Patents Issued in July 26, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070169894
    Abstract: In a film bonding machine 1 including a laser oscillation means 2 for oscillating laser for processing a tape 7 bonded onto an end surface 8 of a columnar honeycomb structural body 6 by the laser oscillated from the laser oscillation means 2, the film bonding machine 1 further includes an image pick-up means 3 having a moving type or tilt type mirror 4 capable of reflecting the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 onto the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2 by reflected light and an image pick-up unit 5 for picking up the image of the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 reflected by the mirror 4. In the film bonding machine 1, the processing position of the tape 7 bonded onto the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 can be recognized by the image-pick means 3 on the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2. As a result, the tape bonded onto the end surface of the honeycomb structural body can be accurately processed by the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: NGK Insulators Ltd
    Inventors: Akio Enomoto, Tomoko Ota
  • Publication number: 20070169895
    Abstract: A wafer W is supported on the rear surface side thereof by a ring frame R by means of a dicing tape T, and a protection tape H is stuck on the front surface side the wafer W. A suction unit 12 includes a table 16 having a suction face 15 in the upper face. The suction face 15 sucks the dicing tape T to hold the wafer W through performing a predetermined suction. At least in a partial area along the periphery of the suction face 15, a groove 24 is formed. By sucking through the suction face 15, the inside of the groove 24 becomes negative pressure and the dicing tape T is sunk therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: LINTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Masaki Tsujimoto, Takahisa Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20070169896
    Abstract: To avoid repeated damage to a lower section of a metal roll-up door, the lower section is replaced by a more impactable curtain assembly. The curtain assembly is so readily scalable, horizontally and vertically, that much of it can be manufactured and field assembled right at the installation site. The curtain assembly may comprise one or more strips of fabric that are cut from a roll of a certain width. The length of the fabric strips corresponds to the width of the doorway, and the number of strips is based on the vertical span of the door section that is being replaced. Windbars can be attached where adjacent strips connect to each other. A weighted, semi-rigid bottom bar reinforces the lower edge of the finished roll-up curtain. Under impact, the bottom bar has sufficient flexibility to allow the curtain to resiliently break away from within the door's vertical guide tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald Snyder, Linda Kasper, Jason Miller, Donald Grant, Paul Maly
  • Publication number: 20070169897
    Abstract: A winding device for a Venetian blind includes at least one support seat secured to a headrail to correspond to the position of at least one pull cord and having an inside formed with a through hole and a side formed with a guide hole, and at least one slide bushing mounted on a drive shaft to rotate therewith and pivotally mounted in the through hole of the at least one support seat. Thus, the wound pull cord pushes the slide bushing to move relative to the support seat during rotation of the slide bushing, so that the pull cord is wound around the slide bushing smoothly by movement of the slide bushing so as to lift the pull cord smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Ke-Min Lin
  • Publication number: 20070169898
    Abstract: A winding device for a Venetian blind includes a winding rod for winding and unwinding at least one pull cord, and a cord guide mechanism mounted on the winding rod and having a cord guide hole parallel with the winding rod. Thus, the pull cord is wound around the winding rod in a parallel manner, so that the pull cord is not deflected, overlapped or tangled on the winding rod during the winding process due to a vibration produced by the pulling force of the winding device, and the pull cord is in turn wound around the winding rod smoothly and evenly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Ke-Min Lin
  • Publication number: 20070169899
    Abstract: Disclosed are door assemblies particularly well suited for opening and closing wide entries such as emergency room entries. The assemblies have multiple doors that can be overlapped at a side of the entry. If further access room is needed the doors can then be pivoted so that essentially the entire entry is open. There is an automatic latching system that activates as the doors are being pivoted to prevent some sliding motion during the pivoting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: John Cianciolo, Aaron Clark
  • Publication number: 20070169900
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rolling up curtain device comprises a fixed device, a driving device, a cover, a resistant device and a rolling device. The improved rolling up curtain device of the present invention is located at a right hand side of a curtain so that it can reduce its occupied space. The rolling up curtain device, which is convenient and easy to use is compact to install. The improved structure of the rolling up curtain device requires less fabrication cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Ju-Chang Chen, Yen-Kun Shen
  • Publication number: 20070169901
