Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a gas lift valve that is latched by a latch assembly into a seating bore in a side pocket mandrel includes a guide flange that is recieved in a slot in an internal wall of the mandrel. The guide flange functions to precisely rotationally orient and to stop the insertion of the valve within its seating bore such that a lateral gas outlet port in the valve body is directed inward toward the main bore of the mandrel. A frictional restraint also is provided to prevent accidental release of the latch assembly.

Abstract: A method of protecting casing during high pressure well stimulation. An annulus between the casing and tubing is loaded with water via a small volume of nitrogen to partially displace annular fluid down the annulus and up the tubing. This loading takes place prior to setting a packer. Loading in this manner results in a gas "cushion". If the tubing should burst during high pressure stimulation, compression of the "cushion" will prevent the casing from rupturing.

Abstract: In a self-propelled reversible boring ram, selection of forward/reverse boring modes is determined by the position of a control piston. A concentric supply pipe to a source of working fluid pressure connected to coaxial fluid inputs on the ram. Working fluid pressure for an impacting piston (hammer) is supplied through the input. For forward mode operation, pressure from a coil spring and reactive force on the piston is overcome by working fluid pressure on servo pistons. Restricting fluid pressure on the pistons allows the piston to move to reverse mode operating position.

Abstract: A legume harvester head assembly transports legume pods and a certain amount of vine mass delivered by a picking reel to a main apron immediately adjacent to the picking reel. The main apron moves the pods and the vine mass away from the picking reel toward a pair of vertically arranged gathering conveyors being driven and moving in a direction toward a discharge point. Pods and vine mass is deposited on an elevator conveyor from an opening between the two gathering conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mowing grass and similar vegetation. The apparatus has a frame (1), in which a horizontal shaft (2) is rotatably mounted, the shaft (2) extending horizontally in the position of use. Swingles (19) are provided along and around the shaft (2), these swingles (19) being pivotably connected with the shaft for rotation about axes extending substantially parallel to the shaft. The swingles are terminated at their outer ends by edges (20), extending substantially parallel to the shaft (2). In order to make the apparatus operative for airing the grass field or lawn in addition to the mowing of grass, at least some of the swingles (19) carry tilling elements (26) for producing airing openings or grooves in the soil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting blade for a mowing apparatus, which comprises a pair of first and second pivotal cutting wheels slidably superposed with each other and each provided with a number of grass cutting edges along its circumference, each of the teeth having a major surface, two side edges and an outer periphery edge; and mechanism for reciprocatingly rotating each cutting wheel in opposite directions through a predetermined angle, respectively. At least one of the side edges of each of the teeth of the cutting wheels is defined by an inclined surface forming an acute angle relative to a major surface of the tooth so as to form a cutting edge, and the outer periphery edge is defined by a plane substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the tooth. Namely, there is no sharp edge in the outer peripheries of the teeth of the cutting wheels or the free ends of teeth.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting tine guards on a pickup of an agricultural machine such as a baler or a forage harvester comprises upper and lower mounting plates which are removably attached to upper and lower frame members, respectively, on the pickup. The pickup includes a reel having a plurality of tines which project, as the reel rotates, through spaces or gaps formed between the tine guards. The upper ends of the tine guards are secured to the upper mounting plate while the lower ends of the tine guards are secured to the lower mounting plate so that the tine guards are removed together with the mounting plates when the mounting plates are detached from the pickup frame members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a threshing device for pulse crops, said threshing device being provided with a drum rotatable about its at least substantially horizontally arranged axis of rotation, the surface of said drum being provided with openings. In the interior of the drum there is arranged a main threshing means, which is rotatable about its axis of rotation extending at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, in such a manner that during operation parts of the main threshing means located near the drum surface of the drum move in the same direction as the adjacent part of the drum surface. The main threshing means is furthermore provided with projecting parts which, besides imparting a component of movement of the crop directed towards the interior surface of the drum, also impart a component of movement to the crop in the longitudinal direction of the drum.

Abstract: A jar mechanism is described, which comprises a piston (5) movably mounted in a fluid chamber (9). A jar member (2) is releasably coupled to the piston (5) by a release device (3, 4; 3, 38, 39, 40, 54, 64) so that when the piston (5) is in a first position in the fluid chamber (9), the jar member (2) is coupled to the piston (5) by the release device (3, 4; 3, 38, 39, 40, 54, 64). A first force exerted on the jar member (2) moves the piston (5) to a second position within the fluid chamber (9) against the resistance of the fluid (11). When the piston (5) is in the second position, the action of the first force applied to the jar member (2) actuates the release device (3, 4; 3, 38, 39, 40, 54, 64) to enable the jar member (2) to be uncoupled from the piston (5).

Abstract: This invention is a mowing machine which is to be hitched to the back of an agricultural tractor. The primary purpose of the invention is to cut and clean vegetation and debris from along agricultural fence rows. The cutting assembly of the mowing machine includes flails which are rapidly rotated and are made from fabric reinforced rubber. The flails are flexible and are about two feet long, about three-fourths of an inch thick, about three inches wide, and weigh about five pounds. The invention may be used to cut and remove vegetation and debris from under fence rows since the flails are flexible and easily mow around fence posts without damaging either the posts or the flails. The cutting assembly can be positioned so that a plane in which the cutting flails rotate is either inclined or declined to match the inclined slopes of embankments and declined slopes of drainage ditches.

