Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120152795 | Blister Cards Promoting Intuitive Dosing - A daily blister card housing a unit dose includes a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side includes a manufacturer indicator visible on the front side. A face has an outer periphery and a total planar area bounded by the outer periphery. One or more blisters extend outwardly at the face that contain at least three unit doses that are visible from outside the one or more blisters. Each of the one or more blisters includes a shoulder contacting a cavity backing surface and a projected cavity area bounded by the shoulder that is projected onto the cavity backing surface. A total projected cavity area of the one or more blisters is no more than about 45 percent of the total planar area bounded by the outer periphery. | 06-21-2012 |
20120152796 | Blister Cards Promoting Intuitive Dosing - A blister card with a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side has a plurality of blisters and each blister contains a unit dose and each unit dose contains an active. Each blister card contains from about 12 hours to about 24 hours of unit doses according to the dosage instructions. The actives can be the same or different. | 06-21-2012 |
20130231624 | Disposable Garment - The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel. | 09-05-2013 |
20140243774 | DISPOSABLE GARMENT - The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243775 | DISPOSABLE PULL-ON GARMENT HAVING IMPROVED PROTECTION AGAINST RED MARKING AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243776 | DISPOSABLE GARMENT - The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243777 | DISPOSABLE PULL-ON GARMENT HAVING IMPROVED PROTECTION AGAINST RED MARKING AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel. | 08-28-2014 |
20150068930 | Blister Cards Promoting Intuitive Dosing - A blister card with a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side has a plurality of blisters and each blister contains a unit dose and each unit dose contains an active. Each blister card contains from about 12 hours to about 24 hours of unit doses according to the dosage instructions. The actives can be the same or different. | 03-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120010046 | NEGATIVE TORQUE UPSHIFT OFFGOING CLUTCH CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A clutch control system for a vehicle includes a shift command module and an offgoing clutch control module. The shift command module commands an upshift of a clutch-to-clutch transmission when an engine torque is less than a predetermined negative torque. The offgoing clutch control module increases an offgoing clutch pressure above a predetermined apply pressure in response to the command. An offgoing clutch is fully engaged when the offgoing clutch pressure is greater than the predetermined apply pressure. | 01-12-2012 |
20120101697 | NEGATIVE-TORQUE DOWNSHIFT EXECUTION FOR FIXED-GEAR TRANSMISSIONS - A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio. | 04-26-2012 |
20120296537 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DECREASING ACCELERATION DISTURBANCE DURING TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS - A control system for an engine includes a torque phase detection module, a torque request generation module, and an engine torque control module. The torque phase detection module detects a start of a torque phase of an upshift of a transmission coupled to the engine. The torque request generation module generates an engine torque request at the start of the torque phase of the transmission upshift. The engine torque control module controls engine torque during the torque phase of the transmission upshift based on the engine torque request. | 11-22-2012 |
20140195129 | DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION VEHICLE LAUNCH CONTROL - A vehicle includes an engine, an engine control module (ECM), and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) assembly. The DCT assembly has first and second input clutches, first and second gear sets selectively connected to the engine via the respective first and second input clutches, and a transmission control module (TCM). In executing a launch control method, the TCM receives a launch request, receives an actual engine torque, and determines the inertia and acceleration of the engine. The TCM then calculates a clutch torque for the particular input clutch used for vehicle launch as a function of the actual engine torque and the product of the inertia and the acceleration, compares the calculated clutch torque to the commanded clutch torque, modifies a torque-to-position (TTP) table depending on the comparison result, and transmits a clutch position signal to the designated input clutch to command an apply position extracted from the TTP table. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195131 | UPSHIFT CONTROL OF A DRY DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A vehicle includes an engine, a dry dual-clutch transmission (dDCT) having a pair of input clutches and a gearbox containing oddly- and evenly-numbered gear sets, and a transmission control module (TCM). Application of one of input clutches connects the engine to a corresponding one of the oddly- or evenly-numbered gear sets. The TCM includes feed-forward PID-based control logic, and a torque-to-position (TTP) table for each input clutch. The TCM commands a position of a designated input clutch during a power-on upshift using the feed-forward, PID-based control logic, and selectively adapts the TTP table as a function of an inertia and acceleration value of the engine. The TCM may apply an asymmetrical handoff profile to commanded oncoming and offgoing clutch torques during the torque phase of the upshift. The TCM may also adjust the TTP table as a function of the frequency of use of the input clutches. | 07-10-2014 |
