Patents Issued in March 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6196298
    Abstract: A heat sink particular suitable for dissipating heat from lamps. The sink is circular in cross-section having a central core and radial fins extending at an angle to a plane extending through the axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: IMI Marston Limited
    Inventor: Michael C. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6196299
    Abstract: A mechanical assembly for regulating the temperature of a chip is comprised of a heat exchanger which has a face for mating with a planar surface on the chip. A frame is coupled to the heat exchanger such that the face of the heat exchanger is exposed and can contact the planar surface of the chip. And, the face of the heat exchanger has a shape which makes contact with the entire planar surface on the chip except for each of its corners. One particular embodiment of the heat exchanger has four grooves which extend from the face and which respectively align with the corners of the chip. Due to those grooves, initial contact between the face on the heat exchanger and the planar surface on the chip occurs on an edge of the chip which is spaced-apart from a corner. Consequently, the chance of breaking the tip of a corner off of the chip is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Ihor Tustaniwskyj, James Wittman Babcock, Lawrence William Friedrich
  • Patent number: 6196300
    Abstract: A heat sink comprising a conductive plate (1) to be applied onto the surface to be cooled, the thickness of which gradually increases from the edges (4) towards a central portion (5) according to a curvilinear profile (6) having an upwardly turned concavity, so that an air flow hitting the plate is deflected towards its edges with a substantially horizontal outlet direction. The conductive plate (1) has preferably arranged thereon a plurality of cooling fins (7) extending in a substantially radial way from the central portion (5) to the edges (4) of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Maurizio Checchetti
  • Patent number: 6196301
    Abstract: A device for injecting pressurized fluids into a multiplate heat exchanger, comprising a leaktight chamber (2) provided with an arrangement for feeding and discharging a first pressurized fluid, a plate pack (1) placed in the chamber (2) and including channels for the flow of this first fluid mixed with a second pressurized fluid, and at least one nozzle (21) for injecting the second fluid. The nozzle (21) is connected to a pipe (22) for feeding the second fluid and to a pipe (24) for discharging the particles deposited on a filter unit placed inside the nozzle (21) downstream of the point where the two pipes (22, 24) join the nozzle (21) with respect to the direction of flow of the second fluid. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning such an injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Packinox
    Inventor: Dominique Sabin
  • Patent number: 6196302
    Abstract: A heat sink with a multi-layer dispersion space is directly molded to form an upper and a lower flowing layer. A twin fan design is incorporated into the main body of the heat whereby a pair of centered circular recesses respectively formed for the reception of the cooling fans in the main body of the heat sink. In addition, fan supporters are fixed within the respective circular recesses in order to anchor said cooling fans to the main body of the heat sink; wherein each fan supporter comprises a stopping plate for diverting flow from the lower flowing layer tangentially from the respective fan recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Wen-Hao Chuang
  • Patent number: 6196303
    Abstract: A heat exchange assembly has a heat exchanger, a fan at one side and a drain tray assembly extending beneath the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a pipe along which heated or cooled water is supplied, and a stack of vertical, parallel plates between which the fan passes air. The drain tray assembly has a tray with a peripheral wall and a drain outlet at one end. An inverted gutter fits loosely within the tray spaced from its edges by two channels. The height of the gutter is such as to block the space between the upper surface of the tray and the underside of the heat exchanger so as to prevent air flow beneath the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Ltd. Co.
