Patents Examined by Tara L. Mayo
  • Patent number: 7465122
    Abstract: A continuous curve arch shape cross section leaching chamber made of molded thermoplastic has closely spaced corrugations and sidewalls, portions of which are perforated with horizontal slots. Either or both of the slot height and the local wall thickness of the sidewall portion which defines the slots may vary with slot elevation from the base. The chambers are free of interior and exterior strengthening ribs. They provide high interior storage volume and high leaching area in combination with low mass or weight of plastic material. An exemplary 34 inch wide chamber has more than 1.5 cubic feet of water storage volume per foot, less than 4 pounds weight of thermoplastic material per foot, and at least 30 square inches of slot-provided leaching area per foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Infiltrator Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Brochu, James J. Burnes, John R. Battye, Roy E. Moore, Jr., Bryan A. Coppes
  • Patent number: 7465123
    Abstract: A natural water circulation apparatus reduces the evaporation rate of a body of water by lowering the surface temperature and improves the quality of the water. The apparatus includes a collector which extends above the normal surface level of the water to capture surface waves. The captured water is conveyed from the epilimnion of the body of water to the hypolimnion of the body of water through a lower opening in the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Carla E. Bergman
  • Patent number: 7465129
    Abstract: A reinforced silt retention sheet and systems for silt retention are provided. The reinforced silt retention sheet includes a non-woven fabric having a series of entangled polymer fibers with a reinforcing material secured within the fabric. The resultant reinforced silt retention sheet further can have openings of a desired size to enable filtering of a flow of fluid passing through the reinforced silt retention sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Silt-Saver, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. Singleton
  • Patent number: 7462001
    Abstract: A method for repairing and/or waterproofing and/or insulating and/or reinforcing and/or restoring the structural integrity of wall systems, which it consists in providing spaced injection holes within a wall system in a manner suitable to pass through cavities that exist in the wall system, inserting injection tubes in these holes, and then inserting a substance that expands after injection as a consequence of a chemical reaction so that the substance reaches the cavities connected to the injection holes or are proximate thereto, the injection tubes being, preferably gradually retracted along the injection holes in the opposite direction with respect to insertion, to allow the substance diffusing in cavities crossed by the injection holes or proximate thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Uretek S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carlo Canteri
  • Patent number: 7461998
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of stabilizing a beach which includes the steps of producing an engineering design for placement of one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach to produce a groin field; and implementing the engineering design to place the one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach in accordance with the engineering design to produce the groin field. The method includes an iterative process using multiple model executions to produce an engineering design of a discrete, porous, geotextile groin field for engineering site adaptation and implementation at a specific beach site. The solution may further include post-installation monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the solution and to modify the solution for future erosion mitigation efforts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Beach Restorations, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Parnell, Kelly L. Rankin
  • Patent number: 7458750
    Abstract: A pipe conveyor system which operates to assemble and disassemble a plurality of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: EJTJ Tech L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lawrence Henry Fulton
  • Patent number: 7458752
    Abstract: A suppression element (1) for vortex vibrations, comprising an envelope (2) for t least partly enveloping a tubular element (100); at least one projection (3) pointing away from the envelope. The envelope is modular to form with similar suppression elements a tube (101,102), which, in operation, at least partly, envelops a tubular element (100). Also, a construction kit for a suppression system and a suppression system for vortex vibrations with at least two suppression element (1), which together form a tube, which in operation, at least partly envelops a tubular element (100), as well as an apparatus for extracting minerals with a pipeline enveloped by a suppression system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Lankhorst Special Mouldings B.V.
    Inventors: Martin Esselbrugge, Arnoldus van Belkom, Wilfred Zuidhof
  • Patent number: 7448827
    Abstract: A trussed embankment dam and wall structure includes a cantilever structure group and a rod member group, and each cantilever structure of the cantilever structure group includes an anchor supporting pillar and a multidirectional connecting board. The lower portion of the anchor supporting pillar is built at a stratum or foundation to support the cantilever structure, and the upper portion of the anchor supporting pillar installs a multidirectional connecting board to a trussed joint structure. After a force is exerted to a rod member of the invention, the force is acted onto the joints of the cantilever structure and transmitted by other rod members. Therefore, each cantilever structure maximizes the supporting effect and provides a dispersive supporting type structure. Unlike the centralized supporting type truss structure, the invention uses the hollow portion of the structure and the malleability of components to create landscapes, fill soil and plant vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Piao-Chin Li
  • Patent number: 7445406
    Abstract: An anchor device which includes a pipe (16), an elongate member (18) which is partly inside the pipe and which has an end (20) which protrudes from the pipe (16), and a restraining component (22) which is engaged with the protruding end (20). The pipe (16) and the elongate member (18) are shaped with a plurality of deformations along their respective lengths such that the elongate member (18) can only be withdrawn from the tubular member (16) by further deforming the elongate member (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Steffen, Robertson & Kirsten (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: William David Ortlepp
  • Patent number: 7445403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid barrier assembly (1) comprising at least two barriers (2,3) each comprising a substantially rigid container and a front wall (5) against which liquid is intended to be incident. Adjacent barriers (2,3) are linked by a connector (12) which comprises a first relatively rigid portion (13) and a second relatively deformable portion (15). The portions (13, 15) are received in respective recesses defined in neighbouring side walls of adjacent barriers (2,3). The second portion (15) is deformed upon juxtaposition of adjacent barriers (2,3) in a predetermined manner so as to form an effective water-tight seal between the barriers (2,3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Nigel Roy Williams, Richard Samuel Preston, Jamys John Warneford Peacock, Stuart Edward White, Gary John Ralph, Adrian Lee Petty, Christopher John Peacock, David Boast
