Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
  • Patent number: 7409996
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a communication and lock open device which includes a lock open portion including a latch configured to engage a shifting profile on a closure member of a safety valve. Further included is a communication portion configured to rotationally align a cutter with a non-annular hydraulic bore in the safety valve and axially cut into the hydraulic bore with the cutter. Also disclosed is a method for replacing the function of a safety valve while employing an original control line including running a communication and lock open tool in a wellbore, locating the tool in a tubing retrievable safety valve and shearing a thread in the valve to render moveable a closure member of the tubing retrievable safety valve. The method includes shifting the closure member to lock the member in an open position, orienting a cutter and establishing fluid communication with a bore of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Myerley, Scott C. Strattan
  • Patent number: 7409997
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump has impellers for pumping low flow, high viscous materials. The impellers have high exit angles greater than 30 degrees and preferably greater than 50 degrees. The impellers and diffusers have specific geometry that varies with viscosity. The pump has zones of impellers and diffusers with the exit angles and geometry in the zones differing from the other zones. The exit angles decrease and geometry varies in a downstream direction to account for a lower viscosity occurring due to heat being generated in the pump. One design employs small diameter impellers and high rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Farral D. Gay, Mark C. James, Joseph E. Vandevier
  • Patent number: 7409998
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for enhancing the recovery of gas in a perforated interval of a gas well. The system features a tubing string having a dead string attached for reducing the flow area of the annulus in the perforated interval, thereby reducing the critical velocity of the gas, i.e., the velocity required to overcome backpressure due to fluids in the well column. The system includes a ported member for receiving gas from the annulus into the tubing string. The ported member and the dead string are isolated from each other by a retrievable plug. The disclosed system provides access from the surface through the dead string for diagnostic or corrective operations. The system also provides delivery of reagents such as foamers to the perforated region to further reduce the critical velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Campbell
  • Patent number: 7409999
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling inflow of fluid into a production string. In aspects, the invention provides a downhole sand screen and inflow control device with a gas or water shut-off feature that can be operated mechanically or hydraulically from the surface of the well. The device also preferably includes a bypass feature that allows the inflow control device to be closed or bypassed via shifting of a sleeve. In embodiments, the flow control device can be adaptive to changes in wellbore conditions such as chemical make-up, fluid density and temperature. Exemplary adaptive inflow control devices include devices configured to control flow in response to changes in gas/oil ratio, water/oil ratio, fluid density and/or the operating temperature of the inflow control device. In other aspects of the present invention, inflow control devices are utilized to control the flow of commingled fluids drained via two or more wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Knut Henriksen, Craig Coull, Erik Helsengreen
  • Patent number: 7410000
    Abstract: A mono-diameter wellbore casing. A tubular liner and an expansion cone are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with a pre-existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the expansion cone and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the expansion cone. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the expansion cone. The overlapping portion of the pre-existing casing and the tubular liner are then radially expanded using an expansion cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 7410001
    Abstract: A method of sealing an expandable tubular within a bore comprises the steps of providing an expandable tubular describing a first diameter and having a sealing medium on its outer surface, running the tubular into a bore and expanding the tubular within the bore to describe a second larger diameter, and activating the sealing medium to facilitate provision of a seal between the tubular and the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon John Harrall, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7410002
    Abstract: Wellhead assembly and method for providing power connection to downhole electrical device. Wellhead body members support vertically stacked isolated tubing hanger and grounding tubing hanger. The isolated tubing hanger suspends a conducting tubing string, while the grounding tubing hanger suspends a grounding tubing string concentrically spaced from the conducting tubing string. The isolated tubing hanger has an outer housing, an inner electrically conducting portion supported by the outer housing to provide electrical connection with, and suspend, the conducting tubing string, and insulation between the housing and conducting portion to electrically isolate the housing. Hot electrical connection is made through a conduit in the wellhead body member, for electrical connection to the conducting tubing string. Grounding connection is provided to the wellhead body members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Stream-Flo Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Abram Khazanovich, Irina Khazanovich, Nathan Kwasniewski
