Patents Issued in April 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8695692
    Abstract: An alert system for a downhole operation including a tubular string in a borehole. The tubular string having at least one sensor positioned in the borehole for measuring at least one parameter during operation of the tubular string. A unit in data communication with the tubular string and operatively arranged to enable an operator to obtain information regarding operation of the tubular string. A work area positioned proximate to the unit and operatively arranged to receive the operator when the operator is interfacing with the unit. A vibration module operatively arranged to vibrate the work area or a structure therein, wherein the vibration module is triggered in response to a first parameter being outside of a predetermined range set by a first threshold value. Also included is a method of alerting an operator during a drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Moray L. Laing, Andreas G. Sadlier
  • Patent number: 8695693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the wellhead system includes first and second wellhead components or members. An exemplary first wellhead member includes an internal bore and a first groove, while an exemplary second wellhead member is at least partially disposed within the internal bore such that a second groove of the second wellhead member is aligned with the first groove. The wellhead system may include a locking ring positioned within at least one of the first or second grooves, and a retaining ring at least partially disposed within the internal bore between the first and second wellhead members. Further, in one embodiment, the retaining ring is configured to selectively engage the locking ring to facilitate securing of the second wellhead member to the first wellhead member. Other embodiments of wellhead systems, devices, and methods of coupling the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 8695694
    Abstract: A deflector assembly includes two deflectors that can cooperate for directing a bullnose assembly toward an intended bore in a multi-bore well based on a configuration of the bullnose assembly without requiring use of gravitational forces or requiring the assembly to be oriented in a certain manner. The deflectors can cooperate by being spaced by a certain amount that, depending on if the amount is less than or greater than a longitudinal length and diameter of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly, can allow the bullnose assembly to be diverted toward the intended bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Borisa Lajesic
  • Patent number: 8695695
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well. The tool has a packer assembly and a pumpable plug associated with the packer assembly. The pumpable plug has a diameter greater than the maximum outer diameter of the packer assembly. The pumpable plug may be pumped through a casing having a diameter larger than that for which the packer assembly is designed and will urge the packer assembly through the large diameter casing into a smaller diameter casing for which the packer assembly is designed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Moeller, Shawn Ray Webb, Donald Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 8695696
    Abstract: A jar comprises an outer housing; an inner mandrel within the outer housing to define a fluid chamber; a valve disposed within the fluid chamber with a restriction surface facing, during setting, a cooperating restriction surface on the outer housing and a pressure surface facing the inner mandrel, the valve movable between a seated position and an unseated position; the cooperating restriction surface cooperating with the restriction surface to set the jar for a jar in a first direction; the pressure surface being exposed to fluid within the fluid chamber when the jar is set and pressuring up for a jar in the first direction; the pressure surface being indented to cause uneven radial movement, in a plane perpendicular to a jar axis, of the restriction surface towards the cooperating restriction surface when the jar is set and pressuring up for a jar in the first direction; and jarring surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lee Oilfield Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Shoyhetman, David Budney, Craig Budney, Glenn Budney
  • Patent number: 8695697
    Abstract: A downhole tool has a mandrel with packing elements. Collars between the packing elements define ports communicating with gaps between the packing elements and the mandrels. Opposing piston housings on the mandrel can move in opposing directions to compress the packing elements against the collars. Each piston housing defines a space with the mandrel and has a second port communicating with the gap. Pistons disposed in the spaces are temporarily affixed thereto. Hydraulic pressure communicated through the mandrel's bore acts against the pistons. While affixed to the piston housings, the pistons move the piston housings toward the packing elements to compress then. When the packing elements set, continued pressure breaks shear pins affixing the pistons to the piston housings so the pistons move and eventually seal fluid communication between the second ports in the pistons and the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Derby
  • Patent number: 8695698
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular include a resilient launcher. The resilient launcher includes a launcher portion and a sleeve portion. An inner diameter of the sleeve portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the launcher portion. An expansion cone is disposed in the launcher portion of the resilient launcher. The expandable tubular is disposed around the sleeve portion and above the launcher portion of the resilient launcher. The launcher portion comprises a port that is sealable below the expansion cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory Marshall Noel
