Patents Represented by Law Firm Pravel, Gambrell, Hewitt, Kimball & Krieger
  • Patent number: 5039665
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treatment of patients with heat disorders using fructose-1,6-diphosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Angel K. Markov
  • Patent number: 5038513
    Abstract: A removable noise making device for use with line retrieval type fishing lures by selective attachment to wirelike portions of the lure such as a wire leader, hook, monofilament line or the like includes a hollow sealed container having an inside wall surface defining an interior for containing one or more rattles and an outside wall that contacts the underwater environment during use. The container and rattles are capable of producing a rattling noise for attracting fish, as when the rattles hit the inside surface of the container during use. Opposed, spaced apart jaws are mounted on the container outside wall, each jaw having respective corresponding gripping surfaces that face one another so that an elongated section of the lure such as a hook, wire leader, monofilament line or the like can be gripped by the jaws at the gripping surfaces in order to selectively attach the apparatus to the lure and to move the apparatus from one selective lure to the next with speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: David H. Hardin
  • Patent number: 5039061
    Abstract: A valve apparatus for solving a problem relating to fugitive emissions from sliding stem valves provides a valve body and a vertically extending, vertically slideable stem member that actuates a valving member between open flow and closed flow positions. The stem extends at generally right angles to the overall direction of flow through the valve body. A laterally extending valve bonnet is affixed in a sealable fashion to the valve body and forms a fluid tight seal over the valve stem. The end portion of the stem removed from the valving member carries a large magnetically moved piston which closely approximates the internal diameter of the bonnet. An external, preferable annular magnetic member slides between open flow and closed flow positions on the outside of the bonnet, its magnetic field sliding with the internal piston in order to open and close the valve. A valve position indicator or transmitter either indicates or transmits the position of the valving member at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: John H. Carter Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Heard, Alan C. Fernbaugh, Howard E. Nobles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5039936
    Abstract: A voltage rotation indicator for testing the phase sequence of live multi-phase electrical power is mounted within a housing. The housing is provided with structure for removably mounting the indicator on a meter box or can during voltage rotation testing. Contact plungers extend from the housing and contact meter jaw test points in the meter box during testing. Field personnel are thus not required to insert their hands into the meter box to attach test clips to the live circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Houston Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert R. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 5037241
    Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for setting a deck structure or other marine superstructure using a barge mounted cantilevered support structure. The cantilevered support structure is attached at one end of a floating vessel. The cantilevered support structure extends past the edge of the vessel and, in one embodiment, includes means for rotating parallel support members about the deck of the floating vessel permitting the cantilevered support structure to be raised and lowered while it remains substantially parallel with the top of the offshore platform enabling the superstructure to engage the top of a previously installed offshore platform in a synchronized manner. Alternatively, this superstructure may be aligned directly over the platform. A cantilevered drilling rig is then aligned over the cantilevered support structure and used to lift the deck structure or marine superstructure, permitting the vessel and cantilevered support structure to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Stephen D. Vaughn, George F. Davenport, Ray L. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 5038038
    Abstract: An optical sensor which can be used in conjunction with an automatic stripping apparatus. A plurality of sensing elements are placed in a predetermined geometrical relationship with respect to a plurality of nozzles which deliver paint stripping material. Each of the sensing elements comprises a lens system which optimizes inspection of the desired field of view while minimizing the effects of light from outside the desired field of view. The sensing elements produce optical signals which are converted into electrical signals by a plurality of optical detectors. The signal output of the plurality of detectors is analyzed using a programmable digital computer which is used to control a robotic positioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Richard J. Weniger, Ernest A. Franke, Glynn R. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5037438
    Abstract: Orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloy coated with zirconium oxide to provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc. The invention zirconium oxide coated prostheses are also useful in that the zirconium oxide coatings provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prosthesis. Such protection can be extended by the use of oxidized porous coatings of zirconium or zirconium alloy beads or wire mesh into which bone spicules may grow so that the prosthesis may be integrated into the living skeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Richards Medical Company
    Inventor: James A. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5035423
    Abstract: A basketball training facility comprised of an enclosed area, a ball return device suspended within the enclosed area, a selectively rotating basketball goal, a track mounted motor driven carriage and controls for indexing the basketball goal toward and away from a player, a motor driven telescopic pole and controls for vertically indexing the basketball goal and a loud speaker system and a video projection system for providing audio and visual distractions within the facility. The facility thus permitting the player to simulate shooting a basketball from various angles and distances with respect to the goal without having to waste time retrieving basketballs following shots. Further, the audio and visual distractions acclimate the player to conditions likely encountered during a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Richard J. Arciniega
  • Patent number: 5035540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a survey to determine the location and elevation of a buried pipeline located in a shallow water environment. The method includes determining whether submerged obstacles are located between the ends of that portion of the line being measured and measuring the depth of the line by taking magnetic sounding of the buried line at spaced intervals by crossing the line at longitudinally spaced points with the magnetic survey apparatus. The apparatus includes a towed sled for carrying the magnetic sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Eastport International
    Inventors: Robert M. Hill, Gordon Barksdale
  • Patent number: 5035287
