Abstract: An improved tubing exit whipstock and tools for installing and retrieving the whipstock are provided for directing movement of well tools from a first wellbore to a second wellbore extending therefrom. The tubing exit whipstock may include a generally cylindrical deflector body with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough. The deflector body may also include a tapered surface for deflecting well tools from the first wellbore to the second wellbore. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical connector may be provided for attaching the deflector body to an orienting and locking device to releasably install the whipstock at a selected downhole location. In another embodiment, a first fishing neck profile may be provided within the longitudinal passageway to provide means for releasably coupling the deflector body with a running tool for installing the tubing exit whipstock at a selected downhole location within the first wellbore.

Abstract: A multiproduct fuel dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of fuels stored in a plurality of reservoir tanks. A single fuel delivery conduit delivers a specific grade of fuel from the reservoir tanks. An ultrasonic meter is in the conduit and uses sing-around measurement to measure flow through the meter. The meter has a volume of about 10 cubic centimeters and a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute. The meter may stand alone in the conduit or may be integrally formed with an outlet casting in the conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a fuel derived from one or more fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks. The fuels are passed from their respective tanks to a mixing zone for mixing to form a blended fuel. The blended fuel is passed from the mixing zone to a dispensing nozzle while the octane rating of the blended fuel is sensed. The flow of each fuel from its tanks to the mixing zone is controlled accordingly to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel.

Abstract: Drill bit cutters and drill bits equipped with the cutters. The cutter is mounted on a bit to present the formation with a radiused, curving, side wall cutting face that is concave in one dimension and convex in another dimension. In a preferred form, the cutting face is in the form of a portion of a surface of revolution generated by an arc segment that is concave relative to the axis of revolution. The cutting face is formed on a layer of polycrystalline diamond disposed on a substrate of tungsten carbide. In another side wall cutter arrangement, a standard cylindrical cutter with a diamond cap is mounted to present the curved cylindrical side of the cap to the formation. Curved side wall cutting faces cut more efficiently than the usual flat end face of conventionally mounted cutters. A major portion of the diamond volume in a side mounted cutter trails the point of cutting face engagement with the formation to provide impact resistance and an increased diamond wear area.

Abstract: A system for pumping a selected fuel product from a storage tank to a dispenser includes a site controller, several fuel dispensers, each operable for dispensing a selected fuel product, and a data link connected to convey product information from a selected dispenser to the site controller. Several storage tanks each contain a different fuel product from each other tank, and also contain a submersible pump in each tank. A relay is connected to each pump. A submersible pump controller (SPC) is connected to each relay and the site controller. The SPC may also be connected to each dispenser. The SPC receives product selection information from the site controller and activates the relay connected to the pump in the storage tank containing the selected product, whereby the selected fuel product is pumped to the selected dispenser.

Abstract: Steel bit bodies are manufactured in a production process that employs polystyrene patterns in a lost foam casting process. The patterns are machined to permit the formation of complex shapes that cannot be reproduced in simple patterns that are extractable from reusable, two-piece pattern molds or dies. The patterns are machined from a billet material according to a basic, programmed, five-axis machining process to form multiple copies of a reproducible complex pattern body. The process is modified to produce multiple copies of a modified design. Machining the complex patterns and producing variations by changing the machine program permit multiple bit patterns of variable forms to be produced without need for building an intermediate, reusable pattern mold that would require multiple mold pieces, thus eliminating the associated time and expense required in the creation of a new pattern mold for each variation of the bit design.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit section having and an inlet and an outlet in which a ball valve having a through bore formed therein is rotatably mounted in the conduit section. The ball valve moves between an open position in which at least a portion of the bore registers with the inlet to permit the flow of the fluid through the ball valve, and a closed position in which fluid flow through the ball valve is prevented. An insert is disposed in the conduit section downstream of the ball valve, and a first series of passages are formed through the insert for receiving the fluid from the ball valve. At least one addition series of passages extend through the insert for receiving fluid from the first series of passages and discharging the fluid to the outlet, with the passages reducing the noise generated by the fluid flow.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving a device between a retracted and extended position in which a ball screw is connected to the device and is in threaded engagement with a ball nut so that, upon rotation of the ball nut, the ball screw moves between a retracted and an extended position. A gear train is connectable between a power source and the ball nut for transferring torque therebetween to rotate the nut member, and a control system responds to a relatively low power input for selectively connecting the drive assembly between the power source and the ball nut member.

Abstract: An acoustic logging tool, useful for creating a circumferential image of an earth borehole or well casing, which includes one or many acoustic transceivers mounted in substantially the same plane, in a drill string sub. The mounting receptacles are located in blocks, flexibly mounted in fixed inserts within the interior of the drill string sub. Each of the transceivers is structured to provide temperature and pressure compensation. The echo signals received by the transceivers are digitized and processed to eliminate extraneous noise created by the ringing of the transducers, by the signals reflected from the material backing the transducer ultrasonic element, and by any other sources inherent to the drilling environment. Digitization and further processing also allows for signal enhancement, thus allowing detection of signals in the presence of substantial noise.

