Abstract: A method of reducing noise in a barking plant; a barking drum, a chipper and a conveyor between these. The penetration of noise through conveying openings of a partly or wholly covered conveyor (3) for receiving logs from a barking drum (1), and/or a partly or wholly covered conveyor (8′) for feeding logs to a chipper (11), is reduced, and the noise level is decreased by means of the water (21) used for washing the logs. The water forms a continuous curtain (18, 19) at the front and/or back end of the conveyor (3, 8, 8′) between the drum (1) and the chipper (11).

Abstract: The present invention is a device of applying wall paper border comprising a tray with an upturned edge, such as a box lid, with a shaft for holding a roll of wallpaper border with a threaded clearance for the attachment of a pole. The tray has at least one cushion of an expanded cellular foam rubber or plastic so as to provide a friction engagement of the tray against a wall upon leaning of the device against the wall whan the tray is used in conjunction with a pole suitable for the intended height of the wallpaper border. The tray with the shaft in a container serves as a neat package for shipping, tansporting, and storage and as point of purchase display item. The container also serves for storage of incidental items useful for installing wall paper borders such as a sponge, a squeegee, a razor, a brush, and an instruction sheet. The instruction sheet also can convey information such as usage instructions or advertising material appropriate for a point of purchase display.

Abstract: A direct die feeder picks known good die from a wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports a wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed while adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along a horizontal axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45° mirror (162) adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of die and qualify them. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a flip head (140) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation.

Abstract: A burst protection device for tire removing machines of the type having a platform on which a wheel can be located and an arm supporting a bead extractor, the burst protection device comprising a wheel locking member for centering and fixing a wheel on the platform and a clearance signal-producing device which is actuatable upon fixing of the wheel on the platform through the locking member; the signal-producing device controls operation of the machine in only an active intervention stage of the wheel locking member.

Abstract: The present invention is a decorative assembly joint for decorative window treatments. The joint comprises a soft, moldable piece of material, preferably soft foam, that has a least one slit or angular cut on at least one side. These slits, or angular cuts, allows the joint to “move” or “give” to non-perpendicular angles typically found in bay window applications. Additionally, these slits or cuts further allow the joint to follow a curved window application, such as an eyebrow arch window application.

Abstract: A shade and curtain hanging system comprising a shade and curtain hanging apparatus. The apparatus includes an elongated hanging bracket mountable to a window box or wall and a string arrangement member having a plurality of openings provided therein that are sized and shaped to permit the passage of individual draw strings therethrough. With this apparatus, a user can attach the hanging bracket at an installation point, thread a plurality of draw strings through the openings provided in the string arrangement member at predetermined points along the length of the member, thread the draw strings along string paths provided on the shade or curtain, secure the ends of the draw strings, mount the string arrangement member to the hanging bracket, and attach the shade or curtain to the hanging bracket.

Abstract: A doorlight shade assembly including a housing, a roller shade within the housing, and a pair of mounting clips. The clips each include a secured leg and a supporting leg perpendicular to each other. The secured leg of each clip fits between the door and a doorlight frame. The supporting leg of the clips receive and support the housing.

Abstract: An improved casting nozzle for continuous slab casting machines is provided. The nozzle includes a sloped surface which reduces molten metal turbulence during the casting process. The nozzle also includes a resilient, thermal insulation layer which prevents undesired backflow and premature solidification of the molten metal near the nozzle tip. The nozzle may also include a friction reducing layer which prevents excessive wear or fracture of the nozzle as it contacts the casting mold. The casting nozzle is suitable for use with both horizontal and vertical continuous casting machines, and may be used with various types of casting molds including continuous belt or caterpillar molds, and stationary molds. The improved nozzle may be used to cast various metals such as aluminum and aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A broad side element for slab mold and including a cast plate having opposite inner and outer surfaces and a plurality of grooves provided on the inner surface for forming cooling channels and having each an undercut, and a plurality of inserts receivable in the undercuts of respective cooling channel-forming grooves for formlockingly covering the respective grooves, with the broad side element having upper and lower regions, and with at least the upper region having a middle portion and two side portions located on opposite sides of the middle portion.