20140257607 | TRANSMISSION OIL PRESSURE CONTROL DURING ENGINE AUTOSTART - A vehicle includes an engine having autostart functionality, a source of fluid pressure when the engine is off, a flow control solenoid that outputs a variable clutch pressure, a transmission, an electric motor, and a controller. The transmission includes a clutch in fluid communication with the solenoid. The clutch applies via the clutch pressure to establish a first gear launch state. The motor is powered via a rechargeable energy storage system. The controller executes a method to transmit pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals to the solenoid upon detection of a set of conditions triggering the autostart event to lower clutch pressure to a first calibrated level. Restart of the engine is commanded, and the clutch pressure increases toward a second calibrated level while engine speed is increasing. The controller discontinues the PWM control signals and increases clutch pressure to line pressure when the input speed exceeds a calibrated threshold. | 09-11-2014 |
20150088394 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRY DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION OF A VEHICLE - A system and method can control the dry dual clutch transmission (dDCT) of a vehicle. The method includes modifying a recorded torque-to-position (TTP) table based on a calculated clutch torque difference between a calculated clutch torque and a commanded clutch torque. The commanded clutch torque is provided by a transmission control module and is defined as a clutch torque sufficient to move the vehicle without applying the accelerator applier after the brake applier has been released. The calculated clutch torque is a function of the actual engine torque value, the engine inertia, and the engine acceleration. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120163978 | TURBINE AIRFOIL COMPONENTS CONTAINING CERAMIC-BASED MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR - Hybrid turbine airfoil components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials. The components include a first component formed of a ceramic-based material and a second component formed of a metallic material. The first component comprises an airfoil portion and a nub, and the second component is separately formed and attached to the first component by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first component. The second component includes a platform portion between the airfoil portion and the nub of the first component and a dovetail portion on the nub of the first component. Each of the platform and dovetail portions has at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second component having a more complex geometry than the first component. | 06-28-2012 |
20120163979 | PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING COMPONENTS CONTAINING CERAMIC-BASED AND METALLIC MATERIALS - Processes for producing a component containing a ceramic-based material and having detailed features formed from materials other than ceramic materials. Such a process entails producing the component to include a first subcomponent and at least a second subcomponent having at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second subcomponent having a more complex geometry than the first subcomponent. The first subcomponent is formed of a ceramic-based material, and the second subcomponent and its off-axis geometric feature are separately formed of a metallic material and attached to the first subcomponent to yield a robust mechanical attachment. The component may be, for example, a gas turbine airfoil component. | 06-28-2012 |
20120163985 | COMPONENTS CONTAINING CERAMIC-BASED MATERIALS AND COATINGS THEREFOR - Hybrid components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials, yet result in a robust mechanical attachment of the ceramic and non-ceramic portions of the components. The components includes a first subcomponent formed of a ceramic-based material and a second subcomponent formed of a metallic material. The first subcomponent has a nub and the second subcomponent is separately formed and attached to the first subcomponent by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first subcomponent. The second subcomponent is attached to the first subcomponent by a compression fit and encapsulation of the second subcomponent on the nub of the first subcomponent. The nub has a compliant coating system that provides thermal expansion compliance between the metallic material of the second subcomponent and the ceramic-based material of the first subcomponent. | 06-28-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110314900 | SAMPLING DEVICE AND METHOD - An in situ autosampling method and associated sampling device for capturing a material sample from a vessel. Methods of the present invention make use of a sampling device having an extendable sample capture element with a concave sample capture pocket located near a distal end thereof. The sample capture pocket is adapted to capture a known volume of material when the sample capture element is extended into said material. The material sample remains trapped in the sample capture pocket upon sample capture element retraction. Ports in the sample capture pocket may be placed in communication with corresponding material transfer channels extending through the sample capture element to allow for the in situ processing of a material sample, and the subsequent discharge of the sample to an analyzer or another downstream location. | 12-29-2011 |
