Patents Issued in April 7, 2015
  • Patent number: 8997501
    Abstract: A system includes a combustor transition piece configured to mount between a combustor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The combustor transition piece includes a hollow body with an internal flow passage extending from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion. The combustor transition piece also includes an aft frame coupled to the downstream end portion of the hollow body, an aft flange coupled to the aft frame, and a mounting lug removably coupled to the aft frame at a first joint. The mounting lug is configured to removably couple to a mounting bracket at a second joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, John Drake Vanselow
  • Patent number: 8997502
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first thermoelectric assembly that includes a first set of thermoelectric elements and a first plate and a second plate are coupled to the first set of thermoelectric elements. A second thermoelectric assembly is spaced apart from the first thermoelectric assembly. It includes a second set of thermoelectric elements and a third plate and a fourth plate are coupled to the second set of thermoelectric elements. A first set of fins is coupled to the first plate and a second set of fins is coupled to the third plate. A third set of fins is coupled to the second plate and a fourth set of fins is coupled to the fourth plate. A fan is coupled to the first and second sets of fins and is substantially centered with respect to a gap between the first and second sets of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Marlow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Ayres, Overton L. Parish, IV
  • Patent number: 8997503
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes an HVAC unit that blows air whose temperature is adjusted by a refrigerant evaporator and a second refrigerant condenser. The system includes a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant circuit changeover section, a first refrigerant condenser, a first expansion valve, and the refrigerant evaporator are sequentially connected. The system includes a second expansion valve and a refrigerant heat exchanger connected in parallel with the first expansion valve and the refrigerant evaporator. The second refrigerant condenser is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser. The system includes a coolant cycle in which a coolant circulating pump, a ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, a motor/battery, an electric heater, and the refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and the ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, motor/battery, and electric heater can be selectively used as a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatosi Morisita, Hideki Suetake, Toshihisa Kondo, Akira Katayama
  • Patent number: 8997504
    Abstract: An improved vent ice prevention apparatus including a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit, wherein the second conduit concentrically surrounds the first conduit thereby forming an annular region between the two conduits. The third conduit is in fluid communication with said annular region. The first conduit is configured to receive a cold vent stream, and the third conduit is configured to receive a dry purge stream and introduce the dry purge stream into the annular region in order to prevent ice formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bruce M. Ellis, Minh Huy Pham
  • Patent number: 8997505
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a thermal-adsorption heat pump driven by engine exhaust heat, the heat pump including two adsorbers asynchronously switching between adsorbing and desorbing modes, each adsorber coupled with a corresponding antifreeze tank via a plurality of refrigerant-containing wick chambers. Cold heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows through the adsorber during the adsorbing mode which causes evaporation of refrigerant from the wick chambers, thereby cooling antifreeze, whereas hot HTF flows through the adsorber during the desorbing mode which causes condensation of refrigerant at the wick chambers, thereby heating antifreeze. In this way, the thermal-adsorption heat pump may condition cabin air independent of engine coolant and without exerting a load on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yongfang Zhong, Michael Levin, Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Danrich Henry Demitroff, Donald Masch
  • Patent number: 8997507
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a low energy defrost system and method for melting frost formed on an evaporator of a cooling system for the refrigerator. The low energy defrost system includes using air from the refrigerator compartment or external air adjacent the refrigerator to be directed to the evaporator and passed adjacent the evaporator coils to melt any frost formed thereon. As the air is above freezing temperature, it will melt any frost formed on the coils without the need of use an electrical heater. Re-cooled air from the melted frost may then be directed back into the refrigerator compartment to be used to aid in cooling the refrigerator compartment or keeping the refrigerator compartment at the programmed or predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick J. Boarman
  • Patent number: 8997508
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to keep an appropriate high pressure side pressure in a refrigerant circuit while reducing noises of an operation of a blower in a refrigerating apparatus which obtains a critical pressure on a high pressure side. The refrigerating apparatus in which the refrigerant circuit is constituted of a compressor, a gas cooler, a reducing element and an evaporator to obtain a supercritical pressure on the high pressure side includes a blower which air-cools the gas cooler and a control device which controls this blower. This control device controls a revolution speed of the blower based on an outdoor temperature and an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Mihara, Hidetaka Sasaki, Setsu Hasegawa, Ken Kawakubo, Masahisa Otake, Takashi Sato, Akira Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8997509
