Patents Issued in December 11, 2007
  • Patent number: 7306039
    Abstract: A thermal insulating packer fluid contains water and/or brine, a crosslinkable viscosifying polymer, a crosslinking agent and an optional set retarder. The composition is capable of inhibiting unwanted heat loss from production tubing or uncontrolled heat transfer to outer annuli. The viscosity of the composition is such as to reduce the convection flow velocity within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Paul H. Javora
  • Patent number: 7306040
    Abstract: Some methods are provided that comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, and a stimuli-degradable gel formed by a reaction comprising a gelling agent, and a stimuli-degradable cross linking agent that includes at least one degradable group and two unsaturated terminal groups; placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the stimuli-degradable gel to degrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Rajesh K. Saini, Diptabhas Sarkar, Bradley L. Todd, James M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7306041
    Abstract: Disclosed are acid fracturing methods for subterranean siliceous formations employing a viscous dissolving fluid to create a permeable conduit that bypasses the near wellbore damage. The viscous dissolving fluids used according to the invention are acid-fracturing treatment fluids containing a dissolving agent viscosified with a material such as a viscoelastic surfactant, and the fluid is injected into a sandstone formation at a pressure sufficient to create a hydraulic fracture. Also, the viscous dissolving fluid leaks off into the faces of the fracture thus “stimulating” the formation. Hence when the hydraulic fracture has closed there is a part of the formation that has been effectively stimulated, creating a pathway for fluids to preferentially flow to the wellbore. The formation may then be flowed back to produce a substantial volume of the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur Milne, Diego Soler
  • Patent number: 7306042
    Abstract: Methods for forming a portion of a wellbore are provided. The well is drilled from a first selected depth to a second selected depth to form a bore through a surrounding earth formation. A fluid heating apparatus is disposed within the bore on a working string. Fluid is then heated by moving the fluid through the fluid heating apparatus in the wellbore. The process of circulating fluid adjacent the earth formation serves to also heat the surrounding formation so as to increase the fracture gradient. The fluid heating process may be conducted during a drilling procedure. Alternatively, the fluid heating process may be conducted in connection with a liner hanging and cementing process. A fluid flow restrictor is provided along a run-in assembly that serves to warm the fluids as they are circulated. The warm fluids provide convective heat to the surrounding earth formation, thereby reducing the formation's fracture gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: R. K. Bansal, David J. Brunnert, Michael Brian Grayson, James Ken Whanger, Evan Lowe, Abdolreza Gharesi, Tim Hanberry
  • Patent number: 7306043
    Abstract: The invention is a system and method a system used to control multiple downhole tools with one control line. The downhole tools may comprise any hydraulically actuated tools, such as valves, packers, or perforating guns. Each tool is associated with an indexer, in one embodiment, so that the tools can be operated in concert and as a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jarle Toekje, Timo Jokela, Ian Raw, Jennifer E. Trittschuh, Jason K. Jonas, Donald W. Ross
  • Patent number: 7306044
    Abstract: A method for lining tubular includes positioning an expandable liner in a wellbore at a depth of one or more perforations using a downhole depth locator tool. The expandable liner is expanded in the wellbore to line the one or more perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Connell, James C. Tucker, Perry Courville
  • Patent number: 7306045
    Abstract: A multi-stage fluid power turbine having application as a fire extinguisher to be ideally carried by a fire truck (e.g., a tanker or a pumper) so as to fight outdoor fires. An impeller and a propeller are located at one end of the fire extinguisher, and a fan is located at the opposite end. The propeller and the fan are mounted on a common inner shaft so as to rotate in a first direction. The impeller is mounted on a hollow outer shaft or tube that surrounds the inner shaft. The impeller includes a plurality of curved blades, each of which having a fluid duct running therethrough. Water under pressure being supplied from a source to the impeller blades is ejected from the fluid ducts thereof and thrust against the blades of the propeller, whereby to impart a rotational force to the propeller and a corresponding rotational force to the fan. The water ejected from the curved impeller blades causes the impeller to rotate in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Saeed M. Moflihi
  • Patent number: 7306046
    Abstract: A hand power tool has an electric motor, which is located in a housing and by way of which a tool insert located in a tool retainer is drivable in rotation, a guard device with which an uncontrollable blockage of the tool insert is detectable via a sensor unit and with which the housing is blockable in its motion; the guard device includes a mechanical unlocking unit that is manually actuatable by a user's action force, and gear is actuatable via an on/off switch for actuating the unlocking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Meixner, Markus Leupert
  • Patent number: 7306047
