Patents Issued in April 1, 2014
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Patent number: 8683942Abstract: Chemical bath deposition (CBD) apparatuses and fabrication methods for compound thin films are presented. A chemical bath deposition apparatus includes a chemical bath reaction container, a substrate chuck for fixing a substrate arranged face-down toward the bottom of the chemical bath reaction container, multiple solution containers connecting to a reaction solution mixer and further connection to the chemical bath reaction container, and a temperature control system including a first heater controlling the temperature of the chemical bath reaction container, a second heater controlling the temperature of the substrate chuck, and a third heater controlling the temperature of the multiple solution containers.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chung-Shin Wu, Pei-Sun Sheng, Wei-Tse Hsu
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Patent number: 8683943Abstract: A disclosed plasma process apparatus is disclosed that applies a plasma process to an object to be processed, including a cylindrical processing container configured to be evacuatable to vacuum, a holding unit configured to hold plural objects to be processed and inserted into and to be extracted from the cylindrical processing container, a gas supplying unit configured to supply a gas into the processing container, an activating unit configured to be located along a longitudinal direction of the processing container and to activate the gas by plasma generated by a high frequency power, a cylindrical shield cover configured to surround a periphery of the processing container and to be connected to ground for shielding from high frequency, and a cooling device configured to cause the cooling gas to flow through a space between the cylindrical shield cover and the cylindrical processing container during the plasma process.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Naomi Onodera, Kiyohiko Gokon, Jun Sato
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Patent number: 8683944Abstract: Provided is a method of collecting wild termites and rearing the termites indoors. The method can be used to observe physiological and ecological characteristics of termites that give serious damage to wooden cultural assets and buildings, and thus basic information can be obtained for controlling termites.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Republic of Korea (National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)Inventors: Chang Wook Jo, Young-Hee Kim, Jin Young Hong, Mi Hwa Jung, Jung Eun Choi, So Young Jeong
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Patent number: 8683945Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for milking animals wherein a negative pressure is periodically built up and relieved in a teat cup gap at a predetermined rate. The negative pressure is maintained over a predetermined suction phase (b) and relieved over a predetermined rest phase (d). The ratio between the suction phase (b) and the rest phase (d) changes at least once during the milking operation. In a preferred embodiment the first duration does not exceed a predetermined, first limit value and the second duration does not fall beneath a predetermined, second limit value.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbHInventor: Bernhard Schulze Wartenhorst
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Patent number: 8683946Abstract: In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher retrieves cups from the right side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the right front teat, a second cup to the left front teat, a third cup to the right rear teat, and a fourth cup to the left rear teat. In certain alternative embodiments, the robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of the equipment area, and the sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
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Patent number: 8683947Abstract: A bird feeder generally in the form of hopper feeder that is coupled with a water reservoir. The hopper feeder generally includes a seed reservoir that receives and holds bird seed, which is dispensed to the birds by way of feeding stations. The hopper further provides a liquid reservoir for dispensing drinking water to visiting birds.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Woodstream CorporationInventors: Romilly Humphries, Brian K. Krueger
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Patent number: 8683948Abstract: An animal feeder for mounting to a tree includes a feed storage bin having a bottom opening positioned to deposit feed on to a dispersion disc positioned within a cowling to distribute feed through a directional opening in the cowling by rotating the disc with a timer controlled motor mounted below it and a gripper for mounting on a tree.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: William P Gerke
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Patent number: 8683949Abstract: A material-shifting system for shifting scattered material, such as lifestock feed, closer to a barrier. The system includes at least one traveling unit having an angled push-head which is coupled to a shuttle. Preferably, the shuttle is driven along a rail by a remote driving. As the shuttle travels along the rail, the push head pushes material scattered over a surface towards the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: DeLaval Holding ABInventor: Ron Tabakman
