Patents Issued in July 2, 2013
  • Patent number: 8474402
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Timothy E. Wilson, Michael A. Bordner, Jon Davisson, Brad M. Syrowski
  • Patent number: 8474403
    Abstract: An apparatus including a vacuum chamber having a substrate holding unit that holds a substrate and a plasma electrode facing the substrate, a first gas supply unit that supplies a H2 gas to the vacuum chamber at a constant flow rate, a second gas supply unit that opens or closes a valve to turn on or off the supply of a SiH4 gas, a high-frequency power source that applies a high frequency voltage to the plasma electrode, a shield box that is connected to a ground so as to surround the plasma electrode outside the vacuum chamber, and a control unit that controls the valve such that the SiH4 gas is periodically supplied to the vacuum chamber and modulates the amplitude of high frequency power in synchronization with the opening or closing of the valve, and the valve is provided in the shield box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mutsumi Tsuda, Masakazu Taki
  • Patent number: 8474404
    Abstract: A pet toy with an adjustable treat dispensing lid has a lid or top that is connected to a body of the pet toy, and a treat holding enclosure receives treats. The enclosure has an open area which communicates with a treat dispensing opening of the lid enabling treats to be selectively dispensed. The lid may be placed at selected positions with respect to the body thereby changing the size of the exposed treat dispensing opening to thereby selectively change the rate at which treats are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Kong Company, LLC
    Inventor: Chuck Costello
  • Patent number: 8474405
    Abstract: An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: MWI Veterinary Supply Co.
    Inventor: William C. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8474406
    Abstract: An ear prop prevents a pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in a bowl or dish. The ear prop has members for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears, and the ear prop may comprise a shield. A dish for holding food or water for a pet is constructed to keep the pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in the dish. The dish comprises a bowl section and an ear prop section. The bowl section has a floor piece with a boundary continuously connectable to a boundary of a side wherein another boundary of the side defines an opening of the dish. The ear prop section is operably connected to the opening to provide a mechanism for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Weinblatt
  • Patent number: 8474407
    Abstract: A top-filling watering system configured to provide water to livestock, includes a water basin having an upstanding wall, and a reservoir securely mounted to the water basin. The reservoir includes a top wall integrally formed with a circumferential wall defining an open end connected to an interior cavity defined between the top wall and the circumferential wall. A filling opening is formed through the top wall. The filling opening is configured to allow water to be filled into the interior cavity. Another reservoir is capable of nesting within the interior cavity when the reservoir is not securely mounted to the water basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Philip E. Chumbley
  • Patent number: 8474408
    Abstract: A device for cleaning an animal's paw including a container (10) adapted to retain a cleaning agent, the container defining an opening and including a side wall, a cleaning platform (50) disposed in said container and defining a space (60) between said cleaning platform and said container side wall, and a squeegee member (85) substantially covering said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pet Product Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Brianne B. Leary, Andrew Taylor
  • Patent number: 8474409
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an ultrasonic stimulating pet toy and, more specifically, to a mouse-like pet toy comprising a sound chip assembly that emits ultrasonic vocalizations that replicate those studied in mice. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: OurPet's Company
    Inventor: Steven Tsengas
  • Patent number: 8474410
    Abstract: An animal throw-toy of resilient construction is provided, comprising a buoyant interior member configured in the form of a distinct object shape, a fabric component that covers the buoyant interior member, and a molded component that also covers the buoyant interior member. The molded component is configurationally arranged relative to the buoyant interior member so as to gyroscopically stabilize the distinct object shape of the buoyant interior member when the throw-toy is thrown. In one embodiment, the fabric component of the throw-toy is a non-woven or woven material which is tear-resistant and the molded component is an elastomeric material which is abrasion-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Oblack, Justin Bagley, Kyle Douglas Burger, Joseph W. Kent
  • Patent number: 8474411
