Abstract: Alarm producing apparatus for safeguarding a container carried by a messenger including a time countdown system and a status detection system assuring that container and messenger remain together. Countdown time is set sufficiently to allow normal delivery of container by messenger. Smoke, sound and/or visual signals are triggered by separating container from messenger or by excess time lapse occurring during delivery of container by messenger.

Abstract: An integrated and transportable two stage drilling mud desilting apparatus in combination. Includes a first-stage mud inlet manifold, a second-stage inlet manifold, and a mud outlet manifold all mounted together as part of a separator body. Has a second-stage inlet reservoir mounted and connected to provide drilling mud into second-stage inlet manifold and a solids collection reservoir. Has a plurality of first-stage hydrocyclones mounted to receive mud from first-stage inlet reservoir, to separate first size solids from mud, and to discharge first size solids into solids collection reservoir. Has a plurality of second-stage hydrocyclones mounted to receive mud from second-stage inlet manifold, to separate smaller second size solids from mud, to discharge mud separated from smaller second size solids into mud outlet manifold for reuse, and to discharge second size solids into solids collection reservoir.

Abstract: A sealing member including a seal retainer sleeve provided in segments and two spaced apart grooves defined all around the inner wall of the sleeve. Sleeve is adapted to be fitted around outside of a cylindrical surface on each side of an opening. An elastomeric fluid pressure seal segment is mounted within each groove in the sleeve to provide a fluid tight seal within the spaced confined between the grooves. The bottom of each of the grooves is dovetailed to retain corresponding mounting beads of the seal. Each segment of the seal, as mounted within the grooves, is shaped with an outside diameter surface merging into the mounting beads. The high pressure bead of the mounting beads merges into the side of a groove extending axially into the segment. The other side of the groove merges into a flexible lip which is responsive to pressure applied within the cylindrical space. The lip extends into an inside diameter surface.

Abstract: A new and useful apparatus for storing and transporting reels of wire and dispensing the wire from the reels is provided. The reels are mounted on upwardly projecting spindles and retained there by their own weight, so that no removable parts are required to secure them to the cart. A guide is provided to restrict the lateral motion of the reel so as to prevent the wire from becoming tangled, to prevent pull on the wire from unseating the reel from the spindle and to align the wire with its intended objective such as a conduit. Additionally, a bar may be provided to frictionally contact the reel and retard its spinning after wire is withdrawn from the reel.

Abstract: An icemaker for automatically and continuously producing clear ice in cubes comprising (a) a triple-walled stationary evaporator drum disposed with a plurality of equally-spaced, radially outwardly projecting ridges, (b) a rotary perforated water distribution tube overlying the evaporator drum for delivering a continuous and predetermined amount of water to the freezing surface thereof, a water pump for supplying water to the distribution tube, and a rotary, sequentially-functioning cutter assembly which coacts with the water distribution tube to break, size and remove cubes from the layer of ice formed on the freezing surface of the evaporator drum.

Abstract: A replaceable marine fender mechanism according to the present invention is adapted for connection to marine structures such as the cylindrical legs of offshore platforms to prevent vessels and other objects from impacting against the platform legs and causing damage. The fender mechanism is supported by upper and lower energy cells with the lower energy cell having a stabbing and positioning receptacle that is adapted to receive a stabbing and positioning portion defined at the lower extremity of an elongated fender post. The upper extremity of the bumper post is releasably supported by a bolted connected structure that is presented at the free extremity of an upper energy cell that is also securable to the leg structure of the offshore platform. A cylindrical fender element is receivable about the fender post and is supported by a connector element to the upper energy absorbing structure.

Abstract: An improved skidding system of the hydraulic cylinder type is provided having thick cover plates with precut holes therethrough fixed to the tops of skid beams and including claws attached to the ends of the hydraulic cylinders having slidably mounted cylinder pins therein for engagement with the holes through the cover plates to anchor the ends of the hydraulic cylinders as the structure attached to the cylinders is skidded across the cover plates.

Abstract: A mixture containing solid and liquid components is saturated with a polyelectrolyte compound, over-flocculating the solids contained therein and causing the solids to coalesce into masses or globules. These coalesced masses may then be separated from the liquid component, yielding substantially separated phases.

Abstract: A pair of I-shaped elongated girders secured to, and extending outwardly from, the capping beams of a four pile platform, to form cantilever secondary capping beams which support modified self-contained drilling rigs of a size and weight normally installed on eight pile platforms. Rig modifications comprise separation of pump and engine packages, a pipe rack extension, and a novel skidding system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-cleaning liquid filter of the type which includes a filter element through which a liquid sample is selectively passed which is taken from a stream of liquid which flows past one side of the filter element. The filter includes a housing with an inlet, a bypass outlet and a filter outlet. A filter element is mounted in the housing between the inlet and filter outlet and the inlet and bypass outlet communicate with each other through a chamber on the inlet side of the screen, the chamber extending around the inlet. The inlet is positioned in close proximity and oriented relative to the filter element so that liquid entering the housing through the inlet will hit the filter element at a right angle so that when the flow of liquid through the filter outlet is blocked all of the liquid will reflect off of the filter element and outwardly into the chamber for washing off particles on the inlet side of the filter element.

