Patents Issued in September 9, 2003
  • Patent number: 6615899
    Abstract: A method of casting a metal article comprising the steps of forming a mold having a mold cavity with a height, a thinwall portion and a base wall portion. The thinwall portion may be less than 0.05 inches thick and free of gating. The method comprises the steps of: positioning the mold in a preheated furnace so that the furnace substantially surrounds the mold and so that a longitudinal axis of the long thin portion of the mold cavity is in an upright orientation; heating the mold in the furnace to a temperature between 1045° C. and 1055° C.; and drawing a vacuum in the furnace. The metal is heated until it is molten and is then poured at a temperature between 1560° land 1570° C. into the mold cavity. The vacuum is then broken and the mold cavity withdrawn from the furnace. The molten metal is allowed to solidify in the mold cavity so that it will solidify with a equiaxed grain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Woodward, Tom Miller, Candy Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6615900
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a connecting rod in which a pair of ball-shanks are connected to a rod main body such that they are axially perpendicular to each other, having a sufficient strength and which can be produced easily and at low cost, and a manufacturing method thereof. The connecting rod of this invention to achieve such an object comprises first and second ball-shanks and a rod main body to which the first and second ball-shanks are connected freely swingably and rotatably. The first ball-shank is connected to the rod main body such that the shank portion is perpendicular thereto, while the second ball-shank is connected to the rod main body such that the shank is in parallel thereto. Further, the rod main body is die cast with a ball portion of each ball-shank inserted as a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6615901
    Abstract: An engine block mold package includes a barrel crankcase core having a plurality of barrels on each of which a respective cylinder bore liner is disposed. Each cylinder bore liner includes an inside diameter that is tapered along at least a portion of its length to match a draft angle present on the barrels to permit removal of the barrel crankcase core from a core box in which it is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Kaminski, Douglas P. Leu, Norman L. Neuenschwander
  • Patent number: 6615902
    Abstract: A die casting machine includes vacuum tank 26 and vacuum pump 27 that together evacuate the inside of a mold cavity 40 to a first degree of vacuum, and vacuum tank 21 and vacuum pump 22 that together evacuate the cavity to a second degree of vacuum higher than the first degree of vacuum. The cavity 40 is connected to vacuum tanks 21 and 26 for evacuating the cavity 40 through an evacuation passage 17. When solenoid valves 19 and 24 open and the cavity is evacuated, a powder mold releasing agent is supplied by a powder feeding apparatus 30 into the cavity 40. Filters 20 and 25 each having a filter diameter smaller than a mean grain diameter of the powder mold releasing agent are interposed between the solenoid valves 19, 24 and the vacuum tanks 21, 26, respectively. When the vacuum tanks 21 and 26 evacuate the cavity 40, filters 20 and 25 capture the major proportion of the powder mold releasing agent, and the occurrence of trouble in the vacuum tanks, etc, can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nishikawa, Toshihiko Hamada
  • Patent number: 6615903
    Abstract: A method for detecting an at least partly bulging portion of an elongated material produced in a continuous casting machine in which the machine has a plurality of rollers arranged in two tracks converging towards each other to transport the material, with the rollers being divided into at least two roller portions each rotatably mounted in supporting members. The method involves measuring the radial load exerted by the material on each supporting member of the roller portions of a roller, comparing the radial load values of the supporting members arranged in the ends of roller portions facing away from each other with those of the supporting members arranged in the ends of the roller portions facing each other to ascertain a divergence, and establishing that an at least partly bulging portion of the material exists where the divergence exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Håkan Lindgren
  • Patent number: 6615904
    Abstract: A method for detecting a misaligned roller portion of a roller in a continuous casting machine, in which the machine includes rollers arranged in a row after each other, with the rollers being divided into at least two roller portions each rotatably mounted in supporting members and arranged for transporting produced material. The method involves measuring the radial load exerted by the material on each supporting member of the roller portions of a roller, comparing the radial loads of the supporting members at the outer ends of the roller with each other, comparing the radial loads of the supporting members at the inner ends of the roller with each other, and determining a misaligned roller portion where the divergence between the radial loads of the supporting members of the outer ends of the roller and/or the supporting members of the inner ends of the roller exceed a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Håkan Lindgren
  • Patent number: 6615905
    Abstract: A method for constructing a rotor of an air preheater having a plurality of diaphragm plates dividing the rotor into a number of wedge-shaped compartments. Each compartment includes compartment components such as a rotor shell plate, a hot end rotor angle, a cold end rotor angle, and one or more stay plates and means for locating at least a portion of each of the components within the compartment. The diaphragm plates are manufactured by marking at least one index location associated with each compartment component on each diaphragm plate blank utilizing a template identifying the index locations and forming an opening at each index location. Each compartment is assembled by positioning a first diaphragm plate adjacent to a second diaphragm plate and locating each compartment component between the adjacent diaphragm plates by engaging the locating means of the component in an associated opening in one of the diaphragm plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Robin B. Rhodes, Jon R. Cowburn, Kurt M. Fierle
