels, and/or panels having mounting holes located in different locations. A universal panel clamp includes at least one elongated hole or slot to attach to a mounting hole on a solar panel frame. A clamp is attached to an upper hole, and a second clamp is attached to a lower mounting hole. The upper clamps are attached to an upper lateral support member, and the lower clamps are attached to a lower lateral support member. This assembly may be supported by A-shaped support members having adjustable tilt arms, or posts with specially configured brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sunlink Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Seery, Robert H. J. Miros
  • Patent number: 8413392
    Abstract: Prefabricated stable floor element comprising a supporting element made of concrete, with a service face situated at the top when in use and a bottom face situated on the bottom side, whereby the service face has one or several recesses or openings, characterized in that in at least one of these recesses or openings has been provided an insert element made of rubber or an elastic synthetic material, which insert element reaches as of the inner space in the recess or the opening in which it has been provided in order to fix the insert element, to right underneath, in line with or above the service face, i.e. seen in the position of use of the stable floor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: VDV R&D BVBA
    Inventor: Gert Van Der Velden
  • Patent number: 8413393
    Abstract: Covers for attic trap doors and pull down attic stairs or ladders are described each of which is formed of an insulating material. The covers are structured to effectively seal a ceiling access opening. In some embodiments, a closure member constructed of insulating material is cooperatively and frictionally received within a frame formed of the same material to form an airtight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: James B. Melesky
  • Patent number: 8413394
    Abstract: A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Patent number: 8413396
    Abstract: A splice tube assembly and corresponding system for connecting multiple fiber-reinforced polymer rebars include a polymeric tube that is externally covered by a reinforcing layer to control radial expansion of grout within the polymeric tube and of the polymeric tube itself, and the polymeric tube may be internally provided with locking structures for mechanically interlocking with the grout, ensuring that the splice tube assembly functions as a unit for transferring loads from a first rebar, extending from a first end of the polymeric tube, to a second rebar, extending from a second end of the polymeric tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael G. Oliva, Lawrence C. Bank
  • Patent number: 8413397
    Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Marc-Andre Lacas, Bertin Castonguay, Robert Daoust
  • Patent number: 8413398
    Abstract: Ball pivot assemblies for mounting panels to a cable regardless of panel geometry or orientation include a ball pivot. The ball pivot includes geometry configured to enable a panel to pivot about the ball pivot in a plurality of orientations in a plurality of planes with respect to the cable. One or more implementations of the present invention can include a ball socket configured to receive the ball pivot, and provide a secure interface between the ball pivot assembly and the panel. Also, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more cables using one or more ball pivot assemblies. In addition, one or more implementations of the present invention include methods of mounting panels using one or more ball pivot assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Allred, Brian Hillstrom, Guillaume Martin, Jeremy Porter
  • Patent number: 8413399
    Abstract: A block combinable with other similar blocks to form a wall comprises a front surface; a top surface including a plurality of bosses, two or more of which are located adjacent each other in a direction along the front surface; and a bottom surface including a groove that has a floor. Each of the two or more bosses of the top surface includes a summit, and the summit of each define a plane. When the block is placed on another similar block such that the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of the other similar block oppose each other to form an interface region, the groove holds two or more bosses of the other similar block that are included in the other similar block's top surface, and the floor does not intersect the plane defined by the two or more bosses of the other similar block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Michael L. Kelley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8413400
    Abstract: A recess former (30) is disclosed for use with anchors (35) which are to be cast into a concrete slab (61). The recess former (30) preferably includes a removable plug (36) and preferably rectangular lugs (57) which engage with corresponding apertures in the attachment head (34) of the lifting anchor and prevent the ingress of cement during casting of the slab (61). In addition, flaps (51) are preferably provided on the recess former to prevent the sides of the attachment head (34) from being encased in the concrete. Preferably the former is pivoted between open and closed positions and has a slightly V-shaped base which when abutted against a mold or formwork, urges the recess former into the closed position. Furthermore, a recess former (60-60I) is disclosed which stays behind after the casting and remains embedded in the concrete in order to provide a waterproof membrane between the recess (62) and adjacent reinforcing rods (58, 59, 71) thereby preventing corrosion of the reinforcing rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Woodstock Percussion Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rod Mackay Sim
  • Patent number: 8413401
    Abstract: A modular door case for bathing enclosure includes two jambs, two frame members, and four fasten components. Each frame member has an accommodating portion at ends thereof, and at least one pair clasp holes respectively formed on upper and lower walls of the accommodating portion. Each fasten component has a base, at least one pair of clasp members, and at least one compelling bolt. A clasp protrusion is disposed at opposite distal end of each clasp member, so that space between the pair of clasp members, in normal state, shrinks from the joint ends to the distal ones. Each clasp protrusion of the clasp member contacts each clasp hole of the frame member, while the base inserts into each accommodating portion. The compelling bolt is between the pair of the clasp members, and further capable of moving towards the distal ends of the clasp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hou-Tzu Aluminum Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Fu Wang
  • Patent number: 8413402
    Abstract: A saddle connector, having an inverted channel, engages a bulb of a beam in the grid of a suspended ceiling. The channel has hardened teeth staggered along the opposing walls of the channel. The teeth are forced into the bulb of the beam, one at a time, by the full force exerted by hand operated pliers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Patent number: 8413403
    Abstract: A modular curtainwall system and a method for forming a curtainwall unit are provided. The modular curtainwall system comprises a unit frame and a cassette. The cassette comprises a subframe and an interior portion. The stick unit frame and cassette may be assembled into a curtainwall unit at an offsite facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Enclos Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert Walker, III, David A. Niemoeller, Michel Michno
  • Patent number: 8413404
    Abstract: An underground utility vault replacement method and system which create an inner structural envelope is shown to protect workers and equipment. It restores structural integrity and safety to the area within a decaying underground vault, without major disruptions above and/or below the ground. The system includes a plurality of structural walls, ceiling panels and structural beams and floor track. All structural elements are sized in width/height/thickness and methodically inserted through the existing manhole and maneuvered in place. Wall panels are attached to the floor by way of a secure track. Wall and ceiling panels are connected by way of a tongue and groove connection and an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Voltek International, Inc.
    Inventors: Aram Stepanian, Vahe Karamardian
  • Patent number: 8413405
    Abstract: A method for erecting a tower of a wind power plant made of at least three tube-shaped tower segments. For this a tower segment is connected at its ends with another tower segment in each case: in which the tower segments are arranged in a predetermined sequence of the type tower segment A-tower segment B-tower segment C one upon the other, in which the first tower segment A is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality i?2 of first tower segments Ai which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, in which the second tower segment B is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality m?2 of second tower segments Bm which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, and in which the third tower segment C is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality n?2 of third tower segments Cn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Repower Systems SE
    Inventor: Uwe Meesenburg
  • Patent number: 8413406
    Abstract: In a foundation assembly, a moisture barrier is placed on a footing and a foundation wall is on the moisture barrier. The moisture barrier thus isolates the foundation wall from the footing. The footing defines a keyway. The moisture barrier comprises a waterproof layer, a bottom layer attached to bottom side of the waterproof layer, and a top layer attached to the top side of the waterproof layer. The waterproof layer blocks passage of water therethrough. The bottom layer is for attaching the moisture barrier to the footing, and comprises a material that attracts water and binds to cement. The moisture barrier comprises a keyway portion sufficiently flexible and configured to fit the keyway in the footing. When the keyway portion fits to the keyway on the footing, it defines a secondary keyway for receiving a key portion of the foundation wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ewald Doerken
    Inventors: Marcus Jablonka, Joern Schroeer, Heinz-Peter Raidt
  • Patent number: 8413407
    Abstract: A system to produce rolls of web material includes: a production machine (1) to produce the web material; a winder (3) to form reels (B) of web material coming from the production machine; an unwinder (20) to unwind single reels of web material produced by the winder; a group of tools for longitudinal cutting of the web material to divide the web material into strips, including members to position the tools in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of feed of the web material; a rewinder (22) to rewind the single strips into rolls; a line for packaging (9) the rolls (R); at least one shuttle (11) to transfer groups of rolls formed by the rewinder towards the packaging line; and an information system for integrated management of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: A. Celli Nonwovens S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fernando Barsacchi
  • Patent number: 8413408
    Abstract: A container handling machine for handling bottles, cans, or similar containers. The container handling machine has a non-rotatable central pillar which, in rotary handling machines, can be used to support a rotatable carousel. The central pillar may also be used to house power conduits, control conduits, and fluid conduits for the container handling machine. The central pillar may also form part of a support framework and may be used to transmit torque forces produced during operation of the container handling machine to support a framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Bernhard
  • Patent number: 8413409
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling and filling flexible pouches in which a feeder mechanism 300 delivers a chain of interlinked flexible pouches 200 to a selector mechanism 600 comprising a linear actuator 602 and selector head 604 operable to detach the leading pouch 200 from the chain of pouches and move the selected pouch 200 to a station for removing a cap from the pouch 200, filling the pouch 200 with liquid, re-attaching the cap and releasing the pouch for dispense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Nighy, Scott Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8413410
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a main stage and three clamps. Each of the clamps is pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center. Each of the clamps comprises a generally planar body and an arcuate edge and can be used to both center a cap and grip and rotate a vial for attachment of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ulm, John Richard Sink, Eric X. Bonpain, Mark Alan Uebel
  • Patent number: 8413411
    Abstract: A horse stirrup which also functions as a mounting aid by providing, in the same assembly, a foot supporting platform for riding, as well as a convenient, lower level platform for mounting. The mounting platform, and related structure, also function, in cooperation with the riding platform, to reduce the exposure of the rider to stirrup foot lock in case of a fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 8413412
    Abstract: A horse boot (10) includes a shell (12) and a gaiter (22). The shell has a sole (14) and an upper (16) with a vertical slit (18). The gaiter (22) is releasably attached to the heel of the upper and is wrapped around the pastern (P) above the hoof's hairline (C) and below the fetlock to anchor the shell to the pastern and function as a barrier against debris. The gaiter includes a portion of two-way stretch material (60) that makes it possible to fold it out of the way for ease of installation. The process is further facilitated by the slit (18) that allows spreading of the shell. By shaping the upper (16) so that it presses against the hoof (H), the boot is advantageously held in place using only the gaiter anchored to the heel of the boot and strapped to the pastern of the horse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Easycare, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett N. Ford
  • Patent number: 8413413
    Abstract: A pivoting gathering auger for a row unit of a harvesting header. The gathering auger cooperates with a striper plate to remove useable parts from crop stalks gathered in a crop passage and to convey the stripped useable parts rearward into the cross auger of the header. The gathering auger pivots in a vertical plane between a first position for harvesting and a second position for maintenance. While in the maintenance position, a distal end of the gathering auger does not communicate with the cross auger. The useable parts are conveyed rearward free of obstruction to the cross auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Lohrentz, Robert A. Matousek
  • Patent number: 8413414
    Abstract: A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller may determine an operational mode of the baler and manipulate the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller may be configured to operate the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a coincident speed during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Maynard M. Herron, Robert A. Matousek, Cedric J. Blough, Patrick Kendrick, Brian D. Olander
  • Patent number: 8413415
    Abstract: The method for producing a thread which includes a plurality of individual filaments individually supported at a distance from one another and coated with a flowable resin which includes a solvent and can be crosslinked under the effect of at least one physical variable and/or one chemical substance. The coated individual filaments are subsequently compacted so that a composite is formed which includes the individual filaments and the resin continuously surrounding them and which is free of gas pockets. The solvent included in the resin is expelled from the composite during a drying process. Subsequently, the composite, presently a monofilament thread, is wound up in a non-crosslinked state of the resin. All individual filaments are aligned unidirectionally during all steps of the method. The invention further relates to a device to perform the method and a monofilament thread produced with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Faisal Knappe
  • Patent number: 8413416
    Abstract: A cable retainer which has a plurality of link members coupled to each other in a bendable manner for retaining a plurality of cables therein. When vertically moving a beam member along slits formed in opposite side plates of a cable retainer body, the beam member is positioned and fixed by causing engagement lugs of leg portions of the beam member to be engaged with serrated surfaces of side plates. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the fixing position of the beam member according to the wiring volume of cables to be retained, whereby it is possible to make the wiring capacity of link members variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Egami
  • Patent number: 8413418
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) having a pressure-rise combustor (30) and the pressure-rise combustor (30) is positioned upstream of a stage of turbine nozzle guide vanes (32). The vanes (33) of the stage of turbine nozzle guide vanes (32) forms an ejector and each of the vanes (33) has an upstream portion (34) and a downstream portion (36). The upstream portions (34) of the vanes (33) have leading edges (38) and the upstream portions (34) are arranged substantially straight and parallel to define constant area mixing passages (40) for a flow of gases there-through. The downstream portions (36) of the vanes (33) are arranged at an angle to the upstream portions (34) of the vanes (33) to turn the flow of gases there-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Samuel A. Mason, Mark D. Taylor, Torbjorn O. Lindquist, Robert J. Miller, Jonathan J. H. Heffer
  • Patent number: 8413419
    Abstract: The fluid and heat transfer theory for regenerative cooling of a rocket combustion chamber with a porous media coolant jacket is presented. This model is used to design a regeneratively cooled rocket or other high temperature engine cooling jacket. Cooling jackets comprising impermeable inner and outer walls, and porous media channels are disclosed. Also disclosed are porous media coolant jackets with additional structures designed to transfer heat directly from the inner wall to the outer wall, and structures designed to direct movement of the coolant fluid from the inner wall to the outer wall. Methods of making such jackets are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Firestar Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Mungas, David J. Fisher, Adam Pollok London, Jack Merrill Fryer
  • Patent number: 8413420
    Abstract: To alleviate and possibly even reverse global warming while providing a liquid fuel to replace petroleum, apparatus and methods are disclosed for capturing CO2 from an air mixture and converting it to a useful substance, especially a methanol-containing fuel, utilizing preferably an MgO-loaded cartridge, which is converted partly into MgCO3 as it captures CO2 by a carbonation reaction and is reconverted into MgO by a calcination reaction while emitting a stream of substantially pure CO2. The emitted CO2 stream is reacted with hydrogen or water to yield a methanol-containing fuel or other useful chemical agent. The hydrogen is preferably derived from water electrolysis using inexpensive solar or wind driven electricity thereby also reducing the cost of such electricity by providing an economical energy storage means. Said air mixture may be the effluent from an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or from other fossil fuel burning sources or from the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Solomon Zaromb
  • Patent number: 8413421
    Abstract: Two different flows for air-fuel mixture are formed by two different variational amounts for changing the air-fuel ratio of the mixture. Response delay times for different exhaust gas flows are measured as time periods from a first time point at which the air-fuel ratio of the mixture is changed to a second time point at which an output of an oxygen sensor is changed. The oxygen sensor is provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine at a downstream side of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst. A difference between the two response delay times is compared with a predetermined threshold value to carry out the diagnosis for the catalyst deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8413422
    Abstract: An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit and fault diagnosis method. An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit which performs fault diagnosis of an oxidation catalyst placed on the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, the oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis being equipped with a reducing agent dosage calculating portion that sets a dosage of the reducing agent such that a predetermined quantity of the ammonia flows out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, an oxidation efficiency calculating portion that obtains the efficiency with which the predetermined quantity of ammonia flowing out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst is oxidized by the oxidation catalyst when the predetermined quantity of ammonia passes through the oxidation catalyst, and a fault determining portion that performs determination of whether or not the oxidation catalyst is faulty by comparing the oxidation efficiency with a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8413423
    Abstract: A catalyst temperature control system of the present disclosure includes a vehicle start anticipation module and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) control module. The vehicle start anticipation module determines whether a vehicle start is anticipated based on at least one of a plurality of vehicle conditions before an ignition switch is turned on. The EHC control module activates an EHC based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan Nathaniel Roos, Brian Spohn, Halim G. Santoso, Eugene V. Gonze
  • Patent number: 8413424
    Abstract: An engine exhaust aftertreatment system including an catalyst-based device configured to reduce an amount of NOx in exhaust gases produced by an engine using reductant stored in the catalyst-based device. The system includes a controller configured to determine a starting quantity of stored reductant in the catalyst-based device at the start of the engine. The starting quantity is based on a shutdown quantity of stored reductant in the catalyst-based device determined at the shutdown of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Lou Kesse, Christopher L. Wynkoop
  • Patent number: 8413425
    Abstract: A control device and method for exhaust gas purification that can prevent the adsorption amount from becoming excessively lower than the saturated adsorption amount and can prevent the reduction efficiency of the reduction catalyst from degrading, including a device which can predict a transition of the temperature of the reduction catalyst and determine whether that temperature is decreasing; an apparatus which can control injection of the reducing agent according to a first amount that is smaller than a saturated amount corresponding to the temperature of the catalyst if it is determined that the temperature does not decrease continuously for a time; and a second apparatus which can control the injection of the reducing agent according to a second amount that is larger than the first amount and smaller than the saturated amount if it is determined that the temperature of the reduction catalyst continuously decreases for a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Tanioka, Fumiyasu Kurogi, Takeshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8413426
    Abstract: An exhaust cleaning method and exhaust cleaning apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) in which a fuel is fed and burned under periodical rich/lean combustion conditions. In a fuel reformer (18) disposed independently of an exhaust channel (11) in the engine (1), the fuel for the internal combustion engine (1) is reformed to produce a reformed gas containing carbon monoxide. The reformed gas is supplied to the exhaust to be introduced into an exhaust converter (17) having, disposed therein, a catalyst which adsorbs and reduces nitrogen oxides. The nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are adsorbed and reduced. Thus, the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust are removed at a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Iwamoto, Go Motohashi, Naohiro Sato, Hiroshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 8413427
    Abstract: A dosing control system for a vehicle includes a pump control module and an enabling/disabling module. The pump control module controls a pump that provides dosing agent to a dosing agent injector located upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst in an exhaust system. The enabling/disabling module disables the pump for a predetermined melting period after engine startup when the dosing agent is frozen and selectively activates the pump during the predetermined melting period to cool the dosing agent injector when a tip temperature of the dosing agent injector is greater than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Mullins, Justin A. Shetney, Kyle E. Crawford, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Rebecca J Darr
  • Patent number: 8413428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust component in a gas exhaust line for gases produced by the combustion of a fuel in a heat engine. In the gas flow direction, there is a first connection to an upstream pipe carrying gases from the engine. There is also a first exhaust tube and a second exhaust tube, these two tubes being parallel and being connected to the first connection. There is a second connection to a downstream gas discharge pipe, connected to the parallel exhaust tubes. The component is characterized in that, firstly the first tube has a depolluting component, and the second tube has a silencer. The second connection is a three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Systemes d'Echappement, Société Par Actions Simplifiée
    Inventor: Stéphane Devismes
  • Patent number: 8413429
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of particulate that has accumulated in a particulate filter, comprising calculating an amount of particulate that has accumulated in the particulate filter on the basis of a physical model that uses measured and/or determined physical quantities, and subjecting the calculated particulate amount to validation on the basis of given validation criteria, the latter step envisaging validation of the calculated particulate amount in the case where said criteria are satisfied, and validation of a substitutive particulate amount which is a function of a previously validated amount and of an admissible rate of variation in the case where said criteria are not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consorile per Azioni
    Inventors: Alberto Gioannini, Marco Tonetti
  • Patent number: 8413430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for metering a liquid reducing agent into an exhaust gas system for the reduction of pollutants in the exhaust gas. The device comprises a metering valve and an adapter to be mounted on an exhaust gas pipe. The metering valve is connected to the adapter by a connector element, which has at least one metal sound absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Haeberer, Burghard Kienzle, Siegbert Griesinger, Matthias Horn
  • Patent number: 8413431
