Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and retrieving liquid samples is disclosed. The sampling apparatus or bailer can reliably collect and retrieve liquid samples from a reservoir such as a liquid filled borehole. The sampling apparatus is mechanically simple, reliable, inexpensive to manufacture, and can optionally be discarded after one sampling operation thereby eliminating the time consuming and expensive step of cleaning the bailer prior to the next sampling operation. Furthermore, weighting is employed to assist in lowering the bailer into the reservoir of liquid to be sampled, wherein the weighting material is isolated from the interior sample chamber of the bailer in order to avoid contamination of the sample by the weighting material. The bailer can be easily emptied of sample liquid thereby minimizing operational costs associated with sampling activities.

Abstract: This invention is related to the measurement of flow rates and component fractions of individual phases of a composite fluid. More particularly, the invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for determining the volumetric flow rate or mass flow of one or more phases of a fluid by measuring the activity, as a function of time, of one or more specific radioactive isotopes affected by a specific phase of the flowing fluid stream. Radioactive phase isotope material is deposited upon one or more inserts, and each deposition of phase isotope material is coated with a corresponding phase coating. Each phase isotope and corresponding phase coating is soluble in only one phase of the multi-phase flow. The inserts are then inserted into the multi-phase flow, and the time required for each flow phase to wash the corresponding phase coating from the insert is measured by the release of the corresponding phase isotope into the flow stream.

Abstract: A patient basin has a bottom, a sloping front wall, and an upstanding back wall. The front edge is curved to fit below the patient's mouth. The back wall includes an integral vertical grip defined by a pair of finger receiving notches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus that places visual markers onto the display of a document on a graphical user interface. The visual markers assist in the navigation around the document by numbered artifacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a well is set forth. In one aspect, a typical drill stem is assembled from a set of drill pipe and delivers a flow of drilling mud to the drill bit. A smaller tubing string is placed on the interior and connects to a mixing valve just above the drill bit. A gas flow is placed in the tubing which flows to the mixing valve where the gas is mixed in a desired ratio with the drilling mud so the mud weight is reduced, and thereby enables drilling, at a faster rate with an underbalanced condition. Steps are set forth in which the pressure is changed to an overbalanced condition.

Abstract: A stripper/packer which also serves as a blowout preventer includes a split bonnet. The split bonnet comprises a pair of opposed bonnet halves that may be hydraulically actuated into contact with each other and locked in place to form a bonnet over a packer chamber with the body of the packer. The bonnet halves may be locked together by hydraulic actuation of a latch pin or a pair of pins, or a sleeve may be inserted to hold the bonnet halves together. The split bonnet feature provides clear and easy access to a packer element within the packer chamber with coiled tubing or other tubular member through the packer, or with the coiled tubing withdrawn from the packer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple system for in-water dry docking pleasure boats using existing boat slips. The system includes a dry-dock basin having one or more ballast tanks mounted below the bottom surface of the basin. The basin is submerged along guide pipes below the boat slip where the boat is typically stored. The basin comprises a port hull half and a starboard hull half that abuttingly engage at a seam which preferably comprises an insert. The insert is preferably flexible and may be formed as a keel well.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of converting the preferred hydrated alumina oxide, boehmite, into a green particle which is then sintered to form an abrasive alumina particle. The process involves dispersing boehmite in water at a slightly elevated temperature with an acidic pH, then seeding it with alumina seed particles and drying it, then crushing to desired shapes and sizes, calcining the dried precipitate and sintering the calcined material. This forms high quality alumina abrasive grains. The apparatus used for sintering incorporates an elongate hollow tube, an insulative sleeve thereabout to define an elevated temperature zone, and a microwave generator coupled through a wave guide into a microwave cavity incorporated in the tube. The particles are moved through the tube at a controlled rate to assure adequate exposure to the microwave radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the fabrication of a highly wear layer either directly upon an article or tool support structure or body, or as a wear resistant insert or element which is subsequently attached to the tool body. The wear material is formed by sintering particulate material using the absorption of microwave energy as a means of heating. The disclosure also encompasses post manufacture annealing, using heating by microwave radiation, of both highly wear resistant inserts and composite articles which consist of a wear resistant layer and a body. The wear resistant material, whether fabricated directly upon an article or fabricated separately and subsequently affixed to an article, provides an abrasive wear surface and greatly increases the life of the article. Microwave sintered wear resistant surfaces for mills, drills, grinders, brakes, bearings, saw blades and other articles and assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for gathering liquid samples from a reservoir of liquid using a submersible pump and subsequently retrieving the samples for analysis. The invention is more specifically directed toward the gathering and preparing of water samples for analysis for tritium content, where the samples are collected from underground formations penetrated by a borehole or collected at varying depths in surface canals and the like. The samples are subsequently transferred to the surface of the earth for analysis. The submersible pump is operated by means of a surface valving system and a valving system mounted on the submersible pump. The pump inlet valve is set to open or "crack" at a predetermine pressure, however the pump is not filled until a vacuum is applied to the pump. After filling, the pump is purged thereby transporting the sampled liquid to the surface by applying pressure.

