Patents Issued in December 6, 2011
  • Patent number: 8069883
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device in which a setting operation for each beverage is simplified and in which supply of a wrong beverage can be avoided in advance. The beverage supply device executes a beverage supply operation of discharging a beverage material and a diluting liquid into a cup to mix the beverage material and the diluting liquid. The device includes: an information output section of a flavor card which retains inherent information such as a dilution ratio of a beverage; an information detecting section which reads out the inherent information of the beverage retained by this information output section; and a control unit which executes the beverage supply operation based on the inherent information read out by this information detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8069884
    Abstract: An automotive fluid reservoir for storing and dispensing automotive fluids, such as motor oil and transmission fluid, into the engine and transmission of a vehicle is provided. The automotive fluid reservoir comprises a housing having a top side, a bottom side, a pair of end walls, a first side wall, and a second side wall. At least one compartment is formed in the housing with each compartment fluidly separate from any other compartment. A fluid receiving aperture is formed in the top side of the housing directly over each compartment for receiving fluid from an appropriate fluid container. At least one fluid output aperture is formed in one of the side walls of the housing with each fluid output aperture fluidly connected to at least one of the compartments. A length of tubing is connected to each of the fluid output apertures with each tubing extending from the appropriate fluid output aperture to the standard fluid reservoir within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Curtis L. Gray-Woods
  • Patent number: 8069885
    Abstract: A service station, in particular a hydrogen service station for filling a motor vehicle with a gaseous and/or a liquid medium, in particular with gaseous or liquid hydrogen, is disclosed. The station includes a) a reservoir for storing a liquid medium, b) a liquid medium dispensing unit which is supplied with the liquid medium from the reservoir, c) a compressor, an evaporator, a heating system, and an intermediate reservoir for intermediate storage of a compressed gaseous medium, d) a gaseous medium dispensing unit mounted downstream of the intermediate reservoir, e) a fuel cell which is supplied by the gaseous medium coming from the reservoir and/or the intermediate reservoir and supplies power to the compressor, and f) a control unit which is powered by the fuel cell and used for controlling the compressor, the gaseous medium dispensing unit and/or the liquid medium dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Kederer, Henning Tomforde
  • Patent number: 8069886
    Abstract: A capsule preparation system includes a syringe holder for retaining a syringe, the syringe holder configured for operating a plunger of the syringe, a supply vial for storing a volume of radiopharmaceutical, and a capsule holder for capturing a capsule wherein the capsule holder is configured for selectively releasing the capsule from the capsule holder. At least a portion of the syringe holder is movable along a first direction and a second direction to position the syringe relative to the supply vial and the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vulcan Lead, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Yanke, James Chojnacki
  • Patent number: 8069887
    Abstract: An ice flap device (10) for a refrigerator comprises a flap unit (14) movable between an open position and a closed position, which unit releases a dispenser aperture for dispensing ice in its open position and blocks the dispenser aperture against dispensing ice in its closed position, as well as a motorized drive mechanism for driving the flap unit (14) between its open and closed position. According to the invention the drive mechanism comprises an a.c. motor (12) as well as a first electrical switch (26), which lies in the supply circuit of the a.c. motor and switches depending on the introduction of a receptacle into an ice dispenser compartment of the refrigerator, and by means of which the a.c. motor (12) can be turned on when the receptacle is introduced into the ice dispenser compartment for a movement of the flap unit (14) from the closed position in the direction of the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Georg Spiessl
  • Patent number: 8069888
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Stanish
  • Patent number: 8069889
    Abstract: Protrusions 11 are provided in a buttress portion 20, the protrusions 11 are composed of a center portion 11a extending from the groove bottom 4 of the transverse grooves 2 toward the tire rotational axis and side portions 11b, the center portion 11a and the side portions 11b are integrally formed, the side portions 11b extend from the same cross-sectional height as, that of the center portion toward the tire rotational axis, the protrusions 11 extend at least to a virtual line 22 in which the inner most belt layer 21a is virtually extended to the buttress portion 20, and the width W of the side portions 11b is 7% to 30% of the depth D of the transverse grooves 2, and the thickness L of the protrusions 11 on the virtual line 22 is 1 mm to 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sachio Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8069890
