Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8776833
    Abstract: An air duct includes a main body, and an adjusting assembly. The main body includes a top plate and two lateral plates extending from opposite sides of the top plate. The adjusting assembly includes two first limiting plates, a second limiting plate, and a third plate. The second and third limiting plates are slidably attached to each other, and are respectively pivotably attached to the first limiting plates. Each first limiting plate is adjustably attached to the lateral plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Yi Zhang, Wen-Tang Peng, Yi-Wei Fan
  • Patent number: 8776834
    Abstract: The air deflection device prevents the development of a cloud of dirt and debris when the air dryer essential to the air brakes of large trucks or other vehicles ejects a high velocity pulse of air from the bottom of the air dryer onto the ground. The air deflection device deflects the pulse of air away from the ground harmlessly toward the engine and transmission of the truck. The air deflection device is designed and configured so as to easily fit and be fastened to the bottom of a truck's air braking system air dryer. The pulse of air from the air dryer is routed through the air deflection device in such a manner as to be harmlessly directed toward the engine and transmission of the large truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Rick Kirby
  • Patent number: 8776835
    Abstract: A fluid duct has a plastic body with a forward cylindrical portion having an outer periphery and a rear cylindrical portion having an outer periphery. The forward and rear cylindrical portions are at equal radial distances from a center line of the duct. A bead is formed on an outer periphery of the duct body intermediate the forward and rear portions. The bead has a radially outermost distance measured perpendicularly away from the outer periphery of the forward portion. This is defined as a first distance. A second distance is defined between a forward end of the duct body to a rearmost end of the bead. The ratio of the first distance to the second distance is between 0.200 and 0.270.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Patricia Chimezie
  • Patent number: 8776836
    Abstract: Hose (70) has a biasing spring (76) extends along the full length. Spring (76) is covered with hose cover material (72) on the outside and hose support layer (74) and hose sealing layer (72) on the inside to form a sealed hose. The invention comprises the improvement of the hose body (layers (72), (74) and (75)) by defining the layers as bowed inward radially between the individual spring coils to create a helical indentation (74b) around hose (70). This helical indentation (74b) causes the hose body materials (layers (72), (74) and (75)) move inward radially when hose (70) is retracted and the coils of spring (76) are forced close together longitudinally. Thus, layers (72), (74) and (75) are folded substantially with spring (76) when retracted, greatly reducing the volume of hose (70) in its retracted position and substantially protecting (72), (74) and (75) from damage by abrasion an puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ragner Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Dean Ragner, Robert Daniel DeRochemont, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8776837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil pipe having a lining imparting substantially reduced adhesion of asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and inorganic scale, so as to reduce plugging of said oil pipe, and impermeability to salt water so as to protect the oil pipe from corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Laurence Waino McKeen
  • Patent number: 8776838
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system comprising a dispensing device including a dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage, an actuator for initiating the dispensing of said beverage through said valve, a display screen having a user interface being coupled to said dispensing device, wireless communication electronics coupled to said beverage dispensing system and adapted to communicate with a wireless transponder and a controller functionally connected to said at least one dispensing valve, said display screen and said wireless communication electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Validfill LLC
    Inventor: Peter Dorney
  • Patent number: 8776839
    Abstract: A filling element for filling containers includes a housing having a liquid channel, a connection for feeding liquid into the channel, a discharge port for discharging liquid into a container provided in a sealed position on the filling element, a valve in the channel between the connection and the port, an actuator for opening and closing the channel, a gas path for pre-stressing the container's interior with gas and returning displaced gas, a switching valve in the gas path, the valve being switchable by the actuator between a first state for use while pre-stressing and a second switched state for use with displaced gas, wherein in the first state, the gas path has a first effective flow cross section, and in the second state, the gas path has a second effective flow cross section, the second effective flow cross section being different from the first effective flow cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Clusserath, Manfred Hartel
  • Patent number: 8776840
    Abstract: Tubular dry powder feed systems in communication with a hopper of dry powder are configured with an in-line actuator that applies a flow vibration signal axially. The flow vibration signal can be a harmonic or non-harmonic signal, such as a sinusoidal, saw tooth, square wave or other signal and may be frequency or amplitude modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Oriel Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 8776841
