Thermostatic Patents (Class 261/39.1)
  • Patent number: 10745853
    Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same to introduce a fragrance into the drying chamber include positioning a reservoir within the cabinet of the dryer appliance. The reservoir contains a fragrant additive and is positioned such that a flow of air may pass through the fragrant additive and into the drying chamber to improve the smell of the drying chamber and articles placed therein. The reservoir may be positioned within the cabinet and covered with a selectively positioned lid or may be placed in fluid communication with an air handler of the dryer appliance to permit the intermingling of the flow of air and the fragrant additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander B. Leibman, Nemetalla Salameh, Zhiquan Yu
  • Patent number: 9765767
    Abstract: A synthetic vacuum generator has a case enclosing an interior cavity with an aperture through the case in communication with the cavity. A piston and a check valve are mounted in the case in fluid communication with the cavity and the aperture. The piston and check valve are configured with symbiotic resonant response to establish an outflow there through and inducing an inflow through the aperture upon reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven F. Griffin, Christopher R. Shurilla
  • Patent number: 9068767
    Abstract: A hot water heater, particularly but not exclusively for domestic use, is herein described and having removably secured thereto a modular heat exchanger or an external water heater to heat the water in a separate tank portion. The two are easily separable from one another for service, repair or interchange. The air-to-air heat exchanger extracts heat loss from the central flue of a gas fired water heater to provide a source of heat for the building in which the hot water heater is installed. The external water heater is provided with a gas-fired burner for heating water from the tank circulated in a heat exchanger to transfer heat from a fluid heated by the burner and circulated in the heat exchanger to transfer the heat to water circulated from the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Claude Lesage, Jean-Claude Lesage
  • Patent number: 8813744
    Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer and a temperature compensation unit are disclosed. The temperature compensation unit, which cooperates with a vaporizing chamber having a bottom wall, includes a first device connected to the bottom wall of the vaporizing chamber for contacting with liquid anesthetic agent in the vaporizing chamber and changing in length according to temperature change of the liquid anesthetic agent, and a second device connected to the vaporizing chamber. A gas flow gap through which a gas flow passes is formed between the first and second devices. The gas flow gap becomes larger as temperature of the liquid anesthetic agent rises and smaller as the temperature of the liquid anesthetic agent drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Donghua Chen, Daoming Gong, Zhiwei Qiao
  • Patent number: 8783664
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for a carburetor includes an electric actuator, a choke valve opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close a choke valve by being driven by a power exerted by the electric actuator, and a controller configured to control operation of the electric actuator. The controller, to which a battery supplies electric power, operates the electric actuator and the choke valve opening/closing mechanism in order that, when the engine is stopped, the choke valve is set in a semi-opened position and, when the engine starts to be cranked, the choke valve is set in a fully-closed position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the choke valve from freezing up in the fully-closed state in a case where the engine is stopped under an extremely low temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Arai
  • Publication number: 20140084493
    Abstract: A carburetor improves the starting performance of an engine. The carburetor includes a main body, a pump oil ball and a fuel-air mixing channel which extends through the main body. The pump oil ball is mounted to an air strangler spindle via a spiral groove. When the pump oil ball is pressed, the air strangler spindle is driven to rotate by the spiral groove and thus to control the air strangler spindle between the fully open state and the fully closed state. The carburetor dramatically improves the starting performance of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Qian Chen
  • Patent number: 8657264
    Abstract: A carburetor choke mechanism including an actuator linearly expanded and contracted based on a temperature change; a connection lever which is connected to a rotation axis at one end, and rotates based on receiving a thrust of the actuator; a choke lever which is connected with the other end of the connection lever, and receives a rotary force; and a valve shaft where a choke valve is fixed to one end thereof, and a valve shaft lever which receives a transfer of a rotary force from the choke lever is provided on the other end thereof, wherein the choke lever has a bottomed cylindrical shape covering an outer circumference of the valve shaft lever, and the valve shaft lever penetrates a bottom thereof, and is provided rotatably, and a connection mechanism between the connection lever and the choke lever is provided inside a cylindrical outer periphery of the choke lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventors: Chirei Kin, Akihiro Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 8434444
    Abstract: A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Publication number: 20130106002