    Abstract: In a process for impregnating woodchips with substances dissolved and/or emulsified in water as impregnating agents for improving the elastic, mechanical, chemical and/or biological properties by vacuum impregnation and drying with dry steam, the woodchips are mixed with the substances dissolved and/or emulsified in water. The mixture is then evacuated to a pressure of 0.05 to 0.075 MPa and, after a contact time of 30 to 300 seconds, is treated with dry steam at 2 to 4 bar gauge pressure. Woodchips impregnated by the process are suitable in particular as a filler for wood/plastic composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Jakob Werz
  • Publication number: 20070169902
    Abstract: A method of producing a coated paper having reduced gloss mottle and excellent smoothness includes the steps of calendering a base stock at a relatively high pressure in a first calendering step, coating at least one side of the calendered base stock and calendering the coated base stock at a relatively low pressure in a second calendering step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Gregg Brelsford, Steven Metzler, Stephen Petro, Stig Renvall, Susanne Sowers
  • Publication number: 20070169903
    Abstract: A method of making paper or paperboard is described, which includes introducing at least one charged starch, preferably having a degree of substitution greater than 0.045, and at least one optical brightening agent to a papermaking pulp and then forming the pulp into paper or paperboard. The present invention further describes methods of improving optical brightener performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Rosa M. Covarrubias, Gary A. Headrick, Alan B. Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20070169904
    Abstract: A chemical softening composition includes an amide-substituted quaternary imidazolinium salt, a nonionic surfactant, and a polyhydroxy compound for use in treating cellulosic materials including papers, textiles and fabrics. The chemical softening composition can be applied to papermaking fibers during a papermaking process to provide a softened paper web and product possessed of sufficient tensile strength for its regular employment. A chemical softening composition according to the invention can also be applied to fabric to soften the fabric, provide easier handling of the fabric, and also reduce the tendency of the fabric to generate and store static electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventor: Duy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20070169905
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide containing gas is blown into a calcium hydroxide slurry having a calcium hydroxide concentration of 100 to 400 g/L obtained by wet slaking calcined lime with 4 N hydrochloric acid activity (value at 3 minutes) of 150 to 400 mL to allow them to react until the carbonation rate becomes 50 to 85%, then 1 to 20% by volume of the calcium hydroxide slurry is added, and carbon dioxide containing gas is further blown in to terminate the reaction. The calcium carbonate obtained by this method is precipitated calcium carbonate aggregates having a secondary particle diameter of 1 to 10 ?m and consisting of primary particles having a long diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 ?m, a short diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 ?m and an aspect ratio of less than 3, has superior characteristics due to a BET specific surface area in the range of 8 to 20 m2/g and a pore volume in the range of 1.5 to 3.5 cm3/g, can be uniformly dispersed in pulp fiber, and thereby can be used to manufacture high bulk paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamashita, Kazuhisa Shimono, Toru Kawazu, Tatsuo Takano
  • Publication number: 20070169906
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing or treating a fibrous web, in particular a paper web or paperboard web, with which at least one property of the fibrous web, in particular a CD (cross direction) profile, such as the moisture CD profile, is established such that a preselected quality range is adhered to or a predefined quality value is undershot by no more than a predefined deviation, wherein the power consumption of the method, in particular the heat energy input, is reduced therewith by establishing at least one property such that the lowest permissible value of the quality range or the maximum permissible deviation is reached at least approximately on a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Rudolf Munch, Jorg Spindler, Ulrich Mailander, Karl Martin Olf
  • Publication number: 20070169907
    Abstract: A transport belt, in particular for machines for the production of web material such as paper or paperboard, the transport belt including a web material contact side having surface depressions, such that the surface depressions are filled with filler material to provide a substantially flat web material contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Arved H. WESTERKAMP, Matthias SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20070169908
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a papermaking process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Tommy Jacobson, Mika Salonen, Martti Latva
  • Publication number: 20070169909
    Abstract: A transport belt, in particular for machines for the production of web material such as paper or paperboard, which on a web material contact side (18) includes at least two material layers (20, 22, 24) of different material arranged one above the other, wherein prior to starting up for the first time the transport belt (10) is subjected on its web material contact side (18), at least in some regions, to a material-removing process such that the transport belt (10) has on its web material contact side (18) a web material contact surface (26) provided by various material layers (20, 22, 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Arved H. WESTERKAMP, Matthias SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20070169910
