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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Texas (Dec. 10)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Texas. *** IntelePeer Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- IntelePeer, San Mateo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,325,891) developed by Jeffrey S. Wall, Dallas, for an "anti-looping for a multigateway multi-carrier network." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting and terminating a looping condition occurring in a telecommunications network comprising receiving a call offer comprising receiving call identification data associated with the call offer at a switching component, querying a looping engine using the call identification data to detect a looping condition, identifying a number of occurrences of the call identification data within a predetermined time frame, comparing the number of occurrences against a predetermined count, and returning a message to the switching component based on the comparison, the message indicating whether a looping condition exists in the telecommunications network." The patent application was filed on Sept. 17, 2010 (12/884,293). 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=83,25,891.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,891&RS=PN/83,25,891 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** AT&T Intellectual Property I Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- AT&T Intellectual Property I, Atlanta, has been assigned a patent (8,325,884) developed by four co-inventors for a "method, system and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment." The co-inventors are Robert R. Bushey, Cedar Park, Texas, Benjamin A. Knott, Round Rock, Texas, Marc Goldstein, Montreal, and Sarah Korth, Chicago. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2009 (12/621,362). 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=83,25,884.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,884&RS=PN/83,25,884 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Dell Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Dell Products, Round Rock, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,325,937) developed by Eldho Kuriakose, Austin, Texas, for a "method and apparatus for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A battery and speaker mounting apparatus includes a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member, and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface. A speaker module may be mounted in the speaker chamber, and a battery may be coupled to the battery socket." The patent application was filed on Jan. 12, 2009 (12/352,120). 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=83,25,937.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,937&RS=PN/83,25,937 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Convergys Customer Management Delaware Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Convergys Customer Management Delaware, Cincinnati, has been assigned a patent (8,325,880) developed by four co-inventors for an automated application testing. The co-inventors are David M. Pelland, Bolton, Mass., Richard C. Burk, Corpus Christi, Texas, Jeffrey D. Kosa, Pelham, N.H., and Blaise T. Lapinski, Wylie, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Voice user interfaces can be tested using test scripts generated by traversing a graph using a recursive search technique, such as recursive depth first search. Test data to accompany the test scripts can be generated by treating conditions in states of the interface as business rules, and fully exercising each state during traversal of the graph. Actual testing can be performed in a faster than real time manner by providing simulated input from test scripts, as opposed to requiring actual input from human testers. The interfaces can also be tested using a gatekeeper intermediary which provides for easy transitions between testing and deployment." The patent application was filed on July 20, 2010 (12/839,627). 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=83,25,880.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,880&RS=PN/83,25,880 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Matrix Electronic Measuring Properties Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Matrix Electronic Measuring Properties, Salina, Kan., has been assigned a patent (8,326,022) developed by nine co-inventors for a "stereoscopic measurement system and method." The co-inventors are George B. Stevens, Cedar Park, Texas, Grady A. Clendening, Cedar Park, Texas, Windflower Waters, Austin, Texas, Steven Weintraub, Austin, Texas, Warren Redden, Gypsum, Kan., Vivian Redden, Gypsum, Kan., Carl Redden, Gypsum, Kan., Robert W. Srack, Bennington, Kan., and Janet M. Srack, Bennington, Kan. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A stereoscopic measurement system captures stereo images and determines measurement information for user-designated points within stereo images. The system comprises an image capture device for capturing stereo images of an object. A processing system communicates with the capture device to receive stereo images. The processing system displays the stereo images and allows a user to select one or more points within the stereo image. The processing system processes the designated points within the stereo images to determine measurement information for the designated points." The patent application was filed on May 22, 2008 (12/125,801). 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=83,26,022.PN.&OS=PN/83,26,022&RS=PN/83,26,022 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Microsemi Semiconductor (U.S.) Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Microsemi Semiconductor (U.S.), Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,325,908) developed by Yadunandan Nagarajaiah, Austin, Texas, and Michel Darveau, Gatieneau, Canada, for a "method and apparatus for detecting ring trip precursors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for controlling a ringing signal includes generating a ringing signal on a subscriber line, detecting a condition indicative of the subscriber line going off-hook and reducing an amplitude of the ringing signal responsive to detecting the condition. A line card includes a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate a ringing signal on a subscriber line and a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to detect a condition indicative of the subscriber line going off-hook and reducing an amplitude of the ringing signal responsive to detecting the condition." The patent application was filed on Aug. 7, 2009 (12/537,926). 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=83,25,908.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,908&RS=PN/83,25,908 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Texas Instruments Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Texas Instruments, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,325,866) developed by Lee D. Whetsel, Parker, Texas, for "selection circuit enabling clock/mode or mode/clock signals." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Data is communicated through two separate circuits or circuit groups, each having clock and mode inputs, by sequentially reversing the role of the clock and mode inputs. The data communication circuits have data inputs, data outputs, a clock input for timing or synchronizing the data input and/or output communication, and a mode input for controlling the data input and/or output communication. A clock/mode signal connects to the clock input of one circuit and to the mode input of the other circuit. A mode/clock signal connects to the mode input of the one circuit and to the clock input of the other circuit. The role of the mode and clock signals on the mode/clock and clock/mode signals, or their reversal, selects one or the other of the data communication circuits." The patent application was filed on Dec. 6, 2011 (13/312,051). 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=83,25,866.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,866&RS=PN/83,25,866 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- International Business Machine, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,325,926) developed by four co-inventors for a "method for providing a broadcast encryption based home security system." The co-inventors are Thomas A. Bellwood, Austin, Texas, Robert B. Chumbley, Round Rock, Texas, Matthew F. Rutkowski, Pflugerville, Texas, and Alexander Tarpinian, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided is a method for providing a home or business security system that relies upon data encryption for both communication and the storage of content. The disclosed technology incorporates all the devices necessary for a comprehensive security system, including, but not limited to, controllers, monitors, alarms and communication media. The system may include an unlimited number of devices and, further, individual devices may be added and removed as needed. Users may define and change the boundaries of a security system or, in other words, decide what devices to include or not include in such a system. A defined boundary does not need to be confined to a single location. In one embodiment, the claimed subject matter incorporates xCP based broadcast encryption technology." The patent application was filed on Feb. 7, 2006 (11/348,902). 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=83,25,926.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,926&RS=PN/83,25,926 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Rerouting Ongoing Telecommunications to a User ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- International Business Machine, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,325,902) developed by four co-inventors for "rerouting ongoing telecommunications to a user." The co-inventors are Kavita K. Agrawal, Boulder, Colo., William K. Bodin, Austin, Texas, Gregory W. Rybczynski, Pflugerville, Texas, and Derral C. Thorson, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Rerouting telecommunications to a user including receiving a plurality of RFID signals from an RFID tag located with the user, anticipating a user's future location in dependence upon the RFID signals, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location, and rerouting an ongoing call to the selected telephony device. In typical embodiments, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location also includes identifying location based routing preferences for the user. In typical embodiments, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location also includes identifying device-based routing preferences for the user. In typical embodiments, anticipating a user's future location in dependence upon the RFID signals also includes determining a first user location, determining a second user location, and predicting a user's future location in dependence upon the first user location and the second user location." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2008 (12/059,498). 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=83,25,902.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,902&RS=PN/83,25,902 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Verizon Patent and Licensing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Verizon Patent and Licensing, Basking Ridge, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,325,905) developed by seven co-inventors for "routing calls in a network." The co-inventors are Mariafranca Gregorat, Dallas, Steven L. Lass, Allen, Texas, Richard L. McClain, Frisco, Texas, Timothy Dwight, Richardson, Texas, James L. Verlare, Colorado Springs, Colo., Gregory Welch, Somerset, N.J., and Yaron Raps, Brooklyn, N.Y. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method includes receiving a telephone number mapping query associated with a call. The method may also include generating routing information based on the query and forwarding the routing information to a control device. The routing information may indicate that processing associated with routing the call is to bypass a core portion of an Internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) when a calling party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service, the called party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service and the called party is not an IMS subscriber." The patent application was filed on July 28, 2006 (11/460,668). 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=83,25,905.PN.&OS=PN/83,25,905&RS=PN/83,25,905 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Smith International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Smith International, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,323,372) developed by four co-inventors for a "low coefficient of thermal expansion cermet compositions." The co-inventors are Zhigang Fang, The Woodlands, Texas, Anthony Griffo, The Woodlands, Texas, Gregory T. Lockwood, Houston, and Dah-Ben Liang, The Woodlands, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) cermet compositions of this invention generally comprise a hard phase material and a ductile phase formed from a binder alloy, wherein the binder alloy is specially designed having a CTE that is closely matched to the hard phase material. Hard phase materials used to form low CTE compositions of this invention are selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Si, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The binder alloy is formed from a mixture of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, C, B, Cr, and Mn. In a preferred embodiment, low CTE compositions comprises WC as the hard phase material, and a ductile phase binder alloy formed from a mixture of Fe, Co, and Ni. The so-formed low CTE composition has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of conventional WC--Co at the same temperature and having the same metal content, thereby providing improved resistance to thermal shock and thermal fatigue related failure." The patent application was filed on Jan. 31, 2000 (09/494,877). 