Patents Issued in June 18, 2013
  • Patent number: 8464489
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown with discontinuous surface layers, which are mechanically connectable to each other along one pair of adjacent edges, said floor panels comprising at least two floor elements whereof at least one of the floor elements is non rectangular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Christian Boo, Mattias Sjostrand
  • Patent number: 8464490
    Abstract: This application relates to a light-weight, multi-purpose construction panel. The panel may be formed, for example, from molded plastic. Each panel includes a substantially planar deck on a first side thereof and a second side comprising alternating male and female sleeves arranged in honeycomb-like compartments defined by a plurality of wall elements. A pair of panels may be releasably coupled together with their respective second sides facing inwardly to form a construction assembly. When a pair of panels is coupled together, the male sleeves of one panel matingly fit within the females sleeves of the other panel, and vice versa. Each panel may also include guide tubes which are aligned when the panels are coupled together. A plurality of channels may be formed in the deck on the first side of the panel and spaced-apart apertures may be arranged in the channels in alignment with the guide tubes for insertion of fasteners therein or to allow water drainage through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Rapaz
  • Patent number: 8464491
    Abstract: A system of blocks is configured to be compatible with each other in the construction of a columnar structure. Each block has four faces and all four faces may generally have the same dimensions. The width of the blocks may generally be about twice their height. The faces of the block also may contain a slot to add an aesthetic appearance to the column. The blocks have certain constructions features that mate with specially constructed brackets in attaching a fence panel to the completed column. The blocks have interlocking elements or projections that permit positive connection between courses of blocks. Projections of one block extend into the core another block. Adjacent blocks can be rotated 90 degrees relative to each other about a vertical axis of each block with each course. The blocks can be used to construct a column that is easy to install and structurally sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, William B. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8464492
    Abstract: An engineered block for a landscape wall includes front and rear faces, first and second sidewalls, a top surface extending between upper ends of the front and rear faces, and a bottom surface extending between lower ends of the front and rear faces. A stepped cavity is formed in the top surface of the engineered block. The stepped cavity is located adjacent the front face of the engineered block and includes a first step having a first horizontal, and a shallower second step, adjacent the first step, having a second horizontal surface. A mounting device adapted to receive a light fixture is seated within the stepped cavity. The mounting device has a flat plate seated upon the second step and a storage compartment for wire seated upon the first step. A top planar surface of the flat plate is coplanar with the top surface of the engineered block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: David M. Beausoleil
  • Patent number: 8464493
    Abstract: A configuration, all components of which are man portable in some embodiments, for holding panels to protect assets against external force and impacts from airborne projectiles. An open box-like stackable frame module holds panels along a side of the frame. Multiple frames are connected to construct a protective barrier, such as a wall. Frames include provisions for connection in a vertical configuration so as to allow stacking of the frames to increase the height of the barrier. A method of installing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Nicholas Boone, Bartley P. Durst, Toney K. Cummins, Pamela G. Kinnebrew, William F. Heard, Thomas R. Slawson, Michael J. Roth, Ryan Stinson, Reed Mosher, Jerry C. Edwards, Andrew B. Edwards, Jason D. Edwards, Shane H. Sanford, Robert A. Pilgrim
  • Patent number: 8464494
    Abstract: In an anchor for use in a construction panel which includes upper and lower cover plates, wherein the anchor includes a cylinder body, a displacement body and a cement container provided with desired rupture locations and installed in the cylinder body and the cylinder body is provided with engagement elements for extending behind the upper cover plate, the cement container includes at least two chambers separated by an intermediate wall and is provided with an upper and a lower opening each closed by a thin-walled rupturable foil, with the intermediate wall being also rupturable by the displacement member upon movement thereof into the cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer, Rüdiger Walz
  • Patent number: 8464495
    Abstract: A wall anchor employing adhesives or other settable materials to strengthen the wall anchor, facilitating ease of use as well as extreme holding power. A method to attach a wall anchor to a panel, a method to remove a wall anchor from a panel, and a removal tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: James S. Feine, Mohammad A. Jamnia
  • Patent number: 8464496
