Patents Issued in February 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7182118
    Abstract: The invention provides a pick and place assembly for transferring a film of material. The assembly comprises a collet having a substantially convex contact surface for contacting the film, the collet including a vacuum suction device operative to generate a force to hold the film. The film may comprise a thermoplastic adhesive tape or B-stage thermoset epoxy coated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Ming Cheung, Chi Ming Chong
  • Patent number: 7182119
    Abstract: A deformable screen for a window assembly including a sash movably coupled to a frame. The sash is moveable in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the frame. The deformable screen is coupled to the sash and includes at least one engagement portion slidably engaged against the frame. A spring member is coupled to the engagement portion and applies a restoring force to the engagement portion to seal it against the frame. In one option, the spring member includes a foam membrane. A method for making a screen assembly includes providing a frame and a sash disposed within the frame. A spring member is coupled around the sash and at least one engagement portion is coupled to the spring member. The engagement portion extends between the spring member and the window frame, in one option. In another option, the at least one engagement portion is slidably engaged against the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company
    Inventors: Bradley D. Woodward, Rebecca M. Huff, Russell A. Berstler, Ronald H. Pederson
  • Patent number: 7182120
    Abstract: A tabbed honeycomb structure or pleated panel is made from a stack of collapsed multi-cellular material. The stack is split at bond lines thereby forming the panels of pleated or honeycomb material having a joint tab on one face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Ren Judkins
  • Patent number: 7182121
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an investment casting process that makes use of a frangible low-strength investment material mold and a mold removal solution to facilitate the removal the investment material mold from the casting. The mold removal solution is a liquid that permeates the mold material and effervesces while inside the mold material, causing fracturing of the frangible investment material mold, and carrying away the resulting mold particles. The investment material compositions have the property of sufficiently decreasing in strength after cooling to facilitate the removal of the mold material by the removal solution. Two particular investment material compositions that possesses these properties are describe which contains powdered silica quartz, beta-hemi-hydrate calcium sulfate (gypsum), a hardening agent of potassium sulfate, and water. A mold removal solution composition is described that is composed of hydrogen peroxide solution in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: David W. Viel
  • Patent number: 7182122
    Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus with which batch processing is possible and throughput can be increased, and furthermore which is more compact and uses less energy. A substrate heating chamber and a substrate cooling chamber each capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of substrates are provided in a thermally separated state in a heating and cooling apparatus with a single vacuum processing chamber. The substrate heating chamber is equipped with a plurality of communicating or non-communicating substrate holding spaces. The substrate cooling chamber is also equipped with a plurality of communicating or non-communicating substrate holding spaces. The communicating substrate holding spaces allow the batch heat treatment of substrates, while the non-communicating substrate holding spaces allow the batch or individual processing of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Koguchi, Kazuhito Watanabe, Nobuyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7182123
    Abstract: The rib and the block are applicable in heating appliances construction. They have increased operational safety and heat transfer velocity. The rib comprises an upper (1.1) and lower hole (1.2), a joining profile (2), a first (3) and second (4) internal foldings, a third intermediate (5) and a fourth external (6) folding, which ends in a fifth reversed folding (7). The fourth external folding (6) and the fifth reverse folding (7) extend from below to the end of their respective chamfers (8), and at the upper side of the rib, together with the second (4) and the third (5) folding, they connect its two vertical walls via two chamfers (9). Centrally in relation to the upper hole (1.1), on its both sides, and above, on the surface of the second internal folding 4 and the third intermediate folding (5), there are spherical concavities (10), and on both sides of the lower hole (1.2) there are similar spherical concavities (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ficosota OOD
