Abstract: A heat exchanger closure connection including a shell closure flange extending outwardly from the shell and including a shell closure flange sealing surface. A tube closure flange extends outwardly from an inner tube, which is positioned within the shell, and includes axially spaced apart first and second sealing surfaces. A first seal ring is positioned between the first seal surface of the tube closure flange and the shell closure flange sealing surface. A split ring assembly is fitted within a groove in the tube closure flange and in abutting engagement with the shell closure flange. A locking flange is positioned about the tube closure flange engaging the first seal ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving casing, piles, or conductor pipe into the ground comprises in combination; an external reciprocal impact driving means supported atop the conductor pipe, internal rotatable drilling means supported within the conductor pipe, and means associated therewith for introducing air and water under pressure for creating a pressure differential to evacuate the drilling debris and cuttings to the surface. The drilling means is supported within said conductor pipe at the bottom portion thereof near the point of least energy absorption and rebound. The driving and drilling operations may be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing polychlorinated biphenyls from electrical apparatus, particularly transformers, to achieve concentration levels of 50 ppm or less as required by the EPA. A dielectric fluid having a relatively low boiling point as compared to polychlorinated biphenyls and other contaminants and in which PCB's are soluble is selected. There is an external cooling loop through which the dielectric fluid is circulated maintaining the temperature and pressure of the transformer within its design limits. There is an external distillation loop where the liquid removed from the transformer is heated to boiling point of the selected dielectric fluid thereby vaporizing the dielectric fluid and leaving the polychlorinated biphenyls in liquid phase in the distillation vessel. The dielectric fluid vapor is then condensed and returned to solubilize remaining PCB's in the transformer.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method of and apparatus for lowering pipe strings and other objects, particularly pipe strings carrying anodes for cathotic protection, into and through the support structure of an offshore plateform. Skid beams are inserted into the support structure of the offshore platform below the top deck of the platform and above the water level, preferably at the plus twelve level of the structure. Mounted to the skid beams are winch and derrick means. The skid beams are inserted into the structure such that the winch and derrick means are positioned over the point at which the pipe string is to be lowered through the structure. The skid beams cantilever out from the structure such that they extend well beyond the outside perimeter of the top deck. The skid beams also serve as track for a trolley. Pipe string sections can be delivered to the trolley either from the top deck of the platform or directly from a barge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination tool useful to a variety of building trades in building erection. The tool can be used as a story pole, a surveyor's rod, an extensible measuring device, a plumb and a horizontal level. When used as a measuring device, story pole or surveyor's grade rod, the tool of the present invention provides direct read capabilities eliminating the need for computations which in turn prevents errors in arithmetic commonly made when using tools of the prior art. The tool is particularly efficient for use in setting and erecting commercial store fronts typically constructed of aluminum and glass and effectively replaces at least five separate tools commonly used by the building trades.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination rule, horizontal level, vertical plumb and straight edge. By use of two parallel scales running reverse to one another mounted to an elongated member, direct read measurements can be taken between two points up to a distance equal to twice the overall length of the tool such that no arithmetic computation is required. Perpendicularly mounted target levels allow the tool to be used as both a vertical plumb and a horizontal level. A flanged box beam member provides finger tip recesses for easy manipulation and maneuvering of the tool by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high pressure flow line connection. The connection includes a tubular male member, a tubular female member and a seal ring positioned between the male and female members. The male and female members have mating frusto-conical tapered surfaces, with the angle of taper of the female member being less than that of the male member. The seal ring has inner and outer tapered surfaces having angles of taper equal to those of the male and female members, respectively. The seal ring includes a radially outwardly extending lip adjacent the maximum outside diameter thereof. The male member, female member, and seal ring are cooperatively figured such that the seal ring lip remains spaced apart from the female member but optimum sealing engagement is achieved.

