Patents Examined by Sean Andrish
  • Plug
    Patent number: 8490691
    Abstract: A plug for sealing a conduit comprises a body having a first section and a second section, and at least one seal element for creating a seal between the plug and the conduit. The at least one seal element is adapted to be energized by movement in a setting direction of the first body section relative to the second body section. The plug further comprises seal locking means comprising a first portion and a second portion wherein as the at least one seal is energized, the seal locking means first portion is rotatable unidirectionally relative to the seal locking means second portion to take up the movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in the setting direction and prevent movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in a releasing direction, opposite the setting direction. In one embodiment the seal locking means first portion is a locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Petrowell Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Purkis
  • Sealed well cellar
    Patent number: 8485250
    Abstract: A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base plate, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The planar base plate is an integral structural member which, in conjunction with the seal between the base plate and the wall and the riser and the conductor, are sufficiently robust to support the weight of the conductor pipe and its auxiliary equipment. The sealed well cellar is afforded with a laterally extending flange which serves as an anti-buoyancy anchor. A anti-buoyancy port allows the upward floatation pressure to be balanced out by water pressure within the cellar during placement to avoid floatation. A sacrificial anode housing is provided with a removable lid and holes for allowing passage of electrolyte. Although the preferred embodiments of sealed well cellars are metal and plastic, a cementaceous embodiment is also envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: James A Rose
  • Landscape soil and water retention device
    Patent number: 8484888
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary landscape soil and moisture retaining device. The retaining device may include a wall having a first region and a second region adjacent the first region, the second region inclined relative to the first region, and a flange extending outward from the first region of the wall. The retaining device may further include a raised lip extending from the flange and defining an upper edge of the retaining device. The second region of the wall defining a bottom edge of the retaining device, such that the flange is arranged between the upper and bottom edges of the retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AMBA Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew M. Butler
  • Laying and protecting cable into existing covering surfaces
    Patent number: 8480332
    Abstract: To construct an underground cable line in-situ, cut and immediately evacuate a void in the existing covering surface. Next, lay or apply cable(s) into the void. Then, flow a non-shrinking composition into a portion of the void around the cable to fill a portion of the void. Upon rigidification the cable is encased in the void by the non-shrinking composition. Last, apply a topping material to the exposed surface of the composition in such volume as to fill any remaining portion of the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Certusview Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Paul Miller
  • Well screen inflow control device with check valve flow controls
    Patent number: 8474535
    Abstract: A well screen inflow control device with check valve flow controls. A well screen assembly includes a filter portion and a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow of fluid in response to a change in velocity of the fluid. Another well screen assembly includes a filter portion and a flow resistance device which decreases a resistance to flow of fluid in response to a predetermined stimulus applied from a remote location. Yet another well screen assembly includes a filter portion and a valve including an actuator having a piston which displaces in response to a pressure differential to thereby selectively permit and prevent flow of fluid through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Richards, John C. Gano
  • Mine seal with electrically non-conductive ties
    Patent number: 8444108
    Abstract: A mine seal comprising two spaced apart walls, at least one electrically non-conductive tie extending between the walls and holding them in place against forces tending to separate the walls, and a filler material filling the space between the walls. A form for making such a mine seal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Pipe support system and method for use in underground pipe ramming
    Patent number: 8439604
    Abstract: A method of driving a pipe into the ground includes steps of placing a pipe to be driven into the ground onto a series of at least two spaced skids each having an upwardly opening cradle thereon so that the pipe spans and is supported by the skid cradles, one skid proximate a front end of the pipe and the other skid proximate a rear end of the pipe, each skid including a vertical jack mechanism for raising and lowering the pipe supported by the skid, positioning the pipe in a position for ramming into the ground by operating the vertical jack mechanisms as needed to raise the pipe into the ramming position, and ramming the pipe using an impact ramming tool applied to push the pipe into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: MPC Bedrock Montana LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Coleman
  • Apparatus for everting a liner into a pipe and pressure connector for the same
    Patent number: 8439605
    Abstract: An apparatus for lining a pipe, comprising a support structure, a liner secured to the support structure and having a non-everted portion and an everted portion, and a pressure connector secured to the everted portion of the liner. The pressure connector includes a connector stud positioned in an opening of the everted portion of the liner, an inner pinch plate positioned inside the liner adjacent the opening, an outer pinch plate positioned outside the liner adjacent the opening and in opposing relation to the inner pinch plate, and a compression mechanism forcing the outer pinch plate toward the inner pinch plate. Preferably, the connector stud includes splines, and the outer pinch plate includes grooves receiving the splines. The compression mechanism can include a reaction plate coupled to the connector stud and including a threaded hole engaged with a threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Michels Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly Odell, Pat J. Anderson
  • Cellular confinement systems
    Patent number: 8425158
    Abstract: A cellular confinement system for soil, sand or other filler material comprises a number of sub-assemblies each made up of a plurality of interconnected open cells of fabric material. The sub-assemblies are stackable one on top of the other to provide a structure having at least one generally vertical side or end wall. The system further comprises sealing means such as one or more skirt portion(s) which are arranged between vertically juxtaposed sub-assemblies in use. The skirt portions substantially prevent or minimize the escape of finer aggregate material from between the stacked sub-assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: J & S Franklin, Ltd., Terram Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Milton, Basil John Thomas
  • Rotatable wheel box service panel door and equalizer
    Patent number: 8425150
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolt heads that are attached to cams. Rotating the heads causes cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Method and device for holding and releasing a cable in a pipe splitter
    Patent number: 8414225
    Abstract: A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Tjader
  • Underwater pipe-laying apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8414224
    Abstract: A pipe-laying apparatus for laying or raising a pipeline from a vessel. The apparatus includes a first pipe gripping assembly disposed on a pipe laying path along which pipeline passes during laying, a second pipe gripping assembly disposed on the pipe-laying path, and a drive unit for causing relative movement in a direction along the pipe-laying path between the first pipe gripping assembly and the second pipe gripping assembly. The first pipe gripping assembly includes both a pipe gripping arrangement for gripping a pipe during pipe-laying and a cable gripping arrangement for gripping a cable during an operation when a cable is connected to a length of pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.
