Abstract: A removable bowling ball thumb insert sleeve for installation in a bowling ball hole, having an expander within a short counterbore in the bottom portion of the thumb insert sleeve. The expander device is actuated by rotation of an actuating screw using a tool inserted through a center bore within the thumb insert sleeve. Actuation of the expander device expands a split ring within the counterbore to engage the sleeve and urge it radially outwardly to engage the wall of the bowling ball hole and frictionally retain the sleeve within the hole.

Abstract: A well rod pump having a filter system to remove particulate material from the fluids produced from the well and an automatic back flush system using pumped fluid to flush particulate material from the filter system in response to increased pressure differential across the filter system, including a rod moved by a piston to open the valves of the pump, and a time delay connected to continue to hold the valves open for a period sufficient to allow back flushed particles to settle in the well. Well treatment chemicals may be injected into the well with the back flushing fluid.

Abstract: A method for establishing production of oil or gas from a secondary production zone which is above a primary production zone in a well in which a settable material is placed in the annulus between the casing and the tubing above the secondary production zone and allowed to set up, and the secondary zone is then perforated with a through-tubing perforating gun.

Abstract: A road surface conditioning machine having an adjustable height shearing blade, side delivery blades, a gauge to indicate the depth of cut of said shearing blade, and an adjustable height striker blade to spread the material cut by the shearing blade and side delivery blades, the leading end of the shearing blade being adjustable in height with respect to the trailing end.

Abstract: A pair of concrete coated pipe joints welded together end to end with a gap between the concrete coatings, the gap being filled with a fast setting elastomeric polymeric infill material, either solid or foamed, and a particulate filler material, and a method for molding the infill material with the mold being filled with filler material before the polymer components are injected, and with a membrane lining the mold to prevent the polymer from adhering to the mold.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for adjoining two ends of a length of impact printer ribbon to form a continuous loop of ribbon. A welding fixture, including a welding anvil, ironing anvil and ultrasonic horn are provided to join the ribbon ends. Tensioning slides are provided to grip the ribbon ends and tension the ribbon during welding operations. A microprocessor controls a series of pistons, switches and solenoids to control the welding sequence.

Abstract: A method for recycling a used tire constructed of rubber and other materials that does not devulcanize the rubber, comprising the steps of soaking the tire in a composition comprising an organic solvent for a time sufficient to reduce the tensile strength of the rubber by at least about 50%, applying sufficient shear forces to the soaked tire to disintegrate the rubber from the other materials, and sorting the disintegrated rubber from the other materials.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting system for protection of the threads of oil country tubular goods, including a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor and a liquid phase corrosion inhibitor in water solution, and a transparent thread protector. The threads may be inspected for corrosion without removing the thread protector or the corrosion inhibitor, and the corrosion inhibitor may be left on the threads for use in combination with an anaerobic sealing compound.

Abstract: A method for making a protector to prevent galvanic anodes from being accidentally knocked off a pipeline in which a mold having a frusto-conical shape is placed around each end of a segmented anode, with an opening at the top of the mold opposite a gap between anode segments, liquid components of a rapid setting elastomeric polymer are injected into the opening until all of the cavities and the gap are filled, and the polymer is allowed to set up and adhere to the anode and to the pipe.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting system for protection of the threads of oil country tubular goods, including a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor and a liquid phase corrosion inhibitor in water solution, and a transparent thread protector. The threads may be inspected for corrosion without removing the thread protector or the corrosion inhibitor, and the corrosion inhibitor may be left on the threads for use in combination with an anaerobic sealing compound.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibiting composition for protection of the threads of oil country tubular goods, including a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor and a liquid phase corrosion inhibitor in water solution. The corrosion inhibitor may be left on the threads for use in combination with an anaerobic sealing compound. A transparent thread protector may be used to protect the threads coated with the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including one or more rotating drums with a freely rotating helix inside the drum to move material to be heated or cooled longitudinally through the drum, as well as to help clean the surface of the drum, together with carriers to assist in heat transfer and cleaning of the drum surface, and scoops to recycle the carriers through an inner coaxial drum. The drum has a sealed inlet and outlet disposed so that the seals are not exposed to excessive temperatures. Cooling chambers are coaxially mounted on each end of the rotating drums for cooling and condensing vapors and cooling solid particles treated in the drum. An inner drum conveys the carriers back to the starting point by means of a freely rotating helix.