  • Patent number: 7410003
    Abstract: An improved dual purpose blow out preventer (“BOP”) that provides both deployment and wellhead pressure containment functions. The dual purpose BOP may include four sets of rams including a set of seal/slip rams that provide bi-directional sealing being a first barrier to downhole pressure. The seal/slip rams may also grip a portion of a bottom hole assembly and create the bottom seal of an annular chamber. The BOP may include a set of seal rams that create the top seal of the annular chamber. The annular chamber may be pressurized through a port in the BOP, which may actuate a coiled tubing connector. The BOP may include a set of locate rams used to position a coiled tubing connector within the BOP stack. The BOP may also include a set of blind/shear rams that provide bi-directional sealing being a second barrier to wellhead pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: John Edward Ravensbergen, Doug Brunskill
  • Patent number: 7410004
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural tool carrier has a lifting carriage mounted between the front and rear sets of wheels. A tool bar adapter is mounted to the lifting carriage below the frame for connection to a tool bar that supports planting and cultivating equipment. Laterally spaced-apart stabilizing legs are rigidly mounted to the frame and extend downward along opposite sides of the lifting carriage. The tool bar has a pair of braces, each of which engages a support member on a lower portion of each of the stabilizing legs to restrain the tool bar against lateral movement. Causing the carriage to lift raises the tool bar and disengages the braces from the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Ned H. Meier
  • Patent number: 7410005
    Abstract: An agricultural ground working apparatus includes a mounting bracket adapted for attachment to an implement frame. A shank is pivotally attached to the mounting bracket about a shank pivot axis and extends downward from the mounting bracket to a lower end thereof adapted for engaging the ground. Right and left disc arms are pivotally attached at upper portions thereof to the mounting bracket such that the disc arms pivot about arm pivot axes independent of the shank. The disc arms extend rearward and downward from the mounting bracket on each side of the shank, and right and left discs are rotatably attached to lower portions of the corresponding right and left disc arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Devin Lung, Nathan Espheter
  • Patent number: 7410006
    Abstract: A control system is provided for use in a power tool. The control system includes: a rotational rate sensor having a resonating mass and a controller electrically connected to the rotational rate sensor. The rotational rate sensor detects lateral displacement of the resonating mass and generates a signal indicative of the detected lateral displacement, such that the lateral displacement is directly proportional to a rotational speed at which the power tool rotates about an axis of the rotary shaft. Based on the generated signal, the controller initiates a protective operation to avoid further undesirable rotation of the power tool. The control scheme employed by the power tool may initiate different protective operations for different tool conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Qiang Zhang, Uday Deshpande, Shailesh P. Waikar, Daniel Puzio, Craig Schell, William F. Hilsher, Joshua D. West
  • Patent number: 7410007
    Abstract: An impact rotary tool is provided that is switchable between an impact mode where the tool delivers an impacting torque on an output tool and a drill mode where the driver delivers a smooth output on an output tool. The impact rotary tool includes an impact mechanism and a hammer block that in the impact mode is movable parallel to the axis of the driver shaft and delivers reciprocating blows to rotate an anvil and in the drill mode substantially constantly engages the anvil. The impact mechanism includes a stopper that does not contact the hammer block in the impact mode and engages the hammer block in the drill mode to maintain the substantially constant contact between the hammer block and the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Limited
    Inventors: Koon For Chung, Hoi Pang Wang
  • Patent number: 7410008
    Abstract: A ground rod driver that uses an industry standard connecting plate to physically attach the driver to Skid Steer type equipment. The driver has a hydraulic, impact driving hammer connected to an alignment beam that enables vertical movement of the hammer. Operation of the driving hammer, as well as up and down motion of the driving hammer is derived from the accessory hydraulic system and connections of the Skid Steer. Simple operating control valves, flow control valve and hydraulic hoses, and an operating station are mounted directly to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy J. Jahnigen
  • Patent number: 7410009
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for preventing leakage of lubricant from an accommodating space that houses a driving mechanism, while regulating the internal pressure of the accommodating space in a power tool. A representative power tool includes a power tool body, a tool bit, a driving mechanism, a lubricant, an accommodating space, a passage and a lubricant leakage preventing region. The accommodating space is disposed in the body to house the driving mechanism and is hermetically sealed. The passage has an accommodating space side opening and an outside opening. The passage extends, starting from the accommodating space side opening, in a direction away from the outside opening. Then, the passage turns around and extends toward the outside opening. Further, the lubricant leakage preventing region is provided with the passage to prevent the lubricant from leaking from the inside to the outside of the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Hirayama, Kenji Shibata, Takuo Arakawa, Yonosuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 7410010
