Patents Issued in December 27, 2011
  • Patent number: 8082942
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an oil pipe connector including a connector cylinder (abbr. cylinder), and having an oil inlet at front and an oil outlet at rear end of the cylinder; a switch base with a pivot hole interconnected with the interior of the cylinder; a control device, including a connector cap which being a hollow conical shape, the front end having positioning shaft hole interconnected with the interior; a control mechanism including a connecting portion, a positioning shaft and a piston disc coupled together; the positioning shaft being disposed in a positioning shaft hole of the connector cap; a switch device, including a push rod which being a curved lever, a transmission shaft and a switch handle; an end of the push rod linking the control mechanism; the transmission shaft being pivotally coupled to the pivot hole of the switch base of the cylinder; the switch handle being coupled to the connecting shaft lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Bison Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Ching Chang, Ying-Ying Chang, Li-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 8082943
    Abstract: A valve means (1) comprises a valve support (2) with internal valve support ducts (15). Several component mounting sites (12) are located on the valve support (2) to be individually fitted with control units (3), at least one special purpose control unit (3b) being present, which with an intermediate plate (24) simultaneously covers over several adjacently placed component mounting sites (12). At least one control valve (4) of the special purpose control unit (3b) is connected with the valve support ducts (15) opening at the covered component mounting sites (12) via an intermediate plate duct arrangement (28) running in the intermediate plate (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jakob Brenner, Grzegorz Bogdanowicz
  • Patent number: 8082944
    Abstract: A base assembly, including wheels, is attachable to the bottom of a hose reel enclosure. This assembly enables the hose reel enclosure to pivot about a vertical axis. This pivotal movement of the hose reel enclosure permits a hose to be withdrawn from and wound back onto the hose reel in the enclosure while remaining substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hose reel. This also enables a hose to be taken up evenly onto the hose reel and played out from the hose reel without tipping over the hose reel enclosure. In one embodiment, the base assembly is attached to the bottom of a hose reel enclosure. Two wheels are mounted at one end portion of the assembly and a stake is positioned in a member mounted between the end portions of the base assembly. The stake is driven into the ground below the hose reel enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Lyle A. Rosine, Torrence C. Anderson, Robert Stein
  • Patent number: 8082945
    Abstract: A top operating telescoping adjustable valve box and valve stem assembly that incorporates a telescoping valve stem actuating system which, when coupled to a service valve, allows for the operation from ground level without the removal of a plug or lid. The system has a large range of vertical adjustability. The upper and lower sections of the assembly are in frictional connection with each other, which allows no transmittal of force to the lower section when any upward force to the upper section is applied, thus reducing damage to the buried valve and pipeline. The assembly provides a tracing block terminal, located on the top base, to allow for the connection of tracing wire from the valve top to the service pipe for service line location. The assembly also incorporates the placement of a tamper proof cap for the prevention of unauthorized operation of valve stem system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: E-Z Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne White, John Leonard Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8082946
    Abstract: Fluid control apparatus including a proportional flow valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a pneumatic proportional control valve in communication with the proportional flow valve for modulating the proportional flow valve; a frictional flow element having a frictional flow element fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the proportional flow valve and having a frictional flow element fluid outlet spaced from the frictional flow element fluid inlet, an upstream pressure sensor; a downstream pressure sensor; and a controller in communication with the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor and the pneumatic proportional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, George Gonnella, Iraj Gashgaee, Jennifer Marrs
  • Patent number: 8082947
    Abstract: A separable ball valve apparatus and ball valve assembly capable of selectively opening/closing a separable flow path are provided. The separable ball valve apparatus comprises a separable pipe member having a flow path through which fluid flows, a ball member having at least two balls disposed in the pipe member, opening and closing the flow path, and adjacent to each other, and an opening/closing member configured to control the ball member to open/close the flow path, wherein the balls have through-holes, respectively, and the opening/closing member includes a gear train configured to control the opening/closing of the at least two balls. Therefore, it is possible to simply open/close pipes having the flow path and detachably attach the pipes, increase space utilization due to removal of a separate coupling space for attachment/detachment of the pipes, and simultaneously open/close the two pipes, which are separated from each other through one operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Kyu Chang, Chul-Hwa Song
