Patents Issued in March 31, 2015
  • Patent number: 8992119
    Abstract: A grader blade mounted to a support frame has an auger-grinder mounted ahead of the grader blade. The auger-grinder has a first helical vane fixed to a rotatable axle with a plurality of teeth attached to and protruding outwardly from the auger. A shroud above and partially surrounding the auger-grinder has an inner shroud end wall, an outer shroud end wall and bearings in which the axle is journaled transverse to the direction of travel. A beater is fixed to the axle between an inner end of the helical vane and the inner wall. The beater has a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the axle. An inner barrier wall is attached to the inner shroud wall and extends forward of the auger-grinder. A drive link is connected to the axle for connection to a prime mover for driving the axle in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: R.L. Parsons And Son Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Parsons, Jr., Ralph L. Parsons, III, Carl Eby
  • Patent number: 8992120
    Abstract: A mobile thermoplastic applicator comprises a kettle, a main gas burner, a heat exchanger plenum, and a screed die box. The kettle has walls which define an interior space for melting thermoplastic. The main gas burner is situated beneath the kettle, and is configured to heat the kettle. The heat exchanger plenum is situated inside the thermoplastic kettle and is configured to subdivide the interior space and circulate heated air from the main gas burner. The screed die box is configured to receive molten thermoplastic from the kettle and deposit that molten thermoplastic on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Fredrickson, Barry W. Mattson, Christopher A. Lins, James C. Schroeder, Roland M. Bedard, Thomas L. Triplett
  • Patent number: 8992121
    Abstract: A leaf for a mitre gate is provided. The leaf for a mitre gate may include: a skin plate intended for withstanding a pressure exerted by a liquid; and at least two uprights respectively located on either side of the skin plate, the uprights being secured to the skin plate. The skin plate is in the overall shape of a cylinder portion, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder being essentially parallel to the uprights. Each upright extends overall according to a generatrix of the cylinder. Each upright includes at least one bearing element, arranged to project relative to the skin plate and each bearing element includes a bearing surface, for supporting the bearing element against a lock wall or another leaf of the mitre gate. The bearing surface of each bearing element is aligned with a plane that is tangential to the skin plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technology
    Inventors: Michel Cardis, Michael Mermoud
  • Patent number: 8992122
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to electro-remediation. In some embodiments, an apparatus for collecting metal is provided and includes a helically shaped electrode. An electrical current can be applied to the apparatus causing metal and ions thereof to become fixed to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Shigeo Sugano, Takahisa Kusuura
  • Patent number: 8992123
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for recovering the core (108) of a subterranean sheathed electrical cable (106), while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment. The apparatus comprises a ram (102) operable to exert a pushing force on the core of a length of the cable, a plurality of linkages, each linkage being configured to be insertable into the cable along its length under the action of the ram to displace the core relative to an outer sheath of the cable, and a puller operable (104) to exert a pulling force on the core to thereby facilitate removal of the displaced core from the outer sheath by action of the pushing/pulling forces. The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited to the recovery of high-tension copper core cables, while enabling any hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) impregnated inner sheathing to be controllably disposed of without hazard to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rook Services Limited
    Inventor: Craig Murphy
  • Patent number: 8992124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine pipelaying system comprising a vessel (1) provided with a pipeline launch tower (6). The tower (6) comprises pipe laying equipment defining a tower firing line, and is adapted for launching a pipeline (20) along the firing line into the sea. The system furthermore comprises a hang off module (15) supported in the lower part of the firing line for clamping and supporting the weight of previously launched pipeline (20) as well as a stinger for guiding the launched pipeline (20). The stinger (10) is supported at its upper end in the lower part of the firing line. The stinger is displaceable from the firing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Arnoud Laurens Feijen, Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8992125
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through one of a plurality of sidewalls of a pit, including a gripping arrangement for releasably gripping the elongate component, a lever arm comprising a handle at a first end and the gripping arrangement at the second end, and a frame to which the lever arm is attached, wherein during use the frame is positioned substantially above the pit, and the gripping arrangement hangs downwardly from the frame into the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Scopes, Christopher Nigel Munnings
