Abstract: An activating means for activating a down-hole tool incorporates a magnet, which may include an attracting magnet (12) and a repelling magnet (13), and which may move under hydraulic pressure from an active position at which it causes a trigger, valve (8) or spring to be energised to a non active position at which the tool is not activated, the activating means thereby utilising hydraulic pressure without requiring hydraulic ports in the liner or mandrel.

Abstract: A system has been invented for cutting wellbore casing and retrieving casing and a wellbore device connected thereto, the system, in one aspect, including engaging apparatus for releasably holding the wellbore device, casing cutting apparatus interconnected with and below the engaging apparatus for cutting casing in a wellbore, the wellbore device connected to the casing, and locking apparatus for selectively and releasably locking the engaging apparatus holding the wellbore device. In one aspect the engaging apparatus has one or more movable latching arms for releasably holding a wellbore device, e.g. but not limited to a wellhead and the arms are mounted below a top bonnet that holes therethrough so that the flushing of debris and/or cutting from the tops of the arms is facilitated. In one aspect, a drain sub is used to reduce flow to the casing cutter so that the circulation of debris and/or cuttings is inhibited.

Abstract: A substantially planar screen for a solid particle separator is formed from one or more layers of mesh. The one or more layers of mesh are formed into a series of ridges separated by channels within the plane of the screen. The wire mesh is bonded to a rigid or semi-rigid panel having a plurality of relatively large openings as compared to those of the mesh to create a plurality of repairable screen cells. The support panel is formed with or bent into a series of alternating ridges and channels to create the ridges and channels in the wire mesh when it is bonded to the panel. The cross-sectional shape of the ridges are generally triangular to maximize exposure of surface area of the screen to a flow of material to be separated. Flat surfaces on the ridges and in the channels facilitate repair of screen cells with solid plugs.

Abstract: A method for testing threaded joints and threaded members comprising the steps of lubricating one or both threaded members, making up a joint, subjecting the joint to a pressure differential, and attempting to detect flow through said joint, characterized in that said method includes the step of subjecting said joint to heat during the test.

Abstract: A wellbore mill has been invented that has a body having a top and a bottom and a first fluid flow channel extending longitudinally therethrough from top to bottom, the first fluid flow channel having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the first fluid flow channel having an opening sized for receiving a core of material from a tubular member milled by the mill, and at least a portion of the first fluid flow channel offset from the remainder thereof to facilitate separation of the core from the tubular member.

Abstract: New systems and methods have been invented for explosively forming openings, ledges, windows, holes, and lateral bores through tubulars such as casing, which openings may, in cerain aspects, extend beyond the casing into a formation through which a wellbore extends. In certain aspects openings (e.g. ledges, initial, or completed windows) in wellbore tubulars (e.g. tubing or casing) are made using metal oxidizing systems, water jet systems, or mills with abrasive and/or erosive streams flowing therethrough and/or therefrom.

Abstract: A protector has been invented for positioning in a space between two vehicles, one positioned behind the other the protector including a protective member configured to fit into and substantially fill the space between the two vehicles, and movement apparatus connected to the protective member for accommodating relative movement between the two vehicles. In one aspect the protector is formed of flexible material such as screening, mesh, metal foil, cloth, canvas, fencing, fiberglass, nylon and plastic. In another aspect the protector has a sub-member formed of or secured to the protective member and positioned to protect the protective member from effects of a vehicle exhaust adjacent the protective member when the protector is emplaced between two vehicles.

Abstract: A plug launching device for use in cementing operations in the construction of oil and gas wells, the device having, in certain embodiments, a tubular member with an upper section and a lower section which can accommodate at least a bottom plug and a top plug, the upper section having a floor and the lower section movable relative to the upper section so that when a first dart is pumped into the upper section by cement, the cement is diverted to raise the lower section to release the bottom plug, and when a second dart is pumped into the upper section by hydraulic fluid, it lands on the first dart and the hydraulic fluid is diverted to raise the lower section to further release the top plug.

Abstract: A foot support device for use with a shoe has been invented, the foot support device, in one aspectc having two spaced-apart side posts, each having a bottom end connectible to a side of the shoe and a top end, a front member having a top end and a bottom end connectible to a top part of the shoe and spaced-apart from each of the side posts, and a cuff connected to the top end of the two sdie posts and to the top of the front member. In one aspect such a device has one or more upwardly projecting members that are releasably connectible to a knee brace to maintain the brace in a desired position with respect to a wearer's knee. Methods are also provided for using such devices.

Abstract: New joint compensator and systems and methods of their use have been invented which, in one aspect are useful for compensating for the weight of a first joint and at least one subsequent joint, the first joint to be supported above the at least one subsequent joint, the joint compensator in one aspect having a body interconnectible between the first joint and moving apparatus, the body including supporting apparatus for supporting the first joint above the at least one subsequent joints and for providing support of the first joint as it moves with respect to the at least one subsequent joint, the supporting apparatus compensating for weight of the first joint as it moves, the support apparatus for alternately supporting the first joint and then the at least one subsequent joint, the support apparatus initially adjustable to compensate for the weight of the first joint so that the support apparatus is also thereby adjusted to compensate for weight of the at least one subsequent joint.