    Inventor: Dobri Dimitrov Marinov
  • Patent number: 7182124
    Abstract: A heat sink structure comprises: a heat conducting base being provided thereon with a plurality of heat sinking fins arranged longitudinally and transversely to mutually cross each other; with the help of the blowing air blown by an above installed fan, the heat sink can make a fast exchange of the cool air and hot air in the interspace among the heat sinking fins to help dissipate the heat generated by a CPU to the ambient to achieve the fast heat sinking effect. The structure is applied to a heat sink for a computer, an electronic instrument or some other heat generating electric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Egbon Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 7182125
    Abstract: A multi-pass heat exchanger including first and second plates forming a fluid chamber therebetween having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a turbulizer plate having rows of fluid flow augmenting convolutions in the fluid chamber, the turbulizer plate including at least one barrier dividing the fluid chamber into first and second pass regions such that fluid flowing in the fluid chamber flows around an end of the barrier when flowing from the first pass region to the second pass regions, the turbulizer plate having portions defining a notch area therebetween for fluid to pass through when flowing in the fluid chamber around the end of the barrier from the first pass region to the second pass region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Alan Wu, Tim Miller
  • Patent number: 7182126
    Abstract: A heat distribution apparatus comprising a fluid conduit having a peripheral wall defining a flow passage and a pair of fluid capillaries extending along the wall and secured thereto. The capillaries being connected to one another in series to provide a fluid flow path along one of the capillaries and a return path along another of said capillaries to convey heat exchange fluid to transfer heat between the flow passage and the heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Lorne Heise
  • Patent number: 7182127
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes through which refrigerants flow, the tubes being spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of fins spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. Each of the fins has fin collars through which the tubes are perpendicularly inserted, seat portions concentrically formed around outer circumferences of the fin collars and provided with laterally-opened front and rear portions, more than two peak portions, and more than two valley portions, the peak and valley portions being alternately disposed to provide airflow variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Kee Oh, Cheol Soo Ko, Dong Yeon Jang, Yong Cheol Sa, Se Yoon Oh, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 7182128
    Abstract: A heat transfer tube for a heat exchanger and a method of manufacturing such a tube. The heat transfer tube includes opposing top and bottom walls and end walls connecting the top and bottom walls to each other. The top and bottom walls each define a substantially planar surface and the end walls each define a generally curved surface. The end walls each including deformations formed therein to strengthen the heat transfer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen F. Yu, Peter Fredrickson
  • Patent number: 7182129
    Abstract: A device for air-conditioning a motor vehicle has an engine-cooling loop, a heat-pump loop containing a compressor, an evaporator as cold source of the heat pump and a condenser as hot source of the heat pump. The condenser is integrated into the engine-cooling loop upstream of the air heater. An air-conditioning branch has a condenser and an evaporator with an upstream end connected to the heat-pump loop downstream of the compressor, and a downstream end connected to the heat-pump loop upstream of the compressor. Switching means make it possible to make the refrigerant fluid circulate either in the heat-pump loop, or in the heat-pump branch, in such a way as to form a heat-pump loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventor: Stefan Karl
  • Patent number: 7182130
    Abstract: The sample temperature regulator is provided with a heating block (3) having a sample container holder (6) and a temperature-controllable heater (7) and with a cooling block (4) having a cooling mechanism (11). These two blocks are combined with each other through a connecting plate (15) made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of these blocks. This constitution can reduce heat transfer between the heating block and the cooling block and allows them to have wide temperature regulating ranges, as well as increased heating capacity and cooling capacity, respectively. Further, this constitution makes the structure of the temperature regulator simple and compact, so that the regulator has increased durability and can be offered at a low price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Eyela-Chino Inc.
