Patents Issued in September 4, 1979
  • Patent number: 4166466
    Abstract: The instrument is generally shaped and operated in the manner of prior clip applying instruments. Shaped like a pair of dog-nosed pliers, the outer ends of the jaws are adapted to hold a clip which may be applied to a blood vessel with the instrument. The rearward portion of the jaws overlap and a rectangular channel is formed in one of them through which clips may be pushed by a pusher extending down the center line of the instrument. One of the jaws is adapted to receive a cartridge containing a stack of U-shaped clips which may be pushed one at a time to the distal end of the jaws by the pusher.The instrument basically comprises only three pivoted members, the pusher and its operating linkage, and one or two springs.Several forms of pusher-actuating means are disclosed, two of these include a bell crank and cam so that the pusher will be operated before the jaws can be closed. The third comprises a free bell crank and a pair of unbalanced springs to achieve the same object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Robert K. Jarvik
  • Patent number: 4166467
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube assembly which includes a curved section of flexible tubing suitable for insertion into the trachea and having a junction fitting at its outer end extending outside of the mouth of the patient, the junction fitting providing a male connection having an interference fit with the tubing so that the tubing is stretched and enlarged in the region of overlap. The assembly is distinguished by bite block in the form of a ferrule of relatively soft resilient plastic having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the tubing while providing a snug frictional fit with the tubing concentrated at its outer end in the region of overlap. The bite block has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces for safe gripping by the teeth of the patient, interconnected by side walls of sufficient thickness as to prevent collapse of the tube upon clenching of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Metatech Corporation
    Inventor: Harvey J. Abramson
  • Patent number: 4166468
    Abstract: Apparatus for endotracheal and esophageal intubation embodying an elongated tubular member having a first portion with an open outer end and a second portion with an open inner end and a lumen extending therebetween. A first inflatable member is carried about the second portion of the tubular member for inflation within a body canal to form a seal with the walls thereof. A second inflatable member within the lumen seals the lumen when inflated and an air control unit between the outer end of the tubular member and the second inflatable member selectively communicates the lumen with the exterior of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Louis D. Haynie
  • Patent number: 4166469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for implanting a pacemaker within a patient with a minimal amount of incision. The pacemaker comprises an encapsulated pulse generator having a receptacle and an electrode having an electrode tip and an electrode connector plug. The electrode connector plug is receivable in the receptacle of the encapsulated pulse generator. A needle is inserted through the exterior skin of the patient to puncture the subclavian vein. An introducer sleeve which is severed or is severable along the length thereof, is inserted into the puncture in the subclavian vein. The introducer sleeve may be introduced through the needle or on the outer surface of a needle, or through the use of a guide wire passed through the internal portion of the needle after the needle is removed. The electrode tip is inserted through the introducer sleeve to enter the vein of the patient. The electrode is moved along the vein to enter the heart of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Philip O. Littleford
  • Patent number: 4166470
    Abstract: Cardiac stimulating apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits a power signal and a control signal, the power signal comprising a first pulse for energizing the second internal unit, and the control signal for controlling the internal unit to pace the patient's heart in a variety of modes, e.g., atrial, ventricular and atrial/ventricular sequential pacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Neumann
  • Patent number: 4166471
    Abstract: A brassiere or other garment for a female's breast area, which is provided with a retaining means primarily for a prosthesis pad following a breast mastectomy; it provides a sureness and positiveness of retention without any irregular bulk or other unattractiveness or visible hints of its special function, yet it provides comfort in the wearing, and also convenience in the insertion or removal of the prosthesis pad. Its pad-retainer panel is easily attached to other brassieres with scarcely any indication of its special use or nature; and it can convert any brassiere or breast garment to this special use, without imposing any visible unattractiveness to the outside portion of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventors: John A. Griffin, Ivon D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 4166472