  • Patent number: 8992126
    Abstract: A method of estimating the environmental force acting on a supported jack-up vessel is described. The vessel is positioned in a force determination position and the strain on at least one support leg of the jack-up vessel is measured while a first thrust is applied to the vessel. A second thrust is applied to the vessel while the vessel is maintained in the force determination position. The variation in the strain in the at least one support leg is monitored as the second thrust is applied and the strain is used to calculate an estimate of the environmental force acting on the vessel. The method allows a dynamic positioning (DP) system of the jack-up vessel to determine a suitable thrust to apply to the vessel as the support legs of the vessel are raised. By applying this suitable thrust the position of the vessel can be maintained when the vessel transitions from being supported by the support legs to being supported by water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Ian Stephens
  • Patent number: 8992127
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for lowering and/or raising a load or structure to or from the bed of a body of water. The apparatus comprises a buoyancy apparatus configured to be coupled to a load, and having positive buoyancy sufficient to lift the load. At least one receptacle is provided on the apparatus for receiving a control weight lowered from a vessel to lower or raise the assembly. The lowering method includes forming an assembly from a buoyancy apparatus and a load and submerging the assembly to a position at a first height above the bed. In a preferred embodiment the assembly is submerged by a clump weight tow system. A control weight is deployed from a vessel to the assembly to overcome the positive buoyancy of the assembly and thereby lower the load from the first height to the bed. The raising method reverses the steps of the lowering method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Subsea Deployment Systems Limited
    Inventors: Arnbjorn Joensen, Samuel David Irvine Paul
  • Patent number: 8992128
    Abstract: A pneumatic fender is configured to improve workability during folding up, be conveniently secured during transport, and suppress damage during folding up and during transport, thus increasing durability. A method for transporting the pneumatic fender also has these characteristics. In the, pneumatic fender, at least one crease is formed extending in the lengthwise direction at the outer surface of a torso body section in the pneumatic fender. After the air has been discharged from the pneumatic fender, a bag is pushed flat with mirror body sections as the upper surface of the torso body section and then with the crease as a boundary, the bag is folded towards the upper surface. In this folded state, the pneumatic fenders are loaded into a container and transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minami Izumi
  • Patent number: 8992129
    Abstract: This invention relates to a marine fender being low and uniform in the compression surface pressure and excellent in the wear characteristics, and more particularly to a marine fender comprising a shock receiving portion 2 inclusive of a shock receiving resin board 4 and a pair of rubbery leg portions 3 disposed on the downside of the shock receiving portion 2 in a height direction of the fender, characterized in that a width W (mm) of the shock receiving portion 2 and a height H (mm) of the fender 1 satisfy a relation of the following equation (1); 2H?W??(1) and a thickness h1 (mm) of the shock receiving portion, a height h2 (mm) of the leg portion, a thickness t (mm) of the leg portion and a height H (mm) of the fender satisfy a relation of the following equation (2); h2/4?t?h1?H/2?h2??(2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Motohiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 8992130
    Abstract: An arrangement for a down-the-hole hammer drill, for use in soil consolidation by jet grouting, and comprising a cylindrical machine housing, an impact mechanism driven by pressurised fluid that impacts onto a drill bit mounted in a chuck in the machine housing that allows reciprocating motion, whereby the machine housing has a central supply line for the driving fluid to the impact mechanism in which channels in the drill bit constitute outlets for used driving fluid. The machine housing is provided with a grouting nozzle for jet grouting, that the grouting nozzle is directed in a sideways direction and arranged at the periphery of the wall of the machine housing, that a rinsing channel for conducting a grouting mixture through the machine housing to the said grouting nozzle is arranged whereby the rinsing channel for the grouting mixture is separate from the supply line for the driving fluid of the impact mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LKAB Wassara AB
    Inventors: Magnus Hörman, Peter F. Johansson
  • Patent number: 8992131
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall can be filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Les matériaux de construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marc-André Lacas, Robert Daoust
  • Patent number: 8992132
