Patents Issued in August 17, 2004
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Patent number: 6776191Abstract: A spool valve includes a sleeve and a spool. The sleeve has a first communicating hole opening into the cylinder bore and a second communicating hole opening into the cylinder bore and separated from the first communicating hole in the axial direction of the cylinder bore. The spool is fluidtightly accommodated in the cylinder bore to slide and has one end portion which opens and closes the first communicating hole upon sliding operation thereof and the another end portion which opens and closes the second communicating hole upon sliding operation thereof. At least one of the end portions has an end surface extending from the outer circumference approximately at a right angle to the spool axis and an inclined surface which progressively decreases a diameter of the spool from the end surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norihiro Nakamura, Yasuo Konishi, Hitoshi Ikeuchi
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Patent number: 6776192Abstract: A manifold mounting system for electrically operated pneumatic control valves includes a push-on snap lock latching arrangement that is responsive to simple straight line connecting movement of the valve to the manifold. The system completely eliminates the need for end plates, screws, O-rings, gaskets and the like, and the simultaneous accommodation of a plug-in electrical connection also eliminates wiring connections. Manual push button release provides equally simple disconnection of the valve from the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Richard Wigmore
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Patent number: 6776193Abstract: An modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support. An optional locator plate may be utilized which is mounted over the ends of the bridge fittings in order to align the inlet and outlet ports of the fluid components with the inlet and outlet ends of the bridge fittings. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths. Additionally, the bridge fittings may be stacked to form multiple layers where bridge fittings of one layer may be in fluid communication with bridge fittings of another layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventor: Paul E. Eidsmore
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Patent number: 6776194Abstract: There is a disclosed a conduit supporting structure that imposes, maintains and/or reinforces a flow guiding formation of a conduit, whereby to effect a desired flow configuration in the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Tayside Flow Technologies LimitedInventors: John Graeme Houston, Peter Arno Stonebridge, John Bruce Cameron Dick, Robert Gordon Hood, Allana Johnstone, Christophe Emmanuel Sarran, Craig McLeod Duff, Allan Thomson
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Patent number: 6776195Abstract: Multi-layer tubular polymeric composite and to articles such as tubing and hoses constructed thereof. The composite is formed of a layer of a fluoropolymer material bonded directly to a second layer of a more general purpose resin material which may be a nylon or other polyamide.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Daniel S. Blasko, William C. Fisher, Michael R. Swails
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Patent number: 6776196Abstract: A braid folding unit of a shielded wire is provided, which includes: a primary expanding means to beat a braid 22 exposed on an inner cover 24 of the shielded wire 15 so as to outwardly expand the braid; an expanding pipe 135 to enter an inside of the braid 22 along the inner cover so as to further outwardly expand the braid; and a braid folding member 137 to advance along an outside surface of the expanding pipe so as to push the braid 22 in an axial direction of the shielded wire and to fold back the braid. The primary expanding means has a pair of openable-and-closable expanding teeth 134, a pair of sliding members fixing the respective expanding teeth, and a driving means to open and close the pair of sliding members in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Nobuaki Yamakawa
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Patent number: 6776197Abstract: A bulk bag-filling machine with a traversing strap latching and traversing filler spout mechanisms. The strap latch mechanisms and the filler spout may be moved independently or in unison forwardly towards the front or forward most edge of the filling station, thereby permitting the operator of the filling apparatus to easily and safely suspend the heavy bulk bag's strap loops on the four strap latches and make the filler neck connection to the filling spout prior to traversing the strap latches and filler neck to their rearmost position, thereby positioning the bag for filling. Boxes may also be utilized by the adaptation of transfer tables in which case the strap latches are not required.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Charles E. DeCrane
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Patent number: 6776198Abstract: A mobile bulk materials bagging machine equipped to convert compacted bulk materials into baggable material of uniform consistency. The bagging machine includes a feed hopper which may be loaded with compacted bulk materials with heavy duty loaders. The bagging machine conducts a series of processing steps for converting compacted bulk material into a restructured material of a more uniform and free-flowing consistency for bagging. The operation of the bagging machine includes partitioning compacted bulk materials into segmented portions, agitating and leveling systems which, in cooperative association with electronic sensors for intermittently terminating the flow of feed materials, prevents excessive product build up and recompaction of the processed material into an unbaggable material.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventors: Carroll Haines, James Othmar Brick
