Patents Issued in July 8, 2008
  • Patent number: 7395836
    Abstract: Disclosed is a check valve (5) that is screwed into a threaded bore (1) of a housing (2) of a hydraulic subassembly between a first pressure side (26) and a second pressure side (27) by means of an external thread (11) which is disposed in a first cylinder section (8) of a cylindrical valve housing (6) of the check valve (5). A passage duct (39) which allows a hydraulic fluid to flow between the sidewall of the threaded bore (1) and a first removed portion (16) of the surface area (10) of the cylindrical valve housing (6) is embodied in at least one angular segment (a1, a2, and a3) of the valve housing (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hydromatik GmbH
    Inventors: Clemens Krebs, Herbert Dreher
  • Patent number: 7395837
    Abstract: A powertrain has an electrically variable hybrid transmission having an electro-hydraulic control system, plurality of electrical power units, and a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable by the electro-hydraulic control system to provide four forward speed ranges, a neutral condition, an electric low and high speed mode, an electrically variable low and high speed mode, and a hill hold mode. The electro-hydraulic control system includes a multiplexed pressure switch system. The multiplexed pressure switch system of the present invention allows position detection of six torque transmitting mechanism control valves through the use of only four pressure switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Charles F. Long
  • Patent number: 7395838
    Abstract: A piston-type accumulator includes an accumulator housing provided in the form of a cylinder tube (1). A separating piston (15) separates two working spaces (5) and (6) from one another in the housing and can be displaced in an axial direction within a piston stroke area (19) of the cylinder tube (1). The cylindrical tube is closed at one axial end by a closure part (7). The closure part is defined by deforming a deforming area (9) of the wall of the cylinder tube (1). The deforming area adjoining the piston stroke area (19) is provided in the form of part that exists as a single piece with the housing. A stop body (25), which limits the movement of the separating piston (15) before reaching the deforming area (9), is provided inside the cylinder tube (1) at the location where the piston stroke area (19) transitions into the deforming area (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH.
    Inventors: Norbert Weber, Herbert Baltes
  • Patent number: 7395839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for face-to-face weaving of a pile fabric on a weaving machine, pile forming pile warp yarns (6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19) being interlaced alternately around a weft yarn (1) in the upper fabric and around a weft yarn (1) in the lower fabric and non pile forming pile warp yarns (6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19) being interlaced in one of the backing fabrics in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the said weaving machine comprising at least three weft insertion means and that at each weft insertion cycle only one weft yarn is inserted, the non pile forming pile warp yarns (6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19) to be interlaced are positioned on a different level (N1, N2) and, in successive series of four weft insertion cycles (a, b, c, d) each time during two successive weft insertion cycles one weft yarn (1) being inserted (a, b) under the two levels (N1, N2) and one weft yarn (1) being inserted above the two levels (N1, N2) and each time, during two other successive weft insert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: N.V. Michel Van de Wiele
    Inventor: Johny Debaes
  • Patent number: 7395840
    Abstract: An industrial single-layer fabric having a concave-convex upper side surface and a lower side surface comprises warps, wefts and auxiliary wefts having a smaller diameter than the wefts. On the upper side surface in a repeating unit, at least two kinds of upper side knuckles are formed by each of the warps that passes over one weft and zero to two auxiliary wefts. On the lower side surface in the repeating unit, at least two kinds of lower side knuckles are formed by each of the warps that passes under one weft and zero to four auxiliary wefts. The wefts form a plain weave design by alternatively passing over one warp and passing under one warp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Filcon Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Senri Ito
  • Patent number: 7395841
    Abstract: A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. During fill operations, a preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated storage compartments. Dispensing operations are performed in response to dispense request commands. The fill operations are performed in a manner independent from the quantity of tablets identified by the dispense request commands. During the dispensing operations for a particular dispense request command, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated storage compartments, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Moreover, the fill operations and the dispensing operations may be performed in parallel for high-throughput dispensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kirby Lester, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandr Geltser, Vladimir Gershman, Michael R. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7395842
