Patents Examined by John Kreck
  • Patent number: 9765618
    Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy W. Arnold, Michael L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9764803
    Abstract: A method of laying a pipeline from a laying vessel into a body of water includes guiding the pipeline along a supporting structure of a laying ramp. The method also includes acquiring a first data item correlated to a position of the pipeline at a free end of the laying ramp using an optical sensor or an acoustic sensor. The method further includes determining whether the acquired first data item is within an acceptance range predetermined as a function of a configuration of the supporting structure and a size of the pipeline. Additionally, the method includes emitting an control signal when the acquired first data item is not within the acceptance range. Determining whether the acquired first data item is within the acceptance range includes processing the acquired first data item to compare it the first data item to an information stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Massari, Matteo Scarpa
  • Patent number: 9752434
    Abstract: In such fields as road milling, mining and trenching it is often desirable to engage and degrade tough materials such as asphalt, concrete and rock. To do so, degradation picks comprising hardened distal tips may be secured to an exterior of a movable support such as a rotatable drum or continuous chain so as to be repeatedly brought into contact with a material to be degraded. To secure such degradation picks to the movable support, a block comprising a body with a base surface rigidly attachable to a movable support is disclosed. A first receptacle with a first central axis may be disposed on an external surface of the body and formed to receive a first removable degradation pick. A second receptacle with a second central axis may also be disposed on the external surface and formed to receive a second removable degradation pick where the first and second central axes are nonparallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NOVATEK IP, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Dwain Norris
  • Patent number: 9741460
    Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
  • Patent number: 9739145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a road milling machine, that comprises a bit receptacle in the region of a working side of a support member and that indirectly or directly carries an insertion projection on an insertion projection side of the support member, the support member comprising two stripping surfaces [first or second stripping surfaces] that form a stripping surface pair and are at an angle to one another. In order to achieve a stable and long-lived configuration with such a bit holder, provision is made according to the present invention that the support member comprises at least one further stripping surface that is at an angle to the two stripping surfaces of the stripping surface pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnert, Karsten Buhr, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn, Karl Kammerer, Markus Roth, Bernhard Diessner
  • Patent number: 9732601
    Abstract: An electrical device for well stimulation comprising a plurality of sections configured to be assembled, end to end, to form a tool. The tool comprises first and second electrodes. The second electrode is an electrically insulated peripheral electrode of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes of the tool forming, at one of the ends of the tool, a stimulation head. Additionally, one end of a body of a first section comprises a peripheral ring that is rotatably movable and translatably immobile relative to the body of the first section. The peripheral ring comprises a thread configured to engage with a thread of the second electrode of one end of a second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ENE29 S.AR.L.
    Inventors: Michael Delchambre, Laurent Feriol, Nicolas Innocenti, Jesus Minakata, Salvador Moncho
  • Patent number: 9732509
    Abstract: A stormwater management system adapted for retaining or detaining stormwater. The underground system comprises a plurality of cells arranged in a generally honeycomb configuration. Each of the plurality of cells is generally hexagonal in cross-section and has an internal region. The plurality of cells are in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the plurality of cells to the internal region of another of the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: PRE-CON PRODUCTS
    Inventor: David Zarraonandia
  • Patent number: 9718103
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices or systems and a method for remediating a soil comprising contaminants, comprising the steps of: —introducing in said soil at least one perforated column for contaminant extraction from a contaminated region of said soil; in close proximity of said at least one perforated column introducing at least one non-perforated column for providing heat to said contaminated region of said soil; providing heat to said at least one non-perforated column; extracting said contaminant vapor containing said soil contaminants out of said contaminated region of said soil into said at least one perforated column; removing said contaminant vapor from said at least one perforated column, thereby providing remediated soil; wherein said at least one perforated column and said at least one non-perforated column are connectable to at least one surface-located device comprising a combustion, a heating and control unit for heating and thereby cleaning said soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Good Earthkeeping Organization, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Haemers
  • Patent number: 9718618
    Abstract: A novel system and method for storing hydrogen in a salt cavern and supplying therefrom is provided. Hydrogen product withdrawn from a hydrogen pipeline may be chilled prior to being introduced into a cavern in order to cool at least a portion of the walls of the salt cavern so that one or more layers of the localized portion of the walls attains a stabilized state whereby contaminant release from the walls is suppressed. The present invention anticipates and strategically plans for contaminant intrusion form a salt cavern in order to reduce the degree of contaminant intrusion from a salt cavern while also allowing the stored hydrogen to have more absorption capacity for water vapor by virtue of entering the salt cavern in a sufficiently drier state. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a crude hydrogen stream may be withdrawn from the cavern and chilled prior to introducing to the hydrogen pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Rommel M. Oates
  • Patent number: 9719218
    Abstract: A conveyor system for a cold planer is disclosed. The conveyor system may include a first conveyor, and a second conveyor configured to convey a milled material from the first conveyor to a discharge location. The second conveyor may include a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section, and a pivoted connection between the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section. The pivoted connection may provide movement of the second conveyor section relative to the first conveyor section during an operating state of the cold planer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: AJ Lee, Sean Laclef
  • Patent number: 9719348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a road milling machine, having a support member onto which an insertion projection is indirectly or directly attached on an insertion projection side, the support member comprising two first and/or two second stripping surfaces that are at an angle to one another, and the support member having a working side that comprises a bit receptacle. In order to achieve a stable and long-lived configuration for such a bit holder, provision is made according to the present invention that the first and/or second stripping surfaces diverge from the insertion projection side toward the working side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnert, Karsten Buhr, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn, Karl Kammerer, Markus Roth, Bernhard Diessner