    Abstract: A transport belt, in particular for machines for the production of web material such as paper or paperboard, having a printed material at least in some regions on a web material contact side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Arved H. WESTERKAMP, Matthias SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20070169911
    Abstract: The intervertebral disc contains no blood vessels. Nutrients and waste are diffused mainly through adjacent vertebral bodies. As we age, calcified layers form between the disc and vertebral bodies, blocking diffusion. The disc begins to starve and flatten. The weight shifts abnormally from disc to the facet joints causing strain and back pain. Under anaerobic conditions, lactic acid is produced causing acidic irritation and unspecific pain. A U-shaped disc shunt is delivered into and sealed within the degenerated disc simply by needle puncturing and withdrawal, to draw nutrients from bodily circulation into the avascular disc. A continual supply of nutrients increases biosynthesis of the water-retaining sulfated glycosaminoglycans, hence swelling pressure within the disc. The weight is re-shifted from the facet joints to the regenerated disc, alleviating back pain. With oxygen transported through the shunt, anaerobic production of lactic acid is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Yeung, Teresa Yeung
  • Publication number: 20070169912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production line for the production of cast parts (M) from a metallic melt, in particular a light molten metal, which takes place in a continuous cycle, comprising a plurality of functional units, including a core production unit (2) for the production of casting cores, a mould assembly unit (3) for assembling casting moulds (G) formed as core packages, a casting unit for filling the molten metal into the casting moulds (G), a cooling unit (5a) for cooling the molten metal respectively contained in the casting moulds (G), and a demoulding unit (5b) for destructive removal of the casting mould (G) from the cast part (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: HYDRO ALUMINIUM ALUCAST GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Smetan
  • Publication number: 20070169913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to manufacture components or semi-finished parts for gas turbines, in particular for aircraft engines, preferably by casting. According to the invention, a smelting crucible that is manufactured of boron nitride is Used (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Joachim Bamberg
  • Publication number: 20070169914
    Abstract: A twin roll casting machine and method of continuously casting thin strip that enables the manufacture of thin strip by applying a thrust force through casting roll support structures on each casting roll to bias the casting rolls together, such that a majority portion of the thrust force counterbalances ferrostatic pressure. Cooling water is caused to flow through rotary joints (10) that are attached to one or both of the ends of casting rolls (1). The rotary joints at each casting roll cause cooling water to flow into and from the passages in the casting rolls and exert forces on the casting rolls generally in the direction along the rotational axis of the casting rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsumi NAKAYAMA, Toshiro MATSUSHITA, Hisahiko FUKASE
  • Publication number: 20070169915
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for eliminating axial porosity accompanied by impurity segregation arising at bulk crystallization of the axial zone of the liquid core of a continuous ingot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Irving Dardik, Ephim Golbraikh, Shaul Lesin, Arkady Kapusta, Boris Mikhailovich, Michael Khavkin, Herman Branover
  • Publication number: 20070169916
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of plate pairs for providing a flow path for two fluids. The plate heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for each of the two fluids, wherein facing surfaces of two adjacent plate pairs of the plurality of plate pairs defines a flow path for a first fluid. The opposite surface of one of the two adjacent plate pairs and a facing surface of another adjacent plate pair from the plurality of plate pairs provides a flow path for a second fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid flowing along their respective flow paths are maintained in thermal communication with each other. A predetermined vent path is formed in at least one of the facing surfaces of each plate pair capable of venting each fluid exterior of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Wand, James Bogart
  • Publication number: 20070169917
    Abstract: A system and method for minimizing the environmental impact of water handling equipment such as heat exchangers and water handling systems, as for example those located at an LNG receiving facility. The system and method utilizes a low-speed pump impeller to flow the warmant through the annulus of the heat exchanger to minimize biota destruction caused by the pump impellers. Further, the system and method places the water intake pipes at levels in the source or reservoir for the water where biota concentration is at a minimum such that biota flowing through the annulus is minimized. No biocide, scale or corrosion inhibitors are injected during normal operation. The system or a portion of the system is shut down periodically to allow injection to a flush fluid containing biocide, scale inhibiters, and/or corrosion inhibitors. The flush is then drained and recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: CONVERSION GAS IMPORTS, L.P.