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=8,323,372&OS=8,323,372&RS=8,323,372 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Core Wireless Licensing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Core Wireless Licensing, Luxembourg, has been assigned a patent (8,327,219) developed by Kyeong Jin Kim, Irving, Texas, for a "method, apparatus and computer program product providing soft iterative recursive least squares (RLS) channel estimator." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for an iterative LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use a structured irregular LDPC code in conjunction with a belief propagation algorithm. Also disclosed is an apparatus having a detector for a structured irregular LDPC-coded MIMO-OFDM system, where the detector is configured to use an iterative Recursive Least Squares-based data detection and channel estimation technique. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on Nov. 9, 2011 (13/292,540). 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=8,327,219&OS=8,327,219&RS=8,327,219 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Tellus Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Tellus Technology, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,323,793) developed by Kenneth W. Hamby, The Woodlands, Texas, and Michael R. Beck Jr., Akron, Ohio, for a "pelletization of pyrolyzed rubber products." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for preparing a pelletized carbon black product is provided. The system includes a source of a carbon black product from a pyrolysis process. A mixer is in communication with the source of the carbon black product. A binder oil storage tank is in fluid communication with the mixer. The binder oil storage tank is configured to inject a desired amount of a binder oil into the mixer to form the pelletized carbon black product." The patent application was filed on May 15, 2008 (12/121,339). 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=8,323,793.PN.&OS=PN/8,323,793&RS=PN/8,323,793 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Texas Inventor Develops Patent for Authentication System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Girish Chiruvolu, Plano, Texas, has developed a patent (8,327,420) for an "authentication system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An authentication system includes one or more terminals in communication with a server on a network. The server is operable to receive user login information; and generate an authentication data set having: a plurality of decoy data; an anchor data, wherein the anchor data is based on information from a user profile; and target data in a predetermined relationship relative to the anchor data. The server is also operable to generate a decoy data set having: a plurality of second decoy data; and at least one anchor data. The server may then display the authentication data set and decoy data set and determine an authentication result by performing a predetermined manipulation of the target data. The server may receive a user response to an authentication prompt; and authenticate the user if the authentication result and user response are the same." The patent application was filed on May 11, 2009 (12/387,992). 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=8,327,420&OS=8,327,420&RS=8,327,420 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** VIA Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- VIA Technologies, New Taipei, Taiwan, has been assigned a patent (8,327,119) developed by Bryan Wayne Pogor, Round Rock, Texas, for an "apparatus and method for executing fast bit scan forward/reverse (BSR/BSF) instructions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus executes a bit scan instruction that specifies an N-byte input operand. A first encoder forward bit scan encodes each input byte to generate N first bit vectors. A zero detector zero-detects each input byte to generate a second bit vector. A second encoder forward bit scan encodes the second bit vector to generate a third bit vector. An N:1 multiplexor, controlled by the third bit vector, selects one of the N first bit vectors to output a fourth bit vector. The apparatus concatenates the third and fourth bit vectors into a fifth bit vector that indicates the bit index of the least significant set bit of the input operand. A third encoder forward bit scan encodes a bit-reversed version of each input by to generate N sixth bit vectors. A fourth encoder forward bit scan encodes a bit-reversed version of the second bit vector to generate a seventh bit vector. A second N:1 multiplexor, controlled by the seventh bit vector, selects one of the N sixth bit vectors to output an eighth bit vector. Selection logic selects a concatenation of the third and fourth bit vectors into the fifth bit vector if an input indicates forward bit scan, and the selection logic selects an inverted version of a concatenation of the seventh and eighth bit vectors into the fifth bit vector if the input indicates reverse bit scan." The patent application was filed on Oct. 21, 2009 (12/582,907). 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=8,327,119&OS=8,327,119&RS=8,327,119 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Wired Slip Joint ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,433) developed by Sylvain Bedouet, Houston, and Erik Quam, Sugar Land, Texas, for a wired slip joint. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the invention disclose systems, apparatuses, and methods of measurement performed by pipe conveyed tools. In an embodiment, a system for evaluation of a well bore includes a drill string assembly comprising a plurality of pipe joints, a wired slip joint coupled to the plurality of drill pipe, the slip joint movable from a retracted position to an extended position to compensate for changes in length of the drill string, the extended position having a length greater than the retracted position; a sensor positioned in the slip joint, wherein the sensor detects a change in length of the slip joint and generates a signal representative of a position of the slip joint, and a communication system to transmit the signal from the slip joint to a surface processor." The patent application was filed on June 1, 2010 (12/791,830). 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=83,22,433.