Abstract: A molding material is forced by a shooting device (3) into an openable tool (4) and solidified therein to a component of a mold (2)—a core or shell. The mold component (2) is removed when the tool (4) is open, and subsequently handled in any desired sequence, transported, and, if need be completed to a core assembly (1). The tools (4) are measured in a noncontacting manner in the region of the shooting device (3) and/or manipulators (5) and/or processing stations (6) and/or storage areas (7) and/or conveying paths (8), that the measured data are supplied to a computer (9), if need be, processed therein, and compared with stored desired values, and that the tools (4) are identified as defective, when a predeterminable or definable deviation from the desired values is detected.

Abstract: A pin fin heat sink having mixed geometry pin fin configurations is presented. The mixed geometry pin fin configuration are designed to optimize the positive attributes of each individual pin fin geometry to provide a low cost overall system and provide better system performance in high flow rate systems. In an exemplary embodiment, the pin fin heat sink comprises a base surface having a plurality of pin fins perpendicular to and protruding therefrom. The plurality of pin fins actually comprises a plurality of pin fins having a first configuration and a plurality of pin fins having a second configuration. The second configuration pin fins are intended to streamline any turbulence created by the first configuration pin fins which are located upstream of the second configuration pin fins. Preferably, the first configuration comprises substantially circular shaped pin fins and the second configuration comprises substantially elliptical shaped pin fins.

Abstract: A method of cooling electronic devices in an electronic assembly is proposed where the said assembly has at least one board that houses electronic modules. The methodology comprises shaping a light weight plate with apertures as to compliment the geometric shape of the assembly and board to be cooled; affixing coolant passage tubes in the apertures of the plate and finally cooling the electronic assembly by placing the assembly in thermal contact with the plate and passage tubes after a coolant is introduced in the passages.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature an electronic component. The system includes a block for temporarily engaging a surface of the component. The block includes channels for circulating a temperature controlling fluid to control a temperature the block and the attached component.

Abstract: In a cryogenic loop heat pipe, a working fluid for heat transport is contained in a loop capillary tube, and a portion of the loop capillary tube is used as a heat absorbing portion (A) while a portion other than the heat absorbing portion (A) is used as a heat dissipating portion (B). In this heat pipe, when the heat exchange length of the heat absorbing portion A of the capillary tube is represented by l, and the inner diameter of the capillary tube at the heat absorbing portion A is represented by d, l and d satisfy 15d<l<882d. When a Laplace constant L is given by L=[&sgr;/{(&rgr;1−&rgr;v)g}]0.5, the inner diameter d satisfies L<d<3L.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube for a falling film evaporator has fins provided on the outer periphery of the tube body and extending in a direction transverse or in oblique to the axial direction of the tube. The fins have heights in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. The fins are arranged in a density to have 905 to 1102 in number of fins per 1 m in the axial direction. Grooves formed in the tip end of the fins and extending substantially along the fins, the mutually opposing inner peripheral wall surface of the groove defining an angle within a range of 70° to 150°. Cut-outs formed in the tip end of the fins, the cut-outs being provided at a pitch in a range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. With this construction, the heat exchanger tube for the falling film evaporator which exhibits a high refrigerant wetting and spreading ability as well as large surface area for providing remarkably improved heat transmission performance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat exchanger tube for conducting refigerant in a heat exchanger. The inner surface of the tube has a convex portion having a broad tip and a plurality of inner fins. The area of the tip of the convex portion is larger than that of the tip of the inner fins. The height of the convex portion can be set at more than that of the inner fin. A heat exchanger according to the invention has a plurality of plate fins, each having a hole therein. Heat exchanger tubes pass through the holes of the plate fins. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprises the steps of stacking a plurality of plate fins, each having a hole, with a predetermined space therebetween. Heat exchanger tubes are inserted through the holes. Then, the tubes are expanded to engage the plate fins. A refrigerating circuit utilizing a heat exchanger is also described.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger formed by laminating tube elements alternately with fins over a plurality of levels, a plurality of beads are formed in each of tube elements provided with intake/outlet portions in the areas where the tank portions change to a passage portion. The width of these beads are set to be larger than the beads in other tube elements so as to constrict the passage cross section. In addition, the areas of the communicating holes formed in tank portions away from the intake/outlet portion through which the heat exchanging medium flows in are made smaller than the areas of the communicating holes formed in tank portions near the intake/outlet portion. The centers of the communicating holes in the tank portions further away from the intake/outlet portion are located further downward than the centers of the communicating holes in the tank portions provided closer to the intake/outlet portion.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has plural tubes and a header tank formed by a first tank portion and a second tank portion. When the first tank portion and the second tank portion are assembled, a protruding portion protruding from a wall of the first tank portion is inserted into a hole formed in the second tank portion. Then, the first tank portion is slidably moved against the second tank portion in a parallel direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the header tank until the protruding portion engages the hole. As a result, the second tank portion is partially clamped between the wall of the first tank portion and the protruding portion, and the first and second tank portions sufficiently contact each other. Therefore, undesirable clearance is restricted from being formed between the first and second tank portions, and brazing performance therebetween is improved.

