Patents Issued in January 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7322386
    Abstract: A funnel for pouring liquid into a receptacle is collapsible and is stored in the receptacle when not in use. The funnel is automatically unfolded upon opening a receptacle lid. The funnel has no risk of unfolding in the receptacle. A tube fixed to a base plate includes displaceable means that are fastened to the lid. The tube is terminated at the top with an arrester for securing the displaceable means. The foldable funnel is disposed inside the existing receptacle, and the funnel is unfolded as soon as the lid is lifted. The opened lid is disposed at the side of the funnel completely outside the funnel circumference so as not to interfere with filling. Placing the lid upon the tube, centering the lid on the funnel and pushing downward closes the receptacle and folds the funnel, which disappears downward into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jens Peder Holm
  • Patent number: 7322387
    Abstract: An integrated energy hub facility capable of bringing together all aspects of hydrocarbon and other fluid product movement under controlled conditions applicable to the reception, storage, processing, collection and transmission downstream is provided. Input to the energy hub includes natural gas and crude from a pipeline or a carrier, LNG from a carrier, CNG from a carrier, and carrier-regassed LNG, as well as other products from a pipeline or a carrier. Storage can be above surface, in salt caverns or in subterranean formations and cavities, and include petroleum crude, natural gas, LPG, NGL, GTL and other fluids. Transmission downstream may be carried out by a vessel or other type of carrier and/or by means of a pipeline system. Cryogenic fluids are offloaded and sent to the energy hub surface holding tank, then pumped to the energy hub vaporizers and sent to underground storage and/or distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Energy LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Landry, Roger Jacques Maduell
  • Patent number: 7322388
    Abstract: A tree removal attachment is provided which can be easily affixed to construction equipment such as a small loader or skidster. The tree removal attachment has at least one moveable blade which is powered preferably by the hydraulic system of the loader for use in tree removal. The tree removal attachment replaces a bucket or other loader equipment and can be operated in relatively small, confined areas. The method of use prevents the necessity of backfilling a large hole as usually formed by bulldozers as they extract the roots attached to a tree trunk during removal from the ground. The tree removal attachment can be adapted to work on various heavy equipment such as skidsters, bobcats, track-hoes, excavators, back-hoes, bulldozers, tractors, truck loaders, forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Adcock
  • Patent number: 7322389
    Abstract: A method of processing wood into a predetermined shape through compression includes compressing a first wooden piece and a second wooden piece separately; and placing the compressed second wooden piece on the compressed first wooden piece to bond the wooden pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7322390
    Abstract: A tread surface, the tire rotational direction of which is specified in one direction, has a center region. Blocks having obtuse-angled corner portions and acute-angled corner portions are defined in the center region by at least one first circumferential groove extending in a circumferential direction of the tire on one side of the tire centerline, and first lateral grooves which extend outwardly in a widthwise direction of the tire from the first circumferential groove so as to incline towards a direction of reverse rotation of the tire and are disposed at predetermined intervals in the tire circumferential direction. Groove wall surfaces located on both sides of the obtuse-angled corner portion of each block facing to the first circumferential groove are inclined such that the inclination angles thereof are gradually greater towards the obtuse-angled corner portion and are maximum at the obtuse-angled corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamane, Masahiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 7322391
    Abstract: A tire including a tread rubber having at least one positive profile. Wherein the positive profile is formed by at least one circumferential groove. Further, the tire includes at least one truncated groove extending into the positive profile from the circumferential groove, such that the truncated groove includes at least one flank surface. Further still, the tire includes the truncated groove being inclined at an acute angle to a direction of rotation of the tire. The tire includes a pitch of the flank surface that continuously changes with respect to the radial direction over a length of the truncated groove. The tire being a vehicle pneumatic tire. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Metz
  • Patent number: 7322392
    Abstract: A tire pump includes a passive air pump which is attachable to a component of a vehicle wheel assembly. The vehicle wheel assembly has a vehicle wheel, a tire valve stem attached to the vehicle wheel, and a tire mounted on the vehicle wheel and containing a gas. The passive air pump has an air inlet in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere and has an air outlet in direct fluid communication with the gas in the tire. The passive air pump is operable by transient pressure pulses of the gas in the tire to suck in an air volume from the atmosphere through the air inlet after a present one of the transient pressure pulses and to pump at least some of the sucked-in air volume through the air outlet into the tire during a future one of the transient pressure pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Hawes
