Patents Issued in March 20, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030051885
    Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises the steps: providing a length of expandable tubing; locating an expansion tool, such as a cone, in the tubing; and applying impulses to the tool to drive the tool through the tubing and expand the tubing to a larger diameter. The tubing may be located downhole and may have a solid wall or a slotted wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, David H. Grant, Grant Adams
  • Publication number: 20030051886
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing an extremely fine micron and sub-micron size water mist using an electronic ultrasonic device that produces the mist at ambient-pressure and delivering the mist for application in suppressing fire. A piezoelectric transducer is arranged to produce a water mist having at least a portion of sub-micron size droplets. The water mist is produced by high frequency pressure waves or ultrasonic waves of predetermined or variable frequency, including frequencies which may exceed 2.5 MHz. The water mist is directed to a firebase to be self-entrained by the fire's flame. The momentum provided the water mist in directing the mist is minimized to enhance the ability of the fire to entrain the mist, and the flow of the carrier medium is usually directed tangentially about the water fountain creating the mist. Further, the throughput and concentration of the mist is controlled to ensure that the entrained mist will be sufficient to cool and suppress the fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga
  • Publication number: 20030051887
    Abstract: A fire control system is provided that uses combusted gases from a turbine engine to fill the ullage of an airplane fuel tank. The combusted gases contain insufficient oxygen to support combustion. Before the combusted gases are provided to the ullage, the temperature is lowered and moisture is removed from the gases by one or both of a desiccant chamber that absorbs the moisture and a condenser chamber that freezes out the moisture. Hot combusted gases from the engine are periodically passed through the desiccant chamber and condenser chamber to remove the moisture and regenerate those chambers. Pairs of chambers are preferably provided so that timer controlled valves channel the combusted gases through one set of a condenser chamber and a desiccant chamber while another set of chambers is being regenerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Frank B. Cramer
  • Publication number: 20030051888
    Abstract: A drilling rig (10) having a boom (12) supporting a leader (36). The leader (36) is pivotally attached to the boom and is moveable between a generally upright orientation and a generally horizontal orientation for the purposes of transportation by a vehicle (11). Hydraulic rams (33) cause linear movement of the leader relative to the boom while the hydraulic ram (33) causes tilting of the boom about a generally horizontally axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Ricky Eric John Buckland
  • Publication number: 20030051889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a percussion drive of an earth drilling unit having a housing, a drilling tool, a pulling or thrusting drive with pulling or thrusting means, a percussion piston, a pressure chamber belonging to the percussion piston and a pressure medium feed, which can be connected and disconnected, for the operation of the percussion piston, means being provided to connect and disconnect the pressure medium feed when the pulling or thrusting drive exceeds or falls below a specific pull or thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Puttmann
  • Publication number: 20030051890
    Abstract: A hand-held, power-operated or power-assisted, crimping/er or decapping/er tool (60), for container closures, such as vial caps (C), has a hollow handle (50), housing a (pneumatic) piston-in-cylinder actuator (12, 13), with an external trigger (18) operating an internal control valve (16), to control connection of an external pressure supply, through an internal distribution block (11), and displacement of an actuator output rod (15), coupled, through a pivoted bell crank lever (10), to a demountable crimping/er or decapping/er (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Marshall
  • Publication number: 20030051891
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield for use around access panels and doors in electronic equipment enclosures includes a base and profile manufactured from an electrically nonconductive solid material such as a thermoplastic resin polymer. An electrically conductive layer of a metallized fabric is bonded to the profile to provide effective shielding and grounding functions. The underlying polymer provides elastic compliancy and resiliency to the shield. The shield may be divided into flexible fingers which can be rectangular or nonlinear shaped. The nonlinear shaped flexible fingers form nonlinear shaped slits between the fingers which provides improved EMI shielding by reducing the amount of EMI transmission that can pass through the shield. The electromagnetic interference shield may also be made from an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Amesbury Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Rapp, Joseph J. Kaplo
  • Publication number: 20030051892