    Abstract: A pneumatic sample feedway that is embeddable into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The feedway includes: a plurality of capsules enclosing a biological tissue sample; and a conductor pipe connected to a source of a compressed fluid. The pipe receives a train of the capsules and pneumatically forwards the train into the MRI device. The pipe has a proximal terminal that loads the train of capsules into the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
    Inventors: Uri Rapoport, Itzchak Rabinovitz
  • Patent number: 8992133
    Abstract: A method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as in a waste conveying system, said conveying system comprising at least one feed point (61) of material, particularly waste material; a material conveyor pipe (100) that is connectable to the feed point (61); and a separator device (20), where the material to be conveyed is separated from the conveyor air; as well as means (3) for creating a pressure difference in the conveyor pipe (100), at least for the duration of the process of conveying the material. In the method, material is conveyed further from the separator device (20) to the transport container (51), particularly a waste container, by employing in the conveying of material from the separator device to the transport container means (3) of the material conveying system for creating a pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Maricap Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 8992134
    Abstract: An upper surface of a cutting insert includes a first rake face and a second seating surface. A lower surface of the cutting insert includes a second rake face and a first seating surface. The cutting edge includes a first cutting edge portion formed at a crossing edge line portion between the first rake face and a flank face and a second cutting edge portion formed at a crossing edge line portion between the second rake face and the flank face. The first cutting edge portion and the crossing edge line portion between the first seating surface and the flank face are positioned opposite each other. The second cutting edge portion and the crossing edge line portion between the second seating surface and the flank face are positioned opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Tungaloy Corporation
    Inventor: Kedar Suresh Bhagath
  • Patent number: 8992135
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cutting insert and a tool holder. The tool holder includes: a base for supporting a bottom surface of the cutting insert; a clamping arm for pressing a top surface of the cutting insert; an insert receiving space formed between the bottom surface of the clamping arm and the base; and a supporting surface which defines an end of the insert receiving space and supports an end of the cutting insert. The cutting insert includes: a first pressing region on the front portion of the top surface which is oriented in a vertically upward direction; and a second pressing region on the rear portion of the top surface which is oriented at an angle in the front direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: TaeguTec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Hee Choi, Hong Sik Park
  • Patent number: 8992136
    Abstract: A rotary-driven tool for cutting machining, in particular a drilling tool with a cutting body and a holder with a shaft piece is disclosed, with at least a cutter and a dovetail-shaped region on the cutting body and a matching dovetail recess on the holder. The cutting body can only be inserted in the holder laterally to a longitudinal axis of the holder. In order to fix the cutting body, opposing flank sections of the dovetail recess, between which the dovetail-shaped region fits can be moved over each other by means of a screw connection in the holder and on fixing the cutting body said body is subjected to a force on the axial direction by the screw connection. In one aspect, the cutting body is a cutting head and the axial force is exclusively generated by the dovetail-shaped region in cooperation with the dovetail recess in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Guehring OHG
    Inventors: Markus Klettenheimer, Uwe Schlagenhauf
  • Patent number: 8992137
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter for driven tools such as drilling or milling tools, for adapting an externally fed driven tool for use in a thru coolant system comprising: a) a cylindrical inner sleeve, b) an outer sleeve adapted to rotate relative to the inner sleeve, c) a delivery pipe to deliver coolant to the outer sleeve, and d) at least one coolant flow channel through the outer sleeve and through the inner sleeve to allow flow of coolant from the delivery pipe to the collet, and e) a seal at one end of the inner sleeve having an aperture to receive the cutting tool whereby to allow the blunt end of the tool to engage the collet, in use coolant can pass through the outer sleeve, through the inner sleeve into the collet, and to the cutting tool whilst said inner sleeve rotates with said machine output spindle and the outer sleeve remains static.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Nicholas Gregory, Christopher John Dewfall, Clive Jenkin Evans, Mark Stephen Pimble, Richard John Pitman, Timothy David Bond
  • Patent number: 8992138
    Abstract: A cutting tool has at least one cutting tool support pad. The cutting tool support pad includes two opposing primary surfaces, each primary surface includes an abutment surface and at least one convex contact surface. For each primary surface, the at least one contact surface extends outwardly further than the abutment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Iscar, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Hecht