  • Patent number: 7322393
    Abstract: A sealing material includes the following characteristics: a value of a dynamic elastic modulus, measured at a temperature of 80° C., at a frequency of 1 Hz, and with a deformation of 5%, that is at least 60% lower than a value of the dynamic elastic modulus measured at the temperature of 80° C., at the frequency of 1 Hz, and with a deformation of 1%; and the value of the dynamic elastic modulus, measured at the temperature of 80° C., at the frequency of 1 Hz, and with the deformation of 5%, that is greater than or equal to 0.05 kPa. A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply and at least one layer of sealing material disposed in a radially inner position with respect to the at least one carcass ply. A process for producing the tire is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Serra, Pierangelo Misani, Jean-Louis Locatelli
  • Patent number: 7322394
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a head unit has a carriage, a recognition apparatus for image-wise recognizing a position of each of liquid droplet ejection heads, a moving apparatus for moving the carriage, a correction apparatus for slightly moving head holding members, a fixing apparatus for fixing each of the head holding members, and a controller. The controller drives the moving apparatus based on a result of recognition by the recognition apparatus, and then positions each of the liquid droplet ejection heads to the carriage, and then each of the liquid droplet ejection heads is fixed to the head holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7322395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tambour door comprising a door leaf that can be rolled up. The door comprises a vertical roller frame for receiving the door leaf, a sliding bar, to which the rollable door leaf is fixed, and an upper horizontal guide rail, in which the sliding bar is displaceably mounted. The invention facilitates a particularly simple, space-saving, modular construction. The rear face or external face of the roller frame is fixed to a wall and the guide rail is configured as a floating guide rail, which is fixed on one side at least indirectly to the roller frame and on the other side in a fixing element that is fastened at least indirectly to a wall. The door can be used as a lavatory door, or in situations requiring privacy protection for a door opening that economizes on space as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kaba Gilgen AG
    Inventors: Jürg Nyffenegger, Erich Kaufmann, Pascal Bürki
  • Patent number: 7322396
    Abstract: A hollow airfoil is fabricated by providing a casting mold assembly including a casting mold, a casting core, and a standoff spacer that prevents the casting core from contacting the casting mold to define a casting space. A first nickel-base superalloy is cast into the casting space and solidified to form the hollow airfoil. The presence of a through-hole extending through a wall of the hollow airfoil is identified, and the through-hole is closed by welding using a second nickel-base superalloy, without using any freestanding closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christine Govern, Thomas Joseph Kelly, Joseph Giancarlo Sabato
  • Patent number: 7322397
    Abstract: A seal for a continuous casting furnace having a melting chamber with a mold therein for producing a metal cast includes a passage between the melting chamber and external atmosphere. As the cast moves through the passage, the cast outer surface and the passage inner surface define therebetween a reservoir for containing liquid glass or other molten material to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. Particulate material fed into the reservoir is melted by heat from the cast to form the molten material. The molten material coats the cast as it moves through the passage and solidifies to form a coating to protect the hot cast from reacting with the external atmosphere. Preferably, the mold has an inner surface with a cross-sectional shape to define a cross-sectional shape of the cast outer surface whereby these cross-sectional shapes are substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the passage inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: RMI Titanium Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Frank P. Spadafora, Kuang-O Yu, Brian W. Martin
  • Patent number: 7322398
    Abstract: A pressure tank includes a liner separated into a cap and a main body. A shell covers the outer surface of the liner. The shell is formed of a fiber reinforced plastic. A heat exchanger is arranged in the liner. A header is connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is supported on the liner by fastening the header to the cap or the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Keiji Toh, Hidehito Kubo, Katsuyoshi Fujita, Akiko Kumano, Masahiko Kimbara, Yoshihiro Isogai, Daigoro Mori
  • Patent number: 7322399
