Abstract: A coupling element having two ends, and outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends, wherein the first end of the coupling element defines a sealing surface where extends normally to the longitudinal axis and the outer surface of the other end defines a cam follower surface forming an angle on the range of from about 2 to about 10 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the second end defines the cam follower surface and the coupling element defines a passage extending from the sealing surface to the outer surface and apparatus comprising the coupling element and valve elements.

Abstract: A mat support system is disclosed, wherein there is included a series of straps supporting a mat, wherein the straps are quickly releasable from a position where the mats are supported to a position where the mat is released. The quick release mechanism substantially simultaneously releases all supports for the mats. A safety lock is includes to prevent inadvertent operation of the quick release mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a female power connector for connecting to a power cable. The power connector is designed to couple a male surface connector to a downhole pumping system. The power connector has a substantially cylindrical piece of pre-molded insulating material, a substantially tubular bushing designed to engage a coupling nut, a coupling nut for engaging a surface connector, and a sleeve. The cylindrical piece has a longitudinal axis, an outside surface defining an outside diameter, a first end, a second end, and a means for creating a fluid tight barrier adjacent to the second end. The cylindrical piece further defines a plurality of substantially circular cavities extending from the first end to the second end parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each channel has an inside surface defining an inside diameter. The bushing engages the coupling nut and the sleeve when the secondary molding is in place.

Abstract: In accordance with certain preferred aspects of the present invention, there is provided tree running tool with a mechanical mechanism for unlatching the tree running tool from a side valve tree. The tree running tool is formed from a tool body, a stem, a telescoping element, a retractable spacer, a means for moving the spacer, and a means for attaching the telescoping element to a lift device. The tool body has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis. The stem is fixedly attached to the upper end of the tool body and extends axially therefrom. The stem has a lower end attached to the tool body and a generally annular flange at a position spaced apart from the tool body. The telescoping element is positioned alongside the stem. The telescoping element has a generally annular flange at a position between the generally annular flange of the stem and the tool body.

Abstract: A cushioning pad or mat for protecting a rig surface or alternatively, an article placed on the pad wherein the mat is made of elements which are laminated construction with a base layer of neoprene, or similar materials, and the elements are connected with channels and the top of the elements are connected to the base of the elements using between 2 and 32 rib members, which can be rivets and a method of making such a cushioning pad.

Abstract: A connector unit is disclosed which comprises a shaft, a plurality of collet fingers, and a sleeve. The plurality of collet fingers are peripherally positioned against the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft adjacent the lower end of the shaft. The sleeve has an upper end, a lower end, and a generally cylindrical inside surface positioned peripherally around the shaft. The sleeve is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular flange extending from its inside surface between its upper end and its lower end which forms a seal with the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft. An upper annular chamber is formed between the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft and the generally cylindrical inside surface of the sleeve above the radially inwardly extending flange and a lower annular chamber is formed between the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft and the generally cylindrical inside surface of the sleeve below the radially inwardly extending flange.

Abstract: A coupling element is disclosed that is capable of axial and lateral movement for use in connecting fluid lines such as control lines used in subsea drilling. The coupling element has a male sealing element with a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The male sealing element defines a generally frusto-conical sealing surface. A fluid passageway for the transmission of fluids is defined through the male sealing element along the longitudinal axis. The generally frusto-conical sealing surface forms a metal-to-metal seal when mated with a female sealing element. A female sealing element with a sealing surface that is complementary to the generally frustoconical sealing surface of the male coupling element is also disclosed. The female sealing element forms a pressure energized metal-to-metal seal with the male sealing element when the two are mated. A poppet valve element may be positioned within the fluid passageway of the female sealing element.

Abstract: An anti-rotation device for use with concentric tubing hangers is disclosed. The anti-rotation device can be used as part of the emergency release system that provides for manually releasing and removing the tubing hanger running tool in the event the hydraulic release mechanism fails. The anti-rotation device can be retrofitted into existing tubing hangers without modification to the surrounding casing or spool body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in subsea well completion systems is provided. The apparatus has an isolation sleeve and an extension sleeve. The isolation sleeve has a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end. The isolation sleeve has a generally tubular shape. The extension sleeve has a first end attached to the second end of the isolation sleeve to form an assembly comprising the isolation sleeve and the extension sleeve, a second end, and a longitudinal axis that is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the isolation sleeve. Like the isolation sleeve, the extension sleeve has a generally tubular shape.

Abstract: A mat installation is disclosed which reduces shoreline deterioration due to wave and tide surging, comprising a series of concrete elements, disposed over a set of pipes fastened together, preferably in groups of three, by strapping or other suitable means and protected with a geotextitle fabric. The mat is then placed over the set of pipes and anchored at the onshore side of the pipes, with the pipes laterally facing the wave action.

