Abstract: A high pressure in-line test valve (42) is positioned to block off a first fluid pressure source (10) acting on a control valve means (32 and 34) and to provide communication with an alternate test fluid pressure source (138) for testing the control valve means. The test valve (42) has a central bore (70) in which a depressible piston (78) is positioned for longitudinal movement between a seated extended position (FIG. 2) blocking the first fluid pressure source and simultaneously communicating test fluid to the control valve means, and an unseated retracted position (FIG. 3) re-establishing communication between the first fluid pressure source and the control valve means and simultaneously blocking the alternate fluid pressure source (138) with a dual sealing means.

Abstract: Slip mechanisms for selectively gripping and releasing conduit in a well drilling operation, particularly useable as elevators or spiders. Three slips are positioned within a tapered bore of the slip mechanism having a split front opening, and are articulatingly suspended from a vertically movable ring. Upon lowering of the ring the slips move downwardly and inwardly along the tapered bore to simultaneously and evenly grip the conduit. Upon raising of the ring the slips move upwardly and outwardly along the tapered bore and disengage from the gripped conduit. In the disengaged position two of the three slips are circumferentially slidable, through the suspension connection to the ring, to a position spaced from the front opening and adjacent the third slip, whereby the slip mechanism is laterally movable from, or about, the conduit. A funnel shaped guide skirt is mountable on the bottom of the mechanism when operation as an elevator is desired.

Abstract: An improved plug mechanism for use with a wellhead tool for removing and replacing valves on an operating wellhead under pressure including an elongated housing with a fluid coupling on one end for connecting to the outlet end of a wellhead valve and a plug mechanism extending from the housing through the valve into the wellhead where it seals fluid flow to the valve. The plug mechanism includes an expandable sealing element and an improved latch mechanism including a plurality of ball bearings which are extendable and retractable from the plug mechanism to secure it solidly within the bore of the wellhead upstream of the valve to be removed. The housing is equipped with an operating mechanism to expand and retract the sealing member and to engage and release the ball bearings. The plug mechanism further includes an improved self-alignment feature to ease attachment of the operating mechanism to the plug mechanism once the plug mechanism has been secured within the bore of the wellhead.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting granular materials is disclosed comprising a first conduit having an inlet for introducing the granular material, and transport pump for transporting the material through the first conduit. A nozzle provides a compressible fluid at a relatively high pressure for disaggregating the granular material within the first conduit, the material then proceeds from the first conduit into a second conduit. A relatively low pressure and high volume compressible fluid is supplied to the material to propel the material through the second conduit. There is also provided an adjustment means for changing the position of the nozzle within the first conduit. By adjusting the position of the nozzle, the apparatus can maintain disaggregation when the physical or chemical properties of the granular material are changed thereby preventing clogging of the apparatus due to insufficient disaggregation.

Abstract: A sensor base structure (24) for supporting high and low pressure sensors (20,22) having autoclave type connectors (44) and communicating pressurized fluid from the main flowline (10) to the sensors. The sensor base structure comprises a cylindrical manifold (52) having a longitudinal passage (54) therein and including a plurality of lateral bores (58) extending therethrough intersecting the longitudinal passage. One end (60) of each lateral bore threadably receives the autoclave connectors of the respective pressure sensors. The opposite end (61) of the bore (58) threadably receives a plug (62) having an externally threaded portion (64) and a reciprocal autoclave connector (66) facing the pressure sensor to provide a high pressure metal-to-metal seal upon contact with the respective autoclave connectors.

Abstract: A pilot valve adapted for connection between a double acting fluid actuator (12) of the piston-type and a hydraulic fluid supply (21). The pilot valve comprises an elongate body (30) with an axial bore (32, 33) therethrough and a piston chamber (38) at one end of the valve body. A valve plunger (49) affixed to the piston (50) in the piston chamber (38) is mounted in the axial bore for movement between first and second operating positions in response to the selective application of pneumatic pressure to the piston (50). The valve (20) is provided with valve ports (56, 60) for accommodating connections with a hydraulic fluid reservoir (21), and a piston-type actuator (12), respectively, whereby in the first operative position of the valve plunger (49), the valve (20) is conditioned for the transmission of hydraulic fluid to a first side of the actuator piston (17) and the removal to the sump (22) of hydraulic fluid from the other second side of the actuator piston (17) through valve ports (81, 75).

