Patents Assigned to Kerr
  • Patent number: 6983802
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a well, and especially for producing gas from low pressure gas wells containing water, are disclosed. An electrical submersible pump is attached to and in fluid communication with the bottom end of a string of pipe joints or tubing extending in the well bore from the surface to below the water-containing gas interval, a further string of pipe joints or tubing having one or more openings therein at the bottom end thereof extends from the surface to below the water-containing gas interval, and water supplied from the surface via the further string of pipe joints or tubing along with water from the water-containing gas interval is constantly pumped by the electrical submersible pump at a rate sufficient to prevent the pump from overheating and failing and to prevent production-limiting water build-up in the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Bolin, Patrick L. Grizzle, Christian M. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6981666
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing titanium dioxide slurries. The output from a micronizer is passed through a condenser to condense the steam and form an aqueous slurry of titanium dioxide, which can in most cases then be further concentrated as desired or which can be sold or used without further concentration, instead of passing the micronizer output to apparatus for separating the TiO2 from the steam, as is currently practiced in the art. The resultant slurry from the condenser is in a further refinement preferably sent to an agitated storage tank together with dispersant and anti-settling compounds to aid in preventing settling of the titanium dioxide solids out of the slurry. To help facilitate condensation of the steam/pigment mixture sent to the condenser, a portion of the condensed slurry is in yet a further refinement pumped from the slurry storage tank to a heat exchanger. The output from the heat exchanger is then fed to the condenser to facilitate the condensing of the steam in the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ian Brownbridge, Jeffrey Austin Engle
  • Patent number: 6971413
    Abstract: A pipe clamp 10 for repairing an underwater pipe. The pipe clamp 10 comprises a plurality of part-cylindrical portions 12,14,16 hinged together along a hinge axis or axes 27 along adjacent longitudinal edges 17,18. Two or the longitudinal edges 20,21 of the part-cylindrical portions are free. The part-cylindrical portions 12,14,16 are movable about the hinge axis or axes 27 towards and away from one another between an open position in which the free longitudinal edges 20,21 are spaced apart and the clamp 10 can be placed around a pipe and a closed position in which, in use, the free longitudinal edges 20,21 of the part-cylindrical portions 12,14,16 are brought together around the pipe. Fastening means are provided for holding the free edges 20,21 of the part-cylindrical portions 12,14,16 together, such that, in use, the clamp 10 is held to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Taylor Kerr ( Couplings) Limited
    Inventors: Neil John Thornton Taylor, Ian Richard Webb
  • Publication number: 20050265931
    Abstract: A dental composition comprising a silver-containing ceramic having antimicrobial and color stabilizing properties and methods for using the composition. The composition comprises a silver-containing glass powder or a silver-containing zeolite powder, at least one monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, and a polymerization initiator system. Other components, such as a filler, may also be included. The inventive composition possesses antimicrobial properties and exhibits excellent mechanical properties upon curing. Additionally, when the polymerization initiator is a two-part redox initiator system, the composition has improved color stability. The inventive composition can be used as a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, an orthodontic composition, and/or a prosthetic composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventor: Xuejun Qian
  • Patent number: 6962434
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting wear in a liner. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrically conductive wire is placed on or near the outside surface of the liner and the electrical resistance in the electrically conductive wire is measured to determine whether the wire has worn through. In another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature measured by a temperature measuring device, such as a thermocouple, is monitored over time to estimate wear in the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Martin, Joe Bert Maker, Lonnie G. Hewell
  • Patent number: 6958091
    Abstract: Inorganic pigments treated with at least one amide of a fatty acid and an aliphatic amine possess improved processibility and dispersibility in thermoplastic materials, and impart improved properties to thermoplastic compositions containing said surface-treated pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC
    Inventor: Daniel H. Craig
  • Patent number: 6946028
    Abstract: Inorganic pigments treated with one or more of the ?,?-dialkyl substituted linear or branched carboxylic acids and the salts thereof possess improved processibility and dispersibility in thermoplastic materials, and impart improved properties to thermoplastic compositions containing said surface-treated pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC
    Inventor: Daniel H. Craig
  • Patent number: 6924325
    Abstract: A dental composition comprising a silver-containing ceramic having antimicrobial and color stabilizing properties and methods for using the composition. The composition comprises a silver-containing glass powder or a silver-containing zeolite powder, at least one monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, and a polymerization initiator system. Other components, such as a filler, may also be included. The inventive composition possesses antimicrobial properties and exhibits excellent mechanical properties upon curing. Additionally, when the polymerization initiator is a two-part redox initiator system, the composition has improved color stability. The inventive composition can be used as a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, an orthodontic composition, and/or a prosthetic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventor: Xuejun Qian
  • Publication number: 20050164144
    Abstract: A dental shade lamp for visually comparing a dental shade to a natural tooth comprises a housing having an aperture formed through the housing and a light source for illuminating the dental shade and natural tooth. The aperture provides an unobstructed view of the dental shade and natural tooth while maintaining the shade lamp in close proximity to the dental shade and natural tooth. The light source may be fluorescent light bulbs positioned adjacent the aperture that emit light having a color temperature of greater than about 6,000 K, to more closely approximate natural light conditions, and an illuminance intensity of greater than about 75 foot-candles, to limit the effects from ambient lighting conditions. In this way, a more accurate visual comparison can be made resulting in an accurate match between prosthetic teeth and natural teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: George Streib, Owen Gill
  • Patent number: 6918762
    Abstract: The invention relates to light-generating instruments, which are small, compact and convenient to use. More particularly, the light-generating instruments are generally powered by air, electricity, or light provided by the operating unit, such as the dental chair. Air, electricity, and light provided by the dentist's chair allow for convenience to the dentist while eliminating potential risks and hazards associated with use of an electrical cord to power the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Owen J. Gill, Edward Robert Shellard
