Abstract: An axial piston fluid engine having single-acting cylinders incorporating swivel-joint attachment of the cylinders to rotary control valves wherein straight-line piston movement is established for the elimination of side forces on the pistons. The pistons and the control valves are operatively connected to a common wobble drive member and arranged in geometry of lever positions to coactively time the drive fluid into and out of the cylinders intermittently.

Abstract: An axial piston fluid engine having single-acting cylinders incorporating swivel-joint attachment of the cylinders to rotary control valves wherein straight-line piston movement is established for the elimination of side forces on the pistons. The pistons and the control valves are operatively connected to a common wobble drive member and arranged in geometry of lever positions to coactively time the drive fluid into and out of the cylinders intermittently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary movement to an oscillatory movement for operating switches, valves, pumps and light implements wherein the oscillating member is a flexible rod having a curved profile from which to attach output levers positioned in a simple manner to vary the amplitude, phase timing, and duration of stroke of individual output levers; whereby numerous output functions may be performed from a single rotary input source.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting rotary movement to an oscillatory movement for operating switches, valves, pumps and light implements wherein the oscillating member is a flexible rod having a curved profile from which to attach output levers positioned in a simple manner to vary the amplitude, phase timing, and duration of stroke of individual output levers; whereby numerous output functions may be performed from a single rotary input source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A connector is presented for tubing conveyed perforating guns which facilitates connection or disconnection between guns without the need for rotation. A latching mechanism is disclosed which latches by setting down weight and unlatches by an actuating ram camming the latch out of a window. The connectors are configured so that they are sealed internally and have an external profile for interengagement with a seal ram for support and sealing around the outer periphery.Accordingly, a live well can be isolated using a seal ram around a fired gun because the internal passages through the gun are sealed off by virtue of seals around a hammer piston. The connectors are configured so that an upper gun creates the pressure required to set off the gun below.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for communicating a control signal in a wellbore between a transmission node and a reception node through an acoustic transmission pathway which extends between the transmission node and the reception node. A transmission apparatus is provided at the transmission node which is in communication with the acoustic transmission pathway. The transmission apparatus generates a serial acoustic transmission which includes a control signal. A reception apparatus is provided at the reception node. The reception apparatus includes a sensor assembly which detects the serial acoustic transmission. Furthermore, the reception apparatus includes a means for decoding the control signal from the series acoustic transmission.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine of the type having collapsible fabric sails (10) that reside on the rim of a horizontally disposed square rotor wheel (12,14) supported on a pivotally operated vertical mast (30). Four sails (10) are joined in oppositely disposed pairs and communicate by cables (16) through guides (18) that are positioned on a square rotor hub (14) and control the shape of the linked sails. When acted upon by wind, the sails reciprocally open and close to form two shapes. The two shapes are a scoop and a wing. The scoop holds the wind when receding from the wind. The advancing sail forms a wing that rides the wind promoting stability and reducing friction in the rotor wheel. The action of the advancing sail dampens the sail action of the opening sail and limits the opening sail to a preferred scoop shape.

Abstract: A connector is presented for tubing conveyed perforating guns which facilitates connection or disconnection between guns without the need for rotation. A latching mechanism is disclosed which latches by setting down weight and unlatches by an actuating ram camming the latch out of a window. The connectors are configured so that they are sealed internally and have an external profile for interengagement with a seal ram for support and sealing around the outer periphery. Accordingly, a live well can be isolated using a seal ram around a fired gun because the internal passages through the gun are sealed off by virtue of seals around a hammer piston. The connectors are configured so that an upper gun creates the pressure required to set off the gun below.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a firing head is disclosed. The apparatus contains a firing head that is operatively connected to a detonating cord of a perforating gun containing a series of shaped charges. The perforating gun will be connected to a work string in a wellbore filled with a fluid. The apparatus generally comprises a housing member having an inner portion and an outer portion; a blocking member for blocking passage of a hydrostatic pressure; a mechanical activation piston, adapted to be received within the housing member, for mechanically opening the blocking member. The apparatus further contains a hydraulic activation piston, adapted to be received within the housing member, for activating a percussion initiator firing member; and a transfer charge booster that transfers the detonation to a detonation cord.

Abstract: A reliable tubing conveyed perforating operation may be coupled with methods and equipment for substantially minimizing the loss of completion fluids, thereby allowing recovery of the expensive completion fluids and preventing damage to the formation. A one-way valve is biased for closing the interior of the tubing string, but is normally held open by a stop member structurally interconnected to the perforating gun. Upon the firing of the perforating gun, an automatic gun release mechanism allows the gun to drop in the wellbore, thereby axially dropping the stop member from a position which prevents the closure of the one-way valve. According to the method of the present invention, the tubing string above a set packer may be disconnected and picked up to isolate the tubing string from the perforating gun. The perforating gun may then be fired and, the one-way valve is automatically closed so that completion fluids above the one-way valve will not be lost in the perforations below the one-way valve.

Abstract: An automatic, continuous self-draining, self-cleaning and self-replenishing method and apparatus for watering stock including a bowl with siphon and a source of water for continuous drip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ball valve in a test tool string for a subterranean well, including a tubular actuator for the ball valve which is movable from a closing position of the ball valve to an opening position and beyond the opening position to a lock setting position, preventing the return of the tubular actuator to the ball valve closing position until the cycle of additional movements of the tubular actuator is accomplished. A metal-to-metal seal is provided for the ball valve and a larger than normal biasing force derived from a spring and a trapped pressurized gas is applied to the tubular actuator in its valve position to insure the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal.

Abstract: An improved technique for monitoring subterranean formation test data is provided utilizing an electric wireline to transmit data in real time from sensors positioned downhole in a test string to surface computing and readout equipment. The electrical connection between the downhole sensor and the wireline is made by a current coupler technique which reliably allows for transmission of signals representative of downhole test parameters, with the transmitted signals being insensitive to the presence or conductivity of the well fluids. A transmitter/receiver coupler half is carried in the well via conductor wireline on a latch tool for coupled electrical engagement with a mating receiver/transmitter coupler half contained in a downhole landing receptacle.

Abstract: An improved asphaltic material useful for sealing or patching of porous, interstitial substrates such as concrete or asphalt is provided which achieves superior results by flowing into and at least partially filling the substrate interstices themselves, as opposed to serving merely as a surface coating. The material preferably includes a conventional CRS-1H cationic asphaltic emulsion, respective quantities of a vinyl acrylic copolymer and a NEOPRENE latex. In one type of sealing application, a diluted quantity of the asphaltic material is heated to about 160.degree. F. and is flooded over the substrate to be sealed; the liquid passes into and fills the substrate voids, and, after hardening of the material, an effective, gasket-like seal for the substrate is presented which retains its integrity during varying ambient weather conditions and under hard use.