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,433&RS=PN/83,22,433 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** ExxonMobil Upstream Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- ExxonMobil Upstream Research, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,434) developed by Brian J. Fielding, Luanda, Angola, and Tracy A. Fowler, Sugar Land, Texas, for a "vertical annular separation and pumping system with outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A Vertical Annular Separation and Pumping System (VASPS) utilizing a outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement to replace a standard pump shroud associated with an electrical submersible pump. The outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement directs produced wellbore liquids around the electrical submersible pump motor to provide a cooling medium to prevent overheating and premature failure of the electrical submersible pump." The patent application was filed on Feb. 03, 2009 (11/922,813). 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=83,22,434.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,434&RS=PN/83,22,434 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent for Oil-based Grouting Composition with an Insulating Material ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,423) developed by Eric B. Frantz, Houston, for an "oil-based grouting composition with an insulating material." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "According to an embodiment, a method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) an oil-swellable binding material; and (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere; and (B) allowing or causing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hrft.degree. F. According to another embodiment, a grouting composition for use in insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises: (A) an oil-swellable binding material comprising a organophilic clay; and (B) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (C) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere, wherein after the grouting composition has set, the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hrft.degree. F." The patent application was filed on June 14, 2010 (12/814,607). 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=83,22,423.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,423&RS=PN/83,22,423 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Generating Power in a Well ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,447) developed by Ives D. Loretz, Houston, and Gary L. Rytlewski, League City, Texas, for "generating power in a well." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an operator and a generator. The operator is disposed in the well and configured to respond to a differential pressure between hydraulically isolated zones of the well to produce mechanical motion. The generator is disposed in the well to convert the mechanical motion into electricity. A method that is usable with a well is provided including maintaining hydraulic isolation between a first and second zone of a well. While maintaining the hydraulic isolation, the method further includes producing a mechanical motion in response to a differential pressure between the first and second zones and generating electricity in response to the mechanical motion." The patent application was filed on Dec. 31, 2009 (12/651,317). 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=83,22,447.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,447&RS=PN/83,22,447 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** TDY Industries Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- TDY Industries, Pittsburgh, has been assigned a patent (8,322,465) developed by Prakash K. Mirchandani, Houston, for an "earth-boring bit parts including hybrid cemented carbides and methods of making the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An earth-boring bit part such as, for example, a bit body, roller cone, or mud nozzle includes a hybrid cemented carbide composite. The hybrid cemented carbide includes a cemented carbide dispersed phase, and a cemented carbide continuous phase. A method of manufacture also is disclosed." The patent application was filed on Aug. 22, 2008 (12/196,951). 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=83,22,465.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,465&RS=PN/83,22,465 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,413) developed by David S. Bishop, Houston, and Dennis E. Kroll, League City, Texas, for a "twin latch wireline retrieval tool." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The retrieving tool engages an equalizing sleeve on a jar down movement while the packer or bridge plug release sleeve is held fixed with a locking dog. The initial jarring down allows the tool to engage the equalizing sleeve and pull it up subsequent to the initial engagement by jarring down. Pulling or jarring up then opens the equalizing ports while still holding the release sleeve locked using a trapped collet. A subsequent jarring down allows engagement of a second sleeve so that a subsequent pulling or jarring up moves the second sleeve away from the collet that had otherwise held the set position of the packer or bridge plug. A pull or jar force up brings up the now released packer or bridge plug." The patent application was filed on Aug. 17, 2010 (12/857,962). 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=83,22,413.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,413&RS=PN/83,22,413 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services, MCR Oil Tools Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Duncan, Okla., and MCR Oil Tools, Arlington, Texas, have been assigned a patent (8,322,449) developed by Robert Preston Clayton, Calgary, Canada, Kevin Berscheidt, Marlow, Okla., and Michael C. Robertson, Arlington, Texas, for a consumable downhole tools. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of removing a downhole tool from a wellbore comprising contacting the tool with a heat source wherein the tool comprises at least one load-bearing component comprising a thermally degradable material. A method of reducing the structural integrity of a downhole tool comprising fabricating the load-bearing components of the tool from a thermally degradable material. A method of removing a downhole tool comprising mechanically milling and/or drilling the tool from a wellbore wherein the tool comprises at least one load bearing component comprising a phenolic resin wherein the phenolic resin comprises a rosole, a novalac or combinations thereof." The patent application was filed on Oct. 19, 2011 (13/277,016). 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=83,22,449.