Abstract: A method of streamlining expansion of long lengths of tubulars or screen is disclosed. In one embodiment, the expansion assembly is coupled with a length of pipe that acts as a weight and has a length longer than the anticipated section to be expanded. There is a stinger that fits into the pipe above the anchor and a seal to maintain sealing contact despite the downhole advance of the expansion assembly following each stroke of the expansion device and advance of a swage. By sequentially applying and removing pressure, the desired length is expanded downhole. Alternatively, coiled tubing is connected to the expansion assembly and weights that are above it and is paid out into the well as the expansion assembly descends after each stroke.

Abstract: A tunable optical beamsplitter is disclosed that uses electrowetting techniques to vary the propagation characteristics of one or more light beams. Specifically, electrowetting principles are applied to a region of fluid enclosed within an enclosure to form a plurality of liquid lenses. When a light beam is incident upon the plurality of lenses, the plurality of lenses transforms portions of the light beam in corresponding plurality of output split beams. The region of fluid is controllably moved within the enclosure to modify at least a first optical characteristic of at least a first lens in said plurality of lenses in order to change the propagation characteristics of at least one of the split beams.

Abstract: A combination tool for attaching to a stuck wireline tool, then cutting the wireline just above the stuck tool with a hydraulically driven cutter, allowing the wireline to be pulled out of the hole before fishing out the stuck tool. A side door can be provided on the work string, to allow rerouting of the wireline outside the work string, after which the stuck tool can be unstuck and repositioned within the well bore for completion of the downhole operation of the tool, prior to cutting the wireline free from the downhole tool.

Abstract: A combination tool for attaching to a stuck wireline tool, then cutting the wireline just above the stuck tool with a hydraulically driven cutter, allowing the wireline to be pulled out of the hole before fishing out the stuck tool. A side door can be provided on the work string, to allow rerouting of the wireline outside the work string, after which the stuck tool can be unstuck and repositioned within the well bore for completion of the downhole operation of the tool, prior to cutting the wireline free from the downhole tool.

Abstract: A ball release mechanism is mounted near the intended seat. The ball or balls are kept out of the circulating stream. High circulation rates followed by curtailment of circulation places an outlet port in position to allow the ball or balls to be pushed out by a spring. The spring or one of the balls prevents the return of an ejected ball back into the protected pocket. The ball is delivered to the seat without circulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for severing the mandrel of an anchor device such as a packer to release the packer and remove it from a well. A cutter locator profile above the packer assembly and a cutter locator element on the cutting tool are located so as to precisely position the cutting element at a desired location on the packer mandrel. Once the mandrel is severed, the packer assembly can elongate to release the expansion mechanism. Then, the packer assembly can be pulled upwardly to release the packer, and to remove it from the well. A cutting tool can be lowered through production tubing to sever the mandrel, followed by pulling the packer with the production tubing. Alternatively, a cutting tool can be lowered on a workstring and latched to the upper end of the packer assembly, followed by severing the mandrel and pulling the packer with the workstring.

Abstract: Novel anthelmintic compositions containing thiophene derivatives as active ingredients are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of streamlining expansion of long lengths of tubulars or screen is disclosed. In one embodiment, the expansion assembly is coupled with a length of pipe that acts as a weight and has a length longer than the anticipated section to be expanded. There is a stinger that fits into the pipe above the anchor and a seal to maintain sealing contact despite the downhole advance of the expansion assembly following each stroke of the expansion device and advance of a swage. By sequentially applying and removing pressure, the desired length is expanded downhole. Alternatively, coiled tubing is connected to the expansion assembly and weights that are above it and is paid out into the well as the expansion assembly descends after each stroke.

Abstract: A one trip system for expanding a tubular that is solid or perforated or a screen is disclosed. The downhole assembly features a hydraulic anchor that can be set, released and repositioned to repeat the process is used. The anchor is small enough to go through the tubular or screen after initial expansion. The anchor's maximum extension is designed to avoid overstressing the already expanded tubular or screen. An expansion tool is hydraulically driven with the initial portion of the stroke delivering an enhanced force. The expansion tool initially supports the tubular or liner but subsequently releases during the first stroke, after the tubular or screen is fully supported.

Abstract: A whipstock for mono-bore applications is disclosed which could be run in on wireline. The setting mechanism allows for a predetermined setting force to be applied to the anchor slip or slips before and automatic release from the running tool. The slips are further retained in position by a ratchet block, which is mounted to the whipstock body to work with the slips against release during removal of the milling equipment. The whipstock body is formed to place the upper end against the casing after the slips are driven out so that the onset of milling will not result in damage to the upper end. A retrieval tool engages an opening in the whipstock to release the grip of the slips and bring the assembly to the surface.

Abstract: A combination tool for attaching to a stuck wireline tool, then cutting the wireline just above the stuck tool with a hydraulically driven cutter, allowing the wireline to be pulled out of the hole before fishing out the stuck tool. A side door can be provided on the work string, to allow rerouting of the wireline outside the work string, after which the stuck tool can be unstuck and repositioned within the well bore for completion of the downhole operation of the tool, prior to cutting the wireline free from the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for severing the mandrel of an anchor device such as a packer to release the packer and remove it from a well. A cutter locator profile above the packer assembly and a cutter locator element on the cutting tool are located so as to precisely position the cutting element at a desired location on the packer mandrel. Once the mandrel is severed, the packer assembly can elongate to release the expansion mechanism. Then, the packer assembly can be pulled upwardly to release the packer, and to remove it from the well. A cutting tool can be lowered through production tubing to sever the mandrel, followed by pulling the packer with the production tubing. Alternatively, a cutting tool can be lowered on a workstring and latched to the upper end of the packer assembly, followed by severing the mandrel and pulling the packer with the workstring.

