Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8844584
    Abstract: A sustainable system for refilling a pressurized fluid dispenser comprises a container body having a first fluid dispenser that includes a valved opening, a pouch mounted within the container body for storing a fluid composition and fluidly coupled with the valved opening of the container for dispensing the contents of the pouch and a fluid refill system. A pressurized gas can be provided between the pouch and the container body for pressurizing the contents of the pouch. The fluid refill system includes at least one reservoir having a fluid composition therein and a second fluid dispenser having a fitting that is adapted to dispense the fluid composition from the at least one reservoir into the pouch. A controller can be programmed to respond to input signals to position the container with the fluid refill system and to dispense the fluid composition under pressure into the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Haley, Eric J. Hansen, Christopher D. Barr, Eric C. Huffman, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Joseph P. Perry, Justin Benacquisto
  • Patent number: 8844585
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a liquid and, in particular, with a beverage, with a plurality of filling elements which in each case have an outlet in order to pour the beverage into the containers, as well as a valve device in order to control the supply of the liquid into the containers, with a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path at least for a time during the filling thereof with the liquid, and with a cleaning device which acts with a cleaning medium upon at least one region contacted by the liquid to be filled. At least one filling element is designed in such a way that the cleaning medium is freely discharged out of this filling element during a cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Roland Laumer, Manfred Schmid, Juergen Soellner
  • Patent number: 8844586
    Abstract: A retaining bracket used in bottle processing includes a clamp having clamp arms that pivot in a horizontal plane for grasping bottle necks, a sliding sleeve for receiving a hinge pin entering therein from an upward direction, the hinge pin having a magnetizable or magnetically free end, a first permanent magnet disposed in a lower region of the sleeve for interacting with the free end of the hinge pin, a pivotable sleeve for receiving a second pin parallel to the hinge pin, the second pin having, at a free end thereof, a permanent magnet or magnetically influenced region that exerts an attractive force tending to center and restore the clamp, and a brace-like projection that engages below the clamp when the clamp is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fahldieck
  • Patent number: 8844587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking fuel pump fuel dispenser nozzle and especially to a locking fuel pump fuel dispenser nozzle having a locking mechanism for automatically locking a fuel nozzle spout in the vehicle filler tube whenever fuel is being pumped into the vehicle filler tube and fuel tank and which can be unlocked only when fuel pressure from the fuel pump is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: James A. McCommons
  • Patent number: 8844588
    Abstract: A head cover for a golf club includes a first surface having a removable cleaning pad thereon, and a second surface on which at least one golf accessory constructed of a ferrous metal is removably attached thereto. The second surface is part of a tri-layer construction with magnets forming the second middle layer so as to so retain the golf accessory thereon. The cleaning pad is removed by the golfer from the first surface and includes a scrubbing area to remove grit and/or debris from one of a golf ball and a golf club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Low, James Richard Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8844589
    Abstract: Motorcycle tire suitable for mounting on the rear wheel of a motorcycle, including a tread band having a tread pattern includes a module which is repeated in a direction of circumferential extension of the tire, the module having: at least two substantially longitudinal first grooves which are inclined opposite to each other with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire; and at least two substantially longitudinal second grooves which are inclined opposite to each other with respect to the equatorial plane. Each substantially longitudinal first groove alternates with a second longitudinal groove. The substantially longitudinal first grooves have, in a direction axially away from the equatorial plane of the tire, two substantially consecutive curvilinear sections, the first section of which has a convexity and the second section of which has a concavity directed in the rolling direction of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Mariani, Luca Bruschelli, Andrea Schiavolin, Sandro Gallo
  • Patent number: 8844590
    Abstract: In a tire 1, a central land portion row 20C and intermediate land portion rows 20M are formed by center-side main grooves 10C. A projecting portion 50 projecting outwardly in a tire radial direction TR from a groove bottom surface 11 of the center-side main groove 10C is provided in the central groove 10C. The projecting portion 50 is located on an extension line L1 extending in an extending direction of lug grooves 30M, and extends outwardly in the tread width direction TW from a sidewall 21 of the central land portion row 20C. An inner end height H1 of the projecting portion 50 located on an innermost side thereof in the tread width direction TW and continuous to the central land portion row 20C is greater than an outer end height H2 of the projecting portion 50 located on an outermost side thereof in the tread width direction TW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kiwaki
  • Patent number: 8844591
