Patents by Inventor Charles R. Clark

Charles R. Clark has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8092542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Bryan, Alex Kunzler, Charles R. Clark, Robert Conta, Carlos E. Gil
  • Publication number: 20110295374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Bryan, Alex Kunzler, Charles R. Clark, Robert Conta, Carlos E. Gil
  • Publication number: 20100070042
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Bryan, Alex Kunzler, Charles R. Clark, Robert Conta, Carlos E. Gil
  • Patent number: 7641692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like D joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough, while the inner surfaces of the shells are relatively smooth. The central body has a shape that cooperates with the shape of the inner surface of the shell so as to provide a range of motion similar to that provided by a healthy joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Vincent Bryan, Alex Kunzler, Charles R. Clark, Robert Conta, Carlos E. Gil
  • Publication number: 20020128715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical implant that provides an artificial diarthroidal-like joint, suitable for use in replacing any joint, but particularly suitable for use as an intervertebral disc endoprosthesis. The invention contains two rigid opposing shells, each having an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that the shells are immobilized by friction between their outer surfaces and the surfaces of the bone. These outer surfaces are sufficiently rough that large frictional forces strongly resist any slippage between the outer surface and the bone surfaces in the joint. They may be convex, and when inserted into a milled concavity, are immediately mechanically stable. Desirably, the outer surfaces of the shells are adapted to allow for bony ingrowth, which further stabilizes the shells in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Vincent Bryan, Alex Kunzler, Charles R. Clark, Bobert Conta, Carlos E. Gil
  • Patent number: 5156767
    Abstract: A method of emulsion breaking comprising contacting an emulsion with a substrate having adhered thereto an alkylphenol-polyethylene oxide-acrylate polymer. The emulsion breaking material is used to separate water-in-oil emulsion by coalescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Nicholas O. Wolf, Charles R. Clark, D. Philip Cords
  • Patent number: 5023059
    Abstract: A metallurgical processing system for economically recovering metal values, such as columbium, tantalum, thorium, and uranium from dilute source solids, such as digestion sludges, by a series of steps including:1) slurrying the source solids with dilute hydrofluoric acid to produce a solid phase and a liquid phase containing dissolved tantalum and columbium, then extracting tantalum and/or columbium from the liquid phase by means of a liquid ion-exchange process and then, additionally;2) roasting the solid phase with sulfuric acid to recover and recycle hydrofluoric acid, leaching the roasted solids with dilute sulfuric acid to produce a disposable solid phase and a liquid phase containing thorium and uranium, and extracting thorium and uranium from the liquid phase by means of a liquid-liquid amine extraction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventors: Edwin J. Bielecki, Karl A. Romberger, Bart F. Bakke, Martin A. Hobin, Charles R. Clark
  • Patent number: 4986353
    Abstract: Oil field chemicals are incorporated in polymeric particles of the condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid or the co-condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid and other compounds containing hydroxy-, carboxylic acid-, or hydroxycarboxylic acid moieties. The particles are introduced into an oil well bore and/or subterranean oil formation where the polymeric particles dissolve over a period of time and release the oil field chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignees: Conoco Inc., E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Clark, Donald L. Whitfill, D. Philip Cords, Edward F. McBride, Harold E. Bellis
  • Patent number: 4986355
    Abstract: A melted polymer of hydroxyacetic acid with itself or with other hydroxy-, carboxylic acid-, or hydroxycarboxylic acid-containing moieties is subjected to high shear and injected into an organic liquid which is inert to the polymer to form an organic liquid dispersion of very fine polymer particles. In one aspect the melted polymer is combined with the organic liquid and the combination is thereafter subjected to high shear to form the fine particle polymer dispersion. A dispersion agent may also be used to aid in dispersing the particles. The dispersion is used for fluid loss control and gel breaking in subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Burton M. Casad, Charles R. Clark, Lisa A. Cantu, D. Philip Cords, Edward F. McBride
  • Patent number: 4856593
    Abstract: Stoppage of gas-water streams due to the formation of gas hydrates is prevented by incorporating in such streams a surface active agent which inhibits the formation of gas hydrates and/or the agglomeration of hydrate crystallites into large crystalline masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Matthews, Charles R. Clark
  • Patent number: 4379165
    Abstract: New amino-benzamides and their use for the treatment of epilepsy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Clark
  • Patent number: 4287902
    Abstract: An improvement in the method of transporting viscous hydrocarbons through pipes is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises adding water containing an effective amount of a combination of an alkaryl sulfonate having a molecular weight of 415 to 470 and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Conoco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gifford G. McClaflin, Charles R. Clark
  • Patent number: 4282909
    Abstract: A device for opening a door on an aircraft to expose a receptacle for receiving a fueling nozzle on another aircraft so that the first mentioned aircraft can be refueled in flight. The device has a hydraulically operated actuator for opening and closing the door and another hydraulically operated actuator for locking and unlocking latches engageable with the nozzle for holding it in the receptacle. The hydraulic system has a single valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid through a single conduit to the door actuator for both door opening and door closing movement of the actuator piston. When closed, this valve isolates the hydraulic system from the pressure source so that no part of the hydraulic system is pressurized when the device is not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Clark, Lowell R. Hanson, Gerald G. Steele
  • Patent number: 4126162
    Abstract: A device for opening a door on an airplane to expose a refueling receptacle having latches for connection to a fueling nozzle deployed from a tanker airplane so that the airplane may be refueled in flight. The device has a hydraulic actuator for opening and closing the door, first valve means for controlling the first actuator, a second valve means for controlling another hydraulic actuator that locks and releases the latches, a spring for opening the door when there is a failure in the supply of pressure fluid for the first actuator, and a means to prevent closing of the door before the latches are released from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Clark, Richard J. Clark, Gerald G. Steele
  • Patent number: 3992172
    Abstract: A fluid separating apparatus in which an inlet is disposed in the upper portion of a substantially vertically oriented cylindrical housing for receiving a mixture of liquid and vapor. The mixture is separated in the housing by the application of centrifugal forces to the mixture and the liquid exits from the lower portion of the housing and the vapor rises and exits from the upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Clark
  • Patent number: 3965984
    Abstract: An improved anionic waterflood additive is prepared by partially chlorinating a normal alkane having about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms to about 2 to about 15 weight percent chlorine content, employing the chlorinated alkane to alkylate an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as benzene; sulfonating the thus formed alkylate or a fraction thereof to form a sulfonic acid; converting the sulfonic acid to a sulfonate by reacting with a base component, such as an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or an alkali metal carbonate; and overbasing the sulfonate by admixing with an excess of base component such that the ratio: "weight of excess base component/weight of sulfonate" is about 0.03 to about 3.0. The anionic waterflood additive is injected into a petroliferous formation, the formation is waterflooded, and oil is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Clark, M. Duane Gregory, Oliver C. Kerfoot, Delmar D. Krehbiel, Carl D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 3952803
    Abstract: An improved anionic overbased waterflood additive comprises a base component, a first sulfonate component derived from an alkylation reaction product employing a branched-chain alkene as the alkylating agent, and a second sulfonate component derived from an alkylation reaction product employing a partially chlorinated normal alkane as the alkylating agent, wherein the base component is present in the weight ratio range of 3/100 to 300/100, base component to total sulfonate, and wherein the weight ratio of the first sulfonate component to the second sulfonate component is in the range of 1/9 to 9/1. The overbased waterflood additive may be formed prior to injection into a petroliferous formation or may be formed in situ by first injecting the total sulfonate followed by the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventors: Oliver C. Kerfoot, Charles R. Clark, Carl D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 3933201
    Abstract: An improved anionic waterflood additive is prepared by alkylating an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene with a branched-chain alkene having about 10 to about 35 carbon atoms such as a propylene tetramer dimerization reaction product in the presence of an alkylation catalyst such as AlCl.sub.3 ; sulfonating the thus formed alkylate product or a fraction thereof to form a sulfonic acid; converting the sulfonic acid to a sulfonate by reacting with a base component such as an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or an alkali metal carbonate; and overbasing the sulfonate by admixing with an excess of base component such that the ratio; "weight of excess base component/weight of sulfonate" is about 0.03 to about 3.0. The anionic waterflood additive is injected into a petroliferous formation, the formation is waterflooded, and oil is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventors: Oliver C. Kerfoot, Charles R. Clark, Carl D. Kennedy