Abstract: A pipe and hose decontamination apparatus is disclosed using freshly filtered high pressure Freon solvent in an integrated closed loop to remove radioactive particles or other contaminants from items having a long cylindrical geometry such as hoses, pipes, cables and the like. The pipe and hose decontamination apparatus comprises a chamber capable of accomodating a long cylindrical work piece to be decontaminated. The chamber has a downward sloped bottom draining to a solvent holding tank. An entrance zone, a cleaning zone and an exit drying zone are defined within the chamber by removable partitions having slotted rubber gaskets in their centers. The entrance and exit drying zones contain a horizontally mounted cylindrical housing which supports in combination a plurality of slotted rubber gaskets and circular brushes to initiate mechanical decontamination. Solvent is delivered at high pressure to a spray ring located in the cleaning zone having a plurality of nozzles surrounding the work piece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a lightweight silicate aggregate. The process includes the steps of mixing together dry rice hull ash, an alkali metal hydroxide, boric acid, and water; heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to initiate reaction; curing the composition at a temperature less than the boiling point of water until the reaction is complete; comminuting the cured product and heating the comminuted product to form the expanded aggregate.

Abstract: A gravitational protractor and measuring tape for determining the distance between respective conduit ends residing at differential elevations.

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: Disclosed is a bidirectional fluid operated jarring apparatus. The apparatus includes a tubular body having a lower end defining a downwardly facing body hammer. A tubular knocker sub is axially slidingly mounted to the body adjacent the body hammer and includes an upwardly facing anvil engageable with the body hammer and spaced apart oppositely facing internal hammers, the upper one of which defines an internal anvil. A tubular mandrel having a low passage therethrough is axially movably mounted in the body and knocker sub. The mandrel includes a hammer positioned within the knocker sub between the internal shoulders. A valve is provided for closing the mandrel flow passage so that fluid pressure urges the mandrel axially downwardly with respect to the body and opening the mandrel flow passage upon predetermined downward movement of the mandrel. When the knocker sub is in a retractive position, the apparatus produces a downward jarring force.

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 method and apparatus for controlling the depth at which deviation occurs of a conductor casing driven vertically into the ocean floor from an offshore oil platform. A retractable shear pin engages both members of an articulated joint inserted between two sections of the conductor casing, thus preventing relative movement and locking it into a uniform vertical alignment. This ambient pressure increases with depth, thereby tending to force the shear pin to retract. Movement of the shear pin is internally prevented until the force exerted by the pressure exceeds a desired precalculated valve. The shear pin disengages from the articulated joint, resulting in deviation of the path of the conductor casing at a remote point.

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: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for teaching students to recognize and understand the function of various parts of speech. The apparatus includes a plurality of parts of speech cards corresponding to the various parts of speech. Each part of speech card includes a first side having information thereon that provides a clue as to the part of speech, and a second side having thereon the name of the part of speech and instructions directing the student to mark a word corresponding to that part of speech in a particular manner. The method includes matching to each word in a sentence a first side of a part of speech card and then reversing the matched parts of speech cards, thereby to identify the parts of speech. The method also includes the steps of marking the words of the sentence in the manner directed by the second sides of the parts of speech cards.

Abstract: A system for deactivating cylinders in an interval combustion engine by replacing the spark plugs in every other cylinder of the firing order of the engine with a check valve grounding the unused spark plug wire to the engine, disconnecting the valve activating means in the deactivated cylinders so that the engine capacity is reduced thus reducing fuel consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved insulation material which comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture of inorganic, non-flammable, fibrous material and discrete particles of expanded amorphous glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for zeroing and calibrating an invasive blood pressure monitoring system includes a method whereby the diaphragm of a strain gauge type blood pressure transducer may be subjected to a zero reference pressure for zeroing and an elevated pressure for calibration of a blood pressure monitoring system in order that an oscilloscope display of the blood pressure waveform of the patient may be accurately monitored by visual inspection of an oscilloscope screen. During zeroing and calibration of the blood pressure monitoring system, the invasive interconnection with the bloodstream of the patient is ensured to be closed to prevent the occurrence of air embolus and the blood pressure transducer system is also isolated from the atmosphere at all times to prevent invasion of the system by means of bacteria.

Abstract: A fixture for selectively positioning a tube turn for acetylene torch cutting thereof to a desired included angle includes means for supporting a tube turn of particular dimension and for selectively positioning the tube turn relative to a vertical or horizontal plane of reference and for selectively positioning the tube turn at a particular angle with reference to the selected plane of reference. Means is also provided for orienting a cutting torch for accomplishment of a circular cut through the tube turn, said cut being made in a plane positioned substantially normal to an axis defined by the support structure. The support structure defines an annular tube orienting surface that is adapted to establish annular surface contact with the outer curved surface portion of the tube turn.

Abstract: An Angulating Knuckle Lead installed within an offshore pile driving rig having both upper and lower hydraulically actuated supporting kickers, independently operable for driving pile on extreme slope or batter and which is movable upwardly and downwardly through an opening in the upper deck of the rig toward the lower deck.

Abstract: An improved filter bucket for a flight conveyor having two sides and a bottom with an integral rake edge. Numerous equally spaced apart arcuately curved wires are fixed to and supported by longitudinally extended cross bars in a grid fashion to form the generally concave bucket bottom interior surface. The wires extend beyond the cross bar at the leading edge of the bucket to form a rake edge for engaging and retaining material conveyed. Perforated sides with numerous holes formed therethrough of diameter equal to the bottom grid spacing wires provide for a uniform filtering action filtering action through the bottom and sides of the bucket.

Abstract: A method of coating a pipeline comprising the steps of:Welding joints of pipe, end to end to form a continuous pipeline having an entry end and an exit end, winding said pipeline onto a reel, and coating the interior thereof by inserting a pig into the pipeline at one end thereof and affixing a cap at the other end thereof, introducing a coating liquid into the pipeline on the reel, and rotating the pipeline while the pig is maintained in a relatively static position so that the pig smoothly and evenly coats the pipeline as it rotates.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a release of pressurized fluid, to generate an acoustic or shock wave impulse for use in underwater reflection seismic surveys. Compressed air is supplied to the acoustic impulse generator and is used both to provide the compressed air acoustic impulse and to retain two piston members in sealing engagement with each other to maintain the compressed air within the apparatus. The two internal pistons are hollow, open-ended cylindrical members, and are adapted to slide axially within a cylindrical chamber and abutt one another to preclude escape of compressed air. To fine the acoustic impulse generator, compressed air pressure holding the first piston member in position over a series of exhaust ports is suddenly reduced, causing that piston to shift within its chamber, exposing the ports to atmosphere and thereby emitting an acoustic impulse of compressed air.