Patents Examined by Thomas A Beach
  • Patent number: 8439409
    Abstract: A door panel of a side door of a machine has a latching mechanism, and a frame of the machine includes a striker. The striker includes a pair of vertically arranged mounting base portions, a pair of slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions formed on the mounting base portions so as to protrude in a V-like shape towards the latching mechanism, and a metal hooking portion protruding from a flat end portion that is provided between the slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions. The latching mechanism includes a mechanism body portion including main body plates. A U-shaped latch groove portion for engaging the metal hooking portion of the striker is formed by cutting away a part of each main body plate, and shimmy suppressing portions that are vertically arranged in a V-like shape are provided at the open end of each latch groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Ryoji Uto, Shigemi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8434558
    Abstract: A device for containing fluid flow from a borehole includes: a containment assembly including a body having a cavity configured to receive a leaking portion of a borehole termination structure extending from the borehole and surround the leaking portion, the cavity configured to be adapted to at least partially conform to a shape of at least one of the leaking portion and the borehole termination structure; and a flow control assembly configured to connect a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the containment assembly and direct downhole fluid into the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron R. Swanson, James P. Dwyer, Todd J. Talbot
  • Patent number: 8430170
    Abstract: A bottom-to-surface connection installation of at least two undersea pipes (10a, 10b) resting on the sea bottom, the installation comprising: 1) a first hybrid tower comprising: a) a vertical riser (1a) anchored (3a) to a first base and connected to a said undersea pipe (10a) resting on the sea bottom and having its top end connected to a first sub-surface float (2a); and b) a first connection pipe (4a) preferably a flexible pipe, providing the connection between a floating support (11) and the top end of said riser; and 2) at least one second rigid pipe (1b) rising from the sea bottom on which it rests (10b) or from a second undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom to which its bottom end is connected, said bottom end not being anchored at said first base, up to the sub-surface where its top end is connected to a second float (2b) situated substantially at the same depth as said first float (2a) and fastened to said first float at least respectively a flexible second connection pipe (2b) providing its c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventor: François-Régis Pionetti
  • Patent number: 8430168
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for subsea control system testing including one or more of electrical, optical and fluidic conduit testing, wherein the testing is conducted subsea using a subsea testing skid. In one embodiment of the invention a subsea pipeline service skid is provided that includes at least one skid mounted pump dimensioned to deliver from about 3000 to about 20000 p.s.i. of pressure for pressure testing the fluidic conduits to desired pressures. Modular construction of the skid permits customization for testing service of unique subsea control equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Valkyrie Commissioning Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alastair R. Goodall, Alan J Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8430171
    Abstract: Several, preferably three, deflection elements are placed and fixed around the wellhead, preferably in equal circumferential distances around the wellhead. For each deflection element a guiding cable is lowered with its head end from one or several, preferably three workspaces in the direction of the wellhead. Each guiding cable is looped with its head end through the corresponding deflection element, wherein each deflection element forms a point of reversal. Each guiding cable is pulled back with its head end side to the corresponding workspace while in return additional guiding cable is supplied and passed through the corresponding deflection element. A sealing element which is fastened to each guiding cable is lowered in the direction of the wellhead by pulling the guiding cables at their head end sides upwards and, in return, supplying the guiding cables in the direction of the wellhead on the lowering side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: David Robb Cochrane
  • Patent number: 8430434
    Abstract: A connecting structure includes a locking device having a spring locking element and a locking piece for locking the connecting modules, and a magnet/armature structure having a magnet and an armature. The locking device and the magnet/armature structure are functionally linked by in that the magnet and the armature are displaceable, the magnet or the armature is coupled to the locking piece via a coupling device so that the locking piece, when displaced between the magnet and the armature, can be brought into a non-locking position; The magnetic force is chosen so that the connecting modules are pulled towards each other during closing, thereby pushing the spring locking element against the locking piece until it snaps into engagement and the magnetic force is weakened during release after the non-engagement position between the locking piece and the spring locking element is reached to enable separation of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8424599
