Patents Examined by Thomas A Beach
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Patent number: 8177264Abstract: An article storing structure for a small boat capable of easily carrying out the opening operation of a lid without spending time and effort and capable of easily taking luggage in and out. The article storing structure includes an article storing box for storing luggage in the hull and a lid covering an opening of the article storing box from above. The article storing structure includes left and right hinges provided at the left and right sides of the lid, respectively, for supporting the lid so as to be freely opened and closed and left and right lock members provided at the left and right sides of the lid, respectively, and capable of releasing the left and right hinges in the engaged condition, respectively. By releasing one of the left and right hinges in the engaged condition by the lock member, the lid can be opened and closed laterally.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Iwakami
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Patent number: 8177236Abstract: A seal assembly (100) for sealing a rotatable shaft entering a workspace is provided, the seal 5 assembly (100) comprising first and second sets of seal rings (110?, 110?; 170, 170?) separated by a space defined by the seal ring sets (110?, 110?; 170, 170?), an outer surface of a shaft sleeve (120) or the shaft and an inner surface of a body (140, 150) circumventing 10 the outer surface of the shaft sleeve (120) or the shaft and filled with a lubricating and/or cooling fluid, wherein the outer surface of the shaft sleeve (120) or the shaft is provided with grooves (120?), or any other irregular surface, wherein the space is 15 provided with at least one fluid directing member (160, 160?) that is configured to provide homogenous distribution of lubrication and/or homogenous distribution of cooling over a substantial part of the seal assembly (100) in interaction with the shaft 20 sleeve or the shaft. A method and a system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Huhnseal ABInventor: Göran Anderberg
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Patent number: 8176662Abstract: A digging system includes a machine having a machine frame, and an implement assembly mounted to the machine frame. The implement assembly includes an elongate boom and a trenching mechanism having a plurality of drawing cutters coupled with an endless drive chain movable about a drive system mounted to an elongate boom. The implement assembly further includes an undercutting mechanism having first and second rotating cutters projecting in opposite axial directions from the distal boom end. The implement assembly defines a compound projection profile in a plane which includes first and second axes of rotation of a drive wheel and guide wheel of the drive system. The compound projection profile includes a relatively narrow proximal stem segment corresponding to the trenching mechanism and a relatively broad distal footing segment corresponding to the undercutting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Inventor: Larry William Peterson
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Patent number: 8176975Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive actuator system includes a housing having a bore therein. A force transmitter is sealingly moveable within the bore, the force transmitter defining with the bore two fluid chambers. One of the fluid chambers is at each longitudinal end of the force transmitter. At least two seals are sealingly positioned between the housing and the force transmitter, with one of the seals isolating one end of the force transmitter from tubing pressure and another of the seals isolating another end of the force transmitter from tubing pressure. A method is also included.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gary B. Lake, David Z. Anderson, Darren E. Bane, Aaron T. Jackson
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Patent number: 8176985Abstract: Production and drilling may be achieved by a system which uses a rotating head coupled to surface blowout preventer stack for fluid flow control. A casing connects these surface components to a subsea shutoff assembly with a pair of ram shear devices to cut off the string to the wellhead. Both the casing and an alternate line may be latched so that they may be released if necessary. The rotating head may include a rubber packer to prevent upward flow of drilling fluid and production hydrocarbons and, at the same time, provide rotation to the drill string. Managed pressure drilling or under balanced drilling may be used in some embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Stena Drilling Ltd.Inventor: Gavin Humphreys
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Patent number: 8172284Abstract: The door handle contains a positioning element, an engaging ring, and a handle member. The positioning element is flat and substantially rectangular with four rounded corners. Four notches are formed besides the four corners, respectively. The inner circumference of the engaging ring is divided equally into four arc sections, each having a J-shaped track. Along the outer circumference of the engaging ring, a curved slot where an elastic plate is embedded and a neighboring axial groove are provided. After the positioning element is fixed to a lock on a door, the engaging ring and a first cover of the handle member are sleeved over the positioning element. By twisting the first cover which in turn rotates the engaging ring, the four corners follow the J-shaped tracks and are thus locked and the elastic plate is embedded into one of the notches.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Inventor: Der-Yuh Chern
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Patent number: 8171989Abstract: A system includes a subsea well and a carousel of tools. The carousel of tools is adapted to automatically and selectively deploy the tools in the well to perform an intervention in the well. The flow of fluid in a well is halted, and a tool is deployed from within the well while the fluid is halted. The tool is allowed to free fall while the fluid is halted. The flow is resumed to retrieve the tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Peter A. Goode, Andrew Gould, Alan Christie, Charles E. Vise, Jr.
