Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10190341
    Abstract: A door outside handle is provided. The door outside handle includes a first base to which a handle lever connected with a handle grip is coupled; a second base which is coupled with a hinge portion of the handle grip and formed to be separated from the first base, and performs pivotal movement toward the inside of a door with respect to the first base when a crash occurs; and a connection member connecting the first base and the second base together and facilitating the pivotal movement of the second base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10190342
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism for a vehicle, may include a lock pin which is moved between an unlocked position and a locked position in a radial direction from a rotation axis of a pawl lever, wherein at the unlocked position, a rotating displacement of an outside handle lever is configured to be transmitted to the pawl lever, and at the locked position, the rotating displacement of the outside handle lever is configured to not be transmitted to the pawl lever, a lock lever which is selectively rotated to allow the lock pin to be moved in the radial direction, a safety lever engaged with the lock lever, the safety lever receiving a manipulation force of a safety knob and rotating the lock lever, and an interlinking unit which allows a rotating displacement of the pawl lever to be partly transmitted to the safety lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA ENGINEERING Pvt. Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company, KIA MOTORS CORP.
    Inventors: Ch. P. K. N. Varma Rudraraju, Youn Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 10190343
    Abstract: A rotatable window lock including a cam positioned within a housing and rotatably connected to a handle. The housing defines a vertical protrusion on the exterior surface sized and configured to be inserted within an aperture defined in the bottom surface of the handle. By positioning the protrusion closer to the housing edge than the housing center, the protrusion is able to rotatably refrain the handle, preventing inadvertent rotation of the handle and unauthorized window access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Barry G. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 10190344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door, in particular a handleless motor vehicle side door. The basic structure of said side door comprises a door leaf (1), a locking element (4, 5, 6), hinged to a motor vehicle body (2), for locking the door leaf (1) in predetermined angular positions in relation to the motor vehicle body (2), and at least one actuator (10, 11) acting upon the door leaf (1). Said actuator (10, 11) causes the door leaf (1) to open to an at least ajar position in relation to the motor vehicle body (2). According to the invention, the actuator (10, 11) is connected to the locking element (4, 5, 6) and directly drives the latter to adjust the door leaf (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Uwe Reddmann
  • Patent number: 10190345
    Abstract: A child restraint device for preventing children from opening sliding doors or sliding windows, the device having a suction cup on each end of a handle, the suction cups being adapted to be attached to sliding door or sliding window panes that are disposed in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Kyle S. McCullough
  • Patent number: 10190346
    Abstract: The link assembly constitutes a mechanical connection between a cabinet door (108) and a toe kick plate (112) of the cabinet with both panels being hingedly attached to the same cabinet sidewall (114). The link assembly causes the toe kick plate (112) to move in synchronization with the movement of the door (108) and, when the cabinet door (108) is opened, the link causes the toe kick plate (112) to move into a position underneath the door (108). The link assembly pivots and self-adjusts dimensionally as required throughout the range of movement of the two hinged panels. The link assembly incorporates a resiliently biased over-center mechanism which urges the door (108) to remain in the open position until closed intentionally. The link assembly provides dual-axes adjustability for, and also supports the weight of, the toe kick plate free-swinging edge (112a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Steven Clark
  • Patent number: 10190347
    Abstract: A hinge covers, guards, or protectors configured for use during painting. The hinge protector for a hinge has a pair of hinge plates and a knuckle. The hinge protector may have an inner cylinder portion, an outer cylinder portion, a pivot rotatably coupling the inner cylinder portion to the outer cylinder portion at one end. The inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion may define an opening for receiving the knuckle of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Batistakis
  • Patent number: 10190348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opening a refueling door. In one example, a method may include gradually opening the refueling door in proportion to a fuel tank depressurization rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Charles Qin, Neil Wu, Le Hong, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 10190349
    Abstract: A pet door locking hinge device for providing a small lockable door sized just for a pet cut into a room door. The pet door locking hinge device includes a pet door having an end and being adapted to be hingedly coupled to a room door; and a hinge assembly fastened to the pet door and adapted to be fastened to the room door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jason V. Jacobson, Brian A. Hohman, Norma J. Kiel
