Patents Issued in November 16, 2010
  • Patent number: 7832446
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a crosslaid fiber web on the basis of two parallel longitudinal fiber webs and segments of another longitudinal fiber web comprises a fixing table on which the longitudinal fiber webs and the segments come together. Furthermore, the device comprises a pair of high-voltage bars, movably arranged with respect to the fixing table. When a segment is in a correct end position with respect to the longitudinal fiber webs on the fixing table, the pair of high-voltage bars is activated and moved with respect to the segment and the longitudinal fiber webs, wherein the segment and the longitudinal fiber webs are situated between the high-voltage bars. As a consequence, the segment is fixed with respect to the longitudinal fiber webs, before being supplied to another device in order to get definitively connected to the longitudinal fiber webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Beiler Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Cornelus Adrianus Van Den Aker
  • Patent number: 7832447
    Abstract: A specification-attaching apparatus includes a transferring unit for transferring a specification fed from a specification-feeding unit to an attaching unit that includes a suction member movable, in response to rotation of a pivot rod, in sequence among angularly spaced sucking, standby and releasing positions. The suction member is operable so as to switch from a non-sucking state to a sucking state when at the sucking position, thereby sucking the specification transferred from the transferring unit and to switch from the sucking state to the non-sucking state when at the releasing position, thereby releasing the specification sucked thereby. A container sprayed with glue by a glue-spraying unit is conveyed by a motor-driven container conveying unit to move in synchronization with and contact the suction member during movement of the suction member from the standby position to the releasing position so that the specification is attached to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: CVC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Hui Yang
  • Patent number: 7832448
    Abstract: A tool for pressing a multilayer press packet, particularly for placing inside a press, preferably for inserting into the insertion opening of a multiplaten press. The multilayer press packet, in particular, has a number of multilayers that are separated from one another by at least one separating plate. The tool can be electrically heated. The tool forms a cohesive unit with a heating element arranged between two heat transfer plates and/or between a heat transfer plate and a cover plate. The tools have at least one electric connecting terminal corresponding to contact terminals on the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Wickeder Westfalenstahl GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Backhaus
  • Patent number: 7832449
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for mounting and dismounting tires. Apparatus typically comprises a pressing assembly positionable relative to a fixed wheel rim such that the pressing assembly controls force distribution across selected portions of a tire causing a tire bead to be eased onto the wheel rim. The apparatus typically includes an axis of rotation perpendicular to the wheel rim axis and wherein the axis of rotation is positionable in a plane that includes the wheel rim axis. The wheel rim can be fixed to a base assembly and handles allow positioning and transmittal of force to the pressing assembly. A bead breaking assembly for deflating an inflated tire may be provided. Methods of operating these and other such apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Kenjiro Levin, Sakae Tasaki
  • Patent number: 7832450
    Abstract: A lift cord system for operating a retractable covering for architectural openings includes at least one cord loop which extends from a tassel through a fabric for the covering where it is slidably connected to the bottom rail for adjustment of the desired maximum spacing of the top rail and bottom rail and the orientation of the bottom rail relative to the top rail so the rails can be easily maintained in a parallel relationship. The cord loop is also anchored to the bottom rail at a separate location in a manner so as to fix the maximum separation between the top and bottom rails so the covering desirably fits the size of the architectural opening in which it is mounted. Alternative embodiments include top down/bottom up coverings and coverings including a middle rail in addition to top and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Clark Brace, Donald J. Clark, Brian M. Hoffmann, Ronald Holt
  • Patent number: 7832451
    Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Miller, Donald P. Grant, Paul J. Maly, Joseph A. Manone, Daniel M. Anderson, Ronald W. Bennett, Mark G. Petri, Ronald P. Synder
  • Patent number: 7832452
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing exceeding portions of laths use to separate pieces of lumber in a bundle. The apparatus comprises an external cage and an internal cage having a skeleton framework mounted to the external cage and displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the internal cage projects forwardly from a front open face of the external cage. A chain-like member carrying a plurality of paddles is provided at a front face of the skeleton framework and is driven by a motor for causing the paddles to strike and break the exceeding portions of the laths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: 9098-9617 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Jean DeschĂȘnes
