Patents Assigned to Dresser Industries
  • Patent number: 6031196
    Abstract: A push button switch assembly and method according to which a button is mounted to a partition and has at least one hook for engaging a ledge of the partition. At least one post extends from the button and through an opening in the partition and is fastened to the partition for mounting the button to the partition for pivotal movement which is limited by the engagement of the hook with the ledge. A membrane switch is mounted on the partition, and a bumper extends from the button for engaging the membrane of the switch to activate same. The bumper is fabricated from a silicone rubber to minimize the effects of relatively large pushing forces acting on the button and to enable the assembly to be used in relatively low temperature environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn Bradshaw Johnston
  • Patent number: 6019146
    Abstract: A multi-product fuel dispensing system is provided for dispensing a plurality of fuels stored in a plurality of reservoir tanks. A fuel delivery conduit delivers a specific grade of fuel from one or more of the reservoir tanks. The conduit includes at least two flow channels, one for conveying a first grade of fuel and another for conveying a second grade of fuel. A nozzle connected to the conduit includes a blend valve for each flow channel. The nozzle can deliver the first grade of fuel, the second grade of fuel or a third grade of fuel comprising a blend of the first and second grades of fuel. An ultrasonic flow meter is mounted in the nozzle to measure the flow of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6019173
    Abstract: An improved tubing exit whipstock and tools for installing and retrieving the whipstock are provided for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom. The tubing exit whipstock may include a generally cylindrical deflector body with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough. The deflector body may also include a tapered surface for deflecting well tools from the first wellbore to the second wellbore. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical connector may be provided for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the whipstock at a selected downhole location. In another embodiment, a first fishing neck profile may be provided within the longitudinal passageway to provide means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a running tool for installing the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location within the first wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan P. Saurer, David J. Steele, Ken Horne
  • Patent number: 6009761
    Abstract: A multiproduct fuel dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of fuels stored in a plurality of reservoir tanks. A single fuel delivery conduit delivers a specific grade of fuel from the reservoir tanks. An ultrasonic meter is in the conduit and uses sing-around measurement to measure flow through the meter. The meter has a volume of about 10 cubic centimeters and a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute. The meter may stand alone in the conduit or may be integrally formed with an outlet casting in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken W. Taylor, David A. Biedermann
  • Patent number: 6006775
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a fuel derived from one or more fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks. The fuels are passed from their respective tanks to a mixing zone for mixing to form a blended fuel. The blended fuel is passed from the mixing zone to a dispensing nozzle while the octane rating of the blended fuel is sensed. The flow of each fuel from its tanks to the mixing zone is controlled accordingly to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Robertson Negley, III
  • Patent number: 6003623
    Abstract: Drill bit cutters and drill bits equipped with the cutters. The cutter is mounted on a bit to present the formation with a radiused, curving, side wall cutting face that is concave in one dimension and convex in another dimension. In a preferred form, the cutting face is in the form of a portion of a surface of revolution generated by an arc segment that is concave relative to the axis of revolution. The cutting face is formed on a layer of polycrystalline diamond disposed on a substrate of tungsten carbide. In another side wall cutter arrangement, a standard cylindrical cutter with a diamond cap is mounted to present the curved cylindrical side of the cap to the formation. Curved side wall cutting faces cut more efficiently than the usual flat end face of conventionally mounted cutters. A major portion of the diamond volume in a side mounted cutter trails the point of cutting face engagement with the formation to provide impact resistance and an increased diamond wear area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 5996843
    Abstract: A system for pumping a selected fuel product from a storage tank to a dispenser includes a site controller, several fuel dispensers, each operable for dispensing a selected fuel product, and a data link connected to convey product information from a selected dispenser to the site controller. Several storage tanks each contain a different fuel product from each other tank, and also contain a submersible pump in each tank. A relay is connected to each pump. A submersible pump controller (SPC) is connected to each relay and the site controller. The SPC may also be connected to each dispenser. The SPC receives product selection information from the site controller and activates the relay connected to the pump in the storage tank containing the selected product, whereby the selected fuel product is pumped to the selected dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell Lane Hough
