Patents Issued in March 1, 2011
  • Patent number: 7896058
    Abstract: A window roller blind that has a shade, the free end of which is connected to a pull rod. In order to guide movement of the pull rod during extension and retraction of the roller blind, a support rod is connected to pull rod by means of articulated connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Melf Hansen
  • Patent number: 7896059
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metal casting system, an engineered mold for use therewith, a process for utilizing the system and mold, and articles having a clean, oxide-free sand casting of molten metals that have been produced under an inert environment. This is especially advantageous for making automotive and airplane parts from the manufacture of lightweight metals, and more especially for the production of magnesium parts in order to reduce weight while maintaining properties found in other lightweight metals. Currently, sand cast articles are being used for automotive, aerospace and semiconductor parts and other industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Adolf Hetke
  • Patent number: 7896060
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for casting liquid metals into molds in a casting furnace comprising a controlled environment melt chamber and a mold lock chamber. A mold is supplied to the controlled environment melt chamber for a pour, and removed from the same chamber via a mold lock chamber. A mold transport system moves the mold through the mold lock chamber. The mold transport system comprises a rotary screw drive, a cylinder screw drive, or hydraulic drive located external to the furnace. Alternatively the mold transport system comprises a rack and worm screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: PV/T, Inc.
    Inventors: Lennie L. Ashburn, Robert W. Fest, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 7896061
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a product that is superior in barrier properties (for example, zinc erosion resistance and anti-adhesive property), abrasion resistant property, surface hardening property, thermal stability and life-time prolonging property. The product, which is made in direct contact with molten metal containing zinc in a molten state, is characterized by including an iron-tungsten alloy coating that is applied to a part or the whole of the surface of the product that comes directly in contact with the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Nomura Plating Co., Ltd., Osaka Prefectural Government
    Inventors: Keiji Nakai, Tokumi Ikeda, Takahiro Hamada, Tsutomu Morikawa, Takashi Nishimura, Takuo Nakade
  • Patent number: 7896062
    Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle is disclosed that includes first and second heat exchangers disposed one above the other to create two discrete flow paths. The upper heat exchanger is an engine water cooler and the lower heat exchanger may be an intercooler, an oil cooler or a refrigerant condenser. The lower heat exchanger is disposed forward of the upper heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers may be positioned in front of the first and second heat exchangers to provide additional cooling. The first and second heat exchanger may be cross-flow heat exchangers conducting the fluid to be cooled laterally through the core of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: William H. Adamson, Stephen M. Balcom, Daniel A. Morey, Daniel M. Ruedinger
  • Patent number: 7896063
    Abstract: A fan blows air across a battery package, which includes battery modules in a holder. The holder includes fins, configured such that air contact areas of battery modules at an upstream part are smaller than those at a downstream part. The fins at the upstream part may be longer than those at the downstream part. Alternatively, fins at a first side of the battery modules may be longest at the upstream part. Fins at a second side may be shortest at the upstream part. An air channel between the fins and the battery modules narrows from the upstream part to the downstream part. The fins at the upstream part may be closer to corresponding battery modules than those at the downstream part. Each fin may define a substantially rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, each fin may have an inclined surface on an upstream side and/or a declined surface on a downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Japan R&D Center, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiro Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 7896064
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing and a core having a shell. The shell may have an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of opposed side walls interconnecting the upper and lower walls to define at least part of an enclosure in which a fluid may be received. The housing may have an upper plate adjacent to the upper wall, a lower plate adjacent to the lower wall and a pair of side plates each adjacent to a separate one of the side walls. The upper plate may be connected to the lower plate and the side plates may be connected together to support the upper wall, lower wall and side walls of the shell. The support provided by the housing may, in at least some applications, permit use of a lower strength and less expensive shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tranter, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Michael Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7896065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger for motor vehicles, especially for utility vehicles. The heat exchanger can include a heat exchanger unit that includes tubes having tube ends and ribs disposed between the tubes, and collecting tanks disposed on both ends and produced by internal high pressure forming for introducing and discharging a medium. The collecting tanks can include bottoms with openings for receiving the tube ends, covers, and inlet and outlet tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Augenstein, Karsten Emrich, Martin Engelhardt, Klaus Förster, Franco Ghiani, Daniel Hendrix, Scott Horoho, Reinhard Kull, Andre Schairer, Bernd Weiler, Stefan Weise
