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 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: 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 non-rotating stabilizer tool is provided for connection within a drilling string for stabilization and centralization of the drill string within a well bore being drilled by a rotary drill bit. The tool incorporates an elongate stabilizer and centralizer mandrel having upper and lower collars for its connection within the drill string. The mandrel defines an external circumferential stabilizer receptacle having a cylindrical surface and upper and lower shoulders which are lined with a wear resistant low friction material. The mandrel defines a plurality of axially spaced circumferential seat grooves which interrupt the cylindrical receptacle surface and the friction resistant lining. A stabilizer is rotatably mounted within the stabilizer receptacle by a plurality of wear pads that are seated within the circumferential seat grooves and provide rotatable support for the stabilizer with its inner periphery disposed in spaced relation with the lining of the stabilizer receptacle.

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 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).

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: An electronic governor (34) to control a main steam valve (22) of a steam turbine (10) for controlling the rotational speed of a main drive shaft (16). The electronic governor (34) has a housing (36) in which an electric generator (104) is mounted to supply electrical energy to an electronic module (100) mounted on the housing (36). A hydraulic fluid pump (52) is mounted on the housing (36) and supplies fluid to a fluid operated piston (62) to effect a predetermined rotation of an output control shaft (32) and movement of main steam valve (22). Output signals from a microprocessor (116) to solenoid operated valves (96, 98) control the movement of fluid operated piston (62). Pump shaft (46) and generator shaft (48) are in axial alignment with and driven by the main drive shaft (16) to provide all of the power for operation of the electronic governor (34).

Abstract: A drink adapted to be consumed by a patient to enable measurement of gastric emptying of the liquid phase, is a fruit juice having mixed and suspended therein a quantity of Spirulina platensis alga grown in a .sup.13 CO.sub.2 atmosphere. These single cell organisms pass from the stomach into the small intestine where they are digested, absorbed and oxidized to produce a detectible rise in the level of .sup.13 CO.sub.2 in the patient's breath which is sampled and the measured valves plotted to enable determination of gastric emptying rate abnormalities.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention, a drain basin system for collecting liquids and light solids that are spilled while loading or unloading a rail tank car includes a system of precast concrete pan members. Center pan members which are positioned between the rails have upwardly inclined flanges on their outer sides which extend partly over the plates of the rails, and outside pan members have identical flanges on their inner sides and upstanding walls on their outer sides. A pair of the system of pan members positioned end-to-end are arranged to have a higher elevation at the joint between them so that liquids run toward opposite ends where they enter trench drains either directly or via sealed tubular drains. Flashing strips cover the abutting joints, and also extend along the inclined flanges on opposite sides of each rail and up underneath the sides of the head thereof.

Abstract: A system for use in running and operating an electric wireline well tool in a well on coiled tubing includes tubular adapter and connector subs connected end-to-end between the lower end of the tubing and the upper end of the well tool. The armored electric cable extends down along the outside of the tubing, enters the adapter sub through a window in the side thereof, and is anchored within the connector sub where its conductors are electrically connected to the well tool. The tubing and wireline cable can be run into the well under pressure. A system for retrieving an electric wireline well tool using a retrieving tool on the lower end of coiled tubing also is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit (10) has a jet pump device including a plurality of jet pump assemblies (26). Each jet pump assembly (26) has an outer housing (28) secured to the bit body (14) and receiving any elongate nozzle member (46) therein in concentric relation to form an annular chamber (48) therein. A flow restriction (38) is mounted within the outer housing (28) above the nozzle member (46). The elongate nozzle member (46) has a lower nozzle port (50) and an opposed upper nozzle port (52). Drilling fluid from the central bore (20) is directed to the nozzle member (46) where the drilling fluid is divided into two streams, one stream for flow through lower nozzle port (50) against the formation and the outer stream for flow through the upper nozzle port (52) and flow restriction (38) to create a low pressure area or suction in an annular chamber (48). A low pressure cross sectional area is formed at the bottom of the bore hole (B, FIG.

Abstract: An improved process for the separation of RNA from a liquid sample of biological origin containing RNA comprises (a) intimately contacting the sample with a two-phase composition wherein the upper phase is predominately phenol and the lower phase is an aqueous solution comprising at least one water-soluble guanidinium salt, a buffer and urea, the water content of the aqueous phase being relatively low, (b) adding a relatively dense water-insoluble solvent and (c) recovering RNA from the resulting aqueous phase.

Abstract: A sensor structure (10) has a central mass (16) mounted within a support structure comprising an outer frame (18) with upper and lower covers (12, 14). Eight L-shaped or elbow-shaped ribbon springs are fit about the corners (28) of the mass (16) to allow mass (16) for movement from a reference position with respect to the support structure. One leg of each spring is connected to the middle of an associated side (26A) of the mass (16) while the other leg is connected to the outer frame (18). According to an alternative embodiment, each of the springs (72) is characterized by a relatively larger width at spring-mass connection point (74) and at spring-support connection point (73) and a relatively smaller width at an elbow-bend region between connection points.

Abstract: A nozzle insert for a rotary rock bit has an orifice with a generally circular central region and a plurality of angularly spaced, non-circular outer regions around the periphery thereof so that flow of mud through each outer region develops a vortex pattern that increases entrainment of rock particles to prevent bit balling, and decreases overbalance pressure to enhance rate of penetration.

Abstract: A high production rate water well system combines a horizontal production liner in the aquifer with an existing vertical well or pump that extends down thereto, with one end portion of the liner passing a distance from the vertical well that does not exceed about 5% of the drainage radius of the later. High flow rate recharge also can be accomplished by the same system.