    Inventor: Yuta Ohki
  • Patent number: 7182131
    Abstract: A dual diameter centralizing sub for maintaining stand-off and/or centralizing a tubular member inside a larger diameter tubular member, for instance, in a wellbore. The centralizer is provided with bow springs that compress into grooves between radially outwardly-extending vanes that are spaced around the outer diameter of the sub when compressive force is applied to the bow springs. The vanes extend radially outwardly far enough that the effective diameter of the sub in the area of the vanes is greater than the diameter of the sub and/or the tubing to which it is mounted to provide stand-off even under conditions in which the bow springs are fully compressed while still maintaining fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: CaseTech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Maximillian S. Gremillion
  • Patent number: 7182132
    Abstract: A ceramic fuel cell(s) is supported in a heat conductive interconnect plate, and a plurality of plates form a conductive heater named a stack. Connecting a plurality of stacks forms a stick of fuel cells. By connecting a plurality of sticks end to end, a string of fuel cells is formed. The length of the string can be one thousand feet or more, sized to penetrate an underground resource layer, for example of oil. A pre-heater brings the string to an operating temperature exceeding 700° C., and then the fuel cells maintain that temperature via a plurality of conduits feeding the fuel cells fuel and an oxidant, and transferring exhaust gases to a planetary surface. A manifold can be used between the string and the planetary surface to continue the plurality of conduits and act as a heat exchanger between exhaust gases and oxidants/fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Independant Energy Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall T. Savage
  • Patent number: 7182133
    Abstract: At least one sensor is mounted for monitoring the vertical position of an elevator relative to selected features on a tubular string. A variety of sensor types is provided. Optional mounting arrangement permits the sensors to be situated close to a tubular and free to move laterally. Excess lateral movement of the tubular moves the mounting; thus, reducing the shock to the sensors. In an additional embodiment, a sensor can provide position indication for tools or other equipment being lowered into the wellbore or into a tubular. In yet another embodiment, sensors are mounted to both indicate selected features on a tubular string and the position of tools being lowered into the tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Frank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael Webre, Michael Wayne Olivier, Jeremy Richard Angelle, Vernon Joseph Bouligny, Jr., Mark Stephen Sibille, Richard J. Wiggins, Brian D. Begnaud
  • Patent number: 7182134
    Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Sudhir Pai, David R. Smith, Peter V. Howard, Craig D. Johnson, Jake A. Danos, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 7182135
    Abstract: A method and plug for separating fluids in subterranean wells is provided. The plug enters a passage at an interface of successively introduced fluids. The plug comprises an outer body and a detachable inner mandrel attached to the outer body. An Assembly comprising a plurality of plugs may also be used, in which case the plurality of plugs releasably attach to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Szarka
  • Patent number: 7182136
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well. The formation has a water-bearing section and a hydrocarbon-bearing section. The method includes the steps of: (a) introducing into the formation an aqueous treatment fluid containing a hydrophobically-modified relative permeability modifier, and (b) introducing an acidizing treatment fluid into the formation. The hydrophobically-modified RPM can be formed and introduced into the formation in several ways. For example, the hydrophobically-modified RPM can be the reaction product of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic compound that are capable of reacting with each other. The hydrophilic polymer is a polymer containing reactive amino groups in the polymer backbone or as pendant groups, which are capable of reacting with a hydrophobic alkyl halide compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eldon D. Dalrymple, Larry Eoff, B. Raghava Reddy, Jim Venditto
  • Patent number: 7182137
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for wellbore treating fluids, especially cementitious compositions that include interground cement clinker and zeolite, with and without gypsum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Fyten, Karen Luke, Keith A. Rispler
  • Patent number: 7182138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, causing creation of tunnels in surrounding formation of a well interval, and applying treatment fluid to the tunnels. A local transient underbalance condition is created in the well interval after creation of the tunnels in the formation and application of the treatment fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Joseph A. Ayoub, Ian Walton, Adinathan Venkitaraman, Frank F. Chang
  • Patent number: 7182139
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for integrated control of multiple well tools. Predetermined pressure levels are utilized in independently actuating specific well tools from a plurality of well tools. The number of well tools independently controlled may be greater than the number of fluid control lines that cooperate with the well tools to control tool actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe M. Rayssiguier, Jason K. Jonas