    Abstract: The invention is an animal deterrent device and method of using the device. The device consists of a dazzler laser that produces eye irritation in an animal which results in the animal turning away from the user of the device. The device incorporates a diverging lens such that the dazzler laser produces a beam with a wide spread that makes it is easy to shine the beam on a potentially dangerous animal, but where the light is of sufficient intensity to irritate the animal's eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Tim L. Scott
  • Patent number: 8474412
    Abstract: A carrier sling for supporting and carrying a four-legged animal off the ground has a sling formed of flexible fabric material having leg openings for receiving the forelegs and back legs of the animal that extends along an underside of the animal including the shoulder and hip areas and around the sides of the animal and has a longitudinally extending loop along opposed shorter sides which contain a rigid support rod. Strap handles and a shoulder strap are secured to each shorter side and support rod. When the animal is supported in the sling and lifted by the handles or shoulder strap, the support rods are positioned closely together substantially parallel with one another and extend longitudinally above the animal's back and spine including the shoulder and hip areas to evenly distribute the animal's weight and significantly reduce twisting or bending stresses applied to the axis of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Clara S. Walden, Bruce Walden
  • Patent number: 8474413
    Abstract: A pet restraint harness system for use in a vehicle may be installed in a rear or front passenger seat. The restraint system includes a harness fastened about the pet and a restraint framework fastened about the seat and, in some configurations, to manufacturer latch points provided in the vehicle. The restraint framework includes a vertical strap positioned against the seatback and one or more lateral straps attached to the vertical strap to resist lateral movement, vertical movement, or both. One end of the vertical strap and the lateral straps may attach to the manufacturer latch locations. Alternatively, ends of the vertical and lateral straps may attach to each other about the seat. At least two restraining straps are attached to the vertical strap, the lateral straps, or among the combination of both. The restraining straps are configured to attach to an animal's collar, to a harness, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Grandma Knows, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Glenn Aaron, Mary L. Aaron
  • Patent number: 8474414
    Abstract: A restraint system for an animal comprising a collar assembly and a retractable leash assembly. The collar assembly comprises a strap member adapted to be secured around a portion of the animal and a pouch member secured to the strap member. The pouch member defines a pouch chamber and an open end. The retractable leash assembly comprises a retraction assembly secured to the strap member within the pouch chamber, a cord member operatively connected to the retraction assembly, and a handle member operatively connected to the cord member. The retractable leash assembly is operable in a retracted configuration in which the handle member is substantially within the pouch chamber. The retractable leash assembly is operable in an extended configuration in which the handle member is outside of the pouch chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Dagnon
  • Patent number: 8474415
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid system is provided. The valve assembly includes a damping component to reduce undesired pressure fluctuations within the system. The valve assembly includes a valve guide member and a valve member at least partially situated around the valve guide member. The valve member may be slidable relative to the valve guide member. The valve member is configured to move between a first valve member position that substantially permits fluid flow from the fluid system through the valve assembly, and a second valve member position that substantially prevents fluid flow from the fluid system through the valve assembly. A metering hole is formed on the valve member and adapted to dampen the motion of the valve member from the first valve member position to the second valve member position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Noonchester, Sean M. McGowan, Karl R. Gilgenbach
  • Patent number: 8474416
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system is provided including a housing containing a hydraulic fluid, a pulley connected to the housing a fan shaft rotatably mounted to the housing by a hydraulically actuated clutch, a piston mounted within a piston housing for actuating the clutch, a pitot tube for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid from the housing to the piston housing, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure within the piston housing, a shaft rotationally supporting the housing having passages extending through the pulley, a base connected with the shaft connecting the shaft with a structure, the base having coolant inlet and outlet, and an oil cooler connected with the base on a side of said base generally axially opposite of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Theodore A. Malott, Christopher D. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8474417
