Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily storing the lower portion of a string of drill pipe in a well which has a cased portion wherein a packer, installed between a storm valve located below the packer and an actuator located above the packer, is set in the annulus between the drill pipe and the well casing, the actuator being designed to close the valve upon initial axial movement of the upper portion of the drill pipe, and then to become disengaged from the lower portion of the set drill pipe allowing the remaining surface suspended drill pipe and actuator to be retrieved as in the case of a floating drill ship or set aside for reconnection and reopening of the storm valve after a storm has passed.

Abstract: A collapsible crash barrier for use as and end treatment for a commonly known “Jersey Barrier” provides a frame assembly having a tubular construction and circular guides to control axial collapse of the barrier. A saddle is provided to rest upon and end section of a “Jersey Barrier” and slides along the top of a barrier when axially impacted by a vehicle in order to further control the collapse of the barrier.

Abstract: A doorway mounted chin-up bar has a rod with an interior tube that is telescopically received within a rotating sleeve. A mount is positioned on each end of the rod for securing the rod to a doorjamb. A pair of U-shaped extension bars extend outward and upward from the rod. Each of the extension bars have first and second ends that extend out of planes that are defined by the doorway in first and second directions, respectively. A first hand-grip bar is affixed to the first ends of the extension bars and a second hand-grip bar is affixed to the second ends of the extension bars. When a user grasps the first hand-grip bar and pulls down, the extension bars pivot about the rod until the second hand-grip bar engages a wall surface above the doorway. The user may engage in chin-ups while being supported by the first hand-grip bar. Alternatively, a user may grasp the second hand-grip bar and pull down until the first hand-grip bar engages a wall surface above the doorway.

Abstract: An intelligent intersection control system features an internal controller that receives digital messages containing detailed information items concerning, for example, the direction, speed, length and identity of a train. The controller generates appropriate commands that coordinate the functions of crossing safety devices. A controller is capable of receiving and using much more detailed train information than is possible with conventional warning systems. Railroad crossing warning features are capable of responding more flexibly to this more detailed train information. The controller also continuously adjusts the activation state for safety devices associated with the crossing. In particular embodiments, the control system provides and displays crossing status information including the amount of time remaining until a crossing is cleared of train traffic, the approach of a second train during blocking of the crossing by a first train, or a suggested alternate route for waiting road vehicles.

Abstract: Drill pipe protection rings for filling external identification slots in drill pipe tool joints prevent damage to the internal seals of a drilling head. The rings are formed from resilient elastomeric materials. In cross-section, each ring has slightly convex inner and outer surfaces, and a series of circumferentially spaced-apart, hemispherical bumps located along its inner surface. One ring is mounted within each slot on each drill pipe section. The rings stretch slightly while being installed, but form a tight fit once they are properly seated. When installed, the outer surfaces of the rings will protrude slightly outward from or beyond the slots. The hemispherical bumps help align and center the rings within the slots. Without the rings, sharp edges of the slots on the drill pipe tool joints could cause severe damage as they passed through the drill head. However, with the rings, the outer surfaces of the slots are substantially filled to prevent their edges from cutting or gouging the elastomers.

Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit of the rolling cutter type has cutting elements press fitted into mating holes in the cutter. Each of the cutting elements has a tungsten carbide cylindrical base and a cutting end protruding from the base. A diamond cap is bonded to the cutting end. A plurality of flats are formed in the conical sidewall surrounding the apex. The flats are identical to each other and have oval perimeters. Portions of the perimeters are contiguous with adjacent flats to create sharp edges.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a well containing a mixture of hydrocarbons and water wherein the assembly separates hydrocarbons or relatively lighter fluids from the mixture and injects water or relatively heavier fluids into the well. The assembly includes an upper pump that pumps the relatively lighter fluids to the surface. A tandem pump is positioned below the upper pump for pumping well fluids down to a downhole separator. An oil bypass tube is provided in communication with the tandem pump for transferring the relatively lighter fluids to the upper pump, for subsequent pumping to the surface. A recycle tube is also provided that communicates with the downhole separator and the tandem pump for transferring at least a portion of the relatively heavier fluids from the downhole separator to the tandem pump, for pumping the relatively heavier fluids back to the separator.

Abstract: An electrical cable has helically attached bristles for supporting the electrical cable when pulled through a string of coiled tubing to connect to an electrical submersible pump. The electrical cable and helically attached bristles have a circumscribed diameter greater than the inner diameter of the coiled tubing. The bristles deflect in a direction opposite the direction of pulling the electrical cable so that they grip the wall of the coiled tubing. The bristles apply a resistive frictional force to the wall of the coiled tubing, thereby transferring the weight of the electrical cable to the coiled tubing.

Abstract: An improved cableway system for providing a track over which a vehicle traverses. The improved system includes a catenary cable system and a pair of track cable systems. The track cable systems are hung from the catenary cable system and support tracks over which a vehicle traverses. A plurality of hangers is employed to suspend the track cable systems from the catenary cable system. A plurality of pylons support the catenary and track cable systems. A pylon includes a base pylon, a lower saddle, and an upper saddle. The lower saddle is pivotally mounted to the base pylon and supports the track cable systems. Preferred embodiments of the lower saddle include apparatuses that dampen the application of loads to the pylon by the vehicle traversing the system. The upper saddle is supported by the base pylon and supports the catenary cable system while providing for deflection of the catenary cable system in response to forces applied to the cableway system.

Abstract: A shuttle valve assembly in a ram-type BOP selectively connects the volume behind the rams to the more highly pressurized wellbore volume adjacent to the rams (either above or below the rams). The connection made is free flowing in both directions (no check valves) allowing for evacuation and fluctuations with changes in wellbore pressure.

Abstract: A subsea control module consists of three primary sections. The lower portion consists of a plate for carrying hydraulic couplings and hydraulic passages from valves to couplings. The lower portion contains a sub-assembly containing electro-optical couplings with direct sealed passages and wiring to a dry electronics chamber. The valve manifold has multiple pressure supply sources and a plurality of valves mounted therein. An outside portion of the valves are exposed so that the valves are externally accessible without disassembly of the subsea control module assembly, which facilitates an increase in accessibility and a reduction in maintenance times and costs. Electronics, wiring and solenoid valves are located in a one atmosphere, dry nitrogen purged chamber in a pressure vessel dome. The dry chamber has direct access to transducers and solenoid valves, thereby eliminating subsea cables. A mandrel extends below the device for engagement with a central locking mechanism in a receiver baseplate.

Abstract: An airplane has a plurality of airfoils with leading edges. A partition and a nose cap are located at a forward surface of the airfoil, creating upper and lower cavities. The nose cap may be positioned in an extended position or a retracted position. The nose cap is retracted when the airplane reaches supersonic speed. At supersonic speed, a shock wave forms on the leading edge of the airfoil. A compression zone forms between the shock wave and the leading edge, diverting the heat and pressure of the shock wave away from the airfoil. Downstream from the compressed zone, pressure wakes form along the airfoil and cool the airfoil. At subsonic speed, the nose cap is extended to achieve optimal airfoil efficiency. Forward or rearward gaps may be opened between the nose cap and the main body portion of the airfoil to allow airflow from the lower cavity below the partition to the upper cavity above the partition to selectively increase or decrease lift on the airfoil.

Abstract: Improvements for an ALERT.RTM.-type vehicle-based control system are described. The improvements encompass the use of a multiple control unit architecture for more efficient processing of user interface functions and device commands. The improved architecture allows one control unit to manage the control functions for a first device set. The second, or subsequent, control unit offloads the management of device control functions from the first control unit. Devices and methods are also described for incorporating the control system into a vehicle data bus, such as the IDB.

Abstract: An element that is sensitive to a pressure or acceleration signal comprises an optical element capable of changing its index of refraction and/or path length in response to a time varying pressure or in response to acceleration and a pliant mounting member supporting the optical element. The mounting member changes its geometrical configuration in response to the time varying pressure or acceleration. Some embodiments of the invention use a mechanical amplifier to achieve the needed sensitivity.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for gathering liquid samples from a reservoir of liquid using a submersible pump and subsequently retrieving the samples for analysis. The invention is more specifically directed toward the gathering and preparing of water samples for analysis for tritium content, where the samples are collected from underground formations penetrated by a borehole or collected at varying depths in surface canals and the like. The samples are subsequently transferred to the surface of the earth for analysis. The submersible pump is operated by means of a surface valving system and solenoid systems mounted on the submersible pump. The pump inlet valve is set to open or "crack" at a predetermine pressure, however the pump is not filled until a vacuum is applied to the pump. After filling, the pump is purged thereby transporting the sampled liquid to the surface by applying pressure.

Abstract: An ratcheting-type wrench for use in driving a hexagonal nut having a wrench head. The wrench head has upper and lower jaw portions that are rigidly joined by at least one web. The jaws have several faces that allow the wrench to be ratcheted about the nut to different drive positions without removing the wrench from the nut. The jaws have two drive faces that allow the wrench to drive the nut with the wrench tips in an open-ended embodiment, and in both an open-ended and a box-ended embodiment allow the wrench to ratchet in 30 degree increments. The faces are configured to prevent corner contact with the nut so that the corners are not rounded off. A lock face is provided to prevent the removal of the wrench from the nut while applying torque.

Abstract: An wrench for use with a nut which protects the nut from damage as torque is applied and can drive the nut in two drive positions. The wrench of this invention has a head having an upper forward drive face opposed to a lower drive face and an upper rearward drive face adjacent to the upper forward drive face. An upper notch separates the upper forward drive face and the upper rearward drive face. There is a back stop face adjacent to the upper rearward drive face. The lower drive face is adapted to engage a first side of a nut, the upper rearward drive face is adapted to engage an opposed second side of the nut, and the back stop face is adapted to engage a corner of the nut when the wrench is in a primary drive position. The upper forward drive face is adapted to engage the first side of the nut, the upper notch is adapted to engage a nut corner adjacent to the first side, and the lower drive face is adapted to engage the second side when the wrench is in a secondary drive position.

Abstract: The present conveyor system includes an external bowl with an internal screw conveyor of one or more flites which is rotated to cooperate with the bowl. The bowl and conveyor provides scrolling actions so that a mixed fluid introduced therein is segregated to separate the heavier parts from other parts in the fluid. One aspect of the disclosure is the incorporation of a single motor connected either to the bowl or conveyor, and a output power transmission connected between said bowl and conveyor. The transmission assures that the bowl and conveyor rotated in the right direction to provide the scrolling action which is maintained at as desired ratio with respect to bowl speed. In the preferred form, this includes a dual input, dual output transmission, and a connection so that only one motor source is needed.

Abstract: A dual in-line ball valve assembly for a subsea tree intervention tool has a pair of axially-movable pistons and a rotatable linkage member pinned between each of the pistons and the independently operable ball valves. The linkage members have eccentric hubs which rotate the ball valves between open and closed positions when the pistons are axially actuated. A recess is formed in each ball valve adjacent to the central flow passage of the assembly for accommodating a lower side of tubing or wireline. The recesses prevent shearing of the tubing or wireline in two places when one of the valves moves to the closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a pipeline pig which is formed of two primary dimensions and two primary components. It is made with a set of N disks where N is preferably 6, 7, or 8 and the disks are all provided with a common thickness and common diameter. The thickness is about 10% of the pipe ID while the diameter is about 105% to about 110% of pipe ID. The excess size enables wiping of the inside surface of the pipeline. Importantly, when the disks are folded back, they are spaced sufficiently along the pig so that folded back disks each individually flatten and do not overlap so that folded disks are doubled; this avoids building up the diameter excessively during transition through a small ID opening.