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and components for protecting reticles and specifically for minimizing haze formation on reticles during storage and use. By substantially continually maintaining a purge in a storage housing having a reduced humidity level on reticles or by temporarily storing the reticle in a container in proximity to a desiccant or getter when not being purged, haze formation can be eliminated, minimized, or sufficiently controlled. Moreover, a filter media in the container may be positioned to be “recharged” during the substantially continual purging of the reticle, a reduced desirable humidity level can be readily maintained in the reticle container when the container is not currently being purged. Additionally, the system of the invention can comprise an ionizer associated with the purge system. For example, the ionizer can be associated with at least one of the plurality of purge lines of the purge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg P. Kishkovich, Xavier Gabarre, William M. Goodwin, James Lo, Troy Scoggins
  • Patent number: 8776842
    Abstract: A container filling arrangement and a method of operating a container filling arrangement, which container filling arrangement comprises a filling element, a closure element, a supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium, and a control element. During a cleaning and/or sterilizing operation of the filling element, cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted from the supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium to the filling element. The control element is operatively connected to the closure element and is actuatable, by fluid pressure of the cleaning and/or sterilization medium in the filling element, to increase the force of engagement of the closure element during the cleaning and/or sterilizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8776843
    Abstract: A suction nozzle, which is configured to be interlocked with a gas filler nozzle used to supply a gas to a gas consuming device, comprises a suction port configured to suck moisture inside the gas filler nozzle when the suction nozzle is interlocked with the gas filler nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Komiya, Toshiyuki Kondo, Hideyo Omori, Noriyasu Yamada, Kunihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 8776844
    Abstract: An apparatus diverts the flow of bulk solids into a bin from a discharge of a bulk solids conveyor. The apparatus contains a fitting that attaches to the discharge, a frame with a vertical conduit, at least two baffles that pivot on rotating shafts and are capable of variable positioning between a substantially vertical position that opens the vertical conduit of the frame and a substantially horizontal position that substantially closes the vertical conduit of the frame, and a drive motor to rotate the baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Carl F. Yaegel
  • Patent number: 8776845
    Abstract: A fuel tank opening and closing device is equipped with a flap valve mechanism arranged inside the tank opening forming member, having an opening and closing member for which the inlet is opened and closed by being pressed by the tip of the fueling nozzle, a shaft provided at the tip of the opening and closing member, and a bearing mechanism provided on the tank opening forming member for supporting the shaft so as to be rotatable. The bearing mechanism has a shaft support recess in which the shaft is inserted and a plurality of shaft restriction projections provided projecting from the wall surface of the shaft support recess, and the shaft restricting projections have a cross section arc shaped shaft support surface such that there is contact with a portion of the outer periphery of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 8776846
    Abstract: A wallet card retrieval slip that includes a sleeve having a transparent top sheet and a transparent bottom sheet conjoined at a back edge and a second edge, the sleeve having a vertical pull tab disposed on a first edge proximal the back edge and a horizontal pull tab disposed on a front edge proximal the second edge, wherein a card is removably insertable into the sleeve and easily retrieved from a wallet pocket by means of the vertical and horizontal pull tabs. An alternative embodiment has the vertical pull tab centrally disposed on the first edge to enable a staggered arrangement of vertical pull tabs on a plurality of sleeves when used with a plurality of cards in adjacent pockets in a wallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Melanie Thompson, Susan Black
  • Patent number: 8776847
    Abstract: Apparatus for ejecting objects from a tire tread include, in particular embodiments, a pair of adjacent ground-engaging elements, each element including a ground-engaging contact surface; a groove separating the pair of ground-engaging elements, the groove having a base and a pair of opposing sidewalls spaced apart by a groove width; a sipe having a particular size, and located in communication with a portion of the groove extending between the pair of ground-engaging elements; and, an ejector associated with the sipe, the ejector comprising a projection that extends within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Eric A. De Benedittis
  • Patent number: 8776848
    Abstract: A tire for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a carcass-type reinforcing structure formed of at least two layers of reinforcing elements, and comprising underneath the tread a crown reinforcement structure comprising at least one layer of reinforcing elements. At least the tread surface comprises a first polymeric compound extending in at least the region of the equatorial plane and at least one second polymeric compound having physicochemical properties different from those of said first polymeric compound, the reinforcing elements of said two or more layers forming the carcass-type reinforcing structure forming angles with the circumferential direction of between 70° and 85° and the distance between the reinforcing elements of each of said two or more layers forming the carcass-type reinforcing structure being not more than 0.5 mm across at least 60% of the axial width of at least one region composed of the second polymeric compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Techniques S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Ruffenach, Alain Valle, Luc Bestgen, Pascal Prost
  • Patent number: 8776849
    Abstract: Embodiments include retreaded tires having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire, the tread band including a primary groove having a top open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom open to a back face of the tread band, the back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface, wherein the groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the secondary groove bottom opens in fluid communication with the base groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: E. Bruce Colby