  • Patent number: 7896066
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger core section, a refrigerant inlet header section, a refrigerant outlet header section, a refrigerant inflow intermediate header section and a refrigerant outflow intermediate header section. A flow-dividing control wall having a plurality of refrigerant passage holes and vertically dividing the interior of the second intermediate header section into two spaces is provided within the second intermediate header section. A communication is established between the first intermediate header section and the lower space of the second intermediate header section at one end. A guide portion is provided at a refrigerant inflow end portion of the second intermediate header section so as to guide the refrigerant flowing into the lower space of the second intermediate header section such that the refrigerant flows toward the flow-dividing control wall; i.e., toward the upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Naohisa Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 7896067
    Abstract: A tool and its operating procedure are provided to protect any device while lowering into a well, and especially hydraulic devices such as sensors with expandable arms or inflatable elements such as packers. The protection is mainly important in the open hole of highly deviated or horizontal wells, for any device equipped with external seal element, delicate sensor or articulated parts. This tool features an automatic sequence controlled by a single dart or a single ball launched into the running string from the surface: when the dart or the ball lands on its seat, the pressure build-up is initially applied to a piston to extract the device from the protector without exposing it to any differential pressure, then it is automatically applied to the device itself for actuation as soon as the device is entirely pulled out of the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Rayssiguier, Jean-Philippe Bedel
  • Patent number: 7896068
    Abstract: A product suitable for use in an oilfield environment is described, the product comprising: a first component; a first layer surrounding the first component, wherein the first layer is made of a protective material able to protect the first component from surrounding oilfield environment; a first susceptor, wherein the first susceptor is able to interacts with a magnetic field to generate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 7896069
    Abstract: A string of interconnected strain sensors applied to a cylindrical object for monitoring deformation of the object. The string of interconnected strain sensors is applied in a selected zig-zag pattern. A possibility is to drape a pliable support structure around the object, to which the the string of strain sensors has been mechanically coupled in the selected zig-zag pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Dennis Edward Dria, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Michelle Yvonne Shuck
  • Patent number: 7896070
    Abstract: A completion assembly has an expandable sealing element provided on an outer surface of the completion assembly. The expandable sealing element has a slot. The slot of the expandable sealing element enables the expandable sealing element to expand around a spoolable sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Lovell
  • Patent number: 7896071
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, capable of being conveyed on wireline, for continuous downhole injection of foaming agent(s) and/or beneficial chemical(s), comprising a reservoir and means for dispensing foaming agent(s) and/or beneficial chemical(s) from the reservoir of such apparatus and into the surrounding wellbore environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Shane Hinds, Randall J. Block, Bradley Jay Vincent, Joel Hebert
  • Patent number: 7896072
    Abstract: Methods for designing and performing a treatment operation on a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided, in which the treatment operation includes the use of a treatment fluid comprising reactants for a chemical reaction. The methods generally include the step of obtaining wellbore temperature-profile information on the wellbore and obtaining kinetic or thermodynamic data for the chemical reaction, and combining the information to help design the treatment operation. Preferably, the methods include the use of a distributed temperature system (“DTS”) for gaining temperature-profile information for a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rory D. Daussin, Ron G. Dusterhoft, Mary S. Van Domelen, Gerard Glasbergen
  • Patent number: 7896073
    Abstract: Sequential measurements are made using a two terminal resistivity imaging device wherein the measure electrodes are activated sequentially with the remaining electrodes in a floating mode. This eliminates the hardware requirements for focusing electrodes, prevents galvanic leakage between proximal electrodes and the effects of mutual coupling between circuits including proximal electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanislav W. Forgang, Randy Gold