  • Patent number: 6890968
    Abstract: A dental composite having high filler loading and low shrinkage thereby providing good strength and marginal integrity. Through the use of prepolymerized filler particles in combination with a structural filler and a nanofiller, the composite exhibits very low shrinkage and is useful in stress bearing restorations and in cosmetic restorations. The structural filler used is ground to a mean particle size of less than 0.5 ?m and the nanofiller has discrete particles of a mean particle size less than 100 nm to improve handling and mechanical characteristics. The prepolymerized filler particles also allow for less viscosity and better handling characteristics of the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Christos Angeletakis, Minh-Dang Son Nguyen, Alvin I. Kobashigawa
  • Patent number: 6861386
    Abstract: A polymerizable composition including a resin system comprising oligomers or polymers functionalized with groups curable by ring opening metathesis polymerization, a metathesis catalyst, and a catalyst accelerator. In examples of the present invention, the composition includes a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst capable of initiating ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the composition and a silicone-based sulfosuccinate salt capable of accelerating the polymerization initiated by the catalyst. In another example, the invention includes a paste/paste system in which a base paste includes the polymerizable oligomer or polymer and the catalyst accelerator and in which a catalyst paste includes the catalyst dissolved in an inert solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Christos Angeletakis, Mingfei Chen
  • Patent number: 6851896
    Abstract: A fluid barrier along the inside surface of ductwork between a reactor and subsequent product separation and recovery apparatus to reduce the buildup of solids on the ductwork from a gaseous product mixture conveyed through the ductwork. Barrier fluid is sprayed along the internal surface of the ductwork to form a fluid barrier and cool the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be comprised of a component of the gaseous mixture. The barrier fluid can be a liquid at the second temperature and converted to a gaseous state in the ductwork, using the heat of vaporization of the barrier fluid to help cool the gaseous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Eugene Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Natalie
  • Publication number: 20050014861
    Abstract: A method for providing a dental composition comprising providing a paste/paste two-part self-adhering dental composition comprising (a) at least one acidic compound containing at least one acidic moiety selected from the group consisting of where R is an alkyl or aryl group; (b) at least one polymerizable monomer without any acidic group where the polymerizable group is selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, a methacrylate and a vinyl group; (c) at least one finely divided filler; (d) a reducing agent; and (e) an oxidizing agent; and providing instructions for mixing the two pastes immediately prior to application where the ratio of a first paste containing (a) or a higher concentration of (a) to a second paste not containing (a) or containing a lower concentration of (a) is greater than 1:1 (by volume). The method also includes mixing the two pastes and applying the mixed composition to a dental substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: Kerr Corporations
    Inventor: Xuejun Qian
  • Patent number: 6843282
    Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: James William Bates, Thomas Ian Brownbridge
  • Patent number: 6843652
    Abstract: A delivery system for supplying a single dose quantity of dental impression material. The system includes a dispenser having first and second chambers sized to contain first and second components of the single dose of dental impression material. The chambers are sealed by a closure that is movable from a sealed position to permit dispensing of the components through a mixing tip. The resulting dental impression material may be applied directly to a patient's dental anatomy and/or to a dental tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Xie, Cynthia H. Kuess
  • Patent number: 6844409
    Abstract: A composition curable by a metathesis reaction and comprising an olefin-containing resin system and metathesis catalyst. The resin system comprises siloxane-based oligomers or polymers end-capped and/or tethered with olefin functional groups that are capable of undergoing a metathesis reaction. The composition also includes a ruthenium carbene complex catalyst, whereby the catalyst initiates the metathesis reaction of the composition. The oligomer or polymer may be, for example, one or a combination of a telechelic polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, a polydimethylsiloxane tethered and end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, a tri-functional polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups, or a quadri-functional polydimethylsiloxane end-capped with norbornenylethyl groups. The catalyst may be, for example, a ruthenium carbene complex, such as 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-(imidazolidinylidene) dichloro(o-isopropoxyphenylmethylene) ruthenium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Christos Angeletakis, Mingfei Chen
  • Publication number: 20050003322
    Abstract: An instrument and method for curing light-curable compounds in the mouth of a patient, the instrument comprising a housing and a plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements on a substrate supported by the housing. The elements form a collective array on the substrate operable for collectively emitting light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths. An optical focusing device is positioned to intercept the light emitted by the array of elements and includes a non-imaging optical device which is operable for collimating the light from the array into a beam to be directed onto a compound for curing the compound. A disposable sleeve covers the housing and array and may incorporate the optical focusing device. The sleeve is removed and discarded after use to eliminate the need to autoclave the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Logan, Raymond Knox
  • Patent number: 6837712
    Abstract: A composition and a method of use as a dental restorative. A series of highly alkoxylated tri-functional monomers are used as a low viscosity monomer in a photo- or self-curable dental composition that resulted in low polymerization shrinkage. The mechanical strength of the restorative material was not compromised. The restorative composition may be used as a dental filling material, a cement, a liner/base, or an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventor: Xuejun Qian
  • Publication number: 20040263954
    Abstract: A magnification loupe carried by spectacles has a Galilean lens system comprising a single-element eyepiece lens and a two-element objective lens. The loupes may be mounted to eyeglass frames by a flip-up mounting member, or they may be mounted through the eyeglass lenses of the spectacles. The loupes provide high magnification while minimizing weight to thereby reduce strain and discomfort to users. In an exemplary embodiment, the objective lens has a non-circular shape that provides a wide field of view while further minimizing the weight of the loupe. A correction lens may be interchangeably coupled to the loupe housing to permit selective replacement with another correction lens to vary the working distance of the loupe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Kerr Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Wilt, Patrick J. Shipley, Jeffrey M. Hoffman, Jasmin Cote