Patents Issued in July 20, 2004
  • Patent number: 6763864
    Abstract: A log splitter attachment is provided for splitting logs on a loader including a pair of lift arms for supporting a bucket. The attachment comprises a frame supporting a blade and a log pusher thereon for sliding movement relative to one another and an actuator acting between the blade and the log pusher. The frame mounts on respective free ends of the lift arms of the loader in place of the bucket of the loader so that the blade and log pusher can be manoeuvred overtop a log on the ground to split the log therebetween using the lift arm and bucket controls of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventors: William Setlack, Willis Setlack
  • Patent number: 6763865
    Abstract: A wheel (1) includes three parts: an outer rim (2), an inner rim (3), and a disc (4) joined by coach screws or stud bolts (18) directly screwed into the thickness of a wall (10) of the inner rim (3). The outer rim (2) is made from stamped light alloy plate, while the other parts are obtained by casting or other process. A portion of the outer rim (2) is compressed between the disc (4) and a portion of the inner rim (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: O.Z. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Bernoni
  • Patent number: 6763866
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire (50) has a tread (52), a carcass (61) with two sidewalls (77, 78), a single radial ply (70) reinforced with inextensible metal cords, two annular beads (36a′, 36b′), and a belt structure (58) located radially between the tread and the radial ply structure (56). Each sidewall (77, 78) is reinforced with wedge inserts (59a, 59b) containing stiffener layers (72a, 72b, 73a, 73b) that carry the compressive loading to which the tire is subjected during runflat operation. The incorporation of wedge-insert stiffeners (72a, 72b, 73a, 73b) provides a light-weight runflat tire having a simplified construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Laurent Colantonio
  • Patent number: 6763867
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire allowing to improve the high speed endurance and the road noise considerably. The pneumatic radial tire has a carcass layer mounted between a pair of right and left bead portions and a belt layer embedded in the outer peripheral side of the carcass layer in a tread portion, and a belt cover layer comprising fiber cords made of filaments of polyolefin ketone having a structure represented by the following formula (1) is disposed around the outer peripheral side of the belt layer, and an elongation rate of the fiber cords composing the belt cover layer is equal or inferior to 2.5% in the tire; —(CH2—CH2—CO)n—(R—CO)m—  (1) where, 1.05≧(n+m)/n≧1.00, R is an alkylene group having three or more carbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Kanehira
  • Patent number: 6763868
    Abstract: A carcass structure for a two-wheeled vehicle tire includes at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The at least one carcass ply includes a first series and at least one second series of strip sections circumferentially distributed in a mutually-alternated sequence around a geometric rotation axis of the tire. Each strip section includes longitudinal and parallel thread elements at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomer material and extends in a substantially U-shaped configuration to define two side portions and a crown portion. The annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series of strip sections and are overlapped by end flaps of the at least one second series of strip sections. Each of the annular reinforcing structures includes an annular anchoring insert, including one or more elongated elements extending in radially-concentric coils, and at least one filling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renato Caretta
  • Patent number: 6763869
    Abstract: In a pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the vertical angle (&agr;) of an upstream conical surface of a conical portion, which constitutes a shaping nozzle perforated through the downstream end wall of the device ranges from 15 to 35 degrees and the shaping nozzle has a land portion having a length of 1 to 5 mm in the downstream area subsequent to the upstream conical surface. According to this pultrusion device for producing continuous length sections prepared from thermoplastic resins reinforced with long fibers, the long fibers never undergo any breakage nor fluffing during the opening treatment and this accordingly leads to the substantial reduction of pill-formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Chisso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sakai, Rikio Yonaiyama
  • Patent number: 6763870
    Abstract: A method and unit for applying labels to packets of cigarettes, traveling in a given direction along a first path with a given spacing and arranged a given distance apart, provide for feeding a gripping head along a second path, and applying each label to a first face of a respective packet by inserting the gripping head between one packet and the adjacent following packet to roll the gripping head and apply the label along the first face, which is perpendicular to the given direction. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale'
  • Patent number: 6763871