  • Patent number: 7832453
    Abstract: An adjustable structure of a curtain for adjusting the angle of curtain blades includes a winding tube disposed in an upper rail. A pulling string is wound around the winding tube for controlling the rise and fall of the curtain and then passes through the curtain blades. One end of the winding tube is disposed with a rubbing wheel for hanging the top end of a suspending string provided for insertion of the curtain blades. Thereby, during the rise and fall of the curtain blades, the suspending string is pulled towards the rotating direction of the winding tube, so that the angle of the curtain blades is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ke-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 7832454
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a privacy system for use with an existing screen enclosure enclosing an area where privacy is desired. The screen enclosure includes vertical members attached to upper horizontal members to form a screen enclosure frame and a screen attached to the horizontal and vertical members. The privacy system comprises a substantially horizontal support member attached to the vertical members of the screen enclosure; a channel along a lower surface of the horizontal support member, the channel comprising stop elements at open ends of the channel; a plurality of fasteners having a first end slidably engaged with the channel, the stop dements cooperating with the channel to retain fasteners within the channel; a valence affixed to a surface of the support, the surface feeing toward an interior region of the enclosed area; and illumination devices attached to the tower surface of the horizontal support member between the valence and the privacy screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Scott L. Lyons
  • Patent number: 7832455
    Abstract: A vehicle window security screen system for providing interior ventilation of a vehicle while maintaining the security of the vehicle. The vehicle window security screen system generally includes a first frame having a first mesh and a second frame having a second mesh adjustably connected to one another. The first frame and the second frame form the shape of a window opening in a vehicle to secure the interior contents of a vehicle while simultaneously providing adequate ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Lorne G. Johnston, Mona A. Bareham
  • Patent number: 7832456
    Abstract: Three dimensional printing equipment and techniques may be used in combination with three dimensional design data associated with well drilling equipment and well completion equipment to form molds associated with manufacture of such equipment. For example, such molds may be used to form a bit body or other components associated with a rotary drill bit. For some applications composite or matrix materials may be placed in the mold to form a matrix bit body. Heat transfer characteristics of the mold may be optimized for heating and/or cooling of the matrix materials to provide optimum fracture resistant (toughness) and optimum erosion, abrasion and/or wear resistance for portions of the bit body. Such molds may also be used to form steel bit bodies associated with fixed cutter rotary drill bits and other components associated with a wide variety of well drilling equipment and well completion equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Calnan, Valerie R. C. M. J. Sillen
  • Patent number: 7832457
    Abstract: Three dimensional printing equipment and techniques may be used in combination with three dimensional design data associated with well drilling equipment and well completion equipment to form molds associated with manufacture of such equipment. For example, such molds may be used to form a bit body or other components associated with a rotary drill bit. For some applications composite or matrix materials may be placed in the mold to form a matrix bit body. Heat transfer characteristics of the mold may be optimized for heating and/or cooling of the matrix materials to provide optimum fracture resistant (toughness) and optimum erosion, abrasion and/or wear resistance for portions of the bit body. Such molds may also be used to form steel bit bodies associated with fixed cutter rotary drill bits and other components associated with a wide variety of well drilling equipment and well completion equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Calnan, Valerie R. C. M. J. Sillen
  • Patent number: 7832458
    Abstract: A method for producing a casting mold from a composite mold material for foundry purposes that is composed of different kinds of mold materials that are heat-resistant for the casting of metals and that differ in substantive composition or have different contents of organic or inorganic binders. A solid mold body is prepared from a foundry mold material A that is completely or partially encased during its preparation with a free-flowing chemically bonded foundry mold material B. A composite mold material block is formed after the hardening of the foundry mold material B, which is then machined by a cutting method such as milling, boring, turning, or grinding. The mold cavity is introduced into the mold body consisting of the foundry mold material A, and the inflow system and the feed system are introduced into the mold material block consisting of the foundry mold material B, using CAD data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ACTech GmbH
    Inventors: Rezo Aliyev, Detlev Gantner
  • Patent number: 7832459
