Abstract: A light projector, including an elongate housing assembly and a tubular light chamber assembly that comprises a plurality of tubular components and is coaxially enclosed by the housing assembly, with optical devices positioned within the light chamber assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a contour light projector including an optical bench for mounting optical components, a mounting assembly that includes a dual pivot system for increased versatility in directing a light projector mounted thereon, improved masking devices for the light projector, and lighting system housings for a variety of installations.

Abstract: A bidirectional sealing blowout preventer including bidirectional sealing blowout preventer rams, and fluid communication systems for equalizing pressure between the backs of ram guideways in a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer and a passageway through the blowout preventer. Methods for operating a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure to control the well, and to seal a well around a well pipe to pressure test another blowout preventer or other apparatus in a stack.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a box unit or box assembly is disclosed for mounting in an opening in a wall wherein the apparatus is mounted from the front of the wall. A box body is positioned in the opening in the wall and anchored there to the wall by a flange located at least partly behind the wall and another flange in front of the wall. Embodiments of the present invention disclosed include electrical junction boxes.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a box unit or box assembly is disclosed for mounting in an opening in a wall wherein the apparatus is mounted from the front of the wall. A box body is positioned in the opening in the wall and anchored there to the wall by a flange located at least partly behind the wall and another flange in front of the wall. Embodiments of the present invention disclosed include electrical junction boxes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed to complete a threaded connection between two connector members by relative rotation between the connectors, utilizing fluid pressure between them to overcome radial load resistance during make up by rotation, and thereafter to produce axial and radial loading in the completed connection, but without otherwise applying longitudinal forces to drive the two connectors together to make up the threaded connection. In a disclosed embodiment, a pin connector has a tapered neck with external threads, and a box connector has a collar with a tapered interior, featuring tapered threads. The pin neck is received within the box collar, and the two sets of threads are made up by relative rotation between the pin and box. When a stall position is reached due to radial resistance forces, two combinations of bump and ramp seals provide a sealed zone between the sets of threads.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for detecting electromagnetic interference (EMI), or noise, that may disrupt the proper operation of medical devices implantable in patients, such as cardiac stimulators. Circuitry of the detector of the invention is independent of other circuitry of the medical device. EMI is magnetically induced on an antenna that may be within the metal housing of the device in a receiver circuit, and the EMI signals are output to the noise detector. A variety of alert signals may be provided to the medical device circuitry to warn of the presence of EMI so that appropriate responses may be taken to insure the safety of the patient dependent on the device. The detector may share the telemetry antenna of the medical device, or utilize a separate, dedicated antenna to receive EMI. Alternative antennas external to the metal housing of the medical device include leads from the device to the heart of the patient, and a dedicated antenna in the non-metal header of the device.

Abstract: An improved packing system and method are disclosed wherein a packing section includes a liquid distributor and a separator placed above the distributor so that gas rising through the liquid distributor contacts liquid in the distributor, forming a gas-liquid combination which rises in co-current flow to the separator. Liquid is collected in the separator, from which gas rises.

Abstract: Disclosed is a random packing element for use in exchange process apparatus, for example. The packing element features bowed strips and projections to provide an abundant supply of liquid flow surfaces, drip points and gas flow-through passages to enhance the interfacing of fluids in the exchange process packing bed, with various shapes for the packing element achieved by selecting the pattern of bowing of the strips and the attachment areas. The packing element also displays strips shortened to prevent collapse of the packing element, and ribs for strengthening the strips, projections and attachment areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the optimal spacing of seismic receiver lines, including marine streamers. A weighted squared error function is defined between a desired array response function and an actual response function, and the error function is minimized to determine the values of crossline offsets between streamers as well as the depths of the streamers in a configuration to minimize out-of-plane signal effects, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for processing seismic data to enable the data to be migrated without stacking. Seismic data provided in common midpoint gathers are converted to a domain defined in terms of the travel time and the first power of velocity of reflected waves, and migration is performed in this domain. The migrated seismic data is converted back to the offset domain, wherein velocity analyses may be performed prior to stacking of the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter support for use as part of a screened packing, or filter system, in an extrusion process, wherein the filter support provides a rigid wall in the shape of a dome featuring flow passage holes through the wall such that the longitudinal axis of each hole is perpendicular to a plane tangent to the surface of the dome at the location of the hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a random packing element for use in exchange process apparatus, for example. The packing element features boughed strips and projections to provide an abundant supply of liquid flow surfaces, drip points and gas flow-through passages to enhance the interfacing of fluids in the exchange process packing bed.

Abstract: Improvements in airfoils, such as conventional airfoils, are disclosed including modifications to the final flap element of the airfoil. Disclosed are surface contour modifications, including, in some instances, extensions of the chord of the final flap element, adding camber to the final flap element to enhance the performance of the airfoil by reducing its drag per lift, and providing greater lift for a given angle of attack.

Abstract: Network interface software for use in a network of computers includes software providing protocols for transmission of messages without high level software acknowledgments required. Negative acknowledgments are relied on to indicate the failure of complete message reception.

Abstract: The invention comprises gas lift apparatus including a generally tubular mandrel defining a main longitudinal bore therethrough and including pocket walls defining a longitudinally extending pocket laterally offset from the main bore and generally divided therefrom. The pocket has an open upper end for insertion of a gas lift valve. The pocket walls further have ports extending laterally therethrough on both sides of pocket, i.e. between the pocket and the main bore of the mandrel and between the pocket and the exterior of the mandrel. On one side of the pocket there are at least two such ports longitudinally spaced from each other, and on the other side of the pocket there is at least one port disposed longitudinally between the aforementioned pair of ports. The invention further comprises a gas lift valve adapted to be received in the pocket, and when so received, operable to permit communication between the port or ports on one side of the pocket and the port or ports on the other side of the pocket.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for gripping and manipulating pipe members, including a plurality of slip carriers mounted on an equal number of carrier actuators. The carrier actuators are arranged within a drive sleeve and constrained by radial T-slot connections to a base ring. Sloped T-slot connections link each of the carrier actuators to the drive sleeve. Longitudinal movement of the drive sleeve in one sense propels the carrier actuators and the slip carriers radially inwardly whereby slips mounted on the slip carriers may grip a pipe member positioned within the drive sleeve; longitudinal movement of the drive sleeve in the opposite sense withdraws the carrier actuators and slip carriers from the pipe member. Cooperating wedging surfaces between each of the slip carriers and the corresponding carrier actuator permits the application of holding or moving force on pipe members in either longitudinal sense.

Abstract: Disclosed are coiled tubing apparatus for operating on wells. A tubing injector head is supported on a mast and is moveable to selected elevations along the mast. The mast includes a lower section maintained in upright orientation, and an upper section which is pivotally joined to the lower section. The injector head may be lowered below the pivot point and the mast folded for transportation purposes. A chain drive maneuvers the injector head in one horizontal direction, and a fluid pressure cylinder maneuvers the injector head in a second horizontal direction generally orthogonal to the first. The chain drive is fitted with a worm gear coupling to positively lock the injector head in position. A height-adjustable level wind tubing guide directs the tubing onto or off of a reel. The base of the apparatus is fitted with a track along which a blowout preventer may be moved for subsequent positioning over a well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including two or more fluid pressure piston-and-cylinder assemblies. The cylinders are linked in pairs so that retraction of both piston rods reduces the length of the pair of assemblies to the length of a single assembly. Operation of both pistons in a pair provides an effective stroke twice the length of a single assembly stroke. In a particular embodiment, a double cylinder system is used as a pickup system for elevating equipment along a mast in a well workover rig.

Abstract: A quadrature analog-to-digital sampler, operating at a minimum sampling rate equal to the bandwidth of the input signal provides a pair of quadrature related digital signals which are input to first and second digital computers. The first computer calculates the instantaneous amplitude of the input signal and the second computer computes the instantaneous phase of the input signal. A third digital computer acts on the output of the second computer and differentiates the instantaneous phase of the signal with respect to time to provide frequency modulation output.