Patents Issued in April 15, 2003
  • Patent number: 6546968
    Abstract: A bond magnet comprises a molded body in which a mixture of flake of magnet material comprising rare earth element-iron-nitrogen as main component, TbCu7 type crystal phase as a principal phase and a thickness of less than 200 &mgr;m a binder is compression molded. A compression molded body constituting a bond magnet has a density of 6×103 kg/m3 or more. In the step of compression molding a mixture of magnet material and binder, pressure is applied a plurality of times, or pressure is applied while rotating a punch and die, or the binder is cured while applying pressure to obtain such a bond magnet with good reproducibility. Such a bond magnet has excellent magnetic properties and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Nakagawa, Fumiyuki Kawashima, Takao Sawa, Shinya Sakurada, Tomohisa Arai
  • Patent number: 6546969
    Abstract: A sugar dispensing apparatus for conveniently storing and dispensing sugar to selected beverage containers. The sugar dispensing apparatus includes a housing assembly including a housing having front, back, side, bottom, and top walls, and an opening in said top wall, and also including a lid being removably disposed over the opening in the top wall of the housing; and also includes a hopper assembly including a hopper being securely disposed in the housing and having at least one sugar dispensing port; and further includes a shelf being securely mounted upon the hopper in the housing and having a plurality of holes being spaced about and being disposed therethrough and being adapted to allow sugar to enter said hopper; and also includes a bag-breaking member being securely disposed upon the shelf for breaking a bag containing sugar; and further includes an assembly for dispensing sugar from the hopper through at least one sugar dispensing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond C. Kelley, II
  • Patent number: 6546970
    Abstract: A nozzle for filling operations with two liquid and/or gas products for filler machines which can be aligned with a mouth of a container to be filled comprising a first fixed shutter element (21) and a first outlet opening (18) in a moveable hollow body (16, 16a), wherein the hollow body (16, 16a) is associated at the top with a first feeding system (12) for a first product to be dispensed into the container and the hollow body (16, 16a) can be moved between at least one engagement position, in which the first opening (18) is closed by the first shutter element (21), and a disengagement position, in which such a first opening (18) is opened and the first product flows into the container, moreover said first shutter element (21) being at least partially hollow (19) so as to be equipped on one side with a second outlet opening (38), coaxial with said first opening (18) in said hollow body (16, 16a), and on the other side with a second feeding system (11) for a second product to dispense into the container, wher
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: OCME S.r.l
    Inventor: Carlotta Gatteschi
  • Patent number: 6546971
    Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of bags, in particular stand up bags filled with a beverage, into an outer container, including a bag conveyor and a feed conveyor for the container, the bags being insertable into the container under the action of gravity at an insertion point positioned above the feed conveyor. For further improving such an apparatus and for increasing the conveying speed, the bag conveyor can comprise a star conveyor which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and which is provided with receiving compartments that can be loaded and unloaded on the circumference and which receive only a single bag in the conveying direction, and which has the same conveying direction as the feed conveyor above the feed conveyor at the insertion point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Indag Gesellschaft fur Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Patent number: 6546972
    Abstract: A filler neck includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a fuel-delivery conduit coupled to a fuel tank inlet of a vehicle fuel tank. The housing includes a passageway that defines an axis of the filler neck and is adapted to receive a pump nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
  • Patent number: 6546973
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for filling a container main body at least whose drum body is made of a flexible film, with a viscous material. A viscous material is charged by the charging means into container main bodies conveyed by the container conveying means, the drum body of the container main body is pressed by the pressing means to cause the surface of the viscous material to bulge, and the opening of the reinforcing component of the container main body is capped by the capping means, allowing the opening to be capped in an air-tight manner with a lid member while virtually all of the air inside the container main body is evacuated, and preventing air from being left over in the container main body so as to prevent hardening, curing and deterioration in the quality of the viscous material that can be caused by such remaining air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sunstar Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Hattori, Masaaki Murase, Kiyoshi Nakayama, Osamu Yazaki
  • Patent number: 6546974