    Abstract: A slip cutting system sheets an infeed web into discrete articles and merges the articles to a carrier web. The slip cutting system comprises a continuously rotating cutting die having knife blades and packings consecutively around a peripheral surface. The packings cooperate with the knife blades to define a circumferential space between each packing and an associated knife blade. When a packing is at a nip with an anvil roller, the infeed web is drawn in a downstream direction. When a circumferential space is at the nip, the infeed web halts downstream motion. When a knife blade is at the nip, the knife blade sheets the infeed web. An insert station cooperates with the cutting die to longitudinally space the articles as they merge to and are propelled downstream by the carrier web. At a subsequent station, the composite web is cut to manufacture individual products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Converting Biophile Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Hilbert, Sr., Thomas F. Hilbert, Jr., Dale E. Lanser
  • Patent number: 6763872
    Abstract: A method of stripping an optical fiber including a silica optical waveguide and a coating to be removed over a portion to be stripped includes making a cut in the coating of the portion to be stripped, depositing a stripping gel on the coating of the portion to be stripped, and cleaning the portion to be stripped to remove the coating and expose the silica of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: David Beffroy, Valérie Girardon, Hervé Loury
  • Patent number: 6763873
    Abstract: The structures and process for producing the structures of the invention enable extensive and efficient use of block scrap for slat manufacturing. The techniques employed advantageously accomplish two goals simultaneously, enabling scrap, such as block scrap, to be formed into longer effective lengths. Such longer effective lengths can then be cutably formed into slats of various sizes. The joinder of the block scrap is by deeply extending, finite interlock length finger joints which, once the material is cutably formed into slats, remain as relatively shallow and finite interlock length finger joints. The joints have the added benefit that they statistically “break up” any grain differences which would otherwise create warp, and enable long lengths of slat to be employed from several shorter lengths of scrap. An applied covering layer may be applied by wrapping or insertion. An ultraviolet resistant lacquer may be applied to the covering layer for long window life and attractive finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Han-Sen Lee
  • Patent number: 6763874
    Abstract: A movable blind fastened to the interior of an automobile comprises a cradle in the bottom and a bracket in each end of the cradle, with each bracket having a recess. Two engagement members each have a projection fitted into the recess and a double trough. Two plate members each have two pairs of opposite protuberances, a stop between the pairs of protuberances, and a shaft, with the protuberances and the stop being fastened to the double trough. Two pivot members each have slots disposed around a central bore and an enclosed box portion having transverse grooves disposed circumferentially. Two abutment members each have a central hole with the shaft inserted to fit in the central bore of pivot member and with the ridges engaged with the transverse grooves of the box portion. A blind cloth is fastened between a cross bar on the top and the cradle. The cross bar has a central activation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tung-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 6763875
    Abstract: An insect screen that includes a rigid frame defining a frame perimeter and a metal screen located within the rigid frame perimeter. The metal screen has a plurality of metal elements with a dark mat surface. The metal elements have a width of about 0.001 inch to about 0.0015 inch. The insect screen has a reduced visibility such that it appears nearly invisible or transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Gronlund, Rodney K. Williams, Russell J. Pylkki
  • Patent number: 6763876
    Abstract: A method for casting of metal articles using external pressure and having particular application to lost foam casting of metal articles. A polymeric foam pattern having a configuration corresponding to an article to be cast is placed in an outer flask and the pattern is connected through a polymeric foam gating system to a pouring cup located at the upper end of the flask. The pouring cup has a volume equal to 5% to 75% of the combined volume of the gating system and the pattern. A finely divided inert material, such as sand, is placed in the flask surrounding the pattern and fills the internal cavities within the pattern. The flask containing the pattern is then positioned in an outer pressure vessel having a removable lid and a molten metal is fed into the pouring cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Donahue, Terrance M. Cleary, Parker A. Stroom
  • Patent number: 6763877
    Abstract: A method and device for the controlled tempering of a casting trough integrated between a supply vessel for a molten metal (e.g., copper or a copper alloy), and at least one continuous casting mold. The trough walls and the trough floor of the casting trough are at least partially provided with a lining layer having a specific electrical resistance between 10−1 &OHgr;·m to 10−6 &OHgr;·m and being resistant to the heat of the molten metal. The lining layer is inductively heated by an electrical heating device arranged around the lining layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: KM Europa Metal AG
