Abstract: An exothermic well tool and method of use for the repair of failure spots along a section of a first tubular conduit, such as casing, wherein the housing of the tool is heated to at least a temperature approximately in excess of that required to activate and melt an exothermic metal alloy composition and may include an ignitable starter fuel charge with a series of solid activation fuel charges spaced throughout the chamber. The tool may also include a length of a second tubular conduit for positioning around the exterior of the housing to define an annular area relative to the first tubular conduit for deposit of a low temperature metal alloy therein.

Abstract: A lighting fixture for mounting from a suspensory surface, such as a ceiling, wall, or the like, includes a counterweight for balancing or equalizing the weight in the fixture resulting from a ballast being positioned within the frame of the fixture. The weight of the frame is adjusted to equalization relative to the ballast for proper alignment during mounting of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: A preheating apparatus is disclosed which supports a hollow, cylindrical combustible heating element. A solid fuel mixture is used to generate hot gases for the heating of metal surfaces for pre-welding purposes. A grooveway is imbedded radially around the upper portion of the solid fuel mixture. An oxygen liberating pre-starter compound is housed in the grooveway for uniformity of ignition of the combustible solid fuel to permit a more uniform and consistent burn of the solid fuel during hot gas generation.

Abstract: An inflatable packer and a method for its use are provided for introduction into a subterranean well bore on a conduit. A fold can form in the inflatable elastomeric bladder of the packer during inflation or deflation, forming a seal on the central body or mandrel which obstructs the effective passage of fluid, thereby obstructing inflation and deflation of the bladder. The packer provides a fluid path to effectively communicate pressured fluid along the entire interior length of the bladder, thus effectively tolerating the fold and any otherwise fluid-obstructing seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for drilling a borehole through formations of the earth to a targeted position relative to the entrance of the borehole on the surface of the earth. At each measurement of the position and orientation of the downhole drilling mechanism, the system controller determines a new optimum path to the target and commands the drilling apparatus to produce this optimum path. Different criteria may determine the optimum path. The preferred criterion is the path of minimum tortuosity.

Abstract: A locking piston drive system and valve assembly is provided for shutdown of a nuclear reactor. "Chatter" in a check valve assembly which occurs during charging and/or re-charging of control fluid within a control line is eliminated by providing a valve head and a resisting portion defined on the valve head to resist movement of the valve, head when it is urged from sealing engagement on its seat during the charging or re-charging procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure switch assembly for monitoring a source of fluid pressure. In one embodiment, the pressure switch assembly senses a variation of fluid pressure for actuation of a micro-switch to open or close an electric circuit. In another embodiment, the pressure switch assembly provides a self contained cluster of piston members which are selectively interengagable to permit a variety of pre-determined pressure ratings to act on the pressure switch assembly in response to a fluid pressure source, the cluster being manually reorganizable without adding or removing any parts to provide one valve assembly which may be responsive to a number of pre-selectable pressure ratings.

Abstract: An improved swivel fire hose reel is particularly suitable for use with fire safety equipment for industrial installations. A reel having a substantially vertical axis is pivotably mounted on a base, enabling the reel to rotate 360.degree. and allow the hose to unwind at any desired angle with respect to the fire. A fluid inlet to the reel is affixed to the base, and a single fluid swivel joint enhances reliability and reduces cost of the reel assembly. An outer guard is mounted about rotatable with respect to the reel to further enhance safety and reliability.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing paraffin deposits from the interior of a hydrocarbon transmission conduit, such as a subsea pipeline. The method comprises the steps of introducing into an isolated length of the conduit containing the paraffin a pre-determinable amount of an emulsified mixture of an aqueous solution and a hydrocarbon solution. The composition used in the method incorporates an aqueous solution which comprises in-situ nitrogen-generating components together with a sufficient amount of a buffered pH adjuster to produce a buffered pH value for the aqueous solution to abate the time of the reaction rate of the nitrogen-generating components to a level permitting introduction of the components into the isolated length prior to completion of any significant portion of the reactin required to effect temperature melting of the paraffin deposits. In a preferred form, a crystalline modifier may be incorporated into the hydrocarbon solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for bending structural metal rails, preferably rails for multi-glazed windows, and gives instructions for a bending unit (20) having two wringing heads (6) which can be displaced relative to the width of the rail, for in an open position to allow the infeed of rails (5) having various width, and in an attracted position to clamp a portion of the rail (5) for the bending thereof by turning the wringing heads (6).

Abstract: A fluid pressure, free piston engine, such as a centrifugal piston expander, provides a cyclically varying torque to a rotatable output shaft. A unidirectional or overrunning rotational clutch comprising two relatively rotatable elements has one element secured to a unidirectionally rotatable load and the other element driven by the output shaft of the centrifugal piston expander. The engine output shaft further drives, through appropriate gearing, a battery operated, starting motor-generator unit. The motor-generator is employed to initially rotate the expander to sufficient speed to ensure the centrifugal return of the free pistons of the centrifugal piston expander to their radially outermost positions. After start-up of the centrifugal piston expander, the starting motor functions as a generator to recharge the battery during the high torque portions of rotation of the engine output shaft, and during the low torque portions of the power output shaft, again functions as a motor to increase such speed.