Abstract: A screen for a vibratory shaker having a frame with multiple openings. Screen modules or plugs are disposed in each opening. Further disclosed is a mounting apparatus for securing the screen plugs in the openings and a support strip for supporting part of a screen having at least one upturned finger projecting above the top surface of the support body configured for contacting and supporting at least a part of a raised portion of the frame. A plug or module disposed in an opening of a positioning member of a screen assembly for a vibratory separator receives fluid with material therein for separation therefrom. Additionally disclosed is a method for making a plate mesh combination.

Abstract: A method has been invented for monitoring an object passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel having at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter, the method including detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus interruption by an object of the fan-shaped light beam continuously emitted by the at least one light emitter; and generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the interruption of the fan-shaped beam by the object.

Abstract: A multi-pan for an air conditioning system which has a coil positionable in one of three orientations has been invented, the multi-pan includes, in certain aspects, a bottom pan having walls defining an inner space the bottom pan disposed for receiving water from the coil when the coil is positioned above the bottom pan, a first side pan connected at one end to the bottom pan, the first side pan disposed for receiving water from the coil when the coil is positioned above the first side pan, and a second side pan connected at one end to the bottom pan and spaced apart from the first side pan by the bottom pan, the second side pan disposed for receiving water from the coil when the coil is positioned above the second side pan. the bottom pan can be configured for an A (or V) coil with an air flow space therethrough, or for an M-coil with two air flow spaces therethrough and a middle pan part.

Abstract: An array of cutting inserts has been invented having a plurality of adjacent inserts, each insert comprising a body having a top surface, a bottom, and a base, and a plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations in the top surface of the body, and a strengthening ridge between adjacent indentations of the plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations, and a peripheral strengthening ridge around an outer edge of the top surface of the body surrounding the plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations.

Abstract: A method has been invented for recovering hydrocarbons from an earth formation containing hydrocarbons, the method including injecting a recovery injectant (e.g., but not limited to, saturated or supersaturated steam), into the earth formation at a plurality of injection points, the injection points spaced apart in one particular aspect by about 14 to about 208 feet, and producing hydrocarbons from the formation with at least one producer well extending into the formation.

Abstract: A screen is disclosed which, in certain aspects, has screening material between opposed frame sides and one or more lower strips beneath the screen. In one aspect a plurality of lower strips are bonded to the screen and extend across the screen from one frame side to the other. In one aspect one or more of the strips has one, two, or more humps or ridges corresponding to one or more corrugations in a corrugated perforated plate and/or corrugated screen assembly which is on the plate or, with no plate present, on the strips. In another aspect instead of the strips a solid corrugated perforated plate is used. In one aspect openings or perforations through the plate are triangular. In one aspect the screen is undulating screening material and lower portions of the screening material are bonded to a plate or to strips. Optionally screen mounting hooks or frame edges or screen edges may be used with such screens. A screening apparatus or shale shaker is disclosed which uses such plates and screens.

Abstract: An insulator has been invented for use between adjacent portions of wire coils of a helical heater wire, the insulator, in one aspect, having a body member with a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, a first groove formed in the front of the body member and extending from the first side to the second side, the first groove for receiving and holding a first portion of a first wire coil. In certain aspects the insulator also has a second groove formed in the rear of the body member spaced apart from the opposite the first groove, the second groove extending from the first side to the second side, the second groove for receiving and holding a portion of a second wire coil adjacent to and spaced apart from the first wire coil. In one aspect the first and second grooves are at a top of the body member and another pair of such grooves are at the bottom of the body member. A heater element has been invented with such an insulator and a heater has been developed with such a heater element.

Abstract: A stroke indicator has been invented for indicating that a movable inner member of an hydraulically activated wellbore tool or apparatus has moved, particularly that movement of such a member indicating that a stroke of the tool or apparatus has occurred. In one aspect such an indicator is used to indicate that the stroke of a wellbore tubular patch expander system has been completed. A tubular patch has been invented which includes two or more connected tubular patch members. A tubular patch system has been invented for patching operations which, in one aspect, is useful as a "through tubing" tubular patch system and has a body and a series of selectively expandable members which, once having passed through a tubular of a first diameter, are expandable in a tubular of a second diameter larger than the first diameter and then operable to expand a liner patch to seal a leak in the tubular of the second diameter.

Abstract: An electrical power generating system has been invented, with, in one aspect, a combustion chamber for the combustion of oxygen and hydrogen and for producing hot water and hot gas, a first turbine system fired by the hot gas from the combustion chamber producing electrical power and hot water, a tank for the collection of hot water from the combustion chamber and from the first turbine system, a steam boiler receiving hot water from the tank and producing steam, a second turbine system run by the steam from the steam boiler and producing electrical power and hot water. A method for producing electrical power has been invented using such an electrical power generating system.

Abstract: A new fill valve for use in cementing operations in a wellbore extending down into the earth has been invented, the fill valve having a tubular housing having a valve seat, a valve member slidably mounted in said tubular housing, a spring for biasing said valve member towards a closed position, the valve member having a head engageable with the valve seat of the tubular housing to close the valve, selectively releasable apparatus for releasably maintaining the fill valve in an open position, the selectively releasable apparatus including a shear ring breakable in response to pressure thereon, a slider movably disposed in a slider housing mounted in the tubular housing, a lower end of the slider initially projecting down and out from the slider housing and abutting a top end of the valve member and preventing the valve member from moving, a top end of the slider abutting the shear ring, the slider prevented initially from moving by the shear ring, the slider movable in response to pressure of fluid in the well