    Inventors: Andreas Krause, Dirk Rode, Uwe Quadfasel, Hartmut Olemann, Ralph Frankenberg, Hubertus Brüning
  • Patent number: 6763878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine for producing a metal strip. Said strip-casting machine consists of a pair of casting rolls (2, 3) arranged in side-by-side parallel relation, two small faces (4) and a machine tool table (5) that supports the two casting rolls (2, 3). Said small faces (4) can be exchanged by means of a small face exchanging device. The aim of the invention is to reduce the change-over time between two castings, to improve positioning of the small faces and to heat them until start of the casting process while improving the accessibility of the casting rolls for an exchange thereof and while further allowing an optimum inerting of the plant. To this end, the small face exchanging device is configured as a support element, especially as a support arm (9) for one small face (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG and Main, Management Inspiration AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbé
  • Patent number: 6763879
    Abstract: A mold temperature control system comprises a mold section having a cavity, a fluid circuit to distribute a flow of a conditioning fluid, the fluid circuit being positioned spaced apart from the cavity, a temperature sensor positioned in the mold to generate a signal representative of a temperature in the mold, a controllable supply of the conditioning fluid, and a controller for automatically initiating flow of the conditioning fluid through the fluid circuit in response to an initiation temperature and for automatically terminating flow of the conditioning fluid through the fluid circuit in response to a termination temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Thomas J. H. Rozich, David Good, Alan P. Gould, Daniel D. Minor, Kenneth D. McKibben, Diane M. Zekind, Karl D. Voss, David J. Gillette
  • Patent number: 6763880
    Abstract: A liquid cooled radiation module for servers is installed in a server to directly dissipate heat from a central processing unit through a liquid cooling fashion. The module includes a body which has a housing compartment to house a liquid tube and a radiator. The radiator has an air sucking section to draw heated air in the housing compartment and an air discharge section to discharge heat through an air vent. The liquid tube has a water delivery device driven magnetically by the radiator to form liquid circulation to continuously disperse heat from the CPU. The module thus made is compact and adaptable to servers of 1U or 2U specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Evserv Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Shoei-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 6763881
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a heat generating electronic device and a heat sink is provided with an intermediate gradient region between them. This intermediate region comprises a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the heat generating electronic device, and a thermal conductivity greater than the thermal conductivity of the electronic device but less than the thermal conductivity of the heat sink. Provision of this intermediate layer substantially reduces stress on the electronic device caused by thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R Wagner, Chandrakant Patel
  • Patent number: 6763882
    Abstract: In order to prevent potential electrical hazards associated with supplying power downhole, a hanger is provided for either casing or tubing strings, or a plurality of casing or tubing strings, that electrically insulates the internal suspension mechanism of the hanger from the hanger's external seal. Electrical power is typically transferred through a hanger by way of the internal suspension mechanism. If electrical umbilicals are used, connecting devices may be located within the internal suspension mechanism for connecting an upper and lower umbilical and transferring power trough the hanger. If a rigid tubular conductor is used, the suspension mechanism may be ported to allow the passage of electrical feedthroughs or, in the case of tubing hangers, the tubing itself may be charged with electrical power. By insulating the suspension mechanism from the external seal potential electrical hazards are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Seaboard International, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Demny, Paul Horton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6763883
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert R. Green, John W. Harrell
  • Patent number: 6763884
    Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthias Meister, Wolfgang Herberg, Sven Krueger
  • Patent number: 6763885
    Abstract: A gas storage and production system decreases production of formation sand and permits high gas flow rates in storing and producing operations. In a described embodiment, different flowpaths are used for injecting and withdrawing gas from a subterranean formation. In another embodiment, a gravel pack is confined to a set volume, so that it is not expanded when gas flows at a relatively high rate therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Wayne Cavender
  • Patent number: 6763886
    Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. The portion may be allowed or forced to cool after mixture production is ended. Carbon dioxide may be stored within the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Lanny Gene Schoeling, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Phillip Temmons Baxley
