Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method for excavating, transporting, and transplanting a live tree. The invention relates more specifically to equipment, which utilizes curved ground piercing excavation blades 42 moveably supported on a ring assembly 50 that is pivotally supported in a support frame 20. The ring assembly and the support frame may be positioned around the tree and the blades forced into the ground to excavate a root ball which can thereafter be lifted and transported for subsequent transplantation. The ring assembly 50 may be tilted rearward to permit transporting the tree in a rearward inclined or tilted position, such that wind an obstacle damage to the branches and limbs may be reduced as compared to forward tilting movers. In addition, the rearward tilt may accommodate tilting relatively tall trees at angles of up to 90 degrees from vertical, in order to transport the tree under relatively low over-head clearance obstacles, such as bridges, other trees, and porta cocheres.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drilling a well bore 60 through a subterranean formation using a drilling rig 25 and a drill string 50, whereby the bottom hole pressure while circulating drilling fluid (“ECD”) may be substantially maintained when circulation is interrupted or altered, such as when adding a joint of drill pipe to or removing a joint of drill pipe from the drill string. The method includes controllably applying and maintaining a desired variable annulus fluid pressure in the well bore, and thereafter controllably releasing the pressure from the well bore 60. In addition, methods and systems are provided for rotating the drill string while trapping, maintaining and/or releasing the well bore pressure. A substantially constant ECD pressure may be maintained on a formation, thereby facilitating the use of a lower density drilling fluid than may otherwise be required to maintain well control.

Abstract: A computer file update or patch process involves building a Patch File. The existing or original file (the OLD file) and the revised file (the NEW file) are input into a Patch Build program. The differences in the OLD file and the NEW file are determined by the Patch Build program, and this information is output by the Patch Build program as a Patch File. The Patch File is distributed, along with a Patch Apply program, to end users so that the OLD file is efficiently converted to the desired, updated NEW file. The OLD file and the Patch File are input by the end user into the Patch Apply program. The Patch Apply program changes, at the bit level, only the portions of the OLD file required to yield the desired file update. By distributing only the Patch File and Patch Apply program to the end users, the desired file update can be implemented by the end user with maximum operational and economic efficiency.

Abstract: A vertical reinforced concrete wall for a concrete building including a plurality of insulating panel units horizontally spaced from each other each formed of a polystyrene foam material having a rectangular shape. A pair of channel-shaped vertical side members having side flanges and inturned lips on the side flanges are fitted over the side edges of the insulating panel on site with the lips biting into the insulation panel to secure the side members thereon. The plurality of spaced insulating panel units are mounted between a pair of opposed upper and lower channel-shaped track members which extend horizontally to define the upper and lower ends of the vertical wall. The units are spaced from each other a predetermined distance, such as eight (8) inches, to form space for a vertical concrete column between adjacent insulating panel units.

Abstract: Concentric, tubular sections are assembled by first securing annular centralizers and insulation about the external surface of the smaller diameter tube while the tube is horizontally disposed. The larger tube is then vertically aligned and lowered into a recessed area formed below the assembly area work level. A lifting cable, secured at one end to a lifting device, is extended through the smaller diameter tube and attached to a hoisting arrangement that vertically orients the tube concentrically over the larger diameter tube. Spring-loaded legs on the lifting device are manually retracted radially to permit the smaller tube to be lowered concentrically through the larger tube. The inner tube is lowered until the legs spring radially outwardly to engage the base of the larger tube. The entire assembly may then be lifted as a unit by the hoist with the lifting device, establishing the axial positions of the two tubes relative to each other.

Abstract: A data resource specific to a pipe coupling centrally positioned within the coupling, intermediate the coupling ends. Multiple couplings are employed to connect together a string of well pipe. The data resource is adapted to be deployed at the coupling center in the space formed between the abutting ends of pipe made up into the coupling. The data resource provides information regarding the physical characteristics and locations of the coupling, the attached string pipe or the environment within which the coupling is disposed. The data resource may be a read-only component or it may be a readable and writeable component. The resource communicates with an instrument movable through the pipe and coupling. The data resource may be removably positioned at the center of the coupling or it may be permanently cemented in place. The data resource may take on the form of an annular ring with a crushable structure and suitable recesses for holding a data resource module.

Abstract: The flexible hose assembly 10 interconnects a portable tank and another tank for transmitting hazardous fluids. A back check housing 34 contains a valve member 56 and a seating surface 58 for closing off flow through the back check housing. A flexible hose 16 extends downstream from the back check housing, and a flexible sensing line 26 extends within the flexible hose downstream from the back check housing for transmitting fluid pressure to a piston 36. The piston 36 is axially movable between a locked and unlocked position, and when in a locked position maintains the valve member in the open flow position and when in the unlocked position allows the valve member to move to the closed position. A biasing member is provided for biasing at least one of the piston and valve members to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A process for recovering processing liquids such as gas-treating liquids wherein a feed mixture containing the processing liquid, water, and optionally additional components that are more volatile than the processing liquid and components that are less volatile than the processing liquid, is initially heated in a first heating zone to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least some of the water and a portion of the processing liquid without decomposing the processing liquid to produce a vapor stream containing volatilized water and processing liquid and a residuum containing the bulk of the processing liquid and less volatile component, the vapor stream being separated from the residuum and treated to produce recycle streams of water, purified processing liquid, and low and high boiling liquid fractions recovered from the purified processing liquid.