  • Patent number: 5988303
    Abstract: Steel bit bodies are manufactured in a production process that employs polystyrene patterns in a lost foam casting process. The patterns are machined to permit the formation of complex shapes that cannot be reproduced in simple patterns that are extractable from reusable, two-piece pattern molds or dies. The patterns are machined from a billet material according to a basic, programmed, five-axis machining process to form multiple copies of a reproducible complex pattern body. The process is modified to produce multiple copies of a modified design. Machining the complex patterns and producing variations by changing the machine program permit multiple bit patterns of variable forms to be produced without need for building an intermediate, reusable pattern mold that would require multiple mold pieces, thus eliminating the associated time and expense required in the creation of a new pattern mold for each variation of the bit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Arfele
  • Patent number: 5988586
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit section having and an inlet and an outlet in which a ball valve having a through bore formed therein is rotatably mounted in the conduit section. The ball valve moves between an open position in which at least a portion of the bore registers with the inlet to permit the flow of the fluid through the ball valve, and a closed position in which fluid flow through the ball valve is prevented. An insert is disposed in the conduit section downstream of the ball valve, and a first series of passages are formed through the insert for receiving the fluid from the ball valve. At least one addition series of passages extend through the insert for receiving fluid from the first series of passages and discharging the fluid to the outlet, with the passages reducing the noise generated by the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry William Boger
  • Patent number: 5983743
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving a device between a retracted and extended position in which a ball screw is connected to the device and is in threaded engagement with a ball nut so that, upon rotation of the ball nut, the ball screw moves between a retracted and an extended position. A gear train is connectable between a power source and the ball nut for transferring torque therebetween to rotate the nut member, and a control system responds to a relatively low power input for selectively connecting the drive assembly between the power source and the ball nut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. McGregor, Ronn G. Madrid, Roy Mackenzie, Stanley A. Weise
  • Patent number: 5987385
    Abstract: An acoustic logging tool, useful for creating a circumferential image of an earth borehole or well casing, which includes one or many acoustic transceivers mounted in substantially the same plane, in a drill string sub. The mounting receptacles are located in blocks, flexibly mounted in fixed inserts within the interior of the drill string sub. Each of the transceivers is structured to provide temperature and pressure compensation. The echo signals received by the transceivers are digitized and processed to eliminate extraneous noise created by the ringing of the transducers, by the signals reflected from the material backing the transducer ultrasonic element, and by any other sources inherent to the drilling environment. Digitization and further processing also allows for signal enhancement, thus allowing detection of signals in the presence of substantial noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios L. Varsamis, Abbas Arian, Laurence T. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 5975353
    Abstract: A fluid system and method according to which a first fluid, a second fluid, or a blend of the fuels is passed to a first meter for measuring the flow thereof while the second fluid is passed through a second meter before it passes to the first meter. The flow of the first fluid to the first meter and the flow of the second fluid to the second meter and then to the first meter are controlled by valves and, as a result, a predetermined ratio of the blended fluids can be established and maintained. The second meter can be calibrated based on the first meter and therefore does not have to inherently provide relatively accurate volumetric measurements. Thus, the second meter can be less costly than the first meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Malcolm Finlayson
  • Patent number: 5975208
    Abstract: A deployment tool for communicating a well tool from a generally vertical wellbore to a lateral wellbore includes a hollow tube having a generally uniform inside diameter. The tube includes at least one flex portion disposed intermediate a first end and a second end of the tube to allow for angular deflection of the second end of the tube with respect to the first end of the tube. The flex portion also maintains the generally uniform inside diameter of the tube during the angular deflection. The deployment tool also includes a locking device attached to the first end of the tube for releasably securing the first end of the tube at a selected location in the vertical wellbore adjacent to the lateral wellbore. The tube of the deployment tool includes a length selected to allow the second end of the tube to extend into a portion of the lateral wellbore when the first end is releasably secured at the selected location in the vertical wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5971001
