Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9890566
    Abstract: A locking lid for a ground vault, generally containing high voltage cable junctions or communication lines, provides a secure lid locking to the ground vault which prevents removal of the lid from the vault by an unauthorized person, preventing theft of the contents of the vault including high voltage electrical lines, communication lines or other buried equipment which might be stolen for salvage or subject to vandalism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Jim Davidson
  • Patent number: 9890567
    Abstract: A padlock includes a shell, a shackle, a limit knob, an indicator and a lock core. The shell includes an opening in a wall thereof. The shackle includes a long section movably inserted in the shell, and a short section extended from the long section and located out of the shell. The limit knob is partly received in the shell via the opening and includes a button located out of the shell. The indicator is disposed on the limit knob and capable of moving to a predetermined position which is out of the shell. The lock core includes a rotor configured to be driven by a key so as to move the limit knob to a first position where the button of the limit knob keeps the shackle from rotating and a second position where the button of the limit knob allows the shackle to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Chun Te Yu
  • Patent number: 9890568
    Abstract: A restraint system has a block with a front end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side. The first and second sides are disposed between the front and rear ends. A receiving slot passes from the first side to the second side. A first locking slot and a second locking slot passes from the front end to the rear end. An elongate cable has a first and second terminus. A central portion of the cable is received in the receiving slot by passing the first terminus through the receiving slot. The first terminus is passed through the first locking slot and the second terminus is passed through the second locking slot, each from the rear end to the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Stethem, Ivo Foldyna, Kyle Sterling Smither
  • Patent number: 9890569
    Abstract: A door latch assembly is described with a convertible cam drive having a door bolt assembly including a sliding bolt configured for reciprocal sliding action between a latch position and a release position. Such an embodiment includes a cam drive assembly having a bolt actuator as well as a cam holder configured for placement within the cam receiving aperture of the base plate to accommodate the base plate being mounted in one of the plurality of orientations with respect to the door. The cam drive assembly is constructed and arranged for receiving the cam engaging portion of the door handle when pivoted from the rest position to the actuating position, thereby causing the sliding bolt to move from a latch position to a release position using the bolt actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ARCHITECTURAL BUILDERS HARDWARE MFG., INC.
    Inventors: Ankit Kirti Shah, Kirti Shah, Darryl Devine
  • Patent number: 9890570
    Abstract: A latch includes a protrusion that extends from a latch body. The protrusion moves from a fully extended position to a partially extended position when the door or window to which the latch is mounted is moved to a closed position. This movement of the protrusion disengages an anti-slam mechanism, allowing movement of a latch mechanism. Further, the partially extended protrusion engages in an anti-lift recess in the strike. Alternatively, the protrusion may extend from the strike and engage with an anti-lift recess in the latch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd.
    Inventor: Stuart Horwood
  • Patent number: 9890571
    Abstract: A window lock system selectively prevents a window from being opened. A window sash can be connected by a cord to the sill of the window. The cord has an attached lock insert. To lock the window, the insert on the cord is inserted into a track housed in a mount that is mounted to the sash or sill. The track may be formed as part of a rotatable disk. A key turns the track to move the track to a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the sash and sill are connected by the cord. To unlock the window, the key rotates the disk to allow release of the insert from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elbee Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Marsden
  • Patent number: 9890572
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes coplanar pairs of magnets that engage each other when the latch assembly is in a closed position in order to secure the latch assembly in the closed position. A related appliance with features for selectively securing a door of the appliance in a closed position is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Srinivas Mallampalli, Anthony Durfee, Peter Nitsche
  • Patent number: 9890573
    Abstract: In a sliding door disposed in an opening of a cover surrounding a machine tool, From among two adjacent door panels, at least one of sliding members of the door panel which is located closer to a door frame slides on a door frame guide track, whereas at least one of sliding members of the door panel which is located farther from the door frame slides on the door frame guide track, and at least one of the remaining sliding members slides on the door panel guide track. Thus, guide means can be prevented from projecting vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuzou Inaguchi
