Patents Issued in September 6, 2011
  • Patent number: 8011402
    Abstract: A golf club head cover and towel assembly comprises a head cover having a toe end and a heel end. The heel end comprises an opening thereon, and the opening is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A towel removably coupled with the opening is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Arizona Manufacturing & Embroidery, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 8011403
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for motorcycle includes a tread portion; a pair of sidewall portions; and bead portions, wherein a ground contact region of the tread portion has five regions including a center region including the tire equatorial plane; a pair of shoulder regions including ground contact ends of the tread; and a pair of intermediate regions located between the center region and the respective shoulder regions. At a room temperature of 25° C., 100% modulus of intermediate tread rubber provided across the entire part of each intermediate region is set larger than each of 100% modulus of center tread rubber and 100% modulus of shoulder tread rubber, and a negative ratio in the ground contact region of the tread is set so as to gradually increase from the respective shoulder regions toward the center region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Hidemitsu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8011404
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a motorcycle in which partial abrasion is suppressed by making the slip component of a tread lubber in the circumferential direction of tire as uniform as possible in the ground contacting plane. A cushion rubber layer 38 having elastic modulus lower than that of the tread rubber 30 is arranged on a spiral belt layer 22, and an inclination belt layer 24 including a cord inclining at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees to the circumferential direction of the tire is arranged on the cushion rubber layer 38. Consequently, shear deformation of the cushion rubber layer 38 during traveling can be transmitted to the tread rubber 30 after being smoothed by the inclination belt layer 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ishiyama, Masafumi Koide
  • Patent number: 8011405
    Abstract: A labeller includes a waste liner rewind wheel for taking up the release liner after it has been separated from the labels, and a print mechanism positioned along the label path for real-time printing of a desired print material on the labels. In one embodiment, the waste liner rewind wheel includes a mechanism for adjusting the speed of the rewind wheel as the amount of waste liner on the rewind wheel increases, while maintaining sufficient tension on the waste liner to pull the waste liner onto the rewind wheel. In another embodiment, the print mechanism is mounted to the frame along the label path, such that the print mechanism is capable of printing on the labels as they are moved past the print mechanism. The labeller may additionally include an encoder for registering the position of the label web with respect to the print mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Joe & Samia Management Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Z. Sleiman, Michael R. Schram, Douglas F. Lovegrove, Bradley V. Allen
  • Patent number: 8011406
    Abstract: There are provided a cartridge to which a first roll around which a base tape with a plurality of RFID circuit elements arranged is wound can be detachably attached, an antenna for transmission/reception of information with the RFID circuit element, a signal processing circuit and a transmitting portion that generate access information to an IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element, transmit the information to the RFID circuit element and carry out information writing in the IC circuit part or information reading from the IC circuit part, a print head for printing on a cover film, and a control circuit provided with a determination portion that determines matching between parameter data provided at the cartridge and instruction data relating to the print input by an operation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Niwa, Tatsuhiro Ikedo, Hideo Ueno, Nobuhiko Funato, Kazunari Taki, Tsuyoshi Ohashi, Katsumi Toda
  • Patent number: 8011407
    Abstract: A compression bonding device has a dam member so that when a pressing head is pressed against an object to be pressed, the bonding part is surrounded by the dam member. Thus, even if the surface of the bonding part bulges by pressing, the bulging part is stopped by the dam member and the surface of the bonding part does not horizontally extend. As a result of the absence of horizontal extension of the bonding part, electric components of the object to be pressed are not subjected to a force that horizontally moves the electric components and the electric components are vertically pressed downward and connected to the terminals of the substrate. Thus, an electric device having high connection reliability is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8011408
    Abstract: There is disclosed labeling apparatus including a portable labeler having a handle that can be suspended using a hanger assembly. The hanger assembly suspends the labeler so that the labeler is in a position ready to apply a label and with the handle at an attitude to be conveniently grasped to maneuver and operate the labeler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde N. Tharp, James A. Makley
  • Patent number: 8011409
    Abstract: A splicing device to join a first web material coming from a reel being fed (BA), to a second web material (NB), coming from a reel standing by (BB), comprising two heads (107A, 127A; 107B, 127B), each of which comprises: a roller (129A; 129B) associated with a clamping bar (143A, 145A; 143B, 145B) to hold an initial edge of the second web material (NB); a counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) cooperating with said roller (129A; 129B) to press said first and second web material (NA, NB) against each other; a cutting member (111A; 111B); a moving unit (113A; 113B), on which said counter-pressure member (109A; 109B) and said cutting member (111A; 111B) are carried. A first common control member (121) is provided to cause, by the movement it imparts to the moving unit of one or other head alternately: pinching of the first and second web material between the roller (129A; 129B) and the counter-pressure member (109A; 109B); cutting of the first web material; and release of the second web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fosber S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Adami
  • Patent number: 8011410
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a labeling machine includes a plurality of driving arm assemblies and a gear set. The driving arm assemblies and the gear set are independent and can rotate quickly and are less likely to be worn off, and can drive feeding wheels coupled on axles to rotate concurrently to draw and convey a roll of film. A dust guarding plate is provided to surround a base. The driving mechanism provides secure transmission and simple repair and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 8011411
    Abstract: For transferring an image-forming layer from a transfer foil a printing sheet, an adhesive layer is first applied to the sheet to be printed. The transfer foil provided with the image-forming layer is guided past the printing sheet under pressure, in a coating module (2), such that the image-forming layer adheres to the adhesive and an image is created. The present invention provides a foil transfer device that includes a substrate on the press cylinder that has a reduced adhesiveness relative to the transfer foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: manroland AG
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Eitel, Rainer Gebhardt, Wolfgang Mexner, Uwe Püschel, Michael Reising, Guido Reschke, Jürgen Schölzig, Michael Zinke
  • Patent number: 8011412
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the exterior or polished surface of wheels as tires are removed and placed on the wheel. The apparatus includes a substantially flat base having a plurality of stanchions extending out from the base. Each stanchion has a collar positioned adjacent to the base that includes a diameter greater than the stanchion. The stanchions are sized to fit through the bolt holes of the wheel in order to generally align each stanchion with one of those holes. Each collar is sized to be preferably slightly larger than the average bolt, or lug, hole on the wheel. Additionally, each collar is sized to cover substantially the same area as the lug nut or nut that normally attaches the wheels to the vehicle upon which they are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Melzo Innovations
    Inventors: J. Stephen Farley, Bill Cropper, Clay Spivey
  • Patent number: 8011413
    Abstract: A horizontally extending screen door system having balancing cords that pull in a direction that opposes the force on a handle by the screen exerted by the wind up mechanism of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Screenline Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: John Poppema
  • Patent number: 8011414
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in a roll-up shutter. More particularly, the invention provides an electrically-driven shutter which can be electrically deployed or retracted, and the slats may be electrically tilted for ventilation or vertically closed for maximum security, all by use of a single electric motor. The invention achieves the above objects by providing an electrically driven roll-up shutter, comprising a plurality of upper pivoted link elements each of which supports all lower components, the linkage pivots being arranged to allow roll-up on a shutter shaft or tube, the lowest of the link elements being attached to a slat tilt mechanism, the upper pivoted link elements when in tension with only the highest of the link elements in contact with the shutter shaft or tube form a substantially straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Moshe Amit Levy
    Inventors: Meir Levy, Avner Milo
  • Patent number: 8011415
    Abstract: A flaskless molding apparatus for an upper and a lower mold that can produce molds comprised of molding sand with a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Hirata, Takayuki Komiyama
  • Patent number: 8011416
    Abstract: To provide a manufacturing apparatus that is capable of manufacturing metal-ceramic composite members in various shapes with high productivity, and a mold member and a manufacturing method therefore. An apparatus for manufacturing a metal-ceramic composite member was made, the apparatus including: a plurality of process regions, namely, an atmosphere replacing/heating part 11, a molten metal push-out part 21, and a cooling part 31; and a guide 48 for allowing a mold to pass through these plural process regions, molds 60 having ceramic members 86 placed therein are successively inserted into a mold inlet 43 provided in this guide 48 to pass through the guide 48 practically in a shielded state from the atmosphere, a molten metal 53 is poured thereto in the molten-metal push-out part 21, and the molten metal 53 is cooled and solidified in the cooling part 31 to join a metal and a ceramic, thereby manufacturing the metal-ceramic composite member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dowa Metaltech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyo Osanai, Susumu Ibaragi, Makoto Namioka
  • Patent number: 8011417
    Abstract: A process for continuous casting of slabs or other metal products of elongate cross section, for example made of steel, in which a molten metal is poured into a cooled mold, and the externally solidified product is continuously extracted from the mold and guided in a secondary cooling zone downstream of the mold. To obtain a cast product exhibiting predominantly equiaxed solidification, the product extracted from the mold is subjected to electromagnetic stirring in segment zero of the secondary cooling zone by at least two stirrer-rolls incorporated into the segment zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Rotelec
    Inventors: Siebo Kunstreich, Dominique Yves
  • Patent number: 8011418
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal strip includes casting a slab (3) or preliminary strip (3?) in a casting machine (2) and subsequently rolling the cast slab (3) or preliminary strip (3?) in at least one rolling train (4, 5) in a first operating mode with the at least one rolling train being connected with the casting machine for continuously manufacturing the metal strip, and in a second operating mode removing the cast slab (3) or preliminary strip (3?) from the main transport line (6) with a shuttle system arranged between the casting machine (2) and the at least one rolling train (4, 5), storing the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip (3?), and subsequently transporting the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip back into the main transport line, with the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip (3?) being heated to a desired temperature or maintained at a desired temperature prior to the transport back into the main transport line (6) for discontinuously manufacturing the metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: SMA Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Rosenthal, Stephan Krämer, Christoph Klein, Jürgen Seidel, Wolfgang-Dietmar Hackenberg
  • Patent number: 8011419
    Abstract: Thermal expansion defects, i.e. veining, are reduced in iron, steel, and nonferrous castings by adding a lithia-containing material in a sufficient amount to the silica sand mold. Adjusting current formulations to maximize the use of lesser expensive raw materials and minimize the use of more expensive raw materials to lower the overall percentages of lithia/metallic oxide containing additives while still reducing or eliminating thermal expansion related defects in the metal casting process reduces the overall cost to manufacture the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: IGC Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Jon Cieplewski, Andrew Callan, Rebecca Roti
  • Patent number: 8011420
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a heat exchanger in a vehicle includes a bracket having a main body. A first portion is secured to the heat exchanger and a second portion includes a mounting feature adapted to be secured to another component of the vehicle. A foot is formed on the first portion of the bracket. The foot defines an interface surface brazed to the heat exchanger in an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Jason R Hendry, Christopher Wisniewski, Ben C Mullis
  • Patent number: 8011421
    Abstract: The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Honeywell International Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Chunbo Zhang, Yuandong Gu, Martin Kristoffersen, Francis A. Kulacki, Brian C. Krafthefer
  • Patent number: 8011422
    Abstract: To provide an EGR cooler which has a small number of parts and achieves compact design with low cost. A plurality of flat tubes, each having a bottom to close an end thereof, is arranged in parallel. An opening of each of the flat tubes penetrates through a tube plate. Corrugated fins are placed in each of the flat tubes, thus forming a core. A casing encloses the outer circumferential surface of the core. The tube plate closes the opening of a tank body equipped with a partition. The edge of the partition is placed at an intermediate position in the width direction of the opening of the flat tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: T.RAD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Yamazaki, Yoichi Nakamura, Noriyuki Ishii, Toshikatsu Hachiya
  • Patent number: 8011423
    Abstract: A heat sink with a centrifugal fan comprising: a cover of a prescribed shape including an air intake port and an air discharge port; a heat receiving block thermally connected to a heat generating part to be cooled; a bottom portion which is excellent in heat transferability, thermally connected to one face of said heat receiving block, and engaged to said cover to form a space portion; a heat dissipating fin portion comprising a plurality of fins, received within the space portion, thermally connected to said bottom portion, and having a prescribed shape including at least an air inflow portion; and a centrifugal fan, a rotating shaft of which is arranged in a vicinity of the air inflow portion of said heat dissipating fin portion, which intakes air from the air intake port, generates an air flow through spaces formed between adjacent fins of said heat dissipating fin portion, and generates another air flow along an inner wall of said cover toward said air discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uchimura, Chiyoshi Sasaki, Nobuyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8011424
    Abstract: A convective heat transfer system for use with a fluid with particles, including a fluid channel having a wall and being capable of transferring the fluid, and a field emitter operable to emit a time-varying field into the fluid channel such that, when the fluid is in the channel, the time varying field affects a portion of the particles to change the rate of heat transfer between the channel and the fluid. The fluid can be a slurry with suspended field reactive particles. The system can include a plurality of field emitters located along the walls of the fluid channel, to vary the field and manipulate the distribution of the particles within the slurry, thereby changing the heat transfer characteristics of the system. The field can be an electric field or a magnetic field. The fluid channel can be disposed in a heat transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Mark M Murray
  • Patent number: 8011425
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for establishing electrical communication between an instrument subsection disposed below a mud motor and an electronics sonde disposed above the mud motor in a drill string conveyed borehole logging system. Electrical communication is established via at least one conductor disposed within the mud motor and connecting the instrument sub section to a link disposed between the mud motor and the electronics sonde. The link can be embodied as a current coupling link, a magnetic coupling ling, an electromagnetic telemetry ling and a direct electrical contact link. Two way data transfer is established in all link embodiments. Power transfer is also established in all but the electromagnetic telemetry link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher Walter Konschuh, Michael Louis Larronde, Larry Wayne Thompson, Macmillan M. Wisler
  • Patent number: 8011426
    Abstract: A method for gripping a tubular with a tubular gripping mechanism includes the steps of moving the tubular gripping mechanism adjacent the tubular, positioning a jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism around the tubular, applying a force by an actuator onto the jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism such that the jaw assembly moves so as to clamp onto the tubular, removing the force from the actuator onto the jaw assembly such that the jaw assembly remains clamped onto the tubular. The clamping force is directed to surfaces of the tubular gripping mechanism away from the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Orgeron
  • Patent number: 8011427
    Abstract: A double-acting jar is disclosed comprising: an outer housing; an inner mandrel at least partially disposed telescopically within the outer housing to define a fluid chamber between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, the fluid chamber containing fluid and being sealed; a valve disposed within the fluid chamber on one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing; the valve having a downhole portion that is movable between a downhole seated position in which the valve seats against the one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing and an unseated position, the downhole portion having a downhole restriction surface; the valve having an uphole portion that is movable between an uphole seated position in which the valve seats against the one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing and an unseated position, the uphole portion having an uphole restriction surface; the other of the outer housing and the inner mandrel having a cooperating restriction surface that cooperates with the downhole restriction surfac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Shoyhetman, David Budney, Craig Budney, Glenn Budney
  • Patent number: 8011428
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a decelerating device. The device includes, a body movably engagable within a tubular, a mandrel longitudinally movably disposed at the body, and at least one deceleration element disposed at the body in operable communication with the mandrel such that longitudinal movement of the mandrel with respect to the body causes controlled radial movement of the at least one deceleration element to decelerate the decelerating device in relation to the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Myerley, Michael J. May
  • Patent number: 8011429
    Abstract: A transport assembly configured to be attached to downhole apparatus has a support assembly configured to be attached to the downhole apparatus and a ground engaging assembly, which may be a roller wheel configured to contact with and move in relation to a surface of a wellbore. The roller wheel may engage with the support assembly so as to provide for their relative rotation. The transport assembly also includes a retaining member disposed between the roller wheel and the support assembly, and the retaining member is operable to resist separation of the roller wheel from the support assembly. The transport assembly is further configured such that, when the transport assembly is in use moving along a wellbore, the roller wheel bears against the retaining member, which in turn bears against the support assembly. The retaining member is a ball-bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Graeme McNay
  • Patent number: 8011430
    Abstract: A method of determining the inflow profile of an injection wellbore, comprising stopping injection of fluid into a formation, the formation intersected by a wellbore having a section uphole of the formation and a section within the formation, monitoring temperature at least partially along the uphole section of the wellbore and at least partially along the formation section of the wellbore, injecting fluid into the formation once the temperature in the uphole section of the wellbore increases, and monitoring the movement of the increased temperature fluid as it moves from the uphole section of the wellbore along the formation section of the wellbore. The monitoring may be performed using a distributed temperature sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8011431
    Abstract: A system and method for cavitating a producible formation is disclosed to improve hydrocarbon production and to increase a production rate without an concurrent co-production of formation particulate. The method and system include conglomerating the producible formation using a conglomerating composition. Once the producible formation is conglomerated, the conglomerated, producible formation is produced above its critical draw down pressure to form a cavity surrounding the wellborn in the conglomerated, producible formation and placing the cavitated, conglomerated, producible formation on production below a higher maximum sand free rate (MSFR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Barry Ekstrand
  • Patent number: 8011432
    Abstract: An inflow control assembly. The inflow control assembly can include an inner tubular member comprising a hole formed therethrough. A cover assembly can encircle the hole. The cover assembly can include a first outer member disposed about at least a portion of the inner tubular member. The first outer member can be secured to the inner tubular member. A second outer member can be disposed about at least a portion of the inner tubular member, and the second outer member can be secured to the inner tubular member. A screen portion can be disposed between the outer members and between the inner tubular member and the outer members. An annulus can be formed between the outer members and the inner tubular member, and the annulus can provide a flow path between the hole and the screen portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Langlais, Tage Thorkildsen, Terje Moen, Odd Rønnestad
  • Patent number: 8011433
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bidirectional gravel packing of wells. A gravel packing method includes flowing a gravel slurry in one direction in an annulus formed between a wellbore and a gravel packing assembly, and flowing another gravel slurry in an opposite direction in the annulus. A well system includes a gravel packing assembly positioned in a wellbore; one or more well screens interconnected in the gravel packing assembly; a flow control device, interconnected in the gravel packing assembly, and which selectively permits and prevents flow of a gravel slurry outward from the gravel packing assembly to an exterior of the well screens; another flow control device, interconnected in the gravel packing assembly, and which selectively permits and prevents flow of another gravel slurry outward from the gravel packing assembly to the exterior of the well screens; and the well screens being positioned between the flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Chay, Chee Voon Kin, Mark E. P. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8011434
    Abstract: A securing device comprises an axially reciprocable drive shaft which has a head adapted to pass forwards through a detent plate. The head is adapted to engage the plate after rotation. A cam slot is defined in a drive housing and is engageable by a cam follower carried on the drive shaft. The cam slot has two end portions extending parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and an oblique intermediate part such that the drive shaft is rotated when the follower moves along the intermediate part and the drive shaft moves only axially when the follower moves along either of the end portions. A subsea assembly including the securing device includes a fixed stab plate including a central collar, and a free stab plate having an aperture through which said collar extends, the collar including an chamber defined by the detent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: M.S.C.M. Limited
    Inventors: Patrick J Cosgrove, Douglas F Kirkman, Terence Burgon
  • Patent number: 8011435
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole in a producing subsea wellbore wherein a flexible conduit is connected at one end to a surface vessel and at the other end via a pressurized subsea wellhead to the producing wellbore such that a remotely operated electrical drilling device (RODD) can be deployed down the flexible conduit, the method comprising: directing a RODD to the location for drilling in the wellbore; and drilling a further wellbore section with the RODD; wherein the drilling comprises drilling in underbalanced conditions with respect to the formation; and using fluids produced from the formation to transport the drill cuttings away from the drilling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ricardo Carossino, Andrea Sbordone, Henri Denoix, Charles Deible, Rene Schuurman
  • Patent number: 8011436
    Abstract: A subsea well assembly has a tubing hanger that lands and seals in a wellhead housing. A tree block is lowered through the drilling riser into engagement with the tubing hanger. The tree block has a lower portion that inserts and latches into the bore of the wellhead housing. The drilling riser is disconnected, and a module is lowered onto the tree block, the module having a choke and controls for controlling the well. The master valve for production is the downhole safety valve in the tubing. The wing production valve is a ball valve located in the flow passage of the tree block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Christie, Robert Voss, Peter Breese
  • Patent number: 8011437
    Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Patent number: 8011438
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base pipe and a fluid control material. The base pipe includes openings, and the fluid control material is mounted to the pipe to control fluid communication through the openings of the pipe. The fluid control material has a permeability that may be changed to selectively control the communication of well fluid through the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Edwards, Ronan Le Gloahec, Claude J. Vercaemer, Philippe Hocquet, Pierre-Yves Corre, Nitin Y. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 8011439
    Abstract: A marker assembly includes a first linkage section interconnected to a second linkage section by a pivoting joint. The pivoting joint also includes a spring linkage that limits momentum in the second linkage section before a marking disc carried by the second linkage section engages the ground. The spring linkage may be comprised of a spring that is retained by a pair of washers within a housing or canister. A linkage rod passes through the canister and has a set of nuts that are sized to catch the washers. Thus, if the spring linkage is compressed or extended, the catch nuts press up against the washers thereby compressing the spring. By compressing the spring, a force is applied in the opposite direction as the momentum in the marker assembly, which reduces the collective momentum in the marker assembly during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerry Gadzella, Terrance A. Friggstad, Dennis G. Thompson, Ryan R. Georgison
  • Patent number: 8011440
    Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly features a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a ground engaging tool, and an adjustable packer wheel assembly. The design provides improved seeding accuracy by providing a variable distance between the ground engaging tool and the packer wheel. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention allow for adjustment of the distance between the ground engaging tool and wheel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Montgomerie Summach, Gordon Anthony Engel, Gerard James Gadzella, Barry Pomedli, Jim Henry
  • Patent number: 8011441
    Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Senco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane Adams, Thomas W. Clark, Michael V. Petrocelli, Teresa Petrocelli, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8011442
    Abstract: A handheld power tool has a housing, a tool receptacle, a motor having a motor shaft, an intermediate shaft, an element for transmitting a rotation of the motor shaft to a rotary motion of the intermediate shaft, a drive mechanism for a tool insertable into the tool receptacle, the drive mechanism being provided with an element for converting the rotary motion of the intermediate shaft into a rotary motion of the tool receptacle and an element for converting the rotary motion into the intermediate shaft into a hammering motion of the tool receptacle, wherein the motor shaft is coaxial with the intermediate shaft, and there is an element for coupling the motor shaft to the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Lennartz
  • Patent number: 8011443
    Abstract: The invention is a striking mechanism for a handheld power tools in particular electric hammer. A piston is arranged in an axially bidirectionally movable manner in a guide tube. A striker is provided which acts on a striking pin and which is held in a movable manner in the guide tube. A compression space is delimited by the piston and the striker such that an air cushion is enclosed therein. It is proposed that at least one spring element is provided between the striker and the striking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Meixner, Otto Baumann, Jan Koalick
  • Patent number: 8011444
    Abstract: A locking assembly for the spindle of a tool includes a locking member, a biasing member interconnected with the locking member, and a collar surrounding a portion of the spindle. The spindle includes a spindle slot that receives the locking member to lock the spindle with respect to the tool housing. The collar may be rotated into an unlocked position in which the biasing member holds the locking member out of engagement with the spindle slot. The collar may also be rotated into a locked position in which a cam surface in the collar acts on the biasing member to apply a biasing force on the locking member toward engagement with the spindle slot. The biasing member may deflect to accommodate rotation of the collar into the locked position with the spindle slot not aligned with the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. Pyles, Randi J. Young
  • Patent number: 8011445
