Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the outer periphery of a pipe (10) by a carriage (28) travelling along the pipe (10). A housing (58) supported from an upper support frame (56) of the carriage (28) includes a pair of housing halves (58, 60) pivotally connected to each other and forming an enclosed chamber about the pipe (10). Nozzles (94) on the housing (58) are spaced about the pipe (10) for the discharge of a cleaning material in a high velocity stream against the outer surface of the pipe (10). A lifting head (114) connected to the housing halves (58, 60) pivots the halves (58, 60) to an open position and also lifts the carriage (28) from the pipe (10). An embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10 includes a housing (58B) mounted on rollers (85B) of cariage frame (56B) for oscillation of housing (58B) and nozzles (94B) in an arcuate stroke relative to the carriage frame (56B).

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a restriction sub apparatus for use during well cementing operations includes a tubular body having upper and lower internal recesses, a restriction ring having a shoulder engaged with the upper recess, and depending, inwardly inclined fingers at its lower end, and a back-up rubber ring mounted in the lower recess that yieldably resists expansion of the fingers as the drive plate of a displacement plug passes downward therethrough to provide a positive surface indication in the form of a pressure change that the plug is located at a particular depth.

Abstract: A new and improved mechanical jar apparatus for delivering downhole blows in a wellbore in either of opposite directions in response to the controlled application of a longitudinal force. A plurality of mechanically released collets are employed to releasably secure the concentric telescoping members of the jar apparatus in the ready condition until the longitudinal actuation force is applied to move the telescoping members to the longitudinally extended or compressed jarring positions. The plurality of collets may be arranged for controlling the magnitude and direction of the jarring force without inadvertently triggering a jarring force in the undesired direction.

Abstract: A collapsible mounting frame (10) for a basketball backboard (12) has a pair of frame portions (20, 22) adapted for mounting on the sloping roof (16) of a building. Each frame portion (20, 22) has a base member (24), a vertical member (26) connected by a hinge (30) to the base member (24), and a diagonal member (28) connected by hinges (30) to the base member (24) and the vertical member (26). The diagonal member (28) includes a pair of diagonal portions (28A, 28B) adjustably connected to each other to adapt the frame (10) for mounting on roofs (16) having varying slopes.

Abstract: A trailer (10) constructed in conformance with European specification has three wheeled rear axles (56, 58, 60) and is adapted for the gravity unloading of a container (18) loaded with particulate lading. A container support frame (20) is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis (86) positioned between the rearmost axle (60) and intermediate axle (58) and is raised by hydraulic cylinder (92) at an unloading site as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 for the gravity unloading of the particulate lading into a hopper (100) positioned rearwardly of the rearmost axle (60) on a rear overhanging trailer portion (72). A rotary valve (116) in the hopper feeds the particulate lading into a high velocity air stream in a lower pneumatic hopper portion (120) for pneumatic discharge.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit (10) has fluid discharge nozzles (36A, 36B, 36C) positioned between adjacent pairs of roller cutters (20A, 20B, 20C). A fluid discharge nozzle (36A) provides a stream of drilling fluid (44) directed toward an adjacent roller cutter (20A) and slanted toward the bore hole side wall away from a radial direction at a slant impact angle B for first impacting the side wall (34), and then sweeping in a high velocity stream along the corner surface (33) and inwardly across the bore hole bottom (32) at cutting element engagement locations (39).

Abstract: An abdominal exercise machine is disclosed including a mechanism for allowing a chest pad disposed above a seat of the machine to move in a circular arc about the waist of a user sitting on the seat. The mechanism connecting a rotating member on which the chest pad is attached is disposed beneath the seat of the machine so as to allow easy mounting and dismounting by the user. Rotation of the chest pad is resisted by one of various resistance mechanism such as a viscous fluid resistance cylinder or stacked weights.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus (10) particularly for developing and conditioning abdominal muscle group of the torso of a user while seated on a fixed seat (36) of a fixed frame (13). Three separate movable frames, called a crunch frame, a sway frame, and a twist frame are provided to allow the user to individually or simultaneously exercise abdominal muscles while crunching (bending forward), swaying (bending from side-to-side), or twisting (rotating his torso). Variable resistance to the movement of the frames is provided by weights (22) and pulleys (20, 80, 82, 84A, 84B, 86A, 86B, 88, 90, 92A, 92B, 94A, 94B, 96A, 96B) operatively connected by a cable (26) to the crunch frame, sway frame, and twist frame.

Abstract: Water absorbent polymers provided, in the form of a thixotropic hydrocarbon gel, demonstrate controlled water absorption. This property enables improved usage of such polymers in the reduction of the loss of circulation fluid or as a viscous sweep in the drilling of subterranean wells.

Abstract: A cutting tool (20) has a tool body (26) positioned within a metal casing (12) for reaming the inner peripheral surface of the casing (12) to a uniform smooth inner diameter. Tool body (26) has a lower end body portion (28), a generally cylindrical intermediate body portion (30), and a reduced diameter upper end body portion (22) connected to intermediate body portion (26) by a sloping shoulder (24). Blades (46, 48) have a single column of cutting elements (50) secured thereto in end to end relation to define an outwardly sloping lower column section (51A) along lower end body section (28), a vertical intermediate column section (51B) along intermediate body portion (30) and an inwardly sloping upper column section (51C) along sloping shoulder (34).

Abstract: A self propelled carriage (28) has a housing (30) comprised of a center body section (51) and a pair of side sections (52) hinged (54) to the body section (51). Side sections (52) may be swung to an open "clamshell" like position for lowering of the carriage (28) onto the pipe (10) for travel along the pipe (10). Nozzles (72) for the discharge of abrasive particles, such as sand, are mounted for oscillating movement in a predetermined stroke to cover a predetermined outer surface area of the pipe (10) for cleaning the pipe and for providing a rough finish for the application of a coating.

Abstract: A seal assembly (46) for a rotary drill bit (10) having a pressure balanced lubrication system is mounted in a pocket (48) between a journal (16) and a roller cutter (18). The seal assembly (46) has a pair of rigid seal rings (50, 52) in sliding sealing contact with each other and a pair of elastomeric seal rings (54, 56) in side by side relation sealing against the inner peripheral surfaces (62, 64) of the rigid seal rings (50, 52) for continuously urging the sealing faces (58, 60) of the rigid seal rings (50, 52) into sliding sealing contact. The pressure balanced lubrication system has a pressure compensating diaphragm (38) and lubricant passages (40, 42, 44) extending directly from the lubricant reservoir (35) to the lubricant chamber (48A) in the pocket (48) for minimizing fluid pressure differentials between the lubricant chamber (48A) and the drilling fluid chamber (48B).

Abstract: A fluid pressure compensator for a lubrication system in a rotary drill bit includes a diaphragm (44) with an enlarged thickness central portion (62) having a generally hemispherically shaped deformation (72) at its center to form a minimal thickness thereat progressively increasing to the enlarged thickness. A self sealing puncture (74) is provided at the center of the diaphragm (44) to relieve excess pressure differentials in the lubrication system internally of the drill bit and excess pressure differentials in the drilling fluid externally of the drill bit. The diaphragm (44) has an enlarged protuberance (64) about its outer periphery which is secured in sealing relation within a groove formed by sealing surfaces (66, 68, 70) on a leg (10) of the rotary bit and associated securing cap (46). A protective cup (42) supports the diaphragm (44) in an extended position and has dimples (58) for supporting the diaphragm (46) on the bottom (40) of the lubricant reservoir (49).

Abstract: A treadmill is disclosed having a belt system carried by a platform structure. The platform structure is pivotally mounted at its rear end to a base structure. The platform is supported at its forward end by a spring and a shock absorber which provides a damped resilient response of the belt and platform when a runner's foot lands during running or walking. The shock absorber is of the type which resists movement when the platform is moving in the downward direction, but offers relatively little resistance to upward movement of the platform when the spring returns the platform to a rest position during the time the runner is above the platform and is not forcing the platform down. An auxiliary shock absorber is mounted to damp the response of the platform over a short distance as the platform returns to its rest position.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) has a stem (36) and a packing (82) about the stem (36). A spring (85) comprises a plurality of Belleville washers (86) biased between the upper cover plate (72) and the packing (82) for exerting a compressive loading against follower (84) and packing (82) for sealing against the stem (36). The upper plate (72) has an enlarged diameter bore portion (76) adjacent the valve body portion (12) and Belleville washers (86) including a load transmitting ring (88) over the Belleville washers (86) are received within the enlarged diameter bore portion (76). Manual threaded adjusting screws (94) extend through the upper plate (72) and have inner ends in abutting contact with the load transmitting ring (88) to restore a compressive loading thereon if the Belleville washers (86) lose their capability to apply a sufficient compressive loading against the packing (82).

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (14, 14A) has a reciprocable valve member (34, 34A) for seating on an annular seat face (66,66A) of a nozzle assembly (38,38A). The nozzle assembly (38,38A) has an inner seat ring (40,40A), a radially outer anchor ring (42,42A), and a flexible connecting member (44,44A) extending in a generally radial direction between the outer peripheral surface (64) of the seat ring (40,40A) and the inner peripheral surface of the anchor ring (42,42A). Upon seating or reseating of the valve member, (34,34A), seal face (36,36A) contacts the seat face (66,66A) of seat ring (40,40A) and flexible connecting member (44,44A) flexes upon relative movement of the seat ring (40,40A) after initial contact of the valve member (34,34A) against the seating ring (40,40A) thereby to act as a shock absorber for absorbing impact forces.

Abstract: A cutting tool (10) for removing members downhole from a well bore and adapted to be inserted within a well from the upper end (12) of the casing (14). The cutting tool (10) includes a plurality of elongate blades (32) on the cylindrical body (18) of the cutting tool (10). Cutting elements (42) of a predetermined size and shape are arranged in a symmetrical predetermined pattern on each blade (32) in side-by-side relation in a plurality of predetermined transversely extending rows and a plurality of predetermined generally vertically extending columns. The cutting elements (42) in adjacent transverse rows for each blade (32) are staggered and have different concentric cutting paths. The cutting elements (42E) in corresponding transverse rows on adjacent blades (32A, 32B) are staggered and have different concentric cutting paths. The blades (32A, 32B) of the embodiment of FIGS.

Abstract: A self propelled carriage (28) has a housing (30) comprised of a center body section (51) and a pair of side sections (52) hinged (54) to the body section (51). Side sections (52) may be swung to an open "clamshell" like position for lowering of the carriage (28) onto the pipe (10) for travel along the pipe (10). Nozzle (72) for the discharge of abrasive particles, such as sand, are mounted for oscillating movement in a predetermined stroke to cover a predetermined outer surface area of the pipe (10) for cleaning the pipe and for providing a rough finish for the application of a coating.

Abstract: A method for tracking seismic events such as boundaries of formation layers of earth formations is disclosed. Especially adapted for tracking such events in a two-dimensional slice of 3-D seismic volume data, the method begins by designating a starting data point on the seismic event. The method tracks such event through the grid of data by sequentially establishing areas or "tiles" of data about the starting point. The tiles are defined by data points of the grid. Each of the data points is then tested to see if it meets an acceptance criterion for the seismic event. Such data points of the tile are stored as identifying the seismic event only if certain of the data points of the tile pass the acceptance citerion. Next, each of the data points of a previously accepted tile are used as a starting data point about which a new tile is defined. The process is repeated until no more tiles are available for testing.

Abstract: A kelly valve includes a ball valve structure (10) having a ball valve member (40) with a central bore (42) therethrough mounted within a valve chamber (38) for rotation between open and closed positions. A fluid pressure equalizing opening or port (60) is provided in the quadrant of the ball valve member (40) exposed to the upstream flow passage (20) in closed position (FIG. 2) and exposed to the valve chamber (38) in open position (FIG. 1) thereby making the ball valve member (40) easy to rotate manually even at high downstream fluid pressures.