Patents Represented by Attorney Edward G. Fiorito
  • Patent number: 5975257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic fluid tank assembly for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake cooling circuit and a hydraulic steering circuit. The hydraulic tank assembly includes a hydraulic tank that has a brake cooling section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic brake cooling circuit of a vehicle and a steering section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic steering circuit of a vehicle. The steering section further is fluidically coupled to the brake cooling section such that hydraulic fluid may flow between the brake cooling section and the steering section of the hydraulic tank. A barrier plate disposed in the tank separates the brake cooling section from the steering section. The barrier plate has a through hole that fluidically couples the brake cooling section with the steering section; and a hydraulic fluid strainer is disposed in the through hole of the barrier plate in order to strain hydraulic fluid that flows between the brake cooling section and the steering section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Mining Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Gray Roach
  • Patent number: 5951468
    Abstract: An easy, safe and inexpensive procedure to testing the presence of esophageal acid sensitivity in a patient involves having the patient swallow a controlled quantity of a weak acid solution and a similar-tasting controlled quantity of a neutral solution and recording the reactions or symptoms experienced by the patient during the drinking of each solution. The acid solution only should affect the sensitivity of the esophageal lining in patients with esophageal acid sensitivity, providing heartburn and other related symptoms to include non-cardiac chest pain, but should not have any significant effect on patients without esophageal acid sensitivity. The neutral solution may be altered to simulate the taste of the acid solution and reduce the effect the taste of the solutions may have on the test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: William C. Orr
  • Patent number: 5937897
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic motion control or pilot valve and lever assembly for controlling the transmission and steering of a work vehicle such as a crawler tractor, articulated wheel loader or like construction vehicle. The motion control valve and lever assembly is a compact assembly that employs a single lever mounted directly to a valve in order to control the forward and reverse motion of the vehicle, the steering of the vehicle in a left, right or straight direction, and the speed or gear selection of the vehicle. The valve assembly is provided with eight hydraulic signal ports, at least one reservoir port, and at least one pressure supply port. The assembly further has four control spools positioned in respective control spool chambers spaced approximately ninety degrees apart and a fifth control spool positioned in a fifth, central spool chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Kamatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Chatterjea, Robert Charles Dunn
  • Patent number: 5868230
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic motion control or pilot valve and lever assembly for controlling the transmission and steering of a work vehicle such as a crawler tractor, articulated wheel loader or like construction vehicle. The motion control valve and lever assembly is a compact assembly that employs a single lever mounted directly to a valve in order to control the forward and reverse motion of the vehicle, the steering of the vehicle in a left, right or straight direction, and the speed or gear selection of the vehicle. The valve assembly is provided with eight hydraulic signal ports, at least one reservoir port, and at least one pressure supply port. The assembly further has four control spools positioned in respective control spool chambers spaced approximately ninety degrees apart and a fifth control spool positioned in a fifth, central spool chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Chatterjea, Robert Charles Dunn
  • Patent number: 5513552
    Abstract: This invention provides a three-function control mechanism that employs a single control lever for controlling a first, a second and a third actuator and which may be used in connection with a bulldozer. A torque-amplifying device is provided for assisting in the activation of at least one of the actuators. The control mechanism includes a control bracket, a control handle, and first, second, and third bellcranks pivotably supported by the control bracket. The control mechanism further includes first, second, and third linkage that interconnect the control lever, through the bellcranks, to respective ones of the first, second, and third actuators. The torque-amplifying device is coupled to at least one of the bellcranks in order to assist in the pivoting of the bellcrank. Due to the supporting an arrangement of the control lever, bellcranks, and linkage, the control lever may be moved forward or backward, twisted clockwise or connterclockwise, or moved side to side either separately or in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Komatsu Dresser Company
    Inventor: Clarence A. Ardelt
  • Patent number: 5429037
    Abstract: This invention provides a three-function control mechanism that employs a single control lever for controlling a first, a second and a third actuator and which may be used in connection with a bulldozer. The control mechanism includes a control bracket, a control lever, and first, second, third, and fourth bellcranks supported by the control bracket. The control mechanism further includes first, second, and third linkage that interconnect the control lever, through the bellcranks, to respective ones of the first, second, and third actuators. Due to the supporting arrangement of the control lever, bellcranks, and linkage, the control lever may be moved forward or backward, twisted clockwise or counterclockwise, or moved side to side either separately or in unison. In doing so the control lever thereby respectively actuates the first, second, and third actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Komatsu Dresser Company
    Inventors: Herbert J. Weber, Norman E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4950006
    Abstract: An improved latch assembly for securely latching a closure member in a position covering or uncovering an opening extending through a bulkhead of a vehicle cab or the like. The assembly includes pivotally locating a second striker pin on the bulkhead of the vehicle in such a position that it is cammed into latching engagement with the latch used for retaining the closure member in the covered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Komatsu Dresser Company
    Inventor: Bernard J. Lambke
  • Patent number: 4871048