    Abstract: Precise parameters are maintained in a support system for solar panels or other panel-like structures through use of a collapsible folding, support frame which is preassembled to precise tolerances at a convenient staging site before being collapsed for shipment. Installation on flat roofs is also facilitated through the use of a roof interface frame which rotatably supports the panel support frame of the support system and folds along with it at the assembly, staging site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Northern States Metals Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Cusson, Robert J. Voytilla, Michael G. Greenamyer, Thomas P. Kilar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8464497
    Abstract: A mast is erected to support a load. At least one stay cable supports the mast. The stay cable has an end and an opposite end. The end of the stay cable attaches to an upper region of the mast. The opposite end of the stay cable anchors at earth. The stay cable is oriented at an angle not exceeding ten degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ultimate Strength Cable, LLC
    Inventor: Walter L. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8464499
    Abstract: A fluid containment and dispensing system having a RFID tag associated therewith. The fluid containment and dispensing system includes a fluid containment drum having an opening defined thereon. The fluid containment and dispensing system further includes a dispensing mechanism operably coupleable with the opening, the dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the contents of the fluid containment drum. An identification tag is coupleable with the dispensing mechanism and includes a first laminate, a second laminate laminated to the first laminate, and a RFID member disposed between the first and second laminates, wherein the RFID member includes information associated with a fluid containment and dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Asp, Jeffrey J. McKenzie, John M. Hennen
  • Patent number: 8464500
    Abstract: A process and system reprocesses soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. The material is to remove a preponderance of the manure. The remaining soiled bedding is washed in water and a cleaning agent, rinsed and, optionally, bleached to restore color and appearance. The resulting material is dewatered and dried to reduce its moisture content and kill any remaining pathogens. After being cleaned and sanitized, the material may be reused as bedding or further processed into pellets or other products, such as manufactured fire logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Shelly Ann Townsend
  • Patent number: 8464501
    Abstract: The method for grouping stackable products arriving in line on a feed conveyor which has an accumulation function and a distribution function of the products, distribution being carried out sequentially to feed a supply conveyor which makes the products available so that they can be collected, the method including collecting the products distributed on the supply conveyor by a transversal collector which is mobile in a vertical plane, depositing the collected products on a take-up station which is located above the level of the supply conveyor and providing the collector with a loop movement, cyclical, in order to collect the products, deposit them and return to the point of departure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Didier Mougin, Michel Begin, Guillaume Duchemin, Christophe Poupon
  • Patent number: 8464502
    Abstract: A packaging device for packing stacked soft hygienic products, e.g. sanitary napkins, panty liners or the like, into a plastic bag made of an endless film, has specific forming shoulder (21) and MD sealing unit (5) to produce a MD seal (35) at a closure edge (46) of the bag. Thus four integral side panels are available at the bag (WB) for imprinting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephan Spiekers, Geert Ivo Coletta Maria Cloostermans-Huwaert, Andre Josephine Karel De Saert, Markus Port, Ibrahim Ulas, Thomas Reinhold Albert Wessel
  • Patent number: 8464503
    Abstract: An engine comprises a tank of compressed air and a piston. The tank of compressed air is connected to a conduit and the conduit is connected to a cylinder comprising a first valve and an inlet to a chamber. The chamber comprises the piston, which reciprocates. The chamber also has a second outlet connected to a second valve. The air traverses from the tank of compressed into the chamber by opening the first valve. Both the first valve and second valve are closed and the compressed air moves the piston in the chamber to produce work. The second valve opens and the air escapes from the chamber and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ShalyMac Energy Systems
    Inventors: Frank W. McCuin, Shapour Bakhtiari, Clinton Johnson, Charles C. McCuin, Eric Morton, Lily Lu
  • Patent number: 8464504
    Abstract: A combination edger and trimmer is for mounting on a riding lawn mower's deck. The edger/trimmer comprises a deck mount plate, an intermediate plate and a motor mount plate. The three plates are offset from one another with the intermediate plate hingeably attached to the deck mount plate and also to the motor mount plate. An electric motor with a cutting head is attached to the motor mount plate. The edger/trimmer is positioned in rest, edging, or trimming positions by manually moving the plates about their hinge points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph I. Huff
  • Patent number: 8464505
