Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein, a safety switch for preventing accidental firing of an explosive well tool includes a tubular metal body connected between the cable head and the well tool, a conductor wire extending through such body for carrying current from the cable to the well tool, and a contact plug mounted in a slide opening in the body and arranged to be selectively advanced into shorting contact with the conductor wire.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a chlorine gas inductor unit for use in wastewater treatment includes an elongated bearing frame having upper and lower bearing housings secured to the opposite ends of a tubular member, a drive shaft extending axially through the bearing frame and being supported by bearings in the upper and lower housings, a mechanical seal housing mounted at the lower end of the bearing frame and housing a face seal assembly that prevents contamination of a non-hydrocarbon lubricating oil contained in the bearing frame with wastewater or chlorine gas, the drive shaft having a short-length portion extending below the seal housing, a propeller mounted on the lower end of the drive shaft and driven at high speed to cause a high velocity flow of wastewater, and orifice means responsive to rotation of the propeller and such high velocity flow to cause chlorine gas from a remote supply to be sucked through the orifice means and mixed with the wastewater flow.

Abstract: A method and means for removably connecting a valve member (62, 62A) on a valve stem (46, 46A) for movement between open and closed positions relative to a valve seat (24, 24A). The removable connection includes a split frustoconical connector (76, 76A) forming two halves (78, 78A) which fit about a frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the valve stem (46, 46A). A retainer sleeve (84, 84A) holds the split connector (76, 76A) about the frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the stem (46, 46A).

Abstract: A removable extension (48) for a hydraulic floor jack (10) mounted on the extending end of a lifting arm (26) upon removal of a saddle (28) therefrom and adapted to contact the underside of a vehicle body for raising the vehicle body. The extension (48) has a lower plate (56) with a lower pin (58) received within an opening (44) on the upper horizontal web (38) of a U-shaped mounting bracket (28) on the extending end of the lifting arm (26).

Abstract: An improved fuel injector (10) having a needle valve (31) is mounted within a separate removable guide (26) for sliding movement between seated and unseated positions on a valve seat (18). Fuel injector (10) is adapted for operation in a primary fluid control mode (FIG. 5) under the influence of pressurized control fluid in a fluid chamber (30) adjacent the outer end of the needle valve (31), and for alternate operation in a secondary mechanical control mode (FIG. 6) under a mechanical mode spring (96) in the event of a decrease in operating fluid control pressure of the pressurized control fluid below a predetermined minimal amount. Continuous operation of the fuel injector (10) in the alternate operation under the mechanical spring (96) mode is automatic upon the reaching of a predetermined minimum pressure in the operating control fluid. A shutdown system is illustrated in FIG.

Abstract: A towable marine seismic source apparatus for producing a high resolution seismic signal at relatively shallow depths for engineering surveys is disclosed. The apparatus support frame operably mounts a plurality of eight identical chambered air guns in a 2.times.4.times.2 configuration to provide a tapered, heavy centered point source. The cylindrical air guns are positioned in a horizontal orientation at a predetermined depth of 1 to 3 meters and are synchronized to fire substantially simultaneously to achieve maximum peak energy output. Two chamber sizes of individual air guns (4 cu. in. & 10 cu. in.) are in a desired range and may be preferably employed in the array configuration to produce the seismic signal having distinct signature characteristics.

Abstract: An automatic electrophoresis machine is provided with a path for refrigerated air to pass over the agarose gel of a support medium during the time that electrophoresis current is applied to the support medium. Such apparatus is also provided with means for applying longitudinal electrophoresis current through the gel of the support medium during one time and applying lateral electrophoresis current through the gel of the support medium during another time.

Abstract: A passive transducer apparatus and method of use for producing a useful output light signal in response to a sensed condition. The sensed condition varies the light emitted from a first fiber optic light conductor that is apparently captured or detected by a second fiber optic light conductor. The light captured by the second or collector fiber optic member is the useful output signal which may be made proportional to the sensed condition. The apparent change in light capture may be caused by a relative change in geometry of the fiber optic members, by variation in the coupling fluid or by an external optical member.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit (10) having a plurality of roller cutters (20) with rows (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D) of cutting inserts (34,36,38,40) mounted within sockets (35,46) on the frusto-conical cutter body (30). The cutting inserts 34,36,38,40) have cutting surfaces formed with a wear-resistant material with certain cutting inserts (36,38) being formed of a wear-resistant material having a hardness higher than the hardness of the wear-resistant material on the remaining inserts (34,40) in each row. The hard cutting inserts (36,38) are positioned in each row in a predetermined pattern intermingled in a generally uniformly spaced pattern with the softer cutting inserts (34,40) and comprising generally between 20% and 50% of the total number of cutting inserts in a particular row.

Abstract: A new and improved valve apparatus and method of operating same that moves a flow closure assembly between open and closed positions with a minimum of frictional resistance while effecting a forcible engagement with both upstream and downstream valve seats when in the closed position. The preferred ball-type flow closure assembly is formed of two pivoted sections that are forcibly moved axially or tilted to sealingly engage the longitudinally spaced valve seats to provide upstream and downstream sealing by the valve in moving between an intermediate position and the closed position. The opening to closing movement is effected by rotating the valve actuator stem through an arc slightly greater than a quarter turn to provide a fast response operation. The valve actuator further includes a two part guide means which effects tilting of the ball sections only after or before rotational movement to insure that the ball is released from sealing engagement with both seats by only axial movement.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) has a ball valve member (34) mounted for floating movement in a valve chamber (32) between an upstream metal seat (102) and a downstream metal seat (104). Each metal seat (102, 104) fits within a recess (100) and has a body portion (110) of a generally uniform thickness adjacent an opposed shoulder (108) with a lip (114) about its inner circumference for sealing against spherical surface (40) of ball valve member (34) at all times. Body portion (110) acts as a Belleville spring and spaces lip (114) from adjacent shoulder (108) at low fluid pressures. A bearing portion (118) has an arcuate seat (120) spaced from spherical surface (40) at low fluid pressures but contacting spherical surface (40) at high fluid pressures. A flexible connector (118) of a relatively thin uniform thickness extends between bearing portion (118) and body portion (110).

Abstract: A cleaning tool (46) for removable attachment to a valve manifold (10) upon removal of instrumentation (26) therefrom for cleaning the axial bore (29) of the valve manifold (22). The manifold (22) which has a mounting flange (56) supporting the instrument (26) for measuring, monitoring, or recording differential fluid pressures from a main flow line. The cleaning tool (46) has a flange (56) thereon adapted to fit in mating relation against the flange (36) on the valve manifold (22) upon removal of the instrument (26). A cleaning rod (62) of the cleaning tool (46) has an enlarged diameter cleaning member (68) thereon for cleaning the axial bore (29) of the valve manifold (22) upon manual reciprocation of the cleaning rod (62).

Abstract: An automatic pipetting apparatus is disclosed having a base on which is mounted a vertical frame supporting a row of positive displacement pipettes which are driven in the up or down direction by an electromechanical mechanism under microprocessor controls. The apparatus includes a base, a track and a carriage longitudinally movable beneath the row of pipettes. The carriage includes an independent translating and position signal generation mechanism. The carriage carries a tray which includes sample chambers, a space to receive a microporous electrophoresis support medium, such as a cellulose acetate strip, a wash well, rinse well and a space to receive blotting paper. The pipettes include a barrel and a plunger capable of aspirating and dispensing from 0.5 to 5 .mu.l of liquid. The barrels move up and down with respect to the base by means of another independent translating and signal generating mechanism.

Abstract: A cutting tool (22) having elongate cutter arms (36) mounted about a pivot pin (40) for outward swinging movement. Cutting blades (58, 60) are mounted on the lower ends of the cutter arms (36) and have a plurality of closely fitting hard carbide cutting elements (90) secured thereto and forming an inclined leading planar cutting surface (82) inclined from the upper end of the associated blade (58, 60) at an angle A between one (1) degree and twenty (20) degrees relative to the direction of rotation. The cutting elements (90) have parallel rear and front faces (90A, 90B) connected by a peripheral side surface (90C) extending perpendicularly to the parallel faces (90A, 90B).

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a medication information recording system includes a chart having a series of vertically spaced, partially overlapping prescription slips detachably secured to the left hand margin thereof. The chart has alternating rows of prescription information blocks and related information blocks. Each slip has a row of prescription information blocks superimposed over a companion row on the chart, and a row of pre-printed heading blocks superimposed over a row of related information blocks on the chart. Carbon-less reproduction is made of all entries in the prescription information blocks of the slips onto the chart, whereas related information is entered directly on the appropriate chart blocks immediately below the reproduced information.

Abstract: A spring-mass-support structure is arranged as an accelerometer with two electrostatic feedback loops so as to measure two components of acceleration. Two of such accelerometers are advantageously used on a submerged platform to determine the direction of a sound source in a body of water. One of such feedback loops of each accelerometer is used to measure low frequency gravitational acceleration applied to the platform as a result of the tilt of the platform due to the action of current and wave action of the water. The other of the feedback loops of each accelerometer measures sound wave induced acceleration on the platform. The gravitational acceleration of each accelerometer is used to compensate the higher frequency acceleration for the effect of tilt of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for mixing and dispensing high viscosity, multiple component reactive liquids into a mold. The apparatus and process are particularly suitable for mixing and dispensing highly viscous intumescent fireproofing materials. Each reactive liquid component is stored in a separate pressure tank. The liquid components flow through separate conduits leading from each pressure tank, and are metered by a gear pump located in each component conduit. A gear linkage synchronously links the gear pumps together, and a self-locking motor is adapted to drive the linked gear pumps. When the motor is turned off, the gear pumps act as a valve to stop flow of the component liquids. The metered components flow into a common conduit, which has therein a static mixer for thoroughly mixing the components. The mixed components are then dispensed through an orifice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for using a nozzle to propel abrasive particles with high pressure water. The nozzle has a straight line path for a constant flow rate of air and abrasive particles to a propulsion chamber. A water path through the nozzle also opens into the propulsion chamber, with both the abrasive path and water path intersecting in the chamber. An outlet bore is provided through the nozzle and communicates with the chamber. A high pressure water supply is used and an air and abrasive supply means independent of the water supply is used to deliver a constant flow of air and abrasive particles. The water inlet path accelerates the water in a propelling jet toward and in alignment with the outlet bore so as to impact the abrasive particles and create a high energy abrasive blast through the outlet bore.

Abstract: A connection for connecting an end hub (22) of a valve (10) to the flange (32) of an associated conduit (26). A bolting ring (36) has a threaded end portion (64) adjacent the valve (10), and a cylindrical smooth end portion (68) remote from the valve (10) extending radially inwardly from the threaded end portion (64). A shoulder (70) between the smooth portion (68) of the ring (36) and the threaded portion (64) acts as a stop to accurately position the bolting ring (36) onto the hub (22). Upon connection of the assembled valve structure to adjacent conducts (26), tensioning of the threaded studs (42) results in torque loads exerted by the smooth surface (68) on the locking ring (36) against the smooth surface (60) on the hub (22) for transmitting loads to the hub (22) as shown particularly in FIG. 5.