Abstract: A communication housing for devices external to a solid marine seismic cable, especially for level control devices, comprises an upper housing half and a lower housing half, coupled together around the cable. The upper housing half includes a plurality of wells, for example three wells, each adapted to receive a communication coil. The lower housing half has no such wells. The communication coils are wound in series to reinforce the signal strength of the communication signal. The communication coils are preferably formed to two segments, joined together at a flexible joint to reduce the likelihood of breakage of the coil core as the cable is wound onto a take up reel aboard the exploration vessel.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using an RFID tag associated with a component, and for organizing and storing data on the RFID tag in a user selected format. The selected data format may be recorded or stored remote to the tag, with a data format name. The data format name may be stored on the RFID tag, such that a tag interrogator retrieving the data format name from the tag may thereafter retrieve and/or load the corresponding data format to properly parse and interpret the data stored on the tag, in that format. Thereby, a customized data format may be used, while the data format need not be provided on the tag. The methods also include providing more than one data format on a particular tag, such as where each data format is defined by a corresponding user of a particular portion of the tag. Thereby, a tag may include multiple formats to meet the data storage needs of multiple users of a tag. Methods are also included to improve or maximize effective utilization of the available memory on an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method for improving ROP and reducing hazards in drilling subterranean wells by using an acoustical system 15 to look ahead of the drill bit 14, detects and analyzes geologic features ahead of the bit 14 which may be qualified as drilling hazards 17. Detection of such hazards 17 may facilitate use of more aggressively penetrating bits 14 such as PDC bits as opposed to roller cone bits. In addition, other drilling parameters may be adjusted to improve ROP due to the ability to timely respond to identified hazards 17 before they may be detrimentally encountered by the bit 14. The acoustic system 15 may look ahead of the bit 14 by at least 100 meters, using propagated acoustic waves 19 to locate changes in acoustic impedance which may represent drilling hazards 17. In addition, bulk resistivity ahead of the bit 14 may also be measured and used to locate drilling hazards 17.

Abstract: A low toxic, biodegradable, water soluble and dispersant series of corrosion inhibitors are described. The method of inhibiting corrosion in aqueous medium by incorporating the inhibitor in PPM is provided. The corrosion inhibitor compromises an acrylic acid and chloroacetic acid adduct of 2-substituted imidazolines or primary, secondary or tertiary amines with carbon chain of twelve to twenty-two saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms. The molar ratio of acrylic acid to chloroacetic acid was methodically changed while keeping the concentration of imidazoline or the amine a constant. The product is made water soluble by raising the pH to 8-9 at the end of the synthesis by adding aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A steerable bottom hole assembly may be used for drilling both a curved section and straight section of the borehole, with the bottom hole assembly including a reamer beneath the downhole motor 12. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit 30 having a bit face defining a bit diameter, and a gauge section 32 having a substantially uniform diameter cylindrical surface approximating the bit diameter and having an axially length of at least 75% of the bit diameter. The motor is preferably run slick without stabilizers for engaging the wall of the borehole.

Abstract: The roots of the box threads in a drill collar or heavyweight drill pipe are configured to reduce the connection stresses encountered during drilling and makeup of the connection. The thread root design in the box reduces fatigue damage caused by makeup torque and cyclic stressing of the engaged drill string connection as it is rotated around curved sections of the well bore. A conventional V-type thread form in the box is provided with an enlarged root radius having its center point offset from the centerline of the opposing thread flanks. The load flank of the thread tangentially engages the arc of the root. The stab flank of the thread is intersected by the enlarged root radius extending to a flat intersecting surface that may extend as far up as the thread pitch diameter.

Abstract: A lanyard (12) connected to a body harness (10) for supporting a person from fixed horizontal support member (38) upon an inadvertent fall of the person from a normal supporting surface. A hook (16) on the upper end of the lanyard (12) is looped over the fixed horizontal support member (38) and received within a V-shaped eye opening (54) of an eye member (50). The V-shaped eye opening (54) is defined by a pair of straight converging sides (58,60) which intersect at an arcuate apex (62) having a relatively small width to receive the hook (16) in a snug fit.

Abstract: A pump liner comprising a tubular sleeve having an inner sleeve surface formed of a corrosion- and abrasion-resistant material and an outer, frustoconical sleeve surface and a shell having an outer shell surface and an inner, frustoconical shell surface, the inner shell surface preferably being in interference engagement with the outer sleeve surface.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly including a towable oil lift system, a drum, a wireline spooled on the drum, and a level wind mechanism is set forth to extend the wireline into and out of a well casing for production of a well. The wireline spools over a measuring wheel and extends into the well and supports a bailer on the end of the wireline. The bailer has a foot valve for filling, thereby enabling retrieval of a bailer into a surface located seal assembly connected with an air pump to force liquid from the bailer. A control system enables cyclic operation.