  • Patent number: 6763887
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating to downhole oil or gas well equipment are provided. The apparatus includes a drill pipe for an oil or gas well including a generally cylindrical hollow drill pipe having an inner diameter, an outer insulative coating attached to the inner diameter of the drill pipe, a conductive coating attached to the outer insulative coating, and an inner insulative coating attached to the conductive coating, wherein the outer insulative coating, the conductive coating and the inner insulative coating together define an insulated electrical pathway from an upper end of the drill pipe to a lower end of the drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventor: George Boyadjieff
  • Patent number: 6763888
    Abstract: A method for treating an underground reservoir, which method comprises introducing into the reservoir a treatment fluid comprising, dissolved or dispersed in water, an ester and a polymer breaker, such that the ester hydrolyses to produce an organic acid to dissolve acid soluble material present within the reservoir and the polymer breaker degrades polymeric material present within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cleansorb Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Edmund Harris, Ian Donald McKay
  • Patent number: 6763889
    Abstract: A method and system of subsea intervention comprises lowering one or more assemblies of intervention equipment into the sea. Underwater marine units (such as remote operated vehicles or small submarines) may be employed to connect the assemblies to each other and to the subsea wellhead equipment. The subsea wellhead equipment includes a carrier line spool (e.g., coiled tubing spool, wireline spool, slickline spool) and equipment to inject a carrier line from the carrier line spool into the subsea well. The carrier line spool can be located underwater, such as on the sea floor or positioned above the subsea wellhead equipment. The carrier line spool can also be located on a sea vessel. Also, to switch tools, a carousel system having multiple chambers containing different types of tools can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, Thomas H. Zimmerman, Peter A. Goode, Ashley C. Kishino, John A. Kerr, Alan R. Christie
  • Patent number: 6763890
    Abstract: A modular work system permits Rig Up time to be substantially reduced by reducing the number of crane lifts required to offload equipment for a transport boat or vehicle. This is achieved by developing transport skids capable of holding multiple system components. The number of equipment components that must be mechanically coupled on location is reduced by pre-assembling the components and maintaining the assembly in operating condition during storage and transport. Skid design concepts are employed, wherein a skid system carries various pre-assembled components for transport, storage and operation. Specifically, a skid sub-system includes various related components. The components are either pre-assembled or are designed to complete a sub-assembly through final assembly on the rig. The skid is moved into place using the crane, and the assembly is completed. Additional sub-systems are mounted on additional skids which are designed to be mated with the other related skids and sub-assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yarom Polsky, Rod Shampine, Terry McCafferty
  • Patent number: 6763891
    Abstract: The wellhead assembly has a production tree with multiple safety barriers. A tubing hanger lands and seals in the bore of the tree. The tubing hanger has a lateral production flow passage that registers with a lateral passage in the tree. A tubing annulus passage extends upward from the tubing annulus to an exterior port. A second portion of the tubing annulus passage extends upward from the exterior port into the bore above the tubing hanger seal. The external port may be used for gas injection. If so, two closure members are located in the upper portion of the tubing annulus above the seal. The upper closure member may be either a check valve or a removable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Humphrey, Jeffrey P. Goetz, Kevin L. Ingram, Norman Brammer, Robert K. Voss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6763892
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve and method for assembly is disclosed. The valve comprises a segmented main body that is assembled from a top, middle and bottom segments. The middle segment has flow apertures. A closing sleeve is co-axially mounted in the assembled main body. The closing sleeve has flow apertures that are intended to communicate with the flow apertures of the middle section when the valve is open. The closing sleeve is sealed by seal means within the main body to prevent undesired fluid flow across the valve. The seal means comprise primary, secondary and tertiary seals acting in cooperative combinations. The seals comprise O-Ring and Vee-stack seals located within the body of the valve. The sliding sleeve valve has a fluid pressure equalization means to permit equalization of fluid pressure across the valve before it is fully opened or fully closed in order to reduce wear on the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Kaszuba
  • Patent number: 6763893
    Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons, and a bottom expander 120 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body. After the upper expander body and a lower expander body have been moved radially outward into sealing engagement with a downhole tubular string, the running tool is retrieved to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 6763894
    Abstract: An atomizing nozzle and fixed clean agent fire suppression system. The system stores gas fire suppressant in a liquefied state separate from propellant gas. Upon demand, the propellant charges the gas fire suppressant to provide a piston flow system that pushes the gas fire suppressant in the liquid state through a pipe network to the protected area of a building. The system includes a plurality of atomizing nozzles for atomizing the gas fire suppressant where it more easily vaporizes. Each atomizing nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a deflector body secured together in fixed relation. A conical flow passage is formed between the nozzle body and deflector body. The conical flow passage extends radially outward to a circumferential outlet slot that spreads the liquid clean agent out into a thin liquid conical fan that breaks up into droplets and atomizes quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kidde-Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Schoenrock, Jonathan S. Meltzer, David Rausch, Joseph A. Senecal
  • Patent number: 6763895
    Abstract: Soil cultivating apparatus which includes at least one rotary cutting assembly having a plurality of earth working implements (25, 26) spaced around a peripheral region of a rotary support member (18) mounted for rotation about a central upright axis of rotation. The implements (25, 26) depend downwardly from the support member (18) and are in first and second sets. Implements (25) of the first set each have a primary cutting edge extending upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly from a lower soil engaging extremity. Implements (26) of the second set each have a primary cutting edge extending upwardly rearwardly and inwardly from a lower soil engaging extremity. The lower soil engaging extremities of implements (25) of the first set are at a radial distance from the axis less than the radial distance of the extremities of the implements (26) of the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Wilkinsons Pty Ltd
    Inventor: John Raymond Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6763896
    Abstract: There is disclosed a primary tillage system in combination with a soil conditioner rotary reel that addresses the performance requirement differences due to soil types and moisture conditions that other tillage systems do not address. The combination provides a one-pass seedbed preparation process of a superior quality to that of any heretofore known one-pass systems through the improved performance of the soil conditioning rotary reel. The rotary reel includes a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement that provide a thorough breakup of clods not heretofore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Hurtis
  • Patent number: 6763897
    Abstract: A hand held electrically powered hammer comprises a housing, a motor, and a hollow spindle. A piston and a ram are located for reciprocation within the spindle. A casing encloses at least part of the spindle so as to define a chamber between the spindle and the casing. A damping mass is slideably supported by a spacer and is located within the chamber and is connected to the hammer housing via a spring so as to oscillate back and forth along the spindle to minimize the vibration of the hammer housing and also so as to generate air flows within the chamber for facilitating heat transfer from the spindle to the metal casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Hanke, Reinhard Plietsch, Stefan D. Gensmann, Heinz-Werner Faatz, Reimund Becht
  • Patent number: 6763898
    Abstract: The invention is a multiple lift hoist system for a drilling vessel and use on land made of a mast with a top side and a base connected to a drilling vessel, wherein the mast has a hollow construction for supporting a first and second hoisting device at the top side, a lift system with a first hoisting device located in a first firing line that manipulates a first drill string and s second hoisting device located in a second firing line that manipulates a second drill string both hoisting devices move the strings in the longitudinal direction of the mast, and a plurality of cables and winches disposed in the hollow construction to manipulate the position of the first and second hoisting devices relative to the mast so the first and second firing lines are accessible from the outside of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Adriaan Jan Roodenburg, Johannes Jozef Zwetsloot
  • Patent number: 6763899
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluidic torque in a downhole tool is provided. One or more rotatable components of the downhole tool comprise a deformable material, such as rubber or SMA, selectively deformable in response to the flow of fluid through the downhole tool. The rotatable components may include a rotor and/or a turbine of a generator in the downhole tool. Non-rotatable components, such as the stator of the generator, may also be deformable. The rotor, the stator, and/or turbine may comprise a deformable material capable of selectively deforming in response to the flow of drilling mud through the generator. The desired deformation and/or the desired torque may be controlled by adjusting the parameters of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sepand Ossia, Larry Bernard, Alex G. Arzoumanidis, Adame Kante
