Abstract: A dissolved gas flotation apparatus and process for removing oils and other contaminants from produced water generated in the production of crude petroleum and natural gas. The invention is particularly designed for offshore applications, where space is limited and natural gas is readily available. The invention includes a vessel for receiving and maintaining a liquid level therein and a circulating pump for introducing tiny flotation gas bubbles into the vessel. Natural gas is used as a blanket gas for the vessel and as a source of gas fed into the pump, wherein the gas is mixed with the pumped liquid. The liquid/gas mixture is transferred into the vessel, wherein the gas releases from the liquid, thereby forming tiny, finely dispersed gas bubbles.

Abstract: The EVRU is essentially an eductor, configured and designed, to capture and recover hydrocarbon fluids (gases and/or liquids) and/or other vapors and recombine and reinject into the system so that all the fluids are combined into a closed system to reduce or eliminate emissions (Greenhouse gases, VOC's, HAP's, CO, NOX and any other air pollutants). A measured, known volume of higher pressure fluid is fed into the eductor which draws measured, known volumes of lower pressure, hydrocarbon fluids and/or other vapors from emission (Greenhouse gas, VOC, HAP, CO, NOX and any other air pollutant) sources, combining the higher pressured fluids with the lower pressured fluids to an intermediate pressured combination fluid that is injected back into existing process equipment to close the system and prevent or minimize harmful emissions (greenhouse gases, VOC's, HAP's, CO and any other air pollutants).

Abstract: Apparatus for efficient cleaning of downhole equipment in boreholes, especially oil and gas wells drilled offshore from floating drilling vessels. The apparatus is a wash tool having an elongated central body with a longitudinal bore therethrough. A plurality of integral, outwardly-extending blades radiate outward from the central body. Wash ports extend radially from the longitudinal bore through the body of the blades, to the outermost surface of the blades and exiting at that point. Spiral or straight blades may be employed. A reduced diameter, extended nose portion is attached to the lower end of the tool. Removable jet nozzles may be installed in the wash ports near the outermost blade faces, to create a high velocity wash stream.

Abstract: A food coating composition which is manufactured from so-called fragrant or scented rices, which are also known as “aromatic rices,” and which derive their distinct aroma and flavor primarily from a potent aroma component, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. The food coating composition is manufactured by grinding a fragrant rice having a 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline concentration of at least 40 ppb by weight to a predetermined particle size at a predetermined temperature. The resulting food coating composition provides excellent and uniform adherence to the food product, as well as improved crispness. Moreover, the resulting food coating composition provides a unique and distinct aroma and taste which is derived from the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.

Abstract: A power tong set, with lead and back-up tongs, is mounted on the slip bowl of the traveling Jack head of a snubbing unit and rotates with the slip bowl. Service lines (or umbelicals) for the tong set are not connected during string rotation. In an alternate version of the apparatus a fluid feed through swivel is mounted on the tong set, secured to the necessary tong operating and control service fluid line, or lines, such that the tong set can rotate with tong service lines between the tong set and the snubbing unit attached during rotation. In an alternate form, the tong set is mounted on the jack head, independently of the rotary table, and the tong set does not rotate when the rotary table rotates.

Abstract: Casing accessory equipment especially adapted for restricted diameter applications. The present invention comprises casing accessory equipment, including casing string centralizers, float shoes and float collars, comprising a tubular member having a recessed central section with enlarged diameter end sections. A bow spring centralizer comprising two spaced apart bands connected by a plurality of circumferentially positioned bow spring blades is mounted in the central section. A plurality of lugs are disposed on the recessed central section. Windows in the bands fit over the lugs, restraining rotational and longitudinal movement of the bow spring centralizer within the central recessed section. The bow spring centralizer may collapse to a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the enlarged end sections, and in the collapsed position retains some longitudinal movement within the central recessed section.

