Abstract: An in-situ combustion method is provided for the recovery of viscous oil from an oil-bearing reservoir. A linear array of vertical air injection wells is drilled into the reservoir; the wells are completed in the upper portion of the reservoir. One or more gas production wells are provided, remote from the row of injection wells, said gas production wells also being completed in the upper portion of the reservoir. A horizontal oil production well is completed in the bottom portion of the reservoir, aligned with and positioned in spaced relation beneath the vertical injection wells. The reservoir is prepared for ignition and combustion is initiated at each of the injection wells. A hot fluid-transmissive chamber is formed around each of the injection wells as combustion proceeds. Combustion gas communication is established with the gas production wells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 1994
Date of Patent:
October 10, 1995
Assignee:
Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research
Inventors:
Kenneth E. Kisman, Ben I. Nzekwu, Edmund C. Lau
Abstract: A hook-shaped hip receiver increases the efficiency of a golf swing by limiting hip rotation and increasing the differential angle between a golfer's shoulders and hips during a back swing, and yieldably opposes hip sway while allowing an unrestricted, full downswing. The hip receiver is slidably coupled to an upright support member by a slider block and spring which yieldably opposes shifting movement of the hip receiver while permitting rotation relative to the upright support member. This permits the golfer's body to remain centered with respect to his feet as the hip receiver pivots about an off-center axis. The hip receiver shifts laterally to remain centered about the golfer's hips, while the spring opposes excessive hip sway movement.
Abstract: Gravel slurry is pumped through the longitudinal service bore of a tubular service tool which is extended through a packer mandrel and into the seal bore of a tubular cross-over tool which is disposed in the annulus between the service tool and a well casing. Slurry flow is directed from the service bore through a cross-over flow port of the cross-over tool into the annulus between the cross-over tool and the well casing. The gravel-laden slurry is injected through casing perforations into the surrounding earth formation at a high flow rate. After the fracture operation has been completed, the slurry flow rate is reduced substantially and a gravel pack is accumulated in the annulus between the well screen and the well casing. Slurry liquid is circulated through the well screen into a return flow bore of the service tool.
Abstract: Sound producing tabs attached to a body strap and an arm band provide an audible signal as the sound tabs strike together during the execution of a proper down swing. The audible signal positively reinforces muscle memory that will enable the golfer to initiate the proper muscle action for a correctly executed down swing during regulation play while the training apparatus is not being used. The straps are designed to operate without restricting natural arm or body movement. The striking sound indicates to the golfer that his swing has followed the proper path on the down swing. The audible feedback signal enables the golfer to build muscle memory through proper practice with a natural, unrestricted swing as well as form a mental image to assist in the coordination of arm and body muscles so that the down swing will follow the proper inside path to the ball.
Abstract: A portable console includes a universal positioning arm employing a clamp having quick disconnect means for releasably holding a surgical instrument such as an endoscope during a surgical procedure. The clamp includes a shaft with a bayonet connector disposed thereon, for lockably engaging a collar attached to the positioning arm. The bayonet connector includes flared spring arms which compress and engage the collar for releasably coupling the clamp to the collar.
Abstract: A crop stripper has at least one drum (6a, 6b) with several axially extending series of stripping teeth (8). The drum is rotatably in end supports. The tooth roots (26) at the ends of the drum have an edge profile inclined radially away from the adjacent supports to deflect plant stems which contact these profiles during the operation of the stripper away from the supports, so reducing the tendency for the stems to become trapped between rotor and support. A capping (32) on the support overlaps the adjacent tooth roots to assist this effect. A pair of drums can be arranged end to end with an intermediate support (14) between them and be similarly arranged to deflect plant stems away from the intermediate support. This allows increase of the operating width of the crop stripper while minimizing the risk of blockage from stems trapped between the intermediate support and the drums.
Abstract: A security alarm system having a transmitting unit adapted to be worn as a bracelet, and a remote alarm unit. The transmitting unit is preferably in the form of a bracelet having a cavity enclosing an rf transmitter operable to transmit encoded signals to the remote unit for actuating an audible alarm.
Abstract: Primary and secondary conveyor belts have portions aligned in mutually parallel relation. At least one of the conveyor belts includes flites and sideguards projecting toward a surface of the other conveyor belt for defining between confronting portions of the conveyor belts a plurality of chambers for enclosing the product to be conveyed. The flites and pluralities of side guards project substantially perpendicularly relative to each other, whereby the chambers formed thereby are of substantially rectangular configuration, interpositioned between successive flites. The side guards of a primary conveyor are interdigitated between the flites and other side guards projecting outwardly from the other conveyor belt, for minimizing any leakage of particulate material from the chambers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 1994
Date of Patent:
July 25, 1995
Assignee:
Project Services Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Larry G. Jordan, Mark S. Boswell, Gerry R. Dollinger
Abstract: A seal assembly for use in combination with a retractable door includes a replaceable seal strip for positively sealing the gap between the door frame and the retractable door. The seal strip is flexed about a fold line in response to compression by transversely sloping seal receiving surfaces of a seal receiver and retainer bar. The external side portion of the seal strip projects transversely with respect to the retractable door, and is deflected by positive engagement with the door when the seal assembly is mounted in the operative position. The retainer bar is secured to the seal receiver by a screw fastener, and may be removed for repair or replacement of the seal strip without requiring removal of the receiver from the door frame. The seal assembly utilizes a replaceable rectangular seal strip of resilient material which initially is in a flat condition.
Abstract: Apparatus for turning a sheet-like workpiece, e.g. a rectangular sheet of glass, and for applying a sealing strip continuously along its edges, includes an air flotation/section support bed (14, 15) covered by an air-permeable mat (16), a sealing strip applicator (32, 59) on a carriage (33), suction cup assemblies (63, 72) mobilely mounted on respective mutually perpendicular slides (24, 25) for gripping the sheet (22) at two adjacent corners thereof, the movement of the assemblies (63, 72) being coordinated such that, while gripping the sheet (22), one assembly (72) is moved towards the initial position of the other assembly (63) and simultaneously the latter (63) is moved towards the corner diagonally opposite the corner at which the first assembly (72) was initially disposed.
Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for accurately dispensing a preselected volume of liquid. A flowmeter is provided to generate signals proportional to the flow of liquid through a faucet. A programmed microcomputer receives the flowmeter signals and controls the faucet. The residual volume of liquid (spill), which was dispensed after the faucet was last commanded to close, is stored and averaged with additional, previously stored spill amounts by the microcomputer. The average spill volume is used to anticipate the spill for the forthcoming pour. When the cumulative volume of liquid dispensed is equal to the preselected volume less the anticipated spill volume, the microcomputer signals the faucet to close, resulting in an accurate pour. In a another aspect, an improved beer dispensing head is provided. A spring-loaded conventional tap handle activates a sensor means in the head.
Abstract: Air bubbles which are entrapped within the cells of an engraved applicator roller are displaced from the cells by wiping the surface of the engraved applicator roller with the bristles of a brush. An elongated brush mounted on a doctor blade head projects into a doctor blade reservoir. The bristles of the brush are disposed for wiping engagement against the engraved surface of an applicator roller which is wetted by liquid coating material. As the engraved applicator roller rotates in contact with the liquid material in the doctor blade reservoir, the bristles of the brush puncture the entrapped air bubbles and sweep the entrapped air away from the cells. The sweeping action of the bristles induces a relatively low pressure condition within the cells, which promotes the flow of liquid material into the cells.
Abstract: Adjustable size protective eyewear in the form of visitor safety spectacles have a moveable or adjustable hinge pin coupling between the temple sidebars and the lens frame. An opening in each side of the lens frame contains multiple hinge pin sockets which are aligned at an angle with respect to the lens frame such that movement of the hinge pins from socket to socket not only increases the distance between temple sidebars but also the effective length from the lens frame to the ear piece of the temple sidebar. This arrangement allows a single pair of adjustable safety spectacles to be used by a person of a given head size with the adjustability to fit over the user's prescription eyewear where the user requires the prescription eyewear in addition to the safety spectacles.
Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.