    Inventor: Jonathan Ivan Hepper
  • Patent number: 6196304
    Abstract: A tube-block-type heat transfer device has a tube block consisting of several tubes arranged side-by-side, having spacing elements which are inserted between two adjacent flat tube end areas respectively, and have in each case at least one connection duct along each transverse side of the tube block. The tubes are sealed off on the end side and are provided with transverse openings in their two end areas, which transverse openings are in a connection-duct-forming connection with spacing element transverse openings. At least one pair of separation spacing elements 5a, 5b situated opposite one another in the same space between two tubes have a closed construction so that, on each transverse side of the tube block, at least two mutually separated connection ducts is are formed so that several fluids can flow separately through pertaining tube block sections. The heat transfer device is especially useable as an oil/air cooler for motor vehicles for cooling engine and transmission oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gebhard Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6196305
    Abstract: A radiator assembly for a cooling system on an internal combustion engine includes a radiator core having a plurality of tube-flow passages for transferring heat from fluid coolant to ambient atmosphere and at least one tank in fluid communication between an internal combustion engine and the radiator core. The radiator core includes a header flange extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the radiator core and the tank includes a clamping flange extending about at least a portion of a perimeter of the tank corresponding to and in adjacent relationship with the header flange of the radiator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Great Lakes, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Erwin Geiger
  • Patent number: 6196306
    Abstract: A side refrigerant outlet passage and a side refrigerant inlet passage are provided between first and second protruding portions of a side plate and an end plate, which are joined to one another. The side plate has base portions protruding in an opposite direction of the end plate, and a pipe joint including an outlet pipe and an inlet pipe is joined to the base portions of the side plate. Accordingly, a strength of joining portions between the side pate and the pipe joint is improved, and simultaneously processing cost of the pipe joint is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasukazu Aikawa, Tomohiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6196307
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and method for cooling power electronics modules. The power electronics module transferring heat generated during operation to the heat exchanger through a thermal base of the power module. The heat exchanger being directly bonded to the thermal base and comprising a metal foam. The metal foam having a network of metal ligaments forming numerous open cells to provide porosity. The metal ligaments are aligned to provide a higher metal density in cross-sectional planes of the foam perpendicular to the intended direction of heat flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Burhan Ozmat
  • Patent number: 6196308
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle climate control system is capable of simultaneously providing fully heated air exiting one air outlet while also providing fully cooled air exiting from a second air outlet. Another aspect of the present invention provides simultaneous and independently controlled air volumes exiting from two different air outlets while receiving air through one or more common air inlets. Yet another aspect of the present invention climate control system employs a single evaporator and two suction blowers arranged downstream of the evaporator. A further aspect of the present invention uses a single evaporator and two heaters angularly disposed in relation to each other. The automotive vehicle climate control system of the present invention further includes a single unit having a front heater and front outlet providing air flow forward of the unit, and a rear heater and rear air outlet providing air flow behind the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Halligan
  • Patent number: 6196309
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling objects from a well is described. The apparatus may comprise an elongated housing having an internal chamber. The housing will be connected to a work string such as wireline or coiled tubing. A skirt is attached to the housing, with the skirt having an inner portion. The skirt will contain a first window and a second window, with the first window having a first load shoulder and the second window having a second load shoulder. The apparatus further contains a mandrel disposed within the inner portion of the skirt, and two dog members disposed about the mandrel. The dog member have a first surface that cooperates with the first load shoulder and a second surface that cooperates with the second load shoulder. The dog members distributes a pull force which is exerted on the apparatus to the first and second load shoulder so that the effective tensional strength of the skirt is enhanced. The mandrel will have a second end containing an angled shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Felix F. Estilette, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6196310
    Abstract: A well production apparatus is provided for a well having a pressure control device operatively associated with the well for controlling pressure within the apparatus and well, wherein the apparatus includes a buoyant tubing member of a sufficient diameter to contain a submersible pump therein which is connected to a compressor. The apparatus further includes a gas fluids separator in the casing of the well. A fluids composition sensor and transmitter are provided for aiding in operating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roy F. Knight
