Abstract: Wellhead completion apparatus includes a wellhead member (11) having an upper supporting shoulder (24) and a lower landing shoulder (26). A running tool (30) is releasably connected to a tubing hanger (36) for lowering and landing the tubing hanger (36) on the wellhead member (11). A fluid coupling (66, 68, 70) is provided between the running tool (30) and the tubing hanger (36). Another fluid coupling (17, 60, 84) is provided between the tubing hanger (36) and the wellhead member (11). The running tool (30) has a body (31) connected to the tubing hanger (36) and an outer sleeve (46) of the running tool (30) is adapted for initial seating on upper supporting shoulder (24) of the wellhead member (11). After the initial seating of sleeve (46) on upper supporting shoulder (24), running tool (30) and tubing hanger (36) are moved downwardly relative to external sleeve (46) for landing of the tubing hanger (36) onto the lower landing shoulder (26) of the wellhead member (11).

Abstract: A green wood treating process for treating wood in a green stage prior to curing for preventing or minimizing staining of the wood. The process includes the heating of green wood in a heating enclosure (30, 40) within a maximum time period after felling or cutting of the tree forming the wood while maintaining the moisture content in the wood after the tree is felled without any appreciable loss of moisture. After the logs are cut into lumber, the lumber is placed in bundles in the heating enclosure for heating preferably by steam within a predetermined time period. The wood is heated in the enclosure to a temperature over 120 F. for a predetermined time period generally over about two hours and sufficient to provide a generally uniform heating of the lumber. After heating of the wood to a predetermined temperature, a cooling fluid having a temperature substantially less than the temperature of the heating enclosure is applied to the heated wood for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A seismic acquisition system and method utilizing an array of buried geophones storage devices or containers (16) each having a geophone (40) which may be permanently stored in container (16) in a fluid tight relation. The storage container (16) includes a base (26), a tubular cylindrical body (28), and an upper cap (32) threaded onto body (28). The storage container (16) is shown in FIG. 2 in an operable relation and in FIG. 3 with geophone (40), lead (52), and connector (54) in a stored relation. In the event an additional survey or shoot is conducted at a later time, such as a one year time interval, the buried storage containers (16) are utilized upon removal of outer caps (32) and withdrawing of geophone connectors (54) for connection in a mating relation to cable connectors (20).

Abstract: A high pressure poppet valve having a valve body defining inlet, outlet and vent passages, and with a valve cage in sealed relation within the valve body which defines an internal seat projection having spaced circular seat shoulders. A seal carrier, which may be a pilot pressure responsive piston, supports spaced seal glands each having a seal assembly composed of an elastomeric seal ring which is captured within a gland seal recess by a relatively hard, extrusion resistant seal ring defining a circular sealing corner. A spacer spool is interposed between the seal assemblies and maintains the seal assemblies within the respective gland seal recesses.

Abstract: A combined washover and retrieval device (30, 30A) for connection to the lower end of a tubular string (14, 14A) including an outer washover pipe (22, 22A) and an inner retrieval tool (36, 36A). Retrieval tool (36, 36A) includes an upper sub (30, 30A) secured at its upper end to a tubular support (23, 23A). In a preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the sub (30) has a plurality of ports (35) to permit the upward flow of fluid with entrained soil and debris through the inner annulus (38) and ports (35) at the upper end of the annulus (38) to bypass the retrieval tool (36). Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 has a plurality of shear pins (31A) connecting the washover pipe (22A) to the sub (30A). Pins (31A) are sheared upon washover pipe (22A) abutting the packer (16A) under a predetermined weight from the tubing string (14A) to permit downward relative movement of retrieval tool (36A) for connection to the fish (18A).

Abstract: A releasable connection between the lower end of a running string and a well tool that is subject to being stuck in a well includes inner and outer members movable telescopically between contracted and extended positions, a tension sleeve connecting the members in the contracted position and being disrupted by a predetermined pull to allow telescoping movement, a stop nut to limit such movement in the extended position of the members, and a mechanism responsive to a certain number of cycles of telescoping movement for disabling the stop nut to allow complete release and separation of the members.

Abstract: A tubular joint has a pair of tubular members (10, 12) with end hubs (14, 16) in opposed relation and secured by a clamp (22). A primary seal ring (40) has external tapered sealing surfaces (42, 44) engaging internal tapered sealing surfaces (28, 30) on the hubs (14, 16) to provide a primary seal. Secondary sealing surfaces (32, 36) on the hubs (14, 16) are engaged by O-rings (62, 64) as shown in FIG. 4 to seal against external fluid flow to the seal ring (40). O-rings (62, 64) permit internal fluid flow outwardly from the seal ring (40) as shown in FIG. 3.

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.degree. 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.

Abstract: A system to obtain a high resolution image of a relatively large sample (11) for viewing by a researcher includes a rectangular holder (20) that receives a microscope slide (10) and which includes a glass filter (40) that reduces the amount of illumination of the sample without reducing the Kelvin light temperature, and a scanner (22) that receives the holder (20) and produces electrical signals which are fed to the hard drive of a computer (23) where a high resolution image of the sample is displayed on the monitor (24). One embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 5-8) utilizes a separate high intensity light source (60A) for the scanner (22A) for illuminating opposed surfaces of the slide (10A ), and a fiber optic light pipe (66A) connects the high intensity light source to the holder (20A ) within the scanner (22A ).

