Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the bending stress imparted to threaded fasteners in flanged connections is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stress reducing washer positioned between the head of the threaded fastener and a counterbore in the backface of the flange. In a first embodiment, the stress reducing washer uses a tapered upper surface oriented with respect to the flange to compensate for flange deflection as the threaded fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque value. Second and third embodiments utilizing spherical and cylindrical surfaces are also shown. A fourth embodiment eliminates the need for the stress reducing washer and machines the tapered surface in the backface of the flange.

Abstract: A blade seal for a shearing blind ram designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The blowout preventer has a body with an axial bore, a pair of opposing bonnet assemblies and a pair of opposing rams laterally moveable within the bonnet assemblies by a pressurized fluid source to control flow of well fluids through the blowout preventer body axial bore. The blade seal includes a generally planar shaped central member that tapers from one end to the other and is constructed of rubber. A pair of metal caps are bonded to the lateral edges of the blade seal to aid in preventing extrusion. The lower face of the rubber central member includes a groove adjacent to the metal cap to aid in preventing extrusion of the rubber. A pair of the blade seals is used in the upper ram of the shearing blind ram assembly. The opposing lower ram has a upwardly facing surface that seals against the pair of blade seals after the pipe is sheared.

Abstract: A hanger assembly comprising a tubular housing having an internal cylindrical bore provided with an annular recess containing a fixed, annular, downwardly tapering ramp, and, supported on the ramp, a split, radially contractible, wedge locking ring which normally adopts a relaxed position not projecting into the bore; and a tubular hanger having an external surface which is a clearance sliding fit in the bore and which is provided with resilient energising mechanism, which are recessed in the external surface and held there by engagement with the bore during running in of the hanger until the energising mechanism come into alignment with the annular recess, whereupon the energising mechanism expands radially outwards to overlie the locking ring, final running in of the hanger forcing the locking ring down the ramp and hence causing the ring to contract radially and to grip the external surface of the hanger.

Abstract: A disposable medical syringe apparatus with retractable needle is disclosed. The spent needle, or other similar medical sharps device, affixed to a detachable needle hub on the syringe barrel may be safely encapsulated and disposed by a simple, one handed operation, and, both the needle and the syringe apparatus are rendered useless for any subsequent operation. The invention is comprised of two parts, a syringe barrel fitted with a detachable needle hub and an evacuated plunger fitted with a combination catch ring/air release/vacuum seal mechanism that readily permits the introduction of the vacuum into the hollow chamber of the plunger. The syringe apparatus is used in the standard manner for an injection of medicinal liquid or for the collection of blood or other body fluids. When use is complete, continued longitudinal axial force is applied to the distal (thumb) end of the evacuated plunger.

Abstract: A flexible attached lap pad container to minimize user fatigue during manipulation of a computer mouse is disclosed. The flexible attached lap pad container is comprised of five parts: a containment part, a receptacle part, a flexible part, an attachment part, and a pad part. The containment part panels are sized and shaped to enable a comfortable movement of the arms and hands within the containment part to do such things as move a computer mouse, manipulate computer joy sticks, play cards, manipulate toys, cut vegetables, write notes and other work/play activities which can make use of a flat planar surface. The containment part panels are sized and shaped to prevent small items placed within the containment part from falling out of the containment part when not in use. The receptacle part is preferably a rectangular box shape with an open side panel. The top surface of the receptacle part can have a number of slots, holes and openings to hold user items such as pens, pencils, cards, cups, and toys.

Abstract: A method for treatment of heavy metal contaminated surface coatings, heavy metal contaminated industrial byproducts and industrial effluents utilizing calcium phosphate compounds to render the heavy metal compounds immobile and biologically nonhazardous to humans. In a first embodiment surfaces contaminated with heavy metal compounds are decontaminated in situ during their removal. Solid calcium phosphate material is added to the liquid or chemical paint remover before the paint remover is applied to the heavy metal contaminated painted surface. After application of the paint remover, it is removed by suitable means as scraping or water blasting. The paint and paint remover mixture thus removed is rendered non-toxic with the heavy metal compounds in the paint immobile and biologically nonhazardous. In a second embodiment of the invention, the calcium phosphate compounds are used in a floor sweeping compound to treat the heavy metal contaminated dust generated during industrial processes.

Abstract: An improved model and method for analyzing oil and gas well logs is disclosed. This method allows a log analyst to make an accurate interpretation of a well log in oil and gas bearing shaly sand formations by providing a means to correct for missing or faulty data. The present invention provides an improved model and method for determining resistivity when porosity is known and for determining porosity when resistivity is known. This methodology allows the determination of water saturation in a shaly sandstone formation using either resistivity, bulk volume clay or porosity data as a single input. Resistivity data can be corrected using density porosity. The combination of both resistivity and density porosity data in any well will allow corrections to questionable open hole log data. Correction of resistivity data for conductive clays, thin bed effects and hole angle is allowed.

Abstract: An emergency recovery system designed for use in a subsea environment is disclosed. The emergency recovery system has a casing that is open at each end with a shackle connected to one end of the casing with the opposite end of the shackle designed for connection to appropriate points on the main stack and lower marine riser package in any orientation. A flexible sling with a closed loop formed at each end is used with one of the closed loops releasably connected to the shackle and the end of the casing. The other end of the sling has a flotation member attached to the sling adjacent the closed loop. The sling is fan folded as it is lowered into the casing. The flotation member is shaped to fit inside the other end of the casing with the closed end loop of the sling protruding from the casing. A split retaining ring is placed around the sling between the flotation member and the closed loop and inserted in the open end of the casing.