    Abstract: An air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: a cooling fan fixed to one end portion, protruding outward from one end wall of an engine main body, of a crankshaft; and a shroud which is mounted to the engine main body, and which defines a cooling-air path between the shroud and the one end wall, the cooling-air path guiding a cooling air blown under pressure from the cooling fan. The air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: an oil pump which pumps up an oil from an oil reservoir; and an oil-supply path which is formed in the one end wall, facing the cooling-air path, of the engine main body, and configured to guide the oil discharged from the oil pump to a valve operating chamber in a head portion of the engine main body, and a jet for jetting the oil is provided in an opening of the oil-supply path, the opening being open to the valve operating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ogawa, Hiroaki Hasebe
  • Patent number: 8474418
    Abstract: The position of a passage separating member in the axial direction of the cylinder bores is determined by causing a spacer to contact a bottom surface of a water jacket. When the separating member is inserted in the water jacket, the width of the separating member is reduced due to elastic deformation, so that the separating member can be arranged in the water jacket. After being arranged, the separating member tightly contacts the inner surface of the water jacket due to elastic restoration force. The tight contact prevents the separating member from moving upward in the water jacket. As a result, coolant is prevented from moving between the upper portion and the lower portion with respect to the separating member. The advantages of separate cooling of the coolant in the upper and lower portions with respect to the separating member are obtained. This reliably reduces the temperature difference along the axial direction of the cylinder bore forming body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Takasuke Shikida, Shuichi Hanai, Makoto Hatano, Nobumitsu Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8474419
    Abstract: A temperature control valve 10 for regulating the flow of coolant 15 in an automotive cooling system 11 that includes an engine 12 and a radiator 14. The temperature control valve 10 includes a valve body 40 having an inlet 42 and an outlet 46, a first valve assembly 100 that is movable between a closed position and an open position, and a chamber 74 that is adjacent to the first valve assembly 100. In the closed position of the first valve assembly 100, the inlet 42 of the valve body 100 is not in fluid communication with the outlet 46 of the valve body 100. In the open position of the first valve assembly 100, the inlet 42 of the first valve assembly 100 is in fluid communication with the outlet 46 of the first valve assembly 100. Fluid pressure within the chamber 74 is operable to move the first valve assembly 100 between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Melling do Brasil Componentes Automotivos Ltds.
    Inventors: Ayres Pinto De Andrade Filho, Joao Luiz de Carvalho Meira, Edgard Ferraz, Eduardo Gubbiotti Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 8474420
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, comprising a crankcase and a crankshaft accommodated therein, and a cylinder housing including at least one cylinder with a cylinder head, the cylinder housing with the cylinder head is supported directly on the crankshaft via eccentric elements which are pivotable for adjusting a position of the cylinder housing with the cylinder head relative to the crankshaft with the crankcase (12) for changing the compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 8474421
    Abstract: In a valve drive train device, in particular for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, with a switching unit comprising an actuator with a solenoid unit and with a control unit for monitoring switching operations of the switching unit provided for switching an axially displaceable cam element by means of a switch gate, the control unit for monitoring the switching unit is taking into account at least one characteristic value of a voltage integral over a voltage which is induced in a coil of the switching unit during the switching operation and is adjusting the value with respect to a characteristic limit value stored in the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Matthias Gregor, Richard Jakobi
  • Patent number: 8474422
    Abstract: In a camshaft unit, particularly of an internal combustion engine, comprising a camshaft connected to a drive unit to be driven thereby, a phase displacement unit including an actuating gear and a control unit with a rotor and a stator unit in the form of a brake element for adjusting a phase relation between the drive unit and the camshaft, and a bearing device for supporting part of the control unit, the bearing device is designed to accommodate radial tolerances between the stator element and the rotor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Richard Jakobi
  • Patent number: 8474423
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a first housing, a vane rotor, a second housing, a sealing plate, a regulating portion and a biasing portion. The sealing plate is interposed between the first housing and the second housing. The biasing portion biases the regulating portion toward the sealing plate. The sealing plate has a recess recessed from a base part toward the second housing at a predetermined position corresponding to the regulating portion in a relative rotation of the vane rotor. The regulating portion regulates the relative rotation of the vane rotor relative to the first housing and the second housing by being fitted with the recess of the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8474424
