Abstract: In example a panel for an overhead sectional door is provided. The panel includes a laminate core, a laminate skin, and a universal fabric hinge. The laminate skin is coupled to two opposing sides of the laminate core. The universal fabric hinge is coupled to the laminate skin to connect the panel to an adjacent panel of the overhead sectional door.

Abstract: A treadmill is disclosed having a belt system carried by a platform structure. The platform structure is pivotally mounted at its rear end to a base structure. The platform is supported at its forward end by a spring and a shock absorber which provides a damped resilient response of the belt and platform when a runner's foot lands during running or walking. The shock absorber is of the type which resists movement when the platform is moving in the downward direction, but offers relatively little resistance to upward movement of the platform when the spring returns the platform to a rest position during the time the runner is above the platform and is not forcing the platform down. An auxiliary shock absorber is mounted to damp the response of the platform over a short distance as the platform returns to its rest position.

Abstract: A treadmill is disclosed having a belt system carried by a platform structure. The platform structure is pivotally mounted at its rear end to a base structure. The platform is supported at its forward end by a shock absorber/spring system which provides a damped resilient response of the belt and platform when a person's foot lands during running or walking. Carrying the belt system by the platform structure enables the endless belt of the belt system to be maintained closely above the platform even when a runner's foot lands on it with heavy impact. The support of the platform immediately below the belt eliminates lateral slack in the belt which could possibly result in injury to a walker or runner due to an uneven landing surface.

Abstract: The present apparatus in the preferred and illustrated embodiment comprises first and second rings which are respectively affixed to the mouthpiece and mouth pipe. As force is increased by the musician in holding the mouthpiece against his lips, such force is measured by cooperative measuring means fixed to said first and second means. In the preferred embodiment, the force measuring means includes an aligned pin on one of said means positioned relative to a transducer coil to thereby provide an indication of force. The signal indicative of force is delivered to a time based recorder and is recorded as a function of time along with additional data including sound intensity levels and frequency of the music to provide correlation between force, intensity and frequency as a function of time. A method is also taught including the recording of such data to teach the musician to reduce the force applied against his lips.

Abstract: In order to provide a metal-to-metal annular seal for use in a high pressure environment typical of a wellhead assembly that is provided on a high pressure, high temperature gas well, especially circumferentially between the outside surface of a tubular part and the inside surface of a relatively massive part, where these parts are to have a fixed longitudinal position relative to one another in use: the available strength for developing the seal are determined; like tapering surfaces are provided on the two parts such as would provide an allowable interference fit when the two parts are brought to the fixed longitudinal position; portions of the outside surface of the tubular part are machined-away to leave tapered land areas, e.g. in two axially closely spaced bands, so that when the two parts are forced to assume the fixed longitudinal position, the seal bands provide an elastic seal that avoids total plastic deformation yet provide the required unit loading.

Abstract: For sealing between an inner part and an outer part which are generally concentrically related so as to have an annulus between them, an elastomeric sealing annulus is axially sandwiched between two beveled anti-extrusion rings, each of which has a deflectable lip. There is a first running clearance radially between this assembly and the bore of the outer part, and a second running clearance between this assembly and the outer peripheral surface of the inner part. When the two parts and the sealing assembly all reach their intended relative positions the seal is established by axially compressing the assembly sufficiently to significantly de-bevel both of the anti-extrusion rings, deflect their lips into contact with one of the parts while urging their opposite edges into contact with the other of the parts. As the elastomeric sealing annulus is axially compressed it expands radially inwards and outwards into resilient sealing engagement with the two parts.

Abstract: In a gate valve, which has a backseat which is made up only when the normally non-rising operator stem is permitted to rise a short distance, and in order that a smaller-diameter stem may be used than one which is of sufficient area where it passes through the stem packing to cause the internal pressure within the valve cavity to generate sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces resisting stem movement developed by the internal pressure between the gate plates and the seats, so that the stem may rise when it is supposed to, to make the backseat, a system of clearances is provided between the stem nut and the gate plates. A different stop arrangement is shown for limiting rising of the gate, for defining the fully open position of the gate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a penetrator for a wellhead in order to get a communication line for a down hole device out of a well through the wellhead. In particular, the line is brought up into the hanger for less than the full axial extent of the hanger, then led laterally out through the side of the hanger and out through the sidewall of the head below the hanger-to-head annulus seal. The communication line may be an electrical cable with particularly placed connecting fittings in the hanger and head and is shown providing for side access for easy, horizontal plug-in installation.