    Abstract: A cable channel assembly for transitioning cables between first and second planes, and comprising a cable channel segment for being attached in a first plane orientation to a cable raceway positioned a second plane orientation in cable communication therewith for permitting cables to pass between the cable raceway and the attached cable channel segment, and at least one cable exit port extending through a first longitudinally-extending wall of the cable channel segment and adapted to permit the cables to exit the cable channel segment. The cable exit port includes radiused cable-supporting surfaces extending around the periphery of both an interior and exterior side of the first longitudinally-extending wall whereby the cable is supported on a radius on the interior of and exterior to the cable channel segment as the cable exits the cable channel segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Mattei, Robert P. Auteri
  • Publication number: 20030051893
    Abstract: The present invention has a purpose to provide a surface-mounting connector for electrically connecting with the terminals of the semiconductor module board by pinching thereof, without soldering. The surface-mounting connector includes a supporting member made of insulating material having a first and second surfaces, and a top-surface connecting lead pin and a bottom-surface connecting lead pin. The lead pins are disposed in parallel with a predetermined gap and supported by the supporting member. The top-surface connecting lead pin and the bottom-surface connecting lead pin have one end portions bent in a predetermined direction at different positions away from the first surface of the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichimasa, Tetsuya Matsuura, Yasushi Kasatani
  • Publication number: 20030051894
    Abstract: The present invention is a junction box cover for use in conjunction with a junction box. The junction box cover includes a plate element having a rim portion, an elevated portion, and a transition portion connecting the rim portion with the elevated portion. The plate element has at least one slot on the rim portion, which is configured to accept a fastening mechanism. In operation, the junction box cover is placed over an open side of the junction box, and the junction box cover is secured to the junction box via the fastening mechanism extending through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick C. Westlake
  • Publication number: 20030051895
    Abstract: An insulating cover for at least two electrical conductors includes two adjacent parallel tunnels, each arranged to receive one electrical conductor for the purpose of economical fabrication and the avoidance of insulation damage even over the long term, made by shaping at least one long, thin, flexible strip of electrically insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Juergen Wilde
  • Publication number: 20030051896
    Abstract: Stretchable suspending, anchoring, or joining sleeve for a bare composite electric conductor. This sleeve is comprised of a tubular body made of electrically conducting ductile metal alloy provided locally with an outer recess for reception and departure of a stretching ring and with a stretchable part deformation of which, by displacement of ring, ensures shrinking of this part of the body onto the conductor inserted into the axial bore of this body. According to the invention, the recess for reception and departure of stretching ring is located near one of the ends of the tubular body while the stretchable part of the body extends between this recess and an end-of-stretching recess located downstream of the inner end of the fitting area of the conductor in the axial bore of the body to form a chamber in this axial bore when stretching occurs, said chamber receiving the strands with the greatest elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: DERVAUX
    Inventors: Denis Boidard, Jean-Francois Murgue
  • Publication number: 20030051897
    Abstract: A coaxial cable compatible with standard 735 type performance parameters has a smaller diameter and greater flexibility at a lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Nordx/CDT, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Blouin, Joel Bernard, Yves Dion
  • Publication number: 20030051898
    Abstract: An electrical cable (1) comprises a conductor (2), a possible inner coating layer (7) put directly into contact with the conductor (2), a self-repairing material layer (4) directly in contact with the inner coating layer (7), and an outer coating sheath (3) externally in engagement with the self-repairing material layer (4). Formed between the outer coating sheath (3) and the conductor (2) are anchoring portions (6) for the purpose of avoiding relative movements between the outer coating sheath (3) and the conductor (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew L. Maunder, Alberto Bareggi, Luca Balconi, Gaia Dell'Anna, Giovanni Pozzati, Sergio Belli
  • Publication number: 20030051899
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an improved connection between a TTY keypad and an emergency call box. This is accomplished by lengthening and re-routing the multi-conductor ribbon cable that connects the TTY to the call box. Thus relieving the stress on the cable. This prevents the cable from cracking from fatigue and rendering the TTY box useless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur Garabedian
  • Publication number: 20030051900
    Abstract: An electrical wire or cable having insulation comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Giles Henry Rodway, Joseph Charles Read, Liam McKeough