  • Patent number: 9714488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road milling machine, with a milling drum housing partially surrounding a milling drum, wherein the opening between the milling drum housing and the surface of the material to be milled can be closed off by a hold-down device. The distance between the axis of rotation and the hold-down device increases in the specified direction of rotation of the milling drum at least over a section of the gap between the milling drum and the hold-down device. The particular configuration of the hold-down device leads to an improvement in transport of the milled material to the transport arrangement. The gap width increasing in the direction of rotation of the milling drum improves material flow with a relatively small power requirement and relatively low wear of the milling drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Franzmann, Christian Berning, Herbert Ley, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9707603
    Abstract: A novel system and method for removing contaminants in a salt cavern is provided. A purge fluid is used to purge one or more contaminants from the cavern on a continuous or intermittent basis before or during operation of the cavern. The cavern can be cycled one or more times with purging operations to create a cleaner cavern less susceptible to contaminating stored hydrogen during the operational lifetime of the cavern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rommel M. Oates
  • Patent number: 9708856
    Abstract: A downhole cutting tool may include a tool body; a plurality of blades extending from the tool body; a first blade comprising at least one pointed cutting element thereon, the at least one pointed cutting element comprising a first polycrystalline diamond material on a first carbide substrate, the first polycrystalline diamond material extending away from the first carbide substrate to terminate in a substantially pointed geometry opposite the first carbide substrate; a second blade comprising at least one shear cutting element, the at least one shear cutting element comprising a second polycrystalline diamond material on a second carbide substrate, the second polycrystalline diamond material forming a planar cutting surface opposite the substrate; wherein, when the first blade and the second blade are superimposed on each other, a central axis of the at least one pointed cutting element is offset from a central axis of the at least one shear cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Hall, John D. Bailey, Ronald B. Crockett
  • Patent number: 9700922
    Abstract: A system and method of disposing nuclear waste and other hazardous waste includes means for, and the steps of, blending a waste stream, which includes either a radioactive waste or a hazardous waste (or both), with a liquid and, optionally, a solid material to produce a dense fluid and pumping the dense fluid into a tubing string of an injection boring. The dense fluid then exits a perforation in a casing of the injection boring and enters a fracture in a rock strata, where it continues to propagate downward until it reaches an immobilization point. The dense fluid may be a slurry formed by a metal and a cross-linked polymer gel or hydrated clay slurry. The metal can be one that has a melting temperature less than the temperature at the bottom of the injection boring. The solid material could also be other nuclear waste or a radionuclide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Grand Abyss, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Germanovich, Lawrence C. Murdoch, Marvin Robinowitz
  • Patent number: 9695688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a round-shaft chisel arrangement with a chisel, comprising a chisel shaft and a chisel tip, a clamping sleeve and a retaining ring. The present invention further relates to a retaining ring for such a round-shaft chisel arrangement and a set comprising a clamping sleeve and a retaining ring. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for securing a round-shaft chisel against axial displacement in a chisel retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Wachsmann, Monica Wolf
  • Patent number: 9696032
    Abstract: A system and process for disposal of dry fly ash that effectively confines and damps fugitive dust during the collection, sorting, transporting, storage and treatment of fly ash at a landfill. The system and process for disposal of dry fly ash utilizing an enlarged, oversized hopper positioned at the top of a hill and an elongate channel that runs between the enlarged hopper and the landfill. A bulk transport truck hauling a belly dump trailer dumps dry fly ash through an elevated platform having a centrally aligned orifice into the oversized hopper having a slurry rack and a large hopper grate. The ramps and raised platform of the enlarged hopper allow the belly dump trailer compartments to be closer to the orifice and the hopper grate in order to minimize fugitive ash during the disposal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Thumbs Up Ranch LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Jackson, Chad Jackson, Daryl J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9689242
    Abstract: A gas-lift plunger includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end, and a port therein that is in communication with bore, and an obstructing member positioned in the bore. The obstructing member includes a valve stem and is movable between a closed position, in which the obstructing member substantially prevents fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end is permitted. The plunger includes an end nut connected to the lower end of the body, and a clutch assembly including arcuate members that are positioned at least partially around and configured to engage the valve stem to impede movement thereof. The clutch assembly is positioned at least partially within the end nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Epic Lift Systems LLC
    Inventors: Schuyler Kuykendall, James Allen Jefferies
  • Patent number: 9689210
    Abstract: A core drill bit includes an elongate hollow cylindrical body having opposite first and second end sections, a plurality of cutting segments with a connecting portion joined to the second end section, a plurality of reinforcing members joined to the second end section between the cutting segments and contacting adjacent cutting segments to offer rotational support thereto, and a plurality of current concentrators disposed on one or both of the second end section and the connecting portion. The cutting segments being capacitive discharge welded to the second end section whereby the surface of the second end section melts during the welding to affix the cutting segments with the tool body. The cutting segments include diamonds dispersed therein with portions having varying diamond concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DIAMOND PRODUCTS, LIMITED
    Inventors: Karl H. Moller, Thomas G. Ruffner
  • Patent number: 9682752
    Abstract: An example deflection absorbing tensioner frame for a platform of an offshore vessel may include at least one metal beam supporting a tensioner. A deflection absorber may be coupled to at least one metal beam. The deflection absorber may be configured to absorb axial, rotational, and lateral deflections in a platform deck coupled to the deflection absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Steven M. Hafernik, Neil B. Prasad