    Abstract: A stump removal tool for boring around a stump at ground level. The stump removal tool includes an elongate member having a first end, a second end and outer peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. The elongate member has a generally circular cross-section taken transversely to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member. A connecting portion is attached to and extends away from the first end of the elongate member. The connecting portion is removably coupled to a power tool. A plurality of teeth is attached to an outer surface of the peripheral wall. The teeth are spaced from each other and are positioned in a pattern extending from the first end to the second end. The elongate member is attached to the power tool and rotated such that the teeth may be used for boring through a stump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Michael R. Mc Nabb
  • Patent number: 6546975
    Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, posts extending upright from the base, a cutter carriage mounted slidably on the posts, a pair of screw rods associated with the cutter carriage, a motor with an output shaft, and a carriage height adjusting unit that includes a driving shaft mounted rotatably on the cutter carriage, a sliding member slidably mounted on the driving shaft, first and second shaft-driving gears mounted rotatably on opposite ends of the sliding member, a driving gear connected to the output shaft and disposed between the first and second shaft-driving gears, and a gear mechanism coupled to the driving shaft and the screw rods. The sliding member is movable between an upward position, in which, the driving gear engages the first shaft-driving gear, and a downward position, in which the driving gear engages the second shaft-driving gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Juei-Seng Liao, Pei-Lieh Chiang
  • Patent number: 6546976
    Abstract: A wood splitter comprising a support structure, a table assembly, a ram assembly, and wedge member, and a control means. The support structure supports the table assembly. The control system energizes the ram assembly to force the wedge towards the table assembly. A workpiece is placed on the table assembly such that the wedge engages and splits the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Norman M. Hill
  • Patent number: 6546977
    Abstract: A stump grinding device includes a wheel having an outer peripheral edge in which a plurality of recesses are formed. Disposed in each recess is a plurality of cutting units each including a block affixed to a floor of the recess, and a bit mounted in the block. Each bit includes a hard tip disposed at a front end thereof. The bits of some of the peripheral cutting units are rotatable relative to their respective blocks, with the hard tips thereof being generally pointed. The bits of others of the peripheral cutting units are non-rotatable to their respective blocks, with the hard tips thereof forming elongated cutting edges. The peripheral cutting units are spaced from leading and trailing ends of the respective recesses to provide spaces for the passage of cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik Rock Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Monyak, James Paumier
  • Patent number: 6546978
    Abstract: A two-part portable table saw stand system. The first part is a large folding table. The table can be folded relatively flat for storage or hauling. Once opened, it forms a large work surface. At one end of the table is a lower shelf. This shelf holds a portable table saw so that the table of the saw is flush with the top of the folding table. This allows wood to flow across the surfaces without binding. The second part of the system is a table saw carrier. The carrier is designed to hold the table saw. It has two wheels at one end and handles at the other. The saw is fastened to the carrier so that it can be wheeled from a truck to the job site or vice versa. The lower shelf of the folding table has a special bracket system that receives the table saw carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Fred Thoman
  • Patent number: 6546979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method controlling a drum debarker by way of using the drum weighing information in the control of the drum debarking process. The method comprises the steps of determining the weight of the contents in the drum determining the filling degree of the debarking drum determining the average density of the log bunch tumbling in the debarking drum from drum weighing information and drum filling degree information, and determining a target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum. Based on the information thus obtained, at least one following variables is controlled: the drum rotating speed, discharge rate of logs from the drum and infeed rate of logs into the drum so as to achieve the desired target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 6546980
    Abstract: A method for fabricating bamboo blind slats is disclosed. The steps include splitting a selected bamboo stem into several bamboo strips, removing the skins and joints from the bamboo strips before being disinfected and dried and then trimming them to fine bamboo strips. Further at least two bamboo strips are indented to joint with the corresponding ends, and then is trimmed to a fine jointed bamboo strip. A bamboo plate is obtained by joining fine jointed bamboo strips and/or the fine bamboo strips together in conjunction with a pneumatic press, and then is trimmed and polished. After slicing the bamboo plate into several bamboo slats, the bamboo slats need to be polished before covering a base coating, polished again before covering a face coating. Finally the bamboo slats are punched with two cord holes to be used for making a Venetian blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Feng-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6546981
