Abstract: The water misting system includes a stationary member 3, 4 having a flow path therein for transmitting water, the rotary swivel 5 in fluid communication with the stationary member, and one or more conduits 6, 7 in communication with the stationary member and extending radially outward from the swivel. A misting nozzle 8, 9 is provided at an outer end of each respective conduit, and has a central nozzle axis angled with respect to a central axis of a respective conduit for discharging mist while producing a tangential thrust for rotating the one or more conduits and the misting nozzle about the stationary member. According to the method of the invention, angling of the central nozzle axis of each misting nozzle with respect to a central axis of the respective conduit produces the tangential thrust to rotate the conduits and thereby mist a large area.

Abstract: An improved system and method is disclosed for expanding a fluid permeable tubular downhole in an open hole completion. A high quality borehole is first drilled using a bottomhole assembly having a long gauge bit and a short bit-to-bend ratio. A fluid-permeable tubular is then inserted into an open-hole portion of the wellbore and preferably expanded in place. The expandable tubular may include an external filtering medium. Hydrocarbons may pass from the formation through the expanded fluid permeable tubular and into the borehole, to be recovered.

Abstract: A system for perforating a well includes a plurality of perforating guns suspended in the well from the wireline or coiled tubing. A downhole electronic command circuit is provided for firing each of the guns in response to a command signal from the surface. A conductor cable, which may be the wireline, extends from the surface to the downhole command circuit, such that command signals fire the guns in a selected order.

Abstract: A splitter assembly 10 is positioned downhole within a conductor 50 for separating two or more tubular strings placed within the conductor. A splitter housing may include a first bore 26 and a second bore 28 for separating a first well from a second well, and a plug 24 positioned in one of the bores including a top face 25 sloping downwardly toward the other bore. One or more guide plates 18 secured to the splitter housing and positioned above the plug guide a bit or other tool toward one of the first bore and the second bore. The splitter housing 10 may be positioned along the conductor 50 after the conductor is jetted in place. According to the method, the plug in one of the bores is retrieved after a casing is run in one well, so that the second bit and the second casing will pass through the bore which previously included the plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a node on a network to transmit identifying information about itself, typically in the course of an audit of the hardware and/or software that are present on the network. The method involves the node transmitting both a current node identifier value and a former node identifier value, each typically a network interface card (NIC) address. The former node identifier value permits the receiver of the transmission to determine which node is involved even if the current node identifier has been changed since the previous audit (e.g., because of a change of NICs). The current and former node identifier values may be stored in a timestamped hidden file, e.g., an .INI-type file. Such file may be redundantly stored on multiple partitions, with the timestamp used to determine which is the most recently updated file.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes introducing steam into coffee grounds, and passing heated water through the coffee grounds to infuse the water. A coffee maker includes a second water passage in which the flow of water is controlled so that it is converted into steam for delivery to the brew basket. The steam enters the brew basket below the level of any coffee grinds in the basket, and causes a substantially helical steam flow path in the grinds.

Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.

Abstract: An adjustable hanger system and related method connect a hanger to a wellhead, with a hanger supporting a tubular secured at its lower end in the well. The wellhead includes a housing 20 having a plurality of axially spaced support grooves 23, and a hanger 30 including a support ring 32 radially moveable into a selected one of the support grooves on the wellhead housing. A lock down ring 34 may limit axially upward movement of the hanger with respect to the wellhead, while a support ring 32 may be used to limit axially downward movement of the hanger with respect to the wellhead housing. Both the support ring and the lock ring may be a substantially C-shaped rings which move radially outward into a selected one of the support grooves or locking grooves.

Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.

Abstract: A running tool 10, a lockdown sleeve 27, and a seal ring 24 are provided for axially fixing upward movement of a tubular hanger with respect to a subsea wellhead. The running tool 10 includes a tool latching and unlatching mechanism 51 for axially connecting the running tool to the subsea wellhead housing, a tool force applicator 64 for exerting a downward setting force, and a sleeve latching mechanism 73 for securing the lockdown sleeve to the subsea wellhead housing 20. The seal 24 is provided between the lockdown sleeve and one of the tubular hanger and the wellhead housing. The method of the invention includes running the tool and sleeve in open water to the subsea wellhead housing, locking the tool to the housing, setting the seal, locking the sleeve to the housing, then retrieving the tool in open water.

Abstract: A composite metal sealing ring and method are provided for sealing between tubular members. First and second tubular members have first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. A metal sealing ring has corrosion-resistant inlays defining opposing conical outer sealing surfaces for sealing with the first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. The resulting composite sealing ring has the corrosion-resistant benefits of stainless steel at the sealing surfaces, along with the desired expansion ratio of a conventional carbon steel.