    Abstract: An improved hair curler and stand wherein the hair curler consists of a handle and a rotatable hair curling device removably mounted on the handle, the handle containing a motor and batteries for rotating the curling device and the stand having means for receiving the hair curling device and handle with heating means for heating the hair curling device when stored on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Anthony Battaglia
  • Patent number: 4166473
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for setting hair by successively passing steam and cooling air through said hair while wound on rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Jules Leroy, Jean-Paul Beck
  • Patent number: 4166474
    Abstract: A propel-repel swivel cosmetic container features basic lead-screw and nut parts, each of which is a single injection-molded piece of plastic material with certain further integral formations such that a variety of aesthetically satisfying overall appearances is available upon assembly to particular tubular further parts, thereby providing a variety of different-appearing cosmetic containers utilizing in common the same basic lead-screw and nut propulsion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Eyelet Specialty Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McArdle, Eric J. Idec, Francis G. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4166475
    Abstract: A safety coupling for a conduit such as an underwater pipeline which is disconnectable when said pipeline is subjected to a predetermined longitudinal force to prevent damage to the pipeline and which includes valve means operable as disconnection of the coupling occurs to prevent loss of pipeline fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 4166476
    Abstract: A vacuum cut-off valve for cutting off vacuum communication between an inlet port and an outlet port when the inlet vacuum increases above a predetermined vacuum level so that the outlet vacuum is maintained at a constant predetermined vacuum level. When the valve cutting operation between the inlet port and the outlet port is insufficient and vacuum leakage results, atmospheric pressure is admitted to the outlet port to thereby maintain the outlet vacuum at the constant predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Yamanaka, Yasuhiro Kawabata
  • Patent number: 4166477
    Abstract: The invention provides, at the end of a pipe which extends a valve being part of an exhausting device for pressure-relieving a pressurized fluid, a nozzle which is exactly at the input of a hood, the convergent portion of said nozzle reducing its exit section so as to make it substantially double the maximum passageway section through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignees: Bertin & Cie, Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Louis Duthion, Max Sagner, Claude Portier
  • Patent number: 4166478
    Abstract: The hydropneumatic accumulator disclosed herein comprises a rigid upright vessel, the mouth of which is at the bottom, containing an inverted bag-like bladder. The mouths of the vessel and of the bladder are sealed to one another. The bladder extends upwardly within the vessel interior and divides the same into inner and outer compartments which respectively contain an incompressible liquid medium and a compressible gaseous medium. To protect the bladder from damage by uncontrolled flexure of its wall in response to variations in the relative pressures within the inner and outer compartments, an inverted conical shape-defining member projects down into the upper closed end of the bladder and a perforated rigid shell projects upwardly into the bottom of the bladder. In addition, vertically extending circumferentially spaced stiffening ribs are formed in the wall of the bladder to hold the bladder upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Sugimura, Kazuo Sugimura
  • Patent number: 4166479
    Abstract: An insertable plastic pipe liner and a blind locking service head including a means for installing the same in a damaged service pipe without removal or replacement thereof. The blind locking service head includes a pair of independent sealing gaskets arranged so as to permit pressure testing of the pipe liner after installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Cleavenger Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Cleavenger
  • Patent number: 4166480
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming leno selvedges in weaving machines, comprising a stationary sun wheel and two diametrically arranged planet wheels connected therewith and rotatable about their own axis in an opposite direction to their direction of rotation about the axis of the sun wheel. The transmission ratio between the sun wheel and the planet wheels amounts to 2:1. There are provided bobbin holders for thread bobbins. Thread guide eyelets are arranged on the planet wheels eccentrically with respect to the axes of the planet wheels. These thread guide eyelets, when at their greatest spacing from one another, are situated in a plane extending through the central axis of the planet wheels. The bobbin holders are fixedly arranged on a part which supports the planet wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Ruti Machinery Works Limited
    Inventor: Walter Muller
  • Patent number: 4166481