Abstract: The linear pump (10,110) includes a housing (12, 112) and either two(20, 22) or one (120) flexible bladders each within a pump housing and interconnected to respective end caps (30, 32, 130, 132, 134, 136). Upon movement of a movable end cap relative to a stationary end cap, the volume in each bladder may be variably controlled to pump blood or another selected fluid. Linear movement of the end caps may be controlled by an attractive or repulsive force between end caps. The pump (110) with a permeable bladder (120) may be used to pump wastewater.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for use in oil field operations is provided. The pipe clamp is particularly useful where pipe, casing or tubing must be grasped firmly. The pipe clamp is designed to be safer than existing technology by incorporating a lighter weight design that is self aligning and can be controlled from a relatively remote location. The pipe clamp is comprises a gripping head which wraps around the pipe, an actuator extending radially from the gripping head, and a chain wrapped around the gripping head and connected to a mount located at the radially distant end of the actuator. As the actuator extends, it increases the distance between the gripping head and the mount, thus the chain tightens the friction surfaces of the gripping head about the pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to two apparatus and one method for use in spooling composite coiled tubing onto a coiled tubing reel. One apparatus includes the modification of tubing reel cores currently in common use by the direct adhesion of a compliant material to the hub. Another apparatus modifies the commonly used tubing reel hub by affixing several panels concentric to the hub and mounted on compression springs. The method entails the pressurization of the composite coiled tubing prior to spooling onto the tubing reel, and subsequently releasing the pressure within the composite tubing after it has been spooled onto the tubing reel. Both apparatus and the method protect the reel core by absorbing or eliminating the radially inward forces of the composite tubing resulting from the pressurization and corresponding contraction in length of the spooled composite coiled tubing.

Abstract: A shaft extending from a housing is rotatably sealed with the housing using a split seal assembly. During installation of the assembly, an alignment pin on one half of the assembly engages an oblong recess with planar sides in the other half of the assembly to permit radial movement of the two halves toward each other while preventing relative axial movement between the two halves. The permitted radial movement facilitates the assembly of the seal to the shaft while the limitation on relative axial movement maintains the correct positions, of the two halves. The permitted radial movement allows the two halves to assume fill circular engagement with the shaft to optimize the seal and the mechanical engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A disposable syringe assembly 10 including a cylinder body 12, a needle assembly 14, a piston assembly 16, a rear seal assembly 18, a hollow shaft 20, and a valve assembly having a valve port 61 and valve seals 49. The needle assembly may be releasably engaged with the cylinder body. The body and the piston assembly moveable within the body may define each of a fluid chamber 74 and an annular chamber 28. As fluid is drawn into the fluid chamber by movement of the piston assembly, air may be displaced from the annular chamber through the valve assembly. As fluid is discharged from the fluid chamber, the valve assembly may be closed and a vacuum created in the annular chamber. A valve positioner may control connector connectivity and valve port position. Near the end of the fluid discharge piston stroke, a connector 88 engaged with either the shaft of with the piston assembly may engage selectively engage a mating connector on the needle assembly. The needle assembly may be disengaged from the body.

Abstract: A system and method of marking goods for authentication and tracking purposes is described. The system and method include a central control which enables the system. The method and system are accomplished in real time affording manufacturers the ability to eliminate problems associated with counterfeiting and diversion which begin at one or more manufacturing site which are remote from central control. A central control unit enables the system by providing an allotment of marks to one or more host units. Each host unit directs marking terminals to mark, at locations remote from the host units, particular goods or packages with specific information encoding symbols. Items are preferably marked directly with dyes containing one or more active compounds, but alternately can be identified by means of affixed fixtures which are marked with encoding symbols either prior to, or subsequent to, affixing to the items. Following marking, items are scanned to insure proper marking.

Abstract: A thermostat valve 10 is provided for controlling gas flow to an infrared catalytic heater 26. The thermostat valve includes a thermally responsive snap member 50, 64 positioned within a housing central flow path and moveable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. An elastomeric seal 54 supported on the housing surrounds the central flow path and engages the snap member when in the closed position. A restricted flow path 58, 68 is provided in one of the housing and the snap disk for passing gas to the catalytic heater when the snap member is closed. The thermostat valve is relatively simple yet highly reliable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the catalytic hydroformylation of olefins by reaction of an olefin with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a liquid, aqueous-organic reaction medium in the presence of a water-soluble hydroformylation catalyst, characterized in that for a substantial period of the hydroformylation reaction, the aqueous-organic medium is present in the form of a microemulsion, which is made up of an oil phase containing the olefin or the olefin and its hydroformylation products, an aqueous phase containing the water-soluble complex catalyst, and a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: An oilfield tubular member 10 includes pin member 12 and box member 14 each having a tapered thread 18, 20, 70, 72. The pin thread 18 has a root 28, a crest 26, a pressure flank 34 and stab flank 36. The box thread has root 32, a crest 30, a pressure flank 84 and stab flank 86. The pin crest 26 has a stab flank pin crest radius 40 and a pressure flank pin crust radius 38 which is at least twice the radius 40. The improved oilfield connection minimizes damage to the connection during misalignment of the pin member and box member.

Abstract: An improved method of finishing a silicon part utilizes a rotatable grinding wheel having diamond particles and a bonding agent, and a plurality of grit materials. The grinding wheel is dressed to form a wheel with a grinding surface having a plurality of diamond particles, and thereafter a bonding agent is removed from the grinding wheel surface without significant removal of the plurality of diamond particles. An enhanced lubricity material may be applied to the grinding wheel, and the surface of the silicon part then ground, preferably while cooling the silicon part. The surface of the silicon part may then be finished with a plurality of grit materials. A single digit RMS surface finish on a silicon part may be obtained.