    Abstract: An impact hammer drill capable of performing drilling operation at a high speed with low noise and without requiring a large thrust. The drill includes a main shaft rotatable by an output shaft of a motor, and a spindle having an impact-receiving section and disposed over the main shaft slidably in its axial direction and rotatable together with the rotation of the main shaft. A piston is reciprocatingly slidably disposed over the main shaft for impacting against the impact-receiving section. A piston drive unit is disposed for driving the piston with a compressed fluid. A compressed fluid supplying unit is disposed for supplying the compressed fluid to the piston drive unit. A drill bit is attachable to the spindle. When performing drilling operation, the drill bit is imparted with a combined rotational motion and the reciprocal impact motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Oda, Yukio Terunuma, Masayuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7306048
    Abstract: An air chamber is formed in a cylinder between a piston and a striking member. The cylinder is formed with at least one through-hole for providing fluid communication between the air chamber and an outside of the cylinder. A switching mechanism switches operation modes between a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the at least one through-hole is closed when the working tool is moved toward the another end and, when the at least one through-hole is closed, reciprocating motion of the piston generates pressure changes in the air chamber, allowing the striking member to transmit a striking force to a working tool. In the second operation mode, the at least one through-hole is constantly open, prohibiting the striking member from transmitting a striking force to the working tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7306049
    Abstract: A gear wheel is rotatably mounted on a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a plurality of longitudinal splines formed thereon. A drive sleeve surrounds the drive shaft and has a plurality of the inner splines formed on its interior surface. The inner splines slidably intermesh with outer splines of the drive shaft such that the drive sleeve can slide up and down on but cannot rotate relative to the drive shaft. A coil spring biases the drive sleeve downwardly. Drive sleeve teeth are formed around the bottom edge of the drive sleeve. Corresponding gear plate teeth are formed on the upper surface of the gear wheel and are adapted to engage the drive sleeve teeth when the drive sleeve is in its downward most position under the influence of the coil spring. In this position, the gear wheel is operatively coupled to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Soika, Andreas Hanke, Uwe Nemetz, Michael Kunz
  • Patent number: 7306050
    Abstract: A toothed ring connecting structure of a power tool, including: a main body having a first opening and a second opening; a motor accommodated in the main body and having an output shaft extending from a first end of the motor; a fixing cap having a body section, a first end of the body section being fixed with the first end of the motor, the body section being formed with a shaft hole through which the output shaft of the motor is coaxially fitted, a second end of the body section being formed with a fixing thread hole, the fixing thread hole inward axially extending from the second end of the body section to coaxially communicate with the shaft hole; a toothed ring having a first end extending into the first opening of the main body and a second end extending out from the main body, the first end being formed with a first thread for screwing into the fixing thread hole, the second end being formed with a second thread; an operating end piece having a connecting end; and an adjustment threaded bush, one end o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Tranmax Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7306052
    Abstract: A multi-position hook assembly includes a hook and a holding block. The hook includes a free leg and a mounting leg joined by a top span. In addition, the holding block is configured for rotatably receiving the mounting leg of the hook and for releasably locking the hook in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mariam Vahabi-Nejad, Walter J. Taylor, Maureen L. Shea, Barry C. Walthall
  • Patent number: 7306053
    Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Burrows, Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 7306054
    Abstract: A method for determining a depth of a wellbore includes determining change in a suspended weight of a drill string from a first time to a second time. A change in axial position of the upper portion of the drill string is then determined between the first time and the second time. An expected amount of drill string compression related to the change in suspended weight for movement of a lower portion of the drill string between the first time and the second time is corrected. A position of the lower portion of the drill string is calculated from the change in axial position and the corrected amount of drill string compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Mark W. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7306055
    Abstract: A method for installing a mobile drilling rig at a drilling site entails transporting the mobile drilling rig to the drilling site, wherein the mobile drilling rig is made three sections: two substructures and a mast section. The substructures are placed parallel to one another at the drilling site. The mast section is connected to the mast starting sections located on each substructure. Raising cylinders on the substructures engage the mast and raise the mast into a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the mast is locked in place. The raising cylinders are retraced and then re-extended into a drillfloor raising position. The method ends by extending the raising cylinders to raise the driller's floor side box and the off-driller's floor side box into an operating elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: R. Michael Barnes
  • Patent number: 7306056
    Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) for single trip sidetracking operations has a mill for forming an open hole section in a cased wellbore and a steering unit for controlling drill bit orientation. During use, the drilling system is assembled at the surface and tripped into the wellbore. The mill is positioned adjacent a kick-off point and operated to form an open hole section. Thereafter, the drill bit is positioned adjacent the open hole section. An exemplary steering unit includes one or more force application members that, when energized, displace the drill bit such that the bit is pointed in a specified direction into the open hole section. The steering unit also includes one or more force application members that facilitate directional drilling through the open hole section. Other suitable steering units can employ devices that alter the BHA centerline geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ray Ballantyne, Joachim Oppelt
  • Patent number: 7306057
    Abstract: A method for treating material, the material contaminated with contaminants, the method including: introducing material with contaminants to a system for remediation including a thermal treatment system, a quench system, a weir tank system and a condensing system; feeding a slurry of the material to the thermal treatment system and heating the material therein producing heated discharge solids and a discharge stream with liquid and solids therein; optionally, discharging the heated discharge solids and feeding them to a mill system; feeding the discharge stream to a quench system producing a cooled discharge stream which is fed to the weir tank system; the weir tank system having a clean side and a dirty side; the cooled discharge stream fed to the dirty side of the weir tank system, and from the weir tank system producing at least one stream of cleaned liquid and a stream with contaminants therein; and, in one particular aspect, remediating drilled cuttings material using such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S Strong, Dale A. Pierce, Lyndon Stone, Cliff Gaddis, Bradford R Wood, Kenneth W. Seyffert, Cecil Lee
  • Patent number: 7306058
    Abstract: In a drilling apparatus of the type comprising a rotatable drilling shaft and a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft for rotation therein, a rotation restraining device associated with the housing for restraining rotation of the housing. In one embodiment, the rotation restraining device is comprised of at least one roller on the housing, the roller having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing and being oriented such that it is capable of rolling about its axis of rotation in response to a force exerted on the roller substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing. In a further embodiment, the rotation restraining device is comprised of at least one piston on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Cargill, Bryan James Restau
  • Patent number: 7306059
    Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly in which each thrust pad is individually mounted on a deflection element. An embodiment of the invention comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining a plurality of cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element, such as a Belleville washer, is disposed in a cavity of the plurality of cavities and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face of the rotating bearing runner contacts the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Russell Douglas Ide
  • Patent number: 7306060
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling assembly for drilling deviated wellbores. The drilling assembly includes a drill bit at the lower end of the drilling assembly. A drilling motor provides the rotary power to the drill bit. A bearing assembly of the drilling motor provides lateral and axial support to the drill shaft connected to the drill bit. A steering device is integrated into drilling motor assembly. The steering device contains a plurality of force application members disposed at an outer surface of the drilling motor assembly. Each force application member is adapted to move between a normal position and a radially extended position to exert force on the wellbore interior when in extended position. A power unit in the housing provides pressurized fluid to the force application members. A control device for independently operating each of the force application members is disposed in the drilling motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Volker Krueger, Thomas Kruspe, Carsten Freyer, Hans-Juergen Faber
  • Patent number: 7306061
    Abstract: A rolling cone earth boring bit has a diverter and an arcuate segment located between the bit leg and the back face of the cone to divert debris from the seal gland area. The diverter has an oblong or oval base that inserts into a mating hole in a last machined surface of the bit. The diverter has a head that is wedge-shaped and protrudes from the hole into a clearance between the back face and the last machined surface. The head has an inner side that is spaced from an annular wall of the back face by a small uniform clearance. The head has an outer side that is oblique to the annular wall of the back face region to divert debris from the clearance. The segment is spaced from the diverter and is concentric to an axis of the bearing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Chih C. Lin, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 7306062
    Abstract: A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. The driven wheels are driven by hydraulic motors each having their own drive pump the output of which is controlled by a cam plate. The speed control is effected by a manually operable lever through a servo-cylinder which locates a speed control arm moving both cam plates to the set position. In a maximum speed position both cam plates are engaged against a stop. The steering is effected by moving the cam plates differentially to drive the wheels at different speeds. The piston rod of the servo-cylinder includes a spring relief so that the speed control arm can back off from the maximum position by moving the servo-cylinder body when steering in the maximum speed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: James Thomas Dunn
  • Patent number: 7306063
    Abstract: A power control unit for electric vehicle which can easily detach the high voltage cables even if the motor room is deformed, for example, by head-on collision and/or rear-end collision of the vehicle, which is difficult to be deformed, which can make small, and which can avoid an influence of heat generated by the reactor is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Morita, Tomoya Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7306064
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission for a hybrid vehicle mounting thereon an engine and a pair of electric motor/generators operates in a plurality of driving modes including EV mode in which the vehicle is powered by only the pair of motor/generators and EIVT mode in which the vehicle is powered by both the pair of motor/generators and the engine. The driving mode is shifted continuously and smoothly through a mode-shift transition process, in which the operating state is regulated to decrease the relative torque and/or the relative rotational speed between the contact elements of an engine clutch before engaging or disengaging the engine clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Imazu, Shinichiro Joe, Michel Mensler
  • Patent number: 7306065
    Abstract: A non-rotary case to which the motor stator of an inwheel motor is fixed is connected to a knuckle which is a part around the wheel of a vehicle by a first elastic member, a rotary case to which the rotor of the motor is fixed and rotatably connected to the non-rotary case through a bearing is connected to the wheel by a second elastic member so as to float-mount the inwheel motor to parts around the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bridgestone
    Inventor: Go Nagaya
  • Patent number: 7306066
    Abstract: The present invention is an air cushion vehicle and a control mechanism for steering and turning the vehicle. The air cushion vehicle includes a frame having a skirt body extending around the perimeter. An air flow generator may be positioned on the frame for providing a lift flow and thrust flow. At least one vane is disposed on the frame to direct the thrust flow. At least one fin is disposed on the frame downstream of the vane for directing the thrust flow. A turning controller may be used for moving the vane and fin in a coordinating movement to affect the direction or the motion of the air cushion vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Charles J. Trojahn
  • Patent number: 7306067
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a vehicle body. An internal combustion engine is mounted to the vehicle body. The engine comprises a crankshaft mounted in a crankcase. A drive system is mounted to the vehicle body. A transmission is coupled with the drive system. A coupling system couples the engine with the transmission. The coupling system comprises a drive member and a driven member. The drive member is coupled with the crankshaft. The driven member is coupled with the transmission. The driven member is rotatably mounted in the crankcase. The drive member is coupled with the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanobu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7306068
    Abstract: A fail-safe breakaway belt is provided for installation onto a single occupant transporter having a seat portion laterally bounded by arm rests, an electrical system that drives the transporter, and a joystick associated with one arm rest for controlling the electrical system. The belt includes two oppositely disposed elongated members, each having a proximal extremity secured to the transporter below an arm rest, and extending to a distal extremity. Electrical conductor wires in series connection with the electrical system are incorporated into the elongated members. When the distal extremities are separated, the transporter is rendered inoperable. When the distal extremities are connected across the lap of the occupant, full functionality is restored to the transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Bret P. Ray
  • Patent number: 7306069
    Abstract: A frame structure and a method of manufacturing a body frame that is divided into small assemblies to facilitate the carriage and storage of articles and individuals and the manufacturing efficiency. A body frame is divided into three, namely, a front assembly having a closed loop structure, an engine support system assembly having a closed loop structure and a rear suspension support system assembly having a closed loop structure. The front assembly and the rear suspension support system assembly are connected to the engine support system assembly to form the body frame. The small assemblies have a closed loop structure whereby the rigidity is enhanced, and the shape is also stabilized. Therefore, the accuracy management can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Takeshima, Shigeto Inami
  • Patent number: 7306070
