Patents Issued in December 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7311123
    Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe comprising a metal carcass helically coiled about a longitudinal axis of said flexible pipe and the carcass comprises a seamed profiled hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Coflexip, Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Philippe Espinasse, Patrice Joël Louis Jung, Daniel Averbuch, François Dupoiron
  • Patent number: 7311124
    Abstract: Method of producing spring wires shaped as a cylinder. The wire includes at least one first plurality of layers of wound fibres, the layers being disposed on top of one another and impregnated with a matrix. The first plurality of layers includes at least two stacked layers of fibres which are wound in opposing directions along two coaxial helices around the same axis to the left and right thereof respectively. The tangents to the two helices together with the axis (10) form respectively two angles having values ?x-1 and ?x which are respectively equal to ?+k? and ??? k?, ? being a function of the value of the modulus of elasticity for the spring to be produced and k being a factor of between 0 and 1. The method is suitable for the production of helical cylindrical-type spring wires for the suspension systems of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Max Sardou
  • Patent number: 7311125
    Abstract: Beverage bottle handling and filling machine for containers, such as bottles and cans, with lifting devices to lift the containers by the mouth or neck upward to engage beverage discharge openings to permit filling. The filling machine has a piston/cylinder arrangement that is designed to be pressurized to exert a force on the lifting device in the direction of the initial upward movement to tighten the seal between the bottle mouth and the discharge opening. The cylinder chamber is realized in the form of a duct for permitting flow of pressure media to pressurize the container and the piston/cylinder arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen-und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Dieter Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 7311126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grapple (1) with cut-off saw (30) in which the motor (20) for driving the saw (30) is mounted inboard, and within the head portion (2) of the grapple. In a preferred embodiment drive from the motor (20) passes through a hollow pin (10) which also supports one of the jaws (4). The head portion (2) thereby acts as a housing for the motor (20) protecting it from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Rodney Warwick Sharp
  • Patent number: 7311127
    Abstract: It is a subject to suitably decrease the rigidity of blocks, to generate suitable collapsing of the blocks, to sufficiently exhibit edge effects of sipes, and to improve braking performances and the like in the medium term of wear and thereafter; and for solving this subject, in a pneumatic tire formed with blocks on its tread and engraved with sipes 11 on the blocks, the sipes 11 are classified into a surface portion 12, an intermediate portion 13, and a bottom portion 14 in a depth direction from a tread surface 17 up to sipes bottom 18, wherein the surface portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 open in a wave-shaped form in which crest portions 21 and trough portions 22 of the wave-shaped form extend in directions vertical to the tread, while the intermediate portion 13 opens in a wave-shaped manner in which the crest portions 21 and trough portions 22 of the wave-shaped form extend in a zigzag-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7311128
    Abstract: A tire tread includes a plurality of elements in relief (rib and/or block) having lateral faces, and a contact face intended to come into contact with the roadway during travel. The intersection of each lateral face with the contact face forms a ridge. The tread also includes a plurality of cutouts each defined by opposing main faces. Each tread pattern element is formed with at least one base mix. As viewed in section in a plane containing the thickness of this tread, at least one face defining at least one cutout is formed at least in part with a covering mix. The base mix exhibits a gripping action on wet ground which is lower than a gripping action of the covering mix on the same ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Rémi Bruant, Didier Vasseur
  • Patent number: 7311129
    Abstract: A portable universal apparatus for seating a bead of a wide range of tire sizes onto a rim. An upright support frame includes a rim support surface and a rim retainer for securing the rim in a generally horizontal position atop the rim support surface. A tubular air ring includes an air inlet port connectable to an air tank and is vertically adjustably supportable on the support frame. A plurality of inwardly oriented air discharge tubes connectable to the air ring and selectable from different sets of lengths thereof cooperate with the vertical adjustability of the air ring to position the distal end of each of discharge tube in close proximity between a lower rim seal and a lower sealing bead of the tire to force the lower sealing downwardly into sealing engagement with the lower rim seal when compressed air is released from the air tank into the air ring and air discharge tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: William D White
  • Patent number: 7311130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system to control the motor drive of a garage door panel which is reciprocatingly movable and guided along a predetermined track between two end positions, and possibly, one or more intermediate stop positions, said garage door panel including a switching device which indicates the assumption of the respective end position or stop positions, the output signals of this switching device being usable to switch off the power supply to the drive motor, wherein the limit switches or reference point switches are actuatable through rotatable cams which simulate the garage door path. According to the invention, both the rotating cams as well as the limit switches are combined to form one constructional unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs-und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Hoermann