  • Patent number: 8992139
    Abstract: A holder for a cutting tool includes a body having a first channel for receiving a stem portion of the cutting tool. The body has a second channel intersecting with the first channel. The holder further includes a plunger to be inserted in the second channel, the plunger having a third channel the cross section of which at least partly overlaps with the cross section of the first channel when the plunger is inserted into the body so as to enable the stem of the cutting tool to extend into the third channel when the stem is inserted in the first channel. The holder further includes a mechanism for locking the stem against movement relative to the body by means of the plunger. A cutting tool for use in such a holder and a cutting insert are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Sweden AB
    Inventors: Anders Wretland, Tore Hagward
  • Patent number: 8992140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hole-saw assembly (10) including a hole saw (26) having at one end a plurality of cutting teeth and at the other end two shafts. The assembly includes a mandrel (16) coaxially aligned with said hole-saw and including a body having two bores there through coaxially aligned with said shafts. An annulus (20) located on top of the body is coaxially aligned with said mandrel and hole saw and includes two holes, the annulus rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position. In the first position the annulus holes are aligned with the bores and shafts allowing the shafts to be freely insertable and removable and in the second position the holes are misaligned to lock the shafts to the annulus. The mandrel further includes a pair of driving pins (22) adapted to engage driving apertures (24) found in hole saws especially larger ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Kym John Keightley
  • Patent number: 8992141
    Abstract: A cutting head has a resilient male coupling member. The cutting head has a central resilience slit that extends between two major surfaces and opens out to the male coupling member and at least one lateral resilience slit that extends between the two major surfaces and opens out to a base surface. The central resilience slit and the at least one lateral resilience slit each have forwardmost points, located forward of the base surface. Also, a cutting tool that has a tool holder with the cutting head secured thereto. The tool holder has an insert pocket that includes a forward facing holder base abutment surface that has a female coupling member. In a locked position, the male coupling member is resiliently retained in the female coupling member. All points on the male coupling member are under deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Iscar, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Hecht, David Ben Harouche
  • Patent number: 8992142
    Abstract: A cutting tool has a tool shank and a replaceable cutting head resiliently secured to the tool shank by an interference fit between a male fixation member of the cutting head and a female fixation member of the tool shank. The male fixation member has a resilience slit. In each cross section of the cutting tool taken perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the cutting tool through mutual abutment regions, the cross sectional profiles of the mutual abutment regions are arcuate sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Iscar, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Hecht
  • Patent number: 8992143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular drill including a shank part with an end side. A cutting part can be connected to the shank part at its end side. The shank part has at least one torque transmission element which projects on the end side and has at least one torque transmission face for transmitting a torque in the rotational direction from the shank part to the cutting part. The cutting part has at least one torque receiving region for receiving the torque. The at least one torque receiving region has at least one torque receiving face which corresponds with the torque transmission face. The cutting part has at least one centering element for radially centering the cutting part in relation to the shank part. The cutting part is clamped to the shank part via a clamping element which acts at least predominantly in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: EMUGE-Werk Richard Glimpel GmbH & Co. KG, Fabrik für Präzisionswerkzeuge
    Inventors: Helmut Glimpel, Bernhard Borschert
  • Patent number: 8992144
    Abstract: A method of chip-removal machining a tooth gap of a work piece includes executing a first substantially linear plunging movement of the cutting tool along a first plunge vector and machining a region of the work piece near a tooth head of a first tooth flank of the tooth. A substantially transverse movement of the tool along a transverse vector is then executed to machine a region of the work piece near a tooth head of the second tooth flank of the tooth. A second plunging movement of the cutting tool along a vector path is then executed, to an end point of the second plunging movement that lies at a position of the work piece corresponding to the slot depth of the tooth gap to be fabricated. The cutting tool is rotated about an axis of rotation thereof during execution of these steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Klingelnberg AG
    Inventors: Alexander Dürr, Wilhelm Kreh
