Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing sag phenomena in well fluids wherein an elongate container containing a sample of a fluid to be tested is mounted at an angle with respect to vertical on a force responsive device which provides a measurable, variable indication of the center of mass of the container. The angle is chosen to correspond to that of a well deviation angle for which testing is to be done, and the sample may be subjected to heat and pressure to further simulate downhole conditions. The aforementioned indication provided by the force responsive device is repeatedly measured and functionally related to time.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the oxidation of edible oils and fats by forming a reverse micelle by admixing a mixture of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble antioxidant with a surfactant and said oils or fats.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for processing telephone calls for special services, such as emergency service calls. One or more answering station units may receive calls through a telephone network. The number of the calling station is automatically identified and used to seek calling station location information in a computer memory forming part of the answering station unit. The call is then conferenced with an agency station associated with the services needed, and the location information is dispatched to the agency station. Each service answering station unit is a stand-alone unit.

Abstract: A process for preparing a particulate metal oxide of small particle size wherein a combustible organometallic compound alone or in admixture with a combustible organic liquid carrier is introduced into a combustion zone and combusted in a combustion supporting gas to produce particles of metal oxide, the combustion being carried out under reaction conditions so as to effect calcination of the metal oxide particles prior to condensation of the particles in the bulk phase.

Abstract: A fishing lure system comprises a rigid head and a body having a leading surface adjacent the head. The body, preferably flexible, extends rearwardly from the leading surface and removably receives a shank extending rearwardly from the head. The body has a rattle cavity with a mouth opening through the leading surface and offset from the shank. A rattle assembly, preferably longer and wider than it is high, is removably disposed in the cavity. The system may further comprise a different type of lure, such as a spoon-type lure, adapted to removably receive the same rattle assembly which is disposed in the aforementioned cavity.

Abstract: A BOP subsea control system utilizes hydraulic control of non-critical functions, and electro-hydraulic control of selected critical functions, such as the closing mode of one or more shear ram BOPs, one or more pipe ram BOPs and one or more annular type BOPs. In an alternative embodiment, the use of a conductive fluid in a hydraulic hose enables electric signals and hydraulic signals to be transmitted in the same hose.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for landing and securing a payload to a subsea assembly, such as a hydrocarbon recovery assembly, utilizing a surface vessel and a subsea ROV. The payload is suspended from a submersible payload package, and the package and payload are lowered subsea by a vessel cable. Guide cables extending from the package may be secured to the subsea assembly, and a floatation device thereafter activated to render the package positively buoyant, thereby making the guide cables taunt and relaxing the vessel cable to de-couple the package and payload from the surface vessel. The guide cables are then used to lower the payload from the package onto the assembly, and the payload secured to the assembly with the ROV. The floatation device is subsequently deactivated such that the pacakage is no longer positively buoyant, thereby re-coupling the package to the surface vessel.

Abstract: The box end of a threaded joint has an interior profile of an inwardly tapered threaded section, followed by a smooth sealing surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the threaded joint, followed by an increased diameter seal ring groove, followed by an inwardly tapered smooth sealing surface. The pin end of the joint has an external torque shoulder, followed by an inwardly tapered threaded section, followed by a reduced diameter pipe dope reservoir, followed by an extrusion hump used to extrude a deformable seal ring used in the seal ring groove, followed by an inwardly tapered smooth sealing surface. When the threaded joint is fully made up, the entrapped seal ring has a primary metal-to-metal seal on its one side, formed by the mated smooth, tapered surfaces, and a secondary metal-to-metal seal formed by the extrusion hump and the surface above the seal ring groove.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a drill string compensator used for supporting a tubular string passing through a marine drilling vessel. First and second frames of the compensator are interconnected by a plurality of chains or other suitable force transmitting members, eacvh having a threaded rod connected at one end and passing through a respective bore in one of the frames. A plurality of ring-shaped transloader assemblies are provided for uniform tensioning of the force transmitting members, and each transloader assembly is independently axially movable and rotatable about its respective threaded rod. Each transloader assembly preferably includes a sleeve for transmitting load forces between the force transmitting members and the frame, and each sleeve is constructed such that only compressional forces are induced in the sleeve by the load.

Abstract: A blowout preventer is provided with an improved sealing assembly for sealing engagement with a pipe extending through the blowout preventer into a well bore. The sealing assembly includes an elastomeric seal and a plurality of circumferentially spaced metal inserts within the seal for substantially minimizing or preventing extrusion of the seal under high fluid pressure. The BOP be reliably used for sealing engagement with pipes of varying diameters. Each insert has a substantially I-shaped configuration with an upper flange, a lower flange, and a rib fixedly interconnecting the flanges. A slot is provided within at least one of the flanges and forms a cavity for receiving a male interconnecting member extending circumferentially from an adjacent one of the inserts, such that the circumferentially spaced inserts are interconnected to minimize extrusion gaps between the inserts and to better enable the sealing assembly to form a positive seal with the pipe.

Abstract: An oil field tubular connection is provided for joining metallic tubulars at a well site. At least one end of each tubular is provided with a frustoconical external sealing surface for metal-to-metal sealing engagement with a corresponding surface of an adjoining tubular. A plurality of antigalling grooves provided along the external sealing surface each project radially inward thereof and circumferentially encircle the threaded end of the tubular member and seal the groove from fluid communication with the interior of the tubular member. The antigalling grooves are particularly well suited for use with a low angular taper sealing surface of less than approximately 7.degree., and reduce galling between the metal sealing surfaces during makeup of the connection. Each tubular connection may also include an energizing groove spaced axially between the exterior sealing surface and the threads on the tubular member.

Abstract: A flow pressure sensing control valve system is disclosed for use with blowout preventers having an operator cylinder and piston for closing of the blowout preventer, wherein the operator cylinder and piston have a closing side and an opening side and wherein the closing side has a greater effective surface area than the opening side. The system includes a sensing means for dropping pressure of flow directed to the closing side relatively with increases in the flow velocity of the fluid flow. A fluid return system is included for selectively directing the fluid from the opening side of the operator piston to the closing side of the operator piston when the drop in pressure across the sensing means attains a magnitude above a predetermined value in order to reduce fluid capacity requirements and alternatively to direct flow from the closing side to a discharge point when the drop in pressure decreases below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A preform cutting element for a rotary drill bit includes a layer of polycrystalline diamond material, the rear face of which is bonded to the front face of a backing layer of less hard material, such as tungsten carbide. The rear face of the backing layer is substantially greater in area than the rear face of the diamond layer. A method of manufacturing such cutting elements comprises forming an intermediate structure comprising polycrystalline diamond material bonded between two outer layers of tungsten carbide, and then cutting the intermediate structure to provide two pieces, each of the pieces including part of the diamond material and at least a major part of a respective one of the two outer layers.

Abstract: An improved bottle cap is provided for repeatedly obtaining airtight sealing engagement with a bottle having an annular external lip. The cap of the present invention is particularly well suited for sealing bottles containing sparkling wine or champagne, since such bottles conventionally include an external lip and since the cap of the present invention is able to seal gases within the bottle. The cap includes a housing having a central aperture for positioning over the neck of the bottle and having a radially inward directed flange for fitting beneath the external lip on the bottle. An activating carrier is movable within the aperture in the housing, and a ring-shaped pad holder and elastomeric pad are mounted on and are axially movable with respect to the carrier. A biasing spring is provided for acting on the holder and the pad to bias the pad toward sealing engagement with the bottle.

Abstract: The technique according to the present invention is useful for generating a corrected well log which otherwise would include erroneous signals from downhole sensor. Such signal error may be caused, for example, by periodic movement of the drill collar axis with respect to the borehole axis, eccentric rotation of the drill collar with respect to the borehole, or a whirling or precessing of the drill collar in the borehole. According to the technique of the present invention, these sensor signals are generated at time intervals of less than one-half the period of the highest frequency of the periodic movement. Discrete sensor signals are averaged to generate an average sensor signal as a function of borehole depth. Discrete sensor signals are also recorded to generate a time-varying sensor signal profile, the magnitude of frequency components of the time-varying sensor signal profile is determined, and the average sensor signal is corrected as a function of the determined magnitude of the frequency components.

Abstract: A pair of outrigger hulls are located on the ends of a wing, to which is movably attached a central hull which can be moved back and forth with respect to the outrigger hulls. A pivotable mast positioned on the central hull allows the central hull to be positioned near the leeward outrigger hull while leaning the mast towards the windward outrigger hull, thereby providing a lift to the craft and a reduction in displacement. Rotary wheels at each end of the wing allow crewmen stationed there to control the position of the central hull along the length of the wing and to control the slack and tautness of a pair of sail lines. A differential apparatus enables crewman to control the rudder from anywhere along the length of the wing independently of the central hull location along the length of the wing.

Abstract: A rotary actuator defining a first arcuate chamber and a second chamber, the housing having an inwardly projecting, peripherally extending rib which defines an aperture in open communication with the arcuate chamber, a peripherally extending groove being formed in the rib in surrounding relationship to the aperture, the groove having first and second peripherally extending spaced side surfaces, an arcuate shaped piston being disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft rotatably journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotatable in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal disposed in the groove for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, the seal being in sealing engagement with the first and second side surfaces forming the groove, a fluid pressure inlet to introduce fluid pressure into at least one of the arcuate chamber or the second chamber to provide a pressurized chamber and effect movement of the piston in a first direc

Abstract: A valve seat for a valve used with a treater tank comprising a body having a generally cylindrical bore threthrough, the body having a first end, a second end and being made of metal, the first end having a counterbore concentric with the cylindrical bore, the body having means on the second end for mounting the valve seat in the valve and an insert carried by the body and received in the first end, the insert being comprised of an erosion-resistant synthetic polymeric material having a cylindrical passageway therethrough, the insert having a first portion defining first inner and outer concentric cylindrical surfaces, the first outer surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of the counterbore, an annular sealing surface being formed on the first portion, and a second, generally cylindrical portion, said second portion being received in the counterbore and means disposed between the body and the second portion to secure the insert to the body and effect fluid-tight sealing between said insert and s

Abstract: An electrical power connector for use in a hazardous environment, such as in a sub-sea distribution system for distributing electrical power to remote oil well heads from a marine platform. The sub-sea connector comprises first and second connector bodies, one of which houses a solid state electrical power switch and switch control means. The switch control means is responsive to a non-electrical control system, e.g. an optical signal, which is transmitted between the connector bodies by a transmission path which is interrupted when the bodies move apart by a first short distance, to cause the solid state switch to switch the power off. The actual power contacts in the first and second bodies do not separate from physical engagement until the bodies move apart by a second distance, greater than the first distance. Thus the power contacts can only separate, and engage, when they are electrically dead.