    Abstract: An apparatus to aid in the filling or refilling of a flexible, collapsible container having a pour spout and a method for using same. The apparatus includes a center frame element having attached to its upper end an upper frame element adapted to receive at least a portion of the pour spout of the container. At its lower end, the center frame element is attached to a lower frame element adapted to cradle a lower portion of the container being filled and to urge the container toward the center frame element as the flexible, collapsible container fills and expands. The apparatus is portable and may be removably mounted to a variety of vertical or horizontal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: John J. Dyer
  • Patent number: 7395843
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Forge, LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Brand
  • Patent number: 7395844
    Abstract: A method of processing a wooden piece taken out from a raw wood into a predetermined three-dimensional shape, includes compressing the wooden piece by applying compressive force thereto in a water vapor atmosphere of higher temperature and higher pressure than atmospheric air; and fracturing at least a portion of the compressed wooden piece by exposing the portion to the atmospheric air so as to cause explosion inside the exposed portion of the wooden piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7395845
    Abstract: A belt layer is provided at its outer side with a band layer comprising edge bands on left and right sides. When a cross sectional area of one band cord is defined as S (unit; mm2) and a modulus of the band cord when its elongation is 2% is defined as M (unit; N/mm2) and disposition density of the band cord per 1 cm of the band layer is defined as D (unit; the number of band cords/cm), an elongation resistance value K (unit; N·the number of band cords/cm) of the band layer which is determined by the following equation (1) is set to 270 or higher and 830 or lower: K=S×M×D/100.??(1) An elongation percentage T(%) of the band cord in a tire in its natural state in which the tire is not assembled to a rim is set to 0.75% or higher and 1.2% or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Yukawa
  • Patent number: 7395846
    Abstract: A flexible board bonding method is a method in which a flexible board is bonded to a head holding member having a bent projection, provided with a load beam and a flexible member. The flexile board is sucked by a main suction head and a sub suction head positioned on the flexible board, and then the sub suction head is shifted in such a way that the sub suction head remains within an area defined by a rotation center located substantially at the main suction head and a rotation radius extending substantially between the main suction head and the sub suction head. Then, the flexible board is bonded to the head holding member at the main suction head side under the state in which the flexible board is kept away from said the bent projection by bending of the flexible board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Miyakawa, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Akimasa Nakao
  • Patent number: 7395847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate including the back grind step, the dicing step, the pick up step, and the die bonding step of the wafer; and to a semiconductor substrate jig used in such method. The object of the present invention is to mitigate the effect and to prevent damage caused by the lack of strength in thinned semiconductor substrates. A jig with an outer frame 21, and a rubber film 22 arranged within the outer frame 21 and having increasing and decreasing body size while deforming its shape by supplying air therein are provided. As the volume of the rubber film 22 increases, the wafer-fixing jig 20 deforms the rubber film and allows the tapes 2 and 6 arranged between the wafer 1 and the rubber film 22A to be pushed toward the wafer 1 gradually from the center outward. The attachment step, the back grind step, the tape reapplication step, the pick up step and the die bonding step are conducted using such wafer-fixing jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kazuo Teshirogi, Yuzo Shimobeppu, Kazuhiro Yoshimoto, Mitsuhisa Watanabe, Yoshiaki Shinjo, Eiji Yoshida, Noboru Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 7395848
    Abstract: An apparatus for the mounting/dismounting of tires on wheels. A bead breaker module with elongated pressure clamps pivotally moved by an actuator such that the elongated pressure clamps extend from the perimeter of a tire to a position proximal the tire side and bead; the actuator urges the elongated pressure clamps together to disengage the bead from the rim. A tire mount/dismount module having a base plate affixed to a wheel; a receiver and drive assembly rotatably affixed to the base plate with a receiver receiving a bead rolling tool which is inserted between a tire bead and wheel rim and which, when the receiver and drive assembly is rotated, disengages the bead from the rim or, when installing a tire, engages the bead relative to the rim. A bead rolling or tire iron tool has ellipitical cross-sections proximal its ends and extensions, bearing surfaces at its bottom, a rectangular cross-section intermediate its ends and a slot intermediate its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Kenn Bishop
  • Patent number: 7395849
    Abstract: A method for dismounting self-supporting tires (1) from the relative rim (2), said self-supporting tires comprising an outer cover (10) that contains a rigid auxiliary ring (16) provided with two flexible sidewalls (18, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Corghi S.P.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Patent number: 7395850