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a closed sipe in a land portion formed in a tread surface, provided with at least three cuts extending in a radiation direction from an imaginary axis that extends in a depth direction of the land portion, and that terminate in the land portion. A widened portion where a width of a cut is locally increased is formed at at least one position of an intermediate region from the imaginary axis to a terminating portion of the cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Sekine, Masatoshi Kuwajima
  • Patent number: 8844592
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire improved in on-ice performance and on-snow performance in good balance. The pneumatic tire includes a tread portion extending in a tire circumferential direction and forming a ring shape, a pair of sidewall portions on both sides of the tread portion, respectively, and a pair of bead portions on inner sides of the sidewall portions in a tire radial direction, respectively. The tread portion includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and a plurality of lateral grooves extending in a tire width direction. The longitudinal and lateral grooves define a plurality of block rows each including a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks included in at least one of the block rows includes at least three closed grooves including at least one first closed groove and at least one second closed groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagayasu, Yoshimasa Hashimoto, Hiroshi Furusawa, Kenichirou Endou, Kenichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8844593
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with zigzag circumferential grooves and axial grooves so that a row of circumferentially arranged blocks is formed on each side of each of the zigzag circumferential grooves. Each of the zigzag circumferential grooves is composed of axially inner and outer circumferential segments and oblique segments. The axially inner and outer circumferential segments are arranged alternately in the tire circumferential direction. The oblique segments connect between the axially inner and outer circumferential segments, whereby the zigzag circumferential groove extends in the form of a trapezoidal wave. The zigzag amplitude is in a range of from 4 to 15% of a half tread width (Tw/2). The width of the zigzag circumferential groove is in a range of from 7 to 13% of the half tread width (Tw/2). The number of the axial grooves connected to each of the zigzag circumferential grooves on both side thereof is in a range of from 8 to 12 when counted in a tire footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kami
  • Patent number: 8844594
    Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic tire which can increase a driving performance on a road surface of a so-called sherbet snow, and in which a biased wear such as a toe-and-heel wear or the like is hard to be generated. In a pneumatic tire provided with a tread pattern having a transverse groove 2b formed between a plurality of blocks 1b, the transverse groove 2b is provided with a top side groove portion 11 extending while a groove width GW expands to a tread end side, and a bottom side groove portion 12 extending with a roughly fixed groove width GW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8844595
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1 comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads; at least one carcass ply 3 wrapped around said beads; a tread 5; and first and second sidewalls disposed between said tread and one of said at least one pair of beads; as well as a belt portion 7 between the carcass ply 3 and the tread 5. In accordance with the invention, the tread 5 comprises a tread base layer 8 and a plurality of tread blocks 9, wherein the tread blocks 9 comprise at least two different rubber layers 15, 17, 19 arranged radially above each other, whereas the rubber layers 15, 17, 19 of different tread blocks are axially separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jacques Collette, Peter Johann Cornelius Maus
  • Patent number: 8844596
    Abstract: The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply, and to sensing devices that supply information regarding the operational conditions of the vehicle to the controller to assist in adjusting the inflation of the tires as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Global Engineering Marketing LLC
    Inventors: Martin A. Medley, Douglas P. Miller, Donald E. Blackman, Thomas Varghese
  • Patent number: 8844597
    Abstract: A first base is interfolded along a folding line 1c extending in a flow direction thereof, one portion 1a of two portions divided by the folding line of the first base overlaps with a second base so as to be sealed thereto, a laminated structure formed by the first to third bases is punched into a predetermined shape so as to include the folding line portion, and a handle portion is formed by sealed portions of the first and second bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fujimori Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Kitamura, Yasuharu Takada, Tomoyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8844598
    Abstract: A fusion welding socket for coupling together double walled plastic conduits including an inner pipe, an outer pipe surrounding the inner pipe and an annular space arranged between the inner and outer pipes. The fusion welding socket includes a main body comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has at least one inner diameter which is smaller than the inner diameters of the first and second end portions. Three heating coils are embedded in the first end portion, the second end portion and the intermediate portion, respectively, for fusing together the first and second end portions with a respective outer pipe of a first and second conduit and the intermediate portion with a respective inner pipe of the first and second conduit. A passageway includes an annular space is arranged to connect the annular spaces of the first and second conduit after fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kungsors Plast AB
    Inventor: Thomas Andersson