Abstract: A drilling vessel is provided for selectively drilling two or more wells from a single location of the vessel, comprising a buoyant hull having a deck, including ballasting devices in the hull for allowing the vessel to be stabilized on the bottom surface of a body of water; a movable substructure in contact with the deck, wherein the movable substructure includes a drilling platform having a plurality of downwardly extending support legs attached thereto, wherein the height of the drilling platform from the deck is sufficient to allow simultaneous drilling and production activities to occur; and a repositioning system, operatively connected between the support members and the deck, for moving the drilling platform in a predetermined direction relative to the deck. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of lift and roll jacks are employed beneath each level of a two-tiered repositioning system such that the substructure may be moved in both a transverse and a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Entry sub for small conduit operations within the bore of a drill string. The entry sub comprises a central body having upper and lower collars, adapted for in-line attachment to a drill string. Each of the collars has a bore therethrough. The upper and lower collars are joined by dual connecting arms, the connecting arms separated so as to provide a cut-out section between the upper and lower collars. Fluid passages are contained within each connecting arm, connecting with the bores of the collars and providing a fluid flowpath through the length of the entry sub. A seal assembly is positioned in the bottom of the cut-out section, permitting a wireline or other small diameter conduit to pass therethrough into the bore of the lower collar and then into the bore of the drill string.

Abstract: A sub-soil wastewater treatment vessel, especially for wastewater produced by single family residences and small businesses and the like. The vessel is divided into at least three contiguous chambers by at least two transverse walls, forming at least two contiguous aeration chambers and a clarifier chamber. Wastewater flows into the first aeration chamber via an influent line, thence through an opening in the first transverse wall into the second aeration chamber. From there, wastewater flows through passages at the bottom of the second transverse wall into the clarifier chamber. Air is supplied to the first and second aeration chambers via low pressure diffuser lines. Three inclined surfaces within the clarifier chamber direct solids through passages in the second transverse wall back into the second aeration chamber for further processing. An effluent line connected to the clarifier chamber permits wastewater outflow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat dissipating housing for electronic circuits and associated components, wherein the housing includes a top, two side panels, and a bottom to form a cavity or chamber for installing therein electronic circuit boards and the like. A first end panel and a second end panel, which are attached to opposite ends of the housing, complete the housing enclosure. For superior heat dissipation efficiency, a fan or other air moving device is attached to the housing to move air through the housing. The housing structure and the electronic components positioned therein are configured so as to direct the cooling air in multiple passes through the housing in a serpentine manner before exiting the housing. The multiple pass feature of the present invention provides superior cooling for the electronic components installed inside the housing.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus especially suited for grilling whole chickens and the like on a charcoal or gas fired grill, while maintaining the meat moist and permitting desirable flavorings to be imparted to the meat. The apparatus comprises at least one cylinder having a bore and first and second ends, attached to a base plate so that the cylinder is disposed substantially vertically when the base plate is placed on a horizontal surface, such as the grilling surface of a barbecue grill. The first end of the cylinder is sealably attached to the base plate. The second end of the cylinder is open, forming a container defined by the cylinder bore and the base plate. The apparatus is preferably of thermally conductive material such as aluminum. In use, the container is at least partially filled with a flavored liquid. A whole chicken is impaled on the cylinder, and the apparatus holding the chicken is then placed on the grilling surface of a barbecue grill.

Abstract: Manual pipe tong comprising secondary latch. The pipe tong comprises a handle and a plurality of linked jaw segments pivotally attached to the handle. Two of the segments are first and second latch segments, and are releasably engageable to form a primary latch. The primary latch may be released and the jaw segments opened to encircle a tubular for makeup of a threaded connection. The first latch segment comprises substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and projections on each of those surfaces. A hooking member on the second latch segment comprises a pair of spaced-apart hooks joined by a handle, and is rotably disposed on the second latch segment so that the hooks sandwich the second latch segment. The hooking member is rotatable between first and second positions, and in the second position the hooks engage the projections on the first latch segment so as to form a secondary safety latch.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparation of foods and methods for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an elongated hollow sleeve having a generally square cross section and a square longitudinal bore. One end of the sleeve is cut at an angle forming a pointed tip, while the other end has an enlarged head attached thereto. A window is cut through the wall of the sleeve intermediate the two ends. An elongated plunger (having a length less than that of the sleeve) is removably disposed within the bore of the sleeve and may be rotated and reciprocated within the sleeve. One end of the plunger has a rounded point, while the other end has an enlarged head which provides a positive stop to passage of the plunger within the sleeve. To use the apparatus to insert stuffings within a body of meat, the plunger is inserted full length into the sleeve, and the sleeve and plunger together are pushed at least partially into the meat. The plunger is then withdrawn sufficiently far to expose the window.

