Abstract: Apparatus is provided for acoustically logging earth formations surrounding a borehole containing a known fluid, and includes a downhole tool adapted for longitudinal movement through the borehole, an acoustic transducer assembly for transmitting and receiving acoustic pulse energy, and extendable arms mounting the acoustic transducer assembly on the tool and adapted for lateral extension therefrom for positioning the acoustic transducer assembly in contact with the borehole wall. The acoustic transducer assembly further includes acoustic transducer means for generating acoustic pulse energy for coupling into the borehole fluid substantially free of acoustic ringing and directed an axis generally normal to the borehole wall surface.

Abstract: A carrier apparatus for a radioactive well logging instrument is disclosed that includes an elongated generally cylindrical tool body adapted for wireline suspension within a well borehole and mounting an elongated sensor pad assembly carrying a radioactive source and at least one detector and adapted for a nesting fit with the tool body. Knuckle joint links mounted on the tool body engage opposite ends of the sensor pad for laterally extending the pad assembly from the tool body into contact with the borehole wall. The knuckle joint links provide independent preselected force loading to each end of the pad assembly and permit articulation of the pad assembly with respect to the tool body axis for maintaining the sensor pad assembly in contact with the borehole wall under rugose conditions.

Abstract: A new "radial" cement bond instrument is disclosed for measuring the quality of cement to casing bond. The instrument is capable of measuring the quality of the cement bond both vertically and circumferentially. Four arrays of sectored transmitters and receivers are arranged longitudinally along the instrument body and provide a compensated radial bond measurement with high azimuthal resolution. The sectored transmitter excites both a compressional wave and a shear wave in the casing, with the beam pattern of the transmitter focused in a radial direction. The sectored receiver provides additional directivity for enhanced detection of channels in cement. The disclosed apparatus provides measurement of the quality of cement bond in eight radial segments. The resolution of the instrument provides 5 to 10 percent overlap to insure "full" coverage of the borehole.

Abstract: During oil and gas well drilling operations, at the wellsite surface the percentage by volume of hydrocarbon gas present in the return drilling fluid is monitored in order to determine the percentage of gas saturation in the formation. Rate of penetration of the drill bit is monitored as well. A pore saturation function is derived wherein anomalously low values thereof relative to expected values for productive zones indicate flushing ahead of the drill bit of hydrocarbons out of the pore volume of cuttings in the return fluid. A mud filtrate flow rate is then determined from the drilling rate, gas saturation, and formation porosity. Pressure differential in the vicinity of the drill bit is also determined, comprised of the difference between the drilling fluid column pressure and pore pressure. Formation permeability is then directly determined in real time during the drilling operation from a functional relationship between the filtrate flow rate, pressure differential, and viscosity of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The volume of clay within clay-bearing formations is determined throughout the formations. This volume of clay is then functionally related to measurements indicative of the formations. Utilizing measured formation characteristics representative of different clay types, such as potassium content or bound water content, the formation porosity measurements are extrapolated to indicate the porosity log measurements which would be yielded if the logging devices were responsive only to the clay within the formations. In addition the cation exchange capacity and the hydrogen index are used to determine volume, types and distribution of clays. These extrapolated measurements are then related to known or determinable formation characteristics to determine additional formation properties such as porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation characteristics.

Abstract: A calibration and response quality verification system for neutron logging instruments includes a chamber filled with a neutron moderating and absorbing solution and sufficiently sized to provide an effectively infinite environment with longitudinal homogenity. A neutron tool is disposed within a calibration tube traversing the chamber. A plurality of rod members are selectively inserted into the annular space between the instrument and tube to provide a plurality of selectable and precisely repeatable environments to represent an extensive range of formation porosities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of waste water above ground is disclosed. Effluent is deposited in a first tank wherein solids are broken down and liquified by a primary preconditioning unit. The preconditioned effluent is transferred to a second tank. A secondary conditioning unit in the second tank suspends liquid and solid particles in the tank air and vapor, vaporizes the suspended liquid and any entrained solid particulate material, and then discharges the vaporized material into the ambient atmosphere. An automatic control means senses vapor temperature and operates a stack damper and vacuum means which causes the vapor stream, thus preventing escape of non heat-treated vaporized materials. Another automatic control means activate the secondary treatment unit heater only when the liquid level of the second tank is within a preselected range.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing unauthorized starting of a motor vehicle. A timing interval of preselected duration is generated only upon detecting positioning of an ignition switch to a first position by means of a proper key inserted into the vehicle ignition switch. An electrical indication is generated when the ignition switch is positioned to a second position which, in one embodiment, corresponds to a start position of an automobile ignition switch. A starting circuit interrupt element remains in or is urged into a normally closed state to electrically complete the starting circuit only when the electrical indication appears during the time interval. The starting circuit may thereby only be energized for starting the motor during a normal preselected starting sequence comprised of key insertion followed by positioning of the switch from the first to the second state within the preselected time interval.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for making grafting-flap cuts in the bark of a tree limb includes an elongated tubular body having an open end for accommodating coaxial insertion of the limb. The end of the body adjacent the open end has a plurality of elongated slots longitudinally disposed in the tubular body. A plug within the tubular body limits the insertion depth of the limb to a preselected distance. A plurality of elongated knife members are provided. The longitudinal axis of each of the knife members registers with the longitudinal axis of one of the circumferentially spaced slots in said tubular body. The knife members are supported by a support ring radially projecting above the outer surface of the tubular body and are disposed in a corresponding plurality of radially projecting circumferentially equally-spaced slots in the support ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably mooring a marine vessel. An elongate anchor stem terminates at opposing ends with a swiveling connector assembly adapted for attachment to a boat anchor line and a fluke assembly. The fluke assembly includes a base plate with a plurality of curved anchor arms extending radially outwards therefrom, each terminating in a fluke. Each fluke defines a pair of opposing projections adapted to matingly engage a link of a connecting chain attached to one end of the stem and comprising a portion of the connector assembly. Upon such mating engagement a bridle is formed, whereupon exertion of upward force on the anchor line causes the anchor to more readily disengage from the floor of the water body and/or any foreign objects.

