Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping formation liquids provides a reciprocating down hole pump on the end of a coiled tubing string. In one embodiment, one fluid flow path is provided through the inside of the coiled tubing and another flow path is provided in an annulus between the coiled tubing and a, production string. In one embodiment, pressure delivered down the annulus to the pump moves a piston in a direction to move formation liquids upwardly to the surface. When pressure in the annulus is reduced, the hydrostatic weight of the pumped liquid moves the piston in a retracting direction to prepare for the next stroke. In other embodiments, the piston is moved downwardly, in retracting direction, by fluid pressure applied from the surface.

Abstract: An illuminated handle is provided for a fishing rod, a gig, a gaff, a net and an oar. The illuminated handle includes a light transmitting hollow tubular handle having a florescent lamp inside to illuminate the area around a user. The handle includes a screw threaded end providing access to a carrier slidably received in the handle. The carrier provides a battery, a ballast for starting the florescent lamp and a pair of exposed contacts. A switch extends through the handle engages the contacts and either closes or opens the contacts to turn the lamp off and on. In one embodiment, the carrier resides along a mid-plane of the handle providing a storage compartment between the carrier and the top side of the handle. In one embodiment, a rod tip illuminator is attached to the tip end of the fishing rod and includes a light emitting diode, one or more batteries and a switch.

Abstract: A bearing includes an annular rubber-like member having a metal sleeve bonded on the inside diameter. One or more collars are sweated onto a shaft and provide one component of a lug and groove torque connection, the metal sleeve providing the other component. In one embodiment, a polymer liner is cooled and then inserted into the stern tube. When the polymer liner warms to ambient temperature, it expands into engagement with the stern tube and provides a surface for bearing engagement with the rubber-like member. Liners of this type are easily removed by removing the bearing, drilling a hole through the side wall of the liner parallel to the axis of the bearing and then pulling the weakened liner from the stern tube.

Abstract: A power resistor assembly includes an anodizable metal substrate, preferably an aluminum alloy, having an insulating anodized coating on at least one flat side. A resistive or partially conductive ink is screen printed on the anodized coating in a pattern to provide one or more resistors. The ink has a curing temperature below 660.degree. C. which is below the melting point of aluminum. The resistor assembly is a vehicular fan motor controller or an interior dimmer switch. The fan motor controller has resistor ends which are soldered with tin-lead solder.

Abstract: A long handled chipper allows a golfer with the yips to chip better. In one embodiment, a plurality of club faces having different degrees of loft are provided so the club may be used for different purposes, e.g. as a chipper and as a putter.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation device comprises a tough fabric panel longer than a large human adult and wide enough to be wrapped around such a person. A pouch on the foot end of the device receives the person's feet. A strap adjacent the foot end of the device ties the person's feet together in an upright position so the feet do not splay apart and snag on an obstruction when the device is moved. Transverse straps wrap the panel about the individual and, at the head end of the panel, preferably are crossed to pull the person's shoulders downwardly and inwardly thereby making the person's shoulders less apt to snag on an obstruction when the device is pulled along an underlying surface.

Abstract: A vehicular camera mount is supported on the exterior of a vehicle door and includes a series of vacuum mounts adjacent the edge of the vehicle door. A horizontal beam comprising upper and lower horizontal supports connects the vacuum mounts. A vertical beam is mounted on the horizontal beam for horizontal adjustable movement and for vertical adjustable movement. A pair of clips stick into the window opening and connect to turnbuckles pulling the vertical beam toward the vehicle door. A pair of pads carried by the vertical beam abut the door and resist movement of the camera mount. A camera platform is carried by the vertical beam. The camera mount is sufficiently sturdy to hold a camera so steady that the only unintended movement of the camera is due to shaking or rocking of the vehicle. After being set up once to fit a particular vehicle, the camera mount can be taken off the door or installed on the door in less than two minutes.

Abstract: A brake bleeding tool allows one person to bleed the hydraulic lines leading to a vehicle wheel cylinder. A check valve allows hydraulic fluid and air to pass out of the wheel cylinder when the brake pedal is depressed and prevents back flow when the brake pedal is released. In one embodiment, a hose connects the check valve to the wheel cylinder and, in another embodiment, a rigid connector connects the check valve to the wheel cylinder. The hose or the rigid connector includes a permanent air trap preventing air bubbles from moving by gravity back into the wheel cylinder when brake fluid flow stops. The air trap is transparent so the air bubbles can be seen. The air trap is such that pumping hydraulic fluid through it purges air in the air trap.

Abstract: When running in a hydrocarbon well with a large diameter pipe, such as a liner or wash pipe, on the bottom of smaller diameter drill pipe, a safety sub is screwed into the box of a drill pipe stand by the derrickman. Any low pressure mud flowing upwardly in the drill pipe is diverted by the sub to a standpipe and then to the mud system of the drilling rig. In the event high pressure mud starts flowing in the drill pipe, the safety sub is tightened with a wrench and a valve is manipulated to stop upward flow in the drill pipe. The safety sub is partially dismantled, leaving the valve closed and suitable pressure lines are connected to the sub to kill the well. The valve includes a ball check which is normally held open and a mechanism manipulated to allow the ball check to close against a seat. After closing the valve, the ball check may be pumped downwardly into the well to allow a wire line tool to be run into the hole.

Abstract: In a petroleum coke operation, a pilot hole is drilled in the coke by high pressure water emitting from downwardly directed nozzles in a drilling assembly. A full hole is eroded in the coke by diverting the high pressure water to a series of full hole nozzles in response to shutting off, and then resupplying, high pressure water to the drilling assembly. This conveniently converts pilot hole operations to full hole operations, which is the normal mode of cutting coke from a drum. Thus, the modes of operation are switched each time water is resupplied to the drilling assembly.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit for an air conditioning/refrigeration system includes a plurality of independent spiral coils carrying hot refrigerant. Water is sprayed onto an upper set of the coils and passes through a bank of surface media onto a lower set of coils and then into a sump where it is recirculated. Water is also sprayed onto the lower coils. Air flows upwardly though the unit and cools the downwardly moving water droplets. Although most of the cooling in the unit is from evaporation, an unusual feature is the almost complete lack of scale buildup. The unit is almost completely dark inside so algae doesn't grow. Periodic high water temperatures and periodic purging of the recirculated water minimizes fungi growth. The coils are supported in such a manner that the tubes are allowed to lengthen and expand radially when temperatures are high and shrink when temperatures are low.

Abstract: An access rope for an offshore production platform comprises an upper end attached to a chain fixed to the platform, a central stabilizing section providing a series of weights and a lower section providing hand holding implements. The weights are of different size and act so the rope swings less in response to the wind than conventional ropes. The hand holding implements include a loop in the rope which can be grasped by a user and a series of enlarged knots. The hand holding section of the main rope is helically wrapped with a smaller rope in which the adjacent wraps are spaced well apart.

Abstract: A storm shutter installation includes a pair of supports attached above and below a window to be protected. The supports include a pair of parallel channels to receive a pair of plywood panels. One or more removable brace are provided to support the plywood panels. The braces typically run parallel to the short dimension of the panels thereby reducing the unsupported long dimension of the panels. The braces are clamped together, thereby clamping the panels together and clamping the panels to the supports. The resulting storm shutter installation is substantially stronger, perhaps as much as an order of magnitude, than single plywood panel installations.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body having threaded connections on each end. A unit handled valve mechanism includes a cage carrying a spring loaded floating valve ball. The valve mechanism is placed in and removed from the valve body without the use of special tools. The valve mechanism includes lip type polyseals allowing pressure from below to leak past a lower valve seat so pressure from below causes the valve ball to seal only against an upper seat assembly. The only segment of the valve ball in substantial compression is immediately adjacent the upper seat assembly. An actuator for the valve fits onto a connector between the actuator and ball in only one manner, so the indicator on the actuator correctly points at the correct indicia on the valve body describing the valve condition, i.e. open or closed. An improved connector between the actuator and the valve ball minimizes the potential of deformation due to abuse.

Abstract: Mosquitoes are discouraged from occupying a grassy recreational area by spraying dilute garlic juice on grass, shrubs and trees. Surprisingly, this treatment repels mosquitoes. More surprisingly, mosquitoes are repelled for many months. For reasons not wholly understood, mosquitoes are repelled by some component of garlic juice which may not be the odoriferous compounds. The equivalent of at least about 0.04 gallons of full strength garlic juice per acre is applied. Preferably, the garlic juice is applied in a concentration in the range of 0.04-0.5 gallons of full strength garlic juice per acre and in a strength of 1/2-5% garlic juice.

Abstract: A downhole well lubricant includes at least about 50#/bbl of a surfactant, preferably at least about 10#/bbl of a viscosifier, the balance being about 20-50% filming amine, 20-80% activator, balance being a diluent. The activator is VARSOL, coconut oil, terpene, xylene, mineral oil, turpentine, d-limonene and mixtures thereof. The surfactant is a stearate, preferably aluminum stearate, and the viscosifier is an oil compatible bentonite or polyacrylamide polymer. The resultant product is a thin pigmented solution of low viscosity. When the lubricant is dispersed in a water based drilling or completion fluid, the filming amine is attracted to and coats metal in the well. When the metal rubs against anything, such as coiled tubing rubbing against the side of the production string, a lubricious emulsion is created on the metal at locations where it is rubbing against something.

Abstract: A patient restraint includes a plurality, preferably three, of finger traps stitched to the end of a long strap. The patient's fingers are inserted into the finger traps so the finger traps constrict in diameter when the ends are pulled. The finger traps are preferably transparent so a nurse can inspect the patient's fingers for signs of poor blood circulation. The strap preferably includes two lengths of fabric material so a bow knot can be tied to a support, such as a bed rail or frame, so the patient's hand cannot reach the throat or the patient's other hand.

Abstract: A vehicle locator system is integrated into the electrical system of a vehicle. When a hunter leaves the vehicle, the system is activated, preferably in response to turning the ignition key to the off position. Upon the lapse of a preset first delay, the system sounds an alarm so the hunter can audibly locate the vehicle. The alarm sounds again after a delay less than the first preset delay. The delay is preferably adjustable by the user. Bird hunters typically use a delay of less than about fifteen minutes. Coon hunters typically use a delay of at least one hour and usually two. The system preferably connects to the vehicle horn relay and periodically grounds the relay to cause the vehicle horn to honk.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body having threaded connections on each end. A unit handled valve mechanism includes a cage carrying a spring loaded floating valve ball. The valve mechanism is placed in and removed from the valve body without the use of special tools. The valve mechanism includes lip type polyseals allowing pressure from below to leak past a lower valve seat so pressure from below causes the valve ball to seal only against an upper seat assembly. The only segment of the valve ball in substantial compression is immediately adjacent the upper seat assembly. An actuator for the valve fits onto a connector between the actuator and ball in only one manner, so the indicator on the actuator correctly points at the correct indicia on the valve body describing the valve condition, i.e. open or closed. An improved connector between the actuator and the valve ball minimizes the potential of deformation due to abuse.

Abstract: A surge protector includes a housing having therein a wire wound resistor and a fuse separated by a partition wall. In one embodiment for use with high density information transmission, the resistor is of very low value and preferably is 5.6 ohms. The leads from the resistor and fuse are glued in position. The resistor wire is wound about a mandrel and is widely spaced to prevent arcing between adjacent coils of the resistor. A high temperature coating covers the resistor coils and mandrel effectively immobilizing the coils from movement in response to a magnetic field generated when high voltage is applied to the resistor. A cover closes the housing and conceals the components. The housing is empty of potting material.