    Abstract: The heat exchange module, intended for a motor vehicle with internal combustion engine fitted with a high temperature cooling system and a low temperature cooling system, comprises at least one row of heat exchange tubes (102) connected to at least one inlet manifold (58, 64, 66) and to at least one outlet manifold (60, 62, 68), these tubes forming a heat exchange surface. It comprises surface distribution means (110, 42, 44) that are used to divide the heat exchange surface into a high temperature heat exchange section and a low temperature heat exchange section. The module preferably comprises a high temperature fixed section (52), a low temperature fixed section (54) and an intermediate section that can be allocated wholly or partly to the sections (52 and 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Systems Thermiques
    Inventors: Pascal Guerrero, Jean-Louis Laveran, Jerome Genoist
  • Patent number: 7322400
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus has a low profile extrusion with a plurality of micro tubes extended there through. The low profile extrusion is placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid removes heat via an adiabatic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ThermoTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Overton L. Parish, IV, Roger S. DeVilbiss
  • Patent number: 7322401
    Abstract: Ventilator including a case having a first flow passage and a second flow passage therein, at least one fan in the case for supplying room air to a room through the first flow passage, and guiding outdoor air to the room through the second flow passage, and a heat exchanger in the case, the heat exchanger having a working fluid therein for repeating evaporation (heat absorption) and condensing (heat dissipation) by a temperature difference of the air flowing through the first flow passage and the second flow passage, for making the air flowing through the first flow passage and the air flowing through the second flow passage to heat exchange, thereby providing a ventilator which is thin, can be installed conveniently, and can recover a thermal energy from room air, and reduce a pressure loss and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7322402
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a heat pipe structure which includes a tubular member, and a woven wick structure having a base portion formed at one end of the tubular member and a surrounding portion extending from the base portion for attaching to an interior wall of the tubular member. Therefore, an end portion of a heat pipe can be used to contact a heat source for dissipation to provide more efficient dissipation and prevent from limitation of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Hul-Chun Hsu
  • Patent number: 7322403
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a shell that has an inner chamber defined by an inside wall surface. A tube stack disposed within the inner chamber and includes a plurality of flat elongated tubes that define a first fluid flow path. The tubes each include a wire that is wound around a tube outside surface and that extends in a helical manner along a tube length. When stacked together, the wires of adjacent tubes connect with one another to form an “X” pattern connection that operates to both distance the adjacent tubes and form a second fluid flow path along the outside surfaces of the tubes. The connection between the wires causes turbulent flow in the coolant that improves the heat transfer characteristic of the coolant, and the connection between the wires provides structural support to the tubes in the tube stack to help reduce vibration induced heat exchanger failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith D. Agee
  • Patent number: 7322404
    Abstract: A coil on tube heat exchanger is provided that uses multiple parallel helical coil tubes to limit liquid pressure losses while providing similar performance and production times to previous coil and tube designs. Two or more coil tubes are wrapped together around a tube in a helical fashion, permitting the heat exchanger to be used in a counter-flow, or contra-flow, implementation. The system preferably includes a header, or manifold, to connect two or more of the coil tubes together at the beginning and/or end of the tube. However, each individual coil may be connected to a separate load and kept independent. Embodiments of the present invention provide reduced pressure loss, higher performance and are generally faster to manufacture than prior heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: RenewABILITY Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. E. Van Decker, Colin M. Watts
  • Patent number: 7322405
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a plurality of heat conductive pipes forming first passages are provided between an outer wall plate and an inner wall plate. Air flows through the first passages. Second passages are formed between the heat conductive pipes. An exhaust gas flows through the second passages. Each of the heat conductive pipes has opposite walls limiting the passage width of the first passage. The walls are formed along involute curves. The second passages are formed by providing adjacent heat conductive pipes along the involute curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7322406
    Abstract: An operational system and method and improved apparatus for positioning and stabbing well tubulars wherein: the grasping members of the apparatus can be folded and unfolded; the boom assembly can be pivoted to a downward clearance position; a plurality of stabbing apparatuses can be placed and used in a stacked position in the derrick; the grasping members can opened at an angle with respect the boom; the grasping members can be mounted on either lateral side of the boom; a sensor monitors the relative position of the rig top drive with respect to the stabbing apparatus; the grasping members and/or the boom will automatically pivot to a breakaway position if impacted; and/or the system is programmed and configured to prevent the accidental performance of critical operations out of sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Frank's Casing Crew & Rental Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Wiggins, Brian D. Begnaud, Jebb L. Huval, Stefan Schmidt, Charles Michael Webre
