Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm James E. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6227222
    Abstract: A gas compressor system draws and compresses gas from a well, wherein the gas has entrained liquid and vapor. The apparatus has a scrubber vessel for receiving the gas and separating at least a portion of the liquid. A storage vessel integral with the scrubber stores seal liquid. The seal liquid is injected into the gas before a single stage liquid ring pump which uses the seal liquid to compress the gas. The compressed gas along with entrained seal liquid is routed to a separator vessel having a coalescing filter. The entrained seal liquid is separated from the gas and routed back to the storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Fluid Compressor Corp.
    Inventor: Gary Jennings
  • Patent number: 6223950
    Abstract: An apparatus such as a glue gun system that utilizes solid beads of meltable material such as glue. The glue gun has a housing that contains a pervious barrier. The pervious diaphragm separates the beads from an airstream that is used to deliver the beads from a hopper to the housing. A load level control detects varying levels of the beads in the housing. A motor in the interior of the housing drives a feed screw. The feed screw forces the beads towards a nose assembly on the forward end of the housing. A heating element is provided in the nose assembly. A co-axial hose delivers the beads from a hopper to the housing through an interior passage. An exterior annulus of the hose delivers the separated airstream away from the housing. Electronics control the rotation of the feed screw and controls the power to the heating element. A hopper contains beads of the meltable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Bernard C. Lasko
  • Patent number: 6220990
    Abstract: An exercise machine for low impact exercise of a person. The machine has a base and a support post extending from the rearward end of the base. Two leg members divergently extend generally downward from a first forward facing pivot point for pivoting about a first axis perpendicular to the support post. A planar foot support is on each leg member and extends forward from the support post. Two arm members divergently extend generally upward from a second forward facing pivot for pivoting about a second axis parallel to the first axis. A handle is on each arm member. The arm members are pivotally joined to the leg members and the second axis slides vertically in engagement with the support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: James P. Crivello
  • Patent number: 6216788
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sand, which has been separated from well fluids, from a well bore. A separator is provided to separate sand from well fluids before the well fluids enter an electrical submersible pump (ESP). A bypass tube is connected from a flow conduit above the pump to a location below the ESP where the sand is collected. The ESP is turned off and the fluid levels within the flow conduit are allowed to equalize. The flow conduit is then pressurized at the surface to cause a downward flow of well fluid in the flow conduit below an equilibrium point for the well fluid. After lowering the level of fluid within the flow conduit, the pressure within the flow conduit is then relieved, which causes the well fluid to flow upwards through the bypass tube to the flow conduit. As a result, sand is drawn up the bypass tube into the flow conduit above the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Brown Lyle Wilson
  • Patent number: 6217489
    Abstract: The invention described in the specification relates to a heavy bag for use in training a boxer and to a method for filling the bag. The bag has a substantially cylindrical outer shell made from a fabric-like material, the shell having closed ends. A shredded rubber material fills the bag and provides the bag with sufficient weight for punching and sparring training activities. Use of the shredded rubber material to fill the bag not only permits significant improvement in the bag filling operation but also provides increased durability, improved impact absorbing characteristics and less permanent deformation of the bag during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Bollinger Industries, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Steven Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6217923
    Abstract: There is provided a fryer, which can restrain an acceleration of oxidation of an oil layer, prevent deterioration of the oil layer caused by fry sediment and carbide and generation of oil smoke, and which is used easily and safely by even a person who is not conversant with timing when drainage should be carried out in accordance with an amount of fried food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Ryoichi Saito
  • Patent number: 6217507
    Abstract: An isolation unit for use with somatic healthcare has a framework of inflatable channels spaced apart, making the isolation unit self-supporting. Windows are located between the channels for allowing access to the interior of the isolation unit. At least one tube is situated in the isolation unit for circulating gas mixtures from the control unit. The isolation unit has a molecule structure allowing the tube to be connected to the corresponding tube of another module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Knut Bonvik
  • Patent number: 6211590
