Abstract: A seismic exploration system where a plurality of geophone locations are employed in one spread along a survey line. The recording procedure uses a roll-along switch for successively connecting a lesser number of recording channels to the geophone locations as separate records are taken without changing the spread. A signal is superimposed at one of the geophone locations. The signal is outside the useful range of seismic energy so that the particular geophone location may be identified on successive records without interfering with the recording of the seismic energy.

Abstract: A tension indicator is applied to the belt of a belt driven oil well pumping unit. The pumping unit is driven by an internal combustion engine, and the tension indicator is read for at least one complete cycle of the pumping unit so that the up and down strokes may be dynamically balanced.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring relative speed of a ship through a body of water with improved accuracy and simplicity. It employs a free floating buoy and a pair of tracking scopes. The buoy is launched and tracked by the scopes with electronic circuit arrangements so that the time of relative movement of the buoy between transverse positions opposite the scopes is accurately measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is applicable to in situ heating of oil shale or tar sand. The heating is by radio frequency that is applied down hole by a central conductor that extends beyond a coaxial shielding conductor to form the antenna or applicator. Encroachment by the heated formation is overcome by applying motion to the central conductor to remove encroaching formations.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for powdered coal and the like having a refractory lined floor with an exit throat at the bottom. The throat is shaped approximately in accordance with the ratios employed in a contraction cone of a wind tunnel to produce a monotonic increase in flow therethrough in order to avoid any clogging by liquid slag and fly ash.

Abstract: A feeder for finely divided solids from atmospheric pressure into a high pressure atmosphere. It has a chute to hold the solids at atmospheric pressure, and a valve with seals to deliver the solids into a loading chamber. There is an arrangement for pressurizing the loading chamber, and the chamber is oriented so that the solids will discharge through another valve by gravity flow into the high pressure atmosphere after pressurization of the chamber. There is also an arrangement for displacing the high pressure atmosphere from the chamber after discharge of the solids and before the next delivery of another charge from the chute.

Abstract: In the combination of a high temperature combustion chamber which has a burner at the top, there is a radiant energy conduit that is associated with the burner so as to receive radiant energy from the interior of the combustion chamber. The burner introduces the constituents of a synthesis gas generation process. The radiant energy conduit is cooled by its association with the burner, and its purpose is for making temperature measurements inside the chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining the quality of steam flowing in a line used for steam injection, e.g. in an oil well. It has a vertical loop in the line, with an orifice in the up-flow side. The pressure, temperature and pressure drop at the orifice are measured before and after injecting a stream of water upstream from the orifice. The water stream is injected at a constant flow rate, and its temperature and pressure are measured. Using the measurements before and after the introduction of the water stream, simultaneous equations are developed related to the mass flow rate and to the heat flow rate, so that the steam quality may be determined.

Abstract: A method or system for measuring thickness of a coating layer on a substrate. It employs acoustic energy and involves transmitting a sweep of frequencies covering a predetermined range through the substrate and its coating. The energies reflected back by the substrate and coating are determined as a function of the frequencies in said range, and the transmission pattern provides a basis for determining the coating thickness.

Abstract: Method for reducing air pollution in connection with a cryogenic facility to produce nitrogen which facility uses natural gas as fuel for the engines that drive the compressors. Oxygen is a by-product of the cryogenic facility and is usually vented. The by-product oxygen is captured and mixed with the fuel for the engines in order to reduce the amount of pollution from the engines exhaust.

Abstract: A stabbing box structure that acts as a safety slip. It has a split construction with a clamp to hold it onto the flange of an end connector of a section of tubing which is being supported at the well head by slips. There is a tapered guide interior construction in the box which is for guiding the end connector of another section of tubing that is stabbed into the box. The tube being stabbed is guided into abutting alignment with the end connector that has the stabbing box clamped thereon. The stabbing box has an outside diameter that is greater than the opening at the well head. Consequently, if the slips holding the tubing string already in the well should let go, the stabbing box will prevent the tubing string from falling into the well.

Abstract: A coupling especially for connecting pipe or tubing that must not be subjected to torque as connections are made, or afterward. It includes a connector for each of the pipe ends that has a socket to receive the pipe and an extension with a flanged tip. There is a split ring clamp to hold two of the flanged tips together in butting relationship and a hose clamp holds the split ring clamp in place.

Abstract: A single scope method or system for accurate ship speed measurement relative to the water through which it is propelled. There is a free floating buoy beside the ship, and a tracking scope is trained on the buoy. At the same time the height above the water of the scope is measured in addition to the negative elevation and the azimuth angle of the line of sight of the scope relative to the ship. Periodic calculations with time measurements determines the speed of relative movement of the buoy along a path parallel to the center line of the ship. This is the ships speed relative to the water. Calculations may be made by a microprocessor with the measured angles and height above the water as inputs.

Abstract: A safety system for an oil well type derrick that has a crown block and a traveling block and drawworks for raising and lowering the traveling block. It uses electrical sensing means to detect the presence of the traveling block, and it has electronic circuits to control an actuator for braking the drawworks in order to prevent the traveling block from contacting the crown block.

Abstract: A tool for insertion into a pipe in order to apply torque by contact with the inside surface of the pipe. It has an axially located socket in a central rotor with a concentric ring around the rotor. The ring has a plurality of toothed gripping arms pivoted on the ring and connected to the rotor by links pivoted at both ends so that relative rotation of the rotor extends the gripping arms for contacting the inside of the pipe by the teeth.

Abstract: A method for sealing off a section of tubing deep in a well comprises (1) permanently anchoring a tapered anchor in the tubing by lowering a beaded chain ring thereover for wedging the tapered anchor to the tubing at the desired position of sealing off of the tubing, and (2) fixedly attaching a bridge plug to the tubing by actuation of attaching means to the anchor for sealing off the section of tubing at the desired position. Likewise disclosed are a new bridge plug assembly, a new method for fishing for a cylindrical object deep in a well, a new fishing tool, and a new bridge plug element.

Abstract: A slag trap structure is for use where synthesis gas is generated having small particulate slag entrained therewith. It has a high pressure shell with a body of water at the bottom for quenching and removing the slag. There is a coaxial inner wall to direct the flow of synthesis gas and slag down from an inlet at the top toward the body of water. And there is an outlet spaced substantially above the level of the water to cause reversal of the gas and slag flow. Also, there is means for recirculating some clean gas in conjunction with the inner wall to direct a swirling flow that confines the downward flow centrally in the vessel.

Abstract: A spacer for use in a deep well that is to have a submersible pump situated downhole and with a string of tubing attached to the pump for delivering the pumped fluid. The pump is electrically driven, and power is supplied via an armored cable which parallels the string of tubing. Spacers are clamped to the cable and have the tubing running through an eccentrically located passage in each spacer. The outside dimensions of a spacer fit freely inside any casing in the well.

Abstract: Method and/or system for removing liquid slag from a pressurized gasifier. Hot liquid slag is quenched in a quenching medium such as water. The quenched and solidified slag is crushed to a maximum particle size. The crushed slag and quenching medium are alternatively connected to opposite ends of a floating piston while the other end is connected to an outlet for disposal of the slag. The crushed slag and quenching medium are subjected to the gasifier pressure so that the piston acts to forceably eject the mixture through the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature in a subsurface earth formation that is being heated in situ by subjection to a radio frequency electromagnetic field. It includes lowering a maximum registering thermometer into the formation on a non-conductive flexible line, and holding it there long enough to reach the ambient temperature at that location. Then, the thermometer is raised to the surface fast enough to avoid any significant change on the way up to read that registered maximum.