    Inventor: William Bishop
  • Publication number: 20070169918
    Abstract: A combination cooler module is disclosed, which includes a plurality of radiating fins that are arranged in a stack, a plurality of heat tubes inserted through the radiating fins, and a heat conductive base affixed to the radiating fins by means of a dovetail joint, hook or scarf joint and disposed in contact with the heat tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Hua-Shou Kuo
  • Publication number: 20070169919
    Abstract: A heat pipe type heat dissipation device for an electronic component comprises a base, a bended heat pipe with an evaporating portion connected to the base and at least one condensing portion extending from the evaporating portion, and at least two heat sinks thermally combined together and sandwiching the condensing portion of the heat pipe therebetween. A turning angle of more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, preferably ranging from 120 degrees to 150 degrees, is defined between the evaporating portion and the condensing portion of the heat pipe. The heat sinks each have a heat spreader and a plurality of fins extending from a lateral face of the heat spreader. The condensing portion of the heat pipe is sandwiched between the heat spreaders of the heat sinks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: GEN-PING DENG, YI-QIANG WU
  • Publication number: 20070169920
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of a sealed equipment cabinet includes a chassis, a heat-exchange module, a first fan and a second fan. The chassis includes a bottom plate having a plurality of first perforations. The heat-exchange module is disposed on the bottom plate, and defines first and second air flow channels at first and second sides of the bottom plate, respectively. The first fan is disposed on the first side of the bottom plate. The second fan is disposed on the second side of the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ta-Jung Yang
  • Publication number: 20070169921
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a cooler for multiple tube banks features a series of parallel and planar fins that have upstream louvers to direct incoming air through a fin near a first row of tubes and a downstream set of louvers near an adjacent tube row to direct air back through the same fin before the air exits. By way of example, the upstream louvers have the negative slope of the downstream louvers and a constant angle from louver to louver within a bank. A constant length in a section view may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: David Abrahamian, Kevin Conroy
  • Publication number: 20070169922
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a first header having an inlet and a second header having an outlet spaced parallel from each other. A plurality of tube members having an ultimate strength (Us) and a width (w), extend between the first header and the second header. The tube members define a plurality of fluid passages for the flow of a liquid through the tube members and between the first and second headers. The tube members extend through at least one bend having a bend radius (r) in the range of 50.00 mm to straight (?) through angles between 0 and 100 degrees. A plurality of corrugated air fins are brazed between adjacent tube members. The bends of the tube members satisfy a bending formula (w/r)Us?30 mega Pascal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Pautler
  • Publication number: 20070169923
    Abstract: A pseudo-isothermal chemical reactor comprises a plurality of boxed, plate-shaped heat exchangers with a substantially flattened rectangular shape, formed from a pair of juxtaposed metallic plates, spaced apart and joined perimetrically, defining an inner chamber intended to be crossed by a heat exchange operating fluid. Spacer elements are located between said metallic plates. The reactor may be used for high pressure urea production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Rizzi, Enrico Filippi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Publication number: 20070169924
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for exchanging heat between fluids, the installation being of the type comprising a leaktight enclosure, means for exchanging heat between the fluids, and fluid admission and discharge means. The heat exchanger means comprise bundles of plates formed by stacks of horizontal plates and distributed in a star configuration around a tubular central collector concentric with the enclosure. Each bundle of plates has a front vertical wall secured to the collector and a rear vertical wall that is free, and each is slidably supported on a support member secured to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Packinox
    Inventor: Pierre-Xavier Bussonnet
  • Publication number: 20070169925
    Abstract: A coil support suitable for supporting a coil in a condensing unit includes a body and a protrusion extending from the body. The protrusion is configured to limit movement of the coil in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Derek Leman, Christopher Ingermann, Loren Hoffman, Frank David, John Wade, Larry Burns, Nancy Ashcraft, Brian DePerro
  • Publication number: 20070169926
    Abstract: A tube 2 is composed of a first plate 6 and a second plate 7 which are opposed and engaged with each other. In a region C on both end sides of the tube 2, the first plate 6 is formed into a shape in which an edge portion 6a of the first plate is laid along a bent portion 7b of the second plate so that an outer wall face of the tube will be composed of continuous face. In a region D except for both end sides of the tube 2, the first plate 6 is formed into a shape in which the edge portion 6a of the first plate 6 is laid between the edge portion 7a of the second plate 7 and the bent portion 7b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Watanabe, Yuuji Sako, Kyoujirou Nakata
  • Publication number: 20070169927
