Patents Represented by Law Firm Richards, Medlock and Andrews
  • Patent number: 5553676
    Abstract: Several designs of reversible expanders (10, 50, 100, 150) are disclosed for use on an underground boring tool (14) of the type using an air impact hammer. The reversible expanders allow a borehole of larger diameter than the tool to be formed. The reversible expander (10) is interference fit on the outer surface of the boring tool by either pressing the expander onto the tool or by shrink fit. A reversible expander (50) has a split which allows the expander to be slid over the tool and then clamped in place by bolts. A reverse expander (100) is formed of two members (102, 104) which, when bolted together, form a taper lock engagement with the tool. Finally, a reversible expander (150) can be threaded onto threads on the outer surface of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventors: Kelvin P. Self, Dirk A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5549449
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine and compressor housing attached by a circumferential clamp with circumferentially staggered contact points between the clamp and the housings to reduce heat transfer from the turbine housing to the compressor housing. The mass of the turbine housing is reduced and the mass of the compressor housing is increased to reduce the transfer of heat from the turbine housing to the compressor housing from the thermal flux of the turbine side heat energy. The compressor housing mass is increased by incorporating a heat-transfer interface between the compressor housing and the oil reservoir cover, which oil reservoir extends circumferentially around the axis of the turbocharger rotor shaft. Concentricity between the components of the turbocharger is achieved by creating the radial junction between the turbine and compressor backwalls on the smallest feasible diameter to minimize the effects of thermally induced distortion on component concentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: WRR Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. McInerney, Norbert L. Osborn, Gerhard M. Schruf
  • Patent number: 5547350
    Abstract: A shaftless compressor module has a module casing containing an axial chamber and an annular chamber which is coaxial with the axial chamber. An annular motor stator can be fixedly positioned in the annular chamber coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the axial chamber. An annular motor rotor can be positioned in the annular chamber coaxially with the annular motor stator. A shaftless impeller is rotatably mounted within the axial chamber. The impeller has a plurality of impeller passageways, with one end of each passageway being open to the inlet of the module casing and the other end of each passageway being located in a radially outer periphery of the impeller. Magnetic bearings can counter axial thrust and radial thrust. Annular gas seals can prevent gas flow through the second chamber. A plurality of these modules can be connected together to form a multiple stage shaftless compressor wherein each impeller can be driven at a different speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Dharamendra N. Rawal, Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 5546833
    Abstract: A wrench (10) is disclosed for breaking a threaded connection between first and second pipe sections (14, 16) having wrench flats (18). A first jaw (20) is pivotally secured to a first torque arm (22) and slid over the wrench flats of the first pipe section. A second jaw (54) is pivotally secured to a second torque arm (56) and slid over the wrench flats of the second pipe section (16). A threaded rod (70), with a handle (72) thereon, is threaded between the distal ends of the torque arms so that the distal ends of the torque arms can be brought together by rotating the threaded rod with the handle to break the connection. The jaws (20, 54) are interchangeable and jaws of different size can be used to fit pipe sections of different diameter. Further, the jaws have a plurality of pivot pin apertures (26-38) around their circumference to permit the jaws to be adjusted on the torque arms to position the jaw on the wrench flats of the pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Brian Holdeman, Fred H. Kohman, Greg T. Harrison, Bradley W. Hise
  • Patent number: 5547376
    Abstract: A suction attachment for use with an air-driven abrasive polisher to contain an area to be polished and to provide removal of the abrasive powder residue to prevent airborne contamination. A suction attachment body is fixed to the nozzle of the polisher, and is connected to a source of suction to provide a suction influence in the area of polishing. A flexible cover is fastened to the attachment body at one end, and is engaged with the surface to be cleaned at the other end, to enclose and contain the surface area to be cleaned, and provide removal of the abrasive powders via the suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 5546077
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure, remote programming of a receiving device by instructions transmitted in data format, whereby previously stored messages may be selectively updated, capcodes may be reprogrammed, and the pager display may be activated or deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Uniden America Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Lipp, David Rodriguez, Michio Toriya, Junji Kanjo, Shizuo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5544712
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) is disclosed for securing a drill pipe (14) to a saver sub (16) for joint rotation. A slidable collar (24) is provided which has a pair of opposed lugs (28) which slide on opposed flats (18) on the saver sub to insure that the slidable collar rotates with the saver sub at all times. The drill pipe (14) has a pair of opposed flats (30) which are engaged by a portion of the lugs (28) when the slidable collar (24) is moved into the engaged position to insure rotation of the drill pipe with the saver sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard McEwen, Darrel W. Sparks
  • Patent number: 5543796