    Abstract: A hydraulic impact mechanism includes a housing with a cylinder bore, a forward working chamber and a rear working chamber, a hydraulic fluid supply passage connected to the forward working chamber and a drain passage connected to the rear working chamber, a hammer piston reciprocally guided in the cylinder bore for delivering blows to a working implement attached to the housing, a pressure accumulator pre-loaded to a certain pressure level, and a distribution valve for alternatingly connecting the rear working chamber to the supply passage and the drain passage to thereby reciprocate the hammer piston, wherein a sequence valve is provided in the drain passage to keep up the pressure in the rear working chamber so that the resulting forward directed force prevents the piston from being moved backwards in the cylinder bore at pressure levels in the supply passage below the pre-load pressure level of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Construction Tools AB
    Inventors: Roland Stig Henriksson, Anders Wilhelm Lundgren
  • Patent number: 7410011
    Abstract: The extent of invasion of a water-based drilling fluid into a formation may be determined using at least two tracers where one is deuterium oxide and the other is a water-soluble tracer. One such method includes introducing a drilling fluid having an aqueous phase and known concentrations of a water-soluble tracer and deuterium oxide into a well drilled into a fluid-producing formation; obtaining a sample of the fluid from the fluid-producing formation at a location adjacent to the well; determining the concentrations of the deuterium oxide and water-soluble tracer in the sample; and calculating the deuterium oxide concentration within the fluid producing formation based on the known and determined concentrations of the water-soluble tracer and deuterium oxide in the drilling fluid and in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Core Laboratories LP
    Inventor: King Anderson
  • Patent number: 7410012
    Abstract: A hydraulic automatically-pressurizing pump comprises an intermediate fastening connector, a reversing valve, a mechanically-controlled automatic direction-reversing device, a power cylinder, a pressurizing cylinder and an ultrahigh-pressure connecting tube which are disposed in series in a case and assembled from the upper end to the lower end along a central axes of the case. The fastening connector is connected with the case and further connected through pressure with the reversing valve. The power cylinder is a multi-stage power cylinder. The pressurizing cylinder communicates with a two-channel drill bit through the ultrahigh-pressure connecting tube, and an ultrahigh-pressure channel is provided on the wall of the pressurizing cylinder. The core of the reversing valve is connected with the mechanically-controlled automatic direction-reversing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Petrochina Company Limited
    Inventor: Hongmin Li
  • Patent number: 7410013
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in boring is described, the apparatus including a rotatable drive shaft (12), a cam member (20) and followers (16) for converting rotational motion into reciprocal motion, and a shroud (24) having a cutting edge (26) driven by the cam member and followers. The shroud may be selectively engageable with the cam member and followers, allowing the drive shaft to be removed through the shroud. A fluid circulation arrangement (31), (13) allows air to be injected into loose drilling substrate, so assisting removal of drill cuttings from the boring apparatus. Also described is a drill string incorporating a similar arrangement, allowing the drill string to be reciprocated within a bore. The drill string may further include casing sections, which may have intumescent coatings to allow the sections to be fixed in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Wave Craft Limited
    Inventor: Hugh Edward Fisher
  • Patent number: 7410014
    Abstract: A cleanout system and method for removal of metal debris from a fluid flow, such a flow of re-circulated drilling mud employs one or more magnetic unit positioned in the path of the fluid for collecting metal particles from the flow. The magnetic unit has a removable magnet core positioned in a non-magnetic sleeve. When the core is removed from the sleeve the attracted metal particles are allowed to drop from the sleeve under gravity to facilitate their collection and disposal. A fluid deflector is positioned upstream from each magnetic unit, protecting the magnetic unit from direct impact by the strong flow. The magnetic units are allowed to pivot from side-to-side and adjust their position in the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Rattler Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Ruttley
  • Patent number: 7410015
    Abstract: An expandable drill bit comprises a body for mounting on a support string DS, a plurality of drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D coupled to the body and extending along a central longitudinal axis LL?, and at least one drill arm supporting cutting elements 6A. The plurality of drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are pivotable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The retracted configuration defines an expandable drill bit having a first cutting diameter D1. The expanded configuration defines an expandable drill bit having a second cutting diameter D2 greater than the first cutting diameter. The drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are driven from the retracted configuration into the expanded configuration when the expandable drill bit is rotated at a speed of rotation at least equal to a determined expanding speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Henri Denoix
