Patents by Inventor William Abel

William Abel 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: 9686623
    Abstract: A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Sentient Medical Limited
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, David Ernest Young, Robin Christopher Brodie
  • Patent number: 9416894
    Abstract: A system for verifiably locking a first cylindrical component to a second cylindrical component in a safe and secure manner. The system provides a visible indication when the first component and second component are fully and effectively secured. The first cylindrical component comprises a lock cylinder fixedly attached to the first cylindrical component. The lock cylinder comprises a lock piston. The second cylindrical component comprises a channel with a guide region and a lock region. The visible portion of the lock piston provides an indication of whether or not the lock piston is secured in the lock region of the channel. The system is also capable of being operated from a control panel to operate the locks, receive signals from sensors, and to display the lock status of the system. The system offers redundant verifications to enhance safety in operating environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Publication number: 20150377382
    Abstract: A system for verifiably locking a first cylindrical component to a second cylindrical component in a safe and secure manner. The system provides a visible indication when the first component and second component are fully and effectively secured. The first cylindrical component comprises a lock cylinder fixedly attached to the first cylindrical component. The lock cylinder comprises a lock piston. The second cylindrical component comprises a channel with a guide region and a lock region. The visible portion of the lock piston provides an indication of whether or not the lock piston is secured in the lock region of the channel. The system is also capable of being operated from a control panel to operate the locks, receive signals from sensors, and to display the lock status of the system. The system offers redundant verifications to enhance safety in operating environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Patent number: 9004175
    Abstract: A method and system for rapid containment and intervention of a subsea well blowout that can be performed in a rapid and efficient manner, where containment will minimize the damage to the environment and assets. The method can include disconnecting a riser from a subsea well after a blowout has occurred and moving the mobile offshore drilling unit away from the subsea well. Connecting a lower marine riser package with a blowout preventer, and diverting the well. The pressure and flow of the well fluid can be observed. At least of portion of the diversion path can be closed off and kill fluid and or cement pumped to the subsea well to kill and control the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Patent number: 8920496
    Abstract: An ossicular replacement prosthesis (ORP) (10) for coupling a first point to a second point in the middle ear of a patient, to replace all or part of the ossicular chain. The ORP includes a coupling having a variable configuration for accounting for pressure differentials. The coupling includes a fluid filled chamber (28, 14) having two relatively moveable portions (12, 22) for varying the configuration of the coupling. The coupling further includes unsealed portion constituting leak portion and flowpath portion for permitting displacement of the fluid (30). The relative movement of the relatively moveable portions is controlled by the movement of the fluid in said chamber. The chamber is configured to restrict the movement of the fluid such that relative movement of the moveable portions is permitted in response to quasi-static changes in pressure, and is substantially prevented in response to vibrational changes corresponding to sound frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sentient Medical Limited
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, Frank Abraham
  • Patent number: 8864645
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sentient Medical Limited
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, Zhigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20130192843
    Abstract: A method and system for rapid containment and intervention of a subsea well blowout that can be performed in a rapid and efficient manner, where containment will minimize the damage to the environment and assets. The method can include disconnecting a riser from a subsea well after a blowout has occurred and moving the mobile offshore drilling unit away from the subsea well. Connecting a lower marine riser package with a blowout preventer, and diverting the well. The pressure and flow of the well fluid can be observed. At least of portion of the diversion path can be closed off and kill fluid and or cement pumped to the subsea well to kill and control the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Publication number: 20120197066
    Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling an implantable element to the round window membrane. The apparatus comprises engagement means in the form of a clip or a filler material for engaging the bone surface within the round window niche. This supports the apparatus in the region of the round window membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, Francis Fiabane, Duncan Bowyer
  • Publication number: 20120158135
    Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling an implantable element to the round window membrane. The apparatus comprises engagement means in the form of a clip or a filler material for engaging the bone surface within the round window niche. This supports the apparatus in the region of the round window membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, Adam Ramage
  • Publication number: 20120016180
    Abstract: A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, David Ernest Young, Robin Christopher Brodie
  • Publication number: 20110106254
    Abstract: An ossicular replacement prosthesis (ORP) (10) for coupling a first point to a second point in the middle ear of a patient, to replace all or part of the ossicular chain. The ORP comprises a coupling having a variable configuration for accounting for pressure differentials, said coupling comprising a fluid filled chamber (28, 14) having two relatively moveable portions (12, 22) for varying the configuration of the coupling. The coupling comprises unsealed means constituting leak means and flowpath means for permitting displacement of the fluid (30). The relative movement of the relatively moveable portions is controlled by the movement of the fluid in said chamber. The chamber is configured to restrict the movement of the fluid such that relative movement of the moveable portions is permitted in response to quasi-static changes in pressure, and is substantially prevented in response to vibrational changes corresponding to sound frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: SENTIENT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric William Abel, Frank Abraham
  • Publication number: 20090043149
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an actuator for an implantable hearing aid for implantation into the human middle ear. The actuator comprises a substantially elongate piezoelectric component (34, 36) having first and second operating end faces (41, 43), said end faces extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component. Also there is provided a frame component comprising at least one flextensional amplifier element (32), the flextensional amplifier element being integral with and connecting first and second frame end portions (42, 44), the first and second frame end portions also extending substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis of the piezoelectric component when fitted thereto, whereby the first and second end portions are in contact with the piezoelectric component end faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Sentient Medical Limited
    Inventor: Eric William Abel