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Patent number: 8683950Abstract: The present invention provides a synchronous poultry feeding system, wherein a barrier member is configured through the feed conveying trough. The conveying trough comprises a trough and a fence configured above the trough. The fence is configured with a plurality of feeding openings. The outer edge of the barrier member is close to the inner wall of the trough and the fence. The barrier member can be controlled by the control device to be lifted or lowered inside the conveying trough. In this way, when the barrier member is not lifted, it can block the feed inside the trough, so that the poultry cannot stretch into the trough to eat, while when the barrier member is lifted to an appropriate height, the poultry can stretch from their respective feeding openings into the trough to eat.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Shu-Hui Hung
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Patent number: 8683951Abstract: A pet food bowl having an internal food dish surrounded by a reservoir adapted to hold a liquid therein and an overlying shroud extending over the reservoir and spaced from an outer wall of said reservoir, wherein said the shroud includes a face extending over a reservoir surface and outermost skirt extending around and spaced from an outermost reservoir wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Gregory David Linke
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Patent number: 8683952Abstract: An automated cat litter box includes a cat litter tray, a cat litter return bin that collects soiled cat litter from the cat litter tray and that returns recycled cat litter to the cat litter tray, a control unit, and one or more drive units operated by the control unit to drive the cat litter tray and the cat litter return tray to automatically recycle the soiled cat litter during a cat litter box cleaning cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Matthew J. Miller
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Patent number: 8683953Abstract: A litter box for a domestic animal includes a box-like body equipped with an upper support wall that has a through opening, a container of a granular litter material susceptible to absorb the animal excrements, and a first tubular duct arranged below the upper wall, which is substantially extended between the upper wall and the bottom of the body, for conveying the animal excrements towards a discharge zone in the lower part of the body. The receptacle surrounds a second tubular duct inside the first tubular duct, whose upper end faces the opening and whose lower end faces the bottom of the body, and which defines an internal edge of the receptacle for the purpose of retaining a quantity of the granular material therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Jeferson Ramisch
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Patent number: 8683954Abstract: A finfish aquaculture containment pen having a plurality of panels that when joined together form the majority of the exterior surface of the containment pen. The panels each comprise tension-bearing mesh material forming the exterior surface of the containment pen, a plurality of compression-bearing struts extending along the boundaries between panels, wherein the mesh material is attached to the struts along the lengths of the struts, and a plurality of hubs at which a plurality of struts and the corners of a plurality of panels abut each other. The panels can form a polyhedral structure. The mesh can comprise coated wire mesh. The struts can be curved members with convex curvature.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ocean Farm Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Stephen H. Page
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Patent number: 8683955Abstract: A fish pen (100) includes an elongate spar buoy (110) and a reserve buoyancy buoy (120) disposed over a top end of the spar buoy. Lower and upper rim assemblies (130, 140) are attached to the spar buoy and each other with tension members (150, 152, 154). An adjustable upper connection plate (114) on the spar buoy provides a means for tensioning the tension members. A docking station (190) and portal (185) provide easy access to the fish pen. A deployable panel system (180, 182) allows for crowding fish into a smaller portion of the pen. The panel system may be nonporous and include additional panels (184) such that a portion of the pen can be substantially isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: OceanSpar, Inc.Inventors: Todd L. Madsen, Timothy J. Gregg, Langley R. Gace
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Patent number: 8683956Abstract: An aquarium cleaning system has an inner member adapted to be positioned adjacent an interior surface of a sidewall of the aquarium; an outer member adapted to be positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the sidewall such that the sidewall is interposed between the inner and outer members; an attachment mechanism that retains the inner member and the outer member in a fixed position relative to one another; a cleaning member mounted on the inner member and adapted to clean the interior surface of the sidewall; and a control system adapted to cause the inner and outer member to collectively move around the side wall of the aquarium such that the cleaning member cleans the interior surface of the side wall during such movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Milan Rafailovich
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Patent number: 8683957Abstract: A movement analysis device for rodents capable of variably adjusting a space where a rodent is placed in order to stimulate the behavior of the rodent so that motor functions of the rodent can be analyzed more effectively. The movement analysis device for rodents includes a body including a pair of side plates distanced from each other with a predetermined gap and a connector plate connecting one ends of the side plates together, the connector plate having a slit extending from one to the other one of the side plates; and an adjustment unit including an adjustment plate configured insertable between the side plates of the body and into the slit of the connector plate of the body and a support plate extending to a height reaching from a bottom to the slit to support the adjustment plate at one portion thereof. The support plate is semi-cylindrically shaped to form a cylindrical space together with the connector plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Seoul National University Industry FoundationInventors: Kyu-Chang Wang, Sun-Ha Paek, Byung-Woo Yoon, Se-Pil Park, Do-Hun Lee