    Abstract: A metal-containing oxidizing solution is injected through wellbores which reacts in a subterranean reservoir which has naturally-ocurring reduction capacity to form a slightly soluble compound of metal having a valence of +3. Thereafter, the metal crosslinks a water-soluble polymer which is injected into the metal-containing pore volume resulting in a decreased flow in the treated portion of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Oryz Energy Company
    Inventors: John L. Cayias, Susan M. Holley, Gunter J. Lichtenberger
  • Patent number: 5033551
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a well annulus, the apparatus comprising a resilient sealing element molded in a upwardly oriented frustro-conical form affixed to a packer body. A running tool is mated with the packer body, the running tool having an internal bore adapted to collapse the sealing element to the diameter of the internal bore. The packer body is mated with a tubing screen by right hand threads and the running tool, packer body and tubing screen lowered into a well casing at the end of a pipe string. The well seal is activated when the pipe string is rotated in a clock-wise direction, disengaging and withdrawing the running tool and releasing the skirt which expands to seal with the internal walls of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Charles A. Grantom
  • Patent number: 5033549
    Abstract: A method for setting a gravel pack in an oil well through tubing situation includes the steps of running a tool body into the well using an electric wireline. The tool body is precisely positioned relative to the surrounding casing, and radially extending members attached to the tool are used to center the tool body in the well bore. Sand control media such as a gravel pack is disposed in the well annulus circumferentially about the tool body using a dump bailer. The use of radially extending members allow the tool body to pass through restricted diameter openings such as in production tubing, fittings, nipples, pressure control device, packers, valves and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Perf-O-Log, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Champeaux, James V. Carisella
  • Patent number: 5033484
    Abstract: The ventilated filter cigarettes of the present invention have an American-blend flavor. The cigarettes comprise Virginia tobacco with main stream smoke have a condensate/nicotine ratio of 5:1 to 9:1, a condensate value of 10 mg maximum, a pH-value greater than 6.0, and a pollutant index of less than 35. Specific features of this invention include: a filling tobacco comprising Virginia tobacco with a high nicotine content of 2 to 3.5% by weight; a packing density is 150 to 250 mg/cm.sup.3 ; a cigarette paper having an air permeability of 3 to 20 CORESTA units, in which the cigarette rod is in the hardness/haptic range of 1.9 to 2.5 mm ET; a fine-titre cellulose acetate filter having no flavor-modifying additives and having an individual titre of 1.3 to 2.5 denier, and a total titre of 40,000 to 55,000 denier resulting in a draw resistance of 95 to 160 daPa for a length of 21 mm and a diameter of 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: H.F. & Ph.F. Reemtsma GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Henning Seidel, Edgar Mentzel, Reza Nasseri
  • Patent number: 5033864
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking and monitoring a child's temperature through the use of a baby pacifier. The pacifier provides a radio signal to a receiver unit. The pacifier senses the temperature and provides a proportional frequency signal if above or below designed limits. The pacifier detects temperature variation, discriminates between normal or abnormal temperatures and automatically transmits only the abnormal high/low temperature signals to a remote radio receiving apparatus where such signals are visually displayed and audible/visual alarms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventors: Marie R. Lasecki, Robert N. Montgomery, Samir Berjaoui
  • Patent number: 5031691
    Abstract: A multi-lance cleaning apparatus for cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, the apparatus having a lance housing, a slidable manifold within the lance housing, a single conduit connecting the manifold with a high pressure, high volume, fluid source, a hose enclosure for enclosing the high pressure water hose permitting the hose to advance and retract, means for moving the manifold within the housing, a plurality of lances removably attached to the manifold and adapted to fit within a heat exchanger tube, tube guides to guide and support the lances, and a slide plate on which the manifold is located for preventing the lances from bending and entering the hose enclosure. The apparatus may further include means for positioning and guiding the housing with respect to a heat exchanger tube bundle to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Ohmstede Mechanical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Boisture
  • Patent number: 5032844
    Abstract: A system using two magnetic quadrupole antennas, two magnetic dipole antennas and means for processing the respective antenna signal outputs provides unambiguous estimates of elevation and polarization for an incident RF signal. The system uses an efficient procedure to process the signals from a small aperture array of fixed loop elements for the purpose of providing radio direction of arrival information that is free of intrinsic polarization error. The directional information is developed by performing a simultaneous arctangent operation on signals output from the antennas or as the measured phase difference between a quadrature summed quadrupole output and a quadrature summed dipole output compensated by a phase offset between the dipole antennas and the quadrupole antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jackie E. Hipp, Douglas N. Travers
  • Patent number: 5032273
    Abstract: An oil separator for removing oil from a flowing waste stream of waste fluid comprising a cylindrical separator body having a bore with a center, and a plurality of vanes comprising a surface capable of coalescing oil particles traversing the bore in a spiral path. The center of the bore is occupied by a central portion defined by a cylinders progressively smaller than the body with a first and second set of vanes extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventors: Corley P. Senyard, Sr., Corley P. Senyard, Jr., Thomas J. Senyard
  • Patent number: 5029642
    Abstract: An invention relating to method and apparatus for the running of various tools and devices used to service oil and gas wells in combination with coiled tubing units that permits the application of a sudden downward force of predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: James B. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5030472
    Abstract: A boneless meat product, including hams and other boneless meat, the meat being spirally sliced around an axis through the meat. The axis is created by the insertion of a temporary support member through the meat. The meat is mounted in meat slicing apparatus which rotates the meat. A slicer blade is introduced into the meat in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation while the meat is rotating. The slicer blade is then indexed linearly along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the meat, thereby effecting a spiral cut in the meat. The meat is removed from the apparatus following slicing operations and the support member removed from the meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: James P. Logan, Jr.
  • Patent number: D318844
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Dan Hargett, Sr.