Abstract: Football game for reduced size playing areas, especially indoor playing areas. The invention comprises providing a playing field measuring approximately 198 feet long by 84 feet wide, having markings thereon indicating boundaries, end zones and yardage markers. Two opposing teams, each comprising eight members, attempt to advance a football into the opposing team's end zone to score. The various rules of play of the present invention render it amenable to play in a reduced size setting. In addition to the side and end boundaries of the playing field, overhead boundary surfaces may be provided which restrict the height above the playing field which passed or kicked balls may travel, without striking the upper boundaries and becoming a dead ball. The upper boundary surfaces may comprise at least one vertically hanging flexible surface, such as heavy netting, suspended over the central portion of the field.

Abstract: A downhole casing guide member comprising a structure having a unitary formation wherein in a plane perpendicular to a center longitudinal axis of the structure, the unitary formation is generally "Y" shaped in two opposite directions about the center longitudinal axis. The downhole casing guide member further comprises at least one clamping bracket member securable to the structure. The unitary formation of the structure serves to maximize available flow area for flow of fluid, liquid slurry and/or cement around the contour of the unitary formation and maximize the diameters of casing strings which may be run within a conductor casing; and tapered upper and lower shoulders on the casing guide member ease passage of the guide member into and out of a conductor casing. Further, the overall configuration and shape of the downhole guide member eases passage of casing strings lowered into or removed from the conduits formed by the guide member.

Abstract: Apparatus for positively retaining drill pipe tongs at a desired position horizontally displaced from a center of a rig floor. The apparatus includes a latch connected to a removable stand which places the latch at a desired height above the rig floor and a desired horizontal displacement from the center of the rig floor. The latch includes a jaw having an elongated channel. A retainer arm is rotatably attached to the jaw and is spring biased between a first closed position, where the retainer arm obstructs the channel, and a second open position, where the retainer arm does not obstruct the channel. A catch piece, including a generally vertically disposed tubular member sized to fit in the retainer arm, is attached to a set of tongs. The tongs are pushed away from the center of the rig floor, and the catch piece is guided into the channel of the jaw, displacing the retainer arm from the first closed position and permitting the catch piece to move toward the terminus of the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dimensionally uniform building construction using interlocking connectors. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a system of building blocks, each block having a top, a bottom, an interior face, an exterior face, and two end faces. Each block is substantially dimensionally uniform, and has at least one vertically aligned female dovetail slot in each face, with substantially uniform lateral spacing between slots. Interlocking connectors or clips, in one embodiment comprising dual male dovetails, mate with the female dovetail slots and connect the blocks together. After erection of the wall, reinforcing rods and concrete may be placed within the block cavities. In similar fashion, objects such as exterior facing and interior cabinetry may be suspended from the faces of the blocks by attaching clips to the objects then inserting the clips in the mating female dovetail slots.

Abstract: An integrally formed, solid casing centralizer for centering casing strings in oil and gas wells. The casing centralizer includes a central body having a bore adapted to closely engage a casing string and a plurality of integral blades radiating outwardly from the central body. The centralizer is formed by heating a billet of suitable metal to a temperature sufficient to render the billet malleable for extrusion yet which is substantially below a melting temperature of the billet, forcing the metal through a die, thereby forming a workpiece having a profile suitable to form a desired cross-sectional shape of a casing centralizer; cooling the extruded workpiece, and cutting the cooled, extruded workpiece into sections, each section having a length sufficient to form a casing centralizer.