52nd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 38 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080317488 | Total layer thickness detection apparatus, charging device, image forming apparatus, total layer thickness detection method and computer readable medium storing program for total layer thickness detection - A total layer thickness detection apparatus for a charged body includes: a saturated charge amount detection unit that detects a saturated charge amount of a charged body having plural coating layers with mutually different relative dielectric constants; a storage unit that stores relation information indicating relation of change of the saturated charge amount of the charged body with respect to a change of layer thickness of a surface layer of the charged body; and a calculation part that calculates a total layer thickness of the plural coating layers of the charged body based on the change of the saturated charge amount detected by the saturated charge amount detection unit and the relation information stored in the storage unit. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317489 | Apparatus and method for adjusting concentration of liquid developer - In order to conform a specific correction table to the characteristics of a liquid developer to be used, the specific correction table is created by calibrating a standard correction table stored in advance by using a viscosity property value of a liquid developer for calibration at a current temperature. A concentration adjustment is performed by comparing a measured viscosity property value with a target viscosity property value which is temperature-corrected based on the specific correction table. Further, the viscosity property value of a liquid developer is detected by measuring the current of a motor for stirring the liquid developer, where a no-load stirring current value is measured in the absence of a liquid developer, and one or both of a measured current value and target current value is corrected based thereon. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317490 | Apparatus and method for adjusting concentration of liquid developer - Provided is a liquid developer concentration adjusting apparatus and a method thereof, wherein the concentration can be adjusted easily and efficiently without using time and effort in liquid volume control. Further, the apparatus and method enable the concentration adjustment to be efficiently accomplished in a short period of time with reduced volume of required supply developer to be added for the adjustment independently of the initial concentration of the developer by concurrently measuring the concentration of developer, even if the concentration thereof is high. In the control of the concentration adjustment, the developer is allowed to overflow through an opening of the concentration adjusting container, and the concentration adjustment by using supply developer or the supply speed thereof is started before the start of the overflow. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317491 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH FIRST AND SECOND MOTORS - The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a first motor for driving said image bearing member, a fixing unit which fixes an image transferred from said image bearing member to a recording material onto the recording material and a second motor for driving said fixing unit, wherein said fixing unit is started up by said first motor and then driven by said second motor. Thereby, costs on the second motor for driving the fixing apparatus, which is disposed separately from the first motor for driving the image forming apparatus, can be restrained. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317492 | COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a color image forming apparatus, a color mode is switched from a full color mode to a single color mode as follows. When the length of an image of a last page in the full color mode is less than the distance from a first-transferring position of a most downstream image forming station to a second-transferring position, if the time interval from arrival of the trailing end of an image of a page immediately previous to the last page at the second-transferring position to arrival of the leading end of the image of the last page at the second-transferring position is longer than the time needed to separate color image forming stations from the second image carrying medium, then the separating operation is started when the trail end of the image of the page immediately previous to the last page in the full color mode reaches the second-transferring position. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317493 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus, including a photoconductor, an exposure device to expose the photoconductor, a dustproofing member arranged more upstream than an exposure position of the exposure device in a moving direction of the photoconductor, and a cover which supports the exposure device and dustproofing member, wherein said cover opens around a pivot shaft which is arranged more upstream than the exposure device in the moving direction of the photoconductor. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317494 | Cleaning head pick-up system - A corotron cleaning assembly includes a self-seating, spring-loaded locating pin drivingly connected to a drive unit that is used to drive a wire cleaning head that is located within a CRU. This assembly allows for easy separation of the drive unit from the cleaner when the CRU that contains the wire is replaced. The bullet shaped pin rides on a worm drive and when the pin is driven into the cleaner head, the bullet hits an inclined ramp and is biased downward until such a point that the pin hits a recessed receptacle. Once the pin is in the receptacle, the pin is capable of driving the wire cleaning head. When the cleaning head is removed, the act of removal separates the pin from the receptacle. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317495 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that holds a toner-image; an intermediate transfer member onto which the toner-image that has been held on the image carrier is transferred; a transfer unit that transfers onto a recording medium the toner-image that has been transferred onto the intermediate transfer member; the transfer unit transferring thereon a color-toner-image for checking toner-image, which has been formed in a non-image forming region on the intermediate transfer member; an application unit that applies an adhesion force reducing agent to a surface of the transfer unit before the color-toner-image for checking formed on the intermediate transfer member passes through the transfer unit, the adhesion force reducing agent reducing adhesion force to the transfer unit of the color-toner-image for checking; and a cleaning unit that removes the color-toner-image for checking that has been transferred onto the transfer unit and the adhesion force reducing agent. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317496 | MOBILE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A mobile image forming apparatus is provided that comprises a casing, a support frame to surround a printing medium roll from which a printing medium is supplied and to guide the printing medium, an image forming unit to form an image on the printing medium guided by the support frame and a printing medium receiving portion disposed between the casing and the support frame to receive therein the printing medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. The mobile image forming apparatus may further comprise a roll support core disposed in the support frame to rotatably support the printing medium roll. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317497 | Systems and Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components - Techniques for modifying an imaging cartridge includes providing the imaging cartridge including a body including a circuit holding structure sized to hold an electronic circuit and forming a modified circuit holding structure, with the modified circuit holding structure sized to hold a replacement electronic circuit. At least one dimension of the replacement electronic circuit may be greater than a corresponding dimension of the electronic circuit. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317498 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus including an image forming section; an upper unit located over the image forming section with a space therebetween and slidable in a direction of from the front side to the rear side of the apparatus and the opposite direction; a sheet discharger configured to discharge a sheet bearing an image in the first or opposite direction; a sheet stacker receiving the sheet from the sheet discharger; a support arranged outside of both side ends of the sheet stacker in the first direction and slidably supporting the upper unit; and at least one of a release preventing member for preventing releasing of the upper unit from the support, and a covering member movable from a first position to a second position in conjunction with sliding of the upper unit and covering an opening formed at an end portion of the support when acquiring the first position. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317499 | Image Forming Apparatus, Developer Cartridge and Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a developer cartridge and a photosensitive unit. The developer cartridge may include a first casing accommodating a developing agent, a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and carrying the developing agent, a memory element storing predetermined information, and a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element. The photosensitive unit may include a second casing to which the developer cartridge is detachably attached, a photosensitive member, with which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the second casing, supported by the second casing, and a second terminal electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317500 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A process cartridge unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a process cartridge unit removably mounted in the main body, an opening provided in the main body to permit the process cartridge unit to be installed or removed, and a cover rotatably mounted to the main body so as to expose or shield the opening. The process cartridge unit includes a container to store a developer and at least one knob coupled to the container. When the cover is closed, the knob is folded by the cover, and when the cover is opened, the knob is unfolded. Accordingly, since the position of the knob is changed, a mounting space of the process cartridge unit can be decreased, and a user can easily grasp the knob. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317501 | Developer Cartridge and Developing Device - A developer cartridge and developing device are provided. The developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a developing housing, the developing housing comprising a drive gear for transmitting a driving force to the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer; a first passage portion provided in the cartridge housing to allow a passage of a detection light for detecting an amount of the developer accommodated in the cartridge housing; an agitator provided in the cartridge housing and configured to agitate the developer by the driving force; a transmission gear configured to mesh with the drive gear to transmit the driving force to the agitator, the transmission gear meshing with the drive gear when the developer cartridge is installed in the developing housing; and a second passage portion provided in the transmission gear to allow the passage of the detection light. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317502 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD USING LATENT IMAGES - An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided, in which a drum itself forms an electrostatic latent image for each of one or more basic colors in accordance with print data on a surface of the drum while making the polarities of the electrostatic latent images different, the electrostatic latent images are developed so as to generate developed images, the developed images are transferred onto a printing medium, and the transferred images are fixed to the printing medium. Accordingly, color printing can be rapidly completed even by using a number of drums less than the number of basic colors for use in representing colors to be printed, it is possible to reduce the size of an image forming apparatus, and high quality print outs can be obtained. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317503 | Electric charging device, image forming apparatus, electric charging method, and manufacturing method of electric charging device - A needle electrode having a pointed section is provided so as to face a charge-target object, and a voltage to be applied to the needle electrode is set so that 2≦(E | 2008-12-25 |
20080317504 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus which has a plurality of image forming stations arranged in parallel, each of the image forming stations having a photosensitive drum, and which forms a desired image by combining toner images formed on the photosensitive drums. A laser scanning optical system deflects and scans a plurality of laser beams concurrently with a single polygon mirror to irradiate the photosensitive drums. In a monochromatic mode, the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum for forming a black image is changed higher, and synchronization of writing in a main scanning direction is performed by using one of the laser beams irradiating the other photosensitive drums of which rotation speeds are not changed. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317505 | SINGLE-PASS BYPASS PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A single-pass bypass printing machine including: (a) a moveable photoreceptor belt for moving through an imaging path; (b) apparatus for supplying and feeding print media along a main media path and a bypass media path; (c) a first stage including at least three imaging subassemblies for forming a first color toner image on the photoreceptor; (d) a first transfer station for transferring the first color toner image onto the print media; (e) apparatus for diverting the print media from the main media path onto the bypass media path; (f) a second stage including at least one marking engine for forming a second color toner image on the photoreceptor; (g) apparatus for moving the print media from the bypass media path back into the main media path; and (h) a second transfer station for transferring the second color toner image onto the print media, forming a desired multi-color toner image on the print media. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317506 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a switching mechanism which selectively shifts developing rollers among an all-color non-contact state in which all photosensitive members are kept apart from the corresponding developing rollers, a black contact state in which only the photosensitive member for black is kept in contact with the corresponding developing roller, and an all-color contact state in which all the photosensitive members are kept in contact with the corresponding developing rollers, and a control section which, when an operation mode of the apparatus is shifted from a color mode to a monochrome mode, causes the switching mechanism to shift the developing rollers from the all-color contact state to the all-color non-contact state to perform a transferring process to once transfer developing agents from recovery members onto the corresponding photosensitive members and further transfer the developing agents from the photosensitive members onto a transfer belt. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317507 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE GUIDE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing member to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive medium with a developer, a first feed member to feed the developer to the developing member, and a reset member disposed above the developing member to reset the developing member. Accordingly, expenditure for consumables is reduced, because a developer cartridge is separately provided. Additionally, efficient developer agitation is provided. Furthermore, a consistent image quality is achieved, because a plurality of augers move vertically and horizontally to circulate the developer inside the developing unit. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317508 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A developing device capable of conveying discharged developer to the outside of the device well by preventing developer from firmly adhering within a discharge conveyance path, as well as an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge having this developing device. A developing device, having: a developing roller; a developer conveyance path having a supply screw and a supply conveyance path; a toner replenishment controller for replenishing the developer to the developer conveyance path; a discharge conveyance path for conveying the developer to the outside of the developing device; a discharge screw serving as a discharge conveying member for applying a conveying force to the developer within the discharge conveyance path; and a developer discharge port serving as developer discharge means for discharging the developer to the discharge conveyance path, wherein the conveying force is applied to the discharged developer intermittently by the discharge screw serving as a discharge conveying member, whereby a shock is applied intermittently to the discharged developer within the discharge conveyance path. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317509 | Developing Device - A developing device includes a developing housing that supports a developer carrier, and a developer cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer, an agitator that is provided in the cartridge housing and is configured to agitate the developer by a driving force, and a transmission gear that is configured to transmit the driving force to the agitator. The developing housing comprises a moving gear that is movable between a meshing position in which the moving gear meshes with the transmission gear and a spaced-apart position in which the moving gear is spaced apart from the meshing position. The moving gear is configured to transmit the driving force from the transmission gear to the agitator. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317510 | TONER CARTRIDGE LOCKING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, TONER CARTRIDGE, AND MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING METHOD FOR A TONER CARTRIDGE - The present general inventive concept relates to a toner cartridge locking apparatus, which includes a rotation handle rotatably disposed at a first end of a toner tank, and having a locking blade formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a hooking portion disposed at a developing unit to which the toner tank is mounted, wherein when the rotation handle is rotated in a predetermined angle, the locking blade of the rotation handle is inserted into the hooking portion. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317511 | Developer Cartridge and Method of Recycling the Developer Cartridge - A developing cartridge and method of recycling a developing cartridge are provided. The developing cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer. The cartridge housing includes a first opening for discharging the developer from the cartridge housing; and a second opening for accommodating the developer into the cartridge housing. The developing cartridge further includes a deflector that is configured to generate a swirling flow of air in the cartridge housing. The method of recycling the developing cartridge includes injecting air into the second opening such that the air is deflected by the deflector and refilling the developing cartridge with developer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317512 | Developer Cartridge and Developing Device - A developer cartridge and developing device are provided. The developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a developing housing, the developing housing supporting a developer carrier and comprising a drive gear for transmitting a driving force to the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer, an agitator that is provided in the cartridge housing and is configured to agitate the developer by the driving force, a transmission gear that is configured to mesh with the agitation gear, the transmission gear meshing with the drive gear when the developer cartridge is installed in the developing housing, and a supporting member that is configured to support the transmission gear movably with respect to the agitation gear while the transmission gear meshes with the agitation gear. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317513 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND DEVELOPMENT DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes either one of a process cartridge and a development device. The process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus, and integrally includes the development device. The development device includes a developer supplying member and a developer carrying member, at least one of which is formed of an elastic material, and which rotate in contact with each other. The developer supplying member is provided to be displacable in directions of contacting with and separating from the developer carrying member, and is biased toward the developer carrying member by predetermined biasing force. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317514 | Image forming apparatus - The present invention provides an image-forming apparatus comprising a magnetic roll for magnetically holding a two-component developer in which toner and a magnetic carrier are electrostatically bonded, a developing roll in which a thin layer of the toner transferred from the two-component developer on the magnetic roll is formed on the surface, and a latent image support in which a latent image is developed with using the toner on the developing roll by a developing bias applied in relation to the developing roll, wherein the developing roll has a coating layer composed of silicone-modified polyurethane on a surface. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317515 | DEVELOPING ROLLER, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing roller is provided having a surface that has excellent effect of suppressing exudation of low molecular weight substances from an elastic body, excellent toner release properties, and sufficient flexibility in which cracks do not easily occur even by repeated image formation. The developing roller carries and conveys toner to develop electrostatic latent images on a photosensitive drum with the toner and includes in this order a mandrel, an elastic layer, and a surface layer. The surface layer includes a silicon oxide film containing carbon atoms chemically bonded to silicon atoms. The silicon oxide film has an abundance ratio of oxygen atoms forming chemical bonds with silicon atoms to silicon atoms (O/Si) of 0.65 or more and 1.95 or less, and an abundance ratio of carbon atoms forming chemical bonds with silicon atoms to silicon atoms (C/Si) of 0.05 or more and 1.65 or less. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317516 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that holds a toner image; an intermediate transfer body to which the toner image carried on the image carrier is transferred; an applicator that applies a protective agent which blocks cracks in the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the intermediate transfer body; and a controller that changes, in accordance with the degree of damage to the surface of the intermediate transfer body, the amount of the protective agent to be applied by the applicator to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317517 | Image Forming Apparatus - The image forming apparatus is provided with: an image carrier that carries an image; an intermediate transfer belt that is arranged as opposed to the image carrier, and that rotationally moves in a predetermined direction; a primary transfer member that is arranged as opposed to the image carrier through the intermediate transfer belt, and that primarily transfers the image on the image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt; a secondary transfer member that secondarily transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium; first, second and third hanging members that hang the intermediate transfer belt; and a drive device that transmits drive force to the first and the second hanging members such that drive force by the second hanging member is larger than drive force by the first hanging member. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317518 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes a transparent image forming unit having a transparent image carrier; plural color image forming units arranged on a downstream side in a process direction of the transparent image forming unit, the color image forming units having color image carriers; a black image forming unit arranged between the transparent image forming unit and the color image forming unit or on the downstream side of the color image forming units, the black image forming unit having a black image carrier; an intermediate transfer member to which the toner images formed in the respective image carriers are transferred; a retracting mechanism that brings the transparent image carrier into contact with or separates it from the intermediate transfer member; and a moving unit that brings the intermediate transfer member into contact with or separates it from the color image carrier. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317519 | TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A transfer unit, which transfers a toner image formed on at least one image support to a printing medium, and an image forming apparatus employing the same. The transfer unit includes: an intermediate transfer body to the toner image from the image support, which has a curved transfer surface and an ASKER-A hardness of from about 25° to 40°; a transfer member, which has an ASKER-C hardness of from about 45° to 70°, and which contacts the intermediate transfer body, with a printing medium being interposed therebetween, and transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer body to the printing medium. The transfer unit may further include: a de-electrifying member having a DC power and an AC power concurrently applied thereto, to de-electrify the printing. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317520 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a substantially horizontally arranged image bearing member; a developing unit, including a plurality of developing devices and supporting the developing devices rotatably relative to the image bearing member; a movable intermediate transfer belt supported by first and second rotation members and facing the developing unit; a primary transfer member forming, together with the image bearing member, a primary transfer portion located near the first rotation member in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, through the intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transfer member forming, together with the second rotation member, a secondary transfer portion through the intermediate transfer belt. A toner image formed on the image bearing member by the developing unit is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt at the primary transfer portion, and is transferred on a recording material at the secondary transfer portion. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317521 | TRANSFER BELT DEVICE, METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Rollers including a tension roller are arranged in parallel. A pair of supporting members supports both ends of the rollers. A transfer belt is supported by the rollers. A biasing member applies a tension to the transfer belt by biasing the tension roller in a predetermined direction. The tension roller is movably supported in a straight-line direction. The biasing member is arranged in an area surrounded by the supporting members and the transfer belt in a direction of traversing from one supporting member to other supporting member. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317522 | FUSER ASSEMBLY HAVING OIL RETENTION FEATURES - A fuser assembly includes a first end cap, and a second end cap spaced apart from the first end cap along an axis orthogonal to a sheet feed direction. A fuser belt is positioned between and supported by the first end cap and the second end cap to rotate around the axis in a belt moving direction at the nip corresponding to the sheet feed direction. A heater assembly is located in the hollow interior of the fuser belt. A plurality of ribs is positioned to contact the interior surface of the fuser belt. A first rib is connected to one of the first end cap and the heater assembly. A second rib is connected to one of the second end cap and the heater assembly. Each of the plurality of ribs is oriented to longitudinally extend at an acute angle with respect to the belt moving direction. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317523 | Fixing Belt - A polyimide-based resinous cylindrical body characterized in that 3 to 20% by volume of fluororesin having a number average molecular weight of more than 56000 and equal to or less than 3000000 is combined in the resinous cylindrical body. In the resinous cylindrical body, preferably BN is further combined as a heat conductive element by the amount of 5 to 40% by volume in the resinous cylindrical body. The resinous cylindrical body and a fixing belt having an inner layer made of the resinous cylindrical body exhibit excellent properties in terms of friction with a slide member, resulting superior durability and image formation. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317524 | IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - When removing a sheet that is undesirably attached to a pressure belt as a result of a jam, if the sheet is pulled in the width direction of the pressure belt, the pressure belt may undesirably move in the width direction. This will make it difficult to perform a subsequent jam recovery operation properly. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317525 | BELT FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - A belt feeding apparatus includes an endless belt and a supporting member for rotatably supporting the belt. The belt feeding apparatus further includes a setting member for setting, when the belt is deviated from a widthwisely normal zone, an inclination angle of the supporting member to a return angle to return the belt toward the normal zone. The setting member also sets, when a predetermined time elapses from the belt returning to the normal zone, the inclination angle of the supporting member to a balance angle to keep the belt in the zone. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317526 | BELT FEEDING DEVICE AND IMAGE HEATING DEVICE - A belt feeding apparatus includes an endless belt; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said belt; and setting means for setting, when said belt is deviated from a widthwisely normal zone, an inclination angle of said supporting member to a returning angle to return said belt toward the normal zone, and for setting, when said belt is in the normal zone, the inclination angle of said supporting member to a balance angle. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317527 | FUSING APPARATUS AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing apparatus includes a heating unit to generate heat to fuse an image onto a printing medium, a pressurizing roller that faces and contacts the heating unit having an endless fusing film that is rotated while facing and contacting the pressurizing roller and presses the printing medium toward the heating unit, a nip forming member including a main body formed inside the fusing film to surround a heat source and contacts a portion of the fusing film to the pressurizing roller to form a nip, a plurality of opening forming portions connected to the main body and form an opening portion such that heat generated from the heat source directly arrives at the fusing film via the opening portion, and a plurality of adhering portions connected to the opening forming portions, are separated from each other, having the opening portion therebetween, and contact the fusing film, and a supporting member to support the nip forming member. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317528 | FUSING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE FUSING DEVICE, AND FUSING METHOD OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fusing device includes a preheating unit to preheat a developed image on a recording medium, and a heating unit to fuse the preheated developed image onto the recording medium by heating the image without pressing. The preheating unit includes a preheating plate heated by the heating unit and having an airtight interior space, and a phase transition fluid filled in the interior space. The heat generated by the heating unit is stored in the preheating plate using the phase transition fluid, and the temperature of the preheating plate uniform is kept uniform using a non-condensable gas filled in the airtight space of the preheating plate to condense and expand depending on a pressure of the phase transition fluid, and a heat sink arranged corresponding to a charge section of the non-condensable gas to absorb the heat of the preheating plate when the non-condensable gas is contracted. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317529 | Waste toner collecting device and image forming apparatus incorporating the same - A waste toner collecting device includes: a tubular member provided with a toner inlet and a toner outlet; a roller that is provided upstream of the toner outlet in a toner transport direction inside the tubular member, that has a substantially horizontal rotation axis line, and that is elliptical in vertical section; a scraper that is provided on an inner wall of the tubular member on a downstream side of the toner outlet in a rotation direction of the roller, an edge of the scraper being in contact with the roller; and a waste toner collecting bag that is inflatable and is attached to the toner outlet of the tubular member. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317530 | FASTENING STRUCTURE FOR ROTATING MEMBER - In a fastening structure for a rotating member such as a paddle, projections are provided in a groove of the paddle, the center of a parallel pin and the center of a hole for the parallel pin of a shaft are shifted from each other to press the parallel pin to one side, and the parallel pin is loose-fit by the projections to eliminate backlash between the groove of the paddle and the parallel pin and eliminate a cause of noise. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317531 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including: a recording medium transport path along which a recording medium is transported; a pair of first rollers that are provided at an upstream side in a recording medium transporting direction with respect to the recording medium transport path and that feed the recording medium into the recording medium transport path; a pair of second rollers that are provided at a downstream side in the recording medium transporting direction with respect to the recording medium transport path and that receive the recording medium transported by the recording medium transport path; a recording medium transport stopping section that stops transporting of the recording medium on the recording medium transport path; and a path opening and closing member that opens the recording medium transport path is provided. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317532 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device that transfers a toner image formed on an image bearer onto a transfer sheet and a fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the transfer sheet. The transfer device is freely movable between an operational position and a non-operational position and includes a contacting section that directly contacts the fixing device and determines a position of the transfer device. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317533 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When an image is formed on a second side of a sheet, the image forming position is adjusted on the basis of a value calculated using the amount α | 2008-12-25 |
20080317534 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS - A sheet processing apparatus that performs processing for sheets such as sorting or stapling of the sheets after image formation includes a motor that controls a rotating position of a sheet pushing member. When a leading end of a sheet passes, after the leading end of the sheet reaches a pivoting roller, a rotating position of the sheet pushing member is controlled according to a conveyance condition during the passage of a trailing end of the sheet. The sheet pushing member is rotated and, when the trailing end of the sheet passes, the sheet is conveyed while a charge removing brush is pressed against the sheet. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317535 | Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method therefor - An image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a control method therefor. The image forming apparatus includes at least one tray, a manual feed tray, a setting unit to set the at least one tray and the manual feed tray to be out of search, an acquiring unit to acquire tray information of the at least one tray when the at least one tray is set to be subject to the search and of the manual feed tray irrespective of whether the manual feed tray is set to be out of search upon receipt of an acquisition request from a request source, and a reporting unit to report the tray information to the request source. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317536 | Printer apparatus - A printer apparatus is disclosed. The printer includes: a thermal head having heat generating elements arranged in the form of a line extending longer than the width of a printing medium in the width direction of the printing medium substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction thereof; and a platen disposed opposite to the thermal head with a conveying path for the printing medium interposed between them so as to cooperate with the platen to sandwich the printing medium beyond the width of the printing medium with an ink ribbon interposed. The platen is put in contact with an end portion of the thermal head located beyond the width of the printing medium. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317537 | Corn butterer - A butterer for dispensing butter to hot corn on the cob. The butterer includes a body with a chamber that is filled with butter. The body also has salt and pepper dispensers. The body is ovate in cross section and shaped to conform to the hand of a user. A mechanical advantage pusher having a plunger is positioned over the butter in the chamber and allows a user to urge butter through the chamber. A lower grill resists direct contact of semisolid butter with the corn, but transfers heat from the corn and allows melted butter to pass to the corn. A stand and storage tray supports the butterer during non use and allows storage with butter therein in a refrigerator. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317538 | MAKEUP APPLICATION AND REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus is provided including a first device for applying makeup, and a second device for removing makeup. The first device may be attached to the second device. The first device may include a first container having nail polish and a first applicator tip for applying the nail polish. The second device may include a second container having nail polish remover and a second applicator tip for removing nail polish. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317539 | Applicator for Two or More Components - In order to provide an applicator for two or more components, in particular for an adjustable metering dispenser in which the components (A, B) are only mixed at an applicator surface ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317540 | Applicator having soft applicator tip - An applicator includes a tubular container, and a soft applicator tip bonded to the tubular container and having a composition including 60˜85% by weight of thermoplastic elastomer, 10˜30% by weight of polyolefin, and 5˜10% by weight of an adhesive. The adhesive is a modified polyolefin adhesive resin. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317541 | WRITING IMPLEMENT - Writing implement ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317542 | PACKAGING AND APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COMPOSITION TO THE SKIN OR THE LIPS - The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the device comprising:
| 2008-12-25 |
20080317543 | Spot cleaning dispenser - The spot cleaning dispenser is a roll-on applicator bottle and a snap on brush attachment. The roll-on applicator bottle is a generally cylindrical container with a roll-on ball applicator at the top. The brush attachment consists of a cylindrical cap and bristles mounted in the top outer surface. The brush attachment freely mounts over the top of the applicator bottle and snaps in a secure position. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317544 | Shaving lotion dispenser - A shaving lotion dispenser includes a container and a brush head connected to the container. The container defines a longitudinal axis and includes an outlet opening. The brush head is connected to the container and includes a plurality of bristles extending away from the container generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The brush head includes an opening for providing communication between an internal compartment of the container and ambient. Distal ends of the bristles define a contact surface for contacting an associated person's skin. The contact surface is bounded by a non-circular periphery. The brush head can be silicone or elastomer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317545 | Member mounting structure - A mounting part (second member) | 2008-12-25 |