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,449&RS=PN/83,22,449 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Vetco Gray Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Vetco Gray, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,443) developed by Michael J. Given, Cypress, Texas, Neil J. Scott, Stonehaven, United Kingdom, and William D. Munro, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, for a "wellhead tree pressure limiting device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pressure relief device is used to relieve pressure in a void within a wellhead housing. In one embodiment, the pressure relief device includes a plunger having a stepped plug, wherein the plug can be fully open to allow flow from the void, restricted to allow a predetermined flow to relieve pressure, or closed to prevent flow from the void. In another embodiment, the pressure relief device includes a vacuum puller that creates negative pressure in a vessel. As fluid in the void expands, it is able to enter the space formerly occupied by the plunger. In yet another embodiment, a rupture disc is used to prevent fluid from flowing from the void, through a passage, to the wellbore. If pressure in the void exceeds a predetermined value, the rupture disc yields and allows the trapped fluid to flow to the wellbore." The patent application was filed on July 29, 2010 (12/846,379). 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=83,22,443.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,443&RS=PN/83,22,443 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Vetco Gray Assigned Patent for Riser Buoyancy Adjustable Thrust Column ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Vetco Gray, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,438) developed by four co-inventors for a "riser buoyancy adjustable thrust column." The co-inventors are Eric D. Larson, Tomball, Texas, Rick L. Stringfellow, Houston, Jesse L. Bullard, Houston, and Jim R. Reams, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An offshore drilling riser joint has a central riser pipe, a number of auxiliary lines mounted around it, and a buoyancy module assembly of a buoyant material. A pair of upper thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines, each of the upper thrust sleeves having a flange in contact with an upper end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the upper thrust sleeves transfer upward thrust imposed by the buoyancy module assembly to an upper support flange mounted to the central riser pipe. A pair of lower thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines. Each lower thrust sleeve has a lower thrust flange that is engaged by a lower end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the lower thrust sleeves transfer weight of the buoyancy module assembly while out of water to a lower support flange mounted to the central riser pipe." The patent application was filed on April 16, 2010 (12/761,557). 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=83,22,438.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,438&RS=PN/83,22,438 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Chevron USA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Chevron USA, San Ramon, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,322,425) developed by Kenneth L. Smith, Katy, Texas, for a "system and method for controlling one or more fluid properties within a well in a geological volume." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A property of fluid within a well in a geological volume is controlled. The property of the fluid may include fluid density, pressure gradient, temperature, foaming characteristics, and/or other fluid properties within the well. In particular, the fluid property is controlled discretely within different sections (e.g., at different depths) of the well." The patent application was filed on May 20, 2010 (12/784,386). 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=83,22,425.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,425&RS=PN/83,22,425 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Use of a Chopper Mechanism to Add Fibers to a Well ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,424) developed by five co-inventors for a "use of a chopper mechanism to add fibers to a well." The co-inventors are Ed Leugemors, Sugar Land, Texas, Raafat Abbas, Saint Johns, Canada, Erik Rhein-Knudsen, LaBaule, France, William R. McIntire, Sugar Land, Texas, and Jean-Louis Pessin, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A chopper mechanism for providing a fiber to a fluid at an oilfield. The chopper mechanism may be employed to process the fiber from an uncut form to a cut form in order to provide a mixture of the fluid and the fiber with flowback inhibiting character. Techniques of employing the chopper mechanism may be utilized at the site of an oilfield for applications such as fracturing, cementing, and drilling. Additionally, the chopper mechanism itself may be made available as a large high capacity chopper assembly, or a smaller handheld chopper gun for slower rate fiber supply operations." The patent application was filed on April 5, 2007 (11/696,999). 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=83,22,424.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,424&RS=PN/83,22,424 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent for Offset Interior Slurry Discharge ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,418) developed by Samuel Martinez, Cedar Hill, Texas, Emile E. Sevadjian, Carrollton, Texas, and Phillip T. Thomas, The Colony, Texas, for an "offset interior slurry discharge." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A slurry discharge device for use in a subterranean well can include a slurry flow passage extending longitudinally in the device. The slurry flow passage has flow passage sections. One flow passage section is positioned downstream of, and is laterally offset relative to, another flow passage section. Another slurry discharge device can include the slurry flow passage having multiple flow areas. One flow area is positioned in a downstream direction from, and is greater than, another flow area. A method of delivering a slurry into a subterranean well can include discharging the slurry from a tubular string through a first sidewall section of a slurry discharge device; and flowing only a returned fluid portion of the slurry through a second sidewall section of the slurry discharge device. The second sidewall section has a lateral thickness greater than a lateral thickness of the first sidewall section." The patent application was filed on Dec. 8, 2009 (12/632,884). 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=83,22,418.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,418&RS=PN/83,22,418 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent for Remote Actuation of Downhole Well Tools ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,446) developed by Mitchell C. Smithson, Pasadena, Texas, and Timothy R. Tips, Montgomery, Texas, for a "remote actuation of downhole well tools." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of selectively actuating well tools includes the steps of: selecting a well tool for actuation by current flow in one direction through a set of conductors; and selecting another well tool for actuation by opposite current flow through the set of conductors. A system includes multiple control devices that control which well tool is selected for actuation in response to current flow in at least one conductor set. A current direction in the conductors selects a certain well tool for actuation. A method of using n conductors to selectively actuate n*(n-1) well tools includes the steps of: arranging the conductors into n*(n-1)/2 sets; connecting the conductor sets to respective groups of the well tools; and controlling direction of current flow through at least one of the sets of conductors, thereby selecting at least one well tool in the respective group of the well tools for actuation." The patent application was filed on Sept. 8, 2009 (12/555,451). 