Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7185696
    Abstract: A cooling element for heat dissipation in one or more electronic components includes a metal element with one or more slit-shaped receiving openings for one or more electronic components that are to be cooled. In its lengthwise extension, each receiving opening has a receiving bore that holds a helical spring and that runs parallel to the lengthwise extension. The receiving bore is arranged in such a way that it is open on the lengthwise side towards the receiving opening and the spring placed in it projects with a radial partial section into the receiving opening that holds the electronic component. As a result, in partial areas, the spring presses the electronic component against the inner wall of the receiving opening that lies opposite from the spring, thus establishing thermal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Elmar Schaper
  • Patent number: 7185697
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods according to the present invention preferably utilize electroosmotic pumps that are capable of generating high pressure and flow without moving mechanical parts and the associated generation of unacceptable electrical and acoustic noise, as well as the associated reduction in reliability. These electroosmotic pumps are preferably fabricated with materials and structures that improve performance, efficiency, and reduce weight and manufacturing cost relative to presently available micropumps. These electroosmotic pumps also preferably allow for recapture of evolved gases and deposited materials, which may provide for long-term closed-loop operation. Apparatus and methods according to the present invention also allow active regulation of the temperature of the device through electrical control of the flow through the pump and can utilize multiple cooling loops to allow independent regulation of the special and temporal characteristics of the device temperature profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Goodson, Chuan-Hua Chen, David E. Huber, Linan Jiang, Thomas W. Kenny, Jae-Mo Koo, Daniel J. Laser, James C. Mikkelsen, Juan G. Santiago, Evelyn Ning-Yi Wang, Shulin Zeng, Lian Zhang
  • Patent number: 7185698
    Abstract: An improved heat exchanger that reduces the thermal stress in components thereof especially tube plates or tube sheets so as to enable greater temperature differences across adjacent components while reducing the temperature gradient and thus extending the life of the heat exchanger is accomplished by attaching or bonding an insulating material of low thermal conductivity such as a sheet of PTFE, a metal jacketed layer of insulating cork or nonmetallic composite such as micarta sheeting to the metal component or tube sheet or tube plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Robert E. Bernert, Jr., Robert E. Bernert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7185699
    Abstract: A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a hydraulic fluid composition comprising a hydraulic oil and a surfactant capable of forming micelles in the hydraulic oil; and filling a hydraulic chamber in the tool with the hydraulic fluid composition. The hydraulic fluid composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Jian Zhou, Christopher Del Campo, Golchehreh Salamat, Diankui Fu, Jese C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7185700
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a tool for use in a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of performing an operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes running a selectively separable plug member accommodating a tool into the wellbore on a continuous rod. Next, a first portion of the plug member is separated from a second portion and then the continuous rod is used to position the second portion with the tool below the first portion to perform the operation. In another aspect, a method of logging a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a plug assembly for use in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald B. Collins, Wayne Richard Jolly
  • Patent number: 7185701
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for radially expanding a tubular such as a drill pipe, liner, casing or the like. The apparatus includes at least one driver device such as a piston that is typically fluid-actuated, and an expander device is attached to the or each driver device. Actuation of the or each driver device causes movement of the expander device to expand the tubular. In certain embodiments, one or more anchoring devices are used to substantially prevent the tubular from moving during expansion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: E 2 Tech Limited
    Inventor: Alan Mackenzie
  • Patent number: 7185702
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation, comprising: introducing a peroxide-generating compound into a desired location in a subterranean formation, wherein the peroxide-generating compound is substantially mechanically isolated from the subterranean formation until the peroxide-generating compound reaches the desired location; and allowing the peroxide-generating compound to generate peroxide in the desired location in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, Thomas D. Welton, Gary P. Funkhouser, Scott A. Berning
  • Patent number: 7185703
    Abstract: A system for completing a well having casing (34) includes a perforating assembly (38) and a tubing string assembly (40). The tubing string assembly (40) including a pair of seal assemblies (56, 74), a production screen assembly (58) and a ported sleeve (66) positioned between the seal assemblies (56, 74) and a live annulus screen assembly (76) positioned uphole of the seal assemblies (56, 74). The perforating assembly (38) is operated to perforate the well and is then released downhole. The tubing string assembly (40) is then repositioned such that the production screen assembly (58) is located proximate the perforated interval (14) so that when the well is hydraulically fractured with a treatment slurry that is pumped through the ported sleeve (66), the formation reaction to the fracturing is monitored by obtaining pressure readings in the annulus in fluid communication with the live annulus screen assembly (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Jannise, Michael L. Larpenter