  • Patent number: 7445407
    Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
  • Patent number: 7441988
    Abstract: An undersea power generation apparatus (1) includes two turbines (3) mounted side by side at either side of a support strut of hydrofoil-shaped cross section, each turbine (3) having a set of turbine blades which counter rotate so as to cancel out the respective torque produced by each turbine. The apparatus (1) is pivotally interconnected at point (9) to a pair of mooring cables (7), which are releasably moored to the seabed (6). The turbines (3) are positively buoyant such that in zero current they point vertically upwards as denoted by (8). When the current flows in the direction shown by arrow A, the drag forces on turbines (3) and support strut cause the apparatus (1) to pivot about point (9) and pitch over into condition denoted by (10) and shown in broken lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Soil Machine Dynamics Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Ralph Manchester
  • Patent number: 7441990
    Abstract: A process for the construction of a segment of an open-air work by prefabricated structural members of reinforcing concrete, includes the steps of arranging first and second prefabricated structural members (18, 19) including an upright portion (22) and at least a cover portion (26), and the phase of installing the two structural members (18, 19) by resting the free ends (20) of the respective upright portions (22) on respective foundation portions (12), in such a manner that the two structural members (18, 19) are arranged symmetrically opposed. Each structural member (18, 19) has a cavity in correspondence of the respective cover portion (26), the cavities of the two structural members (18, 19) constituting a continuous channel (34) in order to allow to form a beam superimposed to the two members (18, 19) and fastened to them, by executing a casting (36) in said continuous channel (34) during the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Carlo Chiaves
  • Patent number: 7438501
    Abstract: A ground freezing system includes a metal feed pipe for delivering refrigerant to the lower end of a freeze pipe installed in a bore in the ground. The feed pipe is supported on a compression spring which accommodates thermal contraction of the feed pipe while maintaining support of its weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Layne Christensen Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. Sopko
  • Patent number: 7438505
    Abstract: A heave compensation system to enable the transfer of tubulars between a floating platform and a snubbing jack. The heave compensation system includes a first end connected to the floating platform and a second end in connection with a traveling slip assembly of the snubbing jack, the heave compensation system is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the heave compensation system is in the disengaged position the traveling slip assembly moves separate and independent from the movement of the floating platform, and when the heave compensation system is in the engaged position the traveling slip assembly is locked in a constant position relative to the floating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Cudd Pressure Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernt Olsen, Randall D. Lagendyk, Bertrom Ballard, Jr., Gary Vaughan, Hiram L. Bickle, Bjorn Rudshaug
  • Patent number: 7435038
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing and lifting subsided slabs, flatwork, foundations of buildings or other structures, and, in particular, to the slab pier and bracket which are used in the repair and support of said subsided slabs, flatwork, foundations of building or other structures. In a specific embodiment, the subject method and apparatus can include a bracket, top piece, and pier column. In this embodiment, the subject apparatus can use these components as the means for lifting the subsided slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: James L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7431535
    Abstract: A clamp is disclosed for use in deep sea oil exploration operations. The clamp includes a pre-formed metallic belt (12) to which a first rigid metallic curve (13) is welded. The rigid metallic curve reinforces and protects the anchorage housing of an electro-hydraulic hose which is secured by the clamp. The belt (12) further includes a second rigid metallic curve (14) to reinforce and protect an electric cable which is secured by the clamp. The belt includes rigid symmetrical forks (15) and (16) that are welded in the rotation area of screws that serve to tighten the clamp. The clamp includes a body made of vulcanized rubber having three tips (26), (27) and (28), which are formed at equidistant angles of 120°. The clamp body includes a larger bore hole in the center (17), a medium bore hole in half oblong form (9) in the tip (27), a small bore hole in half oblong form (8) in the tip (26), and a bore slot (18) in the tip (28) suitable for the opening and closing of the clamp (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: IPBGR Indústria Mecânica LTDA
    Inventor: Gilmar Souza Cupolillo
  • Patent number: 7431536
    Abstract: Cellular foil (3) is unfolded between the surface of earth base course (1) and the first floor layer (5) during building the subsoil, which cellular foil (3) is poured over with fill (4) from loose material at least up to filling the compartments. A bedding (2) from loose material, optimally from sand, is created under the cellular foil (3). Geotextile (6) may be incorporated to the area under the cellular foil (3). Bedding (2) of lower grain size than that of the fill (4) is preferably used, wherein the fill (4) has optimal grain size of 8 to 63 mm. Compaction is done by at least eight travels of roller of 10 to 11 tons weight, also including vibrations when the height of fills is exceeding 25 cm above the cellular foil (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Jiri Benda
  • Patent number: 7419331
    Abstract: A continuous curve arch shape cross section leaching chamber made of molded thermoplastic has closely spaced corrugations and sidewalls, portions of which are perforated with horizontal slots. Either or both of the slot height and the local wall thickness which defines the slots may vary with slot elevation from the base, so that a perforated sidewall configuration is achieved which resists entry of surrounding soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Infiltrator Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Brochu, James J. Burnes, John R. Battye, Roy E. Moore, Jr., Bryan A. Coppes
  • Patent number: 7419335
    Abstract: An arrangement for supporting a building wall, such as a foundation wall, against inward movement caused by shifting of adjacent soil or by hydrostatic forces or other forces acting on the exterior surface of the wall to push it inwardly. The support arrangement includes upper and lower jacking members that each engage respective upper and lower sections of a support beam that is placed vertically against the surface of the wall to be supported. Each jacking member includes a respective jackscrew that is rotatable for applying a wall holding or a wall restoring force to either or both of the upper and lower sections of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Steven B. Cohen