    Abstract: A braking system has a shaft which rotates with a wheel on a vehicle. A rotor rotates with the shaft within a housing. The housing also contains an electromagnetic coil and two armatures. The rearward armature is in contact with the coil while the forward armature is adjacent to the rotor. The rearward armature does not touch the rotor and is more strongly attracted to the coil than the forward armature. Each armature has springs which independently urge it toward the rotor. An electric circuit causes the current supplied to the coil to gradually decay rather than abruptly stop. When the vehicle is parked and subjected to static braking, the coil is de-energized so that the armatures are forced toward the rotor by their springs. In this state, the rearward armature applies force to the forward armature to increase the pressure against the rotor. When the system is disengaged, the coil is energized to attract the armatures and allow the rotor to freely rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignees: Stromag, Inc., Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Albrecht, Ming Liang Fe
  • Patent number: 6209668
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body. The cutter has a cutter shell surface including a gage surface and a heel surface. A plurality of cutting elements inserts are arranged in generally circumferential rows on the cutter. At least one scraper cutting element is secured at least partially to the heel surface of the cutter. The scraper cutting element includes an outermost surface, generally aligned with the gage surface of the cutter, that defines a plow edge or point for shearing engagement with the sidewall of the borehole while redirecting cuttings up the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolf Carl Otto Pessier, Don Quy Nguyen, Scott R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6209565
    Abstract: A pulse piloted cartridge valve that defaults to a closed position. A spring biases against a latching piston assembly within the valve to position the latching piston assembly to the closed position. In this position, a supply port is sealed off from a control port. Pressurized fluid may be provided in a pilot open chamber to move the pilot open piston downward on the upper stem of the latching piston assembly to push the latching piston assembly to an open position. When in the open position, the passageway from the control port to the supply port is opened as well as the passageway from the control port to the axial passageway. Pressure is then transferred from the supply port through the axial passageway to the latching chamber. The pilot open piston is raised by pressure from the axial passageway. The latching piston assembly is held in the open position with pressure within the latching chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: DTC International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Lloyd Hughes, John Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 6209886
    Abstract: A resecting tool contains a rotatable chuck inside a base for engaging the drive shaft of a motor. The chuck extends into a tubular casing that has an outer actuator sleeve. The sleeve is limited to rotation relative to the casing and is used to move a pair of locking elements or balls in separate helical slots in the casing. Each ball is seated in a collar that abuts a collet receiver inside the casing. During implement changeover, the collar abuts the collet receiver and acts as a brake to prevent accidental actuation of the chuck of the tool. The collet receiver is spring-biased into contact with a first collet which closely receives a tool implement within the resecting tool. The sleeve is used to manipulate the collet to clamp onto and unclamp the tool implement. A collet coupling is located on the front end of the casing and has a collet nut on its forward end. The collet nut houses a second collet with a serpentine cut for engaging and retaining a guide sleeve for supporting the tool implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dale Estes, Ray E. Umber, Gary B. Gage
  • Patent number: 6209561
    Abstract: An emergency pressure relief valve has a housing fluidly connected to a pressurized system line carrying a system fluid. The housing carries a piston and a valve member which move within the housing between a closed position and an open position. The piston defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A control fluid is supplied to the upper chamber, and the pressure of the control fluid exerts a biasing force to a first side of the piston. The biasing force holds the valve member and piston in a closed position when the pressure of the system fluid is at an acceptable level. As the pressure of the system fluid rises above the acceptable level, the valve member moves to an open position. While the piston moves from the closed position to the open position, a delay fluid is injected into the lower chamber. As the delay fluid is expelled from the chamber, it delays a return of the piston and valve member to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: SPM Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir S. Kugelev, Mark D. Matzner
  • Patent number: 6209185
    Abstract: A method of constructing an earth-boring bit provides a face seal assembly with a diamond layer having a face with recesses for enhanced lubrication. The earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cantilevered bearing shaft, including a base and a cylindrical journal bearing surface extending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body, and at least one cutter mounted for rotation on the cylindrical journal bearing surface of the bearing shaft. The seal assembly is disposed between the cylindrical journal bearing surface and the cutter proximally to the base of the cantilevered bearing shaft. The seal assembly includes at least one rigid seal ring having a seal face in contact with a second seal face. At least one of the seal faces is at least partially formed of a super-hard material having wear-resistance greater than, and a coefficient of sliding friction less than, that of the rigid seal ring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 6206115