Abstract: An integrated heat exchanger includes a radiator having a core formed between a pair of radiator tanks, a condenser adjoining the radiator and having the core formed between a pair of condenser tanks, and a corrugated fin provided in the core and shared between the radiator and the condenser, the heat exchanger containing first partitions which divide the inside of the pair of condenser tanks to thereby create fluid chambers on one side of the respective condenser tanks in such a way as to become opposite to each other; and a fluid inflow pipe and a fluid outflow pipe connected to the fluid chamber of the condenser tanks.

Abstract: A pressure relief device mounts to heat exchange coils having fluid flowing therethrough. A base has an orifice formed therethrough extending through an orifice in the coil to the interior of the coil. A cover attaches to the base with bolts or other attachment means. A diaphragm strip inserts between the cover and the base to close off the orifice in the base. An o-ring or other gasket may also be utilized to seal the structure. When a rupture through the diaphragm occurs due to pressure buildup, the diaphragm strip may be advanced to reclose the orifice.

Abstract: The improved method and apparatus for down-hole oil/water separation during oil well pumping operations includes a conventional sucker rod pump disposed within a tubing string which may be disposed within the casing of a wellbore. The sucker rod pump may be releasably attached to a sucker rod at one end. A side intake valve may be disposed within the tubing string at a position down-hole from the sucker rod pump. A check valve may be located at an elevation above the injection perforations. The sucker rod may also be attached to a pumping jack at the surface of the wellbore. Production piping with an automatic control valve and a back pressure regulator may extend from the tubing string at the surface of the wellbore. A piping loop with a check valve disposed therein may also extend from the production piping terminating on opposite sides of the automatic control valve. In one embodiment, an accumulator may be coupled to the production piping between the back pressure regulator and the piping loop.

Abstract: The gripping element of a coiled tubing injector has a carrier and a removable gripping shoe mounted to the carrier. The removable shoe slides onto slots formed on the carrier and is floated on the carrier by inserting an elastomeric pad sandwiched between the carrier and shoe. A manually depressible spring along ones side of the carrier prevents the shoe from sliding out of the slots during operation of the injector.

Abstract: A ram assembly for positioning in opposed cavities in a body of a blowout preventer having a vertical bore includes a first ram and a second ram. The first and second rams are movable in the cavities along a central guideway axis and between an open position to permit passage of a tubular member through the bore and a closed position to shear the tubular member. A first and a second shear member are mounted on the first and second rams, respectively. Each shear member has a pair of shearing portions disposed on opposite sides of a blade axis. Each shearing portion has a first cutting edge inclined to the blade axis at a first angle and a second cutting edge inclined to the first cutting edge at a second angle. The cutting edges are arranged to shear the tubular member, and the first and second angles are related such that the tubular member is constrained between the shearing portions as the cutting edges shear the tubular member.

