Patents Examined by John J. Kreck
  • Patent number: 10316660
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a system for removing road material. In an embodiment, the system may include a milling drum and at least one pick mounted on the milling drum. The pick may include polycrystalline diamond at least partially forming one or more working surfaces of the pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: APERGY BMCS ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Regan Leland Burton, Andrew E. Dadson, Mohammad N. Sani
  • Patent number: 10280726
    Abstract: A method of solution mining a subterranean mineral ore deposit such as trona ore in which a borehole is drilled from a subterranean mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation to connect a mineral ore bed to be solution mined, using subterranean drilling apparatus located proximate to the mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation. The mineral ore bed is isolated from the mechanically-worked mineral ore mining operation by passage of the drilled borehole through an impermeable layer adjacent to the mineral ore bed to be solution mined. The mineral ore bed is then solution-mined using a mining solvent introduced into the mineral ore bed to solubilize the mineral and form a mining solution, and the resulting mining solution is withdrawn from the mineral ore bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: GENESIS ALKALI WYOMING, LP
    Inventor: Michael Bestgen
  • Patent number: 10190366
    Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drill string; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from a center of the bit outward toward a gage region of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller-cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, an apex of the roller-cone cu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anton F. Zahradnik, Robert J. Buske, Rudolf C. Pessier, Don Q. Nguyen, Karlos Cepeda, Michael S. Damschen, Mitchell A. Rothe, Johnathan Howard, Gregory C. Prevost, Chaitanya K. Vempati, John F. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10180065
    Abstract: An improved tool is described that has a generally cylindrical slotted shank with a radially bulbous or extending portion adjacent a distal end of the shank, sized to interfere with a bore in which the shank is to be inserted. The dimension of the extending portion can be sized to change the retention force between the shank and the bore as desired. A top of the tool includes a metal carbide-metal disk-metal carbide diamond coated tip sandwich that is bonded inside a bore in the top of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10174465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for mounting a milling unit of a ground milling machine and to a ground milling machine comprising a mountable and dismountable milling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steeg, Maximilian Philippsen, Steffen Wachsmann
  • Patent number: 10155255
    Abstract: A method for storing hazardous materials within a pile by installing a drill casing a perforated casing section into a well installed in the pile, inserting a pipe or hose having an opening into the drill casing, aligning the opening of the pipe or hose with at least one perforated casing section, sealing the drill casing to isolate air or fluid flowing into or out of the drill casing so that the air or fluid only flows into or out of the drill casing through the at least one perforated casing section, pulling or pushing air or fluid through the pipe or hose at a pressure sufficient to open void spaces within the pile, and injecting hazardous materials through the pipe or hose at pressure sufficient to cause the hazardous materials to fill the void spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: DIFFERENTIAL ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Seal
  • Patent number: 10156139
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for soil disturbance at the back of a shield tunnel, wherein: the apparatus is formed by a fitting I and a fitting II connected by means of three bolts that form equal angles; the fitting I is a short circular pipe; an end surface of a fitting end of the fitting I is provided with a water passage; a pipe wall of the pipe is provided with 2-8 water spouts; the fitting II is a long circular pipe whose inner and outer diameters are consistent with those of the fitting I; a fitting end of the fitting II is provided with two O-shaped water stop rings; a pipe wall of the fitting II is provided with three water inlets that form equal angles and are in communication with the water passage of the fitting I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: POWERCHINA HUADONG ENGINEERING CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenhua Chen, Jing Hou, Jie Zhang, Yangchun Dai, Kewei Cui
  • Patent number: 10151071
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-slab height control system and related method for regulating the elevational position of an anti-slab mounted to a cold planer configured for milling a roadway. The cold planer includes a milling drum. The system comprises an anti-slab, a position sensor, a controller and an actuator. The controller is configured to determine an actuator adjustment based on a predetermined height, position data and a cutting depth of the milling drum. The position data is indicative of a current elevational position of the anti-slab. The actuator is configured to move the anti-slab based on the actuator adjustment from the current elevational position to a first elevational position, wherein the bottom side of the anti-slab is disposed at the predetermined height above the roadway when the anti-slab is in the first elevational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Bjorge, Sean Laclef
  • Patent number: 10151190
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting minerals from an underground mineralization zone located below the surface at an oil and gas drilling site. The system includes a vertical drilling means for drilling a vertical bore extending from the surface at the oil and gas drilling site into the mineralization zone, a second horizontal drilling means for drilling at least one horizontal production bore into the mineralization zone. The first horizontal drilling means and the second horizontal drilling means are configured to return material from the mineralization zone to the surface where the mineral content of the material is analyzed and a separator separates minerals, waste and drilling mud from the material. The method includes steps of drilling a horizontal assessment bore, analyzing assessment material for a desired mineral, drilling a horizontal production bore, producing production material containing the desired mineral, and separating the desired material from waste and drilling mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Muriel Cherry
  • Patent number: 10144043
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-regulating, landfill well control system for automatically controlling a flow of landfill gas (LFG) through a wellhead associated with a landfill well at a landfill. The system has a combination unit operably associated with the wellhead, with a valve actuator, a flow measurement element and a controller. The valve actuator controls a LFG flow control valve, to thus control an LFG flow through the wellhead. The flow measurement element produces differential pressures proportional to a LFG flow rate. The controller controls the valve actuator and, based on data obtained using the flow measurement element, adjusts a setting of the LFG flow control valve to obtain a specific control point setting, and automatically maintains the control point setting thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fischer, David Mioduszewski
  • Patent number: 10138711
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may include providing a wellhead gas burner to burn wellhead gas produced from a wellhead to heat water and/or other chemicals used in hydrocarbon production and/or well completion processes, including, but not limited to hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The wellhead gas burner may include a pressure regulator and an expansion chamber that permit the wellhead gas burner to continuously operate and accommodate wellhead gas pressure fluctuations. The wellhead gas burner may also be configured as a primary heat source and integrated with a traditional propane/diesel gas burner system configured as a supplemental heat source. The wellhead gas burner may also be mounted to a mobile superheater truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Adler Hot Oil Service, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Briggs
  • Patent number: 10124378
    Abstract: A batch process of remediation of soil and sediment contaminated with toxic metals includes the steps of treating contaminated soil and sediment with a solution containing aminopolycarboxylic chelating agent, rinsing the soil/sediment solid phase to remove residues of mobilized toxic metals, treating the used process waters to recycle chelating agent and clean process solutions and placing the remediated soil/sediment on a permeable horizontal reactive barrier to prevent emission of contaminants. In the batch process, toxic metals are removed from process solutions by alkaline adsorption of polysaccharide adsorbents. By applying alkaline adsorption the efficiency of toxic metal removal from process solutions and alkaline and acidic recycling of chelating agent is significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ENVIT, Environmental Technologies and Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Domen Lestan, Neza Finzgar, Marko Gerl, Simon Gluhar, Gorazd Lakovic, Branko Hamiti
  • Patent number: 10113424
    Abstract: A tool holder is disclosed for use with a milling drum. The tool holder may have a cylindrical body defining a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be received within a tool mounting block of the milling drum, the second end configured to receive a cutting bit. A flange may be located between the first and second end with respect to an axial direction, and a first bore, with a first opening defined by the second end and extending towards the first end. A frustoconical portion may be located between the flange and the first end with respect to the axial direction and a cylindrical portion located between the flange and the first end. At least one radial opening may pass through at least the wall of the cylindrical portion to intersect or be open to the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Dario Sansone
  • Patent number: 10105870
    Abstract: A combination bit and bit holder assembly includes a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an upper end and a lower end. An insert is mounted in the bore of the upper end of the body portion. The insert also includes a central bore that receivingly retains a receiving cup. The receiving cup includes a bottom portion and an annular flange that extends from the bottom portion and defines a hollow forward portion. A bit is mounted in the hollow forward portion of the receiving cup which is configured to have a ductility that provides impact absorption to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10107098
    Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit having a forward body portion and a shank. The bit includes a diametrically expanding retainer circumferentially disposed around a shank of the bit adapted to maintain the interference contact between the bit and the base block as the diameter of a bore of the base block increases from use. The bit assembly also includes a sealing gasket that forms a force fit between a washer disposed about the shank of the bit and the base block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10107097
    Abstract: A combination bit and bit holder assembly includes a bit holder having a forward body portion and a shank. The forward body portion includes an upper end and a lower end. An insert is mounted in the bore of the upper end of the body portion. The insert also includes a central bore that receivingly retains a receiving cup. The receiving cup includes a bottom portion and an annular flange that extends from the bottom portion and defines a hollow forward portion. A bit is mounted in the hollow forward portion of the receiving cup which is configured to have a ductility that provides impact absorption to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10094077
    Abstract: A machine-mountable device facilitates removal of the cushioning acrylic and rubber layers overlying the concrete/asphalt base of tennis courts. The device includes: an attachment bracket, a support beam, a support plate, a scraper, and a stopper bar. The attachment bracket is configured to mount the device to any of one of several different transport machines (e.g., a loader, or forklift). The support beam is fixedly secured to the attachment bracket, and the support plate is secured to the support beam. The elongated scraper has a length between 12 and 20 inches, but is preferably between 14 and 15 inches, and optimally is about 16 inches long. The 16 inch scraper is releasably mounted to the support plate, and centered between the ends of the attachment bracket. The scraper removes the layers above the base, while the stopper bar causes the removed layers to simultaneously/automatically roll up like a carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Santoiemma
  • Patent number: 10086867
    Abstract: A steering mechanism for a milling attachment device provides steering capability without impeding cutting depth control. The steering mechanism has at least one wheel that is rotated by an actuating mechanism such as an extending cylinder, synchronized actuators, or the like. The steering mechanism may be integrated with depth control by using a parallelogrammic structure with pivot points to assist in the depth control or may operate independent of and without impeding depth control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Asphalt Zipper, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Tron Haroldsen, Matthew H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10082024
    Abstract: A replaceable tool support is disclosed. The tool support may be configured to be mounted to a base member of a cutting head, which may be mountable to a tool drum used in hard rock mining applications. The tool support may have an annular body having a first end face side. The tool support may also have a plurality of cutting bit carriers disposed spaced apart from each other on the first end face side. In addition, the tool support may have a plurality of cutting bits. Each of the plurality of cutting bits may be rotatably supported by one of the plurality of cutting bit carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Raschka, Stefan Berger, Jan Rohwer, Oliver Kortmann
  • Patent number: 10077655
    Abstract: In a method for milling an opencast mining surface or for milling off layers of an asphalt or concrete traffic surface with a milling machine removing the ground surface, by milling the ground surface along a predetermined milling track and by transporting the milled material via a conveying device to at least one container of a truck that travels along next to the milling machine, a relative position between the container and the conveying device is automatically controlled to regulate the loading of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried von Schönebeck, Stefan Wagner