1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for completing a well. Particularly, the present invention relates to positioning a plug in a wellbore. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single-direction plug for use in well completions and drilling with casing applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the oil and gas producing industry, the process of cementing casing into the wellbore of an oil or gas well generally comprises several steps. For example, a string of casing is run in a wellbore to the required depth. Then, cement slurry is pumped into the casing to fill an annulus between the casing and the wellbore wall to a desired height. A displacement medium, such as a drilling or circulation fluid, is pumped behind the cement in order to urge the cement to exit the inside of the casing and enter the annulus. The cement slurry is typically separated from the circulation fluid by at least one cementing plug. Due to the difference in specific gravity between the circulating fluid and the cement slurry, the heavier cement slurry initially drops inside the casing without being pumped by hydrostatic pressure. After the height of cement slurry column outside the casing equals the height of the cement slurry column inside the casing, hydrostatic pressure must be exerted on the displacement fluid to force the rest of cement slurry out of the casing and into the annulus.
After the desired amount of cement slurry has been pumped into the annulus, it is desirable to prevent the backflow of cement slurry into the casing until the cement slurry sets and hardens. This backflow is created by the difference in specific gravity of the heavier cement and the generally lighter displacement fluid. One method for preventing the backflow of cement slurry into the casing involves holding constant the hydrostatic pressure on the displacement fluid in the casing until the cement slurry sets and hardens. This method, however, expands the casing and creates non-adherence of the casing to the hardened cement after the hydrostatic pressure in the casing is released and the casing string contracts. Another method of preventing the backflow of cement slurry involves placing a check valve in the lower end of the casing string to prevent the backflow of the cement slurry into the casing. The check valve may be run on a conventional casing string or pumped down the casing and latched into a float collar with a recess near the bottom of the casing string. Then, the cement slurry is pumped through the check valve. One problem with the use of a check valve in preventing the backflow of cement slurry is that flowing a cement slurry or other fluid through the check valve may damage the check valve and may prevent the check valve from functioning properly. In addition, installing a check valve, even in the open position, on a lower portion of a casing string can cause a pressure surge within the wellbore, thereby damaging surrounding hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
Recently, drilling with casing has become popular as a time saving way to complete a well. Drilling with casing involves using a casing string as a drill string to form a borehole and then using the same string to line the wellbore. Typically, a cutting member is placed at the lower end of the string and is later either retrieved or destroyed by subsequent drilling of another section of wellbore. One challenge of drilling with casing is providing a cementing apparatus in the string to facilitate the circulation of cement after the wellbore is formed. As described above, some type of one-way valve is typically used. However, because drilling fluid must be circulated through the string as the wellbore is formed, any valve in the string can hamper the circulation of fluid that is necessary for drilling
Therefore, a need exists for an improved cementing apparatus for use in completing wells. There is a further need for an improved method of positioning a plug in a wellbore. There is also a need for a downhole tool capable of positioning at a desired depth in the wellbore.
The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for completing a well. Particularly, the present invention relates to a single-direction cementing plug for use with conventional well completions and with drilling with casing applications. One embodiment comprises a cement plug for installation in wellbore casing. The plug includes a body and gripping members for preventing movement of the body in a first axial direction relative to the casing. The plug further comprises a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the casing. The plug is movable in a second axial direction with fluid pressure but is not movable in the first direction due to fluid pressure.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of completing a wellbore. The method includes positioning a tubular in the wellbore and disposing a one-way traveling plug in the tubular. Thereafter, the one-way traveling plug may engage the tubular using a gripping member. The method also includes locating cement in an annular area between the tubular and the wellbore. In one embodiment, the tubular comprises a casing.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a cementing plug for cementing a tubular in a wellbore. The plug includes a body and one or more gripping members, wherein the gripping members, when actuated, prevent movement of the body in a first axial direction relative to the tubular, and, when not actuated, allow movement of the body in a second axial direction relative to the tubular.
In another aspect still, the present invention provides a plug for installation in a casing. The plug includes a body and one or more selectively actuatable gripping members for positioning the plug in the wellbore, wherein the one or more gripping members grip the casing to prevent movement of the plug in a first axial direction relative to the casing but allow movement of the plug in a second axial direction relative to the casing.
In another aspect still, the present invention provides a method of installing a cement plug in a casing to cement the casing in a wellbore. The method includes running the casing into the wellbore. Thereafter, a cement plug having a body and a gripping member for preventing axial movement of the body is disposed in the casing. At the desired location, the gripping members are activated to prevent the plug from moving axially.
In another aspect still, the present invention provides a method of positioning a tool in a fluid conduit. The method includes disposing the tool in the fluid conduit and urging the tool, having one or more gripping members, in a first direction in the fluid conduit. Thereafter, the tool is caused to engage a wall of the fluid conduit at a desired location using the one or more gripping members of the tool, thereby preventing movement of the tool in a second direction within the fluid conduit. Preferably, the fluid conduit comprises a hydrocarbon conduit such as a wellbore or a pipeline. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a downhole tool. In another aspect, the tool may be used to separate two fluid bodies in the fluid conduit. Exemplary fluid bodies include cement, drilling fluid, or hydrocarbon.
Another embodiment comprises a method of installing a cement plug in a well. The method includes running a string of wellbore casing into a wellbore. Then, a quantity of cement is injected into the casing in an amount adequate to fill a predetermined annular volume between the casing and the wellbore therearound. Then, the cement plug is installed at an upper end of the casing. The cement plug includes a body and gripping members for preventing movement of the body towards a surface of the well. The cement plug further includes a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the casing. Then, the plug is urged downwards to a desired depth in the wellbore with a second fluid. The plug separates the cement therebelow from the second fluid injected above the plug. Then, the gripping members are caused to set, thereby preventing the movement of the plug towards the surface of the well.
Yet another embodiment comprises a method of installing a cement plug in a well. The method includes drilling a wellbore with a string of casing having a cutting member disposed on a lower portion of the string. Then, a quantity of cement is injected into the casing in an amount adequate to fill a predetermined annular volume between the casing and the wellbore therearound. Then, the cement plug is installed at an upper end of the casing. The cement plug includes a body and gripping members for preventing movement of the body towards a surface of the well. The cement plug further includes a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the casing. Thereafter, the plug is urged downwards to a desired depth in the wellbore with a second fluid. The plug separates the cement therebelow from the second fluid injected above the plug. Then, the gripping members are caused to set, thereby preventing the movement of the plug towards the surface of the well.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention, as well as other features set forth herein, are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for completing a well. Particularly, the present invention relates to a single-direction cementing plug.