    Abstract: A heat pump system is configured to have a defrost cycle operable during a heating mode of operation. The system uses: larger than conventionally sized capillary tubes at the liquid refrigerant entry end of an exterior air-source heat exchanger; a special amount of additional refrigerant charge; a supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line extending from the compressor; a special valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line; and another special valve controlling a restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger. A controller opens the valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line and to simultaneously engages, for a special period of time, the valve controlling the specially sized restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger at periodic intervals during potential frost conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Patent number: 8997510
    Abstract: A solar powered compressor and pump is disclosed having a trough-shaped parabolic reflector for heating a conduit of refrigerant as it passes through the system. The compressor/pump combination includes a lens that covers the reflector and insulates and protects the reflector from the elements while increasing the intensity of the sun's energy entering the reflector. The reflector converts the sun's energy into heat that superheats the refrigerant as it passes through the reflector, reducing or eliminating the amount of mechanical work that the system has to do to achieve the needed superheating stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Craig McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8997511
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heating/cooling system operating on the basis of a novel SPLIT BUFFER TANK; representing an efficiency improvement alternative to HVAC systems functioning with existing commercial buffer tanks. Currently, commercial buffers have the heat source provider (HSP)-return and system-return discharging to a common buffer/vessel. Novel SPLIT BUFFER is provided with a SEPARATION DISK placed inside the tank as mechanical way of separating the hot water inflow from the HSP from the warmer water inflow from system return. The disk moves up and down along the tank driven by demanded water supply and return. Pump-1 circulates hot water from the hot section of the buffer to the secondary system claiming for heat. Pump-2 circulates warmer water from the warmer section of the buffer through the HSP where it is reheated, and subsequently stored in the hot section of the buffer to reinitiate this cycle again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Denering Berrio
  • Patent number: 8997512
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system for a transportable temperature controlled space includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator fluidly connected to one another, an engine operatively connected to the compressor, and a fuel tank assembly fluidly connected to the engine. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank configured to contain the fuel, a fuel vapor and air, and an ultrasonic fluid level sensor for sensing a level of fuel, the fuel tank having a maximum fuel level. The fluid level sensor includes a transducer having a ring period. The distance from the fluid level sensor to the maximum fuel level is at least half the distance that the sound travels through the fuel vapor and air during the ring period of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Anthony J. McReynolds, Randy Hochstein, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8997513
    Abstract: A method for measuring a fluid level in a tank containing a fluid for a transportable temperature controlled space. The method includes providing a temperature control system for the transportable temperature controlled space, providing a fluid level sensor for sensing a fluid level in the tank, generating fluid level signals with the fluid level sensor indicative of the fluid level in the tank, providing a fluid level algorithm for receiving the fluid level signals from the fluid level sensor and computing the fluid level in the tank, and inhibiting nondeterministic fluid level signals from being introduced to the fluid level algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Anthony J. McReynolds, Randy Hochstein, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8997514
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning apparatus that can effectively utilize heat energy generated by a control unit. In an air-conditioning apparatus in which a main heat source unit having a main compressor, a main four-way switching valve, and a main heat-source-side water-cooling heat exchanger and a use side load device having a throttle device and a use side heat exchanger are connected by a pipeline so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit that performs cooling/heating by switching a circulation path of a refrigerant by the main four-way switching valve, a main control unit that controls operations of at least the main compressor and the main four-way switching valve is disposed in the refrigerant circuit as an evaporator that exchanges heat generated by the main control unit with the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Azuma
  • Patent number: 8997515
    Abstract: An auxiliary device is tended and adapted to be accommodated in an air conduit forming part of an air conditioning device, to which air conduit first flow components, such as a fan, are connected for the purpose of bringing about a main airflow through the air conduit such that the whole main airflow flows through the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device has an arrangement of a number of air conditioning modules which in an active state of the relevant air conditioning module, each allow passage of a partial flow of the airflow and together allow passage of the whole main flow. Control components adjust each of the air conditioning modules between an active state, in which passage of the relevant partial flow is allowed, and a passive state in which a partial flow substantially amounts to zero or flows in opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Virobuster GmbH