  • Patent number: 7185704
    Abstract: A downhole service tool is provided that may include a body having an interior passageway, at least one exit port through which fluid may flow from the interior passageway to an exterior of the tool, and at least one diverting channel adapted to cause fluid exiting the exit port to flow in a predetermined pattern, such as a helical or rotational flow path. The diverting channel may be in the form of a trough, and may also have a tapering width from its upper end to its lower end, where it meets the exterior of the tool. The diverting channel may also have a helical or other predetermined shape so as to facilitate the inducement of the desired flow pattern. By designing the tool so as to create a desired flow pattern, erosion of the tool by the exiting fluid flow is lessened. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Bigelow, Nathan Kathol, Craig Skeates
  • Patent number: 7185705
    Abstract: A subsea return fluid recovery system for recovering drilling fluid and cuttings (“return fluid”) from a subsea wellbore in one embodiment includes a hub at the opening of the subsea wellbore that directs fluid into a transport device. In one embodiment, the hub includes a stand pipe that forms a return fluid column, the hydrostatic pressure of which causes return fluid to flow into the transport device rather than up the stand pipe. One or more buoyant members attached to the transport device convey the transport device toward the surface. A preferred recovery method includes collecting return fluid at the seabed, passively transporting the collected fluid to the surface, and processing the collected fluid at a local (offshore) or land based treatment facility. The retrieval and processing of the return fluid is done outside the critical path of the drilling activities at an offshore platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter Fontana
  • Patent number: 7185706
    Abstract: An arrangement for restricting the inflow of formation water from an underground formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, where, between the underground formation and a production tubing (38) located in the well, there is disposed at least one flow chamber (3, 33) connected to the production tubing (38), the flow chamber (3, 33), preferably via a filter (2) in one portion, being open to inflow of formation fluid and in communication with the production tubing (38) via at least one opening (7, 32), and where the flow chamber (3, 33) is provided with at least one free-floating body (4, 34) with approximately the same density as the formation water, the at least one body (4, 34) being designed by means of the closing of at least one opening (32) or choking, to reduce the inflow of formation water to the production tubing (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Rune Freyer
  • Patent number: 7185707
    Abstract: The present invention may be used as an apparatus and method for extracting oil from a hydrocarbon material bearing formation. A well may be positioned in a formation having hydrocarbon material with a well casing extending into the formation that may have a number of apertures formed in the casing wall adjacent to multiple zones of interest in the formation. A hydrostatic separator may have a specific gravity approximately equal to an oil that may be extracted from the formation and may be positioned and anchored in the well casing above and adjacent to an upper level of said formation. An extraction pipe may be disposed interior to the well casing with a lower end positioned above and adjacent a separator top and may have an upper end attached at a well head. The well head may be in fluid communication with an oil storage unit and in communication with a pressure application apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7185708
    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: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Xtreme Coil Drilling Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wood, Richard D. Havinga
  • Patent number: 7185709
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: L. McDonald Schetky, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 7185710
    Abstract: A mono-diameter wellbore casing. A tubular liner and an expansion cone are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with a pre-existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the expansion cone and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the expansion cone. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the expansion cone. The overlapping portion of the pre-existing casing and the tubular liner are then radially expanded using an expansion cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 7185711
    Abstract: A fire suppression system includes system piping and at least one sprinkler with the system piping for delivering fire suppressant to the sprinkler. The sprinkler has an outlet and a temperature sensitive trigger with temperature sensitive trigger opening the outlet for dispersing fire suppressant when sensing temperatures associated with a fire condition. The system also includes a deluge valve that is in selective fluid communication with the system piping and has a normally closed condition whereby the system piping is normally dry. The deluge valve controls the flow of suppressant to the system piping and the sprinkler. A control system, which is in communication with at least one source of power, opens the deluge valve in a fire condition when the power source is in a powered condition and opens the deluge valve in a loss of pressure condition when the power source is in a loss of power condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Eldon D Jackson, Vinh Boa Hoa