  • Patent number: 10190350
    Abstract: Provided is a retracting device which can decrease a difference of restoring force of a tension coil spring between a retracted position and a stop position. The retracting device of the present invention includes a base 12, a slider 14 which can catch a trigger 8 and move from the stop position to the retracted position with respect to the base 12 and a tension coil spring (B) for relatively moving the slider 14 which has caught the trigger 8 from the stop position to the retracted position with respect to the base 12 to apply force for assisting the closing operation to a sliding door 1. The tension coil spring (B) is an initially-tensioned spring in which a coil closely contacts and which has initial tension in a direction in which the coil closely contacts when it is in a natural length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SUGATSUNE KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 10190351
    Abstract: Concealed door closers are found in most commercial building and serve a useful purpose in controlling the closure of exterior entrance doors. The correct placement and installation of a door closer presents an arduous challenge for an installer who is often faced with uneven surfaces upon an active construction site. The related art relies upon the use of plumb bobs attached to upper door frame components and measuring implements placed upon ground surfaces. The task is so difficult that special training is required and specialist in the art are often employed install door closers. The presently disclosed embodiments comprise a jig system allowing for one or two door closers to be correctly positioned without the use of external or hand held measuring implements. An optional laser mounting system vitiates the need to attach lasers to door closer spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Joshua Gandy
  • Patent number: 10190352
    Abstract: This window regulator 1 is provided with a guide rail 31, a carrier plate 32, an ascending-side cable 33, and a descending-side cable 34. The carrier plate 32 has an ascending-side end holder 79 that houses an end 33a of the ascending-side cable 33, and a descending-side end holder 71 that houses an end 34a of the descending-side cable 34. The ascending-side end holder 79 is provided such that the ascending-side cable 33 is outside the guide rail 31. The descending-side end holder 81 is provided such that the descending-side cable 34 is on the guide rail 31. When the carrier plate 32 ascends and descends, the carrier plate 32 ascends and descends along the edges of the guide rail 31. Therefore, in the window regulator, abnormal noise can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HI-LEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Imaoka
  • Patent number: 10190353
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic door installation 100 configured to determine the presence of an obstacle 150 in one or more detection zones remote from a door opening, comprising: at least a first door 104 slidable in a door opening along a horizontal door axis from an open configuration to a closed configuration during a door closing operation; a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs, each transmitter-receiver pair comprising: a transmitter 116 for transmitting a beam 140 and a receiver 118 for receiving a reflection of the beam, wherein one of the transmitter 116 and the receiver 118 is coupled to the first door so that, in use, the transmitter and receiver move closer together during the door closing operation; wherein the transmitter 116 defines a transmitter axis 120 corresponding to the optical axis of the beam; wherein the receiver 118 has a field of view 142 for receiving the beam, which is oriented around a receiver axis; and wherein the transmitter axis 120 and the receiver axis 122 are configure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ensota (Guangzhou) Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Collins, John Curzon
  • Patent number: 10190354
    Abstract: An actuator device for automatically activating the vehicle door of a motor vehicle, in particular the tailgate, includes an electromotive drive and a radially extending arm. The radially extending arm is attached either to the vehicle door or to a vehicle bodywork and is set in motion by the electromotive drive. The electromotive drive has an electrical motor and a gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox has a wobble mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: U-SHIN DEUTSCHLAND ZUGANGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Kummer
  • Patent number: 10190355
    Abstract: A window regulator for raising and lowering a windowpane in a motor vehicle, and a vehicle door having at least one window regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Andreas Bombardella, Bernhard Geiger-Reinbacher, Alexander Haselwanter, Alois Mayrhofer, Dirk Nellessen, Daniele Rossio
  • Patent number: 10190356
    Abstract: A power door opening device that shortens time from start of manual operation to assistance starting. The device comprises an actuator that assists a motion for opening and closing a door supported by a vehicle body; a door-end sensor that detects the motion of the door; and a control that carries out opening/closing control of the actuator on the basis that the door-end sensor detects the motion of the end of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10190357
