Patents Assigned to Engineering
  • Publication number: 20150267481
    Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported in a drill string section by centralizing features that are integral with the drill string section. A bore wall of the drill string section is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length. A vibration damping and/or electrically insulating material may optionally be provided between the downhole probe and the drill string section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, David A. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20150268078
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting coking in a wash bed of a vacuum pipe still with a sensing cable including an optical fiber sensor array aligned with a heating element disposed in the vessel. An optical signal interrogator is configured to measure a first temperature profile at a plurality of sensor locations to determine a flow distribution. An excitation source is configured to propagate at least one heat pulse through the heating element and the optical signal interrogator is configured to measure a second temperature profile corresponding to the heat pulse at the sensor locations. A control unit is configured to detect coking by determining one or more properties of the media exposed to the sensing cable at each of the plurality of sensor locations based on the second temperature profile corresponding thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Geoff Keiser, Michael Louis Hergenrother, Berne K. Stober, Patricia H. Kalamaras, Benjamin Santiago Umansky
  • Publication number: 20150267122
    Abstract: A delayed coking unit has a thermal shock-resistant, erosion-resistant internal lining to reduce thermally-induced mechanical stresses in the pressure boundary of the coke drum. The lining is effective to reduce or mitigate the transient thermal stress that occurs in the pressure boundary of the coke drum and to reduce or minimize the high thermal stress resulting from temperature differentials at the skirt-to-shell junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hinson, Christopher John FOWLER, David Scott SINCLAIR, Adam Garrett SUSONG, Robert Lee ANTRAM, John Roger PETERSON
  • Publication number: 20150268465
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle instrument that is viewable by an occupant of the vehicle. A transparent protective cover covers the vehicle instrument such that the vehicle instrument is viewable by the occupant through the transparent protective cover. A transparent display overlay system includes an overlay display comprising a transparent display layer connected to the transparent protective cover by an optical adhesive layer. A display controller displays an image on the transparent display layer based on vehicle information. The vehicle instrument is viewable by the occupant through the transparent protective cover and the transparent display layer adjacent the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Katsumi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20150266431
    Abstract: A trim strip for lining an opening of an interior panel for a vehicle includes a first trim segment having a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A second trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a first end of the first trim segment. The second trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A third trim segment extends outwardly from the first trim segment at a second, opposite end of the first trim segment. The third trim segment has a panel engaging side and an exposed side. A detachable support member is connected to the second trim segment along a first line of weakness and to the third trim segment along a second line of weakness. The detachable support member includes a datum member arranged and configured to be engaged by a panel datum member during installation of the trim strip at the opening to align and maintain spacing between the second and third trim segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Thorsell, Brian Thurgate
  • Patent number: 9140086
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus for depositing a tool in a side pocket mandrel is described. The apparatus comprises an apparatus body, a tool holder and a displacement mechanism for connecting the tool holder to the apparatus body. The tool holder is movable between a run-in position, in which the tool holder is adjacent the body, to a displaced position, in which the tool holder is spaced away from the body. As a tool is moved between the run-in position and the displaced position, a tool longitudinal axis remains substantially parallel to an apparatus body longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Wireline Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Robert Neil Hall
  • Patent number: 9138855
    Abstract: A substrate grinding and polishing device comprising separate grinding and polishing units for operating on a work-piece. The work piece is clamped to a rotating work table under the units and a track underneath the rotating work table allows for quick transfer from the grinding unit to the polishing unit or vice versa. This setup allows for easy transfer as well as quick adjustment between different modes of grinding and polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dalian University of Technology School of Mechanical Engineering
    Inventors: Renke Kang, Xianglong Zhu, Zhigang Dong, Guang Feng, Dongming Guo
  • Patent number: 9140243
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a SMA element connected to a first crown to move the first crown with respect to a second crown along an axis to toggle the actuator rod between a first position and a second position, the first position and the second position maintained when the SMA element is deenergized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Christian A. Trager, Clare A. McNamara
  • Patent number: 9139299
    Abstract: A roadable vehicle with a single nacelle assembly that contains a pair of inline counter-rotating propellers. Two inline counter-rotating engines are directly connected to the propellers. One engine is shut down in horizontal flight to improve efficiency. Gimbal mounting the nacelle assembly permits thrust to be directed forward to back and left to right to control the vehicle position in the horizontal plane, when hovering. Varying the relative engine speeds controls yaw. The roadable vehicle is adaptable as an unmanned vehicle. The foldable wings equipped with automotive type wheels provide for travel off-road as well as on the highway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: LAPCAD Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Magnus Lundgren