  • Patent number: 6615906
    Abstract: Latent heat body (1) with paraffin-based latent heat storage material accommodated in a carrier material which has holding spaces, wherein the carrier material comprises fibres of an organic plastics material or natural material or of an inorganic material or of textile materials. The carrier material is assembled from individual carrier-material elements by adhesive bonding, capillary-like holding spaces for the latent heat storage material being formed at least between the carrier-material elements. The latent heat storage material is provided with a thickening agent for providing increased viscosity to the heat storage material while in a molten state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schümann Sasol GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Fieback, Michael Matthäi, Toni Haberschuss
  • Patent number: 6615907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stadium with an arena (1) such as an ice rink, and surrounding stand (2) for spectators, and to a channel element for a channel system in the arena (1) and the surrounding stand (2). The arena (1) and the stands (2) comprise a channel system each, arranged so that air may be supplied and/or extracted for cooling or heating the arena (1) when the arena (1) is to be iced or de-iced, or so that the stands (2) may be used for heating and/or cooling of the stadium, respectively. Each channel system is made up of a number of channel elements consisting of at least three interconnected layers (3, 4, 5) of corrugated sheet material. The layers (3, 4, 5) are placed at angles in proportion to each other in such a way that corrugations of layers placed one above the other are preferably mutually perpendicular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Vølstad Energy AS
    Inventor: Ove C. Vølstad
  • Patent number: 6615908
    Abstract: The invention allows cool rooms or sea containers designed for frozen goods to handle produce requiring more precisely controlled temperatures and conditions, e.g., vegetables and fruits requiring temperatures in the chilling range and often also needing control or modification of the atmosphere. Each load of produce (100) (e.g. of pallet size) is held in the sea container or cool room but is sealed from the air of the refrigerated environment by, for example, a plastics bag (56). The atmosphere within the bag is then circulated by a fan (12) (or by convection currents from a heating element) so as to pass through the load and around it via ducts (30) provided adjacent the bag (56). Heat exchange (50) between the circulating gas and the refrigerated environment, via the plastics film, serves to cool the load. However, if cooling is excessive a heating element can be used to raise the temperature of the circulating atmosphere. Gas composition of the atmosphere can be controlled by scrubbing, flushing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Transphere Systems Limited
    Inventors: Paul Raymond Bosher, Robert Barnes
  • Patent number: 6615909
    Abstract: An improved heat sink is used to cool electrical and electronic components that generate heat. The heat sink comprises at least one primary corrugated fin pack having a continuous series of vertically extending fins defining channels between adjacent pairs of the vertically extending fins. At least one secondary corrugated fin pack fits within the channels of the primary corrugated fin pack, creating a fin pack matrix. The fin pack matrix is then attached to a base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Form & Function
    Inventor: David W. Fast
  • Patent number: 6615910
    Abstract: A heat sink for cooling electrical or electronic devices comprises a base plate having a top surface and having a bottom surface for attaching to the electronic device. A folded fin formed from a strip of heat conducting material includes alternating planar portions and curved portions has one edge abutted to the top surface such that the curved portions extend upwardly from the top surface substantially at a right angle. Each planar portion has a plurality of louvers formed therein wherein the louvers are substantially parallel one to the other and perpendicular to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shrikant Mukund Joshi, Mohinder Singh Bhatti
  • Patent number: 6615911
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat sink for use in combination with a heat exchanger to cool electronic or electrical devices attached to said heat sink comprises a metal block having a plurality of circular passageways therethrough defined by cylindrical walls. An inlet is in fluid communication with one end of the passageways for receiving a cooling liquid, and an outlet is in fluid communication with an opposite end of the passageways for outputting the cooling liquid. At least one tape insert is mounted within at least one of the circular passageways, wherein the tape insert longitudinally bisects the circular passageway and further wherein edges of the tape insert abut cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohinder Singh Bhatti, Frederick Vincent Oddi, Shrikant Mukund Joshi
  • Patent number: 6615912
    Abstract: The present invention provides a loop thermosiphon including an evaporator and a condenser interconnected in flow communication by a vapor conduit and a condensate conduit. A wick is disposed in a portion of the evaporator and a portion of the at least one condensate conduit adjacent to the evaporator to facilitate capillary action to cycle a coolant fluid through the loop thermosiphon. Advantageously, a porous valve is lodged within the condensate conduit so that a first pressure on a condenser side of the porous valve is greater than a second pressure on an evaporator side of the porous valve. In this way, a portion of the liquid coolant fluid disposed within the loop thermosiphon is forced through the porous valve and a remaining portion is forced through the at least one condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Corp.