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header, the stalk roll comprises a cylindrical shell, at least four flutes affixed to and extending radially from said cylindrical shell, wherein the flutes are arranged in a first group and a second group, wherein the first group and the second group contain an equal number of said flutes, and wherein a peripheral distance between the first group and the second group is greater than a peripheral distance between the flutes within either the first group or the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Marion Calmer
  • Patent number: 8464506
    Abstract: A mowing finger arrangement has a lower element (4) and an upper element (3). The lower (4) and upper (3) elements are connected to each other and form two mowing fingers (1, 2) and a blade gap (15). The blade gap (15) guides a mowing sickle between the lower element (4) and the upper element (3). The lower element (4) forms lower counter cutting edges (20, 21). The upper element (3) forms upper counter cutting edges (22, 23) for the mowing sickle. The two mowing fingers (1, 2) are connected to each other via a rear (26) and a front (29) connection web on the upper element (3) and via a rear (35) and a front (34) connection web on the lower element (4). The two front connection webs (29, 34) of the lower element (4) and the upper element (3) define part of the blade gap (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Erfindergemeinschaft Gustav und Fred Schumacher GbR
    Inventors: Gustav Schumacher, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8464507
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes a cutter and a housing covering the cutter for allowing rotation of the cutter to cut grass. The housing includes a front wall portion covering a front part of the cutter and a portion other than the front wall portion. The front wall portion extends laterally of the housing. The front wall portion has a thickness more than twice a thickness of the portion other than the front wall portion. The front wall portion has a downwardly convex bottom surface, and serves as a handle for use in lifting up the lawn mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Iida, Shuhei Maruyama, Nobuyuki Habuka
  • Patent number: 8464508
    Abstract: A baling apparatus for towing behind a combine, said baling apparatus comprising a tongue to enable said towing, said baling apparatus defining a target for receiving at least a portion of material discharged directly from the combine across a gap extending the distance from a rear of the combine to a front of said baling apparatus to impact on said target of said baling apparatus through an opening defined by forward frame members and a cross member connected to the tongue rather than impacting the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Patrick Kendrick, Kevin M. Tacke, Allen J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8464509
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Maynard M. Herron, Robert A. Matousek, Cedric J. Blough, Patrick Kendrick, Brian D. Olander
  • Patent number: 8464510
    Abstract: An air spinning device has a nozzle body and a hollow spindle with a spindle tip and a longitudinal axis, wherein the spindle tip protrudes into the nozzle body. An outlet channel having a ring-shaped cross-sectional area is formed between an outside surface of the spindle tip and an inside surface of the nozzle body. The gap width at a certain location of the outlet channel normal to the longitudinal axis of the spindle is constant over the circumference of the spindle. The outside surface of the spindle tip and/or the inside surface of the nozzle body is/are shaped in such a way that at least two constrictions are formed in the outlet channel in its course in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spindle, wherein the outlet channel has a ring-shaped cross-sectional area at each of these constrictions smaller than the ring-shaped cross-sectional area of the outlet channel upstream and downstream from each of these constrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Petr Haska, Robert Mikyska, Christian Griesshammer
  • Patent number: 8464511
    Abstract: A turbomachine comprises a turbine shaft, first and second rotors, first and second propulsion stages, and a magnetic stator. The first rotor is rotationally coupled to the turbine shaft, and coaxially arranged along an axis. The first propulsion stage is rotationally coupled to the first rotor, opposite the turbine shaft. The second rotor is coaxially arranged about the first rotor, and the second propulsion stage is rotationally coupled to second rotor, opposite the turbine shaft and adjacent the first propulsion stage. The magnetic stator is coaxially arranged between the first rotor and the second rotor, forming a magnetic coupling between the and second rotors to drive the second propulsion stage in contra-rotation with respect to the first propulsion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, Jacek F. Gieras
  • Patent number: 8464512
    Abstract: This actuator for an aircraft engine nacelle mobile structure (9) comprises a motor (1) intended to be mounted on a fixed part of the said nacelle, an endless screw (21) able to be turned by this motor (1), a slideway (5) intended to be connected to the said mobile structure (9) and comprising a nut (29) in mesh with the said endless screw, and a first ball end (15) allowing an angular offset between the axis of the said endless screw (21) and the said slideway (5). This actuator is notable in that it comprises a sleeve (19) able to accommodate the said screw (21) and extending with clearance inside the said slideway (5), the said nut (29) being mounted on that end of the said sleeve (19) that is closest to the said motor (1), and the said first ball end being interposed between the other end of the said sleeve (19) and the said slideway (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Aircella