Abstract: A downhole cleaning tool (20) is suspended within a well tubular member (10) by coiled tubing (12) for the removal of deposits (29) within the tubular member (10). Tool (20) includes a hydraulic fluid motor (26) for rotating a combined fluid jetting and milling head (28). Fluid jetting and milling head (28) has a tapered body with a lower rounded nose (60). Embedded milling inserts or elements (62, 64) project outwardly from the tapered body and nose (60) to contact the deposit and are randomly spaced on head (28). A plurality of upper radial jets (70) extend above milling elements (62). Lower fluid jets or ports (78) extend from the lower rounded nose (60) of head (28). Power fluid from the coiled tubing (12) is divided at port (38) to the rotor bore (34) into a bypass fluid stream flowing through central bore (34) and a fluid power stream in annular passage (39) outside rotor (32) for rotation of rotor (32) and shaft (27) to rotate the fluid jetting and milling head (28).

Abstract: A system used in a subterranean well has a command generator (e.g., a manually operated mud pump) that is configured to furnish a first command stimulus (e.g., pressure pulses having a predetermined signature) downhole. A first assembly (e.g., a testing tool) of the system is located downhole and has a first member (e.g., a valve) that is connected to move the first member in response to the first command stimulus. The movement of the first member generates a second command stimulus, and a second assembly of the system, also located downhole, is connected to respond to the second command stimulus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of orienting a tool in a wellbore includes running an orientation string into the wellbore, the orienting string including a positioning device, a measurement device (e.g., a gyroscope), and the tool. The orientation string is positioned in a predetermined interval in the wellbore. The azimuthal orientation of the orientation string is measured with the measurement device. The orientation string is removed from the wellbore, and a tool string is run into the wellbore, the tool string including substantially similar components as the orientation string such that the tool string follows substantially the same path as the orientation string.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a well containing a mixture of hydrocarbons and water wherein the assembly separates hydrocarbons or relatively lighter fluids from the mixture and injects water or relatively heavier fluids into the well. The assembly includes an upper pump that pumps the relatively lighter fluids to the surface. A tandem pump is positioned below the upper pump for pumping well fluids down to a downhole separator. An oil bypass tube is provided in communication with the tandem pump for transferring the relatively lighter fluids to the upper pump, for subsequent pumping to the surface. A recycle tube is also provided that communicates with the downhole separator and the tandem pump for transferring at least a portion of the relatively heavier fluids from the downhole separator to the tandem pump, for pumping the relatively heavier fluids back to the separator.

Abstract: A method has been invented for recovering hydrocarbons from an earth formation containing hydrocarbons, the method including injecting a recovery injectant into the earth formation at a plurality of injection points spaced apart by about 14 to about 208 feet, and producing hydrocarbons from the formation with at least one producer well. In one aspect the method includes injecting steam into an earth formation which contains oil bearing diatomite at a plurality of injection points spaced apart by about 14 to about 208 feet, and producing hydrocarbons from the formation with a one or more producer wells extending into the oil bearing diatomite formation, with a plurality of producer wells spaced apart by a distance ranging between about 14 to about 149 feet, injecting steam into the oil bearing diatomite at an injection rate of between about 10 to about 149 barrels of steam per day per hundred feet thickness of diatomite, and injecting the steam at a pressure between about 10 p.s.i. to about 260 p.s.i.

Abstract: The use of high flash point, low vapor pressure compositions for injection into, and coating of, gas and oil wells and surrounding underground hydrocarbon bearing formations and processing equipment for the purpose of removing scale, paraffins, tars, and other viscous constituents. Treatment results in increased flow of gas and/or oil and decreased adhesion of soils and scale in all aspects of oil and gas recovery, including hydrocarbon bearing formations, casings, lines, and pumping equipment. The composition contains about 40 to 99 wt. % of a fatty acid alkyl ester blend and about 1 to 25 wt. % of at least one lower alkyl glycol ether.