  • Patent number: 8844599
    Abstract: Configurable layup tooling used to fabricate reinforced composite parts having a common shape but varying features are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a common tool body. A first mandrel is received by the common tool body to form at least a first portion of a common shape and a first profile of a first part to be formed via the common tool body. A second mandrel is received by the common tool body to form the first portion of the common shape and a second profile of a second part that is different from the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Schmier, II, Dwight L. Engwall, Carlos Pena
  • Patent number: 8844600
    Abstract: A rotary lamination apparatus has a rotary lamination turntable rotational about a vertical axis. A plurality of workpieces are rotated and laminated on the turntable. The turntable includes a support member that is arranged on an upper surface of the turntable, a plurality of rolling bodies mounted on the upper surface of the turntable, and a plurality of urging members for urging the rolling bodies upward. The support member is formed of material having a high friction coefficient. The rolling bodies are selectively movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the upper position, at least a portion of each of the rolling bodies is located above the upper surface of the support member. In the lower position, each rolling body is located below the upper surface of the support member. In the upper position, the rolling bodies support the workpieces movably in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Hirata
  • Patent number: 8844601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum pad for use on vacuum drums (8) of labeling machines for labeling bottles or like containers (2) with labels (3), having a plurality of vacuum openings (10) provided at least on a partial area (21, 21a) of the vacuum pad (9, 9a) and formed by channels (37, 38) that can have a vacuum applied thereto in the at least one partial area (21, 21a), characterized in that the vacuum pad (9, 9a) is manufactured of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, at least in the partial area (21, 21a) comprising the vacuum openings and the channels (37, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Bert Wenzlawski
  • Patent number: 8844602
    Abstract: Provides a method and a terminus processing tool whereby terminus processing for the purpose of connection to another optical fiber may be carried out simply. The terminus processing method entails cutting an optical fiber 20 composed of a glass fiber 21 and a coating 24; and with the optical fiber 20 positioned relative to a terminus processing tool that is disposed contacting the coating at the end surface of the optical fiber 20 and that has a protruded-into space for accommodating inward protrusion of the glass fiber 21, and with the cut end surface of the glass fiber 21 facing the protruded-into space, pushing the optical fiber 20 to thereby strip the coating 24 from the glass fiber 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Saito, Wataru Sakurai, Masaki Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8844603
    Abstract: A window covering comprises slats suspended from a tilt cord such that the tilt cord may rotate the slats between an open position and a closed position. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position. A mechanism such as a spring or a magnet applies a closing force to the slats in the closed position separate from the tilt cord where the closing force moves the slats toward one another. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Anti, Peter Bates, Michael Defenbaugh, Joshua Maust, Teresa Williamson, Alexandra Unger
  • Patent number: 8844604
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a folding panel assembly or system, the guide assembly including a first body section for locating the assembly in a guide channel and a second body section for carrying a bolt that passes through a hinge for attachment to a folding panel, wherein the second body section is pivotally mounted to the first body section so as to adopt either a left or right handed orientation relative to the first body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: RMD Industries Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Stylianos Pelekanos, Louise Helen Page
  • Patent number: 8844605
    Abstract: A clutch for a roller blind. The clutch comprises a drive shaft operatively connected to a drive mechanism, an idle shaft releasably coupled to the drive shaft, and a drive spring. The drive mechanism imparts rotational movement to the drive shaft. The idle shaft is operatively connected to the tube of the roller blind such that rotation of the idle shaft causes rotation of the roller blind tube. The drive spring is operatively associated with the idle shaft and with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction causes the drive spring to impart rotational movement to the idle shaft, thereby causing rotation of the roller blind tube. When the drive shaft is rotated in a second opposite direction the drive spring permits the drive shaft to rotate independently of the idle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Patent number: 8844606
    Abstract: A method for machining a sand molding element, comprising: inserting at least one hollow center body having an internal cavity in a predetermined position in a casting flask; filling the internal cavity of the hollow center body with unbonded sand; filling the casting flask with bonded sand to obtain a sand block; machining a mold cavity in the sand block; and emptying the internal cavity from the unbounded sand. There is also provided a method for machining a molding core from a sand block, comprising: providing a core base member having a concave upper surface; forming a sand block on the core base member with a lower surface of the sand block resting on the concave upper surface; and machining the molding core into the sand block, the molding core having a convex lower surface complementary to the concave upper surface of the core base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nopatech Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Dubuc, Marc Savard