    Abstract: A method of forming a molded porous product is provided. The method comprises injecting a material into a mold to form a molded product, and removing the molded product from the mold. The mold comprising multiple layers of shaping elements extending through a cavity, each layer of shaping elements including multiple shaping elements. The molded product produced after removal from the mold has a porous structure formed by at least some of the shaping elements of the layers of shaping elements. The mold used to make the molded porous product may include a relatively large number of shaping elements within a small area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Phillips Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Majid Entezarian, Richard Smasal, Justin C. Peskar
  • Patent number: 7832460
    Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing metal strips of 0.14-20 mm thickness and metal sheets of 10-100 mm thickness from slabs of thickness between 30 and 300 mm by continuous casting of the bow type. The slab upon casting is fed without discontinuity directly to the rolling step after heating in an induction furnace without any intermediate product. The rolled flat product is withdrawn as sheet upon controlled cooling, by means of cutting and withdrawal device or wound on a reel to form a coil of a continuous strip severable by cutting device downstream of a cooling system. Surface cooling devices can be provided between rolling stands. The feed speed from continuous casting to the end of rolling is increasing step by step in relation to the thickness reductions and the quality of the end product, with regulation in cascade to the downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Giovanni Arvedi
  • Patent number: 7832461
    Abstract: An exemplary cooling method may comprise thermally coupling a network of cooling lines to each of a plurality of heat exchangers in a cooling system. The method may also comprise providing a first connection from a network of cooling lines to a first fluid source and a second connection from the network of cooling lines to an optional second fluid source. The method may also comprise delivering cooling fluid through the network of cooling lines to each of the plurality of heat exchangers whether the network of cooling lines is connected only to the first fluid source or to both the first and second fluid sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Vance Murakami, Robert Allen Pereira
  • Patent number: 7832462
    Abstract: Device having first wick evaporator including first membrane and plurality of first thermally-conductive supports. First membrane has upper and lower surfaces. First membrane also has plurality of pores with upper pore ends at upper surface of first membrane and with lower pore ends at lower surface of first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has upper and lower support ends. Upper support ends of first thermally-conductive supports are in contact with first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has longitudinal axis extending between the upper and lower support ends, average cross-sectional area along axis, and membrane support cross-sectional area at upper support end, the membrane support cross-sectional area effectively being smaller than average cross-sectional area. First thermally-conductive supports are configured to conduct thermal energy from lower support ends of first thermally-conductive supports to first membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nagesh R. Basavanhally, Marc Scott Hodes, Paul Robert Kolodner, Avinoam Kornblit, Thomas Nikita Krupenkin, Wonsuck Lee, Alan Michael Lyons, Todd Richard Salamon, Brijesh Vyas
  • Patent number: 7832463
    Abstract: A collecting tank for a heat exchanger pertaining to a motor vehicle cooling installation includes a tank element. The tank element includes at least two collecting regions for receiving fluid, the receiving regions being embodied together as a single component and being outwardly sealed by a sealing element, and a bottom for closing the collecting regions. A sealing arrangement is provided between the tank element and the bottom, between two adjacent collecting regions. The sealing arrangement includes exactly one sealing element which, in addition to sealing between the two collecting regions, is used to seal the arrangement towards the outside. The sealing element is preferably arranged in a plane in the collecting tank, especially in a continuous channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Behr Industry GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Bergmiller, Thomas Seeger
  • Patent number: 7832464
    Abstract: An independent mixing valve sub-assembly which includes a casing defining a cold bias inlet, a hot bias inlet and a second zone inlet and a mechanism for mechanically attaching the casing to the housing of a HVAC module with the cold bias inlet, the hot bias inlet and the second zone inlet of the mixing valve sub-assembly in sealing engagement with a cold bias outlet, a hot bias outlet, and a second zone outlet of a HVAC module, respectively. The mixing valve sub-assembly may provide one or more streams of temperature-controlled air. Accordingly, different mixing valve sub-assemblies may be attached to one universal HVAC module to provide varying numbers of temperature zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Charles Kinmartin, Garrett Wade Hoehn, Ardeean Scoccia, Debashis Ghosh
  • Patent number: 7832465