    Abstract: A winding-up screen device in which, when a screen is wound around a winding axis, a screen guide for guiding the edge portion of the screen unwound from the winding axis is not left on the opening frame of a building. A joining groove is provided in the screen guide provided so as to go in and out between an opening frame and a fixed frame or a movable frame of the building, a joining part is attached to the edge portion, to be guided by the screen guide, of a screen, the screen guide goes in and out when the screen is wound and unwound by operation of the movable frame, and the joining part of the unwound screen is joined to the joining groove of the screen guide so as to freely slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Seiki Hanbai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko Chino, Yoji Kamosawa, Hirotsugu Toda
  • Patent number: 7395851
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device comprises a heat spreader for contacting an electronic device for absorbing heat therefrom. A plurality of fins is formed on the heat spreader. A first heat sink is separated from the heat spreader and comprises a first base substantially perpendicular to the heat spreader and a plurality of first fins formed on the first base. A second heat sink comprises a second base connecting with the first base and a plurality of second fins formed on the second base. Two heat pipes connect the heat spreader with the first base and the second base via opposite sides of the heat dissipation device. The heat pipes are partly sandwiched between the first base and the second base and transfers heat from the heat spreader to both of the first and the second heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Kun Lee, Wan-Lin Xia, Tao Li, Min-Qi Xiao
  • Patent number: 7395852
    Abstract: A thermal concentrator composition with optimized design and reduced thermal resistance as a means of enhancing heat transfer and energy conversion. The composition comprises a low thermal resistance coating and methods of achieving quantum regions of energy transfer and non-linear design features resulting from cost effective manufacturing methods applicable to the material composition. The thermal concentrator composition is selected principally from the group of surface coatings, preferably comprised of diamond coatings, which are critical to obtaining maximum thermal transfer through classical and such quantum means including tunneling, waves, and phonon conversions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Michael H Gurin
  • Patent number: 7395853
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a core having first and second header tanks covered by tank caps. A pair of core reinforcing members presenting terminal ends extend between the first and second header tanks. A least one tab and an opening for receiving the tab are used for connecting the core reinforcing members to the tank caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Paul Kroetsch, Steve C. Brick, Christopher Alfred Fuller, David Matthew Smith, Joel Thomas Hambruch
  • Patent number: 7395854
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a temperature control loop in a vehicular engine compartment to concurrently cool at least two devices with a single fluid supply source when each device requires the cooling supply fluid to have a distinct temperature. The supply fluid, having a first temperature, can be simultaneously routed through a primary heat exchanger and a mixing valve. The primary heat exchanger cools the first temperature fluid to produce a second temperature fluid. The mixing valve controllably receives at least some of the first temperature fluid and some of the second temperature fluid discharged from the primary heat exchanger and mixes the respective fluids to produce a third temperature fluid. The second temperature fluid not diverted to the mixing valve is used to cool a first device located downstream of the primary heat exchanger. The third temperature fluid is used to cool a second device located downstream of the mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: NuCellSys GmbH, Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gerhard Schmidt, Mark G. Voss, Frank N. Jarrett
  • Patent number: 7395855
    Abstract: Slips (1, 21, 41) for engaging any jointed, coiled or flexible tubular with substantially no scoring, gouging or scraping, such as when supporting a drill string in a borehole or gripping a tubular (2, 22) during the connection or disconnection of a tool joint or pulling a cable or pipeline; additionally, applying a pre-determined minimum gripping force in order to avoid rotary slippage when the weight of the string is insufficient to achieve a conventional slips action; additionally, including a coarse wedge (30, 50) to take up the extra travel of a worn tool joint or a tubular of smaller diameter, with a means to ensure that the coarse wedge acts before the fine wedge (29, 49) does and a means to ensure that the wedging action remains if the actuating force is removed; additionally, including a secondary slips (40) to interfere with the upset on the tool joint to avoid relying on friction to support the string and a means of integrating this with the gripping slips and ensuring that the secondary slips act
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Coupler Developments Limited
    Inventor: Laurence John Ayling
  • Patent number: 7395856