    Abstract: In a valve drive train device, particularly of an internal combustion engine, having an actuating device provided to displace at least one first axially displaceable cam element using a shifting gate, the actuating device is designed for switching the axially displaceable first cam element into the various switching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 8474425
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a rod which moves longitudinally to lock both arms. The rod is transversely mounted in the follower. In order to avoid premature locking, a clip is employed with tabs that interact with end surfaces of the arms so as to prevent premature movement of the rod from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lutz Kirbach
  • Patent number: 8474426
    Abstract: A roller lifter assembly has a lifter body with a leg extending outwardly therefrom, a bar having a elongated slot formed therein, a first rivet having a head and a shank, a button affixed to the shank of the rivet so as to sandwich the bar between the button and the leg of the lifter body. The head of the rivet has a surface adjacent to the shank that bears against a curved inner surface of the leg of the lifter body so as to prevent the rivet from rotating. The shank extends through the hole in the leg and through the elongated slot of the bar. The rivet is positioned so as to as to be non-rotatable during the movement of the lifter bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: William Gaterman, Brad A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8474427
    Abstract: A tappet (1) for a high-pressure fuel pump having a housing (2), the drive input side (7), which serves as a cam run-on face. The housing (2) incorporates a roller (8), wherein the drive output side (3), which serves as a contact surface for a tappet follower part, of said housing (2) bears against an underside (4) of a bridge piece (6) which projects through an inner casing (5) of the housing (2), and a rotation prevention device (11) which projects beyond the outer casing (10) of the housing (2) extends in a window (9) of the housing (2). The rotation prevention device (11) is formed by a radial elongation of the bridge piece (6). A projection extends from the inner casing (5) of the tappet (1) only on a portion situated diametrically opposite the window (7), which projection is integrally connected and is produced by a punching and embossing process and rises in a wedge shape in a direction of the drive input side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer, Karsten Kucht
  • Patent number: 8474428
    Abstract: An ignitor assembly constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention has an upper inductor subassembly coupled to a lower firing end subassembly for relative pivot movement between the subassemblies. The upper inductor subassembly includes a tubular housing with inductor windings received therein with an upper electrical connector adjacent an upper end of the housing and a lower electrical connector adjacent a lower end of the housing. The lower firing end subassembly includes a ceramic insulator and a metal housing surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. The ceramic insulator has an electrical terminal extending from a terminal end and an electrode extending from a firing end. A flexible tube couples the upper inductor subassembly to the lower firing end subassembly and maintains the electrical terminal of the lower firing end subassembly in electrical contact with the lower electrical connector of the upper at a pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition Company
    Inventors: James D Lykowski, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 8474429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A motor is mechanically coupled to the engine, the engine having at least one moveable element mounted in a chamber, the moveable element being operable to cause a changing compression condition within the chamber and being mechanically coupled to a shaft for generating mechanical power. The method involves causing the motor to supply a positioning torque to the engine to move the at least one moveable element into a starting position, The method also involves causing the motor to supply a starting torque to the engine when the at least one moveable element is in the starting position to cause the moveable element to accelerate from the starting position under low compression conditions to generate sufficient momentum to overcome a peak compression condition in the chamber, thereby reducing the starting torque required to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Bouchon, Martin Strange
  • Patent number: 8474430