  • Patent number: 8992145
    Abstract: A key duplication system comprising a key duplication housing wherein at least one key receiving aperture on a first side of the housing sized to receive a key blade and at least one key clamp adjacent to the at least one key receiving aperture, the clamp comprising a first clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a first key blade surface topography and a second clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a second key blade different from the first key blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Mueller, George Lynn Hagen, Scott Basham, Mark Tarter, Ryan Hamblin, Carl Ito, Kenneth C. Booth
  • Patent number: 8992146
    Abstract: A cargo securing device for use in carrying cargo in pickup trucks and the like. The cargo securing device is formed of a flexible panel having straps on opposed sides which extend across the panel to attachment devices such as rings. The flexible panel may include apertures with removable covers to permit the ends of long devices to extend through and to be held from movement sideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth Dibner
  • Patent number: 8992147
    Abstract: A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Alan J. Armiento, T. J. Bland
  • Patent number: 8992148
    Abstract: A self-locking connector system has a connector member having an external thread and an axially extending keyway, and a connecting interface at a distal end. A connector body has a distal end with a connecting interface that mates with the connecting interface of the connector member. An internally threaded nut is captive on the distal end of the connector body encircling the connecting interface and is configured to screw onto the externally threaded connector member. A locking collar is dimensioned to encircle the externally threaded connector member, has at least one key dimensioned to engage in the keyway, and is movable axially on the nut between a first position in which the nut is rotatable relative to the collar and a second position in which the nut is not rotatable relative to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Micro-Coax, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph D. Schafer, Perry L. Moyer
  • Patent number: 8992149
    Abstract: Anti-rotation keys are typically used in applications where an end of a threaded stud is received in a housing, and where the opposite end of the stud projects from the housing to allow attachment of another component to the housing. Once partially received in the housing, further rotation of the stud is prevented by an anti-rotation key. The disclosed anti-rotation key is self-retaining, in that it prevents itself from “backing out” of the channel due to vibration or thermal expansion of the housing, etc., while also being removable from the channel if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Benjamin Christopher Dixon
  • Patent number: 8992150
    Abstract: A device for connecting two components (10) having at least one holding means (16) serves for holding a bolt-type fastening means (14) with which the two components (10) are securely connected and received into a respective mounting opening (18) on a first component (10). The at least one holding means (16) has a receiving section (24) with a receiving opening (25) for the fastening means (14) and at least two flexible holding arms (28) that extend at least radially relative to a longitudinal axis (26) of the receiving opening (25) away from the receiving section (24) in outward direction and with which the at least one holding means (16) can be secured in the mounting opening (18). The at least two holding arms (28), viewed radially relative to the longitudinal axis (26) of the receiving opening (25), each have a wave-shaped or a zigzag-shaped course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Korn
  • Patent number: 8992151
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastener includes a non-circular drive recess optionally with a non-circular center post. Preferably the recess and center post are at least partially ellipsoidal cylinders that are concentric and aligned (i.e. they share a common major axis direction). This configuration forms a slot having preferably a substantially uniform width into which an authorized driver is inserted. The length of the major maximum dimension of the post is selected so that a circular arc tangent to the maximum radius of the post will pass closely to or intersect the minimum radial dimension of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Parker Fasteners, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 8992152
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular handling system (1) comprising:—a tower (10) comprising a tubular lift device for lowering and/or raising a tubular in an essentially vertical orientation,—a support (20) for supporting the tubular-laying tower—a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support, for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal supply position in the vicinity of the tower,—a tubular handling apparatus (2) for transporting a tubular between the essentially horizontal supply position and the tubular lift device in the tower, wherein the tubular handling apparatus comprises: a gripper (4a, 4b) adapted for gripping the tubular, a base (6), and a boom (5) to which the one or more grippers are attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base in a boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Itrec B.V.