Abstract: The packing-seal is shown in use in a borehole as a level-isolating seal for a groundwater sampler. The packing-seal shown includes an expandable annulus of Dowell (TM) water-expandable material. Surrounding that is a pressure-sleeve of rubber. A sheet of woven Kevlar (TM) is wrapped circumferentially around the sleeve and the Dowell annulus, such that the ends of the Kevlar sheet overlap. Outside the Kevlar is an outer rubber sleeve. Upon expansion of the packing seal to fill the borehole, the Kevlar sheet unwraps to allow the Dowell to expand without restraint. Once the packing seal has filled the borehole, the Kevlar sheet is prevented from unwrapping further. If the borehole contains a fissure the Kevlar provides a rigid bridge over the fissure, and prevents the packing-seal from ballooning out into the fissure.

Abstract: A rotating centralizer and a centralizing bearing assembly are provided in order to maintain a survey instrument assembly at a fixed angular orientation with respect to a core barrel supported by the bottomhole assembly of a rotating drill string and rotationally isolated therefrom. The centralizer comprises a sleeve having an inner bearing surface providing for rotation of the sleeve with respect to a support sub, and outer bearing surfaces located at the ends of four vanes allowing for rotation of the sleeve with respect to the surrounding drill string. The centralizing bearing assembly comprises a hanger sub, an outer sleeve which is a force fit within a hang-off sub of the drill string and an annular roller bearing unit surrounding the hanger sub and engaging the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The roller bearing unit comprises a plurality of tapered roller bearings having inclined axes of rotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester. The control system includes operator presence circuitry, gear selector circuitry, and bypass circuitry arranged independently of each other for controlling operation of a drive assembly such as a hydrostatic drive mechanism used to drive a harvesting unit on and propel the cotton harvester.

Abstract: Apparatus for running tools suspended from a wireline into a wellbore under pressure, while simultaneously cleaning and treating the wireline with treatment fluid to inhibit the wireline against corrosion. A lubricator barrel and a cylinder is connected to the upper end of a wellbore and a wireline extends through the axial centerline of the barrel. Several packet devices are arranged for squeezing and surrounding a length of the wireline to strip liquid and debris from the outer surface thereof. Spacers keep the packer devices arranged in axially spaced relationship within the cylinder and form a treatment chamber between adjacent packers and a cleaning chamber between other adjacent packers. A pressure differential is applied across a ram device which reciprocates within the cylinder and this compresses each packer device simultaneously. A pump is connected to actuate the ram device and set the packet devices.

Abstract: A retrievable well packing tool suitable for high pressure environments which is hydraulically set within a well bore and thereafter mechanically released. The packer includes a pressure compensator which enhances the setting force, maintains a continual setting force during well operations, and equalizes differential pressures during release. Dual slips are provided to ensure rigid anchoring of the packer to the casing wall. The short, compact design of the packing tool facilitates running through the casing while reducing manufacturing costs. Inadvertent presetting of the packer is presented by positively locking all components.

Abstract: An improved device and process for creating a lining in a bore transfers strip wrapped in overlapping spiral fashion about a mandrel to the bore wall such that the edge-to-edge relation of the spirally-wrapped strip is maintained from the mandrel to the bore wall. Adhesive is applied to the strip surface during wrapping thereof on the mandrel. The invention provides a new bore with a thin, strong, corrosion resistant lining over a preselected portion of its length that is substantially pressure tight internally and externally and leak proof thus permitting substantial reuse of the lined bore.

Abstract: A deployable modular bridge has a central girder; two side girders flanking the central girder; and couplings connecting each side girder to the central girder along the lower zones of the girders parallel to the bridge length. The couplings are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central vertical longitudinal plane of the bridge and permit displacement of the side girders relative to the central girder parallel to the bridge length. Each coupling includes a rail affixed to the central girder and extending parallel to the bridge length. The rail has a guide track formed thereon. Each coupling further includes a roller mounted on a respective side girder and engaging the guide track.

Abstract: A tine mounting tray includes a substantially planar portion from which a plurality of smaller substantially planar portions are punched out. Each of the punched out portions is spaced from the remainder of the substantially planar portion of the mounting tray to form an opening to receive a substantially V-shaped connecting portion between two tines of a tine assembly to be mounted on the mounting tray. Each of the punched out portions has a tab at one end, which is bent upwardly after the connecting portion of the tine assembly has been inserted within the opening so that the connecting portion of the tine assembly abuts the two connecting sides of the punched out portion. This bending of the tab connects the tine assembly to the mounting tray through preventing withdrawal of the tine assembly from the mounting tray.

Abstract: A dock leveler assembly is provided having an automatic barrier actuated in response to movement of the lip for preventing accidental runoff of material handling vehicles from the loading dock. The assembly includes a ramp for pivotal movement between a stored first position wherein an exposed surface thereof is coplanar with the loading dock platform surface, an upwardly inclined second position, and a declining third position. The lip is operatively connected to a front edge portion of the ramp for movement from a depending position to an outwardly extended cantilevered position. The assembly also includes a barrier unit movable between operative and inoperative modes. When in the operative mode, a segment of the barrier unit automatically projects above the ramp exposed surface and forms a vehicle safety barrier of optimum height.

Abstract: A corn cutter unit in which an ear of corn is propelled by a plurality of feed rollers into a plurality of knives carried by a rotating head, with the knives being adjustable to define an opening through which the cob may pass, and a cob puller having upper and lower chains, each of which is formed of links and driven by sprockets over a guide, which guide has a height substantially equal to the length of the individual chain links to extend through said head and grip the corn cob.