Abstract: A wear pad for a piping structure which is supported by a support structure is disclosed. A wear pad according to the present invention comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pre-form structure for attachment to the piping structure where the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pre-form structure has a shape conforming to the shape of the exterior of the piping structure. A stand-off patch is adhesively bonded to one side of the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pre-form structure, and this stand-off patch defines the thickness of the bond between the piping structure and the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pre-form structure when it is in attached to the piping structure. SMP adhesive material is used to adhesively bond the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structure to the piping structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for anchoring a kayak to the bottom of a body of shallow water. The apparatus includes first and second tubes for attachment to the kayak proximate the upper portion of the kayak between the bow and the stern of the kayak, and first and second shafts which are disposed in the first and second tubes, respectively. A gear box is provided proximate the seat which comprises two sets of gearing mechanisms for operative engagement with the two shafts, and a rotatable handle which is external to the gear box for operative connection to the first and second gearing mechanisms. First and second actuation devices external to the gear box are provided which have first and second positions, and, in the first position, the actuation devices function to establish operative connection between the first and second gearing mechanisms and a rotatable handle.

Abstract: Safety apparatus is disclosed for providing ballistic train interruption in a perforating system. The safety apparatus comprises a generally tubular shaped housing having first and second ends which are fabricated to permit the housing to be positioned at any location in the perforating system. The apparatus comprises first and second ballistic sections in the housing and a third ballistic section which is rotatably mounted in the housing to move between a disarmed position and an armed position based on downhole pressure. Upon retrieval of the perforating system from the wellbore, the safety apparatus functions to return a third ballistic section to its disarmed position. Additionally, apparatus is provided to permanently disable the third ballistic section to insure that no inadvertent detonation of the guns occurs when retrieving the system from a wellbore.

Abstract: A motorcycle engine guard is disclosed which comprises a bar that surrounds the engine of the motorcycle. The bar has a first side that extends from the bottom of the engine on one side of the engine to the top of the engine and the second side that extends from the bottom of the opposite side of the engine to the top of the engine. A spring-loaded footrest is disposed in each side of the bar and the spring-loaded footrest has a retracted position when not in use and a deployed position when in use.

Abstract: A kickover tool is disclosed for installing and retrieving a well flow control device from a side pocket mandrel in a wellbore. The kickover tool includes a spring-loaded key which has an outer circumferential surface having a predetermined machined pattern formed therein. Each side pocket mandrel in the tubing string contains a profile having a predetermined machined pattern. The spring-loaded key will engage the side pocket mandrel with a profile matching the pattern on the outer circumferential surface of the spring-loaded key. When that engagement occurs, the articulated arm of the kickover tool is permitted to be deployed to insert a well flow control device in the side pocket of the side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A case for transporting shoes is disclosed which comprises front and back walls, top and bottom walls, and first and second side walls which define a chamber. The front and back walls, top and bottom walls and the first side wall are formed as an integral structure. The second side wall is hinged proximate the bottom wall to permit the second side wall to move from a closed position to an open position to permit access to the chamber. The chamber comprises a plurality of compartments for receiving shoes. The case includes two hooks which are disposed in substantially parallel relationship to one another and which can move from a retracted to an extended position for hanging the case. Transportation of the case is facilitated by wheels mounted proximate the intersection of the back and bottom walls, and by a handle which is movable from a retracted position inside the case to an extended position out the top of the case.

Abstract: A weight spacer apparatus has a carrier which is tubular in shape and a spacer tube which is also tubular in shape for insertion into the carrier. The weight spacer apparatus also has a plurality of weight bars which may be inserted into the spacer tube after the spacer tube is inserted into the carrier and which are also removable from the spacer tube. In one embodiment, a weight tray is inserted into the spacer tube for receiving the weight bars, and the weight tray may be fabricated from half-round tubing with a welded plate to cover the diametric opening. In another embodiment, a center plate is attached inside the spacer tube along the length of the spacer tube to divide the spacer tube into first and second compartments.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating the performance of a plurality of oil wells which were established to produce from a common reservoir beneath the earth's surface. The method comprises inputting information about the reservoir into a computer and establishing a time interval and time steps within that time interval over which performance of the wells will be evaluated. The total oil which is accessible clearing each time step in each time interval is determining, and then individual recovery factor for each time step is determined. A composite recovery factor is determined using the individual recovery factors, and the composite recovery factors are normalized to the best well in the field.