  • Patent number: 8776850
    Abstract: A fixing element (470) that enables an electronic unit (440) to be fixed on the inside of a tire-wheel assembly, on the tubular insert (433) of an inflation valve (430) of the tire-wheel assembly, the fixing element comprising: an interface piece (471) comprising means to establish a connection with the tubular insert of the valve and a housing (488) for a seal (460); at least one container (473) holding or designed to hold the electronic unit; and at least one attachment piece (472) that enables elastic coupling between the interface piece and the container. A method for mounting an electronic unit (440) on a tire-wheel assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., TRW Automotive U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Botte, Xavier Huchard, Julien Moynet, José-Philippe Valente
  • Patent number: 8776851
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tire inner surface includes providing an uncured tire having an inner surface, placing a strip of multi-axially stretchable blend film on a circumferential surface of the inner surface, wherein one end of the overlapped splice joined by a pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy removal of the strip from the inner surface, applying a release agent coating to the annular, circumferential film strip and the inner surface of the uncured tire, shaping and curing the uncured tire with the release coating on the annular circumferential film strip and inner surface in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature, removing the cured tire from the mold and allowing the cured tire to cool, and removing the annular circumferential film strip with its release coating by use of a film strip to provide a circumferential release coating-free tire inner surface of the cured tire for adhering balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Ramendra Nath Majumdar
  • Patent number: 8776852
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a decorative portion having at least one ridge group that extends band-like in the tire circumferential direction on the outer surface of the side wall. Each of the ridge groups is formed from a bundle of ridges. An entirety of each of the ridge groups is formed into a wave-like shape that extends in the tire circumferential direction, and each of the ridge groups is arranged so as to mutually cross at a plurality of locations in the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, the decorative portion is noticeable, and the decoratability of the tire can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tokizaki
  • Patent number: 8776853
    Abstract: A tire comprising at least one carcass-type reinforcing structure and comprising a crown reinforcing structure having at least one working layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Luc Bestgen, Alain Valle
  • Patent number: 8776854
    Abstract: The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: John Kotanides, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8776855
    Abstract: A device for processing flat objects (40) delivered successively in a delivery direction, in particular print shop products, and/to a continuously advanced material web (42). The device, which is to be used particularly for welding a material web, includes at least one rigid body (90) that can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (D) and at least one tool (10) having a processing-effective zone (12), the tool being attached to the body (90) and movable along an orbit (U) by rotating the body (90). The tool is attached to the body (90) pivotally or rotatably about a pivot axis (S). The pivot position of the tool can be adjusted as a function of the rotational position of the rigid body by means of a stationary control gate and a control element interacting with the control gate and connected to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Roman Dax, Thomas Luginbuhl
  • Patent number: 8776856
    Abstract: An anvil includes a base and projections and. The base is installed at an attachment position on an outer peripheral surface of a rotating drum. The projection protrudes from a front surface of the base in a normal direction H of the rotating drum and is formed in a line shape extending in the cross direction CD along the front surface of the base. On the front surface of the base, one end in the cross direction CD of the projection is provided forward of the other end in a rotation direction R. In the projection, a cut portion is formed to extend in a direction opposite to the protrusion direction of each protrusion. The cut portion extends from the front surface of the projection, protruding from the front surface of the base, to the vicinity of the middle of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8776857
    Abstract: Label application devices and methods of printing and applying labels are described herein. One label application device can comprise a feed component configured to deliver a sheet of label material to a position, a product identification component configured to identify a type of a product that is approaching the position, a printing component configured to print data onto the sheet of label material, the data based on the identified type of product, a stripping component configured to remove a liner portion of the sheet of label material from a label portion of the sheet, and an applicator component configured to apply the label portion to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Computype, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jackson, Kevin Nobbs
  • Patent number: 8776858
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for mounting and removing a tire (2) on and from a respective rim (3) comprises: a movement element (9) for moving a bead (2a) of the tire (2) in order to insert/remove the bead (2a) into/from a respective groove in the rim (3); means (4) for supporting and moving the rim (3), designed to rotationally drive the rim about its longitudinal axis; characterized in that the means (4) for supporting and moving the rim (3) comprise a sensor (252) for measuring the mechanical strain applied to the supporting and movement means (4) as a result of the mechanical stress on the bead (2a) of the tire (2) during mounting/removal of the latter on/from the rim (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giulio Corghi