Abstract: An improved wiper element for a pipe ID comprising a resilient wiping element mounted on a pipe wiper mandrel. The wiper element further having oppositely disposed petals to enable wiping within a large pipe, and opposing petals are defined by transverse edge extending outwardly along the petals, wherein the edges define a corner at the outer periphery of the petals and further comprising a chamfered face at the corners the enable the corners to overlap when brought into an abutting relationship.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth an electromagnetic measurement-while-drilling telemetry system, and more particularly, a telemetry system which utilizes a gas filled, metallic, tubular wave guide as a conduit between a downhole transmitter element and a surface receiver element. The tubular wave guide is positioned preferably concentrically within a drill string such as coiled tubing or conventional, rigid drill pipe. A valving system allows the tubular wave guide to be filled with gas, while the annulus between the inner conduit and the drill string is filled with drilling fluid. The preferred transmission frequency in the 20 to 40 gigaHertz range using a transverse electrical-circular pattern (TEO.sub.0.1) wave transmission mode. Data transmission rates using the disclosed system are much greater that those obtained with mud pulsing systems, and attenuation rates are much lower than those obtained with electromagnetic systems using liquid filled wave guides.

Abstract: This invention consists of apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities, and more particularly apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow of fluid comprising a mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapors mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.

Abstract: A wellbore survey method and apparatus which includes a gyroscope, wherein the gyroscope has a spin axis, aligned with the instrument axis, and further having two sensitive axis orthogonally related to the spin axis and to each other. In addition, the wellbore survey apparatus contains a drive means, functionally connected with the gyroscope, to rotate the gyro about the instrument axis. The wellbore survey apparatus also contains a set of accelerometers, wherein the sensitive axis are aligned orthogonally to each other, and said drive means is functionally connected to the accelerometers to rotate the accelerometers about the instrument axis. Sensors determine the azimuthal direction of inclination of the wellbore at a first location therein and while traversing from said first location. Attitude references of the wellbore with regard to said first location are determined while the tool is continuously traversing through the wellbore.

Abstract: An ID chuck is defined by a rotating tube pushed or pulled by a left hand cylinder and piston. The tube moves an extender cooperating with a plug surrounded by a set of collet fingers. The fingers move radially to lock a workpiece against a registration surface, and move inwardly to release the workpiece.

Abstract: An insert construction is set forth comprising a right cylinder insert body crowned with a PDC crown bonded thereto defining an interface between the two materials. The interface construction is described in geometric terms. The interface includes irregular curvilinear sided depressions to enhance the interface grip between the two materials thereby reducing shear stress concentration which might damage the PDC crown. Other failure modes are reduced also. Relationships are set forth in the amount, depth, and shape of the depressions.

Abstract: A ventilation opening closure to close off a standard opening in a support structure such as a roof or wall includes a base and a cover plate. The base comprises a base ring, a seal ring between the base ring and the support structure, and a bevel-shaped seal ring to align and seal the cover plate with the base ring. The closure may include a pair of complementary hinges that the closure can be opened to the right or to the left. Alternatively, rather that the second hinge, the closure may include a latch means to more quickly shut the closure.

Abstract: An active element in a hydrophone includes a piezoelectric hydrophone crystal mounted to a backing plate. The piezoelectric crystal may be divided into separate segments. If so segmented, the polarities of the segments are oriented in the same direction. Whether or not segmented, the center portion or segment of the crystal is in abutting contact with a motion limiter, which acts as a spring between the piezoelectric crystal and the casing surrounding the crystal and backing plate. The portions or segments or the crystal are connected to electrical signal leads with the minimum amount of solder necessary to ensure secure electrical and mechanical coupling, thereby reducing the effects of the solder connection on the stress flux profile in regions of the crystal close to the solder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for displaying objects, and is more particularly directed toward an easel comprising one or more ridges upon which devices to be displayed are hung or propped. The easel is constructed of material such a card board, plastic, or similar material which can be scored and folded into the desired configuration. Construction materials and manufacturing steps are relatively inexpensive. Various methods are disclosed to prevent the easel from collapsing under the weight of the displayed objects. The easel is also suitable for displaying articles of varying size and shape. Furthermore, the easel can be easily disassembled for storage or shipping.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer assisted system which enables a computer user with less than fully developed computer skills to enable and implement a number of subroutines. The present disclosure is more particularly directed to a user not accustomed to operating a computer, and further not accustomed to operating a computer which presents a multitude of symbols on the screen which are used to open various subroutines. The disclosed system, which is preferably operated by means of voice commands, therefore improves the performance of the user so that the subroutines can be fetched more readily, operated more effectively to obtain the desired results or output, and then easily closed or terminated. The disclosed system is further simplifies computer start up operations.