  • Patent number: 7311131
    Abstract: A rolling mechanism includes a base frame fastened to a top side of a window and having a coupling flange, a roller rotatably mounted below the base frame for stationary rotation and having a locating groove on its periphery, and at least one constraint member having a coupling portion pivotally coupled to the coupling flange of the base frame and a constraint portion extending from the coupling portion for engaging the locating groove of the roller and further limiting the rotary direction of the roller to one direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Nien, Yuche Wen, Chih-Yao Chang
  • Patent number: 7311132
    Abstract: A cord-operated window covering is provided with means for equalizing the individual lift cord lengths to maintain a horizontal and level bottom rail, while avoiding the choking danger to small children presented by exposed cord loops that can become entangled with the child. A break-away coupling of the exposed cord ends is provided in the form of a shear-loaded, separable joint that is strong when subjected to shear-type forces in normal use, but which is weak when loaded in peel or tension perpendicular to the joint, as would occur in a potentially dangerous child-entangled situation. The joint is formed by surface-modifying products applied to the opposed abutting surfaces of the individual cordlock members. Also disclosed is an embodiment that utilizes a continuous lift cord loop that is frictionally gripped by a gripper member secured to the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Comfortex Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Corey, Richard D. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7311133
    Abstract: A modular blind transport system for a window blind application. The complete system may be assembled form a relatively small number of individual modules to obtain working systems for a very wide range of applications, including especially a category of counterbalanced blinds wherein a relatively small external input force may be used to raise or lower the blind, and/or to open or close the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anderson, Wendel B. Colson, Steven R. Haarer
  • Patent number: 7311134
    Abstract: A pulling cord winding apparatus for window shades includes an upper cap, a lower seat, two elastic take-up reels, two elastic coils, a brake member, and a push rod. The brake member has two arched pressing plates on two sides extended outwards to form respectively a cord pressing member which has second teeth on one side to engage with first teeth formed on cord clamping members on two outer sides of the housing compartment. When pushing the push rod, the brake member is moved and escapes to enable the two elastic take-up reels to rotate and brake. Through the arched pressing plates, cord pressing members and cord clamping members, pulling cords may be retracted smoothly without entangling or forming knobs. When the two elastic take-up reels retract the cords at the maximum force, the pulling cords do not slip, and the window shade may be extended and retracted as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 7311135
    Abstract: A composite material composed of nanocarbon materials and metallic materials for a matrix is extrusion molded to have the nanocarbon materials oriented in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Masashi Suganuma, Atsushi Kato, Shigeharu Kamado, Daisuke Tsushima
  • Patent number: 7311136
    Abstract: In an injection mold including at least two mold sections which are movable relative to one another for opening and closing the injection mold and an electronic counter with an actuator and a sensor element supplying, influenced by the actuator, a signal indicative of the number of closings of the injection mold, the sensor element is disposed in a first housing and the electronic counter is disposed outside the first housing and connected to the sensor element via an electrical communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Otto Månner Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Männer
  • Patent number: 7311137
    Abstract: The invention relates to enhanced heat transfer surfaces and methods and tools for making enhanced heat transfer surface. Certain embodiments include a boiling surface that include a plurality of primary grooves, protrusions and secondary grooves to form boiling cavities. The boiling surface may be formed by using a tool for cutting the inner surface of a tube. The tool has a tool axis and at least one tip with a cutting edge and a lifting edge. Methods for making a boiling surface are also disclosed, including cutting through the inner surface of a tube to form primary grooves, then cutting and lifting the inner surface to form protrusions and secondary grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 7311138
    Abstract: A stacking-type, multi-flow, heat exchanger includes heat transfer tubes and fins, which are stacked alternately, an end plate disposed at an outermost position of the stacked heat transfer tubes and fins in a stacking direction, and inlet and outlet pipes connected to the end plate. The heat exchanger includes a pipe connection plate provided on the end plate, having a pipe insertion hole formed therethrough, into which at least one of the inlet and outlet pipes is inserted and which temporarily fixes an end portion of an inserted pipe in the pipe insertion hole. The pipe connection plate and the entire heat exchanger may be formed with a reduced size and weight, and the brazing quality between the plate and the pipe may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Kazari, Tomohiro Chiba, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 7311139