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body with at least one earth disintegrating cutter mounted on it. The cutter is generally conically shaped and rotatably secured to the body. The cutter has a plurality of teeth formed on it. The teeth have underlying stubs of steel which are integrally formed with and protrude from the cutter. The stubs have flanks which incline toward each other and terminate in a top. A carburized layer is formed on the flanks and the top to a selected depth. The stub has a width across its top from one flank to the other that is less than twice the depth of the carburized layer. A layer of hardfacing is coated on the tops and flanks of the stub, forming an apex for the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James L. Overstreet, Ronald L. Jones, Jeremy K. Morgan, Trevor M. McAninch
  • Patent number: 6206338
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a valve that fails as-is in the event of control line failure. The actuator has a housing carrying an actuator piston for actuating the valve open or closed. An elongate gripper shaft extends upward from the actuator piston. A collet member is carried within the housing and adapted to engage the gripper shaft when moved upward relative to the housing. The collet member is biased upward by a spring. A release piston abutting the dog members prevents their upward movement when actuated to a lower position. The release piston is supplied with the same hydraulic fluid pressure as the actuator piston. If pressure is removed, the spring moves the collet member into locking engagement with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Albert Trail, Timothy J. Otteman, Richard Blair
  • Patent number: 6202892
    Abstract: A dispenser heats and dispenses a melted material through an orifice. A pusher is slidably received within an interior of a cylindrical body of the dispenser and is movable relative to the forward end of the cylindrical body. The pusher is made up of an internally threaded cylinder that receives a driver screw and engages a stick of meltable material. The pusher is used to advance the meltable material toward the forward end of the body. The pusher retracts when the meltable material is exhausted. An induction heated system has a susceptor plate with apertures that lead to the nozzle. In use, the motor automatically retracts the pusher a slight increment when the motor is turned off, which relieves static pressure on the elastic zone of the stick. A PC board has a control circuit to control the advancing and retracting of the pusher and for controlling the temperature of the inductor by regulating the flow of power to the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Bernard C. Lasko
  • Patent number: 6193474
    Abstract: A well pump assembly has an electric motor that is secured to a lower end of a string of production tubing. The motor is powered by a power cable that extends alongside the tubing to the surface. The motor has an upper end with a drive shaft coupling. The pump for the motor is lowered through the production tubing on a wireline, wire rope or coiled tubing. The pump has a lower end which has a driven shaft coupling that makes up in stabbing engagement with the drive shaft coupling when the pump reaches the motor. The driven shaft coupling includes a guide which slides into a coupling housing. Orientating keys orient the guide and lock it from rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven K. Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 6190141
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a diluent fluid injection line to reduce viscosity of well fluid. The electrical submersible pump includes impellers for displacing well fluids, and a base member having an intake port for receiving well fluid. An inducer having a helical flight is mounted below the impellers in the base member. The submersible pump is additionally provided with injection ports, preferably radially spaced around the base member proximate the inducer through which diluent is injected for mixing with the well fluid. The diluent is pumped down to the injection ports by an injection line that runs down from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Joe V. Henry
  • Patent number: 6186239
    Abstract: A casing annulus remediation system for lowering a flexible hose into an annulus between strings of casing in a petroleum well by pressurizing the hose so that the hose is rigid and may be forced down the annulus. It is necessary to insert the hose through an outlet into the annulus region for well fluid displacement when pressure builds up in the annulus between casing strings due to leaks in the casing. Pressure build-up in the annulus is reduced by pumping a heavy liquid, sealant or other media through the hose into the annular space experiencing the pressure build-up. A tubing nose is affixed to the lower end of the hose. The hose may be inserted hundreds of feet into the well. Therefore, the hose is pressurized to maintain rigidity to keep the hose from winding about the well during deployment. To keep the hose rigid, internal pressure is maintained in the hose. The tubing nose is provided with a check valve that holds the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: ABB Vetco Gray Inc., Shell Offshore, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel A. Monjure, Kenneth Sikes, Sr., David D. Comeaux, Francis R. Bobbie, Ralph Lewis Ropp
  • Patent number: RE37127
    Abstract: A hardfacing composition comprises at least 60% by weight of hard metal granules including a quantity of sintered carbide pellets and a quantity of cast carbide pellets. The cast and sintered carbides are selected from the group of carbides consisting of chromium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium carbides and alloys and mixtures thereof. The balance of the hardfacing composition is matrix metal with traces of flux or deoxidizer, and alloying elements. All percentages given are pre-application ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin W. Schader, James L. Overstreet, Alan J. Massey, Ronald L. Jones, Danny E. Scott