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Patent number: 8683958Abstract: A ball (100) having a foam core (110) with a channel recess (114) formed on its surface is enclosed by a cover assembly including a rubber channel assembly (120) in the shape of a spherical curve, such as a baseball curve, and fabric panels (132) that are fixed to the channel assembly. The channel assembly is configured to be inserted into the channel recess in the core. In an embodiment, a heat-activated adhesive substrate is disposed between the cover assembly and the core. In an embodiment, a launcher engages the channel assembly to aid in throwing the ball. In an embodiment, a removable insert (220) is insertable to be retained in the channel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canine Hardware, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Oblack, Kyle D. Burger, Mark D. Thinnes
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Patent number: 8683959Abstract: A lead system for domesticated animals has a lock capable of securing the collar and the handle ends to prevent theft of the animal. The lead system has a leash having a handle at one end and a collar at the opposing end. The lead system may have a first lock at the collar end and a second lock at the handle end which are separately activated for fastening the handle to the leash at one end of the leash and the collar to the leash at the other end for securing an animal to an immovable object. Alternatively, the lead system may have a lock capable of simultaneously securing the collar and handle ends. The lead system may also allow for adjustment of the circumference of the collar and the handle through the use of levers, with the lock(s) capable of also securing the levers.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Pawz Dog Boots, LLCInventor: Michael Friedland
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Patent number: 8683960Abstract: The present invention is a two or more subject retractable leash retractable leash, and methods of use regarding the same, which includes a roll-back feature on the retractable leash. The leashes may be locked in place by engaging a single lever. The leashes retract regardless of whether the spools are locked or unlocked. The leashes retract independently of the other leashes, such that a dual leash may be used to walk one subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Carolyn O'Brien, John C. Evans
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Patent number: 8683961Abstract: A fluid system for an intercooler has a fill level defining a maximum volume of liquid in the fluid system, a main fluid circuit and a secondary fluid volume. The main fluid circuit includes the intercooler, and one or more passages through which fluid is circulated with operation of the engine, and at least a portion of the main fluid circuit is located above the fill level. The secondary fluid volume has at least a portion located below the fill level that communicates with the main fluid circuit to receive liquid from the main fluid circuit at least when the engine is not operating to drain at least some of the liquid from the portion of the main fluid circuit that is located above the fill level. This reduces the volume of liquid that remains above the fill level when the engine is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Gregory P. Prior, E. Timothy Pawl
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Patent number: 8683962Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprises a tubular conduit configured to conduct coolant to and from various components of the internal combustion engine and to remove excess heat therefrom. A shield portion is fluidly coupled inline of the tubular conduit and is disposed between a heat source and a cooler operating component. The expanded portion further comprises a cooling body, an inlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and configured to conduct coolant into the cooling body and an outlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and is configured to conduct coolant out of the cooling body.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Robert Lionel Jacques
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Patent number: 8683963Abstract: A hydraulic control device is equipped with an oil jet that injects oil to a piston, an oil gallery through which oil injected by the oil jet and oil supplied to a lubrication part of an engine pass, an oil pump that pumps oil to the oil gallery, and a switching valve that is provided on an oil jet passage connecting the oil gallery and the oil jet together and leads oil supplied from the oil gallery to either the oil jet or an oil pan disposed at an upstream side of the oil pump. An ECU controls the switching valve on the basis of an engine speed and an engine cooling water temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Toshihisa Sugiyama, Kenichi Yamada, Shusaku Sugamoto, Bunki Kawano
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Patent number: 8683964Abstract: A two-stroke, internal combustion engine which includes at least one set of paired first and second cylinders. The engine includes an air or air/fuel mixture inlet conduit bifurcated into inlet passages extending to respective first and second inlet ports of the first and second cylinders. A valve controls the passage of air or air/fuel mixture into the inlet passages. In one embodiment of the engine, a bypass passage provided with a bypass valve extends between the inlet ports of the paired cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Cits Engineering Pty LtdInventor: Basil Van Rooyen