Abstract: During oil and gas well drilling operations, drilling fluid volume circulated per preselected vertical borehole increment drilled is continuously measured as well as the percentage by volume of hydrocarbon gas present in the return fluid. The gas is periodically sampled and analyzed to derive a relative ratio of C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 present therein. A functional relationship is then periodically computed relating the drilling fluid volume circulated per vertical increment drilled, and percentage of hydrocarbon gas therein, the rock volume of cuttings from which the gas evolved, and borehole pressure and temperature conditions at which each mud sample received respective cuttings to provide a percentage gas saturation parameter per vertical foot of reservoir. In functional response to the C.sub.1 /C.sub.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a contrast-healing water spa system is disclosed that includes a single monolithically formed tub having two approximately equal-sized chambers that are separated by an integrally formed insulated structural wall that will provide hot aerated water in one cabinet and cold quiet water in the other chamber. A hot water circulating pump withdraws water from the hot water chamber at a predetermined flow rate, and the water is then passed through a filter and heater before being injected into the hot water chamber through high-pressure injection ports. A cold water circulating pump withdraws water from the cold water chamber at a predetermined flow rate, and the water is then passed through a filter and cooled by a sidestream mounted chiller before being returned to the cold water chamber. A single ozone generator is interconnected between the cold and hot water lines to add disinfectant to both water circulating systems.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a knife for de-veining, peeling and butterflying shrimp is disclosed having a handle and an elongated arcuate knife blade secured to the handle and extending forwardly thereof, the knife blade having an intermediate toothed blade portion disposed adjacent the handle and an arcuate blade portion extending forwardly of the intermediate toothed blade portion, the arcuate blade portion having a curvature approximating the body curvature of a de-headed shrimp. The arcuate blade portion has an upper convex cutting edge disposed thereon and a lower concave cutting edge adjacent the tip of the blade. The intermediate toothed blade portion has a plurality of spaced teeth aligned in a ramp configuration from front to rear adjacent the handle. When used, the knife tip is thrust through the body of a de-headed shrimp to slice the shrimp body along its longitudinal length to a depth traversed by the upper and lower cutting edges.

Abstract: A card for conveying short messages and information in the nature of a postal card or the like. The card defines a front and back surface suitable for receiving printed material. A crease is formed in the card so as to define a flap rotatable about the crease. The flap carries a perforated tab having a sealing material thereon for sealing the flap permanently against the balance of the card so as to obscure the written message from view. The tab is perforated whereby in order to view the message the tab is separated along the perforations from the flap thereby exposing the message. Disposed about the peripheral edge of the flap are areas containing a second temporary sealing material which also may hold the flap in a folded position temporarily for marketing display purposes whereby the flap is non-destructively releasable from its temporarily sealed position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for injection molding a generally cylindrical sleeve-like penile prosthesis from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material utilizing a male mold core and a pair of female mold halves in which the molded prosthesis has encased in a wall therein a portion of a pre-formed length of resilient tubing, the remaining length and free end of the tubing extending from the molded prosthesis as a length of free tubing projecting therefrom. The apparatus includes a mandrel for carrying the mold core and is adapted for mounting between the female mold halves, and means for anchoring one end of the preformed tubing at a selected position on the mold core.

Abstract: A self-actuating clamp for attachment to a structural member in a subsea environment is disclosed. The clamp includes a housing having spaced side members, a transverse compression plate mounted between the members across the top of the housing and external accessory mounting surfaces. A pair of opposed, elongated jaw members have their upper portions disposed within the housing, the upper portions of which include upper ends adapted for pivotal mating engagement for permitting limited pivotal movement between the members, with the lower portions of the jaw members projecting below the housing and adapted for opposing clamping engagement with the subsea structural member. Force exerting means, which in one embodiment may comprise a pair of leaf spring assemblies, are provided to cooperate with the housing and jaw members to exert sufficient forces on the jaw members to clamp the jaw members to the exterior surface of the structural member.

Abstract: In an external device for receiving and positioning the male penis in a simulation of an erection to overcome impotence, which includes a flexible hollow cylindrical body enclosed at one end and having the other end open for receiving inserting the penis with a tube provided for introducing a negative pressure in the interior of the body for drawing the penis into the body to its anatomic limit to achieve an erection, the improvement comprising a sealing member integrally extending from the open end of the cylindrical body and comprising a thin-walled flexible sleeve-like sealing portion having a predetermined substantially constant inner circumferential measurement which is a function of the circumference of the stretched non-erect penile shaft, the predetermined inner circumferential measurement being less than the inner circumferential measurement of the cylindrical body for functioning as a seal about the penile shaft to maintain the negative pressure introduced therein, but not engaging the penile shaft

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed for producing parasitic mites in quantities sufficient for commercial use as a biological control agent for selected insect pests. A parent stock of the parasitic mites is produced of which the greatest proportion are gravid female mites. A quantity of selected insect hosts is prepared for parasitization by the parasitic mites. Then the selected insect hosts are introduced into close proximity to the parent stock of parasitic mites and separated therefrom by a screen for permitting host-seeking parasitic mite offspring to find the insect hosts. The insect hosts are then exposed to the parent stock of parasitic mites for a predetermined time period for parasitizing the insect hosts by the host-seeking parasitic mite offspring.