The cylindrical body 120 of the plug 110 includes a bore 127 therethrough and a seal 128 to prevent the flow of fluid through the bore 127 and the body 120. A top end cap 150 may be coupled to the top end of the body 120 and a bottom end cap 152 may be coupled to the bottom end of the body 120. The end caps 150, 152 may comprise a rounded surface to help direct the plug 110 through the casing 104.
A top sealing member 140 may be coupled to the top end of the body 120, and a bottom sealing member 142 may be coupled to the bottom end of the body 120. The sealing members 140, 142 comprise lips 141, 143 which make movable contact with the inner walls of the casing 104. The lip 141 of the top sealing member 140 is directed upward to help isolate the second fluid 108 above the plug 110 while the lip 143 of the bottom sealing member 142 is directed downward to help isolate the first fluid 109 below the plug 110. The lips 141, 143 of the sealing members 140, 142 preferably comprise an elastic material. As shown in the figure, the body 120 comprises two pieces. In other embodiments, the body 120 may comprise one integral piece or three or more separate pieces.
The body 120 of the plug 110 further comprises a sloped portion 122 having a narrow region 124 above a wide region 126. The gripping members 130 are at least partially disposed around the sloped portion 122 of the body 120 and are moveable axially between the narrow region 124 and the wide region 126 of the sloped portion 122 of the body 120. The gripping members 130 may comprise multiple components as shown in
The gripping members 130 are disposed proximate to the drag element 132. In the figure, the drag element 132 comprises drag buttons disposed on a slideable ring 133. Other types of drag elements 132 may also be used. As shown, the gripping members 130 are not attached to the drag element 132. In other embodiments, the gripping members 130 may be attached to the drag element 132. As the plug 110 is directed down the wellbore 102, the drag element 132 drags against the inner walls of the casing 104 and urges the slideable ring 133 upward relative to the body 120. The garter spring 134 biases the gripping members 130 against the body 120, and biases the gripping members 130 upward relative to the body 120 toward the slideable ring 133. Since the slideable ring 133 and the gripping members 130 are urged upward, the gripping members 130 are at the narrow region 124 of the sloped portion 122 of the body 120 and are prevented from making contact with the inner walls of the casing 104. In other words, the gripping members 130 are in a retracted position, and, thus, do not hinder downward movement of the plug 110 through the casing 104.
The cylindrical body 220 includes a bore seal 228 to prevent the flow of fluid through the body 220. A bottom end cap 252 may be coupled to the bottom end of the body 220. The end cap 252 may comprise a rounded surface to help direct the plug through the casing 204. A bottom sealing member 242 may be coupled to the bottom end of the body 220. The sealing member 242 comprises a lip 243 which makes slideable contact with the inner walls of the casing 204. The lip 243 of the bottom sealing member 242 is directed downward to help isolate the first fluid 209 below the plug 210. The lip 243 preferably comprises an elastic material. The body 220 may comprise an integral piece or multiple pieces.
The body 220 of the plug 210 further comprises a sloped portion 222 having a narrow region 224 above a wide region 226. The gripping members 230 are disposed around the sloped portion 222 of the body 220 and are moveable axially between the narrow region 224 and the wide region 226 of the sloped portion 222 of the body 220. The gripping members 230 may comprise multiple components as shown in
In the figure, the drag element 232 comprises fins 233 and lip 234 coupled to the slideable sleeve 236. The lip 234 of drag element 232 acts as a sealing device and helps to isolate the second fluid 208 above the plug 210. Other drag elements 232 may also be used. As the plug 210 is directed down the wellbore 202, the drag element 232 drags against the inner walls of the casing 204 and urges the slideable sleeve 236 upward relative to the body 220. Since the gripping members 230 are disposed in the grooves of the slideable sleeve 236, the gripping members 230 are also urged upward relative to the body 220 to the narrow region 224 of the sloped portion 222 of the body 220. Since the gripping members 230 are at the narrow region 224 of the sloped portion 222 of the body 220, the gripping members 230 are prevented from making contact with the inner walls of the casing 204. In other words, the gripping members 230 are in a retracted position, and, thus, do not hinder downward movement of the plug 210 through the casing 204.
Tension pins 260 preventing movement of the slideable sleeve 236 relative to the body 220 may be used to prevent movement of the gripping members 230 during handling at the well surface or may prevent premature setting of the gripping members 230 during run in. For example, a tension pin 260 may be disposed in the top of the body 220 and in the slideable sleeve 236 as shown in
In another aspect, the single-direction plug may be launched from a conventional plug container or as a sub-surface release type plug. Examples of sub-surface release type plugs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,157, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure. In one aspect, less time is employed in using a single-direction plug in comparison to a latch-in check valve which is typically pumped down the casing prior to use, such as prior to beginning a cementing process.
Single-direction plugs according to aspects of the present invention may be made of any suitable material, such as polymers, composites, elastomers, plastomers, fiber reinforced materials, metals, alloys, or combinations thereof. The plugs or portions thereof may also be made of wood or wood product such as plywood, or plastics such as thermo set or compression set. Preferably, the plugs are made of a drillable or millable material, comprising a single substance or a composite material, which may be drilled by any industry known drill bit so that the plug may be drilled out and further operations be performed down the wellbore. Additionally, the gripping members 130 and the gripping elements 131 may comprise a single material, such as, but not limited to, cast iron, aluminum, or a ceramic material, or they may comprise a composite material, such as, but not limited to, an engineering grade plastic. Additionally, the embodiment wherein gripping members 130 and/or the gripping elements 131 comprise aluminum may further comprise aluminum with a hard, anodized or other surface coating.
A single-direction plug according to aspects of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a single-direction plug may be used to separate cement slurry and displacement fluid used to pump the cement slurry down a casing and up the annulus. If the plug is exposed to a greater pressure below the plug (i.e. the pressure of the cement slurry below the plug is greater than the pressure of the displacement fluid above the plug), the gripping members 130 or 230 of the plugs 110 or 210, respectively, will be actuated to prevent movement of the plug up the casing. In this respect, the plugs are also known as one-way traveling plugs or unidirectional plugs. The gripping members 130 or 230 of the plugs 110 or 210, respectively, may be actuated at any desired location in the casing by exposing the plug to a greater pressure below the plug. Further, the plug may be actuated and de-actuated multiple times within the wellbore by controlling the pressure of the displacement fluid above the plug. Additionally, the location of the plug in the casing may be ascertained and controlled by means well known within the relevant art, such as the use of a radio frequency identification device (RFID), as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,100, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.
