Abstract: A new laser perforator has been invented for perforating skin with a perforation to permit blood under a surface of the skin to flow out, the perforator in one embodiment having a laser light source for producing an output laser beam, and a mode distribution apparatus for intercepting the output laser beam to control distribution of laser energy of the output laser beam across the perforation of the skin. A laser perforator is disclosed for perforating skin with a perforation to permit blood under a surface of the skin to flow out, the perforator in one embodiment having a laser light source for producing an output laser beam having an energy level between about 0.1 to about 2.0 Joules, the perforation ranging in diameter between about 0.1 to about 2.0 millimeters, in depth between about 0.5 to about 4.0 millimeters, and ranging in width between about 0.05 to about 0.2 millimeters. A method is also disclosed for perforating skin for blood sampling.

Abstract: A cutting insert for a tool for wellbore milling operations has been invented that has a body having a top, a bottom, and a base, and a plurality of cutting surfaces on the top of the body, one of the cutting surfaces at a different height above the base than the other cutting surface, each cutting surface defined by linear boundaries extending from a first edge of the cutting insert, and the linear boundaries parallel to each other, the plurality of cutting surfaces including at least two cutting surfaces including at least a first cutting surface and a second cutting surface, the second cutting surface at a height above the base which is greater than a height above the base of the first cutting surface.

Abstract: A system has been invented for producing a final earth model of part of an earth formation having N (one or more) layers, the method including, in one aspect, generating an initial earth model based on raw data produced by a wellbore logging tool at a location in a borehole through the earth, performing 2-D forward modeling on the initial earth model to produce an interim earth model that includes a set of synthetic tool responses data for the wellbore logging tool, comparing the synthetic tool response data to the raw data to determine whether there is misfit between them; if misfit between the synthetic tool response data and the raw data is acceptable, saving and storing the interim earth model as the final earth model; if misfit between the synthetic tool response data and the raw data is unacceptable, performing 1-D forward modeling N times on the interim earth model, producing a secondary earth model; performing 1-D inversion on the secondary earth model; and either saving the secondary earth model as t

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket, opening, or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore; and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required to complete a window or a window and the lateral wellbore. In one aspect a full gauge tool body is used so that the completed lateral wellbore is of a substantially uniform diameter along its entire length, which, in one aspect is suitable for the passage therethrough of full gauge tools, pipe, devices, and apparatuses. In one aspect a cutting system has cutting apparatus initially covered with a wearable away material which is worn away by contacting a tubular to be milled, exposing the cutting apparatus for milling and/or for drilling formation adjacent the wellbore.

Abstract: A tube holder has been invented for holding a spray tube for use with a nozzle of a spray can, the tube holder, in one aspect, having a ring stretchable or non-stretchable for encircling part of the spray can (e.g. body, nozzle, or nozzle projection) for mounting the tube holder to the spray can, an interconnection member having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to or formed integrally with the ring, and a holding member connected to or formed integrally with the second end of the interconnection member. In one embodiment the holding member is a ring (stretchable or non-stretchable) and in another embodiment the holding member is a body with at least one slit opening therethrough, the spray tube insertable through and removably holdable in the at least one slit opening. The present invention discloses a spray can with any such tube holder and with a hollow spray tube.

Abstract: A tool for wellbore sidetracking operations has been invented, the tool, in one aspect, having a body, a milling section on the body for milling an opening in a tubular in a first wellbore in a formation, the milling section having milling material thereon, and a drilling section on the body for drilling a second wellbore beyond the window into the formation.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises two annular bands which are spaced apart by a plurality of members extending there-between. The members are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the centralizer by an angle a of typically 30.degree. to 45.degree..

Abstract: A packer mill system for milling a packer in a wellbore has been invented which has, in certain aspects, a bushing with a hollow generally cylindrically shaped bushing body with a bottom, a top, a bushing bore extending therethrough from top to bottom, and at least one key on an interior surface thereof, the at least one key projecting inwardly into the bushing bore, a mandrel initially disposable within the bushing, the mandrel having a hollow generally cylindrically shaped mandrel body with a top, a bottom, a mandrel bore extending therethrough from top to bottom, and a slot system formed in an exterior surface of the mandrel body, the at least one key disposed for movement through the slot system, engagement apparatus connected to the bottom of the mandrel body for engaging the packer, milling apparatus connected to the bottom of the bushing body and disposed for movement therethrough of the engagement apparatus, the slot system having a series of one or more interconnected slots through which the at least

Abstract: A roof structure for a building has been invented which includes a roof support having an outer edge, and a roof covering on the roof support, the roof covering having a lower lip projecting inwardly beneath the outer edge of the roof support. The roof structure in one aspect has interconnected sides having an outer surface and an inner surface, and the roof covering covers the outer surfaces of the sides of the roof support and at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the sides of the roof support. A building has been invented with such a roof structure and a method has been invented to emplace such a roof structure on upright walls of a building.

Abstract: An overshot for engaging and retrieving a collapsed coiled tubing in a wellbore, has been invented. In one aspect the overshot has a body member with a top, a bottom, and a body channel therethrough from top to bottom, the body member having a slip chamber, at least one slip movably disposed in the slip chamber of the body member, and movable on at least one inclined rail in the slip chamber so that, upon contacting the collapsed coiled tubing, upward movement of the body member results in downward movement of the at least one slip which also moves the at least one slip inwardly in the body member thereby increasing gripping force of the at least one slip on the collapsed coiled tubing. Methods have also been invented for using such overshots.