    Abstract: This apparatus, system, and method for preventing vehicle door related accidents will help to detect oncoming traffic and/or nearby external objects when an occupant of the vehicle or the vehicle processor demonstrates an intent to open the vehicle door, and it would generate an alert for the vehicle users, or generate an external alert for the outside users, or automatically stop the vehicle door from opening further if there was a possibility of an accident involving the vehicle doors or its users. This invention comprises of an internal alert mechanism to alert vehicle users about the oncoming traffic and/or nearby external objects. This invention also comprises of an external alert mechanism, which would generate alert externally that vehicle door is about to be opened. This invention also comprises of a feature to restrict the vehicle doors from opening further when there is a potential for door related accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Ankit Dilip Kothari
  • Patent number: 10190358
    Abstract: A vehicle safe authentication system may include a vehicle safe, a vehicle camera, and a control unit programmed to receive an indication of unauthorized access at the vehicle safe and further programmed to activate the vehicle camera in response to the indication, wherein activation of the camera may include capturing at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Omar Makke, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Manpreet Singh Bajwa
  • Patent number: 10190359
    Abstract: A double glazing having a first pane and a second pane, and a spacer between the first pane and the second pane is described. The spacer has a glazing interior surface, an external surface and two pane contact surfaces; a glazing interior bordered by the inner faces of the first pane and of the second pane and the glazing interior surface of the spacer; an external intermediate space between the panes adjacent to the first pane, the second pane, and the external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Rino Messere
  • Patent number: 10190360
    Abstract: A hollow core door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room includes an inside door skin and an outside door skin, and the door skins include openings through which air flows. A center panel is disposed between and spaced apart from the skins. The center panel has an outer perimeter defined by notches through which air flows. Tabs between the notches are used to secure the center panel to the inside and outside door skins. Air flow from the room is through the opening in the inside skin, around the outer perimeter of the panel, and outwardly from the door and room through the outside skin in a non-linear manner. Air flow is controlled by a plurality of movable panels disposed adjacent to the outer perimeter of the center panel. Sensor elements for sensing desired information and for providing output signals, including signals for actuating the movable panels, are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry G. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 10190361
    Abstract: Hollow core door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room includes an inside door skin and an outside door skin, and the door skins include openings through which air flows. A center panel is disposed between and spaced apart from the skins. The center panel has an outer perimeter defined by notches through which air flows. Tabs between the notches are used to secure the center panel to the inside and outside door skins. Air flow from the room is through the opening in the inside skin, around the outer perimeter of the panel, and outwardly from the door and room through the outside skin in a non-linear manner. Air flow is controlled by a plurality of movable panels disposed adjacent to the outer perimeter of the center panel. Sensor elements for detecting aspects of the indoor environment and for providing output signals, including signals for actuating the movable panels, are included. A method of making the door follows the structural elements defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Jerry G. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 10190362
    Abstract: Door with a door leaf which, starting from a closed position, can be wound up to form a multi-layer winding in the course of an opening movement and has a plurality of slats which customarily extend horizontally with their longitudinal axes approximately perpendicular to the direction of the opening movement, and with a guide arrangement for guiding the opening movement comprising preferably helically shaped guide rails in the region of the lateral edges of the slats in planes extending approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of said slats, and guide elements mounted on lateral edges of the slat which leads during the opening movement can be introduced into the radially outermost windings of said guide rails, wherein the guide elements (42) are fastened to the lateral edges of the leading slat (40) via pivot levers (50) on the leading slat and are mounted on the slat so as to be pivotable with respect to pivot axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SEUSTER KG
    Inventor: Jörg Fischer
  • Patent number: 10190363
    Abstract: Multilayer film (1) with electrically switchable optical properties, comprising, arranged sheet-wise in order, at least: —a first carrier film (5), —a first electrically conductive layer (3), —an active layer (2), —a second electrically conductive layer (4) and—a second carrier film (6), wherein—the multilayer film (1) has at least two circumferential separating lines (16), which separate an insulated edge region (18) from the first electrically conductive layer (3) and the second electrically conductive layer (4), —the first carrier film (5) and the second carrier film (6) are welded in at least a part of the insulated edge region (18) to form a sealed region (7), and—the separating lines (16) have a width of 10 ?m to 500 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Michael Behmke, Annabelle Andreau-Wiedenmaier, Philippe Letocart