    Inventor: Scott D. Garner
  • Patent number: 6615913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a pyrometallurgical reactor cooling element with flow channels. In order to enhance heat transfer capability, the wall surface area of the flow channel, which is traditionally round in cross-section, is increased without increasing the diameter or length of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Eero Hugg, Ilkka Kojo, Pertti Mäkinen, Raimo Koota
  • Patent number: 6615914
    Abstract: A reaction vessel system includes a reaction vessel, a cooling unit functionally connected to the vessel to impart controlled cooling thereto; a heating unit functionally connected to the vessel to impart controlled heating thereto; and control means connected to the cooling unit and the heating unit for programmable automatic control of the cooling unit to control at least one of on/off flow and rate of flow, and to control at least one of on/off heating and rate of heating, including a programmable device. The cooling unit includes a cooling element in proximity to the vessel with at least one inlet port for injection of a phase change coolant, a heat absorbent area and at least one outlet port for removal of the phase change coolant. This is an injector for injecting the coolant in liquid form via the inlet port to the cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Li Young
  • Patent number: 6615915
    Abstract: The present invention is a wellhead system for use in completing at least two well bores from within a single conductor housing. The wellhead system comprises at least one wellhead housing which is supported on the conductor housing and which comprises a top portion that is adapted to be connected to a lower portion of a wellhead component, a casing hanger which is supported within the wellhead housing and from which a casing string is suspended, and a connector for securing the wellhead component to the wellhead housing. In accordance with the present invention, the connector is selected from the group consisting of a latch ring and a segmented clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bashir M. Koleilat
  • Patent number: 6615916
    Abstract: In order to ensure that at least some of the tools (12-1) to 12-4) in a string of tools that is permanently installed in an oil well (10) are kept in operation even in the event of a localized fault, the link (18) interconnecting the tools and a surface installation (16) is subdivided into segments by switch members (20). More precisely, a switch member is associated with each tool. In addition, the link (18) forms a loop with both ends thereof being connected to the surface installation (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 6615917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling and monitoring injection zone and production zone parameters in order to control the injected fluid front to avoid breakthrough of the injected fluid to the production zone and thus optimize hydrocarbon recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry R. Bussear, Kevin R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6615918
    Abstract: This patent relates to a method for re-establishing oil and/or gas production from an underground formation from a well that has experienced water breakthrough, the method comprising: injecting a first carrier fluid containing a reactive chemical into the well; injecting a spacer fluid into the well; injecting a gel or polymer progenitor fluid into the well, wherein the reactive chemical fluid is injected before or after the progenitor fluid and the spacer is injected between the injections of the reactive chemical fluid and progenitor fluid, and re-establishing oil and/or gas production from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Geoffrey Stanley Bayliss, Paul Stuart Bayliss
  • Patent number: 6615919
    Abstract: A well pipe extraction apparatus for removing a groundwater monitoring well consisting of PVC pipe from the ground. The well pipe extraction apparatus includes a wire rope, a soft eye formed at an upper end of the wire rope and knurled brass rod attached to the opposite end of the wire rope. The knurled brass rod is lowered to the bottom end of the well casing. An operator pours sand particles down the well casing. The sand particles wedge in-between groves within the brass rod and the interior surface of the well casing locking brass rod to the well casing which allows the operator to extract the PVC pipe from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James E. Osgood, William R. Major
  • Patent number: 6615920
    Abstract: One or more templates are provided for circulating fluids in a main well bore and for drilling and completing at least one offset well bore from the main well bore. Each template has a body, an inlet leg, a main outlet leg, and an offset outlet leg. A straddle assembly is mounted in the template to configure the template for fluid circulation. The straddle assembly, in cooperation with the inlet and main outlet legs, effects a downhole flow path which directs fluids from the inlet leg through body of the template and out the main outlet leg, bypassing the offset outlet leg. The straddle assembly is distally displaced from the template to reconfigure the template for drilling. A diverter is placed in the body of the template upon displacement of the straddle assembly to define a drill string path from the inlet leg to the offset outlet leg. The offset well bore is drilled by conveying a drill string through the drill string path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Gary J. Collins, John Lindley Baugh, Doug J. Murray, Aubrey Clifton Mills