  • Patent number: 6196311
    Abstract: A cementing plug having a universal construction and improved wiping and extended wear characteristics. The cementing plug has a plug subassembly with a body member and an elastomeric jacket on the body member. The body member defines a central opening therethrough with a shoulder therein. To configure the plug as a bottom cementing plug, a shearable insert is positioned on the shoulder, and to configure the plug as a top cementing plug, a non-shearable insert is positioned on the shoulder. The shearable insert is one of a plurality of such inserts designed to shear at correspondingly different shear pressures. In a first embodiment, the shearable insert is a substantially flat disk having a uniform thickness, and in a second embodiment, the shearable insert has an outer ring portion and a relatively thin inner domed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold O. Treece
  • Patent number: 6196312
    Abstract: A system of reciprocating bottom hole sucker rod pumps, situated in an oil well, to produce an oil rich stream to surface and inject a water stream to a same wellbore disposal zone. Two pumps vertically in tandem are actuated by a single sucker rod string. Separate intakes for each pump are situated so as to allow for gravity to segregate oil and water in the wellbore before reaching the intakes. Both streams are produced out of the pumps on the upstroke. Injection of the water stream is facilitated by an outer housing around the bottom pump to redirect flow to a disposal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Quinn's Oilfield Supply Ltd., Petro-Canada Oil and Gas
    Inventors: Rodney Douglas Grey Collins, Gordon James McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6196313
    Abstract: A system for hydrocarbon production and water disposal utilizing a displacement liquid having a specific gravity less than that of water and immiscible with water. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises an outer well casing having an inlet for reservoir fluid, an outlet for water disposal, and an outlet for produced hydrocarbon fluid; and a tube disposed within the casing having an upper passageway for connection with a supply of a displacement liquid and an inlet having a one-way valve for allowing entry of reservoir fluid from within the casing, and a lower outlet having a one-way valve for allowing egress of water. One embodiment incorporates a downhole separator to allow a higher production rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Horst Simons
  • Patent number: 6196314
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a mechanical fluid treatment unit that substantially reduces the concentration of precursor ions from the injection water. The treated water is injected under pressure into an injection well to cause the hydrocarbons to flow toward a production well. A chemical unit injects selected amounts of additives into the injection well to inhibit in-situ growth of crystals from insoluble salt precipitates formed due to the interaction of precursor ions present in the injected water and ions residents in the reservoir. The selected chemicals and their respective amounts are determined at least partially based on reservoir characteristics and the concentration of precursor ions in the treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James C. T. Chen
  • Patent number: 6196315
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations. An impermeable plug is formed in a section of a cased and perforated borehole by transmitting from the surface a fluid resin comprising a polymerizable polymer and subsequently transmitting from the surface an acid catalyst which causes flash setting of the polymerizable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Billy Wayne Surles, Howard Lee McKinzie
  • Patent number: 6196316
    Abstract: Method for carrying out well construction, repair and/or abandonment operations using an addition-curing silicone formulation, in particular for forming a permanent plug in a well bore or in one or more subterranean formations penetrated by the well bore by placing a mixture of cement and an addition-curing silicone formulation in the one or more subterranean formations or in the well bore at a desired location therein or placing an addition-curing silicone formulation on top of an existing non-gas tight plug and allowing the silicone formulation to set thereby producing a gas tight plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Martin Gerard Rene Bosma, Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Paul William Edwards, Petronella Theodora Maria Reijrink
  • Patent number: 6196317
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing the permeabilities of subterranean zones are provided. The methods of the invention are basically comprised of introducing an aqueous composition comprised of a chelated organic gelling agent and a copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated ester or a terpolymer or tetrapolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated ester and a monomer selected from AMPS® and/or N-vinylpyrrolidone into the zone and then allowing the aqueous composition to form a cross-linked gel in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary Anne Hardy
  • Patent number: 6196318
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the rate at which a given acid should be injected into a carbonate-containing rock formation during an acid injection process. The first step of the method calculates the Damkohler numbers for regimes in which kinematic force, diffusion rate and reaction rate control. The Damkohler numbers are then used to calculate the rate of growth of wormholes as a function of flux, taking into account compact dissolution, wormholing, and uniform dissolution. The calculated function is used to calculate an optimum flux for the formation. The optimum flux is then used to calculate an optimum injection rate at a given point in the acid injection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Gong, Wadood El-Rabaa