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Patent number: 8683965Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft supported for rotation on the engine structure, a drive member and a camshaft actuation assembly. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located within the first shaft and rotatable relative to the first shaft, a first cam lobe located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the first shaft and a second cam lobe supported for rotation on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. The drive member may be fixed to a first axial end of the camshaft and rotationally driven to drive rotation of the camshaft. The camshaft actuation assembly may include an actuator coupled to a second axial end of the camshaft and rotationally fixed to the engine structure and relative to the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventor: Ronald Jay Pierik
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Patent number: 8683966Abstract: A camshaft adjustment device which has a pinion and a drive part that is disposed in a pivoting manner relative thereto. The pinion and the drive part are operatively connected to each other via a pressure chamber that can be pressurized using pressure means. At least one locking device can mechanically couple the pinion and the drive part. The locking device is actuated by of a pressure medium. The pressure chamber and the locking device are in a pressure medium connection to one another for regulating the pressure medium supply to the locking device and the pressure medium discharge therefrom by at least one regulating unit. The passage of the pressure medium can be blocked in a pressure-tight manner in the direction of the pressure chamber by at least one locking device disposed in the pressure medium connection.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Michael Busse, Lutz Witthoeft
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Patent number: 8683967Abstract: Engine with a crank mechanism and a cylinder head whose intake and exhaust channels are regulated by gas exchange valves activated by cams of at least one camshaft. The cams are sliding cams with at least one cam per sliding cam assembly arranged rotationally fixed but axially displaceable on a base shaft, and each having an actuator with an actuator pin for displacing the sliding cam assemblies into different axial positions via at least one displacement groove which cooperates with the pin. The displacement groove being helical shaped and having a run-in and a run-out region for the pin and a displacement flank and an opposing support flank. A detent device locks the sliding cam assemblies in different axial positions. A distance between the displacement flank and the support flank remains constant along the entire extent of the displacement groove parallel to the displacement direction of the sliding cam assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Ronny Gunnel, Linda Funke, Steffen Hein
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Patent number: 8683968Abstract: Provided is a variable valve assembly for internal combustion engines which is capable of accurately determining whether an input rotational component and an output rotational component are fixed to each other. The variable valve assembly includes an intake camshaft for driving an intake valve and a crankshaft for driving the camshaft. The variable valve assembly has a function for changing the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft and a function for fixing the intake camshaft to the crankshaft. The variable valve assembly determines whether the intake camshaft is fixed to the crankshaft, on the basis of a total amount of phase variation HCC or the amount of variation in the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuu Yokoyama, Masaki Numakura
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Patent number: 8683969Abstract: During the time period from the start of an engine to the completion of a catalyst warming-up, the drive of a blower in an air-conditioning equipment is inhibited to suppress the heat-exchange of the air, which is caused to flow in an air duct by the drive of the blower, with cooling water in a heater core disposed in a circulating passage. Therefore, the heat generated in the engine is restrained from being fed to the inside of a compartment through that air after fed to the cooling water. As a result, the temperatures of the engine and the cooling water rise quickly, and the temperature of the exhaust of the engine rises so that the heat is efficiently fed to the catalyst through the exhaust. This means that the heat generated in the engine is preferentially fed through the exhaust to the catalyst that is the portion needing the feed of heat at a low temperature, other than the compartment in the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Morita, Yuki Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8683970Abstract: An air intake system for an off-road vehicle includes an intake conduit upstream of a segmented debris removal device and a mail filter element. A baffle is disposed in the intake conduit and extends into the incoming air stream to avoid swirl in the air stream and provide more even air flow distribution into the segments of the segmented debris removal device. The baffle may have two generally parallel elements spaced from one another to reduce mixing of air regions separated by the baffle. The baffle reduces or eliminates vortices that adversely affect air flow into the segmented debris removal device.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Thomas Michael Chlystek, Kaushal Ghorpade, Keith James Ward
