Abstract: A pilaster footing comprises a substantially rectangular cross section channel member open at both ends. One end opening of the channel member conforms to the channel cross section and is substantially rectangular. The other end opening is partially closed by peripheral skirts which provide a non-rectangular configured opening.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling construction comprises a plurality of individual ceiling tiles suspended in rows between evenly spaced support beams. Each tile has a kerfed back edge that fits over a flange on a back support beam and an L-shaped front portion having a lower lip that fits under a flange on a front support beam. The side edges of each ceiling tile include longitudinal kerfs therein extending rearwardly from the front portion of the tile, with the kerfs being positioned above the lip on the front portion of the tile by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the flange on the front support beam. Tile supporting splines fit into the kerfs in the sides of abutting ceiling tiles and engage the front support beams. At least one of the ceiling tiles is an access tile and comprises cut away portions above the kerfs on each side of the tile. The splines include a movable member slidable from a locking position, engaging the kerfs at the side edges of the tiles, to a release position at the cut away section.

Abstract: An arrangement for the handling of drill string elements, such as tubes or rods, in drill rigs, comprising means for transferring the drill string elements between a magazine and the drill string axis, a drill string centralizer at the front end of an elongated support for guiding the drill string, a spinning device on said transferring means for gripping and rotating a drill string element, said means being adapted to axially displace the drill string element during rotation thereof, and a sleeve brake mounted on the drilling machine for non-rotatably holding a coupling sleeve when the adapter of the drilling machine is disconnected from the drill string.

Abstract: A drilling assembly is equipped with apparatus that includes a device that periodically changes the resistance to the flow of drilling fluid through the drill pipe to create pressure pulses that can be detected at the earth surface and a sensor for controlling the pulse orienting device in response to the orientation of the drilling assembly relative to a preselected orientation relative to earth.

Abstract: An offshore drilling rig that embodies a means for vertical stacking of riser pipe sections and blowout preventors below a derrick floor and includes riser pipe manipulating mechanisms for transporting units in a vertical condition between a storage area and the operational area. In the operational area, the cellar floor is provided with a sliding door mechanism which is selectively capable of supporting either the blowout preventor and riser weight, or the blowout preventor. The transportation system includes means for lifting and supporting a riser pipe section vertically and movable in transverse and longitudinal, horizontal directions for transporting pipe sections in a vertical condition.

Abstract: A metallic wall clad with thermal insulation has a layer of insulating blocks spaced from the wall, the blocks being spaced apart and each block being individually and rigidly secured to the wall, the interspaces being substantially closed against convectional flow of liquid by resilient closure members, and a membrane covering for the layer of blocks, the covering having venting means to allow liquid from the vessel to penetrate between the covering and the wall.

Abstract: A beamless load bearing surface or stratum having a first group of polygonal plate members forming a peripheral ring. Each of such plate members forming such ring having a transverse edge supported on a longitudinal edge of the next adjacent plate member and so on around the ring. A second group of these plate members forms a second ring interiorly of the first ring. Each of the plate members in the second ring also having a transverse edge supported on a longitudinal edge of the next adjacent plate member of such second ring. In addition, each of the plate members in the second ring is supported along one of its longitudinal edges on the longitudinal edge of an adjacent one of the plates of the peripheral ring. Additional such rings inwardly of the second ring may be provided as desired as may also a central plate member for closing the opening left by the innermost such ring.

Abstract: A fire resistant ceiling for a building having a space grid construction comprised of a plurality of horizontally extending space trusses with bottom chords or bases thereof having oppositely directed flanges supporting fire resistant ceiling panels thereon, and grid protecting fire resistant panels secured to the space truss bottom chords between adjacent edges of the ceiling panels to protect the space trusses from fire.

Abstract: A drive chain for transmitting power to a rotatable cutter head of a mining machine. The mining machine is of the type having a rotary cutter drum mounted at the forward end of the mining machine frame. The cutter drum has helical auger flights with cutter bits mounted on their periphery. Electric motors are provided on either side of the mining machine to provide power for rotating the cutter drum. A drive and cutter chain transmits the power from each electric motor to the rotary drum. The drive chain comprises roller chain links with offset sidebars. Each drive chain is relatively narrow having but a single row of links. Some of the links are cutter links which carry cutter bits. Selected portions of the cutter links and the sprockets are cut away to prevent entrapment and build up of foreign matter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for complete reverse air vacuum drilling by entrainment of chips and dust in a high velocity air stream created by applying a vacuum to the drill stem or the annulus of a drilled hole, removing the drilled particles by entrainment in the flow of air created by the vacuum and collection of the drilled particles for visual or other analysis.