In another aspect, when the plug 110 remains in one location, opening the valve 700 allows the fluid to pass through the plug 110. The valve 700 may be a single direction valve such as a flapper valve. In this respect, the flapper valve may act as a check valve and keep the fluid pumped through the plug from flowing back through the plug. Furthermore, the flapper valve 700 may be adapted to allow movement of the plug 700 once the flapper valve 700 is closed. In this respect, the flapper valve 700 may function as the seal 128, or the shearable member 728, thereby allowing the plug 110 to once again move in a single direction as dictated by the fluid pressure in the casing 104. The plug 110 may continue to travel in one direction until a desired depth is reached and the gripping members are set to prevent axial movement of the plug.
The single-direction plug may also be used in other applications besides cementing operations. Additionally, it can be actuated by means other than those previously described. For example, using a combination of a timer and a gauge to measure hydrostatic head, the device can be made to actuate at a specific depth in the wellbore. By requiring that time and pressure conditions be met, chances of the device prematurely activating are reduced. Preferably, when the time and pressure conditions are met, a pressure chamber within the device can provide force to mechanically set the slips and lock the device axially in the wellbore. In another alternative, a frangible member, like a rupture disk can be utilized. The rupture disk, designed to rupture at a particular depth, could permit pressurized fluid pressurized by hydrostatic head to enter an air of vacuum chamber and provide setting force for the slips. Finally, the device can be made whereby the gripping members are bi-directional slips that prevent movement in either axial direction. In this embodiment, the device could be used as a bridge plug in a plug and abandon operation where cement is permanently left in the interior of a wellbore to prevent migration of fluids towards the surface of an abandoned well. The device may also be used as a pump down cement retainer, float valve, or other suitable downhole apparatus as is known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
In another embodiment, a sealing element 944 may be disposed at the upper end of sealing member 942, abutting a notched section of wide region 926 of body 920, as illustrated in
In another aspect, the shearable member 928 may be adapted to shear or break at two different pressures. For example, shearable member 928, may comprise a top surface 929, having a surface area At, which is in contact with the fluid above the plug 910, and a bottom surface 931, having a surface area Ab, which is in contact with the fluid below the plug 910. As shown, the surface area At of the top surface 929 is smaller than the surface area Ab of the bottom surface 931, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the end caps 952 may further comprise castellations 953 disposed in various sections of the end cap surface, as illustrated in
In another aspect, the single-direction plug may be inserted into the casing after the casing has been run in the wellbore. In this respect, the inner bore of the casing is not obstructed, and therefore, pressure surge problems are avoided. Furthermore, as the plug may be positioned at any location in the casing, a float collar or shoe, as was heretofore necessary using existing technology to secure the plug in a desired position, is not required. Once a casing is properly positioned and ready for cementing, a plug 110 or 210 may be released into the wellbore. The plug 110 or 210 may be caused to stop at any desired location therein to regulate the flow of cement.
In another embodiment, the single-direction plug may be used to facilitate cementing in drilling with casing applications. For example, referring to
Additionally, a second plug 812 may be disposed in the casing 804 to separate the cement 809 and the fluid for urging the cement 809 downward. As shown, the shearable member of the second plug 812 remains in tact to separate the fluids. It can also be seen that some of the cement 809 has been displaced into the annular area 819 between the wellbore 802 and the casing 804. In addition to separating the fluids, the second plug 812 prevents the cement 809 in the annular area 819 from returning into the casing 804. After a sufficient amount of cement has been displaced into the annular area 819, the second plug 812 may be actuated to position itself in the wellbore 802. Specifically, a pressure differential is created such that the pressure above the second plug 812 is less than the pressure below the second plug 812. In turn, the gripping members of the second plug 812 are actuated to engage the casing 804, thereby maintaining its position in the wellbore 802 and preventing cement 809 from flowing back into the casing 804. It must be noted, either one or both of the plugs 811, 812 may be a single directional plug. The use of single direction plugs advantageously allows drilling with casing to be performed without the need of float equipment. Additionally, because such a single direction plug is disposed in the casing after the drilling operation, the plug is not exposed to the drilling fluid, and thus, is not degraded or damaged by drilling fluid.
In still another embodiment, a single-direction plug may be used to advantage with other plugs. For example, a cement slurry may be pumped down the casing with a latch-in bottom plug inserted into the casing prior to the cement slurry and with a single-direction top plug inserted after the cement slurry. The latch-in bottom plug may latch into a collar positioned near the bottom of the casing string. The bottom plug may include a fractable member to allow the cement slurry to pass therethrough. When the single-direction top plug is pumped down to the bottom plug, the bottom plug acts as a stop which prevents further downward movement of the single-direction top plug. It must be noted that the single-direction plug may also be employed as the top plug, bottom plug, or both.