    Abstract: A carburetor choke mechanism comprising: an actuator linearly expanded and contracted based on a temperature change; a connection lever which is connected to a rotation axis at one end, and rotates based on receiving a thrust of the actuator; a choke lever which is connected with the other end of the connection lever, and receives a rotatory force; and a valve shaft where a choke valve is fixed to one end thereof, and a valve shaft lever which receives a transfer of a rotatory force from the choke lever is provided on the other end thereof, wherein the choke lever has a bottomed cylindrical shape covering an outer circumference of the valve shaft lever, and the valve shaft penetrates a bottom thereof, and is provided rotatably, and a connection mechanism between the connection lever and the choke lever is provided inside a cylindrical outer periphery of the choke lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikuni Corporation
  • Patent number: 8256747
    Abstract: A system and method for closed-loop testing of a biological or chemical sensor is disclosed. The tester is fluidically coupled to the input port and exhaust port of a sensor. A mixture of a chemical or biological simulant and air is generated by the tester and is delivered to the sensor. The mixture of simulant and air exiting the sensor is delivered to a collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin J. Tupper
  • Publication number: 20120161341
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for a carburetor includes an electric actuator, a choke valve opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close a choke valve by being driven by a power exerted by the electric actuator, and a controller configured to control operation of the electric actuator. The controller, to which a battery supplies electric power, operates the electric actuator and the choke valve opening/closing mechanism in order that, when the engine is stopped, the choke valve is set in a semi-opened position and, when the engine starts to be cranked, the choke valve is set in a fully-closed position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the choke valve from freezing up in the fully-closed state in a case where the engine is stopped under an extremely low temperature environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya ARAI
  • Patent number: 8047510
    Abstract: An evaporation supply apparatus for raw material used in semiconductor manufacturing includes a source tank in which a raw material is pooled; a flow rate control device that supplies carrier gas at a regulated flow rate into the source tank; a primary piping path for feeding mixed gas G0, made up of raw material vapor G4 and carrier gas G1, an automatic pressure regulating device that regulates a control valve based on the detected values of the pressure and temperature of mixed gas G0 to regulate the cross-sectional area of the passage through which the mixed gas G0 is distributed so as to hold the pressure of the mixed gas G0 inside the source tank constant; and a constant-temperature heating unit for heating the source tank to a set temperature, in which mixed gas G0 is supplied to a process chamber while controlling the pressure inside the source tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirata, Masaaki Nagase, Atsushi Hidaka, Atsushi Matsumoto, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20090301072
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to an automatic choke system for use in an engine having a muffler and a choking mechanism that are located remotely apart from one another. The system includes a thermally responsive device, at least one component that serves to connect, at least in part, the device to the choking mechanism, and a further mechanism for conveying heat from the muffler to the device. Additionally, the system in at least one embodiment includes at least one of: (a) a pipe for conveying a fluid from a first location proximate the muffler to a second location proximate the device, the pipe being comprised within the further mechanism; and (b) a rotatable axle that spans a majority of a distance between the first location and a third location that is proximate the choking mechanism, the axle being comprised within the at least one component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Aleko D. Sotiriades
  • Patent number: 7628387
    Abstract: An air/fuel mixing apparatus, configured for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a body defining a passageway therein, a throttle lever including a cam surface, a throttle valve positioned in the passageway and responsive to movement of the throttle lever, a choke lever including a follower surface configured to be engaged by the cam surface, and a choke valve positioned in the passageway and responsive to movement of the choke lever and the throttle lever. The air/fuel mixing apparatus also includes a solenoid configured to disengage the choke lever from the throttle lever, and move the choke valve to a substantially-opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Max W. Clouse, Aaron Halfmann, David Roth, James J. Dehn, Kyle R. Clasen, Donald Szopinski, Matthew A. Martinek, Brian R. Paul, James D. Makiya
  • Publication number: 20090293828
    Abstract: A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Patent number: 7603983
    Abstract: A carburetor (1, 51) has an intake channel (2) wherein a throttle element and a choke element are arranged with the choke element being upstream of the throttle element. The choke element is displaceable between an operating position (8) and at least one starting position (9). A first fuel path is provided which supplies fuel to the intake channel section (2) in dependence upon the underpressure present therein. A first controllable valve (20) for controlling the supplied fuel quantity is mounted in the first fuel path. In order to achieve an adapted fuel supply in different operating states, a second fuel path is provided which defines a bypass line to the first valve (20). A second valve (44, 54) is mounted in the second fuel path. A method for operating the carburetor (1, 51) provides that the second valve (44, 54) is actuated in dependence upon at least one operating parameter of the carburetor (1, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Bähner, Andreas Lingen, Hans Nickel, Bärbel Nickel, legal representative, Claus Naegele