  • Publication number: 20030051901
    Abstract: Electrical connection of superconducting lines can be achieved by using a low-melting point metal, by mechanical contact of superconducting lines or by welding. According to these methods, however, critical current and critical magnetic field at the connection point are low, and stable connection in a superconducting state has been difficult. The present invention solves these problems and provides a structure and method for connecting superconducting lines. The present invention provides high-performance, high-stability connection of superconducting lines through magnesium diboride (MgB2) powder arranged between superconducting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Kazuhide Tanaka, Yasuo Suzuki, Michiya Okada
  • Publication number: 20030051902
    Abstract: A multi-layer interconnection board, includes a multi-layer structure in which plural interconnections are provided and which includes a ground layer, and a hole part provided in the multi-layer structure, wherein a conductive part is provided on an internal wall part of the hole part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinji Aoki
  • Publication number: 20030051903
    Abstract: A retaining ring interconnect. A retaining ring is formed on a perimeter of a pad on each of two adjoining surfaces of two PCB substrates. A conductive paste is applied between the pads on the two adjoining surfaces. The retaining rings are aligned and facing with each other. By performing a heat compression process, the retaining rings are connected to encompass the conductive paste. A eutectic bond is thus formed to bond the two PCB substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Dense-Pac Microsystems, Inc. a California corporation
    Inventors: Glen E. Roeters, Frank E. Mantz
  • Publication number: 20030051904
    Abstract: A circuit board on an ink cartridge has contact pads which are electrically conducted to a semiconductor storage element mounted on the circuit board. Connector terminals on an ink jet recording apparatus are brought into relative slide contact with a surface of this circuit board, and electrically connected to the contact pads. When the connector terminals come in contact with the contact pads, the dust adhering to the connector terminals is wiped and removed by step portions that are constituted by no-resist-film formation parts and that are adjacent to the contact pads. Consequently, the reliability of the electrical contact between the connector terminals and the contact pads is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Aruga
  • Publication number: 20030051905
    Abstract: When an electronic component is mounted on a substrate, the electronic component is first placed on the substrate with a solid support interposed between the electronic component and the substrate. The solid support serves to space a terminal conductor of the electronic component from a corresponding terminal pad on the substrate. A conductive bonding material is then melted on the terminal pad. The melted conductive bonding material gets exposed to the peripheral atmosphere over a larger area. Even if a bubble is generated within the melted conductive bonding material, the bubble is allowed to easily get out of the melted conductive bonding material. Removal of the gas is promoted in the melted conductive bonding material. The solid support is subsequently melted. The electronic component is moved down toward the substrate, thereby contacting the terminal conductor with the melted conductive bonding material on the corresponding terminal pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Mitsuo Suehiro, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20030051906
    Abstract: A post in ring interconnect used for 3-D stacking. A retaining ring is formed on a pad on a bottom surface of a top PCB substrate to be stacked with a bottom PCB substrate. A post is formed on a pad on a top surface of the bottom PCB substrate. A conductive paste is applied on the pad on the bottom surface of the top PCB substrate and retained in a pocket partially defined by the retaining ring. The retaining ring is aligned with the post. By performing a compression step, a eutectic bond is formed between the top and bottom PCB substrates by the post and the conductive paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Glen E. Roeters, Frank E. Mantz
  • Publication number: 20030051907
    Abstract: A retaining ring interconnect. A retaining ring is formed on a perimeter of a pad on each of two adjoining surfaces of two PCB substrates. A conductive paste is applied between the pads on the two adjoining surfaces. The retaining rings are aligned and facing with each other. By performing a heat compression process, the retaining rings are connected to encompass the conductive paste. A eutectic bond is thus formed to bond the two PCB substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Glen E. Roeters, Frank E. Mantz
  • Publication number: 20030051908
    Abstract: A DRAM module package, which uses a board on chip (BOC) manner to form multiple windows on the module printed circuit board (PCB). A chip is directly adhered to a backside of the module PCB and the bonding pads of the chip are arranged to be located at a center of the windows. The conductive wire penetrates through the window and connects crossing between a mounting pad in front of the module PCB and the bonding pad of the chip. Then, an encapsulation process is performed to protect the conductive wires, the mounting pads on the module PCB, the chip and the bonding pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Kai-Kuang Ho