    Abstract: A toxic liquid is transferred from a closed shipping container to a dispensing tank without contamination of the operator or the ambient environment by placing the container in a sealed chamber and forcing a container puncturing probe through the interior of the chamber and entirely through the closed container. The probe extends in a slidable and sealed relation through a lid of the sealed housing and is driven through the container by a lever. Both liquid flow and air relief conduits connect the chamber to the dispensing tank to permit gravity or powered flow of the toxic liquid from the sealed chamber. The probe is hollow and is employed to spray a rinsing liquid into both the container and the chamber after they have been emptied of the toxic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventors: Darrel D. Farris, Dan Riggi
  • Patent number: 4166482
    Abstract: A valve bag with an opening in one corner adapted to receive a spout for filling the bag, the opening having an insert therein, which insert has a light coating of a lubricant on its inner surface, so that when the bag is slipped on the filling spout some of the lubricant will be transferred to the spout and lubricate the spout for the next bag to be slipped on the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Union Camp Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 4166483
    Abstract: A device for filling test containers with drops of fluid under test with the containers arranged in rows and columns while permitting automatic movement of the drop discharge device to preselected coordinate positions. The center to center distance between adjacent containers may vary from row to row. Stopping drop discharge device at a particular coordinate position (hence a particular container) until a preselected volume of fluid has been dispensed by the drop discharge or until a preselected time interval has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Pharmacia Fine Chemicals
    Inventor: Lage A. Nordlund
  • Patent number: 4166484
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for rapidly distributing a first gas throughout a chamber that contains both the first gas and a second gas. The invention is particularly useful in the pressurizing of tennis ball centers with a low permeability gas, where the diffusion rate between the low permeability gas and air is very slow. By this invention, the distribution of the low permeability gas throughout the mold can be accomplished in a much shorter period of time by a mechanical mixing method and apparatus that involves circulating the mixture of gases inside the mold through a conduit and pump located outside the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: The General Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Thomas F. Reed
  • Patent number: 4166485
    Abstract: A system of nozzles and seals provides a means to return gasoline vapors from a gasoline tank to a gasoline storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Albert L. Wokas
  • Patent number: 4166486
    Abstract: An improved nozzle for an apparatus for denaturing food products, the nozzle having an inlet end mounted on a source of flowable food product material which is propelled in a stream along the axis of the nozzle, a planar surface contacting the material and extending at right angles to a plane normal to the axis, and a duct extending along the axis for injection of a denaturing agent to form a streak of the agent extending longitudinally of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Beatric Foods Co.
    Inventor: Robert L. Soran
  • Patent number: 4166487
    Abstract: A dispensing and measuring device for dry particulate matter includes a container having a downwardly discharging outlet therein and a guideway port extending transversely therethrough beneath the outlet. A measuring scoop having a tapered forward end is adapted for insertion into the guideway port so as to be positioned immediately beneath the discharge outlet. A spring-biased closure plate disposed within the guideway port immediately beneath the outlet is guided by a slide member between guide rails longitudinally on either side of the outlet so that the closure plate is movable longitudinally of the guideway port to open and close the outlet, return springs being connected to the closure plate to maintain the closure plate in a normally closed position beneath the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Henry J. Spies
  • Patent number: 4166488
    Abstract: There is disclosed a hand tool for drilling or performing other rotational operations on a work piece which is specially adapted for one-hand operation in that it consists of a small handle in which there is rotatably mounted a quill; the quill extends a sufficient distance from the front of the handle to permit it to be rotated between the thumb and forefinger while the handle is held in the palm of the hand with the other three fingers; a gripping surface is provided on the extending portion of the quill, and the quill is arranged to hold concentrically therewith a drill, tap or other tool which may be pressfit or otherwise secured in the quill. In one embodiment the drill or other twist tool is removably secured in the end of the quill by means of a tapered dart fitting a frog with a matching taper in the end of the quill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Holcomb B. Irby
  • Patent number: 4166489