Abstract: A casing or tubular fill and circulator assembly is indicated, wherein a singular valve is used for filling and circulating the casing as well as providing for pressure equalization when the singular valve is in the open position. The valve is constructed so that it is opened upon being inserted into the upper end of the casing. For filling the casing, only the valve is inserted into the upper end of the casing whereupon the valve is fully opened so that fluid can be pumped into the casing without a pressure drop or erosion of any of the valve members. For circulation, the apparatus is advanced further into the casing until a cup seal closes off the top of the casing. Once flow is initiated in that condition, internal pressure in the casing, at very low applied pressures, will begin the circulation through the casing. With the valve in the fully open position, erosive effects from flow are eliminated during filling and circulation.

Abstract: Storable cement slurries utilize a carrageenan suspending agent to provide stable slurries under conditions of high pH and calcium ion content. These cement slurries may be utilized for, among other things, cementing applications involving oil and gas wells.

Abstract: A well perforating apparatus has a first perforating gun section, a second perforating gun section, and a longitudinally collapsible unitary section connected between the first and second perforating gun sections. The unitary section can include a deformable member, or a frangible member, or a flexible member. One specific such member is a cable, such as implemented with a length of wireline material or slickline material. In a method of perforating a well having a plurality of zones to be perforated, a well perforating apparatus is lowered into the well. This includes separating a first perforating gun section from a second perforating gun section such that one gun section is adjacent one zone to be perforated and such that the other perforating gun section is adjacent another zone to be perforated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the effectiveness of production chemicals by reducing the number of squeezing and shut-in operations needed to increase the production rate from an oil well. The process includes injecting into an oil-bearing rock formation matrix a water-miscible formulation comprising: (a) a water-miscible surfactant which is an alkyltriglycol ether and (b) at least one water-miscible oil field or gas field production chemical. Components (a) and (b) are introduced either as a pre-formed, single, homogeneous composition, or simultaneously in parallel or sequentially in either order into the rock formation. After introduction of (a) and (b) into the oil-bearing rock formation, the well is shut-in for a period and, subsequently, the oil-bearing rock formation matrix is over-flushed with an oil.

Abstract: A pressurized slip joint for a marine intervention riser decouples the flowhead assembly in the moon pool of a vessel from the riser string, enabling safe changeover of equipment during workover operations. One part of the slip joint assembly is coupled to the flowhead assembly through a flexible joint assembly. A second part of the slip joint assembly supports the riser string and is coupled to the tensioning mechanism. The first part may be inserted into the second part and locked in place during workover operations except when equipment changeover is taking place. When changeover is being carried out, the first and second parts are unlocked, so that the flowhead assembly does not move relative to the vessel. In the locked position, a metal-to-metal high pressure seal, with a secondary and tertiary seal controls the pressure in the riser. In the unlocked position, a hydraulically operated dynamic low pressure seal is used.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a connector for use in supporting a riser from cable which extend about sheaves intermediate the riser and a tensioning device located on a floating rig above a subsea wellhead to which the lower end of the riser is to be anchored. Each connector is of such construction that the cable may be advanced through an opening in a body of the connector in order that the wear point on the cable where it passes over the sheave may be changed from time to time without having to detach and reattached it from and to the riser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for completing and producing hydrocarbons from a well through the use of extreme overbalanced pressure during perforation of the casing string, followed by an underbalanced surge to produce the hydrocarbons through the tubing string.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are produced from a well having a bottomhole and a wellhead and communicating with a formation, by producing a flow of hydrocarbon-containing formation fluid from the formation at the bottomhole of the well, transforming the flow of the formation fluid from the formation at the location of transformation into a finely-dispersed gas-liquid flow with a liberated gas forming a part of the gas-liquid flow, so that a column of the formation fluid is formed in the well from the depth of the formation to the location of transformation, and a column of the finely-dispersed gas-liquid flow with a liberated gas is formed in the well between the location of the transformation and the wellhead, and automatically maintaining a pressure of the formation fluid at the bottomhole in the well higher than saturation pressure, substantially independently from changes in properties of formation and formation fluid.

Abstract: A control system for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) comprising of a control line from the surface in fluid communication with the top side of an actuating piston which moves a flow tube downwardly to open the SSV. A balance line runs from the surface to the bottom side of the same actuating piston to put the actuating piston in pressure balance. A buildup of pressure in the control line overcomes a return spring to open the valve, while removal of pressure from the control line allows the return spring to close the valve. Seals and leakpaths are provided through the actuating piston so that, depending on the hydrostatic pressure in the control line and the size of the return spring, the various failure modes of the actuating piston seals and control line or balance line will preferentially result in a fail-closed situation in the SSV.

Abstract: A running tool is disclosed to deliver tools downhole, preferably supported on a wireline. The running tool will not release the downhole tool before the desired depth is reached, even if an obstruction is encountered. The tool has the ability to release upon application of pressure in the wellbore. The tool features a floating piston with a pre-charged chamber on one side. Hydrostatic pressure acts on the opposite side of the floating piston as the running tool descends. When the downhole tool reaches its desired depth and becomes supported, slacking on the wireline traps the hydrostatic on one side of the floating piston. Applied wellbore pressure, acting on a release piston exposed to the trapped hydrostatic on its opposite side, shifts the release piston and releases the running tool from the downhole tool. On the way uphole, the trapped hydrostatic pressure is released.

Abstract: A system and method for displacing instruments in a pipe having a portion thereof which is greatly inclined to the vertical. The system comprises in combination: a set of instruments mechanically linked to a first end of an electrically-powered displacement device, a semi-rigid composite rod that can be wound round a drum and at least one electric conductor. The method includes advancing the displacement device using the rod uncoiling from the drum. The system and method is of special use in inclined oil wells.

Abstract: A packer that accommodates a control line or I-wire within its sealing element. The sealing element has a longitudinal groove to accommodate the I-wire or control line such that, when the sealing element is compressed, it closes around the I-wire or control line to envelope it as the sealing element makes peripheral contact with the casing, tubular, or the wellbore. The control line or I-wire does not go through the mandrel or body of the packer, and additional joints used in prior techniques for accommodating control lines or I-wires going around packers is eliminated.

Abstract: A horse shoe comprising a core of metal, which is substantially entirely enclosed in a substantially elastically deformable material, such as a rubber or rubber-like material. The thickness of the deformable material is considerably greater on the underside of the core than on its upper side. The holes which extend extend through the horse shoe are for nails. The width of the lower surface of the horse shoe intended for contact with the ground is narrower than its upper surface intended for contact with the hoof throughout the entire service life of the horse shoe.

Abstract: A process and a device for atomization of a liquid extinguishing medium, in which the liquid extinguishing medium and a liquid inert gas are mixed in a mixing unit to form a liquid extinguishing medium mixture. The mixture is conveyed through a conduit to a distributing device such as extinguishing nozzles. As the mixture exits the distributing device the mixture is atomized, forming an aerosol spray for extinguishing a fire within an extinguishing area defined by the aerosol spray. A detector arranged in the extinguishing area for detection of parameters relating to extinguishing of the fire is connected to an evaluation device which in turn is connected to a control valve. The control valve regulates the quantity of liquid inert gas supplied to the mixing unit.

Abstract: The method of extinguishing a fire characterized by production of flames openly rising above an upwardly presented liquid fat or grease zone, in a fryer, the fat or grease being combustible to produce the fire, the steps that include locating a mist forming nozzle to direct mist toward the flames, delivering essentially pure water under pressure to the nozzle so that the nozzle forms a jet stream of water mist delivered form the nozzle as a rapid and expanding Oflow of concentrated mist, and directing said mist stream into the flames to substantially encompass the flames, and to flow toward the fat or grease zone, and for a sufficient time to extinguish the flames and to lower the temperature of the surface of the fat or grease zone to a level below combustion temperature.

Abstract: A power-driven screwdriver with a torque-dependent release clutch having two clutch halves is disclosed. The screwdriver comprises additional entrainment elements provided on the clutch halves for bridging the release clutch. To this end, a motor-driven drive gear is mounted to rotate freely on a tool drive shaft and is secured against axial displacement on the housing side while a cam ring can be adjusted axially, together with the tool drive shaft, via an adjusting device. The clutch elements are formed on the respectively facing sides of the drive gear and the cam ring, and the entrainment element are likewise formed, as separate elements, on the respectively facing sides of the drive gear and the cam ring. As a result of the adjusting device axial displacement of the tool drive shaft results either in a rigid through drive, where the release clutch is nonfunctional, or in the torque-dependent release of the release clutch, where the entrainment elements are nonfunctional.

Abstract: A Measurement-while-Drilling method and apparatus for obtaining information about a formation uses sensors on substantially non-rotating pads attached to a rotating housing that is part of the drilling assembly. The pads make contact with the formation. The sensors may be density, NMR, resistivity, sonic or electromagnetic. The NMR sensors may use a static magnetic field that can be either radial or longitudinal in direction. The resistivity sensors may involve direct measurement of leakage current or may rely on induction methods. The sonic sensors may be three component transmitters and/or receivers for determining compressional and shear velocities of the formation and may also be used to image the formation in a VSP or a reverse VSP. In an alternate arrangement, the sensors rotate with the drill bit. A downhole microprocessor analyzes the data to improve signal-to-noise ratio and to reduce redundancy in the acquired data.

Abstract: A downhole motor operated by circulating mud fluid in the wellbore is revealed. The motor has nested rotors and is geared to a bit drive. The motor is a dual-rotor pump that is operated as a motor with mud flow through the rotor housing on end connections. The structures of the rotor housing and the rotors can be made of the same material. An angular offset can be incorporated between the centerline of the output of the motor and the bit drive. In the preferred embodiment, the motor output is through a gear located within a bigger gear connected to the bit so as to provide a speed reducer. The gear on the bit shaft is preferably made of spaced rods to mesh with the gear on the motor output shaft. The drive between the rotors and the bit can accommodate angular offsets of a predetermined amount for directional drilling. The design is compact and can be used to drill wellbores as small as about 2½″ in diameter, or even smaller.

Abstract: A multi-cycle circulating sub apparatus having a control member for controlling the movement of a sleeve between a first or closed position and a second or open position. The control member is slidably mounted in a body and is moveable by fluid pressure in the body in a first axial direction relative to the body. The control member also has a spring biasing the control member in an opposite axial direction of the body. A pin is secured to either the body or the control member. A central groove, in which a portion of the pin is received, is formed in the other of the body or control member. The central groove is shaped to limit axial displacement of the control member in response to pressure variations in the body such that only after a predetermined number of movements of the control member to a first limit position is the control member able to move to a second limit position to displace the sleeve into the second position. The apparatus may also be reset many times while remaining in a downhole position.

Abstract: A sleeve (10) comprises a cylindrical member (12) provided at one end (14) with a pair of opposing tapered peaks (16) and (18). Peak (16) is higher (longer) than peak (18). Sleeve (10) is retained within a drive sub (26) of a ground drill and is constrained to move linearly along the drive sub (26). The peaks (16) and (18) cooperate with latch dogs (20) and (22) which are evenly spaced about and extend radially from a running tool (24). When the running tool (24) travels down the drive sub (26) and enters the sleeve (10), one of the latch dogs (20, 22) will strike one of the peaks (16) and (18) causing the tool (24) to rotate toward a predetermined rotational position. Because the peaks (16) and (18) are at different heights, latch dogs (20) and (22) cannot simultaneously contact the very top of each peak (16) and (18). If latch dog (20) strikes the top of peak (16), it will then slide down one of the sides of that peak causing the tool (24) to rotate.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit suitable for directional drilling. The bit includes a bit body from which extend legs carrying rotatable cutters. The body carries primary gage pads, above which secondary gage pads may be either longitudinally spaced or rotationally spaced, or both. Longitudinally leading edges of the gage pads may carry cutting structure for smoothing the sidewall of the borehole. Cutting structure may likewise be disposed on the trailing ends of the gage pads to provide an up-drill capability to facilitate removal of the bit from the borehole. The gage pads provide enhanced bit stability and reduced side cutting tendencies, as well as reducing lateral loading on the rotatable cutters and associated bearing structure and seals. The invention also has utility in bits not specifically designed for directional drilling.