  • Patent number: 6196319
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing sand and other debris from a wellbore. The apparatus is particularly suited for wireline operation, and requires minimal surface equipment. A housing is lowered into the wellbore until the housing is proximate to the sand, and a valve is opened to permit entry of the sand into a housing chamber. The housing can be raised to the wellbore surface so that the sand can be removed from the housing chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing has two chambers each having a floating piston. A liquid is initially retained within the first chamber and is pressurized as the housing is lowered into the wellbore. Activation of a valve and differential pressures acting across the first piston move the liquid into the second chamber and draw the sand into the first chamber. The second chamber captures the liquid and facilitates return of the pistons to the initial position after the sand is emptied from the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Antonius Henskens, David Brands
  • Patent number: 6196320
    Abstract: A non-aqueous system for cleaning a section of a subterranean well bore and installing a water based fluid system into the well bore. The well bore may be an open hole or contain a casing string therein. A series of spacer fluids are introduced into the well bore to displace the drilling fluid in order to clean and water wet the section of well bore. In the preferred embodiment, three spacers are pumped into the well bore including a first spacer containing a solvent, a second spacer containing a solvent and a third spacer containing a surfactant. A water based fluid system may thereafter be introduced into the well bore. The water based fluid system will be a completion fluid in the preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Warren J. Ray, David G. Hines
  • Patent number: 6196321
    Abstract: A subterranean well completion system and associated methods of servicing wells provide convenient access to selected ones of multiple tubing strings installed in wells. In a described embodiment, a completion system includes a wye block device which has an access control assembly separately conveyed into a housing assembly installed in a well. The access control assembly is conveyed into the housing assembly when it is desired to access a selected one of multiple tubing strings attached to the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 6196322
    Abstract: An underwater installation for use in offshore drilling of and production from, respectively, oil and/or gas wells at deep and moderate deep water comprises an intermediate station in the form of a buoyancy based hollow body (16) tension strut anchored at the seabed (10) and located at a depth substantially closer to the surface of the sea than the seabed (10). At least one hydrocarbon conveying pipeline extends between the buoyancy body (16) and seabed depth, for the transfer of hydrocarbons from the reservoir to said buoyancy body (16). At least one casing extension pipe string (18a-18h) constitutes the tension leg/strut anchoring the buoyancy body (16). The invention also relates to a method for the building of an underwater installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Terje Magnussen
  • Patent number: 6196323
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a well head system, especially in connection with high pressure wells, and in order to reduce the weight of steel involved, as well as avoiding unnecessary equipement in the well head, it is according to the present invention suggested a casing programme based on liners, having the same pressure integrity as the casing on which the well head is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mercur Slimhole Drilling and Intervention AS
    Inventor: Harald Møksvold
  • Patent number: 6196324
    Abstract: A casing differential pressure based control method used in conjunction with a gas-producing well includes the steps of sensing current sales line pressure and well casing and tubing pressures and changing or switching an A valve between open and close states based on differences between selected pairs of these current pressures relative to preset minimum differentials between the same pairs of these pressures. Open Differential Pressure determines when to open the A valve and initiate gas sales. Open Differential Pressure is the preset minimum pressure difference by which the casing pressure exceeds the sales line pressure. Close Pressure determines when to close the A valve and terminate gas sales. Close Pressure is the preset minimum pressure of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jeff L. Giacomino, Bruce M. Victor
  • Patent number: 6196325
    Abstract: A heavy-duty logging and perforating cablehead for coiled tubing. The cablehead includes an upper and lower housing which are shearably connected by shear pins. An actuating piston is slidably disposed in the housing. When the piston is in a running position, the piston holds a lug in locking engagement with the upper and lower housings such that the shear pins cannot be sheared. When the piston is moved to a releasing position, the lugs are released so that the upper and lower housings may be separated, thereby shearing the shear pins. Actuation of the piston is accomplished by pumping fluid down the coiled tubing and through a flow path in the cablehead and by applying pressure to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Connell, Robert G. Howard, James C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6196326