  • Patent number: 7185712
    Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool assembly that employs an engine having a sliding sleeve arrangement to control the supply of air to and exhaust from the pneumatic engine. The sliding sleeve arrangement eliminates the need for a conventional main valve and thereby reduces the overall weight and length of the pneumatic fastening tool relative to those tools that employ a conventional engine configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Keven E Miller, John C Funicello, Todd A Hagan, Thomas E Miller
  • Patent number: 7185713
    Abstract: A novel air-driven screwdriver is integrally designed to perform three functions, hole drilling, thread tapping and bolt tightening with special characteristic in which a passive inner gear assembly is employed as a driver to replace the clutch as used by the prior art. When the torque reaches at a specified level, the cam in the inner gear assembly will jump up and down, working similarly as the clutch, coupling with the torque spring and torque adjusting mechanism to control the output of the actual torque applied. This design eliminates the attachment of the clutch, shortens the overall length of tool, reduces the total weight and becomes more practical and reliable tool machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mi Jy-Land Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuh Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 7185714
    Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods useful for controlling the traction of a downhole tractor in a borehole include the capability of repeatedly adjusting the normal force applied to at least one component that causes movement of the tractor in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Falk W. Doering, Todor K. Sheiretov, Robin A. Ewan, Benoit A. Foubert
  • Patent number: 7185715
    Abstract: A system for controlling sensor motion during a time-dependent measurement, comprising a drilling assembly having a drill bit at one end and engaged with a drill string extending to a surface location at an opposite end thereof. A sensor is disposed in the drilling assembly for making a measurement of a formation parameter of interest. A non-rotating stabilizer is disposed in the drilling assembly proximate the sensor. The non-rotating stabilizer is adapted to reduce motion of the sensor below a predetermined level during the measurement. In one embodiment the rotational axis of the stabilizer is eccentric with respect to the borehole. In another embodiment, the non-rotating stabilizer has an extendable rib for changing the effective diameter of the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Volker Krueger, Thomas Kruspe, Hans-Juergen Faber, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 7185716
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Western Well Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Bloom, Norman Bruce Moore, Ronald E. Beaufort
  • Patent number: 7185717
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprises a casing shoe, ring bit, and center bit. The casing shoe may be connected to a casing received within the casing shoe. The ring bit is received within the casing shoe and retained at the end of the casing. The ring bit rotates relative to the casing shoe, and drills a peripheral portion of a hole. The center bit drills a central portion of the hole, and may be rotated and percussively driven to drill the hole. The center and ring bits are adapted for: engaging one another so that rotating and percussively driving the center bit also rotates and percussively drives the ring bit; engaging one another so that retracting the center bit also retracts the ring bit, casing shoe, and casing; enabling disengagement from one another and withdrawal of the center bit from the ring bit and the casing shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ardis L. Holte, Timothy W. Conn
  • Patent number: 7185718
    Abstract: A method and system of drilling straight directional and multilateral wells utilizing hydraulic frictional controlled drilling, by providing concentric casing strings to define a plurality of annuli therebetween; injecting fluid down some of the annuli; returning the fluid up at least one annulus so that the return flow creates adequate hydraulic friction within the return annulus to control the return flow within the well. The hydraulic friction should be minimized on the injection side to require less hydraulic horsepower and be maximized on the return side to create the desired subsurface friction to control the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Gardes
  • Patent number: 7185719
    Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a bore hole into a subterranean earth formation, wherein at least a portion of the mud flow from the primary mud pump is diverted to the mud discharge outlet, thereby creating a backpressure system to readily increase annular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Egbert Jan van Riet
  • Patent number: 7185720
    Abstract: A hole digger for digging a hole in ground. The hole digger includes a handle end for manually turning the hole digger. The hole digger includes a support section extending from the handle end. The hole digger includes a digging end extending from the support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Menna
  • Patent number: 7185721