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Patent number: 8167312Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8166677Abstract: A manual snow plow with ergonomic features comprises a snow scoop, two (2) articulating struts extending upward from the scoop and two (2) hinged rounded braces placed against a user's shoulders during use. The struts are provided with cross bracing which provide size adjustability and stability to the plow. A set of position adjustable hand grips extend from each strut in a rearward fashion to control the device during use. A pair of casters provided on a rear of the snow scoop allows the device to ride over cracks and other uneven surface variations. The snow plow becomes an extension of the user's body and thus enables the user to use the force of their entire body to move snow.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventor: Thomas L. Woyak
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Patent number: 8167052Abstract: A system for delivering a cable through a tubing string to a downhole location in a well, includes a plug and a receiver. The plug includes a first connector configured to be operably connected to the cable and further includes a plug housing adapted to fit within the tubing string. A check valve operably associated with a passage in the plug housing restricts fluid flow through the passage in a downhole direction and allows fluid flow through the passage in an uphole direction. The receiver is configured to be positioned at the downhole location and includes a receiver housing and a second connector configured to be operably connected to a downhole device. The second connector is adapted to communicate with the first connector when the receiver and plug housings are engaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Pine Tree Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8167314Abstract: According to the present invention, an annular face seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes a mounting ring, a mounting member, a rotor, and a stator. The mounting ring has a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end. The mounting member has a clamp portion and a biasing portion. The clamp portion extends axially between a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface. The biasing portion includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment has a width and a rotor contact surface. The rotor has a rotor seal surface and a clamp portion having a width. The stator has a stator seal surface that is aligned with the rotor seal surface. The mounting ring is disposed radially inside of the rotor and radially inside of at least part of the biasing portion, and is disposed in contact with the second clamping surface of the clamp portion. The rotor contact surface of the biasing portion is disposed in contact with the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: M. Rifat Ullah
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Patent number: 8162061Abstract: A remotely operated submersible vehicle (ROV) is used to carry a bridge plug down to a sub sea well. The ROV is operated from a surface vessel or platform and is outfitted with a submersible hydraulic pump and a manipulator arm. Additionally, the ROV is provided with a carrying rack which can support a well closure assembly made up of an inflatable bridge plug and an affixed hydraulic running tool. The bridge plug and running tool are placed into the carrying rack and operably interconnected with the hydraulic pump so that the plug element can be selectively inflated by the pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: David W. Maxwell
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Patent number: 8162063Abstract: Dual gradient drilling may be performed by anchoring drilling tubulars from a drilling ship on the seabed. The drilling tubulars may include an inline pump for pumping mud through another set of tubulars that actually drill the well. Then dual gradient drilling may be instituted by controlling the pressure by controlling the operation of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Stena Drilling Ltd.Inventor: Gavin Humphreys
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Patent number: 8162327Abstract: A single-ply sheet metal seal ring with a convoluted, V/E-shaped cross-section having planar-circumferential flexibility is shown to be more capable of conforming to the sealing face contours of warped, weld-deformed flanges than thin layer, multiple-ply seals developed to replace earlier E-shaped seals for this purpose. The basis of the improved flexibility of the new seal lies mainly in the discovery of geometric relationships that permit a reduction in the thickness of the sheet material employed in the construction of the seal while maintaining its pressure containing capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Seal Science and Technology, LLCInventor: Horace P. Halling
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Patent number: 8162062Abstract: An improved motion compensator device that includes a compensated framework for various types of well intervention operations where a stable work area is required that is stationary to the sea bed and equipment in the annulus. The device is intended for use on offshore drilling vessels that are primarily either moored or dynamically positioned and therefore subject to the motions created by the sea. The device is designed to compensate for the vertical motion of the rig by means of two steel frame assemblies, pneumatic compensating cylinders, and a load and motion transfer apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Stingray Offshore Solutions, LLCInventors: Vincent H. Barone, Trevor S. Brown
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Patent number: 8162064Abstract: An autonomous junk collecting sleeve for a riser is provided. The sleeve is constructed and arranged to be independently lowered and seated above a subsea tree section and, subsequently, raised and removed independent of the work string. The autonomous junk collecting sleeve includes a first cylindrical structure, a second cylindrical structure concentric to the first cylindrical structure and which are joined together in spatial relation at a bottom end to form an interior J-channel basket. The J-channel basket is operable to collect debris traveling up through the bottom end and over of the second cylindrical structure for deposit therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Wellbore Specialties, LLCInventor: Dennis J. Penisson
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Patent number: 8157268Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston ring (10), particularly a compression ring, for an internal combustion engine, comprising a ring-shaped body (11) having a ring joint (13) formed by butt ends (14a, 14b), the ring-shaped body (11) further having a ring contact face (12) along its perimeter, for contacting a cylinder wall in operation. According to the invention, the ring contact face (12) has a barrel-shaped profile, the barrel-shaped profile having in any of its cross-sections an area of maximum curvature, whose radius of curvature increases in the direction of the butt ends (14a, 14b).Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, MAHLE Metal Leve S/AInventors: Antonio Eduardo Meirelles Tomanik, Mauricio Ciminelli Duarte de Souza
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Patent number: 8157015Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly that includes a wellhead housing, a production tree, a tubing hanger adapted to land in the wellhead assembly inside the wellhead housing, and a bore formed through the production tree having an inner diameter greater than the tubing hanger outer diameter. A hanger adapter may be included having an annular body disposed on the tubing hanger upper surface and a flange member projecting radially outward from the annular body.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Robert K. Voss, David S. Christie, Peter Breese
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Patent number: 8156666Abstract: A method for rehabilitating a land area comprises the step of using an excavating machine to extract dirt desired to be dispersed over the land area from another area, such as a ditch. The extracted dirt is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is pumped to a high-pressure spray nozzle, and is then sprayed in a thin layer over the land area desired to be rehabilitated. The slurry can also be pumped to the land area at a controllable depth to achieve a desired land profile thereat.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Inventor: Troy M. Deal, Jr.
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Patent number: 8157013Abstract: A tensioner system for an offshore drilling rig for drilling a well with recoil controls is disclosed herein. The tensioner system can include removable independently operable riser tensioner assemblies. Each removable independently operable riser tensioner assembly can include a bidirectional riser recoil valve and a hydraulic cylinder connected thereto. The hydraulic cylinder can power a rod engaged with a clevis and a blind end clevis. The clevis can engage a tension ring on a drilling riser. A fluid containment storage can be connected to the bidirectional riser recoil valve and the hydraulic cylinder, and can have a goose neck for connecting to a flexible jumper. A controller can be connected to the bidirectional riser recoil valve for regulating flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough to control a disconnect process of the drilling riser by controlled raising or lowering of the drilling riser.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Drilling Technological Innovations, LLCInventor: David Trent