    Inventors: Guy Vauchel, Jean-Philippe Joret, Pierre Baudu, Christophe Guenadou
  • Patent number: 8464513
    Abstract: A system comprises a fuel system for delivering fuel to an engine for combustion and a reductant storage system for delivering reductant to the exhaust stream for an SCR catalyst for NOx reduction. The fuel system further comprises a water separator for separating water-based fluid from fuel in the fuel tank, and a separation reservoir to collect the separated water-based fluid. Based on readings of a water-in-fuel sensor positioned within the reservoir, a type of degradation (e.g., water build-up, high-water-content fuel, mis-filling of the reductant, etc.) may be determined and indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Donald Cooper, Carlos Armesto, Dwayne Pollitt, Scott Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8464514
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter is disclosed. In one example, oxygen is pumped from the intake system of a direct injection turobocharged gasoline engine through a cylinder and into the exhaust system by a compressor. In this way, regeneration of a particulate filter may be accomplished without an auxiliary air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Helmut Hans Ruhland, Moritz Klaus Springer, Thomas Lorenz, Georg Louven, Jan Harmsen
  • Patent number: 8464515
    Abstract: An ammonia burning internal combustion engine in which, in addition to ammonia, a reformed gas reformed at a reformer is fed into a combustion chamber. When a reforming ability of the reformer is less than a predetermined reforming ability, an ammonia ratio is increased to a ratio more than the ammonia ratio after completion of engine warmup set in advance in accordance with an operation state of the engine, and secondary air is fed from a secondary air feeding device into an engine exhaust passage upstream of an exhaust purification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Aso, Takahiko Fujiwara, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8464516
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device includes an inlet housing having an inlet opening for receipt of an exhaust flow from an engine aligned along a first axis. A main housing includes a cylindrical body portion defining a treatment zone and an exhaust outlet aligned along a second axis extending parallel to the first axis. The inlet housing is in fluid communication with and fixed to an outer surface of the main housing. The inlet housing includes a contoured wall including an end portion positioned opposite the inlet opening, an aperture extending through the wall transverse to the first axis, divergent side wall portions on opposite sides of the inlet opening, and a necked portion having a reduced cross-section positioned downstream of the inlet opening and upstream of the aperture. A component is coupled to the main housing for treating exhaust flowing through the treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bell, Megan Wikaryasz, Douglas Otrompke
  • Patent number: 8464517
    Abstract: Method to reduce NOx contained in an exhaust gas by including an oxidation catalyst device and a selective reduction type NOx catalyst device, which are arranged in this order from an upstream side, and a NOx purification system. Whether a volume of NO2 adsorbed in the oxidation catalyst device increases or decreases is estimated, and a flow rate of exhaust gas which bypasses the oxidation catalyst device on a basis of the increase or decrease in the estimated volume of adsorbed NO2 is controlled. This avoids incorrect supply of ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuya Fujita
  • Patent number: 8464518
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine with a secondary air source, a fuel system that communicates with the engine, and a controller that communicates with the fuel system. The controller controls a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio and a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio. The liquid and vapor fuel mixture has a third A/F ratio. A secondary air source provides additional air to the third A/F ratio. The controller determines an available A/F ratio of vapor fuel within the fuel tank and performs a comparison with a target A/F ratio range. The second quantity is set to zero if the A/F ratio of the vapor fuel is outside of the target A/F ratio range. The controller adjusts the first and second quantities based on a comparison between an exhaust A/F ratio and a target exhaust A/F ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Ament, Mary Beth Furness
  • Patent number: 8464519
    Abstract: A secondary air system for the supply of secondary air into at least one exhaust gas outlet passage of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, wherein at least one secondary air passage provided in the cylinder head is associated with the exhaust gas outlet passage and opens into the exhaust gas outlet passage and into an outer connection surface of the cylinder head. A base plate is provided which can be placed onto the connection surface of the cylinder head and which is provided with secondary air stubs which each engage into a secondary air passage when the base plate is in place. The base plate is provided on its outer side remote from the connection side with at least one hood via which the supplied secondary air is distributed to a plurality of secondary air stubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Friedrich Boysen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nils Rippert, Ramazan Sahan