  • Patent number: 8844607
    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 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Frasier, Guy Allen Brady, Matthew T. Kush, Patrick A. Vessely
  • Patent number: 8844608
    Abstract: In an induction emission air conditioning apparatus installed in a ceiling, it is provided within a casing with a heat exchanger through which a feed air introduced from an outdoor side passes, a fan passing the feed air through the air conditioning heat exchanger, and a heating and cooling unit 1 for blowing a mixed air obtained by inducing and suctioning the air in the room inside by using the feed air passing through the heat exchanger so as to mix with the feed air, into the room inside in a laminar manner, and emitting the heat of the mixed air to the room inside, integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kimura Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Kimura, Mitsuo Morita, Kazuyuki Kasahara, Katsuhiro Urano
  • Patent number: 8844609
    Abstract: Apparatus including cooling manifold, having metal cooling body and metal cooling block. Metal cooling body has internal passageway. Metal cooling block extends away from metal cooling body. Metal cooling block has surface oriented for being placed adjacent to and in substantially direct thermal communication with an electronic component located at distance away from metal cooling body. Cooling manifold is configured for circulating a working fluid through internal passageway and for precluding passage of the working fluid from metal cooling body into metal cooling block. Method that includes providing electronic component and cooling manifold. Provided cooling manifold includes metal cooling body and metal cooling block; metal cooling body has internal passageway; metal cooling block extends away from metal cooling body; metal cooling block has surface oriented adjacent to and in substantially direct thermal communication with electronic component being located at distance away from metal cooling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Charles C. Byers, William H. Scofield
  • Patent number: 8844610
    Abstract: The present invention is a plate heat exchanger that allows refrigerant to enter the heat exchanger simultaneously from two sides. Allowing the refrigerant or other fluid to enter from two sides splits the flow and improves fluid velocities by presenting an optimized area to the fluid flow. This effect may be realized for both gases and liquids, and for example with respect to a liquid refrigerant, where it enters the heat exchanger simultaneously by splitting. According to the present invention the split liquid flow from the condenser feeds dual electronically controlled expansion valves before entering the heat exchanger. Fully evaporated gas leaves the heat exchanger through a single outlet, or through a dual outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Multistack, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Platt
  • Patent number: 8844611
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plate stacking type heat exchanger including plates having a small longitudinal dimension. In a plate stacking type heat exchanger 100 according to the present invention, an inlet port for low temperature fluid 59a and an outlet port for low temperature fluid 59b are provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of a plate (left side in FIG. 1). A partition part formed of partition members 10a and 10b is formed in each low temperature fluid compartment 60. The low temperature fluid flows each of the low temperature fluid compartments 60 along a U-turn path that is not short in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Roki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yao, Tatsuhito Yamada
  • Patent number: 8844612
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a temperature of a device by circulating fluid through a heat sink in thermal contact with the device. The apparatus includes a first fluid source (505) including a first fluid having a first temperature, a second fluid source (510) including a second fluid having a second temperature, and a thermal chuck (500) operably connected to the first fluid source and the second fluid source, wherein the thermal chuck is configured to receive the first fluid and the second fluid to be circulated through the heat sink (555). A method is also provided for controlling a temperature of a device in contact with a heat sink. The method includes determining a target temperature (S602), initiating a flow of a fluid from a fluid source (S604, S702), determining temperature data (S606, S704) of the device and the heat sink, and variably adjusting a flow rate (S710, S712) of the fluid to generally maintain the device at the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Mitsuaki Tani, Larry Ray Stuckey
  • Patent number: 8844613
    Abstract: A shear blade attached to a ram block. At least one bolt passage is formed at an angle at the top of the ram block. A bolt passage is formed in the shear blade that corresponds with the bolt passage on the tam block. A bolt introduced into the bolt passage of the ram block and also the bolt passage in the shear blade attaches the shear blade to the ram block. By using this technique for attaching the shear blade to the ram block, surface area of a front face of the shear blade is not further reduced. Therefore, the strength of the shear blade is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hydrill USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Viral Shah, William L. Carbaugh, Leonard G. Childers
  • Patent number: 8844614
