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: Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of motion and methods for its manufacture are disclosed in which a sensor structure includes a support structure, and a mass suspended from such support structure by a spring connecting arrangement and electrical devices for measuring displacement of the mass which results from a force applied to the support structure. An apparatus is provided where the mechanical spring constant of the connecting arrangement of the sensor structure is provided to be a high value representative of a strong, stiff spring which resists breaking due to high forces applied to it, and where an electric spring constant is provided to yield a small effective sensor spring constant K.sub.eff =K.sub.m -K.sub.e. Methods are also provided to manufacturing the apparatus by specifying the mechanical spring constant and providing an electric spring constant which will yield a desired effective spring constant which produces a desired characteristic of the sensor structure.

Abstract: A translator apparatus for achieving omnidirectional translation of the mandible of a human patient and having a maxillary translation plate having a maxillary mouthpiece thereon for temporarily fixing the maxillary dentition of a patient thereto. A mandibular translation plate is provided, also having a mandibular mouthpiece for temporary fixation with the mandibular dentition of the patient and the mandibular element. A translation control plate is interposed between the maxillary and mandibular translation plates and establishes linearly moveable guiding relation with elongate guide slots of both the maxillary and mandibular plates. The guide slots of the respective translation plates which may be straight or of curved configuration are arranged in 90 degree relation to permit relative omnidirectional translatory positioning and movement of the translation plates for consequent selective omnidirectional therapeutic or diagnostic positioning or movement of the mandible of a patient.

Abstract: A pig delivery and transport system shown schematically in FIG. 1 has a looped line generally indicated at (10) divided into three sections (10A), (10B) and (10C). Line section (10A) is a low pressure non-product line section extending from a product receiving facility (PF) or host to an upstream shut-off valve (20). Line section (10B) is a high pressure product line section extending from downstream shut-off valve (22) to host facility (PF) and receives product from wells (W1) and (W2). Intermediate line section (10C) is a connecting line section between shut-off valves (20) and (22) to connect the non-product line section (10A) to the product line section (10B). A pig inserted at host (PF) is transported along low pressure non-product line section (10A) into connecting line section (10C) while upstream shut-off valve (20) is open and vent valve (28) is open in vent line 26.

Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve assembly including a main safety relief valve (14) and a pilot valve (36) connected directly to the relief valve (14) is disclosed. Main safety relief valve (14) has a planar mounting face (76) in contact relation with opposed mating mounting face (78) of the pilot valve (36). Dome ports (72 and 84) in contacting planar faces (76, 78) are in alignment with each other without any tubing therebetween. Exhaust ports (74 and 86) in contacting planar faces (76, 78) are in alignment with each other without any tubing therebetween. Inlet sensing ports (75D, 75E, 65D, 65E) as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10 in contacting planar faces (76D, 76E, 78D, 78E) are in alignment with each other without any tubing therebetween. A fluid pressure pickup fitting (48) has a port (118) which communicates with the fluid passage (50) to the pressure vessel. A test connection (120) is connected to the fluid pressure pickup fitting (48).

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: The card (40) is a plate in the form of a bank card which is provided with a power source, a microcontroller (144), a personal data memory (254), an acquired data memory (256), and a data-in-transit memory (212). Each card possesses two coupling members, i.e. a transmitter and a receiver on each of its faces, together with two manual activators (42-52) adapted to put it into operation. An operation of interchanging data between a plurality of cards (40.1, . . . , 40.4) comprises an initial step of checking feasibility in which a down stage during which the personal data in each card is accumulated (arrows 41.1, 41.2, 41.3) in the data-in-transit memories (212) of the cards disposed there beneath, and the other stage being an up stage symmetrical to the preceding stage. The end of this second stage triggers a down procedure in which the acquired data memories (256) are loaded. The last card in the stack issues an audible signal (58) to indicate that the operation has finished successfully.

Abstract: A method for incorporating high quality geologic interpretations onto computer generated contours. The method starts with a trend form grid on which characteristics of geological formations are superimposed. Contours of such characteristics with respect to the trend form grid are generated using a distance transformation.

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: An auxiliary lens attachment (22) for an optical device (10) is removably positioned between an eyepiece (12) and an objective lens (19). The auxiliary attachment (22) includes a cylindrical prescription lens (30) which corrects an astigmatism in the eye of the user. The auxiliary lens attachment (22) is rotated with the eyepiece (12) relative to the objective lens (19) for positioning the auxiliary attachment (22) at a precise rotational position relative to objection lens (19) for correction of the astigmatism.