  • Patent number: 10190364
    Abstract: A weft of each rung of a ladder cord is formed of two weft threads, an intersecting portion is formed in the weft threads, a slat is inserted between the intersecting portion and one of warp threads of the ladder cord, and a lifting and lowering cord is inserted between the weft threads at a location between the intersecting portion and another of the warp threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TACHIKAWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koi Tachikawa, Kazuto Yamagishi, Yoshiyuki Hadano, Tadashi Okamura, Takenobu Ebato
  • Patent number: 10190365
    Abstract: A header assembly and method for installing built-in retractable screens. A header assembly is installed after the structure's framing is completed but before the wall finishes are applied. The header assembly includes opposing end boxes and a header board. The side tracks from the screen unit are installed so that the upper ends open into the bottom of the end boxes. This defines a cavity customized to the selected screen unit. With the header assembly and side tracks in place, the wall surfaces can be applied around them. After the wall surfaces are completed, the screen unit is placed inside the header assembly through an access opening, which is then covered with a cover panel. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need to apply wall finishes around an undefined space, which requires multiple measurements and often results in expensive mistakes in the finished cavity dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MDM Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. McSparrin
  • Patent number: 10190366
    Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drill string; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from a center of the bit outward toward a gage region of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller-cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, an apex of the roller-cone cu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Anton F. Zahradnik, Robert J. Buske, Rudolf C. Pessier, Don Q. Nguyen, Karlos Cepeda, Michael S. Damschen, Mitchell A. Rothe, Johnathan Howard, Gregory C. Prevost, Chaitanya K. Vempati, John F. Bradford
  • Patent number: 10190367
    Abstract: An expandable tool includes a body and a recess extending at least partially through the body from an outer radial surface of the body. A spline insert may be at least partially positioned in the recess and coupled to the body. The spline insert may include a single spline or multiple splines. A cutter block or other expandable member may be at least partially positioned in the recess. The cutter block or other expandable member may include a spline on a side surface thereof, which spline may be engaged with the one or more splines of the spline insert. Engagement between one or more splines of the spline insert and spline of the cutter block or other expandable member may allow the expandable member to move radially outward from a retracted position to an expanded position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Barnhouse, Manoj D. Mahajan, Vincente S. Salvo, Timothy A. Burdett, Yuri Y. Burhan, Kenneth D. Hora
  • Patent number: 10190368
    Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An electromagnetic activation system may be disposed at least partially within the bore of the body. A valve may be disposed within the bore of the body and coupled to the electromagnetic activation system. The valve may include a mobile element and a static element. The mobile element may be coupled to the electromagnetic activation system and move from a first position where the mobile element obstructs fluid flow through the valve to a second position where the mobile element permits fluid flow through the valve. A cutter block may be movably coupled to the body and move radially-outward as the mobile element moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Fuller, R. Craig Boswell, Jacques Orban, Jonathan D. Marshall, Jordan D. Englund
  • Patent number: 10190369
    Abstract: A fixed-cutter drill bit is provided that includes a metal-matrix composite body having at least one metal-matrix composite blade. Cutters are disposed on the blades. A ductile insert is partially disposed within the body and has an exposed surface. The ductile insert has a greater ductility than the metal-matrix composite thereby alleviating stresses imposed on the metal-matrix composite during manufacture of the bit or drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Garrett T. Olsen, Grant O. Cook, III
  • Patent number: 10190370
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-healing wellbore seal system comprising a casing, a fiber reinforced polymer layer, and layer of polymer cement. The layers are bonded together and configured to create a low permeable and ductile seal at discrete locations of the wellbore or along the wellbore. The polymer layer may be chemically bonded to the casing and inhibits the formation of a microannulus at the casing. The polymer layer may be an aramid fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber reinforced polymer layer, or a glass reinforced polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Mahmoud Reda Taha, John Stormont
  • Patent number: 10190371
    Abstract: A sucker rod includes end fittings comprising a frustoconical insert which is threaded onto a threaded rod and a sleeve with a frustoconical internal surface which encircles the insert. Tension on the end fittings wedge the frustoconical insert in the sleeve. A connector having threads for engaging an end fitting of a second sucker rod is screwed into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Sigma Lift Solutions, Corp.
    Inventors: Ashley McWatters, Cory Church
  • Patent number: 10190372
    Abstract: A drill string and a threaded coupling region for a drill string include threaded male and female ends that are optimized to maximize energy transmission efficiency for percussion drilling. The coupling includes a male spigot to be received within a female sleeve, such that an axial length of the overlap of the spigot within the sleeve is less than an outside diameter of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Jonas Rosen, Tomas Sh Jansson
  • Patent number: 10190373
    Abstract: A bottom-hole feeding mechanism comprising: a cylinder (1), a screw spindle (2) engaging with the cylinder (1) by means of a non-stopping splined screw pair (3), a first piston (6) received within the cylinder (1) and coupled with the screw spindle (2) and a hollow rod (8), an axial spindle (4) arranged along the cylinder (1) axis and engaging the cylinder (1) by means of an axial splined pair (5), a second piston (7) rigidly coupled with the axial spindle (4) and engaging the inner surface of the cylinder (1) and the outer surface of the hollow rod (8), wherein the hollow rod (8), the first piston (6), the second piston (7) and the cylinder (1) form a closed chamber (9) comprising a throttle (10), hydraulic channels (11) on the body of a valve (21), and a float (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC AND PRODUCTION ENTERPRISE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY BURINTEKH (BURINTEKH LTD)
    Inventors: Samat Yunirovich Vagapov, Gniyatulla Garifullovich Ishbaev, Ildar Ramilevich Ishmuratov, Shamil Ildarovich Almuhametov
  • Patent number: 10190374
    Abstract: A system includes a cage having a pipe rack configured to store a tubular in a vertical orientation, such that a longitudinal axis of the tubular is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The system also includes a first robotic pipe handler configured to transition the tubular from a horizontal orientation, in which the longitudinal axis of the tubular is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, to the vertical orientation. The first robotic pipe handler transitions between a raised position and a lowered position about a first handler axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Brent James William Coombe
  • Patent number: 10190375
    Abstract: A connection device for connecting a secondary drilling fluids circuit to a drilling element includes a radial aperture. A central body has a first connection portion forming a sealed connection to the secondary circuit. A second connection portion forms a sealed connection to the radial aperture and an intake duct conducts drilling fluids. A clamping system connects the connection device to the drilling element. One opening device is adapted to selectively open and close the radial aperture by acting upon a valve assembly. One coupling device connects the opening device to the valve assembly. The opening device selectively opens and closes the radial aperture by acting upon an obstructor of the valve assembly through rotary movement. The coupling device couples to a clamping element in the obstructor to transfer the rotary movement of the opening device to the obstructor to selectively and securely open and close the radial aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DRILLMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Calderoni
  • Patent number: 10190376
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a downhole device in a well, comprises a body having a control slot engaging a pin. Movement of the pin relative to the control slot switches the device between active and inactive states. The slot has at least one loop and at least one elongated axial track spaced around the body with respect to the at least one loop. The pin can move in the at least one elongated axial track between different configurations of the pin and slot which correspond to active and inactive configurations of the downhole device. Each of the at least one elongated axial track is connected to one of the at least one loop via a deviate branch track, and the control slot has no separate, dedicate return path for returning the pin from the deviate branch track to the elongated axial track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NXG Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Krzysztof Machocki
  • Patent number: 10190377
    Abstract: A mud sensing hole finder comprising: a front steering wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly, a sensor package, a corrosion package, a ported housing, and a tapered spring joint; wherein the mud sensing hole finder is capable of attachment to a wireline logging tool-string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 10190378
