Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved bracket for securing a traffic control device to a mast arm, pole or other support. The bracket comprises a bracket clamp plate and a mast arm anchor plate for engagement, respectively, to the traffic control device and the mast arm. The bracket includes conventional adjustable securing devices for securing the plates to the traffic control device and mast arm. Projecting from each anchor plate are tubular sections sized for telescopic engagement. A tab, either fixed or removable, is included on the inner tubular section for cooperation with an annular shoulder on the interior of the outer tubular section to axially secure the sections together. A fixed tab, if present, is accommodated through a groove or slot in the outer tubular section. A removable tab, e.g., a screw or roll pin, may be inserted and removed into a bore in the inner tubular section through the slot or through a separate aperture in the outer tubular section.

Abstract: A rod guide is provided for centering a sucker rod within a tubular string that powers the pump within a well bore. The rod guide comprises a spool securable to the rod and having upper and lower end members thereon, and a plastic material sleeve extending between the upper and lower end members. The sleeve may be mounted to the rod during a molding operation. The rod guide further includes a guide body which may be machined from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material which has desired abrasive and wear characteristics. In one embodiment, the body is rotatable about the spool. A slot within the guide body and scalloped-shaped cut-outs at both ends of the guide body provide fluid communication between an annulus formed between the O.D. of the sleeve portion of the spool and the I.D. of the guide body.

Abstract: A slip-type gripping assembly comprises an outer body defining a longitudinal through opening for receipt of the object. A number of slip bodies are circumferentially spaced about the through opening and are radially movable toward and away from the locus of the object. Each slip body is pivotable about a generally longitudinal axis generally circumferentially centered with respect to the slip body as well as about a tangential axis. A respective force transfer formation is cooperative between each slip body and the outer body for transferring radial force therebetween while permitting the pivoting.

Abstract: A reel assembly for storing, coiling, and decoiling a flexible elongate member, such as a water hose, includes a stationary base and an enclosure rotatably mounted relative to the stationary base. The hose enclosure is designed such that the coiled hose can be removed from the receiving cavity and a new flexible elongate member positioned within the receiving cavity. The enclosure is also constructed so that the assembly be easily altered from a usable configuration to a storage/shipment configuration. Fluid may be transmitted through a center support member of the reel assembly to a coiled hose within the receiving cavity. According to the method of the present invention, the user pulls outward on the hose to rotate the enclosure relative to the base and thereby withdraw the hose from the assembly, and thereafter pushes the hose toward the assembly to rotate the enclosure in the opposite direction and thereby recoil the hose within the assembly.

Abstract: An improved system connects subsea coupling components mounted to a movable junction plate assembly and a fixed junction plate assembly of a subsea petroleum recovery tree. The connecting handle on a movable junction plate assembly is biased for locking engagement with a movable plate to manipulate the movable junction plate assembly, but may be unlocked upon engagement with the fixed junction plate assembly to permit rotation of the connecting handle and thereby threadedly connect the junction plate assemblies. An extension arm assembly for supporting the movable junction plate assembly may be pivotably mounted to a control pod assembly, with the extension arm being extendible and contractible to allow an ROV or diver to move the junction plate assembly within a preselected zone of control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved driver for operatively connecting an actuator to a rotatable valve member disposed in the fluid path of a valve housing. The improved driver of the present invention comprises a drive shaft for connection at one end with an actuator and having a yoke connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The yoke preferably comprises two arms extending on opposite sides of the fluid path through the valve housing. Each arm includes a contact member, e.g., a dog or set screw extending from the arm, for engaging and turning the rotatable valve member while not rigidly connecting the arm with the valve member. In a preferred embodiment, the arms of the yoke extend around the fluid path and are joined together with a trunnion to aid in centering the driver and rotatable valve member.

Abstract: A drag bit having a plurality of blades or ribs on its end face has one or more pockets milled into the top surfaces of said blades using a ball nosed end mill to create a plurality of pockets, each having a spherical or a semi-spherical first end and a second end having a semi-circular configuration which intersects with the leading edge face of the rib. A bullet-shaped cutting structure having a spherical first end is brazed into each of the pockets. During the manufacturing process, a pin is brazed into cooperating first and second semi-circular receptacles in the spherical end of the cutter and in the semi-spherical end of the pocket, respectively, to prevent the cutter assembly from being pushed up out of the pocket during the drilling operation. In an alternative embodiment, a slot is milled into the top surface of the rib to allow use of a ball nosed end mill having a reduced diameter shank sized to pass through the slot.

Abstract: Various steel, downhole tools and components of a drill string, including, as examples, a PDC drill bit, a rotary rock bit, a cross-over sub, a stabilizer, a reamer, a hole enlarger and a coring bit, are selectively treated to cause certain of their parts to be electro-negative with respect to steel, and certain other parts to either have the same electro-negativity as steel, or to be treated to be electro-positive with respect to steel.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for providing a fluid flow and mounting system comprised a mounting nipple, a coupling for threaded engagement with a valve assembly, and a rigid flow line having preselected dimensions. The system of the present invention is particularly adapted for supporting a sampling pump from a pipe line, with the sampling pump including a manifold block having a pair of fluid ports for passing fluid in a hot-loop between the flow line and a sampling pump, and with the valve assembly being mounted to the flow line and including a pair of through passageways. The mounting nipple has a stop surface at each end thereof for engaging the manifold block and valve assembly, respectively, to fix the axial position of the manifold block with respect to the valve assembly. The coupling is rotatable about the mounting nipple for threaded engagement with mating threads on the valve body.

Abstract: A fuel composition comprising a non-combustible, substantially heat resistant pervious substrate and an amount of propylene glycol disposed on the substrate sufficient to fill the majority of the surface interstices present in the substrate and an apparatus for providing a heat source suitable for cooking comprising a container having a liquid impervious bottom wall and a peripheral side wall extending generally upward from the bottom wall to define a container mouth, a non-combustible, substantially heat resistant pervious substrate disposed in the container and propylene glycol disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a heat exchanger tube assembly from a heat exchanger shell includes an extractor frame, an extractor body moveable with respect to the frame, and powered extraction members for literally moving the extractor body with respect to the frame. A plurality of rollers are provided each supporting the extractor frame and extractor body, and a plurality of respective drive motors each power one of the rollers for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell. Both forward and reverse rotation of a respective roller and pivotable rotation of the roller with respect to the frame for steering capability of the apparatus may be provided by control means positioned such that the operator need not be carried by the assembly. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders each secured to the extractor frame are provided for elevating the extractor body to a desired position with respect to the heat exchanger shell for extraction and reinsertion of the tube assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for endoscopic surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, heel spur syndrome, or other conditions requiring fibrous tissue division and a method for endoscopic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome are disclosed which include a slotted cannula, an obturator for guiding the cannula into a body opening, an elevator, a retractor, and a hooked surgical knife. The elevator and retractor are used in separating tissue at a surgical opening into the wrist, hand, foot or other location and the obturator and cannula are inserted into the opening for endoscopic division of the carpal ligament, plantar fascia or other tissue. The obturator is removed and a videoarthroscope is inserted in the one end of the cannula while the knife is inserted in the other end to permit direct observation of the procedure as the ligament is divided in one step. The instruments are very small and leave only small openings which reduce the trauma and facilitate early recovery from the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for normally interconnecting a stationary flow line and a flexible flow line, and for automatically separating the flow lines in response to movement of the flexible flow line in excess of a preselected limit. A connection comprises a socket housing sealed to one flow line and a ball housing sealed to another flow line. The housings are separated automatically when a lateral force is transmitted through the flexible flow line to cause excess pivoting movement of one housing related to the other housing. The connection of the present invention is particularly useful for preventing rupture of a flow line during an intermittent pullaway of a portable vessel with respect to a stationary holding tank. In one embodiment, the connection includes at least three ball swivel surfaces for mating engagement with a socket swivel surface.

Abstract: A control method and apparatus for a gas turbine generator is disclosed having multiple modes of operation dependent on generator output components including real power generated, reactive power generated, and power factor. The apparatus provides for selecting a high priority output component, a low priority output component, and a variable output component. Depending on the priority selected, stator temperature is controlled with either a var limiter controller or a MW limiter controller. Rotor temperature is controlled by limiting excitation current substantially independently of priority selection. Setpoint selection may be variable and includes desired MW, MVAR's, and Power factor. This invention allows control of the generator to produce the maximum MVAR's the generator is capable of producing while at the same time utilizing the remainder of the gas turbine output capability for MW generation.

Abstract: A process for producing mixed oxides containing an alumina species in which a mixture of a hydrated alumina having a specified surface area (average crystal size), a fluid medium and a compound having the formula M.sub.x A.sub.y wherein M is selected from the group consisting of metals, silicon, boron, arsenic and tellurium, A is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and anions, x is from 1 to 4 and y has a value satisfying said formula depending on the valence of M, is formed into a uniform sol, the sol is recovered from the liquid medium and dehydrated, and the dehydrated product is de-agglomerated to produce a mixed oxide having an average particle size of about 1 micron or less.