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multiple zone climate control system which includes a HVAC unit that supplies conditioned air to more than one zone, a zone controller in each zone, a central controller, one or more air flow rate regulating devices in each zone, and a digital wireless network connecting the air flow rate regulating devices, zone controllers and the central controller. The multiple zone climate control system is capable of energy efficiently regulating temperature in each zone independently as well as providing other air conditioning functions such as humidifying, cleaning and filtering air in each zone independently. The multiple zone climate control system can be installed in a single zone climate control system to convert it into a multiple zone climate control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Shazhou Zou, Victor W Wang, Jian Mao, Tianxin Wang
  • Patent number: 7832466
    Abstract: A water supply system includes a main water tank and a sub-tank of smaller dimensions than the main tank for supplying hot and cold water for household use. The sub-tank is surrounded by a tubular coil of refrigerant in contact with the sub-tank, a layer of insulation and an outer wall for maintaining the insulation in place and protecting the tubular coil and sub-tank from being damaged. A water heater is disposed in or below a lower part of the tank and a three-way switch is provided for selecting heating or refrigeration during different seasons of the year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Abdullah Ahmad Al-Hashash
  • Patent number: 7832467
    Abstract: An oil cooler for a motor vehicle includes a fluid inlet tank and a fluid outlet tank. A plurality of heat transfer tubes provides constant fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank. A bypass arrangement provides additional fluid communication between the fluid inlet tank and the fluid outlet tank under a first operating condition and the bypass arrangement precludes additional fluid communication between the inlet tank and the outlet tank under a second operating condition. The bypass arrangement may include a bypass tube and an element for selectively blocking the bypass tube. The element for selectively blocking the bypass tube may be automatically response to a change in oil temperature or a change in oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: EDC Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: George Moser, Gordon Sommer, Adam Ostapowicz
  • Patent number: 7832468
    Abstract: A system for controlling solids within a wellbore of a well includes a pump positioned within a substantially horizontal portion of the wellbore. A first tubing string is operatively connected between the pump and a surface of the well for removing liquid from the wellbore that is pumped by the pump. A second tubing string may also be operatively connected to the pump and extends downhole of the pump. Either or both of the first and second tubing string includes a longitudinal axis that is offset from an axis of rotation about which the second tubing string is capable of being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pine Tree Gas, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
  • Patent number: 7832469
    Abstract: A device for remotely actuating the safety lock of individual oil pumping apparatuses, (also known as AIB) employed in oil wells for extraction of this fluid. The actuating device or locking device permits an AIB operator to remotely actuate a safety lock for locking the entire movement of the AIB, without the need for the operator to go into an area of the AIB where the safety lock is usually housed. For this purpose the locking device includes an actuator for moving upwardly and downwardly the safety lock. The locking device also includes an indicator for indicating the position of the safety lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Marcos Damian Maiolo, Miguel Angel Siddi, Alexandro Daniel Matteo
  • Patent number: 7832470
    Abstract: The present invention allows for the connection of multiple sections of drill pipe in a mouse hole by securing a given section of pipe in the hole and delivering a rotational force to secure that pipe section to another section of drill pipe placed above it over the mouse hole. In some embodiments, the rotational force may be provided by the support unit of the present invention. In alternative embodiments, the rotational force may be provided by an outside source such as an iron roughneck, with the support unit of the present invention holding the drill pipe section in a stationary position as such force is delivered. The unit then allows the connected pipe sections to be lowered and secured so the process can be repeated to connect multiple sections of drill pipe together in the mouse hole. The multiple sections of drill pipe may then be retrieved as a unit, and attached to the pipe string already being used to drill the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Xtech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anthony
  • Patent number: 7832471
    Abstract: A fitting arrangement and method of securing a fitting arrangement to a surface is provided. A plurality of adjacent fittings is coupled to and extends from a mounting surface of a structure in a well bore. Each fitting has an engagement surface that is configured to engage with an installation tool for coupling the fitting to the structure. The engagement surfaces of the adjacent fittings in the plurality are offset from each other to thereby define a clearance for the installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James Verzwyvelt, James Hendricksonj, Ian Raw, Michael Alff
  • Patent number: 7832472
    Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Jon Themig
  • Patent number: 7832473