Abstract: A string of pipe formed by the connection together of multiple joints of shorter pipe segments is stored in the water space adjacent an offshore drilling rig. The pipe string bends from the drilling rig floor in a semicircular arc and enters the water adjacent the drilling rig. A curving guide is used to direct the pipe string movement. A platform extension from the corner of the drilling rig is provided to position a work area above the point at which the pipe enters the water. Multiple guides may be employed for simultaneously running two strings of pipe. The string may be stored in one or more long sections or in a single continuous string. The major portions of the string or long pipe sections may be stored below the surface of the water. Provision is made for pumping fluids through the pipe string, and/or the pipe sections, to the well. The string may be stored in a sleeve.

Abstract: A radiator system for mounting on the engine hood of an automobile having a rear engine comprising a generally panel-type radiator, a support for holding the radiator in a generally horizontal disposition and for securing the radiator to the engine hood, an inlet conduit for transferring heated engine coolant from the engine into the radiator, and an outlet conduit for transferring cooled engine coolant from the radiator to the engine.

Abstract: Paint detackifiers and/or sedimentation agents are provided which contain amorphous alumina and/or alumina in pseudoboehmite or boehmite form having an average crystallite size of from 0.1 to 15 nm and/or the hydrates and hydroxyalkylpolysaccharides thereof.

Abstract: A horizontal floor or roof structure having a plurality of spaced parallel joists each joist having a vertical web with upper and lower flanges extending from the web. Each flange has a free edge with a tubular bead extending along each free edge and having an elliptical cross-section wherein the minor axis is at least 20% of the major axis. A floor or roof member is supported over said metal joist. A preferred method of forming a horizontal reinforced concrete wall structure for a building includes mounting a wire mesh material over the upper flanges of the joists, and pouring concrete in a flowing condition onto the concrete forms over the mesh material and over the upper flanges of the joists so that curing of the concrete provides a horizontal reinforced composite concrete wall structure.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly (20) shown in FIG. 2 is positioned in a pipeline (10) for sensing the temperature of the fluid medium in the pipeline (10) for transmitting the sensed temperature to a meter (12). A temperature sensing probe is received within a temperature conducting tube (36) forming a thermowell and having a plurality of annular fins (40) extending thereabout. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, a liquid (50) is provided in an annular space between the thermocouple (28) and the temperature conducting tube (36). Non-metallic members (70, 74, 80) are positioned between the pipeline (10) and the temperature transmitting tube (36) to isolate thermocouple (28) from ambient changes in the temperature of metal pipeline (10) which may result in an error in the temperature of the flow medium sensed by the thermowell assembly (20). High temperature embodiments shown in FIGS.

Abstract: Alternate embodiments of a vehicle tire inflation system are illustrated wherein pressurized air from a source on the vehicle is supplied from an end of an axle to the rotating hub cap and thus to the tire through a flexible tube which compensates for misalignment of the axes of the axle and hub cap.

Abstract: A stripper/packer includes first and second packing elements, which are interchangeable to alleviate inventory concerns. The upper actuating hydraulic piston is the same diameter as the lower piston, which allows the operator to utilize the same amount of pressure to maintain a seal during transition between packing elements. Both packing elements are separately actuated from the lower side allowing the wellbore pressure to assist the seal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining fluid pressure control of a well bore 30 drilled through a subterranean formation using a drilling rig 25 and a drill string 50, whereby a kick may be circulated out of the well bore and/or a kill fluid may be circulated into the well bore, at a kill rate that may be varied. A programmable controller 100 may be included to control execution of a circulation/kill procedure whereby a mud pump 90 and/or a well bore choke 70 may be regulated by the controller. One or more sensors may be interconnected with the controller to sense well bore pressure conditions and/or pumping conditions. Statistical process control techniques may also be employed to enhance process control by the controller. The controller 100 may further execute routine determinations of circulating kill pressures at selected kill rates.

Abstract: A split mechanical face seal having a rotating seal assembly comprising a rigid seal ring of split ring segments and a pair of attachable body ring segments holding the rotating seal ring segments together when the body ring segments are attached, a stationary seal ring assembly comprising a rigid seal ring of split ring segments and a pair of attachable housing segments holding the stationary seal ring segments together when the housing segments are attached, a single segment retainer ring having a split forming first and second opposing end faces, the retainer ring being made of a flexible material, the retainer ring being operatively engaged with the stationary seal ring segments and resilient members carried by the retainer ring and operatively engageable with axially facing abutments formed in the housing segments when the housing segments are attached such that the retainer ring exerts a biasing force against the stationary seal ring segments in a direction toward the rotating seal ring segments.