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Patent number: 6776199Abstract: A machine (1) for filling containers (2) with liquid or particulate material (6), wherein a carousel conveyor (12), rotating continuously about an axis (9), supports a number of supporting and weighing heads (25), each independent of the other supporting and weight heads (25) and for supporting a respective container (2) beneath a respective feed device (20) for supplying the fill material (6); and wherein filling of the containers (2) is controlled by a control device (34) having a supervisor (35) connected to a number of control units (36), which are carried by the carousel conveyor (12), are connected to the supervisor (35) by a bus (38), and independently control a predetermined number of feed devices (20).Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Claudio Crivellaro, Stefano Cavallari
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Patent number: 6776200Abstract: A trigger, for use with a port through which a flow of particulate solid material selectively passes, is disclosed and comprises a sensor and a trigger body having a first position and a second position. The trigger body is biased for movement to said first position; defines a threshold level of said particulate; is adapted to be positioned, in use, beneath said port so as be impinged upon by said flow when at its first position and moved by said flow to its second position; and is adapted, upon accumulation of said particulate beneath said port beyond the threshold level, to be restrained as against movement to said first position by said particulate until such time as the particulate recedes to said threshold level. The sensor produces a signal responsive to movement of the trigger body to its first position. Particulate handling apparatus including the trigger is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Hamilton Avtec Inc.Inventors: Krzystztof Dronsejko, Tomasz Garus, Steven K. Hamilton
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Patent number: 6776201Abstract: An elastic tube having at least one end formed as a rolled elastic ring. The opposite end of the tube may be fashioned with a rolled elastic ring or may hang free depending on the perceived usage. The tube is fabricated from a thin latex material having a stretchability of up to 1,000%. The tube is tapered from top to bottom so as to form an unobstructed, funnel-shaped passage. The wall of the tube is fluid-impervious so that liquids can flow there through without leaking. The rolled elastic end of the tube is adapted for frictional attachment to the outlet of a liquid-filled container. The other end of the tube may be frictionally attached to the inlet of a second container to be filled. Alternatively, the other end of the tube may hang freely within the second container.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Donna Willis
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Patent number: 6776202Abstract: A log-peeling machine for removing bark from logs to simulate hand peeled logs. A log is held in position on a pair of movable log support frames, each having multiple adjustable log support and drive roller assemblies. An independent high-speed cutting head is movable along the length of the log removing bark in longitudinal strips by adjustably following the log surface which is raised and lowered and rotated for engagement with the cutting head.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: W.G. Benjey, Inc.Inventors: Alan Chester Dziesinski, Randy William Patterson
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Patent number: 6776203Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaft 4 for planers, of the type where the peripheral surface has, formed along it, longitudinal recesses 5 each housing a working blade 1 and a prism-shaped locking or retaining bar 2, with a system for rapidly fixing said blades, comprising two series 7 and 8 of rollers housed in succession in a recess 6 parallel to and radially inside the recess 5 and a central operating member of the screw type 13, 14 and 15 able to exert an axial thrust on the toggles formed by the rollers at the two ends of the recess 6, by means of two thrust elements 11 and 12, so as to produce, on the locking bar 2, a radial thrust sufficient for fixing the blade 1. (FIG.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Esse Emme di Casadei Roberto & C. S.n.c.Inventor: Gianfranco Cecchi
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Patent number: 6776204Abstract: A tire for vehicle wheels includes a tread band having a tread pattern defined between two shoulder ends of the tire. The tread pattern includes two lateral rows of grooves and at least one third row of grooves arranged between the lateral rows. All of the grooves are separate from one another so as to produce a pattern with no intercommunicating paths between the grooves. End portions of the grooves of the at least one third row extend outside a footprint of the tire. A dimension of each of the grooves of the at least one third row relative to a length of the tire footprint causes water drainage from underneath the tire footprint. A tire including the ability for acoustically signalling low air pressure, a method for checking tire air pressure using an acoustic signal, and an acoustic signalling device for vehicle wheels are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.Inventors: Riccardo Cesarini, Ernesto Cerizza