  • Patent number: 6615921
    Abstract: A drill bit guide is mounted in a wellhead in place of a wear bushing. The bit guide is capable of guiding strings and tools through the wellhead without damage to the wellhead or string while drilling. In one version of the bit guide, a pair of linear actuators radially extend and retract separate halves of the bit guide to conform to the size of the object located between them. In another version of the bit guide, a set of interlocking arms and wear bars are articulated to form a circular opening having a variable inner diameter. A drill string may be lowered through a fully open bit guide or landed on top of a fully closed bit guide. The bit guide also can be moved to more closely receive the drill string passing through it to prevent damage to the drill string and the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Whitelaw, Norman Brammer, Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6615922
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of manufacturing a marine riser constructed of an aluminum alloy having a high strength-to-weight ratio is provided. The inventive riser apparatus comprises a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises a pipe having a first end and a second end, a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, and a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the pipe is constructed of an aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel. The riser apparatus may optionally include one or more auxiliary lines providing hydraulic communication with a blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Noble Drilling Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Herman Jacques Deul, Peter Mackinnon Keith Campsie, Mikhail Yakovlevich Gelfgat
  • Patent number: 6615923
    Abstract: A protector for placement over subsea wellheads. A main body is cylindrical, with an inner diameter of sufficiant size to fit over a subsea wellhead. One end of the main body has a cap across it. A vent and a pump-through port, which permits pumping in of corrosion inhibitors, is in the cap. The open end of the main body has an outwardly flaring skirt to help guide the protector into place over the wellhead. The main body is formed from polyurethane via molding or other suitable methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Milford Lay, Jr., Gregory J. Landry
  • Patent number: 6615924
    Abstract: Apparatus and system control for the removal of fluids and gas from a well comprising a winch for removing the oil, a temporary storage tank, a bailer tube, and a bailer tube housing assembly axially aligned with the well casing. Natural gas is exhausted and recovered. The bailer tube is capable of being lowered into and elevated from the well casing such that captured oil can be diverted and discharged into the temporary storage tank. Sensors monitor operational parameters including the depth of oil and depth of a top level of water in the well casing, and a programmable logic controller provides system control so that only oil is removed from the well casing by using a logging sequence and a balanced oil production operational sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Global Energy Research, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy F. Rice
  • Patent number: 6615925
    Abstract: Apparatus and system control and method for the removal of fluids and gas from a well comprising a winch for removing the oil, a temporary storage tank, a bailer tube, and a bailer tube housing assembly axially aligned with the well casing. Natural gas is exhausted and recovered. The bailer tube is capable of being lowered into and elevated from the well casing such that captured oil can be diverted and discharged into the temporary storage tank. Sensors for monitoring operational parameters including the depth of oil and depth of a top level of water in the well casing, and a programmable logic controller for providing system control so that only oil is removed from the well casing by using a logging sequence and a balanced oil production operational sequence are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Global Energy Research LLC
    Inventor: Timothy F. Rice
  • Patent number: 6615926
    Abstract: A method of pumping well fluid from a well having casing with perforations includes connecting an electrical motor to a lower end of a pump and securing the pump to tubing. A restrictor is mounted to the tubing above the pump, the restrictor having a restrictor passage. The well annulus contains a well fluid with a static level under static conditions. When the motor is started to cause the pump to operate, downward flow of well fluid contained in the well annulus flows through the restrictor passage. This reduces the amount of downward flow to increase well fluid flow through the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve E. Hester, Michael Gary Gagner, Ernesto Alejandro Vilcinskas
  • Patent number: 6615927
    Abstract: An automatic sprinkler of fire detector type being electrically switchable when the sprinkler is opened due to detachment of heat actuatable element from the sprinkler is provided, and, thus, fire-protective signaling and controlling system associated with a sprinkler system including the automatic sprinkler of fire detector type can be activated by electrical switching of the automatic sprinkler of fire detector type when fire occurs. And, in a sprinkler system having non-wet piping network and normally closed deluge valve, it is possible that opening of the deluge valve can be made by electrical switching of the automatic sprinkler of fire detector type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Sang Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 6615928
