Abstract: A side intake valve assembly for use in a subterranean well in conjunction with a second or lower valve assembly, and a hollow connecting body for connecting the side intake valve assembly and the second or lower valve assembly. The side intake valve assembly allows water separated from the production fluid to be forced downwardly through the intake valve assembly and the second or lower valve assembly into a water disposal zone. A one-way valve in the side intake valve assembly is a gravity operated ball valve.

Abstract: A strainer formed by a body member defining an inlet passage for receiving the fluid and an outlet passage for discharging the fluid. A chamber is connected to the outlet passage and an internal passage connects the inlet passage to the chamber. A separator is disposed in the chamber for separating particles from the fluid as the fluid passes through the chamber. The fluid is thus routed into the inlet passage, and through the inlet passage to the chamber where the particles are separated. The fluid is then passed to the discharge passage for discharging the fluid to a conduit.

Abstract: An improved closure for a pressure gauge includes a stem or a sleeve which selectively provides a vent path when set by the end user. The closure device provides an automatic venting if in the normally closed condition by means of an overpressure valve arrangement in the sleeve. Therefore the two functions are incorporated in the single closure device.

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 and method for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit in which a ball valve is disposed in the conduit and is provided with a through bore for receiving the fluid. An insert is also disposed in the conduit downstream of the ball valve and has a plurality of relatively small flow passages. A relatively large flow passage is defined by that portion of the conduit not occupied by the insert. The valve is rotatable in the conduit to direct the fluid from its bore through one or more of the flow passages and a portion of the insert forms an airfoil surface to prevent separation of the fluid as it passes through the relatively large flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for eliminating a noise signal from at least one source during an acoustic measurement of a subsurface geological formation or borehole. The apparatus includes a longitudinal body for positioning in the borehole and a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic signals into the formation and borehole. A sensor, substantially isolated within the body, is used to detect one or more noise signals and a receiver is carried by the body for receiving acoustic signals traversing the formation and borehole, and for receiving one or more noise signals. A processor is connected to the sensor and receiver for processing the acoustic signals and noise signals coupled from the receiver and the noise signal coupled from the sensor into a preferred formation or borehole signal by determining the noise signal received at the receiver using the noise signal received in the sensor and a propagation factor for the noise signal between the sensor and receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for volume determination in a pump unit for fluid, such as fuel, in which a first and a second metering means are provided which are juxtaposed. The metering means each comprise a metering casing having a shaft assembly, which is adapted to be rotated when fluid flows through the metering casing. Each metering means further comprises a pulse generating means, which has a frequency generator and a pulse generator and which is adapted to convert the rotation of the shaft assembly into pulses. The frequency generator is connected to the shaft assembly for rotation therewith, mounted in the respective metering casings. The two pulse generators are adapted to sense, in a contactless manner, rotation of the respective frequency generators and to emit pulses in relation thereto. The two pulse generators are arranged in a separate pulse generator module and are encompassed in a pulse generator casing, which is detachably connected to the metering casing.

Abstract: A gasoline vapor recovery system and method in which a flow metering unit is provided for measuring the flow of a mixture of air and gasoline vapor from a vehicle tank and for determining the density of the gasoline vapor in the mixture. A value is provided for varying the flow of the mixture from the tank, and a control unit is operatively connected to the flow metering unit and to the valve for adjusting the position of the valve, and therefore the flow of the mixture from the tank, in response to the density of the gasoline vapor in the mixture and the gasoline flow.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is formed as a rock bit body, a bearing shaft supported by the rock bit body, a rotary cutter adapted to be rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft, and at least one bearing that promotes rotation between the rotary cutter and the bearing shaft. Each bearing includes a bearing element having a steel matrix with steel-free volumes distributed therethrough. The matrix is a hypoeutectoid steel having more than about 0.40 weight percent carbon. An anti-galling alloy resides within the steel-free volumes of the steel matrix. The anti-galling alloy is a silver-copper alloy having a composition of from about 60 weight percent to about 95 weight percent silver, balance copper.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving a member, such as a gate valve, or the like, between a retracted and extended position, and a locking device for locking the member in its extended position. A ball screw is connected to the member to be moved and is in threaded engagement with a ball nut so that, upon rotation of the ball nut, the ball screw, and therefore the member, moves between a retracted and an extended position. A gear train is connect able between a power source and the ball nut for transferring torque therebetween to rotate the nut member. The locking device cooperates with the actuator for quickly and easily locking the ball screw in an extended position at any time without requiring it to be retracted and then extended, and includes a plunger that moves axially in a housing in response to movement of the ball screw. The plunger has a reduced dimension portion, and a stem is provided that has a reduced dimension portion and a regular dimension portion.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering a gasoline vapor/air mixture from a vehicle tank during the dispensing of gasoline from a storage tank into the vehicle tank in which the flow of the mixture from the vehicle tank to the storage tank is induced during the dispensing of the gasoline. The amount of oxygen in the mixture is sensed and the flow of the mixture is shut off when the oxygen content in the mixture attains a predetermined value.

Abstract: A carrier structure for transducers. The semiconductor carrier structure mounts as a single unit to a force-impacted substrate and includes multiple piezoelectric elements integrally formed with the carrier structure, such that the elements are located in a space defining a window of the structure while maintaining their electrical contact and their precise position relative to the structure by use of thin-film, electrically conductive, metallic flexures attached to both the structure and the elements.

Abstract: An electronically controlled wastegate valve is adjusted so that the pressure drop across a throttle in the engine approaches an adaptively generated, desired throttle pressure reserve value. The desired throttle pressure reserve value is based at least in part on a history of the engine load. In the preferred embodiment, the engine speed is used as a surrogate for engine load to determine the desired throttle pressure reserve value. The desired throttle pressure reserve value is preferably pushed downward over time by use of a constant negative gain term in the electronic controller. In this manner, the wastegate control provides sufficient throttle pressure reserve for satisfactory load acceptance when engine load is fluctuating, yet minimizes throttle pressure reserve to improve engine fuel consumption when the engine load is relatively steady.

Abstract: A computer security apparatus is disclosed. In a departure from the art, a metal box having a padlocked front closure is used to mount a computer to the underside of a surface, such as a counter or desk top, in such a manner as to prevent unauthorized access to and removal of the computer. In a preferred embodiment, the security device of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped metal housing having a top, opposing left and right sides, and a door hingedly connected across the front of the housing. Each of the left and right sides includes a rear flange extending approximately one quarter of the way across the rear of the housing and a bottom flange extending approximately one third of the way across the bottom of the housing for securing the rear and bottom sides of the computer, respectively. Spaced-apart clips are provided along one end of the door for securing the door to the front end of one of the opposing sides.