  • Patent number: 8776859
    Abstract: A safety device for use with a control loop of a window covering includes one or a pair of rigid elongated housings configured to be mounted in a fixed vertical orientation adjacent one side of the window covering. Each elongated housing defines a longitudinal channel therein that is configured to receive portions of the control loop therein so as to prevent small children from becoming entangled with or strangled by the control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: James G. Frederick
  • Patent number: 8776860
    Abstract: A vane assembly of a vertical window covering includes a vane carrier and a vane hung thereon. The vane carrier has front wall and a rear wall with top ends connected to form a clip slot therebetween, and a hook on the rear wall in the clip slot. The hook has a slot and a slot bottom. The vane has a bore to engage the hook of the vane carrier. The slot bottom of the hook has a curved surface complementary to at least a portion of an edge of the bore to avoid damage of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co, Ltd
    Inventors: Yu-Che Wen, Chih-Yao Chang
  • Patent number: 8776861
    Abstract: A roller blind including a roller of having a roller length and a roller outer diameter, a fabric attached to said roller for winding and unwinding from said roller. The fabric has a fabric length, a fabric weight, a fabric height, and fabric thickness. The blind includes a bottom bar having a bottom bar weight, and at least one spring operatively connected to the roller to drivingly rotate the roller in at least one direction of rotation. The spring is selected according to a Protocol such that it's length ensures that it drives the roller with a constant operating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Jorg Bohlen, Lars Koop
  • Patent number: 8776862
    Abstract: A chamfered narrow side copper plate for a mold with a funnel-shaped curved surface has a working face contacting molten steel that includes a middle area and two chamfered areas, which are arranged at two sides. The working face has a funnel-shaped curved surface, which is larger at a top and smaller at a bottom. The chamfered narrow side copper plate for mold with funnel-shaped curved surface can ensure the uniformity of the cooling effect of the chamfered surface and enhance the service life of the narrow side copper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Zhong Da National Engineering and Research Center of Continuous Casting Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Gan, Chunzheng Yang, Hui Zhang, Jianhua Liu, Mei Wang, Gang Wei, Yeming Wu, Guozhong Peng, Minglin Wang, Hongbing Liang, Hongbiao Tao, Li Wang, Changsuo Xi, Baosheng Wang, Xiuqin Ji, Luchun Yuan, Yang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8776863
    Abstract: A molten metal pouring nozzle capable of preventing reaction with a molten metal and casting a high quality ingot continuously for a long period of time is provided. A molten metal pouring nozzle 20 arranged between a molten metal receiving portion 10 and a mold 40 of a continuous casting device 1 is equipped with a main body portion 22 having at least one molten metal passage 21 and made of a fire-resistant substance, and a sleeve 23 made of a material which does not react with the molten metal and having a heat conductivity of 10 to 30 W/(m·° C.) is fitted in the molten metal passage 21 of the main body portion 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Masashi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8776864
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a regenerative heat exchanger can include a primary sealing member with a mounting base and a flexible contact portion that defines a first distance between a proximal edge of the mounting base and a contact edge of the flexible contact portion, the first distance being generally constant along the length of the primary sealing member. The seal assembly can also include a second member with a mounting portion and a cantilevered portion that defines a second distance between a proximal edge of the mounting portion and a distal edge of the cantilevered portion, the second distance being generally constant along the length of the second member. The first distance is greater than the second distance by a predetermined amount so as to limit the preload flexure of the flexible contact portion against a sector plate of the heat exchanger when the seal assembly is installed in the regenerative heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Paragon Airheater Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Klisura, Stephan Hastings
  • Patent number: 8776865
    Abstract: A latent heat storage device for an exhaust system of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a storage body having a plurality of channels running parallel to one another, of which at least some contain a phase-changing material. The storage body is formed through a layer structure with at least two plates of which at least one is corrugated and which contact each other and are fastened to each other in such a manner that the corrugations of the at least one plate form the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Gaiser
  • Patent number: 8776866
    Abstract: The invention refers to a heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger plates are arranged beside each other in the plate heat exchanger to define several first plate interspaces for a first medium and several second plate interspaces for a second medium. The heat exchanger plate comprises a heat transfer area, an edge area, which extends around and outside the heat transfer area, and a device, which is configured to receive or produce a signal. The heat exchanger plate also comprises a communication module comprising an electronic circuit connected to the device and communication means permitting communication of said signal with a master unit via at least a communication module of another heat exchanger plate in the plate package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Anders Cederberg, Peter Arndt, Klas Bertilsson, Anders Nyander
  • Patent number: 8776867