Abstract: A continuous mining machine cutting head structure is set forth. The mining machine is of a type having a support member and an elongated mining head member mounted on the forward end of the support member. The head member is powered for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The head member is of the type having axially extensible and retractable end portions. Included within the head member is a hydraulic piston cylinder arrangement for selectively extending and retracting these end portions. At least one latch element is included within each side of the head member and can be moved into locking engagement with the end portions when it is in an extended position thereby preventing retraction thereof. Also included is a mechanism operatively connected to the piston cylinder arrangement which is capable of moving the latch element out of engagement with the end portion thereby permitting retraction thereof.

Abstract: A mining machine is disclosed comprising a mobile base and a cutting head assembly at a forward end of the mobile base having a cutter drum rotatable about an output shaft disposed along the longitudinal axis of the cutter drum. A drive system for the cutting head assembly comprises at least one motor for driving at least one toothed motor pinion and a generally cylindrical combination gear having generally circular end surfaces. A bevel or face gear is formed in at least one of the end surfaces, having teeth adapted to mate with and be driven by the toothed motor pinion. The combination gear has a worm gear formed in the outside cylindrical surface, which is disposed in driving engagement with the teeth of an output gear integrally and coaxially connected to the output shaft of the cutter drum.

Abstract: An expanding gate valve with a valve seat structure which comprises a pair of "floating" seat rings (60) loosely received in annular seat pockets (52) surrounding the flow passage through the valve and each having an axial dimension which exceeds the depth of the seat pocket. The front face (61) of each seat ring is disposed adjacent the gate assembly (24, 26) and is provided with an annular groove (63) and an annular resilient sealing element (64) therein adapted to form a ring of sealing contact area about the flow passage (14) when the gate assembly is expanded thereagainst. The rear face (66) of the seat ring (60) is provided with an annular groove (63') and a second annular resilient sealing element (64'). The two annular sealing elements are coaxial and the inner diameter of the front sealing element (64) exceeds that of the rear sealing element (64') so that the front sealing element is a greater radial distance from the flow passage (14) than is the rear sealing element.

Abstract: Rotary processors for fluid material conveyance and heat transfer including a plurality of commonly configured coils mounted between rotatable manifolds affixed to a central shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor system is disclosed which is adapted to be suspended from an overhead monorail and which includes a plurality of carriages each having an open longitudinal portion extending therethrough. Each of the carriages interconnect one to another in a single file fashion so as to be moved as a unit below and along the overhead monorail. The conveyor belt is supported and carried by the carriages. An improved power transmission device is connected to at least one of the carriages for moving the plurality of carriages along the overhead monorail. The power transmission device means includes a pair of transversely spaced apart rotatable drive wheels which are drivably coupled to and which support a pair of transversely spaced apart power units. The power units are pivotally connected below the drive wheels. A hydraulic system is provided for pivoting the power units toward and away from one another to maintain the drive wheels in traction relationship with the overhead monorail.

Abstract: This invention is to a formed control member which is secured to a longitudinally stretchable or elongatable conveyor belt to provide a generally uniform longitudinal elongation throughout the length of the belt and to indicate a preselected total elongation of the belt. The form of the control member also provides a visual indication of the approximate elongation of the belt.

Abstract: Systems for mixing gaseous medium streams at different temperatures are for changing the direction of flow of a stream which alleviate the effect of pressure losses. A plurality of hollow airfoil shaped vanes are positioned within a first gaseous stream, and the second stream is conveyed through the hollow vane and discharged into the first stream through a slot at the trailing edge of the vane. Fixed or movable flow direct the rate and direction of the discharge flow.

