Abstract: A method of feeding powdered coal to a high pressure reactor which is being used with a fluidized bed/entrained flow coal gasification process. It includes steps of feeding a moist powdered coal to an extruder, and extruding the mixture into a high pressure stream of gas. The extrudate is dispersed into the gas stream, and the stream of extrudate and gas carrier is dried. Then the dry extrudate is separated and fed into the reactor vessel.

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines that operate with a combustible mixture in only one cylinder at a time. It eliminates the need for a distributor by firing all of the spark plugs simultaneously in accordance with the engine timing for each cylinder. It employs a transformer with a single low voltage primary and a plurality of high voltage secondary windings.

Abstract: Continuous steam quality monitoring is obtained by bleeding the steam through an orifice to generate acoustic energy. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the wall that contains the orifice. And, an amplifier with a narrow band acoustic frequency filter is employed so as to produce an output signal having an amplitude that is proportional to the quality of the steam.

Abstract: In a conductor cable for seismic exploration, where the cable will have very high resistance transducers connected to it for transmitting signals from one or more transducer stations to a recording station, there is a controllably conductive path connected across the transducers. The path is only conductive at a voltage greater than the maximum of the signals. And, a constant current source is applied at the recording station. Also, a voltmeter is employed to measure the continuity of the cable.

Abstract: A sensitive J-tube employs an indicating liquid in the U-tube portion for use with an immiscible liquid thereabove. The longer leg of the J-tube has a larger cross-section area portion containing the immiscible liquid when the J-tube has been immersed therein. The arrangement is such that the J-tube will amplify any changes in surface level of the liquid into which it is immersed, by producing a differential between levels of the indicating liquid in the U-tube legs.The principles are applied to a U-tube instrument to act as a manometer for measuring gas pressure differentials.

Abstract: Sonic type leak detector system for liquid storage tanks or the like. It uses a hydrophone to convert sonic waves in the liquid to electrical signals. The electrical signals are divided by two band pass filters. The division is into one band which contains any leak signals, and another band which contains only noise signals. Then both bands are blanked whenever the noise signal amplitude exceeds a predetermined amount. There is a differential amplifier that acts on the outputs of both band pass filters to amplify the difference after averaging of each, whenever signals are not blanked. And, there is an indicator to show when a leak is present. The indicator is actuated whenever the output of the differential amplifier exceeds a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit incorporated with an AC type ignition system which employs a high-frequency continuous-wave oscillator. The system includes a control winding on a transformer that has a high voltage spark signal output winding. There is a transistor in series with the control winding, to switch on and off a circuit that controls the starting and stopping of the oscillator. And, there are a pair of time delay circuits which produce delay times that are inversely proportional to the speed of an internal combustion engine that uses the ignition system. These time delay circuits may be connected so as to use only one of them. Or, they may be connected in series, so that a desired step timing change may be introduced (or not) upon demand.

Abstract: Improved structure for a settling tank to be used for oil-water separation. It has a reduced height and greatly increased length for a given volume. Also, there are baffles across the width to create a piston-like displacement of the mixture as it moves from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inlet for the mixture is near the top at one end, and the outlet is near the bottom at the other end. The outlet for oil is at the outlet end and higher than the mixture inlet.

Abstract: The combination which includes a gas lift well that has a christmas tree coupled to the casing and to the tubing in the well. There is a flow line to receive liquid product and a choke connected between the flow line and the tubing. The improvement includes a lateral Y connected to the top of the tubing with a streamlined flow path connecting a lateral branch of the Y, from the well side of the choke, to the flow line.

Abstract: A tool and accessories for use in a method of removing a shooting valve, or blow-out preventer from a well having pressure therein, without killing the well. The tool has a mandrel with a well head plug on one end that matches a casing head fixture. The mandrel is long enough to extend through the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer when the plug is in place in the casing head fixture. And, there is a pressure tight housing which can receive the mandrel and plug inside the housing. When the housing has been attached to the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer, the pressure in the housing may be equalized with the well pressure, and then the plug can fall into place and be secured there. Thereafter, the housing pressure will be released and the shooting valve, or blow-out preventer can be removed while the well pressure is contained by the plug.