    Abstract: A putter cover and removably attached divot repair tool comprising a putter cover body having at least an inner surface and an outer surface where the outer surface includes two spaced apart slits. The slits have a width that is substantially similar to a tool width of the divot repair tool and the slits are spaced apart by a spaced distance that is less than a length of the divot repair tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 6546982
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (602, 602a, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1102, 1102′, 1402) and an antenna (740, 740′, 862, 940, 1140, 1140′, 1200, 1300, 1320, 1360, 1360′, 1440, 1460) in a pneumatic tire (312, 630, 1204, 1350, 1350′), and for coupling or connecting the antenna to the transponder module. A patch (600, 700, 700′, 850, 950, 980, 1100, 1100′, 1210, 1356, 1356′, 1400) has an opening (620, 720, 720′, 856, 956, 986, 1120, 1120′, 1420) extending to a cavity (622, 722, 860, 960, 990, 1122, 1122′, 1422) within the body of the patch. The transponder module is removably retained in the cavity by a resilient annular lip (624, 724, 724′, 858, 958, 988, 1124, 1124′, 1424) extending around the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Robert Walter Brown, Richard Stephen Pollack
  • Patent number: 6546983
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a folded belt structure comprises a cut belt and an overlay encompassed by folded over edges of the folded belt. Low aspect ratio tires for high performance automobiles having this structure can be made using a variety of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Dale Kenneth Dyer
  • Patent number: 6546984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a tire bead (16) with a tape (10) composed of two parallel wires (12a, 12b) having a coating (28) of resilient elastomeric material and connected by a web (14). The tire bead (16) can be built by winding the tape (10) in side by side relation and in successive superposed layers of predetermined widths and with convolutions spanning superposed layers to provide the tire bead (16) of predetermined cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Ralph Wayne Golightly
  • Patent number: 6546985
    Abstract: A die bonder, to which semiconductor pellets 4 are supplied in an arranged state, comprises a substrate feeding mechanism for feeding a substrate 1 including a plurality of pellet islands to successively set the pellet island at a bonding position BP, a defective substrate detecting means 3 for detecting defective pellet island, and a pellet transfer mechanism. The pellet transfer mechanism successively picks up and carries a defective pellet to the bonding position BP for mounting when a pellet island of the substrate set at the bonding position is non-defective, and mounts a defective pellet 4a when a pellet island is defective. In this arrangement, when the defective substrate detecting means determines that a pellet island is defective, a defective pellet is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Aoki
  • Patent number: 6546986
    Abstract: A panel forming method and apparatus used compressed fibrous material such as straw, hay and the like. The fibrous material from bales is debailled by debailler rollers and passed to straw walkers. The straw walkers move the material to crop shredders which deposit the shredded fiber on a conveyor. A leveller roller smooths the mat on the conveyor which mat moves to a picker roller. The picker roller moves the crop into a chute and a compression cavity where the material is severed and compressed by a reciprocating ram. The severed and compressed material has glued paper applied to its upper and lower surfaces and thereafter moves between heated platens for curing the glue. The severed and compressed material now forming a longitudinal panel is pulled by puller rollers and subsequently severed into panels of a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Enviro Board Corporation
    Inventors: Monty Raymond Waggoner, Delano Halder Fehr
  • Patent number: 6546987
    Abstract: A method for sealing sheets, the method comprising the steps of passing the sheets through a space between an opposing roller and a first seal roller that is opposingly provided to the opposing roller to seal the sheets and passing the sheets through a space between the opposing roller and a second seal roller that is opposingly provided to the opposing roller to seal the sheets. A heat sealing apparatus comprising a plurality of seal rollers having a plurality of seal blades and an opposing roller oppposingly provided to the plurality of sea rollers, wherein sheets are passed through spaces between the plurality of seal rollers and the opposing roller to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Kiyofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6546988
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for suspending a rigid panel in an opening formed in a barrier structure. The system comprises a sleeve of flexible material having an anchor portion attachable to the perimeter of the opening and a grip portion opposite the anchor portion. The grip portion is contoured so as to form a channel disposed between an anterior extension and a posterior extension of the grip portion. Each of the anterior extension and the posterior extension comprises a fold of the flexible material having an apex at its inner end. A first elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the anterior extension and a second elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the posterior extension. The edges of the panel are received within the channel and the first and second elongated tensioners may be made sufficiently taut to prevent easy removal of the panel from the channel. Also disclosed is a method of suspending a rigid panel in a barrier structure employing structure as disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: James R. Stahl
