Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
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Patent number: 9003728Abstract: A tubular building enclosure system with thermally-broken modules having evacuated air spaces assembled in rows and/or columns to form a structurally self-supporting, thermally insulating, and solar energy collecting facade.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLPInventors: Aybars Asci, Gary Haney, Teresa Rainey, Christopher Olsen, Elizabeth Boone
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Patent number: 9003729Abstract: A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Zep Solar, LLCInventors: Jack Raymond West, Brian Atchley, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Emil Johansen
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Patent number: 9003730Abstract: A roof vent and a roof structure are described. A roof vent can include a baffle with a cross-section where a first portion extends upward from a bottom plate and a second portion extends from the first portion to define a space between the bottom plate and the second portion. A roof structure may or may not have a roof deck, and comprises a plurality of roof cover elements with a radiant barrier layer underneath the top surfaces of at least some of the roof cover elements. In another embodiment, a roof structure may comprise more sheathing layer vent members than roof cover layer vent members. In yet another embodiment, a roof structure may comprise a layer of roof tiles with at least one vent member, the vent member comprising lateral end portions of a base member with a non-planar profile to engage a similar profile of an adjacent roof cover element.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Gregory S. Daniels
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Patent number: 9003731Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for incorporating face- and center-mounted panels into a single wall module to form nested wall modules. For instance, face-mounted panels can nest within the center-mounted panels. Additionally or alternatively, center-mounted panels can nest within the face-mounted panels to form windows.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: DIRTT Enviornmental Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens Smed
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Patent number: 9003732Abstract: A mobile partitioning wall is disclosed and provided with several wall elements, which are displaceably suspended at running rails. The wall elements have a structure that is simple to manufacture and to mount and is universally usable. The wall elements are formed without supporting frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Jan-Gerd Behrens, Carsten Klapproth, Rolf Warns
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Patent number: 9003733Abstract: A standing seam roof assembly is formed by overlapping adjacent panels, the female sidelap portion of one panel forming a male insertion cavity to receive a male sidelap portion of a second panel to form a standing seam, a clip configured to connect the standing seam to an underlying support structural. A strengthening beam is incorporated in the standing seam at a selected point along the standing seam to increase load bearing capacity. In one preferred embodiment, the strengthening beam is incorporated into the connecting clip.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Harold Simpson, Inc.Inventors: Harold G. Simpson, Leo E. Neyer
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Patent number: 9003734Abstract: A mortarless retaining wall constructed of a plurality of segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows. Each SRW block includes a face unit having connectors and one or more anchoring units each having connectors. The anchoring unit connectors are of complementary shape to interlock with respective face unit connectors. The face unit and each anchoring unit forming the SRW block when interlocked, each anchoring unit for confronting soil being retained by the retaining wall. The face units have first and second load bearing surfaces and first and second end surfaces forming front edges which are non-linear along the entire edge. The first and second load bearing surfaces are non-planar across the entire load bearing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Allan Block, LLCInventor: Timothy A. Bott
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Patent number: 9003735Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Spanolux N.V.—Div. BalterioInventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
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Patent number: 9003736Abstract: A system for a floor covering that includes covering panels (10A, 10B) made of a hard material, having relatively little thickness (e), with upper and lower surfaces (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b), perimetral edges (3a, 3b) and recesses (4a, 4b), and attachment parts (20) made of a relatively flexible material and having projecting members (21a, 21b) and spacing members (22a, 22b). In practice, the projecting members (21a, 21b) of the attachment parts are introduced in the recesses (4a, 4b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) assuring the link between covering panels (10A, 10B), and the spacing members (22a, 22b) of the attachment parts (20) remain between the facing edges (3a, 3b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) filling a gap (G) between them in the form of a joint.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Silicalia, SLInventors: Erik Schoneveld, Francisco Sanchis Brines, Lorente Aroca, Teresa Estruch Millet, Serafin garcia Navarro
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Patent number: 9003737Abstract: The present invention relates generally to modular demountable wall systems and more particularly, to a flexible and versatile demountable wall system for where control of air pressure and contaminants may be required.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Concepts to Solutions Inc.Inventors: John Vernon Solomon, John R. White, Forrest C. Curry, John Rydall
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Patent number: 9003738Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a construction spacer for holding boards in a parallel and spaced-apart manner comprising a Y-shaped base having a first and second base ends, the first base end forming a C-shaped aperture; a pair of spaced apart J-shaped attachment arms that perpendicularly attaches to the first base end and further forms hook portions that together can hold a first board; a pair of lateral support arms that extends outward from the first body end; an L-shaped attachment arm that perpendicularly attaches to the second base end and forms a catch that can hold a second board parallel to the first board, wherein the C-shaped aperture can accept a second base end of another construction spacer to allow a plurality of construction spacers to be connected together in tandem order.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Jack W. Evans, Jr.
