Abstract: A coupling for connecting first and second tubular members, the coupling including a tubular body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first threaded box formed in the first end portion, a second threaded box formed in the second end portion, the tubular body having an outer, annularly extending surface with at least one groove formed in the outer surface and extending from the first end portion to the second end portion of the tubular body.

Abstract: Borehole opener, particularly for enlarging this hole underneath a casing in the field of oil prospecting, comprising a body (2) of longitudinal axis (3), a duct (4) for drilling fluid, formed longitudinally in the body (2), and at least two hole-opening arms (5) which have an active part (7) equipped with cutting means (8), which are distributed symmetrically in the body (2) about the longitudinal axis (3), and which are arranged therein in such a way that they can be moved between a position of rest (9) in the body (2) and an active position (10) partially out of the body (2); in this hole opener in order to move it from the position of rest (9) to the active position (10), each arm (5) has a face (12), internal to the body (2), designed to be subjected directly, in the same way as an active face of a piston, to the pressure of the drilling fluid flowing through the body (2).

Abstract: A wastewater treatment plant comprises a first containment vessel, a second containment vessel forming an aerobic treatment chamber, the second containment vessel having an inlet and an outlet, there being a compartment formed in the first containment vessel that effectively divides the first containment vessel into a pretreatment chamber and a holding chamber. An outlet from the pretreatment chamber is in open communication with an inlet to the second containment vessel, while an outlet for the aerobic treatment chamber is in open communication with the inlet to the holding chamber.

Abstract: A portable fireplace having an inner housing defined by an inner housing wall and forming a flame pit, an outer housing having an outer housing wall, the outer housing and the inner housing being interconnected to one another, the outer housing being in surrounding relationship to the inner housing, at least the majority of the walls of the inner and outer housings being spaced from one another to provide an insulation space and a support disposed in the flame pit for supporting a flame presentation substance.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having a housing forming a chamber of a polygonal cross-section, the sides of the housing being formed by at least one panel, the panel forming one side being connected to the panels forming an adjacent side by a connector assembly that permits the connected panels at the juncture of the connector assembly to pivot or move relative to one another in the substantial absence of any bending stress at such juncture, and a seal being used to form fluid-tight seals between adjacent sides.

Abstract: A process for drying or curing green wood including the heating of green wood in a heating enclosure to a predetermined temperature over about 120 F while maintaining the moisture content of the wood close to the original moisture content of the felled wood, and then immediately cooling the heated wood with a cooling fluid at a temperature and humidity substantially less than the temperature and relative humidity of the heating enclosure for a time period sufficient for the wood to reach substantially the reduced temperature of the cooling fluid for normally removing at least about 5% of moisture from the green wood. The green wood is conditioned by the cooling step for subsequent drying steps in which moisture removal rates are substantially higher than moisture removal rates under prior conventional drying steps. The green wood process as set forth is effective to minimize staining of the wood.

Abstract: The invention concerns a core barrel, in particular in the field of oil exploration, comprising at least an outer tube (2) and a core bit (3) forming an outer assembly (4) and at least an inner tube (5) forming with a drilling core optionally present therein, and optionally with part of the groups arranged under the drilling core base, an inner assembly (7), suspension and/or guiding means being provided for maintaining the inner assembly (7) inside the outer assembly (4), the suspension and/or guiding means being further arranged such that the inner assembly (7) maintains at least perpendicular to these means (9), with respect to the outer assembly (4), a predetermined axial and/or radial and/or angular freedom of movement greater than usual.

Abstract: A power tong system is used to make up and break out threaded pipe connections. Rotary power tongs are connected to an integral backup tong through an extendable hydraulic cylinder and rod. A brake is secured to the rotary tong to selectively hold the pipe stationary relative to the rotary tong. When rotation of the pipe by the rotary tong ceases, the brake is applied, and the cylinder and rod are actuated to angularly displace the power tongs and the backup tong to apply a torque force to the pipe connection disposed between the power tongs and the backup. A resulting torque force is obtained that is greater than the maximum torque that can be exerted by the rotary tong acting alone. The system may also be deployed to apply and hold precise torque forces on the pipe connections. When used to obtain a makeup torque below the maximum rated rotary tong output, the rotary tong is regulated to limit its torque output.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of gas hydrate crystals in a fluid mixture by admixing with said fluid mixture a polyoxyalkylenediamine in an amount effective to prevent and/or inhibit crystal growth.

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 may include an improved screen 36 for preventing formation sand from entering the injector. The system may include a packer 44 in the annulus A above the injector. In one application, a vent tube 46 extends upward from the packer into the annulus for maintaining a desired liquid level in the annulus above the packer. A plurality of through ports 40 establish fluid communication in the annulus above the packer and the production tubing string so that a downhole pump P may efficiently pump downhole fluids to the surface. 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.

Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve (14) having a main piston valve member (26). A dome chamber (42) is provided in the valve body (18) over piston valve member (26) and a cap (44) forms a closure for dome chamber (42). A pilot valve (46) is mounted on the cap (44) and has a diaphragm actuated fluid inlet sensing tube (60) received within a bore (30) of the piston valve member (26). Inlet fluid pressure is communicated through bore (61) of sensing tube (60) to the inlet fluid sensing chamber (84) on the outer side of diaphragm (65). Exhaust chamber (56) is positioned between dome chamber (42) and inlet sensing chamber (84). Adjustment spring (67) continuously urges O-ring (72) in dome chamber (42) to a seated position on seat (70). An annular clearance (78) is provided between sensing tube (60) and piston (26) for providing a restricted fluid flow between dome chamber (42) and the inlet (20).

Abstract: A split roller 150 may be removed from an axle 104 without requiring access to the axle end. A split wheel hub 152 supports a plurality of peripheral rollers 180, which may be arranged in two rows spaced along the hub axis. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel hub comprises two asymmetric hub halves 134, 136 which are fastened together around an axle. Each roller in the second row may be spaced circumferentially between a pair of rollers in the first row. According to the method of the invention, the hub halves are assembled, preferably with some rollers in each of the first and second rows already mounted thereon. Other rollers in each row are then mounted to the assembled hub halves.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the dispersibility of alpha-alumina monohydrate wherein there is formed a mixture of an alpha-alumnina monohydrate, water, and a dispersibility enhancer comprising an effective amount of a monobasic acid, a salt selected from the group consisting of salts having the formula MX wherein M is a polyvalent metal cation constituent for which the solubility product KSP of the corresponding metal hydroxide is less than 10−20 and wherein X is an anion constituent derived from a monovalent acid having an ionization constant KA greater than 10+1 and certain phosphorus and antimony chlorides, followed by drying the mixture, without aging, to produce a dried, alpha-alumina monohydrate having advanced water dispersibility.

Abstract: In an apparatus for connecting tubular members together by cold forging a plurality of rollers are carried on a shaft which includes a tapered portion cooperating with the rollers to force the rollers radially outwardly to forge the tubular member into the end portion of a surrounding tubular member. The forging apparatus is provided with a gear mechanism which incrementally rotates the rollers upon completion of each reciprocal pass so that substantially all of the internal surface of the tubular member is contacted by the rollers to forge the tubular member into the end portion of the surrounding tubular member.

Abstract: The invention relates to esters of certain benzene polycarboxylic acids with 2-alkylalcohols, and their use as hydraulic fluid, as or in lubricant formulations or as an additive in cosmetics.

Abstract: A torque applying tool (10) having a housing or body (14) including a rectangular body portion (16) having a worm receiving opening (20) extending therethrough and an arcuate housing portion (18) having a gear receiving opening (22) extending therethrough at right angles to the worm receiving opening (20). A toothed gear (26) is mounted within gear receiving opening (22) and has a central opening (32) of a hexagonal shape to receive nut (N) therein to be rotated. Worm gear (38) is received within worm receiving opening (20) and has a helical thread (39) thereon formed of a concave shape to engage teeth (28) on gear (26) for rotation of gear (26) and nut (N).

Abstract: A tubular body made of a first metal and having a box end and a connection end, the box end having an internally threaded portion and an internal cylindrical thread-free portion axially outward of the threaded portion, the tool joint further including an anti-fretting section, preferably in the form of a sleeve of a second metal that is snugly received in a counterbore formed in the box end, the sleeve having an internal cylindrical surface having a diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of the cylindrical thread-free portion of the box end, the second metal having a modulus of elasticity less than the modulus of elasticity of the first metal, the invention further including a drill pipe made by affixing first and second tool joints as described above to first and second opposed ends, respectively, of an elongate pipe body, the pipe body being affixed to the tool joints by a threaded shrink-grip connection, the first tool joint forming a box connection, the second tool joint forming a pin co

Abstract: Subsurface wellbore conditions are measured directly in the wellbore while the fluid circulation system is not pumping. The measured values are recorded at the subsurface location and subsequently transmitted to the well surface when circulation is resumed using fluid pulse telemetry (FPT). Real-time measurements made/when the fluids are circulating are transmitted real time using FPT. Axially spaced measurements are used to obtain differential values. The apparatus of the invention comprises an assembly carried by a drill string that is used to selectively isolate the area within the well that is to be evaluated. The apparatus includes an assembly having axially spaced inflatable well packers that are used to isolate an uncased section of the wellbore. The apparatus is equipped with self-contained measuring and recording equipment, a fluid receiving reservoir, circulation valving, measurement while drilling equipment, and automated controls.