    Abstract: A system allows for sequential treatment of sections of a zone. Access to each portion can be with a sliding sleeve that has a specific internal profile. Pump down plugs can be used that have a specific profile that will make a plug latch to a specific sleeve. Pressure on the plug when latched allows a sequential opening of sleeves while zones already affected that are below are isolated. The pump down plugs have a passage that is initially obstructed by a material that eventually disappears under anticipated well conditions. As a result, when all portions of a zone are handled a flow path is reestablished through the various latched plugs. The plugs can also be blown clear of a sliding sleeve after operating it and can feature a key that subsequently prevents rotation of the plug on its axis in the event is later needs milling out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
  • Patent number: 7395857
    Abstract: A method of expanding tubing such as a section of casing includes locating the casing in a bore and expanding a portion of the casing to engage the bore wall using an expansion tool having at least one radially movable expansion member. The expansion member may be in the form of a roller of a rotary expander. The method additionally includes subsequently expanding a further portion of the casing by advancing a cone expander through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: David John Hillis
  • Patent number: 7395858
    Abstract: A process for the selective controlled reduction of the relative water permeability in high permeability, oil-bearing formations, with negligible reduction of the permeability to oil. The process comprises, for sandstone reservoir rocks, a first layer of cationic polymer, followed by a brine spacer slug and a second polymer layer made up of a suspension of anionic polymer and an anionic or non-ionic microgel, optionally this configuration being repeated. As a result the thickness of the polymer layer is considerably increased, which permits the process to be used in high permeability formations. For limestone rocks the first layer is made up of anionic polymer, while the second layer involves a suspension of cationic polymer/cationic or non-ionic microgel. The polymers are all injected as aqueous suspensions in brine or seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. — Petrobras
    Inventors: Luis Cesar Ferreira Barbosa, Sérgio Luiz Pereira de Freitas Coelho, Priscila Moczydlower, Geraldo Maria Ramos de Godoy, Edson de Souza Leite
  • Patent number: 7395859
    Abstract: A method for growth of a hydraulic fracture or a tall frac is described wherein the tall frac is disposed next to a well bore using a sandpacked annulus. Also, a method for creating a permeable well bore annulus is disclosed. The method for creating the tall frac includes creating a linear-sourced, cylindrical stress field by maneuvering the intersection of two independent friction-controlled pressure gradients of a frac pad fluid. The intersection of these two frac pad fluid pressure gradients can be controlled when the frac pad fluid traverses along a well bore sandpacked annulus. The first pressure gradient is created by controlling the fluid flow rate and the consequent, friction pressure loss in the frac pad fluid flow through a portion of the sandpacked annulus, located above the top of the upwardly propagating tall frac hydraulic fracture. The first pressure gradient must be significantly greater than the average gradient of the formation, frac-extension pressure gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Gilman A. Hill
  • Patent number: 7395860
    Abstract: The present invention provides settable compositions that comprise water and cement kiln dust. The settable compositions optionally may comprise an additive that comprises at least one of the following group: fly ash; shale; slag cement; zeolite; metakaolin; and combinations thereof. The settable compositions optionally may be foamed with a gas. Methods of cementing also are provided that comprise: providing the settable composition; introducing the settable composition into a location to be cemented; and allowing the settable composition to set therein. The location to be cemented may be above ground or in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Roddy, Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Bobby J. King
  • Patent number: 7395861
    Abstract: Subterranean treatment operations, and more particularly, methods of cementing subterranean formations using cement compositions including maltodextrin, are provided. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of cementing a subterranean formation, comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive comprising maltodextrin; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Caveny, Rickey L. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7395862
    Abstract: A combination jarring tool and disconnect device is disclosed in which the jarring events may be followed by separate disconnect event, or in which the jarring events may coincide with disconnect events. The tool generally comprises a housing and a sleeve in concentric arrangement and a disconnect interface. A plurality of axial and rotational locks is used to prevent premature energization of the jarring and disconnect events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ross, Dewayne M. Turner
  • Patent number: 7395863
    Abstract: A well treating composition containing a polysaccharide-based water-superabsorbent material has particularly applicability as a thermal insulating, fracturing or acid stimulation fluid. The water-superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing, at a minimum, its own weight. Particularly effective are biodegradable materials containing guar gum and carrageenan. The composition may further contain a crosslinking agent, brine and/or a viscosifying polymer or a gelling agent. As an oil-based fluid, the crosslinking agent is absorbed onto the water-superabsorbent material and serves to effectively delay crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 7395864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Christopher T. Gallagher, Michael D. Loudermilk, Jiang Yang