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Patent number: 9003739Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind deflector for use with pitched panels or structures mounted on horizontal, flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a wind deflector, including a contoured surface, for deflecting aerodynamic forces away from a pitched structure, such as a solar panel, mounted to a horizontal, flat surface, such as a roof top, wherein the structure is subjected to such aerodynamic forces. The wind deflector may further include a customized fin or fins as part of the design.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Youngstown State UniversityInventors: Ganesh V. Kudav, Yogendra M. Panta
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Patent number: 9003740Abstract: The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Romeo Ilarian Ciuperca
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Patent number: 9003741Abstract: Ceramic floors and methods of making thereof such that the ceramic tiles are quickly and easily removable from the floor substrate and replaceable at a future date. A ceramic tile floor is laid by releasably adhering a sheet to a floor substrate and bonding at least one ceramic tile to the sheet. A plurality of pre-fabricated articles each comprising a sheet and one or more ceramic tiles bonded to the sheet are laid onto the floor substrate with sheet edges abutting, and the sheets are releasably adhered to the floor substrate. The tile edges are set inwardly from the sheet edges so that a tile of one article is spaced from a tile of another article when the articles are laid. A non-Portland cement grout, preferably urethane grout, is provided between adjacent tiles.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Joseph D. D'Agostino
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Patent number: 9003742Abstract: An apparatus for producing containers may include a transport unit which transports the containers along a specified transport path, at least one handling unit which handles the containers in a specified manner, a closing unit which is located downstream of the handling unit in a transport direction of the containers and which fits closure tops onto the containers, and a feeding unit which feeds the closure tops to the closing unit. An inspection unit may be provided upstream of the feeding unit in a transport direction of the closure tops. The inspection unit inspects the closure tops and emits at least one signal which is characteristic of the physical condition of the closure tops.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Wolfgang Hahn
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Patent number: 9003743Abstract: A machine which inflates and seals pillows in packaging is compact in overall size, can be conveniently operated to produce varied lengths of strips of inflated pillow-type packaging as needed, can begin production of inflated pillow-type strip packaging immediately after being held out of a production cycle for some period of time, and applies a heated sealing element directly to and in sliding contact with a web of film to securely seal the inlet port of an inflated pillow while the pillow is under pressure and as the web of film is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced through the machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Perkins, Oliver M. Reyes, Philipp Borchard, Nicholas P. De Luca
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Patent number: 9003744Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a load with film from a film supply has a first wrapping device that forms from the fed film a first film curtain that can be attached to all walls of the load. A folding device in the first wrapping device can fold a film section of the film fed from the film supply such that, after wrapping the load with the first film curtain, the film is attached to the side walls in a lower region of the side walls of the load in a double-layer manner according to the width of the folded film section. A second wrapping device forms from the fed film a second film curtain that the second wrapping device also attaches to the upper wall, to two side walls and to the bottom wall of the load.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: MSK-Verpackungs-Systeme GmbHInventor: Reiner Hannen
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Patent number: 9003745Abstract: A working station for a packaging machine for sealing a package and quickly cutting a top film and a method for operating such a working station. The working station may include a sealing tool upper part, a sealing tool lower part, a sealing frame, a movable cutting tool having a blade for cutting a top film, and at least one energy storage device in operable engagement with the cutting tool and the sealing frame. The at least one energy storage device may be configured for accumulating potential energy upon a relative movement of the sealing frame with respect to the cutting tool. The working station may further include a holding mechanism that is operable to hold the cutting tool to a portion of the working station that is stationary with respect to the cutting tool and the sealing frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Mutlivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Luciano Capriotti, Lars Ickert