    Abstract: A modular, stackable, geothermal block system for use as a subterranean or submarine heat exchanger in a geothermal energy system which provides a heating/cooling means to an external load. The stackable blocks, which can be filled with a fluid and/or material of generally high heat retention characteristics or precast in such material, contain one or more continuous passageways that extend from the top face of each block through the opposing face, through which a rigid structural heat exchange tube, fabricated from material of high thermal conductivity, is placed. The blocks are stacked one upon another and slidably mounted on the tube(s). Each tube contains a helically wound, thermal transfer tubing comprising one leg of a U-shape configured loop. Each stackable block can contain multiple paired passageways permitting more than one U-shape loop within the system. The system can interface with a solar thermal collector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: John Stojanowski
  • Patent number: 8776868
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling a computer includes: a flexible and conformal fluid heat-exchanger coupled to a surface of the computer; a liquid coolant material circulated through the fluid heat-exchanger to convey heat from the fluid to an external cooling apparatus; an enclosure defined when the fluid heat-exchanger is placed against the computer surface; and a vacuum applied to the enclosure, removably sealing the fluid heat-exchanger to the computer to provide a vapor seal for the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yves Martin, Theodore G. Van Kessel
  • Patent number: 8776869
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a stack of mutually spaced apart plates. The plates are separated by respective spacings therebetween. Alternate spacings respectively provide a flow path for a first fluid and a second fluid. The heat exchanger further comprises a first header for inflow of the first fluid and a second header for outflow of the first fluid. The first and second headers are connected to the plate stack by flexible tubular ducting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hiflux Limited
    Inventors: David Barnes, Tanzi Besant, Albert Demargne, Keith Pullen
  • Patent number: 8776870
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device whereby the thermal conductance of a multiwalled nanostructure such as a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) can be controllably and reversibly tuned by sliding one or more outer shells with respect to the inner core. As one example, the thermal conductance of an MWCNT dropped to 15% of the original value after extending the length of the MWCNT by 190 nm. The thermal conductivity returned when the tube was contracted. The device may comprise numbers of multiwalled nanotubes or other graphitic layers connected to a heat source and a heat drain and various means for tuning the overall thermal conductance for applications in structure heat management, heat flow in nanoscale or microscale devices and thermal logic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Chang, Arunava Majumdar, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 8776871
    Abstract: A chassis with distributed jet cooling is provided. The chassis includes one or more sidewalls defining a volume configured to substantially surround one or more heat generating components positioned within the volume. The chassis further includes at least one array of fins thermally coupled to a respective one of the one or more sidewalls and at least one synthetic jet assembly comprising a multi-orifice synthetic jet or a number of single orifice synthetic jets disposed on a side of a respective one of the array(s) of fins. The chassis further includes at least one attachment means for attaching a respective one of the at least one synthetic jet assemblies to a respective one of the one or more sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, William Dwight Gerstler, Ri Li, Earl Ross Nicewarner, Christina Clyde Schroeder, Benjamin Jon Vander Ploeg, Bryan Patrick Whalen
  • Patent number: 8776872
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for an exhaust gas train of a motor vehicle with an exhaust gas carrying exchanger tube that is formed separately and is disposed in a closed housing formed separately, a coolant flowing through the housing and around the outer surface of the exchanger tube. The housing includes a housing portion that forms one common mechanical interface for connecting the heat exchanger to the exhaust gas train and a coolant circuit of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Capelle, Oliver Fischer, Peter Diehl, Michael Gauss, Andrej Repa, Guillaume Hebert
  • Patent number: 8776873
    Abstract: A heat exchanger including a first header, a second header, and a third header. The third header includes a first plate including a generally planar face and a second plate including a generally planar face parallel to the planar face of the first plate and joined to the planar face of the first plate. The second plate includes an arcuate recess that extends from the planar face of the second plate to at least partially define a flow conduit between a first tube and a second tube. The arcuate recess has a radius of curvature measured from an axis generally parallel to the planar faces of the first and the second plates, and the axis is located within a first plane generally parallel to and midway between first and second opposing flat broad sides of the first tube and the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Greg Mross, Brad Engel, Mark Johnson, Michael Reinke
  • Patent number: 8776874
    Abstract: Heat exchanger tubes are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a heat exchanger tube includes a tube body having two opposed sides. A plurality of exterior flow passages is defined in the tube body adjacent one of the two opposed sides. A plurality of interior flow passages is defined in the tube body adjacent the plurality of exterior flow passages. The plurality of exterior flow passages has at least one of an average hydraulic diameter or an average width that is i) greater than at least one of an average hydraulic diameter or an average width of the interior flow passages and ii) less than twice the at least one of the average hydraulic diameter or the average width of the interior flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo, Inc.
