Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William L. Krayer
  • Patent number: 6631725
    Abstract: A flexible hair curler formed from a gel of crosslinked polyacrylamide including a humectant, and encased in a moisture-permeable flexible sheath, preferably of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Diane L. Gray
  • Patent number: 6607581
    Abstract: A passive air sampler is designed to facilitate emptying granular or particulate adsorbent from it directly into a thermal desorption tube or other vessel for use in an analytical instrument. The preferred form has an adsorbent container in a conical or funnel-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: SKC, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Lee Smith, Peter M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6607850
    Abstract: Chain parts and other steel articles are provided with hard, wear-resistant carbide coatings by tumbling them in a heated retort with a particulate mix which includes a source of vanadium and/or niobium. The steel substrate comprises a steel having at least 0.2% carbon, preferably 0.7-1.2%. Where the chromium content of the steel is 4-12%, preferably 4-8%, the chemical deposition process includes drawing a small amount of chromium from the steel substrate into the vanadium or niobium carbide coating, where it is distributed substantially homogeneously, helping to provide adhesion strength to the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Yumin Wang, Yoshito Hanayama, Doug Fornell, Naosumi Tada, Kunihiko Mishima
  • Patent number: 6585879
    Abstract: A solid cryolite/alumina mixture is used as the anode in an electrolytic aluminum winning process. The mixture may be used in the form of a crust formed on the electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Ersan Ilgar
  • Patent number: 6582765
    Abstract: Chain parts and other steel articles are provided with hard, wear-resistant carbide coatings by tumbling them in a heated retort with a particulate mix which includes a source of vanadium and/or niobium. The steel substrate comprises a steel having at least 0.2% carbon, preferably 0.7-1.2%. Where the chromium content of the steel is 4-12%, preferably 4-8%, the chemical deposition process includes drawing a small amount of chromium from the steel substrate into the vanadium or niobium carbide coating, where it is distributed substantially homogeneously, helping to provide adhesion strength to the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Yumin Wang, Yoshito Hanayama, Doug Fornell, Naosumi Tada, Kunihiko Mishima
  • Patent number: 6572687
    Abstract: A gas dryer particularly useful for natural gas transmission lines has a sump vessel including a splash plate for intercepting incoming gas, a lower region for collecting water removed from the gas, at least one tower or other vessel for holding desiccant tablets and permitting water to drain into the sump, and partition(s) in the vessel extending into the lower region to permit collected sump water to be in a single body of liquid while the partitions in the upper regions of the vessel direct the gas from one tower or drying vessel to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Clearwater International LLC, Argo Sales Ltd.
    Inventor: Reg Slaymaker
  • Patent number: 6569348
    Abstract: Coal and other piles of particulates exposed to the weather are inhibited from freezing by treating them with potassium formate. A viscosifier is used to retain the solution in the interstices and voids between the particulates, inhibiting drainage and waste of the solution. Corrosion inhibitors are also compatible with the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Mark E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6568772
    Abstract: Substantially planar bearings are used for the support and rotation of a rotatable shelf in the shape of a Reuleaux triangle, which rotates eccentrically. The bearings may be separate from the rotation guidance system or may be an integral part of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Gerkey, Ralph W. Kugler
  • Patent number: 6506233
    Abstract: Desiccant tablets including solid potassium formate are used to dry gas, especially in natural gas transmission lines. Preferred tablets comprise 1-4% potassium formate (most preferably 2-3%), up to 1% of a surfactant as a lubricant, and the balance desiccant salts, preferably calcium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6502637
    Abstract: Clay is stabilized in the drilling of wells and other formation treatment for hydrocarbon production by the addition to the drilling or other fluid fluid of potassium formate together with a cationic formation control additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6495063
    Abstract: Coal and other piles of particulates exposed to the weather are inhibited from freezing by treating them with potassium formate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Mark E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6454005
    Abstract: Clay is stabilized in the drilling of wells for hydrocarbon production by the addition to the drilling fluid of potassium formate together with an amount of guar effective to inhibit clay and shale swelling and sloughing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6453576
    Abstract: In a gas dryer for use in a gas transmission line in which a bed of desiccant tablets is suspended in the flow of gas, making an aqueous solution of the desiccant salts from the moisture taken from the gas, the solution is inhibited from generating solids and precipitates in a sump area by conducting the heat of hydration from the bed area to the sump area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Lori G. Acor, Joseph Miller, Mark J. Wanner
  • Patent number: 6436227
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for loosening adhesive bandages on human skin include d-limonene and, preferably, alkyl benzoates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Mauricio Adler
  • Patent number: 6368384
    Abstract: Desiccant tablets including solid potassium formate are used to dry gas, especially in natural gas transmission lines. The most preferred tablets comprise 5-15% potassium formate, up to 1% of a surfactant as a lubricant, and the balance desiccant salts, preferably calcium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6363769
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a personal air sampler. A desired flow rate is set, the actual rate measured and recorded through a plurality of runs, the results are automatically averaged and compared to the desired flow and the pump is automatically adjusted accordingly. The process may be repeated for a plurality of selected flow rates, and a best-fit curve computed to cover the entire range. Stability is tested by a series of sets of runs to determine erratic behavior, and an overall calibration is conducted by performing such a series of runs at each of several set point flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: SKC, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Krajewski, Peter M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6331241
    Abstract: Chromium electroplating of steel strip, to make tin-free steel, is conducted in an electrolytic bath containing predominantly HCrO4− ions rather than the conventional [HCr2O7]− or Cr2O7= ions. The electrolytic bath is dilute, reducing the amount of chrome-containing waste, and the dilute chromic acid rinse water may be recycled to the electrolytic bath, thus eliminating the waste disposal problem of the rinse water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: USX Corporation
    Inventor: Ersan Ilgar
  • Patent number: 6290834
    Abstract: Liquid transfer rolls such as printing rolls are made by imposing a hard ceramic coating on an incipient liquid transfer roll in an electrolytic bath subjected to a modified shaped wave alternating current, which causes dielectric breakdown and the formation of a hard ceramic coating on the roll. The roll is laser engraved to form liquid carrying reservoirs or cells on the surface of the roll, either before or after the ceramic coating is built on the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ceramic Coatings Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Pearsall
  • Patent number: 6276478
    Abstract: A robot capable of moving against gravity uses at least one vacuum cup assembly having a port for applying a lubricant on the working surface so the cup may slide on the surface as the robot is maneuvered with the aid of powered wheels. The wheels and vacuum cut assemblies are coordinated to move on varied surfaces. The robot module may be equipped with various task-performing assemblies, and may be employed in caravans, trains, or separately in swarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Kathleen Garrubba Hopkins, Dennis L. Thompson, James Bour
  • Patent number: 6255983
    Abstract: Radar is used to measure not only the level of slag on molten steel but also its thickness; the measurement is used to calculate the volume of slag, and, in turn the amount of additives for slag treatment. Time-of-flight data are used to identify peaks representing the distances of the surfaces of the slag and the surface of the underlying steel. The concept is applicable to other materials of differing composition, and particularly where the underlying material is relatively more conductive than the overlying material. Degassing is more efficiently practiced by using the radar slag thickness determinations to assist in vertical placement of snorkels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: USX Corp
    Inventors: Gregory A. Meszaros, Frank L. Kemeny, David J. Walker, Richard J. Zaranek, Frederick J. Mannion