Abstract: An oil well pumping system includes a small positive displacement pump below the fluid interface in a low volume oil well which pumps at a rate to maintain approximately constant fluid level in the well. The system includes at least a pair of sensors in a sensor array that is positioned above the pump and near the fluid interface to unambiguously determine liquid level. By maintaining the pumping rate of the positive displacement pump below that required to lower the liquid level to the pump, the pump will not unload and pump power requirements are reduced to a nearly constant low rate. In addition, the pump off control function is accomplished by a microprocessor which is mounted adjacent to the downhole sensor array. This location allows simple direct control of the downhole electric motor and eliminates the requirement that a control element be placed on the surface far from the pump.

Abstract: A spray coating device (14) for coating a pipeline (12) comprises an upper frame (42) having a pair of arms (62, 64) pivotally mounted on opposed sides of the pipeline. Each arm (62, 64) has radially spaced inner and outer guides (86, 88) and a flexible endless drive member (94) is mounted on each arm and extends between the ends of the arm for over 180 degrees. A spray nozzle carriage (124) with a spray nozzle (142) is mounted on each arm (62, 64) for movement along the inner and outer guides (86, 88) of the associated arm between the ends of the arm.

Abstract: A method and system for searching the World Wide Web through a sub-root domain name agent connected to a proprietary URL within a hierarchical directory system are provided. Sub-root domain name agents are keywords or combinations of words connected as a prefix to a proprietary URL, continuously linked together in a hierarchical chain that interfaces with a searchable index directory. Within the hierarchy, sub-root domain name agents direct the user to either a hub site for refining the search or directly to a proprietary Web site.

Abstract: A cargo loader platform having an array of roller assemblies on the deck thereof which are capable of moving a container longitudinally or laterally or rotating it includes several independently driven groups of roller assemblies. The groups include groups along the sides of the platform having drive axes parallel to the loader axis, groups near the center of the platform having a separate drive axes that are perpendicular to the loader axis, and groups down the center of the platform having drive axes parallel to the loader axis. Large diameter, driven cylindrical rollers are mounted on the outer sides of the sides and rear end of the platform to assist in moving cargo onto the deck.

Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons, and a bottom expander 120 is axially moveable upward relative to a lower expander body. After the upper expander body and a lower expander body have been moved radially outward into sealing engagement with a downhole tubular string, the running tool is retrieved to the surface.

Abstract: A downhole injector 10, 26, 38 and 54 is provided at the lower end of the production tubing string TS for passing liquids from a downhole formation into the tubing string while preventing gases from passing through the injector. The injector of the present invention may be used with one or more lift valves LV for raising slugs of liquid upward to the surface through the production tubing string. The present invention may also be used with horizontal bore hole technology for increased hydrocarbon recovery by retaining the gases downhole to act upon liquid hydrocarbons and maintaining a driven force for pushing the liquids toward the injector for recovery. The injector may be used to enhance recovery of liquids at the surface of a well.

Abstract: A method of forming a pipeline pig in two or more steps is provided. Selected disks and/or cups, of selected size and hardness, are first formed. These disks and/or cups may include scraper disks, seal disks, flower petal disks, and/or cups in various sizes and hardnesses, in any desired permutation of these characteristics. The preformed pig components are then arranged with a plurality of mold pieces placed between the various disks and/or cups and then a second molding step is performed. The pig components which are formed in the first step preferably include a large central hole through which polyurethane will flow in the second molding step to form the mandrel. The pig components also preferably include a plurality of smaller holes radially spaced around the large central hole. The smaller holes serve to form a mechanically robust coupling between the pre-formed pig components and the polyurethane mandrel.

Abstract: An acoustic measurement system detects solids within a fluid includes a sample cell 10 for containing the fluid, a first transducer 20 for outputting a first acoustic detection signal at a first frequency, a first acoustic receiver 20 responsive to the first acoustic detection signal, and a second acoustic transducer 20 for outputting an acoustic second mixing signal at a second frequency to mix the solids in the fluid within the sample cell. Controller 40 may vary the “on” time of the second transducer with respect to the measurement of the first acoustic signal. The fluid within the cell may be tested under a wide range of temperatures and pressures. The acoustic measurement system may also be used to measure the bulk modulus of the liquid. The method of the invention allows for the detection of crystallization for a portion of the fluid in the sample cell under widely varying conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for facilitating the providing of client data to remote data processing systems. A user of a client data processing system can automatically communicate arbitrary amounts, and types, of application independent data to a remote data processing system through a minimal user action such as a single mouse selection, or a single keypad invocation. The application independent data comprises a set of data instances, each data instance including a data item, data type, and a user assigned label. A remote application is interfaced to through a minimal action solicitation prompt having associated application data rules. Application data rules comprise a set of sought data instances, each sought data instance including a label, acceptable data type(s), seek requirements, and validity criteria.

Abstract: Threaded and coupled pipe connections are provided with a number of design features that increase resistance of the connection to fatigue failure from cyclical side loading. The features acting alone or in combination include the provision of a pin thread that is formed along a single taper and that vanishes at the surface of the pipe. The coupling engages the pin such that the threaded area of the coupling engages all of the pin threads and extends beyond the vanish point of the pin threads at the optimum coupling makeup position. The threads of the coupling and pipe may engage along both the stab and load flanks to distribute the side loading. The external surface of the coupling may be tapered from the center toward each coupling end to reduce the stiffness ratio of the connection, and the ends or faces of the coupling may be reduced in radial thickness to prevent coupling splitting.

Abstract: A connector for connecting the lower tubular member of a tie-back to the upper tubular member of a subsea wellhead is disclosed as having a first sleeve carried about the upper member for axial reciprocation with respect thereto and extension over the lower member, and a second sleeve also carried by the upper tubular member for axial reciprocation thereto within the first sleeve. Each of the tubular members has locking grooves formed about its ends, and a normally expanded lock ring has about its ends to engage the grooves, as well as outer cam surfaces carried within inner cam surfaces on the inner sides of the sleeves for radial movement between a normally expanded unlocking position and a contracted locking position, as the sleeves are axially reciprocated in opposite directions with respect response to one another. A fluid operator is formed between the upper portions of the sleeves for moving them in opposite axial directions.

Abstract: A single-stage method for producing &agr;-hydroxy ethers by oxidizing olefinic substrates with organic hydroperoxides and opening the resultant oxirane ring by means of monovalent or polyvalent alcohols wherein a molybdenum compound in combination with a compound selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, aluminum oxides, 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene or 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane, and mixtures thereof is used as a catalyst system.

Abstract: A drilling mud clarification or reclamation system is provided. High gravity and low gravity solids are removed from the drilling mud in respective centrifugal separator stages. A plurality of in-line mass flow sensors are provided to provide real-time indication of the effectiveness of the clarification of the drilling mud, and to provide control signals to a central control station. The heavier weight components are separated from the mud and returned to the system for further use. The lighter weight components are removed and are discarded to clean the mud. A cuttings dryer is provided to remove oil from cuttings which have been separated from a shale shaker stage. A de-sludging centrifuge is also provided to remove very fine cuttings which may have a harmful effect on the viscosity of the mud.

Abstract: A linear pump for pumping a fluid includes a generally tubular shaped bladder 50 sealingly engaged on each end to an end cap 20, 25, forming an inner chamber 14, and including each of an inlet 70 and an outlet 75 inner chamber check valve to fluidly interconnect the inner chamber with the fluid. Each of a plurality of linear motors 40 each may be connected on one end to a respective support rib 30 and on an opposing end pivotally connected to one of the end caps. The support ribs are flexible and have a central portion of the rib engaged with a central portion of the bladder. The plurality of linear motors may be selectively actuated to cause the plurality of support ribs to alternately flex and/or straighten out such that the bladder is condensed or expanded respectively to effect a change in volume of the inner chamber, thereby drawing in or displacing fluid. Bladder extensions 160 may be used to slidably connect the bladder to a respective rib.

Abstract: An emergency buoyancy system mounted to a vessel includes a depth sensor to sense a predetermined maximum depth, and an actuator actuated by the depth sensor. The actuator, upon actuation, opens a membrane between tanks, each holding one of a pair of gas producing chemicals. The gas producing chemicals, preferably bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, mix together to produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide fills a plurality of balloons, thereby providing buoyancy to the vessel to which the balloons are attached.

Abstract: A wellhead apparatus which includes a spool for use in a horizontal tree and having a vertical bore therethrough, and a tubing hanger adapted to be lowered into and landed within the bore of the spool to suspend a tubing string on the lower end of the tubing hanger within the wellbore. The spool has a radial opening therethrough to receive a bellows which forms a fluid passageway removably mounted within the opening by means of a flange on the outer end of the bellows releasably connected to the outer side of the spool. The tubing hanger has an opening therethrough which includes a lateral portion connecting with its outer diameter and a vertical portion leading to a pressure responsive operator for a tubing safety valve. The passageways have seal surfaces on their opposing ends, and the end of the stem is engaged by the seal surface of the bellows to open the poppet as the hanger is lowered.

Abstract: A process for preparing amphiphilic compounds having at least two hydrophilic and at least two hydrophobic groups by reacting an olefinic substrate having at least two double bonds with an organic hydroperoxide to form an oxirane ring, opening, the oxirane ring with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a molybdenum compound as a first catalyst component and a second catalyst component selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, alumina, 1,8-diazzabicyclo-(5.4.0)-undec-7-ene, 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane.

Abstract: A reinforcing support structure for an automotive vehicle body having a sheet structure (10) including a pair of side sheet structures (11, 12). Upper stiffener (17) and lower stiffener (18) are secured to the interior of side sheet structures (11,12). Stiffeners 17 and 18 may have a cross-sectional shape as illustrated by stiffener (39) in FIG. 6. Stiffener (39) includes a mounting flange (41) and an opposed flange (42) which have free edge portions. Beads or curls (44,46) are formed on the free edge portions for reinforcement.

Abstract: A purge system develops a positive pressure in an enclosure, with sufficient volumetric air flow to cool the electrical components. The system includes an air inlet hose, with the input into the inlet hose positioned in an unclassified (i.e. safe) area. The inlet hose couples to the suction of an air blower, which may be mounted inside or outside the enclosure, while the discharge of the air blower is inside the enclosure, thereby providing the necessary positive pressure (purge) within the enclosure. The air discharged from the air blower strikes a baffle, which distributes the blowing air throughout the bottom of the enclosure. The distributed air is then drawn into controller cabinets by dedicated cooling fans. A conduit system connects the controller cabinets to take the now heated air from the cabinets to a discharge outside the enclosure. The outlet of the conduit system may include a counter-weighted flapper valve to maintain the pressure within the enclosure.

Abstract: The rotatable blowout preventer 10 comprises a stationary outer housing 12 and a rotatable inner housing 38 having a curved surface 42 thereon defining a portion of a sphere. An annular packer assembly 46 includes spherical packer elements for sliding engagement with the curved surface of the inner housing such that a packer assembly may seal against various sized tubulars. A lower rotary seal 98 between a piston 56 and the outer housing 12 is exposed to the differential between pressurized hydraulic fluid and the well pressure within a lower end of the bore 32 within the outer housing. A flow restriction member 114 between the rotatable inner housing and the outer housing reduces fluid pressure downstream from the flow restriction to less than 40% of the upstream pressure. The upper rotary seal 120 is open to atmospheric pressure and is subjected to this reduced pressure.