  • Patent number: 7182140
    Abstract: The rig for selectively inserting coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor 13 and into a well includes a mast 15 extending upward from the rig floor and movable between a threaded tubular position and a coiled tubing position. A top drive 21 is movable along an axis of the mast to insert the threaded tubular in the well when a top drive axis 42 is substantially aligned with the axis 44 of the well. Injector 17 supported on the mast inserts coiled tubing into the well, with the injector having an axis 46 offset from the top drive axis and substantially aligned with the axis of the well when the mast is in the coiled tubing position. A powered drive 54 is provided for selectively moving the mast between the threaded tubular position and the coiled tubing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Xtreme Coil Drilling Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas Dyer Wood
  • Patent number: 7182141
    Abstract: An expander tool for expanding a first tubular into a second surrounding tubular within a wellbore. The expander tool first comprises a body. Within the body is an expansion member capable of being actuated outwardly from the body when expansion of the first tubular is desired. In one aspect, the expander tool is a rotary expander tool, and the expansion members define a plurality of rollers. The expander tool further comprises at least one sensor for sensing a downhole condition during expansion of the tubular. The sensors in one aspect include at least one tool for sensing wall dimensions of the first tubular such as inner diameter or wall thickness. Examples include sonic logs, caliper logs, and electromagnetic wall thickness tools. A depth gauge may also be included. In one aspect, a data transmission device is provided between a surface server and the sensors downhole. In this way, the operator at the surface can monitor progress of the expansion operation downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Khai Tran, Clayton Plucheck
  • Patent number: 7182142
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for facilitating coupling and cementing of downhole tubulars (12, 28) comprises a tubing section (12, 10) for use in lining a bore. The tubing section has upper and lower ends and defines a tubing wall having cement outlets (20) spaced from the lower end of the tubing. The lower end of the tubing is selectively closed, and swab cups (22) are provided externally of the lower end of the tubing below the cement outlets (20) for restricting passage of cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul David Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 7182143
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fire extinguishers for appliances and methods. A fire extinguisher includes a container containing a pressurized fire retardant. A delivery tube is connected to the container and is in fluid communication with the pressurized fire retardant. A fusible tip is disposed at a distal end of the delivery tube that seals the delivery tube. The fusible tip is adapted to release the fire retardant from the container upon melting of the fusible tip when the fusible the tip is exposed to a temperature that exceeds its melting temperature. A pressure-actuated switch may be connected to the container in fluid communication with the pressurized fire retardant. The pressure-activated switch is adapted to shut down an appliance in which the distal end is disposed when the pressure within the container drops below a predetermined value as a result of releasing the fire retardant into the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Neal Hall, Shelby Holen
  • Patent number: 7182144
    Abstract: Provided is a fire-fighting robot that can quickly start to fight a fire occurring at a hazardous location, which firefighters cannot access, and extinguish fires occurring at any location without receiving a supply of fire extinguishing water. The fire-fighting robot (1) of the present invention is self-propelled and remote-controlled via wireless or mobile communications to fight a fire. The robot includes one or more fire extinguisher storage portions (24a, 24b) for storing fire extinguishers (24c, 24d) which provide a jet of a fire-fighting agent from a jet outlet (26) by depressing a lever, a jet control portion disposed in the fire extinguisher storage portion (24a, 24b) for depressing the lever, and a jet outlet securing portion (26a) for detachably securing the jet outlet (26) of the fire extinguisher (24c, 24d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TMSUK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Baba, Shigeaki Ino, Yoichi Takamoto, Yasunari Motoki, Masao Mori, Keiichi Kido, Yuichi Arimura
  • Patent number: 7182145
    Abstract: A water bucket system having a water bucket is provided. The water bucket system comprises computer controlled loading of the water bucket from a water source, partial drop control means for controlling the drop of water from the water bucket onto a desired location, and variable flow rate control means for varying the flow of water from the water bucket. A water bucket for carrying water is also provided. The water bucket comprises a main support cable, a spreader plate secured to the main support cable, a plurality of secondary support cables secured to the spreader plate, a plurality of equally spaced webbing straps secured to the secondary support cables, a fabric envelope secured to the webbing straps, and a compression hoop secured to the webbing straps and the fabric envelope, and a valve secured to the fabric envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Aerial Firefighting Specialists