    Abstract: A broadband absorber for absorbing a broad spectrum of incident microwave radiation is provided comprising a plurality of strips of inductive absorbing material having magnetic particles dispersed throughout an organic binder; the width, thickness, and composition of the strips being selected such that each strip absorbs a specific region of the microwave spectrum. The plurality of strips of absorbing material are supported by a substrate that is electrically conductive to microwave radiation. The substrate has a plurality of grooves and ridges in a repeating pattern, the grooves being of varying depths. A facing sheet, electrically transparent to microwave radiation, is provided for coupling the incident microwave radiation to the plurality of strips of inductive absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Loral Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald F. Thomas, James A. Hoffner
  • Patent number: 5542979
    Abstract: A thin sulfide film can be formed by simultaneously generating under different conditions a plurality of deposition materials to be deposited on a substrate, using the fact that sulfur has a higher vapor pressure. Sulfur vapors can be generated in an external vessel (6) which is located outside the vacuum deposition vessel (1). The sulfur vapors can then be introduced into the vacuum deposition vessel (1) through a vapor inlet tube (7) to form a localized atmosphere of sulfur vapors within the vacuum deposition vessel (1) in the vicinity of the substrate which is positioned on a substrate holder (4). Chemical bonding, on the substrate, of the sulfur vapors and the vapors of other deposition materials generated from other deposition sources provided in the vacuum deposition vessel (1) form a thin film of high quality with good reproducibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akira Matsuno, Takashi Nire
  • Patent number: 5541516
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system for use in determining the location and orientation of concealed underground objects and, more particularly, to an improved locator system having a unique and improved interface with an operator. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a magnetic field detector for locating concealed underground objects is provided. The magnetic field detector includes a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. A receiver is disposed within said housing for receiving magnetic field signals from the concealed underground objects. A swivel joint couples the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion to permit relative rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Machines Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Rider, Lester R. Querry
  • Patent number: 5537886
    Abstract: An engine stall prevention control method according to the present invention is a method for eliminating troublesome inching pedal operation, automatically preventing engine stall and relieving an operator from physical exhaustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Makoto Toyama
  • Patent number: 5539206
    Abstract: An infrared detector array includes a plurality of detector pixel structures, each of which comprises a plurality of elongate quantum well infrared radiation absorbing photoconductor (QWIP) elements. The group of QWIP elements are spaced such that they comprise a diffraction grating for the received infrared radiation. Top and bottom longitudinal contacts are provided on opposite surfaces of the QWIP elongate elements to provide current flow transverse to the axis of the element to provide the required bias voltage. An infrared radiation reflector is provided to form an optical cavity for receiving infrared radiation. A plurality of detector pixel structures are combined to form a focal plane array. Each detector pixel structure produces a signal that is transmitted through a conductive bump to a terminal of a read out integrated circuit. The group of the signals from the detector pixel structures produces an image corresponding to the received infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Loral Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schimert
  • Patent number: 5536574
    Abstract: The oxidation protection for a surface of a carbon/carbon composite substrate having a primary protective coating previously formed thereon is improved by applying to said surface a layer of a coating material comprising titanium diboride, colloidal silica, and an intermetallic compound, e.g., silicon carbide. The primary coating can be a boronated silicon carbide coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Loral Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Carter
  • Patent number: 5535679
    Abstract: A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at a low velocity in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has an inner wall member (20), an annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, at least a first plurality of objects (56) in a first annular array (51) and a second plurality of objects (56) in a second annular array (52) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, the arrays being positioned at different locations along the length of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive such that the objects in each array are provided with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. Each of the objects (56) has a shape which minimizes aerodynamically induced deviations in the path of the object during deployment, a mass of at least 50 grams, and a density of at least 15 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Loral Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald G. Craddock
  • Patent number: 5535938
    Abstract: An improved internal line up clamp (10) is disclosed which has an integral back up ring (12). A first set of pipe clamps (22) move radially outward to engage the inner surface of a first pipe (14). A second set of pipe clamps (62) and a set of back up ring segments (202) are simultaneously moved radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipes. The back up ring segments (202) are spring loaded to exert a relatively constant back up force against the inner surface of the pipes at the weld. The back up ring segments support the shoe elements (220). The shoe elements are spring loaded to accommodate diameter mismatch and non-circularity of the pipe ends. The back up ring segments rotate about a radial axis from the pipe centerline. Tapered ends on the back up ring segments provide for the decrease in ring circumference necessary to lower the ring segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.