  • Publication number: 20030051909
    Abstract: An array of solder structures comprising a plurality of radially-curved exterior surfaces, each one enclosing a predetermined-sized cavity that can be used for flexibly joining together at predetermined conductive contact points two planar elements having dissimilar properties. By assembling the two planar elements in a tiered arrangement, one planar element having an array of annular conductive pads and the other planar element having either a corresponding array of annular or circular conductive pads, separated by an array of spherical solder balls comprised of solder and a fluxing agent, a hollow solder structure can be created during a melting and subsequent cooling of the solder compound. The plasticity/resiliency characteristics of the resulting hollow solder structure absorbs lateral movement of the two planar elements relative to each other without degradation of the solder joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Sang-Young Kim, Ho-Jeong Moon, Dong-Kil Shin, Seung-Kon Mok
  • Publication number: 20030051910
    Abstract: A multilayer ceramic semiconductor chip carrier is provided by a method of interconnecting ground, signal and power lines in a semiconductor chip carrier. The method involves forming a plurality of insulating layers with conductor lines comprising power and ground lines connected in parallel in a single plane formed in planes between the insulating layers. The parallel lines are directed in orthogonal directions in parallel between any two of the insulating layers with alternation successively between planes of X-directed lines and planes of Y-directed coplanar signal, power and ground lines. There are via connections formed between planes connecting a power line in one plane to another power line in another plane. Other via connections between planes connect a ground line in a first plane to another ground line in a second plane, and signal lines are formed in parallel between a ground line and a power line in a given plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Peter D. Van Dyke, Daniel P. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20030051911
    Abstract: A post in ring interconnect used for 3-D stacking. A retaining ring is formed on a pad on a bottom surface of a top PCB substrate to be stacked with a bottom PCB substrate. A post is formed on a pad on a top surface of the bottom PCB substrate. A conductive paste is applied on the pad on the bottom surface of the top PCB substrate and retained in a pocket partially defined by the retaining ring. The retaining ring is aligned with the post. By performing a compression step, a eutectic bond is formed between the top and bottom PCB substrates by the post and the conductive paste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Glen E. Roeters, Frank E. Mantz
  • Publication number: 20030051912
    Abstract: A device including a first solder pad and a second solder pad comprised of a post-soldering alloy composition on a substrate is provided. The alloy composition comprises two or more elements, and the post soldering alloy composition of the first solder pad has different amounts of the two or more elements than the alloy composition of the second solder pad. A method of making a solder pad comprises masking a substrate comprising at least a first solder pad and a second solder pad, wherein the mask exposes a greater area of the first solder pad so that the deposited element becomes part of an alloy composition of the first solder pad upon soldering thereby changing the melting point of the first solder pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Mindaugas F. Dautartas
  • Publication number: 20030051913
    Abstract: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the surface of the ground in a drilling area. The mapping tool includes a housing and a transmitter arrangement supported by the housing for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region for use in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling. The associated methods include the step of configuring the mapping tool for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region and using the received setup locating signal in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Peter H. Hambling, Rudolf Zeller, Shiu S. Ng, Guenter W. Brune, Lloyd A. Moore
  • Publication number: 20030051914
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a downhole method and apparatus for simultaneously determining the horizontal resistivity, vertical resistivity, and relative dip angle for anisotropic earth formations. The present invention accomplishes this objective by using an antenna configuration in which a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna are oriented in non-parallel planes such that the vertical resistivity and the relative dip angle are decoupled. Preferably, either the transmitter or the receiver is mounted in a conventional orientation in a first plane that is normal to the tool axis, and the other antenna is mounted in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane. This invention also relates to a method and apparatus for steering a downhole tool during a drilling operation in order to maintain the borehole within a desired earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michael S. Bittar