    Abstract: A powered garden tool is provided comprising a handle member having a power unit disposed therein and a digging attachment having a first end rotatably and detachably securable to the handle member and a second end having at least two cutting blade members secured thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the powered garden tool is in the form of a digging attachment which can be rotatably and detachably securable to a hand-held power tool, such as a power drill or cordless screwdriver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Michele M. Dueitt
  • Patent number: 6615929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed grading a road in a single pass. The grader including a frame supported above a surface. At least one blade is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface. A first biasing mechanism biases the blade toward a forward position. At least one leveling board is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface rearwardly of the blade. A second biasing mechanism biases the leveling board toward a forward position. A packing mechanism is fixed rearwardly of the leveling board, and is positionable to engage the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Savannah Smooth Roads, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Heckendorf
  • Patent number: 6615930
    Abstract: A suction module for an electrical hand-held power too land including a housing (11) at least partially receivable in the battery-receiving chamber (15) of the power tool (1) in the power tool, electrical conductors (9) for connecting the module housing (11) with a power source (10), battery contacts (16) for electrically connecting the module housing with the power tool (1), an aspirator (13) having a drive motor (14) for producing vacuum and located in the module housing (11), with the aspirator (13) being connectable with a suction head (7) arrangeable in a region of a working tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius, Franz Popp, David Hruza, Rory Britz, Ralph Neuhäuser
  • Patent number: 6615931
    Abstract: A continuous feed drilling system and controller includes a head assembly having first and second chucks synchronized to rotate at the same rotational velocity. The chucks are independently moveable within the head assembly and their positions are measured by linear transducers. The controller causes the first chuck to engage with a drill stem and begin rotating and advancing. The controller uses the outputs of the linear transducers to determine the linear velocity of the advancing first chuck and synchronize the linear velocity of the first and second chucks. The controller then causes the second chuck to engage the drill stem and causes the first chuck to release the drill stem. The process is repeated, alternating the roles of the first and second chucks, thus creating a continuous drilling motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Boart Longyear Co.
    Inventors: William V. Dycus, Louis E. Silay
  • Patent number: 6615932
    Abstract: Arrangement for replacing a drilling component in a rock drilling apparatus, which arrangement comprises a component magazine for storing replaceable components required in drilling and means for driving the drilling unit to a predefined position and location relative to the component magazine. The arrangement further comprises a changing unit for moving the components between the component magazine and the drilling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Tapani Huhdanmäki, Leo Häkkinen
  • Patent number: 6615933
    Abstract: A downhole tool (10) for mounting on a drill string comprises: a mandrel (16); a body (18) axially movably mounted on the mandrel; and radially extendable members, such as stabiliser blades or cutters (30), mounted in the body and being operatively associated with the mandrel such that relative axial movement of the mandrel and body induces radial movement of the members. Application of axial tension to the tool produces axial movement of the body relative to the mandrel, tending to retract the members from an extended configuration. The mandrel may be arranged to draw the members inwardly to permit positive retraction of the members from an extended configuration. Further, the body may define a channel (32) and the mandrel and the members include an arrangement (38, 39, 40, 42) for maintaining a desired orientation of the members relative to the body channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Andergauge Limited
    Inventor: Alan Martyn Eddison
  • Patent number: 6615934
    Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body having a plurality of blades thereon. The blades have a plurality of cutting elements affixed thereon at selected positions. The cutting elements are disposed into at least two groups. A first one of the groups has at least 60 percent of the cutting elements therein disposed at a first mean backrake angle. A second group has at least 60 percent of the cutting elements therein disposed at a second mean backrake angle. The second backrake angle is at least about fifteen degrees more than the first backrake angle. A bottom hole coverage of the cutting elements in the second group is at least about eighty percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Mensa-Wilmot