  • Patent number: 6763900
    Abstract: An orienter for controlling the drilling direction in a well. A main body 40, 23 is couplable to a drill string, and a nose tubing 50 is movably mounted by a universal joint in the main body. A collar 42 with a bore 43 engages in a cam-like manner with an extension 26 of the nose tubing on the drill string side of the universal joint. The collar is movable longitudinally ‘a’ to control the magnitude ‘b’ of the nose tubing, and circumferentially ‘c’ to control the azimuth ‘d’. The nose tubing is aligned on both sides of the universal joint and the bore of the collar is angled relative to the main axis of the main body. The collar may be hydraulically or electrically controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Antech Limited
    Inventor: Antoni Miszewski
  • Patent number: 6763901
    Abstract: A power swivel provides the rotational force to drill consolidated subsurface strata while an unrestricted airflow through the swivel and down a drill string remove cuttings from the borehole. The power swivel is configured to mount on direct push equipment, such as a cone penetrometer, to eliminate the need for a conventional drilling rig when a consolidated layer is encountered during direct push operations. A drilling nipple and pack-off are provided near the surface to maintain the air flow during drilling and to direct the cuttings to a desired location. Also, a dual-valved air delivery system provides safe, remote-controlled air flow to the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: Lorraine M. LaFreniere, David H. Surgnier
  • Patent number: 6763902
    Abstract: A rolling cone rock bit having one or more nozzle retention bodies attached by a single orientation mounting is disclosed, as is the associated method for its manufacture. The upper end of the nozzle retention body has a fluid inlet in communication with the internal fluid plenum of the drill bit, and the lower end of the nozzle retention body includes a fluid outlet that defines an exit flow angle. The fluid outlet is located between two rolling cones, but is positioned closer to one of the cones than the other. Further, the exit flow angle is preferably within 3 degrees of parallel to the drill bit longitudinal axis and, even more preferably, is parallel with the drill bit longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Larsen, Dwayne P. Terracina
  • Patent number: 6763903
    Abstract: In a controlling device, the automatic stop and start-up conditions for an internal combustion engine are set to enable automatic stop/start-up control reflecting an operator's will or intention without movement of the vehicle feeling incongruous or unresponsive. The controlling device provides an automatic stop condition when all of the following conditions are satisfied (1) vehicle speed is less than a set value other than zero, (2) an idle switch is on, and (3) a gear position of the transmission is in neutral. An automatic start-up condition is satisfied when any one of the following conditions is satisfied, (1) the clutch is changed to a disengaged state from a fully or half engaged state, (2) the gear position of the transmission is in non-neutral, (3) the idle switch is off, or (4) a condition of booster negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Morimoto, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6763904
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of a vehicle is proposed, where, in the vehicle to be controlled, the yaw rate or rotation rate is measured, in particular to determine the curvature of the vehicle's own travel trajectory, and where, using a proximity sensor or position sensor, at least one vehicle traveling ahead or at least some other object within a sensor's sensing range is detected, particularly with regard to an offset from the travel course of the vehicle to be controlled. By delaying the travel-course offset of a vehicle driving ahead, determined in preset measuring cycles, by a predefined time span, and by using the then instantaneous curvature of the travel trajectory, a historical travel-course offset is ascertained, one is able to simply and rapidly predict the travel course of the vehicle to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Winner, Jens Lueder
  • Patent number: 6763905
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle has at least a rear driving wheel and two front rolling and steering wheels connected to each other by a linkage mechanism that is provided with a suspension system that comprises at least a pair of shock-absorbing struts and rocking levers associated therewith. An interconnecting latticework extending along a median plane of the vehicle supports an axis of pins of the rocking levers so that the axis is caused to lie on the median plane and parallel to axes of fulcrum pins of cross bars of the linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aprilia S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gaetano Cocco, Andrea Raffaelli, Leandro Scomazzon
  • Patent number: 6763906
    Abstract: A rear part of a vehicle body is supported by a rear-front axle (18) and a rear-rear axle (20), and right and left rear-front wheels (17) rotatably mounted at opposite ends of the rear-front axle (18) are constituted so as to be steered by a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism is driven by an actuator so as to steer the rear-front wheels (17), and the actuator (51) is controlled by the control means. The control means stops the steering of the rear-front wheels (17) when a vehicle speed is approximately zero, and the control means operates the actuator when a difference between a theoretical steering angle of the rear-front wheels (17), relative to that of the front wheels (15), and an actual steering angle exceeds a predetermined value even though the vehicle speed is approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Momiyama, Mitsuru Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6763907