  • Patent number: 7896074
    Abstract: A pipe conveyed well logging assembly is provided that includes a pipe string; a carrier assembly connected to the pipe string and having an inner housing and an outer housing; and a memory logging tool carried by the carrier assembly and movable from a retracted position, protected within the inner housing; and an extended position, at least partially protruding from a lower end of the carrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Steven Bissonnette, Todor K Sheiretov, Christopher S Del Campo, Matthew McCoy
  • Patent number: 7896075
    Abstract: Subterranean treatment fluids that exhibit enhanced particulate transport or suspension capabilities, and associated methods of use in certain subterranean treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a linear gelled fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, and a linear particulate transport enhancing additive, the linear gelled fluid having a certain yield stress, crossover frequency, and/or particulate settling time; introducing the linear gelled fluid into the subterranean formation; and using the linear gelled fluid to create or enhance at least one fracture in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold G. Walters, Jason E. Bryant, Phillip C. Harris
  • Patent number: 7896076
    Abstract: Low-density cement slurries for cementing subterranean wells are described that comprise alkali swellable polymers as thickening agents that provide slurry stability. The polymers are preferably added as liquid latex dispersions, and may also comprise a surfactant that is present at a concentration below its critical micelle concentration. Particular utility is observed when the solid-volume fraction (SVF) of the slurry is less than about 40 percent. Also described are a method for increasing the viscosity of a cement slurry and methods for cementing a subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Bruno Drochon
  • Patent number: 7896077
    Abstract: A transient overbalance condition is created in a wellbore interval such that a pressure of the wellbore interval is greater than a reservoir pressure in surrounding formation. Creating the transient overbalance condition causes a near-wellbore region of the formation to increase in pressure. The pressure in the wellbore interval is reduced at a rate that produces a relative underbalance condition in which the pressure in the wellbore interval is less than the pressure of the near-wellbore region of the formation, but the pressure in the wellbore interval is greater than the reservoir pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Behrmann, Brenden M. Grove, Raymond J. Tibbles, Jeremy Harvey
  • Patent number: 7896078
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the productivity of a subterranean formation penetrated by a gas, oil or geothermal well consists of introducing into the formation and/or well a pumpable polymerizable fluid comprising a crosslinkable, monofunctional alkene, multi-functional alkene (such as a difunctional alkene), a heat inducible free radical initiator and brine. The fluid may be used in the thermal insulation of production tubing or transfer pipes and hydraulic fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 7896079
    Abstract: A technique facilitates a water flood, e.g. dump flood, operation. A standard electric submersible pumping system is deployed in a wellbore to draw water from an aquifer or water source zone along the wellbore. A shroud and a crossover port are used in combination with the submersible pumping system to redirect pumped water downwardly along an isolated flow path. The downward flow of pumped water is directed along the wellbore and injected into a desired, injection zone to facilitate recovery of oil or to perform other types of water flood operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Dyer, Donald W. Ross, Dean Ellison, Brian Scott, Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7896080
    Abstract: This invention relates to enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subterranean formation via a well completed with a gravel pack. Gravel packs suffer plugging and damage over time from produced particles and other plugging materials brought into the pack as production continues. This invention relates to a chemical treatment for the gravel pack designed to remove damaging particulate matter from the pack via dissolution or displacement. Damaging material is forced sufficiently far into the producing reservoir to prevent its remigration back into the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Larry Watters, Jeff Watters, Mahadev Ammachathram
  • Patent number: 7896081
    Abstract: A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Patent number: 7896082
    Abstract: Methods and devices for negating scale buildups on interior surfaces of a sliding sleeve valve housing above the flow tube. In some aspects, a wiper member provides additional clearance between the flow tube and housing to compensate for scale buildup. In other aspects, the interior surface of the valve housing is provided with a sleeve that is disposed between the interior surface of the valve housing and the general flowbore passing through the valve housing to protect the interior surface against scale buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary B. Lake, Ronnie D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7896083