    Abstract: A variable gear ratio hydraulic power steering device 1 is provided with a variable ratio transmission mechanism 7 for varying the rotation transmission ratio between the rotational angle of a steering handle 31 and the rotational angle of a pinion shaft 33 and a flow volume control valve 40 for controlling the discharge flow volume of an oil pump 10 which circulates operating fluid. The variable ratio transmission mechanism 7 has a lock mechanism 75. A valve controlling controller 50 for controlling the flow volume control valve 40 switches main and secondary flow volume control maps for controlling the flow volume control valve 40, in dependence on the operational state of the lock mechanism 75. Thus, a failsafe function for the variable ratio transmission mechanism 7 is given to the variable gear ratio hydraulic power steering device 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7306071
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering apparatus with steering amount amplification is provided, wherein a metering device for supplying pressure medium to steering cylinders is actuated in accordance with an amount of rotation of the steering wheel. With the aid of a control block it is possible to deliver an additional pressure medium volume to the steering cylinders, wherein control of the control block is effected through the intermediary of a control circuit containing an effective control pressure that is substantially lower than the load pressure for transmitting the steering moment at the steering cylinder. A spring assembly for the control block is also provided, wherein two springs are arranged in parallel, one of which only takes effect following a predetermined stroke of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Edwin Harnischfeger, Erhard Bergmann, Walter Scandella, Vincenzo Domenico Bollero
  • Patent number: 7306072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic power-assisted steering system comprising a steering gear and a hydraulic actuator for assisting actuation of the steering wheel by the driver of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor which is coupled to the steering column and used as an additional torque actuator for actively applying an additional steering torque, also consisting of an electronic control and regulating unit (ECU), which includes a determination unit for determining a steering torque and an evaluating and selecting circuit, by means of which a total value for applying the additional steering torque is determined in consideration of the determined steering torque or a quantity derived therefrom and a selected basic characteristic curve of steering (basic characteristic curve), with the total value of the additional steering torque to be applied including a driver-dependent component and a driver-independent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & OHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Böhm, Steffen Linkenbach
  • Patent number: 7306073
    Abstract: A membrane (20) has a membrane axis (5) and a middle area (50), a central cup-shaped depression (52) being provided around said membrane axis (5), which depression (52) preferably has a connecting channel (53), wherein the middle area (50) comprises groups of stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56, 57) which extend parallel to radial directions and of which a first group of long stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56) extends up to the depression (52), said connecting channel (53) issuing into two of the long stiffening grooves (55, 56), thus interconnecting these two long stiffening grooves (55, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Frasl
  • Patent number: 7306074
    Abstract: A climbing tree stand includes upper and lower support assemblies for aiding an operator in climbing a tree and for supporting the operator in the tree. The upper and lower assemblies are attached to the trunk of the tree by straps that wrap around the trunk, and by cleats that are pressed into the trunk by the cantilevered weight of the assemblies. The upper assembly provides upper and lower seating positions for the operator. In both seating positions, the operator's weight is suspended below where the cleat engages the trunk of the tree. The upper seating position, which positions the operator's seat well above a railing provided by the upper assembly, is most advantageous for bow hunting. The lower seating position puts the operator's seat below the railing, allowing the operator to rest a gun on the railing when gun hunting. The stand has wheels attached to the lower assembly, and may be converted into a game cart by attaching the upper and lower assemblies together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Barry Kent Voorhies
  • Patent number: 7306075
    Abstract: A dynamic hinge includes a first member connected to a first ladder portion of a ladder, and a second member connected to a second ladder portion. The first member pivots relative to the second member about a pivot axis that does not intersect both the first and second members. The first member includes first and second parallel segments, and the second member includes a third and fourth parallel segments. A guide plate is attached to either the first or second member, and the guide plate is positioned between the first and second segments and between the third and fourth segments. The guide plate includes two non-linear slots, and an other of the first and second members includes two pins, respectively adapted to slide within the two non-linear slots. The pins extend between either the first and second segments or the third and fourth segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: David A. Winslow, Joseph C. Dangrow
  • Patent number: 7306076