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the flow of fluid between a downhole formation and a base pipe located in wellbore proximate the downhole formation. A plurality of chokes are established between the formation and the base pipe to regulate the flow of fluid between the formation and the base pipe. In one embodiment, each choke comprises a nozzle formed in the base pipe. In another embodiment, each choke comprises a nozzle in a housing arranged on the base pipe. A plurality of plugs are pumped downhole for engagement with the nozzles. The pressure in the wellbore is then increased until the plugs engage each nozzle. In an alternative embodiment, plugs are pumped downhole and stop up the housing containing the nozzles. Fluid flow between the base pipe and the downhole formation may be reestablished by dissolving the plugs or by back-flowing the production string to dislodge them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Emil Pensgaard
  • Patent number: 7832474
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system for disconnecting a first element from a second element at a desired position in a wellbore includes a disconnect tool containing an expandable material, the disconnect tool being actuatable from a locked position, wherein the first and the second elements are interconnected, to an unlocked position, wherein the first and the second element are disconnected, upon a determined expansion of the expandable material in response to a temperature at the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Vi Nguy
  • Patent number: 7832475
    Abstract: Systems for enhanced in-situ or perhaps even ex-situ biogenic methane production from hydrocarbon-bearing formations (1) including coal seam, oil shale, coal, coal derivates and the like are presented in embodiments such as but not limited to: increasing and perhaps even selection of microbial populations (2), amending CBM water and other microbe-containing media, diminishing sulfate reduction competition, enhancing organic matter concentrations and generation of biogenic methane (10), universally treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and introducing amendments (3) to hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: Song Jin, Alan E. Bland, Herbert S. Price
  • Patent number: 7832476
    Abstract: A method of introducing friction reducing agents within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation during a gravel packing operation is accomplished by providing a length of tubing located downhole within the wellbore for conducting fluids within the wellbore through the tubing during circulating of gravel packing fluids introduced from the surface within the wellbore. At least a portion of the tubing is surrounded by a screen for screening out particulate matter during the gravel packing operation. An annular space is defined between an interior of the screen and the exterior of the tubing. A friction reducing agent is dispensed from a dispensing apparatus that locates downhole with the tubing. The dispensing apparatus includes a housing and a chamber disposed within the housing that has one or more outlets that open into the annular space defined by the screen and tubing for dispensing the friction reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Schafer, Carlos Abad
  • Patent number: 7832477
    Abstract: Casing deformation and control for inclusion propagation in earth formations. A method of forming at least one inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a liner within a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; and expanding the liner and the casing section, thereby applying an increased compressive stress to the formation. Another method of forming the inclusion includes the steps of: installing an expansion control device on a casing section, the device including at least one latch member; expanding the casing section radially outward in a wellbore, the expanding step including widening at least one opening in a sidewall of the casing section, and displacing the latch member in one direction; and preventing a narrowing of the opening after the expanding step, the latch member resisting displacement thereof in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis W. Cavender, Roger L. Schultz, Grant Hocking, Robert Pipkin
  • Patent number: 7832478
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore to mitigate the production of unwanted air from the wellbore is carried out by forming a treatment fluid containing a water-wetting surfactant and a carrier fluid. The treatment fluid is then introduced into the wellbore. The treatment or treatments may be performed remedially or prophylacticaly. The treatment may include the completion and production of zones containing the undesirable air and the deliberate formation of cones therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald J. Hinkel, Gregory Kubala, Richard D. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 7832479
    Abstract: A flexible cement stable at high temperatures contains an extender that is a finely ground polyetheretherketone. The cement retains its flexibility for long times at high temperatures, for example those used for steam assisted gravity drainage of heavy oil formations, for example from about 480 to about 644° F. (249 to 340° C.). Compressive strength, tensile strength, permeability and porosity are all stable and suitable for high temperature down-hole oilfield use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Williams, Emmanuel Therond, Terry Dammel
  • Patent number: 7832480
    Abstract: A tubular extraction system for use in a plug and abandonment process and may include a structural mounting for adaptation to a well head, various mountings may be used to provide a structure for attaching actuators for griping the tubular string, indenting or crimping the tubular and shearing the tubular string. The system further use a fork supported on a lifting apparatus such as a top drive unit, draw works or portable crane, the fork is inserted within the mounting structure of the system to engage the crimped or indented portion of the tubular section being extracted and thus allow removal of sequentially sheared sections of the tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Robert P. Fanguy