20110318243 | SAMPLING DEVICE - An in situ sampling device for capturing a material sample from a vessel. Embodiments of the present invention may be disposed as elongate probes having extendable sample capture elements. A sample capture element of such a device may include a concave sample capture pocket located near a distal end thereof. The sample capture pocket is adapted to capture a known volume of material when the sample capture element is extended into said material. The material sample remains trapped in the sample capture pocket upon sample capture element retraction. The sample capture pocket may be provided with a port for receiving material therein and a port for expelling material therefrom. These ports may be placed in communication with corresponding material transfer channels extending through the sample capture element. A device of the present invention provides for substantially contemporaneous sample capture and sample processing. | 12-29-2011 |
20120141338 | SAMPLE CAPTURE ELEMENT FOR SAMPLING DEVICE - An extendable sample capture element for use in a sampling device designed to extract samples, such as reaction/reactant samples, from vessels such as reactor vessels. A sample capture element of the present invention includes one or more concave sample pockets that may be of various shape and volume. A sample capture pocket is adapted to capture a known volume of material when the sample capture element is extended into said material. The material sample remains trapped in the sample capture pocket upon sample capture element retraction. When multiple pockets are present, at least one pocket may function as a mixing pocket. Ports in the sample pocket(s) may be placed in communication with corresponding material transfer channels extending through or along the sample capture element to allow for quenching, dilution and discharge of a captured material sample, such as discharge to an analyzer or another downstream location. | 06-07-2012 |
20130074581 | SAMPLING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - An sampling device for capturing a material sample and a method of using said device to process said material sample in situ within the device. Embodiments of the invention may be disposed as elongate probes having extendable sample capture elements. A sample capture element of such a device may include a sample capture pocket located near a distal end thereof for capturing and trapping a sample of material. The sample capture pocket may be provided with a port for receiving material therein and a port for expelling material therefrom. These ports may be placed in communication with corresponding material transfer channels extending through the sample capture element to allow for the in situ processing of a material sample, and the subsequent discharge of the sample to an analyzer or another downstream location. | 03-28-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120167332 | NOZZLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING CORD REEL AND AGITATOR DRIVE MOTOR - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. A cord reel is carried on the nozzle assembly in a cord reel compartment. A rotary agitator drive motor is carried on the nozzle assembly in an airflow pathway which directs cooling air toward the cord reel in the cord reel compartment. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167333 | FLOOR CARE APPARATUS WITH CORD REEL AND NOZZLE ASSMEBLY - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. Further, the nozzle assembly includes a cord reel. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167334 | BELT SHIFTER MECHANISM - A floor care apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. The suction generator includes a drive motor and a drive shaft. A rotary agitator assembly is carried on the nozzle assembly. The rotary agitator assembly includes a rotary agitator body and a pulley assembly having a drive pulley and an idler pulley. A belt connects the drive shaft with the pulley assembly. A belt shifter includes a biasing spring. The belt shifter is selectively displaceable between a first or agitator drive position and a second or agitator drive interrupt position. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167335 | STEERABLE UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER - An upright vacuum cleaner includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet and a pivot. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the body. A connecting arm pivotally connects the handle assembly to the nozzle assembly. The connector arm includes (a) a hub received on the pivot so as to provide a first pivotal connection along a first axis and (b) a trunion providing a second pivotal connection about which the handle assembly is tilted. | 07-05-2012 |
