Patents Represented by Law Firm Pravel, Gambrell, Hewitt & Kimball
  • Patent number: 5189644
    Abstract: Balancing of signal amplitudes in recorded seismic data prior to its transformation from its original domain (such as offset-time, or X-T) to a different domain (such as frequency-wave number, or F-K) has been found to cause unwanted repetitive pattern dispersion in the data. This unwanted effect is removed by determining a corrective factor, the ratio of amplitude of the seismic data to its trace envelope, prior to transformation. The data is then transformed into the different domain where meaningful reflection content is enhanced, such as by two-dimensional filtering. The data is then inverse transformed to the original domain. An inverse corrective factor is then applied, restoring the amplitude of the reflection signal component of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Wood
  • Patent number: 5188175
    Abstract: A lightweight propping agent made from kaolin clay or mixtures of kaolin clay and lightweight aggregate and having an alumina content between 25% and 40%, a specific gravity of from 2.20 to 2.60 and better conductivity than sand at pressures up to 8,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Carbo Ceramics Inc.
    Inventor: Larrie Sweet
  • Patent number: 5188401
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting a pipe (6) to a fitting (5). The coupling comprises an annular assembly (1) incorporating a gripping ring (4) for inserting into a radial gap between the pipe (6) and the fitting (5), and structure (8,9) for applying an axial load to the annular assembly (1) so that the gripping ring (4) is biased radially against the pipe (6). The gripping ring (4) is defined by a plurality of separable segments dimensional such that when the annular assembly (1) is axially compressed each of the segments is biased against the pipe (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: WASK-RMF Ltd.
    Inventor: Graeme Staniforth
  • Patent number: 5187430
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining nets among nodes in a circuit board that includes applying a potential to a reference conducting surface oriented with respect to the board; measuring a parameter of an electrical response at a node of interest; and comparing the measurements to determine a plurality of nets among the nodes. The tentative net list developed from the measured parameters is then verified using continuity testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Marek, Douglas A. Goss
  • Patent number: 5186170
    Abstract: An implant for stimulating the vagus nerve receives commands over a radio frequency link. The implant disables a voltage convertor used in providing the stimulation signal at periodic intervals to monitor for communications attempts. The implant provides radio frequency marker pulses before providing stimulation signals of certain frequencies. During the providing of stimulation signals the implant monitors the voltage overhead present between the voltage source and the load and adjusts the overhead to a desired level. The implant changes the voltage applied to certain internal components during stimulation periods to allow full power operation during those intervals and reduced power levels at other intervals. The implant is reset by the placing a magnet in a given location in conjunction with the application of a radio frequency transmission for a given period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Varrichio, William L. Winstrom, Henry Stanislaw
  • Patent number: 5186881
    Abstract: A method for forming hollow concrete structures or shells in which the top, bottom and sides are formed into an integral unitary structure by rotating an assembly of reinforcing members to enable the concrete forming the top, bottom and side to each be finished in a substantially horizontal position with a minimum of forms. Openings for doors and windows may be formed by using suitable blanks that are prepositioned prior to pouring the concrete. Also, suitable end closure members can also be formed in a flat or horizontal position inside the unitary structure for subsequent erection in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Samuel W. Beaman
  • Patent number: 5186474
    Abstract: A seal ring for maintaining the radial position of an orifice plate in a carrier plate having a circular bore extending therethrough, the seal ring including a body having an inner periphery containing an annular recessed groove for receiving the outer periphery of the orifice plate and an outer periphery which is received by the circular bore of the carrier plate. The seal ring further includes a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced around the body wherein each pin is substantially tangent with the outer periphery of the body and also substantially tangent with the annular recessed groove of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: James L. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5184488
    Abstract: An anti-theft locking system for marine outboard and out-drive units is provided. This system initially locks the motor propeller to the foot of the out-drive unit, and then allows a chain or cable to be used to lock the device, the boat, and the trailer to an immovable object. The locking system utilizes a locking member with a hook that engages the propeller, and wraps around the foot of the marine drive unit, providing a lockable portion to affix the device to the propeller and foot of the marine out-drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Anthony Cilbilich
    Inventor: William H. Sandlin
  • Patent number: 5185691
    Abstract: A natural convection cooled electronic device utilizing a box-like plastic enclosure surrounding the circuitry of the electronic device. The apparatus further includes aluminum heat sinks fastened in good thermal contact with heat dissipating components of the electronic device, wherein the heat sinks include heat fin members which run parallel to the inner walls of the enclosure and are separated from the walls by an air gap. The inner walls of the enclosure are lined with a layer of thermally conductive material, such as copper foil, which spreads the internal heat flux across the total surface area of the enclosure. The exposed surface of the heat flux spreader layer and the facing surface of the heat fin members are further made semi-rough and stained black to eliminate potential hot spots and to increase radiant heat transfer between the heat sinks and the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: George K. Korinsky
  • Patent number: 5185011
    Abstract: A reusable multiple layered waterproof diaper garment (11) features an outer layer (25) of garment cloth and is so made and assembled that when fitted to the child and wet by that child's excrement, moisture disposed onto the inner or first layer (55) will not travel through the middle or second layer (35) by way of stitch lines or material layer to expose the outer or third layer (25) to wetness. The middle or second layer (35) is made of waterproof, non-wicking launderable, machine dryable material which is breathable and of such a quality that, when seamed to itself along a separate line of its own surface or when seamed to a surface of a separate piece of similar material, is capable of being seam sealed and rendered liquid impermeable along the seam seal line (36). The first layer (55) is a launderable, machine dryable hypoallerginic cloth and may include multiple layers of such cloth and may include a core (47) of launderable, machine-dryable absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Stephanie A. Strasser
  • Patent number: 5183291
    Abstract: A steel track for the driver's seat belt and shoulder belt including a substantially horizontal floor portion adjacent the door of the vehicle connected to a substantially vertical side portion forward of the seat and an additional substantially vertical side portion secured along the door post of the vehicle. The seat belt and shoulder belt have a first end which slides along the track using a pulley in response to a predetermined condition, such as opening of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Mrugesh K. Shah
  • Patent number: 5183672
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for making a substantially rigid plastic material having at least one fold line pattern with a series of generally parallel grooves, wherein preferably groove depth increases from the outside to the middle of the pattern. The apparatus includes a frame, a conveyor system for moving the plastic material along a linear path, a feeder situated at an upstream end of the conveyor system and adapted to position the plastic material on the conveyor system, a heater situated downstream of the feeder adapted to heat the area to be embossed with the fold line pattern to a temperature sufficient to form the fold line pattern, and an embosser having a knurled flat roller and a cooperating embossing roller having a series of ridges suitable for embossing the fold pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignees: Gary W. Fetterhoff, James M. Park
    Inventors: Gary W. Fetterhoff, William R. Blake
  • Patent number: 5184328
    Abstract: An underwater acoustic release system includes a buoyed member with an attached line that is released from a preselected underwater location using an acoustic signal that activates a heating element to melt a volume of wax or like meltable substance. The wax expands, pushing a cylinder or like linkage to release the buoy and its attached line so that it rises to the surface identifying the location for a survey vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Navigation Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Alex Dumestre, III
  • Patent number: 5182729
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seismic surveying and data processing method to filter from seismic data any energy contributions that are not in the seismic line of profile. The surveying method requires a receiver geometry wherein at least one receiver is in and at least one receiver is out of the line of profile, so that in common offset gather or shot record plots, seismic events along the line of profile are aligned in time and out-of-plane energy takes the form of a series of sawtoothed seismic events arriving at different times in the different lines of receivers. Knowing the number of out-of-plane energies and their respective dips allows for the design of a filter, which is applied to the data with a computer, to null and thereby remove the effects of unwanted out-of-plane energy from the seismic survey data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Duren, Stanley V. Morris
  • Patent number: 5181879
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fish body into a plurality of transverse fish body section includes a plurality of spaced apart vertically standing work stations, each including a structural frame that supports a continuous rail or runway. The runway includes inclined sections that extend between the work station thereby defining an inclined travel path between the work stations. A wheeled carriage is movably mounted upon the runway and includes a set of spring loaded jaws for holding a fish body section to be processed. The carriage is movably mounted upon the runway so that the carriage can travel from one work station to the next in a sequential fashion. Each work station has a section of rail connected to the inclined runway which is at a lower elevation than the previous work station by a dimension which is equal to the thickness of the fish body section to be processed. Each work station may include a cutting blade such as, for example, a rotary band saw. The saws are at a constant elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignees: The Laitram Corporation, Stolar, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, deceased, Christopher Greve, Ronald M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5182051
    Abstract: There is provided radioactive particles having a ceramic matrix and an element which can be bombarded with neutrons to produce a gamma ray-emitting isotope. The particles are manufactured by mixing the ceramic components and the element, forming particles, sintering the particles, and the particles are subsequently made radioactive by bombardment with neutrons. Particles injected into wells or flow apparatus are traced by adding the radioactive particles and detecting the radioactive particles with gamma ray-sensitive instruments. Particles containing different elements are detected by spectral analysis of gamma rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: ProTechnics International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bandy, Donna A. Read, Edward S. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5180012
    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: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: James B. Crawford
  • Patent number: D332533
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: Mark Ma
  • Patent number: D332879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Universal Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Gera
  • Patent number: D333031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Verina Devezin