Abstract: A method of rapidly generating horizon maps from a three dimensional volume of seismic traces is disclosed. During batch processing of the digital data representing trace wavelets, "1"'s or "0"'s are determined for each seismic trace of the volume. A "1" at a depth of a trace indicates that a horizon exists at that depth and at other depths of "1"'s of adjacent traces which are within a predetermined depth. In a real time mode, an explorationist selects a seed point thereby identifying a "1" on a particular trace at a particular depth. An automatic scanning procedure finds all other "1"'s at depths of adjacent traces. Each found "1" of adjacent traces is redesignated a seed point and the process is continued until no more "1"'s can be found. A horizon map is created from the depths of each found "1". A record is maintained of parent and child bits whereby seed bits are designated as parent bits and each found bit is designated a child bit.

Abstract: A cutting tool (22) includes a plurality of pivoted blades (36) for swinging outwardly to an expanded radial position for first cutting the walls of multiple casing strings (10, 11), and then removing a predetermined length of the casing strings (10, 11) simultaneously in a cutting action. Pivoted blades (36) have cutting elements (66) of a similar size and shape positioned about upper, lower, and outer sides (60, 62, 64) of the blades (36). The lower sides (62) of the blades (36) engage the upper annular cut ends of the casing strings (10, 11) in a cutting action without tripping or removal from the bore hole.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein, a breath sample collecting device includes a flexible plastic bag having a mouthpiece and inlet valve assembly connected adjacent one end of the bag, and a sample transfer assembly connected adjacent the other end of the bag. The transfer assembly has a sleeve attached to a neck on the bag, such sleeve having an inner end wall which mounts a hollow needle having a sharp tip on its outer end in a manner such that the tip is within the bore of the sleeve to prevent accidental stick injuries. A rubber boot which closes the tip, and an elastomer stopper on an associated transfer device, are selectively pierced by the needle tip in response to compressive force to permit transfer of a breath sample from the bag to such associated device.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) has a one-piece valve body (12) with a small diameter bore (16) and an opposed large diameter bore (18) in fluid communication with a valve chamber (14). An annular flange (40) projects within the large diameter bore (18) and a washer-type square spring (50) is inserted within the central opening (44) defined by the flange (40) and then positioned in centered relation on the shoulder (42) defined by the flange (40) for urging the ball valve member (24) into seated position against an annular seat (22) about small diameter bore (16).

Abstract: A closure (38) for an annular clearance (36) between a floating tank roof (20) and a generally cylindrical tank (10) including the method of installation is provided. The closure (38) includes a plurality of arcuate shoes (40) mounted about the inner circumference of the tank (10) with variable length hanger rods (74, 75) connecting the shoes (40) for movement with the floating roof (20). A connecting expansion joint (84) connects spaced sides (42) of adjacent arcuate shoes (40) and includes a removable unit (95) of flexible material (100) which may be easily inserted and removed manually from the upper ends of retainer brackets (86) secured to the arcuate shoes (40) in a minimum of time while the tank (10) is in service. The expansion joints (84) may be easily disassembled for repair or maintenance of shoes (40) and associated components by removal of a cover (106) and removable connecting units (95).

Abstract: A transducer fabricated by micro-machining includes E-shaped leaf springs suspending a mass from a support. The transducer is formed by chemical etching through openings of opposite faces of a silicon wafer on which etch stop layer patterns are diffused. Sense and force conductive patterns are diffused onto opposite faces of the suspended mass. The legs of the E-shaped leaf springs are formed of a composite of a polysilicon base layer, a silicon dioxide insulating layer and a gold conducting layer. The thickness of such layers are selected to minimize bowing effects of the spring legs due to materials of different coefficients of thermal expansion. The spring-mass-support structure is sandwiched between opposite plates having corresponding force and conductive patterns which face such patterns on the suspended mass.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a well perforation cleaning tool includes a fluidic oscillator that creates pressure changes which induce cyclical stresses in the damaged skins of the perforations and causes the skins to disintegrate in order to improve the productivity of the well. Cylindrical filter tubes having a plurality of sets of slots are adjustably mounted at the upper and lower ends of the tool to provide resistances which confine the pressure changes to the immediate vicinity of the perforated interval.

Abstract: A downhole percussion drill or hammer (100) is disclosed having an outer casing (2) in which a reciprocating piston (26) which periodically impacts a drilling bit (16) disposed at a bottom end of the casing. A top chuck (1), attached to the top end of the casing, conducts pressurized air to the interior of the casing. A flow tube (5) includes a supply passage (27) and an exhaust passage (10). No cylinder sleeve exists between the inner diameter of the casing (2) and the outer diameter of the piston (26). Rather, the flow tube (5), piston (26) and interior structure of the casing cooperate to direct pressurized air alternately to the top and bottom ends of the piston while alternately opening and closing the exhaust passage. Accordingly, for a predetermined outer casing diameter, a relatively thicker casing wall and relatively larger top piston surface results in higher relative performance than prior hammers having a cylinder sleeve.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a perforating gun apparatus for forming holes in a well casing through which cement can be circulated includes a mandrel, four arm-mounted, shaped charge carriers on the body, and bow springs on the body in the plane of each carrier for biasing the carriers outward into sliding contact with the well casing. The charges form evenly distributed series of vertically arranged holes the casing, without damage to an outer casing string, so that cement can be circulated through the holes and into the annulus without channeling.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein, a leader cable is anchored to a post on the upper end of a geophone case having a spike on its lower end that penetrates the ground to hold the case in an upright postion. The anchor is formed by a continuous stress member in the cable that is looped around the post to isolate the electrical conductors in the cable from strains imposed on the cable. The post can be an integral part of a block located at the upper end of the case, or a bobbin that is captured by a cap that closes the top of the case.

Abstract: A mooring system and method of anchoring a buoyant module (16) in a submerged location in the sea for supporting an underwater structure such as a plurality of acoustical arrays (18) for receiving and transmitting acoustical signals is disclosed. The buoyant module (16) is held in a submerged position by at least one anchor leg or line (46) anchored to the sea floor and of a variable length to permit controlled movement of the module (16) to the sea surface (10) for servicing. The single anchor line (46) is a stretchable line and includes an upper segment (56) formed of a Kevlar material and a lower segment (58) formed of a nylon material. Line 46 may stretch easily for a length of 400 feet, a preferred submerged depth of the module (16). Module (16) includes a constant buoyant material (36) and a source of compressed gas (32) controlled by a remotely actuated valve (40) to provide a variable buoyancy.

Abstract: An inner seal assembly for a pair of opposed ram bodies (12, 14) of a ram-type blowout preventer (10) includes an elastomeric packer (22) and a resilient insert (23). Resilient insert (23) has a plurality of lugs (58) which fit within indentations (36) in a recess (34) formed by the packer (22) and guide insert (23) into an accurate position within the packer (22) for securement to the packer (22) by separate fasteners (56). The insert (23) has an arcuate length of around 190.degree. and extends radially inwardly of the packer (22) in an open position a distance (D1) of at least around 1/16 inch to provide a marginal wear portion.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) has a stem (28) to rotate a ball member (20) with a lower key or lug (29) received within a slot or opening (26) forming a keyway in the ball member (20). As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, relieved or cutaway surfaces (52, 54, 56) are provided between lug (29) and the outer spherical surface (24) of ball member (20) so that a torque exerted by rotation of the stem (28) contacts surfaces (34, 36) of the slot (26) along opposed corners (48) which are spaced a distance T1 from the outer spherical surface (24) of ball valve member (20) thereby removing or minimizing any stress concentrations adjacent outer spherical surface (24).

Abstract: A precipitation control composition comprises an iron sequestering agent and a ketone-type compound as sulfide modifier. The precipitation control composition is useful to retard undesirable precipitation of iron and sulfur species from an acid solution of increasing pH. In combination with an acid solution, the precipitate control composition comprises an acidizing composition which is particularly useful in the acidizing of sour hydrocarbon wells. Also disclosed is the method of retarding undesirable precipitation of iron and sulfur species from an acid solution of increasing pH.

Abstract: A milling and retrieval tool (10) to remove a packer (14) from a casing (12), and a method to release the tool (10) from the packer (14) for separate removal from the casing (10). Tool (10) includes a sleeve (58) having resilient fingers (60) which spring inwardly against a reduced diameter mandrel portion (42) in the upward position of the sleeve (58) to permit passage of the sleeve (58) through the packer bore (15) for release of the tool (10) from the packer (14). The sleeve (58) is moved upwardly along the mandrel (11) by pressurized drilling fluid discharged from a lower opening (32) of a bullnose section (26). A shear ring (50) is provided to permit downward movement of the sleeve (58) adjacent a reduced diameter portion (30) of the bullnose section (26) for release of the tool (10) from the packer (14) upon the reaching of a predetermined jarring or bumping action of the sleeve (58) against the packer shoulder (18).

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a hopper containing a sodium bicarbonate abrasive is pressurized with a dry gas such as nitrogen. The abrasive is fed into a transport line through which compressed air flows toward a nozzle, and pressures in the hopper and transport line are regulated so that the hopper pressure is greater than the transport line pressure by an amount that keeps the abrasive in the hopper very dry so that the same differential pressure causes a precisely metered amount of abrasive flow.Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of cleaning by applying a stream of dry water soluble abrasive particles, such as sodium bicarbonate particles, entrained in air, as the abrasive agent to a cavity of a blast nozzle to which water under pressure is also applied. Such method includes the step of directing the output of the nozzle toward a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a clamp assembly that is tightened around a pipe to handle the same includes linked, circumferentially spaced gripping members open on one side to provide a gate region, a pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly that cooperates with a latch to close and open the gate region, and line connections to apply selected pressures to the opposite sides of the piston. A low level pneumatic pressure is applied to the outer side of the piston at all times and tends to open the clamp, and a high level of pressure is selectively applied to the opposite side of the piston to close the gate region. As the high pressure is bled off, the low pressure level automatically opens the gate region.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, an oil well fire fighting vehicle includes a reciprocated cable mechanism to cut off damaged well casing above ground level, and a slot region and gripping members that attach the vehicle to the cut-off casing when the vehicle is positioned thereover. A diverter deflects the oil flow away from the front of the vehicle, and a packer and valve assembly are forced down into the casing to pack-off the same and confine the oil flow to the valve which can be closed to shut in the well. Various heads for controlling the flow of oil from the well also are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a right angle connector assembly includes a molded elastomer plug body having a rigid thermoplastic insert member mounted and bonded therein, such insert member having sockets that mate with pins on a receptacle that also is made of a rigid thermoplastic material. An upper tubular portion of the receptacle carries a silicone O-ring seal that snaps into an internal recess in the lower portion of the body when the connector is made up to prevent entry of moisture and provide a releasable detent latch.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for killing ants in a subterranean colony (102) is disclosed. Liquid insecticide is vaporized in a fogging a vaporization chamber (23) by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine (14) such as that mounted on a lawn mower (12) or farm tractor. An insertion probe (30) having exhaust holes (36) is connected to an output of the vaporization chamber by a flexible hose (24). In operation, the probe is inserted into the subterranean colony (102), whereby vaporized insecticide is applied down in the colony. Such vaporized insecticide travels through passages to various "rooms" of the colony, thereby contacting ants in all parts of the colony.