    Abstract: A combined key holding device which also includes a container portion for holding one or more coins or other objects. In a preferred form, the container and key holder are molded of a unitary plastic molding which includes a retaining portion for a key ring and a container portion for one or more coins or other objects. The ring holding portion is molded as a strip which is attached to itself or an extension of the container portion so as to form a loop for holding the ring. The container portion is formed with a lid or cover forming part of the unitary plastic molding with a hinge portion joining it to the container portion. In a particular form, the ring holding loop portion is attached to itself by mushrooming a portion thereof and/or by heat sealing or welding. The container lip portion snap assembles to the rim of the container without the need for a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson
  • Patent number: 4166490
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire in which the oblique pulling effect due to the structure of the tire is substantially eliminated and which has substantially improved stability in maintaining a rectilinear course. The tread has circumferentially oriented rows of lugs oriented along intersecting convexly curved approximately V-shaped reference lines running substantially transversely to the circumferential center line. The tips of the reference lines point in opposite directions on either side of the circumferential center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Uniroyal GmbH
    Inventor: Dionysius J. Poque
  • Patent number: 4166491
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a vehicle has a carcass made from cords with the ends of the cords turned up around the beads of the tire. The crown of the tire has a tread and a reinforcing breaking structure. The breaker structure has three layers of cords superimposed one over the other with the width of the inner most layer being larger than the width of the next adjacent layer. The cords in each of the inner most and next adjacent layers are parallel to each other and are inclined at an angle of about 10.degree. to 35.degree. with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire. The cords of the innermost layer are extended in one direction and cross those of the next adjacent layer. A third layer of cords is disposed between the tread and the said next adjacent layer. The cords in this third layer are of a textile material which will shrink with increase in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Industrie Pirelli, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Mezzanotte
  • Patent number: 4166492
    Abstract: A method of producing an annular bead core assembly for a pneumatic tire from a plurality of wires of substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the wires are formed into a plurality of plies. The wires of each wire ply then are arcuately deformed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the desired plane of the annular assembly when made but in a direction which will be towards the inner side of the tire when completed, each arcuate deformation yielding an arc having a constant radius. The arcuately deformed wire plies thereafter are wound on a tapered support to form the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Otto Kuhlmann GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Herbert Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 4166493
    Abstract: Apparatus for expanding the beads on tubeless tires, including a stand into which such a tire is to be rolled, a flexible draw strap adapted to peripherally surround the tire or to cooperate with an arcuate central frame in surrounding the tire, cinching apparatus for substantially uniformly tightening the draw strap around the tire, and valving structure through which compressed air may be supplied to tire inflation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Don B. Bosen
  • Patent number: 4166494
    Abstract: A movable curtain partition has bogie-type supports at each end, which move on corresponding guide surfaces of fixed spaced apart tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Peter R. Utting
  • Patent number: 4166495
    Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal ingots is provided comprising the steps of introducing molten metal into an open-ended mold, applying a liquid cooling medium to the mold to effectuate at least partial solidication of the molten metal in the mold and advancing an ingot from the mold, with the ingot having the peripheral portion, at least, solidifed while applying liquid cooling medium to the exterior surface of the emerging ingot. The improvement of the present invention comprises retarding the cooling effect of the liquid cooling medium by mixing a gas with the medium to be applied to the ingot surface prior to application of the medium to the ingot surface, whereupon the gas forms a layer of gaseous insulation between the medium and the ingot surface upon application of the medium to the ingot surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ho Yu
  • Patent number: 4166496
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement positioned between a sector plate and an adjacent connecting plate at the end of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger adapted to utilize normal pressure differential of a fluid being contained to create a force that acts upon the sealing arrangement to effect an improved sealing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Stockman