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and determining operating features of coiled tubing (14) that is run in and out of a borehole. The coiled tubing (14) is stored on a reel (10) mounted on a reel frame (13) for transport from one job site to another. A reel database (22) is secured to the reel frame (13) at the first job site for the coiled tubing (14) and remains on the reel frame (13) for transport with the coiled tubing (14) for the entire life of the coiled tubing (14). The system provides for updating of the reel database (22) from sensor interface modules (SIMS 30B-30G) for predetermined operating characteristics of the coiled tubing (14) during operations. The system provides that data from the reel database (22) may be retrieved at a new job site to provide an accurate and current history of the predetermined characteristics of the coiled tubing (14).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 includes a check valve (10) with a pair of semicircular check valve members (34, 36) normally permitting fluid flow in one direction and blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction. Semicircular valve member (36) is releasably locked in an open position to permit a back flow upon manual rotation of handle (46) after manual gripping of knurled knob (84) and withdrawal of a locking pin (82) from a receiving opening (96). A safety lever (98) is pivoted out of a covering relation to knob (84) before knob (84) is gripped and prevents rotation of shaft (38) unless lever (98) is manually pivoted out of covering relation with knob (84). Another embodiment shown in FIG. 4 permits selective opening of a semicircular plate valve member (34A or 36A) to a releasably locked open position. Manual rotation of handle (46A) in one direction effects movement of semicircular valve member (36A) to an open position.

Abstract: A combined washover and retrieval device (30, 30A) for connection to the lower end of a tubular string (14, 14A) including an outer washover pipe (22, 22A) and an inner retrieval tool (36, 36A). Retrieval tool (36, 36A) includes an upper sub (30, 30A) secured at its upper end to a tubular support (23, 23A). In a preferred embodiment of FIG. 1-3, the sub (30) has a plurality of ports (35) to permit the upward flow of fluid with entrained soil and debris through the inner annulus (38) and ports (35) at the upper end of the annulus (38) to bypass the retrieval tool (36). Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 has a plurality of shear pins (31A) connecting the washover pipe (22A) to the sub (30A). Pins (31A) are sheared upon washover pipe (22A) abutting the packer (16A) under a predetermined weight from the tubing string (14A) to permit downward relative movement of retrieval tool (36A) for connection to the fish (18A).

Abstract: A separation device or desander (18) is positioned in a bore hole for separation of solid particles from well fluids and includes outer and inner concentric members (20 and 22) defining an annulus (30) therebetween. A spiral guide (32) is positioned in annulus (30) between the concentric tubular members (20, 22). A wear structure comprising the present invention includes a flat (38) in the outer wall (27) of the outer tubular member (20) to provide a reduced thickness wall portion thereat. Upon wear from abrasive solid particles, and opening (40) is formed at the reduced thickness cutaway portion defined by flat (38). A sleeve (46) may be mounted within the outer tubular member (20) below the inner tubular member (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling a plurality of lateral wells from a main wellbore (10) including a junction joint (16) secured to the lower end of the lowermost casing string (14). The junction joint (16) includes an outer cylindrical housing (18) with a plurality of separate parallel guide tubes or tubular guide members (30A, 30B and 30C) secured to upper and lower plates (22 and 24) of the junction joint (16) and arranged to receive a pipe string. Entrance openings (26A, 26B, and 26C) are provided in upper plate (22) for the respective tubes (30A, 30B and 30C). A guide member (40) includes a small diameter alignment pin (54) and a pair of large diameter projecting pins (50). Upon alignment of guide member (40) with a selected tube (30A) by alignment of small diameter alignment pin (54) with an opening (38A) in upper plate (22), pins (50) are received within the upper ends of the non-selected tubes (30B and 30C) to close the non-selected tubes (30B and 30C). A drill string (76, FIG.

Abstract: A structure and method for ensuring the continuing operability of a fire protection sprinkler system that includes the addition to the water in the piping of a chemical compound that adjusts the Ph level to a value between 9.5 and 11 to prevent electro-chemical corrosion and formation of sludge by surface reducing bacteria, and the use of a non-conductive fitting between each sprinkler head and the piping to prevent galvanic corrosion due to contact between dissimilar metals.

Abstract: A protective housing (12) is provided for a sheet pile (10) and has a length extending beyond the upper end (10A) and lower end (10B) of the sheet pile (10). A separate force transmitting member (26) is mounted on the protective housing (12) and has a horizontal plate (28) engaging the upper end (10A) of the sheet pile (10) for driving the sheet pile (10) downwardly upon exertion of a downward force from a suitable power source (44) to force the protective housing (12) downwardly. To separate protective housing (12) from sheet pile (10) upon driving of the sheet pile (10) to a desired predetermined depth so that protective housing (12) may be withdrawn, a fluid pressure device (50) is mounted between protective housing (12) and the force transmitting member (26). Upon actuation of fluid pressure device (50), protective housing (12) is moved upwardly while sheet pile (10) remains in position thereby to initially break loose the protective housing (12).