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Patent number: 9003746Abstract: A sealing tool for a packaging machine comprises a sealing tool outer part, a sealing tool inner part that is movable in the sealing tool outer part, and a seal provided between the sealing tool outer part and the sealing tool inner part. The has a planar and annular design and is fixed in a first holding region at the sealing tool outer part as well as in a second holding region at the sealing tool inner part. The second holding region is disposed at or in the proximity of an outer edge of the sealing tool inner part.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dieter Holzem, Hubert Zeller
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Patent number: 9003747Abstract: The objective of the invention is to provide an alternative way of wrapping a product with cardboard at faster speed and maintain stacking strength. This accomplished by bending two strips of cardboard into the shape of a U channel where the sides of the U form an angle smaller than 90 degrees with the center part of the U form. The sides of the U channel cardboard will be open by a guide that will allow each U channel cardboard piece to slide around each end of the product without requiring glue to hold the U Channel in position. By maintaining an angle of less than 90 degrees the U channel cardboard acts like a spring clamp around the product and maintains its position on the conveyor belt while the product is film wrapped and the film is heat shrunk.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Alain Cerf
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Patent number: 9003748Abstract: A wrapping unit for wrapping and forming a predetermined number of stacked coins into a coin-roll is arranged in a lower region of a machine body. A coin storing and feeding unit and sending unit are arranged side by side in a width direction of the machine body above the wrapping unit. Thus, the machine body is downsized in its width direction. In a state where a dispensing box attached to a dispensing box attachment unit is locked, coins are fed from the coin storing and feeding units, and the fed coins are recognized by a dispensing recognition unit, and sent to the dispensing box. If coins for dispensing sent to the dispensing box are normal coins, the dispensing box is unlocked. If an abnormal coin is recognized, a bottom plate of the dispensing box is opened. Coins dropping from the dispensing box are collected in a collection unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Glory Ltd.Inventors: Jyun Hosoda, Kousaku Kayahara, Keiji Nakamura
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Patent number: 9003749Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine includes a vertical sealing mechanism, a first film detection sensor, and a controller. The vertical sealing mechanism has a horn, an anvil, and an ultrasonic transmitter. The vertical sealing mechanism sandwiches a cylindrical film conveyed by a pull-down belt mechanism, by the horn and the anvil, and seals the cylindrical film by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the cylindrical film. The first film detection sensor detects whether the cylindrical film is sandwiched by the horn and the anvil. The controller stops the ultrasonic transmitter in a circumstance in which the first film detection sensor detects that the cylindrical film is not sandwiched by the horn and the anvil.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoru Kamigaito
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Patent number: 9003750Abstract: A debris sweep and dry assist device is for use with a strapping machine. The debris sweep and dry assist device is positioned between the strapping machine and an associated strap supply. The device includes a body having a strap inlet and a strap outlet and defining a strap path therethrough. The body has a first wall at about the strap inlet and a second wall at about the strap outlet. The body has a first manifold and a plurality of first branches extending between the first manifold and the first wall to provide a plurality of flow paths from the first manifold to the environs through the first branches. A compressed is gas directed into the first manifold and flows out of the first branches, and is directed onto strap material at a location at about the strap inlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Signode Industrial Group, LLCInventors: Kevin A. Bruzzesi, Wayne J. Thas
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Patent number: 9003751Abstract: A mower carrying a rotary cutting deck has a height of cut system for adjusting the vertical position of the deck relative to the mower frame for changing or adjusting the height of cut. The height of cut system comprises a pair of parallel cross shafts that carry a plurality of pivotal suspension linkages that connect to the deck, the cross shafts and linkages pivoting jointly with one another and with a pivotal control lever. One of the cross shafts carries a torsion spring to counterbalance the weight of the deck. The control lever is maintained in a plurality of adjusted pivotal positions by a height selection bracket fixed to the frame with the height selection bracket being capable of having its position changed or adjusted relative to the frame by a single adjustment bolt. Each suspension linkage has its effective length adjusted by turning a threaded adjuster carried at the upper end of a connecting rod that is part of each linkage to allow the deck to be leveled relative to a reference plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventor: James W. Lancaster
