Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake valve with an internal heat pipe. The valve stem and valve head are hollow and have a wicking material fixed to the internal hollow surface. A coolant material is contained within the hollow valve. A heat exchanger is provided on the outer surface of the stem at the valve operator end. The portion of the valve in the fuel intake system is maintained at a temperature that will prevent the addition of heat to the fuel charge from the valve thus reducing the possibility of autoignition due to heating of the fuel charge.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of carbonaceous gas at sea, for isotopic examination to enable prediction of hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation underlying a body of water.

Abstract: A permanent thermal packer is disclosed for sealing the annulus between an injection tubing string and a well casing. The packer is thermal cement and is placed from within the injection tubing string to seal a substantial portion of the annulus above the injection zone. The packer provides a means for sealing the annulus above the injection zone thus permitting insulating material to be placed in the annulus above the packer with the expectation that it will not be damaged by well bore fluids.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing a subsurface well is disclosed wherein particulate material is fluidized in a gas/liquid foam carrier fluid and transported to the subsurface where the particulate material forms the gravel pack and the foam carrier fluid returns to the surface.

Abstract: A free standing transmitting microphone comprising a hollow holder for enclosing a transmitter and a microphone on a base. A cover of conductive material above the holder functions as an antenna for the transmitter. An acoustic pathway between the holder and the cover directs sounds to the microphone.

Abstract: Transient change in heat flux due to ultrasmall variation in flow conditions (say from no flow-to-flow) within a series of relief flowlines forming a component part of a flaring system associated with a chemical or refinery complex, is surprisingly useful in pinpointing a source of plant upset. Result: corrective action can be undertaken. In one aspect, the change in flux is monitored within each major relief flowline using a heat flux transducer-meter in series with signal indicating means, such as a recorder and/or an audio-alarm system. Cascading the signal output, i.e., serially combining the outputs of N thermocouples of the transducer-meter, enhances sensitivity. In a preferred case, N is about 80 but can be as high as 320, if desired.

Abstract: Transient change in heat flux due to a small variation in flow conditions (say from no flow-to-flow or vice versa) within a fluid-carrying body under a variety of conditions, is indicated. Ultrasensitivity is achieved by cascading the signal output of a plurality of N thermocouples (i.e., a thermopile), attached to upper and lower metallic plates of a heat flux transducer-meter, the upper plate being in heat transfer contact with at least a sector of the previously-mentioned fluid-carrying body. In a preferred case, N is about 80 but can be as high as 320, if desired. Recordation of the output signals is via a recorder, although use of an audio-alarm to immediately alert an operator of a change in flow conditions, contemplated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring physical properties of a sample material at controllable temperatures and pressures. The apparatus includes a sample cell for holding fluid and/or solid samples. The cell includes at least one optically transparent window permitting visual and electromagnetic energy observations of the sample. A probe functions within the cell to collect a subsample for movement to apparatus for measuring properties and for returning the subsample to the cell. One form of optically transparent window is a sapphire. The cell is intended for measurements of physical properties at temperatures from about -40.degree. F. to about +400.degree. F. and at pressures from vacuum to at least 20,000 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stabilizing clay soil by mixing an effective amount of dry hydroxy-aluminum and dry base with the clay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stabilizing clay soil having a high water content by mixing an effective amount of hydroxy-aluminum and cellulosic polymer with the clay soil to deactivate water and thereby assist in preventing such water from fluidizing the clay soil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stabilizing clay soil by mixing an effective amount of dry hydroxy-aluminum and dry base with the clay.

Abstract: A power-up storage rack for microcomputers is provided for use in accommodating automatic recharging of each microcomputer irrespective of its multiple uses by several different operators. The rack resembles an H-shaped channel beam. Recharging results via electrical interconnection of multi-pin (male-female) receptacles of the rack and microcomputer with a source of electrical energy as through a transformer. An indicator light can also be activated by such electrical engagement.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, fluid-flow properties of a rock sample based on NMR response of the hydrogen nuclei of interstitial fluids within the pore space of such sample, can be swiftly and accurately achieved using a computer-controlled, portable NMR instrument. The inherent instrument inadequacy of a DC field inhomogeneity is controllably augmented by an adaptively generated gating code (provided via a computer-controller in feedback relationship with an oscillator-master clock controlling a transmitter-pulser) to ensure that the nuclear magnetization precessional frequency is not a multiple of the RF interrogation frequency. Result: Even though the instrument is placed at field sites away from the usual processing center, quick analysis of rock samples as during the drilling of a well, still results.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, fluid-flow properties of a rock sample based on NMR response of the hydrogen nuclei of interstitial fluids within the pore space of such sample, can be swiftly and accurately achieved using a computer-controlled, portable NMR instrument. The inherent instrument inadequacy of phase background jitter is controllably augmented by generating (via a computer-initiated DC source current) a DC magnetic field gradient across the sample. Result: A DC field inhomogeneity of D gauss is discontinuously introduced to the steady DC field to maintain high data-throughput efficiency, i.e., the number of NMR responses performed per unit time. And, even though the instrument is placed at field sites away from the usual processing center, quick analysis of rock samples as during the drilling of a well, still occurs.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, permeability estimates of a carbonate sample based on spin echo diffusion characteristics of the hydrogen nuclei of interstitial fluids within the pore space of such sample, can be swiftly and accurately achieved using a computer-controlled, portable NMR instrument. Result: Even though the instrument is placed at field sites away from the usual processing center, quick analysis of such samples as during the drilling of a well, still results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a cement thermal packer is disclosed. The cementing collar of the present invention is assembled into a stream or hot fluid injection string and positioned along the well in the location where the packer is to be placed. Cement material for the packer is pumped down the injection string preceded by a separation plug and followed by a sealing plug. The separation plug seats in the cementing collar to cause the cement to be diverted to the annulus between the well casing and the injection string. The sealing plug seats in the collar while the placed cement sets to form the packer. The internals of the collar are sheared from the collar leaving a smooth injection string to the injection zone of the well.

Abstract: A permanent thermal packer is disclosed for sealing the annulus between an injection tubing string and a well casing. The packer is thermal cement and is placed from within the injection tubing string to seal a substantial portion of the annulus above the injection zone. The packer provides a means for sealing the annulus above the injection zone thus permitting insulating material to be placed in the annulus above the packer with the expectation that it will not be damaged by well bore fluids.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly for wells having tubing carrying hot fluids into or out of the well. The tubing is subject to elongation due to thermal expansion from a fixed portion within the well. The present wellhead accommodates the thermal elongation and provides a noncontacting connection to the tubing from outside the wellhead. The wellhead may also be constructed to accommodate concentric tubing for hot fluids to or from separate portions of the well.

Abstract: A downhole concentric tubing string is disclosed for use in distributing steam, or other hot fluids, to separated subsurface formations along a well bore. The apparatus includes elements for deflecting the steam from one string into the annulus of a cased well for injection through openings into the formation, elements for conducting the steam in another of the concentric string to a second set of openings for injection into another portion of the formation, and elements for isolating and separating the two separate injection intervals.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention are described in which connection (and disconnection) of a plurality of geophones associated with a digital seismic data acquisition system is greatly simplified without sacrificing flexibility as to the number of geophone flyers per station or the interval spacing per station and also without the addition of separate subcabling in the internal linkage of the flyers to the field digitizing equipment. The apparatus includes a multiple-phone flyer-jumper connected to each channel of a remote data acquisition and telemetering circuit (RDATC). Each RDATC acts in combination with a group of geophone flyers, say four, to store, amplify, filter, gain control and digitize analog data from the flyers and then telemeter the data to recording circuitry in the field truck. In accordance with the present invention, each jumper-flyer includes a central multi-conductor cable segment terminating at each of its ends in the central leg of a multi-armed connector.