    Abstract: A stable vertical lift structure that raises pre-assembled equipment with flexibility in the positioning in relation to the well head location. The invention includes pre-assembled drilling and well-head equipment, such as a blow-out preventer and a stripper assembly supported by a vertical support structure, all of which is transported to the drilling site on a trailer assembly. The pivot point for the pre-assembled equipment is placed on a rail transport mounted on the trailer assembly, and the pivot point is laterally pushed to a locking point on the rail assembly before the pre-assembled equipment is vertically raised to its vertical alignment near the well head. After being raised to its vertical alignment position, the pre-assembled equipment can be placed over the well head at the drilling site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: James Raymond Vickery
  • Patent number: 7896084
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods may be used to for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Haugen
  • Patent number: 7896085
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Swelltec Limited
    Inventors: Kim Nutley, Brian Nutley
  • Patent number: 7896086
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for safely facilitating transfer of down-hole devices through an adaptive seal assembly capping a well under pressure. At least one dynamic seal is provided having a size and shape to accommodate varying cross section of an elongated down-hole device, such as a logging tool. The adaptive seal assembly includes a mating flange for coupling its open end to a reversibly sealable wellhead fixture. A pressure is maintained along a wellbore side of the reversible seal, while the aperture is varied according to the varying cross section of the down-hole device as it is translated along the axis. More than one dynamic seals can be actuated in a controlled sequence to apply axial thrust in a preferred direction to the tool. One or more robotic systems can be provided to further expedite manipulation of at least one of the tool and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Julio C. Guerrero, Agathe Robisson
  • Patent number: 7896087
    Abstract: A method of subsurface lubrication facilitates well completion, re-completion and workover while increasing safety and reducing expense. The method involves using a subsurface lubricator mounted to a wellhead of the cased wellbore to lubricate a downhole tool string into the cased wellbore by running a subsurface lubricator through the wellhead and into an upper section of a production casing of the cased wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Murray Dallas
  • Patent number: 7896088
    Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an instrument usable with a well comprises at least one reversibly expandable structure, at least one actuator operable to change a perimeter dimension of the at least one reversibly expandable structure, at least one instrument disposed interior of the at least one reversibly expandable structure, and having an axial dimension, and tractoring fluid disposed between the at least one reversibly expandable structure and the at least one instrument. The apparatus is operable to perform at least one of exerting thrust to convey the at least one instrument with respect to at least one adjacent surface, creating compensating pressure between the at least one instrument and the at least one adjacent surface, and sealing between the at least one instrument and the at least one adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Julio C. Guerrero, Hitoshi Tashiro, Bartley Patton, Hubertus V. Thomeer, Robin Mallalieu
  • Patent number: 7896089
    Abstract: A technique involves a packer formed as an expandable packer with an internal expandable bladder. The internal expandable bladder is surrounded with a plurality of packer slats oriented in a manner to enable expansion and contraction of the packer. Additional features are incorporated into the bladder and/or slats to facilitate repeated expansion and contraction of the packer while limiting leaks between wellbore regions and preventing extrusion of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gilles Carree
  • Patent number: 7896090
    Abstract: A tool for subterranean use employs relative movement between a housing and a piston by pressurizing and removing pressure in a variable volume defined between them. The variable volume is sealed with packer cups preferably with one supported from the piston and the other off the housing and in opposed orientations so that the broad surface area on each packer cup abuts the surface where relative movement takes place. The downhole tasks accomplished with the relative movement can be varied and include tubular expansion, setting packers or shifting sleeves, for example. A single or multiple packer cups are tied to a structure that needs to be driven and building pressure behind a packer cup or reducing pressure ahead of it advance the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan T. Storey, Mark K. Adam
  • Patent number: 7896091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a wellbore is described herein. A convertible seal includes a sealing element and a valve. The sealing element is in fluid communication with the valve and fluidly blocks a bore of the convertible seal. The sealing element prevents fluid from flowing through the bore until desired. When desired, the sealing element is removed to allow fluid to flow through the bore. Fluid flow in the bore is controlled by the valve. As a result, the convertible seal has been converted to a flow control seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Williamson, John W. McKeachnie
  • Patent number: 7896092