    Inventor: Hermannus Gerhardus Maria Silderhuis
  • Patent number: 8997516
    Abstract: The apparatus has a cooling arrangement with an expander/compressor system, condenser and evaporator primarily for air conditioning. An external heat source is provided for transfer of heat to the expander housing. For example, this heating medium is an electrical heat source in thermal contact with the outer side of the expander housing. Alternatively, the expander is provided inside an externally heated liquid buffer tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AC-Sun ApS
    Inventors: Gunnar Minds, Søren Minds
  • Patent number: 8997517
    Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Edmund S. Richardson, Jerry R. Baack, David L. Hall, Cory Dale Simpson
  • Patent number: 8997518
    Abstract: The scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll including a first wrap, an orbiting scroll disposed to have a phase difference with respect to the fixed scroll, the orbiting scroll including a second wrap defining a compression chamber together with the first wrap, a suction part to receive a refrigerant into the compressor chamber, a driving shaft to transmit a rotation force to the orbiting scroll, a first injection part disposed in one position of the fixed scroll to introduce a refrigerant into the compression chamber, and a second injection part disposed in another position of the fixed scroll to introduce a refrigerant into the compression chamber, where the second wrap is disposed on the orbiting scroll such that the first injection part is opened to introduce the second refrigerant before the receipt of the first refrigerant through the suction part is completed during the orbiting of the orbiting scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghee Jang, Byoungjin Ryu, Baikyoung Chung, Beomchan Kim, Younghwan Ko, Byeongsu Kim
  • Patent number: 8997519
    Abstract: A method and device for the cryogenic separation of a methane-rich flow is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Pierre Briend
  • Patent number: 8997520
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one air gas using cryogenic distillation is provided. The expanded streams coming from the two turbines are combined and then split into two fractions. The first fraction is sent to the medium-pressure column of the system in gaseous form, whereas the second fraction is returned to the cold end of the heat exchange line. At a temperature T4 below ?100° C. and above T2, the second fraction is sent to a turbine where it expands up to a temperature T5, forming an air stream. This air stream is then warmed in the heat exchange line before being discharged into the atmosphere, so that the distillation is not disturbed. A liquid product is withdrawn from the column system as final product. The sole liquid product from the apparatus is liquid oxygen, but of course other products may be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Xavier Pontone
  • Patent number: 8997521
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting and heating glass sheets for tempering or bending on a hot gas cushion. One edge of the glass is supported on transport rollers and the rotation axes of the rollers are transverse relative to the plane of the glass. The glass sheet is supported by means of gas pressure on a planar surface which has an angle of inclination of 2-20° relative to horizontal plane. The angle of inclination is sloping towards that edge of the glass which is supported by the transport rollers. Gas is expelled through the planar surface by way of gas outlet slots or holes. As the glass is moving, a gas is drawn or blown by fans from a certain part of the glass through the planar surface more than from the rest of the area by adjusting the rotating speed of the fans or by changing the suction pressure or delivery side pressure of the fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Glaston Services Ltd. Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Vehmas, Mikko Rantala
  • Patent number: 8997522
    Abstract: A method of making a glass container with an optically readable graphic data carrier. A glass container is exposed to electromagnetic radiation to produce discoloration within the glass of the container, and then focused beam energy is directed at the glass container in a pattern corresponding to a desired graphic data carrier to heat the glass and selectively remove the discoloration in the pattern corresponding to the desired graphic data carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Carol A. Click, Brian J. Chisholm, Edward Ordway
  • Patent number: 8997523
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a glass molding, a lower mold includes a recess having a bottom portion and a side portion surrounding the bottom portion, and an outer peripheral planar portion surrounding an upper end of the side portion. A crossing angle between the side portion and the outer peripheral planar portion is set at more than or equal to 45 degrees. A dropping volume of the molten glass drop is such that, when dropped onto the lower mold, a volume of the molten glass drop located above the outer peripheral planar portion is 1.5 times to 6.0 times the volume of the molten glass drop filling the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 8997524