    Inventors: Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8992153
    Abstract: Introduction of substrates into vacuum environment is accomplish by gradually reducing the number of substrates being transferred simultaneously as the clean and evacuated environment is progressed. Cassettes are maintained in clean atmospheric environment and do not enter the vacuum environment. Several vacuum locks are linearly staggered so as to introduce progressively higher level of vacuum environment. The number of substrates transported through this arrangement is a portion of the number of substrates present in each cassette. The staggered vacuum locks lead to a series of processing chambers, wherein a yet smaller number of substrates, e.g., one or two, are transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Scollay, Terry Bluck, Xiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8992154
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a storage system for glass substrate and also a method for storing a glass substrate. The storage system includes a rail system, a plurality of stockers, and a trolley. The rail system is configured with first and second interconnected loops of monorails. And a plurality of stockers is arranged adjacent to the rail system. A trolley is moveably arranged to travel along the first and second monorails of the rail system for transporting glass substrates between the stockers. Accordingly, the yield of the liquid crystal display panel can be increased, while the maintenance costs of the overhead shuttle can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Zenghong Chen, Chunhao Wu, Kunhsien Lin, Xiande Li, Yongqiang Wang, Weibing Yang, Minghu Qi, Zhenhua Guo, Yunshao Jiang
  • Patent number: 8992155
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attached to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 8992156
    Abstract: A conveyor is arranged to be mounted underneath a hopper bottom highway transportation truck which has two longitudinally spaced dump hoppers each with a bottom discharge opening to carry the discharged material to the side of the trailer from each of the hoppers in turn. The conveyor is thus carried between the bottom discharge openings so that it can be raised up between them during transport. From the mounting point at one side between the openings the conveyor is lowered so that its loading end is lowered and then the conveyor pivots to one side or the other so that its loading end is underneath the selected bottom discharge opening. The conveyor runs in a direction so that it lifts the material from the selected discharge opening upwardly to the mounting point at the one side for discharge to the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Haukaas Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Greg Haukaas, Beric Duane Haukaas, Vincent Colistro
  • Patent number: 8992157
    Abstract: A crowd assembly (30) for a power shovel (10) includes a saddle block (34) adapted for pivotal connection to the shovel boom (24). A tubular dipper handle (32) is slideably supported by the saddle block. A hydraulic actuator (50) has a cylinder (52) and a piston rod (54) that is outwardly extendable from one end of the cylinder. One of the cylinder or the piston rod is fixed to the dipper handle and the other one is attached to the saddle block. The cylinder and the piston rod are within the tubular dipper handle which is able to slide longitudinally over the cylinder. A guide bushing (70) extends around the one end of the cylinder and engages an interior surface of the dipper handle. The guide bushing thereby supports that end of the cylinder and inhibits hydraulic actuator from deflecting within the dipper handle when the piston rod is extended from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Carl D. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 8992158
    Abstract: A reinforcement device for a load bearing structure is disclosed. The reinforcement device may include a tubular wall including a first end, a second end, a throat disposed between the first end and the second end, and a curved portion disposed between the throat and each of the first end and the second end. The tubular wall may also include a first dimension at the throat and a second dimension at each of the first and second ends, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Springer, Jason Musheno
  • Patent number: 8992159
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for moving, loading, and/or sorting logs. A log grapple may include opposing arm assemblies and independently positionable drive wheels disposed between the arms. The log grapple may be operable in a grapple mode, in which the arms are in a closed position and the drive wheels are in an open position, and a feed mode, in which the arms and the drive wheels are in closed positions. In feed mode, the first and second drive wheels may be rotated to drive the log through the arms. The log grapple may be further configured to delimb, measure, and/or cut logs in the feed mode. A log grapple may also include a measuring wheel assembly. Optionally, the measuring wheel assembly may include a hydraulic actuator configured to retract the measuring wheel and a gas spring configured to extend the measuring wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pierce Pacific Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad A. Sintek, Joseph B. Crover, Brandon K. Gray, Greg M. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8992160
    Abstract: A transfer robot according to an embodiment includes an arm and a body. The arm is provided, at a terminal end thereof, with a robot hand transferring a thin plate-like workpiece, and operates in horizontal directions. The body includes a lifting and lowering mechanism that lifts and lowers the arm. In the transfer robot, at least a part of the body is disposed outside a side wall of a transfer room that is connected to an opening and closing device opening and closing a storage container for the thin plate-like workpiece and to a processing room processing the thin plate-like workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Masatoshi Furuichi
  • Patent number: 8992161
