Abstract: Recovering crude oil by separating and removing valuable hydrocarbon, water and solid components from sludge or an emulsion. A sludge or an emulsion with added reagents of predefined ratio is received to form a mixture for treatment. The mixture is processed to break a micelle structure of the sludge or the emulsion. The mixture is agitated to allow homogenization thereof. The processed mixture is centrifuged to separate hydrocarbons, water and solids from the sludge or the emulsion. The separated hydrocarbons are tested to ensure separated solids are disposed as environmentally safe materials. Basis solids and water contents of separated hydrocarbons are tested. The separated hydrocarbons are separated, and the filtered hydrocarbons (i.e., the recovered crude oil) are stored. The crude oil is thereby recovered from sludge or emulsion through a chemical exothermic reaction and centrifugation to resolve the emulsion into free water, solids and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for oil and gas well completions without conventional perforations or jet cutting. One or more frac gate tool(s) are included in the production casing string or liner which is cemented in the hole. The frac gates have a sleeve that is openable by a shifting tool to allow fluids inside the casing or liner to exit through ports and breakdown and treat the adjacent formation. Casing flapper valves are placeable above a lower frac gate to isolate the treated formation from a higher producing zone during treatment of the higher zone through a higher frac gate. A single hydraulically actuated shifting tool is usable to open the frac gates and close the casing flapper valves.

Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket. The lid draining accumulated water to protect interior contents. Motor control is easily interchangeable among pushbutton, remote and timer control.

Abstract: A system for treating spent/used Oil Based Drilling Muds (OBM's) to recover High Gravity Solids (HGS) for further reuse and to separate the invert emulsion from the Light Gravity Solids (LGS) with good characteristics also for further reuse. Separated LGS is processed to extract the remaining oil in order to render an environmentally safe solid fraction. The overflow of a screening or centrifugation of spent OBM enters a reactor where reagents are added and mixed to control the oil/water ratio of the recovered emulsion and to reduce the LGS concentration. A catalyst is added before adding a final reagent that initiates the reaction. Upon centrifuging the reacted mix, the recovered emulsion is the overflow and a thin layer of LGS forms slightly below the emulsion. The underflow of this separation is further sedimented by gravity and the phase dispersant layer is decanted and sent for reuse.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for oil and gas well completions without conventional perforations or jet cutting. One or more frac gate tool(s) are included in the production casing string or liner which is cemented in the hole. The frac gates have a sleeve that is openable by a shifting tool to allow fluids inside the casing or liner to exit through ports and breakdown and treat the adjacent formation. Casing flapper valves are placeable above a lower frac gate to isolate the treated formation from a higher producing zone during treatment of the higher zone through a higher frac gate. A single hydraulically actuated shifting tool is usable to open the frac gates and close the casing flapper valves.

Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket.

Abstract: A multiple hose rolling device is provided that is readily attachable to a vehicle and rolls multiple hoses of different flattened widths simultaneously. The device includes guides that adjust to accommodate the widths of the hoses, a closed dual-spindle system to prevent inadvertent displacement of the coiled hose from the spindle, a mechanism for assuring the pre-drainage liquid and air from hose portions about to enter the coil, and a mechanism for preventing the final end hose coupling from inadvertently being coiled. The device may be positioned to the side of the vehicle with the spindles extending outwardly from the vehicle and includes an electric motor for rotating the primary spindle, which can be powered by its own battery or the vehicle's battery. Precisely positionable guides are provided for carefully separating and guiding several hoses of different flattened widths as they approach the spindles.

Abstract: A flange alignment tool is provided for aligning misaligned flanges such that one worker can align the flanges, in a safe and efficient manner, with no sledge hammer involved. The flange alignment tool is simple to operate and is adaptable to various sized flange holes. The tool is operated by simple tools, such as a wrench, with no impact forces required. The tool is constructed of rigid materials to provide the strength and support for the alignment process, and has all components attached, and readily accessible, that are needed to accommodate various sizes of flange holes.

Abstract: A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion in a swirling motion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. In some embodiments a polymer is added. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In some embodiments, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer.

Abstract: A handbill is rolled to form a coil that is retained within a collapsible cup as it is ejected from an elongated tube and delivered to its destination. The collapsible cup has a cylindrical wall and a bottom member at one end that does not contribute to the structural strength of the cup. A variety of bottom members are provided with each having an exposed adhesive within the cup that is encountered when the handbill is inserted within the cup. The elongated tube is connected to a controllable source of pressurized fluid that is used to eject the handbill assembly from the tube. The handbill assembly and delivery system avoids the problems of prior assemblies and systems that projected cone-shaped paper flyers through the air.

Abstract: A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system, such as an evaporative cooling system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In another embodiment, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for oil and gas well completions without conventional perforations or jet cutting. One or more frac gate tool(s) are included in the production casing string or liner which is cemented in the hole. The frac gates have a sleeve that is openable by a shifting tool to allow fluids inside the casing or liner to exit through ports and breakdown and treat the adjacent formation. Casing flapper valves are placeable above a lower frac gate to isolate the treated formation from a higher producing zone during treatment of the higher zone through a higher frac gate. A single hydraulically actuated shifting tool is usable to open the frac gates and close the casing flapper valves.

Abstract: A handbill is rolled to form a coil that is retained within a collapsible cup as it is ejected from an elongated tube and delivered to its destination. The collapsible cup has a cylindrical wall and a bottom member at one end that does not contribute to the structural strength of the cup. The bottom member has an exposed adhesive within the cup that is encountered when the handbill is inserted within the cup. The elongated tube is connected to a controllable source of pressurized fluid that is used to eject the handbill assembly from the tube. The handbill assembly and delivery system avoids the problems of prior assemblies and systems that projected cone-shaped paper flyers through the air.

Abstract: A secondary packing arrangement is provided for use with a well having a reciprocating pump and polished rod, and in combination with a stuffing box, the stuffing box being modified. Packing seals, a barrier fluid and a pressure transmitter cooperate with modified stuffing box components to regulate the pressure on either side of a packing seal. The barrier fluid is contained above the packing seal, with well fluids and accompanying pressures being contained below the packing seal, such that if leakage occurs, relatively clean barrier fluids are leaked instead of well fluids. The pressure across the packing seal is substantially balanced across the packing seal, or the well fluid side pressure is less than the barrier fluid side, thus reducing the occurrence of leakage and extending the life of the packing seal. Sources for the well fluids cooperating with the pressure transmitter include the well's flow line and casing.

Abstract: Computer based method and apparatus for evaluating a graphic image file for the presence of objectionable visual content. The graphic image file comprises a number of pixels each having spectral components defined in accordance with a color model (such as RGB). Relative weighting of the spectral components of each pixel is performed to classify each pixel as either not representing human skin or as possibly representing human skin. For those sets of adjacent pixels that possibly represent human skin, a brightness test is performed to determine whether the set of pixels represents a curved surface. A statistical analysis evaluates the run length of each such set of pixels. Display of the graphic image file is allowed or disallowed based on the results of the foregoing analyses. Web pages available from the World Wide Web are further screened for objectionable terms in the associated URLs and text.

Abstract: A tool is provided for minimizing operator bending while lifting an elongated circular object, such as lengths of pipe. With one hand, the operator manipulates a slidable pin while grasping the tool handle. The slidable pin allows a rotatable grapple to move outward from the tool for positioning about the object, and, alternatively, to return the grapple toward the tool and secure the grapple in a position across from a positioning member, the grapple and positioning member being shaped to closely receive the object and hold the object between the grapple and the positioning member. A biasing element forces the slidable pin toward the rotatable grapple, the grapple being configured to receive the pin and be held in a position opposite the positioning member.

Abstract: A tool is provided for minimizing operator bending while lifting an elongated circular object, such as pipe. With one hand, the operator manipulates a slidable pin while grasping the tool handle. The slidable pin allows pivotable second grapple to move outward from the tool for positioning about the object, and, once the object encounters a trigger, to return the pivotable grapple toward the tool and secure the grapple in a position across from the first grapple, the first and second grapples being shaped to closely receive the object and hold the object between the grapples. A biasing element forces the slidable pin toward the pivotable grapple, the grapple being configured to receive the pin and be held in a position opposite the first grapple.

Abstract: A moisture resistant handbill is rolled to form a coil that is retained within a collapsible cup as it is ejected from an elongated tube and delivered to its destination. The collapsible cup has a cylindrical wall and a bottom member at one end that does not contribute to the structural strength of the cup. The elongated tube is connected to a controllable source of pressurized fluid that is used to eject the handbill assembly from the tube. The handbill assembly and delivery system avoids the problems of prior assemblies and systems that projected cone-shaped paper flyers through the air. Moisture resistance is provided by a plastic sheet, which may be larger than the coiled handbill, that wraps the handbill along its length prior to insertion.

Abstract: A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system, such as an evaporative cooling system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream before entering the reaction chamber and a buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber. Since some of the buffered sidestream is re-circulated, a fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. Continued sidestream water entry mixes with the fluid bed causing additional precipitation of solids. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In another embodiment, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer, resulting in a softer, more readily drainable fluid bed.

Abstract: My invention provides an oxidizing solution and process for the in situ oxidation of contaminants, including hydrocarbon, organic, bacterial, phosphonic acid, and other contaminants, the contaminants being found in various surfaces and media, including soil, sludge, and water. In a preferred embodiment, the solution includes a peroxygen compound, such as hydrogen peroxide, in solution with a pre-mixed solution of a carboxylic acid and a halogen salt, such as glycolic acid and sodium bromide, respectively.