Abstract: An improved conventional type of gas lift valve and mandrel combination. It has a large area screen which encloses the valve and prevents it from having the inlet port and/or its integral small area screen, become plugged.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter. It employs measurements related to centrifugal flow of the fluids therethrough. There is a complete loop and means for measuring the differential pressure of the fluid in the loop between the inside and outside of the fluid stream near the middle of the loop. Also there is means for measuring the density of the fluid flowing through the loop. By correlating the results, the rate of fluid flow through the meter may be measured.

Abstract: An improvement of a ball type valve having capability of conventional closing by quarter turn rotation of the ball, plus pressure sealing of the valve when closed by rocking about a tangential axis. It provides improved structure that permits both the closing and the pressure sealing with less than a half turn of a control handle for each. It simplifies and strengthens the working parts compared to an earlier valve by the same inventor.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing an uncontrolled emission of gaseous hydrocarbons during the filling of containers, more especially tank wagons, with mineral oil products. It has an extensible fill tube so that product is discharged near the bottom of the container while vapors may be withdrawn through an annular passage surrounding the fill tube. The whole arrangement is carried on a trolley for longitudinal adjustment and there is a short lateral trolley to accommodate pivotal movement of the fill tube.

Abstract: A method for determining the Watson-Nelson characterization factor of hydrocarbons wherein the absolute viscosity and specific gravity are sensed providing first and second signals, respectively, corresponding to the absolute viscosity and specific gravity. The signals are then combined in accordance with the following equation:K = A + B/S.sub.2 + C 1n 1n (V/S.sub.1)where:K = the Watson-Nelson characterization factor of the hydrocarbon mixture;V = the absolute viscosity of the hydrocarbon mixture;S.sub.1 = the specific gravity of the hydrocarbon mixture;S.sub.2 = the specific gravity of the hydrocarbon mixture adjusted to 60.degree. F; andA, b and C are predetermined constants.

Abstract: A system for locating discontinuities in land seismic geophone cables, which cables have plural sections with electrical connectors at the ends of each section. One of the connectors of each section has a relay incorporated with it, and includes a circuit for connecting a short circuit between all of the plural geophone circuit conductors. The short circuit connection is made when the relay is actuated, and the relay is actuated upon command from a recording station.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power generating system which drives two electric power generators at a constant speed. It employs a gas turbine to drive one of the generators and a steam turbine to drive the other. There is a combustor that supplies the gas to drive the gas turbine and there is an air compressor that feeds input air to mix with fuel into the combustor. The compressor is driven by the gas turbine. The exhaust from the gas turbine delivers heat to make steam for the steam turbine. And, there is means for throttling the inlet air to the compressor so that the whole system may be run at greatly reduced load without creating inefficient operation.

Abstract: A simple apparatus for use in detecting the presence of oil in a body of water. It employs a floating structure which includes at least one pair of electrodes that are immersed in the water. At least one electrode is surrounded by an absorbent oleophilic material so that an electric measurement employing the electrodes will provide an indication of the presence of oil in the body of water.

Abstract: A locator for determining the depth of a pipeline which carries AC signals. The signals may be those induced by power lines, cathodic protection systems, or pumping equipment or other machinery connected to the pipeline. Also, specifically applied AC signals from a transmitter may be employed in the absence of the other signal sources.The depth determining locator employs three directional detector coils in an elongated housing. Two coils are oriented transversely to the axis of the housing and are located as far apart as a preselected depth of the pipeline. The third coil is beside a forward one of the other two and is oriented at an angle, e.g. 45.degree. to the transverse. There is electronic circuit means for timing the passage of the locator over the pipe between the two coils, and to measure the ratio of a constant (which represents the spacing of the two coils) times the time from the forward of the two coils to alignment with the third coil, divided by the time between the two coils.

Abstract: Structure mounted at the top edge of an open top tank having a floating roof covering the fluid contents. It is an airfoil that extends above the edge, and directs air flow due to wind, down onto the windward side of the roof to equalize the otherwise uneven pressure caused by wind that increases the undesirable vapor emissions from the contents of the tank and could tend to tip the roof.