  • Patent number: 7395865
    Abstract: A plunger in a plunger lift system in an oil and gas well includes shaped grooves spaced along the plunger body, angled fins or below the grooves, an elongated interior cavity open at the bottom, and passages connecting the interior cavity to the grooves. The shape, sizing and spacing of the grooves improves plunger seal and decreases liquid loss during plunger lift. The flutes or fins spin the plunger to clean the tubing string and prevent the plunger from becoming stuck in the lubricator. The interior cavity lightens the plunger and, in combination with the passages, improves the seal created by the shaped grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Well Master Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 7395866
    Abstract: A system and method for subsea drilling/completion. The system comprises a high-pressure riser extending from a semi-submersible platform to a subsea wellhead. A landing string extends along the insider of the riser, and has a surface blowout preventer and at least one subsea blowout preventer attached thereto. A tubing hanger running tool is run from the platform toward the wellhead. In one embodiment, hydraulic control for various functions of the tubing hanger running tool is communicated either through the tubing string or through the riser. In another embodiment, hydraulic control lines for the tubing hanger running tool extend from the platform to the tubing hanger running tool through an umbilical line, which may either run through the tubing string, inside the riser but outside the tubing string, or outside and alongside the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Lionel J. Milberger, Larry E. Reimert, Morris B. Wade
  • Patent number: 7395867
    Abstract: A hybrid wellhead system is assembled using a plurality of threaded unions, such as spanner nuts or hammer unions, for securing respective tubular heads and a flanged connection for securing a flow control stack to a top of a tubing head spool. The tubing head spool is secured by a threaded union to an intermediate head spool. The intermediate head spool is secured by another threaded union to a wellhead. Each tubular head secures and suspends a tubular string in the well bore. The hybrid wellhead system is capable of withstanding higher fluid pressures than a conventional independent screwed wellhead, while providing a more economical alternative to a flanged, or ranged, wellhead system because it is less expensive to construct and faster to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob McGuire, L. Murray Dallas
  • Patent number: 7395868
    Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a medium flow passage in a spray head has a blocking element in the passage that, when unbroken, blocks the passage of medium from a first side having a first pressure to a second side having a second pressure. A supporting element is on that side of the blocking element where the pressure is lower, the supporting element being movable between a first position where the supporting element supports the blocking element so that it cannot be ruptured and a second position where the supporting element does not so support the blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventors: Goran Sundholm, Harry Metzger
  • Patent number: 7395869
    Abstract: A barrier system for protection and resistance from externally started fires, forest fires and other fires that effect and start a structure burning from the outside inward. The barrier system comprising a specifically designed track system mounted onto the top of the structure, utilizing fire protective material hanging down the sides of the structure to create a fire resistant enclosure. The barrier system is designed to be assembled and set up in advance on the structure in preparation of a fire. The barrier system design allows for ease and quickness with installation. Pre-installation of the barrier system on a roof of a structure that is being fire protected is provided by sectional pieces that are delivered to the structure and then installed in advance. The barrier system sectional pieces are designed to be different lengths and are adapted to the unique dimensions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jens Schnabel, Peter Lust, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7395870
    Abstract: To provide a construction machine capable of encouraging an operator to perform the driving and the operation for enhancing fuel efficiency. The construction machine includes information providing means 30 to notify the operator of the information such as the operation and/or an operational method or the like to enhance the fuel efficiency. The present construction machine provides the information by monitor display on a monitor screens 26 that is provided in an operator's cabin 11. When operating machine levers 19 and 20 are positioned at a neutral position, if an engine 40 has the idle revolution number not less than a predetermined time, the information providing means 30 provides the information such as the operation or the like to enhance the fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Matsuda, Kouji Hoshi
  • Patent number: 7395871
    Abstract: An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David A Carrier, Daniel Puzio, Robert Bradus
  • Patent number: 7395872