  • Patent number: 7410016
    Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies,Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Schumann, Sean M. Kelly, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7410017
    Abstract: An electric drive axle, which is located between and powers the left and right drive wheels of an automotive vehicle, includes an electric motor and left and right torque couplings. Torque developed by the motor transfers through the torque couplings to axle shafts which are connected to the drive wheels. Each torque coupling includes a magnetic particle clutch and a planetary set organized such that the current flowing through the electromagnet of the clutch controls the torque delivered through the coupler. The magnetic particle clutches also accommodate slippage so that the drive wheels may rotate at different angular velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Mircea Gradu
  • Patent number: 7410018
    Abstract: A lower member of a radiator core support includes a front end module formed so as to protrude forward, so that a protruding portion of the lower member is used as an impact absorbing frame member. A lower end portion of a bumper face may be superimposed fixedly on a lower surface of the protruding portion. A lower impact absorbing portion may be made of foamed resin and may be accommodated in the interior of a lower protruding portion, and this lower impact absorbing portion may be fixedly provided at a front end surface of the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Satou
  • Patent number: 7410019
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a body frame and a pair of brackets connected to the main frame. The all terrain vehicle also includes an air intake shroud, a pair of headlights, and an engine cooling apparatus, each of which is mounted directly to the pair of brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventor: Keith Kotrla
  • Patent number: 7410020
    Abstract: An interlock device includes an upper lid provided such that an inverter unit cannot be exposed and having a shape accommodating a housing, an interlock detecting terminal electrically connected to the housing when being in contact therewith and electrically disconnected from the housing when losing contact therewith, a bolt for fixing the upper lid to the housing, and a bracket for restricting a motion of the bolt for removal of the upper lid when the interlock detecting terminal is in contact with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaji Kikuchi, Hiroshi Kamei, Masakatsu Shintomi
  • Patent number: 7410021
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle having improved fuel economy is equipped with a drive system having a primary internal combustion engine and an auxiliary internal combustion engine of smaller size and better fuel economy than the primary engine. The primary engine is adapted to take the vehicle to its cruising speed, at which point the auxiliary engine is activated and interacts by way of an automatic clutch system to power the vehicle while the primary engine is disconnected from the drive system and throttled down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Gregorio M. Belloso
  • Patent number: 7410022
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and assemblies for providing improved fuel management to fuel injected engine systems of off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles, personal watercraft, motorcycles, utility vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles. The fuel-injected engine systems can return fuel after passing through a pressure regulator located either upstream or downstream of the engine. Fuel may be returned to the fuel pump through various routes, rather than simply returning the fuel into the fuel of the fuel tank. Fuel may be returned directly to the fuel pump upstream of all fuel pickups or upstream of some fuel pickups and downstream from other fuel pickups. Some embodiments include a vapor separator located downstream of the pressure regulator but somewhere upstream of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Berg, Douglas M. Corneliusen, Scott E. McKinster
  • Patent number: 7410023
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for braking a vehicle having multiple wheels. The method includes applying friction braking and powertrain braking to the vehicle. The method includes reducing the powertrain braking by a predetermined amount. The method also includes compensating the friction braking in an amount that is substantially the same as the predetermined amount. The method further includes redistributing the friction braking to the multiple wheels and modulating the friction braking being applied to the multiple wheels, thereby reducing the occurrence of a wheel lockup by the multiple wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Crombez
  • Patent number: 7410024
    Abstract: A mount having an improved rider support system comprising: a mount; and a rider support system comprising: a seat; and a high friction, low abrasion surface adjacent to a rider's legs. In one embodiment of the invention, the mount further includes an adhesive mounting system. Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the high friction, low abrasion surface includes: a surface conforming substrate; a film having an outer textured surface; and an adhesive layer between the surface conforming substrate and the film having an outer textured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Powersport Grafx, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Siefert, Grant B. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7410025