    Abstract: A transmission control system for actuating a hydraulically controlled vehicle transmission that includes a pair of shiftable valve members determining four range speed conditions and two shiftable valve members determining whether the vehicle is in forward or reverse. Operating in conjunction with the speed range valve members is a fill control system which provides for rapid filling of the clutches and a pressure control system which provides for the controlled rate of energization of the clutches once the clutches have been filled to eliminate shift shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Probir K. Chatterjea
  • Patent number: 4856583
    Abstract: Treating apparatus arranged to be positioned in well bores that includes a packer that is retrievable and resettable and that provides a spaced pair of sealing elements to isolate a zone in the well bore. A valve operable within the packer is moveable among positions wherein fluid can be circulated through the operations, an open position wherein the treating fluids can be injected into the zone to be treated, and a closed position wherein the selected zone can be sealed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Willie C. Skinner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4848459
    Abstract: A packer setting tool, a packer assembly and an attached liner assembly are lowered into a well bore at a desired depth to fix the liner therein. Cement is pumped down a tubing string, through the packer, the lining, check valves and forced upwardly in the annulus of the well bore. The pumped cement is followed by a non-setting liquid to clear the internal tubular structure. The packer assembly is then set in the wet cement of the annulus to provide an additional fluid seal in the well bore. The packer setting tool is released and the cement is allowed to harden and fix the linear and the packer assembly within the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Blackwell, Clifford L. Talley, Rodger D. Lacy
  • Patent number: 4846677
    Abstract: A buttress (52) for buttressing an axial end (34) of a partition (36) in a multiple-chamber heat exchanger (28) comprises an integral solid cast from a refractory material. A thick axial end (55) of the solid is provided for compressive engagement with an end (34) of the partition (36). A thin axial end (56) opposite the thick end (55) is provided for compressive engagement to a kiln shell liner (54). A radially outer surface (77) engages an inner surface (14) of the kiln shell (12). A radially inner surface (58) of the buttress (52) slopes generally from the thick end (55) to the thin end (56), such that compressive force exerted on the thick end by the partition (36) is transmitted through the buttress (50) to a liner (54) of the kiln shell (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Crivelli, Roger Snellman
  • Patent number: 4845468
    Abstract: A brake condition warning system for liquid cooled brakes that includes an indicator showing whether pressure in the cooling liquid passing through the erodable brake members has exceeded an acceptable valve which corresponds to an excessive amount of brake wear. Also, there may be included temperature sensitive means for sensing the temperature of the liquid in the chamber preventing the pressure indication until the cooling liquid has reached a predetermined operating temperature thus preventing false indications of excessive wear due to the viscosity of cold cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Stark
  • Patent number: 4830103
    Abstract: A packer setting tool is disclosed for providing quick and reliable release thereof from a well casing packer. The setting tool is adapted for lowering the packer assembly within the casing. The setting tool is rotated by a drill string to release an upper set of packer assembly slips into engagement with the well casing. The packer setting tool is then lifted, thereby deploying a rubber sealing boot and setting the upper and a lower set of slips into permanent engagement with the casing. The packer setting tool is then again rotated, whereupon a shear connection is released and the setting tool can be removed from the packer and out of the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Blackwell, Clifford L. Talley, Rodger D. Lacy
  • Patent number: 4820115
    Abstract: An improved open impeller for centrifugal compressors or the like that includes a hub portion and a disc portion having front and rear surfaces. A plurality of circumferentially spaced blades are positioned on the front surface of the impeller disc. A plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes are located on the rear suface of the disc and generally located between adjacent ones of the blades. The vanes are elongated and have their chords disposed at an angle relative to a radius of the circle on which the vanes are disposed to generate a pressure preventing gas exiting the blades from passing behind the rear surface of the impeller. Also, the vanes may be angled relative to the rear surface to produce a thrust counteracting the thrust produced by the impeller blades. The arrangement of the vanes is such that rigidity is provided to the impeller disc reducing the vibration of the disc when rotating at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phiroze Bandukwalla
  • Patent number: 4813502
    Abstract: A rotating drill bit (10) includes a leg (12) and journal arm (14) on which is mounted a cone-shaped cutter (16). The cutter (14) rotates on the journal arm (14) by means of an anti-friction bearing including rollers (20) and ball bearings (26). Air is pumped through the journal arm (14) through conduits (30, 32 and 34). Air flows through the passages between rollers (20) and is collected in a cavity (52). The cavity (52) is vented to the borehole through a slot (54) in the trailing edge of the journal arm (14). A very narrow clearance in the order of a few thousandths of an inch is provided for rotational movement between the cone mouth shoulder (36) and last machined surface (40). Cone mouth shoulder (36) completely covers the last machined surface (40) around the entire periphery of the journal arm (14) except for the approximately 45.degree. slot (54) in the trailing edge of the journal arm (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore R. Dysart
  • Patent number: D413590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Caryn M. Altmann, Thomas M. Cameron, Eugene J. Golec, Jeffrey E. Hallgren, Hadyn H. Kerner
  • Patent number: D427207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Caryn M. Altmann, Thomas M. Cameron, Eugene J. Golec, Jeffrey E. Hallgren, Hadyn H. Kerner
  • Patent number: D427208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Caryn M. Altmann, Thomas M. Cameron, Eugene J. Golec, Jeffrey E. Hallgren, Hadyn H. Kerner
  • Patent number: D427613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Caryn M. Altmann, Thomas M. Cameron, Eugene J. Golec, Jeffrey E. Hallgren, Hadyn H. Kerner
  • Patent number: D428022
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu America International Company
    Inventors: Caryn M. Altmann, Thomas M. Cameron, Eugene J. Golec, Jeffrey E. Hallgren, Hadyn H. Kerner