Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gunn & Associates, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6492966
    Abstract: Triode pixel devices and complementary triode logic devices for control of the pixel devices are disclosed. The pixel and logic devices are integrally fabricated in arrays suitable for full color flat display panels. Both pixel and logic elements are operated in a gate controlled avalanche mode. Pixel elements are formed from organic or inorganic electroluminescent (EL) materials ohmically contacted by low work function metal. The depletion region necessary for controlling EL intensity or preventing EL avalanche is affected by potentials to a gate element injected into the EL material. The shape of the gate element multiplies the field produced by the gate potential. Luminescence is directly viewed from the brighter, lateral EL emission not available in the prior art. The complementary logic devices are formed from separate depositions of n-type and p-type silicon with their respective gates connected in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Alton O. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6420164
    Abstract: A composite bioreactor and a method of using same is described. The bioreactor (10) comprises a combination of a sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) bioreactor (12) directly on top of a sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) bioreactor (14); the SOB bioreactor (12) comprising a heap of said soil to be rernediated and having suitable microorganisms therein to react with degrade contained contaminants; said SRB bioreactor comprising trough means (18) having support means to support said soil heap associated with an opening thereof, said support means having permeable membrane (16) associated therewith to allow passage of liquid but substantially no soil and sulfur reducing bacteria within said trough means (18); and liquid and nutrient supply means to promote growth of said sulfur oxidizing bacteria and said sulphate reducing bacteria within said composite bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels PLC
    Inventors: Harry Eccles, Theresa Elizabeth Kearney, Trevor Simon Ngawoofah
  • Patent number: 6142572
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a buddy seat for a tractor. From the bottom, it incorporates a J-shaped frame having three legs, the longer vertical leg extending upward into a seat portion. It terminates at the bottom with a horizontally bent portion on the floorboard and an upstanding distal leg adjacent to the hump in the floorboard. That leg connects with a transverse or horizontal foundation leg with fasteners for attachment. The back of the seat is orthopedically shaped to define a back cushion, a bottom cushion is adjacent to it, and the two cushions are supported by an L-shaped bracket. The bracket has an included angle to provide comfort to the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Dan Allen
  • Patent number: 6126895
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of converting green particles to form finished particles. The apparatus used for sintering incorporates an elongate hollow tube, an insulative sleeve there about to define an elevated temperature zone, and a microwave generator coupled through a wave guide into a microwave cavity incorporated the tube. The particles are moved through the tube at a controlled rate to assure adequate exposure to the microwave radiation. Another form sintered a solid part in a cavity or mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: The Pennsylvania State Research Foundation, Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Mahlon Denton Dennis, Dinesh Agrawal, Rustum Roy, Jiping Cheng, Paul D. Gigl
  • Patent number: 6115325
    Abstract: A variable length data packet in a seismic system includes a fixed-length data portion and a variable-length data portion, the amount of data in the variable-length portion depending on the number of active channels. The data packet identifies the number channels which are in operation in the system, which may be the same or fewer than the number of installed channels. This signals the central recorder as to the length of the block of data in the data packet which includes seismic data. This feature permits the scaling of the system to accommodate varying numbers of channels, without reconfiguring the system. In another aspect, a method of sending data in a data system having a plurality of installed channels includes the steps of determining the number of active channels; assembling a packet of data comprising a fixed-length field and a variable-length field, the number of data bytes in the variable-length field being a function of the number of active channels; and sending the packet of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Syntron, Inc.
    Inventors: Loring C. Chien, Richard August Falzone
  • Patent number: 6113061
    Abstract: A method and a device for replacing a seal element in an undersea blowout preventer is provided. A complete system includes a control center on the surface, an umbilical from the control center to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and a seal element carrier manipulated by the ROV. The carrier includes either retrieving tool or a running tool, which retains a cartridge which is to be inserted into or has been retrieved from a BOP. The cartridge is split along a vertical plane, with each half of the cartridge becoming a temporarily integral part of a pipe ram on either side of the BOP. Alignment ramps on the cartridge mate with complementary surfaces on the respective faces of the pipe rams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Denzal Wayne Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 6092952
    Abstract: An applicator bottle which includes a hand grip neck, a trigger mounted for index finger operation of a pump, and the pump delivers liquid from the bottle. An important feature includes an upwardly canted backing plate having a sponge where in the angle of canting is about twenty to thirty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jim J. Eberle
  • Patent number: 6085031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically decomposing an audio object into a relational structure develops a hierarchically arranged folder. A user defines a characteristic of interest and the system locates each occurrence of the characteristic within the object. Each occurrence of the specified characteristic is separated from an adjacent occurrence by a segment of the object, thereby defining a segment length. A set of user defined isochronous transposition rules then arranges the segment lengths as a hierarchical folder structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: William J. Johnson, Marvin Williams, Greg Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 6073709
    Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchison-Hayes International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 6073046
    Abstract: A medical facility after discharge of a cardiovascular patient, can remain in contact with the patient. The patient is provided with a multiple lead EKG terminal spread placed on the body, and the signals therefrom are collected and transmitted. They are transmitted to a remote central location. At the central location, the transmitted EKG data is analyzed. It is compared with normal EKG signals and signals captured in time from the same patient as part of the patient history. The evaluation is done through a neural network which forms an output signal automatically or through intervention of a cardiologist sending an alarm condition signal to the patient instructing the patient to get immediate treatment at the patient's location or to otherwise go to a specific medical facility. Signal preparation includes providing EKG signals through a multiplexer, conversation into a digital data, removal of bias signals, stabilization of this EKG base line, compression and data transmission through a modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventors: Bharat Patel, Karim Alhussiny
  • Patent number: 6067864
    Abstract: A multiport valve system is disclosed in which sample gas continuously flows through all ports. More specifically, gas flowing to a specific port is selected for analysis, and gas continuously flows through the valve at this port during the analysis. In addition, non selected gas samples, which are defined as gas samples not currently being analyzed, continuously flow through non selected ports thereby always providing fresh samples at these ports when they subsequently become selected ports for analysis. Non selected gas is purged from the valve as waste. A positive pressure is maintain between portions of the valve containing selected gas and portions of the valve containing non selected gas to prevent contamination of the selected gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Roger Peterson
  • Patent number: 6066290
    Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a method and apparatus for microwave processing of green work pieces. Typically, individual green work pieces are formed in a small mold cavity crucible, and individual crucibles are then indexed into and out of a tube for a controlled transit time along the tube. The tube extends in one embodiment through a preheater and then into the microwave cavity, the preheater providing an initial heating step to change the rate of absorption of microwave energy so that microwave sintering is accomplished in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignees: The Pennsylvania State Research Foundation, Dennis Tool Co.