    Abstract: An automated closed loop flowback and separation system that allows automated control and remote operation of a flowback operation from a safe distance without any fluid or gas release to the atmosphere. Four-phase separation tanks allow the transport gas, well bore cuttings, produced oil, and produced water to be automatically separated and transported through process piping for reuse or sale, eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment. Flow measurement instruments, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters work in conjunction with an automated blast choke to send data to a programmable logic controller for use in calculating the erosion status of the choke restriction and adjusting the choke to compensate. The programmable logic controller works with a touch-screen or similar human-machine interface to allow remote monitoring and control or automated control of the system. The automated blast choke can vary the choke restriction opening based on the pressure differential and flow rate conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fracmaster, LLC
    Inventor: Don Atencio
  • Patent number: 8424931
    Abstract: A locking apparatus uses a handle pivotally connected to a base to control the movement of a slide block slidablely accommodated in a base. The slide block includes a locking tongue. The locking tongue protrudes out of the base or retracts back into the base according to the movement of the slide block. Thus, the locking apparatus can lock the hard disk when the locking tongue protrudes out of the base and unlock the hard disk when the locking tongue retracts back into the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Kai Chang
  • Patent number: 8424935
    Abstract: A mortise lock is provided with independently rotatable spindles and a highly accessible lock-handing selector. Also, a clutching mortise lock is provided that enables operative rotation in both directions to retract the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 8419079
    Abstract: A latch mechanism including a housing, a first device, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, a stopping portion and a second device is provided. The first and second devices and the first and second sliding members are disposed on the housing, wherein the first sliding member is located between the first device and the second sliding member. The stopping portion is disposed on at least one of the first device and the first sliding member for restricting a sliding distance of the first sliding member relative to the first device. The first sliding member is not allowed to drive the second sliding member to slide relative to the housing along a first direction to disengage the second device when sliding until the first device is detached from the housing and the engagement between the first device and the first sliding member is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Lung-Pai Cheng, Yun-Tang Lin, Wei-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 8419081
    Abstract: The present utility model discloses a side-hung door or window single latch lock, comprising: a first lock body and a second lock body disposed on an inner side and an outer side of a door or window and sandwiching the door or window in between, the first lock body including a first handle and the second lock body including a second handle, characterized in that the first lock body further comprises a latch assembly linked to the first handle and controlling opening and closing, and an elastic locking and controlling mechanism respectively linked to the first handle and the second handle to transmissively control the opening and closing of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cmech (Guangzhou) Industrial, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gongchun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8419085
    Abstract: A case locking device is provided. For example, an outer case and an inner case used for various types of electronic devices, such as set-top boxes (STB), are connected by a lock using a resilient force from an elastic material, such as a spring, so that the outer case and the inner case may be separated from each other using only a separately provided jig. Accordingly, the outer case and the inner case may be connected to each other more easily and any general user may be prevented from separating the case arbitrarily, thus making it possible to effectively prevent catastrophic failures from occurring at the electronic device due to a user's arbitrary manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Humax Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoungsu Kim, Hakryun Kang
  • Patent number: 8418765
    Abstract: A combined piloting method of remote operated underwater vehicles includes: connecting, to a vertical profile, a constraint device including at least two arms arranged at a reciprocal fixed angular position, each of the at least two docking arms including at a first end a device for the hooking of a remote operated underwater vehicle, the at least two docking arms being constrained at one of their second ends to a device for the sliding and rotating hooking to the vertical profile; connecting at least two remote operated vehicles to the constraint device; detecting the position of the overall structure consisting of the constraint device and remote operated vehicles; detecting the orientation of each of the remote operated vehicles; receiving data relating to the position and orientation to be reached; determining the power required by each remote operated vehicle; and transmitting related commands to each vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Ferrara, Michele Filippini, Roberto Finotello, Tiberio Grasso
  • Patent number: 8419084
    Abstract: The present utility model discloses a smart lock with a modified structure comprising: a lock body including an inner handle and an outer handle, a latch and a bolt, an electrical locking mechanism for interfering retraction of the bolt; the lock body further comprises a manual locking and controlling mechanism connected to the inner and outer handles and controlling opening and closing; the manual locking and controlling mechanism is provided with a rotation actuating piece linked to the inner and outer handles and a bolt moving piece controlling extension and retraction of the bolt, wherein the rotation actuating piece is linked to the bolt moving piece via a locking member to control the bolt for locking when the inner and outer handles are lifted, and the rotation actuating piece is linked to the bolt moving piece via an unlocking member to control the bolt for unlocking when the inner and outer handles are pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cmech (Guangzhou) Industrial Ltd.