  • Patent number: 8464520
    Abstract: Termination of regeneration of a particulate filter may be based on a variable percent threshold of stored particulate, where the percent threshold of stored particulate depends on a current soot burn rate. In one example approach, a method for controlling regeneration of a diesel particulate filter comprises: terminating regeneration based on a particulate burning rate; wherein the particulate burning rate is based on operating conditions of the diesel particulate filter; the operating conditions including an amount of stored particulate in the diesel particulate filter and a temperature of the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Chen, Christopher Oberski, Norman Hiam Opolsky, Peter Mitchell Lyon
  • Patent number: 8464521
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a diesel particulate filter (DPF) is provided. A pressure drop across the DPF is measured and an initial estimate of soot loading in the DPF is provided to a recursive filter. Using the recursive filter, the initial estimate of soot loading is updated in view of the measured pressure drop to provide an updated estimate of soot loading in the DPF. Active regeneration of the DPF is triggered when an earliest one of at least one triggering condition occurs, the updated estimate of soot loading reaching a predetermined value being one of the at least one triggering condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Tai, Kenth I. Svensson
  • Patent number: 8464522
    Abstract: An exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine is provided with an upstream side three-way catalyst capable of purifying exhaust gas and a particulate filter (PM filter) for trapping particulate matter PM contained in exhaust gas. Catalyst warm-up control is exercised for the purpose of warming up mainly the upstream side three-way catalyst at cold start. Filter regeneration control for removing the particulate matter PM accumulating on the particulate filter from the filter is exercised at the cold start after the catalyst warm-up control is exercised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiko Fujiwara, Noriyasu Kobashi, Yusuke Nakayama, Mamoru Yoshioka, Tsuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 8464523
    Abstract: A regeneration system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter. The PM filter has an upstream end that receives an exhaust gas from an engine. An air pump circuit directs ambient air to a first exhaust conduit upstream from the PM filter. A control module determines a current soot loading level of the PM filter. The control module also at least one of operates the engine in a rich mode and activates an air pump of the air pump circuit when the current soot loading level is greater than a predetermined soot loading level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8464524
    Abstract: A system for trapping liquid exhaust during a cold start of an internal combustion engine is provided. As one example, a system includes, an exhaust inlet, an exchange area fluidly coupled downstream of said exhaust inlet, a trap coupled to said exchange area having a liquid exhaust chamber for collection of liquid exhaust, and a catalytic converter fluidly coupled downstream to said exchange area. In another example, a method includes condensing, at least partly, exhaust from the engine in an exchange area in an exhaust system into liquid exhaust, collecting liquid exhaust into a trap disposed in the exchange area, and evaporating the liquid exhaust into the exchange area after an evaporation temperature is reached in the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, John M. Roth, Ken O. Jahr, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Michael Kerns, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 8464525
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering power fluid used to power a device under water and for pumping the recovered power fluid to a fluid container above a surface of the water, the method in certain aspects including: flowing fluid from a subsurface apparatus to a subsurface recovery system, the fluid initially provided to the subsurface apparatus to power the subsurface apparatus; and the subsurface recovery system including a pump system for selectively pumping recovered power fluid to a fluid container above a surface of the water, the pump system having at least one pump and, in some aspects, a first pump, a second pump, and a valve system; the valve system controlling the first pump and the second pump to allow only one pump of the first pump and the second pump to pump recovered power fluid to the fluid container above the surface of the water; and pumping recovered power fluid to the fluid container with only one pump at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Patent number: 8464526
    Abstract: A hydraulic load ramping system, in certain aspects, may utilize load sensing feedback from an engine, thereby reducing the possibility of overloading the engine as well as smoothing the transition between hydraulic load levels. In particular, by ramping between hydraulic load levels, unwanted movement of hydraulically-driven equipment may be minimized. In addition, by efficiently monitoring the load sensing feedback and ramping between hydraulic load levels, the hydraulic output may be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Renner