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a switching device with a rotatably mounted operating element (10) and an eccentric element (12) for translating a rotational displacement (14) of the operating element (10) into a translatory displacement (16) of a switching element (18), in particular a selector shaft of a hand-held power tool. It is provided that a shape of the eccentric element (12) differs significantly from that of a rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Duesselberg, Andre Ullrich
  • Patent number: 7395873
    Abstract: A power tool includes a grip portion having a vertically extending axis; a main body provided at a top end of the grip portion and having an axis intersecting the vertical axis; a motor; an output portion projecting from the grip portion and rotatingly driven by the motor; a trigger provided for movement along a trigger moving zone; a stopper portion accommodated in the grip portion for protrusion and retraction into and from the trigger moving zone, the stopper portion adapted to selectively make contact with the trigger to thereby limit the maximum pulling amount of the trigger; and a stopper operating portion for operating the stopper portion. The stopper portion is protruded into or retracted from the trigger moving zone by slidingly actuating the stopper operating portion in a crosswise direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the main body as viewed from the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Nakamura, Yoshikazu Okada
  • Patent number: 7395874
    Abstract: A slaving and blocking device for transmitting a torque from a driving part to a driven part and for stopping the driven part at a torque engaging the driven part has a slaving unit fixable on the driving part fixed against relative rotation and having slaving claws that are offset from one another in a circumferential direction, a roller star wheel located in the slaving unit and connectable to the driven part fixed against relative rotation, clamping bodies located in freewheeling fashion between the slaving claws and points of a star of the roller star wheel, a stationary clamping ring located concentrically to the slaving means and the roller star wheel and having an inner annular face forming a counterpart clamping face for the clamping bodies, and radially displaceable centrifugal force elements located in the roller star wheel such that above a predetermined rpm the force elements clamp the roller star wheel firmly to the slaving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Olivier Zeiter
  • Patent number: 7395875
    Abstract: The invention is based on a rechargeable battery-operated hand machine tool (10) having an electric drive motor (18) accommodated in a housing (12) and powered by a rechargeable battery (20), which motor is used to drive a tool (16), and having an actuating means (14) for switching the drive motor (18) on and off. A mechanism (22) is provided, which is capable of reducing the discharging of the battery (20) during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Krondorfer, Volker Bosch
  • Patent number: 7395876
    Abstract: A drill/driver (2) includes first (32) and second (52) drive shaft. The two drive shafts (32, 52) are independently rotatable about respective axes (A-A, B-B) thereby to selectably choose the radial and axial position of the final output drive of the drill/driver. A shaft lock (56) is provided to enable the user to selectively lock either or both of the shafts (32, 52) against rotation about their respective axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Walker
  • Patent number: 7395877
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for reducing the pressure of a circulating fluid in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention an ECD (equivalent circulation density) reduction tool provides a means for drilling extended reach deep (ERD) wells with heavyweight drilling fluids by minimizing the effect of friction head on bottomhole pressure so that circulating density of the fluid is close to its actual density. With an ECD reduction tool located in the upper section of the well, the friction head is substantially reduced, which substantially reduces chances of fracturing a formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hosie, R. K. Bansal, Peter B. Moyes
  • Patent number: 7395878
    Abstract: Drilling system and method for drilling a bore hole into an earth formation, the bore hole having an inside wall. A drill string reaches into the bore hole and leaves a drilling fluid return passage between the drill string and the bore hole inside wall. A drilling fluid discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the drilling fluid return passage, and pump means are provided for pumping a drilling fluid through the drill string into the bore hole and to the drilling fluid discharge conduit via the drilling fluid return passage. The drilling fluid back pressure is controlled utilizing back pressure control means for controlling back pressure means. The system further provides fluid injection means comprising an injection fluid supply passage fluidly connecting an injection fluid supply with the drilling fluid return passage and further comprising an injection fluid pressure sensor arranged to provide a pressure signal in accordance with an injection fluid pressure in the injection fluid supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: AT-Balance Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Gordon Reitsma, Egbert Jan Van Riet
  • Patent number: 7395879