  • Patent number: 7322407
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly is provided including a casing and a tubular member mounted over the casing. A flange extends from the tubular member. A generally elongated annular member is provided in the tubular member. The generally elongated annular member has a first end portion above the tubular member and second end portion below the first end portion. A seal is formed between the second end portion and the tubular member. A hanger may be suspended within the tubular member. In such case, a seal may be formed between the elongate annular member and the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Duhn Oil Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex E. Duhn, Robert K. Meek
  • Patent number: 7322408
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a cased or lined well bore (40), the tool including a barrier (36) arranged on an outer surface of the tool. The barrier may be of a resilient material so that it can be deformed on actuation to control the passage of fluid between the tool and the casing or liner. Fluid flow is thus selectively diverted through flow paths (22) in the tool. Embodiments are described for actuating the barrier by hydraulic means and for filtering the fluid within the flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul David Howlett
  • Patent number: 7322409
    Abstract: A system for producing gas from a gas hydrate formation includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is disposed in proximity of a first region of the formation, and the second electrode is disposed within a second region of the formation. The second electrode is separated from the first electrode by an electro-conductive path through the formation. An extraction well extends within the formation and intersects the electro-conductive path. The well comprises one or more perforations in fluid communication with the formation. A voltage source is connected to the electrodes and operates to produce a voltage difference across the electrodes. A method for extracting gases from a gas hydrate formation includes the step of establishing a voltage difference across two or more electrodes in a hydrate formation to thermally react with the hydrate formation and release gas from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Electro-Petroleum, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Kenneth Wittle, Christy W. Bell
  • Patent number: 7322410
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating an electrically powered device in a packer using the piping structure of the well as an electrical conductor for providing power and/or communications. The electrically powered device may comprise an electrically controllable valve, a communications and control module, a modem, a sensor, and/or a tracer injection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Robert Rex Burnett, William Mountjoy Savage, Frederick Gordon Carl, Jr., John Michele Hirsch, George Leo Stegemeier, Ronald Marshall Bass
  • Patent number: 7322411
    Abstract: A method of fracturing using deformable proppants minimizes proppant pack damage, without compromising the fracturing fluid's proppant transport properties during pumping, by use of deformable proppants. Selection of proppant is dependent upon the mechanical properties of the formation rock. The strength of the deformable proppant is dependent upon the modulus of the formation rock being treated such that the proppant is capable of providing, at the very least, a minimum level of conductivity in in-situ stress environments. The maximum elastic modulus of the deformable proppant is less than the minimum modulus of the formation rock which is being treated. The method is particularly applicable in fracturing operations of subterranean reservoirs such as those comprised primarily of coal, chalk, limestone, dolomite, shale, siltstone, diatomite, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Allan Ray Rickards, Christopher John Stephenson, Russell L. Maharidge
  • Patent number: 7322412
    Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Badalamenti, Simon Turton, Karl W. Blanchard, Ronald R. Faul, Michael G. Crowder, Henry E. Rogers, James E. Griffith, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 7322413
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fluid pressure applied to a cementing plug comprises disposing the cementing plug within a casing string to define a trapped volume of fluid within the casing string, isolating a portion of the trapped volume of fluid adjacent the cementing plug to define an isolated volume of fluid, and relieving the fluid pressure within the isolated volume of fluid at a first rate sufficient to prevent damage to or inadvertent release of the cementing plug. An apparatus for relieving fluid pressure within a casing string being run into a well bore comprises at least one equalizer valve connected to a work string extending into the casing string, and a sealing device disposed above the equalizer valve to seal an annular space formed between the work string and the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Rogers, David Durward Szarka, Brett A. Fears