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for dissipating heat from a fluid. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of stacked pairs of plates. Each pair of plates includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate extends along a first axis and has first and second sides. The first side of the first plate has a generally sinusoidal recess therein that extends along the first axis. The second plate extends along a second axis and has first and second sides. The first side of the second plate has a generally sinusoidal recess therein that extends along the second axis and that is out of phase with the sinusoidal recesses in the first side of the first plate. The first side of the first plate and the first side of the second plate form a mating relationship with each other such that the recess in the first side of the first plate communicates with the recess in the first side of the second plate at a plurality of axially spaced locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Guoming Wu
  • Patent number: 7311140
    Abstract: A net-shape molded heat sink is provided which includes a thermally conductive main body and a number of thermally conductive fins integrally connected to and emanating from the main body. The heat sink is formed by overmolding a carbon-carbon matrix core plate with a thermally conductive polymer composition that is filled with thermally conductive filler material. The molded heat sink is freely connecting through the part which makes it more efficient and has an optimal thermal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cool Options, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. McCullough
  • Patent number: 7311141
    Abstract: A casing scraper comprises a plurality of blade modules mounted on a mandrel. The blade modules are identical to each other and have castellated ends which are engaged with the couplers to prevent relative rotation between the modules. By manipulation of a thread protector the modules can be operated in a configuration in which they are free to rotate relative to the mandrel or in a configuration in which they are rotationally fast with the mandrel. Each module comprises a housing in which a plurality of scraper blades are mounted. The scraper blades include shoulders which prevent the blades passing completely through mounting windows provided in the housing and are biased radially outwardly relative to the housing by compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory Tulloch, Bruce McGarian
  • Patent number: 7311142
    Abstract: A downhole tool positionable in a wellbore for penetrating a subterranean formation includes a housing having at least one protuberance extending therefrom. The protuberance has at least one centralizing section and a protective section. A probe is positioned in the protective section such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the protective section is less than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the at least one centralizing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Fisseler, Tom Palmer, James Mather, Colin Longfield, Richard Meehan, Jean-Marc Follini, Jean-Michel Hache
  • Patent number: 7311143
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for inducing and measuring shear waves within a wellbore casing to facilitate analysis of wellbore casing, cement and formation bonding. An acoustic transducer is provided that is magnetically coupled to the wellbore casing and is comprised of a magnet combined with a coil, where the coil is attached to an electrical current. The acoustic transducer is capable of producing and receiving various waveforms, including compressional waves, shear waves, Rayleigh waves, and Lamb waves as the tool traverses portions of the wellbore casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ole Engels, Joseph G. Barolak, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7311144
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting surfactant into a well for coal bed methane (CBM) recovery, tight sand gas extraction, and other gas extraction techniques provides for the mixing of surfactant and water near the downhole end of the well, maximizing water removal for gas recovery. The apparatus may include a check valve that feeds a nozzle to atomize the spray of surfactant into the well production tube. Surfactant is not sprayed directly into the formation, thereby protecting the formation from damage and recovering surfactant even in the case where water is not present. The capillary tube feeding surfactant to the check valve may be placed externally to the production tube to facilitate ease of cleaning and clearing of the production tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Greg Allen Conrad
  • Patent number: 7311145
    Abstract: Treating fluid production and subterranean formation treating methods as well as treating fluid compositions that reuse at least part of a prior treating fluid, particularly a fluid having one or more constituents that can be relinked. This includes conditioning a selected at least partially delinked flow-back fluid recovered from a first treating fluid pumped into a well, such that the conditioned selected at least partially delinked flow-back fluid provides a constituent for a second treating fluid. Also included are pricing considerations. A composition for a treating fluid includes a treating fluid residual recovered from a well, preferably a conditioned treating fluid residual. Examples of such compositions include fracturing fluids and gravel pack fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle V Lehman, Will E. Haley, Jim Weaver, Billy Slabaugh
  • Patent number: 7311146
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7311147