  • Patent number: 9890574
    Abstract: A device for influencing the movement of a first furniture part relative to a second furniture part of a piece of furniture, having a damper for damping the relative movement between the first and the second furniture parts. The damper is made up of a single damping component that includes a container with a housing in which is accommodated a damping fluid which is enclosed by the housing, wherein a portion of the housing is formed from an elastically deformable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Grass GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Boris Kruedener
  • Patent number: 9890575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a movable barrier operator with a removable power supply module for supplying power to the operator from a remote location. The power supply module may be decoupled from a barrier operator frame or housing, and installed in a remote location; the operator may therefore be observed and diagnosed remotely via a user interface that includes status indicators. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface comprises one or more LED indicators to provide a user with information pertaining to the power supply of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: VIKING ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Tehranchi
  • Patent number: 9890576
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath
  • Patent number: 9890578
    Abstract: In a gap retention member to be disposed between a pair of glass plates when a circumference of a gap formed between the pair of glass plates with their plate faces opposing each other is to be sealed to maintain the gap under a depressurized state, the gap retention member includes hard portions to contact the pair of glass plates respectively and a soft portion disposed between the hard portions and having a lower hardness than the hard portions, the soft portion being more susceptible to deformation based on a shearing force effective in the direction along the opposing faces of the glass plates than deformation based on a compressive force effective in a thickness direction perpendicular to the opposing faces of the glass plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited, The University of Sydney
    Inventors: Yumi Kawashima, Osamu Asano, Cenk Kocer
  • Patent number: 9890579
    Abstract: The present document describes a storage cabinet and a storage system for storing a liquid and/or a granulate matter. The storage system includes at least one storage container for storing the liquid and/or the granulate matter. The storage container includes a container body with a main access, a main lid removably mounted to the container body for covering the main access and a secondary lid removably mounted to the container body and/or the main lid for covering a secondary access on the container body and/or the main lid, where the container body includes a top portion and a bottom portion adapted for stacking. The storage system further includes a storage cabinet with a floor member which includes a stacking element for receiving the bottom portion of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GESTION MARC-NOEL OUELLETTE INC.
    Inventor: Marc-Noël Ouellette
  • Patent number: 9890581
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-assembly safety door comprising: a doorpost coupled and fixed to both sides of a temporary doorframe formed on a distal end of a wall body; a door provided on the doorpost to horizontally rotate so as to be selectively opened/closed; a corner part provided on one end part of the door to be coupled to the door and hinge-coupled to the doorpost to rotate with the door at the same time; and a coupling part interposed between the door and the corner part to couple the door and the corner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Tae Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 9890582
    Abstract: A door hoist includes a bracket, drive sprocket, ring gear, hub assembly, set of planetary gears, and governor shaft. The drive sprocket has a drive sprocket axis. The ring gear is fastened to the drive sprocket. The ring gear has a ring gear axis that is in alignment with the drive sprocket axis. The hub assembly includes a connector to receive a door drive shaft and secure the door drive shaft in a fixed rotational alignment with the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is rotationally mounted to the hub assembly. The set of planetary gears is configured to mate with the ring gear. The governor shaft includes a sun gear, brake assembly, and link. The sun gear is configured to mate with the set of planetary gears. The brake assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The sun gear is rotationally fixed relative to the bracket in response to the brake assembly being in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Daus, Alvin Eiterman
  • Patent number: 9890583
    Abstract: A blind for a building opening having a first blind roller located in an upper region of a head rail, a second blind roller located in a lower region of the head rail, a first blind stored on the first blind roller, a second blind stored on the second blind roller, a first blind control guided forwardly and operable to lower and raise said first blind, and a second blind control guided forwardly and operable to lower and raise said second blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Maxxmar Inc.