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an under-bone type motorcycle, can guide a sufficient amount of running wind to a core section of a radiator (heat exchanger). The vehicle includes a head pipe, a main frame connected to the head pipe to extend downward and rearward, an engine disposed below the main frame, a leg shield covering a front side of a leg of a driver and having an opening in a forward area thereof, a radiator disposed within the opening of the leg shield which includes a core section through which running wind passes thus cooling the engine, and a wind guiding wall attached to the leg shield to guide the running wind to the radiator. The wind guiding wall includes a forward section that protrudes forward from a front end surface of the opening of the leg shield and a rear section that has a rear end positioned adjacent to a lateral side end of the core section of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Sunaguchi, Kaoru Kamimura, Toshihiko Konno, Yoshiharu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7410026
    Abstract: The seatbelt device of a vehicle comprises at least two seatbelt mechanisms including the webbings and the first pre-tensioner mechanisms operative to wind up the webbings so as to apply the specified tension to the webbings when the crash pre-detecting device detects the vehicle crash in advance, and the control device to control the seatbelt mechanism, wherein there is provided the vehicle turning control device which operates to control the braking force of the brake device of the vehicle so that the vehicle turning state can be the target turning state, and the control device operates at least the two first pre-tensioner mechanisms when the vehicle, tuning control device operates. Accordingly, the pre-tensioner mechanisms operate additionally when the DSC operates, thereby increasing restraint force of the passengers and improving the safety of the passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Nishikaji
  • Patent number: 7410027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing the impact for a pedestrian relative to a vehicle, which vehicle is provided with windshield and a hood covering an engine compartment or a similar compartment in front of the windshield, which hood is provided with at least one hinge adjacent its rear section. The device may comprise at least one actuating mechanism for displacing the rear section of the hood from a rest position to a raised impact position, at least one airbag module being operative to inflate the airbag, causing the airbag to extend out from the rear section of the hood, and an airbag module associated with each actuating mechanism, whereby the reaction force of an operative airbag causes the actuating mechanism to assume the impact position. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Howard
  • Patent number: 7410028
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus in which a steering shaft coupled to a steering wheel is mechanically separated from a turning mechanism to turn a turning wheel, a steering angle of the steering wheel is detected, and the turning mechanism turns the turning wheel by a turning angle corresponding to the steering angle, includes a hypercycloidal mechanism including an external tooth gear revolving in a housing according to rotation of the steering wheel, an Oldham coupling mechanism to extract only a self-rotating movement in a rotation movement of the external tooth gear as a self-rotating movement of a rotation disk, and a rotation regulating mechanism by engagement between a groove formed in the rotation disk and a projection projecting from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Patent number: 7410029
    Abstract: A bass reflex type loudspeaker apparatus is provided in which a long route of a bass reflex duct is obtained in the case where a loudspeaker box is made thin. The bass reflex duct is provided in the loudspeaker box such that the route thereof is extended in a direction perpendicular to an anteroposterior direction of the loudspeaker apparatus and is curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Tanaami
  • Patent number: 7410030
    Abstract: A soundproofing material for vehicle having a laminated structure comprising two sound absorbing layers and an interlayer interposed therebetween, characterized in that the interlayer is formed by bonding and laminating on the respective side of an air-impermeable film made of a thermoplastic resin film having a thickness of from 7? to 50? heat-fusible films having a thickness of from 7? to 50? made of a thermoplastic resin film having a lower melting point than that of the air-impermeable film using a multi-layer inflation method and the soundproofing material is heat pressure-molded so that the heat-fusible film is melted to cause the sound absorbing layers to be bonded to the respective side of the air-impermeable film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Howa Textile Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sinobu Fusiki, Syuiti Mizata
  • Patent number: 7410031
    Abstract: A boat trailer ladder assembly for entering or exiting the bow of a boat on a boat trailer includes: (a) a generally trapezoidal-shaped platform portion attachable to the boat trailer between a winch assembly of the trailer and a trailer hitch assembly of the trailer; and (b) a ladder portion including a boarding ladder and a brace device, the boarding ladder including two substantially parallel, spaced apart side rails and a plurality of ladder steps extending between the ladder side rails, the ladder steps having a spaced horizontal relationship with one another, the lower ends of the boarding ladder being attached to the platform portion, the brace device having an upper end movably affixed to at least one of the ladder steps or one of the side rails of the boarding ladder; wherein a lower end of the brace device is attachable to a post of the winch assembly of the boat trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: John S. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7410032