Abstract: A valveless, pneumatic motor including a cylinder within which a hammer piston reciprocates and a buffer ring fixedly secured within the cylinder. A source of motive fluid under pressure cooperates with the buffer ring which through supply porting provides pressurized motive fluid alternately to opposed faces of the piston head. Intake ports are formed within the piston stem and adapted to cooperate intermittently with the buffer ring supply porting to provide motive fluid to the piston interior wherein an axial bore transmits the fluid along the stem toward the piston head and discharge porting delivers the motive fluid to the forward face of the piston head thereby urging the piston rearwardly. A reduced diameter portion of the piston stem then comes into communication with the buffer ring supply porting and permits the motive fluid to impinge directly on the rearward face of the piston head without passage through the piston to urge the piston forwardly.

Abstract: An improved screw compressor for the compression and axial displacement of a gas is set forth. The compressor is of the type having a housing formed with an axially extending passage. The axially extending passage has at one axial end thereof a gas inlet and at the other axial end thereof a gas outlet. A one piece male rotor is positioned in the passage and extends axially therein. The male rotor is formed with a plurality of helical ribs having generally convex flanks and root regions which are at least partially formed as involutes in cross section. Each rib of the male rotor has a profile consisting of a leading flank formed at least partially as an involute generated from a first base circle and a trailing flank at least partially formed as an involute generated from a second base circle. The second base circle has a diameter greater than the first base circle.

Abstract: A rotary tong for use in well drilling operations to make up and break out drill strings or similar axially elongated objects which has a secondary camming action provided by the jaw assembly. By use of the inventive jaw assembly a secondary camming action is produced which reduces the cam angle of the primary camming function. The reduced cam angle gives greater gripping force thereby reducing slippage. The secondary camming function also allows the jaw to be used for a greater variety of drill string sizes thereby reducing the need to change tongs or jaw elements when drill string sizes change.

Abstract: An improved drive sprocket for driving a chain is set forth. The drive sprocket contains a plurality of peripheral drive teeth having a leading drive surface thereon. The sprocket has a first pair of teeth spaced a predetermined circumferential distance from each other on a pitch circle about the sprocket and a third tooth being spaced a distance less than the above mentioned predetermined distance from the trailing tooth of the first pair of teeth. The leading drive surface of each tooth engages and drives the chain around the sprocket.

Abstract: This invention relates to centrifuges and more particularly to a centrifuge having a separation chamber surface profile to provide a uniform or controlled flow of separated solids and the method of operating a centrifuge to provide such flow.

Abstract: A pneumatic motor for rock drills and the like having a reciprocating piston with valves at its opposite ends for valving motive air to the piston head from both ends of the cylinder. Large receivers are provided near the respective valves to accommodate availability of air on demand from the valves and to dampen pressure fluctuations. One of the receivers is connected to an external source of fluid under pressure; while the two receivers are interconnected by tubing external to the pneumatic motor itself. This permits the cylinder for the piston to comprise a simple tube provided with exhaust ports only. Additionally, exhaust air and oil from an air motor, which rotates the rock drill, are directed into the area between the lower end of the reciprocating piston and a striking bar for the drill rod to lubricate the reciprocating parts.

Abstract: A relay valve for controlling fluid flow to and from a valve actuator included in a safety system for a flowline such as a production line of an oil or gas well. The relay includes a slide valve (60) which is manually pushed inwardly to the open or set position and held therein by pilot fluid which is also applied to the valve actuator. A visual indicator mounted on a knob (102) of the slide valve is operated by fluid applied to a passage (96) formed in the slide valve. A vent port (82) prevents pilot pressure from moving the slide valve from the closed position to the open position. A modified relay valve (150) has separate inlet ports (198 and 200) for receiving pilot fluid and actuator fluid and a vent port (206) which is in direct fluid communication with the pilot port in the closed position of the slide valve.