    Abstract: A heat exchange type ventilator allows preventing its heat exchanger from being clogged with buildup of ice, and also alleviating cold-draft feeling. This ventilator has an exhaust-air coupling section and a supply-air coupling section, and a ventilating unit which includes an exhaust-air outlet and a supply-air inlet, a motor for driving an exhaust-air fan and a supply-air fan, the heat exchanger for carrying out heat recovery between interior air and outside air, and a cut-off damper for cutting off a supply-air flow in a supply-air channel. Supply-air temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature of the outside air issues a signal, which prompts the damper to cut off the supply-air flow and reduce a volume of the exhaust-air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Kinji Isaka
  • Publication number: 20070169928
    Abstract: A heat sink for controlling dissipation of a thermal load is disclosed that includes a heat sink base receiving the thermal load, an actuator connected to the heat sink base, the actuator having a temperature dependent upon the thermal load, the actuator configured in dependence upon the temperature of the actuator, and an adaptable fin connected to the actuator and shaped according to the configuration of the actuator so as to control dissipation of the thermal load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Dayan, Dean Herring
  • Publication number: 20070169929
    Abstract: An apparatus for bonding a transmission line to the central bore of a downhole tool includes a pre-formed interface for bonding a transmission line to the inside diameter of a downhole tool. The pre-formed interface includes a first surface that substantially conforms to the outside contour of a transmission line and a second surface that substantially conforms to the inside diameter of a downhole tool. In another aspect of the invention, a method for bonding a transmission line to the inside diameter of a downhole tool includes positioning a transmission line near the inside wall of a downhole tool and placing a mold near the transmission line and the inside wall. The method further includes injecting a bonding material into the mold and curing the bonding material such that the bonding material bonds the transmission line to the inside wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: David Hall, Joe Fox
  • Publication number: 20070169930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drilling with a top drive system are provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides for a top drive system having includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In one another aspect, the system includes a telescopic link system connected to a lower portion of the top drive adapter to move the casing string into engagement with the top drive adapter. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: David Shahin, Jeff Habetz, David Haugen, Gary Thompson, Bernd-Georg Pietras, Jimmy Hollingsworth, Bernd Reinholdt
  • Publication number: 20070169931
    Abstract: A leak containment device for a well-head includes a resilient hollow inverted frusto-conical upper section having a narrow end at a lower end of the upper section and an annular collar mounted to the lower end of the upper section so as to extend downwardly therefrom. The upper section and the collar co-axial are about a substantially vertical axis of symmetry when mounted on the well-head. A spigot is mounted in fluid communication with, so as to extend from a side of the lower end. A contiguous separatable seam is formed in the upper section and the collar so as to allow resilient deformation of the upper section and the collar to open the seam into an open position for passage of the well-head into the upper section and the collar. The collar is sized for snug mating engagement around the well-head when the seam is resiliently returned to, and releasably locked in a closed position wherein the seam is closed fluid-tight so as to inhibit fluid leakage through the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Kristin Holthe
  • Publication number: 20070169932
    Abstract: Subterranean formation treatment methods incorporating a rheology model which enables prediction of fluid rheology properties during a treatment operation, where the foundation of the model is a description of the reaction chemistry which describes how the number of crosslinks and broken polymer linkages develops in time under the influence of crosslinkers, breakers, and/or thermally induced effects and pressure effects. In one aspect, when used as a tool for simulating the fluid viscosity, the model can help optimizing the fluid design and optional breaker schedule for a hydraulic fracturing treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Lindvig, Murtaza Ziaudden, Michael D. Parris
  • Publication number: 20070169933
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (51) for sensing one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a subsurface well (12) having a well fluid level (42W), a surface region (32) and a riser pipe (30) includes a sensor apparatus (52) and a pump assembly (54) that are positioned within the well (12). The sensor apparatus (52) includes a sensor (682) that senses one of the fluid properties. The pump assembly (54) can be positioned in an in-line manner relative to the sensor apparatus (52). The pump assembly (54) can be positioned between the sensor apparatus (52) and the surface region (32). Alternatively, the sensor apparatus (52) can be positioned between the pump assembly (54) and the surface region (32). In one embodiment, the sensor apparatus (52) is positioned above the well fluid level (42W). The pump assembly (54) can pump fluid toward the sensor apparatus (52) or the pump assembly (54) can pump fluid to draw more fluid to the sensor apparatus (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: BESST, Inc.,
    Inventors: Noah Heller, Peter Moritzburke
  • Publication number: 20070169934
    Abstract: The addition of one or more stimulants to a petroleum well in order to enhance the production of the well. If the well is suffering from asphaltene or paraffin build tip, the well may be heated either chemically or with steam prior to introduction of the stimulant. Additionally, a solvent may be added to dissolve the asphaltenes and paraffins. The stimulants are allowed to soak into the formation and then the well is returned to production. The stimulants increase the ability of oil to flow through the formation and decrease the ability of water to flow through the formation by coating the water wet portions of the formation with oil soluble chemicals. The stimulants also decrease the viscosity of the oil in formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Gale Campbell