    Abstract: A drilling head can include an annular seal assembly releasably secured in an outer housing, the annular seal assembly including an annular seal and an actuator that pressurizes a lubricant for delivery to an interior of the annular seal. A method can include positioning an annular seal in a drilling head, the annular seal including an inner liner having openings formed through a sidewall of the inner liner, and flowing a lubricant into an opening while the inner liner sealingly engages a tubular. In another method, the annular seal can have a minimum inner diameter for sealing engagement with a tubular, and a lubricant passage extending through the annular seal and intersecting an interior of the annular seal at a location spaced apart from the minimum inner diameter. A lubricant is flowed through the lubricant passage to the interior of the annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Vahidin Alajbegovic, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 10190379
    Abstract: An improved seal disposed at an interface of a main body of an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (ITBC) and a subsea wellhead is provided. The seal comprises a main body portion formed of a pair of opposed inwardly projecting fingers having a saw-cut profile at their ends and an outwardly projecting lever arm disposed adjacent to and at an outward angle to one of the opposed inwardly projecting fingers. Under loading the outwardly projecting lever arm imparts a bending moment to the seal, which enhances the seal created between the ITBC and the subsea wellhead and reduces the torque required to disengage the internal tie-back connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Manning
  • Patent number: 10190380
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for monitoring an annular packer are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring a sealing element of a blowout preventer may include providing a fluid to a chamber disposed within a blowout preventer to actuate a piston disposed within the chamber, wherein the actuation of the piston causes a reduction of an inner diameter of a sealing element; measuring one or more parameters of the fluid via a sensor; receiving data relating to the one or more parameters from the sensor; determining a stiffness of the sealing element utilizing the data relating to the one or more parameters; and determining an amount of degradation of the sealing element by comparing the determined stiffness of the sealing element to a known data profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, William Lyle Carbaugh, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Joseph Alan Incavo, Weina Ge
  • Patent number: 10190381
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a safety device of a blowout preventer utilizes a variable ratio rotary energy controller. The controller automatically adjusts the pressure of the fluid for activating the safety device thereby conserving the amount of energy required for each activating cycle. The controller includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor coupled to a variable displacement hydraulic pump. A system for recharging the activating fluid circuit allows for the actuating system to be reused as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert
  • Patent number: 10190382
    Abstract: A BOP booster assembly is provided for use with BOPs that utilize hydraulic actuators mounted in BOP end caps to open the BOP for replacement of the shearing members. The booster assembly has three main components comprising a booster housing, piston, and end plate. An extension in the booster housing is sufficiently long to position the booster hydraulic cylinder axially outside of the ends of the bonnet end caps of the BOP with respect to the wellbore. The booster piston is equal in diameter or larger than the operating piston of the BOP. The operating pistons and booster pistons move simultaneously, in sync, and the same distance for closing and cutting. In one embodiment, an internal hydraulic line is provided in the booster cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Prashant N. Akhare, Dennis D. George
  • Patent number: 10190383
    Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a choke valve having at least one inlet. The system also includes a water injection line extending between a water supply and the choke valve, and the water injection line is configured to flow water from the water supply into a first inlet of the at least one inlet of the choke valve. The system also includes a polymer injection line extending from a polymer supply toward the choke valve, and the polymer injection line is configured to flow a polymer in a substantially non-inverted state from the polymer supply toward the choke valve. The choke valve is configured to receive the water and the polymer and to facilitate inversion of the polymer as the water and the polymer flow through the choke valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Mullin, Kevin Peter Minnock
  • Patent number: 10190384