20130055522 | UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER WITH AGITATOR LIFT FEATURE - A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The handle assembly is pivotally attached to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an agitator cavity that receives a rotary agitator. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried on the body. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes an agitator lift assembly. The agitator lift assembly includes a sliding actuator and a fulcrum plate. | 03-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140240146 | Wireless Vehicle Detector Aggregator and Interface to Controller and Associated Methods - Embodiments of systems and methods of the present invention include efficient, reliable aggregation and transfer of one or more sensor pods detect status to the base station and then the traffic controller. An embodiment of an access point maintains a sensor state array, which is the current status of the sensor pods in communication with the access point. The access point can maintain the sensor state array in its memory and relay the sensor state array to the base station. An embodiment of a base station can use the sensor state array information to generate and update a vehicle detector array, which is the current status of all the sensor pods in the wireless vehicle detector network. An embodiment of the base station emulates one or more bus interface units and uses the vehicle detector array to relay detector information to the traffic controller periodically or when polled. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244145 | WIRELESS VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS HAVING ENHANCED RESPONSE TIME - Embodiments of the invention include a wireless vehicle detection systems and associated methods with extended range and battery life. The wireless vehicle detection system can include a plurality of sensor pods in communication with an access point without repeaters. Embodiments of the sensor pod can include a vehicle detector controller adapted to determine the presence of vehicles and a communication controller connected to the vehicle detector and adapted to transmit data 300 feet or more to an access point, which in turns communicates with the base station. To extend the battery life of the sensor pod, the sensor pod can be adapted to detect received communication signal strength and adjust transmitting power based upon said strength to thereby conserve power. Embodiments of the sensor pod can also include a battery connected in parallel to an HLC capacitor to further extend the life of the battery. | 08-28-2014 |
20150046075 | WIRELESS VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS HAVING ENHANCED RESPONSE TIME - Embodiments of the invention include a wireless vehicle detection systems and associated methods with extended range and battery life. The wireless vehicle detection system can include a plurality of sensor pods in communication with an access point without repeaters. Embodiments of the sensor pod can include a vehicle detector controller adapted to determine the presence of vehicles and a communication controller connected to the vehicle detector and adapted to transmit data 300 feet or more to an access point, which in turns communicates with the base station. To extend the battery life of the sensor pod, the sensor pod can be adapted to detect received communication signal strength and adjust transmitting power based upon said strength to thereby conserve power. Embodiments of the sensor pod can also include a battery connected in parallel to an HLC capacitor to further extend the life of the battery. | 02-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110120462 | CONTROL OF HUMIDIFIER CHAMBER TEMPERATURE FOR ACCURATE HUMIDITY CONTROL - A breathing assistance system for delivering a stream of heated, humidified gases to a user, comprising a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port, the flow of gases passing through the humidifier and exiting via an exit port, the system further having a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream, the system also having a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response, the control output adjusting the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port. | 05-26-2011 |
20120037156 | CONTROL OF HUMIDIFIER CHAMBER TEMPERATURE FOR ACCURATE HUMIDITY CONTROL - A breathing assistance system for delivering a stream of heated, humidified gases to a user, comprising a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port, the flow of gases passing through the humidifier and exiting via an exit port, the system further having a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream, the system also having a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response, the control output adjusting the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port. | 02-16-2012 |
20140166005 | CONTROL OF HUMIDIFIER CHAMBER TEMPERATURE FOR ACCURATE HUMIDITY CONTROL - A breathing assistance system is provided for delivering a stream flow of heated, humidified gases to a user. The system includes a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port. The flow of gases passes through the humidifier and exits via an exit port. The system further includes a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream. The system also includes a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response. The control output is configured to adjust the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port. | 06-19-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080310994 | BREATHING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS - The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface. | 12-18-2008 |