Aspects of the present invention may also be applied to a tool traveling in a fluid conduit. In one embodiment, the tool may be equipped with a gripping member. The tool is disposed in the fluid conduit and caused to travel in a first direction. Thereafter, the gripping members may be actuated to engage a wall of the fluid conduit at a desired location, thereby preventing movement of the tool in a second direction within the fluid conduit. Preferably, the fluid conduit comprises a hydrocarbon conduit such as a wellbore, a pipeline, or a casing. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a downhole tool, which may be released to travel in a first axial direction in the casing. Thereafter, the downhole tool may be caused to grip the casing, thereby preventing the downhole tool to travel in a second axial direction. In another aspect, the tool may be used to separate two fluid bodies in the fluid conduit. Exemplary fluid bodies include cement, drilling fluid, hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/443,768, filed Jan. 30, 2003, which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
122514 | Bullock | Jan 1872 | A |
1077772 | Weathersby | Nov 1913 | A |
1185582 | Bignell | May 1916 | A |
1301285 | Leonard | Apr 1919 | A |
1342424 | Cotten | Jun 1920 | A |
1418766 | Wilson | Jun 1922 | A |
1471526 | Pickin | Oct 1923 | A |
1585069 | Youle | May 1926 | A |
1728136 | Power | Sep 1929 | A |
1777592 | Thomas | Oct 1930 | A |
1825026 | Thomas | Sep 1931 | A |
1830625 | Schrock | Nov 1931 | A |
1842638 | Wigle | Jan 1932 | A |
1851289 | Owen | Mar 1932 | A |
1880218 | Simmons | Oct 1932 | A |
1917135 | Littell | Jul 1933 | A |
1981525 | Price | Nov 1934 | A |
1998833 | Crowell | Apr 1935 | A |
2017451 | Wickersham | Oct 1935 | A |
2049450 | Johnson | Aug 1936 | A |
2060352 | Stokes | Nov 1936 | A |
2105885 | Hinderliter | Jan 1938 | A |
2167338 | Murcell | Jul 1939 | A |
2214429 | Miller | Sep 1940 | A |
2216895 | Stokes | Oct 1940 | A |
2228503 | Boyd et al. | Jan 1941 | A |
2295803 | O'Leary | Sep 1942 | A |
2305062 | Church et al. | Dec 1942 | A |
2324679 | Cox | Jul 1943 | A |
2370832 | Baker | Mar 1945 | A |
2379800 | Hare | Jul 1945 | A |
2383453 | Crickmer | Aug 1945 | A |
2414719 | Cloud | Jan 1947 | A |
2499630 | Clark | Mar 1950 | A |
2522444 | Grable | Sep 1950 | A |
2536458 | Munsinger | Jan 1951 | A |
2572309 | Brown | Oct 1951 | A |
2610690 | Beatty | Sep 1952 | A |
2621742 | Brown | Dec 1952 | A |
2627891 | Clark | Feb 1953 | A |
2641444 | Moon | Jun 1953 | A |
2650314 | Hennigh et al. | Aug 1953 | A |
2663073 | Bieber et al. | Dec 1953 | A |
2668689 | Cormany | Feb 1954 | A |
2692059 | Bolling, Jr. | Oct 1954 | A |
2720267 | Brown | Oct 1955 | A |
2737247 | Baker et al. | Mar 1956 | A |
2738011 | Mabry | Mar 1956 | A |
2741907 | Genender et al. | Apr 1956 | A |
2743087 | Layne et al. | Apr 1956 | A |
2743495 | Eklund | May 1956 | A |
2764329 | Hampton | Sep 1956 | A |
2765146 | Williams | Oct 1956 | A |
2805043 | Williams | Sep 1957 | A |
2953406 | Young | Sep 1960 | A |
2978047 | DeVaan | Apr 1961 | A |
3006415 | Burns et al. | Oct 1961 | A |
3041901 | Knights | Jul 1962 | A |
3054100 | Jones | Sep 1962 | A |
3087546 | Wooley | Apr 1963 | A |
3090031 | Lord | May 1963 | A |
3102599 | Hillburn | Sep 1963 | A |
3111179 | Albers et al. | Nov 1963 | A |
3117636 | Wilcox et al. | Jan 1964 | A |
3122811 | Gilreath | Mar 1964 | A |
3123160 | Kammerer | Mar 1964 | A |
3124023 | Marquis et al. | Mar 1964 | A |
3131769 | Rochemont | May 1964 | A |
3159219 | Scott | Dec 1964 | A |
3169592 | Kammerer | Feb 1965 | A |
3191677 | Kinley | Jun 1965 | A |
3191680 | Vincent | Jun 1965 | A |
3193116 | Kenneday et al. | Jul 1965 | A |
3353599 | Swift | Nov 1967 | A |
3380528 | Timmons | Apr 1968 | A |
3387893 | Hoever | Jun 1968 | A |
3392609 | Bartos | Jul 1968 | A |
3419079 | Current | Dec 1968 | A |
3425489 | Brown | Feb 1969 | A |
3477527 | Koot | Nov 1969 | A |
3489220 | Kinley | Jan 1970 | A |
3518903 | Ham et al. | Jul 1970 | A |
3548936 | Kilgore et al. | Dec 1970 | A |
3550684 | Cubberly, Jr. | Dec 1970 | A |
3552507 | Brown | Jan 1971 | A |
3552508 | Brown | Jan 1971 | A |
3552509 | Brown | Jan 1971 | A |
3552510 | Brown | Jan 1971 | A |
3552848 | Van Wagner | Jan 1971 | A |
3559739 | Hutchison | Feb 1971 | A |
3566505 | Martin | Mar 1971 | A |
3570598 | Johnson | Mar 1971 | A |
3575245 | Cordary et al. | Apr 1971 | A |
3602302 | Kluth | Aug 1971 | A |
3603411 | Link | Sep 1971 | A |
3603412 | Kammerer, Jr. et al. | Sep 1971 | A |
3603413 | Grill et al. | Sep 1971 | A |
3606664 | Weiner | Sep 1971 | A |
3624760 | Bodine | Nov 1971 | A |
3635105 | Dickmann et al. | Jan 1972 | A |
3656564 | Brown | Apr 1972 | A |
3662842 | Bromell | May 1972 | A |
3669190 | Sizer et al. | Jun 1972 | A |
3680412 | Mayer et al. | Aug 1972 | A |
3691624 | Kinley | Sep 1972 | A |
3691825 | Dyer | Sep 1972 | A |
3692126 | Rushing et al. | Sep 1972 | A |
3696332 | Dickson, Jr. et al. | Oct 1972 | A |
3700048 | Desmoulins | Oct 1972 | A |
3729057 | Werner | Apr 1973 | A |
3746330 | Taciuk | Jul 1973 | A |
3747675 | Brown | Jul 1973 | A |
3760894 | Pitifer | Sep 1973 | A |
3776320 | Brown | Dec 1973 | A |
3776991 | Marcus | Dec 1973 | A |
3785196 | Kinley et al. | Jan 1974 | A |
3808916 | Porter et al. | May 1974 | A |
3838613 | Wilms | Oct 1974 | A |
3840128 | Swoboda, Jr. et al. | Oct 1974 | A |
3848684 | West | Nov 1974 | A |
3857450 | Guier | Dec 1974 | A |
3870114 | Pulk et al. | Mar 1975 | A |
3881375 | Kelly | May 1975 | A |
3885679 | Swoboda, Jr. et al. | May 1975 | A |
3901331 | Djurovic | Aug 1975 | A |
3913687 | Gyongyosi et al. | Oct 1975 | A |
3915244 | Brown | Oct 1975 | A |
3934660 | Nelson | Jan 1976 | A |
3945444 | Knudson | Mar 1976 | A |
3947009 | Nelmark | Mar 1976 | A |
3964556 | Gearhart et al. | Jun 1976 | A |
3980143 | Swartz et al. | Sep 1976 | A |
4049066 | Richey | Sep 1977 | A |
4054332 | Bryan, Jr. | Oct 1977 | A |
4054426 | White | Oct 1977 | A |
4064939 | Marquis | Dec 1977 | A |
4077525 | Callegari et al. | Mar 1978 | A |
4082144 | Marquis | Apr 1978 | A |
4083405 | Shirley | Apr 1978 | A |
4085808 | Kling | Apr 1978 | A |
4095865 | Denison et al. | Jun 1978 | A |
4100968 | Delano | Jul 1978 | A |
4100981 | Chaffin | Jul 1978 | A |
4127927 | Hauk et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
4133396 | Tschirky | Jan 1979 | A |
4142739 | Billingsley | Mar 1979 | A |
4153109 | Szescila | May 1979 | A |
4173457 | Smith | Nov 1979 | A |
4175619 | Davis | Nov 1979 | A |
4186628 | Bonnice | Feb 1980 | A |
4189185 | Kammerer, Jr. et al. | Feb 1980 | A |
4194383 | Huzyak | Mar 1980 | A |
4221269 | Hudson | Sep 1980 | A |
4227197 | Nimmo et al. | Oct 1980 | A |
4241878 | Underwood | Dec 1980 | A |
4257442 | Claycomb | Mar 1981 | A |
4262693 | Giebeler | Apr 1981 | A |
4274777 | Scaggs | Jun 1981 | A |
4274778 | Putnam et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
4277197 | Bingham | Jul 1981 | A |
4280380 | Eshghy | Jul 1981 | A |
4281722 | Tucker et al. | Aug 1981 | A |
4287949 | Lindsey, Jr. | Sep 1981 | A |
4311195 | Mullins, II | Jan 1982 | A |
4315553 | Stallings | Feb 1982 | A |
4320915 | Abbott et al. | Mar 1982 | A |
4336415 | Walling | Jun 1982 | A |
4384627 | Ramirez-Jauregui | May 1983 | A |
4392534 | Miida | Jul 1983 | A |
4396076 | Inoue | Aug 1983 | A |
4396077 | Radtke | Aug 1983 | A |
4407378 | Thomas | Oct 1983 | A |
4408669 | Wiredal | Oct 1983 | A |
4413682 | Callihan et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4427063 | Skinner | Jan 1984 | A |
4437363 | Haynes | Mar 1984 | A |
4440220 | McArthur | Apr 1984 | A |
4445734 | Cunningham | May 1984 | A |
4446745 | Stone et al. | May 1984 | A |
4449596 | Boyadjieff | May 1984 | A |
4460053 | Jurgens et al. | Jul 1984 | A |
4463814 | Horstmeyer et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
4466498 | Bardwell | Aug 1984 | A |
4470470 | Takano | Sep 1984 | A |
4472002 | Beney et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
4474243 | Gaines | Oct 1984 | A |
4483399 | Colgate | Nov 1984 | A |
4489793 | Boren | Dec 1984 | A |
4489794 | Boyadjieff | Dec 1984 | A |