  • Patent number: 7322414
    Abstract: Crosslinkable-polymer compositions are provided that may be useful for, among other things, reducing, stopping, or diverting the flow of fluids in subterranean formations. The crosslinkable-polymer compositions may comprise an aqueous fluid, a chitosan-reacting polymer, chitosan, and a gelation-retarding additive comprising an acid derivative. Various methods of use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Eldon D. Dalrymple, Julio Vasquez
  • Patent number: 7322415
    Abstract: A subterranean electro-thermal heating system including one or more heater cable sections extending through one or more heat target regions of a subterranean environment and one or more cold lead sections coupled to the heater cable section(s) and extending through one or more non-target regions of the subterranean environment. A cold lead section delivers electrical power to a heater cable section but generates less heat than the heater cable section. The heater cable section(s) and the cold lead section(s) are arranged to deliver thermal input to one or more localized areas in the subterranean environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Thermal Controls LLC
    Inventor: Edward Everett de St. Remey
  • Patent number: 7322416
    Abstract: A method of servicing a well bore comprises deploying into the well bore a zonal isolation device operable to self-set at a sensed location, and self-setting the zonal isolation device to hold at the sensed location without receiving command communications from the surface, wherein the zonal isolation device is deployed along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. Another method of servicing comprises deploying into the well bore a tool operable to self-activate at one or more locations, and self-navigating the tool to determine the one or more locations without receiving communications from the surface, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Burris, II, Kenneth L. Schwendemann, Phillip M. Starr, Michael L. Fripp, John J. Goiffon, John H. Hales, John Rodgers, Darrin N. Towers
  • Patent number: 7322417
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a string and a plurality of tools that are mounted in the string. The string includes a passageway. The tools are mounted in the string and are adapted to be placed in a state to catch objects (free-falling objects and/or pumped-down objects, as just a few examples) of substantially the same size, which are communicated downhole through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, Ashish Sharma, Liana M. Mitrea
  • Patent number: 7322418
    Abstract: A method for drilling wells in which the tubular can be added or removed from the drill string whilst mud and drilling fluids being circulated continuously and kept separated from the environment to reduce pollution. A connector is used with an inlet and outlet for the mud etc. and which incorporates rams to seal off and separate the flow of mud as a tubular is added or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Coupler Developments Limited
    Inventor: Laurence J. Ayling
  • Patent number: 7322419
    Abstract: A control sub for use with a hydraulically operated downhole tool. In an embodiment, the sub comprises an outer sleeve connected to a work string and an inner sleeve slidably engaged to the outer sleeve by matching hex profiles, connected to the downhole tool. Radial ports in the outer sleeve provide selective circulation of fluid from the tool and by closing these ports with the sleeve fluid pressure in to the downhole tool can be controlled. Closure is effected by setting down weight on the sub against the tool. An indexing mechanism is also described to keep the tool in a configuration, which maintains pressure on the tool. The sub is suitable for use with an expander tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Carmichael
  • Patent number: 7322420
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a downhole tubular. The apparatus includes a mandrel defining at least one curved support surface. The apparatus further includes an expansion member defining a curved bearing surface for contact with the support surface and corresponding to the mandrel support surface. The expansion member is movable relative to the mandrel, whereby the surfaces are in contact and movable over one another to move the expansion member from a smaller diameter first configuration towards a larger diameter second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan James Trinder, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, John Strachan Nicoll, Graham MacKay, Alexander Craig MacKay
  • Patent number: 7322421
    Abstract: A head member having a piston provided thereon is connected to an elongate tube such as a micro-tube. The micro-tube contains one or more optical fibres, preferably suspended therein by a protective fluid such as a scavenging gel. The head member is preferably inserted into an already-deployed downhole tubular and fluid is pumped down that already deployed tubular behind the piston such that the head member and attached micro-tube and optical fiber(s) are pumped downhole. A sealing means such as a resin material may be pumped downhole in the annulus between the outer circumference of the micro-tube and the inner circumference of the already-deployed tubular downhole in low viscosity form and which may be adapted to cure or harden after a passage of time and/or under application of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Welldynamics Inc.