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Patent number: 6776205Abstract: A tire having a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two tire beads and a belt reinforcement, the belt reinforcement including at least two superposed reinforcing plies formed by cords parallel in each ply and criss-crossed from one to the other forming with the circumferential direction angles (&agr;, &bgr;) ranging between 10° and 70° and characterized in that, there is provided, between the two superposed reinforcing plies, at least two axially adjacent rubber decoupling layers with different mechanical properties and in that each of the two rubber decoupling layers is in contact with the cords of the two superposed reinforcing layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Pedro Costa Pereira, Yves Herbelleau
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Patent number: 6776206Abstract: A radial tire having the apex area around the steel reinforced carcass ply turn-up comprised of at least one selected diene rubber and a trans 1,4-polybutadiene rubber.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Thomas Joseph Segatta, Paul Harry Sandstrom, Shahir Rafael Azer
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Patent number: 6776207Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a bead portion, a carcass wound around a bead core having a polygonal form from an inside of a tire toward an outside thereof in a radial direction and a bead filler arranged on an outer periphery of the bead core, wherein a reinforcing layer comprised of an organic fiber cord(s) or a metal wire(s) extended substantially in a circumferential direction of the tire is arranged in a position adjacent to the bead filler.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Yuichiro Ogawa
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Patent number: 6776208Abstract: A label assembly having a face sheet with a removable label portion is used in connection with an apparatus that includes a base that accommodates the label assembly in an aligned position. The label assembly further includes a back sheet having a removable first portion generally coextensive with the label portion of the face sheet so that when the first portion is removed from the label assembly, a remaining portion of the back sheet is attached to the label portion of the face sheet. An arm is connected with respect to the base to extend over the label assembly as the label portion is applied.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventors: Timothy J. Flynn, Thomas E. Flynn, Patrick J. Flynn
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Patent number: 6776209Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive tape dispenser which receives an adhesive tape coated with coating substance such as bonding substance in order to stick the same to a surface of a sheet. The adhesive tape dispenser includes a guide tip pivotally mounted on a leading end of a tape-supporting frame in such a manner as to be rotated at a predetermined angle so that a tape can be easily used and coating substance of the tape can adhere well to a wide area of the sheet surface while maintaining a proper degree of elasticity.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Kwang Ho You
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Patent number: 6776210Abstract: A reinforcing post assembly for use with a sectional upward acting door to reinforce the door against high windloads includes an elongated C-channel shaped post reinforced with spaced apart gusset plates, and including retractable anchor pin members at its lower end. Elongated anchor links are mounted on the post upper end for engagement with a wall bracket which includes retainer pins and bosses formed thereon for retaining the links in a working position of the post. Spaced apart flexible cables are mounted on the post and may be connected at opposed eyes to retaining anchor pins mounted on the door sections and extending therebetween at spaced apart points on the door.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Overhead Door CorporationInventor: David M. Wells
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Patent number: 6776211Abstract: A window shade for motor vehicles has a window shade web material 14 which is designed for being adapted during retraction and extension to the shape of the window, namely in respect to the width dimensions and/or in respect to the curvature. To this end, the window shade web material 14 is made either from a window shade web which can be expanded or stretched in the transverse direction, or from two or more non-expandable window shade webs 15 and 16 which, in the extended state, approximate the shape of the respective window in the desired manner. An additional mounting frame 65 can be used in all cases, in which the elements which are parts of the window shade are arranged, or stored, in order to create a component in this way, which can be installed as a whole in the vehicle on the assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
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Patent number: 6776212Abstract: A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventors: Arnie Fulton, Yan Zhu, Michael Bomar
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Patent number: 6776213Abstract: An apparatus for use in casting a metal article includes a furnace assembly into which a mold is raised and an annular fluidized bed adjacent to the furnace assembly. The mold is filled with molten metal and lowered into the fluidized bed. The molten metal is solidified in the mold as it is lowered into the fluidized bed. The mold and fluidized bed are then lowered. The fluidized bed is disposed in a container having annular inner and outer walls which are cooled and function as heat sinks. A mold support member may extend through a passage in the annular inner wall of the fluidized bed.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: PCC Airfolis, Inc.Inventors: Lawerence D. Graham, Brad L. Rauguth, Michael J. Beffel