  • Publication number: 20090224414
    Abstract: In the evaporative humidifier of the present invention, a desired humidity is obtained by supplying water only to a humidifying module required for humidification. Air simply passes through a humidifying module to which water is not supplied. Accordingly, air obtained by mixing humidified air passing through the humidifying module which is wet with water being supplied thereto (wet zone) and non-humidified air passing through the humidifying module to which water is not supplied (dry zone) is blown out from an outlet of the evaporative humidifier. The mixture amount (mixture ratio) is controlled by the opening and closing of the valve, so that a desired humidity is obtained. Therefore, with the evaporative humidifier of the present invention, humidity control can be accurately performed without unnecessarily operating the humidifying device and without wasting energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira YOKOYAMA, Koji SUZUKI, Kosei KAWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20080173032
    Abstract: An evaporative cooler includes an arrangement of a combination of fluid components including flow control valves, spray bars, spray bar orifices, spray bar distribution channels, and distribution caps that produce a water application profile on the media that is adjusted to match the heat load introduced to the media by the air to be evaporatively cooled. The water evaporation rate is a direct function of this heat load profile. Applying water in this profile takes advantage of the wicking rate and flow through time constant of evaporative cooling media to effectively distribute the water through the media. This results in a once through system that allows the volume of water being applied be the lowered such that water not evaporated and exiting the media is limited and does so at very high cycles of concentration while maintaining high levels of cooling effectiveness and scale free media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: AZ EVAP, LLC
    Inventors: Donald L. Kammerzell, Larry Lee Kammerzell
  • Patent number: 7377495
    Abstract: A pressure regulator that regulates the pressure at which carbon dioxide is introduced to water in a carbonated beverage system based on the temperature of the water. The regulator may be capable of operating in a first mode in which the carbon dioxide pressure varies substantially linearly over a first water temperature range, and a second mode in which the carbon dioxide pressure is substantially constant over a second water temperature range. A first flow path having a relatively small gas flow capacity may serve as a pilot to control the gas flow through a second flow path having a larger gas flow capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Thompson Design Innovation, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott M. Thompson, Steven R. Christoffersen, Samuel Durham, David E. Green
  • Patent number: 7213555
    Abstract: A choke valve is controlled finely suited to the running state of an engine. A throttle valve 8 and a choke valve 9 are provided in series on an intake pipe 6, and the opening degree of the choke valve 9 is controlled by a stepping motor. The choke valve opening degree upon start of engine (start opening degree) is determined depending on the engine temperature. The stepping motor 11 is initialized at the fully closed side of the choke valve 9 when the power source for starting the engine is turned on. The start opening degree of the choke valve is judged to be closer to the fully closed side or fully opened side, and the stepping motor 11 is initialized at the fully closed side if judged to be close to the fully closed side, and at the fully opened side if at the fully opened side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kamimura, Kouichi Asai, Masashi Nakamura, Minoru Tamura, Tomoki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7171947
    Abstract: In an electrically-actuated throttle device for a general-purpose engine, supply of current to the throttle motor and choke motor for moving the throttle valve and choke valve is started when cranking is detected after activation (power-up) of the electronic control unit (ECU). In other words, supply of current is not started simultaneously with activation of the ECU but is delayed until cranking is detected. Owing to this configuration, no power of the battery is consumed unnecessarily between power-up and starting of the engine. Decrease in the power supplied to the starter motor is therefore prevented, thereby improving the starting performance of the engine. In addition, even if starting of the engine is not commenced after power-up, the battery is not likely to be excessively discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Fukushima, Yasuhide Ono
  • Patent number: 7128309
    Abstract: An automatic choke system includes: a wax-type temperature sensing section; and an output section which opens a choke valve of a carburetor in response to heat receiving operation of the temperature sensing section. Temperature sensing section includes: a bottomed cylindrical housing attached to an engine with its bottom portion directed to a high-temperature portion of the engine; a bottomed movable cylinder; a stationary piston slidably supported by the movable cylinder and having one end protruding out of the movable cylinder; and a wax contained in the movable cylinder in a sealed manner, and causing the movable cylinder and the stationary piston to move relative to each other in an axial direction. The movable cylinder is slidably housed in the housing in a state in which an outer end of the stationary piston abuts against an inner surface of the bottom portion of the housing. The output section is connected to the movable cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Edamatsu, Hiroshi Moriyama, Takashi Suzuki, Takanori Sato