    Inventor: David William Blacklaw
  • Patent number: 7322422
    Abstract: A completion assembly for use in a well, including at least one inflatable packer; at least one control line and at least one source of pressurized fluid wherein the at least one source of pressurized fluid is in fluid communication with the at least one inflatable packer via the at least one control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7322423
    Abstract: A fire protection system comprises a supply pipe having a first fluid pressurized to a first pressure and a network of pipes having a plurality of sprinklers. The network of pipes have a second fluid being pressurized to a second pressure at approximately 5.5 times the first pressure. The system further comprises a dry pipe valve including a body defining a passage extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet coupled to the supply pipe and an outlet coupled to the network of pipes. The inlet has an inlet diameter of approximately WD inches and a seat disposed in the body has a seating surface with a diameter AD approximately less than two times WD inches. The dry pipe valve further includes a clapper pivotable about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis between a first position occluding the passage when the ratio of the second pressure to the first pressure is at least 5.5 and a second position permitting fluid flow through the passage when the ratio is less than 5.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Grinnell LLC
    Inventor: Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 7322424
    Abstract: A crop separating harvester includes a primary crop path having an apex, a forced air supply tangentially positioned to the crop path from a bottom side of the apex, and a crop retrieval member, wherein said crop retrieval member is separated from said apex a predetermined distance defining a gap configured to separate culls from a crop based on a difference in specific gravity between said crop and said culls with respect to said forced air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Duane Robert Kido
  • Patent number: 7322425
    Abstract: A method of generating a stress pulse, and an impact device. In the method, pressure fluid is fed as pressure pulses to a working chamber residing between the frame of the impact device and a tool such that the resulting force presses the tool towards the material to be processed. The impact device comprises a working chamber and device for conveying pressure fluid as pressure pulses thereto such that a force is produced between the frame of the impact device and a tool to press the tool towards the material to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen
  • Patent number: 7322426
    Abstract: A method for operating a fastener driving device is disclosed. The method includes moving an input actuator of an actuating assembly into an operative position in response to movement of a contact trip assembly and a trigger member into the operative positions thereof. The contract trip assembly includes an output actuator. The method also includes moving an actuating member with respect to the trigger member between a first position and a second position, and moving a mode selecting member together with the actuating member relative to the trigger member between the first and second positions of the actuating member, and relatively moving the mode selecting member with respect to the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Juan Ignacio Aguirre, Zheng Fang, Donald R Perron
  • Patent number: 7322427
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective technique to improve ease of operation of the power impact tool. The power tool of the present invention includes a tool body, a tool bit, a motor, first and second switches and a mode changing mechanism. The motor is driven only when both switches are in an on position. The first switch is biased in the off position. The second switch is biased in the last position operated. The mode changing mechanism switches between hammer operation modes such that in the first hammer mode, the user actuates the first switch while the second switch is locked in the on position and in the second hammer mode, the first switch is locked in the on position while the second switch is actuated. In the second hammer mode, actuating the second switch similar to a toggle switch operates the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Shimma, Yoshihiro Kasuya, Masanori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7322428
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a power tool is described and includes a first substantially tubular body portion 210 which contains a first spring 212. A second body portion 216 is slidably mounted within first body portion 210 and contains a second spring 218. A third body portion 222 is also slidably mounted within first body portion 210. The biasing coefficient, or spring constant, of the first spring 212 is less than that of the second spring 218. The first, second and third body portions 210, 216 and 222, and first and second springs, 212 and 218, are all mounted coaxially on threaded bolt 224. In use the third body portion 222 moves within first body portion 210 in a direction towards end portion 214 and the first and softer spring 212 becomes compressed more rapidly than the second and harder spring 218.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Dorin Bacila
  • Patent number: 7322429