  • Publication number: 20030051915
    Abstract: An articulating derrick having a back face, a pair of opposed sides with each side having at least one leg, and an open face. The back face of the derrick includes a plurality of pairs of back face cross supports. Each cross support has a first and a second opposed end. Each first end is pivotally attached to one of the legs. A bushing pivotally connects the second ends of each pair of cross supports in order to permit movement of the back face between a folded, storage position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: John Brittain, Dewayne Vogt
  • Publication number: 20030051916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drilling, analyzing, and stabilizing subsurface formations. The system is generally formed around a reusable bottomhole assembly (BHA) that provides an anchoring and thrust mechanism, furnishing the necessary downward force needed to provide comminution of geological material in a borehole. The BHA is conveyed into the borehole via a communications link wireline equiped with internal power and data telemetry lines. The BHA permits the use of multiple comminution sampling and analysis tools via a coupling device. The BHA and communications link wireline are mounted so as to couple with different tools. The main drilling mechanism is a torque drive assembly powered coring tool. A borehole televiewer and/or logging analysis tool may follow each coring period. The final step in each coring period is a wellbore consolidation technique. This series of steps is then repeated, each time coring the wellbore to a deeper depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Steven George Streich
  • Publication number: 20030051917
    Abstract: A roller cone drill bit in which the orientations of the teeth are varied within a single row, and/or between the heel row of one cone and the heel row of another cone, to prevent tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shilin Chen
  • Publication number: 20030051918
    Abstract: A novel and improved roller cone drill bit and method of design are disclosed. A roller cone drill bit for drilling through subterranean formations having an upper connection for attachment to a drill string, and a plurality cutting structures rotatably mounted on arms extending downward from the connection. A number of teeth are located in generally concentric rows on each cutting structure. The actual trajectory by which the teeth engage the formation is mathematically determined. A straight-line trajectory is calculated based on the actual trajectory. The teeth are positioned in the cutting structures such each tooth having a designed engagement surface is oriented perpendicular to the calculated straight-line trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shilin Chen
  • Publication number: 20030051919
    Abstract: A steering tool for extended-reach directional drilling in three dimensions comprises a mud pulse telemetry section, a rotary section, and a flex section assembled as an integrated system in series along the length of the tool. The flex section comprises a flexible drive shaft and a deflection actuator for applying hydraulic pressure along the length of the shaft for bending the shaft when making inclination angle adjustments during steering. The rotary section comprises a rotator housing coupled to the deflection housing for rotating the deflection housing for making azimuth angle adjustments during steering. The onboard mud pulse telemetry section receives inclination and azimuth angle steering commands together with actual inclination and azimuth angle feedback signals during steering for use in controlling operation of the flex section and rotary section for steering the tool along a desired course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Western Well Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Bruce Moore, R. Ernst Krueger, Ronald E. Beaufort
  • Publication number: 20030051920
    Abstract: Fluid roof bits for mining typically supply high pressure water to a location immediately adjacent the cutting insert of the roof bit to flush debris and cool the cutting insert. The present invention is a drill steel assembly for a wet roof bit that reduces the fluid pressure loss supplied to the roof bit. A drill head body is connected to the drill steel by an intermediate adaptor. The adaptor has a spring loaded button thereon that mates with an opening in the drill head body so that the drill head body can be conveniently snapped onto the drill head assembly. A bushing seal made from a flexible material is clamped between said drill steel adaptor and the drill head body to limit fluid pressure losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas E. Bise, Phillip W. Haga
  • Publication number: 20030051921
    Abstract: A rock bit seal in which the shape of the retainer lip (which restrains the seal from axial motion in response to pressure differentials) is optimized, with respect to the as-deformed shape of the seal in place, to achieve a preload stress which is everywhere nonzero. Preferably the ratio of maximum to minimum stress in the as-installed condition is kept to a small ratio, e.g. less than 2:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul A. Miglierini
  • Publication number: 20030051922