    Abstract: A method to separate a gas phase from a liquid phase in a subterranean formation that includes positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore, operating the downhole tool to form perforations in the subterranean formation in a manner that creates cyclonic motion in fluids that exit the subterranean formation and enter the wellbore through the perforations, the fluid having a gas phase and a liquid phase, and producing the liquid phase to the surface, whereby the liquid phase is substantially devoid of the gas phase as a result of the cyclonic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Brown L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8844615
    Abstract: A mechanism for pressurized delivery of material into a well without exposure to a high pressure pump. The mechanism may include material delivery equipment that is coupled to the high pressure pump or other pressure inducing equipment through a material carrier that intersects a fluid line from the pump. The material carrier may include chambers that are reciprocated or rotated between positions that are isolated from the fluid line and in communication with the fluid line. While isolated from the fluid line, the chambers may be filled with oilfield material which may then be delivered to the fluid line when positioned in communication therewith. In this manner, a supply of the oilfield material may be retained in a substantially isolated state relative to the pump and components thereof which may be susceptible to damage from exposure to the oilfield material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Luharuka, Rod Shampine, Joe Hubenschmidt, Philippe Gambier, Brian Ochoa, Thomas Allan, Michael D. Parris, Jean-Louis Pessin, Edward Leugemors, Alejandro J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8844616
    Abstract: A device for tripping, in which, at a drill-floor opening which is arranged to receive a pipe string, two or more cooperating pipe-handling units are arranged, each, independently of the other(s) or in cooperation with the other(s), being arranged to releasably hold the pipe string fixed and to move the pipe string in its axial direction, and also to move a pipe section in the axial direction of the pipe string and rotate the pipe section around the axis of the pipe string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: West Drilling Products AS
    Inventors: Helge Krohn, Mads Grinrød
  • Patent number: 8844617
    Abstract: An annular blowout container (ABOC) that may be used in multiples in a stack in conjunction with additional gate and shear valves to protect a wellhead. The ABOC incorporates a cylindrical formed bladder that provides a tight constrictive seal around whatever pipe or tubing may be in the well bore. The bladder is made of top and bottom rotator plates with springs extending between the plates. The springs are encased in Teflon® and held in place by Kevlar® then covered over completely with cured Viton® that is injected to complete the overall bladder in a molded form. Rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting constriction around the drill pipe or tubing. Electrical and hydraulic operational components are housed inside chambers within the ABOC for predominantly self-contained operation. The cylindrical bladder assembly may be removed and replaced after extended use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dwight Baker
  • Patent number: 8844618
    Abstract: A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Macrae, Bulent Finci, James G. Aivalis, Peter Wells, Robert Crispin Porter
  • Patent number: 8844619
    Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. The solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohan L. Soni, Gerald D. Lynde, Ronnie D. Russell, Jeremy J. Guillory, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 8844620
    Abstract: A sidetracking tool includes a setting tool having an expandable anchor, a whipstock connected to an upper end of the setting tool, the whipstock having a ramp face along an axial length thereof, and a drilling assembly including a drill bit disposed on an end thereof, wherein the drill bit is configured to interface with the ramp face of the whipstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Gregurek, Charles H. Dewey
  • Patent number: 8844621
    Abstract: A retrievable well packer for downhole operations, comprising an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel connected through a quick threaded connection, a hydraulic actuating assembly for downwardly moving under fluid pressure, a packing assembly for sealing against the well, first coupling mechanism between the upper mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly and second coupling mechanism between the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly, with the second coupling mechanism connecting the lower mandrel and the hydraulic actuating assembly against rotation but permitting relative axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Gustavo Ignacio Carro
  • Patent number: 8844622
    Abstract: A method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore includes providing a drill string having a drill bit and a cleaning tool with selectively activatable cleaning members; drilling a wellbore using the drill bit while maintaining the cleaning members in a deactivated position; and pulling the drill string from the wellbore with the cleaning members in an activated position, to thereby clean the wellbore. A corresponding cleaning tool includes a body having a bore running therethrough, a sleeve located within the bore, the sleeve including a ball seat and the sleeve being biased in a first direction, and a plurality of selectively activatable cleaning members mounted for repeated movement relative to the body between activated and deactivated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Group Limited
    Inventor: George Telfer
  • Patent number: 8844623
