Patents Represented by Law Firm Pravel, Gambrell, Hewitt, Kirk, Kimball & Dodge
  • Patent number: 4421689
    Abstract: Derivative compounds of 1,5-dimethylbicyclo [3,2,1] octane of the general formula ##STR1## and perfume compositions containing these derivatives, wherein X represents a C.dbd.O group, a ##STR2## group or a ##STR3## group, in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl groups and R.sub.3 is an ethylene or trimethylene group which may be substituted with one or more alkyl groups. These derivative compounds may be prepared by oxidation of 1,5-dimethylbicyclo [3,2,1] octan-8-ol or an ester thereof optionally followed by reaction with an alkanol or a 1,2- or 1,3-alkane-diol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Albertus J. Mulder
  • Patent number: 4352608
    Abstract: A new and improved remotely positioned intake system for use with a pneumatic conveying system and in particular for feeding boll cotton to a cotton ginning operation. The system includes a frame assembly that supports a downwardly extending intake tube or conduit having an inlet opening and which is movable from a remote location. The intake tube is supported from a movable carriage on the support frame for increased loading capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Stuller Engineering & Marketing Services
    Inventors: Howard E. Stuller, Jimmie L. Francis
  • Patent number: 4345368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for parallel-type heating cables. In accordance with the present invention a heating core element is formed by connecting two essentially parallel bus wires with a plurality of electrically conductive splices to a centrally disposed resistive element and around which heating core element a protective sheath is formed. The present invention permits this heating core element to be formed by splicing the spaced apart, essentially parallel wire elements followed by a single extrusion application of a protective sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: David C. Goss, Daniel R. Springs
  • Patent number: 4345897
    Abstract: Combustion gas recirculating system for a gas-fired furnace of the type which includes a plenum with a cold air inlet duct and a warm air exhaust duct, a combustion chamber where gas is burned to form hot combustion gases, a heat exchanger in the plenum for receiving the hot combustion gases and including an outer surface configuration past which air can flow and be heated, an outlet in the heat exchanger for the hot combustion gases, and a blower for moving air through the plenum and past the heat exchanger. A recirculation duct connects the combustion gas outlet with the cold air inlet duct and a thermostatically controlled valve regulates the flow of hot combustion gases from the combustion gas outlet to the cold air inlet duct by opening when the hot combustion gases reach a predetermined temperature and closing when the hot combustion gases are below said predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: C. Robert Stanton
  • Patent number: 4333129
    Abstract: A physical and electrical separation of the batteries in a conventional flashlight is achieved by placing a separator plate between the batteries. The separator plate, of a non-conductive material, has a first and second side, each with a conductive coating which is not in electrical communication. A second switch means connects the two sides when placed in the "on" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventor: Charles W. Ewing
  • Patent number: 4331867
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an instrument control apparatus capable of regulating the flow of electric current by detecting relative movement between an indicator and a control zone. A light source is positioned close to the control zone so that illumination from the control zone will change responsive to movement of the indicator. Illumination from the control zone is sensed and electrical resistance is varied in response to relative movement between the indicator and control zone for varying an output voltage. A first predetermined reference voltage is generated and the output and reference voltages are compared and a first predetermined output current is generated when one of the voltages is greater than the other one. A first circuit supplies electric current to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Chromaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Sherrel C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4329168
    Abstract: Sponge iron may be passivated against reoxidation by air and water vapor by contacting it with an amine containing from about one to about twelve carbon atoms. The amine contact may be accomplished in the vapor phase by adding the amine to a cooling gas which is employed to cool freshly reduced sponge iron to a safe temperature. Alternatively, the cooled sponge iron may be immersed in an aqueous amine solution to inhibit it against reoxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: Charles A. Rubio
  • Patent number: 4327651
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a floor safe from water damage including an outer shell member mounted in an annular area formed between the case or housing of the floor safe and the foundation in which the floor safe is mounted; a protective enclosure including a lower rim portion is mounted over the floor safe case and held in position by retainer pins which extend through the outer shell member into engagement with the lower protective cap rim portion, the protective enclosure trapping air between the enclosure and the floor safe for providing an air pressure barrier to resist the intrusion of water into the area of the openable floor safe top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: James T. Novakosky
  • Patent number: 4327805
    Abstract: A method for recovering viscous hydrocarbons and synthetic fuels from a subterranean formation by drilling a well bore through the formation and completing the well by cementing a casing means in the upper part of the pay zone. The well is completed as an open hole completion and a superheated thermal vapor stream comprised of steam and combustion gases is injected into the lower part of the pay zone. The combustion gases migrate to the top of the pay zone and form a gas cap which provides formation pressure to produce the viscous hydrocarbons and synthetic fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Carmel Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Poston
  • Patent number: 4326602
    Abstract: A portable stabbing board adapted to be attached to a rig for supporting a worker while stabbing joints of tubular members together during running operations including a frame member mountable with the rig, attachment members with the frame member for removably securing the frame member with the rig, a platform adapted for vertical movement along the frame member for supporting a worker during running operations, power means mounted with the platform for providing motive force for moving the platform vertically with respect to the frame member, and safety members with the platform and frame member for preventing unwanted vertical movement of the platform during such running operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Houston Tong Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bill R. Bryant