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Patent number: 8683971Abstract: An intake manifold includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece includes a first branch pipe half portion and an intake air introducing portion. The second piece is connected to the first piece by vibration-welding and includes a second branch pipe half portion, an additional body, and a connecting portion. The second branch pipe half portion is connected to the first branch pipe half portion. The additional body is connected to the intake air introducing portion. The second branch pipe half portion and the additional body are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The connecting portion connects the second branch pipe half portion to the additional body.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Youichi Miyashita
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Patent number: 8683972Abstract: A crankcase is provided for an internal combustion engine with at least one coated cylinder bore, which has a chamfer on a separating surface facing a cylinder head. A countersink is arranged on the chamfer. The geometry allows an additional grinding process on a separating surface facing a cylinder head to be omitted.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Lars Taenzer
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Patent number: 8683973Abstract: An internal combustion engine, which includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head fastened to the cylinder block, an aperture formed in a side of the cylinder head, and a conduit assembly, such as an intake runner assembly or an exhaust conduit assembly. A combustion chamber is formed by the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The intake runner assembly is received within the aperture and configured to communicate air to the combustion chamber. The intake runner assembly includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece has a first channel that includes a bend. The second piece has a second channel that includes another bend mirroring the bend of the first channel. The first piece is coupled to the second piece such that the first and second channels together form a flow path through the intake runner assembly, and the bends of the first and second channels together form a smooth turn in the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventor: Jason J. Raasch
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Patent number: 8683974Abstract: A piston for an engine may include a piston crown, and a piston bowl recessed within the piston crown. The piston bowl includes a center portion, a cone portion, and an annular toroidal portion. The geometry of the piston bowl is designed to correspond with a fuel injection nozzle having a specific spray angle. An exemplary piston bowl may include a toroidal major diameter between about 4.645 and 4.895 inches and a toroidal minor radius between about 1.165 and 1.235 inches. The cone portion includes an angle between about 26 to 34 degrees. The compression ratio of the piston is about 17.95 to 1.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventors: Deep Bandyopadhyay, Jonathan Dolak, Michael Goetzke
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Patent number: 8683975Abstract: A positive displacement rotary system may include a main rotor and a slotted rotor. The main rotor can include an interior cavity and a fixed vane (or blade) that is attached to the peripheral and side walls of that cavity. The slotted rotor is positioned within the main rotor interior and includes a slot for the main rotor blade. The main and slotted rotors rotate about parallel axes that are offset from one another. As the rotors turn, separate chambers are formed between the blade and an inter-rotor seal, with the inter-rotor seal located at or near a rolling contact between the outer surface of the slotted rotor and an inner perimeter wall of the main rotor cavity. The separate chambers contract and expand as the rotors rotate.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Joseph F. Tinney
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Patent number: 8683976Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
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Patent number: 8683977Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with separate cylinder banks, separate exhaust passages are connected to each cylinder bank of an engine and a shared intake passage is connected to both cylinder banks. One end of an EGR passage is connected to the separate exhaust passage of one cylinder bank, and the other end of the EGR is connected to the shared intake passage. If it is determined that an EGR valve in the EGR passage is stuck in an open state, a fuel-cut control is executed in the cylinder bank that is connected to the separate exhaust passage to which the EGR passage is connected. Thus, even when the EGR valve is stuck in an open state, it is possible to prevent the internal combustion engine from operating unstably.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeki Miyashita
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Patent number: 8683978Abstract: A fuel injection system is described, and which has an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion includes a source of fuel, the fuel inlet of a fuel injection servo or flow regulator, and a first fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the source of fuel and to the fuel inlet of the fuel injection servo. The downstream portion includes a flow divider, at least one fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo, and a second fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the flow divider and the fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo. A fuel accumulator pressure damper is mounted in fuel flowing relation relative to the downstream portion of the fuel injection system so as to substantially reduce standing waves in the fuel injection system.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Turn and Bank Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Jim Gregoire