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Patent number: 6776214Abstract: Methods for making various titanium base alloys and titanium aluminides into engineering components such as rings, tubes and pipes by melting of the alloys in a vacuum or under a low partial pressure of inert gas and subsequent centrifugal casting of the melt in the graphite molds rotating along its own axis under vacuum or low partial pressure of inert gas are provided, the molds having been fabricated by machining high density, high strength ultrafine grained isotropic graphite, wherein the graphite has been made by isostatic pressing or vibrational molding, the said molds either revolving around its own horizontal or vertical axis or centrifuging around a vertical axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Santoku America, Inc.Inventors: Ranjan Ray, Donald W. Scott
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Patent number: 6776215Abstract: For a further development a device for continuous casting of metal, in particular steel, with a metal mold with mold walls (1,18) and a mold cooling device and which can remove high thermal flows and can be subjected to thermal loads and, thereble, is suitable for use at high speeds, at least one mold wall (1,18) of the mold of this device should include a steel wall (2) and a support mesh (3) for this wall and the device further should be provided with magnetic field generator (3.2) for generating a magnetic field (3.1) acting on the mold steel wall (2) via the support mesh (3) for attracting the mold steel wall (2) to the support mesh (3), with the mold cooling device comprising spray cooling means.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: SMS Demag AGInventors: Joachim Schwellenbach, Michael Vonderbank, Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg
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Patent number: 6776216Abstract: A casting wheel for the continuous casting of strips of metal has a core and sleeve of heat-conductive material which is shrunk on the core, and circumferential cooling ducts arranged between the core and the sleeve, which are connected with coolant supply line and coolant discharge line. The coolant is guided from the radially extending supply line into cooling ducts and from cooling ducts into the radially extending discharge line by means of a guiding element that can be inserted in cooling ducts.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbHInventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Stefano Pellissetti, Armin Schertler, Romeo Capotosti, Riccardo Tonelli
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Patent number: 6776217Abstract: In a method for continuous casting bars, billets, and slabs from a melt in dimensional ranges of approximately 20 to 150 mm thickness and approximately 600 to 3500 mm width by means of an oscillating, water-cooled casting mold in cooperation with a submerged-entry nozzle and by employing casting powder for formation of casting slag, local temperatures and local heat flux densities of a casting mold wall in a meniscus area of the melt critical for the surface quality of a slab are measured. The working temperature of the casting mold wall in the meniscus area is maintained by adjusting the operating parameters important for the working temperature within a predetermined temperature range (&Dgr;T).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: SMS Demag AGInventors: Hans Streubel, Uwe Plociennik
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Patent number: 6776218Abstract: A twin roll caster (11) produces thin steel strip (12) which passes through a first enclosure (37) to a pinch roll stand (14) including pinch rolls (50) through which the strip passes into a second enclosure (61). The strip passes horizontally through enclosure (61) to an in-line hot rolling mill (16) which closes the exit end of enclosure (61) and hot rolls the strip as it exits that enclosure. Enclosures (37) and (61) are sealed against ingress of atmospheric air and both maintain oxygen levels less than the surrounding atmosphere to reduce formation of scale on the strip. The second chamber (61) is fitted with water spray nozzles (67, 68) operable to spray fine mist of water droplets onto the upper face of the strip as it passes through that enclosure thereby to generate steam producing a superatmospheric pressure within the enclosure preventing ingress of atmospheric air.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Castrip LLPInventors: Andrew Glutz, Graham Minter
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Patent number: 6776219Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing investment molds useful in pressure infiltration casting of near net-shape metal or metal matrix composite (MMC) components. One embodiment of the invention includes disposing a slurry of an appropriately sized refractory material and a vehicle around a preform or fugitive pattern, removing the bulk of the vehicle, then curing/drying the refractory material to create an investment mold of the invention. Subsequently, pressure infiltration casting with a molten infiltrant using the investment mold permits infiltration of the mold cavity and/or preform without infiltration of the investment mold. As a result, the investment mold readily is removed to provide the near net-shape metal or MMC component. In other embodiments of the invention, a non-fugitive pattern is used, typically with a modified refractory cement of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Metal Matrix Cast Composites, Inc.Inventors: James A. Cornie, Maxim L. Seleznev, Brett M. Schulz, Shiyu Zhang