  • Patent number: 6546989
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is made for better closure, especially adjacent to the bottom rail. A movable weight is mounted on the bottom rail, so that the weight shifts to the lower side of the bottom rail when the bottom rail is tilted. A lift cord is mounted to support the bottom rail while being freely movable relative to the bottom rail at least in the front-to-back direction. The weight helps shift the bottom rail into the desired position, and, by being freely movable in the front-to-back direction, the lift cord does not interfere with the motion of the bottom rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon Coleman, Robert E. Fisher, Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 6546990
    Abstract: A winding mechanism for a screen which is stretched in the form of a tunnel during use includes a winding tube which is rotatable about an axis of rotation for winding and unwinding said screen. A guide for the screen is disposed beside the winding tube, which guide is curved in such a manner that the distance via the guide and via the surface of the winding tube surface to a line on the surface of the winding tube that extends parallel to the axis of rotation is the same for all points that are located at the same longitudinal position on the screen. In a further embodiment, a rectilinear auxiliary guide can be disposed between said guide and said winding tube, in such a manner that the screen will make contact therewith over its entire width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Inalfa Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Piet Peeters
  • Patent number: 6546991
    Abstract: The apparatus is described for manufacturing semi-finished products and molded articles of metallic materials. The device incorporates an extruder for producing a flow of the metals, with appliances being connected thereafter for shaping the semi-finished products and the molded articles. The extruder has a screw system consisting of two or more meshing screws. This design has an improved functionality and can produce components with reproducible quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dworog, Erwin Bürkle, Hans Wobbe, Rainer Zimmet, Jochen Zwiesele
  • Patent number: 6546992
    Abstract: For the working of walls which bound the cavity of a continuous casting mold, a machine is used which incorporates machining and/or polishing tools. The machine consists of a machine tool table with an arm introducible into the cavity for the supporting of the tools and a table for the clamping of the mold, as well as devices for generating a numerically controlled relative movement between the tools and the walls. In order to obtain a high accuracy in the working also in the case of a cavity with a conicity varying in longitudinal direction and/or along the peripheral line of a cross-section or in the case of a cavity with special corner configurations, it is proposed that a rotational movement of the tools about axes which are arranged substantially obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the arm be combined with a swivelling movement of the arm about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventor: Christian Reusset
  • Patent number: 6546993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting method for producing a box piston which comprises recesses between the hub support and the ring band. The invention aims to further reduce the weight of the piston. The casting cores which produce the recesses can therefore be pivoted during stripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mahle GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Tilch
  • Patent number: 6546994
    Abstract: In a process and in a device (10) for preparing the mold walls (12a, 12b) of a mold (12, 12) for the molding or shaping of a molded part after completion of the molding cycle and after removal of the molded part from the mold (12) to make the mold walls ready for the next molding cycle, the tempering of the mold walls (12a, 12b) and the coating of the walls with mold wall treatment agent are carried out independently of each other, i.e., without any time overlap, and in a controlled manner, preferably in a program-controlled manner. To apply the coating, preferably a spray element with centrifugal atomization and air control is used, the mold walls preferably being coated with essentially solvent-free mold wall treatment agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Acheson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Renkl, Douwe Marten Kok, Thomas Junker, Karl-Heinz Keim
  • Patent number: 6546995
    Abstract: When a body of startup material has been interposed in the cavity between the starter block and a first cross sectional plane of the cavity transverse the axis thereof, the starter block has commenced reciprocating along the axis, and the body of startup material has commenced reciprocating in tandem with it, through a series of second cross sectional planes, layers of molten metal are successively superimposed on the body of startup material adjacent the first cross sectional plane of the cavity, and the layers promptly distend relatively peripherally outwardly from the axis under the inherent splaying forces therein. The invention confines the relatively peripheral outward distention of the layers with a casting surface which is peripherally outwardly flared about the axis of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Wagstaff