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Patent number: 8683979Abstract: A dual fuel system for an engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors that each include an injector body with a tip component defining a plurality of gas nozzle outlets and a plurality of liquid nozzle outlets positioned for direct injection into one of the engine cylinders. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel common rail through a quill and an outer passage defined between an inner tube and an outer tube. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel common rail through the quill and an inner passage defined by the inner tube. Each combination of an inner tube and outer tube extend into the engine housing between the quill and one of the fuel injectors. Each of the inner tubes extends through one of the outer tubes and is compressed between a conical seat on the quill and a conical seat on one of the fuel injectors.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
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Patent number: 8683980Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system, integrated on a genset engine or any internal combustion engine, with an electrical sensor and crank position sensor is described. Since a genset engine's exhaust emissions and general performance are a function of spark timing, integration of electrical and crank position sensors on a genset engine provides optimal engine performance and efficiency when the electrical draws fluctuate. The electrical sensor and crank position sensor send data to the electronic control unit (ECU), and this data is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) and optimal spark timing. The ECU varies the spark timing in accordance with the speed and load of the engine and actuates the fuel injector to send the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted allowing the engine to meet performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Jeffrey D. Peterson, Matthew J. Ethen, Kristopher G. Knight, Peter J. Vancalligan
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Patent number: 8683981Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a low pressure fuel pump, which suctions and discharges fuel accumulated in a fuel tank, and a high pressure fuel pump, which suctions and discharges the fuel discharged from the low pressure fuel pump and supplies the fuel to a fuel injection valve installed in an internal combustion engine, the low pressure fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump, and fuel injection valve being connected in series, wherein the low pressure fuel pump and high pressure fuel pump are configured in such a way as to be driven or stopped independently of each other, one by each motor, and the pressure of the fuel discharged from the high pressure fuel pump is made variable by a combination of the drive or stop of the low pressure fuel pump and the drive or stop of the high pressure fuel pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takuya Uryu, Yoshihiko Onishi, Tatsuya Ikegami
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Patent number: 8683982Abstract: A programmable diesel fuel injector that increases frequency response and control precision over desired fuel flow rates throughout each injection event. All valve frequency and motional requirements are met by a compensated direct drive, which is enabled by the durable capability of a rare earth alloy to lengthen in a magnetic field. A continuously variable electrical input waveform is predetermined to result in the desired fuel injection rate shape. A magnetostrictive transducer converts voltage and current into continuously variable force and displacement of a master piston acting upon fuel within a closed chamber. A slave piston responds to the fuel pressure changes within the closed chamber and acts upon the spool of a spool valve to eject fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Great Plains Diesel Technologies, L.C.Inventor: Charles B. Bright
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Patent number: 8683983Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating a stationary gas motor (1). In said method, a deviation of the regulated speed is calculated from a desired speed and an actual speed, a desired moment is determined as an adjustable variable from the deviation of the regulated speed by means of a speed governor, said desired moment being limited to an air ratio-limiting moment by limiting the moment, and a desired volume flow (VSL) is determined from the limited desired moment in order to define an angle (DKW1, DKW2) of the mixture throttle valve and an angle of the gas throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbHInventors: Johannes Baldauf, Peer Smuda, Ludwig Klaeser-Jenewein
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Patent number: 8683984Abstract: A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Christian Daublebsky von Eichhain
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Patent number: 8683985Abstract: A belted gear assembly for driving a supercharger includes a belt drive assembly for operatively connecting a gear drive assembly to an existing pinion shaft of an engine. The belt drive assembly includes a lower pulley assembly that is operatively connected to the pinion shaft and belted to an upper pulley assembly. The upper pulley assembly is operatively connected to a side gear of the gear drive assembly. The side gear engages an upper gear of the gear drive assembly, which is operatively connected to a lobe of the supercharger. Rotation of the upper gear thereby initiates rotation of the supercharger. The amount of boost provided to the supercharger is readily adjustable by simply changing the lower pulley assembly to adjust the RPM ratio for the supercharger. Each component of the belted gear assembly is isolated and fully self-contained, including a separate lubrication system and collection well.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Stephen J. Thomson