    Inventors: Mahlon Denton Dennis, Rustum Roy, Dinesh Agrawal, Paul Gigl
  • Patent number: 6063333
    Abstract: This disclosure features a process of making a two part drill bit insert, namely, a body portion of hard particles such as tungsten carbide particles mixed in an alloy binding the particles. The alloy preferably comprises 6% cobalt with amounts up to about 10% permitted. The body is sintered into a solid member, and also joined to a PDC crown covering the end. The crown is essentially free of cobalt. The process sinters the crown and body while preserving the body and crown cobalt differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Penn State Research Foundation, Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Mahlon Denton Dennis
  • Patent number: 6063334
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with inhibiting corrosion in metal, usually steel, equipment which is exposed to oil field production flow including gases, oil, water, and sand. It is injected into the aqueous stream and carried with it to contact and coat the metal surfaces. It includes a corrosion inhibitor including at least one sulfur amine based on the equation:R--X(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 NZ).sub.n C.sub.2 H.sub.4 NYIn which R is a C12-36 hydrocarbon;X is an amide-CO--NH-- or 5 membered cyclic imidazoline ring;Z is H or Y; Y is SO.sub.2 ;and .sub.n is an integer from 1 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Champion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Naraghi
  • Patent number: 6059052
    Abstract: This device is a pipe wiping apparatus. The pipe wiping structure incorporates a housing and the housing is provided with a central opening to enable the housing to be positioned along the pathway of a pipe string. The pipe string is extended upwardly and passes through the housing. The pipe string is made of a number of drill pipes which are serially connected to extend through the housing so that the external surface can be wiped. As the pipe string passes through the housing, it is exposed to the action of similar wipers which are mounted on multiple actuators where each actuator incorporates a low pressure pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder operates a piston which moves a piston rod which operates a belt crank. This belt crank mechanism rotates an arm to thereby rotate a curving conformed resilient wiper element of sheet material. It is supported on the arm extending radially inwardly toward the pipe. Retraction is permitted to pull the wiper away from the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Archie Haggard
  • Patent number: 6055846
    Abstract: The focus of this paper is to introduce a novel method for calibrating natural gas flowmeters. This new method can accommodate very large flow rates and it avoids common problems associated with current techniques for meter proving. In this method, the amount of gas accumulated in a vessel of fixed volume is determined by measuring the change in capacitance of the vessel with respect to time. Because the accumulator has a fixed volume the problems inherent with the mechanical motions involved in volumetric provers such as bell provers, piston provers and ball provers are eliminated. Accurate measurements can also be made in larger vessels than would be feasible for gravimetric provers, especially for in situ calibrations. Along with avoiding the fundamental problems associated with current provers, initial studies indicate that accuracies of .+-.0.1% are possible, even for flow rates in large pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hall, Gerald L. Morrison, James C. Holste
  • Patent number: 6049511
    Abstract: A fiber optic hydrophone structure comprises a casing around which is wound an optical fiber. The casing includes complementary top and bottom diaphragm members that mesh together and which are separated by a spacer ring. The spacer ring is tapered to knife edges which abut the inside surfaces of the top and bottom diaphragm members. The spacer thus acts as a fulcrum when a seismic signal causes motion of the diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: GeoSensor Corporation
    Inventor: Louis W. Erath
  • Patent number: 6045297
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for drilling rig mobilization and demobilization. The rig is assembled or constructed at a remote site. It is later taken apart and transported to another remote site or back to a staging point. The rig itself comprises a rig floor which is supported on a set of vertical rig legs which support the rig floor for movement between raised and lowered positions. An equipment module is preferably installed on the rig floor. It goes above the rig floor while other modules are attached under the rig floor and provide additional equipment and service space. The method involves the transportation of the rig floor, the legs, equipment module and other modules to and from the rig site by hover craft while riding on a top deck on the hover craft for lateral transfer and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: Ronald J. Voorhees, Ronald B. Tinkham
  • Patent number: 6039130
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improved drill collar having pin and box connection in an elongate hollow member. In cross-section, the drill collar is formed of a square billet defining three rectangular corners. The fourth corner is rounded thereby reducing the weight in that area and thereby creating an eccentered center of mass and mass moment of inertia. A cutter is located along one of the edges so that the cutter scuffs against the well borehole during rotation to thereby enhance circular configuration and to reduce key seating or deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Glen Pruet
  • Patent number: D426142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Sean Moore