20080317546 | Device For Coupling Two Components - A device for coupling two components ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317547 | DOUBLE PIN CONNECTOR AND HYDRAULIC CONNECT WITH SEAL ASSEMBLY - A double pin connector with hydraulic connect and seal assembly having a top portion. The top portion has an upper tubular portion. The upper tubular portion engages an intermediate tubular portion. The intermediate tubular portion has an upper flow path in fluid communication with the first hydraulic connector and a plurality of seals comprising at least one second hydraulic flow path seal. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317548 | HOBBY SERVO SHAFT ADAPTER - An adapter is provided for coupling an output shaft of a servo to an auxiliary shaft. The adapter includes an adapter body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end. The adapter body includes a first bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the first end a first distance. The first bore is configured to accept a portion of the auxiliary shaft. The adapter body also includes a second bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the second end a second distance. The adapter also includes an engagement member positioned within the second bore. The engagement member is configured to accept and engage a portion of the output shaft of the servo. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317549 | Vehicle front end module to grille connective arrangement - An arrangement for connecting a body with a front end module of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes in one embodiment a doghouse connected with the front end module. The doghouse has upper, lower and transverse interior borders and an interior engagement surface. A penetrator connected to the body is provided. The penetrator has surfaces closely aligned with the upper, lower and transverse interior borders of the doghouse. The penetrator has a compliant clip for locking engagement with the doghouse interior engagement surface. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317550 | RAILING INSTALLATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A railing installation apparatus comprises a support platform adapted to be displaced alongside a road. An installation unit is connected to the support platform. The installation unit comprises a feed conveyor unit feeding rails to a carriage unit. The carriage unit is actuated to orient rails to an installation position against posts, and to twist a series of rails connected at one end to the posts to an overlapping position with rails in the feed conveyor unit for end-to-end attachment of the rails. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317551 | EVAPORATION RETARDING COVER - An evaporation retarding cover which includes an ultra-violet radiation resistant sheet made from a material that provides a water evaporation retarding barrier. The material has an upper surface and a lower surface. Flexible floatation strips of closed cell foam are thermally bonded to the lower surface. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317552 | Activated carbon treatment of sediments contaminated with hydrophobic organic compounds - The present invention provides a method of remediating sediments through the use of coal-, plant-, or wood-derived carbon sorbents (i.e., black carbon). The strategy employs the addition to sediments of coal- and plant- or wood-derived carbon sorbents, so-called black carbon particles like activated carbon, char, charcoal, coal, and coke. These black carbon materials sorb hydrophobic organic compound contaminants strongly, thereby reducing environmental exposure and human health risk to such contaminants. By sorbing the contaminants from sediments, this approach reduces environmental exposure and allows sediments to be disposed of as non-hazardous material. This is a cost-effective and efficient remediation technology for contaminated sediment management that can significantly reduce expenditures and other problems with conventional approaches for dredging and remediating contaminated sediments. In particular for pesticides, high sorptive loadings are achievable, resulting in a significant mass of pesticide per mass sorbent. The treatment benefit also improves with contact time. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317553 | METHOD FOR RECYCLING OF SYNTHETIC MATERIAL CONTAINING WASTE - The present invention relates to a method for recycling of synthetic material containing waste. In the process initially in a first step the synthetic material containing waste is crushed to a particle diameter ≦100 mm and then admixed as aggregate in a soil material, in particular in a silt containing soil for the earthworks. The portion of the synthetic material containing waste admixed in the second step is preferably 15 percent by volume to 70 percent by volume. The resulting soil material is in many aspects excellently suited for the earthworks and in particular, for the recultivation or the protection of problematic landfill areas. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317554 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PIPE SPLITTING - A device and method for pipe replacement is shown. A pipe replacement device is shown that includes at least one scoring wheel to provide a more progressive cut that provides consistency in the split of the pipe. A pulling force is reduced using pipe replacement devices and methods in a splitting operation. A pipe replacement device is shown that includes at least one skid structures with a long and consistent profile. In methods shown, friction between a pipe replacement device and the pipe being split is reduced. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317555 | Subsea System Provided With a Controllable Curvature Flexible Pipe - A curvature limiter for a hydrocarbon transferring subsea system comprising a flexible tubular member through which an intermediate portion of the flexible hydrocarbon pipe passes. The flexible tubular member comprises a plurality of successive substantially cylindrical sections which are hingedly mounted with respect to each other. At a predetermined maximum displacement thereof the tubular member defining a mean plane in such a way that the flexible tubular member forms a mean curvature having the predetermined curvature radius on said mean plane. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317556 | SWAGED PIER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING SAME - A pier system ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317557 | Building Element For Making Walls Using Filling Material, Particularly Earth Or The Like - A building element adapted to be assembled with a similar element to form a retaining wall, including a front panel section disposed at an angle relative to a first plane, having a rear planar surface lying in a second plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined forwardly; a rear beam section spaced from the first panel section, having a height less than the height of the front panel section, a front planar surface lying in a third plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined rearwardly and a rear planar surface lying in a plane disposed at an angle to the first plane and inclined forwardly; and at least one panel section interconnecting the front and rear panel sections. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317558 | ROUND CUTTING INSERT WITH CHIP CONTROL FEATURE - A round cutting insert includes a bottom surface, a clearance side surface and a top surface. The top surface includes a chip control feature in the form of a continuous, circumferential depression formed by a substantially planar bottom surface and a pair of upward sloping substantially planar side walls that form an angle with respect to the top surface. The chip control feature may also include a plurality of radially offset bumps located in the depression. The bumps may have the same size and shape, or may have a different size and shape. The top surface also includes an elevated island having one or more indexing marks for easy indexing of the cutting insert. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317559 | FLEXIBLE AND EXTENDIBLE DRILL BIT ASSEMBLY - A flexible, extendable extension assembly used to create extended length holes and holes through inaccessible areas in walls and framing. The extension assembly including a flexible, solid core rod having first and second ends; and a holding means secured to the first end of the rod for releasably holding a tool bit for rotation with the rod. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317560 | CUTTER SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR CENTER MACHINE - A cutter shifting mechanism includes a main body having a longitudinal cylinder casing and a shaft is located in the longitudinal cylinder casing. An arm is connected to a lower end of the shaft so as to be connected with cutters. A longitudinal pushing device is connected to a top end of the shaft and a gear is rotatably mounted to the shaft. The gear is movable along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. A threaded rod is engaged with the gear and connected with a latitude pushing device. Each of the longitudinal and latitude pushing devices includes a pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost. The pneumatic cylinders accurately operate the parts of the mechanism. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317561 | Machine Tool - A cutting tool holder unit is composed of a cutting tool holder adapted to detachably mount a cutting tool thereon, and a front cover of a flange shape slidably fitted into a side of the cutting took holder mounted on a multi-spindle head. A groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the front cover is slidably fitted into a groove formed on the cutting tool holder to form a cutting oil circulating channel and a cutting oil injection port is opened at an upstream position of a cutting tool mounting section relative to the direction of rotation of the cutting tool holder. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317562 | Aircraft Payload Retention System For Interior Loads - An aircraft payload retention system includes a cable, a brake assembly, a hollow crushable member and a hollow structural member. The hollow structural member is fixed adjacent an aircraft internal cargo bay. In response to a high-G condition, the payload may break free from a tie-down system and move forward. The brake assembly engages the hollow crushable member within the hollow structural member and begins to crush the hollow crushable member as the cable is pulled therethrough to dissipate energy of the payload into the structure of the aircraft to arrest forward movement of the payload toward the cockpit. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317563 | FASTENER ASSEMBLY AND MULTI-LAYERED STRUCTURE - A fastener assembly, such as a nail assembly, includes a row of fasteners held together and maintained in position by a multi-layered structure including a first polymeric layer having a first surface for contacting the fasteners and a second surface and including a polymer with at least one polar moiety; and a second polymeric layer is disposed on the first polymeric layer over the second surface, the second polymeric layer being sufficiently rigid for reinforcing the first polymeric layer. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317564 | WAFER SUPPORTING DEVICE OF A SPUTTERING APPARATUS - A wafer supporting device of a sputter apparatus includes a pedestal positioned in a sputtering chamber and used to load a wafer for sputtering, a deposition ring having a recess positioned on a peripheral portion of the pedestal, and a cover ring positioned on the pedestal and the deposition ring. The cover ring has a gate corresponding to the recess. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317565 | Segregating Wafer Carrier Types In Semiconductor Storage Devices - A system for managing the entry of a wafer carrier into a stocker in a semiconductor manufacturing operation is disclosed. The system comprises a stocker that accepts wafer carriers via one or more input ports. The present invention provides a means for detecting the presence of a wafer carrier at the input port, means for identifying the type of the wafer carrier, and means for executing an action sequence if the stocker is not compatible with those wafer carriers. Upon detecting an erroneous condition, an action sequence is executed which may include prevention entry of the wafer carrier, and notifying an operator. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317566 | Automated Cassette and Slide Handling System for an Automatic Microscope - An automated cassette and slide handling system is disclosed which organizes microscope slides in cassettes, automatically and sequentially removes individual slides from their respective cassettes, positioned each slide under the microscope as provided by the protocol, and after examination returns the slide to its proper cassette. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317567 | Automatic handling of multiplex storage-goods carriers - A method of automatically depositing and withdrawing storage-goods carriers ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317568 | Garbage truck and self-contained loading and unloading system therefor - An elongated container of a truck has a closed front end wall and a hinged rear outlet closure, and a side infeed opening for receiving garbage. This empty container is configured to receive an elongated base upon which is mounted a reciprocating conveyor floor for moving garbage in the container outward through the opened rear closure for deposit at a garbage disposal site. The power drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating floor is located at the front end of the container and is shielded from input garbage by a deflector secured to the reciprocating floor. The deflector also serves as a pusher for compacting and moving garbage in the container out through the opened rear closure. The self-contained reciprocating floor is easily carried manually and fed through the opened rear closure and secured firmly in the truck container. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317569 | Partial Lifting Loading Platform - A lifting loading platform ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317570 | Container Loading Apparatus - A container loading apparatus for a truck ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317571 | Seated lift for recreational vehicles - A lift apparatus for a motor home or recreational vehicle is provided having a generally vertical slide rail attached to the cabin floor and interior wall adjacent the doorway to the motor home. A trolley is slidably engaged with the slide rail and is configured for vertical movement through the selectively motorized rotation of pulleys about which is engaged a line attached at each end to the trolley. A riser is hingedly connected to the trolley, and a swing arm is hingedly connected to the riser. The distal end of the swing arm is configured to have a chair removably mounted to it. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317572 | METHOD FOR LEVEL RIDE LIFT - Methods for manufacturing and installing a lift assembly having an extension plate and a lift with an adjustable platform are described | 2008-12-25 |
20080317573 | APPARATUS FOR LEVEL RIDE LIFT - A lift having a platform with a substantially level ride and including an extension plate is described. The lift also reduces the distance between the ground and the platform in the ground position. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317574 | Swing Drive Device and Work Machine - The invention provides a swing drive device that is capable of energy conservation by limiting loss of hydraulic fluid pressure energy resulting from discharge of the hydraulic fluid pressure energy as thermal energy into the air during acceleration or deceleration of swinging action and transforming motion energy to electric energy during deceleration of swinging action, and also enables cost reduction by making components and parts compact. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317575 | COMPONENT TRANSFERRING APPARATUS AND IC HANDLER - A component transferring apparatus includes a shuttle; an inspection socket; a retaining device that moves between the shuttle and the inspection socket; a pressing device included in the retaining device to hold and transfer an electronic component; a position adjusting device that moves the pressing device to correct a position of the electronic component based on an image processing of image data obtained by photographing of the electronic component; a socket mark provided near the inspection socket; a hand mark provided on the retaining device such that the hand mark is positioned near the socket mark when the retaining device is moved to a mounting position where the electronic component hold by the pressing device is mounted in the inspection socket; a first camera provided on the shuttle to photograph a single image including the electronic component hold by the pressing device and the hand mark provided on the retaining device; a second camera that photographs a single image including the socket mark and the inspection socket and a single image including the socket mark and the hand mark of the retaining device moved to the mounting position; a first relative-position calculating unit that performs an image processing of data obtained by photographing of the single image including the socket mark and the inspection socket to obtain a first relative position between the socket mark and the inspection socket; a second relative-position calculating unit that performs an image processing of data obtained by photographing of the single image including the socket mark and the hand mark located at the mounting position to obtain a second relative position between the socket mark and the hand mark; and a third relative-position calculating unit that performs an image processing of data obtained by photographing of the single image including the electronic component and the hand mark to obtain a third relative position between the hand mark and the electronic component, wherein based on the first, the second, and the third relative positions, the position adjusting device corrects the position of the electronic component to mount the electronic component in the inspection socket. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317576 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FEEDING A NUMBER OF FLAT SUBPRODUCTS TO A SERIAL SUBSEQUENT PROCESSING - For supplying individual quantities of flat and in particular diverse part products to a serial further processing, the part products are arranged in a row of part product groups ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317577 | Robot positioned welding tip dresser - A robot positioned welding tip dresser assembly includes a pivot arm pivotally mountable on a welding gun apparatus. The pivot arm is pivotal about a pivot point. A welding tip dresser is mounted on a distal end of the pivot arm. A first retaining tab extends from the pivot arm. The first retaining tab includes an opening extending therethrough. At least one positioning mechanism is disposed relative to the pivot point and is cooperable with the first retaining tab to retain the pivot arm in one of a home position and a working position. The first retaining tab is engagable by end-of-arm tooling of a robot. The end-of-arm tooling is operable to release the positioning mechanism, and movement of the robot moves the pivot arm between the home and working positions. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317578 | Method and apparatus for loading stacks of cartons of frozen animal products onto vessels using a carrier - A method for rapid loading of stacks of cartons aboard vessels is provided which may include sliding the stacks of cartons from a pallet onto a carrier having fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck, lifting the carrier into the hold of a ship, removing the stacks of cartons from the carrier using a second load push lift truck and stowing the stack of cartons in a stowage location using the second load push lift truck. The carrier may be used to insert slings about palletless stacks of cartons positioned thereon and the stack of cartons may be moved into the hold of the ship by the ship's gear or other crane. The slings may be withdrawn from about the stack of cartons by releasing one end of the slings and using, for example, the ship's gear to draw the other slings out from around the stack of cartons. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317579 | Flat-bed truck with crane, lift or hoist - A flat-bed truck system and method for efficiently delivering and unloading items using special crane, lift or hoist elements. The cranes are foldable downward into a horizontal position. Lower plural and parallel drive elements are used to drive upper pivoting arms which are connected by a cross-bar element. The cranes are designed with a low center of gravity so they may be positioned at various points around the bed of the truck. The lower plural drive elements are fixed in a horizontal position by brackets which may be easily applied and removed. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317580 | BEVERAGE BOTTLING PLANT WITH BEVERAGE BOTTLE HANDLING MACHINES HAVING BEVERAGE BOTTLE TRANSFER STATIONS AND A METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method of operating a transfer station in a container filling plant. The transfer station comprises a plurality of spaced apart webs between which containers are to be conveyed. A plurality of vertical directing elements are disposed upstream of and adjacent to the webs. The directing elements contact and deflect containers into the receiving spaces in between the webs to minimize backing up or jams of the containers, to thus minimize interruptions in the container handling process. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317581 | Vacuum Processing Apparatus - A vacuum processing apparatus includes an outer chamber comprising a vacuum container, an inner chamber in which a plasma used for processing a wafer is generated, the inner chamber being detachably disposed inside of the outer chamber, a wafer holder on which the wafer is located is disposed inside of the inner chamber, and an exhausting device disposed below the wafer holder which exhausts the inside of the inner chamber. The inner chamber is sealed in air-tight manner with respect to a space between the inner chamber and the outer chamber while the space is maintained at a vacuum pressure. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317582 | Vertical axis dual vortex downwind inward flow impulse wind turbine - A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317583 | Offshore Wind Turbine with Device for Ice Prevention - Offshore wind turbine ( | 2008-12-25 |
20080317584 | Compressor - A compressor includes a housing, a rotary shaft, a bearing, a seal, a shaft seal chamber, a lug plate, a thrust bearing, a first passage for connecting the crank chamber to the shaft seal chamber, a second passage provided in the housing for connecting the crank chamber to the shaft seal chamber, a third passage provided in the rotary shaft for connecting the shaft seal chamber to a discharge pressure region of the compressor, a partition provided in the shaft seal chamber for dividing the shaft seal chamber into a seal-side chamber and a bearing-side chamber and a clearance formed through the partition for drawing the refrigerant gas from the seal-side chamber of the shaft seal chamber to the bearing-side chamber of the shaft seal chamber, the clearance being formed radially inward of the inner circumferential surface of the shaft seal chamber. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317585 | RECIPROCAL COOLED TURBINE NOZZLE - A turbine nozzle includes first and second vanes joined to outer and inner bands. The vanes include outboard sides defining outboard flow passages containing axial splitlines, and opposite inboard sides defining an inboard flow passage without axial splitline. The two vanes include different cooling circuits for differently cooling the inboard and outboard vane sides. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317586 | CENTRIFUGAL AIR BLOWER - A centrifugal air blower guides returning air from a fan rotated by a rotational drive source out of interference with air delivered by a fan. The centrifugal air blower includes a rotational drive source having a rotational drive shaft, a housing including a holder which holds the rotational drive source in surrounding relation thereto, and a fan coupled to the rotational drive shaft of the rotational drive source. The housing has a disk-shaped flange extending from the holder, and the flange has a plurality of air guides disposed on a surface thereof and extending toward a peripheral edge of the flange. | 2008-12-25 |
20080317587 | VARIABLE-SHAPE VARIABLE-STAGGER INLET GUIDE VANE FLAP - A variable shape inlet guide vane (IGV) system includes a variable-shape IGV flap with a flexible portion that enables the desired spanwise distribution of Cx, alpha, and beta at a fan rotor inlet. An actuation system that rotates a root section of the variable-shape IGV flap to flex the flexible portion such that the twisted shape of the flap can reverse rather symmetrically during actuation from max open to max closed. | 2008-12-25 |