  • Publication number: 20070169935
    Abstract: Described is an oil-degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry. The ball seal comprises a particular composition including ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins, prepared by an injection molding technique to provide a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. The composition, when dissolved into wellbore fluids, does not pose a hazard or problem to aqueous wellbore fluids or further wellbore stimulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Syed Akbar, Patrick Okell, A. Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20070169936
    Abstract: A cement system for use in treating lost circulation includes a slurry of cement, water and a super-absorbent polymer which absorbs free water in the slurry to form a gel—ore preferably a solid-like structure—when placed in the well, and which releases the absorbed water to the cement hydration reaction as the cement sets. The absorption of water causes the slurry to develop a solid-like structure. In one embodiment, the superabsorbent is polyacrylamide or modified crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate. Also presented is a method of treating lost circulation by pumping the above-mentioned cement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Benedicte Zusatz, Frederik Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20070169937
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising: placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore. A method of blocking the flow of fluid through a lost circulation zone in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first composition comprising a packing agent into the lost circulation zone, placing a second composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into the lost circulation zone, and allowing the compositions to set into place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Melissa Allin, John Dennis, Donald Whitfill
  • Publication number: 20070169938
    Abstract: An improved acidization method is provided in which an aqueous solution comprising one or more esters or polyesters of lactic acid or of glycerol is placed in a well where the esters or polyesters undergo hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of the esters or polyesters occurs at a slower reaction rate than that of several other known acidization esters, such as diethyleneglycol diformate, at temperatures higher than 60° C. or even higher than 100° C. Thus, the solution may be distributed substantially throughout a region in the well where acidization is required before hydrolysis is completed, despite being exposed to relatively high temperatures. The hydrolysis may result in the slow release of an acid that is capable of consuming all or most of an undesirable substance in the well, e.g., a filter cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Moorehead, William Shumway, Bradley Todd
  • Publication number: 20070169939
    Abstract: A method of forming a well bore casing for insertion in a well bore, according to which a first casing section is coupled to a second casing section and a seal is provided between the coupled portions of the sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Costa, Larry Kendziora
  • Publication number: 20070169940
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly has a tubing annulus path that extends partly through the tubing hanger and partly through the wellhead housing. A tubing hanger tubing annulus passage extends through part of the tubing hanger from a lower port on the lower end of the tubing hanger to an upper port on the exterior surface of the tubing hanger below the tubing hanger seal. A wellhead housing tubing annulus passage within the sidewall of the wellhead housing has a lower end at the bore below the tubing hanger seal and an upper end at the bore above the tubing hanger seal. A valve is mounted to the wellhead housing and accessible by an ROV from the exterior for opening and closing the inner wellhead housing tubing annulus passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen P. Fenton, Lars-Petter Sollie, Andrew Davidson
  • Publication number: 20070169941
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are useful for lifting water in a gas-producing wellbore through the application of a differential between pressure of the gas in the wellbore's gas-production conduit and pressure of the wellbore annulus. The apparatus comprises a module disposed in the gas-producing wellbore for collecting by condensation water that has been lifted as water vapor with produced gas in a gas-production conduit disposed in the wellbore, and one or more lift modules for applying the pressure differential to lift the collected water within the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: The University of Southern California
    Inventor: Behrokh Khoshnevis
  • Publication number: 20070169942
    Abstract: A choke that is usable with a well includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The choke also includes pressure drop stages between the inlet port and the outlet port. Each of the pressure drop stages is adapted to create part of an overall pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ives Loretz, Pierre Hosatte
  • Publication number: 20070169943
    Abstract: A method and a device for establishing an underground borehole (10) and setting a casing (6) in the borehole (10), wherein the running tool (1) including a drilling tool (14), an expandable casing (6), an expansion tool (32) and a packer (30) which is arranged to seal against the wall of the borehole (10), is placed at the bottom of the borehole (10), whereupon the borehole (10) is drilled to the necessary length in order then to set the expandable casing (6), and in subsequent operations the casing is reinforced and a completion string is run, having built-in cables for downhole control and monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: REELWELL AS
    Inventor: Ola Vestavik