    Abstract: A three cone roller bit with rolling cone cutters that are provided with both primary and secondary cutting elements. The primary cutting elements extend outwardly from lands on the outer surface of the cutter body. The secondary cutting elements are disposed within grooves on the cutter body so as to either protrude with its cutting surface from the bottom of the groove or be flush or slightly recessed within it. During normal operation, the primary cutter elements of the rolling cone cutters engage the borehole formation. The secondary cutters do not engage the formation. After substantial wear has occurred to the primary cutter elements, and wear begins to occur to the body of the cone cutters, the secondary cutter elements serve as a secondary cutting structure that engages and cuts into the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Andrew Baker, Brian Christopher, Rudolf Carl Otto Pessier
  • Publication number: 20030051923
    Abstract: A core drill extender apparatus comprises an extender tube that is adapted to make a screw connection to a driver, and a connector assembly releasably mounted in the front end of the tube for connecting the extender tube to a core drill. The connector assembly comprises a tapered mandrel having a threaded axial extension at its front end for making a screw connection to a core drill, and an expandable locking sleeve that surrounds and engages the outer surface of the mandrel. The sleeve is made so that moving it relative to the mandrel in the direction of increasing mandrel outer surface diameter will cause the sleeve to expand radially and into tight frictional engagement with the extender tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. DeBlasio
  • Publication number: 20030051924
    Abstract: An insert chip of an oil-drilling tricone bit includes an insert-chip substrate made of a cemented carbide of a first composition, and further includes a cemented carbide coating layer constituted of at least two stacked coating layers made of a cemented carbide of a composition different from the first composition, the cemented carbide coating layer covering the whole of a cutting edge of the insert-chip substrate. The coating layers each have a thickness, at a tip portion of the cutting edge, ranging from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm and, the total thickness of the cemented carbide coating layer ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm. The coating layers include an outermost cemented carbide layer and at least one coating layer besides the outermost cemented carbide layer and the outermost cemented carbide layer has a hardness higher than that of that at least one coating layer and of the insert-chip substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Keiichi Tsuda, Nobuyuki Mori, Hideki Moriguchi
  • Publication number: 20030051925
    Abstract: A scale 1 for weighing moving loads 17 includes a weighing platform 3 having an entrance end 5 and an exit end 7. The platform 3 is pivotal about a transverse axis 9 between the entrance end 5 and exit end 7. A first limit stop 13 is engageable to limit downward movement of the entrance end 5 and a second limit stop 15 is engageable to limit downward movement of the exit end 7. A weighing device 11 is connected to the platform 3 and is operable to provide an indication of the weight of a load 17 supported on the platform 3 when neither the first limit stop 13 nor the second limit stop 15 is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry L. Ostermann
  • Publication number: 20030051926
    Abstract: An electronic balance including a housing (1), a weighing scale (2), a windshield (3), which preferably at least partially surrounds the weighing scale, and a display and operating unit (4) which is connected to the balance housing. The connecting part (5) between the display and operating unit (4) and the housing (1) consists essentially of a material with poor heat conduction properties. At least one vertical radiation protection plate (6) is provided between the display and operating unit (4) and the housing (1), and the connecting part (5) is configured in such a way as to impair air convection on both sides of the radiation protection plate(s) (6) preferably to the least extent possible. This results in excellent thermal decoupling between the display and operating unit (4) and the housing (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: SARTORIUS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Eduard Bierich, Guenter Boetcher, Michael Laubstein, Joerg Peter Martens, Juergen Winkelbach
  • Publication number: 20030051927
    Abstract: A coordinate inputting apparatus capable of being used in combination with a device generating noise, comprises an input section for inputting coordinates, a detecting section for detecting the input coordinates, and a control section for controlling the entire coordinate inputting apparatus. The control section sets a detecting time during which the detecting section detects the coordinates and a non-detecting time during which detection is not performed, the detecting time and the non-detecting time being alternately repeated, and the control section controls the coordinate inputting apparatus so that an operation of the device is stopped for at least a time during which the coordinate inputting apparatus is otherwise affected by the noise, the time being part of the detecting time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Inamori
  • Publication number: 20030051928