    Inventor: Mario M. Marocco
  • Patent number: 9890584
    Abstract: A shade assembly includes a first shading unit, a plurality of second shading units detachably connected with the first shading unit and arranged at the bottom of the first shading unit, and a third shading unit detachably connected with the first shading unit and arranged at the front face of the first shading unit. Thus, the shade cloth of each of the second shading units and the shade cloth of the third shading unit are expanded and folded to regulate the shading effect and the indoor brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: My Home Global Company
    Inventor: Ju-Huai Chen
  • Patent number: 9890585
    Abstract: An architectural covering is provided. The architectural covering includes: shade material; the shade material operatively connected to a motor unit such that movement of the motor unit causes movement of the shade material; the motor unit comprising a DC motor and a shaft connected to the DC motor; a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor unit; a controller unit electrically connected to the motor unit, the controller unit having a microprocessor; and a rotation detector configured to detect rotation of the motor unit and upon detection of rotation of the motor unit transmit a signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor of the controller unit is configured to power an encoder unit in response to determination of manual movement of the shade material. A motor and control unit for an architectural covering may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Bruckner
  • Patent number: 9890586
    Abstract: A sunshade structure is disclosed, which is installed on a window frame, and includes a main shading member and an auxiliary shading member. The main shading member is a window covering having a headrail, a bottom rail, and a covering assembly which connects the headrail and the bottom rail. The auxiliary shading member includes at least one movable plate. When the bottom rail is located at a first position away from the headrail, the at least one movable plate approaches the covering assembly to cover a gap formed between the covering assembly and a lateral side of the window frame; when the bottom rail leaves the first position and moves toward a second position near the headrail, the at least one movable plate pivots to stop blocking out light from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIEN MADE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: De-Jun Zhang, Keng-Hao Nien
  • Patent number: 9890587
    Abstract: A motorized roller tube for reeling and unreeling a flexible member between fully open and fully closed conditions operates with minimized sound level. A variable controller energizes a motor with a controllable RPM driving a gear reduction assembly. The motor has a speed versus torque characteristic which extends linearly from a high maximum RPM and low minimum torque, to a low minimum RPM and high maximum torque, and having a peak efficiency at a given RPM. The motor moves the flexible member between its fully open and fully closed positions at a motor speed less than the given peak efficiency RPM and less than 50% of its high maximum RPM, and at a motor efficiency which is less than 25% of the peak efficiency whereby the motor is intentionally operated in a high torque and low efficiency manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Thomas W. Brenner, Brandon J. Detmer, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 9890588
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a shade associated with the roller, and an operating system operably associated with the roller. The operating system may include a base, a drive mechanism, a transmission, an actuator arm, and an engagement arm. The drive mechanism may be associated with the base to provide an input torque. The transmission may be associated with the drive mechanism to selectively transmit the input torque to the roller. The actuator arm may be associated with the base to indirectly set a rotation direction of the roller. The engagement arm may be associated with the base and engageable with the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Smith
  • Patent number: 9890589
    Abstract: Step adapters for a rung ladder to provide an increased support surface or area is described. In one embodiment, the step adapter includes a brace, a platform, a lock and a safety bar. The lock, safety bar and platform are provided to structurally engage or embrace a rung of a ladder, and the brace supports the adapter against the rails of a ladder so that in total the step adapter provides an extended step structure to ease standing on the ladder, especially for an extended period of time. In another embodiment, the step adapter includes brace, platform and lock sections, where the platform section side edges are configured to lock the step adapter in place on a rung of a ladder. A tray overlay is also described which when used in combination with the step adapter (which serves as a support) provides a service area for holding work-related items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Willow Step, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Goodnow, John C. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 9890590
    Abstract: A safety assembly is provided for placement on a roof of a building, near an edge of the roof, having a ladder restraint, an upstanding barrier, and a counterweight. The ladder restraint has an opening to receive a ladder that provides access to the roof. The opening is sized to restrict left and right sideways movement of the ladder. The upstanding barrier extends on left and right sides of the ladder restraint to block falls by a user. The counterweight is interconnected to both the ladder restraint and the upstanding barrier, and is disposed to prevent forward tipping of the upstanding barrier by the user, and to prevent sideways tipping of the ladder during use, when the safety assembly is placed on the roof and the ladder is received through the ladder restraint. The safety assembly may be assembled on the roof without penetrating the roof's waterproofing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NSAFE Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Chester J. Budziak, Gregory C. Budziak, Adam P. Budziak
  • Patent number: 9890591