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=83,22,446.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,446&RS=PN/83,22,446 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Axially Loaded Tapered Heat Sink Mechanism ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,411) developed by Anmol Kaul, Katy, Texas, and Lennox E. Reid Jr., Houston, for an "axially loaded tapered heat sink mechanism." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present disclosure relates to heat dissipation apparatus that may be used within a downhole tool. The heat dissipation apparatus may include one or more of a cover configured to attach to a heat generating device, a thermal conduit thermally coupled to the cover, and a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal conduit, in which the heat sink is configured to dissipate heat from the heat generating device through the cover and the thermal conduit." The patent application was filed on May 5, 2010 (12/774,472). 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=83,22,411.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,411&RS=PN/83,22,411 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hydril USA Manufacturing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Hydril USA Manufacturing, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,435) developed by Robert Arnold Judge, Houston, and Peringandoor Raman Hariharan, Houston, for a pressure driven system The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pressure driven pumping system includes a piston disposed within a first bore of a housing to separate a process chamber from a working chamber. A rod member coupled to the separating member extends into a reduced pressure chamber. The piston has a first face exposed to the process chamber and a second face exposed to the working chamber. The second face has an effective area less than an effective area of the first face. The housing may be placed in seawater at a selected depth. The process chamber can be in fluid communication with a well to pass well fluid into the process chamber at well pressure to move the piston, to discharge seawater from the seawater chamber. The working fluid, typically seawater in a subsea application, is pumped into the working chamber to move the piston, which discharges well fluid from the process chamber." The patent application was filed on May 5, 2010 (12/774,373). 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=83,22,435.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,435&RS=PN/83,22,435 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent for Wellbore Servicing Compositions and Methods of Making and Using Same ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Duncan, Okla., has been assigned a patent (8,322,431) developed by Ryan G. Ezell, Spring, Texas, and Douglas J. Harrison, Tomball, Texas, for a "wellbore servicing compositions and methods of making and using same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of servicing hydrocarbon production equipment comprising locating at least a portion of a hydrocarbon flow conduit experiencing a loss of functionality; creating a port to access an interior flow bore of the hydrocarbon flow conduit; installing at least one piece of equipment proximate the access port, wherein the equipment has access to the interior flow bore via the access port; and placing a servicing composition into the conduit via the access port, wherein the servicing composition prevents the loss of materials from the interior of the hydrocarbon flow conduit to the surrounding environment." The patent application was filed on Sept. 4, 2009 (12/554,707). 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=83,22,431.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,431&RS=PN/83,22,431 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Toe-to-heel Gravel Packing Methods ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,420) developed by four co-inventors for a "toe-to-heel gravel packing methods." The co-inventors are Mehmet Parlar, Sugar Land, Texas, Raymond Tibbles, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Katy, Texas, and Bryan Stamm, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Gravel packing of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is carried out in a wellbore having a cased section and an uncased section that contains water-based drilling fluids. A first water-based displacement fluid that contains a shale inhibitor is introduced into the wellbore to displace the water-based drilling fluids from the uncased section of the wellbore. A second water-based displacement fluid is introduced into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore. A sand control screen assembly is run to a selected depth within the uncased section of the wellbore to facilitate a gravel packing operation. A gravel pack slurry containing gravel and a viscosified carrier fluid is introduced into the wellbore to facilitate gravel packing of the uncased section. The gravel packing operation may be carried without the use of shunt flow paths and with the use of a sand screen assembly having at least one diverter valve to divert fluid returns to facilitate prevention of pressure build up." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2009 (12/569,983). 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=83,22,420.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,420&RS=PN/83,22,420 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,466) developed by Jay S. Bird, The Woodlands, Texas, for a "drill bits and other downhole tools with hardfacing having tungsten carbide pellets and other hard materials and methods of making thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A hardfacing is provided to protect surfaces of drill bits and other downhole tools. The hardfacing may include tungsten carbide particles or pellets formed with an optimum weight percentage of binding material and dispersed within and bonded to a matrix deposit. The tungsten carbide particles may be formed by sintering or other appropriate techniques. The tungsten carbide particles may have generally spherical shapes, partially spherical shapes or non-spherical shapes." The patent application was filed on July 02, 2009 (12/522,013). 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=83,22,466.