  • Patent number: 4326951
    Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically concentrating mineral particles includes a pair of oppositely charged collector electrodes spaced apart from each other and oriented so that a flow path is formed between them where material containing mineral particles can fall by gravity through at least a major portion of the flow path and the mineral particles will be charged and attracted to the electrodes. Each electrode includes a collector surface formed of a dielectric material which defines at least a substantial portion of the flow path. Ionizers are located midway between the collector electrodes for charging mineral particles at a plurality of locations along the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Inventor: Frank J. Broz
  • Patent number: 4325459
    Abstract: An improved muffler diffuser adapted to be used with a muffler having a diffuser element mountable within the muffler adjacent the inlet end, with the diffuser element having a body portion mountable with the muffler and a diffuser portion disposed within the muffler being of a substantially truncated, conic configuration, with the diffuser portion extending downstream towards the exit end of the muffler and having a plurality of openings formed therein for directing the noisy, gaseous exhaust into the muffler to effectuate a reduction in noise and back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Inventor: Mack M. Martin
  • Patent number: 4323131
    Abstract: A removable anti-wear insert adapted to be mounted in the bore of a tool body, the insert being removable after wear with minimal damage to the tool body. The removable insert has a bore therein mounting an extractor sleeve, the sleeve having a threaded portion. Upon sufficient wear, the extractor sleeve threaded portion is exposed so that a set screw already mounted therein, or a separate bolt, can be rotated inwardly into engagement with the bottom of the tool body bore to force the insert upwardly out of the tool body bore. The head of the bolt threadedly mounted in the extractor sleeve shaft within the insert bore can be used as a point of leverage for pulling the insert out of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Baker Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Allee
  • Patent number: 4323256
    Abstract: An improved seal for a blowout preventer ram which can be moved into and out of engagement with a length of pipe and includes intersecting recesses formed in the outer surfaces of the ram body for accommodating seal for forming a pressure-tight seal around the length of pipe and between the ram and at least a portion of a housing in which the ram moves when the ram engages the pipe. The seal includes a front seal with a curved portion shaped to engage the length of pipe and a body portion formed of an elastomeric material shaped to fit within one of the recesses in the ram. An insert in the body portion is formed of a deformable material with low friction properties and positioned to engage the pipe when the ram is in its engaging position. The insert is held between a pair of rigid retainer plates oriented perpendicular to the pipe. The seal engages a second top seal located in the other recess and pushes it outwardly into sealing positions when force is exerted on the front seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Tosh Miyagishima, Calvin Motoda
  • Patent number: 4320654
    Abstract: A problem with tanks for storing liquefied gases is the development of cracks in the heat-insulating lining of the tank. Methods have been proposed for the detection of cracks occurring in the lining comprising passing a purging gas, for example nitrogen, through a channelled layer in the heat-insulating lining to a gas-analyzer. Contamination of the purging gas by the contents of the tank, which can be detected by the gas-analyzer, indicates the presence of a crack in the heat-insulating lining. The invention is directed to an improved design of the channelled layer, so that a uniform distribution of the purging gas along an area to be watched for the development of cracks is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatchappij
    Inventor: Michael H. Collins
  • Patent number: 4320555
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner which can alternately be used as a wet vacuum or a dry dust-free vacuum includes a suction head adapted to engage a surface to be vacuumed and a vacuum chamber which includes an inlet and outlet adapted to hold a quantity of liquid and solid material and liquid and other material entering the chamber through the inlet is prevented from entering the outlet. A partial vacuum is created in the chamber and a hose connecting the cleaning head and inlet creates suction in the head and transports material vacuumed from the surface to the chamber. A liquid nozzle with an outlet can be hooked up to spray liquid on the surface to be vacuumed near the suction head and liquid under pressure is supplied to the nozzle through a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Charles F. Watson
  • Patent number: 4320579
    Abstract: A calipering tool for use in a pipe and having a body and feeler means mounted with the body for engaging the surfaces of the pipe being calipered and with feelers moving in response to variations in the surface of the pipe, the improvement residing in mechanisms with the body for permitting the body of the calipering tool to be pumped in response to fluid pressure thereon into and out of the pipe for operation of the calipering tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: J. C. Kinley Company
    Inventors: John C. Kinley, Harry E. Dieckman, Clifford E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4320101
    Abstract: Preferential sulfur dioxide absorption solvents may be buffered with suitable agents, such as alkanolaminium carboxylates, to substantially retard or eliminate the tendency of such solvents to degrade or accumulate non-regenerable salts, particularly sulfates, when loaded with absorbed sulfur dioxide. A method for employing the buffer as an immiscible aqueous phase as a separate trimming solvent to selectively absorb residual sulfur dioxide from a gas stream from which the bulk amount of sulfur dioxide is first removed by contact with a trialkyl phosphate solvent is disclosed. The method permits the trialkyl phosphate solvent to be regenerated and purged of salts at lower energy requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Trentham Corporation
    Inventors: H. Lee Trentham, John H. Crow, Farwell C. Boston
  • Patent number: 4319639
    Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventor: James D. Mott
  • Patent number: 4318384
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizing apparatus adapted for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises a housing with an enclosed vaporizing cavity shaped to provide a relatively thin flow path and a relatively large surface area for heat transfer to maximize fuel contact with the heated surfaces of the housing, and a means for heating the cavity to vaporize the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Inventor: Charles M. Moffett