Abstract: An improved rotary valve indicator apparatus (10) and method is disclosed that includes an electronics switch housing (15), filled with epoxy or other generally elastomeric material (29) to hermetically seal, thus environmentally seal, the switch housing (15). A pair of hermetically sealed reed switches (30, 32) are employed within the electronics switch housing (15) for indicating the open and closed position of the valve (17). A pair of corresponding magnets (26, 28) are mounted within a separate magnet holder (16) that is mounted to a rotatable member (20) of a rotary valve actuator (13). Light emitting diodes (42, 44) radiate from a side portion (57) of the electronics switch housing (15) and are connected in a manner whereby they indicate not only that the respective switch (30, 32) is closed but also that it is conducting electricity.

Abstract: A container for use in liquifying granular detergent and thereafter dispensing such liquified detergent to an industrial dishwashing machine, in which the container has a threaded end cap having a 2" center hole through its 4" diameter flat end and a flush plate attached to the end cap through a parallel spacing of 1/8". Hot water is directed through the space between the end cap and the flush plate, with a portion of the hot water being diverted through the hole in the end cap to engage any detergent not falling through the hole onto the flush plate.

Abstract: A pipe support apparatus including a length of flexible webbing having a first receptacle formed at one end and a second receptacle formed adjacent an opposite end of the webbing, a first rigid member received within the first receptacle, and a second rigid member received within the second receptacle. Each of the first and second rigid members has a height greater than a thickness of the webbing. The length of webbing defines a pipe receiving surface between the first and second rigid members. Each of the first and second receptacles is a loop having an opening suitable for slidable receipt of the first and second rigid members. The first and second rigid members are cylindrical members which are slidably received within each of the receptacles. The webbing can have a plurality of receptacles formed adjacent one end of the webbing. The plurality of receptacles selectively receives one and only one of the rigid members.

Abstract: A mill kick out apparatus comprises a whipstock and a starter mill. The whipstock has a lower end pivotally connected to a supporting assembly, an upper end, an outer side for disposition adjacent one side of a well wall, and an inner side diametrically opposite the outer side. The outer side has a vertically elongate upper portion angularly disposed with respect to a lower portion thereof, whereby the upper portion may abut the one side of the well wall when the lower portion is inclined downwardly and inwardly with respect thereto. The inner side is configured to be disposed at a first downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall when the one side so abuts the upper portion of the outer side of the whipstock. A lug projects generally radially inwardly from the inner side of the whipstock adjacent the upper end and has a generally radially inwardly facing surface disposed at a second downward and inward angle with respect to the one side of the well wall.

Abstract: Disperse dyeable compositions of ethylene alkyl acrylate grafted onto polypropylene are provided. A process for disperse dyeing polypropylene fibers is provided. This process comprises (a) extruding the polypropylene with about 2 to 10% by weight of a thermoplastic copolymer of ethylene and alkyl acrylates having one to four carbon atoms in the alkyl group into fibers, and (b) exposing the fibers to a disperse dye bath containing a selected disperse dye.

Abstract: A rod guide 10 may be installed on a sucker rod by two distinct impacts with a hammer or mallet. The rod guide 10 includes a slot 30 having a throat 38 defining therein a catch section 50 wherein a sucker rod 22 will be temporarily caught and held after the first impact. The catch section is spaced between a first restricted throat width and a second restricted throat width of the slot 30. On the second impact, the rod guide 10 is driven relative to the sucker rod past the second restricted throat width and into the rod guide bore 18. An entry port 32 is preferably provided with a radiused opening that widens to a curved surface defining the first restricted throat width. Each opposing wall of the throat 38 may be defined by first, second, and third curvilinear surfaces each having a respective center.

Abstract: A latex composition comprising, as a rheology modifier, an effective amount of a boehmite alumina having a crystal size (020 plane) of less than about 60 Angstroms and a surface area, when calcined to gamma phase, of greater than approximately 200 m.sup.2 /g, the boehmite alumina being present in an amount effective to obtain the desired rheological properties of the composition.

Abstract: A system 10 for controlling the operation of a propane powered vehicle engine includes a gas sensor 28 for providing a fuel rich signal and a fuel lean signal to a controller 20. The controller is also responsive to a tachometer 26 which senses the engine rpm. When the engine speed is in excess of a preselected value and is not decelerating, the controller generates an unacceptable engine operation signal if the period of duration of the fuel rich signal exceeds a preselected value. A warning unit 32 is provided for alerting the operator of a service required signal from the controller. A fuel shutoff device 30 automatically terminates the fuel supply to the engine in response to a fuel shutoff signal from the controller. The method of the invention allows for vehicle startup after the fuel shutoff device has been activated. The invention is particularly well suited for requiring a propane powered vehicle engine to output an acceptable level of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The particulate collector assembly 10 removes solid particulates from a gas stream. The assembly 10 includes an outer housing 12, an intermediate housing 40, and interior housing 54 to form therebetween a clean gas chamber 14, a particulate-laden gas chamber 41, and a particulate chamber. A plurality of cyclone separator units 62 cooperate with the chambers to remove particulates from the gas stream. Each separator unit is fixedly secured to the intermediate housing and extends radially inward through the inner housing 54. A plurality of cyclone supports 82 are secured to a radially inward end of the cyclone housings and are also secured to a center support pipe 90 within the particulate chamber. This arrangement forms a wagon wheel-like structure which provides the desired rigidity to prevent sagging of the cyclone separator units yet allows the assembly components to expand freely and uniformly to minimize stresses to avoid distortions when exposed to high operating temperatures.

Abstract: Apparatus for steering a drill bit at the end of a drill string within the borehole to selectively effect drilling along either a curved path or a substantially straight path comprises a first downhole motor assembly coupled to the drill bit and operable to rotate the drill bit to effect drilling, the assembly being arranged to angularly tilt the rotational axis of the drill bit relative to the axis of the section of the borehole being drilled, and a second downhole motor coupled to the first motor assembly to the drill string and operable to rotate the first motor assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an open throat power tong is provided to cover the rotary region of the power tong, including the pipe slot, wherein numerous moving parts may cause injury due to accidentally misplaced fingers or hands. Top and bottom movable guard portions, movable between open and closed positions, operate in conjunction with top and bottom fixed guard portions to cover the rotary region. When the movable guard portions are in the open position, hydraulic oil flow to a hydraulic power tong motor is completely blocked rather than diverted so as to avoid slow creep of the motor. Sensors that detect the open and closed position of the guards are placed in series so that all sensors must be shifted to allow tong motor operation. The movable guard portions may be pivotally mounted to a rear segment of the fixed guard portion.

Abstract: A process for making high porosity boehmite alumina comprising forming an aqueous dispersion of a boehmite alumina which has been obtained by hydrothermally treating an aqueous mixture of a precursor boehmite alumina at a pH of from about 5 to about 9 for a period of time sufficient to convert the greater portion of the precursor boehmite alumina to a colloidal sol, treating the dispersion of the hydrothermally treated alumina to form a viscous gel and subjecting the gel to sufficient shearing force for a sufficient period of time to increase the pore volume by at least 30% and the median pore radius by at least 20%.

Abstract: Methods and solutions useful for removing iron oxide-containing scale from the interior surfaces of steel. An aqueous cleaning solution containing formic acid and at least one carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms wherein the weight ratio of formic acid to higher carboxylic acid is greater than about 4:1 is contacted with the scale in the absence of an oxidizing agent. Preferred carboxylic acids are the mono-, di-, hydroxy-, and polyhydroxy-carboxylic acids having from two to six carbon atoms. More preferrably, the aqueous solution includes about 0.5-10.0 percent-by-weight in total of such acids wherein the weight ratio of formic acid to higher carboxylic acid is from about 4:1 to about 9:1, together with an effective amount of an organic acid corrosion inhibitor and, optionally, a scale dissolution accelerating agent. Preferrably, contact is under a reducing atmosphere, at a temperature in the range of about 150.degree.-200.degree. F. and a pH less than 7.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing adjacent surfaces of a pair of separate bodies made from thermoplastic, fusible material in which a heating device having a pair of mutually moveable parts is employed, each moveable part defining a heating surface that may be heated by heating means, there being pressure sensing means arranged between the mutually moveable parts of the heating device whereby the so-called bead-up pressure may be measured and controlled independently of the varying drag pressure, the heating device being arranged between opposite ends of the bodies or tubes to be fused, the body surfaces being forced into abutting engagement with the heated opposite surfaces of the heating device, the heating device being removed from the heated surfaces of the bodies when the heated bodies are heated to the desire degree, the heated bodies then being forced into mutual engagement to cause fusion of the bodies to one another.

Abstract: An improved sampling pump has utility for withdrawing contaminated fluid from a low pressure source and outputting cleaned fluid to a sampling container. The fluid pump assembly of the present invention includes an operator unit for reciprocating plunger, and a side body port positioned within the pump body for receiving a removable filter. The pump assembly includes a discharge check valve which is ideally positioned within the pump body for minimizing "dead areas" within the pump, but is also adjustable for controlling the downstream pressure generated by the pump. An operator unit for the pumping assembly may include a spacer attached to the operator piston for selectively controlling the pump stroke. The pump assembly preferably has a pump body inlet port substantially aligned with the plunger axis. High pump reliability is obtained by the preferred filtering technique which cleans both the fluid supplied to the pump and the fluid supplied to the operator unit.

Abstract: An adjustable magnet carrier 100 for a rotary valve indicator apparatus 10 is disclosed. The adjustable magnet carrier 100 includes an extension member 117 having an extension member body 118, an extension member body top 119, and an extension body base 121. Upper and lower magnet carriers 144, 146 selectively rotate about extension member 117 to adjust the stand-off between the magnets 102, 104 and the magnetically responsive switches 30, 32. The magnetically responsive switches are hermetically sealed within a separate electronics switch housing 15. Light-emitting diodes 42, 44 radiate from electronics switch housing 15 in response to switches 30, 32. Drive shafts 124, 128 rotate the magnet carriers 144, 146. The outer surfaces of the upper and lower magnet carriers 144, 146, the ends of drive shafts 124, 128, and the light-emitting diodes 42, 44 are color-coded to correspond to each other and to the open and closed positions of rotary valve element 19.

Abstract: A highly efficient distillation unit is provided for heating water and condensing the generated steam to remove the contaminants from the water. Efficiency is enhanced by providing a compact air cooled fin-and-tube heat exchanger which removes heat from the steam, with a powered blower passing air by the fins. A removable bowl which houses the evaporating water is suspended from a rod biased toward its upper position. Mechanical linkage interconnects the rod and a valve which controls incoming water flow to the bowl. The valve closure member is incrementally moved from an opened position to a closed position as a function of the weight of the water in the heating bowl. A low density electrical heating element is powered with from 40 to 55 watts per square inch of submerged heating element exterior surface. The bowl is configured to have a large surface area of heated water to heater input power, thereby further maximizing efficiency.