    Abstract: A waste oil container includes an oil catch pan for collecting oil that leaks from a parked vehicle and a leash for attaching the oil catch pan to the vehicle. The oil catch pan includes a bottom, a surrounding wall structure, and an open top. The oil catch pan is integrally formed of a crush-resistant material that is self-supporting, is sufficiently flexible to collapse without breaking when crushing force is applied, and is sufficiently resilient to return to an original condition when the crushing force is removed. The oil catch pan is sized to fit underneath a parked vehicle to collect oil leaking from the vehicle and can be stored within the vehicle without unleashing the oil catch pan when the vehicle is being driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Daphne Krick
  • Patent number: 7306077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fail-safe skate retarder that applies a braking force proportional to the weight of a rail car entering the retarder. Each segment of the retarder includes a lever mechanism with a pair of levers rotatably joined under the running rail. Each lever holds a braking rail for engaging a wheel of the car. The retarder is normally in a lower, fail-safe position with the brake rails closer together than the width of the wheel. When the car enters the retarder, the wheel forces the brake rails apart into a braking position, and the middle of the lever mechanism rises to lift the running rail and car. A hydraulic power unit and cylinder is activated to raise the middle of the lever mechanism even further to a release position so that the brake rails are spread apart more than the width of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: AAA Sales + Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Heyden, Mark Zawlocki
  • Patent number: 7306078
    Abstract: A composite material and framework structure adapted to be utilized as a piston and cylinder apparatus. A cylindrical tube composed of a composite material is compressed between two end caps at the axial ends of the cylindrical composite tube. Beam elements extend between the end caps and maintain the compression force on the cylindrical composite tube. The cylindrical composite tube comprises a continuous glass fiber reinforced structure embedded in a resin matrix. The resin matrix provides a self contained lubricant system in a resin rich layer, the lubricant system migrating to the inner surface of the cylindrical composite tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Polygon Company
    Inventor: Elson Fish
  • Patent number: 7306079
    Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle body having a level regulating device for setting a predetermined height of the motor vehicle body includes an outer tube and at least one piston-cylinder assembly arranged in the outer tube and having a working cylinder, a piston rod and a damping piston having damping valves. The suspension system further includes an oil reservoir with inflow and outflow lines for conducting a flow of oil between the oil reservoir and the at least one piston-cylinder assembly. A pump including a pump piston and a drive is arranged for pumping oil through the inflow and outflow lines for setting the predetermined height of the motor vehicle body. To connect the pump, a base is sealingly arranged on the outer tube, wherein the pump is connectable to the base in at least two operative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 7306080
    Abstract: A system is provided for absorbing energy from impacts to a vehicle, the system comprising: a blow molded energy absorbing member. The member including first and second opposing walls, at least one rib or a pair of ribs disposed between said first and second opposing walls, the rib(s) comprising the first and second opposing walls dented toward other wall with top end part either welded or separated with specified interval. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing member is formed of thermoplastics composed of a polyolefin based resin and 50 to 75% weight of an amorphous resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kyoraku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Tamada, Hiroo Inui, Kiyotaka Urakawa, Kenji Ishii, Tadatoshi Tanji
  • Patent number: 7306081
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for the absorption of an impact, that system comprises a blow molded thermoplastic energy absorbing member. The blow molded thermoplastic energy absorbing member provides opposing first and second walls defining a hollow space; according to one embodiment, a plurality of fused and unfused recessed ribs integrally molded between the first and second walls. The fused recessed ribs have a fused recessed rib end. The fused recessed rib ends are integrally fused to either opposite recessed rib ends or the facing opposite wall at a welded surface such that the height of the recessed ribs from the first wall to the welded surface is about approximately 15.0 to 45.0 mm. The recessed ribs are, according to one embodiment, connected by a plurality of straight interlocking ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kyoraku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Tamada, Hiroo Inui, Kiyotaka Urakawa, Kenji Ishii, Tadatoshi Tanji
  • Patent number: 7306082
    Abstract: A support structure supporting a movable component is provided with a vibration damper in the form of at least one cavity in the structure, the cavity being filled with a composite material; preferably a composite material of about 80% butyl rubber and 20% carbon particles. The composite material is preferably bonded to the cavity walls by adhesive or mechanically coupled by a texture on the cavity walls. The rubber composite may be first moulded then inserted into the cavity or may be injected into the cavity and moulded by the cavity. The cavities may be provided with a vent to facilitate insertion or injection of the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Ka Shing Kenny Kwan, Srikanth Narasimalu, Murali Saranagapani, Sathish Kumar Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 7306083