    Abstract: Horse hoof protection is obtained by incorporating a urethane resin reaction product of low viscosity sides A and B which react rapidly to gel in a few seconds while filling the interstices of the horse's hoof and have when reacted a low hardness of 40 to 80 Shore A to cushion the hoof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Richard L. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6196327
    Abstract: A system for reducing tractor pitching is disclosed, including a tractor with a hitch couplable to an implement, a force transducer that provides a force signal indicative of a force applied to the hitch by an implement, a position transducer to provide a position signal indicative of a position of the hitch, a hydraulic actuator to raise and lower the hitch, a control valve that responds to the force and position transducers to generate a valve signal, where the control circuit receives the force and position signals and drives a pitch-reducing control valve signal therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan B. Patel, Hong Chin Lin, Alan D. Berger, Wael Farag, Aftab Ali Khan
  • Patent number: 6196328
    Abstract: A drive arrangement (62) for transferring rotational motion from a pin (44) of a draft arm (14,16) of a hitch assembly (10) to a position sensor (64). The drive arrangement (62) includes a driver (68) that acts as a wear compensation mechanism (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. McDaniel, Vern I. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6196329
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, the invention comprises harrow apparatus for dethatchers. The harrow apparatus each has a plurality of pairs of harrow teeth formed of single steel rod with the ends of the rod forming a pair of teeth and with a pair coiled portion between the teeth and a projecting portion projecting away from the coiled portion and teeth with the teeth acting to engage the ground for cutting into the ground. A dampening coil also formed of a single steel rod has a pair of hooked ends and a pair of coiled portions intermediate the hooked ends and with a projecting portion projecting away from the coiled portions and the pair of hooked ends. The invention also includes a power drum for supporting and power rotating the pairs of harrow teeth and coiled portions. The power drum has a center tube with a plurality of slots for receiving the projecting intermediate portions of the pair of teeth and of the dampening coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin J. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6196330
    Abstract: A manually operable drilling tool (1) wiht dual impacting funtion has a housing (2) containing a first striking mechanism (16) for producing axial impacts to be transferred to a drilling or chiseling tool bit (7), clamped in a chuck (6) of the tool (1). Within the housing (2), a second striking mechanism (20) is arranged for producing axial impacts, the axial impacts of which have an impact energy and an impact frequency different from the impact energy and the impact frequency of the axial impacts produced by the first striking mechanism (16). The drilling or chiseling tool bit (7), clamped in the chuck (6), can be acted upon with axial impacts produced either by the first (16) or the second striking mechanism (20) or by both striking mechanisms together. The axial impact striking, mechanisms (16, 20) can also be switched off completely for use in wood or metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Blessing Matthias, Günther Joachim, Kauf Adrian
  • Patent number: 6196331
    Abstract: An air supply and exhaust system comprising a pneumatic tool, an air supply source, an exhaust apparatus, and at least one double-pipeline air hose. The exhaust apparatus includes a filter through which exhaust from the pneumatic tool passes and is provided apart from the pneumatic tool. The double-pipeline air hose includes two pipelines and connects the pneumatic tool and the air supply source, wherein one of the pipeline is for air supply to the pneumatic tool and the other of pipeline is for exhaust from the pneumatic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naito, Hajime Takemura
  • Patent number: 6196332
    Abstract: A rotational energy storage device or spring which includes a roller-cam assembly having a shaft, a ring rotatably disposed about the shaft, and at least one roller disposed between shaft and ring. The roller is configured such that, upon rotating the ring relative to the shaft, the roller interferes with the ring and the shaft to convert and effect storage of mechanical energy created by the relative rotation of the ring and the shaft. Preferably a plurality of spaced rollers are positioned between ring and shaft. A cam geometry which is symmetrical or asymmetrical is provided on the shaft, the ring, the roller, and combinations thereof. A rotational energy storage device having a back-up ring with alternating thin and thick cross-sectional areas is further provided which is indexed to provide regions of low and high stiffness regions against each roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Albert, David B. Stahlman, Timothy R. Cooper, James P. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6196333
    Abstract: A hydrostatic penetration device for placing on and penetration of the seabed comprises a housing (1) with a top cover (2) and a bottom cover (3), and a through-going vertical tool (4) for penetration of the seabed. The hydrostatic penetration device comprises at least one low pressure chamber (5), at least one hydraulic cylinder (6) with a vertically movable piston and piston rod (10) which can be driven to upward and downward movement by a flow of pressurised water from the surrounding water to the low pressure chamber (5), a clamping device (8) which surrounds the tool (4) and is connected to the piston rod (10), and which, during an upward and downward movement of the piston rod can be brought out of and into engagement with the tool respectively, and at least one weight (7) resting on the piston rod, which weight is vertically movable under the influence of the piston rod (10) and is arranged to transfer its weight to the clamping device (8) during a downward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Norcon AG