  • Patent number: 8695699
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an expansion device that is coupled to a support member and operable to be disposed within a tubular member. The expansion device is operable to radially expand the tubular member as the expansion device moves axially through the tubular member. A latch assembly is coupled to the support member and is operable to engage a corresponding latch receptacle disposed within the tubular member so as to limit the axial movement of the expansion device relative to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard M Whiddon, Frederick C Bennett, Charles A Butterfield, Jr., Harsh V Chowdhary
  • Patent number: 8695700
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against housing. An extension extends downward from outer seal leg and is connected to a nose ring having a downward facing shoulder that rests on the hanger shoulder to provide a reaction point for setting operations. A lock ring is retained within interior portion of the nose ring. An upward facing shoulder formed on an upper portion of nose ring contacts the lower surface of the inner seal leg. The shoulder prevents the downward deflection of the inner leg and eliminates buckling due to Poisson effect from the resulting axial force due to growth of the seal legs during setting operations. The shoulder thus prevents crooked or twisted setting of the seal to prevent plastic strain in the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Gette, Carl Boehm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8695701
    Abstract: A logging probe supporting device includes a connector that can be plugged in at the bottom of the well with a logging cable contained in the inner space of rods to which the supporting device is fastened and fluid communicating openings provided between the inner space of the rods and the outside of the supporting device, the openings being arranged between the probe and connector. The device includes, between the openings and the connector, a shutoff such as check valves allowing fluid circulation from the inside towards the outside and preventing circulation from the outside towards the inside of the supporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Vinci Technologies
    Inventors: Georges Constantinou, Chistian Wittrisch
  • Patent number: 8695702
    Abstract: A dipole antenna may be created by surrounding a portion of the continuous conductor with a nonconductive magnetic bead, and then applying a power source to the continuous conductor across the nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic bead creates a driving discontinuity without requiring a break or gap in the conductor. The power source may be connected or applied to the continuous conductor using a variety of preferably shielded configurations, including a coaxial or twin-axial inset or offset feed, a triaxial inset feed, or a diaxial offset feed. A second nonconductive magnetic bead may be positioned to surround a second portion of the continuous conductor to effectively create two nearly equal length dipole antenna sections on either side of the first nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic beads may be comprised of various nonconductive magnetic materials, and preformed for installation around the conductor, or injected around the conductor in subsurface applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Patent number: 8695703
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for monitoring directional flood front movement during oil recovery and more specifically to methods for monitoring flood front movement of flooding agent injected into subsurface formations. The method comprises detecting physical properties of subsurface formation and injection of a flooding agent into said formation through at least one injection well thus forcing reservoir oil movement toward at least one production well. The flooding agent is a highly dispersed gas-liquid mixture having size of gas bubbles not exceeding an average diameter of the pores of said oil-bearing reservoir. The method further comprises detecting the same physical properties of the formation at the same area after flooding and monitoring the flood front profile by registrating changes in the physical properties of the formation caused by the arrival of said flood front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Oleg Yurievich Dinariev, Vladimir Vasilievich Tertychnyi, Dimitri Vladilenovich Pissarenko
  • Patent number: 8695704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to encapsulated breakers and the use of encapsulated breakers for breaking viscosified treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a viscosified treatment fluid having a first viscosity having a gelling agent, a crosslinking agent, a proppant, an aqueous-base fluid, and an encapsulated breaker composition having an encapsulant that has a poly(meth)acrylate blend; introducing the viscosified treatment fluid in the subterranean formation; creating or enhancing a fracture in a subterranean formation; and allowing the encapsulated breaker composition to release the breaker so as to reduce the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to a second viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Muthusamy, Prajakta R. Patil, Nisha A. Pandya
  • Patent number: 8695705