    Inventors: Duane Allan Powers, Timothy James Mikus, Cody Lee Barritt
  • Patent number: 7182146
    Abstract: A constraint assembly is provided to support a series of hoses associated with operation of an agricultural implement with a telescoping tongue assembly. The telescoping tongue assembly includes at least one telescoping arm configured to move between an extended and a retracted position in telescoping relation to a fixed tongue arm of the agricultural implement. The constraint assembly generally includes a first linkage and a second linkage. The first linkage includes a first end pivotally connected to the fixed tongue arm. The second linkage includes a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the first linkage. A second end of the second linkage is pivotally connected to the telescoping tongue arm of the telescoping tongue assembly. The constraint assembly is configured to take up the slack generated in flexible lines as the telescoping tongue arm moves between the extended and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Corbin Erickson, George Neufeld, Russell L. Altman
  • Patent number: 7182147
    Abstract: A system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Cutler, David Duvan, Gary Keefe, Denny Atkinson, David R. Costantino
  • Patent number: 7182148
    Abstract: A tool has a housing; a display unit attached to the housing; and a motion detection unit operably coupled to the housing and to the display unit, wherein the motion detection unit is configured to detect linear and rotational motion of the housing, to generate a first display signal indicative of the linear motion of the housing and to provide the first display signal to the display unit, and to generate a second display signal indicative of the rotational motion of the housing and to provide the second display signal to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: William Szieff
  • Patent number: 7182149
    Abstract: A pneumatic wrench includes a pneumatic motor, a striking portion, and a drive shaft. The striking portion includes a support seat, a first pin, a second pin, a first hammer, and a second hammer. Thus, the locking strip of the first hammer and the locking strip of the second hammer increase the thickness of the first hammer and the second hammer respectively to reinforce the structural strength of the first hammer and the second hammer, thereby preventing the first hammer and the second hammer from being broken due to vibration so as to increase the lifetime of the first hammer and the second hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Hsin Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 7182150
    Abstract: An accessory system, such as a dust collection system (40) of a hand held power tool, such as a drilling and/or hammering tool comprising, the tool, an accessory unit (40) comprising a separate motor for powering the unit and releasably mountable on the tool, and a battery pack (4). When the accessory unit is not required, the battery pack can be mounted directly on the tool for powering to tool and when the accessory unit is required the battery pack can be mounted on the accessory unit for powering the accessory unit and, when the accessory unit is mounted on the tool, for powering the tool via the accessory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Horst Grossman
  • Patent number: 7182151
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for horizontally drilling for detecting subsurface features and avoiding such features during closed-loop control of an underground drilling machine. A horizontal drilling system includes a base machine capable of propelling a drill pipe rotationally and longitudinally underground. A cutting tool system is coupled to the drill pipe, and a control system controls the base machine. A detector is employed to detect a subsurface feature. A communication link is utilized for transferring data between the detector and the control system. The control system uses the data generated by the detector to modify control of the base machine in response to detection of the subsurface feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregory S Stump, Christopher T. Allen
  • Patent number: 7182152
    Abstract: A soil sampling system that in one embodiment includes a drill rod, a sampler or core barrel and an adapter coupling, for connecting the sampler barrel to the drill rod. In one embodiment the drill rod provides vibratory drilling movement, and the sampler barrel collects soil samples. The adapter coupling may include a barrel adapter for attaching the adapter coupling to the sampler barrel, a rod adapter for connecting the adapter coupling to the drill rod, and an isolating mechanism to isolate the sampler barrel from any upward vibratory movement of said drill rod. As such, the sampler barrel receives only downward motion from the drill rod. In one embodiment, the isolating mechanism of the soil sampling system includes an isolator box connected to the rod adapter. The soil sampling system may also include an isolator pin attached to the barrel adapter. In an embodiment of the soil sampling system, the rod adapter drives the isolator pin during a downward stroke of said drill rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Diedrich Drill, Inc.