  • Patent number: 7832481
    Abstract: The fluid perforating/cutting nozzle is configured to provide long life to the nozzle. The nozzle is composed of a cylindrical shaft defining a bore for the passage of cutting fluid and having inlet and outlet ends, a shank portion and a relatively large diameter shroud disposed on the outlet end. The shroud protects both the nozzle and the tool from the high pressure cutting fluid reflecting off the surface of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: James G. Martindale
  • Patent number: 7832482
    Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a subterranean zone comprises a tubing string disposed in a well bore, the tubing string adapted to communicate fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface. A downhole fluid lift system is operable to lift fluids towards the ground surface. A downhole fluid heater is disposed in the well bore and is operable to vaporize a liquid in the well bore. A seal between the downhole fluid lift system and the downhole fluid heater is operable to isolate a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid lift system from a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid heater. A method comprises: disposing a tubing string in a well bore; generating vapor in the well bore; and lifting fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface through the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis W. Cavender, Jody R. McGlothen, David Steele
  • Patent number: 7832483
    Abstract: This invention includes methods of recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale, and sub-surface oil shale recovery arrangements for recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale. In one implementation, a sub-surface oil shale recovery arrangement for recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale includes a bore hole extending upwardly from a subterranean room into oil shale, with at least an upper part of the room being received within the oil shale and includes a wall through which the bore hole extends. The bore hole includes a lowest portion within the oil shale and an upper portion within the oil shale. A heating energy source extends from the subterranean room into the bore hole along the lowest portion and along the upper portion, insulation and/or cooling is received radially about the heating energy source extending along the lowest portion. Other aspects are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: New Era Petroleum, LLC.
    Inventor: Robert H. Trent
  • Patent number: 7832484
    Abstract: A heating system for a subsurface formation includes a conduit located in an opening in the subsurface formation. An insulated conductor is located in the conduit. A material is in the conduit between a portion of the insulated conductor and a portion of the conduit. The material may be a salt. The material is a fluid at operating temperature of the heating system. Heat transfers from the insulated conductor to the fluid, from the fluid to the conduit, and from the conduit to the subsurface formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Harold J. Vinegar
  • Patent number: 7832485
    Abstract: A method of deploying a tool into a pressurized well is provided that includes providing the well with a wellhead having a blow out preventer coupled thereto; setting a pressure barrier within the well at a distance below the blow out preventer that is at least as long as the length of the tool to create a pressure chamber between the blow out preventer and the pressure barrier; and opening the blow out preventer to allow for conveyance of the tool into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Rod Shampine, Joseph K. Flowers, Vishal Saheta
  • Patent number: 7832486
    Abstract: A gas lift valve has a flow restrictor, a valve part on one side of the flow restrictor, a flow deflector and a tubular member on another side of the flow restrictor, and a flapper valve on the side of the flow restrictor where the tubular member is located, the flapper valve being adjacent to the tubular member. When fluid flows into the gas lift valve at sufficient pressure, the valve part opens, the fluid flows through the flow restrictor and acts on the flow diverter thereby moving the tubular member and opening the flapper valve. The tubular member extends though the opening the flapper valve covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas White, James Garner, David McCalvin, Tyson Messick, Fahd F. Abdelall, Kenneth C. Burnett, III
  • Patent number: 7832487
    Abstract: A stabbing guide connects to a casing collar during makeup. The stabbing guide has a housing with a lower portion with a cylindrical interior and an upper portion with a conical interior. Upper and lower shoulders are located in the cylindrical interior, defining an annular recess between the shoulders. Each of the shoulders has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the casing collar. The housing is formed in separate segments and secured around the casing collar by a clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Jensen, Radovan Tepavac, Milan Cerovsek
  • Patent number: 7832488