Abstract: A device for removing obstructions from vessels or small openings in the body, comprising a rotatable ablator tip which is guided to the obstruction in a reduced diameter configuration, expanded and rotated to remove the obstruction, and contracted to remove the device from the body. The variably expandable abrasive tip coil in one embodiment of the invention is actuated by a piston means disposed within the coil. A pair of collars is attached to the ends of the coil, and the piston effects relative longitudinal axial movement of the collars and, hence, the respective ends of the coil tip. When the ends of the coil tip are so moved with respect to one another, expansion and contraction of the diameter of the coil tip results. In another embodiment of the invention, the expansion tip coil is actuated by an expandable and contractible bellows means disposed within the coil, instead of the piston means.

Abstract: A method for forming cable which is insulated with a rigid insulating layer into a desired shape, comprising the steps of wrapping the a portion of the cable with a heater tape that houses heater elements, causing the elements to become hot and heat the cable portion so that its insulating layer is heated and loses its molecular memory of its prior configuration, and reconfiguring the cable portion into the desired shape.

Abstract: A self-actuating, releasable weight support system includes a structural support member with a central bore therethrough. The bore has a recessed load support surface therein and a no-go shoulder on the inner periphery of the load support surface. A weight support member is insertable within the bore, and includes an expandable load ring disposed thereon for landing on the no-go shoulder and expanding onto the load support surface as the weight support member is inserted further into the bore.

Abstract: Method for decontaminating medical waste by comminuting it and contacting the comminuted waste with an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for adjoining two ends of a length of impact printer ribbon to form a continuous loop of ribbon. A welding fixture, including a welding anvil, ironing anvil and ultrasonic horn are provided to join the ribbon ends. Tensioning slides are provided to grip the ribbon ends and tension the ribbon during welding operations. A microprocessor controls a series of pistons, switches and solenoids to control the welding sequence.

Abstract: A protector for a segmented anode encircles a pipeline. The protector includes an elastomeric polymeric structure molded in place at each end of the anode. The structure has the external shape of the frustrum of a cone with the base of the cone encircling the tapered end of the anode. The frustrum terminates at the diameter of the pipeline. The taper is made from a tough, fast setting polymer. In a preferred embodiment the polymer not only forms the molded taper, but fills the space between the anode segments and flows between the anode segments and the pipe. The protector adheres to the pipe as well as to the anode material, provides a corrosion barrier, and bonds the anode segments to the pipe.

Abstract: A double walled riser extends from a platform to a subsea well and is connected, through a suitable connector, to the top of the wellhead housing. The wellhead housing has annulus access passageways therein. The connector has passageways therethrough which communicate at one end with the annulus access passageways in the wellhead housing and at the other end with small diameter annulus access tubes carried between the two walls of the double walled riser. The inner wall of the double walled riser comprises a pressure containing member, and the outer wall comprises a structural support member. The small diameter annulus access tubes disposed in the annulus between the inner and outer walls of the riser communicate at one end with one of the respective passageways through the connector, and extend at the other end to the platform.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a lamp socket adapted for receiving a lamp. The lamp socket has a rectangular subbase which includes at least one tang projecting upwardly from the subbase which is adapted to apply an outward force against the inner sides of the circular section of a hole in a circuit board or panel. The tang has at least one downwardly facing shoulder spaced upwardly from the upper surface of the subbase by a distance which is substantially the thickness of the circuit board or panel whereby the shoulder is moved to allow the insertion of the lamp assembly into the hole of the circuit board or panel and then moved back into position to hold the circuit board or panel under the shoulder upon the circuit board or panel engaging the subbase. Thus, the lamp assembly can be locked into position within the hole in the printed circuit board or panel without rotation, and then removed by rotating the lamp assembly.