20100218763 | APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GASES TO A PATIENT - The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature, of gases flowing through a heated tube, supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire within the tube. | 09-02-2010 |
20130306075 | APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF GASES SUPPLIED TO A PATIENT - The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermister | 11-21-2013 |
20140158125 | BREATHING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS - The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface. | 06-12-2014 |
20150059745 | RESPIRATORY ASSISTANCE APPARATUS - A respiratory assistance apparatus has a gases inlet configured to receive a supply of gases, a blower unit configured to generate a pressurised gases stream from the supply of gases; a humidification unit configured to heat and humidify the pressurised gases stream; and a gases outlet for the heated and humidified gases stream. A flow path for the gases stream extends through the respiratory device from the gases inlet through the blower unit and humidification unit to the gases outlet. A sensor assembly is provided in the flow path before the humidification unit. The sensor assembly has an ultrasound gas composition sensor system for sensing one or more gas concentrations within the gases stream. | 03-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090025298 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING MOTION OF A MOVABLE CLOSURE - A device for monitoring motion of a movable closure arranged for travel between limit positions, comprising an absolute position encoder for identifying whether the closure is in one of a plurality of sectors of travel, a relative position encoder for monitoring the speed and relative position of the closure, and a drive means for operatively coupling the relative position encoder and the absolute position encoder to the closure, such that there is a fixed relationship between motion of the closure and movement of both encoders, wherein the absolute position encoder features an adjustment assembly comprising a first element and a second element, the first element being selectively adjustable in position relative to the second element to adjust the absolute position encoder without movement of the drive means or the relative position encoder. | 01-29-2009 |
20100325965 | DRIVE ASSEMBLIES - The present invention relates to drive assemblies, and particularly to drive belt and drive chain assemblies for operation of doors, gates or barriers. The invention provides a connection for a flexible toothed belt or similar, including a body having an internal recess with a shaping complementary to that of the toothed belt, configured to allow an end portion of the belt to be engaged therein in a direction transverse to the belt longitudinal direction, so to retain the belt against disengagement in the longitudinal direction. Further, the invention provides a drive assembly including a rail or track, a trolley for connection to the door, gate or barrier, the trolley mountable to run along the rail or track, a longitudinal drive means comprising a chain or belt, connectable in a closed loop arrangement around or within the rail or track, the trolley provided with an engagement means for selective engagement between the trolley and the longitudinal drive means, whereby the engagement means includes an engagement member arranged for selective movement in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal drive means and in a direction less than 45° from the plane of the loop of the longitudinal drive means. Also provided is a drive assembly including a partially enclosed track, a trolley for connection to the door, gate or barrier, the trolley mountable to run within the partially enclosed track, a longitudinal drive means, such as a chain or belt, connectable in a closed loop arrangement within the partially enclosed track and engageable with the trolley, the trolley provided with wheels adapted to run within and supported by the partially enclosed track. | 12-30-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110301791 | ELECTRIC LAUNCH OF A HYBRID VEHICLE HAVING A BELT ALTERNATOR STARTER AND A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A controller-executable method provides an electric-only (EV) launch mode in a vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine, a motor generator unit (MGU), a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and a belt alternator starter system adapted for selectively rotating the crankshaft using motor torque from the MGU. Execution of the method uses motor torque from the MGU, while the engine is off, to accelerate the crankshaft to above a calibrated launch speed when a threshold minimum force is applied to the pedal. A designated one of the odd- and even-gear clutches of the DCT are controlled until input torque to the DCT equals a calibrated level. The other DCT clutch may be modulated to dampen drivetrain oscillations. The vehicle launches in the EV launch mode via the designated DCT clutch when the crankshaft speed exceeds an input speed of the DCT. The vehicle and controller are also provided. | 12-08-2011 |