4492134 | Reinholdt et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
4494424 | Bates | Jan 1985 | A |
4515045 | Gnatchenko et al. | May 1985 | A |
4529045 | Boyadjieff et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4544041 | Rinaldi | Oct 1985 | A |
4545443 | Wiredal | Oct 1985 | A |
4570706 | Pugnet | Feb 1986 | A |
4580631 | Baugh | Apr 1986 | A |
4583603 | Dorleans et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
4589495 | Langer et al. | May 1986 | A |
4592125 | Skene | Jun 1986 | A |
4593773 | Skeie | Jun 1986 | A |
4595058 | Nations | Jun 1986 | A |
4604724 | Shaginian et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4604818 | Inoue | Aug 1986 | A |
4605077 | Boyadjieff | Aug 1986 | A |
4605268 | Meador | Aug 1986 | A |
4620600 | Persson | Nov 1986 | A |
4625796 | Boyadjieff | Dec 1986 | A |
4630691 | Hooper | Dec 1986 | A |
4646827 | Cobb | Mar 1987 | A |
4649777 | Buck | Mar 1987 | A |
4651837 | Mayfield | Mar 1987 | A |
4652195 | McArthur | Mar 1987 | A |
4655286 | Wood | Apr 1987 | A |
4667752 | Berry et al. | May 1987 | A |
4671358 | Lindsey, Jr. et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4676310 | Scherbatskoy et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4676312 | Mosing et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4678031 | Blandford et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4681158 | Pennison | Jul 1987 | A |
4681162 | Boyd | Jul 1987 | A |
4683962 | True | Aug 1987 | A |
4686873 | Lang et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4691587 | Farrand et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4693316 | Ringgenberg et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4699224 | Burton | Oct 1987 | A |
4709599 | Buck | Dec 1987 | A |
4709766 | Boyadjieff | Dec 1987 | A |
4725179 | Woolslayer et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4735270 | Fenyvesi | Apr 1988 | A |
4738145 | Vincent et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4742876 | Barthelemy et al. | May 1988 | A |
4744426 | Reed | May 1988 | A |
4759239 | Hamilton et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4760882 | Novak | Aug 1988 | A |
4762187 | Haney | Aug 1988 | A |
4765401 | Boyadjieff | Aug 1988 | A |
4765416 | Bjerking et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4773689 | Wolters | Sep 1988 | A |
4775009 | Wittrisch et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4778008 | Gonzalez et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4781359 | Matus | Nov 1988 | A |
4788544 | Howard | Nov 1988 | A |
4791997 | Krasnov | Dec 1988 | A |
4793422 | Krasnov | Dec 1988 | A |
4800968 | Shaw et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4806928 | Veneruso | Feb 1989 | A |
4813493 | Shaw et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4813495 | Leach | Mar 1989 | A |
4821814 | Willis et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4825947 | Mikolajczyk | May 1989 | A |
4832552 | Skelly | May 1989 | A |
4836064 | Slator | Jun 1989 | A |
4836299 | Bodine | Jun 1989 | A |
4842081 | Parant | Jun 1989 | A |
4843945 | Dinsdale | Jul 1989 | A |
4848469 | Baugh et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4854386 | Baker et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4867236 | Haney et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4878546 | Shaw et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4880058 | Lindsey et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4883125 | Wilson et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
4901069 | Veneruso | Feb 1990 | A |
4904119 | Legendre et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
4909741 | Schasteen et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
4915181 | Labrosse | Apr 1990 | A |
4921386 | McArthur | May 1990 | A |
4936382 | Thomas | Jun 1990 | A |
4960173 | Cognevich et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4962579 | Moyer et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4962819 | Bailey et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4962822 | Pascale | Oct 1990 | A |
4997042 | Jordan et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5009265 | Bailey et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5022472 | Bailey et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5027914 | Wilson | Jul 1991 | A |
5036927 | Willis | Aug 1991 | A |
5049020 | McArthur | Sep 1991 | A |
5052483 | Hudson | Oct 1991 | A |
5060542 | Hauk | Oct 1991 | A |
5060737 | Mohn | Oct 1991 | A |
5062756 | McArthur et al. | Nov 1991 | A |
5069297 | Krueger et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5074366 | Karlsson et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
5082069 | Seiler et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5085273 | Coone | Feb 1992 | A |
5096465 | Chen et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5109924 | Jurgens et al. | May 1992 | A |
5111893 | Kvello-Aune | May 1992 | A |
5141063 | Quesenbury | Aug 1992 | A |
RE34063 | Vincent et al. | Sep 1992 | E |
5148875 | Karlsson et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5156213 | George et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5160925 | Dailey et al. | Nov 1992 | A |
5168942 | Wydrinski | Dec 1992 | A |
5172765 | Sas-Jaworsky | Dec 1992 | A |
5176518 | Hordijk et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5181571 | Mueller | Jan 1993 | A |
5186265 | Henson et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5191932 | Seefried et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5191939 | Stokley | Mar 1993 | A |
5197553 | Leturno | Mar 1993 | A |
5224540 | Streich et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5233742 | Gray et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5234052 | Coone et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5245265 | Clay | Sep 1993 | A |
5251709 | Richardson | Oct 1993 | A |
5255741 | Alexander | Oct 1993 | A |
5255751 | Stogner | Oct 1993 | A |
5271468 | Streich et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5271472 | Leturno | Dec 1993 | A |
5272925 | Henneuse et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5282653 | LaFleur et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5284210 | Helms et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5285008 | Sas-Jaworsky et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5285204 | Sas-Jaworsky | Feb 1994 | A |
5291956 | Mueller et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5294228 | Willis et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5297833 | Willis et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5305830 | Wittrisch | Apr 1994 | A |
5305839 | Kalsi et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5318122 | Murray et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5320178 | Cornette | Jun 1994 | A |
5322127 | McNair et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5323858 | Jones et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5332043 | Ferguson | Jul 1994 | A |
5332048 | Underwood et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5340182 | Busink et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5343950 | Hale et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5343951 | Cowan et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5348095 | Worrall et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5351767 | Stogner et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5353872 | Wittrisch | Oct 1994 | A |
5354150 | Canales | Oct 1994 | A |
5355967 | Mueller et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5361859 | Tibbitts | Nov 1994 | A |
5368113 | Schulze-Beckinghausen | Nov 1994 | A |
5375668 | Hallundbaek | Dec 1994 | A |
5379835 | Streich | Jan 1995 | A |
5386746 | Hauk | Feb 1995 | A |
5388651 | Berry | Feb 1995 | A |
5392715 | Pelrine | Feb 1995 | A |
5394823 | Lenze | Mar 1995 | A |
5402856 | Warren et al. | Apr 1995 | A |
5433279 | Tessari et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5435400 | Smith | Jul 1995 | A |
5437340 | Lee et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5452923 | Smith | Sep 1995 | A |