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for installing a wellhead component in a single trip. Generally, a wellhead component may be run into a wellhead using a running tool. The running tool may then be retrieved from the wellhead and replaced with a locking tool, which is also run into the wellhead. Additional tools may be used to over-pull the wellhead component and to cementing the wellhead component in place. The process of retrieving and running tools into the wellhead is both time-consuming and costly. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments include a one-trip tool configured to run a wellhead component into a wellhead, engage an internal coupling to lock the wellhead component in place, over-pull the wellhead component to ensure the internal coupling was properly engaged, and cement the wellhead component in place within the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8844624
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a rigid centralizer having at least one annular band with radially extending embossed flutes spaced around an outer surface of the at least one annular band and a plurality of elongated connecting posts welded to an inner surface of the at least one annular band to form a tubular receiving annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Christopher M. Penry, Troy L. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8844625
    Abstract: Perforating gun connectors are provided with a small diameter inner tube to house the detonating cord and an outer load-bearing tube that is ported to be in pressure balance. The inner tube controls the volume in the gun for the well fluids to enter after the guns are fired and the initial pressure surge dissipates. The smaller diameter also increases pressure rating and diminishes the chance of plastic deformation. Since the inner tube is inset even some deformation is tolerated without distorting the outer tube due to the space between the tubes. A bored rod is used as a housing member or a layered single outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nauman H. Mhaskar, William D. Myers
  • Patent number: 8844626
    Abstract: A method for autonomous testing of traveling valve assembly leakage and standing valve leakage for an oil or gas rod pumped well installation, and for autonomous adjustment of one or more pump operation characteristics based upon the autonomous test results. Traveling valve assembly leakage testing includes autonomous stopping and holding of the polished rod during an upstroke, autonomous determination of a rate of change in the polished rod load, and autonomous determination of a traveling valve leakage factor. Standing valve leakage testing includes autonomous stopping and holding of the polished rod stationary during a down stroke after weight transfer, autonomous determination of a rate of change in the polished rod load, and autonomous determination of a standing valve leakage factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rodmax Oil & Gas, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Krug
  • Patent number: 8844627
    Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Peter V. Howard, Craig D. Johnson, Sudhir Pai, David R. Smith, Jake A. Danos, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 8844628
    Abstract: A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvaine Le Roy-Delage, Laure Martin
  • Patent number: 8844629
    Abstract: Methods and compositions of fracturing formations are provided. The fracturing fluid includes an enzyme breaker that decreases the viscosity of the fracturing fluid over time. The enzyme breaker can be used in environments having a pH value ranging from about 7 to about 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles David Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8844630
    Abstract: A retrieval tool and method for retrieving a remote tool with a threaded connection from a remote location. The retrieval tool includes a rotational drive member which rotates an attachment sub having a complimentary threaded portion. An articulated shaft assembly permits the attachment sub to move laterally and angularly with respect to the axis of the rotational drive member. A fluid conduit supplies fluid pressure for releasing the remote tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Malcolm D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8844631
    Abstract: A debris removal system includes a tubular. A closure mechanism arranged to at least partially close an interior of the tubular. An injector mechanism having an exit arranged downhole of the closure mechanism; wherein debris removing material ejected from the injector mechanism is directable towards the closure mechanism. Also included is a method of removing debris in a downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David Z Anderson, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 8844632
    Abstract: An inertia transition terminal pipe element having a main rigid pipe element including at one of its ends an inertia transition piece that is constituted by at least one and preferably a plurality “n” of coaxial reinforcing pipe elements placed coaxially around the main pipe element, each reinforcing pipe element presenting an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the main pipe element. The various main and reinforcing pipe elements each being positioned with one end situated at the same level along the axis of symmetry of the pipe elements, and each reinforcing pipe element presenting a length that is less than the height of the main pipe element. The annular gap between the various pipe elements being filled with a solid filler material. A rigid undersea pipe is also disclosed including at at least one of its ends, an inertia transition pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventor: François-Régis Pionetti
  • Patent number: 8844633
    Abstract: A method for maintaining wellbore pressure includes reducing flow rate of a drilling fluid pump fluidly connected to a drill pipe in the wellbore. Flow out of the well is enabled into a first auxiliary line associated with a drilling riser. A seal around the drill pipe is closed. Fluid is pumped down a second auxiliary line at a rate selected to maintain a specific pressure in the wellbore. Drilling fluid flow through the drill pipe is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: At-Balance Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah