Abstract: A solar tracking mechanism utilizes a semicircle collector trough body having an inner concave surface having a focal point at the center of the circle defined by the uppermost flat surface of the trough body, the upper flat portion of the trough body normally being generally horizontally disposed. A plurality of solar collection modules mounted in a matrix about said concave surface, each of the modules comprising a radial passageway formed in the concave surface along a line intersecting the focal point. A strip of thermally expandable material mounted in the passageway with normally open switch means positioned adjacent said thermally expandable strip for switching an electrical circuit between on/off positions respectively responsive to expansion/contraction of said strip.

Abstract: A power brush for cleaning drill pipe is disclosed utilizing a rotary gun having a rotary power shaft, a handle for gripping the gun and approximately located trigger for actuating the shaft to rotate. A circular baffle plate is mounted securedly to the gun and provides an opening through which the rotary shaft passes during operation with some clearance thus allowing rotation of the shaft with respect to the plate. A cylindrical shroud is affixed to the periphery of the baffle plate forming a closed end portion of the shroud adjacent the gun, the opposite end of the shroud being an open ended portion thereof. A brush carriage is mounted securedly yet removably to the shaft for rotation therewith, the carriage providing a generally circular hub having a hub opening through which the shaft passes and then attaches during operation.

Abstract: A machine for cutting insulation material into semi-circular blocks. Circular cutting blades are mounted reciprocally on a support shaft. A router functions to cut a groove in the insulation material to provide clearance for the cutting blade support shaft.

Abstract: A T-shirt on which a graphical representation comprises a portion imprinted on the T-shirt is a design of an overall object to be displayed with a 3-dimension self-supporting structure temporarily connected to the T-shirt completing the design.

Abstract: A leak detection method and apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising an enclosing temporary removable casing member which is connectable about a section of piping to be tested. The casing member provides openings which allow the passage of a section of piping to be tested therethrough, with the portion to be tested being sealably housed on the inner portion of the casing. The casing thus provides an inner leak recovery collection space between the casing and the section of the piping to be tested. The casing in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a pair of casing halves which are structurally connected about the section of piping to be tested by means of a bolted connection, for example, with flanged mating surfaces of each casing half registering and abutting to form a sealable connection about the section of the pipe to be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leaks in blowout preventors provides a capsule which forms an envelope about a portion of the blowout preventor where leaks exterior to the blowout preventor might occur. The capsule preferably is formed by a plurality of curved capsule segments which abut and radially assemble about flanges of the BOP system. The capsule segments carrying mating flanges which bolt together upon assembly to secure the capsule segments about the BOP stack. The interior of the flanges provides an inner space which collects leaks which might occur. The interior space is pneumatically connected to a relay which is attached to the capsule means for responding to the occurrence of the accumulated leak within the capsule.

Abstract: The device is an apparatus for measuring the downhole weight of a drill string. The measuring device comprises an annular expandable hydraulic cylinder having a central bore through which the tubular string can pass. A removable slip means is placed between the tubular string and the hydraulic cylinder. A gauge indicates the weight of the tubular string. The gage is responsive to a transfer of the tubular string weight to the annular hydraulic cylinder by the insertion of slips between the tubular string and the cylinder.

Abstract: A wave responsive generator comprises a buoyant float having an outer fixed shaft downwardly depending from the float with an inner rotatable drive shaft movably mounted within the outer shaft. At the lower most portion of the shaft opposite the float is a turbine affixed to the inner drive shaft opposite the float. A plurality of reversible vanes are movably mounted on the turbine for transmitting rotational energy to the inner drive shaft responsive to either upward or downward motion of the shaft responsive to wave action on the float. An electric generator or alternator is mounted on the float and cooperates with the inner rotatable shaft to produce an electric current responsive to the rotation of the inner shaft.

Abstract: A retrievable float valve hanger tool assembly provides a hanger sub having a first upper connection for attaching the hanger sub, for example, threadably, to a drill string or work string. A second lower connection means on the sub provides both external and internal threaded (for example) connections, which allow the sub to be connected on its inner threads to a float valve canister and at its external threads to an extension which forms a protective housing about the float valve and its valve canister during operation. The device places the float valve below the joint of the sub and the extension so that an explosive charge can be detonated at the joint allowing easy removal of the float valve from the drill string in the event that the drill pipe becomes stuck. A continuous bore through the assembly allows fluid circulation through the tool in the work string and also allows the explosive charge to be lowered by wireline, for example, to the tool assembly at the appropriate joint.

Abstract: A tracked, amphibious vehicle with track securement and guide means for the track to prevent "track throw" or loss. The vehicle includes two spaced, parallel pontoons joined by a centrally located operator's platform structure, with each pontoon having a moveable track for propulsion, with the track supported on its pontoon by fore and aft sprocket wheel sets and a series of larger bogie wheels at its bottom and smaller guide wheels at its top. Each track comprises a parallel set of rubber, continuous, endless belts joined together by a series of laterally disposed cleats with drive lugs, which lugs are engaged by the teeth of the sprocket wheels. For track securement in a first embodiment (FIG. 5) every fifth cleat includes an inwardly projecting, polyethylene T-hanger retainer which matingly fits and rides in a beam guide attached to the bottom of the pontoon and extends from the initial bottom bogie wheel to the entry of the aft, drive sprocket. In a record embodiment (note FIG.

Abstract: A self-contained signal balloon dispensing apparatus provides a lower case having a bottom and attaches to enclosing side walls with an open top. An upper lid assembly hingedly affixes to the lower case at the open top, the lid assembly providing at least a pair of half enclosure sections, at least one of which provides a horizontal partition when in a closed position to at least partially seal the open top. A vertical partition is mounted within the lower case and divides the lower case into two parts. A shaft is mounted within the lower case and attaches at one end portion to the partition and at the opposite end portion to the side wall. A dispensing spool wound with a length of tether line is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A helium gas dispensing canister is mounted in the lower case on the opposite side of the partition from the spool. An inflatable balloon is mounted within the case and connects to the canister.

Abstract: An enclosed deer stand climber apparatus provides a covered frame having a top, a bottom space therefrom and a plurality of side walls defining an enclosure therebetween with the rearmost of the side walls normally being adjacent a tree to which the frame is attached. An opening is provided in the bottom and a closure means for sealing the opening. A folding seat is mounted on the frame and within the enclosure between a first folded climbing position removed from a vertical path generally above the opening to a second operating position vertically above the opening. Upper and lower climbing brackets are provided on the frame which transfer load to the tree and grip it. A tree gripping member separate from the frame and providing a means for attachment to the feet of the operator is provided. During operation, the entire frame can be elevated by a single operator and after placement provides an entirely enclosed protective tree stand protecting the inhabitant from wind, cold and rain.

Abstract: A ladder support for use with a vehicle wherein the lowermost portion of a ladder could be pivotally and detachably connected to the vehicle bumper, and cables attached between the upper portion of the ladder and the vehicle to hold the ladder in a position leaning away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A thoracostomy tube provides a pumping arrangement associated with the tube for removing blood and like fluids which enter the tube from the chest cavity area. An elongated tube for conveying liquids is provided, a portion of the tube being insertable, at least in part, into the thoracic cavity area of a patient during a thoracostomy. A valve, which can be, for example, a Heimlich valve, is associated with the tube and is mounted in the distal end portion which is placed into the lung cavity area during the thoracostomy. The valve allows fluids to flow into the tube under the urging of only the pressure normally experienced within the lung cavity. Once fluids pass from the lung cavity area into the tube through the valve, they are removed by a vacuum which is created at the outlet portion of the valve.

Abstract: A tug and v-notched barge connection apparatus provides an elastic rope which connects the tug and the v-notched barge together, the rope stretching during operation to allow relative movement between the barge and the tug. Each end portion of the rope attaches respectively to the stern of the barge and the stern of the tug. At the stern deck portion of the tug is provided a pair of hydraulically actuated pistons and (in the preferred embodiment) a pair of movably mounted levers. Each lever provides at its outboard end portion a hook which is adapted to attach to a provided eye at the tug end portion of the elastic rope.

Abstract: Animal shipping container comprising a gas impermeable canopy having an entrance opening at its bottom. The entrance opening is covered by a pair of flanged members forming a gas transfer chamber and constituting part of the floor of the container. A polymer film membrane, held between the flanged members, permits diffusion of gases into and out of the container interior.

Abstract: A music marking pencil is provided for use in combination with a violin bow or the like. The device attaches to the hand held end portion of a violin bow or the like and can be used by the musician to mark his music or perform similar writing tasks as needed. The device provides a pencil which can be a threaded mechanical mechanism affixed at the end portion of the violin bow which is normally hand held. The pencil aligns itself with the central axis of the bow with the pencil marking tip protruding beyond the hand held end portion of the bow. In the preferred embodiment, the pencil structure replaces the bow screw which normally adjusts tension of the bow hair. Thereafter, the bow pencil additionally provides the hair adjustment function.

Abstract: A pressurized air pumping apparatus for pumping for example drilling mud and like viscous or slurry materials comprises a fluid receiving sump tank having an upper inflow opening and a valve seat at the opening. A discharge conduit at the lowermost portion of the sump tank discharges fluid to be pumped therefrom. A source of compressed air is provided by pressurizing the sump tank and a vertical conduit enters the tank and introduces pressurized air into the interior of the sump tank with the vertical conduit providing a discharge port for entering the compressed air into the sump tank. A valving member is movably mounted in preferably a sliding fashion within the sump tank upon the vertical conduit with the valving member sealing the conduit discharge port in the normal inoperative state while sump tank is receiving by gravity flow for example inflowing fluids to be pumped.

Abstract: A rotary valve apparatus having particular utility to the valving of high solids content fluids such as slurries and the like provides a normally fixed, generally flat circular disk defining a valve body and providing a plurality of radially spaced flow openings and an open center. A generally flat valving member is mounted in face-to-face engagement with the disk and is movable with respect to the disk between open and closed positions. The valving member provides a hub with a shaft opening therethrough and a plurality of radially projecting valving members which align with and cover the flow openings in the closed position. A common shaft penetrates the open center and the shaft opening and affixes at one thereof to the valving member for rotation therewith. The common shaft is generally coincident with the central axis of the valve body and is entirely disposed within the fluid flow stream being valved.

Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly for sealing off a well blowout within the confines of the drill stem is disclosed. The blowout preventer assembly comprises an elongated collar member which is located around and is slidable along a section of the drill pipe. Each end of the collar member has an expandable portion made of rubber or the like, which is capable of being expanded to the width of the drill pipe casing. Fixedly attached to the section of drill pipe at a location above the slidable collar member is a rigid metal collar section having around its circumference a plurality of equally-spaced wing flanges tapering down from a right angle at the top of the fixed collar to a slope at the lower end thereof.