5456317 | Hood, III et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5458209 | Hayes et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5461905 | Penisson | Oct 1995 | A |
5472057 | Winfree | Dec 1995 | A |
5477925 | Trahan et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5494122 | Larsen et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5497840 | Hudson | Mar 1996 | A |
5501286 | Berry | Mar 1996 | A |
5503234 | Clanton | Apr 1996 | A |
5520255 | Barr et al. | May 1996 | A |
5526880 | Jordan, Jr. et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5535824 | Hudson | Jul 1996 | A |
5535838 | Keshavan et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5540279 | Branch et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5542472 | Pringle et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5542473 | Pringle et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5547029 | Rubbo et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5551521 | Vail, III | Sep 1996 | A |
5553672 | Smith, Jr. et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5553679 | Thorp | Sep 1996 | A |
5560437 | Dickel et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5560440 | Tibbitts | Oct 1996 | A |
5566772 | Coone et al. | Oct 1996 | A |
5575344 | Wireman | Nov 1996 | A |
5577566 | Albright et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5582259 | Barr | Dec 1996 | A |
5584343 | Coone | Dec 1996 | A |
5588916 | Moore | Dec 1996 | A |
5613567 | Hudson | Mar 1997 | A |
5615747 | Vail, III | Apr 1997 | A |
5645131 | Trevisani | Jul 1997 | A |
5651420 | Tibbitts et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5661888 | Hanslik | Sep 1997 | A |
5662170 | Donovan et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5662182 | McLeod et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5667011 | Gill et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5667023 | Harrell et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5667026 | Lorenz et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5697442 | Baldridge | Dec 1997 | A |
5706894 | Hawkins, III | Jan 1998 | A |
5706905 | Barr | Jan 1998 | A |
5711382 | Hansen et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5717334 | Vail, III et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5720356 | Gardes | Feb 1998 | A |
5730471 | Schulze-Beckinghausen et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5732776 | Tubel et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5735348 | Hawkins, III | Apr 1998 | A |
5735351 | Helms | Apr 1998 | A |
5743344 | McLeod et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5746276 | Stuart | May 1998 | A |
5772514 | Moore | Jun 1998 | A |
5785132 | Richardson et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5785134 | McLeod et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5787978 | Carter et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5791410 | Castille et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5794703 | Newman et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5803191 | Mackintosh | Sep 1998 | A |
5803666 | Keller | Sep 1998 | A |
5813456 | Milner et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5823264 | Ringgenberg | Oct 1998 | A |
5826651 | Lee et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5828003 | Thomeer et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5829520 | Johnson | Nov 1998 | A |
5833002 | Holcombe | Nov 1998 | A |
5836395 | Budde | Nov 1998 | A |
5836409 | Vail, III | Nov 1998 | A |
5839330 | Stokka | Nov 1998 | A |
5839515 | Yuan et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5839519 | Spedale, Jr. | Nov 1998 | A |
5842149 | Harrell et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5842530 | Smith et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5845722 | Makohl et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5850877 | Albright et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5860474 | Stoltz et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5878815 | Collins | Mar 1999 | A |
5887655 | Haugen et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5887668 | Haugen et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5890537 | Lavaure et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5890549 | Sprehe | Apr 1999 | A |
5894897 | Vail, III | Apr 1999 | A |
5907664 | Wang et al. | May 1999 | A |
5908049 | Williams et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5909768 | Castille et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5913337 | Williams et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5921285 | Quigley et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5921332 | Spedale, Jr. | Jul 1999 | A |
5931231 | Mock | Aug 1999 | A |
5947213 | Angle et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5950742 | Caraway | Sep 1999 | A |
5954131 | Sallwasser | Sep 1999 | A |
5957225 | Sinor | Sep 1999 | A |
5960881 | Allamon et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5971079 | Mullins | Oct 1999 | A |
5971086 | Bee et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5984007 | Yuan et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5988273 | Monjure et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6000472 | Albright et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6012529 | Mikolajczyk et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6024169 | Haugen | Feb 2000 | A |
6026911 | Angle et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6035953 | Rear | Mar 2000 | A |
6056060 | Abrahamsen et al. | May 2000 | A |
6059051 | Jewkes et al. | May 2000 | A |
6059053 | McLeod | May 2000 | A |
6061000 | Edwards | May 2000 | A |
6062326 | Strong et al. | May 2000 | A |
6065550 | Gardes | May 2000 | A |
6070500 | Dlask et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6070671 | Cumming et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6079498 | Lima et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6079509 | Bee et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6082461 | Newman et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6089323 | Newman et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6098717 | Bailey et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6119772 | Pruet | Sep 2000 | A |
6135208 | Gano et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6142545 | Penman et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6155360 | McLeod | Dec 2000 | A |
6158531 | Vail, III | Dec 2000 | A |
6161617 | Gjedebo | Dec 2000 | A |
6170573 | Brunet et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6172010 | Argillier et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6173777 | Mullins | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6179055 | Sallwasser et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6182776 | Asberg | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6186233 | Brunet | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6189616 | Gano et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6189621 | Vail, III | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6196336 | Fincher et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6199641 | Downie et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6202764 | Ables et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6206112 | Dickinson, III et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6216533 | Woloson et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6217258 | Yamamoto et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6220117 | Butcher | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6223823 | Head | May 2001 | B1 |
6227587 | Terral | May 2001 | B1 |