Abstract: A method for locating placement of a guide stock in a multilateral well wherein the guide stock is properly aligned with the lateral borehole. The method employs an impression packer with a scribed reference line to provide information at the surface regarding the lateral borehole's exact location and orientation with respect to the originally installed whipstock packer. This information is then employed to make up a guide stock and orientation sub to properly orient the diverter face of the guide stock with the lateral borehole. There are tool embodiments for inflating the impression packer to a preset relatively low internal pressure. In one embodiment, the inflation fluid is carried downhole in the tool and is released to the packer on set down pressure, the fluid being drawn back out of the packer upon pick up. In another embodiment, the impression packer is outfitted with an automatically closing valve.

Abstract: A wellhead retrieval tool is disclosed which is adaptable to a variety of configurations of wellheads. The tool comprises a spear through which a rotary cutter can operate. The tool can be adjustably supported off the top of the wellhead so that the grappling mechanism can be located at the proper distance for a grip on an inward upset or restriction within the wellhead. The clutching mechanism is located outside of the wellhead so as not to contaminate it with cuttings returned with the circulating fluid. The seal bore in the wellhead is protected by the tool to avoid damage. The dogs which engage the internal inward upset or restriction further have wickers or serrations on them to enhance the grip and to resist applied torque.

Abstract: A thru-tubing retrievable whipstock is disclosed. A running tool creates relative movement to pivot out anchors at the lower end of the whipstock to accomplish its support. The setting force is trapped by spring-loaded wedges. The whipstock can be released and retrieved through tubing by undermining the wedges which allows retrieval of the whipstock by a pick-up force on the whipstock which collapses the anchoring mechanism for retrieval of the entire assembly to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of milling a liner extending from a deviated wellbore into a main wellbore is disclosed. The liner is inserted through a window and cemented in place with the cement extending back into the main wellbore. Mechanisms are provided on the liner to keep it away from the main wellbore casing wall to facilitate the proper operation of the washover tool. A top end taper is provided to help the washover tool reorient over the tubular liner if milling requires more than one trip into the well. A diverter is insertable prior to installation of the liner to assist in getting the liner to extend through a window. Upon milling through the liner, the washover tool straddles the diverter and latches into it to facilitate not only the removal of the diverter but also the entrapment of any debris created by the milling operation. Suitable sealing is provided with the diverter to keep the cement away from the latching mechanism during the cementing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a land vehicle suspension in which a plurality of wheel and hub assemblies (10,11,12,13) are each connected to the body of the vehicle by one of a plurality of actuators (26,27,28,29). The operation of each actuator (26,27,28,29) is controlled by an electronic or electrical processor (100). The processor (100) operates in response to signals received from a plurality of sensors which generate output signals indicative of the attitude of the vehicle body and forces on the body; e.g. a yaw gyrometer (200), a lateral accelerometer (300), a longitudinal accelerometer (400), a steering angle sensor (500), a vehicle speed sensor (600), load cells (45,46,47,48), hub accelerometers (49,50,51,52) and L.V.I.T.'s (53,54,55,56). The processor (100) detects failure of a sensor and a detection of the failure of the sensor operates in response to the remaining functioning sensor or functioning sensors of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a permanent whipstock assembly which uses camming pivot arms to secure the whipstock at the desired location within a cased wellbore. Camming pivot arms are pivotally attached to the downhole end of a whipstock housing and are further attached to a slip pad. Intentionally induced relative movement of the slip pad and the whipstock housing causes the camming pivot arms to pivot in such a manner that slip pad housing 4 and slip pad 5 are forced away from each other and cammed into the cased borehole. The invention relates specifically to a device that is particularly adapted to be lowered through a small diameter and later to be activated and set in a much larger casing or hole diameter.

Abstract: A suspension system for a tracked vehicle includes a track and an associated wheel assembly a U-track tensioning assembly and a plurality of road wheels are adapted to be disposed adjacent to the surface over which the vehicle is moving and transfer the weight of the vehicle to the surface via the track. A microprocessor is provided to control the track tensioning assembly in response to tensioning signals. In a preferred embodiment, the track tensioning assembly comprises a tensioning wheel which is not a road wheel and a strut connected to the tensioning wheel and operable to apply force to the tensioning wheel, thereby tensioning the track.

Abstract: A well service tool has a mandrel including a fluid flow conduit therethrough in fluid communication with a workstring including a fluid pressure source. An expendable knife-mounting sleeve is coupled to the mandrel and includes at least one cutting knife pivotally secured thereto. A housing is disposed about and secured against rotation relative to the mandrel by drive pins and is selectively movable relative to the mandrel responsive to fluid pressure from the fluid pressure source. The housing includes a positive extender to extend the cutting knives and temporarily maintain them in an extended position. A closure member is coupled to the mandrel to selectively obstruct fluid flow through the fluid conduit, wherein fluid pressure within the fluid conduit is increased, and wherein relative movement between the housing and the mandrel is induced. A probe is coupled to the housing to open the closure member upon a selected extension of the cutting knives wherein fluid pressure within the mandrel is decreased.