Abstract: A fluid system and method according to which a first fluid, a second fluid, or a blend of the fuels is passed to a first meter for measuring the flow thereof while the second fluid is passed through a second meter before it passes to the first meter. The flow of the first fluid to the first meter and the flow of the second fluid to the second meter and then to the first meter are controlled by valves and, as a result, a predetermined ratio of the blended fluids can be established and maintained. The second meter can be calibrated based on the first meter and therefore does not have to inherently provide relatively accurate volumetric measurements. Thus, the second meter can be less costly than the first meter.

Abstract: A deployment tool for communicating a well tool from a generally vertical wellbore to a lateral wellbore includes a hollow tube having a generally uniform inside diameter. The tube includes at least one flex portion disposed intermediate a first end and a second end of the tube to allow for angular deflection of the second end of the tube with respect to the first end of the tube. The flex portion also maintains the generally uniform inside diameter of the tube during the angular deflection. The deployment tool also includes a locking device attached to the first end of the tube for releasably securing the first end of the tube at a selected location in the vertical wellbore adjacent to the lateral wellbore. The tube of the deployment tool includes a length selected to allow the second end of the tube to extend into a portion of the lateral wellbore when the first end is releasably secured at the selected location in the vertical wellbore.

Abstract: A fitting assembly and method for attaching to a fluid flow conduit in which a clamp having a threaded port is secured around the conduit. A threaded bushing is inserted into the threaded port and has an axial bore that guides and supports a tool which is inserted through the bore to pierce the corresponding surface of the conduit. After the tool and the bushing are removed from the threaded port, an external component, such as a sensing unit, can be connected to the port to permit access to the fluid for sensing a flow characteristic of the fluid, or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure gauge construction in which a diaphragm assembly responsive to changing values of fluid pressure being supplied to the gauge is secured against an internal support surface of the casing by a combination of sealant and thermal staking.

Abstract: A secure touchscreen is provided, comprising a touchscreen and touchscreen controller for receiving inputs, a system controller, an encryption module and two external buses. The controller, system controller and encryption module are embedded in a mass of material to prevent unauthorized access of the inputs. Furthermore, the first external bus is used to operate and communicate with an external system in an encrypted mode, while the second external bus is used to operate and communicate with the external system in a normal mode.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly with a directional flow passage for directing and controlling the flow of drilling fluids exiting a drill bit. The assembly is threaded for engagement within a threaded receptacle in the drill bit. The assembly includes a nozzle body carried within an externally threaded sleeve structure that threads into the bit receptacle. Seating of the assembly anchors the nozzle body against rotational and axial movement. The external circumferential nozzle body surface and the internal circumferential sleeve surface mechanically interlock to permit the nozzle body to be positioned at selected different angular positions within the sleeve before seating the sleeve structure in the receptacle such that the final seated position of the assembly in the receptacle results in the desired orientation of the nozzle flow passage in the bit receptacle. The flow passage exit end of the nozzle is surrounded by a drive area that extends axially from the main nozzle body.

Abstract: A window assembly is provided for use at a downhole location in a first wellbore to control access to or allow isolation of a second wellbore extending from the first wellbore. The window assembly is included as an integral part of a production tubing string disposed within the first wellbore. A slot is formed in the window assembly. The window assembly is preferably installed at a downhole location aligned to an opening from the first wellbore into the second wellbore whereby well tools may move between the longitudinal bore of the window assembly and the second wellbore. Multiple guide surfaces are provided in the slot to direct movement of tools between the longitudinal bore and the window assembly and the second wellbore or vice versa. One of the guide surfaces on the slot preferably is formed with approximately the same angle at which the second wellbore intersects the first wellbore.

Abstract: An electronic turbocharger control system for an internal combustion engine is provided to control at least one turbocharger by controlling a bypass valve and a wastegate in response to the engine speed, engine load, ambient temperature, and the operating environment's barometric pressure wherein the turbocharger is controlled to operate within predetermined islands of efficiency on a pressure ratio versus mass airflow map thereby allowing the adaptation of one turbocharger assembly for various applications. The method and apparatus provides improved engine efficiency and increases low speed torque.

Abstract: A gas distribution valve including a body defining an inlet and an outlet passage, a central well containing a cylindrical plug disposed for arcuate displacement therein and including a transverse thru-bore that can be rotated into and out of axial alignment with the flow passages of said body for opening and closing the valve respectively. Overmolded elastomeric seat seals are provided for superior sealing that are urged against the well walls by an arcuate leaf spring intervening between the seals and the plug and extending in a direction concentric with the plug. A cover plate secures the plug within in the well and there is afforded a fire seal ring providing bi-directional contact sealing operative to restrict gas flow during and after exposure to fire or other high temperature environment.

Abstract: A device and method for selectively controlling the flow of production fluid through a tubing string in an oil and gas well according to which a housing is connected to a tubing string for insertion into the well, and well fluid is passed from the ground surface into the housing. The housing is provided with a plug to establish well fluid pressure in the housing to actuate a packer and/or other ancillary devices. The plug can be removed from the hosing by increasing the pressure of the well fluid in the housing above a predetermined value, thus permitting the flow of production fluid from the formation zone, through the housing and the tubing string, and to the ground surface.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body defining a rectilinear flow passage between an inlet and an outlet and a cylindrical cavity centrally located therebetween. A removable cover of cup-like configuration is secured in a sealed relation to the body subtending the body cavity in which a dual layered strainer assembly is supported in the flow passage in a sealed relation between an interior surface of the cover and an interior surface of the cavity.