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Patent number: 8683986Abstract: A method for adjusting an exhaust gas recycling rate in an internal combustion engine exhaust gas recycling system, comprising: arranging the exhaust gas recycling system in at least one of a fresh gas line, an exhaust gas line, and an exhaust gas recycling line of the internal combustion engine; actuating at least one additional valve; adjusting the at least one additional valve temporarily by changing the operation of the internal combustion engine based on an exhaust gas rate associated with a current operating point of the internal combustion engine; diagnosing the at least one additional valve; and evaluating the change of at least one engine operating parameter dependent on the exhaust gas recycling rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Alfred Elsässer, Marco Warth
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Patent number: 8683987Abstract: Otto intake-cycle controlled-air (throttled) internal combustion engines suffer from parasitic pumping losses associated with partial vacuums developed in their intake manifolds and in the cylinders above their pistons. To solve this problem, there is provided individually partitioned dry-sump crankcases dynamic pneumatic coupling pressure reduction cycle system and method that reduce the damaging parasitic effects of the differential pressure about a piston head during an intake cycle which is a source of part-load pumping-loss friction. This closed loop system includes an independent supplemental mechanical fail-safe system of a turbo-compound engine variant for pneumatic coupling of individual cylinder-crankcase volumes. It does not alter the cylinder homogeneous mixture charge integrity and stability. The system is applicable to several engine configurations, such as controlled air intake or uncontrolled air intake combustion engines, using different fuel types, either in liquid or in gazeous state.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: R & D Machma Inc.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Marcil
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Patent number: 8683988Abstract: Embodiments of engine systems for improved engine cooling and work production are disclosed herein. A working fluid can be injected into a combustion chamber or an engine during any portion of an energy cycle to cool the engine and/or to produce useful work in addition to work generated by combustion events in the chamber. The system can include a monitoring system configured to measure conditions within individual combustion chambers. Based on the interior conditions of the chamber, the system can adaptively inject working fluid mixtures into the engine. The engine can be part of a cascading series of engines including a primary engine and a secondary engine that receives fluids from the primary engine and generates energy from the fluids.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Roy Edward McAlister
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Patent number: 8683989Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an archery bow includes a rotatable member comprising a cam track, a capstan and a terminal. A drawstring extends from the first rotatable member. A power cable is attached to the terminal and extends away from the rotatable member. The power cable comprises an elongate straight portion located near the rotatable member, a capstan portion in contact with said capstan and a terminal portion in contact with said terminal. In a brace condition, the power cable wraps around the capstan in a first rotational direction as the power cable is traversed from the elongate straight portion to the terminal portion. When the bow is drawn from the brace condition, the rotatable member rotates in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: MCP IP, LLCInventor: Mathew A. McPherson
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Patent number: 8683990Abstract: A projectile launcher having an upper receiver capable of swinging away from a lower receiver is disclosed. In one aspect, the lower receiver having a first end and a second end contains a firing control chamber. While the second end is located closer to barrel of the launcher, the first end of launcher is located closer to a buttstock. The firing control chamber includes a gas channel, wherein one end of gas channel is coupled to a valve and another end of gas channel reaches to the top of external wall of the chamber. The upper receiver having a first end and a second end contains a bolt chamber. The second end of upper receiver and the second end of lower receiver are pivotally coupled whereby allowing the first end of upper receiver to be pivotally swung away from the first end of lower receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Real Action Paintball, Inc.Inventor: Omar Alonso Macy
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Patent number: 8683991Abstract: A cooking top, in particular a cooking top suitable for household use, comprises: an upward facing top cover, a first gas burner in turn comprising first flame divider means which put the first burner in operative communication with the outside of the top cover, the flame divider means comprising first flame outlets in turn comprising outlet sections, said outlet sections defining a first crown which defines and at least partly surrounds a first portion of the cooking top, and a second gas burner in turn comprising second flame divider means in operative communication with the outside of the top cover, the second flame divider means comprising second flame outlets in turn comprising outlet sections, the second flame divider means being formed in the first portion of the cooking top, the first and the second flame divider means being separate and independent of each other with the outlet sections of the first and/or second flame outlets facing upwards at least partly.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Indesit Company, S.p.A.Inventor: Alberto Gasparini