    Abstract: An apparatus including a drill collar having an outer surface, an assembly for interaction with an earth formation coupled to the drill collar, the assembly including a first member to extend beyond the drill collar outer surface and a second member to extend beyond the first member and toward the earth formation to receive formation fluids. An apparatus including an MWD tool having an outer surface, a formation testing assembly coupled to the MWD tool, the formation testing assembly recessed beneath the outer surface in a first position and including a piston to extend beyond the outer surface to a second position and an inner sampling member to extend beyond the piston to a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Segura, Mark A. Sitka, Gregory N. Gilbert, Preston N. Weintraub, Tony T. Vu, John R. Hardin, Jr., Kristopher V. Sherrill, David M. Welshans, James E. Stone
  • Patent number: 7395880
    Abstract: A mortar removal drill bit system includes a toothed drill bit that includes an elongated rod that has a first end and a second end. A plurality of rectangular plates is attached to and extends laterally from the rod. Each of the plates has a distal edge with respect to the rod. Each of the distal edges is orientated parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod. The first end of the rod is removably extendable into and attached to a drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Bob M. Esquivel
  • Patent number: 7395881
    Abstract: A roller sub system for reducing friction between a tool string and a wall in a well bore for use in the oil and gas industry. The apparatus has a roller body and wheel sub system, which is configured to have removably mounted wheels of variable diameters. A plurality of different diameter wheel sets are described for mounting on the roller sub axles and orientating the system in the well bore. The wheels are fixed to the roller sub axles through a quick-release mechanism. A single apparatus can thus be employed with different diameter wheels to operate in well bores of variable diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hunting Cromar Limited
    Inventors: Frederick Duguld McKay, Richard John Gilchrist, Colin Alexander Black
  • Patent number: 7395882
    Abstract: A casing bit, which may comprise a composite structure, for drilling a casing section into a subterranean formation, and which may include a portion configured to be drilled therethrough, is disclosed. Cutting elements and methods of use are disclosed. Adhesive, solder, electrically disbonding material, and braze affixation of a cutting element are disclosed. Differing abrasive material amount, characteristics, and size of cutting elements are disclosed. Telescoping casing sections and bits are disclosed. Aspects and embodiments are disclosed including: at least one gage section extending from the nose portion, at least one rotationally trailing groove formed in at least one of the plurality of blades, a movable blade, a leading face comprising superabrasive material, at least one of a drilling fluid nozzle and a sleeve, grooves for preferential failure, at least one rolling cone affixed to the nose portion, at least one sensor, discrete cutting element retention structures, and percussion inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack T. Oldham, L. Allen Sinor, Eric E. McClain, Robert A. Laing, Evan C. Turner, Mark W. Dykstra, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7395883
    Abstract: A portion of a drilling tool having a drill bit driven in a rotating motion and in an axial percussion motion comprises a keyed connection between the drill bit and a driver sub that receives the drill bit. The keyed connection comprises a transverse member coupling the drill bit to a driver sub having a bore within which the drill bit is received. The driver sub has a pair of opposed openings and the bit has an axial slot. The openings and the slot are dimensioned to receive the transverse member. The keyed connection transmits force to the drill bit to drive the drill bit during operation and removably secures it in the driver sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rockmore International, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer S. Beccu
  • Patent number: 7395884
    Abstract: Drill bit reinforcing members or blanks of this invention are formed from high-strength steels having a carbon content less than about 0.3 percent by weight, a yield strength of at least 55,000 psi, a tensile strength of at least 80,000 psi, a toughness of at least 40 CVN-L, Ft-lb, and a rate of expansion percentage change less than about 0.0025%/° F. during austenitic to ferritic phase transformation. In one embodiment, such steel comprises in the range of from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight carbon, 0.5 to 1.5 percent by weight manganese, up to about 0.8 percent by weight chromium, 0.05 to 4 percent by weight nickel, and 0.02 to 0.8 percent by weight molybdenum. In another example, such steel comprises in the range of from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight carbon, 0.9 to 1.5 percent by weight manganese, 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight silicon, and one or more microalloying element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, titanium, zirconium, aluminum and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kumar T. Kembaiyan, Thomas W. Oldham, John (Youhe) Zhang
  • Patent number: 7395885
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting element having a cylindrical body having a canted end face on which is formed an ultra hard material layer and to a bit incorporating such cutting element. One or a plurality of transition layers may be provided between the ultra hard material layer and the cutting element body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Madapusi K. Keshavan, David Truax