    Abstract: A portable drilling machine includes a housing; a drill chuck positioned on a front surface of the housing; a drill bit detachably coupled to the drill chuck; a driver positioned inside the housing to provide either the drill bit or the drill chuck with a rotational driving force; an anti-dust cover having a rear anti-dust cover formed in a cup shape with a drill through-hole formed in a central region of a bottom surface of the rear anti-dust cover and a front anti-dust cover formed in a tube shape to be coupled to the rear anti-dust cover, the front anti-dust cover being adapted to move towards the bottom surface of the rear anti-dust cover when acted on by pressure towards the housing and return to original position when the pressure is removed; and a retainer for detachably coupling the rear anti-dust cover to an outer surface of either the housing or the drill chuck. The rotational motion of the drill bit is not interfered with by the anti-dust cover, and the dust collection space is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jong Oh Kim
  • Patent number: 7322430
    Abstract: A method of reducing the torque required to provide relative rotation of two connected members includes providing impacts at or adjacent the connection between the two members at a rate of at least two impacts per second. An apparatus for reducing the torque required to provide relative rotation of two connected members includes an impact member adapted to provide an impact to at least one of the connected members, a driver for driving the impact member, wherein the driver is operable to cause the impact member to automatically and repeatedly impact upon the at least one member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Keith Littlely
  • Patent number: 7322431
    Abstract: An ultrasonic processor for continuous processing of material is disclosed comprising an enclosed processor chamber (12) having opposed end wall (18) and (16) and an input (40) and an output (42) so that material to be processed can be passed through the processor chamber. Ultrasound is applied to the chamber by a bank of ultrasonic converters (22,24) and the input and output are mutually displaced along a connecting wall (14) in a direction perpendicular to the processor wall to which the converter bank is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ultrasonic Processors Limited
    Inventor: Henry Kevin Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 7322432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diverter tool used in a pipe string used to lower a liner and a cutting apparatus on the end thereof into a partially cased wellbore. The diverter tool has a diverter body that defines a longitudinal flow passage and has the diverter ports defined therethrough to communicate a drilling fluid displaced through the pipe string into the liner into an annular space around the diverter tool. The diverter tool has a closure member so that when the wellbore is drilled to its desired depth, the diverter ports through which drilling fluid is diverted may be closed and the liner may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Rogers, Nicholas C. Braun, Steven L. Holden
  • Patent number: 7322433
    Abstract: A Tool for excavating an object, the tool having a jetting system arranged to impinge the object to be excavated with a jetted stream of a drilling fluid mixed with abrasive particles, the jetting system being provided with at least a mixing chamber with a drilling fluid inlet, a second inlet for abrasive particles, and an outlet nozzle for releasing the drilling fluid mixed with the abrasive particles; a recirculation system arranged to recirculate at least some of the abrasive particles, from a return stream of the fluid mixed with the abrasive particles downstream impingement of the jet with the object back to the jetting system, whereby the abrasive particles have a magnetic material, which recirculation system has a separator magnet for separating the abrasive particles from the return stream and for transporting the particles to the second inlet; and, a piece of magnetic material that is provided in or in the vicinity of the mixing chamber such as to draw a part of the magnetic field generated by the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jan-Jette Blangé
  • Patent number: 7322434
    Abstract: A stable and lightweight golf cart comprises: an elongate frame has a front fork having a lower forked portion attached to a front wheel, a central portion pivotably attached to a front portion of the elongate frame, and a top portion carrying a steering member; a drive means and rear driven wheel attached to a rear portion of the frame; and, two laterally extended balance wheels attached to and carried by a central portion of the frame. In use the balance wheels are positioned outwardly thereby maintaining the golf cart in an upright position. In a preferred aspect of the invention the golf cart frame comprises a platform and each of the balance wheels are attached to one end portion of an arm having an opposite end portion which is hingably attached to a rear of the central portion of the platform so that the balance wheels may swing laterally outward from the platform to an in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Alex S Hussain
  • Patent number: 7322435
    Abstract: To enable a rider to control in real time the type of ride he desires, a snowmobile is equipped with a suspension system that includes at least one fluid actuated device which can be adjusted in real time to control the relative distance between the body of the snowmobile onto which the rider sits and the frame, or the slide tracks about which the drive belt is mounted. By setting a constant predetermined desirable distance between the body and the slide tracks, or the frame, of the snowmobile, an optimal cushioned ride for the rider is obtained. The control of the fluid actuated device(s) may be effected at any time manually by the rider, or be effected by a feedback system. The snowmobile is also equipped with an ABS system for enhancing the traction of the drive belt on snow and therefore the control of the snowmobile by the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lillbacka Powerco Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Lillbacka, Pekka Lillbacka