    Abstract: Device to extinguish a fire produced in a building, characterized by having a bomb comprising a hollow body whose inner part carries a load of a fire-retarding component and an actuator that, when it hits the surface of the building, activates a detonator that makes the charge explode, scattering the fire-retarding component over the whole surface area of the radius of action, the detonator and explosive charge contained inside a receptacle and the detonator being connected by means of an electrical wire to one or various actuators installed on the surface of the body of the bomb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: José Antonio Hernandez Reina
  • Patent number: 7896093
    Abstract: An apparatus to suppress a localized fire may include a pressurized tank of fire suppressant and a valve coupled to the tank. In case of a fire, a pneumatic fire sensor may open the valve to release the fire suppressant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Greg Chavez
  • Patent number: 7896094
    Abstract: A beach cleaner which scrapes up the litter along with sand and captures and deposits the churned up litter and sand in the mesh member. The beach cleaner 50 includes a frame; keel members, a scraper, and a tow portion that are disposed in a front portion of the frame; a mesh member disposed in a rear portion of the frame. The keel members and the scraper churn up litter scattered on sand ground, along with sand, while the beach cleaner travels on a surface of the sand ground by being towed by a towing vehicle. The churned up litter is deposited in the mesh member. Mesh of the mesh member is relatively rough at a front portion thereof in the traveling direction and finer at a rear portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shokichi Arai, Hidekazu Sakai, Akito Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7896095
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Patent number: 7896096
    Abstract: A hydraulic drilling machine has a metal chassis shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped, drilling resources located at the front of the chassis, a rotary motor to drive drilling rods, and a hydraulic circuit. An electrical circuit powers the various components of the drilling machine. The machine can be mounted on the arm of a hydraulic mini-digger and operate without an extra hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: I.A.T.S.T.
    Inventor: Patrick Ferrand
  • Patent number: 7896097
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes a planetary gear reduction mechanism, a switch mechanism, an impact mechanism, a hammer mechanism, a torque fixing mechanism, and a torque adjusting mechanism. The switch mechanism includes a driving member, a first driven member, and a second driven member. A switching member is provided on the electric power tool and connected to the driving member to move it, and the driving member may drive the first driven member and the second driven member respectively to start or shut the impact mechanism and the hammer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Cheng-I Teng
  • Patent number: 7896098
    Abstract: Power tools are taught that may include, for example, means for detecting impact sounds generated, e.g. by a hammer strikes an anvil or by oil pulse from an oil unit. The detecting means may include a receiver (30) adapted to selectively convert sound within a narrow frequency range into electric signals. Preferably, the impact sounds fall within the narrow frequency range of the receiver (30). A processor 38 may be utilized to control the motor (22) in order to stop the rotation of the hammer when a pre-determined number of impact sounds has been detected by the detecting means. In addition or in the alternative, various means for setting various operating conditions are taught, including dials 34, sound sensors 30, keypads and remote control devices 250. Further, means for performing maintenance condition status checks are taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7896099
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a drilling device which is compact and has good sliding properties. The object is achieved by an upper beam for use with a lower beam in a telescopic feeder for a drilling device for rock drilling. The upper beam extends along a longitudinal axis and has a generally U-shaped cross section comprising a bottom wall and a first and a second side wall. Each side wall has an inward surface and an outward surface. The upper beam comprises a cooperating member intended for sliding cooperation with the lower beam. The cooperating member comprises an attachment structure extending outwardly from each outward surface of each side wall. Each attachment structure is intended for fixed mounting of a crank block bracket, which crank block bracket faces the outward surface of each side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Saf
  • Patent number: 7896100
    Abstract: A valve device (V, 4?) for controlling the movement in a machine housing (2) of a reciprocating percussion piston (3) of a percussion device (1) for a rock drilling machine with a first chamber (5) that can be pressurized for forward driving of the percussion piston (3) and a second chamber (8) that can be pressurized for back-driving of the percussion piston (3), wherein the valve device includes a to and fro movable valve element (20), the movement of which being controlled as a response to the position of a valve portion (V) of the percussion piston in a valve housing portion by periodically pressurizing a signal chamber (21) actuating the movement of the valve element over signal conduit means (22, 23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Kurt Andersson
  • Patent number: 7896101