Abstract: An adjustable load-bearing column assembly for supporting beams and the like including for on-site assemblage in superimposed operative engaging relation, an elongated H-shaped column of selectable length having a pair of parallel side wall segments joined together by a transverse web constituting a C-shaped tubular core and a pair of web segments extending from the core and joined to the midpoints of the side wall segments, a bearing plate having an opening concentric with and overlying the tubular core at the upper end of the column, a bolt having a selectively contoured head and a threaded shaft carrying a nut in adjustable threaded engagement therewith, the undersurface of the nut being in supportive relation with the bearing plate upper surface and the portion of the threaded shaft beneath the nut freely extending through the bearing plate opening and into the tubular core of the column, and a beam-embracively supporting bracket having an opening shaped and sized to non-rotatably receive and contain the

Abstract: A means and method of drilling wells wherein the casing and tubing string are rotated with minimum interruption and are moved downwardly simultaneously. A bit assembly, capable of cutting a bore larger than the casing, is lowered and raised through the drill string, the bit assembly being pivotable between a position in which the transverse axis is in alignment with the drill string bore for movement therein and a drilling position in which its longitudinal axis is transverse to the axis of the drill string and surrounding casing and extends radially beyond the casing for drilling operation; the lower end of the drill string and bit assembly having interlocking parts to transmit rotational force from the drill string to the bit assembly.

Abstract: Pump-off control apparatus for preventing cavitation of a sub-surface pump which provides artificial lift for fluid produced from a fluid bearing strata located downhole in a borehole. A sound wave is focused downhole and travels down the casing annulus where it strikes the liquid surface and rebounds to a receiver located near the well head. The time lapse of the traveling wave is used to measure the relative location of the liquid surface relative to the pump inlet, thereby enabling the control apparatus to shut-in a well before it can encounter a pump-off condition which can cause fluid pounding.

Abstract: A magazine, adapted for use in a rock drilling rig, comprises means for spacing two adjacent drill rods. The spacing means includes turnstiles which are journalled rotatably in the magazine. The turnstiles are arranged to be rotated by the drill rods when the latter are moved into or out of the magazine.

Abstract: A prestressed concrete container having a chamber therein and a removable concrete member closing the chamber and held in its chamber-closing position by primary and secondary hold-down means each comprising members held fast with the concrete of the container and with the secondary hold-down members passing through the concrete of the closure member.

Abstract: A smoke stop for doors is disclosed. The smoke stop comprises a metal frame with a slot therein extending substantially the entire length of the frame on the door side thereof; a movable lid pivotally attached along one outer edge of the metal frame and releasably attached to a second outer edge of the metal frame thereby completely enclosing the slot in the metal frame; and an intumescent material completely enclosed within the enclosed slot. When the door is closed and the frame and door are subjected to flames, the intumescent material expands causing the sealing of the space between the frame and the door and thereby providing a smoke stop between the door and the frame.

Abstract: A method of producing highly viscous oil from an underground formation penetrated by a well. Steam is injected through a first channel into the lower part of the formation. At the same time, previously recovered oil from the formation is injected through the well in a channel surrounding the steam channel to the upper part of the formation. This native oil insulates the formation from the steam and also serves to block the steam from rising in the formation. The heated oil can then be recovered from an adjacent well or injection can be stopped and the oil can be recovered from the well through which the fluid was injected.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method of forming a truss or truss-like member which has spaced chords interconnected by inclined struts.The struts are formed by firstly forming a member of constant cross-sectional shape having a web joining the two chords and containing at least one thickened or stiffening portion extending for its length, forming parallel rows of slots with a stiffening portion between each row, the slots of the rows being staggered and overlapping one another, and the chords being moved apart so as to incline the struts formed by those lengths of the stiffening portion which lie between the overlapping portions of the slots, and also to elongate them.

Abstract: A corner construction is provided which utilizes a support having an elongated metallic flange, a back-up clip resiliently engaging the flange, and a pair of panels. One panel has a surface thereof engaging a first portion of the clip and is secured to the flange. The second panel has a surface thereof engaging a second portion of the clip and is secured thereto. An edge of the second panel is in abutting engagement with the first portion of the clip. The clip is concealed by the first and second panels which are arranged in angular relation.

Abstract: This invention concerns the drilling of boreholes in the earth. It concerns a rotary drilling system having a particular bottom hole assembly (BHA) for use in increasing or decreasing the angle of deviation from the vertical of a borehole. It also teaches a method whereby the angle of deviation can be calculated for each assembly. There is one assembly disclosed for increasing the angle of deviation and another assembly disclosed for decreasing the angle of deviation. Also disclosed is a novel "universal stabilizer" for use in the bottom hole assembly.