Abstract: Section mills have been invented that have one or more blades one or more of whose tops are pivotably extendable outwardly from a mill body as bottoms of the blade(s) rotate about a fixed point, and one or more blades whose bottoms are pivotably extendable outwardly from the mill body, the blades pivotably secured to the mill body so that, in one aspect, in response to a downwardly moving wash tube contacting the blades, the blades move out from the mill body. In one aspect certain of the blades have a milling surface which is of such an outward extent and which is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the mill body when the blades are fully extended so that "full sweep" milling is achieved.

Abstract: A novel, useful and nonobvious fuel purifier has been developed which in one aspect has a hollow vessel with an interior space, an inlet for liquid fuel contaminated with contaminating material denser than the liquid fuel, the liquid fuel entering the inlet into the interior space in a first direction, and an outlet from which liquid fuel flows out from the hollow vessel, a flow diverter adjacent the inlet within the interior space for diverting the liquid fuel in a second direction other than the first direction, at least one divider apparatus within the interior space of the hollow vessel which divides the interior space into an inlet chamber, at least one intermediate chamber, and an outlet chamber, the outlet in fluid communication with the outlet chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the inlet chamber, the at least one intermediate chamber providing at least one quiescent zone in which the contaminating material settles out from the liquid fuel contaminated with contaminating material, a drain i

Abstract: A selector valve system has been invented for selectively operating a motor for selectively actuating a main line valve on a pipeline, gas flowing through the pipeline, the system having, in one aspect, a body, a first poppet valve mounted on a first channel through the body, a second poppet valve mounted in a second channel through the body, a first limit valve for controlling flow of a portion of the gas to the first poppet valve so that upon such gas flowing to the first poppet valve the first poppet valve is actuated to permit gas flow to the motor to open the main line valve, and a second limit valve for controlling flow of a portion of the gas to the second poppet valve so that upon such gas flowing to the second poppet valve the second poppet valve is actuated to permit gas flow to the motor to close the main line valve. In one aspect the poppet valves are O-ring-saving cartridge valves.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a method for treating cellulose fibers comprising treating cellulose fibers with an acidic medium, and applying an adhesive composition to the cellulose fibers, the adhesive composition including polyvinyl alcohol cooked without addition of an acidic substance. The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a method for spraying with a spray nozzle an insulation composition onto a substrate, the method including introducing cellulose fibers under pressure through a first hose into the spray nozzle, the cellulose fibers treated with an acidic medium, introducing an adhesive composition under pressure through a second hose into the spray nozzle, the adhesive composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol cooked without an acidic medium, and spraying from the spray nozzle the treated cellulose fibers and adhesive composition onto the substrate.

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: The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a vehicle transmission system having a typical transmission with associated transmission shifting apparatus that includes gears and a manually-operated gear selection apparatus. Such gear selection apparatus includes a transmission selector shaft interconnected between a shifting handle or rod in the vehicle's cab and internal gearing within the transmission. Manual manipulation of the cab-mounted handle or rod moves the transmission selector shaft whose movement in turn results in a gear change. The transmission includes a locking system according to the present invention with a swing arm secured to the transmission selector shaft with an upper surface having a window therethrough or stop thereon.

Abstract: A top drive is used to connect successive lengths of casing. The casing is gripped by a mechanism which comprises a support which is attached to the top drive by a drive plate. A circular plate is rotatably mounted in the support and is associated with four jaw assemblies. In use the mechanism is lowered onto a length of casing until the circular plate engages the top of the casing. When the top drive is rotated in one sense the support rotates relative to the circular plate. This causes toothed cylinders to rotate which, in turn, rotates eccentric members which advance the jaws into gripping engagement with the casing. Further rotation of the top drive rotates the casing and screws it into the casing below.

Abstract: A new overload protection device has been invented of the type in which components are fixed mutually by means of a safety member adapted to be cut or broken when the components are subjected to an overload, wherein the safety member is a thread spiral or spirals adapted to be cut loose from a member, rod or sleeve when the thread spiral (or spirals) is subjected to an overload.

Abstract: A new valve has been invented, in some aspects useful in wellbore operations and/or as a mud saver valve which valve has a body through which fluid is flowable, a valve seat connected in and to the body and through which fluid is flowable, a valve member positioned adjacent the valve seat and selectively movable to seat against the valve to close the valve to fluid flow and selectively movable away from the seat to open the valve to fluid flow, and at least one recess on the valve member for holding debris and thereby preventing the debris from inhibiting valve closure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a system for securing and item in a tubular channel in a wellbore, the system having a lower body member, an upper body member, interconnecting apparatus for movably interconnecting the lower body member and the upper body member so that upon application of a downward force on the upper body member the upper body member moves downwardly in the second tubular effecting sideways movement of the lower body member so the lower body member contacts an interior surface of the tubular channel thereby wedging the lower body member and the upper body member in the tubular channel, the interconnecting apparatus having a connecting bar disposed partially in a first connecting bar groove in the lower body member and partially in a second connecting bar groove in the upper body member, and the connecting bar grooves and the connecting bar configured so that the connecting bar is movably held in the connecting bar grooves, and at least one pawl member having opposed pawl