    Abstract: A fitting assembly and method for attaching to a fluid flow conduit in which a clamp having a threaded port is secured around the conduit. A threaded bushing is inserted into the threaded port and has an axial bore that guides and supports a tool which is inserted through the bore to pierce the corresponding surface of the conduit. After the tool and the bushing are removed from the threaded port, an external component, such as a sensing unit, can be connected to the port to permit access to the fluid for sensing a flow characteristic of the fluid, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Goran Andersson
  • Patent number: 5970796
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure gauge construction in which a diaphragm assembly responsive to changing values of fluid pressure being supplied to the gauge is secured against an internal support surface of the casing by a combination of sealant and thermal staking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Blake, Talivaldis I. Maidelis
  • Patent number: 5970146
    Abstract: A secure touchscreen is provided, comprising a touchscreen and touchscreen controller for receiving inputs, a system controller, an encryption module and two external buses. The controller, system controller and encryption module are embedded in a mass of material to prevent unauthorized access of the inputs. Furthermore, the first external bus is used to operate and communicate with an external system in an encrypted mode, while the second external bus is used to operate and communicate with the external system in a normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Charles McCall, David A. Biedermann
  • Patent number: 5967244
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly with a directional flow passage for directing and controlling the flow of drilling fluids exiting a drill bit. The assembly is threaded for engagement within a threaded receptacle in the drill bit. The assembly includes a nozzle body carried within an externally threaded sleeve structure that threads into the bit receptacle. Seating of the assembly anchors the nozzle body against rotational and axial movement. The external circumferential nozzle body surface and the internal circumferential sleeve surface mechanically interlock to permit the nozzle body to be positioned at selected different angular positions within the sleeve before seating the sleeve structure in the receptacle such that the final seated position of the assembly in the receptacle results in the desired orientation of the nozzle flow passage in the bit receptacle. The flow passage exit end of the nozzle is surrounded by a drive area that extends axially from the main nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Arfele
  • Patent number: 5964287
    Abstract: A window assembly is provided for use at a downhole location in a first wellbore to control access to or allow isolation of a second wellbore extending from the first wellbore. The window assembly is included as an integral part of a production tubing string disposed within the first wellbore. A slot is formed in the window assembly. The window assembly is preferably installed at a downhole location aligned to an opening from the first wellbore into the second wellbore whereby well tools may move between the longitudinal bore of the window assembly and the second wellbore. Multiple guide surfaces are provided in the slot to direct movement of tools between the longitudinal bore and the window assembly and the second wellbore or vice versa. One of the guide surfaces on the slot preferably is formed with approximately the same angle at which the second wellbore intersects the first wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5952579
    Abstract: A reduced volume socket body and a reduced volume tube are used in a pressure gauge system in semi-conductor fabrication process equipment. The socket body includes an outlet and the tube has an end connected to the outlet. The outlet is a shaped, weld prep formed on the socket body having an inner surface. A continuous seat is formed on the outlet and includes a seat thickness. The tube has an inner wall and an outer wall defining a wall thickness which is substantially the same as the seat thickness. The end of the tube is engaged with the seat so that the inner wall of the tube and the inner surface of the outlet are substantially aligned to form a crevice free tube-to-socket connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries
    Inventors: David C. DeFrancesco, Brian T. Donahue, Louis A. Rosen, John A. Turbeville, Louis F. Bregy
  • Patent number: 5950432
    Abstract: An electronic turbocharger control system for an internal combustion engine is provided to control at least one turbocharger by controlling a bypass valve and a wastegate in response to the engine speed, engine load, ambient temperature, and the operating environment's barometric pressure wherein the turbocharger is controlled to operate within predetermined islands of efficiency on a pressure ratio versus mass airflow map thereby allowing the adaptation of one turbocharger assembly for various applications. The method and apparatus provides improved engine efficiency and increases low speed torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Zimmer, Richard J. Kakoczki, James A. Davis, Jerrold A. Pratt, Edward O. Reinbold