  • Patent number: 9138236
    Abstract: A tourniquet hazard suppressor suppresses an action initiated by a user of a surgical tourniquet system having a touchscreen user interface if implementation of that action by the system may be hazardous to a surgical patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Western Clinical Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: James A. McEwen, Michael Jameson
  • Patent number: 9139781
    Abstract: The morphology of petroleum cokes produced by the delayed coking of feeds produced from extra-heavy crude sources such as those from the Venezuela Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt can be controlled to produce a less dense coke which is less likely to inflame in the coke pit or in subsequent handling. An aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate salt when added to a feed of this type which would normally produce a dense coke product is effective to produce a quenchable coke product of lower density and higher porosity, usually in compact, granular form permitting it to be readily discharged from the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Fritz A. Bernatz, Michael Siskin, Christopher P. Eppig, Craig Y. Sabottke, Eric W. Fryatt
  • Patent number: 9141125
    Abstract: A bandgap reference voltage generating circuit for providing a reference voltage is disclosed. The bandgap reference voltage generating circuit includes four-terminal current source circuit, a regulator circuit and a temperature-compensating circuit. The four-terminal current source circuit outputs a first voltage, a second voltage and a first current which are independent of variation of a first system voltage. The regulator circuit receives the first voltage and the second voltage and when the first system voltage is larger than a threshold voltage value, the regulator circuit outputs the reference voltage independent of variation of the first system voltage via voltage-difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. The temperature-compensating circuit receives the first current and compensates a temperature curve of the reference voltage outputted from the regulator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Jaw-Ming Ding, Hsin-Chin Chang
  • Patent number: 9139367
    Abstract: A conveyor belt idler assembly comprises support structure, a strand of catenary idler rollers, and an outboard wing roller or slider bar. The strand of catenary idler rollers can take on various trough-shaped contours. The outboard wing roller or slider bar is attached to the support structure and is able to translate relative to the support structure only along a linear path. The translational movement of the outboard wing roller or slider bar along the linear path is at least partial dependent upon changes in the contour of the strand of catenary idler rollers. The structure is adjustable such that the strand of catenary idler rollers can be lowered and raised to facilitate servicing and installation. A plurality of idler assemblies can be connected to each other using connecting brackets that rigidly tie the assemblies to each other near the outermost idler rollers or slider bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert Todd Swinderman, Paul Bernard Harrison, Richard P. Stahura
  • Patent number: 9140365
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seal comprising a first sealing surface with a first lip at a terminus of the first sealing surface and a second lip spaced axially apart from the first lip. A third lip is spaced radially apart from the second lip flexes away from the third lip when the seal is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Engineered Seal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Reimer, Dale Schumann, Jay Bonefas, Matt Banowetz
  • Patent number: 9140279
    Abstract: A panel insert comprising an external body having an open end, said body having a central bore, a magnet received in said bore and having a smooth surface facing said open end of the body, said magnet being affixed to said body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Young Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Dale Frias
  • Patent number: 9141109
    Abstract: A system, device, and methods of automated driving. One example method includes determining a planned vehicle path using a path planner application receiving information based on inputs to one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle. The method further includes sending a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path. While the vehicle follows the planned vehicle path, the method includes receiving an indication that the path planner application is not meeting a threshold performance level. After receiving the indication that the path planner application is not meeting the threshold performance level, the method further includes resending the previously sent command to the one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuhide Kamata
  • Patent number: 9142834
    Abstract: Electrodes employing as active material magnesium nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides magnesium nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles thus may have superior capability. Magnesium ion electrochemical cells employing said electrodes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rana Mohtadi, Michael Paul Rowe, Ryan Daniel Desautels
  • Publication number: 20150258935
    Abstract: A surroundings monitoring system includes a first sensor subsystem operable to provide image data from around the vehicle; a second sensor subsystem operable to provide non-image data from around the vehicle; a control subsystem in communication with the first sensor subsystem and the second sensor subsystem, the control subsystem operable to generate manipulated image data symbology from the image data and arrange the manipulated image data symbology in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and a display in communication with the control subsystem to display the driver perspective view. A method of monitoring surroundings for use in a vehicle includes obtaining image data from around the vehicle; obtaining non-image data from around the vehicle; manipulating the image data in response to the non-image data to generate a driver perspective view; and displaying the driver perspective view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagata, Charan Lota
  • Patent number: D739513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Williams, Jere James Wall
  • Patent number: D739635
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edwin H. Peterson, Paul B. Harrison