Patents Represented by Attorney Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP
  • Patent number: 8330116
    Abstract: This application relates to radiation detection, and more particularly, to a method and device for the remote detection and localization of nuclear materials in an unknown background. A method and apparatus for long range neutron and gamma ray detection and imaging is disclosed wherein a panel of thin walled tube detectors are rotated to enhance detection performance. The method and apparatus have particular applicability to portable monitoring and homeland security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Proportional Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Lacy
  • Patent number: 8256995
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the treatment of liquid runoff, such as rainfall, irrigation, and waste or produced water, utilizing aboveground, modular, permeable barriers containing reactive media that can immobilize particular solutes of concern, removing them from the liquid runoff. The modular design allows construction of a relatively-uniform barrier, or media volume, that is self-supporting and easily assembled, maintained, modified, and augmented. A permeable reactive barrier constructed according to the present invention provides significant contact between the reactive media and the solutes of concern while allowing the runoff stream to flow through the structure relatively unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: James P. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8143320
    Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Starchem Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
  • Patent number: 8047306
    Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: LeTourneau Technologies Drilling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R Williams, Alvie E. Howard, Jr., Daniel F. McNease, Rudy Harris, Richard Bradley
  • Patent number: 7906583
    Abstract: Improved adhesives are provided through the use of styrenic radial block copolymers, containing at least 40 wt % diblock copolymers, the adhesives have improved adhesive properties and a reduced elastic behavior under die-cutting conditions. Compared to conventional linear block copolymers of similar molecular weight, radial copolymers offer higher holding power and lower melt viscosity for the adhesive. They therefore contribute to an improved balance between processability and end-use properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company, Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Bernard Lechat, Michael Oliver Myers, Marie-Noelle Cazenave, Christophe Derail, Nicolas Kappes, Jurgen Schroeyers
  • Patent number: 7819763
    Abstract: A system and a method is provided for improving a baseball player's batting swing. Preferably, the system can be utilized to teach a player to swing with power and with a slight upstroke to increase the chances of getting a powerful line drive hit. The system includes a post upwardly extending from a support base. Preferably, the post is adjustable to increase or decreased in height to match the size of the player utilizing the system. A channel is attached at upper portion of the post and includes a means for providing resistance, such as bristles, that protrude generally upwardly from the channel base. A second similar channel with a resistance means is mounted above and facing the first channel such that there is a gap between the two resistance means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventors: Steven S. Campbell, Mathew B. Campbell, Eric C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7799834
    Abstract: A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Starchem Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell D. Fraley
  • Patent number: 7709418
    Abstract: Described is a superconducting composition comprising an oxide complex of the formula [L1?xMx]aAbOy wherein L is lanthanum, lutetium, yttrium or scandium; A is copper, bismuth, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, or vanadium; M is barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium or mercury; and “a” is 1 to 2; “b” is 1; “x” is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 and preferably 0.075 to 0.5; and “y” is about 2 to about 4. The oxide complexes of the invention are prepared by solid-state reaction procedure which produce oxide complexes having enhanced superconducting transition temperatures compared to an oxide complex of like empirical composition prepared by a coprecipitation—high temperature decomposition procedure. With a solid-state reaction prepared oxide complex of the invention a transition temperature as high as 100° K has been observed even under atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: University of Houston
    Inventor: Ching-Wu Chu
  • Patent number: 7636418
    Abstract: An inspection system provides for inspection of cargo containers. A scanning tunnel has an entrance and an exit, a plurality of scanning entrance doors, each having an open position and a closed position, at least one of the plurality of scanning entrance doors interior to the scanning tunnel; a plurality of scanning exit doors, each having an open position and a closed position, at least one of the plurality of scanning exit doors interior to the scanning tunnel. A scanner is adapted to scan the contents of a container inside the scanning tunnel when at least one of the plurality of scanning entrance doors is in the closed position and at least one of the plurality of scanning exit doors is in the closed position. A carrier carries the container through the tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: EG&G Middle East
    Inventors: Aijaz Anwar, Thomas Bromell
  • Patent number: 7624831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to move a modular drilling rig in formation wherein the drilling rig includes a plurality of self-propelled modules to facilitate the movement of the rig while all systems are intact and fully operational. The apparatus includes a plurality of wheel assemblies which are steerable to guide the modules during movement. The apparatus also includes a propulsion system for each of the modules to drive each of the modules during movement. A steering control and position feedback system is also provided for determining the relative position of each module with respect to the master module. This control and feedback system provides feedback to the steering control and feedback systems of other modules in order to move the modules in a formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark Trevithick, Christopher Alan Major, Robert Lee Stauder
  • Patent number: 7611969
    Abstract: A negative dielectric is induced by the application of a dc bias-electric field in aggregates of oxide nano-particles whose surfaces have been specially treated. The magnitude of the dielectric constant and the frequency where the negative dielectric constant occurs can be adjusted. Such material systems have profound implications in novel devices as well as in science development, e.g. unusual wave propagation, secured communication and ultra-high temperature superconductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: University of Houston
    Inventors: Ching-Wu Chu, Feng Chen, Yu-Yi Xue, Jason Shulman, Stephen Tsui
  • Patent number: 7537455
    Abstract: A dental model comprising a first jaw member wherein the first jaw member comprises a first transparent medullary bone portion and a first opaque cortical bone portion, at least one tooth connected to the first jaw member, wherein the first jaw member further comprises a simulated gum tissue covering at least a portion of the first transparent medullary bone portion and a first opaque cortical bone portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Under Dog Media, L.P.
    Inventor: Jason B. Cope
  • Patent number: 7525346
    Abstract: In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to at least one amplifying transistor having an emitter coupled directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of making a system, the method is characterized by: operably coupling at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of driving a system, the method is characterized by: driving at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier with an emitter-follower feedback loop. In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to a first amplifying transistor having a base operably coupled with a first emitter-follower feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Khaw, Daniel S. Draper
  • Patent number: 7524136
    Abstract: A method and composition of matter used to reduce icing of roads, bridges, and overpasses where the wearing course of the paved structure contains expanded plastic polymer. The expanded plastic polymer functions as insulation and reduces the likelihood that the wearing course of the structure will freeze over, thereby lessening the danger drivers face during colder months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Earl M. Stenger
  • Patent number: 7500531
    Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: LaTourneau Technologies Drilling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R Williams, Alvie E. Howard, Jr., Daniel F. McNease, Rudy Harris, Richard Bradley
  • Patent number: D583555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: 2K6, LLC
    Inventor: Katherine Kwei
  • Patent number: D584144
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Poly-America, LP
    Inventor: Trent Hamilton Mallory
  • Patent number: D588820
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Poly-America, L.P.
    Inventor: George M. Hall
  • Patent number: D589346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Poly-America, L.P.
    Inventor: George M. Hall
  • Patent number: PP19974
    Abstract: A hybrid Bermudagrass cultivar, named ‘Emerald Dwarf,’ is distinguished by greater rhizome development and rooting depth in conjunction with low surface stolon development. The cultivar is especially suited to golf greens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Coastal Turf, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Morris Brown, Michael Andrew Brown, Scott Derek Brown