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Patent number: 9003752Abstract: A harvesting machine for threshing crop materials includes a platform supported in front of a chassis, an erecting device having a number pairs of guiding bars attached to the platform and having a channel formed between two bar members of each pair of guiding bars, a guiding element disposed between every two adjacent pairs of guiding bars for guiding a stalk of the crop materials into the channel of the guiding bars, a number of pawls extended into the channel for sending the stalk of the crop materials into the channel, and a cutting device having two or more cutting elements for cutting the stalk into a lower base segment that carries no grain and an upper straw segment that carries grains.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventors: Chin Piao Huang, Yuta Huang, Yufeng Huang
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Patent number: 9003753Abstract: A lawn mower includes: a cutting blade provided in a housing; a cut grass receptacle provided rearward of the housing; and a chute connecting between the housing and the cut grass receptacle, grass cut by the cutting blade being delivered, by cut grass delivering air, to the cut grass receptacle via the chute. The cut grass receptacle has a bottom plate detachably attachable thereto, and the cut grass receptacle is constructed to allow the bottom plate detached from the receptacle to be accommodated within the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Yamamoto, Tomokazu Kimura, Kohei Akazawa
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Patent number: 9003754Abstract: A stalk reducer bar and an assembly that supports, transports, and rotatably drives a stalk reducer bar in typical environments in which an area of vegetation is to be trimmed are provided. The stalk reducer bar reduces the size of cut stalk segments such as grass stalks segments generated during a lawn mowing operation and includes a carrier body. The carrier body includes a further working portion having a plurality of projections and angular movement of the carrier body in the cutting plane operates to bring the first blade section into stalk cutting engagement with stalks extending from the surface supporting organic matter thereon and operates to bring the plurality of projections of the further working portion into shredding engagement with cut stalks.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: John Robert Fogle, III
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Patent number: 9003755Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring reflective intensity of display surface, including: obtaining a luminance value of a first display and a luminance value of a second display when displaying, the first display and the second display having the same observed luminance, the peripheral of the surface of the first display being surrounded by light-shielding object, the first display and the second display being placed side by side; and obtaining the reflective intensity of the display surface in the ambient based on the luminance value of the first display and the luminance values of the second display when displaying. As such, the present invention provides convenient and accurate means to measure the reflective intensity of display surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., LtdInventors: Lixuan Chen, Chih-tsung Kang
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Patent number: 9003756Abstract: A flail rotor head attachment for use with any type harvesting machine having crop residue processing elements and including an input opening for receiving crop residue. The attachment includes a frame structure for operatively coupling the attachment to the harvesting machine, a flail rotor and an auger each mounted on the frame structure and a drive mechanism for rotating the flail rotor and the auger. The flail rotor includes a plurality of cutting elements for picking up and chopping crop residue from a field. The auger includes at least two flightings positioned in opposite directions for funneling crop residue towards the opening of the harvesting machine. Another embodiment includes a rake positioned between the flail rotor and the auger, the rake and the flail rotor rotating in the same direction and the auger rotating in an opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: DOM, L.L.C.Inventors: Benton Lloyd Miller, Michael Paul Sides
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Patent number: 9003757Abstract: A rope assembly that is adapted to extend between first and second attachment points comprises a line arranged to define a plurality of loops and at least one pair of organizers. The at least one pair of organizers is configured to engage the line such that line segments of the line between the at least one pair of organizers are maintained in a desired relationship with each other and such that the desired relationship facilitates transfer of loads through the rope assembly between the first and second attachment points.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Samson Rope TechnologiesInventors: Greg Zoltan Mozsgai, Chiate Chou, Dylan Bruce Dundas