  • Patent number: 7464751
    Abstract: The high pressure adapter assembly for use in annular blow out preventers or other type BOPs has an upper and lower body with a bore that communicates between the upper and lower body; a top flange connected to the upper body for connection with a pressure control device; a side outlet port disposed in the upper body integrally connected to the bore, wherein the outlet port's side flange engage a line for pump-in or bleed-off of well fluids; a two-part self energizing hold down assembly with a male engagement section disposed between the upper and lower bodies; a flange for connecting to the two-part hold down assembly with a female engagement section for threadably engaging with the two-part hold down assembly's male engagement section; and a seal disposed between the male and female engagement sections and the lower body, wherein the lower body engages the annular seal of the BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Patent number: 7383887
    Abstract: The method for rapid installation of smaller diameter pressure control device usable on blow out preventors, by installing a threaded profile flange with a bell nipple upon a BOP, installing a test plug in the base of the BOP or base of a stack of BOPs, installing a test plug into the threaded profile of flange, performing a pressure test on the flange and all sealing aspects of the BOP, depressurizing the flange and removing the test plug, installing a thread protector between the flange and the bore of the BOP, initiating drilling operations, and upon indication of the need for wireline or other small bore type operations, adapting the existing BOP to smaller working diameter pressure control device, removing the thread protector and installing a high pressure assembly to facilitate the small bore well operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Patent number: 7334634
    Abstract: The high pressure adaptor assembly for use in an annular blow out preventers (BOP) or other type BOPs has an upper and lower body with a bore that communicates between the upper and lower body; a top flange connected to the upper body for connection with a pressure control device; a side outlet port disposed in the upper body integrally connected to the bore, wherein the outlet port's side flange engage a line for pump-in or bleed-off of well fluids; a self energizing hold down assembly with a male engagement section disposed between the upper and lower bodies; a flange for connecting to the hold down assembly with a female engagement section for engaging with the hold down assembly's male engagement section; and a seal disposed between the male and female engagement sections and the lower body, wherein the lower body engages the annular seal of the BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Patent number: 7267179
    Abstract: The method for rapid installation of a smaller diameter pressure control device usable on an annular BOP or any type of BOP. The step are first installing a flange with a threaded profile upon an annular BOP. Next, install a bell nipple on the flange, then install a first test plug in the base of the BOP or the base of the stack of BOPs. Then install a second test plug into the threaded profile of flange. Perform a pressure test on the flange and all sealing aspects of the annular BOP; depressurizing the flange and removing the test plug. Install a thread protector between flange and the bore of the annular BOP. Next initiate drilling operations; and upon indication of the need for wireline operations, or adapting the existing BOP to smaller working diameter pressure control device, remove the thread protector and install a high pressure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Leo William Abel
  • Publication number: 20070140804
    Abstract: A method of reducing the effective width of cargo, such as a concrete double-tee. The method comprises positioning the arm in a first position in which the arm is substantially horizontal, the arm being pivotally biased toward the first position, lowering the double-tee onto the arm such that the first leg of the double-tee is received by the first bracket and the second leg of the double-tee is received by the second bracket, and pivoting the arm and double-tee to a second position in which the second end of the arm contacts the base to support the arm, the arm being biased toward the second position when the arm supports the double-tee. The concrete double-tee includes a deck, a first leg and a second leg. The support structure includes a base, a stanchion extending upwardly from the base, an arm pivotally connected to the stanchion and extending between a first and second end. The arm includes a first bracket disposed near the first end and a second bracket disposed near the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: THE CRETEX COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: William Abel, Alan Mackey, John Nanna, Thomas Holmes, Douglas Colclasure
  • Publication number: 20060067802
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting and tilting an oversized cargo to reduce the effective width of the cargo. The structure comprises a frame having a base and a stanchion connected to the base. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled to the stanchion to pivot about a pivot axis. The arm includes a first and second end disposed opposite one another. The arm has a center of gravity disposed between the first end and the pivot axis and that biases the arm to pivot in a first pivotal direction. First and second brackets are positioned near the first and second ends of the arm for receiving the cargo. The cargo has a center of gravity disposed between the pivot axis and the second end that causes the arm to pivot in a second pivotal direction opposite the first pivotal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: The Cretex Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Abel, Alan Mackey, John Nanna, Thomas Holmes, Douglas Colclasure
  • Patent number: 6537401
    Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing absorbent article workpiece segments, in a bonding nip. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus, horn support apparatus, closure apparatus, a load cell support member, and a load cell. The ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll collectively are mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll can be brought together, via the closure apparatus, to define the nip therebetween. The load cell is mounted to the load cell support member such that force representative of force exerted on the anvil roll at the nip is detected by the load cell. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes outputting information from the load cell and adjusting force in the nip in response to the information received from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lee Couillard, Kent William Abel, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Michael Lee Lohoff, Robin Kurt Nason, Dan James Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6517650
    Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip. The work piece segments are up to about 0.25 inch thick. The apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus supporting an anvil, and horn support apparatus supporting an ultrasonic horn. The ultrasonic horn and anvil are collectively mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and anvil can be brought together to define the nip. The frame, anvil support apparatus, and horn support apparatus collectively are sufficiently rigid that the horn and anvil can be brought together with interference levels of about 0.000 to about 0.008 inch at a raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in work piece segments passing through the nip. The method comprehends bringing a back-up roll, mounted above the ultrasonic horn, into engagement with the ultrasonic horn, to directly support the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lee Couillard, Kent William Abel, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Michael Lee Lohoff, Robin Kurt Nason, Dan James Sorensen