    Abstract: A top drive includes a plurality of modules. The top drive includes a first fastening member and a second fastening member. The first fastening member and the second fastening member are configured to be removably coupled to connect a first module and a second module. In some embodiments, the top drive includes a third fastening member. The third fastening member is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first fastening member and the second fastening member, to connect the first module, the second module, and a third module. A tool for assembling or disassembling a top drive includes a fastening portion including an attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the tool to a portion of a top drive. The tool includes a first housing including a recess disposed therein. The tool includes a first rod disposed at least partially within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Godwin Simanjuntak, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 9890592
    Abstract: A steerable earth boring assembly which includes an annular collar and a drive shaft with a drill bit, where the shaft pivots with respect to the collar. An upstream portion of the shaft inserts into an orientation sleeve which resides in the collar. An axial bore is obliquely formed through the sleeve, and in which the upstream portion inserts. Rotating the sleeve causes precession of the upstream portion, thereby pivoting the drill bit obliquely to the collar. Selective rotation of the sleeve orients the drill bit into a designated orientation for forming a deviated wellbore. Included in the assembly is a flow tube with an end in sealing contact with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BITSWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Ricki Don Marshall, Treston Greggory Davis
  • Patent number: 9890593
    Abstract: A steerable earth boring assembly which includes an annular collar and a drive shaft with a drill bit, where the shaft pivots with respect to the collar. An upstream portion of the shaft inserts into an orientation sleeve which resides in the collar. An axial bore is obliquely formed through the sleeve, and in which the upstream portion inserts. Rotating the sleeve causes precession of the upstream portion, thereby pivoting the drill bit obliquely to the collar. Selective rotation of the sleeve orients the drill bit into a designated orientation for forming a deviated wellbore. Included in the assembly is a flow tube with an end in sealing contact with the drive shall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BITSWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Ricki Don Marshall, Treston Greggory Davis
  • Patent number: 9890594
    Abstract: New systems and methods capable system for drilling are disclosed. An example system can include a vertically-moving platform supporting a gyrotron capable of transmitted electromagnetic energy down a waveguide such that, as the vertically-moving platform moves downward, energy transmitted by the gyrotron through the waveguide will progressively drill a borehole in the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: John Hanback
  • Patent number: 9890595
    Abstract: A method of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool includes entering an electronic representation of at least one geometric feature of at least a component of an earth-boring tool in a computer system including memory and a processor, the computer system operatively connected to a multi-axis positioning system, a direct metal deposition tool, and a material removal tool. The processor generates a tool path for the direct metal deposition tool. The tool path is based at least in part on the electronic representation of the at least one geometric feature of the at least a component of the earth-boring tool. The direct metal deposition tool is operated along the tool path to deposit metal on an earth-boring tool component coupled to the multi-axis positioning system to at least partially form the at least one geometric feature of the earth-boring tool. Methods also include methods of repairing earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: James Andy Oxford, Gregory D. Folks, Christoph Wangenheim
  • Patent number: 9890596
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table defines an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains. The PCD table includes a first region adjacent to the substrate that includes a metallic constituent disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof, and a leached second region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the at least one peripheral surface that is depleted of the metallic constituent. The leached second region exhibits a leach depth profile having a maximum leach depth that is measured from the upper surface. A leach depth of the leach depth profile decreases with lateral distance from a central axis of the PCD table and toward the at least one peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohammad N. Sani, Andrew E. Dadson
  • Patent number: 9890597
    Abstract: A drill bit may include a bit body including at least one blade extending at least partially over a cone region of the bit body. Additionally, the drill bit may include a plurality of cutting structures mounted to the at least one blade and a rubbing zone within the cone region of the at least one blade, wherein cutting structures within the rubbing zone have a reduced average exposure. Additionally, a method of directional drilling may include positioning a depth-of-cut controlling feature of a drill bit away from a formation to prevent substantial contact between the depth-of-cut controlling feature and rotating the drill bit off-center to form a substantially straight borehole segment. The method may also include positioning the depth-of-cut controlling feature of the drill bit into contact with the formation to control the depth-of-cut and rotating the drill bit on-center to form a substantially nonlinear borehole segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thorsten Schwefe, Cara D. Weinheimer
  • Patent number: 9890598
    Abstract: A key assembly is press fit into an annular space between a box and pin member to resist relative rotation of the box and pin members. The key assembly includes wedge like members that contact one another along complementary tapered surfaces, and when in contact generate radial forces into the box and pin member to secure the connection between the box and pin. The outer wedge is inserted first into the annular space between the box and pin members, and has rows of elongate teeth that project radially outward into contact with an inner surface of the box member. Because the outer wedge is pushed radially outward against the box member rather than axially sliding therebetween, the teeth protrude into the surface of the box member thereby increasing the anti-rotation force created by the outer wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Steen, John E. Nelson, Chau Hoang, Daniel C. Benson, Stephen D. Peters