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Patent number: 9003758Abstract: A method for producing high-performance chain link plates with a link plate pitch T, comprises: clocked feeding of a sheet metal band with a feed length V per cycle, pre-punching at least two chain link plate blanks arranged in succession, re-cutting at least one chain link plate blank, wherein at least the still connected head areas of the chain link plate blanks arranged in succession are excepted from the re-cutting process separating the connected head areas of chain link plate blanks arranged in succession, wherein the feed length V is smaller than 2.1×T and the upper and/or lower side of the head areas connected to each other is/are provided at least partially with a concave run by a punching process substantially adjacent to the end face produced later. A method is also provided for producing a high-performance chain and to correspondingly produced high-performance link plates and high-performance chain.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Iwis Motorsysteme GmbH & Co., KGInventors: Martin Bodensteiner, Wolfgang Krause, Richard Koschig
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Patent number: 9003759Abstract: A particle separator (20) for a tip turbine engine (10) includes a generally conical inclined leading surface (24) leading to a maximum radius (25) and a tapered trailing surface (56) having a radius at all points therealong less than the maximum radius (25). The trailing surface (56) of the particle separator (20) is tapered and/or curved radially inwardly away from the maximum radius (25). Air flowing toward the core airflow inlet is first diverted radially outwardly by the inclined leading surface (24) of the particle separator (20) to the maximum radius (25) of the particle separator (20). The air then follows the trailing surface (56) radially inwardly to flow axially into the core airflow inlet. While the air can follow the contours of the particle separator (20) around the maximum radius (25) and into the core airflow inlet, any particles, such as dirt, will have more inertia and will pass radially outwardly of the core airflow inlet through the bypass fan.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel Suciu, Gary D. Roberge, Brian Merry
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Patent number: 9003760Abstract: An acoustic treatment panel that is connected to an air intake of an aircraft nacelle, includes at least one acoustically resistive structure (30) and a reflective layer (32), between which are located—in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nacelle—bands (34) of alveolar cells spaced in such a way as to allow the passage of hot air provided for a frost treatment, characterized in that it includes pipes (36) for hot air that are each delimited by at least one partition that extends from the acoustically resistive layer (30) up to the reflective layer (32) in such a way as to insulate the bands (34) of cells in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Frédéric Chelin, Thierry Surply, Dominique Haro, Fabrice Gantie, David Lambert
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Patent number: 9003761Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a first gas turbine engine. The first gas turbine engine has a first compressor configured to intake air and to produce a first compressed air and a first combustor configured to combust a first mixture to produce a first combustion gas. The first mixture has a first fuel, at least a first portion of the first compressed air, and a second combustion gas from a second gas turbine engine. The first gas turbine engine also includes a first turbine configured to extract work from the first combustion gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Samuel David Draper
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Patent number: 9003762Abstract: Various embodiments include an exhaust plume mitigation system for a turbine and systems incorporating the exhaust plume mitigation system. In some embodiments, the exhaust plume mitigation system includes: a first conduit fluidly connecting a compressor to an exhaust chamber of the turbine; a first control valve operably connected with the first conduit for regulating flow of compressor air through the first conduit; and a fluid inductor including: a first inlet fluidly connected with the first conduit; a second inlet fluidly connected with ambient; and an outlet fluidly connected with the exhaust chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake
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Patent number: 9003763Abstract: An apparatus performs a power cycle involving expansion of compressed air utilizing high pressure (HP) and low pressure (LP) air turbines located upstream of a gas turbine. The power cycle involves heating of the compressed air prior to its expansion in the HP and LP air turbines. Taking into consideration fuel consumption to heat the compressed air, particular embodiments may result in a net production of electrical energy of ˜2.2-2.5× an amount of energy consumed by substantially isothermal air compression to produce the compressed air supply. Although pressure of the compressed air supply may vary over a range (e.g. as a compressed air storage unit is depleted), the gas turbine may run under almost constant conditions, facilitating its integration with the apparatus. The air turbines may operate at lower temperatures than the gas turbine, and they may include features of turbines employed to turbocharge large reciprocating engines.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: LightSail Energy, Inc.Inventor: Michael Coney