  • Patent number: 8464527
    Abstract: A float structure for a WEC is designed to have a tapered underside to reduce the impact due to wave slam and bending moments while providing little reduction in the surface area responding to the wave surface in order to maintain the beneficial power generating capability of a “flat” float. The underside of the float presents an inverted wedge section to decrease loads associated with wave slamming. The float may have a generally toroidal or elliptical configuration at and about the “still” water line with the generally submerged underside of the float having a cross section shaped to have one or more inverted triangular sections extending between the outer perimeter of the float and its center to reduce impact loading due to wave slamming while maintaining power producing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Gerber, Christopher Thomas Phelan, Wei Qiu, Donald Smith Spencer
  • Patent number: 8464528
    Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are rotatably adjustable for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. An elastically deformable member is disposed between a radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring and a radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing, the elastically deformable member having a radially inner surface contacting the radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing and having a radially outer surface contacting the radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring so as to radially center the nozzle ring relative to the center housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrain Sausse, Raphael Hettinger, Dominique Petitjean, Gary Agnew, Philippe Arnold, Emmanuel Severin, Manuel Dufin
  • Patent number: 8464529
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbocharged engine having cylinders in which one of the cylinders undergoes a compression stroke. The method includes advancing an ignition spark in the one of the cylinders undergoing the compression stroke by a first amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a first barometric pressure for a given engine speed and load, and advancing the ignition spark in the one of the cylinders undergoing the compression stroke by a second, lesser amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a second, lower barometric pressure, for the given engine speed and load as the vehicle being at different altitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Ken Jahr
  • Patent number: 8464530
    Abstract: A control system manages and optimizes a geothermal electric generation system from one or more wells that individually produce heat. The control system includes heat sensors that measure temperature and fluid flow and are placed at critical points in the wells, in piping, in a hot fluid reservoir, in a cold fluid reservoir and in a cooling system. The control system also includes pump and valve controls, generator controls, a network for gathering information and delivering instructions, and a processing module that collects information and communicates control information to each component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Michael J. Parrella
  • Patent number: 8464531
    Abstract: The inventive method for converting thermal energy into electricity, high-potential heat and cold consists in evaporating a coolant from a strong solution at a high temperature and pressure in a boiler in such a way that a superheated vapor and a weak solution thereof are formed, in reducing the temperature and pressure of the coolant and solution associated with the interaction thereof with external consumers (sources) of energy, in absorbing the low-temperature coolant in the weak solution in an absorber, in subsequently compressing the strong solution, which is formed during the absorption, by a pump, in heating said solution in a regenerator and in supplying it to evaporation. Prior to absorption, the weak solution is overcooled in a cooler using low-temperature energy sources. A turbine with a generator or a condenser, a control valve and an evaporator are used as a unit for interacting the coolant with energy consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Igor Isaakovich Samkhan
  • Patent number: 8464532
    Abstract: Power generation systems and methods are disclosed for use with medium to high temperature heat source stream, gaseous or liquid, where the systems and methods permit efficient energy extraction for medium and small scale power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 8464533
    Abstract: The technology combines a secondarily-fueled boiler with a primary-fueled Rankine steam cycle combustion system in a hybrid process. Outputs from a secondarily-fueled combustion system are fed into the feedwater heater(s), deaerators, feedwater heating lines, and/or reheat lines of a primary-fueled Rankine system. The integrated steam flow eliminates or reduces one or more extractions from the steam turbine generator, thereby allowing it to generate more electrical power using the same Rankine system input energy or generate equivalent electrical power using energy inputs from multiple fuel sources. The technology can be utilized in any type and/or configuration of secondary fuel or secondarily-fueled combustion technology and/or can utilize any type of primary-fueled steam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Roger Smithe, Mackenzie Brooke Miller, Philip J Dirkse, Seth Shortlidge
