Abstract: A rotating centralizer and a centralizing bearing assembly are provided in order to maintain a survey instrument assembly at a fixed angular orientation with respect to a core barrel supported by the bottomhole assembly of a rotating drill string and rotationally isolated therefrom. The centralizer comprises a sleeve having an inner bearing surface providing for rotation of the sleeve with respect to a support sub, and outer bearing surfaces located at the ends of four vanes allowing for rotation of the sleeve with respect to the surrounding drill string. The centralizing bearing assembly comprises a hanger sub, an outer sleeve which is a force fit within a hang-off sub of the drill string and an annular roller bearing unit surrounding the hanger sub and engaging the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The roller bearing unit comprises a plurality of tapered roller bearings having inclined axes of rotation.

Abstract: A downhole probe for use in conditions of high vibration or shock comprises a vibration-sensitive inner unit having a cylindrical outer surface, an outer casing having a cylindrical inner surface within which the inner unit is accommodated, and an intermediate vibration-damping composite sleeve extending between said inner and outer surfaces. The composite sleeve has two coaxial sleeve parts fitting one within the other and consisting of an apertured metal sleeve part and an elastomeric sleeve part having axial ribs which extend through axial slots in the apertured sleeve part. The axial ribs of the elastomeric sleeve part engage the inner surface of the outer casing and inner surfaces of the elastomeric sleeve part engage the outer surface of the inner unit so as to support the inner unit within the outer casing in such a manner as to provide efficient isolation of the inner unit from external vibration and shock.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an improved torque-drag model for at least the collar portion of the drill string in a directional oil or gas well. The techniques of the present invention determine the stiffness of incremental portions of the drill string, and uses this information, the borehole clearance, and the borehole trajectory to determine the contact locations between the drill string and the sidewalls of the well. The contact force at these determined locations can be calculated, taking into consideration all significant kinematic, external, and internal forces acting on that incremental portion of the drill string. More acurate torque-drag analysis provided by the improved model of the present invention assists in well planning, prediction, and control, assists in avoiding drilling problems, and reduces total costs for the well.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for manufacturing a toroidal arc segment piston for use in a fluid pressure responsive rotary actuator, and for forming an actuator housing defining an arcuate chamber for receiving a rotary actuator piston. A moldable polymeric material is positioned within an arcuate master chamber in a piston-forming fixture, and a metal piston core is rotatably mounted to the fixture. The piston core is rotated to displace the polymeric material and form a sheath about the piston core. After curing, the piston core and sheath are rotated out of the arcuate master chamber, and are installed in a rotary actuator housing. A master piston may similarly be used to form a polymeric lining which defines the chamber for receiving the piston in the actuator housing.

Abstract: In mass spectrometry, a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer is used to measure the mass spectrum of organic molecules of mass ranging from 200 Dalton to greater than 200,000 Dalton. Ions from the sample are desorbed by striking the probe tip with laser pulses in a spot size, on the tip, in the range of 0.03-3.0 mm.sup.2. The time of flight of the ions is measured and displayed with a resolution of the ion molecular signal in the range of 300-500 full width at half-maximum definition (FWHM).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a stopper from a bottle having an internal pressure greater than the ambient pressure surrounding the bottle, e.g. a champagne bottle. At least one generally vertical edge of the apparatus is placed in a generally vertical groove in the periphery of the stopper, in some cases cutting the groove simultaneously as it is moved downward over the stopper. The apparatus is then oscillated or rotated, whereupon the internal pressure in the bottle can overcome the sliding friction between the stopper and the bottle. The apparatus is also adapted to control the stopper, once expelled.

Abstract: An slip bowl assembly for supporting multiple pipes in a well casing includes at least two bowls which can be moved away from the centerline of the well by remote control, to allow large collars or tools on the pipe to pass through the assembly.

Abstract: A well tool for use in a down-hole drilling assembly wherein the drill bit is rotated without drill pipe rotation comprising a generally tubular body and a plurality of roller assemblies secured to the body, the roller assemblies including rollers which rotate around axes generally transverse to an axis passing lengthwise through the body of the well tool.

Abstract: An additive for well servicing fluids containing a partially hydrolyzed acrylamide for use in downhole environments having a high calcium ion content comprising an alkali metal bicarbonate, a water-soluble carboxylic acid and a copolymer of acrylamide, an acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, the additive being used to formulate aqueous well servicing fluids, particularly drilling fluids, and for a method of treating an aqueous well servicing fluid containing partially hydrolyzed acrylamide to prevent unwanted reactions between calcium ions and the partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide.

Abstract: An improved blowout preventor actuator is provided for opening and closing a ram block within a blowout preventor body to control the flow of well fluid. The working or power piston within the actuator cylinder is provided with one or more axially extending cavities each for receiving a locking rod secured at one end to the cylinder head. To prevent inadvertent opening of the ram block, locking segments carried by the power piston repeatedly disengage one locking surface and re-engage an adjacent locking surface on the locking rods as the power piston and ram block secured thereto move to the ram closed position. To unlock the power piston from the locking rods, fluid pressure is applied to an unlocking piston which radially moves the locking segments out of engagement with the locking rods. The locking surfaces on the locking rods extend axially along a length which allows different ram blocks to be substituted for sealing with various diameter tubular members passing through the blowout preventors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic heart sounds using a novel, recording, digital stethoscope. The stethoscope comprises in combination the features of a standard air column stethoscope together with the features of a recording, digital stethoscope. Further, the stethoscope includes features permitting the detection and recording of at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern to aid in analysis of the phonocardiographic sounds. The system for identifying phonocardiographic sounds includes the described recording, digital stethoscope together with a computer and display device for storing, analyzing and displaying the detected sounds together with comparative sounds selected from a reference library.

Abstract: Different embodiments of a respirometer are described which are used to determine the BOD of less dilute samples that can be permitted in the standard BOD test procedure. Different embodiments of the respirometer are formed of a chamber, walls of which are formed from a membrane permeable to oxygen to permit reoxygenation of the contained sample in the respirometer. In order to ensure reliability in the computed value of BOD, the chamber of the respirometer incorporates a framed structure.

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 invert emulsion drilling fluid comprised of a liquid oleaginous medium, water, an emulsifier and a gellant comprised of sulfonated ethylene/propylene/5-phenyl-2-norbornene terpolymer and an organophilic clay.

Abstract: The specific embodiment comprises a valve piston mounted on a shaft that is slidably disposed within an aperture in the lower housing of the blowout preventer. The valve piston and shaft may be extended into the central passage of the BOP in an open position through the use of a hydraulic operator assembly. When the valve piston and shaft have been extended into the open position, the wellbore gases enter into the annular space between the shaft and the aperture through the lower housing of the BOP. The wellbore gases are then vented from the aperture through an open vent conduit to the outside of the BOP.The hydraulic operator assembly is spring biased to keep the valve piston and shaft in closed position whenever the hydraulic operator assembly is not activated. The valve piston will therefore automatically close whenever there is a loss of hydraulic control. In normal operation, the hydraulic operator assembly will keep the valve piston and shaft in open position until the wellbore gases have been vented.

Abstract: Disclosed are heavy brine compositions containing zinc bromide and one or more soluble salts selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride and calcium bromide, preferably having a density in the range from about 14.2 to about 16.0 pounds per gallon, which have a low API fluid loss. Also disclosed is a method of formulating certain heavy brines in which hydroxyethyl cellulose functions as a fluid loss additive.

Abstract: A rotary actuator comprising a housing which defines an arcuate chamber, the housing including a first monolithic portion in which the arcuate chamber is completely contained, a piston disposed in the housing for reciprocable movement in the arcuate chamber, a shaft journaled in the housing and connected to the piston and being rotated in response to movement of the piston, a floating seal assembly carried by one of the piston or the housing for effecting sealing between the piston and the housing, a fluid pressure port to introduce fluid into the housing to effect movement of the piston in the first direction and a means such as fluid pressure or a spring return to effect movement of the piston in an opposite second direction, the actuator in one preferred embodiment employing a spring return which provides a substantially constant torque acting upon the shaft as the spring moves from a compressed first position to an uncompressed second position such that the torque acting upon the shaft in both rotational

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for improving the environment of hazardous material abatement personnel operating within an enclosed working area while conducting, for example, asbestos removal operations. A negative pressure is established within the working area by a portable air moving unit, which exhausts air from the working area to prevent hazardous material leakage. The exhausted air is filtered, a significant portion of the exhausted air is conditioned by a portable refrigeration, heating and dehumidification system, and the temperature controlled air is returned to the working area. An air diverter is provided for regulating the ratio of the discharged air to the returned and conditioned air in response to the sensed pressure level within the working are. The temperature of the working area is regulated, thereby substantially increasing worker productivity and reducing safety risks.

Abstract: A home plate having a pair of spaced apart, open slots are used in conjunction with a horizontal support member having an pedestal at each end and a single open slot along its length. A pair of bolt and wingnut combinations are used in the slots, thus connecting the horizontal support member to the home plate. A batting tee connected to one of the pedestals is thus infinitely movable with respect to the home plate.