    Abstract: A male portion for percussive rock drilling includes sections of reduced cross-sectional area. At least one thread for percussive rock drilling is provided at an end of the male portion. The end of the male portion comprises an abutment surface for the transfer of impact waves. The length of the portion is defined as the length of an imaginary cylinder from a plane of the impact surface to a point where the plane ceases to contact a crest of the thread, wherein the length divided by the external diameter of the cylinder lies within a range of 1–2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Bo Carlström, Anders Brungs, Christer Lundberg, Per-Olof Liljebrand
  • Patent number: 7185722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles which has an engine, a gear change apparatus, an electric rotary machine to which a power is transmitted via the gear change apparatus, and a clutch provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of the gear change apparatus and adjusting a transmission torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7185723
    Abstract: There is provided a support system for a forklift power train, having little vibration transmission to a body frame, but capable of effectively suppressing movement of the power train against even a quick movement of a vehicle occurred in such a case as when the vehicle is accelerated, decelerated, turned or the like, and simpler in construction for assembling workability. In the support structure for a power train of a forklift having a counterweight in the rear part of the body frame, while a front side support is provided at one location positioned at a differential gear case or a frame side cross member and in the vicinity of the roll axis of the power train, a rear side support is provided at two locations, on the right and left sides of the roll axis of the power train, respectively, in the rear part of the body frame, thereby supporting the power train at three locations in all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Forklift Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoyama, Shigeo Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7185724
    Abstract: A vehicle support structure for supporting engine compartment accessories such as a battery. The support structure includes a first tubular frame member having a transversely extending portion and a longitudinally extending portion that partially encompass an accessory tray. A second tubular frame member disposed at least in part adjacent to the first tubular frame member and having a transversely extending base support portion that extends below the accessory tray. The accessory tray is secured to the first tubular frame member and overlies the base support portion of the second tubular frame member. The structure reduces the weight and number of parts required to support accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dupuis, Dragan Stojkovic, Matt Happy
  • Patent number: 7185725
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a cowl portion for supporting a front end of a windshield is disposed above the dash panel so as to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, an instrument panel member is located backward away from the cowl portion so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle above the dash panel, a recess portion is formed in such manner that a central portion of the dash panel in the width direction of the vehicle is recessed backward from the cowl portion to the instrument panel member, and the driving device for the vehicle is disposed in the recess portion such that the driving device is located in front of and close to the instrument panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Iwasaka, Isao Tohda, Yukio Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7185726
    Abstract: A bicycle is fitted with rear panniers that provide electric motor assist and a power supply for the bicycle when desired. In a preferred embodiment the bicycle has a power coupling permanently attached at the rear wheel, for receiving an output drive shaft or power coupling from the motor pannier when that pannier is installed. The drive coupling may have gear reduction. To accommodate relative up and down motion between the pannier-supporting rack and the rear tire in a rear suspension bicycle, the motor drive unit in the motor pannier articulates, or the final drive unit on the bicycle can articulate, but this is more difficult because the rear suspension motion can be complex. Both panniers are secured by a quick connect device, for both mechanical attachment and electrical connection. The bicycle functions as a normal unpowered bike when the panniers are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Grant E. Young
  • Patent number: 7185727
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for receiving an occupant is placed on a slider so as to move along a guide rail. A pair of belt anchor brackets for anchoring each end of a lap belt at each side of the seat is provided under the guide rail, and a weight sensor for sensing weight variation of the seat is provided under the belt anchor bracket. The tension of a seat belt (lap belt) does not affect the weight sensing functionality of the weight sensor and the state of the seat can accurately be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsumei Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7185728
    Abstract: A vehicle front end structure is configured to handle a front collision by using one or more inflatable bags to bear the collision load and produce a stable reaction force. The front inflatable bag is provided in a region where a colliding object can contact the front end of a vehicle body and configured such that it can deploy and inflate into a wall surface-like shape immediately before a collision. As a result, the collision load of a front collision can be absorbed efficiently. Additionally, since the inflated front inflatable bag serves to bear the collision load as a surface, it can generate a stable reaction force irregardless of the angle at which the collision load is imparted, the size of the colliding object, or size of the overlap ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Makita, Chinmoy Pal