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a composition comprising an emulsified resin composite into a fluid loss zone of the wellbore, wherein the emulsified resin composite comprises a nonaqueous external phase (NEP) and an aqueous internal phase (AIP), and allowing the composition to cure to form a composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Lynn Miller, Jay Paul DeVille, John Walter Sherman, Samuel Jason Lewis
  • Patent number: 8695706
    Abstract: An apparatus and device for hydrocarbon recovery in a well for coal bed methane (CBM) recovery, tight sand gas extraction, and other gas extraction techniques provides for the formation of a hydrocarbon foam comprised of a fluid delivered into a downhole portion of the well and the hydrocarbon, maximizing water removal for gas recovery. The apparatus may include a check valve that feeds a nozzle to deliver or atomize the spray of fluid into the downhole portion of the well when the pressure applied to the fluid is sufficient to overcome a hydrostatic pressure in the downhole portion of the well and to deliver the fluid into the downhole portion of the well. The fluid is not sprayed directly into the formation, thereby protecting the formation from damage and recovering the fluid even in the case where water is not present. The capillary tube feeding the fluid to the check valve may be placed externally to the production tube to facilitate ease of cleaning and clearing of the production tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Six Degrees, LLC, G&L Soap Injection
    Inventor: Greg Allen Conrad
  • Patent number: 8695707
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods of removing an organic deposit including introducing a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises at least two non-polar organic solvents and at least two polar organic solvents; allowing the fluid to dissolve at least a portion of the organic deposit; and removing at least a portion of the fluid. This invention relates to compositions and methods of removing an organic deposit including introducing a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises at least two non-polar organic solvents and at least two polar organic solvents, wherein the non-polar organic solvents comprise aromatic naphtha, terpenes, kerosene, and combination thereof, and wherein the polar solvents comprise heavy aromatic naphtha, cyclohexanone, N-2-methyl pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combination thereof, allowing the fluid to dissolve at least a portion of the organic deposit, and removing at least a portion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Li, Syed A. Ali, Oscar Bustos, Matthew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8695708
    Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. The method includes providing a treatment fluid containing a viscoelastic surfactant having at least one degradable linkage, a hydrolysable material, and a pH control material, and injecting the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The pH control material may have a pH equal or greater than about 9 and may include a strongly alkaline material and an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Fedorov, Olesya Levanyuk, Tatiana Zolnikova, Vadim Khlestkin, Alexander Nadeev, Diankui Fu, Bruno Lecerf, Shiyi Wang, Gary John Tustin, Valerie Lafitte
  • Patent number: 8695709
    Abstract: A crossover tool has an internal sleeve rotatably positioned within an external sleeve, and each of the sleeves has ports alignable with ports on the other sleeve. After deploying the crossover tool downhole and diverting fluid flow below the tool, fluid flow communicated into the internal sleeve tends to rotate it relative to the external sleeve until the ports are substantially aligned so that wear to the components is substantially reduced. The ports themselves may facilitate the rotation and alignment. For example, ports on the internal sleeve may produce tangentially exiting fluid flow. Alternatively, an additional outlet may be defined in the internal sleeve and eccentrically located to its rotation axis. Furthermore, an internal sleeve or insert may partially block fluid flow through the ports to allow greater fluid flow through the additional outlet to enhance rotation of the internal sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, John Broussard, Christopher Hall
  • Patent number: 8695710
    Abstract: A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising providing a first sleeve system comprising a first one or more ports and being transitionable from a first mode to a second mode and from the second mode to a third mode, and a second sleeve system comprising a second one or more ports and being transitionable from a first mode to a second mode and from the second mode to a third mode, wherein, in the first mode and the second mode, fluid communication via the one or more ports of the first or second sleeve system is restricted, and wherein, in the third mode, fluid may be communicated via the one or more ports of the first or second sleeve system, transitioning the first and second sleeve systems to the second mode, and allowing the first sleeve system to transition from the second mode to the third mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Todd Howell
  • Patent number: 8695711
    Abstract: A subsea well containment and intervention apparatus. The invention provides a rigid frame that includes a set of pilings for securely affixing the apparatus to the seafloor. Buoyancy modules included in the frame make the weight of the invention more manageable when in the water. Lifting eyes are provided on the frame for installation and removal. A series of tools are attached to the frame to eliminate the need for frequent trips to the surface to replace and replenish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: J. Ray McDermott, S.A.