    Inventor: Zaiqian Hu
  • Patent number: 8776875
    Abstract: For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Terry P. Robichaux, Kenneth G. Caillouet
  • Patent number: 8776876
    Abstract: An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Barrie Hart, Craig D. Johnson, L. McD Schetky, Peter Besselink
  • Patent number: 8776877
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Trautman, Derik Ehresman, Neil Edmunds, George Taylor, Mauro Cimolai
  • Patent number: 8776878
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a downhole parameter includes a downhole tool having a sensor. The sensor includes a pad having insulation, and return(s) positionable in the insulation. The return(s) are adapted to exchange a current with a power source, and a portion of the return(s) may be in a fluid zone. The sensor includes a mud button positionable within the fluid zone and in the insulation a distance from the return(s). The mud button are suitable for exchanging current with the return(s). The mud button and the fluid zone are positioned a distance from the formation such that a majority of the current passing between the return(s) and the mud button passes through the downhole fluid. The current exchanged with the mud button generates a measurement of the downhole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bloemenkamp, Andrew Hayman
  • Patent number: 8776879
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein provide an evaporation based zero liquid discharge method for generation of up to 100% quality high pressure steam from produced water in the heavy oil production industry. De-oiled water is processed in an evaporation system producing a distillate that allows steam to be generated with either drum-type boilers operating at higher pressures or once-through steam generators (OTSGs) operating at higher vaporization rates. Evaporator blowdown is treated in a forced-circulation evaporator to provide a zero liquid discharge system that could recycle >98% of the deoiled water for industrial use. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least one “straight sump” evaporator and at least one hybrid external mist eliminator. Embodiments of the evaporation method operate at a higher overall efficiency than those of the prior art by producing distillate at a higher enthalpy which minimizes the high pressure boiler preheating requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aquatech International Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bjorklund, Gregory J. Mandigo, Richard M. Schoen, James Michael Marlett, Chandrakant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 8776880
    Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery of oil in a deposit introduces into the deposit an alkaline aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer containing a surfactant. The aqueous solution of water-soluble polymer introduced is prepared with an aqueous solution initially containing Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions treated with an alkaline agent and a dispersant, so as, prior to the introduction of the polymer and the surfactant into the aqueous solution, to precipitate, under the action of the alkaline agent and of CO2 optionally dissolved in the aqueous solution, the Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The precipitates are especially in the form of precipitates of calcium carbonate and of magnesium hydroxide and are dispersed owing to the dispersant, which is chosen in order to limit the size of the calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide precipitates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Rene Pich, Ludwig Gil
  • Patent number: 8776881
    Abstract: A system for production of petroleum from an earth formation. The system includes: an injection assembly disposable within a first borehole for injecting a thermal source into the formation, the injection assembly including an injector extending from a distal end of the assembly; and a production assembly disposal within a second borehole for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation, the production assembly including a collector extending from a distal end of the assembly. At least one of the injector and the collector includes at least a first conduit and at least a second conduit concentric with the first conduit, the first conduit having a first distal end and the second conduit having a second distal end, the first and second distal ends located at different locations along a length of at least one of the first and second borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Barton Sponchia
  • Patent number: 8776882
    Abstract: Mixtures of fibers and solid particles are effective for curing fluid losses and lost circulation in a subterranean well. Stiff fibers are more effective than flexible ones; however, mixtures of stiff and flexible fibers have a synergistic effect. The quantity and particle-size distribution of the solids are optimized according to the stiffness, dimensions and concentrations of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse C. Lee, Slaheddine Kefi, Chrystel Brunet-Cambus, Michel Ermel