  • Patent number: 7185729
    Abstract: A lubricant tank for a lubrication system of a snowmobile engine includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is enlarged relative to the lower portion. A recess is defined on an engine side of the lubricant tank by a lower surface of the upper portion and a lateral surface of the lower portion. The recess accommodates a protruding portion or component of the engine. The tank also comprises a sloping surface that extends between the upper portion and the lower portion inside the tank. Lubricant is returned in the upper portion and transferred to the lower portion through a zigzag flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7185730
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic steering arrangement (1) with a supply connection arrangement having at least a high-pressure connection (P) and a low-pressure connection (T), a working connection arrangement having at least two working connections (L, R), a steering unit (7), which can be activated by a steering transducer (2), the steering unit having a first load-sensing connection (LS1), and a steering valve (8) having a second load-sensing connection (LS2), the steering unit (7) and the steering valve (8) being arranged in parallel with each other between the supply connection arrangement and the working connection arrangement. It is endeavoured to ensure a good steering behaviour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Aps
    Inventors: Bjarne Schmidt, Niels Bjarne Hansen
  • Patent number: 7185731
    Abstract: An electric assisted steering system for a motor driven road vehicle, having assist torque signal generating means which generates an assist torque signal for the steering system in response to the driver's applied torque and sensed vehicle speed to reduce the driver's steering effort. A yaw rate haptic torque is generated which is based upon vehicle rate error and is arranged to be added to the torque assist signal such that, when the yaw rate error builds up corresponding to increasing steering instability (e.g. understeer or oversteer) of the vehicle, the haptic torque added to the torque assist signal reduces the effective road reaction feedback sensed by the driver in advance of any actual vehicle stability loss whereby to allow the driver to correct appropriately in good time before terminal steering instability is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: James Owen Patrick Farrelly, Simon David Stevens, Andrew Dennis Barton
  • Patent number: 7185732
    Abstract: A motor-driven steering assist apparatus is disclosed having a single unit body covered by first to third housings. An upper end portion of an input shaft and a torque sensor are supported by the first housing. An upper end portion of an output shaft, an electric motor, a worm gear and a worm wheel are supported by the second housing. A lower end portion of the output shaft is supported to the third housing, and the second housing can be attached to the vehicle body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Showa Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Saito, Koichi Hata, Takeshi Kobayashi, Toshiki Kinjyo
  • Patent number: 7185733
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a substance to a human body includes a hearing device and the substance provided at a surface of said device. The substance can be incorporated into a shell of the hearing device and exhibit controlled migration through said shell and to the surface of the shell. The substance can be antibiotically active and/or antimicrobial agent in the form of a gel, liquid, or paste. The surface can be roughened, structured, or porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Christoph Widmer
  • Patent number: 7185734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing protection earplug, comprising a shell for being worn at least in part in the ear canal of a user and a faceplate (12) at the outer end of the shell or within a cavity of the shell having an outer opening, wherein the faceplate is provided with adapter means (22) for acoustically connecting, in a detachable manner, a measuring hole (14) extending into the interior of the shell with an external measuring tube (26). The adapter means (22) are adapted to detachably connect to a removable multi-function plug (28, 40) comprising means (30) for closing the measurement hole (14). The invention also relates to a use of such an earplug, a method for manufacturing such an earplug and to a multi-function plug to be used with such an earplug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Christoph Widmer, Christian Berg
  • Patent number: 7185735
    Abstract: A speaker that is designed to substantially eliminate wobble of the voice coil during operation, and thus remove that source of distortion and early failure of the speaker. This is accomplished with the creation of triangular ring that extends upward from the top edge of the voice coil bobbin with that ring mating with a flat diaphragm at a right angle directly above the top edge of the bobbin. The outer edge of the diaphragm connects to the inner edge of the surround at the point where a sloping side of the “triangle” is also connected and slopes down to the top edge of the bobbin where the opposite end is connected. The outer portion of the diaphragm provides the third side of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7185736
    Abstract: The noise abatement device and method described herein makes known an apparatus and method for reducing the aerodynamic resistance presented by a fluid pressure reduction device in a large duct. More specifically, a noise abatement device is disclosed having at least one sparger with an aerodynamic profile that significantly reduces the fluid resistance within a turbine exhaust duct of an air-cooled condensing system that may be used in a power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.