  • Patent number: 9890599
    Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FRANCIS TORQUE SERVICE, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Francis, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
  • Patent number: 9890600
    Abstract: One or more specific versions disclosed herein includes a power tong for rotating tubulars in wellbore operations, including: an upper tong plate, a lower tong plate, a gear train disposed between the upper tong plate and the lower tong plate; and a strut removably coupled to the lower tong plate, the upper tong plate, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: U.S. Power Tong, LLC
    Inventors: Gerry Chau Tran, Billy Shawn Boyd
  • Patent number: 9890601
    Abstract: A mechanically activated bypass valve apparatus for allowing fluid being pumped through the pipe or coiled tubing string to be bypassed around a tool string and into the wellbore. Activation of the bypass valve is accomplished by applying weight-on-bit to the apparatus to shear a set of shear screws, allowing the mandrel to move axially relative to the tubular housing. Lowering the pipe string and setting down weigh on bit misaligns fluid bypass ports in the mandrel and housing, thus forcing fluid to continue to flow through the bore of the tool and to the toolstring below the bypass tool. Picking up on the pipe string aligns corresponding ports in the mandrel and housing and allows fluid to flow from the bore of the tool to the wellbore annulus, thus bypassing other tools downhole of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KLX Energy Services LLC
    Inventor: Toby Scott Baudoin
  • Patent number: 9890602
    Abstract: A drive module for a borehole or well tractor or runner comprises a drive module housing and a hydraulically actuated and pivoting drive arm comprising an arm housing and a drive wheel arranged thereto, wherein the drive wheel is driven by a motor mounted outside the drive arm housing and arranged along and parallel with the drive arm in resting position and onto or into the drive module wall for the cavity arranged or provided for the drive arm, and wherein the drive wheel is drivingly connected to the motor via a drive line arrangement, i.e. via a belt or chain drive arrangement and further via an angular gear or gearing arrangement mounted outside the drive arm housing. A borehole or well tractor or runner comprises at least one of said drive modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Petter Guttormsen, Jan Ellingsen, Christophe Tarayre
  • Patent number: 9890603
    Abstract: A tubing anchor catcher for anchoring well equipment in a well conduit to arrest movement in both longitudinal directions and rotational directions. A mandrel connected to the equipment has one or more grooves for slideably receiving respective drive pins from a drag body on the mandrel. A slip cage on the mandrel houses a slip or slips for selectively engaging and disengaging the conduit. Manipulation of the mandrel at surface causes the drive pins to move within the one or more grooves on the mandrel and the drag body conical surface to move toward the slip cage driving the slip or slips outward to grip the conduit. Further pulling at surface maintains the set position. The anchor is unset at surface by releasing the tension, rotating the mandrel in the second direction, and pulling the mandrel to disengage the slip or slips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tazco Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Moore, Christopher S McArthur, Jasen L. Hoffman, Kevin D. Kelm
  • Patent number: 9890604
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating a wellbore tool may include a first sub, gas transfer sub, and a second sub. The first sub has an igniter that generates a flame output that ignites a power charge. The power charge generates a high pressure gas when ignited by the flame output. The gas transfer sub has a first end receiving a portion of the power charge, a longitudinal bore, and a plurality of flow passages radiating from the longitudinal bore. The flow passages provide fluid communication between the longitudinal bore and the first sub. The second sub includes a shaft having a first end connectable with the gas transfer sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Wood, Kevin L. Baker, Matthew C. Clay
  • Patent number: 9890605
    Abstract: This invention relates to a movable collecting device (1) for downhole separation and removal of particulate matter (8) from a petroleum well, the collecting device (1) having a first end portion (11) and a second end portion (12), an exterior and an interior; the collecting device (1) comprising an outer wall (4) extending axially from the first end portion (11) and to the second end portion (12), a portion of the wall (4) surrounding a collecting chamber (5); a nose (2) at the first end portion (11) comprises at least one external inlet (23), the external inlet (23) being in fluid communication with the collecting chamber (5); a drive unit (3) positioned at the second end portion (12); and a means (6) for transporting the particulate matter (8) from the exterior of the collecting device (1) to the interior of the collecting device (1) through the external inlet (23), and a portion of the wall (4) comprises a screen in fluid communication with the collecting chamber (5) and the collecting device's (1) exteri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Altus Intervention AS
    Inventors: Rasmus Juhlin, Lasse Haugland
  • Patent number: 9890606
    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: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9890607
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a casing head and a tubing hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a first retaining feature of the casing head. The tubing hanger is configured to support a tubing string. The system also includes a guide string hanger disposed within the casing head and supported by a second retaining feature of the casing head independent of the first retaining feature. The guide string hanger is configured to support a guide string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David Joseph Hanlin, Bradley Mitchell Mandziak