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,466&RS=PN/83,22,466 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hydril USA Manufacturing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Hydril USA Manufacturing, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,429) developed by Robert Arnold Judge, Houston, and Perrin Rodriguez, Cypress, Texas, for an "interchangeable subsea wellhead devices and methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for interchangeably connecting undersea a marine package with first and second pressure control devices. The method includes lowering undersea the marine package toward the first pressure control device such that a first half of a feed-thru component mounted to the marine package contacts a second half of the feed-thru component mounted on the first pressure control device; engaging the first and second halves, wherein the first and second halves of the feed-thru component were not previously engaged while the marine package and the first pressure control device were each assembled above sea; and locking the first half to the second half by using an external pressure such that a functionality of the feed-thru component is achieved." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2009 (12/415,190). 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=83,22,429.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,429&RS=PN/83,22,429 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Vetco Gray Assigned Patent for Casing Hanger Nesting Indicator ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Vetco Gray, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,428) developed by Charles E. Jennings, Tomball, Texas, for a "casing hanger nesting indicator." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A casing hanger nesting indicator generates a signal to notify personnel on the surface that a wellhead member has properly landed on a predetermined surface within the wellbore. The casing hanger nesting indicator comprises a signaling device such as an explosive charge or a frequency shift key wherein the noise or vibration of the signaling device travels through the wellbore, via the drilling conduit in some embodiments, up to the surface platform." The patent application was filed on Oct. 9, 2009 (12/577,028). 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=83,22,428.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,428&RS=PN/83,22,428 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., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,410) 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: "An apparatus including at least four different modules, the first module being a treatment conditions module structured to interpret a specified pumping rate and a specified salt concentration. The second is a hydration requirements module structured to determine at least one of a hydration vessel fluid volume and a specified temperature in response to the specified pumping rate. The third is a dynamic brine generation module structured to control a flow rate of a first fluid, at least one of a clay stabilizer precursor, an acid precursor and a base precursor; and a polymer material into a hydration vessel in response to the specified salt concentration and the at least one of the hydration vessel fluid volume and the specified temperature. The fourth is a treatment fluid flow module structured to control a flow rate of a treatment fluid from the hydration vessel in response to the specified pumping rate." The patent application was filed on Feb. 16, 2012 (13/398,094). 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=83,22,410.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,410&RS=PN/83,22,410 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Method of Gravel Packing a well Containing Synthetic or Oil-based Drilling Fluids ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,419) developed by Mehmet Parlar, Sugar Land, Texas, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Katy, Texas, and Geovannys Gonzalez, Maracaibo, Venezuela, for a "method of gravel packing a well containing synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of gravel packing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore has a cased section and an uncased section and contains synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids containing drilled solids. To carry out the method, fresh synthetic or oil-based displacement fluid that is free of drilled solids is introduced into the wellbore to displace the synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids from the uncased section of the wellbore. A water-based displacement fluid is introduced into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore. A sand control screen assembly is run to a selected depth within the uncased section of the wellbore. A gravel pack slurry containing gravel and a water-based carrier fluid is then introduced into the wellbore." The patent application was filed on July 9, 2009 (12/500,008). 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=83,22,419.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,419&RS=PN/83,22,419 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Halliburton Energy Services Assigned Patent for Drilling Apparatus and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Halliburton Energy Services, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,461) developed by four co-inventors for a "drilling apparatus and method." The co-inventors are Richard T. Hay, Spring, Texas, Paul Botterell, Cheltenham, United KIngdom, Terence Schroter, Edmonton, Canada, and Nathan Strilchuk, Camrose, Canada. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A drilling apparatus includes an upper drill string, a lower drill string including a rotary drilling motor, an orientable rotatable connection between the drill strings, a reactive torque control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, an orientation sensing device for providing a sensed actual orientation of the lower drill string, and a feedback control system configured to actuate the control device in response to the sensed actual orientation to achieve a target orientation of the lower drill string. A drilling method includes actuating the control device to prevent relative rotation of the drill strings, providing a sensed actual orientation of the lower drill string, comparing the sensed actual orientation with a target orientation of the lower drill string, actuating the control device to allow the lower drill string to rotate to provide the target orientation, and actuating the control device to prevent relative rotation of the drill strings." The patent application was filed on Nov. 4, 2008 (12/264,827). 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=83,22,461.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,461&RS=PN/83,22,461 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Shell Oil Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Shell Oil, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,430) developed by Jose Oscar Esparza, Katy, Texas, and George John Zabaras, Houston, for "pipes, systems, and methods for transporting fluids." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "There is disclosed a system adapted to transport two fluids and a gas comprising a nozzle comprising a first nozzle portion comprising the first fluid and the gas, and a second nozzle portion comprising the second fluid, wherein the second nozzle portion has a larger diameter than and is about the first nozzle portion; and a tubular fluidly connected to and downstream of the nozzle, the tubular comprising the first fluid and the gas in a core, and the second fluid about the core." The patent application was filed on May 30, 2006 (11/420,841). 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=83,22,430.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,430&RS=PN/83,22,430 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Robbins & Myers Energy Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Robbins & Myers Energy Systems, Willis, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,556) developed by Michael J. Guidry Jr., Hockley, Texas, for a "closure for a vessel." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A closure 10 is provided for retaining fluid pressure within a vessel, and comprises a hub 12 having an access opening to the vessel, with the hub having a circumferential stop 17 and one or more recesses 50 each extending radially outward from an adjacent inner surface 26 of the hub. A door 22 is positioned between the stop surface and the vessel, and a latch member 30 brings the door into sealing engagement with the stop member. One or more lugs 24 each extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the door, such that a respective lug engages the hub about a respective recess to seal the door to the hub, while the door may be moved to pass through the one or more recesses and out of the hub." The patent application was filed on Sept. 15, 2011 (13/233,522). 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=83,22,556.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,556&RS=PN/83,22,556 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Surface Refillable Protector ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,444) developed by Lauro De Camargo, Midland, Texas, for a surface refillable protector. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electric pumping system having an electric submersible pump located downhole in a well, the electric submersible pump comprising a motor part, a pump part, and a protector part; the motor part has an internal motor volume containing motor oil; the motor part connected to an electric power source at surface; a motor oil container located at surface outside of the well; a conduit fluidly connecting the motor oil container with the internal motor volume containing motor oil." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2009 (12/570,636). 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=83,22,444.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,444&RS=PN/83,22,444 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Vetco Gray Assigned Patent for Split Assembly Attachment Device ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Vetco Gray, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,436) developed by Tsorng-Jong Maa, Houston, for a "split assembly attachment device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A spider assembly is a round platform with a central bore used to support sections of casing as the sections of casing are joined to one another and lowered below a drilling platform. The spider assembly comprises two c-shaped section joined together at two seams, one seam at the end of each leg of the c-shape. A clamping plate is used to join each seam and apply a preload force on the joint. The preload force minimizes axial deflection at the joint." The patent application was filed on June 29, 2009 (12/494,037). 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=83,22,436.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,436&RS=PN/83,22,436 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent for Focused Sampling of Formation Fluids ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,322,416) developed by Julian J. Pop, Houston, and Pierre-Yves Corre, Eu, France, for a "focused sampling of formation fluids." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for obtaining a fluid at a position within a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation includes a body adapted to be disposed in the wellbore on a conveyance equipped with one or more expandable packers providing a sample region disposed between an upper cleanup zone and a lower cleanup zone when expanded into abutting contact with the wellbore wall. An upper cleanup port is provided at the upper cleanup zone. A lower cleanup port is provided at the lower cleanup zone. A fluid cleanup flowline in fluid connection with the upper and lower cleanup ports can be provided. A sampling inlet is provided at the sampling region, and a sampling flowline is in fluid connection with the sampling inlet for drawing fluid from the sampling region." The patent application was filed on June 18, 2009 (12/486,804). 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=83,22,416.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,416&RS=PN/83,22,416 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Weatherford/Lamb Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Weatherford/Lamb, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,322,432) developed by Thomas F. Bailey, Houston, Danny W. Wagoner, Cypress, Texas, and Waybourn J. Anderson, Houston, for a "subsea internal riser rotating control device system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD seal assembly seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2009 (12/643,093). 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=83,22,432.PN.&OS=PN/83,22,432&RS=PN/83,22,432 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hydril USA Manufacturing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 10 -- Hydril USA Manufacturing, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,323,003) developed by Robert Arnold Judge, Houston, and Peringandoor Raman Hariharan, Houston, for a "pressure driven pumping system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pump includes a housing partially bounded by first and second outer walls, an inner wall fixed within a bore, a first piston disposed between the first outer wall and the inner wall, a second piston disposed between the second outer wall and the inner wall, a coupling member coupling the first and second pistons, a plurality of valves, and a control unit configured to communicate with the plurality of valves. Wherein One of a first inner chamber and a first outer chamber is configured to receive process fluid and the other of the first inner chamber and the first outer chamber is configur For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com. -1107877 (c) 2012 Targeted News Service |