    Inventor: Michael W. McCarty
  • Patent number: 7185737
    Abstract: An ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) has an accessory supporting structure attached to a front thereof. The ATV has a forward grid-like shelf attached thereto and supported by the chassis of the vehicle. The accessory supporting structure has two vertical upstanding columns which are attached to the shelf at one point and the two vertical columns have horizontal and rearwardly extending horizontal rods attached thereto. The horizontal rods are to the chassis of the vehicle for rigidity and stability. The lower ends of the vertical support columns have a support platform extending in a forward manner as seen from the front of the vehicle. The platform is capable of carrying any items including a person. The platform can be used to carry collapsed segments of a climber stand. Another accessory structure to be carried is a ladder stand that is carried in a horizontal manner on the ATV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Suzzette G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7185738
    Abstract: A work piece support assembly having a primary section and two wing sections that can be arranged in a variety of modular configurations. The sections are hinged to collapse, stack and mount into a compact package for storage or transport. A portion of one set of collapsed legs project to provide a handhold for transport. Bi-axial leg hinge brackets secure the legs to primary and wing rail members. The legs fold between parallel and splayed, ?-shaped alignments relative to each other along a first axis. The legs independently fold along a second axis between orthogonal and parallel alignments to the adjoining rail member. Retainers at the primary leg brackets interlock and contain the wing sections. Fittings at the wing and primary support rail members interlock to provide different geometric support configurations that accommodate tool movement without the necessity of re-orienting a work piece or the primary or wing support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry Clepper
  • Patent number: 7185739
    Abstract: A portable tether anchor/ladder roof anchor assembly for attaching to and securing a ladder to the roof ridge of a building and providing a tether anchor for fall protection. One embodiment consists of an assembly attached to the rungs of a ladder to allow a ladder to be rolled up onto a roof, turned over and secured in position over the roof ridge to be used as a tether anchor and a ladder roof anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Berle G. Blehm
  • Patent number: 7185740
    Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). An envelope storage and dispensing device (134) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: William D. Beskitt, Jeffery M. Enright, Jeffrey Eastman, Franklin M. Theriault, R. Matthew Dunlap, Sean Haney, Colin Fitzpatrick, Edward L. Laskowski, Mike Ryan, Bill Lavelle, David Schultz, Matthew Force
  • Patent number: 7185741
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromechanical traversing step system for transporting elderly users 12, infirm and others between floors of a building. A single moveable step 14 ascends or descends on a set of tracks 16 secured to the wall of the stairway 18 or the staircase structure above the flight of stairs 20. Travel is initiated by the user 12 positioning themselves on the movable step 14, selecting the ascension 22 or descension 24 switch and then gripping the handrails. Motion of the step commences and continues when a pressure sensor 26 responds to a force on the step 14 and the omic resistance of the user 12 is detected by sensors 28 in each of the handrails. Ascending motion continues until the tread of the movable step 14 is flush with the upper floor 30. The movable step 14 automatically returns to the docked position 32 at the bottom 34 of the staircase 18 once the user 12 departs from the step to the upper floor 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Yakov Rozenfeld
  • Patent number: 7185742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive axle (A) for a self-propelled work machine, in particular an industrial truck, in which two traction motors (EF1, EF2) spaced apart from each other and an electric motor (E1) arranged axially in between them and provided to drive a hydraulic pump (P1) are integrated. In order to utilize the installation space available optimally, according to the invention the electric motor (E1) is arranged at right angles to the traction motors (EF1, EF2), as based on the longitudinal center line of the drive axle (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alfred Langen
  • Patent number: 7185743
    Abstract: A drive for an elevator installation which drives a car and a counterweight with a supporting and driving belt includes a drive shaft and at least one drive pulley driven in rotation by a motor. An air guide element is arranged in the region between the motor and the drive pulley and guides air from the region of the supporting and driving belt along the drive shaft and through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 7185744
    Abstract: A roller system for moving a load a predetermined distance includes a chock frame having a pair of spaced chocks connected between a pair of rigid siderails and a freely moveable roller unit. The roller unit includes a plurality of rollers and is positioned between the siderails and freely moveable between the pair of spaced chocks. The load may then be moved in inchmeal fashion by slowly advancing the roller unit while shuffling the chock frame on the ground at a similar pace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Triodyne Safety Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ralph Lipsey Barnett
  • Patent number: 7185745
    Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle brake comprises a brake piston, which acts on at least one friction lining and can be displaced out of an initial position into an actuation position, in which the brake piston abuts the friction lining against a rotating member of the vehicle brake which is to be connected, fixed against rotation, to a wheel of the motor vehicle, and a transmission unit, driven by an electric motor and acting on the brake piston to actuate the brake piston, wherein the electric motor is to be triggered by an electronic control unit, which is also set up to detect performance parameters of the vehicle, the electric motor and/or the vehicle brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Godlewsky, Thomas Maur, Michael Keller, Ralf Leiter, Ralf Kinder, Gregor Poertzgen