Patents by Inventor William A. Lane
William A. Lane 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).
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Publication number: 20040064883Abstract: A bath for a disabled person, the bath having a body with a side opening which is closable by vertically displaceable door under the action of a door movement mechanism including a counter-weight beam (56) either end of which is linked to an end of the door by a chain. The weight of the counter-weight beam (56) is selected so as to bias the door towards its closed position. The beam (56) is connected by a pin (66) to over-centre lockable link arms (60, 62). When the beam approaches its lowermost position, as the door closes, a stub portion (72) of a pivot pin (64) connecting the link arms (60, 62) enters a locking fork (77) which is displaced by a motor (82) to effect over-centre locking of the link arms (60, 62) and thereby seal a channel on an inner face of the door against a lip disposed around the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
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Patent number: 6640901Abstract: A retrievable fluid separation module (2) for a seabed processing system to which flow lines are connected includes one portion (60) of a multi-ported valve isolation connector (5) and a separator chamber (6) for separating a plurality of fluids from a received fluid mixture. The separator chamber has an inlet flow line (12) for the received fluid mixture and an outlet flow line (15, 16) for each separated fluid. The flow lines are connected to the one portion of the connector (5) which selectively isolates the module from or connects it to the flow lines by means of a second complementary portion (61) of the multi-ported valve isolation connector with which the first portion is adapted to engage. There may be a modulating valve (25) in at least one outlet flow line (16) for controlling flow therethrough and a control actuator (63) for controlling the or each modulating valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Alpha Thames Ltd.Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
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Patent number: 6626470Abstract: A two-part connector (1) is provided for use in connecting and disconnecting fluid carrying conduits. The connector comprises lower and upper parts (2, 3) each having four fluid carrying duct (15) therethrough, and a valve member (17) for each duct. Each duct in the lower part (2) is aligned with its respective duct in the upper part (3) when the two connector parts are connected together. The connector has clamps (24) for retaining the lower and upper parts (2, 3) together in sealing engagement. The clamps are mounted on the upper connector part (3) and are pivotable thereabout. Hydraulic pistons are used to move the clamps, the clamps being located in a first position pivoted away from the connector whilst the lower and upper parts (2, 3) are being aligned relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Alpha Thames Ltd.Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane, Ian Ronald Sutton Watson
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Publication number: 20030180096Abstract: To install a modular seabed processing system (1) on a seabed, a monopile foundation (3) is first lowered down and driven in to the seabed. A docking unit (4) is lowered towards the installed foundation (3) so that a mating clamp system (6) mounted on the docking unit is aligned with a spigot (5) on the foundation. The clamp system then clamps the spigot to fix the docking unit onto the foundation. Flowlines (2) and an electrical power connector plug (18) are connected to the docking unit. A first retrievable substantially autonomous module (8) is lowered and connected to the docking unit (4) by a multi-bored connector (10, 11) and the plug (18) on the docking unit is engaged by a corresponding socket (17) on the module. Isolation valves (14, 16) in the docking unit and module are opened so that the module (8) is able to act on fluid received from the flowlines (2) via the multi-bored connector (10, 11).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
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Patent number: 6598853Abstract: A rotary valve for blocking opposed apertures of a valve body includes a central assembly comprising laterally offset hemi-cylindrical first camming surfaces on an exterior of a rotatable spool and substantially hemi-cylindrical seal plates with hemi-cylindrical first cam following surfaces which engage the first camming surfaces. Stop pins fixed to the valve body run in rebates in the seal plates to limit rotation of the seal plates to 90°. Each of four clearance members is supported by a wedging block loosely located in a recess in the spool, slidingly extends through a radial slot in one of the seal plates and prevents the spool jamming the seal plate against an inner face of the valve body during closing of the valve until a projecting end of the clearance member enters a recess in the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Alpha Thames LimitedInventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
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Patent number: 6572076Abstract: A valve actuator (1) is provided which comprises an actuator stem (4) extending from a housing (2) which contains a sleeve (17). The actuator stem (4) is driven so as to cause the sleeve to compress a stack of springs (22) within the housing until bolts (25) engage the sleeve, locking the springs in a compressed state. At the same time an armature (28) on the actuator stem is attracted to an electromagnet (29) within the housing. The actuator stem can then be driven to open or close a valve in a controlled manner without first compressing or releasing the springs. In an emergency, the electromagnet is switched off, releasing the armature thus unlocking the stack of springs. The released springs push the piston which partially retracts the actuator stem into the housing causing the valve to be closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Alpha Thames Ltd.Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane, Benjamin McGeever
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Publication number: 20020050201Abstract: An improved table saw including: (1) an improved fence assembly having a handle cam rotatably mounted and received by at least one annular bearing; (2) a pivot pin to absorb shear loading that occurs when operator aligns fence channel perpendicular to fence head; (3) a grooved surface on the head assembly to substantially self-align the fence assembly parallel to the saw blade; (4) an improved microadjust assembly; (5) an improved locking pawl; (5) an improved miter gauge, and (6) a hinged belt guard.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 1999Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: WILLIAM LANE, JOHN BARTLETT, JOHN LABALLISTER, JAMES HILLIARD, WILLIAM DICKE, KEITH SCHOENE, DANIEL TERPSTRA
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Patent number: 6358027Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable rotor and/or stator, so that the interference fit and/or clearance can be adjusted. The rotor and/or stator are tapered to provide a difference in fit between the rotor and stator by longitudinal adjustment of their relative position. In one embodiment, the adjustment may occur while the PCP in mounted downhole in a wellbore. In another embodiment, the adjustment may occur automatically depending on sensor input of operating conditions of the PCP.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventor: William Lane