  • Patent number: 4166497
    Abstract: A manifold is disposed in the inlet portion of a U-tube heat exchanger head to produce four passes, an outlet portion of the head forms a plenum chamber between the second and third pass to remove condensate from the steam and the manifold is vented to increase the effective scavenging of condensate from the tube side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Roland L. Coit
  • Patent number: 4166498
    Abstract: A condensing, a heat-transfer wall for liquefying vapor having a temperature higher than the wall by bringing the vapor in contact therewith. There are provided many parallel grooves in the basic surface of the heat-transfer wall, thereby defining ridge portions or build-up portions thereamong. These ridge portions have their tip portions tapered at sharp acute angle. Recessed or concave portions are provided in the tip portions of these ridge portions, and these recessed portions have their surfaces inclined to the basic surface of the heat-transfer wall. The width of the respective grooves ranges from 0.05 to 2.5 mm, and the depth thereof is not more than 10 mm. The thickness of the respective ridge portions ranges from 0.01 to 2.5 mm, and the height there of is not more than 10 mm. The depth of the recessed portions ranges from 0.02 to 0.8 times the depth of the grooves, and the pitch of recessed portion is not more than 2.0 mm. The width of the tip portions of the portions is 0.01 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Fujie, Wataru Nakayama, Takahiro Daikoku, Shigeki Hirasawa, Kimio Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 4166499
    Abstract: A gas generator plant with a gas generator and a process water system for cooling or scrubbing liquid comprises at least one heat exchanger for transferring heat to the process water. The plant has a pressure controlling means in the conduits for the process water connected to the heat exchanger. This pressure controlling means may consist of a pressure increasing means in the supply conduit for the process water or a pressure decreasing means in the return conduit for the process water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: AB Motala Verkstad
    Inventor: Hans E. Sundqvist
  • Patent number: 4166500
    Abstract: A well logging instrument has a fluid chamber at its lower end and a plurality of controlled flow orifices leading from the chamber to the exterior of the instrument. A piston within the chamber, having a spring at its upper end, forces a friction-reduction agent from the chamber through the flow-controlled orifices into the earth borehole to facilitate the movement of the well logging instrument through the borehole. The upper portion of the fluid chamber, above the piston, is also ported to the fluid within the borehole to equalize the pressure across the piston. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the acceleration of the borehole instrument creates a velocity signal which is compared with the velocity of the logging cable at the earth's surface and upon a sufficient difference in velocity, the friction-reduction agent is caused to be ported into the earth borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. McPhee
  • Patent number: 4166501
    Abstract: The vertical or both vertical and horizontal conformance of a steam drive process is improved and steam override reduced by penetrating the zone between one injector and one producer, with one or more infill wells in fluid communication with the bottom half or less of the formation, and producing petroleum from the infill well after steam channeling has occurred at the production well. After the water cut of the fluids being produced from the infill well reaches 95 percent, the infill well is converted from a producer to an injector and steam is injected into the infill well and fluids are recovered from the production well. When one infill well is employed in a more or less aligned arrangement between injection and production wells, the vertical conformance is improved. When one or more infill wells are positioned in an offset or nonaligned arrangement relative to each injector and producer, conformance in both the horizontal and vertical planes is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph J. Korstad, Wilbur L. Hall, Ching H. Wu, Alfred Brown
  • Patent number: 4166502
    Abstract: The vertical conformance of a steam drive process is improved and steam override reduced by penetrating the zone between one injector and one producer, with an infill well located between the injector and producer which is in fluid communication with no more than the bottom half of the formation. Steam is injected into the injection well in the first phase with production of fluids from the upper 1/3 or less of the formation via the production well. A separate flow path in communication with the bottom 1/3 or less of the formation is provided in the producing well, and is used during the first phase for push-pull treatment of the formation with solvent and steam or hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur L. Hall, Alfred Brown, Ralph J. Korstad
  • Patent number: 4166503