6234257 | Ciglenec et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6237684 | Bouligny, Jr. et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6263987 | Vail, III | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6273189 | Gissler et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6275938 | Bond et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6290432 | Exley et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6296066 | Terry et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6305469 | Coenen et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6309002 | Bouligny | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6311792 | Scott et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6315051 | Ayling | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6318472 | Rogers et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6325148 | Trahan et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6343649 | Beck et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6347674 | Bloom et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6349764 | Adams et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6357485 | Quigley et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6359569 | Beck et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6360633 | Pietras | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6367552 | Scott et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6367566 | Hill | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6371203 | Frank et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6374506 | Schutte et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6374924 | Hanton et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6378627 | Tubel et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6378630 | Ritorto et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6378633 | Moore | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6390190 | Mullins | May 2002 | B1 |
6392317 | Hall et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6397946 | Vail, III | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6405798 | Barrett et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6408943 | Schultz et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6412554 | Allen et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6412574 | Wardley et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6419014 | Meek et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6419033 | Hahn et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6427776 | Hoffman et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6429784 | Beique et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6431626 | Bouligny | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6443241 | Juhasz et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6443247 | Wardley | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6446723 | Ramos et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6457532 | Simpson | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6458471 | Lovato et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6464004 | Crawford et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6464011 | Tubel | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6484818 | Alft et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6497280 | Beck et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6527047 | Pietras | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6527064 | Hallundbaek | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6527493 | Kamphorst et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6536520 | Snider et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6536522 | Birckhead et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6536993 | Strong et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6538576 | Schultz et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6540025 | Scott et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6543552 | Melcalfe et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6547017 | Vail, III | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6553825 | Boyd | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6554064 | Restarick et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6585040 | Hanton et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6591471 | Hollingsworth et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6595288 | Mosing et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6619402 | Amory et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6622796 | Pietras | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6634430 | Dawson et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6637526 | Juhasz et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6648075 | Badrak et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6651737 | Bouligny | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6655460 | Bailey et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6666274 | Hughes | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6668684 | Allen et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6668937 | Murray | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6679333 | York et al. | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6688394 | Ayling | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6688398 | Pietras | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6691801 | Juhasz et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6698595 | Norell et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6702040 | Sensenig | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6708769 | Haugen et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6715430 | Choi et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6719071 | Moyes | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6725924 | Davidson et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6725938 | Pietras | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6732822 | Slack et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
6742584 | Appleton | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6742596 | Haugen | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6742606 | Melcalfe et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6745834 | Davis et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6752211 | Dewey et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6832658 | Keast | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6837313 | Hosie et al. | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6840322 | Haynes | Jan 2005 | B1 |
6848517 | Wardley | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6854533 | Galloway | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6857486 | Chitwood et al. | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6857487 | Galloway et al. | Feb 2005 | B1 |
20010000101 | Lovato et al. | Apr 2001 | A1 |
20010002626 | Frank et al. | Jun 2001 | A1 |
20010013412 | Tubel | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010040054 | Haugen et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010042625 | Appleton | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010047883 | Hanton et al. | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20020040787 | Cook et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020066556 | Goode et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020074127 | Birckhead et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020074132 | Juhasz et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020079102 | Dewey et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020108748 | Keyes | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020134555 | Allen et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020157829 | Davis et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020162690 | Hanton et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020170720 | Haugen | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020189806 | Davidson et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020189863 | Wardley | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030029641 | Meehan | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030034177 | Chitwood et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030056947 | Cameron | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030056991 | Hahn et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030070841 | Merecka et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030070842 | Bailey et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030111267 | Pia | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030146023 | Pia | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030164250 | Wardley | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030164251 | Tulloch | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030164276 | Snider et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030173073 | Snider et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030173090 | Cook et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030213598 | Hughes | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030217865 | Simpson et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030221519 | Haugen et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040000405 | Fournier, Jr. et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040003490 | Shahin et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040003944 | Vincent et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040011534 | Simonds et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040016575 | Shahin et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040060697 | Tilton et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040065435 | Tessier et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040069500 | Haugen | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040069501 | Haugen et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040079533 | Buytaert et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040108142 | Vail, III | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040112603 | Galloway et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040112646 | Vail | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040118613 | Vail | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040118614 | Galloway et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040123984 | Vail | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040124010 | Galloway et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040124011 | Gledhill et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040124015 | Vaile et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040129456 | Vail | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040140125 | Vail | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040141111 | Pia | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040144547 | Koithan et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040173358 | Haugen | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040216892 | Giroux et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040216924 | Pietras et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040216925 | Metcalf et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040221997 | Giroux et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040226751 | McKay et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040244992 | Carter et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040245020 | Giroux et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040251025 | Giroux et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040251050 | Shahin et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040251055 | Shahin et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040262013 | Tilton et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050000691 | Giroux et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050096846 | Koithan et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 335 192 | Nov 2001 | CA |
3 213 464 | Oct 1983 | DE |
3 523 221 | Feb 1987 | DE |
3 918 132 | Dec 1989 | DE |
4 133 802 | Oct 1992 | DE |
0 087 373 | Aug 1983 | EP |
0 162 000 | Nov 1985 | EP |
0 171 144 | Feb 1986 | EP |
0 235 105 | Sep 1987 | EP |
0 265 344 | Apr 1988 | EP |
0 285 386 | Oct 1988 | EP |
0 426 123 | May 1991 | EP |
0 462 618 | Dec 1991 | EP |
0 474 481 | Mar 1992 | EP |
0479583 | Apr 1992 | EP |
0 525 247 | Feb 1993 | EP |
0 554 568 | Aug 1993 | EP |
0 589 823 | Mar 1994 | EP |
0 659 975 | Jun 1995 | EP |
0 790 386 | Aug 1997 | EP |
0 881 354 | Apr 1998 | EP |
0 571 045 | Aug 1998 | EP |
0 961 007 | Dec 1999 | EP |
0 962 384 | Dec 1999 | EP |
1 006 260 | Jun 2000 | EP |
1 050 661 | Nov 2000 | EP |
1148206 | Oct 2001 | EP |
1 256 691 | Nov 2002 | EP |
2053088 | Jul 1970 | FR |
2741907 | Jun 1997 | FR |
2 841 293 | Dec 2003 | FR |
540 027 | Oct 1941 | GB |
709 365 | May 1954 | GB |
716 761 | Oct 1954 | GB |
7 928 86 | Apr 1958 | GB |
8 388 33 | Jun 1960 | GB |
881 358 | Nov 1961 | GB |
9 977 21 | Jul 1965 | GB |
1 277 461 | Jun 1972 | GB |
1 306 568 | Mar 1973 | GB |
1 448 304 | Sep 1976 | GB |
1 469 661 | Apr 1977 | GB |
1 582 392 | Jan 1981 | GB |
2 053 088 | Feb 1981 | GB |
2 115 940 | Sep 1983 | GB |
2 170 528 | Aug 1986 | GB |
2 201 912 | Sep 1988 | GB |
2 216 926 | Oct 1989 | GB |
2 223 253 | Apr 1990 | GB |
2 224 481 | Sep 1990 | GB |
2 240 799 | Aug 1991 | GB |
2 275 486 | Apr 1993 | GB |
2 294 715 | Aug 1996 | GB |
2 313 860 | Feb 1997 | GB |
2 320 270 | Jun 1998 | GB |
2 324 108 | Oct 1998 | GB |
2 333 542 | Jul 1999 | GB |
2 335 217 | Sep 1999 | GB |
2 345 074 | Jun 2000 | GB |
2 348 223 | Sep 2000 | GB |
2347445 | Sep 2000 | GB |
2 349 401 | Nov 2000 | GB |
2 350 137 | Nov 2000 | GB |
2 357 101 | Jun 2001 | GB |
2 357 530 | Jun 2001 | GB |
2 352 747 | Jul 2001 | GB |
2 365 463 | Feb 2002 | GB |
2 372 271 | Aug 2002 | GB |
2 372 765 | Sep 2002 | GB |
2 382 361 | May 2003 | GB |
2381809 | May 2003 | GB |
2 386 626 | Sep 2003 | GB |
2 389 130 | Dec 2003 | GB |
112631 | Jan 1956 | RU |
659260 | Apr 1967 | RU |
247 162 | May 1967 | RU |
395557 | Dec 1971 | RU |
415346 | Mar 1972 | RU |
481689 | Jun 1972 | RU |
461218 | Apr 1973 | RU |
501139 | Dec 1973 | RU |
585266 | Jul 1974 | RU |
583278 | Aug 1974 | RU |
601390 | Jan 1976 | RU |
581238 | Feb 1976 | RU |
655843 | Mar 1977 | RU |
781312 | Mar 1978 | RU |
899820 | Jun 1979 | RU |
955765 | Feb 1981 | RU |
1304470 | Aug 1984 | RU |
SU 1618870 | Jan 1991 | RU |
1808972 | May 1991 | RU |
2 079 633 | May 1997 | SU |
WO 9006418 | Jun 1990 | WO |
WO 9116520 | Oct 1991 | WO |
WO 9201139 | Jan 1992 | WO |
WO 9218743 | Oct 1992 | WO |
WO 9220899 | Nov 1992 | WO |
WO 9307358 | Apr 1993 | WO |
WO 9324728 | Dec 1993 | WO |
WO 9510686 | Apr 1995 | WO |
WO 9618799 | Jun 1996 | WO |
WO 9628635 | Sep 1996 | WO |
WO 9705360 | Feb 1997 | WO |
WO 9708418 | Mar 1997 | WO |
WO 9801851 | Jan 1998 | WO |
WO 9805844 | Feb 1998 | WO |
WO 9809053 | Mar 1998 | WO |
WO 9811322 | Mar 1998 | WO |
WO 9832948 | Jul 1998 | WO |
WO 9855730 | Dec 1998 | WO |
WO 9904135 | Jan 1999 | WO |
WO 9911902 | Mar 1999 | WO |
WO 9923354 | May 1999 | WO |
WO 9924689 | May 1999 | WO |
WO 9935368 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO 9937881 | Jul 1999 | WO |
WO 9941485 | Aug 1999 | WO |
WO 9950528 | Oct 1999 | WO |
WO 9958810 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO 9964713 | Dec 1999 | WO |
WO 0004269 | Jan 2000 | WO |
WO 0005483 | Feb 2000 | WO |
WO 0008293 | Feb 2000 | WO |
WO 0009853 | Feb 2000 | WO |
WO 0011309 | Mar 2000 | WO |
WO 0011310 | Mar 2000 | WO |
WO 0011311 | Mar 2000 | WO |
WO 0028188 | May 2000 | WO |
WO 0037766 | Jun 2000 | WO |
WO 0037771 | Jun 2000 | WO |
WO 0039429 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0039430 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0041487 | Jul 2000 | WO |
WO 0046484 | Aug 2000 | WO |
WO 0050730 | Aug 2000 | WO |
WO 0066879 | Nov 2000 | WO |
WO 0112946 | Feb 2001 | WO |
WO 0146550 | Jun 2001 | WO |
WO 0179650 | Oct 2001 | WO |
WO 0181708 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0183932 | Nov 2001 | WO |
WO 0194738 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO 0194739 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO 0214649 | Feb 2002 | WO |
WO 0244601 | Jun 2002 | WO |
WO 02081863 | Oct 2002 | WO |
WO 02086287 | Oct 2002 | WO |
WO 03006790 | Jan 2003 | WO |
WO 03074836 | Sep 2003 | WO |
WO 03087525 | Oct 2003 | WO |
WO 2004022903 | Mar 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040251025 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60443768 | Jan 2003 | US |