    Abstract: A crankshaft mechanism for an engine wherein a crankshaft can be disposed close to the piston side while securing a moment of inertia. In the crankshaft mechanism for the engine including the piston, the crankshaft is provided with a crank pin and counterweight parts, and a connecting rod connecting the piston and the crank pin of the crankshaft to each other, the inner side of a circumferential end, on the opposite side of the crank pin, of each of the counterweight parts is cut out along a curve at equidistance R from the center Q of the crank pin, to obtain such a shape so as to avoid a projected part, projected in the direction of the piston, at the lower end of a small end part of the connecting rod when the piston reaches the bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Sakuyama, Shunsuke Muroi
  • Patent number: 8474431
    Abstract: In a cross section in which squish flow from an outer peripheral part of a piston (13) toward a cavity (25) is large due to a width (W2) of a squish area (SA) being large and a squish clearance (C2) being small, a collision angle (?2) at which a fuel injection axis (Li2) collides with the cavity (25) is made large, whereas in a cross section in which squish flow is small due to the width of the squish area (SA) being small and the squish clearance being large, the collision angle at which a fuel injection axis collides with the cavity (25) is made small. This enables a tendency for fuel to flow out to the exterior of the cavity (25) in a cross section where the squish flow is small to be weakened, and a tendency for fuel to flow out to the exterior of the cavity (25) in a cross section where the squish flow is large to be strengthened, thereby making the conditions in which fuel and air are mixed uniform throughout the entire region of the cavity (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sono, Tatsuya Uchimoto, Yukihisa Yamaya, Kenichiro Ikeya, Yutaka Tajima, Mitsuhiro Shibata, Nobuhiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8474432
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection into a cylinder, comprising of only for a first combustion event under selected conditions during an engine start, directly injecting fuel to the cylinder at least twice, where each of said two injections at least partially occur during a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Storhok, Zheng Xu, Jianwen Yi, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jim Hilditch
  • Patent number: 8474433
    Abstract: During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Pierre French
  • Patent number: 8474435
    Abstract: In an opposed piston, compression ignition engine two crankshafts are single-side mounted with respect to a row of cylinders, which is to say that the crankshafts are mounted so that their axes of rotation lie in a plane that is spaced apart from and parallel to a plane in which the axes of the cylinders lie. Each piston of the engine is coupled to one of the crankshafts by a single linkage guided by a crosshead. The piston has a piston rod affixed at one end to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is affixed to the crosshead pin. One end of a connecting rod swings on the pin and the other end is coupled to a throw on a crankshaft. Each crosshead is constrained to reciprocate between fixed guides, in alignment with the piston rod to which it is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: James U. Lemke
  • Patent number: 8474436
    Abstract: A fuel pump for a direct-injection system provided with a common rail comprises a pumping chamber defined in a main body. A piston is mounted in a sliding manner inside the pumping chamber to cyclically vary volume of the pumping chamber. A suction channel is connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by a suction valve. A delivery channel is connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by a delivery valve. A flow-rate-adjustment device is mechanically coupled to the suction valve to keep, when necessary, the suction valve substantially open during pumping of the piston and includes a control rod that is coupled to the suction valve and an electromagnetic actuator that acts on the control rod and has a one-way hydraulic brake that is integral to and substantially slows movement of the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Mancini, Paolo Pasquali, Riccardo Marianello
  • Patent number: 8474437
    Abstract: A fuel injection controlling apparatus (electronic control unit) of an internal combustion engine, which can cause first to fourth fuel injection valves of respective cylinders connected to a fuel delivery pipe to inject a fuel, which is heated after fed from a fuel pump (feed pump), is provided with a fuel pump control unit that stops a drive of the fuel pump (feed pump) until the heated fuel in the fuel delivery pipe is reduced to a predetermined amount or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Tsunooka
  • Patent number: 8474438
    Abstract: A stem is installed to an injector body and is resiliently deformable upon receiving a pressure of high pressure fuel conducted through a high pressure passage of the injector body. A strain gauge is installed to the stem to sense a strain generated in the stem. A molded IC device executes an amplifying operation, which amplifies a signal received from the strain gauge. The stem, the strain gauge and the molded IC device are integrally assembled together to form a fuel pressure sensing unit, which is installed to the injector body by threadably fastening a threaded portion, which is formed at the stem, to the injector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kondo, Tomiko Fujino, Hiroshi Tsuda, Yutaka Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8474439