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing high purity polysilicon. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber; first and second electron guns disposed at an upper side of the vacuum chamber to irradiate electron beams into the vacuum chamber; a silicon melting unit which is placed on a first electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the first electron gun and to which powdery raw silicon is fed and melted by the first electron beam; and a unidirectional solidification unit placed on a second electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the second electron gun. The unidirectional solidification unit is provided therein with a start block driven in a downward direction to transfer molten silicon in the downward direction and is formed at a lower side thereof with a cooling channel. The start block includes a dummy bar having a silicon button joined to an upper portion of the dummy bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Bo Yun Jang, Jin Seok Lee, Joon Soo Kim, Young Soo Ahn
  • Patent number: 8997525
    Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Shock, Aaron Morgan Huber, Timothy G. Swales
  • Patent number: 8997526
    Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toru Nishikawa, Hironobu Yamamichi, Tetsuya Koyama, Yuji Endo, Hajime Itoh
  • Patent number: 8997527
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform using a combustion burner. The method includes at least one of: a step ? of, when a mode is changed from a deposition mode to a non-deposition mode, changing a gas discharged from a combustion gas port of the burner from a combustion gas to a purge gas, while maintaining a pilot light and a flow rate of a supporting gas from supporting gas discharge nozzles of the burner so that the nozzle tip does not glow; and a step ? of, when the mode is changed from the non-deposition mode to the deposition mode, changing a gas discharged from the combustion gas port from a purge gas to a combustion gas, while maintaining a pilot light and the flow rate of the supporting gas so that the nozzle tip does not glow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Naritoshi Yamada, Yuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8997528
    Abstract: A known method for producing synthetic quartz glass comprises the method steps of: forming a stream of a SiO2 feedstock material which contains octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) as the main component which has a reference molecular mass assigned to it, feeding the stream to a reaction zone in which the feedstock material is converted under formation of amorphous SiO2 particles by pyrolysis or hydrolysis into SiO2, depositing the amorphous SiO2 particles on a deposition surface while forming a porous SiO2 soot body, and vitrifying the SiO2 soot body while forming the synthetic quartz glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Fabian, Juergen Roeper
  • Patent number: 8997529
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a knitted component having a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions is described. The knitted component includes a monofilament knit element formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Podhajny
  • Patent number: 8997530
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Podhajny
  • Patent number: 8997531
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Seiffert, Timothy J. Hicks, Shawn Oltz, Wesley Traylor, Floyd Jackson
  • Patent number: 8997532
    Abstract: One aspect is a brush system for a washing machine including a plurality of independent brush sets. Each independent brush set is configured to be inserted into a single hole formed in a drum of the washing machine. Each brush independent set includes a plurality of bristles contained within a holder. Each holder is secured adjacent the hole formed in the drum of the washing machine such that the plurality of bristles projects out from the drum and toward a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Gregg M. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8997533
    Abstract: The present application relates to a laundry machine for washing laundry, including a tub for holding washing water, the tub including at least one fastener for fastening and wiring a wire harness along an outside surface thereof, a drum in the tub for holding laundry, a rotation shaft connected to a rear surface of the drum, a tub back which forms a rear side of the tub and through which the rotation shaft passes, a bearing housing for supporting the rotation shaft, a rear gasket connected between the tub and the tub back, and a suspension unit for supporting the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soo Bong Kim, Jung Tae Song, Ig Geun Kwon, Suk Yun Moon, Sang Hun Kim, Hee Tae Lim, Dong Il Lee
  • Patent number: 8997534
    Abstract: A door lock includes a deadbolt and a latchbolt each movable between a thrown position and a retracted position, an inside lever operable to move the latchbolt between the thrown and retracted positions, and an outside lever configured in one of a locked and unlocked state in which the outside lever is operable to move the latchbolt between the thrown and retracted position. A thumbturn is coupled to the deadbolt and is movable between a first position in which the deadbolt is in the thrown position, the latchbolt is in the thrown position, and the outside lever is locked, a second position in which the deadbolt is in the retracted position, the latchbolt is in the thrown position, and the outside lever is locked, and a third position in which the deadbolt is in the retracted position, the latchbolt is in the thrown position, and the outside lever is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Subashchandra G. Rai, Charan Kumar
  • Patent number: 8997535
    Abstract: A latch assembly is described. The latch assembly includes a casing. The latch assembly provides for the transfer of rotational force to translation plates. The rotational force drives translation plates and extends the translation plates from the latch assembly. A first translation plate is mechanically engaged to the casing. A second translation plate is mechanically engaged to the casing. The latch assembly includes a key assembly including a rotatable cam. A toggle cam is pivotally engaged to the casing via a pivot axle, and rotating the cam contacts the toggle cam to extend or retract both the first translation plate and the second translation plate from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Austin Hardware and Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Steven Jeffries