    Abstract: An elevator cage made up of a car, a support member connected to the car, and a pulley box housing a pair of pulleys mounted to the pulley box by pulley axles. The pulley box is mounted to the support member through one or more points located below a first line P bisecting the pulley axles and above a second line Q defining a lowest common tangent between the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Emmanuel Kolb, Denis Sittler
  • Patent number: 7410033
    Abstract: A device (30) for making electrically conductive contact with at least one tension member in an elevator belt (22) also provides a restraining feature to support loads on the belt. A connector portion (32) is secured to the belt. In one example, the connector portion (32) includes clamping members (40, 42) that are received on opposite sides of the belt. One of the clamping members supports a plurality of electrically conductive connector members (52) that establish electrical contact with selected tension members (24) within the belt (22). A plurality of load transferring members (66) are supported by the other clamping member in one example. A restraining portion (34) is adapted to be secured in a fixed position relative to a selected structure (36) within the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: William A. Veronesi, Richard J. Ericson, Pankaj Kothari, Paul A. Stucky
  • Patent number: 7410034
    Abstract: A parking brake including a disc fixed to a vehicle and a plurality of clips attached to the disc to align channels on first and second brake shoes with a braking surface on a drum. Each clip has a rectangular shape with a flat first end fixed to the disc and a U-shaped second end defined by parallel first and second sides separated by a spacer. A projection on the first end is mated with the disc to align the second end along a radial plane of the axis of the drum. The sides of the second end resiliently engage the channels and align friction surfaces on the first and second brake shoes with the braking surface. In addition, the clips attenuate any vibration that may occur between first and second brake shoes and the drum during movement of the vehicle to reducing the creation of noise in the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Lee Wagner, William E. Sherman, II
  • Patent number: 7410035
    Abstract: A damper and method for tuning a damper utilizing a surface contact reducing resilient member is disclosed. A damper for dampening torsional and bending vibrations in a rotating shaft includes a hub member, an inertia member spaced radially outwardly from the hub member, and a resilient member positioned under compression between the hub member and the inertia member. The resilient member has at least one protrusion extending axially thereon to reduce the amount of surface contact between the resilient member and the hub member or the inertia member. A method for tuning dampers is also disclosed wherein reducing the amount of surface contact between the resilient member and the hub member and inertia member allows the damper to achieve lower part frequency based primarily on the geometry of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Crissy
  • Patent number: 7410036
    Abstract: A brake-disc/hub assembly is provided with a disc/hub connection for connecting a brake disc to a brake disc hub. The brake disc includes support elements on the inner circumference thereof, the brake disc hub is provided on the outer circumference thereof with cams, and intermediate elements are radially distributed in the circumferential direction between the brake disc hub and the brake disc, extending into cavities running in the circumferential direction between the cams and the support elements and, hence, providing a transfer of the braking force from the brake disc to the brake disc hub. Each intermediate element includes two shoulders running at least completely or essentially in parallel to each other, whereby one shoulder contacts a corresponding cam and the other shoulder contacts a corresponding support element, embodied such that the total thickness of opposing shoulders on the elements may be reduced for disassembly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Wimmer, Josef Schropp
  • Patent number: 7410037
    Abstract: A spare brake beam for railway cars which can be quickly and easily installed in a train car without the necessity of cutting the car from the train nor dismantling the car nor the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: A. Stucki Company, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventor: Jorge Alberto De La Fuente-Farias
  • Patent number: 7410038
    Abstract: A locking unit for the locking of the movement of a piston. An electromagnet is provided the armature, respectively the armature bar, of which acts on an operating element. The operating element co-operates with a catching element in such a way that the catching element blocks in a locking position the movement of the piston, respectively the catching element unlocks in an unlocking position the movement of the piston. Catching element and operating element co-operate surface-to-surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: SVM Schultz Verwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kleinert, Georg Scherer, Winfried Willburger, Robert Müller
  • Patent number: 7410039