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processor has a fuel tank, a canister, a recovery pipe, a fuel pump, a negative pressure generator, a pressure regulator, a fuel intake pipe and a fuel intake regulator. The vapor pipe leads the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank into the canister for trapping the fuel vapor. The recovery pipe connects the fuel tank and the canister for recovering the fuel vapor trapped in the canister into the fuel tank. The fuel intake pipe directly connects the fuel pump provided in the fuel tank with the negative pressure generator for leading fuel to the negative pressure generator. The negative pressure generator generates negative pressure depending on an amount of fuel supplied to the negative pressure generator from the fuel pump. The fuel vapor trapped in the canister is recovered to the fuel tank through the recovery pipe due to the negative pressure. The pressure regulator is connected with the fuel pump for returning excess fuel discharged from the fuel pump into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Junya Kimoto, Masanobu Shinagawa, Takashi Mani, Masakazu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8474440
    Abstract: A catalytic apparatus for efficient pre-combustion refinement of fossil fuel in vehicular engines, including an elongated outer metal pipe containing an elongated stainless steel inner tube of smaller diameter. The outer pipe is crimped or welded onto the inner tube to create a fuel chamber with connectors for the inflow and outflow of fossil fuel therethrough. The fuel chamber contains at least three catalytic elements each comprised of a different metal selected from the group Au, Cu, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Zn and platiniridium, which may be electroplated small-pore screens. As engine coolant is diverted through the inner tube, excess heat is transferred to the inflowing fuel. The fuel is forced to flow in close proximity to the inner tube for maximum convection, and through the catalytic elements before flowing out through the fuel line to the fuel injectors for more efficient combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Edward Taucher
  • Patent number: 8474441
    Abstract: An automobile fuel pretreatment device includes an instantaneous constant-temperature heating device including a fuel tube which allows fuel to flow, a heating unit positioned on and heating an outside surface of the fuel tube, and two spring clamp boards enclosing and clamping the heating unit on the fuel tube. Each of the spring clamp boards has a locking hole formed adjacent to a first free end and a locking tab formed adjacent to a second free end. The locking tab of each of the spring clamp boards is received through the locking hole of the other one of the spring clamp boards to engage the first free end of the other one of the spring clamp boards. A magnetization combustion-enhancing device includes two permanent magnets located adjacent to the fuel tube to induce magnetization on the fuel flowing through the fuel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Top 1 Green Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Chun Poe
  • Patent number: 8474442
    Abstract: An oil baffle, a system, and a method are disclosed for separating a gaseous component from oil in a blow-by vapor for an internal combustion engine. An example system may include a cam cover configured to be mounted on a cylinder head. The system may also include an oil baffle including a first face coupled to the cam cover and may define an oil separation chamber between the cam cover and the first face. The oil baffle may include one or more stiffening members coupled to and extending from and substantially normal to an opposite face in order to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Georg Festag, Philip Damian Cierpial, Abdelhakim Baghdadi
  • Patent number: 8474443
    Abstract: The present invention is an arrow holder operable for use with a drop down arrow rest, where the arrow holder is movable between a first position and second position. The arrow holder includes a lever portion, and a base portion formed as part of the lever portion; the lever portion and the base portion are operable for movement between a first position and a second position. Also included is a retaining hook operable for maintaining the lever portion and the base portion in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Slate Shooting Products LLC
    Inventor: Ray Edward Geno
  • Patent number: 8474444
    Abstract: A device for recovering, harnessing and reutilizing heat from along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprising such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device is made of a highly conductive and durable metal or metal alloy and comprises a skirt-like body, extending from the side of the cooking vessel and attached to a perforated slip-like portion that may be attached to or integrated into the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device harnesses and reutilizes heat from the underside of the body and safely and efficiently transfers the heat to the cooking vessel through conduction. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of ventilation openings, and a heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel J. Repetti, III
  • Patent number: 8474445
    Abstract: A concentrating solar energy device for use in buildings is configured to share structural elements with a building for cost savings. The device incorporates a shallow cylindrical trough mirror comprising mirrored sheets that are conformed to curved rafters, a receiver that is moveable within the cumulative area of focus of the cylindrical trough mirror, a secondary mirror integrated with the receiver that augments solar energy collection, and parallel linear tracking assemblies that move the receiver and that mount to a building's side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Joel Fairstein
  • Patent number: 8474446
    Abstract: A solar collector includes a first header, a second header and one or more riser tubes that connect the first header and second header. The solar collector is mounted to a surface, e.g., a roof, such that the headers are substantially parallel to a horizontal axis. The first header is curved so as to define a low point that facilitates drainage of liquid from the solar collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Caleffi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Robert M. Rohr, Max J. Rohr
  • Patent number: 8474447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held device (1), as depicted in exemplary FIG. 4, for metered dispensing of sprayable substances, particularly medicaments for inhalation, with a cartridge (3) that can be moved into the dispensing position, by pressure being applied to a housing, and with a step-by-step indexing mechanism (11) which is entrained by the cartridge (3) in the opening travel thereof and which is used to record and display the dispensing actuations that have been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Von Schuckmann, Dieter Hochrainer, Hubert Hoelz
  • Patent number: 8474448
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metered dose inhaler utilizing the property of the aerosol canister. The metered dose inhaler includes: a housing body (2); an aerosol canister (3) including a canister body (3a), a valve stem (3b), and a spring urging the valve stem, wherein the valve stem (3b) is held at a fixed position inside the housing body (2), and wherein the canister body (3a) is supported inside the housing body (2) to be depressible against a spring force of the spring; a dose counter (10) including display members (12) and (13) rotatably supported inside the housing body (2), and a control lever (14) swingably supported inside the housing body (2) to rotate the display member (13); and a control cap (20) including a junction member rotatably joined to the control lever (14), and a cap portion (20b) which sheaths the canister body (3a) from a bottom side of the canister body (3a), wherein the control cap (20) causes the control lever (14) to swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Oi, Shintaro Adachi, Takaaki Nakao
  • Patent number: 8474449
    Abstract: A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes flange attaches to the chest of the patient to secure the device in position. The pneumostoma management device also includes a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung. The length of the tube is selected to match the dimensions of the pneumostoma of a patient. In order to manufacture devices having different tube lengths, the tube is formed at a longer length than required, cut to size and tipped. The tube may be formed by molding or extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Portaero, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Tanaka, Joshua P. Wiesman, David C. Plough
  • Patent number: 8474450
    Abstract: A method for positioning a cannula for permanent implant through the orifice or tracheostoma in a fully aligned manner with the help of an inserter. The inner end or suprastomal extension of the cannula, upon withdrawing the inserter is vertically positioned in the supra-ostial area of the trachea, allowing, once the permanent cannula has been permanently positioned, the introduction of a perforated cannula having a characteristic curvature therethrough. The perforated cannula is oriented, through the lower aperture of the permanent cannula -1-, towards the interior of the lungs in order to allow insufflation of air from the exterior, while the exhaled air is derived through the vertical extension towards the larynx through the orifices disposed in the curvature elbow thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Jose Pablo Diaz Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8474451
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as an anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while effectively minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first and a second component wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes a protrusion to seal or unseal a through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid and wherein a portion of an exterior surface of the second component that mates with a vaporizer has a polygonal shape with three or more flat sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Piramal Critical Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cuzyldo, Michael Ide
  • Patent number: 8474452
    Abstract: An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency, direction and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microdose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand V. Gumaste, John Bowers