    Inventors: Junliang Ding, Fubin Zhou
  • Patent number: 8419086
    Abstract: A mortise latchset has an improved leveraged cam assembly, completely internal to the latchset body, versatile enough to allow the door handles to be rotated in either direction to retract the latchbolt, and robust enough to independently bias each of two lever-type door handles toward a handle-centering position, even when one of the handles is being operated. The mortise latchset uses a pair of coaxially mounted cam followers independently leveraged by a cantilevered spring assembly. The cam followers are located between the operating cams and the latch retracting assembly, and each leveraged cam follower is operable to engage the latch retracting assembly to retract the latchbolt, while the other cam follower biases its operating cam in the handle-centering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Moon
  • Patent number: 8419082
    Abstract: A computer chassis includes a housing, a sideboard defining a latching hole, and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a supporting assembly, a first latching member, a second latching member, a rotation shaft, an elastic member, and a pressing assembly. The supporting assembly is mounted in the housing. The first latching member includes a first gear portion and a first hook. The second latching member includes a second gear portion and a second hook. The rotation shaft passes through the second latching assembly and the first latching assembly and is partially received in the base. The gear is engaged with the first gear portion and the second gear portion. One end of the elastic member is secured to the first latching member, and an opposite end of the elastic member is secured to the second latching member. The pressing assembly is moveably connected to the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 8419087
    Abstract: A mortise lock incorporating a modular powerpack with dual independent return mechanisms, one for the inside operator and one for the outside, using linear springs, and with a lockout feature for selective “locking out” of the return mechanisms to accommodate external operators with built-in powerpacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Shen
  • Patent number: 8413722
    Abstract: A method for removing a fluid influx from a subsea wellbore drilled using a pump to return fluid from the wellbore to the surface. The method includes detecting the influx when a rate of the return pump increases. Flow from the wellbore is diverted from the return pump to a choke line when the influx reaches the wellhead. A choke in the choke line is operated so that a rate of fluid pumped into the wellbore is substantially equal to a flow rate through the choke line. Fluid flow from the wellbore is redirected to the return pump inlet when the influx has substantially left the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: AGR Subsea, A.S.
    Inventor: John Cohen
  • Patent number: 8413725
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a subsea separator. The subsea separator suitably comprises (a) a housing having an inlet for receiving a fluid mixture, a non-gaseous fluid outlet located along the housing at a point lower than the inlet, and a gas outlet located along the housing at a point higher than the inlet; (b) a deflector means located within the housing for acting on fluid entering the housing; and (c) a sealing means in communication with the gas outlet for preventing non-gaseous fluid from exiting the housing through the gas outlet, the sealing means being operationally configured to open and seal the gas outlet based on the volume of non-gaseous fluid within the separator; wherein the separator is operationally configured to operate under a differential pressure including a greater external hydrostatic pressure than internal pressure and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: David C Wright, Jeffery Wilbert Dufrene
  • Patent number: 8414037
    Abstract: A push-push type latch mechanism is disclosed, which includes a platform, a slide hook with an incline disposed on the platform, a spring disposed on the platform and connected to the slide hook, and at least one damping component disposed on the platform and touching the slide hook. An electronic device with the push-push type latch mechanism is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wang, Wen-Chieh Liao