    Inventor: KÃ¥re Aardal
  • Patent number: 6196334
    Abstract: A tool for excavating material from the bottom of a hole formed in the earth has a rotatable crankshaft adjacent one end of which is a hollow housing open at one end and coupled to the crankshaft for rotation therewith about a vertical axis and for rocking movements relative to the crank about a horizontal axis. The housing has a bottom wall and upstanding side walls for supporting loose material excavated from the hole in response to rotation of the crankshaft and the housing within the hole. The pivotal coupling of the housing to the crankshaft is such that gravity biases the housing to a position in which the contents of the housing are restrained from passing through the open end as the crankshaft and the housing are withdrawn from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: J & L Land, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Stockton
  • Patent number: 6196335
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use at or near the bit measures the vibrations at or near the bit. The tool uses statistical techniques to choose strong events. The tool sends data regarding the strong events to the surface via telemetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Rodney
  • Patent number: 6196336
    Abstract: A drilling liner having a core bit at its bottom end is carried along with a pilot bit on an inner bottom hole assembly driven by a downhole mud motor. In one embodiment, the motor is powered by mud carried by an inner string. Alternatively, the inner string may be omitted and the flow of mud through the liner powers the motor: this requires a locking tool for locking the motor assembly to the outer assembly. Once an abnormally (high or low) pressured zone has been traversed, the liner is set as a casing, the inner assembly is pulled out, and drilling may be resumed using a conventional tool. Directional drilling is accomplished by having an MWD device for providing directional information and having directional devices on the inner and outer assembly. These include retractable steering pads. Expandable bits, under-reamers and jetting nozzles may also be used in the drilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger Fincher, Larry Watkins, Friedhelm Makohl, Detlef Hahn
  • Patent number: 6196337
    Abstract: A water pressure operated post-hole digging tool. The tool includes a vertically elongate pipe with an enlarged mandrel member having a generally circular cross section mounted on its lower end, and an attachment for connecting the upper end of the conduit to a source of water pressure. The water pressure is discharged through an open end at the bottom of the mandrel member, so that soil is dislodged at the bottom of the post-hole bore. The flow of water then passes upwardly through the annular cavity around the sides of the mandrel member so as to scour out of the sides of the bore. The lower end of the mandrel member is tapered so as to accelerate the flow of water as this passes into the annular cavity around the body, and upper taper slows the flow as it exits the cavity and flows up the excavated bore. The mandrel member may be formed of solid plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jared A. Sikes
  • Patent number: 6196338
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rolling cone with hard-facing coating for use in drilling boreholes is disclosed. The method includes a step of depositing a layer of hardfacing material by an arc process, e.g., a gas-shielding tungsten arc welding process, a plasma-transferred arc welding process, or a metal inert gas arc welding process, over areas susceptible to erosion on the rolling cone surface. A rolling cone rock bit for drilling boreholes with a layer of hardfacing material deposited by an arc process either on the lands or in grooves or both of the cone surface is provided. Furthermore, a cone for attachment to the bit body of a rock bit with a layer of hardfacing material deposited on selected lands or in selected grooves or both of the cone surface also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Slaughter, Roger Didericksen
  • Patent number: 6196339
    Abstract: A drill bit for use in a borehole at least partially containing drilling fluid includes a bit body having at least two bit components, including at least one leg, the leg having a journal segment, and a roller cone rotatably mounted upon the journal segment and forming at least one bearing cavity therebetween. Also included is an annular primary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone and an annular secondary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone and between the annular primary seal and the borehole. An annular space is defined between the annular primary seal and the annular secondary seal, the annular space at least partially containing fluid and being in substantially absolute fluid isolation from the bearing cavity. The seals are configured to allow the passage of a fluid from the annular space to the borehole. The annular secondary seal may be primarily elastomeric and a passage for fluid from the borehole to the annular space can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Ray Portwood, Chris Edward Cawthorne, Robert H. Slaughter, Jr., Roger Didericksen, Peter Cariveau, Robert Denton
  • Patent number: 6196340
    Abstract: A cutting element insert is provided for use with drills used in the drilling and boring through of subterranean formations. This new insert has a modified diamond surface shape having ridges, facets and/or other discontinuities on the cutting surface topography, formed on or about an otherwise non-planar shape, such as spherical, hemispherical, conical or the like. This modified diamond layer shape provides increased cutting stress at the diamond/rock interface, thereby causing the rock to fail with less over all drilling energy being required, while simultaneously introducing little additional stresses to the cutter or insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Jensen, Randy S. Cannon, Troy J. Medford
