Abstract: A degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The ball seat comprises a particular composition of matter and injection molding technique that provides a ball seal which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. In use, the surface of the ball sealer softens slightly assuring a solid seal between the ball the and the casing perforation. The composition when dissolved into wellbore fluids does not pose a hazard and disperses well in aqueous based wellbore fluids. The same composition, made into a larger ball, may be used as a tubing sealer for pressure testing.

Abstract: A tool for controlling azimuth and/or inclination in a wellbore and methods for utilizing the same is disclosed. The tool generally comprises a freely rotating mandrel, for transmitting drilling forces, contained within two eccentric sleeves. The outer sleeve has an eccentric longitudinal bore that forms a pregnant or weighted side that seeks the low-side of the wellbore. Two gauge inserts or stabilizer shoes are provided on either side of the outer sleeve at ninety degrees to the pregnant housing. The inner sleeve has a further eccentric longitudinal bore that contains the freely rotating mandrel. The mandrel is attached to the drill string at one end and to the drilling bit at the other. The position of the inner sleeve may be controlled, at will from the surface, so that the eccentric is kept to one side of the outer housing, thus transmitting a fulcrum force to the bit and controlling the azimuth and/or inclination of the wellbore.

Abstract: A retrofitable wind screen for portable gas cookers. The device, made of sheet metal, readily adjusts to fit almost any portable gas cooker and fits around the outside of the cooker frame extending a minimum of three inches above the cooker grate. The device shields the gas flame from the effects of wind and increases the overall cooking efficiency of a gas cooker. Finally, because the device extends above the cooking surface, it provides a measure of safety by preventing the accidental movement of a cooking utensil from the cooking surface.

Abstract: A shock absorbing fifth wheel which absorbs transmitted shocks between two vehicles. A plurality of springs absorbs directional shocks, and a plurality of roller bearings carries vertical (gravity) and side (lateral) loads so that the shock absorbing quality is not compromised by dirt, dust or grit between bearing surfaces. The apparatus may be adjusted readily by the user or manufacturer for varying loads and shock absorbing qualities.

Abstract: A universal utility usage data gathering system that is capable of operating with any other remote data gathering system, regardless of protocol, such as a standard Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system or an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system is disclosed. The universal system comprises of three major portions. One--the universal transponder or actual device that accumulates utility usage and will universally relay accumulated usage to any remote reader/interrogator system. Two--a Meter Interface Unit, which interfaces between the universal transponder and the remote data gathering system. Three--a universal data reader system, which will universally read its own transponder or any other transponder over the remote data gathering system and can take the form of a stand-alone system or be incorporated into the software of the main-frame controlling the remote data gathering system.

Abstract: An adapter device to allow the use of industrial sized serger thread, woolly nylon or similar cone spools on consumer sewing machines. The adapter fits over the back spindle of a consumer sewing machine and permits the industrial sized cone spool to fit over the adapter and to pass the cone spool thread along the standard sewing machine thread path. The device has two embodiments, one for smaller cones and another for larger cones and together will accommodate cone thread spools containing up to 6,000 yards depending on the type of thread.

Abstract: A utility usage data gathering system that is universally capable of operating with any other portion of another usage gathering system is disclosed. The system comprises of major portions, the universal transponder or actual device that accumulates utility usage and will universally relay accumulated usage to any reader/interrogator, and the universal reader that will universally read its own transponder or any other transponder. The system is based on standard micro-electronic chips and uses the same chips and logic in both the reader/interrogator and transponder. Each portion of the system, when polled by a foreign device, will determine what communication protocol is required and will respond to collect or transmit utility usage data in the proper protocol. Both portions of the apparatus use switchable multi-tapped antennae, capable of universal matching in order to transceive the modulated electromagnetic wave which contains the utility usage data.

Abstract: An oilfield piston sub for isolating drilling fluids from hydraulic fluids while setting a whipstock attached to a hydraulic packer is disclosed. The improved device reduces the number of moving parts within existing art resulting in a more reliable device. Once the hydraulic packer is set, the isolating piston within the piston sub drops completely out of the way allowing drilling fluids to exit from the bottom of the piston sub without any impediment.