    Abstract: The vertical conformance of a steam drive process is improved and steam override reduced by penetrating the recovery zone between one injection well and one producing well, with at least one infill well which is in fluid communication with no more than the bottom half of the formation. Steam or a mixture of steam and hydrocarbon is injected into the injection well and fluids including oil are recovered from the producing well until live steam production occurs at the producing well. Petroleum production is then begun at the infill well and continued until the water cut of the fluids being produced from the infill well reaches 95 percent. The infill well is converted from a producer to an injector and hot water or cold water followed by hot water is injected into thelower portion of the formation via the infill well and fluids are produced from the production well. By this means, oil is recovered from the lower portions of the formation between the infill well and the production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur L. Hall, Alfred Brown, Ralph J. Korstad
  • Patent number: 4166504
    Abstract: The vertical conformance of a steam drive process is improved and steam override reduced by penetrating the zone between one injection well and one producing well, with an infill well which is in fluid communication with the bottom half or less of the formation, and producing petroleum from the infill well after steam channeling has occurred at the production well; then converting the infill well from a producer to an injector and injecting steam into the lower portion of the formation via the infill well and recovering fluids from the production well. Two separate communication paths are established, one between the surface and the upper half or less of the formation, and one between the bottom half or less of the formation in the producing well, or in the infill well, or injection well, or combination of two or more thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Brown, Wann-Sheng Huang, Yick-Mow Shum
  • Patent number: 4166505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting green peanuts comprising severing the peanut foliage from the peanuts which remain implanted in the ground by means of a vine cutting apparatus and plowing up the green peanuts and cleaning them by means of a novel combine. The vine cutting apparatus comprises a wheeled vehicle which is towed behind a tractor and has a transversely extending, ground engaging reciprocating cutter which severs the foliage, a conveyor which upwardly transports the foliage to be directed by a blower means through a chute into a container pulled behind the apparatus. The combine uproots the peanut pods by means of a single, transverse digger blade, upwardly conveys them and shakes the dirt therefrom and dumps the peanuts into the main body of the combine where the dirt is removed, the stems are severed from peanuts, and the peanuts are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Frederick P. West
  • Patent number: 4166506
    Abstract: A controlling apparatus for bulldozer blade in which the control is carried out automatically or manually.The apparatus comprises an electromagnetic valve for controlling a cylinder of the bulldozer blade, a switch for changing the control of the bulldozer blade automatically or manually, a safety relay connected with said switch, the safety relay being adapted to be actuated only when the switch is maintained in a manual operating position, and a load reading relay adapted to be actuated by a signal fed from a load detecting circuit for supplying a signal to one of the solenoids of the electromagnetic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Iwao Tezuka, Chikashi Chagawa
  • Patent number: 4166507
    Abstract: A hydraulic rotary percussive drill which is adapted to operate as a drill for installing rock bolts in mines is described. The drill is configured so that the shank (which holds the drill steel and bit) forms a right angle with the impact mechanism, thereby reducing the height of the drill and providing longer lengths of drill steel feed in a confined environment. A hydraulic spring force coupler transfers the impact energy from the impact mechanism to the shank, steel and bit and shapes the energy so as to provide force pulses of such length as to couple efficiently the percussive energy to the rock being drilled while reducing the strain in the steel and bit. A rotation mechanism may be mounted in the same leg of the right angle as the shank, steel and bit to rotate the steel and bit independently from the percussive action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Hydroacoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Bouyoucos, Robert F. DeLaCroix
  • Patent number: 4166508
    Abstract: A method and a device for introducing a tubular assembly into the soil, which assembly consists of two or more elongated strips with a curved cross-section, made of an elastically flexible material, which strips are unwound from corresponding drums and are being united at adjacent edges when being unwound, and are separated again when being rewound on said drums. The driving force is derived from the rotational movement of said drums. The assembly can be used for introducing drainage tape into the soil, for introducing a sounding probe into the soil, for cutting soil samples and for similar purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Ingenieursbureau A.P. van den Berg B.V.