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Patent number: 6776220Abstract: Heat dissipating apparatus for use in dissipating heat produced by electronic components of a spacecraft. The heat dissipating apparatus comprises first and second radiator panels each having an outer panel faceskin 18 and inner panel faceskin. A heat pipe matrix is disposed between outer and inner panel faceskins of each radiator panel, and a honeycomb core is disposed between the inner and outer panel faceskins that surrounds the heat pipe matrix. A transverse panel interconnects the first and second radiator panels. A plurality of crossing heat pipes extend between and thermally couple to the heat pipe matrices of the first and second radiator panels. The plurality of crossing heat pipes extend outside the plane of the transverse panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, IncInventors: Lenny Low, Chris Goodman
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Patent number: 6776221Abstract: A computer system is described of the kind having a frame and a plurality of server unit subassemblies that are insertable into the frame. Each server unit subassembly has a chassis component which engages with a frame component on the frame. Heat can transfer from the chassis component to the frame component, but the server unit subassembly can still be moved out of the frame. In one embodiment, an air duct is located over a plurality of the frame components. Heat transfers from the frame components to air flowing through the duct. A modified capillary pumped loop is used to transfer heat from a processor of the server unit subassembly to thermal components on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Stephen W. Montgomery, Barrett M. Faneuf
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Patent number: 6776222Abstract: A foldable floor heating panel can be folded longitudinally and laterally. The foldable floor heating panel includes several small plate-like members of a rectangular plan configuration, which are arranged longitudinally and laterally so as to be adjacent to each other. A flexible thin plate is attached to upper surfaces of the small plate-like members so as to allow longitudinal and lateral folding. Heat carrier flexible tube passages are provided in longitudinal and lateral folding portions of the panel so as to leave some play, and folding margin members are provided at the lateral folding portions. Fit-in members are attachably and detachably provided in respective heat carrier flexible tube passages with some play.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Functional Products, Inc.Inventors: Hitoshi Seki, Michiaki Inoue, Shigeko Iijima
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Patent number: 6776223Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a condenser for use in an automotive air-conditioner includes a core unit having a plurality of laminated tubes and fins. Brackets for mounting the heat exchanger on a vehicle are connected to U-shaped side plate disposed on an outside of the core unit. After components constituting the core unit including the side plate are all connected to one another by brazing, the brackets are connected to the side plate via mounting members made of rubber by staking sidewalls of the U-shaped side plate. Since the brackets are connected to the heat exchanger by staking after the heat exchanger is completed, the heat exchanger is easily brazed and the number and positions of the brackets on the side plate can be arbitrarily selected.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Ryouichi Sanada, Naoki Sugimoto
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Patent number: 6776224Abstract: A heating dissipating device for electronic elements comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of heat dissipating sheets; the bottom plate being formed with a plurality of grooves. A lower end of each heat dissipating sheet is a folded end and the folded end is inserted into a respective groove to be fixed therein tightly. Each groove may be inclined with respect to the surface of the bottom plate and the fold end is also inclined. Moreover, two sides of the bottom plate are punched so that the heat dissipating sheets are tightly engaged to the bottom plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Shin Ming Chen
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Patent number: 6776225Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a vehicle comprising at least one manifold having walls defining a chamber for retaining fluid. A mounting device is secured to the wall of the manifold. The mounting device includes a seat portion adapted to receive a fluid transmission line. The mounting device further includes an opening extending from the seat portion and aligned with an aperture in the manifold for providing a fluid passageway between the manifold and the fluid transmission line. In addition, the mounting device includes at least one indentation formed therein for capturing contaminates and preventing an intrusion of the contaminates into the seat portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Frank Joseph Leitch, Kunal Ghosh