    Abstract: A portable power tool has a housing, a rotating sleeve provided for rotatably driving a tool and a rotatably supported in the housing by at least one bearing, a driving gear-wheel installed on the rotating sleeve in a freely rotating manner and drivable by a motor, a safety clutch that couples the driving gear-wheel with the rotating sleeve in a rotation-proof manner, the safety clutch having two clutch members that are slippable, with one of the clutch members being assigned to the driving gear-wheel and the other clutch member being assigned to the rotating sleeve in both cases in a rotation-proof manner, and with a coupling sleeve providing a force against which the clutch members are slippable when a limit torque is exceeded, the bearing being seated on the rotating sleeve in an axially displaceable manner and loaded by the coupling sleeve of the safety clutch against an axial stop of the rotating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Duesselberg, Kurt Sieber
  • Patent number: 8011446
    Abstract: An assembly and methods for constructing a MONOWELL include a monodiameter casing disposed in a monodiameter wellbore having diametric efficiency with a monobore production delivery system disposed within the monodiameter casing. An assembly for constructing a monodiameter wellbore includes a bottomhole assembly having a overgauge hole drilling member, a directional steering assembly, a measurement while drilling tool, and a logging while drilling tool; a work string attached to the bottomhole assembly and extending to the surface; drilling fluids flowing through the work string and bottomhole assembly; chemical casing casing the borehole; expandable casing disposed in the wellbore; and a sealing composition disposed between the expandable casing and the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenda Wylie, Frank Zamora, Beegamudre N. Murali, James B. Terry, Lance Everett Brothers, Anthony Vann Palmer, Baireddy R. Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Jimmie D. Weaver, John M. Wilson, Denise Berryhill, Russell M. Fitsgerald, Anne M. Culotta, M. Vikram Rao, Roger Boulton, Chen-Kang David Chen, Thomas M. Gaynor, John Hardin, Dan Gleitman, Colin Walker
  • Patent number: 8011447
    Abstract: A method of surveying drill holes, typically for use in underground mining situations where the holes are bored using a top hammer drill rig (10), utilizes a survey tool located adjacent the drill bit (1) which is used to log position readings as the drill string is withdrawn from the hole after the drilling operation. In this manner, it is possible to log the actual hole bored by the drill string (3) in real time as the drilling operation proceeds, and show deviation from intended hole positions (5) or (6). The survey tool typically includes an inertial survey package, a power source, and a data logger with the survey package selected from the group comprising commercially known inertial known survey packages, for superior characteristics of resistance to vibration and impact. The survey tool is maintained in a sleeping mode while drilling is undertaken, and activated to provide position data as the drill string is progressively withdrawn from the actual hole path (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Scott David Keniston, Paul J. A. Levers
  • Patent number: 8011448
    Abstract: A rotary steerable tool (2) for use in a downhole drilling apparatus for adjusting the direction of drilling is disclosed. The tool comprises a tubular outer housing (20) and a row of steering pushers (24) slidably mounted to the housing for movement between an extended position, in which the steering pusher engages a wall of a borehole formed by the drilling apparatus, and a withdrawn position, in which the steering pushers do not engage the wall of the borehole. A tubular sleeve (4) is mounted inside the housing (20) to transmit rotary drive to a drilling bit. A pressure chamber (22) defined between the sleeve (4) and the housing (20) communicates with the steering pushers (24) to move the steering pushers (24) to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sondex Limited
    Inventors: Rory McCrae Tulloch, Victor Laing Allan
  • Patent number: 8011449
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a pullhead/reamer for use in digging a hole in the ground; comprising a first end (22) shaped to receive a mandrel struts, connecting the first end to the second end, the struts defining a set of open flutes (48) therewithin; and a set of slurry jets (50); wherein when the pullhead/reamer is in use, the set of slurry jets release a pressurized liquid to mix with the ground producing a slurry which enters the pullhead/reamer via the open flutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Raymond G. Roth, Rodger Laking
  • Patent number: 8011450
    Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sven Krueger, Gerald Heisig, Detlef Hahn, Volker Krueger, Peter Aronstam, Harald Grimmer, Roger Fincher, Larry Watkins
  • Patent number: 8011451
    Abstract: A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation includes forming a first wellbore in the formation. A second wellbore is directionally drilled in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbore. At least one magnetic field is provided in the second wellbore using one or more magnets in the second wellbore located on a drilling string used to drill the second wellbore. At least one magnetic field is sensed in the first wellbore using at least two sensors in the first wellbore as the magnetic field passes by the at least two sensors while the second wellbore is being drilled. A position of the second wellbore is continuously assessed relative to the first wellbore using the sensed magnetic field. The direction of drilling of the second wellbore is adjusted so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Duncan MacDonald