  • Patent number: 8082948
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Paul Spahr
  • Patent number: 8082949
    Abstract: In the non-return valve of this invention, at its outlet there is a blade gate (1) and at least a part of the body (2) makes for a uniform cast of the valve body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Przedsiebiorstwo Inzynierii Srodowiska
    Inventor: Mroslaw Szuster
  • Patent number: 8082950
    Abstract: A tube connector for connecting a fluid supplying device to a tube for supplying the fluid from the fluid supplying device to the tube is provided, which comprises: a connector body comprising a penetration hole that is formed therein, a mounting portion for connecting the fluid supplying device thereto, and a tube connecting portion for connecting the tube thereto; a connecting unit disposed within the penetration hole for connecting the tube to the connector body; a valve unit disposed inside the penetration hole for controlling inflow of the fluid supplied from the fluid supplying device; a spacer having one end that contacts the tube inserted into the penetration hole within the penetration hole so as to operate the valve unit, and the other end that forms a passage between the other end and the valve unit; and a pressure control unit that is disposed between the valve unit and the spacer for controlling flow from the fluid supplying device in a predetermined pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Hwan Jeon
  • Patent number: 8082951
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a diverter valve and a method of providing debris resistance in a diverter valve. The diverter valve can include a valve housing defining a valve chamber and at least an inlet port and an outlet port. The diverter valve can include a flow diverter extending into the valve chamber and pivotally coupled relative to the valve housing about a pivot axis defined through the valve chamber. The flow diverter can include a main portion extending into the valve chamber and a plunger portion disposed outside of the valve chamber. The main portion can have a diverting wall radially spaced apart from the pivot axis. The flow diverter can include a rib extending radially inwardly from the diverting wall toward the pivot axis. The diverter valve can also include at least one wing member positioned within the inlet port and secured relative to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Arsin
  • Patent number: 8082952
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing. A valve body is movable within the housing. The valve body has a land to selectively block or communicate a supply port to an outlet. A piezoelectric bending element actuator moves the valve body to selectively communicate the supply port to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Leo J. Veilleux
  • Patent number: 8082953
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly includes a bobbin supporting a coil and having at least one protrusion on an inner surface, an adjustment member disposed within the bobbin and in contact with the at least one protrusion, a pole piece disposed within the adjustment member, a valve body having a seat, wherein the bobbin is disposed in contact with the seat, a spool slideably disposed within the valve body, and a resilient member disposed in contact with the adjustment member and the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Patent number: 8082954
    Abstract: A flexible pipe for transporting a fluid in a marine environment. The pipe comprises a liner for confining the fluid, an armoring layer surrounding the liner, and an outer protective sheath surrounding the armoring layer and allowing radial expansion and contraction of the armoring layers. The outer protective sheath comprises at least two protective layers of helically wound composite wires with essentially opposite winding angles and locally held together, providing a relatively flexible yet fixed structure of the outer sheath. The outer sheath is held together in an array of discrete spots or along linear or curved paths. Flexibility is maintained because the stiffness in shear in the wires of adjacent protective layers may be made much larger in areas being locally held together than outside these areas. This allows a change of angles between the wires of two adjacent layers of the outer protective sheath during elongation or shortening of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: NKT Flexibles I/S
    Inventor: Jan Rytter
  • Patent number: 8082955
    Abstract: A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed. A cover is so provided as to cover a part of the curtain nozzle so as to prevent peripheral gas around an opening of the curtain nozzle from being involved in the gas curtain of the inert gas emitted from the curtain nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Okabe
  • Patent number: 8082956