    Abstract: In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor (102) is directly coupled to a traction motor (38) and/or generator motor (30) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition (300). A controller (100) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed (302). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components (306, 308, 310, 312, 314). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator (308, 314).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Abbas Raftari, Patrick J. Curran, Vijay K. Garg
  • Publication number: 20030051929
    Abstract: In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor (102) is directly coupled to a traction motor (38) and/or generator motor (30) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition (300). A controller (100) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed (302). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components (306, 308, 310, 312, 314). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator (308, 314).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Abbas Raftari, Patrick J. Curran, Vijay K. Garg
  • Publication number: 20030051930
    Abstract: A control system and method for accelerating the warm-up operation of a hybrid vehicle while preferably using the characteristics of the hybrid vehicle. The system comprises a warm-up accelerating section for accelerating warm-up of the engine by controlling the ignition timing of the engine according to a temperature of water for cooling the engine; and a power generation control section for performing power generation using the motor according to a remaining charge of a battery of the vehicle. The warm-up accelerating section has an ignition timing correcting section for correcting the ignition timing according to an amount of generated power which is controlled by the power generation control section. Therefore, in comparison with the case of performing the warm-up operation by simply using both the ignition timing retardation and the power generation, the ignition timing can be close to the optimum point, thereby improving the combustion efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Matsubara, Kan Nakaune, Toshinari Shinohara, Naoya Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20030051931
    Abstract: A propulsion engine housing for a motor vehicle having at least one door arranged to allow positioning in one closed and one open position. The inside of the door is provided with steps in order to facilitate access to the engine for the driver/mechanic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Volvo Articulated Haulers AB
    Inventors: Peter Johansson, Roger Melander
  • Publication number: 20030051932
    Abstract: A modular robotic teaching tool including a plurality of modules that may be operated, for example, to play robot soccer, for introducing principles of mechanical engineering and robotics to prospective students. The teaching tool includes a modular robot that may be assembled in a plurality of configurations. The modular robot includes a body portion, first and second motors, first and second motor mounts, at least three wheels, two of which are mountable to the motors, at least one flipper module, and a remote control module for actuating the motors and the flipper module. The modular robot is advantageous in that it provides for an inexpensive, challenging, and entertaining introduction to some of the principles of robotics and mechanical engineering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, John M. Thompson, Raymond L. Speth, Hani M. Sallum
  • Publication number: 20030051933
    Abstract: Tandem drive axles include a pair of drive axles interconnected by a thru-shaft. An inter-axle differential allows speed differentiation between the pair of axles. Differences in tire rolling radii and variations in axle load distribution between the pair of drive axles are examples of why axle differentiation is needed. By measuring and monitoring wheel speed and/or tire pressure, tire rolling radii differences can be determined and appropriate adjustments can be made to tire pressures to provide a common tire rolling radii range for all tires. In addition to tire pressure adjustment, by adjusting other axle parameters that affect axle performance, such as suspension height and weight distribution, the need for axle differentiation is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Dale K. Bell
  • Publication number: 20030051934
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a foldable electric vehicle for recreation and travelling, which may provide an electric activation to make a recreation-travelling vehicle march forward without the auxiliary of manpower and also provide a seat for a user to be seated on. The main function of the invention is to provide a foldable and closeable framework that not only makes the invention easy to carry but also occupies smaller space. Through the design of a pivot connection axis, it may make a main vehicle frame and a direction-changing axis fixation seat of the invention able to be drawn in and leaned together. A chair frame may also be designed above the main vehicle and be leaned together on the main vehicle frame when the vehicle body is folded together. Thus, a foldable and closeable framework provided by the present invention is formed. Preferably, the handgrips may be matched with the vehicle body to be folded and closed together through a quick taking-apart set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: HAMBA R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pao-Yin Ou