    Inventor: James E Lange
  • Patent number: 7182153
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for casing while drilling without the use of an underreamer. In one aspect, the invention provides a flexible drill collar that enables drilling of a large enough borehole for passage of the casing string therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Alan Moriarty
  • Patent number: 7182154
    Abstract: A directional borehole drilling system employs a controllable drill bit, which includes one or more conical drilling surfaces. Instrumentation located near the bit measures present position when the bit is static, and dynamic toolface when the bit is rotating. This data is processed to determine the error between the present position and a desired trajectory, and the position of one or more of the bit's leg assemblies is automatically changed as needed to make the bit bore in the direction necessary to reduce the error. The controllable drill bit preferably comprises three leg assemblies mounted about the bit's central axis, each leg having a “toed-out” axle. In response to a command signal, a lower leg translates along the bit axis to cause it to bear more of the bit weight, thus excavating more deeply over the commanded toolface sector and causing the bit to bore in a preferred direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: William H. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7182155
    Abstract: Once the core barrel has been inserted into the ground to the appropriate depth for the required soil sample, it may be withdrawn by removing the entire drill string. Once withdrawn, the soil sample may be obtained by unscrewing the adapter coupling 12 and drive shoe 14 from the respective ends of the core barrel. One or both of the halves 110a, 110b may then be axially slid with respect to one another until locking tabs 142, 152 of locking configurations 160 are offset and become released/disengaged from one another. This allows the halves to be separated so that the soil sample may be readily accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Diedrich Drill, Inc.
    Inventor: James E Lange
  • Patent number: 7182156
    Abstract: The present invention provides a global drilling system comprising a crown bit, a driver drill bit and a square drill bit. The crown bit has a tubular body with an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface circumscribes a hollow passageway, and a pair of projections extending into said hollow passageway. The pair of projections are positioned substantially opposite one another on said inner surface. The driver drill bit has a drilling head with a pair of cut-away portions positioned substantially opposite one another and a pair of locking surfaces adapted for engaging the projections on the crown bit. The square drill bit has a drilling head with two tapered cut-away portions positioned substantially opposite one another. Each cut-away portion corresponds to one of the pair of projections such that the drilling head is able to pass through the hollow passageway of the crown bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Luc Charland, Roger Charland
  • Patent number: 7182157
    Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a fluid motor having a first body and a second body arranged about a longitudinal axis. The first body is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis in relation to the second body when fluid is passed between the first and second bodies. The fluid motor further defines a longitudinal tubing passage adapted to allow passage of the fluid motor over a tubing string. At least one cutting arm is coupled to rotate with the first body, and radially extendable into engagement with an interior of the well bore to form the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: CDX Gas, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
  • Patent number: 7182158
    Abstract: In a drilling device with a drive unit for rotation and advance the rod assembly has a plurality of pipe sections interconnected by means of plug-type connections torque proof in both directions. A tension rod protrudes through the interior of the rod assembling. The pipe sections are braced among each other with aid of the tension rod. The tension rod can be made of pipe sections or of a tension rope and allows the possibility, that the rope assembly can be moved in its integrity against the drilling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Völkel
  • Patent number: 7182159
    Abstract: A drill member for percussive rock drilling is formed by forming a compound component and friction welding the compound component to the end of a drill rod. The compound component is formed by welding a core part within a shell part and machining a thread into either the shell part (male thread) or core part (female thread). The part in which the thread is machined is formed of low alloy steel, and the other part is formed of stainless steel, wherein the thread bottom is formed of stainless steel, and the thread crests are formed of low alloy steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Johan Linden