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Patent number: 6776226Abstract: A thermal interface member in a heat generating, electronic device is provided. The thermal interface member comprises either a single fluoroelastomer or a blend of fluoroelastomer components that are copolymers of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene and consists of greater than 40% fluorine along the backbone, and one or more conductive fillers. The fluoroelastomer blend contains at least one component with a Mooney viscosity of 50 poise or less and at least one component with a Mooney viscosity of greater than 50 poise, while the single fluoroelastomer component may have a Mooney viscosity of either less than or greater than 50.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding CorporationInventors: Chih-Min Cheng, Andrew Collins
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Patent number: 6776227Abstract: Apparatus and method for heating and preventing freeze-off of wellhead equipment utilize radiant heat from a flameless heater to heat fluid in a heat exchanger, such as a tank or finned radiator. A pump is used to circulate the heated fluid through a conduit loop deployed in thermal contact with the equipment to be heated, such that the heat from the fluid is transferred to the equipment, maintaining it at sufficient temperature to prevent freeze-off. The apparatus and method may also be used for other purposes, such as for circulating heated fluid through a liquid-cooled engine to facilitate cold weather starting.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventors: Rodney T. Beida, Darcy R. Zelman
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Patent number: 6776228Abstract: A ball dropping assembly for dropping a plurality of objects, such as spherical balls, into a wellbore. The assembly first comprises a seat for retaining a ball before it is released. The assembly also comprises a ball-feeding channel for feeding additional balls onto the seat. A ball-retaining lever is provided to selectively receive and retain balls onto the seat, and then to release the balls individually into the wellbore. In one embodiment, the assembly is attached to a side bore in fluid communication with a main bore in a cementing head. The ball-retaining lever rotates into the bore when releasing a ball. When a plug is released into the bore from a cementing head, the plug will trip the lever, causing the ball-retaining lever to rotate back towards the ball-retained position. Thus, the ball dropping assembly also serves as a plug release indicator.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gerald D. Pedersen, David E. Hirth
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Patent number: 6776229Abstract: A check enhancer for use in a well comprises a housing portion and an injector portion disposed in the housing portion. The housing portion includes an outer body defining a fluid cavity therein with a plurality of body ports in communication with the fluid cavity. The injector portion includes a check valve and a dispersement nipple in communication therewith. The check valve is connected to the outer body, and the dispersement nipple extends into the fluid cavity. The check valve allows fluid flow from the tubing through nipple ports defined in the dispersement nipple. The nipple ports are longitudinally spaced from the body ports so that the fluid cavity remains substantially filled with fluid with the dispersement nipple substantially submerged within the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Danny Joe Floyd
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Patent number: 6776230Abstract: A horizontal Christmas tree is adapted for ESP/HSP or downhole sensor deployment by a coiled tubing hanger 38 received in the tubing hanger 12. Coiled tubing 40 suspends downhole equipment such as ESP 60, and carries power/signal lines. These lines are connected to an external line 58 via a transition connector 46 in a tubing access plug 44 provided in an internal tree cap 32. A debris cap 50 is provided with a further connector 52. Self orientating wet mate connectors 48, 54, 56 are provided between the connectors 46, 52 and external line 58. The coiled tubing hanger and/or tubing hanger may be provided with flow by flutes or holes (78, 80 FIGS. 4 and 5) sealable by a separate adapter plug (88, FIG. 5) above the coiled tubing hanger. Flow test procedures are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Graeme John Collie, David Ramsay Hutchison, Richard Kent
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Patent number: 6776231Abstract: A casing scraper comprises a generally cylindrical body (1) adapted for connection at one end to a drill string, having a plurality of scraping or scouring elements (2) disposed around the outer surface thereof. A pipe (6) extends through the cylindrical body (1). One end of the pipe (6) is adapted for connection to a source of cleaning fluid and the other end is connected to a tail pipe (7). The tail pipe (7) has at least one opening (8) in it through which cleaning fluid may be circulated into the well casing. The casing scraper further comprises filtration structure (4) located above the openings (8) in the tail pipe (7) and remotely operable structure (9, 10) for selectively directing the flow of cleaning fluid from passing outside the filtration structure (4) to passing through the filtration structure (4).Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Ruff Pup LimitedInventor: Anthony Allen
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Patent number: 6776232Abstract: An insert rod guide has an elongated cylindrical member with an externally threaded first or upper end of a first diameter and an internally threaded lower or second end of a larger diameter with an axial bore extending between the ends. Intermediate the ends of the member is a truncated conical shoulder with a plurality of regularly spaced bores angled outwardly from the axial bore through the shoulder. An annular sand shield is mounted externally on the member for axial movement therealong. The sand shield has one face which is tapered to mate with the shoulder. An annular hardened insert is mounted on the upper end of the member and is held in place by retainer collar.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Milton Skillman
