Abstract: A system and method for drawing in a three-dimensional space. The drawings may include dots, line segments, arrows, polylines (open and closed), polygons, surfaces and 3D volumes. The method may include receiving user input that specifies a drawing in a displayed window and mapping the drawing into the 3D space. The mapping process may involve mapping the drawing onto a surface of an existing graphical object in the 3D space, or, mapping the drawing onto a user-specified plane in the 3D space. The drawing may represent a user's interpretation of a geological feature present on the graphical object surface. The graphical object may represent an object of significance in hydrocarbon exploration and production, e.g., an interpreted section or horizon in the earth's subsurface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including a programmed computer for carrying out the method is disclosed for identifying valid fault curves on a vertical seismic section, which typically is one vertical seismic section of a three dimensional volume of seismic data. A method for automatically picking or snapping two user seed nodes to valid nodes of a valid fault curve is provided. The invention includes a process for extending a two node valid fault curve in a vertical section upwards and downwards throughout such section. A method of translating a fault curve found in one section to another parallel and vertical section and to all other desired vertical sections of the volume is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thin panel consisting essentially of a compressed non woody lignocellulosic material and a binder. The thin panel has a thickness of less than about 0.10 inch (2.54 mm), preferably between about 0.06 inch (1.6 mm) and about 0.10 inch (2.54 mm). The preferred binder is a polyisocyanate. The non-woody lignocellulosic material may be straw, bagasse, hemp, flax shives or jute sticks. The preferred non-woody lignocellulosic materials are selected from the group consisting of straw and bagasse. The bagasse may be substantially non-depithed. The thin panel is useful as core stock in plywood.

Abstract: Fibers and filaments of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin that have a void volume greater than about 20% and are wettable. Wettability is imparted to the fibers and filaments by incorporating a filler into the composition that is hygroscopic, has a particle size less than about 10 microns in diameter and a surface area greater than about 30 square meters per gram. The preferred fillers are those that contain surface silanol groups. The fibers and filaments are formed by the process of preparing a mixture of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin, filler and plasticizer, metering the mixture to an extruder, heating and kneading the blend in the extruder, conveying the extrudate to a fiber or filament forming type die, expressing the extrudate through the die openings to form fibers or filaments, and extracting at least a portion of the extractable plasticizer to provide the desired porosity.

Abstract: Fibers and filaments of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin that have a void volume greater than about 20% and are wettable. Wettability is imparted to the fibers and filaments by incorporating a filler into the composition that is hygroscopic, has a particle size less than about 10 microns in diameter and a surface area greater than about 30 square meters per gram. The preferred fillers are those that contain surface silanol groups. The fibers and filaments are formed by the process of preparing a mixture of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin, filler and plasticizer, metering the mixture to an extruder, heating and kneading the blend in the extruder, conveying the extrudate to a fiber or filament forming type die, expressing the extrudate through the die openings to form fibers or filaments, and extracting at least a portion of the extractable plasticizer to provide the desired porosity.

Abstract: Fibers and filaments of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin that have a void volume greater than about 20% and are wettble. Wettability is imparted to the fibers and filaments by incorporating a filler into the composition that is hygroscopic, has a particle size less than about 10 microns in diameter and a surface area greater than about 30 square meters per gram. The preferred fillers are those that contain surface silanol groups. The fibers and filaments are formed by the process of preparing a mixture of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin, filler and plasticizer, metering the mixture to an extruder, heating and kneading the blend in the extruder, conveying the extrudate to a fiber or filament forming type die, expressing the extrudate through the die openings to form fibers or filaments, and extracting at least a portion of the extractable plasticizer to provide the desired porosity.

Abstract: Fibers and filaments of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin that have a void volume greater than about 20% and are wettable. Wettability is imparted to the fibers and filaments by incorporating a filler into the composition that is hydroscopic, has a particle size less than about 10 microns in diameter and a surface area greater than about 30 square meters per gram. The preferred fillers are those that contain surface silanol groups. The fibers and filaments are formed by the process of preparing a mixture of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin, filler and plasticizer, metering the mixture to an extruder, heating and kneading the blend in the extruder, conveying the extrudate to a fiber or filament forming type die, expressing the extrudate through the die openings to form fibers or filaments, and extracting at least a portion of the extractable plasticizer to provide the desired porosity.

Abstract: A method for tracking seismic events such as boundaries of formation layers of earth formations is disclosed. Especially adapted for tracking such events in a two-dimensional slice of 3-D seismic volume data, the method begins by designating a starting data point on the seismic event. The method tracks such event through the grid of data by sequentially establishing areas or "tiles" of data about the starting point. The tiles are defined by data points of the grid. Each of the data points is then tested to see if it meets an acceptance criterion for the seismic event. Such data points of the tile are stored as identifying the seismic event only if certain of the data points of the tile pass the acceptance citerion. Next, each of the data points of a previously accepted tile are used as a starting data point about which a new tile is defined. The process is repeated until no more tiles are available for testing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fully portable medical I.V. equipment stand/pole (12). This invention is a triple sectioned telescoping mast assembly (13),(14),(15), with each section able to be locked into the other by means of an internal rotary cam-clutch (16),(17),(18),(19), which maintains a desired height of I.V. fluid or feeding solution above the patient regardless if the patient is ambulatory or in bed. Opening or closing of the I.V. equipment stand/pole is accomplished with a single movement of a control handle(24) which controls the mast assembly support legs(23). Fluids and feeding solutions are hung from the hanger rod assembly (30,),(31),(32). A control knob (32) frees or restricts horizontal movement of the hanger rods (30), and the circular rotation of the entire assembly (30),(31),(32).

Abstract: A rechargeable dispensing apparatus, particularly suitable for use as a fire extinguisher, includes a generally spherical, enclosed dispensing container adapted to receive a liquid extinguishant therein, and has a flexible pickup tube shiftably confined therewithin which is provided with a weighted orifice for maintaining the latter at the bottom of the container below the level of remaining liquid within the container, whereby to allow continuous dispensing of the extinguishant in spite of tilting or turning of the apparatus by the user during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A process of preparing polymer fibers by adiabatically flashing an emulsion or dispersion of water or other suitable nonsolvent in molten polymer, the emulsion or dispersion including an emulsifying agent and a dispersing aid, at an elevated temperature and pressure through a narrow orifice into a region of reduced temperature and pressure. The water or other nonsolvent is present in an amount effective, in combination with the temperature and pressure employed, to cause the molten polymer to be disrupted and rapidly solidify in the form of high surface area, i.e., at least 1.0 m.sup.2 /gram, discrete fibers. The polymer is preferably a crystalline polymer. The nonsolvent employed should have a boiling point less than the melting point of the polymer, a critical temperature greater than the melting point of the polymer, a heat of vaporization greater than the heat of fusion of the polymer, and is substantially immiscible in the polymer at the temperature of flashing.