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for installing a central tire inflation (CTI) valve containing member into the hub bore opening of a wheel so as to be in communication with an air passageway hub port in the vehicle hub. Preferably, the CTI valve containing member includes a CTI valve sealed to a hub bore manifold with the hub bore manifold being mounted to the wheel disc and/or the vehicle hub. The hub bore manifold seals against the vehicle hub and the wheel hub bore surface (and/or the front face of the wheel disc). An air passageway in the manifold runs from the vehicle hub port to the CTI valve, and other air passageway(s) connect the CTI valve to the tire interior, such that air can travels from the vehicle hub to and from the tire cavity by way of the manifold and CTI valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hutchinson S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Johan Resare, Michael G. Hartman, Larry K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8069891
    Abstract: A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of inextensible reinforcement elements, which are crossed from one ply to the other, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, which itself is topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls and at least two working layers having different axial widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Coue, Robert Radulescu, François Barbarin
  • Patent number: 8069892
    Abstract: In a film bonding machine 1 including a laser oscillation means 2 for oscillating laser for processing a tape 7 bonded onto an end surface 8 of a columnar honeycomb structural body 6 by the laser oscillated from the laser oscillation means 2, the film bonding machine 1 further includes an image pick-up means 3 having a moving type or tilt type mirror 4 capable of reflecting the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 onto the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2 by reflected light and an image pick-up unit 5 for picking up the image of the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 reflected by the mirror 4. In the film bonding machine 1, the processing position of the tape 7 bonded onto the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 can be recognized by the image-pick means 3 on the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2. As a result, the tape bonded onto the end surface of the honeycomb structural body can be accurately processed by the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Enomoto, Tomoko Ota
  • Patent number: 8069893
    Abstract: A cutting mechanism for dry film laminator includes a main base connected to a dry film laminator. The main base has a cutting space defined therein. The main base has two rollers disposed thereon and located beside the cutting space. The two rollers flatly guide a film above the cutting space. A film-carrying device is movably disposed on the main base. The film-carrying device includes a suction member movably disposed thereon. The suction member has at least one annular groove defined therein and corresponding to a shape of a wafer. A cutting device is movably disposed below the main base. The cutting device includes a film cutter movably disposed thereon. The cutting device includes an elevating device disposed thereon for moving the film cutter upward/downward. The cutting device includes a motor disposed thereon for rotating the film cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Chin-Sen Lai
  • Patent number: 8069894
    Abstract: An intermittent cutting transferring device configured to cut a first web into individual sheets and to intermittently transfer the individual sheets onto a second web being continuously fed includes an upper blade roll with a blade and a lower blade roll with an anvil element. Each of the individual sheets cut from the first web is arranged to be guided and transferred onto the second web while the first web is being sucked onto an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll by the suction through suction holes formed in a first region on an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll. The first region defined as a suction region includes a plurality of the suction holes and a non-suction region does not include the suction holes. The suction region and the non-suction region are provided alternately in a roll rotating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8069895
    Abstract: An exemplary film-removing device for removing a protecting film from a workpiece includes a main body and a film-removing mechanism. The film-removing mechanism includes a suspending arm and a roller. The suspending arm has a first end rotatably connected to the main body. The roller is rotatably connected to a second end, opposite to the first end, of the suspending arm. The roller is driven to rotate by movement of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei-Chin Kuo, Juey-Fong Chang, Wen-Tao Wang, Zhi-Gang Hu
  • Patent number: 8069896
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for driving a roller-shutter door having a drive mechanism. The method comprises the activation of a circuit in response to an external stimuli to a switch. This actuates a timer and raises a timing bar. A cable passes across the timing bar and is connected to the switch on one end and to a solenoid on a second end. The cable passes through a top portion of a rocker arm assembly having a one-way bearing. The solenoid is actuated as a result of the raising of the timing bar; and activates the one-way bearing to cause the door to be raised to a pre-set position for a pre-set period of time. To reverse the door, the timer bar is dropped after the lapse of the pre-set period of time. The solenoid is re-activated and reverses the one-way bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Alpine Overhead Doors, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastian Magro
  • Patent number: 8069897
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fast door comprising: a structure having in particular two posts (3) in each of which is provided a slide rail (16) and a transverse lintel-forming element (4), and a flexible curtain (12) connected to the structure at the lintel-forming element (4) via electromechanical means controlling the lowering and lifting of the curtain (12), the curtain (12) incorporating at least one flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) inserted in receiving means provided in the curtain (12), the flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) capable of being engaged at its ends in each of the slide rails (16) and capable of bending to be released at least from one rail (16) without being subjected to permanent deformation which would impair the operation of the door once reinstalled in its rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nergeco
    Inventor: Bernard Kraeutler
  • Patent number: 8069898
    Abstract: In a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunt
  • Patent number: 8069899
    Abstract: A vertically attachable golf cart canopy having a folding canopy which allows other accessories, such as coolers and sand bottles, to be mounted underneath. The golf cart canopy has three components: a securing frame (1), canopy support bars (2) and (3) and a canopy (4), (5) and (16). The securing frame (1) is shaped so as to have two vertical legs (21) and a horizontal top bar (23). Frame structure tabs (8) are located at the base of the legs (21) wherein the support bars (2) and (3) are pivotally attached to the securing frame (1). Each leg (21) has a leg extension (24) with at least one securing tab (6) to secure the securing frame (1) to the golf bag support bar (18). The horizontal top bar (23) has a canopy holder (11) which holds the removably attached canopy (4), (5) and (16), a canopy flap (13) and a canopy fastener (15) in order for the user to keep the vertically attachable golf cart canopy in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Annwill, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger F. Nation
  • Patent number: 8069900
    Abstract: Pipe-in-pipe composite tubular structure having between layers a hardenable filling material associating the layers to enhance the structure mechanical performance mostly in collapse. Prior to harden the filling material, the composite tubular structure can be longitudinally deployable between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, and has a radial dimension increasing between the folded configuration and the deployed configuration. Such structure is well fitted to be used in oil-well downhole structure and casings or underwater pipeline/flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Philippe Constant Nobileau
  • Patent number: 8069901
    Abstract: In a cylinder block manufacturing method, first and second dies and a liner support are provided to form a liner overcast configuration. The first and second dies are positioned with respect to the liner support and a dummy cylinder liner made of an aluminum alloy such that the first die contacts a pressing section of a first axial end of the liner support and a first axially facing end of the dummy cylinder liner, and the second die contacts a second axial end of the liner support and a second axially facing end of the dummy cylinder liner. The first and second dies are preheated to a prescribed temperature with the dummy cylinder liner positioned on the liner support by injecting molten aluminum alloy into a cylinder block molding cavity to form a dummy cylinder block with the dummy cylinder liner casted in the dummy cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8069902
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy vacuum casting equipment comprises a high pressure casting tank, in which a guard is equipped. The high-pressure casting tank is connected with a booster jar through a compressed air pipe. A first casting window and second casting window which are equipped with a first cylinder are set at top of the high-pressure casting tank. The high pressure casting tank is also equipped with a fixed guide and an unfixed guide at the bottom, an actuated exhaust ball valve at one side and a hatch door which is connected with a third cylinder. All operations except for putting in or taking out of the filler are completed automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Jinan Casting Forging Machinery Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jingle Kang
  • Patent number: 8069903
    Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: RTI International Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Jacques, Kuang-O Yu
  • Patent number: 8069904
    Abstract: In a method for producing hot strips from a deformable lightweight steel which includes as main elements Fe, Mn, Si and Al, melt is cast close to its final dimension in a horizontal continuous strip casting installation under a protective gas to form a pre-strip between 6 and 20 mm, and the temperature of the pre-strip is adjusted after complete solidification and before the beginning of a hot-rolling process. The pre-strip is passed through a device under a protective gas for homogenization in concert with a selective maintenance of the temperature, cooling or heating, and subsequently subjected to a hot-rolling process having at least one pass with a total degree of deformation of at least 50%, and is then reeled as a hot strip following the cooling process. The hot-rolling process is executed in-line or in decoupled manner depending on the ratio of casting speed to rolling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter, Guido Bormann
  • Patent number: 8069905
    Abstract: A gas cooling device capable of efficiently cooling a gas such as an EGR gas, etc. is provided. A multiplicity of cooling pipes perpendicularly intersecting a gas flow direction in a gas pipe for a gas such as an EGR gas, etc. are provided to extend through an outer peripheral wall of the gas pipe, a cooling jacket is provided on an outer surface of the gas pipe on both sides of a group of the cooling medium pipes in an axial direction, or on the entire outer surface of the gas pipe, and the gas in the gas pipe is cooled by a cooling medium flowing through the cooling pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Tadahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 8069906
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes an evaporation unit, a condensation unit, an evaporation-side communication part and a condensation-side communication part. The evaporation unit is disposed in a duct member through which an exhaust gas generated from an engine flows, and evaporates an operation fluid by heat of the exhaust gas. The condensation unit is disposed in a coolant passage through which a coolant flows, and condenses the operation fluid by radiating the heat to the coolant. The evaporation-side communication part connects the evaporation unit and the condensation unit for introducing evaporated operation fluid to the condensation unit. The condensation-side communication part connects the condensation unit and the evaporation unit for introducing condensed operation fluid to the evaporation unit. The condensation-side communication part is in contact with an outer surface of the duct member at least at a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Mukoubara, Seiji Inoue, Kimio Kohara, Kenshirou Muramatsu, Yasutoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8069907
    Abstract: A heat pipe for cooling a heat-generating component has a generally planar, sealed flexible body having an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a flexible bellows section. The bellows section is located between the evaporator section and the condenser section along a longitudinal length of the body. A chamber extends from the evaporator section to the condenser section inside the body and contains a working fluid. The bellows section includes internal supports to keep the chamber open during repeated bending of the heat pipe at the bellows section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johnny P. Bryant, James R. Bylander, Vern E. Radewald
  • Patent number: 8069908
    Abstract: An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a fan holder, and a fan secured on a front side of the fan holder. The heat sink includes a base having two first fixing ears at its two lateral sides, and fins on the base. An engaging notch is defined in a top end of four of the fins. The fan holder includes a top panel, and two sidewalls extending downwardly from two lateral edges of the top panel. The top panel has a pair of inserting protrusions at a bottom surface thereof. The two sidewalls have two fixing flanges at lower ends thereof. The top panel is partially placed on the front portion of the top ends of the fins, and the inserting protrusions are inserted into the engaging notches of the fins. The two sidewalls abut against two lateral sides of the heat sink, and the two fixing flanges are disposed on the two first fixing ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Chi Chen, Hong-Cheng Yang, He-Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 8069909
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a first heat sink thermally contacting an electronic component, a second heat sink connecting to the first heat sink, and a heat pipe thermally connecting the first heat sink with the second heat sink. The first heat sink has a first base which defines a cutout at a lateral side thereof. The second heat sink has a second base. The heat pipe includes an evaporating portion disposed on the base, a condensing portion disposed on the second base and a connecting portion interconnecting the evaporating portion with the condensing portion. An insert portion protrudes from the second base and is engagingly inserted into the cutout. The connecting portion of the heat pipe extends through the insert portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Yun Qin, Zhi-Yong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8069910
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided herein which comprises a synthetic jet ejector (201) driven by an acoustic resonator (209).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nuventix, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Beltran, Raghavendran Mahalingam, Samuel Heffington, Ari Glezer
  • Patent number: 8069911
    Abstract: A radiator including a core part having a plurality of tubes and fins, a tank fluidically connected with the tank, an oil cooler contained in the tank, the oil cooler being provided with a pair of connecting pipes which fluidically communicate an interior of the oil cooler and penetrate a wall portion of the tank. The wall portion is formed with a projecting reinforcement portion which projects therefrom and is formed at least between the connecting pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Hori, Hiroyuki Okura, Shiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8069912
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger may have a conduit configured to conduct a fluid and at least one body of metal foam surrounding the conduit. The at least one body of metal foam may have a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a radially intermediate portion between the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion. The at least one body of metal foam may have a lower percentage of void space at the radially outer portion as compared to the radially intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Campagna, Robert John Moffat
  • Patent number: 8069913
    Abstract: A method of monitoring acoustic activity in a formation from a wellbore includes positioning a flow manipulation device into the wellbore, the flow manipulation device defining a flow path through which fluid may flow. Fluid is then pumped into the wellbore and through the manipulation device. A sensor disposed near the manipulation device is then coupled to the formation, the formation is fractured with fluid, and acoustic events in the formation are detected with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Coste, Brian W. Cho, Paolo Primiero
  • Patent number: 8069914
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Canasonics Inc.
    Inventor: Emil William Groves
  • Patent number: 8069915
    Abstract: A whipstock that is totally to substantially non-metallic is made preferably from a composite material. The body can include one or more stiffeners that are also preferably non-metallic. The mounting lug for the window mill can also be non-metallic. A metallic base can be used to connect to an anchor. Optionally the ramp can include a plate that is optionally internally supported. Alternatively the ramp can include hardened inserts or other wear resistant material. Composite materials that can be molded are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gerald D. Lynde
  • Patent number: 8069916
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable expanding tubing in a borehole of a hydrocarbon well. According to some embodiments, an expander device includes a collapsible swage formed of collets, at least one slip arrangement and a hydraulic jack to stroke the swage through tubing to be expanded. In operation, expanding tubing may include securing an expansion tool to the tubing, lowering the tool and tubing into a borehole, actuating a collapsible expander of the expansion tool to an extended configuration, and supplying fluid pressure to a jack coupled to the expander thereby moving the expander through the tubing which is held by at least one of first and second tubing holding devices disposed respectively ahead of the expander and behind the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Mike A. Luke
  • Patent number: 8069917
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: WWT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Bloom, Norman Bruce Moore, Rudolph Ernst Krueger, V
  • Patent number: 8069918
    Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a packer or liner hanger, has a mandrel on which slips are disposed for engaging a surrounding tubular downhole. When the tool is being run in or out of the hole, at least one magnetic component magnetically retains the slip adjacent the mandrel so the slip can be held away from the surrounding tubular. When the tool is set downhole, the initial magnetic retention can be broken, and the slips can be moved away from the mandrel to engage the surface of the surrounding tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, David Ward, Jonathan Young
  • Patent number: 8069919
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is provided. The system includes: an assembly including at least one of an injection conduit for injecting a thermal source into the formation and a production conduit for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation; a guide conduit attached to at least a portion of the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit, the guide conduit extending in a direction at least substantially parallel to the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit; and a detection source conduit insertable through the guide conduit and configured to dispose therein a detection source for detecting a location of the assembly in the formation. A method of monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Barton Sponchia
  • Patent number: 8069920
    Abstract: A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Knight Information Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Cronley, Timothy T. Torrez
  • Patent number: 8069921
    Abstract: A flow control device may include a body having at least two flow paths configured to convey the fluid. The flow paths may be hydraulically isolated from one another in the body and at least one of the flow paths may be selectively occludable. In certain arrangements, a filtration element may be positioned upstream of one or more of the plurality of in-flow control devices. The flow paths may utilize features such as chamber and openings in order to impose a specified pressure drop on the fluid flowing thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Luis A. Garcia, Martin P. Coronado, Elmer R. Peterson, Sean L. Gaudette, Michael H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8069922
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8069923
    Abstract: A positive displacement wellbore servicing pump having a power end and a fluid end is disclosed. The fluid end has a main chamber and a suction bore in fluid connection with the main chamber and the suction bore has a suction central axis vector. A discharge bore is in fluid connection with the main chamber and the discharge bore has a discharge central axis vector. A portion of the suction central axis vector is vertically higher than any portion of the discharge central axis vector. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a wellbore is also disclosed. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a fluid end of a positive displacement pump is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Blanco, Stanley Stephenson, David Stribling, Larry Guffee, Greg MaCauely
  • Patent number: 8069924
    Abstract: A well jet device for testing oil-gas wells comprises a body provided with bypass windows and an insert provided with a jet pump. The insert has channels and a mounting seat embodied therein, carrying a sealing unit with a channel for a cable and well instruments fixed thereto. An output channel communicates with an upstream cavity. A supporting sleeve, provided with bypass openings embodied in the wall of the sleeve and with a flange arranged in the lower part thereof, axially movable and spring-loaded with respect to the body, is arranged therein. A recess used for limiting the displacement of the sleeve flange and connected to the bypass windows is formed thereunder. In the lower position of the sleeve, channel for supplying active medium is linked with surrounding space through the bypass openings and windows, whereas in the top position thereof the windows are closed by the sleeve wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Zinoviy Dmitrievich Khomynets
  • Patent number: 8069925
    Abstract: A top sub of a clutch swivel for connection to a production well tubing string is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to a mandrel. The engaged position allows an anchor to be set in a well casing by rotating the tubing string. Tension can be applied to the tubing string to move the top sub to the disengaged position, allowing the tubing string to be rotated without rotating the mandrel. The anchor can be moved to a different position, without pulling the tubing string to the surface, by removing tension from the tubing string to move the top sub from the disengaged position to the engaged position, rotating the tubing string in an opposite direction to release the anchor, and resetting the anchor by again rotating the tubing string. The top sub may also include a sealed internal volume of the swivel remains constant are.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Star Oil Tools Inc.