Abstract: The present invention provides an obturator tip having a rigid, elongated, distal section having a blunt, rounded, distal end designed to separate tissue. The distal section is connected to a proximal section by a central section having tapered outer surfaces. The obturator tip of the present invention is equipped with arc shaped blades positioned on opposite sides of the tip and 180 degrees apart from each other. In one embodiment, the arc shaped blades are positioned rearwardly with respect to the distal section of the obturator. This feature of the present invention allows the elongated distal section to create a small, non-cutting tissue separating track prior to blade contact with the patient.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of a fiber in a sensing optical fiber system operated in a region of negative chromatic dispersion to minimize modulation instability thereby enabling the identification and measurement of the information-carrying signals. The present invention may be used in a variety of sensing environments.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a subsea power system for use in capturing “free” or “waste” energy (e.g., thermal, geothermal, pressurized subsurface gases or liquids, wind, wave, solar, or other free, waste, or low cost energy sources) to convert and/or store to power a subsea service or device during times when the free or waste energy supply is not as abundant, is not available, or demands require greater output than is provided at steady state. The subsea power system may include: (1) one or more energy-capturing devices—such as a turbine and/or thermoelectric generator—for harvesting free or waste energy, (2) a fuel cell, electrolyzer, and oxygen and hydrogen storage vessels for harvesting energy from the surrounding seawater, and (3) a power converter for receiving energy from the various sources and converting the energy into a useful form consumable by subsea devices.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for sensing impact events in reciprocating machinery. The apparatus establishes first and second reference or threshold voltages, where the second reference voltage is greater than the first reference voltage. The number of impact events (N1) in a time window that exceed the first reference voltage and the number of impact events (N2) in a time window that exceed the second reference voltage are counted and an output current is generated representative of the number of such impact events. If no impact greater than the lower threshold voltage is received during a given time window, the apparatus detects and stores a peak voltage corresponding to the impact having the greatest magnitude received during that time window. Apparatus according to the present invention produces an output current based on the magnitude of that peak voltage.

Abstract: The loading tube comprises cups forming cup cavities for enclosing an explosive charge within each of the cups. The loading tube has ridges and valleys providing longitudinal and lateral strength to the loading tube. The loading tube is constructed of a formed material such as paper pulp, high-density polystyrene, plastic or sheet metal.

Abstract: An electronics package for use with a proximity probe is disclosed that is capable of being calibrated to work with any proximity probe and cable and that is capable of being programmed in the field. The electronic package establishes and measures a plurality of gaps between the proximity probe and a target. An amplifier is operatively coupled to the proximity probe and produces an output which is digitized, linearized and stored. A linear piecewise approximation technique is used to approximate the voltage at the output of the amplifier for gaps that were not measured.

Abstract: An obturator tip for a trocar is disclosed. The obturator comprises a shaft having a distal or penetration end for insertion into a patient and a handling or proximal end for gripping by a surgeon. The penetration end of the shaft comprises a tip having an upper flat face and a lower flat face which taper away from the shaft toward the distal end. The tip further comprises flat side faces which also taper or slope from the shaft toward the distal end. A glide tip has a rounded end and extends outwardly along the side faces.

Abstract: A floral transport apparatus to facilitate the transportation and delivery of floral arrangements is disclosed. The floral transport apparatus includes a hard plastic container housing a support carriage having a set of longitudinal elastic bands and a set of lateral elastic bands stretched tightly over a box frame to form an upper and lower mesh. The floral arrangement is held securely in the gaps between the tensioned bands of the upper and lower mesh to prevent lateral displacement which would otherwise result in tipping of the floral arrangement. The floral transport apparatus provides a means for carrying many floral arrangements of various sizes simultaneously. Moreover, the floral transport apparatus is easily portable and manageable by a single delivery person and can be washed to keep the apparatus attractive in view of floral customers and potential floral customers.