    Inventors: Teresio Signaroldi, Umberto Giovannini
  • Wellbore cleaning method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8408307
    Abstract: This invention relates to well cleaning methods and apparatus. In particular, this invention relates to a method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore (12) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a drill string (10) having a drill bit (28) and a cleaning tool (24) with selectively activatable cleaning members (34); drilling a wellbore using the drill bit while maintaining the cleaning members in a deactivated position; and pulling the drill string from the wellbore with the cleaning members in an activated position, to thereby clean the wellbore. A corresponding cleaning tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Specialized Petroleum Services Group Limited
    Inventor: George Telfer
  • Steel material for underground continuous wall, method for producing steel material for underground continuous wall, underground continuous wall, and method for constructing underground continuous wall
    Patent number: 8408844
    Abstract: A steel material for an underground continuous wall equipped with a hat type steel sheet pile having a hat-shaped cross-section, and an H-beam having an H-shaped cross-section, wherein: the hat type steel sheet pile includes a web, a pair of flanges, and a pair of arm sections; the H-beam includes a pair of flange sections and a web section; an outer surface of the H-beam is secured to an outer surface of the web; the length of the H-beam is shorter than that of the hat type steel sheet pile, and an overall length of the H-beam is arranged within the length of the hat type steel sheet pile; and a rear end of the H-beam is located closer to a forward end side than a rear end of the hat type steel sheet pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuuta Tanaka, Tatsuaki Kurosawa, Shinji Taenaka, Masataka Tatsuta
  • Drilling tool, a self-drilling rock bolt, a drill bit, an anchoring device for a self-drilling rock bolt, a shaft for a drilling tool and an end coupling for a drilling tool
    Patent number: 8403600
    Abstract: A drilling tool incorporating first and second ends, a shaft extending between the ends. The first end has a drill bit to penetrate rock. The drill bit and the shaft have complementary threads. The drill bit and the shaft comprise a relative rotation stop means that ensures that the drill bit remains loose during drilling in a first direction. The invention further relates to a self drilling rock bolt, a drill bit, drill shaft and shaft coupling, an anchoring device, and an end coupling per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Steven Weaver, Darren Webb, John Horsch, Matthew Kenny
  • Self-tensioning tendon for tension leg platform application
    Patent number: 8398339
    Abstract: A self-tensioning tendon for pulling a tension leg platform (TLP) down to a desired draft position. The self-tensioning tendon can be utilized with either a co-installation process or a pre-installation process and connects to an assembled tendon joint. The self-tensioning tendon comprises a hydraulically controlled Length Adjustment Joint (LAJ) that further comprises an integral cylinder with external threads and a piston rod. The self-tensioning apparatus has features that advantageously reduce the time required to ballast the hull of the TLP. A hydraulic source actuates the integral cylinder to pull the TLP down to the target draft position, significantly reducing the time needed to ballast the hull of the TLP with millions of gallons of water. A Top Tendon Connector (TTC) ratchets down along the cylinder to lock the TLP at the final draft position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse B. Riha
  • Wave anchor soil reinforcing connector and method
    Patent number: 8393829
    Abstract: A facing anchor assembly for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element, the facing anchor assembly including first and second horizontally-disposed plates vertically-offset from each other and having at least one transverse protrusion disposed on each plate. The transverse protrusions can receive and seat at least one transverse wire of the soil reinforcing element and a coupling assembly can be configured to secure the at least one transverse wire in place, and also frictionally engage a pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element between the first and second horizontally-disposed plates, thereby preventing removal of the soil reinforcing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: T&B Structural Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Taylor
  • Box service panel door and equalizer
    Patent number: 8393827
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable through tracks, over an entry port to a storm water type vault or storm water structure. Locking the door in place can be accomplished by rotating upwardly protruding bolt type heads that are fixably attached to cams. Rotating the bolt type heads causes the cams to press the door against one side of the tracks. An elongated sealing strip can be compressed between the door edges and the one side of the track and seal and prevent water from passing about the sides of the door. Alternatively, removable wedges can be used to compress door edges in place. Furthermore, a hinged pressure relief door can be attached over a small opening in the slidable door. Opening the small pressure relief door by an elongated tool allows for water on both sides of the sliding door to equalize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Sandbag
    Patent number: 8382400
    Abstract: The bag has a trapezoidal shape including a pair of parallel edges opposite each other with one longer than the other and a pair of opposite diverging edges. One edge of the bag is defined by a fold to close off an opening providing access into the bag. Other edges of the bag are formed by a seam joining two opposite layers of flexible material together. The opening is preferably provided on a flap which extends beyond the trapezoidal perimeter of the bag. When this flap is folded over, the final trapezoidal shape for the bag is provided. Walls are built utilizing a plurality of such trapezoidally shaped sandbags in alternating parallel orientations for the long edges and short edges of adjacent bags. Joints between adjacent sandbags are longer than with rectangular sandbags and interlock together somewhat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: John M. Powell
  • Adjustable anchor rod
    Patent number: 8357295
    Abstract: An adjustable anchor rod arrangement for use with an underdrain system that includes the a pair of spaced apart legs and an elongated member adjustably attached to the legs, wherein the legs are adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and the elongated member is adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventor: John L. Geibel