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 8069926
    Abstract: A downhole valve comprises a tubular body and a valve member. The valve member is normally closed and in the closed position may prevent or restrict passage of a working fluid through the body. The valve member is movable to an open position, a first working fluid pressure differential being necessary to move the valve member from the closed position and a lower second working fluid pressure differential being necessary to maintain the valve member in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Andergauge Limited
    Inventors: Alan Martyn Eddison, Hazel Farquhar
  • Patent number: 8069927
    Abstract: A control system for a rear-mounted work implement on a work machine operable from a forward-facing operator's station located on the work machine is disclosed. The control system includes a surface adjacent to the operator's station, the surface being fixed in a position. A control device is attached to the surface and includes a grip configured to be gripped by an operator. A position of the grip is fixed relative to the surface during use, and the grip is positioned to stabilize an operator when turned in the operator's station to view the work implement. The control device also includes a switching mechanism disposed between the grip and the surface, and being configured to operate the work implement and configured to be actuatable by a hand on the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Eugene Bachstein, Daniel Edward Shearer
  • Patent number: 8069928
    Abstract: A percussive device and method having, inside a machine housing (3), a reciprocally moveable percussive piston (2), the movement of which is controlled by a control valve (5), which is arranged to alternatively connect a chamber to a pressure source and to low pressure in dependence on a signal corresponding to the axial position of the percussive piston, and a valve (16) arranged to allow adjustment of the axial position of the percussive piston at which the signal is transmitted, by opening and blocking of a connection between one or more control channels (10, 11, 12, 13) and the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Peter Birath
  • Patent number: 8069929
    Abstract: An impact tool includes: a spindle disposed in a housing; an anvil disposed in front of the spindle and rotatably supported by the housing through a metal bearing, a rear surface of the anvil having a bearing hole in which a front end of the spindle is received; an impact mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of the spindle to the anvil; an outer groove formed on an outer periphery of the anvil and opposed to the metal bearing; and a connecting opening radially extending in the anvil and connecting the bearing hole and the outer groove to provide a communication therebetween. The outer groove is formed to have a depth in the range of 3-10% of an outer diameter of the anvil, and the connecting opening opens at a rear end of the outer groove in an axial direction of the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Sugimoto, Hidenori Nagasaka, Hiroshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8069930
    Abstract: A hand power tool, in particular a drill hammer, percussion drill or percussion screwdriver, includes a pistol grip (2), which is connected in vibration-damped fashion to the tool housing (1). The pistol grip (2) is supported on the tool housing (1) pivotably about a shaft (5), and the shaft (5) extends transversely to the primary direction of vibration (3) of the hand power tool. At least one spring element (10), which acts in the direction of vibration, is located between the tool housing (1) and the pistol grip (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Engelfried
  • Patent number: 8069931
    Abstract: A drill bit string has an internal steering module for measurement while drilling. A chassis is inserted into a modified drill collar from the axial end, rather than through the side. The chassis has external pockets machined into it from its outer diameter. The size of the longitudinally milled slots in the chassis is determined by the size of the components. The mud flow path is positioned off-center because of the component slots. The geometric shape of the flow path through the tool is shaped to optimize the flow area and maintain a wall thickness that can withstand the mud pressure. The wall thickness surrounding the flow area is proportional to the maximum hydrostatic pressure and the circulation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Technology Services LP
    Inventors: John Michael Hooks, Daniel Seutter
  • Patent number: 8069932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining formation parameters including a seismic array for receiving seismic waves at plurality of depth simultaneously, thereby enabling a determination of a formation velocity by using a difference in the seismic waves received by the various portions of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Kamata