    Abstract: A stripping element for rotary flow control diverters used in the oil and gas industry can include a stiffening member formed of a first harder material than a deformable member formed of a second softer material over-molded to the stiffening member. The stiffening member can include apertures that provide for the second softer material of the deformable member to be displaced through the apertures when a pipe of a drill is displaced through the stripping element. The stiffening member can include multiple members that stiffen the deformable member to prevent the deformable member from bending into the stripping element when a pipe of a drill is displaced through the stripping element. The multiple members can be displaced out in a direction away from the pipe of the drill when the pipe of the drill is displaced through the stripping element to prevent the stripping element from being compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Boyd, Stephen D. Masters, Andrew Barabash
  • Patent number: 10190385
    Abstract: Downhole tools, and methods and systems related thereto, comprising a body; and at least one sealing element composed of an elastomer and anhydrous acid particles, and wherein at least a portion of the sealing element hydrolytically degrades in a wellbore environment. The anhydrous acid particles hydrolyze to form an acid that accelerates degradation of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Aaron M. Beuterbaugh
  • Patent number: 10190386
    Abstract: An annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and a wall of a borehole downhole, includes a tubular metal part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure having an outer face; an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an inner face facing the tubular metal part and an outer face facing the wall of the borehole, each end of the expandable sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part; and an annular space between the inner face of the expandable sleeve and the tubular metal part, the annular space having a space pressure. The annular barrier has an anti-collapsing unit with an element movable at least between a first position and a second position, the anti-collapsing unit having first and second inlets and an outlet arranged to allow equalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
    Inventors: Lars Stæhr, Dean Richard Massey
  • Patent number: 10190387
    Abstract: A method of sealing a well comprises creating one or more openings in a tubing installed in a wellbore, in a location for a well seal; using a wireline to locate a stinger in that location; setting the stinger in that location; and forming a seal in the well in that location, by injecting sealant through said stinger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Pål Viggo Hemmingsen, Gjermund Grimsbo, Alastair Buchanan
  • Patent number: 10190388
    Abstract: A diverter fluid having a carbon-containing particulate dispersed therein for controlling fluid flow within subterranean formations. The diverter fluid can be injected into a wellbore for formation of a filter cake by the carbon-containing particulate, and which disperses in hydrocarbons for return to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez, Dipti Singh, Ubong Inyang, Bradley J. Sparks
  • Patent number: 10190389
    Abstract: A high pressure compressed gas source is separated from an actuation piston by a pilot valve that is selectively operated with raising annulus pressure to break a rupture disc to provide access to a shuttle type valve. Movement of the shuttle valve using pressure applied to opposing pistons of different sizes connected to a common shaft translates the shaft against a spring bias to open the valve on the high pressure source. This allows the high pressure to reach the actuating piston to operate the tool. One application can be setting a packer without well intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Darren E. Bane
  • Patent number: 10190390
    Abstract: A shifting sleeve has differential piston areas so that applied pressure displaces the sleeve against spring bias, which preferably is a series of Belleville washer stacks associated with modular mandrel components, to obtain the desired opposing force to the movement initiated with pressure applied to differential piston areas. An indexing feature is located between the sleeve and the mandrel passage wall and on a predetermined number of cycles disables the Belleville washer stacks from biasing the sleeve in an opposed direction as when pressure is applied. At this time the pressure in the mandrel acting on the differential piston area simply shifts the sleeve to open a lateral port so that fracturing through the cement that was earlier placed with the port closed can take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Justin C. Kellner, James S. Sanchez, Paul Madero, Charles C. Johnson, Robert W. Putch