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Patent number: 6776233Abstract: A method and system for cable-based communication between the drilling rig and the bottom hole assembly is disclosed. A cable is provided along the outside of an upper portion of the drillstring. The cable is connected to a cross-over sub assembly below which is attached a second cable that extends down towards the bottom hole assembly. During drilling the cable rotates with the drillstring, and the unused cable is stored in a reel mounted on the top drive unit. New pipe stands are connected and the cable is clamped to the outside of the drillstring. The method and system are particularly well suited for use in deep-water drilling environments.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Richard John Meehan
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Patent number: 6776234Abstract: A method and composition are described for improving recovery of oil from an oil reservoir. The method includes adding an effective amount of a fatty acid alkyl ester oil recovery composition to an oil reservoir and recovering oil from the reservoir. The composition may include in predominant proportion a fatty acid alkyl ester as well as effective concentrations of a surfactant, a colloid, and an acid. One exemplary composition includes 96% soy methyl ester, 3% surfactant, and 1% vinegar.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Inventor: Edward L. Boudreau
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Patent number: 6776235Abstract: This invention relates generally to the art of hydraulic fracturing in subterranean formations and more particularly to a method and means for optimizing fracture conductivity. According to the present invention, the well productivity is increased by sequentially injecting into the wellbore alternate stages of fracturing fluids having a contrast in their ability to transport propping agents to improve proppant placement, or having a contrast in the amount of transported propping agents.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Kevin England
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Patent number: 6776236Abstract: Methods of completing unconsolidated hydrocarbon producing zones penetrated by cased and cemented well bores are provided. The methods include the steps of forming spaced openings through the casing and cement and injecting a first hardenable resin composition through the openings into the unconsolidated producing zone adjacent to the well bore. Without waiting for the first hardenable resin composition to harden, a fracturing fluid containing proppant particles coated with a second hardenable resin composition is injected through the openings into the unconsolidated producing zone at a rate and pressure sufficient to fracture the producing zone. The proppant particles coated with the second hardenable resin composition are deposited in the fractures and the first and second hardenable resin compositions are allowed to harden by heat.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Philip D. Nguyen
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Patent number: 6776237Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bach Dao, Krishna M. Ravi, Jan Pieter Vijn, Christine Noik, Alain Rivereau
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Patent number: 6776238Abstract: Screen assemblies (40, 42) and a single trip method for selectively fracturing multiple formations (14, 16) traversed by a wellbore (32) are disclosed. Each formation (14, 16) has a screen assembly (40, 42) having a plurality of valves (60, 66) positioned adjacent thereto. During the treatment process, the formations (14, 16) are selectively treated with a treatment fluid that is pumped into the interior of the adjacent screen assembly (40, 42). The valves (60, 66) of the respective screen assemblies (40, 42) progressively allow the treatment fluid to exit from the interior to the exterior of the screen assemblies (40, 42) such that each formation (14, 16) is progressively fractured.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Syed Hamid, Robert Ken Michael, Roger Lynn Schultz
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Patent number: 6776239Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill, Randolph J. Sheffield, Howard L. McGill, James M. Costley
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Patent number: 6776240Abstract: A valve for downhole well service, having a rotary indexer carrying an elastically-loaded valve element on a valve seat surface in a flow passage, the valve element adapted to obstruct one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface when aligned therewith. The valve may additionally, or alternatively, comprise an elastically-loaded valve element mounted in one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface, this valve element adapted to obstruct the flow passage in which it is installed when urged into contact with the valve seat surface. When a valve element is mounted in one or more of the flow passages in the valve seat, the indexer comprises a protrusion positioned to engage such valve element and force it out of contact with the valve seat surface. The valve may be actuated by command from the surface by sending telemetry elements to a downhole telemetry data detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael H. Kenison, Michael L. Smith