    Inventors: Alp A. Kocaman, John George Nolte, III
  • Patent number: 8695712
    Abstract: A pressure mitigating device is used to reduce pressure in a void within a wellhead housing. In one embodiment, the pressure mitigating device includes two plates that define a void between them. Increased pressure in the wellhead housing causes the plates to elastically displace towards each other. The plates contact each other, limiting the displacement prior to plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Urquhart, William D. Munro
  • Patent number: 8695713
    Abstract: A production assembly and method for controlling production from production tubing supported by a tubing hanger in a well including a wellhead. The assembly includes a function spool engaged with the wellhead and a tree engaged with the function spool. The tubing hanger is landable in the tree bore such that the production tubing is supported in the well by the tree. A function mandrel separate from the tubing hanger is engaged with the production tubing and positionable inside the function spool bore. The function mandrel includes a passage connected to a line extending into the well that is connectable with a port in the function spool such that communication with a downhole component through the line is allowable from outside the function spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David R. June, David R. Gwyn
  • Patent number: 8695714
    Abstract: Slip elements for a bridge plug include an inner body portion that is substantially formed of a material that is degradable by dissolution in response to a dissolving fluid and a hardened, resilient, radially outer contact portion. The outer contact portion includes a plurality of openings that function as stress risers. The inner body portion may be formed of magnesium powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Yingqing Xu, Zhiyue Xu
  • Patent number: 8695715
    Abstract: A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising placing a first module adjacent to a second module along an axis, engaging a bridge with each of the first module and the second module by, while the bridge radially overlaps one of the first module and second module, substantially restricting movement of the bridge to movement radially toward the first module and the second module and toward the axis. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising angularly aligning a first module with a second module, joining the first module to the second module while maintaining the angular alignment between first module and the second module. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising assembling a cement head without using torque to join components of the cement head, and passing a fluid through the cement head into a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Rogers, Phillip Standifer, Brett A. Fears, John T. Deville, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8695716
    Abstract: A ported housing that may be connected along a casing string and the method for use of the ported housing in fracturing and/or treating multiple zones in a well. A sleeve is connected to the ported housing and may be moved between an initial position that prevents fluid flow through the ports of the housing and second position that permits fluid flow through the ports. A bottom hole assembly may be connected to the sleeve by an anchor. A packer element may create a seal between the bottom hole assembly and the sleeve permitting a pressure differential across the packer element to move bottom hole assembly down the casing moving the sleeve to the second position. In the second position, the formation adjacent to the ported housing may be stimulated and/or treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: John Edward Ravensbergen
  • Patent number: 8695717
    Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Brennan, III, Colin Longfield, Alexis Arzoumanidis, Allessandro Caccialupi
  • Patent number: 8695718
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include dispersion compositions having a nonionic surfactant for use in enhanced petroleum recovery, and methods of using the dispersion compositions in petroleum recovery processes. For the various embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of the dispersion composition promotes the formation of a dispersion from carbon dioxide and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Aaron W. Sanders, Keith P. Johnston, Quoc Nguyen, Stephanie Adkins, Xi Chen, Ed G. Rightor
  • Patent number: 8695719
    Abstract: A cover plate for a concealed sprinkler includes a member having at least one passageway section enabling heated air to pass between the cover plate and the sprinkler housing and towards the sprinkler head to permit the timely activation of the sprinkler head. In one embodiment, the passageway section is defined by one or more undulations formed within the cover plate, each of which define a ridge at the periphery, enabling air to pass therethrough. The cover plate includes a plurality of mounting tabs upon which a fusible material is applied to adhere the cover plate to the housing of the sprinkler head. The cover plate of the present invention increases the response time of the concealed sprinkler head while maintaining a low profile, discrete appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Retzloff, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 8695720