  • Patent number: 6880812
    Abstract: A carburetor is provided that supplies an appropriate amount of fuel at engine start-up and in a specific range of rotational speed, and allows stable engine operation at a target rotational speed. The carburetor comprises a first fuel system (F1) for metering fuel from the constant fuel chamber (18) with a metering needle (32) linked to a throttle valve (5), and delivering the fuel to an air intake passage (2); and a second fuel system (F2) for controlling fuel compressed by a fuel pump (8) with an electromagnetically driven control valve (52) and delivering the fuel to the air intake passage (2); by supplying pressured fuel controlled by the control valve (52) in a predetermined specific range of rotation and controlling the rotational speed during start-up and warm-up, a target rotational speed can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20040206326
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an air-entrainment mechanism for carbureted engine. The mechanism includes a plunger valve controlled by a solenoid. The solenoid is powered by a battery with a switch electrically coupled thereto. The plunger valve is interconnected to the carburetor to allow additional air entrainment. The solenoid is coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve. The switch electrically couples the solenoid to the battery to activate the solenoid for movement of the valve. The switch disclosed herein includes a temperature sensor and an engine-running sensor. The switch is then closeable when the temperature sensor detects an engine temperature within a predetermined range as long as the engine is not already running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Michael North
  • Patent number: 6763845
    Abstract: An automatic water freeze prevention device having a first valve, second valve and third valve that cooperate to fill or drain a water utilization device according to pre-selected temperature conditions. These three valves are driven to their respective open/closed positions by an electrical power sending device that is, in turn, actuated by a temperature setting device that is associated with a temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Javier J. Hoggard
  • Patent number: 6533252
    Abstract: Method and its associated device for the regulated injection of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2L) into a liquid (L) under pressure inside a chamber. The liquid carbon dioxide (CO2L) is, according to this method, injected at a fixed flow rate, in stepped mode, under the protection of a stream of gas (when injection is stopped).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frédéric Bernard, Dominique Bras, Jose Buil
  • Patent number: 6398196
    Abstract: A steam humidifier for use with a forced air heating system includes a steam nozzle mounted in the plenum of the heating system and connected to a water feed line connected to a continuous pressurized water source. The water feed line is made of a thermal conducting material and is coiled about a heating element wherein the heating element and conductive coil are substantially surrounded by an insulation barrier. The water feed line is controlled by a solenoid operated valve that will be activated only when the heater is on and a humidistat detects that humidity is required by the area being serviced by the forced hot air system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Allied Systems Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Light, Timothy W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6354572
    Abstract: The present invention provides flow-through humidifier device having a frame assembly adapted to be secured onto an air supply duct and having a back wall with an air inlet opening, two side walls, one with an air outlet opening, top and bottom walls and a front cover wall, an evaporator assembly including a pad, a water supply member and a water drain member to supply unfiltered water at standard city pressure to and collect any excess of water from the pad member respectively. The water supply member includes a valve controlled by an air temperature electronic controller. The latter is electrically connected to a temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the air flowing and timely pulses the valve to open when the air temperature is above a pre-determined set temperature and allow for water to humidify the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Chérif Menassa
  • Patent number: 6186481
    Abstract: A mixing valve receives water through a first inlet. The water is rotated by vanes in a first direction to produce a vortex. The water exits though an open end of a slidable tube, where it flows radially outward because of its rotational motion. The tube is axially movable by an actuator located near the open end of the tube, and the tube therefore acts as a steam shut off valve. Steam enters through a second inlet adjacent the open end of the tube, and is directed by vanes in an oppositely rotating vortex and radially inward by a conical surface just beyond the end of the tube. The steam and water mix at a location just beyond the end of the tube, and heated water exits through an axial opening which surrounds the actuator. The temperature of the water is regulated by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred L. Pirkle