    Inventor: Trung Leduc
  • Patent number: 5536672
    Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor structure is designed for fabrication together with MOS devices on a semiconductor substrate. The ferroelectric capacitor includes a diffusion barrier above the surface of the substrate for preventing the materials of the ferroelectric capacitor from contaminating the substrate or MOS devices. The ferroelectric capacitor comprises a bottom electrode, a thin film ferroelectric layer and a top electrode. An interlayer dielectric is formed to cover portions of the ferroelectric thin film and provide an opening therethrough for the top electrode. A ferroelectric memory cell comprises a field effect transistor together with a ferroelectric capacitor fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. In one configuration, the ferroelectric capacitor is offset from the field effect transistor, while in another configuration, the ferroelectric capacitor is substantially above the field effect transistor to provide greater density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Miller, Joseph T. Evans, Wayne I. Kinney, William H. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5533939
    Abstract: A cutting chain is provided which includes facing inner side bars (12) and outside members (14) which have substantially the same height. Further, the leading inner ends of the inner side bars (12) and the trailing inner end of the outside members (14) have a reduced radius to increase wear life while giving the chain a preferred direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Scott Martin, James L. Carothers
  • Patent number: 5532449
    Abstract: A plasma arc can be employed to demolish a concrete structure at a high efficiency, while preventing a secondary problem due to noise, flying dust and chips, and the like. The concrete structure can be demolished by melting a surface of the concrete structure by generating a plasma arc from a plasma torch (15) of a plasma arc generator, mixing thermite powder (T) with a supply gas (Gc) for the plasma torch (15), directing the plasma arc at the surface of the concrete structure, and controlling the rate of supply of the thermite powder (T) to the plasma torch (15) in response to the operation of the plasma arc, including initiating and stopping the supply of the thermite powder (T) to the plasma torch (15) in a manner coordinated with the initiation and stoppage of the plasma arc, thereby controlling the heat generated by the thermite reaction, and melting the surface of the concrete structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Taku Murakami
  • Patent number: 5532712
    Abstract: A drive circuit, for use with a transmissive scattered liquid crystal display device, prevents a residual image caused by a high speed display switching, while having a reduced size and fewer parts, thereby improving reliability. The drive circuit comprises a shift register (3a), a first gate for functioning as an AND circuit (2a), a second gate for functioning as an exclusive OR circuit (2b), and a switching device (7) with a higher withstand voltage than a logic signal. These constructional elements are formed within an IC. A logic signal for driving the liquid crystal display device is input to the second gate (2b). The output of the buffer (8) is connected to a totem pole drive circuit (10) for driving a common electrode (C) with a high voltage (HV) which is synchronized with the logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsuda, Akira Mori
  • Patent number: 5532277
    Abstract: The invention is the use of nitronyl substituted hindered phenols as antioxidants in therapeutic applications. In the preferred embodiment the compositions have the general formula: ##STR1## Wherein R1 is hydrogen, an alkyl or an aryl and R2 is an alkyl or an aryl; R.sub.3 is an alkyl; and R.sub.4 is an alkyl. Further, the invention relates to novel compositions useful as antioxidants. The novel compounds include: 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(N-tert-octyl) nitronyl phenol (DBONP); 2,6-dimethyl-4-(N-tert-octyl) nitronyl phenol (DMONP); N-tert -octylC-phenyl nitrone (OPN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
    Inventors: Edward G. Janzen, Allan L. Wilcox, Randall D. Hinton