    Abstract: An anchoring module capable of being secured within a structure includes at least one compliant ring configured to radially expand and an expandable device positioned within the compliant ring to expand the compliant ring from a relaxed state to interface with the structure. The anchoring module is part of a modular system used to harvest fluid, such as oil or natural gas from a structure, such as a pipe or well. Another module of the system, sometimes referred to as a support or back-up module, employs an expandable surface that is capable of expanding to the diameter of the interior of the borehole. These modules may be combined in a variety of configurations to support a sealing element, such as an inflatable sealing element. The self-conforming nature of the system obviates the need for prior knowledge of the structure or complex sensor systems to chart the structure. The anchoring module can also be utilized in a crawling system to convey tools inside a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Julio Guerrero, Kartik M. Varadarajan, Martin L. Culpepper
  • Patent number: 7832489
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing a well. The apparatus can include a packer located downhole of a sand control sliding sleeve extension device to create an upper annulus and a lower annulus. The apparatus can also include a formation isolation well control barrier device located downhole of both the sand control sliding sleeve extension and the packer to create a lower tubular region an upper tubular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar Ahmed Maher Assal
  • Patent number: 7832490
    Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method of use of the composition and apparatus are described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to provide an elastic modulus of the composition that is greater than the elastic modulus of the shape-conforming material. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and activating the composition to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 7832491
    Abstract: Annular packer (2) arranged on the outside of a production tubing (4) said packer comprises a core (12) comprising elastic polymer swelling by absorption of hydrocarbons. The core (12) may be surrounded by an external mantle of rubber (10), which is permeable to hydrocarbons and may be equipped with a reinforcement (11). The core (12) swells by absorption of hydrocarbons and the packer (2) expands thus in order to seal the annular space (5) between the production tubing (4) and the well wall (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Freyer
  • Patent number: 7832492
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable fire suppression apparatus. The fire suppression apparatus comprises a conduit with an open end and a closed end. In some embodiments of this invention the conduit may be a combination of several similar conduits connected with couplings with the last conduit having a closed end. The conduit has a plurality of apertures disposed upon its length at periodic intervals. When a fire suppression medium is forced throughout the conduit, the medium streams from each apertures and drenches the surrounding area and provides a fire break and air borne spark suppression capability. In the preferred embodiment, this apparatus also includes a means for stabilizing the conduit against rotation when high pressure medium is forced through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: John P. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7832493
    Abstract: A fire suppression device including a fire suppression agent generator. The device further includes trigger mechanism adapted to begin generation of the fire suppression agent from the fire suppression agent generator. A container at least partially surrounds the fire suppression agent generator and the trigger mechanism, the container includes a discharge port that directs fire suppression agent in at least two opposed directions. In one example, the discharge port extends substantially around a perimeter of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fireaway LLC
    Inventors: Marc V Gross, Lawrence T. Weinman, Bruce G. Van Stratum
  • Patent number: 7832494
    Abstract: A tension member arrangement is disclosed that can be mounted between a central portion of an agricultural implement and a wing. The wing is configured to be raised and lowered by an actuator. The tension member is mounted to support structures on the central portion of the implement and on the wing once the wing is raised, to maintain the wing in the raised position. Stress may then be relieved from the actuator without the wing descending from the raised position. The tension member may be completely removed from the implement or may remain attached and employed only when needed to maintain the wing in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Rodney Samuel Horn
  • Patent number: 7832495
    Abstract: A tool assembly provided with a housing defining a chamber, and a reciprocating work tool arranged in the chamber, is disclosed. A tool retention member has an aperture through which the work tool extends. Engaging structure including mutually engaging protrusions on the housing and the tool retention member is configured to permit engagement of the tool retention member with the housing by relative rotation of the tool retention member and the housing. Retention structure on the work tool is configured to prevent removal of the work tool from the housing when the tool retention member is engaged with the housing. A locking structure is configured to lock the tool retention member and housing against relative rotation. A prestressing structure is located between the protrusions on the housing and a portion of the tool retention member and is configured to urge the tool retention member away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Lauritz Phillip Pillers, II