    Abstract: A system for charging and/or recharging containers with fluid is provided. The system includes a bottle assembly having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a valve assembly configured and adapted to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion; a fluid supply valve assembly for supplying fluid to the valve assembly of the bottle assembly to deliver fluid to the cavity of the body portion; and a fluid supply assembly fluidly connected to the fluid supply valve assembly for delivering fluid thereto. Accordingly, when the bottle assembly is operatively connected to the fluid supply valve assembly, the valve assembly of the bottle assembly actuates the fluid supply valve assembly to the open condition to permit fluid flow into the cavity of the body portion of the bottle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: David Mitchell Windmiller
  • Patent number: 8082957
    Abstract: A device (1) for containing and dispensing tablets, wherein vial bottles (3) filled with tablets wait in waiting spaces (701a, b, c) and the vial bottles (3) are taken out from the waiting spaces (701a, b, c). A plurality of pairs of holding members (703a, b) facing each other for holding the bodies of the vial bottles (3) are installed in the waiting spaces (701a, b, c). Also, stock sensors (710) in the same quantity as the pair of holding members (703a, b) are installed to check for each pair of holding members whether a vial bottle is held on the pair of holding members (703a, b) or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Katsunori Yoshina, Takafumi Imai, Masahito Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8082958
    Abstract: A knife includes first and second edges, a ridge, a concave surface, and a planar surface. The edges are defined by intersections of outer edge forming surfaces on an outer side of the knife and inner edge forming surfaces on an inner side of the knife. The ridge is on the inner side and the crest of the ridge is parallel to the first and second edges. The concave surface is between an inner edge forming surface and the ridge, and the planar surface is adjacent to the concave surface and between that first inner edge forming surface and the concave surface. A reference plane intersects the first and second edges, and a distance between any point on the concave surface and the reference plane is not less than a distance between any point on the planar surface and the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Iggesund Tools AB
    Inventors: Mats Engnell, Aaron J. Adent
  • Patent number: 8082959
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel (2) is described, wherein the panel (2) comprises a core of a fiber material, preferably an MDF or HDF board. In order to improve the quality and precision as well as the water resistance of coverings made from the panel, it is suggested that at least one cut (6, 6a, 9) on the panel (1) is cut with a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Berry Finance N.V.
    Inventor: Eddy Boucké
  • Patent number: 8082960
    Abstract: A method and a system for classifying a plurality of random length boards of random grade, using a conveyer provided with reading units to read both the length and the grade of each board at a first end of said conveyer; a processor, receiving length and grade data from the reading units; calculating combinations of board lengths and grades and selecting a preferred combination of boards from the combinations; and a distribution section, located at a second end of the conveyer, and operated by the processor according to the preferred combination; the processor being fed with a large number of identified boards, from which to calculate the combinations of board lengths and grades, before they reach the distribution section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: OSI Machinerie
    Inventor: Andre Lapointe
  • Patent number: 8082961
    Abstract: A retractable stud pin assembly is described for use in a conventional tire. The stud pin assembly includes a housing having an elastomer compartment and a spring in cooperation with the elastomer. A stud pin is mounted to the spring. The assembly may further optionally include a fluid compartment in cooperation with the elastomer compartment and the spring. The assembly may further include a second compression spring, which cooperates with the first spring and stud pin. An optional adjustment nut may be used to manually raise and lower the pin height as desired. An optional adjustment pin may also be used to extend into an optional fluid compartment to fine tune the pin height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jean Joseph Victor Collette, Andre Cuny, Frank Pierre Severens
  • Patent number: 8082962
    Abstract: A sealing ring for a vehicle wheel having a tubeless tire with two tire beads that are embodied on the radially inward side thereof. The tubeless tire is mounted on the radially outer side of the multipart rim by the tire beads. The vehicle wheel further comprising a sealing ring which seals the tire radially inward towards the ring, is positioned on the radially outer side of the rim, extends in a peripheral direction along the circumference of the rim and runs between the two tire beads in an axial direction. The sealing ring is configured with a central ring member which is provided with a cylindrical inner surface that is to rest on the outer surface of the rim while being embodied with one respective concentric flexible annular leg which is located on both axial sides of the central ring member and extends diagonally and radially outward in an axial direction from the central ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Darren Kidney