  • Patent number: 6615935
    Abstract: Rock bits comprising wear and fracture resistant surface of this invention include a steel bit body having at least one leg extending therefrom. A steel cone is rotatably disposed on the leg. The steel cone includes a plurality of steel cutting elements that each projecting outwardly a distance therefrom. At least a portion of the cone comprises a wear resistant surface formed from a wear resistant composite material. The wear resistant composite material is made by the process of combining powders selected from the group consisting of carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, cermets, Co, Fe, Ni, steel, and combinations thereof, to form a material mixture. The material mixture is applied onto a designated surface of the cone, in one form or another, when the cone is in a pre-existing rigid state. Depending on the particular application, the material mixture can be applied in as a slurry to the designated surface of the cone to form a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Fang, Anthony Griffo, Alysia C. White, Chris Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 6615936
    Abstract: A method for applying hardfacing to teeth on a drill bit is disclosed. The method includes applying the hardfacing to at least one of the teeth so as to have a thickness selected to correspond to a position about exterior surface of the tooth. In one embodiment, the hardfacing thickness is increased near the crest of the tooth, and is decreased near the root of the tooth on at least one flank of the tooth. In one embodiment, the thickness is selected by controlling the powder flow rate in a plasma transferred arc welding system. In another embodiment an angle subtended by flanks of the tooth is selected to provide increased strength to the tooth, and the hardfacing is applied to the tooth to cause exterior surfaces of the hardfacing corresponding to the flanks to subtend an angle selected to provide increased penetration of the tooth through earth formations while drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nephi M. Mourik, J. Albert Sue, Alysia C. White
  • Patent number: 6615937
    Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph B. Richey, II, Theodore D. Wakefield, II
  • Patent number: 6615938
    Abstract: A method for operating a device ascending or descending stairs. The device has a plurality of wheels rotatable about axes that are fixed with respect to a cluster arm, where the cluster arm itself is rotated about an axis so that wheels rest on successive stairs. The wheels and cluster arms are controlled according to separate control laws by a controller. Whether the device ascends or descends the stairs is governed by the pitch of the device relative to specified front and rear angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John B. Morrell, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 6615939
    Abstract: An ATV endless track conversion using sprocket rings fit over each of the tires of the rear wheels which are inflated into a tight driving connection. A swing arm extension is pivoted to the ATV swing arm and has its own spring-shock absorber suspension in addition to the existing ATV spring-shock absorber. A return idler wheel set is mounted at the rear of the swing arm extension as well as two track band shaping wheel sets which engage track band upper and lower segments forward of the idler return wheel set to maintain the track band tension and footprint without substantial friction losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: David Karales, Daniel Karales
  • Patent number: 6615940
    Abstract: A control system of a vehicle including a fuel cell and an electric motor that drives drive wheels of the vehicle with electric energy generated by the fuel cell is provided wherein a traction controller controls the output of the drive wheels so as to secure tractive force of the vehicle when a certain traction control start condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunio Morisawa
  • Patent number: 6615941
    Abstract: An electric wheelchair simultaneous gear change structure, comprising a structure that includes two separate oscillating plates, oscillating plate one and oscillating plate two, as well as hinge connectors placed on either end of the central connecting shaft connecting oscillating plate one and oscillating plate two. One end of oscillating plate one is a hinge connection connecting to an outer connecting rod, and the other end of the outer connecting rod is connected by a hinge connector to the gearshifts, so that when a pulling motion is made on the gearshifts it acts to pull on the oscillating plate on the outer connecting rod, so that oscillating rod two on the central connecting rod is made to move simultaneously, and in this way two engine boxes are acted on simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Chen-Chuan Lo
  • Patent number: 6615942