Abstract: A filter system for fluids having an elongate filter basket mounted in tension in a filter housing, the filter element being retained therein by a boltless flange engaging the top thereof and an elongate tube engaging the element bottom and urging it downwardly in response to a single nut engaging a rod through the tube and element and fixed to the housing. A novel filter element for the system is disclosed having longitudinal support rods for containing and supporting a fragile filter medium, such as sintered metal, in any size filter element. In another embodiment, a novel filter element for indepth filtering is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for cleaning radioactively contaminated articles, including tools and like items of hardware. The system includes a cleaning chamber for receiving and sealing therein the contaminated articles, a high pressure spray gun disposed within the cleaning chamber for spraying the contaminated articles with a clean solvent to dislodge and dissolve the contaminants, and a system for decontaminating the solvent for reuse. The cleaning chamber includes a drain having the capacity to remove contaminated solvent at a rate at least as great as that at which the solvent is sprayed into the chamber, such that substantially no contaminated solvent collects in the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A portable, battery powered, cross-hair illuminator for rifle scopes and similar instruments. In this embodiment, the Reticle Illuminator is a bolt-on attachment to rifle scopes or similar sighting devices using cross-hairs or other aim point configurations. The Reticle Illuminator is attached to the occular end of a rifle scope by means of an expandable clamp band. The evice itself consists of a main housing to which the clamp band screw is attached. Within the main housing is the electrical circuitry, including battery sleeve, battery switch, and lamp. When activated by switch, the system emit a beam of light into an optical fiber, surrounded by a transmitting tube, making possible the precise projection of light through a conventional lense system to strike and illuminate an unaltered reticle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for working on a submerged object comprising a work platform having jetting means carried thereby for excavating the floor beneath the body of water and around the object.

Abstract: A hanger apparatus inserted into the earth and from which the drill casing of a well is hung comprising a central sleeve having a plurality of structural arms extending outwardly therefrom, each terminating in a pile sleeve. A plurality of pipe joints, welded end to end are hammered into the earth through each of the pile sleeves thus "nailing" the central sleeve in fixed position in the earth mass surrounding it. As the pile is driven downwardly through each pile sleeve means it is driven progressively radially outwardly from the central sleeve means so that the piles define a pyramidal mass of earth therewithin that locks the central sleeve still further within the earthen mass. The casing ultimately is affixed such as by welding, to the central sleeve.

Abstract: A new and improved insulating composition comprising a mixture of cellulose, boric acid and expanded silicate glass, and having a PH factor preferred in the range of 7 to 7.2, more or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger closure connection for establishing a shell side closure between the heat exchanger tubes and the shell and a tube side closure for establishing a connection between the tubes and a tube end extension. The shell includes an outwardly extending shell closure flange having a sealing surface. The tube includes an outwardly extending tube closure flange having axially spaced apart first and second seal surfaces. A first seal ring is positioned between the sealing surfaces of the shell closure flange and the first seal surface of the tube closure flange. A split ring is retained in a groove in the tube closure flange intermediate the first and second seal surfaces thereof. A locking flange is positioned about the tube closure flange in engagement with the split ring to transmit axial forces to the split ring and tube closure flange in the direction of the shell closure flange. Bolts or the like are provided for urging the locking flange toward the shell closure flange.

Abstract: An armored umbilical and termination housing is disclosed for towing a sub-array of seismic air guns used in marine seismic surveying comprising a single air hose for supplying all the high pressure air to the individual air guns surrounded by all the electrical control cables needed to operate the air guns in the sub-array. Protective coatings are applied around the electrical control cables and stress members for carrying the laod of towing the sub-array are incorporated within the umbilical. A termination housing is provided on the end of the umbilical for terminating the single air hose and all the electrical control lines to common connectors so that individual electrical control lines and air hoses can run from the termination housing to each individual air gun in the sub-array. Air shut off valves are provided so that the high pressure air can be shut off to the individual air guns within the sub-array remotely from the survey vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for processing new or reclaiming used abrasive material such as that material used in the surface preparation of structural steel prior to the application of paint or other protective coating. A stream of wet abrasive material, debris and contaminants is placed in a pre-scalper which serves to separate out components thereof having diameter greater than one (1) inch. The remaining abrasives are then conveyed to a dryer for drying. The flow of hot air through the dryer separates fines and talc from the stream of abrasives. The abrasives are then placed in a rotary scalper which serves to remove all particles greater than 3/16ths of an inch in diameter. A dust plenim surrounds the rotary scalper and serves to remove all fines and talc which pass through a 150 mesh screen.

Abstract: An oil filter sealing device adapted to seal and protect the oil circulation apertures and reinforcing plate of an oil filter unit, said sealing device comprising, as a unitary structure:(a) a flat, circular plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; and(b) a frictional attachment means centrally disposed on the lower surface of said flat, circular plate.

Abstract: A gyro compass positioning apparatus is disclosed for use in lowering and accurately orienting a first object such as an underwater pipeline junction manifold to the floor of a body of water. The gyro compass positioning apparatus comprises a north seeking gyro compass in combination with a closed circuit television camera, all enclosed in a pressure housing. The closed circuit television camera is mounted above the north seeking gyro compass such that it is continuously viewing the orientation of the needle of the compass and displaying this orientation on a television monitor which is located on the surface ship. The first object or underwater pipeline junction manifold is attached to the bottom of the pressure housing by a mounting bracket and in predetermined orientation thereto.