  • Patent number: 9890608
    Abstract: A fluid control system includes a choke valve having a first connector shaft; an actuator having a second connector shaft; a collar disposed around the first and second connector shafts; and a spring disposed on the first connector shaft. The collar may have an internal taper and a plurality of engagement pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 9890609
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9890610
    Abstract: The finger or other protrusion allows downward movement of both fluid and balls, darts, or plugs through the tool or sliding sleeve until the ball, dart, or plug releases or actuates the gate. Once actuated the gate prevents further downward movement of any ball, dart, or plug past the gate while allowing fluid flow past both the gate and the ball, dart, or plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Frac Systems, LP
    Inventor: Joe Jordan
  • Patent number: 9890611
    Abstract: A well intervention tool for shifting a door structure within a well casing. The well intervention tool has independently shiftable keys which releasably engage with portions of the door structure. When the keys are engaged with the door structure, the well intervention tool can be used to move the door structure uphole and downhole. The well intervention tool can include a vibration motor to cause the keys to vibrate in order to displace debris within the door structure. The well intervention tool can include a rotational motor to cause the keys to rotate in order to displace debris within the door structure. The keys can have teeth which are shaped and spaced to shift debris while minimizing damage to the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shao Hwa Lee, Mark S. Holly
  • Patent number: 9890612
    Abstract: A self-contained portable unit for steam generation and injection by means of an injector wellhead hanger of coiled jacketed capillary tubing with a closed circuit and procedure for operation in oil wells comprises a portable, self-contained equipment for injection and dewaxing of heated fluids mounted on a hauler that includes a heat exchanger, a water tank, a heat exchanger, a softener, a centrifugal pum, a lubricant tank, a power engine, an electrical power generator, a control cabin, a fluids softener, a steam boiler, a reservoir tank, a fuel tank, a hose reel and one hose set for two lines of fluid injection and return of that connect to a wellhead hanger/injector for two capillaries making up a closed circuit. This wellhead includes three module and crowned with a lid, two of which are hangers and the rest are injection-type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: OIL ADDPER SERVICES S.R.L.
    Inventors: Martin Diez, Marcelo Viaggio
  • Patent number: 9890613
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing deposits from a component of a formation fluid and/or gas transportation tubing string. The disclosed systems and methods generate at least one shock wave into a shock wave transmitting liquid into the transportation tubing string nearby to the component and propagate the at least one shock wave toward the component for removing deposits from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Blue Spark Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Parker, Shawn Carroll, Dan Skibinski
  • Patent number: 9890614
    Abstract: A lock ring for use as a one way movement restrictor between two telescopingly arranged tubulars to permit movement in one direction and prevent movement in the other direction of one tubular relative to the other tubular; the lock ring comprising: a profile having one or more formations formed on the outer circumference for engagement with a suitable formation profile formed on the inner circumference of the outer telescopic tubular; and one or more teeth formed on its inner circumference, the teeth being adapted to dig into the outer surface of the inner telescopic member; such that the profile having one or more formations on the outer circumference and/or the said one or more teeth permits the lock ring to be pushed along the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when pushed by the outer telescopic tubular in one direction; and is further adapted to dig the teeth into the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when the push in said one direction is removed or when it is pushed by the outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Iain MacLeod, Andrew Elrick, Stephen Reid
  • Patent number: 9890615
    Abstract: A technique facilitates clamping operations by providing mechanical advantage. According to an embodiment, a clamping system comprises a clamp having a plurality of clamp segments with surfaces oriented to securely hold and clamp mating features, e.g. mating hubs, of adjacent components. The clamping system also may comprise an actuator coupled to the clamp to enable selective shifting of the clamp between an open position to receive the mating features and a closed position in which the clamp segments are contracted together to secure engagement of those features. A driver is coupled to the actuator to enable movement, e.g. shifting, of the actuator when opening or closing the clamp. The actuator facilitates operation of the driver via, for example, an ROV by providing mechanical advantage and thus increasing the clamping force applied by the clamp to the mating features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Alireza Shirani, Marcus Lara, Tom Polasek, Akshay Kalia
  • Patent number: 9890616
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for designing a horizontal well in a hydrocarbon field having naturally fractured reservoir integrates workflows from multiple oilfield related disciplines, including a geophysics workflow, geomechanics workflow, and completion and production workflow to achieve an a dynamic and integrated solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Luis A. Pabon, Daniel A. Revilla, Libertad Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9890617
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define generation timing, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Brian K. Peterson, Cara L. Davis, Michael J. Formolo, Isolde Belien, Lori L. Summa, Robert J. Pottorf, John M. Eiler