  • Patent number: 8082963
    Abstract: A two-piece tire assembly with a removable tread belt for installing about the circumference of a tire carcass is provided. The inner surface of the tread belt follows a non-linear, preferably arcuate profile with a radius of curvature R across the tread belt wherein the distance DL as measured from the axis of rotation to the inner surface of the tread belt extends a distance DO at the equatorial plane and curves radially inwardly to a distance DE at each belt edge such that DE?0.9*DO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Archie Arsavir Takfor Andonian, Kevin Christopher Legge, Robert Anthony Neubauer
  • Patent number: 8082964
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel tire includes a carcass structure, at least one annular reinforcing structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply, each including a plurality of elongated elements disposed around a cross-section profile of the tire. Each elongated element includes two side portions at mutually-spaced-apart positions and a crown portion that extends between the side portions. The at least one annular reinforcing structure includes at least one bead core. A fraction of the elongated elements is turned up around the at least one bead core. A method of manufacturing the tire includes preparing the elongated elements, disposing each elongated element on a toroidal support, applying at least one bead core at a region close to side portions of the elongated elements, and turning up ends of a fraction of the elongated elements around the at least one bead core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Noto, Gaetano Lo Presti, Ignazio De Gese, Claudio Lacagnina
  • Patent number: 8082965
    Abstract: A rubber sheet joining apparatus includes a cutting unit for cutting a ribbon of rubber sheet reinforced with cords to generate rubber sheet strips having different lengths; a sheet overlapping unit for overlapping and joining the rubber sheet strips having different lengths to make an overlapped and joined strip. First holding members hold a front end portion of a following overlapped and joined strip. Second holding members hold a rear end portion of a preceding overlapped and joined strip. Support guides movably support the first holding members relative to the second holding members. An operating unit moves the first holding members relative to the second holding members to butt-join the side surfaces of two successive overlapped and joins strips held respectively by the first holding members and the second holding members to generate a ply sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd., Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemasa Takagi, Chikara Takagi, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8082966
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly, comprising: a sonotrode having a single welding region and two nodal regions formed on either side of the welding region; a mounting plate for supporting the sonotrode having a force application region on the upper surface thereof; at least one ultrasonic transducer connected to the sonotrode; at least one diaphragm spring disposed between the ultrasonic transducer and the sonotrode; at least one roller bearing connected to the diaphragm spring; at least two linear guides connected to the roller bearing, wherein the at least two linear guides are connected to the mounting plate and support the roller bearing and the sonotrode in a flexible manner; and first and second low-friction linear bearings in contact with nodal regions for the application of downward force to the sonotrode, wherein the first and second linear bearings are connected to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Short
  • Patent number: 8082967
    Abstract: The invention deals with the field of labelling machines with tubular labels made of heat-shrinking film that are directly formed on the machine starting from coiled film. More precisely, the invention refers to a device (1) or (10) for positioning a tubular label (8) at a pre-established height from a bottle bottom and to means (21) for keeping the label position during the label transfer to an outlet conveyor where a first partial heat-shrinkage occurs. The positioning device is supported by the drum, on which the label is formed, and must allow sliding the bottle inside the formed label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sidel Holdings & Technology SA
    Inventors: Vanni Zacche, Luigi Panzetti
  • Patent number: 8082969
    Abstract: A shrinkable and extensible screen is mounted between a pair of screen-mounting frame portions arranged bilaterally to confront each other and at least one being slidably movable. A tension member extending through the screen for supporting it in shrinking and extending directions is routed in the screen-mounting frame portions. The tension member is extracted at the portion close to the central portion from the upper end portion of the slidably movable screen-mounting frame portions, to the outside on the side opposite to the screen mounting side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Metaco Inc.
    Inventor: Yasubumi Okachi
  • Patent number: 8082970
    Abstract: A flexible hurricane shutter or barrier to protect buildings from over pressure has inflatable cushions held in place by a fabric material capable of withstanding winds in excess of 100 mph. The barrier can be stored on site in a rolled fashion. Retainers are mounted on a building to guide and secure the longitudinal edges of the fabric to permit ease of deployment. The retainers may be spaced apart over one side of a building and the barrier may be deployed over an entire surface of a multi-story building by raising and lowering the fabric. Inflatable cushions are held between the fabric and the building. The inflated cushions reinforce the material and distribute the force of impact throughout the surface of the cushions and act as spacers to both hold the fabric off the structure and focus the forces onto stranger portions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Ted Gower
  • Patent number: 8082971
    Abstract: A portable partition system for dividing spaces and which can easily be changed in appearance, function and size has at least one frame that includes interior grooves suitable for receiving rigid or flaccid panels. More frames may be connected with lift-off or removable pin hinge sections, which allows a user to add to or remove rigid rectangular frames from the system by simply inserting or removing hinge pins. Dowels may suspend fabric panels, or rigid flat panels may be slid down through an opening at the top of and into each frame along with removable bars to create a structure notably different in appearance or purpose. All of the components, including dowels, fabric panels, flat panels, and horizontal bars, are insertable into the rigid rectangular frames and are removable, reversible and replaceable at will and without tools to achieve many different visual effects using the same set of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Julie M. Peterson, Brendan J. Mooney
  • Patent number: 8082972
    Abstract: A process for creating a lost wax tree, including the steps of assembling a wax tree having a wax pattern and a wax runner, using automated equipment to flex either the wax tree or the wax pattern to bring disconnected sections into proximity, heating at least one of the disconnected sections, contacting the disconnected sections and then moving the sections slightly away from one another. A process for casting a part including the steps of creating a lost wax tree and where the wax tree is later covered with a mold material and the wax tree is removed to create a mold, the mold is then used to cast a part similar to the wax pattern. A lost wax tree having a wax tree with a wax pattern and a wax runner, automated equipment for flexing, a heating element, and automated equipment for manipulating disconnected sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: MPI Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce Phipps
  • Patent number: 8082973
    Abstract: A method for core pulling and insertion in synchronization with the opening and closing of the mold in a cavity including a fixing half and a moving half, or a fixing half, a moving half and several cavity plates installed between fixing half and moving half as well as the core moving reciprocally inside the cavity, wherein a downward movement of a transmission gear is coupled with an opening of the mold, synchronous with a pulling of the core out of the cavity, and an upward movement of the transmission gear is coupled with a closing of the mold, synchronous with an insertion of the core into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jinjun Sun
  • Patent number: 8082974
    Abstract: Object: To provide a small-sized, durable metal mold structure capable of casting two cylinder blocks at a time. Solution: A metal mold structure for casting two cylinder blocks W at a time, comprises left and right inner slide cores 5a, 5b being interposed between two cylinder blocks W, hydraulic cylinder units 10, 11 adapted to move each of these left and right inner slide cores 5a, 5b, inclined holes 12, 13 being provided in each of the left and right inner slide cores 5a, 5b, and inclined pins 14, 15 being provided on a fixed mold 2 and inserted into the inclined holes 12, 13 with a predetermined clearance C1, C2 maintained respectively, wherein, when the fixed mold 2 is operated, each of the inclined pins 14, 15 pushes a wall surface of the inclined hole 12, 13 in such a way as to move the left and right inner slide cores 5a, 5b in a mold opening direction respectively. Preferably, the clearances C1, C2 are different with respect to the left and right inner slide cores 5a, 5b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Yoshiara, Takashi Ikekita, Atsushi Yamashita, Yoshimichi Oguri
  • Patent number: 8082975
    Abstract: To provide a casting mold manufacturing apparatus using steam heating. The apparatus includes a forming die having a cavity, a resin-coated sand supply section for supplying a resin-coated sand into the cavity, a steam supply section for supplying steam into the cavity, and a steam discharge section for discharging the steam from the cavity. At least a portion of the forming die is composed of a porous material having pores with an average diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the resin-coated sand. At least a portion of the steam is supplied into the cavity through the porous material. Since it is possible to uniformly supply the steam into the cavity, a homogeneous casting mold can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Lignyte Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Ide, Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 8082976
    Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Frasier, M. Eric Schlienger, Guy Allen Brady, Matthew T. Kush, Patrick A. Vessely
  • Patent number: 8082977
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a surface plate; a temperature control unit integrated with the surface plate; and a bottom plate integrated with the temperature control unit via a heat insulation ring, wherein a temperature of a target object held on the surface plate is capable of being controlled and the surface plate is formed of ceramic. The surface plate and the temperature control unit are coupled to each other by a first coupling member at each portion thereof except for each peripheral portion thereof such that the peripheral portion of the surface plate being not coupled thereto. The peripheral portion of the temperature control unit is coupled to the heat insulation ring by a second coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yutaka Akaike, Munetoshi Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 8082978
    Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include heat management devices, heat management systems, methods of heat management, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei G. Fedorov
  • Patent number: 8082979
    Abstract: A method for environmental management of a vehicle includes the steps of determining certain environmental conditions for the vehicle, and determining when it is desirable to defog the window based on the determined environmental conditions. A status of manual overrides is determined, and at least some automatically controllable functions of an HVAC system are implemented to effect defogging of a vehicle window when it is determined that none of the manual overrides has been selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Greiner, Gerhard Dage, Halim Wijaya, Wayne Buescher
  • Patent number: 8082980
    Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting a wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, or other well access line stuck downhole in a well. The tool includes a host of features including a propulsion mechanism to aid in delivering the tool to a predetermined cut location of the line. In this manner, the risk of unintended uphole cutting of the line may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Gillan
  • Patent number: 8082981
    Abstract: An multiple point adjustable depth air sparging well system having a multiple air injection points for injecting compressed air into saturated or groundwater regions of the soil's subsurface to remove volatile contaminants from the soil's subsurface. At plurality of flow-through air sparge packer which are slidably mounted flow-through packers within the well casing of the air sparging well system allows a user to adjust the depths of the air injection points. Each packer has attached thereto a pressure regulator which provides compressed air to one of the multiple air injection points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Andrew Scott Drucker
  • Patent number: 8082982
    Abstract: A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E Mosing, Samuel P Hawkins, III, David L. Sipos, Keith T Lutgring, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8082983
    Abstract: A completion system for use in a well includes a first completion section and a second section. The first completion section has a sand control assembly to prevent passage of particulates, a first inductive coupler portion, and a sensor positioned proximate to the sand control assembly that is electrically coupled to the first inductive coupler portion. The second section is deployable after installation of the first completion section. It includes a second inductive coupler portion to communicate with the first inductive coupler portion, to enable communication between the first completion section's sensor and another component coupled to the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Donald W. Ross, Anthony Veneruso, Fabien Cens, John Lovell, Jean-Philippe Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 8082984
    Abstract: Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Bennett M. Richard, Edward O'Malley, Yang Xu, Peter Fay, Larry Urban
  • Patent number: 8082985
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and apparatuses for anchoring progressing cavity (PC) pumps. In one embodiment, a method of anchoring a PC pump to a string of tubulars disposed in a wellbore which includes acts of inserting the PC pump and anchor assembly into the tubular. Running the PC pump and anchor assembly through the tubular to any first longitudinal location along the tubular string. Longitudinally and rotationally coupling the PC pump and the anchor assembly to the tubular and forming a seal between the PC pump and the tubular string at the first location and performing a downhole operation in the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Willis Clark, Todd A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8082986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering device which is especially designed for use as a well screen filter. The