  • Patent number: 7182160
    Abstract: The drill string element has at least one bearing zone for bearing against the wall of the borehole during drilling. The bearing zone comprises at least one bearing segment extending in the axial direction and having an outside surface that is cylindrical and of constant diameter greater than the diameter of any other portion of the surface of the element, and also having a guide zone that is circularly symmetrical about the axis of the drill string element. The bearing zone preferably also has a drilling fluid activation zone extending axially in a disposition adjacent to the bearing segment. The guide zone presents a radius of curvature not less than one-third the outside diameter of the bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: S.M.F. International
    Inventor: Jean Boulet
  • Patent number: 7182161
    Abstract: A drill string tool such as a drill string stabilizer (1) comprises a circumferentially continuous bearing sleeve (6) having an outside diameter which is equal to or greater than the outside diameter of a radially outermost part of the drill string tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pilot Drilling Control Limited
    Inventor: George Swietlik
  • Patent number: 7182162
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body that includes head sections, each having depending bit legs with a circumferentially extending outer surface, a leading side, and a trailing side. A bearing shaft depends inwardly from each of the bit legs for mounting a cutter. The bit includes a beveled surface formed at a junction of the leading side and the outer surface of each bit leg. The beveled surface is angled relative to a radial plane emenating from the axis of the bit. The angle of the beveled surface is at least 20 degrees, and extends to an inner surface of the bit leg. The bit can also have a layer of hardfacing on the leading, trailing and shirttail surfaces of the bit leg. A diversion finger of hardfacing extends circumferentially to direct cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher C. Beuershausen, Raul E. Lema, Ronald Hales, Don Q. Nguyen, Gregory L. Ricks, Chih C. Lin, Terry J. Koltermann, Mark E. Morris, Chris M. McCarty, Ronald L. Jones, James L. Overstreet, Rudolf Carl Otto Pessier
  • Patent number: 7182163
    Abstract: The invention contemplates a selectably operable hydraulic means for laterally shifting one end of a non-moving vehicle in order to provide a desired alignment. The present invention is particularly applicable to vehicle-mounted equipment which has an invariant lateral mounting position on the vehicle and which must be laterally aligned with a stationary workpiece axis. An example of such a need occurs with mobile workover rigs used in well maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Tommie Carroll Gipson
  • Patent number: 7182164
    Abstract: Cooling equipment for an excavator, in which a longitudinal axis of a first portion of a delivery duct is substantially parallel to the axis of the excavator, while a longitudinal axis of a second portion of the delivery duct is substantially transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Alessio Merlo
  • Patent number: 7182165
    Abstract: A snow cycle includes a conventional motorcycle chassis having a set of steerable front forks and a rear swing arm, which normally mount front and rear wheels of the cycle, respectively. A snow track module is mounted to the rear swing arm and has an endless track driven by a cog connected to a drive sprocket of the engine by a single chain. At least one and preferably a pair of skis are mounted off the front forks and are pivotable fore and aft as well as tiltable to either side to maintain the ski flat to the ground when the vehicle is tilted to one side or the other when making an aggressive turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mark B. Keinath, John E. Keinath
  • Patent number: 7182166
    Abstract: A wheelchair with a footrest that tucks as a power base on which the wheelchair seat is mounted rotates about an axis parallel to a surface. The rotation of the power base raises the height of the seat above the surface. The footrest, which is coupled to the support, tucks towards the power base and still avoids obstacles on the surface. The footrest tuck improves the maneuverability of the wheelchair by reducing the radius about which the footrest swings as the wheelchair turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Matthew A. Norris
  • Patent number: 7182167
    Abstract: A hybrid-type unit for a two-wheeled vehicle can include an engine, a motor for driving a wheel of a vehicle, a power distribution mechanism, and a generator. The generator and the motor can be disposed at different positions offset longitudinally from each other and offset from the power output shaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Sasamoto