    Abstract: A device employing a magneto rheological (MR) fluid in combination with a stator and a rotor is disclosed, where the stator includes a magnetic field generator. The rotor has a rotational axis and a rotational degree of freedom with respect to the stator. The stator and rotor define an annular space therebetween and are coupled via the MR fluid disposed within the annular space, and the magnetic field generator is in field communication with the MR fluid at the annular space. The device includes a means for promoting the formation of stationary stripes of MR fluid within the annular space in response to rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: John C. Ulicny, Daniel J. Klingenberg, Anthony L. Smith, Mark A. Golden
  • Patent number: 7306084
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch assembly includes movable centrifugal weight reaction surfaces that provide for actuation at varying rotational speeds. A radially movable front plate with a ramped surface changes the radial position at which the centrifugal weight begins moving the front plate axially to compress a clamp spring and begin clutch actuation. An axially movable back plate moves axially to change the magnitude of compression caused by axial movement of the front plate. The changes to clamping force corresponding to movement of the reaction surfaces of the centrifugal weight change the rotational speed required to beginning and maintain actuation of the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Muneer AbuSamra, Ludger Ronge, Charles E. Allen, Jr., Winfried Sturmer, Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann, Loren Christopher Dreier, Robert Anthony Sayman, James Henry DeVore, Ronald Peter Muetzel
  • Patent number: 7306085
    Abstract: A clutch device for a motorcycle includes a body, at least two centrifugal weights pivotably mounted on a side of the body, and at least two springs. Each centrifugal weight includes a through-hole extending from an inner side thereof through the outer periphery face thereof. A spring-attaching member is mounted in the through-hole of each centrifugal weight and includes a first end and a second end that has a screw hole. An adjusting screw is mounted in each spring-attaching member. Each spring includes a first end attached to an associated centrifugal weight and a second end attached to the first end of the spring-attaching member on another centrifugal weight. Each spring-attaching member moves along a longitudinal direction of an associated through-hole when an associated adjusting screw is turned, thereby adjusting tightness of an associated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7306086
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor system in which a main conveyor is intersected by one or more cross conveyors forming sorting stations at one or more gaps along a main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a roller-top belt having rollers extending outward of a top article-supporting side and arranged to rotate about axes perpendicular to the main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a bidirectional drive to selectively advance the roller-top belt in one of two opposite directions to discharge articles transferred onto the cross conveyor in the gap off the side of the main conveying path. The cross conveyor also serves as a low-friction roller-top bridge when the roller-top belt is stopped. The bridge allows articles to cross the gap from an upstream portion of the main conveyor to a downstream portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Henk W. M. Boelaars
  • Patent number: 7306087
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling units within a flow from at least one incoming feeder track into at least one outgoing feeder track is provided, including at least one shifting unit for controlled shifting of the flow into one or more selectable paths of the outgoing feeder track, wherein the shifting unit is provided with a speed controller for controlling the speeds of the respective units and separation of the units in the longitudinal direction of flow, the separation enabling the controlled shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Flexlink Components AB
    Inventor: Björn Hamsten
  • Patent number: 7306088
    Abstract: An assembly plant, in particular for assembling motor vehicles, which permits design of final assembly of motor vehicles so that it is as flexible as possible in terms of space. A central elongated assembly hall is provided in which essentially automated assembly regions are provided and finger-like partial regions having essentially manual workplaces are provided projecting at a right angle from the longitudinal side. A change in the sequence in the manual regions can be accomplished easily by an extension of the finger-like partial regions at the head end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Fenzl, Gerd Schlage, Jan Knau
  • Patent number: 7306089
    Abstract: The invention relates to conveyor systems with skillets adapted with connectors to enable power to be conveyed between skillets that are abutted together along a production area. With the skillets being electrically connected, the conductor only needs to supply power the electrical receiving device of a single skillet at any given time. The conductor in turn can be limited to a length of about one skillet, which reduces the wear, as well as installation, repair and maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Dan Ellens