Abstract: A housing having a longitudinal aperature therethrough, and an exterior surface adapted to be securable to a container. A stem is longitudinally movable within the housing and is cooperatively conformed with the housing such that an annulus exists between a portion of the housing and the stem. The stem includes a plurality of ports allowing fluid communication between the annulus and a longitudinal cavity extending from the top end of the stem. A sealing instrumentality if included proximate a bottom end of the valve to prevent the flow of fluid into the valve annulus when the valve is in a first "closed" position. The stem is adapted to be moved longitudinally within the housing to a second, "open", position wherein the sealing instrumentality is released and fluid may enter the annulus and pass through the ports to exit the valve through the stem cavity.

Abstract: A method of waterproofing a porous wall of a subterranean vault as provided by propelling a moisture activated, room temperature curable, pourable, self-leveling dimethylpolysillxane or dialkylpolysillxane which are generally referred to as silicone or TV rubber onto the side of the wall and thereafter subjected to moisturizing conditions to activate the resins to form a water impervious flexible barrier adjacent the wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fish food or bait and a method and apparatus for manufacturing same. The food or bait includes an edible porous member saturated with a fish attractant or nutrient. The food or bait may include a cavity filled with an edible solid and it may be covered with an edible solid. The article may further be covered with a sealant.

Abstract: A jack-up unit for use in a body of water, said unit comprising a floatable hull, a plurality of legs, said legs being suitable for contacting a solid surface and for supporting said hull in an elevated position relative to the surface of said body of water, each of said legs including at least one longitudinally extending leg gear rack, means for moving said hull longitudinally relative to said legs for establishing said hull at a desired height relative to said legs, a guidance system on each leg comprising an upper guide member configurative around said leg at a close tolerance interval and a lower guide member configurative around said leg at a close tolerance level, and a plurality of gear rack sections located one proximate each leg intermediate said upper guide member and said lower guide member, each gear rack section moveable into and out of toothed engagement with said leg gear rack section on its respective leg, said toothed engagement including a gear tooth backlash in excess of said close toleran

Abstract: A three position, high and low, block and bleed fluid pressure sensor, wherein a piston contained within a cylinder is urged in one direction by a fluctuating sensed fluid pressure and opposed by a single spring located within said cylinder housing. The cylinder housing includes inlet and outlet ports, and at least one venting port. When the equilibrium of the forces between the spring and the fluid port pressure places the piston in a first position, the inlet and outlet port are allowed to communicate by way of an internal passageway formed within the piston and the sensed fluid may pass therethrough. When the pressure exerted by the fluctuating port pressure is greater or lower than the desired range, the piston will assume a second or third position wherein the inlet and outlet ports are misaligned whereby the inlet port is blocked and the outlet port merely discharges residual fluid through one of the venting ports.

Abstract: Methods and means for economically compressing low volume, low pressure natural gas at the wellhead are provided. The means include an electrically operated, self starting compressor responsive to a low pressure inlet shut-off switch and a high pressure discharge shut-off switch. The means may also include a scrubber for separating liquid and condensate from the gas and means for automatically transporting such to a remote liquid storage tank. The compressor itself is an air compressor modified by the provision of natural gas crankcase purging and venting, suction port oil injection, and increase lubrication capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and system for forming a slurry of gravel and fluid, preferably for injection into an oil and gas well during gravel packing operations. The apparatus includes a pressure vessel that is adapted to receive the gravel. The pressure vessel has an inlet for receiving fluid. The apparatus includes a snorkel tube that is slidingly sealingly mounted for movement into and out of the pressure vessel. The snorkel tube has an open inner end which defines the outlet of the pressure vessel and an outer end which is connected to a conduit, which is in turn is connected to the well. The pressure vessel and snorkel tube are arranged such that fluid flows in a tortuous path between the pressure vessel inlet and the inner end of the snorkel tube to entrained gravel in the flowing fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreader bar for picking up and laying down soil erosion prevention mats formed by connecting a matrix of soil erosion preventing blocks with cable or the like through passageways therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved compensated density well logging apparatus which provides a mechanical linkage driven by an electric gear motor for extension of a thin cylindrical pad containing radioactive source and detection equipment exteriorly of the tool housing so as to penetrate the filter cake and eliminate or reduce the distorting effect of the filter cake and well bore fluid. A spring biased caliper arm is used to justify the tool and extended pad against the side of a well bore during measurement. The linkage supporting and positioning the caliper arm includes a pivot pin which extends exteriorly of the tool housing to engage two parallel aligned guide wheels riding in grooves formed exteriorly in the tool housing so as to reduce friction and prevent lateral movement of the linkage. This provides for a more accurate reading of the variable thickness of the filter cake and well bore diameter at varying depths within the well bore.

Abstract: A device for testing the tensile strength of fiberglass rods. A hydraulic ram system applies force through specially shaped holders to the ends of fiberglass sucker rods having end connectors mounted by a combination of adhesive and compression joints.