  • Patent number: 6196341
    Abstract: A superabrasive cutting element, the substrate of which is structured with a reduced dimension circumferential portion about which is formed an annular portion of superabrasive material, such as sintered diamond in the form of a polycrystalline diamond compact, to provide a ring- or skirt-like portion of superabrasive material at the perimeter of the cutting element to reduce residual tensile stresses existing at the perimeter of the cutting element after formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Arthur A. Chaves
  • Patent number: 6196342
    Abstract: A steering mechanism that controls a drive and steer transmission and that causes the transmission to execute turns in the direction a steering wheel is turned when operating in either the forward or reverse direction of travel. In response to operator engagement of a drive control, an actuation linkage shifts an elongate member within a slot formed in a cam member that pivots in response to turning of a steering wheel. Shifting of the rod member between two positions on either side of the cam member pivot axis causes the drive and steer transmission to steer the vehicle in the desired direction when the vehicle is traveling in both forward and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard Donald Teal, Eugene Gary Hayes, David Lewis Marchese, Barry Joseph Goebert, Wayne Robert Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6196343
    Abstract: The invention provides a mid-wheel drive wheelchair assembly (10) which includes a central base frame (11), a seat frame (12) removably attached to the base frame (11), a pair of transversely spaced leading pivot arms (13, 14) pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base frame respectively for pivotal movement about a common transverse pivot axis (17), a pair of ground engaging mid-drive wheels (19, 20) each mounted adjacent the trailing end of a respective side pivot arm (13, 14), a pair of ground engaging front castor wheels (21, 22) rotatably mounted at the leading ends of the pivot arms (13, 14), and a pair of ground engage rear castor wheels (23, 24) rotatably mounted at opposite ends of a rigid transverse port arm (25) which itself is pivotally mounted to the rear of the base frame (11) centrally thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Rollerchair Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Maris Strautnieks
  • Patent number: 6196344
    Abstract: Several control methods are presented for application in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain including in various embodiments an engine, a motor/generator, a transmission coupled at an input thereof to receive torque from the engine and the motor generator coupled to augment torque provided by the engine, an energy storage device coupled to receive energy from and provide energy to the motor/generator, an engine controller (EEC) coupled to control the engine, a transmission controller (TCM) coupled to control the transmission and a vehicle system controller (VSC) adapted to control the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Alan Tamor
  • Patent number: 6196345
    Abstract: An electric motor vehicle includes an electric motor driving a step-down differential, axles, and drive wheels. An operator control produces torque command signals, which are applied to a controller to command application of electric power to the motor in response to the torque commands, to achieve the desired torque. The low friction of the electric drive, in conjunction with the rotational compliance or imperfect stiffness of the axles, may result in low-frequency surges or jerky motion, especially at low speeds. A damping arrangement includes a differencing circuit coupled between the operator control and the controller, for taking the difference between the operator-commanded torque and a damping torque signal. The damping torque signal is produced by differentiating the electric motor speed to produce a motor-acceleration representative signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bae Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Paull Lyons, Slobodan Gataric
  • Patent number: 6196346
    Abstract: A device for transverse movement of a vehicle has longitudinal rotatable axles and transverse rotatable axles, four rotatable wheels fixedly connected with two longitudinal rotatable axles, couplings through which the wheels are connected with four transverse rotatable axles, so that when wheels of a vehicle cooperate with the device, the device displaces the vehicle to the right and to the left depending on direction of rotation of the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Boris Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 6196347
    Abstract: A power transmission and pedal force sensing system for an electric motor includes an electric motor, a gear reduction train, a pedal force sensing system, and a power combination mechanism. These four mechanisms are concentrically, closely mounted in a single casing. The pedal force sensing system includes a pedal force transmitting sleeve having an elastic device mounted therein, and a pedal force sensing sleeve mounted outside the pedal force transmission path for converting the pedal force into an axial displacement. A proximity sensor is used to detect the axial displacement and outputs a voltage signal representing the magnitude of the pedal force. The power transmission path is shortened and only one casing is required to house all of the elements to thereby obtain a structure of a higher transmission efficiency and reduced volume and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Yu Chao, Chih-Jin Wang, Yin-Jao Luo, Yuh-Wen Hwang