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Patent number: 9003764Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a compressor section configured to generate compressed air and a combustor coupled to the compressor section. The combustor is configured to combust a first mixture comprising the compressed air and a first fuel to generate a first combustion gas. The gas turbine engine also includes a turbine section coupled to the combustor. The turbine section is configured to expand the first combustion gas to generate an exhaust gas. The gas turbine engine also includes a boiler coupled to the turbine section. The boiler is configured to combust a second mixture comprising a portion of the first combustion gas and a second fuel to generate a second combustion gas that is routed to the turbine section. In addition, the boiler generates a first steam from heat exchange with the second combustion gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Pradeep Stanley Thacker, Aaron John Avagliano
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Patent number: 9003765Abstract: A poppet valve engine incorporates a single rotary combustion chamber serving multiple cylinders to decrease emissions and increase thermodynamic efficiency. Virtually zero emissions are achievable by on-board fuel reforming to hydrogen. Limited heat range exposure of the rotary combustion chamber, low temperature combustion, and ceramic coatings reduce heat loss while three stage combustion, intake and fuel preheating, and fuel reforming reduce combustion process irreversibility. A supercharger increases the power density to allow engine displacement reduction. A z-crankshaft assembly coupled with a pre-combustion chamber allow knock-less and stable hydrogen combustion at virtually all load and speed conditions. Variable compression, possible in certain configurations of the z-crankshaft assembly, further increases thermal efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Barry A. Muth
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Patent number: 9003766Abstract: There is disclosed a gas cooler 20 for providing high-pressure sealing gas to a bearing chamber. The cooler comprises a turbine 22; a turbine inlet 24 arranged to receive gas to drive the turbine and a turbine outlet 26 arranged to deliver gas output from the turbine; a compressor 28 arranged to be driven by the turbine 22; a compressor inlet 30 arranged to receive gas to be compressed by the compressor and a compressor outlet 32 arranged to deliver gas output from the compressor 28; and a cooler outlet 36 in fluid communication with the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32 so as to deliver high-pressure sealing gas comprising gas merged from the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul W. Ferra, Yi Wang
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Patent number: 9003767Abstract: An electric thruster includes at least one electric engine, a feed system for the engine including a high-pressure tank of ionizable gas, a low-pressure buffer tank connected to the high-pressure tank by a valve, and a system of pipes for conveying the gas from the low-pressure buffer tank to an anode and to a cathode of the engine. The low-pressure buffer tank is in open connection with the engine. The thruster detects that a magnitude of the discharge current between the anode and the cathode is less than a threshold value and switches off the discharge voltage as a result of the detection. The thruster can be for use in a satellite.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Frederic Marchandise, Michael Oberg, Gerard Passagot
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Patent number: 9003768Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
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Patent number: 9003770Abstract: The invention relates to a nacelle rear assembly for a turbojet engine, that comprises: a hood, an inner structure in the shape of a sheath in which at least the rear portion (15) is of the O-duct type and is capable of axial sliding between an operational position in which it covers the gas generator (3) of said turbojet engine and defines an annular cold-air jet with said hood, and a maintenance position downstream from said operational position. The downstream portion (15) is conformed so as to be capable of sliding without blocking relative to said gas generator (3), and the inner structure includes an upstream portion (13) that can be separated from the downstream portion (15) and that includes at least two doors (13a, 13b) capable of opening towards the outside.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: AircelleInventor: Pierre Caruel
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Patent number: 9003771Abstract: The invention relates to a static mixer for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine-driven vehicle, with a plurality of flow guide elements which influence the flow of an exhaust gas stream and which are inclined at a given angle relative to the mixer plane and are held in the exhaust gas channel by means of at least one retaining strip. According to the invention the at least one retaining strip is made resilient at least in partial regions and/or is elastically supported in the plane of the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Axel Peters, Marko Buder, Stefan Gerdon, Stefan Kohrs, Manfred Doll