20120029741 | POWER MODULE ACTIVE CURRENT MANAGEMENT FOR EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT - A vehicle includes a motor, an alternating current (AC) power bus, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM includes a semiconductor die assembly with semiconductor power switches arranged in electrical parallel for delivering AC power to the motor via the bus. The controller determines an operating mode of the vehicle, selects and activates a designated one of the switches during a threshold low-current state of the PIM, and selects and activates all of the switches during a high-current state of the PIM. A PIM assembly for the vehicle includes the die assembly and controller. A method for optimizing energy efficiency of the vehicle includes providing the die assembly noted above, automatically determining the operating mode, and selecting and activating one of the switches when the operating mode corresponds to the threshold low-current state, and all of the electrical switches during the threshold high-current state of the PIM. | 02-02-2012 |
20130054058 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING OIL DELIVERY IN A VEHICLE FOR DECELERATION OR OIL WARMING - A vehicle is provided with a controller that implements a method of controlling oil delivery to the vehicle. The method includes increasing at least one of rate of flow of oil and pressure of oil flowing from an oil pump to a motor/generator or to a gearing arrangement that is operatively connected to the vehicle wheels, thereby increasing resistance to rotation of a rotor of the motor/generator or of the gearing arrangement and slowing the vehicle wheels as well as increasing the oil temperature to reduce friction losses. The controlled oil delivery is in response to a vehicle operating condition such as a condition indicative of a desired decrease in torque at the vehicle wheels or oil temperature below a predetermined temperature. | 02-28-2013 |
20130066492 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH GEARED STARTER MOTOR AND BELT ALTERNATOR STARTER AND METHOD OF RESTARTING AN ENGINE - A hybrid powertrain has an engine, a starter motor, and a gear train that connects the starter motor with the engine, and a motor/generator. A belt drive train connects the motor/generator with the engine. The powertrain has a first energy storage device with a first operating range of voltage and a second energy storage device with a second operating range of voltage at least partially in common with the first operating range of voltage. A controller places a switching device in an on-state so that the first energy storage device is connected with the second energy storage device or in an off-state in which the first energy storage device is disconnected from the second energy storage device. The controller causes the switching device to be in the off-state and the starter motor and the motor/generator to be powered with energy from the first energy storage device to restart the engine. | 03-14-2013 |
20130152892 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLUID PREHEATER - An electric vehicle powertrain includes a battery configured to couple with an external power source, a power plant including at least one three-phase electric motor, and a power controller configured to receive electrical energy from the battery and to controllably provide electrical energy to the at least one electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of electrical windings and a rotor having a magnetic field orientation, with the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator. The power controller is configured to warm an engine fluid by determining the position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a DC current for each of the three motor phases such that the electromagnetic field of the stator mirrors the magnetic field orientation of the rotor; and by providing the determined DC currents to the electric motor to resistively heat the fluid. | 06-20-2013 |
20140052321 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH GEARED STARTER MOTOR AND BELT ALTERNATOR STARTER AND METHOD OF RESTARTING AN ENGINE - A hybrid powertrain has an engine, a starter motor, and a gear train that connects the starter motor with the engine, and a motor/generator. A belt drive train connects the motor/generator with the engine. The powertrain has a first energy storage device with a first operating range of voltage and a second energy storage device with a second operating range of voltage at least partially in common with the first operating range of voltage. A controller places a switching device in an on-state so that the first energy storage device is connected with the second energy storage device or in an off-state in which the first energy storage device is disconnected from the second energy storage device. The controller causes the switching device to be in the off-state and the starter motor and the motor/generator to be powered with energy from the first energy storage device to restart the engine. | 02-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110272926 | INJECTION MOLDED INFLATABLE ACTIVE BOLSTER - An inflatable active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the bolster having a first body section and a second body section interconnected by a living hinge. The first and second body sections are folded about the living hinge to form a hollow chamber. The first body section provides an outer surface for facing the vehicle occupant, while the second body section provides a support surface for coupling the inflatable active bolster to a vehicle. At least one of the first and second body sections provides at least one expansible element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber, at least a portion of the at least one expansible element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the outer surface of the first body section outwardly to an extended position. | 11-10-2011 |