Abstract: A security system for use on a motor vehicle having a manufacturer's electrical ignition system, wherein the security system comprises electronic means for controlling the security system; a sensing means for sensing tampering; at least one warning means; at least one immobilizing means, wherein the electronic means receives electronic sensor signals from the sensing means and sends electronic activation signals to the warning means and to the immobilizing means; potting means disposed upon the electronic means for excluding moisture, heat and vibration from the electronic means; and a remote-control means for remotely controlling the security system, which remote-control means is resistant to scanning-type interference, and wherein the remote-control means further comprises: a receiving means for receiving radio control signals, and a transmitting means for transmitting a multiplicity of radio control signals, wherein said transmitting means further comprises at least: signals for changing the sensitivity of

Abstract: A precondition air delivery system for dog houses usable in a house window for flowing air from a human's house to a dog house comprising a port in the window of the human house with tubing connecting the port to the dog house; a damper on the intake side of the port to regulate the amount of air flow from the house; an electric fan attached to the exhaust side of the port to cause air to flow from the human house through the damper, through the port, through the tubing, and into the dog house; a cam attached to the damper enabling a microswitch to engage the electric fan when the damper is adjusted to regulate the amount of air flow from the human house to the dog house; a bug screen attached to the damper to prevent bugs from freely moving through the tubing from the dog house to the human house.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly comprises a subsea wellhead, a spool body assembly, a helix, and a tubular bore protector. The spool body assembly is mounted to the wellhead and has an inside surface defining a vertical bore. The spool body assembly has an upper end, a lower end, and a lateral production fluid outlet port. The helix is formed from a tubular member and is positioned in a lower portion of the spool body assembly. The helix has a generally cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter and a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter, an upper end and a lower end. The tubular member has an organ pipe-shaped cut in the upper end so that the upper end is generally elliptically shaped and forms a pair of arcuate ramps to orient a tubing hanger. The tubular bore protector body has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method for connecting a subsea wellhead to a subsea manifold by an articulated flowline comprised of a plurality of flowline segments joined in series by adjustable ball joint connectors each of which comprises a plurality of bolts for clamping the joined segments in a fixed position and means for stretching the bolts by applying a force which does not exceed the yield strength of the bolts to loosen the connection. The method includes attaching one end of the flowline to an outlet of the wellhead, adjusting each of the ball joint connectors to configure the flowline as necessary for attaching the other end of the flowline to the manifold, and attaching said other end of the flowline to the manifold.

Abstract: A scamp and scamp housing comprising a base with casters and a telescoping column attached to the base with a locking mechanism, and wherein an additional locking mechanism secures a podium to the column at a predetermined attitude, and wherein the housing includes two "U" shaped frames with a desktop attached to the top ends of the "U" frames, a shelf attached near the base of the "U" frames, and a slot provided in the shelf to accommodate the column of the scamp, such that the base of the scamp fits underneath the shelf, and the podium of the scamp fits underneath the desktop.

Abstract: Interactive movie techniques disclosed include dialogue lines for computer users, gateways for entering alternate storylines, techniques for conveying information relating to a character's thoughts and memories, techniques for conveying character information to the user by selection of character backgrounds, the use of icons to signal the presence of additional storyline information or user activities as an interactive movie character, and techniques to draw the user into the flow of the storyline to impart the experience of "having been there".

Abstract: A flexible patient transporter including an oblong PVC fabric sheet having two substantially parallel side edges and two substantially curved end edges. An edge reinforcing web is attached to the sheet with monofilament stitching so that it extends substantially around all edges of the sheet. A pair of end handles is attached to each of the curved end edges of the sheet and a plurality of side handles attached to the side edges of the sheet. Each of the handles is equally spaced around the perimeter of the sheet and includes a PVC tube with a strap extending through the tube and attached at each end to an edge of said sheet. A loop is attached near an apex of at least one of the end edges, and at least one fastener, is secured to each of the side edges of the sheet, said fasteners being adapted to be releasably secured to at least one of the loops, to thereby form a foot pocket at an end of the sheet, which pocket would prevent a patient from sliding out of the transporter.

Abstract: A hanging articulated mat assemblage disposed between pilings or on a support structure using a plurality of elements connected with flexible rope to each other and to a support beam which permits the mat to swing freely while supporting substantial weight, and optionally using a nonabrasive pad disposed on selected faces of the elements to prevent abrasion while swinging of the mat.

Abstract: A well completion system for a side valve tree that has a precision cut low profile helix that can be used in completing a wellbore where the bore is substantially curved is provided. The well completion system has a typical spool body assembly having an inside surface defining a vertical bore extending therethrough and having at least a lateral production fluid outlet port. The spool body assembly has a helix is positioned at the lower end. The helix has a tubular member having a generally cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter and a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter, an upper end and a lower end. The tubular member has an organ pipe-shaped cut in the upper end so that the upper end is generally elliptically shaped to form a pair of arcuate ramps which meet at an apex at the upper end and at a longitudinally extending slot near the lower end and a means for attaching the helix to the spool body assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for determining the characteristics of a multi-phase fluid along a well hole having a predefined geometric profile. Various state properties of the fluid, including the temperature, pressure and specific gravity are taken at the wellhead and used as starting values for calculating estimated state properties at various segments along the well hole. Once the state properties are calculated, an estimated mass flow and velocity rate for the fluid and its constituents can be calculated at specific points along the well hole.