filtering device comprises a tubular supporting element (12) and two or more tubular segments (14) of a porous filter medium arranged in axial alignment to one another and concentrically and essentially coextensive with the tubular supporting element (12), said tubular supporting element (12) having a tubular wall provided with a plurality of perforations (26, 28, 30) and having a plurality of projections projecting from said tubular wall, said projections supporting the two or more tubular segments in axial alignment with the tubular wall, said tubular segments each having two end portions which are in sealing contact with the tubular supporting element or an end portion of another tubular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Steffen Heidenreich, Astrid Walch, Martin Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8082987
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a pressure housing deployed in the bore of a drill collar. At least three fins are deployed on the housing and in the tool annulus. At least one of the fins includes a floating blade deployed thereon. The blade includes a plurality of radial pistons deployed therein. The pistons are configured such that the surface area of the radially outward facing piston surfaces is greater than the surface area of the radially inward facing piston surfaces. This piston configuration causes the surface area of the radially outward facing blade surface to be less than the radially inward facing blade surface. In operation, hydrostatic pressure exerts a differential force on the pistons and the floating blade thereby urging the pistons radially inward towards the housing and the blade radially outward towards the drill collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Patrick Chesnutt
  • Patent number: 8082988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a downhole tool during a downhole operation. The method and apparatus include a stabilizer having a stabilization member adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position in order to engage a surface in a wellbore. The stabilizer also includes a plurality of actuators adapted to move the stabilization members from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Jerry W. Fisher, Thurman B. Carter, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8082989
    Abstract: A method for improving liquid injection into a rock formation. The method includes the steps of introducing a gas impulse device into a wellbore in the formation and pumping a pressurized liquid into the wellbore. The method also includes firing the gas impulse device periodically so that the device generates impulses of high pressure compressed gas. The gas expands through the pumped pressurized liquid substantially instantaneously increasing the liquid flow rate into the rock formation, and creates rapid cyclical injected liquid surges into the rock formation with liquid oscillation occurring inside the fractures and/or pores of the formation. The method may be used in regular oil production applications, waterflooding of wells that have ceased to be productive, in preventing lost circulation in oil wells, and in injecting hazardous wastes into rock formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Flow Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Gennadi Kabishcher, Yuri Ass
  • Patent number: 8082990
    Abstract: A technique facilitates recovery of hydrocarbons in subterranean formations by simplifying the joining of completion assemblies downhole. The system and methodology utilize a well completion having completion assemblies that may be selectively engaged downhole without requiring precise positional accuracy for each signal communication line. A signal communication system is provided to facilitate engagement of the completion assemblies while enabling the transfer of various signals across the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lovell, Gabriel E. Tirado
  • Patent number: 8082991
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a dewatering pump configured to dewater a gas well is provided. A dewatering pump is driven at a first speed to pump fluid out of a well annulus. A fluid level detection device is configured to identify a change of fluid level in the well annulus occurring between a first time and a second, later time. A controller is configured to change the speed of the dewatering pump from the first speed to a second speed based upon the identified change in fluid level. Several embodiments of the fluid level detection devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel
  • Patent number: 8082992
    Abstract: Methods including the steps of selecting a target fracture geometry for a portion of a subterranean formation; selecting a target tip pressure and a target back flow pressure based at least in part on a calculation for the target fracture geometry; selecting a target surface pressure and a target bottom-hole pressure based at least in part on a calculation for the target tip pressure and the target back flow pressure; and introducing a slurry fluid comprising proppant particulates into one or more fractures in the portion of the subterranean formation. The surface pressure corresponds to the target surface pressure, and bottom-hole pressure corresponds to the target bottom-hole pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Todd, David E. McMechan, Ki Cherryl Whitt, legal representative