  • Patent number: 8997536
    Abstract: A lockout device for a handle assembly includes first and second lockout members each including an outward facing base wall and outward extending first and second projections. The first and second projections of the first base member are spaced apart to receive the handle therebetween, and the first and second projections of the second base member are spaced apart to receive the handle latch therebetween. The first and second lockout members are pivotable with respect to each other to a lockout position for engagement of the base walls of the first and second lockout members with facing surfaces of a handle and a handle latch of the handle assembly. When the first and second lockout members are secured between the handle and the handle latch in the lockout position, the first and second lockout members block movement of the handle latch to prevent rotational movement of the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Fuller, John Whealon
  • Patent number: 8997537
    Abstract: A door (200) of a motor vehicle has an outer panel (100) and an opening apparatus. The opening apparatus has a door handle (30) and a door lock (20) with a lock barrel (10). The lock barrel (10) and the door handle (30) are arranged completely on the inner side of the outer panel (100) of the door (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jens Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8997538
    Abstract: A lock assembly (10) including a plug (12) having a keyway (14) for inserting therein a key (16), and a movable element (18) movingly disposed in the plug (12), the movable element (18) being divided into at least two separate magnetic portions (20, 22) arranged to move relative to one another and having identical magnetic polarity, wherein the magnetic portions (20, 22) are sufficiently near one another such that one of the magnetic portions (20, 22) applies a magnetic repelling force on the other magnetic portion (20, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Marc Tobias, Effi Ben-Aharon, Tobias Bluzmanis
  • Patent number: 8997539
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of sensors located along a width of a moving material. Each of the plurality of sensors corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of longitudinal zones located along a width of the moving material. The apparatus also includes a material condition monitor configured to determine the condition of the moving material, and a feedback unit coupled to the material condition monitor and configured to be coupled to a plurality of different types of material conditioners. The feedback unit is configured to map each of the plurality of sensors to at least a respective one of a plurality of adjustable backup bearings based on being coupled to any one of the material conditioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Bradbury Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dennis Clark, Clarence B. Cox, III
  • Patent number: 8997540
    Abstract: A method is described in which a length of hot rolled product is decelerated in the course of being passed through the rotating curved guide of a coiler. The product exits the coiler at a reduced velocity and is delivered to and progressively accumulated on a cylindrical drum as a helical formation of rings. The drum is rotated to continuously unwind the accumulating product at the reduced velocity. The tail end of the product is retained in the coiler until substantially all of the rings previously deposited on the drum have been unwound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Primetals Technologies USA LLC
    Inventor: William Xiaolan Shen
  • Patent number: 8997541
    Abstract: A method for stretch-flow forming, in which a tubular workpiece is arranged around a spinning mandrel, set into rotation and formed by advancing at least one forming roller. A wall thickness of the tubular workpiece is reduced and the tubular workpiece is lengthened, as spinning mandrel use is made of a universal spinning mandrel with different external diameters in the axial direction for producing cylindrical and/or conical and/or cambered hollow parts of different design. during forming the forming roller and the spinning mandrel are moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece, and, for the purpose of designing varying diameters and/or wall thicknesses of the workpiece, the forming roller is moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the spinning mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Leifeld Metal Spinning AG
    Inventor: Benedikt Nillies
  • Patent number: 8997542
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a cup-shaped member including a corrugated portion includes a drawing step, a preliminary processing step, and a finishing step. In the preliminary processing step, at least preliminary large diameter portions in a preliminary corrugated portion are each formed to have a width larger than the size of each of the large diameter portions of the corrugated portion, thereby reducing an ironing resistance in the manufacturing of the cup-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Nakashima, Masaki Nakajima, Atsushi Maeda
  • Patent number: 8997543
    Abstract: A die set for crimping operations includes first and second die members having raised areas including a plurality of knurls and character areas. The die set combining knurls and character areas on the operative areas of the die members allows a single die set to be used to condition a surface for crimping operations as well as crimping connectors and marking them with relevant indicia without having to change die sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter N. Therrien