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 paddle for watercraft is provided which has an elongate shaft on which is provided a handle. A blade is in fixed relation with the paddle handle and defines blade edges and opposed blade sides. A lateral force transmitting steering rib projects from one of the blade side faces and is oriented in substantially normal relation therewith. The lateral force transmitting steering rib extends from the free terminal end of the paddle blade, opposite the connection of the handle with the blade and extends along the longitudinal axis of the blade a distance of from about one-third of the length of the blade to about one-half of the length of the blade. The lateral force transmitting steering rib may extend along the entire length of the paddle blade if desired.

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 seal cartridge particularly suitable for artificial lift pump rod sealing and for other applications where a rotating drive shaft penetrates a pressurized reservoir which is filled with abrasive-laden liquids, mixtures or slurries. The cartridge exploits a pressure responsive area of a wear sleeve to eliminate internal bearing running clearance in order to achieve a true-running rubbing surface which is conducive to the longevity of the compression-type rotary seals which are employed. A cartridge mounting mechanism is incorporated which overcomes stuffing box to rod misalignment, and is readily adaptable to pumps made by different manufacturers. The cartridge provides for leakage annunciation in the event of failure of a redundant rotary seal, and also provides for automatic pump shut down if a primary rotary seals fails. A redundant sealing arrangement between the wear sleeve and rod is incorporated which is relatively immune to installation damage, and to damage resulting from rod run out and vibration.

Abstract: A storage vessel (10) in a mooring system has a moon pool (14) and a turret (12) rotatively mounted thereon, with the turret anchored to the sea floor. A swivel stack (16) has an inner male core (18) mounted on bearings (80) which are supported on turret (12). Vertically spaced swivels (110) each has an outer female housing (112) mounted on inner male core which define a stacked inner male core (18). The stacked inner male core (18) weathervanes with vessel (10) about turret (12) and outer female housings (112). Inlet product lines (26, 120) in fluid communication with risers (24) are coupled to outer female housings (112); outlet product lines (28) are coupled to the stacked inner male core (18). Outlet products lines (28) extend via the upper end of central bore (79) in inner male core (18) to storage areas of vessel (10). A plurality of manifold platforms (66, 68, 70, 72) are positioned alongside the swivel stack (16) and are secured to the turret (12).

Abstract: A riser buoy (36) supports a plurality of risers (19) and is releasably docked within a generally cylindrical turret (20) of a floating storage vessel (10) at a location above the sea level (12) to provide dry access to quick disconnect/connect mating couplings (32, 40) on the turret (20) and riser buoy (36). A weight (58) connected by anchor chain (44) to riser buoy (36) is connected at its upper end to a retrieval line (60) which is controlled by a winch (62). Riser buoy (36) upon disconnection from vessel (10) is positioned at a predetermined submerged water depth below tanker traffic and high wave loads. Riser buoy (36) is docked within turret (20) independently of positioning means such as anchor chains (17) between the sea bed and the turret, or a thrusting positioning system including thrusters (16) of the vessel.

Abstract: A single tubular member, or monobore riser, is provided for tubing hanging operations via a drilling riser and BOP, where wireline and/or coiled tubing deployed tools may be directed into production and annulus bores via a dual bore safety package and a dual bore selector and where various circulation modes may be established in cooperation with the choke and kill conduits in the BOP stack or with a length of tubing through the monobore riser in cooperation with selectively operable valves in the production and annulus bores of the safety package, a retainer valve in a single bore at the top of the dual bore selector, and by means of BOP rams capable of closing about a spool of the safety package and with a side outlet in the safety package. For Xmas Tree (XT) operations, the identical monobore riser is provided for surface communication to a dual bore selector and dual bore Riser Safety Package (RSP) secured to the top of the XT.

Abstract: An automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method for achieving de-energization of an electric motor operatively connected with a downhole pump being connected to a production tubing string of a well when flow from the downhole pump becomes abnormally low. A selective electronic cut-off signal is programmed, representing a selected minimum acceptable rate of discharge flow from the downhole pump. A flow transducer provides an electronic flow related signal to the control circuitry, representing actual pump discharge flow. The control circuitry is also programmed with a selected electronically controlled time delay period which is initiated when the flow related signal becomes less than the selective cut-off signal. When the flow related signal remains less than the cut-off signal for the duration of the time delay period the control circuitry interrupts the electrical power supply to the pump motor.