    Abstract: In a vehicle steering apparatus, a steering actuator is controlled so that the steering angle varies in accordance with the operation of an operating member. A transmission mechanism connects an operating side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the operating member and a vehicle wheel side rotating member that is mechanically connected to the vehicle wheels so that the mutual transmission of rotation is possible. Furthermore, the rotational transmission ratio between the operating side rotating member and the vehicle wheel side rotating member can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ueno, Katsutoshi Nishizaki, Ryouhei Hayama, Naotake Kanda, Shirou Nakano, Takeo Iino, Tomoyasu Kada, Kenji Higashi, Shingo Maeda, Shuuji Kimura, Masaya Segawa, Masayasu Higashi
  • Patent number: 6763908
    Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle has: a target wheel steering angle production unit for producing a target wheel steering angle on the basis of a detected steering wheel angle; a wheel steering angle control unit for controlling steering angles of wheels turned for steering so that a detected wheel steering angle and a target wheel steering angle coincide with each other; a target reaction production unit for producing a target reaction on the basis of the steering wheel angle; a first reaction torque control unit for controlling a reaction torque produced in the steering wheel by driving a reaction control mechanism so that the reaction torque and the target reaction coincide with each other; and a second reaction torque control unit for compensating an output from the wheel steering angle control unit so that the reaction and the target reaction torque coincide with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Ogawa, Kazushi Shirasawa
  • Patent number: 6763909
    Abstract: The invention concerns a suction muffler for a hermetically enclosed compressor with a housing that has at least a first and a second chamber, separated from each other by means of a division wall and connected with each other by means of a throttling channel, which is designed to allow flow from the first to the second chamber. The throttling channel includes a lateral opening, which opens into a chamber via a branch channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Danfoss Compressors GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Svendsen
  • Patent number: 6763910
    Abstract: Roof structures including safety stanchions for mounting directly to the roof of a building are disclosed. One disclosed safety stanchion has a cross-shaped base for mounting the stanchion on the surface of a roof or glass skylight supported by crisscrossing rafters and purlins. Another roof structure includes safety stanchions having inelastically deformable and replaceable components, crisscrossing rafters and purlins for supporting a roof surface and a structural member for supporting the rafter(s). This roof structure defines an opening extending through the rafter for receiving the stanchion's rigid elongated base which extends through the opening and is attached at its lower end to the structural member supporting the rafter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: MC Enterprises International, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry A. Cole
  • Patent number: 6763911
    Abstract: An emergency evacuation slide is disclosed defined by an elongated base portion configured for deployment in a staircase having a flight of stairs including a plurality of horizontal treads, the base portion having an inner lateral edge configured for attachment to a side wall of the staircase and an outer lateral edge extending into the staircase, the evacuation slide adapted for movement from a stowed position in which the base portion is parallel to the side wall of the staircase to a deployed position in which the base portion is perpendicular to the side wall of the staircase and disposed in a plane extending tangent to the treads of the stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Leon A. Burch
  • Patent number: 6763912
    Abstract: A modular stair assembly includes a stair module and at least one of a transportation module, deck module, handrail module, extension deck module, and extension handrail module that can be interconnected in various configurations to suite a wide variety of different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Century Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robby C. Robinson, Gerukl M. McCombs
  • Patent number: 6763913
    Abstract: A cover apparatus for reducing the force of impact between a lanyard reel and a head of a user. The cover apparatus includes a housing comprising a perimeter wall defining an interior space of the housing. The interior space is designed for receiving the lanyard reel whereby the housing is positioned around the lanyard reel. The housing is designed for being positioned between the lanyard reel and the head of user for inhibiting injury to the head of the user when the lanyard reel impacts the head of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Willie Adams