    Abstract: Methods of improving the pressure containment integrity of subterranean well bores are provided. The methods include pumping a fracture sealing composition into the well bore that rapidly converts into a high friction pressure sealing composition which is impermeable, deformable, extremely viscous and does not bond to the faces of fractures. Thereafter, the fracture sealing composition is squeezed into one or more natural fractures or into one or more new fractures formed in the well bore to thereby increase the pressure containment integrity of the well bore. The methods also include the prediction of the expected increase in pressure containment integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Sweatman, Hong Wang, Wolfgang F. J. Deeg
  • Patent number: 7311148
    Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert, Patrick G. Maguire, Tuong Thanh Le, Albert C. Odell, II, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, Brent J. Lirette, Mark Murray, Peter Barnes Moyes
  • Patent number: 7311149
    Abstract: A jar provided with an adjustable preload has a housing defining an anvil surface and a mandrel, movable relative to the housing under an applied load, defining a hammer surface to impact the anvil surface. A trigger mechanism for releasing the mandrel to cause the hammer surface to impact the anvil surface includes a trigger sleeve axially positioned with the housing and a collet that engages the mandrel during application of a load to the mandrel. The collet releases the mandrel to cause the hammer surface to impact the anvil surface upon being moved into registration with the trigger sleeve against the resistance of a biasing spring disposed within the housing. The preload is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism carried by the housing and coupled to the biasing spring. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment mandrel disposed between an end of the upper housing section and an end of the lower housing section. The adjustment mandrel is axially movable relative to the upper and lower housing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Patent number: 7311150
    Abstract: A method for extracting accumulated material from a well bore includes pressurizing gas recovered from the well bore and disposing an extraction string in communication with a sump. The sump is disposed to receive liquid from the well bore. The method further includes sealing the sump and injecting at least a portion of the pressurized gas into the sump such that at least some of the liquid in the sump is driven upward into the extraction string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: CDX Gas, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
  • Patent number: 7311151
    Abstract: A flowline is described for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well that is comprised of a substantially neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical. The flowline may possess electrical heating apparatus within the tubular walls of the tubular composite umbilical to prevent waxes and hydrates from forming within the flowline and blocking the flowline. The electrical heating apparatus is comprised of at least one electrical conductor disposed within the tubular walls of the composite umbilical that conducts electrical current that is used to heat the tubular composite umbilical. The tubular composite umbilical that contains any produced hydrocarbons is substantially neutrally buoyant in the sea water adjacent to the subsea well. Positively neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical flowlines are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Patent number: 7311152
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for improving production from a wellbore. In one aspect, a downhole pump for use in a wellbore is provided. The downhole pump includes two or more chambers for the accumulation of formation fluids and a valve assembly for filling and venting gas to and from the two or more chambers. The downhole pump further includes a fluid passageway for connecting the two or more chambers to a production tube. In another aspect, a downhole pump including a chamber for the accumulation of formation fluids is provided. In another aspect, a method for improving production in a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for improving production in a steam assisted gravity drainage operation is provided. Additionally, a pump system for use in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Howard, William C. Lane
  • Patent number: 7311153
    Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a sequencing valve to in a first state to communicate a first flow through a first port of the valve and in a second state close fluid communication through the first port. The technique includes communicating a second flow through an orifice of the sequencing valve during the second state of the valve and using a pressure drop across the orifice to bias the sequencing valve to remain in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: L. Michael McKee, Avel Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7311154
    Abstract: A completion assembly has one or more control lines. The control lines can develop differing degrees of slack depending on the completion assembly configuration and also on the particular use of the completion assembly. A line slack compensator cooperates with the completion assembly to provide or remove slack in one or more control lines as necessary for a given operation and a given completion assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Cho, Sara Escanero Ereza, Dinesh R. Patel, Malcolm J. Carr
  • Patent number: 7311155
    Abstract: A pneumatic tool is operable with a single hand. The pneumatic tool includes a shell defining a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber includes intake and outlet apertures in communication with the first chamber. A cylinder is in the first chamber. A controller is movable in the second chamber between a first position and a second position. The controller includes a first groove and a second groove. In the first position, the first groove communicates with the intake aperture for directing pressurized air to drive the cylinder in a first direction. In the second position, the second groove communicates with the intake aperture for directing pressurized air to drive the cylinder in a second direction. A cover seals the first chamber and the second chamber. The cover defines an opening through which the controller extends from the second chamber so that the controller can be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mighty Seven International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 7311156