    Abstract: A swivel type working vehicle having a turntable (3) with a rear hood (28) covering an engine (11) and a side hood (42) covering hydraulic equipment. The rear hood (28) includes a pivot device (30) disposed in an upper front end region thereof and having a pivot axis extending transversely of a vehicle body. The rear hood is pivotable by the pivot device between a closed position covering the engine and an open position exposing the engine. The side hood (42) includes a pivot mechanism (50) disposed in a lower front end region thereof and having a pivot axis extending transversely of the vehicle body. The side hood being pivotable by the pivot mechanism between a closed position covering the hydraulic equipment and an open position exposing the hydraulic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Eisaku Shinohara, Yasuo Nakata, Takeshi Kajimoto, Siro Sugiyama, Nobuo Higashino, Motoki Sunada, Yuji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6615943
    Abstract: A speed adjusting system for vehicles includes an accelerator, such as a throttle pedal, a speed adjusting device, such as a throttle or a fuel injection pump, which is adjustable by operating the accelerator, and a control unit which is connected to the accelerator and which is settable between a first operating position, in which the accelerator is operable without difficulty, and a second operating position, in which the accelerator is operable with difficulty. The second operating position constitutes a basic state of the control unit, the difficulty, with which the accelerator is operable when the control unit is arranged in the basic state, appearing as a resistance which is generated by the control unit and acts on the accelerator and which must be overcome for operating the accelerator and which clearly exceeds the resistance that exists for operating a conventional accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nomix AB
    Inventor: Sven Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6615944
    Abstract: A nontrack-bound vehicle with arbitrarily steerable front wheels includes an additional rear-wheel steering system that operates automatically or may be switched to automatic operation and controls or regulates the steering angle of the rear wheels as a function of the steering angle of the front wheels and of further parameters. The additional rear-wheel steering system switches in a parameter-dependent manner between a drive-away mode and a normal mode to improve maneuverability and to reduce the swinging out of the rear during the drive-away mode. In the drive-away mode, the steering angle of the rear wheels is controlled or regulated so that the rear wheels are not adjusted beyond a steering angle assumed when the vehicle last halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jochen Horwath, Ralf Kaufmann, Claus Kochendörfer, Hans-Christian Pflug
  • Patent number: 6615945
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a housing box and storage space arranged to increase the capacity of the intake system. In a motorcycle, a crank case, an engine, including a cylinder that extends forwardly from the crank case, and a housing box are arranged under a seat. An intake passage extends rearwardly from above the cylinder. An intake port of the intake passage is connected to an air chamber, and an intake port of the air chamber is connected to an air cleaner through a communication path. The air chamber is arranged upwardly of the crank case. The housing box is arranged rearwardly of the air chamber and the air cleaner is arranged to the side of the housing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Minami, Mitsuru Kojima, Yuichi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6615946
    Abstract: A power plant for electric earth-moving and agricultural vehicles with four-wheel drive which comprises a supporting chassis, an electric motor drive for driving wheels of the vehicle; the motor drive comprises a gear-type reduction and distribution unit which is installed in a housing which is rigidly coupled to the chassis, at least two electric motors whose body is fixed to the housing, a front longitudinal distribution shaft and a rear longitudinal distribution shaft which protrude from the housing, two differentials which are fitted at the ends of the distribution shafts and from which a front axle and a rear axle respectively protrude for respective pairs of driving wheels, at least one of the axles being provided with steering elements; and an assembly for an oscillating support of the front axle which is fixed, in a downward region, to a front end of the supporting chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: VF Venieri S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Pasquini, Giacomina Venieri
  • Patent number: 6615947
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolates from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suat Ali Ozsoylu, William F Feriend, Michael R. Pyrett
  • Patent number: 6615948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a repelling force apparatus of a power steering system for a vehicle which is capable of obtaining various type linear and/or non-linear characteristics in a state that the characteristic of a valve is varied based on a running speed of a vehicle. There is provided a repelling force apparatus of a power steering system for a vehicle in which the teeth formed in a pair of the rotational ferromagnetic members are formed in a trapezoid shape, and the sizes of the opposite surfaces of the same are different in the repelling force apparatus of a power steering system for a vehicle having a plurality of teeth which are opposite each other based on 1:1 in a pair of rotational ferromagnetic members wherein there are provided an exciting coil, a permanent magnet and a pair of rotational ferromagnetic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Jae-Deok Kim