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated power tool includes an outer frame, a driving components, a pressure reduction valve, and a switching valve. The outer frame has a compressed air intake portion and defines therein a compressed air chamber. The driving components are disposed in the outer frame and are driven by a compressed air in the compressed air chamber. The pressure reduction valve defines a pressure receiving space and allows a compressed air to flow from the air intake portion to the compressed air chamber and to the pressure receiving space. The switching valve is movable between a first position where the compressed air flows from the compressed air intake portion to the pressure receiving space, and a second position where a communication between the compressed air intake portion and the pressure receiving space is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Wakabayashi, Takashi Mori, Shouichi Hirai
  • Patent number: 7896102
    Abstract: A pneumatic drive system (1) in which the movement of an output drive unit (7) of a pneumatic drive (2) is controlled by a control valve (25 and 26) which is connected with the working chambers (12 and 13) of the pneumatic drive (2). The control valve (25 and 26) comprises least one air economy setting (30) setting a choke cross section and a high power setting (29) defining a flow cross section larger than it. An actuator serves to ensure that the control valve is switched over, in a fashion dependent on the air pressure obtaining in the at least one working chamber (12 and 13) from the normally assumed air economy setting (30) into the high power setting (29), when the output drive unit (7) meets with an increased resistance to motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Hirling, Ute Casimir
  • Patent number: 7896103
    Abstract: A tool housing which in one aspect includes a body defining a head portion with a handle portion depending therefrom to define a forward and/or a rear junction. A metal reinforcing member is configured to span along an inside surface of the body from the head portion to the handle portion such that the reinforcing member bridges either the forward or rear junction. In another aspect, the tool assembly comprises a tool housing body, a motor positioned within the tool body housing, a drive mechanism connected with the motor to define a unitary motor/drive mechanism assembly, and at least one elastic isolating member extending about a portion of the motor/drive mechanism assembly such that the motor/drive mechanism assembly is elastically isolated relative to the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Company
    Inventors: Joshua Odell Johnson, Ryan Scott Amend, Joseph Constantine Bouboulis, Patrick Sean Livingston, Douglas Edward Souls
  • Patent number: 7896104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for explosive drilling. Explosive capsules are fired by a firing device at a material to be stripped. A high degree of safety is attained in that use is made of an explosive with liquid oxygen that is only produced immediately before its application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Willi Becker, Bernhard Werner Schwark-Werwach
  • Patent number: 7896105
    Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, a method for drilling a well is described. The method includes identifying a field having hydrocarbons. Then, one or more wells are drilled to a subsurface location in the field to provide fluid flow paths for hydrocarbons to a production facility. The drilling is performed by (i) estimating a drill rate for one of the wells; (ii) determining a difference between the estimated drill rate and an actual drill rate; (iii) obtaining mechanical specific energy (MSE) data and other measured data during the drilling of the one of the wells; (iv) using the obtained MSE data and other measured data to determine one of a plurality of limiters that limit the drill rate; (v) adjusting drilling operations to mitigate one of the plurality of limiters; (vi) and iteratively repeating steps (i)-(v) until the subsurface formation has been reached by the drilling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Fred E. Dupriest
  • Patent number: 7896106
    Abstract: A rotary drag bit exhibiting enhanced cutting efficiency and extended life is provided. The rotary drag bit comprises a bit body having a face surface, and a plurality of cutters coupled to the face surface of the bit body. The plurality of cutters comprises at least one pilot cutter and a rotationally trailing larger, primary cutter at substantially the same radius and, optionally of slightly less exposure. The pilot cutter is sized and positioned to pre-fracture the formation and perform an initial cut, while the primary cutter removes weakened, remaining formation material along the same rotational path. A method to pre-fracture subterranean formations using a rotary drag bit having a pilot cutter configuration is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: David Gavia
  • Patent number: 7896107
    Abstract: A tracking receiver system is used to track the progress of a downhole tool along a subsurface path having a desired grade. The tracking receiver system is adapted to detect a reference line originating from a reference line receiver and to determine the position of the downhole tool along a desired subsurface path relative to the reference line. In an alternative embodiment the tracking receiver system may comprise a global positioning satellite system to provide information used to determine the position of the downhole tool relative to the desired subsurface path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd R. Gunsaulis, Brian K. Bailey, Scott B. Cole, Kelvin P. Self, Gerald A. Stangl