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine, broadband damping systems, and methods for producing broadband-damped gas turbine engine are provided. In one embodiment, the gas turbine engine includes an engine case, a rotor assembly mounted within the engine case for rotation about a rotational axis, and a broadband damping system disposed between the rotor assembly and the engine case. The broadband damping system includes a first set of three parameter axial dampers angularly spaced around the rotational axis, and a second set of three parameter axial dampers angularly spaced around the rotational axis and coupled in parallel with the first set of three parameter axial dampers. The first and second sets of three parameter axial dampers are tuned to provide peak damping at different rotational frequencies to increase the damping bandwidth of the broadband damping system during operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Hindle, Steven Hadden, Torey Davis
  • Patent number: 8992162
    Abstract: A multi-inlet vacuum pump has a first pump device (10) and a second pump device (12). The first pump device (10) includes a first rotor element (18) having a plurality of first rotor discs (20, 21) arranged consecutively in the delivery direction (36). The second rotor disc includes a second rotor element (26) having a plurality of second rotor discs (28) arranged consecutively in the delivery direction (36). A first fluid flow (34) is suctioned through a main inlet (32) by the first pump device (10) and delivered in the direction of the second pump device (12). A second fluid flow (40) is suctioned through an intermediate inlet (38) by the second pump device and delivered in the direction of a pump outlet. The diameter of the last rotor disc (21) of the first pump (10) substantially corresponds to the diameter of the first rotor (28) of the second pump device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Henry, Heinz Englaender, Christian Beyer
  • Patent number: 8992163
    Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Thoratec Corporation, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark W. McBride, Thomas M. Mallison, Gregory P. Dillon, Robert L. Campbell, David A. Boger, Stephen A. Hambric, Robert F. Kunz, James P. Runt, Justin M. Walsh, Boris Leschinsky
  • Patent number: 8992164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), having a turbine housing (2) with a supply duct (9) for exhaust gases, having a turbine rotor (4) which is rotatably mounted in the turbine housing (2); and having a guide grate (18), which surrounds the turbine rotor (4) radially at the outside, which has a blade bearing ring (6), which has a multiplicity of guide blades (7) which have in each case one blade shaft (8) mounted in the blade bearing ring (6), which has an adjusting ring (5) which is operatively connected to the guide blades (7) by means of associated blade levers (20) fastened to the blade shafts (8) at one of their ends, with each blade lever (20) having, at the other end, a lever head (23) which can be placed in engagement with an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5), and which has a bearing arrangement (28) for fixing the adjusting ring (5) to the blade bearing ring (6), wherein the bearing arrangement (28) is formed as a plain bearing ar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ramb, Dietmar Metz
  • Patent number: 8992165
    Abstract: A turbine wheel mounted within a housing rotating about a turbine axis; a gas flow control passage upstream of the turbine wheel between a radial first surface of a movable wall member and a facing wall of the housing, the movable wall member comprising second and third surfaces opposing the first surface. The movable wall member moves in an axial direction to vary the size of the gas flow control passage. A first gas region of the turbine, being upstream of the gas flow control passage, includes a portion of the gas flow control passage; a second gas region of the turbine downstream of the gas flow control passage containing the turbine wheel; and a third gas region of the turbine downstream of the turbine wheel. The first gas region comprises the first and second surfaces, and the second gas region or third gas region comprises the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew Luck, Stephen Edward Garrett, Arun Tamil Selvan Vijayakumar
  • Patent number: 8992166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), having a turbine housing (2) with a supply duct (9) for exhaust gases, having a turbine rotor (4) which is rotatably mounted in the turbine housing (2); and having a guide grate (18), which surrounds the turbine rotor (4) radially at the outside, which has a blade bearing ring (6), which has a multiplicity of guide blades (7) which have in each case one blade shaft mounted in the blade bearing ring (6), which has an adjusting ring (5) which is operatively connected to the guide blades (7) by means of associated blade levers (20) fastened to the blade shafts (8) at one of their ends, with each blade lever (20) having, at the other end, a lever head (23) which can be placed in engagement with an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5), and which has a stop (25) at least for setting the minimum throughflow through the nozzle cross sections formed by the guide blades (7), wherein the stop (25) is formed as a part
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Ramb
  • Patent number: 8992167
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure a turbine casing assembly is described. The turbine casing assembly includes an inner casing and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing. The outer casing includes a first outer casing section and a second outer casing section that join together along a flange. Two bolts extend through the flange and join together the first outer casing section and the second outer casing section. A pin having a first segment having a first diameter and a second segment having a second diameter extends through the inner casing and the outer casing and supports the inner casing relative to the outer casing. The pin has a first diameter that is greater than the second diameter and is located between the two bolts along the axis of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 8992168
    Abstract: An inner diameter vane seal for a gas turbine engine comprises an annular, ring-like body having inner and outer diameter rims, forward and aft faces and an air passage. The outer diameter rim extends circumferentially for engaging inner diameter ends of stator vanes. The inner diameter rim extends circumferentially and is spaced radially from the inner outer diameter rim. The forward and aft faces extend radially between the outer diameter rim and the inner diameter rim. The air passage extends from the forward face to the aft face between the inner and outer diameter rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Norris, Joseph W. Bridges, Jr.