    Abstract: A tank assembly (70) for storing a liquid reductant (74) includes a tank (78) defining a chamber (82), a filler tube (94) having an opening (102) and at least partially defining a fill passageway (98) from the opening (102) to the chamber (82), and a vent system (130). The vent system (130) includes a recirculation line (150) that provides fluid communication between the chamber (82) and the fill passageway (98). A float valve (174) in the recirculation line (150) prevents the conveyance of liquid (74) through the recirculation line (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Erdmann, Gregory W. Massa, Vaughn K. Mills
  • Patent number: 8413432
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for a vehicle includes a regeneration control module and a regeneration interrupt module. The regeneration control module selectively provides fuel to an oxidation catalyst for a regeneration event of a particulate filter that occurs during a predetermined melting period for frozen dosing agent. The regeneration interrupt module selectively interrupts the regeneration event and disables the provision of fuel to the oxidation catalyst before the regeneration event is complete when a temperature of a dosing agent injector that is located between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is greater than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Mullins, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Kyle E. Crawford, Justin A. Shetney, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8413433
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hydrocarbon emissions from an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system. One example method comprises flowing exhaust gas over a hydrocarbon trap, the trap having a plurality of layers with different porosity and/or a different adsorptive affinity to hydrocarbon chains, and flowing hydrocarbons from a fuel tank over the hydrocarbon trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Lupescu
  • Patent number: 8413434
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, George M. Claypole, Daniel B. Glassford
  • Patent number: 8413435
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold including a manifold body made of a first material and at least one heat shield insert provided inside the manifold body and made of a second material. The first material is a low cost material and the second material is a higher grade, temperature-resistant material. The manifold body includes a plurality of runners, collector and an outlet. The shield insert is preferably provided in the collector region adjacent to the outlet. The heat shield insert may have a curved sheet configuration or a tubular configuration depending on applications. The heat shield properly insulates the manifold body from the exhaust gas to protect the manifold body. The exhaust manifold, which is made from a combination of different materials, provides a more cost-effective solution in high temperature applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Wescast Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton A. Sloss, Richard A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8413436
    Abstract: An accumulator system is configured to store energy and includes an accumulator having a liquid chamber coupled to a liquid port and an air chamber coupled to an air port. The liquid chamber and the air chamber are separated by a moveable isolation barrier. An air motor/compressor coupled to the air port is configured to receive a mechanical input and responsively pump air into the accumulator, and to receive pressurized air from the air port and responsively provide a mechanical output. A liquid reservoir is coupled to the liquid port to receive liquid from the liquid chamber as air is pumped into the air chamber and to provide liquid to the liquid chamber as air is removed from the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Perry Y. Li, James D. Van de Ven
  • Patent number: 8413437
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for providing a pressurized hydraulic fluid, a main line circuit in fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a regulation valve in communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the regulation valve moveable between a plurality of positions, and a lubrication valve in communication with the regulation valve, the lubrication valve moveable between a plurality of positions. A lubrication circuit and a cooling circuit are in communication with the lubrication valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chinar S. Ghike, James D. Hendrickson, Zhe Xie, Terry Johnecheck
  • Patent number: 8413438
    Abstract: Intake air heating and exhaust cooling is provided by a double wall exhaust system serving as an exhaust-to-air heat exchanger, sourcing hot air to the intake manifold for intake stroke pumping benefit and cooling the exhaust system during high load operation by routing excess boost air through an interstitial space of the double wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8413439
    Abstract: A power supply of equipment onboard a motor vehicle equipped with a micro-hybrid system that can operate in a regenerative braking mode during which the energy recovered by a reversible rotary machine (1) of the micro-hybrid system is stored in an auxiliary energy storage unit (4). The micro-hybrid system provides a dual-voltage network including, on the one hand, a low voltage (Vb) for supplying a battery (3) of the vehicle and, on the other hand and at the terminals of said auxiliary energy-storage unit, a floating voltage (Vb+X) higher than the low voltage. The floating voltage (Vb+X) is used for powering the onboard equipment of the vehicle that may require high currents during short periods of time for the dynamic operation thereof. The power supply is particularly useful for powering an electric-assistance turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventor: Paul Armiroli