20120114885 | Hollow Article With Covering - A hollow article is provided having a first wall, a second wall and a plurality of edge walls interconnecting the first wall and second wall. A covering is bonded to the hollow article, wherein the covering is bonded to the first wall, and is dimensioned to partially wrap around the hollow article. | 05-10-2012 |
20130313850 | SEAT-BACK WITH ANCHORAGE BAR - An automotive seat-back assembly is provided, having a seat-back panel, a plurality of floor-mount brackets for attaching the seat-back panel to an automotive floor, and an anchorage bar operably located on the seat-back panel. Provided on the anchorage bar is at least one anchorage fixture for engaging with a mating anchorage device provided on an object to be secured. | 11-28-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120247142 | Heat Pump Pool Heater Start-Up Pressure Spike Eliminator - In a heat pump pool heater, undesirable compressor-created pressure spikes resulting from start-up of the heater after extended idle periods thereof are substantially eliminated by the incorporation in the heat pump refrigerant circuit of a specially designed pressure spike eliminator structure. The spike eliminator structure includes an enclosed hollow wall structure extending around a first refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the heat pump circuit compressor and condenser and forming a cavity around the first refrigerant tubing portion, and a transfer tube directly connected to a second refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the condenser and expansion valve and intercommunicating the interiors of the cavity and the second refrigerant tubing portion. | 10-04-2012 |
20140252100 | Gas Fired Modular Blower Control and Associated Methodology - An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating. | 09-11-2014 |
20140260358 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRE-HEATING WATER WITH AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OR HEAT PUMP - Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260392 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HEATING WATER WITH REFRIGERANT FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM - An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140202180 | ICE MAKER - A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202181 | ICE MAKER - A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a fluid supply inlet, a fluid reservoir that is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid supply inlet, a cooling plate that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a refrigeration device in thermal contact with the cooling plate that is configured to freeze a predetermined amount of fluid to form a section of ice, a cutter grid configured adjacent the cooling plate to divide the section of ice, wherein at least a portion of the ice produces an excess fluid, an ice storage area in communication with the cutter grid where the storage area has at least one vertical wall, and a fluid diverter configured adjacent the cutter grid that is configured to direct the excess fluid toward the at least one vertical wall. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202195 | ICE MAKER - A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided where the ice maker includes a fluid inlet, a filtration element in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a control housing configured to engage the filtration element, and a filter cover disposed adjacent the control housing and configured to support the filtration element, wherein the filter cover comprises a plurality of fluid draining slots. | 07-24-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110302950 | ICE MAKER AND ICE STORAGE COMPARTMENT AIR FLOW SYSTEM - A refrigerator has an air duct that brings a supply of chilled air to an air flow pathway that leads to an ice maker. A low profile impeller within the pathway forces the chilled air toward the ice maker. A curved vane guides the flow of air towards the ice maker. An impinger with a plurality of nozzles focuses the air flow from the impeller onto the ice maker. | 12-15-2011 |
20130257253 | CRISPER PAN SYSTEM FOR A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR - A domestic refrigerator includes a pan system positioned in a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein. The pan system includes a first side pan positioned between a bracket and a first plate, a second side pan positioned between a bracket and a second plate, and a middle pan moveably coupled to the bracket. A first roller is secured to the first side pan and is engaged with the first rail to locate the first side pan relative to the middle pan. A second roller is secured to the second side pan and is engaged with the second rail to locate the second side pan relative to the middle pan. | 10-03-2013 |
20140145579 | MODULAR INTERFACE FOR PANTRY TEMPERATURE CONTROL - A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a drawer within the refrigerator compartment, a cover on a top of the drawer, a plurality of apertures in the cover, and controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is further configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer. | 05-29-2014 |