Abstract: A packer, preferably utilized for dual string operations, comprising a plurality of axially stacked body elements including, from the bottom up, a hydraulic housing, a lower cone element, an annular slip cage containing radially expansible slip elements, an upper cone element, a lower packing expander, an expandable packing element, an upper packing expander, a receptacle, and a retainer plate. All of said elements are provided with two bores equal in diameter to that of the tubing string to be run which extend entirely through the axial stack. One bore accomodates a long string mandrel and the other bore accomodates a short string mandrel conventionally connected to a short tubing string. The short string mandrel is connected at one end to the hydraulic housing and at the other end to the receptacle housing. Fluid pressure is applied to concurrently effect the downward movement of the hydraulic housing and the upward movement of the lower cone to set the packer into engagement with the conduit wall.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided for burning hydrocarbon-containing matter as a result of, for example, testing operations on a subterranean well wherein the hydrocarbon-containing matter is atomized and sprayed outwardly from a ring of nozzles whose axes define an outwardly flaring cone. Preferably, the atomization of the hydrocarbon-containing matter in the nozzles is accomplished by introducing pressurized air and combustible gases at a shear angle of approximately 60.degree.. Pressurized water is issued as a conical spray from an orifice located within the ring of orifices for the hydrocarbon-containing matter so as to direct a conical spray of atomized water within the cone of flame resulting from the combustion of the atomized hydrocarbon-containing matter, thereby insuring a maximum conversion of smoke producing elements in the flame to relatively smoke abating hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing is adapted to receive and discharge fluid in a subterranean well. In a preferred form, a plate is positioned in the cylinder separating it into first and second chambers. Filter adapter receiving means are disposed across the plate, with a filter adapter securable therein, the adapter having a passageway extending to the chambers. The adapter has a cylindrical housing having an enlarged cartridge positioning portion. A grooveway is defined on the adapter extending exteriorly therearound for securing one end of a cartridge filter. A cartridge filter is positionable on the adapter and provides a seal having an interiorly facing circumferentially extending lip for contact with the exterior of the cylindrical housing when the filter is located on the adapter, for sealingly securing the filter to the adapter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting the automatic closing of the bore of a subterranean well conduit upon the withdrawal of a tubular work string or production string from the conduit and the reopening of such bore upon the reinsertion of a tubular string. A biased shiftable valving element is held in an open position by an actuator sleeve which is operatively connected to an inserted tubular string so as to move with such string only a limited distance during either the insertion or the withdrawal movement thereof and permits the valving element to close when the inserted tubular string is withdrawn to prevent fluid remaining in the well from draining into the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for gravel packing a plurality of zones within a subterranean well. Primary sealing means are adapted for setting in casing at a position above the zones. A plurality of sets of production screens and valve means are provided, the valve means being equal in number to the zones to be packed and being carriable in the well with the primary sealing means. Zone isolation means are connected between each said set and expansible into sealing engagement with the casing. A control mandrel includes a single cross-over means for diverting gravel carrying fluid. A plurality of vertically spaced sealing means are defined on the cross-over means for successively isolating each set from the others when the cross-over means is positioned in proximity to each valve means. Valve opening means are provided on the control mandrel and are operable by longitudinal movement of the mandrel to positions for opening and closing the valve means.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the speed of rotation of a joint member during the operation of making a threaded joint. At lower speeds of rotation, a counter means receives clock pulses generated at a predetermined frequency and counts down from a stored value representing the elapsed time for a maximum rate at which turn signal pulses generated during predetermined increments of rotation of the joint member should be generated. If the elapsed time between the turn signal pulses is less than or equal to the stored time, a signal is generated to slow down the joint making operation. At higher speeds of rotation, a counter means receives the turn signal pulses and counts down from a stored value representing the maximum number of turn signal pulses which should be generated in a predetermined time interval. If the turn signal pulse total exceeds the maximum number during the predetermined time interval, the slow down signal is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the level of material in a plurality of hoppers or bins includes a radiation source and sensor associated with each hopper. Each sensor generates an output signal representing the incidence of radiation passing through the material in the respective hopper. The sensor output signals are supplied to individual sample/hold circuits where they are temporarily stored. A central control circuit cyclically reads the stored signals from the sample/hold circuits and then generates a reset signal to clear the sample/hold circuits. The central control circuit compares the sum of the sensor output signals for each sensor over a predetermined time interval with at least one reference signal representing a predetermined material amount to generate a status signal for each hopper. A plurality of indicator circuits are responsive to respective condition of the status signals for visually and/or audibly indicating to an operator the status of the material level in the associated hopper.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved apparatus for effecting the cementing of a liner at the bottom of a well bore. The liner sleeve assembly is inserted into the well bore on a hanger which is detachably connected to a running tool, which, in turn is connected to the work string by a torque transmitting expansion joint. The running tool may be fluid pressure actuated to set the hanger. In the event of failure of the fluid pressure setting operation, the hanger may be mechanically set by rotation of the work string transmitted to the running tool by the torque transmitting expansion joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the testing of a subterranean well by acquiring data from the well includes means for monitoring transducers positioned downhole, at the wellhead, at a separator or at other locations to obtain the values for a predetermined set of operating characteristics. The apparatus includes a microcomputer for calculating additional characteristics utilizing one or more of the transducer values and a visual display for onsite viewing of the values for the monitored and calculated characteristics. The apparatus further includes a printer and a tape recorder. The microcomputer controls the recording intervals of the printer and the tape recorder for recording the monitored and calculated values of the characteristics on a continuous basis. The values of the characteristics represent current production information for the well. The apparatus also includes means for monitoring the transducer power supply voltage and the microcomputer power supply voltage.