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Patent number: 9003772Abstract: A method for metering fuel from a high pressure system, comprising at least one high pressure pump, one pressure accumulator and one high pressure injection valve, into an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine in order to regenerate a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst (NSC) disposed in the exhaust gas duct, wherein a higher pressure of the fuel is generated by the electrically actuated high pressure pump, which discretely delivers fuel and has a constant stroke volume, wherein the fuel is supplied to the pressure accumulator comprising a pressure measuring device for determining the fuel pressure and wherein the fuel is injected into the exhaust gas duct via the downstream, electrically actuated high pressure injection valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Andreas Kellner
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Patent number: 9003773Abstract: A vehicle and method of updating aging of a selective catalytic reduction filter (SCRF) of an exhaust treatment system of the vehicle are disclosed. The method includes determining a desorption rate estimate of a catalyst of the SCRF and determining an ash volume estimate representative of an amount of ash collected inside the SCRF. The method also includes determining an ash correction factor from the ash volume estimate and calculating, via a controller, a corrected desorption rate value by multiplying the ash correction factor with the desorption rate estimate to update the aging of the SCRF.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas Larose, Jr., Christopher Whitt, Christopher C. Swoish, Joshua Clifford Bedford
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Patent number: 9003775Abstract: A mounting arrangement for attaching a pump arrangement to an exhaust pipe at a boss includes a delivery nozzle section and a remaining section including a pump body. The mounting arrangement includes a packing for supporting the pump body at the remaining section of the pump arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.Inventors: Keith E. Wright, Michael Peter Cooke, Phillip D. Thompson, Simon Coster, Nick J. Oldfield, Martin Paul Hardy
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Patent number: 9003776Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating an after treatment device are disclosed. In one example, the possibility of introducing fuel to oil during after treatment device regeneration is reduced. The methods and systems may reduce engine degradation and improve engine emissions.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Eric Kurtz
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Patent number: 9003777Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas treatment system including a particulate filter. In one example method, accumulated hydrocarbons are removed from the exhaust gas treatment system by increasing an exhaust gas temperature to a first temperature responsive to a particulate filter regeneration request during extended cold idle operation. After a predetermined duration, the exhaust gas temperature is increased to a second, higher temperature to regenerate the particulate filter.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Joseph Goode, Jeffrey Malcolm Travis, Norman Hiam Opolsky
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Patent number: 9003778Abstract: A dosing control system for an exhaust system includes: a reductant fluid tank operable to contain a reductant solution comprising urea; an injector disposed in operable communication between a reductant tank and an SCR apparatus, the injector being operable to inject the reductant solution from the reductant tank into a flow of exhaust upstream of the SCR apparatus; a urea quality sensor (UQS) configured and disposed to sense a concentration of the urea in the reductant solution; and, a control module disposed in signal communication with the UQS and in operable communication with the injector, the control module being operable to adjust a dosing of the reductant solution injected by the injector based on a concentration of the urea in the reductant solution.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Janean E. Kowalkowski, Igor Anilovich, Robert J. Sutschek, Jeffrey F. Loo
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Patent number: 9003779Abstract: A wheel loader includes an engine, a selective catalyst reduction device, and an injection device accommodated in an engine room defined by a vehicle body cover. The wheel loader further includes a partition plate, a reducing agent tank, a reducing agent pump, and a reducing agent pipe. The selective catalyst reduction device is for treating exhaust gas from the engine. The injection device is for injecting reducing agent into the exhaust gas fed from the engine toward the selective catalyst reduction device. The partition plate is disposed between the selective catalyst reduction device and the vehicle body cover. The reducing agent tank stores reducing agent. The reducing agent pump supplies the reducing agent from the reducing agent tank to the injection device. The reducing agent pipe connects the reducing agent pump and the injection device, and extends between the vehicle body cover and the partition plate inside the engine room.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Shirou Kanamori