    Abstract: A fireproof system is provided for protecting a structure during a fire event. The system includes a fire resistant panel defining a first attachment opening and disposed adjacent to the structure; a canister including a side wall defining a first end and a second end, and an end wall enclosing the first end and defining a second attachment opening that is aligned with the first attachment opening; a fastener extending through the canister at the second attachment opening and the fire resistant panel at the first attachment opening such that the canister, the fire resistant panel, and the structure are fastened together; and a fire retardant agent disposed within the canister in an inactive condition and configured to transition out of the second end of the canister in an active condition at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Justin C. Mickelsen, Dave Dischinger, Martin Baker
  • Patent number: 8695721
    Abstract: An agricultural machine having a first frame and a roller with a tube mounted about a first axis. A second frame is connected to the first frame and a wheel, which includes a rim mounted about a second axis. The wheel has a tire and the roller has a covering around the tube. The covering and the tire tread have moldings defining a pattern element repeated in a transverse direction parallel to the first axis and to the second axis, respectively. The pitch of transverse repeat of the pattern element of the roller and the pitch of transverse repeat of the pattern element of the wheel are equal to the nearest 10%. The pattern elements define ribs the height of which on the roller and the height of which on the wheel are equal to the nearest 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Otico
    Inventors: Olivier Phely, Denis Piou
  • Patent number: 8695722
    Abstract: A bulldozer provides improved visibility in front and/or rear of the bulldozer. The bulldozer includes an engine arranged in the front of the bulldozer and a cooling module for cooling the engine arranged elsewhere in the bulldozer, such as behind driver's seat. In the bulldozer, the arrangement of the engine, the vehicle, and the cooling module provides improved visibility in front of the bulldozer so that the operator of the bulldozer can view the upper middle portion of the bulldozer blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Fukazawa, Masayuki Mukaino, David Andrews
  • Patent number: 8695723
    Abstract: The invention is based on a hammer drill and/or chisel hammer, having an impact mechanism unit, an impact mechanism housing and at least one damping unit. The invention proposes that the damping unit is arranged on the impact mechanism housing along a main extension direction of the impact mechanism unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Immanuel Werner, Harald Schindler, Gerhard Meixner, Juergen Schlipf, Stefan Holst, Andreas Strasser
  • Patent number: 8695724
    Abstract: A technique for reducing the costs of manufacturing an auxiliary handle provided separately from a main handle in a hand-held power tool is provided. A hand-held power tool includes a power tool body having a front end region to which a tool bit can be mounted, a main handle that is disposed on a rear end side of the power tool body opposite from the tool bit, an auxiliary-handle mounting member for mounting an auxiliary handle, and longitudinally elastic elements that are disposed between the power tool body and the auxiliary handle mounting member in the axial direction of the tool bit and can elastically deform in the axial direction. The auxiliary-handle mounting member is allowed to move with respect to the power tool body in the axial direction of the tool bit by elastic deformation of the longitudinally elastic elements, so that transmission of vibration from the power tool body to the auxiliary-handle mounting member in the axial direction is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8695725
    Abstract: A power tool handle is selectively connectable to a power tool head. The power tool handle includes a grip portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a motor housed within the handle and including a drive shaft driven by the motor, the drive shaft mounted for rotation within the handle and defining an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The power tool handle also includes a trigger disposed proximate the grip portion for actuating the motor, and a button movable in a direction defining an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to a first position when the tool head is coupled to the handle and to a second position when the tool head is removed from the handle. In the first position, the trigger can actuate the motor, and in the second position, the trigger is inhibited from actuating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited
    Inventors: Siu Yan Lau, Jason P. Whitmire, Jason Brandenburg, Thomas Parel, Taku Ohi
  • Patent number: 8695726
    Abstract: An orthopedic impacting tool comprises a motor, a linear motion converter, an air chamber, a compression piston, an impacting element, an anvil element, and a broach adapter. The compression piston may cause the impacting element to apply controlled force on a broach adapter to create a precise opening for subsequently disposing a prosthesis in a patient. The tool may further comprise a detent for holding the impacting element in a position until a sufficient pressure is applied to release the impacting element. The tool allows forward or backward impacting for expanding the size or volume of the opening or for facilitating removal of the broach and tool from the opening. A force adjustment control of the tool allows a user to increase or decrease the impact force. A light source and hand grips improve ease of operation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medical Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Pedicini
  • Patent number: 8695727
    Abstract: A coupling adapter is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string as the drill string is extended from a drill rig. The coupling adapter includes an arrangement for receiving a data signal that is generated by an inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Benjamin John Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8695728
    Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a source configured to induce radiation into a formation during drilling of a wellbore and a sensor in the drill bit configured to detect radiation from the formation responsive to the radiation induced by the source. The drill bit may further include a circuit configured to process signals received from the sensor to estimate a property of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tu Tien Trinh, Eric Sullivan, David A. Curry, Xiaomin C. Cheng, Feyzi Inanc, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 8695729
    Abstract: A Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) cutter for a rotary drill bit is provided with an integrated sensor and circuitry for making measurements of a property of a fluid in the borehole and/or an operating condition of the drill bit. A method of manufacture of the PDC cutter and the rotary drill bit is discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sunil Kumar, Anthony A. Digiovanni, Dan Scott, Hendrik John, Othon Monteiro
  • Patent number: 8695730
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a multilateral well using magnetic ranging while drilling are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of drilling a multilateral well includes drilling and casing a mother wellbore, installing a multilateral junction, drilling and casing a first lateral well from the multilateral junction, and drilling a second lateral well from the multilateral junction using magnetic ranging while drilling such that the second lateral well has a controlled relationship relative to the first lateral well. The first and second lateral wells may form a SAGD well pair, in which case the first lateral well may be a producer well and the second lateral well may be an injector well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Clark, Jan S. Morley
  • Patent number: 8695731
    Abstract: A drilling system comprising a rotatable drill pipe 12 connected to a tractor unit 10, and a steerable drilling system 18, 20, 22, connected to and movable by the tractor unit 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Downton, Sami Iskander, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 8695732
    Abstract: A rotary cutter mount for an earth-boring cutter is provided which includes a ball bearing journal [100] adapted to be coupled to a cutter body [210], having a minimum [110] and a maximum [120] cylindrical diameter, and a first [115] and second [116] mounting ends. The maximum diameter [120] defines a journal body [122] which includes an exterior surface adapted to be rotationally coupled to the interior surface of the cutter body [210] so as to allow the cutter body [210] to rotate freely with respect to the bearing journal [110]. The minimum [110] diameter defines a shaft portion having sealing surfaces. The first [115] and a second [116] mounting ends are shaped to enable a rotationally fixed positioning of the bearing journal [100] in a yoke of a corresponding cutter head-plate support bracket. A row of ball-bearing races [126] is recessed to extend circumferentially about the exterior surface of the journal body [122].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Stu Blattner
  • Patent number: 8695733
    Abstract: PCD inserts comprise a PCD body having multiple FG-PCD regions with decreasing diamond content moving from a body outer surface to a metallic substrate. The diamond content changes in gradient fashion by changing metal binder content. A region adjacent the outer surface comprises 5 to 20 percent by weight metal binder, and a region remote from the surface comprises 15 to 40 percent by weight metal binder. One or more transition regions are interposed between the PCD body and substrate. The transition region comprises PCD, binder metal, and a carbide, comprises a metal binder content less than that present in the PCD body region positioned next to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Fang, Federico Bellin, Michael Stewart, Nephi A Mourik, Peter T Cariveau
  • Patent number: 8695734
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Ian David Cornwell
  • Patent number: 8695735
    Abstract: A triangular continuous track device is disclosed for direct replacement of a conventional tire and wheel combination found commonly on cars, trucks and other vehicles. A hub on the device is provided for direct bolt onto vehicles with a standard wheel bolt pattern. A track tensioning feature allows the track to be installed or repaired without removing the device from the vehicle. Grooves on the wheels are provided that engage with ribs on the inside of the track to efficiently transfer power from a power wheel in direct communication with the vehicle's axle to the two bottom idle wheels. The two idle wheels are centered under the power wheel and are held in ground contact by the weight of the vehicle. Other features as shown and disclosed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Angelo Afanador
  • Patent number: 8695736
    Abstract: A bin moving assembly is provided for tipping and moving upright wheeled recycling bins. The assembly includes a jack and a pair of wheels coupled to the jack. A fork is coupled to and extends from the jack. The jack selectively extends the fork upwardly whereby the fork is configured for engaging and tipping an upright wheeled recycling bin. A handle is coupled to the jack to facilitate moving the jack when the fork engages the bin whereby the bin is moved with the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Devindranath Samaroo
  • Patent number: 8695737
    Abstract: The device for crossing obstacles for a motorized vehicle includes a chassis connected to n (n?3) wheels on each side, and a driver suitable for rotating the wheels. Each side of the chassis includes a mechanism comprising n?1 arms hingedly connected two-by-two about a shared pivoting axis on which the n wheels are distributed, respectively a front wheel, n?2 intermediate wheels, and a rear wheel. The mechanism allows each wheel to pivot relative to the axis of each adjacent wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: New Live
    Inventor: Michel Ohruh
  • Patent number: 8695738
    Abstract: A drivetrain for a plug-in hybrid vehicle which uses constant gear ratios, rather than any type of multi-gear transmission (traditional transmission gears or CVT) to power the driven wheels in order to increase drivetrain efficiency. A transmission is not a necessary drivetrain component for vehicles with an electric motor/generator (EMG). The EMG is the only mechanical power source until highway speeds are achieved. At that time, the driver may choose to activate and engage the small internal combustion engine (ICE) and the EMG is usually electrically disconnected so that it does not regeneratively charge the vehicle batteries using the power created by the ICE. Constant gear ratios may be achieved by a mechanical gearing system or by a belt drive system. This drivetrain is only for plug-in hybrid vehicles where the batteries are primarily charged by AC electrical outlet or solar (photovoltaic) cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Diala Nassif Jordan
  • Patent number: 8695739
    Abstract: A system and method for a propulsion system includes an electric motor and an energy storage unit configured to supply a primary power to the electric motor. The propulsion system also includes a plurality of auxiliary power units (APUs) configured to supply a secondary power to at least one of the electric motor and the energy storage unit. Each of the plurality of APUs includes a free-piston engine configured to generate a mechanical output, a linear generator configured to transform the mechanical output to an electrical power, and a controller. The controller receives a power command from the electric motor and/or the energy storage unit, determines an amount of secondary power needed to meet the power command, and selectively activates a number of the plurality of APUs to generate the needed amount of secondary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michal-Wolfgang Waszak, Parag Vyas, Jan Hemmelmann, Robert Dean King
  • Patent number: 8695740
    Abstract: A vehicle having a traction battery disposed within a battery housing is provided. The battery housing is in selective fluid communication with the cabin of the vehicle. An accessory battery separate and distinct from the traction battery is also provided. A closeable barrier system is electrically connected with the accessory battery and is configured to fluidly isolate the battery housing from the cabin when closed. At least one controller is configured to, in response to a trigger condition, disable the traction battery and increase an output of the accessory battery to close the barrier system to isolate gas in the battery housing from the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhaskara Boddakayala, Rajaram Subramanian, Brandon M. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8695741
    Abstract: Overhead pushed airflow for a cooling system of a work vehicle. In one embodiment, a cooling includes an interior defined by upstream faces of heat exchangers. An air mover pushes ambient air downward through said cooling box from overhead of the work and across the heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Schertz, Stanley R. Clark, Mark D. Walton