  • Patent number: 8997544
    Abstract: A forming device for cup-shaped hollow bodies having a machine frame, a drive device, a workpiece rotary table for accommodating hollow bodies and a tool holder for accommodating processing tools, wherein the workpiece rotary table and the tool holder face one another and can be turned about a rotational axis in relation to one another and can be linearly moved in relation to one another along the rotational axis, and wherein the drive device comprises first drive means for providing a rotary step movement and second drive means for providing a cyclical linear movement between workpiece rotary table and tool holder to enable the hollow bodies to be formed by means of the processing tools in a plurality of consecutive processing steps. The second drive means has a stroke adjustment arrangement which is designed for adjusting a working stroke of the cyclical linear movement as a function of a control signal of a control device and/or for continuously variably adjusting the working stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hinterkopf GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Abt, Helmut Aichele, Carsten Brechling
  • Patent number: 8997545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for changing physical characteristics of a workpiece which may have been pre-loaded before being further processed. The workpiece is supported in a fixed position during processing. A driven member applies multiple impacts to one surface of the workpiece. The driven member is operated within adjustable parameters. A controller, having the adjustable parameters, is operatively connected to the driven member for causing the driven member to apply multiple impacts against a surface of the workpiece while under the control of the pre-adjustable parameters for changing physical characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lauren K. Lundquist, James E. Pillers, McKay A. Kunz, Michael Delos McGraw, Gregory L. Ramsey, Nate Speer
  • Patent number: 8997546
    Abstract: A method of detecting a fault of a frequency sensor having a bias resistor and associated with a rotary member. The following steps are performed while the rotary member is stationary: injecting into the bias resistor of the sensor inverted alternating signals (S1, S2) comprising at least one first alternation (A1) and at least one second alternation (A2), the first alternation being of amplitude greater than the amplitude of the second alternation; and detecting a frequency of an output signal (S?) from the sensor. A measurement circuit implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Nicolas Geneste, Gwénaël Esteve
  • Patent number: 8997547
    Abstract: A device for taking pressure readings on a HVAC system includes a first needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a first pressure reading thereof. The first needle is mounted within a first gauge and configured to self-calibrate. The device further includes a second needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a second pressure reading thereof that is independent of the first pressure reading. The second needle is mounted within a second gauge and configured to self-calibrate. A first stepper motor actuates the first needle and a second stepper motor actuates the second needle. A microcontroller controls the first and second stepper motors to move the needles to a plurality of respective positions and thereby visually confirm calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Bryan Alfano
  • Patent number: 8997548
    Abstract: A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Reno Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ferran, Robert J. Ferran
  • Patent number: 8997549
    Abstract: A method includes initiating a test of a servo gauge by causing the servo gauge to attempt to move a displacer of the servo gauge, where the servo gauge uses a drum to move the displacer in a tank. The method also includes measuring a torque associated with the drum during or after the attempt to move the displacer and identifying a mechanical problem with the servo gauge based on the measured torque. For example, a stuck displacer can be identified when the measured torque exceeds an upper expected value. A lost displacer or a stuck drum can be identified when the measured torque is below a lower expected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Joosten, Paul De Bruin
  • Patent number: 8997550
    Abstract: A method and system for correcting for temperature variation in ultrasonic testing systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, an offset is determined for correcting a time of flight measurement, wherein the offset is based on the pulse delays at first and second calibration temperatures. In another embodiment, a factor is determined for correcting a time of flight measurement, wherein the factor is based on clock signal errors at first and second calibration temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathan John Smith, Jeffrey Lee Dubler
  • Patent number: 8997551
    Abstract: The apparatus for determining coefficients of friction collects data required for determining static and dynamic coefficients of friction between various materials. The apparatus includes a ramp with adjustable slope and a plurality of test masses for placement on the ramp. Upslope lights and sensors, downslope lights and sensors, and a digital angle meter are installed on the ramp. The apparatus has a timing device having a display to show the elapsed time between a test mass passing the upslope sensor and the downslope sensor. The operator can determine the static coefficient of fraction from the tangent of the angle displayed on the digital angle meter when a test mass first begins to slide, and can compute the kinetic coefficient of friction from the angle displayed on the digital angle meter and the elapsed time shown on the timing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kuwait University
    Inventor: Museb Saleh Alhusain