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Patent number: 6006501Abstract: A form, fill and seal packaging machine having at least one multi-channel former therein for forming a pair of streams of three side sealed pouches. The at least one multi-channel former includes a shaped top and an open central forming area in which a strip of material brought to the former by a drive means from a roller is bent over and is then folded into a unique figure 8 or infinity sign, tubular configuration as it exits from the bottom. The unique configuration is then side sealed and cut into two tubular elements, which are then bottom sealed, filled, top sealed and cut-off in the machine to form two separate streams of three side sealed pouches. The machine may have a number of separate forming areas therein and the unique tubular configuration from which the pouches are formed is provided by the unique shaped top, open central and exit configurations of the formers, over and through, which the strip of material is bent and folded.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Winpak Lane, Inc.Inventors: Steven D Davis, William A Lane, Alvin L Taylor
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Patent number: 5931345Abstract: A dispenser system having a substantially large pouch (20) for holding a substantially large amount of viscous food product for dispensing from a dispenser (122). The pouch is formed so as to include a tear strip (38) to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout (24) and to be sealingly held in the dispenser. The pouch may include a pair of alignment/holding openings (32, 34) formed on either side of the outlet spout for aligning the pouch in a preferred position in the dispenser, so that a piston-type extruding member (136) may pressurize and dispense predetermined size shots of viscous food product therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Winpak Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: 5634572Abstract: A dispenser system having a substantially large pouch (20) for holding a substantially large amount of viscous food product for dispensing from a dispenser (122). The pouch is formed so as to include a tear strip (38) to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout (24) and to be sealingly held in the dispenser. The pouch may include a pair of alignment/holding openings (32, 34) formed on either side of the outlet spout for aligning the pouch in a preferred position in the dispenser, so that a piston-type extruding member (136) may pressurize and dispense predetermined size shots of viscous food product therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Winpak Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis, Chester F. Robards, Jr.
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Patent number: 5632416Abstract: A pouch for holding viscous food product for dispensing from a specific hand held or similar type dispenser, is formed so as to include a tear strip to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout formed to be sealingly held in the specific dispenser. The pouch includes a pair of alignment/holding openings formed on either side of the outlet spout for securing the pouch in a fixed position in the dispenser. The invention also includes head seal tooling having a pair of heated jaws which are brought together to simultaneously form the bottom seal of a top unfilled, pouch and the outlet spout and angularly disposed top seals of a filled lower pouch, while at the same time forming perforations for the tear strip, the pair of openings in the lower pouch and cutting-off the formed, filled and sealed lower pouch from the upper pouch.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: 5479840Abstract: A portable machine tool such as a table saw that can be moved from position to position and locked in place for operation is disclosed. The portable machine tool includes a supporting base and at least one pair of spaced wheels depending from the supporting base adjacent one end. The wheels are capable of being locked in a fixed position to prevent movement of the saw or release of the wheels to enable movement of the saw to a desired position. A movable handle for movement between a first and second position provides joint operation of the wheel locking and wheel releasing elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: James E. Hilliard, William A. Lane, John W. Bartlett, John W. LaBallister, Frederick B. Jedlicka
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Patent number: 5430987Abstract: An enlarged dispensing pouch for holding viscous food product for dispensing from a specific hand held or similar type dispenser, is formed so as to include a tear strip which will accurately and consistently open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout formed in the pouch. The tooling to form the tear-off strip across the pouch and up to the outlet spout includes a plurality of blade groupings having specifically sized and shaped blades to form a predetermined number of enlarged perforations and smaller end perforations along the tearline of pouches to enable the tear strips so formed to be accurately and consistently torn off the pouches.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1993Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: 5408807Abstract: A pouch for holding viscous food product for dispensing from a specific hand held or similar type dispenser, is formed so as to include a tear strip to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout formed to be sealingly held in the specific dispenser. The pouch includes a pair of alignment/holding openings formed on either side of the outlet spout for securing the pouch in a fixed position in the dispenser. The invention also includes head seal tooling having a pair of heated jaws which are brought together to simultaneously form the bottom seal of a top unfilled, pouch and the outlet spout and angularly disposed top seals of a filled lower pouch, while at the same time forming perforations for the tear strip, the pair of openings in the lower pouch and cutting-off the formed, filled and sealed lower pouch from the upper pouch.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: D354906Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1993Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: D364412Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: James E. Hilliard, William A. Lane, John W. Bartlett, John W. LaBallister, Frederick B. Jedlicka
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Patent number: D372037Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
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Patent number: D399512Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Winpak Lane, Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Davis, Alvin L. Taylor, William A. Lane, Jr.
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Patent number: D404404Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: William Lane, John Bartlett, John LaBallister, James Hilliard, William Dicke, Keith R. Schoene