    Abstract: A method of drilling through a masonry structure 20 includes the steps of providing a drill 10 and using the drill 10 to drill a bore 18 in the masonry structure 20. The method also includes a step of providing a reaction member in the form of a lever 28 and causing engagement of the lever 28 with the masonry structure 20 and with the drill 10 within the masonry structure 20 such that the lever 28 may provide a reaction force to assist the movement of the drill 10 through the structure 20 as it drills the bore 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: William George Edscer
  • Patent number: 7311157
    Abstract: A tool for controlling rotation of a bottom hole assembly with respect to a drillstring has a mandrell with a longitudinal groove and a circumferential groove extending therearound and in communication with the longitudinal groove, a locking element extending around and over at least a portion of the grooves, and an actuator cooperative with the locking element for selectively moving the locking element such that locking member extending from the locking element engages either the longitudinal groove ro the circumferential groove relative to a fluid pressure in the drillstring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: RPM Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 7311158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in subterranean operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to additives comprising one or more silicates used to treat tar resident in a well bore, and methods of use. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating tar resident in a well bore comprising providing a tar-treating additive comprising one or more silicates introducing the tar-treating additive into the well bore; and allowing the tar-treating additive to react with the tar resident in the well bore so as to at least partially reduce the adhesiveness of the tar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory P. Perez
  • Patent number: 7311159
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a mechanical face seal assembly with PCD faces. The bit has a bearing shaft with a cone rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft. The seal locates between the bearing shaft and the cone for sealing lubricant therein. The seal includes at least one rigid seal ring having a cemented carbide body and an annular PCD face located on it. The mating face may also be of a PCD material. The cemented carbide body contains a binder that migrates into the PCD face while the PCD face is being formed. A binder-free region is leached on the surface of the PCD face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Chih C. Lin, Terry Koltermann, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 7311160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair with forced driven front caterpillar wheels with a cable-hauling ratchet lever by which a user, by himself/herself, can pass over a road-block or drains on roads, lifts up the caterpillars from the ground for easy steering on caster wheel, engages/disengages the drive wheel having ratchet clutch in the detachable wheel hub to idle the drive wheel/caterpillars for converting from/to manual drive to/from drive by auxiliary power source, and prevents the drive wheel from rolling backward during climbing inclines and controls speed continuously on a slope by a band brake means. So the disabled persons on their legs can travel to outdoors by himself/herself without a care of neighbors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Nag-Bok Lim
  • Patent number: 7311161
    Abstract: A hospital bed includes a carrier frame, a driven wheel unit disposed below the frame, a motor unit, a drive wheel unit disposed below the frame and coupled operably to the motor unit in such a manner that actuation of the motor unit results in rotation of the drive wheel unit. A lifting-and-lowering device interconnects the frame and the drive wheel unit for lowering and lifting the drive wheel unit with respect to the driven wheel unit between an upper position, in which, the drive wheel unit is disposed at an elevation above the driven wheel unit, and a lower position, in which lower surfaces of the driven and drive wheel units are flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Pao-Ling Lee
  • Patent number: 7311162
    Abstract: A traction unit capable of traversing and turning on surfaces that include compound curves like the surface of a sphere or are inverted like a ceiling. The traction unit includes a plurality of trucks operable to propel the unit across a surface and a plurality of adherence members operable to releasably secure the unit to the surface. In operation, the adherence members cyclically attach to and release from the surface as the trucks propel the unit across the surface. Within each cycle, after the unit has traveled a predetermined distance relative to an attached member, the member releases the surface and reattaches to the surface at a different point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Skywalker Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Jeswine, Frank Dailey, Eric Olsen, Cameron Raymond Cox
  • Patent number: 7311163
    Abstract: A regeneration and brake management system includes a prime mover, an energy storage device associated with the prime mover, and a regenerative braking system including a controller and at least one friction brake, wherein the regenerative braking system is configured to at least partially disable the at least one friction brake during regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7311164