  • Patent number: 6546996
    Abstract: An oil cooler for an internal combustion engine includes an oil circuit and a cooling circuit arranged in a housing with inlet opening and outlet openings. The housing has a generally annular, C-shaped structure which forms a central, axial cylindrical bore and a radially extending slot. The housing is attached to an annular plate. The bore may receive engine components, such as shafts and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Gerald Werner
  • Patent number: 6546997
    Abstract: The condenser assembly structure is disclosed. The opening of the outgoing pipe is positioned below the upper openings of the heat transfer tubes in the inner space of the upper header pipe. Cutouts are formed in the upper ends of heat transfer tubes, which are located within an upper header pipe. A lubricant mixed in a refrigerant is introduced from the inside of the upper header pipe into the heat transfer tubes by way of the cutouts. The outgoing pipe defining is attached to the lower header pipe at a position close to its end. A total passage area of first heat transfer tubes through which the refrigerant flows downward is larger than that of second heat transfer tubes through which the refrigerant flows upward. The total passage area of the second heat transfer tubes is smaller than that of third heat transfer tubes through which the refrigerant flows downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Inaba, Toru Asanuma
  • Patent number: 6546998
    Abstract: A micro-multi channel heat exchanger includes a lower header having a hollow for receiving refrigerant and an upper header opposite to the lower header. A plurality of tubes are arranged in a length direction of the upper and lower headers at fixed intervals, each having opposite ends fixed to the upper header and the lower header. A plurality of channels are formed in the tubes and elongated to be in communication with the hollows of the two headers. Each channel has an area of a section, parallel to a length direction of the two headers, reducing at a fixed ratio as the channels go from an air inlet side to an air outlet side. A plurality of fins are located between the tubes for heat exchange with the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Kee Oh, Dong Yeon Jang, Se Yoon Oh, Wook Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 6546999
    Abstract: A flat tube for use in a heat exchanger includes a reversal bend section connected between parallel extending tube sections. The reversal bend section extends from a plane of the tube sections by a distance less than a width of the tube sections. The tube sections can be straight or serpentine. A plurality of the flat tubes can be stacked and connected to collector tubes to form a heat exchanger for use as an evaporator in a vehicle air conditioning system. Corrugated ribs are positioned between adjacent flat tubes for increased heat conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jochen Schumm
  • Patent number: 6547000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange element (1) for a film heat exchanger intended for distillation or for the evaporation of solutions or suspensions, and to a method for manufacturing the same. The substantially bag-like element is formed by bonding from oppositely positioned plastic heat exchange films (2), evaporation of liquid taking place on the exterior surfaces of the films and condensing of the obtained vapor taking place on the interior surfaces. In the bonding the interior (4) of the element is divided into ducts to direct the travel of the vapor, and according to the invention the films are at the same time stretched in the intervals between the bonding points (3) in order to provide leeway for bulging during the pressurization of the interior of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hadwaco Ltd. Oy
    Inventors: Reijo Rantala, Leif Ramm-Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6547001
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly for removing heat from an object having an outer surface includes a main body with an object receiving seat. A pair of flexible securing tabs are connected to the free edge of the open end of the main body which emanate into the open end of the main body. A heat dissipation members emanate from the outer surface of the main body to assist in dissipating the heat received by the main body from the heat generating object. The main body, the pair of flexible securing tabs and heat dissipating members are integrally formed with one another of a thermally conductive elastic or elastomeric material. An object to be cooled is inserted into the object receiving seat of the main body and retained in the seat and in communication with the inner surfaces of the main body by the pair of flexible securing tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Cool Shield, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. McCullough, E. Mikhail Sagal, James D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6547002
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a reduced downtime maintenance apparatus and method for replacing and/or repairing a subassembly in sealing equipment for oil field use. The invention allows the removal of rotating portions of a rotary drilling head without having to remove non-rotating portions. The reduction in weight and size allows a more efficient repair and/or replacement of a principal wear component such as a packer. Specifically, the packer in a rotary drilling head can be removed independent of bearings and other portions of the rotary drilling head. Furthermore, because of the relatively small size and light weight, the packer can be removed typically without having to use a crane to lift a rotary BOP and without disassembling portions of the drilling platform. In some embodiments, the packer can be removed with the drill pipe without additional equipment. Furthermore, the packer can be removed remotely without necessitating manual disengagement typically needed below the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Mike A. Luke
