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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Texas (March 25)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Texas. *** Global Alternative Fuels Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Global Alternative Fuels, El Paso, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,504) developed by Carlos Guzman, El Paso, Texas, and Larry Lee Walter, El Paso, Texas, for a "method and apparatus to recover and convert waste heat to mechanical energy." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system for waste heat recovery for conversion to mechanical energy. Exhaust is received from an engine into a first heat exchanger where heat from the exhaust is transferred to a refrigerant. The exhaust is then transferred to a regenerator module in order to produce electricity which is provided to a power box. The hot refrigerant from the first heat exchanger is transferred to a kinetic energy recovery system to produce electricity which is also transferred to said power box. The power box provides electricity to a traction motor and the traction motor turns an axle. The refrigerant is then transferred to a refrigerant cooling unit and then to a second heat exchanger wherein ambient air from the regenerator module is cooled. The refrigerant and cooled ambient air can be then transferred to an engine cooling jacket to cool the engine." The patent application was filed on Feb. 8, 2010 (12/701,865). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,97,504.PN.&OS=PN/83,97,504&RS=PN/83,97,504 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Pulsar Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Pulsar Energy, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,498) developed by Cristian Penciu, Dallas, for "heat removal systems and methods for thermodynamic engines." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present disclosure provides systems and methods for removing heat from closed-cycle thermodynamic engines that generate electrical energy through a reciprocating piston operated by thermal expansion. The present invention includes a heat exchange mechanism for a closed-cycle thermodynamic engine that exchanges hot working fluid and cold fluid at different points in a heat cycle thereby increasing efficiency of the closed-cycle thermodynamic engine. The heat exchange mechanism allows the engine to remove heat faster from the working fluid and therefore lowers the low temperature of the thermodynamic cycle resulting in better efficiency. The heat exchange mechanism also allows the engine to operate at a faster cycle frequency." The patent application was filed on June 3, 2009 (12/477,423). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,97,498.PN.&OS=PN/83,97,498&RS=PN/83,97,498 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Maxim Silencers Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Maxim Silencers, Stafford, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,493) developed by Robert E. Cone, Houston, Mitzi Jones Gass, Missouri City, Texas, and Matthew Wayne Wishert, Magnolia, Texas, for a "method for recovering waste heat from exhaust." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "One or more methods for recovering waste heat from a combustion system performing a first operation and a second operation with the waste heat are provided herein. The method can include providing exhaust from a combustion system performing the first operation to an inner housing of a heat recovery silencer. Heat can be transferred from the exhaust to a heat transfer fluid in a heat recovery flow path to form a heated heat transfer fluid. The heat recovery flow path can be formed between the inner housing and an outer housing of the heat recovery silencer to form a heated heat transfer fluid." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2011 (13/033,032). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,97,493.PN.&OS=PN/83,97,493&RS=PN/83,97,493 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Pulsar Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Pulsar Energy, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,505) developed by Cristian Penciu, Dallas, for an "apparatus for collecting solar energy for conversion to electrical energy." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present disclosure provides an apparatus for collecting solar energy for electrical energy generation through one or more thermodynamic closed-cycle heat engines or the like. The present invention includes new designs for solar collectors that concentrate solar energy, and mechanisms for transporting and transferring the concentrated solar energy directly into the working fluid (e.g., a liquid, a gas, or a phase change substance) of the closed cycle thermodynamic engines without heating the outside surface of the engines. In an exemplary embodiment, the present utilizes an inflatable design for a dual-surface reflector which provides low cost and weight, protection from external elements, and the ability to inflate/deflate as required." The patent application was filed on Sept. 17, 2008 (12/212,408). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,97,505.PN.&OS=PN/83,97,505&RS=PN/83,97,505 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** BMC Software Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- BMC Software, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,402,127) developed by David A. Solin, Austin, Texas, for a "system and method for offering virtual private clouds within a public cloud environment." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems, methods and computer readable media for providing virtual private clouds within a public cloud are described. Examples include a method wherein a service provider deploys a primary instance of a cloud-in-a-box (CIAB) to his cloud computing system to create a public cloud. A CIAB includes adapters configured to manage virtual infrastructure of the cloud, and end-user portal and an administrative portal. A nested instance of CIAB may be deployed to one of the virtual machines, with one of the adapters of the nested instance of CIAB being connected to the end-user portal of the primary instance. An administrator of the nested instance may create his own library of virtual machine images and offer the library to the end-users of the nested CAIB instance." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2010 (12/895,505). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,127&OS=8,402,127&RS=8,402,127 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Verizon Patent and Licensing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Verizon Patent and Licensing, Basking Ridge, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,402,054) developed by Kristopher T. Frazier, Dallas, for "systems and methods for prioritizing content based on user profile relevance." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In an exemplary method, a request for content initiated by a user associated with a user profile is received, a plurality of content instances is identified as being related to the requested content based on a predefined relationship heuristic, wherein the content instances are associated with other user profiles, a relevance between the user profile and each of the other user profiles is determined based on a predefined relevance heuristic, and the content instances are prioritized based on the determined relevance. In certain embodiments, data representative of the prioritized content instances is displayed in accordance with the prioritization." The patent application was filed on June 30, 2008 (12/165,489). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,054&OS=8,402,054&RS=8,402,054 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Method and System for Automatic Load Balancing of Advertised Services by Service Information Propagation Based on User On-demand Requests ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,402,124) developed by Franck Barillaud, Austin, Texas, Xiaoping Chen, Austin, Texas, and Christopher Michael Morrissey, Round Rock, Texas, for a "method and system for automatic load balancing of advertised services by service information propagation based on user on-demand requests." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A methodology for balancing demand for networked services in a distributed data processing system is presented. Each client is uniquely associated with a local service manager; one or more local service managers are located throughout a distributed data processing system, and each local service manager provides access to networked services for associated clients. Each local service manager is uniquely associated with a distributed service manager; one or more distributed service managers are located throughout the distributed data processing system, and each distributed service manager provides access to networked services for associated local service managers. A client sends a service request to its local service manager, which returns information about a matching service to the client after finding a matching service that has characteristics that match parameters in the request. If the local service manager does not have information about a matching service, then the request is forwarded to its associated distributed service manager. If the distributed service manager does not have information about a matching service, then the request is broadcast to all distributed service managers. If the distributed service manager has two or more matching services, then it performs a load balancing operation to select a best service to be returned." The patent application was filed on Nov. 16, 2000 (09/714,724). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,124&OS=8,402,124&RS=8,402,124 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Half.com Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Half.com, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,402,068) developed by five co-inventors for a "system and method for collecting, associating, normalizing and presenting product and vendor information on a distributed network." The co-inventors are Kerry Clendinning, Austin, Texas, Michael D. McCartney, Austin, Texas, Matthew W. Mengerink, Austin, Texas, Fred G. Robinette, Austin, Texas, and David J. Wilson, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for collecting and displaying information on a product at a website, and related method for storing a product's various identifiers, where the system comprises a database that stores a plurality of identifiers for each product and the relationships between the identifiers. The system recognizes the different identifiers that refer to the same product. The system accepts product information from a variety of sources, regardless of the product identifier used by the sources. The system then sends out the product information to users and to other servers. The information displayed at the website includes: (1) a general description of the product; (2) a numerical user rating of the product; (3) one or more user reviews of the product; (4) one or more industry reviews of the product; (5) one or more comparisons between the product and other similar items; (6) a list of one or more vendors that sell the product; (7) a list price of the product; (8) a price for the product at each of the vendors; (9) an indication of the availability of the product at each of the one or more vendors; (10) a profile on each of the one or more vendors, and (11) a rating and/or review for each of the one or more vendors. The website may further provide access to discussions regarding the product and related products. The website may further suggest complementary products that may be purchased along with the product of interest." The patent application was filed on Dec. 7, 2000 (09/730,538). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,068&OS=8,402,068&RS=8,402,068 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Method, System and Computer Program Product for Determining Required Precision in Fixed-point Divide Operations ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,402,078) developed by Joshua M. Weinberg, Bronx, N.Y., and Martin S. Schmookler, Austin, Texas, for a "method, system and computer program product for determining required precision in fixed-point divide operations." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method, computer program product and a system for controlling a fixed point division operation are provided. The method includes: receiving an instruction to perform a division operation for a dividend and a divisor, the operation comprising a maximum number of iterations to produce a quotient having a maximum precision; calculating a magnitude of at least one of the dividend and the divisor; determining a quotient precision based on the magnitude; and computing a required number of iterations needed to produce the quotient precision and performing the number of iterations." The patent application was filed on Feb. 26, 2008 (12/037,207). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,078&OS=8,402,078&RS=8,402,078 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Oracle International Assigned Patent for Electronic Control Batch Record ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Oracle International, Redwood Shores, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,402,065) developed by four co-inventors for an "electronic control batch record." The co-inventors are Srikanth Karimisetty, Austin, Texas, Srinivasulu Puri, Irvington, N.Y., Ranvijay Singh, Andhra Pradesh, India, and Savita Durgada, Irvington, N.Y. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with batch process monitoring are described. One example method may include monitoring an external batch process (e.g. food manufacture, drug manufacture). The method may include collecting data (e.g. material usage, material yield, resource usage, quality results, process parameters, actions performed on batches) from the external batch process. The method may also include generating an XML document based, at least in part, on data collected from the external batch process. The contents of the XML document are to represent a required record that relates to a consumable product manufacturing event. In one example, the record may comply with Title 21 of the United States Code." The patent application was filed on May 9, 2008 (12/151,943). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,065&OS=8,402,065&RS=8,402,065 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Ensoco Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Ensoco, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,402,058) developed by John Conner, Houston, Bruce Meadours, New Braunfels, Texas, and Bruce Ponton, Austin, Texas, for a "method and computer program product for geophysical and geologic data identification, geodetic classification, organization, updating, and extracting spatially referenced data records." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of geodetic information acquisition and a computer program product having computer code for performing the method are provided. The method includes identifying a file having multiple records, where the records contain spatially referenced data. The records are classified into header records and data records. Each data record is divided into fields. Patterns of fields consistent with sets of the data records are identified. The records are associated with a format based on the patterns of fields. At least some of the spatially referenced data is extracted from the records according to the format." The patent application was filed on Jan. 13, 2010 (12/686,771). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,058&OS=8,402,058&RS=8,402,058 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Vetco Gray Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Vetco Gray, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,398,339) developed by Jesse B. Riha, Houston, for a "self-tensioning tendon for tension leg platform application." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self-tensioning tendon for pulling a tension leg platform (TLP) down to a desired draft position. The self-tensioning tendon can be utilized with either a co-installation process or a pre-installation process and connects to an assembled tendon joint. The self-tensioning tendon comprises a hydraulically controlled Length Adjustment Joint (LAJ) that further comprises an integral cylinder with external threads and a piston rod. The self-tensioning apparatus has features that advantageously reduce the time required to ballast the hull of the TLP. A hydraulic source actuates the integral cylinder to pull the TLP down to the target draft position, significantly reducing the time needed to ballast the hull of the TLP with millions of gallons of water. A Top Tendon Connector (TTC) ratchets down along the cylinder to lock the TLP at the final draft position." The patent application was filed on Sept. 1, 2009 (12/552,196). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,339&OS=8,398,339&RS=8,398,339 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** CommScope Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- CommScope, Hickory, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,398,441) developed by Richard Y. Mei, Parker, Texas, Daniel W. Macauley, Fishers, Ind., and Michael German, Secaucus, N.J., for "assembly and system of datacommunication cables and connectors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A datacommunication interconnection system includes (a) an extension trunk cable-connector assembly and (b) a trunk cable-connector assembly. The extension trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a first cable including a plurality of first subunits, each of the first subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a jack attached to one end of the cable; and a plug attached to an opposite end of the cable. Each of the jack and the plug includes a contact for each of the conductors of the cable. The trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a second cable including a plurality of second subunits, each of the second subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a plug attached to one end of the second cable and connected with the jack of the extension trunk cable; and a plurality of RJ-45 connectors attached to subunits at an opposite end of the second cable." The patent application was filed on Dec. 6, 2011 (13/312,095). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,441&OS=8,398,441&RS=8,398,441 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,398,420) developed by Arthur I. Watson, Sugar Land, Texas, for a high temperature pothead. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A technique enables protection of electrical conductors in a submerged environment, such as a wellbore environment. A connector system is employed to connect a submersible component with an electrical cable. The connector employs redundant seal systems designed to maintain functionality during the life of the system when utilized in high temperature environments. For example, the high temperature, redundant seal systems enable continued operation of the submersible component in a submerged environment of at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit." The patent application was filed on June 26, 2011 (13/169,006). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,420&OS=8,398,420&RS=8,398,420 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ExxonMobil Upstream Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- ExxonMobil Upstream Research, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,398,445) developed by Theodore Kokkinis, Houston, for an automatic ice-vaning ship. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a marine vessel, drilling subsea wells, and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. The marine vessel comprises at least two matching pairs of controlled azimuthing propulsion devices to ice-vane the vessel in the event of a changing ice drift or other conditions and keep station in a body of water containing pack ice. In one embodiment, a matching pair of azimuthing propulsion devices are provided. In one embodiment, the propulsion devices share a single physical axis of rotation and in another each propulsion device has its own physical axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the azimuthing propulsion devices are controlled by an automatic control system with a feedback loop. In yet another embodiment, the vessel is substantially oblong having a centrally mounted turret with mooring lines capable of disconnecting from the vessel." The patent application was filed on March 24, 2008 (12/532,594). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,445&OS=8,398,445&RS=8,398,445 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent for Pump Down Liner Expansion Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,826) developed by four co-inventors for a "pump down liner expansion method." The co-inventors are Keven O'Connor, Houston, Mark K. Adam, Houston, Matthias R. Moeller, Braunschweig, Germany, and Joerg Lehr, Celle, Germany. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A string to be expanded is run in with a running string that supports a swage assembly. The running string is secured to the existing tubular and the top of the string to be expanded is sealed around the supported running string. The pressure applied to the annular space above the seal drives the liner over the swage. A cement shoe is affixed to the lower end of the string that is expanded after becoming detached from the running string assembly. When the expanded liner bottoms on a support, generally the hole bottom, the cement is delivered through the shoe and the expansion of the top of the string into a recess of the string above continues. The swage assembly with the seal and the anchor are then recovered as the running string is removed during the process of expanding the top of the expanded string into the lower end recess of the existing string already in the wellbore." The patent application was filed on Sept. 15, 2010 (12/882,942). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,826.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,826&RS=PN/8,397,826 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Laitram Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Laitram, Harahan, La., has been assigned a patent (8,397,904) developed by David W. Bogle, Round Rock, Texas, for a "belt conveyors and methods for conveyed products undergoing a thermal treatment." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An environmentally controlled conveyor system including a sensor-instrumented conveyor belt conveying products continuously through a thermal-treatment process and a method for determining the instantaneous position of the sensors. Temperature or other sensors are embedded in the conveyor belt across its width and along its length to advance with the product through the thermal-treatment process, such as through a pasteurizer tunnel. The sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the belt to a remote system controller for monitoring or controlling the system. Data from sensors measuring environmental or belt conditions are used to determine the instantaneous positions of the sensors to coordinate the sensor data with sensor position." The patent application was filed on April 10, 2012 (13/442,991). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,904.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,904&RS=PN/8,397,904 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Research In Motion Assigned Patent for HARQ Process Management for Carrier Aggregation ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Research In Motion, Waterloo, Canada, has been assigned a patent (8,402,336) developed by five co-inventors for "HARQ process management for carrier aggregation." The co-inventors are Sean McBeath, Keller, Texas, Mo-Han Fong, Ottawa, Zhijun Cai, Irving, Texas, Mark Earnshaw, Kanata, Canada, and Youn Hyoung Heo, Waterloo, Canada. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for use with a mobile user agent configured to be able to communicate via N carriers, the method for managing Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes in a communication system that uses R HARQ process indicators (HPIs) so that the system can support a maximum of (R)(N) HARQ processes, the method comprising the steps of, using a processor running a program to perform the steps of, within the mobile user agent, identifying less than (R)(N) unique HPI/carrier combinations, instantiating HARQ process buffers, associating each of the identified HPI/carrier combinations with at least one of the instantiated HARQ process buffers, receiving data, identifying HPI/carrier combinations associated with the received data and, where the HPI/carrier combination associated with received data is one of the identified combinations, delivering the data to the buffer associated with the HPI/carrier combination." The patent application was filed on June 2, 2010 (12/792,141). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,336&OS=8,402,336&RS=8,402,336 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent for Nano-sized Particle-coated Proppants for Formation Fines Fixation in Proppant Packs ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,812) developed by five co-inventors for a "nano-sized particle- 8,397,812proppants for formation fines fixation in proppant packs." The co-inventors are Tianping Huang, Spring, Texas, James B. Crews, Willis, Texas, John R. Willingham, Cypress, Texas, James R. Pace, Spring, Texas, and Christopher K. Belcher, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fracturing fluid, gravel pack fluid and/or frac pack fluid containing particles such as proppants, gravel and/.or sand, may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to fixate or reduce fines migration, where the particulate additive is an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, post-transition metal hydroxides piezoelectric crystals and pyroelectric crystals. The nano-sized particulate additive is optionally bound to the particles with a coating agent such as an oil, alcohol, glycol, glycol ethers, ketones, terpenes, etc. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale but may be a larger scale than nanometer but still relatively small, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help fixate the formation fines. The carrier fluid used in the treating fluid may be aqueous, brine, alcoholic or hydrocarbon-based." The patent application was filed on May 10, 2010 (12/776,990). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,812.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,812&RS=PN/8,397,812 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** B.P. Corp. North America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- B.P. Corp. North America, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,398,053) developed by Mark Ezekiel, Magnolia, Texas, for a "double piston trunnion mounted ball valves and methods of use." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed are a method and a ball valve structure which provide for an improved seal in a trunnion mounted, double piston ball valve, which is especially useful in applications requiring a seal against high pressures, such as in the oil, gas and chemical process industries. Higher pressures on an inlet side of the valve are used, while the valve moves toward and is maintained in a valve closed position, to create movement of a ball element of the valve so as to bias the ball element against both piston seat elements (or rings) used to create the seals. This movement of the ball element thereby effectively uses such upstream pressure to create and enhance a seal between the ball element and both piston seat elements while in the valve closed position." The patent application was filed on April 26, 2010 (12/767,582). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,398,053.PN.&OS=PN/8,398,053&RS=PN/8,398,053 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Printing Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Printing Research, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,634) developed by Howard W. DeMoore, Dallas, and Joey V. Le,, Arlington, Texas, for "anti-marking jackets comprised of fluoropolymer and methods of using in offset printing." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket comprised of fluoropolymer to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, the anti-marking device removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is installed on the transfer cylinder between the anti-marking device and the transfer cylinder." The patent application was filed on Sept. 4, 2012 (13/603,413). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,397,634&OS=8,397,634&RS=8,397,634 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,836) developed by four co-inventors for a "pressure and flow control in drilling operations." The co-inventors are Charles M. Pool, Bedford, Texas, Nancy Davis, Irving, Texas, Frank Urias, Plano, Texas, and Neal G. Skinner, Lewisville, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device." The patent application was filed on June 8, 2012 (13/492,688). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,836.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,836&RS=PN/8,397,836 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Siemens Industry Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Siemens Industry, Alpharetta, Ga., has been assigned a patent (8,397,901) developed by David J. Brouwer, Flower Mound, Texas, and Jeffrey D. Price, Coppell, Texas, for an "extendable boom brake apparatus and system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An extendable boom conveyor system and method. The extendable boom system includes first and second boom elements, an operator control, and a controller. The first boom element includes a brake mechanism, which includes a pin configured to be positioned in an engaged position and a disengaged position. The second boom element includes a feature configured to engage the pin in the engaged position and prevent motion of the first boom element relative to the second boom element in at least a first direction. The controller is configured to receive an operator signal from the operator control and activate the brake mechanism responsive to the operator signal." The patent application was filed on June 9, 2011 (13/156,820). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,901.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,901&RS=PN/8,397,901 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Halliburton Energy Serivces, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,814) developed by five co-inventors for "perforating string with bending shock de-coupler." The co-inventors are John P. Rodgers, Roanoke, Texas, Timothy S. Glenn, Dracut, Mass., Marco Serra, Winterthur, Switzerland, Edwin A. Eaton, Grapevine, Texas, and John D. Burleson, Denton, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A bending shock de-coupler for use with a perforating string can include perforating string connectors at opposite ends of the de-coupler. A bending compliance of the de-coupler may substantially increase between the connectors. A well system can include a perforating string including at least one perforating gun and multiple bending shock de-couplers, each of the de-couplers having a bending compliance, and at least two of the bending compliances being different from each other. A perforating string can include a bending shock de-coupler interconnected longitudinally between two components of the perforating string. A bending compliance of the bending shock de-coupler may substantially decrease in response to angular displacement of one of the components a predetermined amount relative to the other component." The patent application was filed on Dec. 14, 2011 (13/325,909). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,814.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,814&RS=PN/8,397,814 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Research In Motion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Research In Motion, Waterloo, Canada, has been assigned a patent (8,402,334) developed by Yi Yu, Irving, Texas, James Earl Womack, Bedford, Texas, and Zhijun Cai, Euless, Texas, for a "system and method for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) functionality in a relay node." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A relay node. The relay node includes a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity providing a first HARQ functionality. The relay node further includes a second HARQ entity providing a second HARQ functionality." The patent application was filed on Dec. 17, 2008 (12/337,229). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,402,334&OS=8,402,334&RS=8,402,334 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent for Spoolable Downhole Control System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,828) developed by Don A. Hopmann, Alvin, Texas, and Luis E. Mendez, Houston, for a "spoolable downhole control system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A spoolable downhole control system includes a length of one or more lines suitable for the downhole environment. The spoolable downhole control system also includes one or more components disposed in signal bearing communication with the one or more lines and along a length of the one or more lines, prior to the system being connected with a string. The components are capable of actuating an operation. A method for creating a downhole system includes spooling out the spoolable downhole control system and joining the one or more components with one or more subs of the tubing string." The patent application was filed on March 25, 2010 (12/731,826). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,828.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,828&RS=PN/8,397,828 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,398,050) developed by six co-inventors for a "hold open configuration for safety valve and method." The co-inventors are Gary Lake, Houston, Priyesh Ranjan, Houston, Kenneth Wilson, Houston, Michael Rainone, Palestine, Texas, Phillip Grisham, Bullard, Texas, and Samuel Sackett, Frankston, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An actuator and counterbalance system including a nonmobile carrier; a mobile carrier, mobile relative to the non mobile carrier; and a counterbalance system in operable communication with the mobile carrier and configured to counterbalance less than 100 percent of a return force of a tool actuated by the actuator and method." The patent application was filed on Aug. 13, 2009 (12/540,945). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,398,050.PN.&OS=PN/8,398,050&RS=PN/8,398,050 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for System, Method and Apparatus for Enhancing Wellbore Treatment Fluid Flexibility ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,816) developed by four co-inventors for a "system, method and apparatus for enhancing wellbore treatment fluid flexibility." The co-inventors are Carlos Abad, Richmond, Texas, Hemant K. Ladva, Missouri City, Texas, Lijun Lin, Sugar Land, Texas, and Yiyan Chen, Sugar Land, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method includes performing a chemical process to create a chemical product and an amount of heat, and transferring the heat to a first fluid. The method further includes hydrating a polymer in the first fluid, and adding the chemical product from the chemical process to the first fluid to create a treatment fluid. The method further includes diluting the treatment fluid with respect to at least one constituent of the treatment fluid. The method includes treating a formation of interest in a wellbore with the treatment fluid. The method includes changing a formulation of the treatment fluid during the treating. The method also includes extending the treating beyond a design amount, or ending the treatment before the design amount and preserving some reagents of the chemical process." The patent application was filed on Feb. 16, 2012 (13/398,120). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,816.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,816&RS=PN/8,397,816 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Flexible Lifeline Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Flexible Lifeline Systems, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,866) developed by Andy Townend, Houston, and Robert A. Ross, Houston, for an "enclosed track system for a fall protection system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the invention provide a fall protection system having first and second truss members, at a first distance from each other; first and second slotted housings at a second distance from each other, each housing defining a first track therein; a first plurality of connecting members connecting the first truss member to the first housing; a second plurality of connecting members connecting the second truss member to the second housing; and a first plurality of cross members connecting the first housing to the second housing. Some fall protection systems include at least two spaced apart support members and may have a length ranging from about 10 feet to about 2,000 feet in length." The patent application was filed on Oct. 28, 2009 (12/607,741). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,866.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,866&RS=PN/8,397,866 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,824) developed by Adam Davis Wright, McKinney, Texas, and Vincent Paul Zeller, Flower Mound, Texas, for a "hydraulic control system for actuating downhole tools." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A hydraulic control system (100) for actuating a downhole tool. The hydraulic control system (100) includes a plurality of valve members (124) operable to selectively allow and prevent fluid communication between high and low pressure sources (54, 56) and first and second sides (58, 60) of an actuator (64) operably associated with the downhole tool. In the hydraulic control system (100), a first valve member (124) is ported between the high pressure source (54) and the first side (58) of the actuator (64), a second valve member (124) is ported between the low pressure source (56) and the first side (58) of the actuator (64), a third valve member (124) is ported between the high pressure source (54) and the second side (60) of the actuator (64) and a fourth valve member (124) is ported between the low pressure source (56) and the second side of the actuator (60)." The patent application was filed on Dec. 6, 2010 (12/960,895). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,824.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,824&RS=PN/8,397,824 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,398,301) developed by Raghu Madhavan, Houston, and Michael Stangeland, Tokyo, for an "apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures are described. An example apparatus for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid includes a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid, and a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid." The patent application was filed on April 20, 2010 (12/763,218). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,301&OS=8,398,301&RS=8,398,301 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Nitroset Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Nitroset, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,969) developed by Fernando Masas, Houston, and Joe Lin, Missouri City, Texas, for an "apparatus for installing explosively driven fasteners and fasteners for use therewith." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An improved tool for installing an explosively driven fastener as well as an improved explosively driven fastener for use therewith are disclosed. The fastener includes a nail having a head with an explosive load attached thereto in a plastic cap that includes a buffer. The tool has a plurality of concentric cylinders and springs including a muzzle for receiving the fastener head and explosive load. A spring actuated firing pin ignites the load causing it to explode and drive the nail out of the tool. The explosion also automatically resets the tool. The tool and the fastener provide many advantages over existing explosively driven fasteners and the tools used to install them." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2010 (12/704,706). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,969.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,969&RS=PN/8,397,969 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Smith International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Smith International, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,841) developed by Anthony Griffo, The Woodlands, Texas, Ahigang Fang, Salt Lake City, and Robert Denton, Pearland, Texas, for a "drill bit with cutting elements having functionally engineered wear surface." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Drill bits and cutting elements having a functionally-engineered surface comprise a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon having a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, diamond particles, cubic boron nitride particles, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent. The applied material mixture is pressurized under conditions of elevated temperature to consolidate and sinter the material mixture, thereby forming the wear resistant surface having desired properties of hardness and/or fracture toughness." The patent application was filed on June 26, 2007 (11/768,846). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,841.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,841&RS=PN/8,397,841 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** APS Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- APS Technology, Wallingford, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,397,562) developed by Mark Ellsworth Wassell, Houston, Martin E. Cobern, Cheshire, Conn., and Carl Allison Perry, Middletown, Conn., for an "apparatus for measuring bending on a drill bit operating in a well." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit. Further, an apparatus for measuring the bending, weight, and torque on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached with twelve strain gauges that are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The arrangement of the twelve strain gauges allow for a bending on bit measurement that cancels out the affects of the weight on bit and torque on bit." The patent application was filed on July 30, 2009 (12/512,740). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,397,562&OS=8,397,562&RS=8,397,562 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent for Tubular Actuator, System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,823) developed by Yang Xu, Houston, for a "tubular actuator, system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A tubular actuating system includes, a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, and an alterable actuator disposed at the tubular. The actuator is alterable in response to passage of a first of the plurality of same plugs run into contact therewith. A second of the plurality of same plugs is seatingly engagable with the alterable actuator run thereagainst when in an altered condition such that pressure built up against the second of the plurality of same plugs causes actuational movement of the alterable actuator. A flapper seat is movably disposed at the alterable actuator between at least a first position defined by the alterable actuator in an unaltered position and a second position defined by the alterable actuator in an altered position." The patent application was filed on Aug. 10, 2009 (12/538,587). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,823.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,823&RS=PN/8,397,823 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Total Lubrication Management Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Total Lubrication Management, Fulton, Md., has been assigned a patent (8,398,310) developed by Charles Wayne Ehlert, Houston, and Patrick Wilson Duncan, Marshville, N.C., for a "self aligning bearing and seal assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self aligning bearing and seal assembly including a bearing housing operable to mount to a surface, a bearing unit seated within the bearing housing and having an outer race, an inner race, and at least one ball intermediate the outer and inner race. The self aligning bearing and seal assembly also includes a pivot assembly having a shaft sleeve operable for receiving and maintaining a rotatable shaft and being disposed in the bearing housing and in operational contact with the inner race of the bearing unit. The pivot assembly allows for a degree of angular misalignment between the surface and the shaft greater than three degrees." The patent application was filed on Sept. 22, 2008 (12/452,133). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,310&OS=8,398,310&RS=8,398,310 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** General Electric Assigned Patent for Receptacle Connector Between Controller and Lighting Fixture ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,398,435) developed by four co-inventors for a "receptacle connector between controller and lighting fixture." The co-inventors are Deeder Aurongzeb, Round Rock, Texas, Laszlo Ilyes, Richmond Heights, Ohio, Tony Aboumrad, Parma, Ohio, and Jason Creighton, Twinsburg, Ohio. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening." The patent application was filed on Sept. 2, 2011 (13/224,698). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,435&OS=8,398,435&RS=8,398,435 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,397,827) developed by Paul D. Ringgenberg, Frisco, Texas, for "reducing trips in well operations." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A well system can include a tubular string in a blowout preventer stack, a releasable hanger of the tubular string supported by a support surface, and the released hanger permitting the tubular string to displace further through the blowout preventer stack. A tubular string can comprise a releasable hanger including at least one inwardly retractable support, an indicator sub interconnected a distance from the hanger, and wherein the support retracts in response to a stimulus, whereby the tubular string is released for displacement. A method of measuring a distance between a support surface and a location in a blowout preventer stack can include displacing a tubular string into the blowout preventer stack, contacting a releasable hanger with the surface, indicating the distance from the surface to the location along the tubular string, and then releasing the hanger, thereby permitting the tubular string to displace further through the blowout preventer stack." The patent application was filed on Feb. 9, 2012 (13/369,676). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,827.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,827&RS=PN/8,397,827 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Siemens Industry Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Siemens Industry, Alpharetta, Ga., has been assigned a patent (8,397,899) developed by Simon Krause, Constance, Germany, and Rajeev Dwidedi, Plano, Texas, for a "mail feeder with improved stripper mechanism." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A stripper of the invention uses flat metal springs (leaf springs) preferably made of spring steel and a flexible polymer based friction material covering the springs on one side so that the friction material contacts an incoming mail piece passing by the stripper along the friction surface presented by the outside of the friction material. A stripper according to the invention has variable stiffness, is quick responding, and is critically damped, meaning that incoming mail pieces will not bounce off it with excessive force likely to cause a misfeed or loss of control of the mail piece." The patent application was filed on April 8, 2010 (12/756,559). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,899.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,899&RS=PN/8,397,899 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Tecchnology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Schlumberger Tecchnology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,561) developed by six co-inventors for "downhole sensor systems and methods thereof." The co-inventors are Tsutomu Yamate, Yokohama, Japan, Toru Terabayashi, Sagamihara, Japan, Ricardo Vasques, Bailly, France, Kazumasa Kanayama, Hachioji, Japan, Yuji Hosoda, Sagamihara, Japan, and Stephane Briquet, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A sensor module for a sensing apparatus configured for operation downhole, within a borehole. The sensor module comprises a sensor array having a plurality of sensors to sense selected formation parameters and a control system for selective and independent operation of each sensor of the sensor array. Each sensor of the sensor array is configured or designed as a discrete sensor unit for individual and independent communication and control. Each sensor of the sensor array may have an associated electronics module that provides standardized electronic connectivity with the control system." The patent application was filed on April 12, 2010 (12/758,031). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,397,561&OS=8,397,561&RS=8,397,561 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Defender Innovations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Defender Innovations, Round Rock, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,398,256) developed by Steven Marlin Fridley, Round Rock, Texas, for magnetic accessory mounts. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus for mounting accessories to guns. Some embodiments provide gun mounts each including a body and a magnet to magnetically couple the mount to the gun. The bodies are shaped and dimensioned to mechanically retain the accessories (which can be flash lights). The magnets are mechanically coupled to the bodies (and can be an integral portion thereof) and cause magnetic fields. Given the shapes and dimensions of the bodies, the positions of the magnets relative to the bodies and relative to the barrels of the guns when the bodies abut the barrels, the magnetic field strengths are within a range sufficient to releasably and magnetically couple the magnets and the barrels. In some embodiments the magnetic field strengths are sufficient to limit the ranges of motion of the mounts relative to the guns during the shock created by firing the gun." The patent application was filed on Jan. 19, 2011 (13/009,203). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,398,256&OS=8,398,256&RS=8,398,256 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Method of Using Wired Drillpipe for Oilfield Fishing Operations ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,397,815) developed by Tom MacDougall, Sugar Land, Texas, and Gbenga Onadeko, Sugar Land, Texas, for a "method of using wired drillpipe for oilfield fishing operations." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for fishing a wellbore with wired drill pipe are provided. Embodiments of the invention advantageously identify objects for removal and signal proper attachment therewith. In an embodiment, a method of fishing with wired drill pipe comprising attaching a fishing apparatus to the end of a wired drill pipe string, extending the wired drill pipe string into a wellbore, monitoring signals received through the wired drill pipe string from one or more sensors coupled to the fishing apparatus, and determining proper coupling of the fishing apparatus with one or more objects intended for removal based on the signals received from the sensors is provided." The patent application was filed on Aug. 30, 2010 (12/870,972). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,397,815.PN.&OS=PN/8,397,815&RS=PN/8,397,815 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Inteva Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 -- Inteva Products, Troy, Mich., has been assigned a patent (8,398,128) developed by five co-inventors for a "vehicle door latch system." The co-inventors are Frank J. Arabia, Macomb, Mich., Xinhua He, Zionsville, Ind., Todd A. Suddon, Clarkston, Mich., Joseph D. Long, Waterford, Mich., and Thomas A. Dzurko, El Paso, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. 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