    Inventor: Arie P. VAN DEN Berg
  • Patent number: 4166509
    Abstract: A process for excavating and constructing a tunnel, and an excavating device are disclosed. This process is directed to excavating and constructing a tunnel under a railway or a road on a banking or on level land in the direction transverse to the railway or road. In this process, pits are dug on the opposite sides of the railway, and then an excavator digs into the wall of a pit on one side so as to go out of the wall of the other pit through the ground left therebetween. In this respect, a hollow casing unit of a box shape is coupled to the rear end of the excavator equipped with a screw conveyor. As the excavator advances or digs forwards a given distance, another casing unit is in turn coupled to the rear end of the preceding casing unit, and then such a step is repeated, until the excavator goes out of the wall of another pit. In this manner, the excavator further digs into the wall of one pit in the position adjacent to the preceding run of casing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Japanese National Railways
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ueno, Isamu Itoh, Yasuyuki Morita
  • Patent number: 4166510
    Abstract: Flowable solids are continuously and accurately weighed during transport to a collection or discharge point. A counterweight pivoted conveyor carries a rotating disc at its discharge end, one face of which frictionally engages a relatively stationary comparatively small diameter wheel having a plane of rotation at right angles to the plane of the disc. The disc rises and falls with the pivotal conveyor in response to varying amounts of material on the conveyor, thereby changing the effective radius of the disc relative to the wheel. The wheel activates a counter once during each rotation thereof to register a unit of weight in the counter. The structure is useful in agriculture or industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Paul H. Hege
  • Patent number: 4166511
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle rides on four spaced-apart crawler track assemblies which extend lengthwise beneath the vehicle body. Ground pressure is reduced and traction, flotation and stability are enhanced by a suspension system which enables the forward portion of each track assembly to rise and fall independently of the others to accommodate to irregular terrain. For similar purposes, the suspension system enables the outer and inner track assemblies below the right portion of the vehicle to oscillate outward and inward as a unit about an axis extending lengthwise of the vehicle while enabling the outer and inner track assemblies below the left side of the vehicle to oscillate as a unit in a similar but independent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert N. Stedman
  • Patent number: 4166512
    Abstract: A chassis for a vehicle of the type in which all the wheels are driving wheels, the motion being transmitted from the engine to the wheels by means of a drive comprising sprocket wheels connected to the axles of the wheels of the vehicle and actuated by driving chains, is described.The chassis comprises at least a pair of side members connected to at least two cross members, each of said side members supporting all the wheels situated on one side of the vehicle, having such a configuration as to define a closed recess which contains said sprocket wheels and said chains, and being provided with a wall having resting thereon a portion of the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Emilio Giletti
  • Patent number: 4166513
    Abstract: A safety-brake control system for a vehicle for the automatic actuation of the parking-brake valve to the brake-applied position comprising a lever arm connected at one end to the actuator of the valve and at the other end to a flexible connector element which in turn is connected to the moving arm of a solenoid. Energization of the solenoid pulls the flexible connector element to move the lever arm to actuate the valve to the brake-applied position. The valve thereafter can be actuated to the brake-released position by manual movement of the valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Buford D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4166514
    Abstract: A device for automatically controlling a speed restriction from information coming from outside the vehicle, comprising means for analysing and decoding the information and control means for maintaining the speed of the vehicle at a value equal to that of the speed limit. The device comprises coding means for coding the information coming from outside; program means able to make correspond to each speed limit a voltage associated with this speed and electrical connection means between the program means and the speed control means, these electrical connection means being responsive to the coding of the speed limit and able to select the voltage corresponding to the coded speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Automobiles Citroen
    Inventors: Jean-Claude de Freminville, Michel Horblin
  • Patent number: 4166515
    Abstract: A sidewall gas-cushion vehicle is provided with hydrofoils carried in recesses defined by the sidewalls and capable of being extended into an operable position or of being retracted into an inoperative position. The foils may be used to generate lift forces and/or to counter unwanted movements of the vehicle, such as heave, roll and pitching motions. The lift forces can be made positive or negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Hovermarine Transport Limited
    Inventor: Edward G. Tattersall