  • Patent number: 6547003
    Abstract: A downhole rotary water separation system for the separation and transfer of different density fluids in downhole applications using a pump, a motor, a rotary separator and a shaft-incorporated packer, as necessary, with a minimum of conduits and tubes. Torque can be transferred between all moving components as well as the packer such that the motor and pump can be disposed above or below the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasser Khan Bangash, Michael R. Berry, Stephen E. Conner
  • Patent number: 6547004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a sample from a low-yield well or perched aquifer includes a pump and a controller responsive to water level sensors for filling a sample reservoir. The controller activates the pump to fill the reservoir when the water level in the well reaches a high level as indicated by the sensor. The controller deactivates the pump when the water level reaches a lower level as indicated by the sensors. The pump continuously activates and deactivates the pump until the sample reservoir is filled with a desired volume, as indicated by a reservoir sensor. At the beginning of each activation cycle, the controller optionally can select to purge an initial quantity of water prior to filling the sample reservoir. The reservoir can be substantially devoid of air and the pump is a low volumetric flow rate pump. Both the pump and the reservoir can be located either inside or outside the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: George V. Last, David C. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 6547005
    Abstract: An oil well system for extracting oil extracted from a reservoir via a well, includes a separator device adapted to separate oil and water from a mixture extracted from a reservoir. The separator device has a non-vertical first flow path for the mixture and being arranged along a non-vertical portion of the well, a second flow path, separate from the first flow path, for receiving water or a water enriched phase that has been separated from the mixture by the separator device, and a plurality of drain openings along a section of the first flow path. The first and second flow paths are arranged such that water or the water enriched phase in the first flow path can flow by gravity to the second flow path via the drain openings. An opening area of the drain openings, per unit area of the first flow path, decreases in a flow direction of the mixture along the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Svein Audun Haheim
  • Patent number: 6547006
    Abstract: Wellbore apparatus has been invented which, in at least certain aspects, includes a wellbore apparatus having a tubular member with a top end, a bottom end, a hollow portion, and a window therethrough, a sleeve positioned within the hollow portion of the tubular member, the sleeve having a top end and a bottom end, a diverter apparatus within or outside the tubular member amd, optionally, below the bottom end of the sleeve, the sleeve movable so that the diverter, and the diverter directs the sleeve to the window and through the window into a bore extending beyond the window, and the window having an edge therearound to which the top end of the sleeve is weldable to sealingly secure the sleeve at the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Kuck, Thomas Floyd Bailey, Monte Ira Johnson, Robert Eugene Robertson, Andrew Arthur Barry, Thurman James Carter, William Allen Blizzard, Jr., Teme Forrest Singleton, John Douglas Roberts, William Alan Spielman, David Michael Haugen, Guy LaMonte McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6547007
    Abstract: A differential float and cementing valve assembly used to position and cement casing in a well bore. A leaf spring and other components of the assembly are preferably constructed of composite materials and/or plastics that can be drilled up with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Szarka, Henry E. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6547008
    Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree (34) in which a tubing hanger (54) is landed at a predetermined angular orientation. As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger (21) for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Thomas G. Cassity
  • Patent number: 6547009
    Abstract: A plug is provided for use in conjunction with a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a wellhead plug includes multiple outwardly extendable lugs for engagement with corresponding multiple oppositely facing shoulders formed internally on a bore extending in a wellhead. The lugs engage the shoulders to thereby resist pressure applied to the plug in the bore from above or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6547010
    Abstract: An annular pack for a cylindrical member for use in a wellbore includes a housing adapted to be mounted about an exterior circumference of the cylindrical member. The housing has mutually engagable annular segments. At least one of the annular segments defines a chamber for housing an electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Hensley, Stuart Schaaf, Marvin Milewits, Fraser Walsh
  • Patent number: 6547011
    Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding methods are disclosed for controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a longitudinally spaced apart series of selectively set and unset inflatable packers is utilized to substantially isolate desired portions of a formation intersected by a well. Setting and unsetting of the packers may be accomplished by a variety of devices, some of which may be remotely controllable. Additionally, a series of fluid control devices may be alternated with the packers as part of a tubular string positioned within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Marion D. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 6547012
    Abstract: A tractor/implement combination is controlled through the use of real-time data on the true draft force generated by engagement of an implement with the ground. A method of controlling a tractor/implement combination includes obtaining and storing calibration data on the torque generated at the tractor flywheel, while the implement is disengaged from the ground, including such data the rolling resistance and frictional/parasitic losses between the flywheel and driven wheel axle of the tractor. During subsequent operation of the tractor/implement combination, the calibration data is subtracted from instantaneous data to generate a signal indicative of the implement draft force. The draft force signal may be factored to take account of the tractor power train ratio and the rolling radius of the tractor tires. The method allows generation of accurate draft force data, regardless of the nature and mounting location of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew James Scarlett, John Charles Lowe, Tessa Frances MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 6547013
    Abstract: A screw driving tool including an axially displaceable, drive spindle (5) located in the housing, a bit holder (6) having a shank (7) which releasably connects the bit holder (6) with the drive spindle (5), an axially adjustable depth stop (9) surrounding the bit holder (6) and a portion of the drive spindle (5) and connectable with the tool housing (1), and a sleeve-shaped dust-repelling member (13) arranged between the depth stop (9) and the bit holder (6) and releasably connected with the bit holder (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Riedl, Manfred Ludwig, Michael Merz
  • Patent number: 6547014
    Abstract: A pneumatic tool housing is provided having storage for an embedded electronic device. The pneumatic tool has a gas inlet for supplying a motive gas stream to the tool and an exhaust outlet for exhausting the motive gas stream from the tool. A compartment is provided for an electronic device wherein the compartment is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the motive gas stream. Also provided is a pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device with a compartment for an electronic device having at least one electrical lead wherein the compartment is covered by a component part of the pneumatic tool during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: John A. McCallops, Kurt E. Ashbaugh, Mark J. Hamlin, Kevin Heinrichs, Douglas E. Souls
  • Patent number: 6547015
    Abstract: A housing for a pneumatic tool includes a head portion, a middle portion, and a handle portion. A sleeve is disposed over the middle portion of a pneumatic tool with a rear portion of the sleeve spaced from the outer surface of the housing. A grip made of pliant material, preferably rubber or a synthetic rubber compound encloses the handle portion. The grip includes a front lip, and a rear flange. Once fully inserted on the handle, the sleeve and the external surface of the housing cooperate to retain the front lip therebetween, preventing the front lip from peeling off the handle portion. An adaptor engages an air inlet at a distal end of the handle portion. The adaptor can include a washer engageable with the air inlet for limiting the depth of insertion of the adaptor in the air inlet and for inhibiting rearward movement of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Nowak, Jr., Joshua M. Beer, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 6547016
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight and torque on a drill bit operating down hole in a well. The apparatus comprises at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Eight strain gages are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gages. The strain gages in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gages in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gages that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the weight on the drill bit while the output of the second bridge is used to determine the torque on the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: APS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Ellsworth Wassell
  • Patent number: 6547017
    Abstract: A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a self-actuating mechanism responsive to the hardness of the geological formation to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a mechanism controllable from the surface of the earth to change the mechanical configuration of the bit to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A monolithic long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into a geological formation having hardened rods composed of hard material such as tungsten carbide that are cast into a relatively soft steel matrix material to make a rotary drill bit that compensates for wear on the bottom of the drill bit and that also compensates for lateral wear of the drill bit using passive, self-actuating mechanisms, triggered by bit wear to drill relatively constant diameter holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III