    Abstract: A tunable vibration absorption device is provided that is suitable for active or semi-active vibration absorption or damping of vibrations in vibrating structures. It comprises a stack including a force actuator mechanism for generating an axial actuation force and a force sensor mechanism which is responsive to an external force acting on the stack to generate a force signal. A controller unit is electrically connected to the force sensor mechanism for receiving the force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism, and it is also electrically connected to the force actuator mechanism for adjusting the axial actuation force generated by the force actuator mechanism in response to the received force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Siu Wing Or, Lai Wa Helen Chan-Wong, Ping Kong Joseph Choy, Chou Kee Peter Liu
  • Patent number: 7410040
    Abstract: An actuator for selectively causing axial compression of friction elements in a clutch is disclosed. The actuator comprises a pair of beveled wedge washers and a bearing race supported between the washers. The race supports conical bearing rollers in a generally radial orientation. An actuator plate is mounted for rotation relative to the bearing race and includes bearing ramp surfaces that are operable to move the conical bearing rollers radially inwardly thereby forcing the washers to move apart axially and to thereby cause compression of and torque transfer through the friction elements. A clutch including the actuator is well suited for inclusion in a transfer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: DYMOS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan M. Stefan, Thomas C. Bowen, Jason R. Davis
  • Patent number: 7410042
    Abstract: A pump includes a cam member and an armature plate received on an input shaft rotatably supported with a differential housing of a clutch. The pump also includes a cylinder rod slidingly received in a chamber of a master cylinder to pressurize a hydraulic fluid. The cam member includes a ring and a back plate. The ring has an outer, preferably symmetrical, surface with a variable radius defining a ramped portion for outwardly driving the cylinder rod when the cam member is rotated either forward or backward with respect to the differential housing. A coil generates an electromagnetic field when activated drawing the cam member towards the armature plate such that contact forces causes the cam member to rotate with the armature plate. A roller disc is rotatably supported at one end of the cylinder rod for rolling contact between the cylinder rod and the cam surface of the cam member ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Ochab, Brendan Brewer, Matthew J. Cowen, Kelly P. Heath, John M. Hasson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7410043
    Abstract: An arrangement for coupling a pallet in a conveying device includes a pallet having wheels and forming a part of a transport track of the conveying device, and a drive element. A coupling piece is adapted to be connected to the pallet and a fastening parties connects the drive element to the coupling piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 7410044
    Abstract: An article carrier (1) includes a mount (3) for mounting the article carrier to a conveyor. A carrier frame (4) is located over the mount and is movable about a pivot (5) so as to be locatable in a carriage position, in which articles (2) may be supported on the carrier frame (4), and an ejection position, in which articles (2) are ejected from the carrier frame (4). The apparatus further includes a locking member (6); wherein when the carrier frame (4) is located in the carriage position, the locking member (6) is locatable in a first position that prevents movement of the carrier frame (4) about the pivot (5) and is movable into a second position that releases the carrier frame (4), allowing the carrier frame (4) to move about the pivot. When the locking member (6) is located in the first position to prevent movement of the carrier frame, the locking member is not under load. The article carrier (1) may be used as part of a grading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Anzpac Systems Limited
    Inventor: Hamish Alexander Nigel Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7410045
    Abstract: A plunger assembly (30) is disposed on the access side of a conveyor (20). The conveyor (20) has a conveying surface upon which it transports articles by moving the conveying surface in a direction of flow (F). The plunger assembly (30) is mounted overhead vertically with respect to the conveying surface of the conveyor (20) such that sufficient clearance below the plunger assembly (30) is maintained to provide an access space through which the conveyor (20) and mechanisms and elements thereof can be accessed. Further, the plunger assembly (30) may be mounted both above and at least partially offset horizontally from the conveyor surface of the conveyor (20), such that no operative portion of the plunger assembly (30) breaks the plane (C) of the conveyor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Rafe T. Patterson, John W. Cash, III, Michael F. Flagg, John Hotchkiss, Patrick King
  • Patent number: 7410046
    Abstract: A transfer feeder 41 for a transfer press 1 comprises a pair of bars 14 provided on a moving bolster 30 in parallel with a work transfer direction, a feed carrier 52 held by the bars 14 and movable in the work transfer direction, a clamp carrier 62 held by the feed carrier 52 and movable in the direction of clamp, and a lift carrier 72 supported by the clamp carrier 62 and movable in the direction of lift. Since a large drive mechanism is unnecessary, simplification of the construction can be enhanced. Further, since the whole of a transfer feeder 41 is provided on a moving bolster 30, the moving bolster 30 in its entirety can be carried out of the transfer press 1, thus facilitating die exchanging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza