Abstract: A housing/piston mechanism for sensing a control fluid pressure and shifting a valve element in response thereto. The piston mechanism comprises a first piston having an internal bore in which is positioned a second piston, and a third piston for use in one specific orientation within the piston housing. Varying ranges of fluid pressure sufficient to actuate the piston mechanism are accomplished by positioning the piston mechanism within its piston chamber in varying orientations so that the effective piston surface area exposed to a control fluid is dictated by the specific orientation of the piston mechanism within the chamber. In one orientation, the effective fluid pressure surface area is that of the larger piston member. In a second orientation, the effective surface area exposed to the sensing fluid is a first surface of the smaller piston carried by the larger piston. In a third orientation, the effective surface area exposed to the sensing fluid is that of the opposite end of the second piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single point mooring system for mooring vessels at a certain distance from offshore structures. The system includes a buoy positioned in the water and a cable attached at one end of the buoy and attached at the other end to a reel or the like for reeling in or reeling out cable to move the vessel back and forth relative to the buoy. Another cable is attached to the buoy and depends downwardly therefrom into the water where it is attached to a sinker ball resting on the bottom. An anchor is connected to the sinker ball.

Abstract: A multipurpose fluid flow assisted downhole tool that is adapted for attachment to the lower end of a pipe string to be extended into a well bore and which is capable of cutting sample cores from subsurface earth formations and removing the cores for evaluation. The tool is also capable of removing ferrous metal objects from the bottom of the well bore by both mechanical and magnetic means in conjunction with object movement assistance that is provided by flowing fluid in the vicinity of the bottom of the well bore. The well servicing tool includes an internal mechanism that has the capability of achieving reverse circulation of fluid in the vicinity of the bottom of the well bore which causes fluid flow from the annulus between the tool and the well bore, upwardly into an internal object collection chamber defined by the well tool and then outwardly of the well tool and upwardly through the annulus between the pipe string and the well bore to the surface.

Abstract: A drilling fluid monitoring system and method includes a pump stroke counter providing an electrical signal representing the volume of drilling fluid pumped into a well, a flow sensing device providing an electrical signal representing the volume of drilling fluid flowing out of the well, fluid level an electrical measuring device providing an electrical signal representing the fluid level changes within a tank, and a device receiving the electrical signals emitted by the pump stroke counter, flow sensor and measuring device to indicate changes in the circulation of the well drilling fluid.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a marine structure is disclosed, comprising an essentially vertical frame member mounted by energy absorbing shock members at each end thereof to a stationary offshore structure, the vertical member carrying annular bumper members stacked thereon. The vertical member comprises concentric cylinders in order to extend the length thereof slightly as the shock absorbing members are actuated so that the movement of such shock absorbing members remains linear. At each end of the vertical support member, at the point of attachment of the shock absorbing member, a supporting chain or cable is attached to support such vertical member to prevent the vertical member from creating a cantilever effect on the shock absorbing members.

Abstract: A power converting apparatus and method comprising a transformer and converting circuit mounted with the transformer for converting direct current to a series of pulses in the primary winding which includes a pulse train forming an effective current with reciprocal positive and negative sine wave components for each half cycle of chosen frequency. A gating circuit is mounted with the transformer for sequentially passing the pulses in the positive sine wave components followed by the pulses in the negative sine wave component, the gating circuit passes the pulses received in the secondary winding synchronously with the pulses in each half cycle of the pulse train to form a chosen frequency alternating current component. A filter is mounted with the gating circuit for removing selected components of the received signal while providing an output of the chosen frequency alternating current.

Abstract: A drilling fluid monitoring system and method includes a pump stroke counter providing an electrical signal representing the quantity of drilling fluid pumped into a well, a flow sensing device providing an electrical signal representing the flow of drilling fluid out of the well, fluid level an electrical measuring device providing an electrical signal representing the fluid level changes within a tank and a device receiving the electrical signals emitted by the pump stroke counter, flow sensor and measuring device to indicate changes in the circulation of the well drilling fluid.

Abstract: A device for insuring a positive fluid seal between a float collar valving element and valve seat therein is disclosed. The device comprises a rubberlike tension strap or compression steel spring positioned within the float collar valve assembly for urging the valving element against the upper valve seat. Fluid pressure from above the valve assembly will overcome the force exerted on the valving element by the urging device and permit fluid to flow in a downwardly direction through the float collar valve assembly. However, when this fluid pressure above the float collar is reduced, the urging device overcomes the force exerted thereby and again urges the valving element in positive sealing engagement with the upper valve seat to preclude flow of fluid in an upperwardly direction back through the float collar valve assembly.

Abstract: A device for preventing unwanted objects from entering the ball assembly of a float collar or float shoe and otherwise damaging or plugging the valve mechanism therein is disclosed. The device comprises a screen constructed of expanded metal and rigidly affixed to the interior of the float collar or float shoe above the ball valve assembly. The screen portion is either mounted to the interior surface of the float collar sleeve by an annular structural member or mounted to a structural band which is partially embedded in the concrete portion of the float collar or casing guide shoe.

Abstract: A chemical reactor, flow distributor, system and method are disclosed. A plurality of chemically inert flow distributors are embedded in the receiving surface of a layer of chemically inert objects supported by a bed of catalytic material which is disposed within a chemical reactor. The flow distributors are constructed from spheres of chemically inert material interconnected to one another and defining a desirable geometric form having voids and interstices which provide passageways therethrough, the passageways permitting the reactants to pass in effectively distributed manner into the bed of catalytic material.

Abstract: An instrument hanger for use in tubing is disclosed with an anti-kick, anti-fall running tool. In one embodiment, the tool includes an internal mandrel, an external sleeve, with the mandrel being tapered wherein the external sleeve supports upwardly pointed detents and downwardly pointed detents against the taper which detents prevent untimely fall of the tool and untimley upward movement thereof.The tool combination includes a packer element including a set of expandable slips or collet fingers functioning in conjunction with the packer to expand and plug the tubing string. Further tool combination may support an instrument package such as a downhole pressure measuring mechanism used to obtain downhole pressure readings after isolating above a particular zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for installing and thereby protecting existing offshore structures, existing platforms and flow line risers in the splash and/or wave action zone.

Abstract: A catalyst unloading mechanism for unloading catalyst and inert materials from catalyst tubes or passages within a catalytic reactor. The mechanism is separatable into major sections, the size of which is sufficiently limited as to facilitate passing the same through the mayway of a reaction vessel for assembly inside the vessel. A plurality of probes which may be fed from a spool are at least partially oscillated by an oscillating frame and are inserted into the catalyst tubes or passages while oscillating by a movable support frame so as to dislodge catalyst and inert materials contained within the tubes or passages. A collector tray through which the probes extend functions to collect material dislodged by the probes and diverts it to an outlet opening for collection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved catch basin including a frame means mounted around an opening in drainage and/or sewer pipes, a riser means having an opening at each end thereof mounted with said frame, and a grid support means and grid means mounted therewith, said grid support means and grid means being positioned on the interior of said riser means and between each of said openings in said riser means for preventing undesirable, unwanted, oversized objects from entering into the drainage and/or sewer pipes.

Abstract: A live bait container that is adapted to float in water with a majority of the container in submerged condition and which is also adapted to maintain fishing bait in live condition when removed from the water. The structure of the container promotes internal circulation of water when floating and retention of a substantial volume of water to keep the bait alive when the container is removed from the water. A valve at the bottom of the container, an aeration tube and air supply cooperate to provide bait preserving water circulation and aeration while in and out of the water.

Abstract: A piston mechanism for sensing a control fluid pressure and shifting a valve element in response thereto. The piston mechanism comprises a first piston having an internal bore in which is positioned a second piston. Varying ranges of fluid pressure sufficient to actuate the piston mechanism are accomplished by positioning the piston mechanism within its piston chamber in varying orientations so that the effective piston surface area exposed to a control fluid is dictated by the specific orientation of the piston mechanism within the chamber. In one orientation, the effective fluid pressure surface area is that of the larger piston member. In a second orientation, the effective surface area exposed to the sensing fluid is a first surface of the smaller piston carried by the larger piston. In a third orientation, the effective surface area exposed to the sensing fluid is that of the opposite end of the second piston.

Abstract: A releasable drill string stabilizer is provided which includes a stabilizer body, a pair of end caps mounted with said body and a pair of clamping wedges positioned relative to the end caps and stabilizer body to clamp the stabilizer to a suitable drill string in various desired locations. A pin means and retainer slot means is provided for connecting the body and wedges relative to each other to prevent movement of such elements relative to each other and the drill string.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for increasing the power output of an impeller which is mounted in a stream of free flowing fluid, such as water or air. A portion of the free flowing fluid is received by the impeller and some of the portion leaves the impeller and is caused re-enter the free stream at an angle of intersection of not less than 35.degree. but less than 75.degree.. When designed for operation under water, buoyancy chambers are sized and positioned to negate gravitational stresses and distortions when submerged to thereby reduce cost and improve performance.

Abstract: A well completion method is provided wherein an inflatable packer is positioned in an open borehole of a well opposite a formation from which or into which a fluid is to flow. Cement is then forced into the packer to expand its packing element into contact with the wall of the borehole at the formation. The cement is allowed to set and then at least one perforation is made from the interior of the packer through the cement and packing element to the formation. A well system is also provided in which the well is equipped with such a packer so installed and having such a perforation.