Abstract: The bearing assembly of a normally non-rising stem gate valve is provided with an annulus of fusible material. Upon subjection to a preselected temperature level, the fusible body melts out of the way, permitting the stem to raise slightly, making up a metal-to-metal seal between the valve stem and bonnet. This forms another line of defense against consequences from loss of the sealing normally provided by the valve stem packing.

Abstract: A valve operator that is provided with a back seat which comes into use when the normally non-rising stem operator and its bearing-enclosing bonnet gland are raised, e.g. so that stem packing can be replaced, is further provided with another way to actuate the back seat, one which will come into play should the valve be subjected to heat of sufficient intensity as to call the integrity of the stem packing or other critical parts into question. The further activation mode depends on the melting of fusible material which permits the operator and its bearings to rise relative to the bonnet.

Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing.

Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing. The valve operator is further provided with a manual override which permits the valve to be closed and opened, e.g. using a remotely actuated pneumatic operator even while the body of fusible material remains intact and in place.

Abstract: The control line exiting coupling provides radial penetration of a control line through a tubing hanger wall, with a back seat for sealing should internal pressure create a packing leak on the penetrator. The back seat further prevents withdrawal of the device through the packing and provides for withdrawing the control line tubing so the hanger may be removed from the wellhead without shearing off the control line tubing.

Abstract: A non-rising valve stem is provided with a shoulder that, in normal opening and closing of the valve, remains free of a complementary seat formed inside the valve bonnet. Should the valve stem packing in the bonnet begin to leak while the valve is open and under pressure, the bonnet packing gland may be backed out a few turns to effect a seal between the shoulder and seat. Then a disassembly, packing change, reassembly and testing may be effected.

Abstract: A hydraulic control assembly especially suited for operation of a fail-safe valve. An integral structure is provided having a pair of check valves disposed in passageways extending from one chamber of a piston operator to a hydraulic reservoir and the other chamber of the piston reservoir, and in a fluid line extending from a high pressure source. In a fail-safe valve, cavity pressure normally acts on the valve stem and provides the force which moves the valve to its close position. A spring is disposed in the second chamber of the piston operator and, in conjunction with any force resulting from internal cavity pressure on the valve stem, aids in closing the valve. The second chamber is equal or greater in volume than the first chamber so that all of the hydraulic fluid displaced from the first chamber during valve closing can flow into the second chamber. In this way, the hydraulic power needed to pump hydraulic fluid back to the reservoir is not effected by installed hydraulic system variations.

Abstract: A gate valve gate is raised and lowered by a threaded stem. The stem threads into a separately formed nut that is secured to the gate.

Abstract: An actuator, in which fluid pressure on a piston advances a stem against retractive force provided by a spring, a hydraulic dashpot is provided for the stem, and a stroke varying cushion is used for preventing engagement of a back seat between the stem and housing except when a seal is desired.

Abstract: A down-hole assembly is provided including particular structure for holding the assembly in place in a tubing hanger or the like. Camming wedges are associated with a cylindrical cage, the camming wedges being movable radially with respect to the cage to hold the cage in place in a tubing hanger. A tubular sleeve having camming portions thereon is concentric with the cage and effects radial movement of the camming wedges. A seal is also provided, and may include a structure that is radially movable from the cage into contact with the tubing hanger in response to axial movement of the sleeve. The sleeve may be locked in place to hold the camming wedges in holding engagement. Locking of the sleeve in place is effected by rotative movement of a locking nut. The sleeve may be released from its locked position either by reverse rotation of the locking nut or by release of an emergency retaining nut.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly is provided comprising an upper wellhead assembly, a lower wellhead assembly, a sleeve, and a seal between the sleeve and the lower wellhead assembly. The upper wellhead assembly includes a tubing string section, and a control line, and the control line mounted exterior of the tubing string section. The lower wellhead assembly includes a bore therethrough, through which the tubing string section and the control line pass into the well. The sleeve is operatively connected to the upper wellhead assembly and extends into the bore, surrounding the control line and the tubing string section, the seal being formed between the exterior of the sleeve and the lower wellhead assembly bore.