    Abstract: An illuminated scooter includes a platform having a pivotal, length-adjustable handlebar at a front end and a wheel at a back end. Mounted on the upper surface of the platform adjacent the wheel is a generator including a drive shaft with a roller at a distal end thereof. The generator is biased rearwardly whereby a rider can selectively move the roller into engagement with the scooter rear wheel. When the roller is moved into engagement with the rear wheel, the generator powers a plurality of LED's that are fastened to each of two side edges of the platform. An associated microprocessor selectively activates certain segments of the LED's according to the scooter speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Jon P. Kertes
  • Patent number: 7311165
    Abstract: A snowmobile ski with a pair of outboard keels and laterally projecting, upwardly slanting, lateral wings attached proximate the outboard keels is disclosed. A ski of this structure has improved flotation and resistance to side slippage in turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Starting Line Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Roberts, Joseph Brigham Hokanson
  • Patent number: 7311166
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved snowmobile ski having a vertical fin on the topside of the ski with a surface area large enough to minimize or prevent sideways slippage of the ski during a turn. The fin, if a single fin is used, is located adjacent the outboard edge of the ski. A snowmobile ski with dual topside fins having outwardly projecting lips along the upper edges of said fins has improved performance in deep snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Starting Line Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Roberts, Joseph Brigham Hokanson
  • Patent number: 7311167
    Abstract: A left drive shaft and a right drive shaft each include an inside constant velocity joint and an outside constant velocity joint with a ball spline mechanism provided between the inside constant velocity joint and the outside constant velocity joint for enabling the distance between the inside constant velocity joint and the outside constant velocity joint to be contracted and extended. The ball spline mechanism includes a spline shaft having an outer circumferential surface provided with a plurality of axial grooves extending in the axial direction, a tubular portion surrounding the periphery of the spline shaft and having an inner circumferential surface provided with a plurality of axial grooves extending in the axial direction and a plurality of balls capable of rolling while being fitted in the axial grooves and in the axial grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Takayanagi, Yohei Makata, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7311168
    Abstract: In a rear wheel support structure for a motorcycle or a three-wheeled vehicle in which a proximal end portion of a swing arm is vertically tiltably supported on a vehicle body frame by way of a tilting support shaft, a rear wheel is rotatably supported on the swing arm by way of a rear axle, and a rear shock absorber is interposed between the swing arm and the vehicle body frame. The comfort of the ride is enhanced by ensuring a sufficiently long effective stroke of the rear shock absorber with respect to a stroke of the rear wheel. A tilting support shaft of a swing arm is arranged behind a rear axle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kofuji
  • Patent number: 7311169
    Abstract: A door system for an automotive vehicle includes an impact-responsive catcher pin which may be operated by a supplemental restraint system having side impact sensing capability so that the impact-responsive catcher pin may be directed to deploy from a housing mounted within a vehicle door, to a position in which the catcher pin locks the vehicle door to a rocker beam adjoining the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ari Caliskan, Allen Preston
  • Patent number: 7311170
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is capable of preventing the temperature of air supplied to an engine and the temperature of a battery from being excessively increased and has a large minimum ground clearance. An object-mountable supporting box is bridged between left and right frame members of a body frame. A battery is located above a bottom plate of the supporting box. An air cleaner is located between the left and right frame members and rearward relative to the supporting box. An intake passage is located in an area which is between the left and right frame members, above the bottom plate of the supporting box, and beside the battery. An exhaust passage passes through an area above a bottom of the frame body and below the bottom plate of the supporting box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Isoda, Masayuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7311171
    Abstract: To enhance productivity by further enhancing the ease of assembly in a main assembly line in a suspension installation structure for a vehicle. Cantilever frames (that is, first inclined frames and lower main frames) that protrude toward the front of a vehicle (or toward the rear of the vehicle) are provided to a body frame. Brackets (that is, an upper bracket, a lower front bracket and a lower rear bracket) are fastened to the cantilever frames by bolts as a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bunzo Seki, Shinji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7311172
    Abstract: A steering system for a straddle carrier includes two side supports with steerable wheels, braces, a hoisting gear, an an upper frame. An operator's cab having a steering wheel is disposed at the upper frame. A servo motor with an inverter is mounted in operative connection with the steering wheel and that operates in four quadrants. The servo motor steers the wheels of the straddle carrier using a steering computer, hydraulic proportional valves, control cylinders, and potentiometers on the side supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Noell Mobile Systems & Cranes GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Kuhn, Reinhard Bauer