  • Patent number: 8464534
    Abstract: A nitrogen pressure-based engine device featuring a main engine chamber with a turbine blade system; a liquid nitrogen storage tank; a heater/vaporizer chamber for converting liquid nitrogen to gas nitrogen fluidly connected to the storage tank and to the nozzle block of the main engine chamber; a pressure condenser for condensing gas nitrogen to liquid nitrogen fluidly connected to the main engine chamber and to the storage tank; wherein liquid nitrogen flows from the storage tank to heater/vaporizer chamber then gas nitrogen flows to the main engine chamber via the nozzle block, the gas nitrogen drives rotation of the turbine blade system, the gas nitrogen then flows to the pressure condenser to be condensed to liquid nitrogen, the liquid nitrogen then flows from the pressure condenser to the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Gary D. Riemer
  • Patent number: 8464535
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the use of phase change material to store, transfer and convert heat, such as from solar radiation, to mechanical work or electricity. Apparatus, systems, components, and methods relating to thermal energy transfer and energy conversion are described herein. In one aspect, the invention relates to a containment vessel having a heat receiving region and a heat transfer region such that a plurality of phase change materials are disposed therein and a sequence of solid, liquid and vapor phases are used to transfer heat from a source to a heat receiver of a power conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Infinia Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice White, Peter Brehm
  • Patent number: 8464536
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustion chamber is provided. The gas turbine includes a combustion chamber interior and a combustion chamber wall which has a substantially rotationally symmetrical cross-section, wherein on the side of the combustion chamber wall facing away from the combustion chamber interior there is arranged over the entire cross-sectional circumference of the combustion chamber wall a corrugated component which, in combination with the combustion chamber wall, embodies a plurality of separate resonance chambers and wherein openings are incorporated in the combustion chamber wall in such a way that a fluidic connection is established in each case between the combustion chamber interior and one of the resonance chambers and wherein the corrugated component has two locking rings which are connected to the combustion chamber wall in order to seal off the resonance chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Böttcher, Olga Deiss
  • Patent number: 8464537
    Abstract: A nozzle for a combustor is disclosed. The nozzle includes a center body, a burner tube provided around the center body and defining a fuel-air mixing passage therebetween, and an outer peripheral wall provided around the burner tube and defining an air flow passage therebetween. The nozzle further includes a nozzle tip connected to the center body. The nozzle tip includes a pilot fuel passage configured to deliver a flow of pilot fuel to a combustion zone, and a plurality of transfer passages. The plurality of transfer passages are configured to deliver a flow of air for combustion with the flow of pilot fuel in the combustion zone and further configured to deliver a flow of transfer fuel to the combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8464538
    Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor includes a trapped vortex cavity having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of fluidic mixers are disposed circumferentially along the first surface and the second surface of the trapped vortex cavity. At least one fluidic mixer includes a first open end receiving a first fluid stream, a coanda profile in the proximity of the first open end, a fuel plenum to discharge a fuel stream over the coanda profile, and a second open end for receiving the mixture of the first fluid stream and the fuel stream and discharging the mixture of the first fluid stream and the fuel stream in the trapped vortex cavity. The coanda profile is configured to enable attachment of the fuel stream to the coanda profile to form a boundary layer of the fuel stream and, to entrain the incoming first fluid stream to the boundary layer of the fuel stream to form a mixture of the first fluid stream and the fuel stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrei Tristan Evulet, Gustavo Adolfo Ledezma, Corey Bourassa
  • Patent number: 8464539
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly (10) comprising a first inlet tube (14), a second inlet tube (15), and a nozzle (16). The nozzle (16) is formed from a stack of plates (20-38) which are joined together in face-to-face contact. The plates (20-38) collectively have openings which define a nozzle outlet, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first circuit from the first inlet to the nozzle outlet, a second circuit from the second inlet to the nozzle outlet, and a fluid-outlet chamber through which both the first circuit and the second circuit pass. The nozzle assembly (10) can be used as a fuel injector for a gas turbine engine, with jet fuel being supplied to the first circuit during start-up and low power conditions and jet fuel being supplied to both the first circuit and the second circuit during high power conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Pelletier, James R. Pavlik