Abstract: An oilfield piston sleeve valve for signaling positive engagement of a drill string with a downhole tool during fishing operations is disclosed. The piston sleeve valve is attached to the bottom of a drill string and to a retrieving tool allows drilling fluid to circulate freely through the drill string as long as there is no load on the fishing tool. As soon as the fishing tool engages and when the drill string is lifted upwards the piston sleeve valve cuts or reduces the circulation creating a pressure pulse at the surface. The device is designed to be used for wireline retrieval or in conjunction with retrievable wellbore deviation apparatus.

Abstract: An improvement to self-cleaning gas filters, gas filter-separators or gas filter-coalescer devices is disclosed. The improvement reduces the waste of gas during a self-cleaning cycle, by utilizing a single cage window rather then the usual plurality of cage windows, by a series of mechanical refinements to the internal seals, by improving the manufacturing steps, and by considering gas waste if the internal elements are damaged, during the cleaning cycle, through control of the reverse cleaning gas flow based on differential pressure across the elements that are being cleaned. Some of the improvements are field retrofitable to existing devices whereas other improvements can only be made to the present art during the manufacturing phase.

Abstract: A method for setting an oil field Wellbore Deviation Apparatus, for deviating a wellbore, which uses an improved whipstock incorporating a slotted face, attached to a hydraulic or mechanical anchor packer is disclosed. The method permits the proper "set" of a mechanical packer without fear of shearing the releasable attachment device currently used in the industry and permits an operator to "bottom hole wash" while setting a mechanical packer in a wellbore. The same method, with slight modifications, is used for both mechanical or hydraulic packers.

Abstract: An oil field retrieval tool for retrieving a specially designed and retrievable slotted face wellbore deviation apparatus incorporating a special whipstock attached to a hydraulic or mechanical anchor packer is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a slot cut in the face of the whipstock portion of the deviation apparatus for guiding the retrieval tool into place within a retrieving slot set in the face of the whipstock. In addition, the retrieval tool uses drilling fluid to wash the retrieval slot and guide slot clear of cuttings and has an engagement signaling means.

Abstract: A method for retrieving a specially designed and retrievable slotted face wellbore deviation apparatus incorporating a special whipstock attached to a hydraulic or mechanical anchor packer is disclosed. The method utilizes a hook shaped retrieval tool which is guided along a slot cut in the face of the whipstock portion of the deviation apparatus and engages within a retrieving slot set in the face of the whipstock.

Abstract: An oil field Wellbore Deviation Apparatus, for deviating a wellbore, which uses an improved whipstock incorporating a new setting apparatus and method, attached to a hydraulic or mechanical anchor packer is disclosed. The new apparatus reduces the number of whipstock bodies that must be warehoused to three fundamental types which fit all commonly used wellbores. The apparatus permits the proper "set" of a mechanical packer without fear of shearing the releasable attachment device currently used in the industry and permits an operator to "bottom hole wash" while setting a mechanical packer in a wellbore. The same apparatus is used for both mechanical or hydraulic packers. The system utilizes a slot cut in the face of the whipstock for setting.

Abstract: An oil field tool for setting a Wellbore Deviation Apparatus, for deviating a wellbore, which uses an improved whipstock incorporating an elongated setting slot in the face of the whipstock, attached to a hydraulic or mechanical anchor packer is disclosed. The tool permits full drill string weight to be applied to the whipstock while the whipstock is placed in the wellbore. Additionally, the setting tool allows torque to be applied to the whipstock without prematurely releasing the deviation assembly. The same tool is used with mechanical or hydraulic packers.

Abstract: A wide windrow raking apparatus which may be retroactively fitted to a hay baler as an after market product or which may be fitted to a hay baler by the manufacturer is disclosed. The apparatus employs an extension frame between the hay baler and its towing tractor to which commercially available wide windrow power rakes may be attached. The apparatus includes activation and control assemblies, powered by the tractor, required to operate and store the attached power rakes. The apparatus allows the user to rake and bale hay in a one pass operation. The apparatus further provides a mechanical "power take off" extension shaft between the hay baler and its tractor. The apparatus allows the power rakes to be independent of the tractor which means that the tractor may be used for other tasks immediately after disconnecting from the baler/extension frame.