Abstract: A variable bore ram packer designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The variable bore ram packer includes top and bottom second plates having a central semi-circular opening which is sized to fit closely about the largest diameter pipe the variable bore ram packer will seal against. Anti-extrusion plates having a smaller central arcuate opening sized to fit closely the smallest diameter pipe the variable bore ram packer will seal are attached to the underside of the top plate by guide screws. The guide screws extend through slots in the top plates which control the motion of the guide screws and hence the anti-extrusion plates as the anti-extrusion plates move and seat against different diameter tubular members.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring the efficiency of ice cube making machines with a vertically oriented evaporator plate is disclosed. These evaporator plates have a series of ice cube molds arranged in a lattice pattern on one side of the evaporator plate and a refrigerant coil attached to the other. The ice cube molds are of a generally square or rectangular cross section with the lower face being either horizontal or tapered downwardly to facilitate ice harvesting. The apparatus is a piece of low friction plastic material shaped to fit the lower face of the ice cube mold. This forms a low friction surface or skate which allows the ice harvesting to be restored to its original efficiency.

Abstract: A blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus for use in a ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The blowout preventer has a body with an axial bore, a pair of opposing bonnet assemblies and a pair of opposing rams laterally moveable within the bonnet assemblies by a pressurized fluid source to control flow of well fluids through the blowout preventer body axial bore. The blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus includes a bonnet header sealingly connected to the side of the blowout preventer body with an operating cylinder sealingly connected to the bonnet header. An operating piston is connected to the ram and moves axially within the operating cylinder in response to pressurized fluid supplied through porting in the bonnet header and end cap. A plurality of locking pistons are circumferentially spaced about the operating piston in locking piston chambers and are axially moveable in response to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A remote controlled carpet cleaner includes a rectangular outer support frame of structural steel. A gasoline engine drives a vacuum pump and through a pulley and belt assembly is also powers a liquid pump. The exhaust gas from the engine is directed to a heat exchanger which is used to heat water which is pumped through the heat exchanger by the liquid pump. A liquid injector allows carpet cleaning chemicals to be mixed with the water as it enters the pump. The liquid injector is connected to a plurality of solenoid valves. Each solenoid valve is connected to a tank containing a carpet cleaning chemical. When a solenoid valve is opened, a specific carpet cleaning chemical in drawn into the liquid injector and mixed with the water entering the pump. The opening and closing of the solenoid valves is controlled by servo motors operated by a radio controlled receiver.

Abstract: A multi-functional linear motion shaker includes a rectangular outer support frame with a tank, often referred to as a "possum belly", for receiving the incoming drilling fluid flow. A set of adjustable louvers and a tray is positioned on the side of the tank. The adjustable louvers and tray serve to screen out the larger and stickier drill cuttings or solids. A vibrating deck assembly is positioned within the outer support frame adjacent the tank and tray assembly. The vibrating deck assembly is of a double deck design whose upper and lower decks include cross members to support the mud screens. The upper and lower decks are vertically spaced apart and connected together into one unit by vertical structural members. A moveable plate is positioned on the upper deck adjacent the adjustable louvers and tray. This moveable plate can be positioned to direct drilling fluid flow to the upper deck or repositioned to redirect fluid flow to the lower deck and bypass the upper deck.

Abstract: An improved method for decontamination of lead contaminated surface coatings utilizing calcium phosphate minerals. The method for decontamination of lead contaminated surface coatings uses solid calcium phosphate material added to the abrasive blasting media prior to the structure being abrasive blasted. After removal of the lead contaminated surface coating by abrasive blasting with the calcium phosphate--abrasive blasting media mixture, the blown down surface coating and calcium phosphate--abrasive blasting media mixture are left in-situ to allow a chemical reaction to occur which renders the lead immobile and biologically nonhazardous. The calcium phosphate can be in one of several forms which are readily available and inexpensive.

Abstract: The improved pet feeding apparatus is comprised of a pair of container portions adapted to receive food or water which are connected by a living hinge for folding the pet feeding apparatus into a compact package for travel. The container portions are threaded on their inner upper edge to accept a lid which seals the container portion when installed. The container portions includes a bowl shaped section with a skirt extending downwardly and outwardly to a lower rim which is below the lowest extent of the container portion. These lower rims provide a stable base for the container portions. The lower rims are connected by the living hinge which facilitates folding the container portions for transport and allows the lower rims of the container portions to lie flat on the floor when the pet is using the pet feeding apparatus. The lower rims also include a handle positioned opposite the living hinge.

Abstract: The improved blast nozzle comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a square venturi orifice connecting the inlet and outlet portions. The inlet portion includes a square inlet for receiving the air and abrasive particle mixture with a pair of opposing flat top and bottom walls and a pair of opposing flat lateral walls. The opposing flat top and bottom walls and opposing flat lateral walls form a four sided pyramidal shape which converges to the square venturi. The outlet portion is similarly shaped and includes a pair of opposing flat top and bottom walls and a pair of opposing flat lateral walls. The opposing flat top and bottom walls and the opposing flat lateral walls form a four sided pyramidal shape also which diverges from the square venturi to a square outlet for directing the air and abrasive particle mixture. The nozzle body is typically constructed of an abrasion resistant material such as tungsten carbide.

Abstract: The improved wellhead system includes a wellhead housing with an internal annular shoulder having a plurality of removed arcs to form an interrupted support shoulder. A casing hanger is provided with an external annular shoulder having a plurality of removed arcs which correspond with those on the wellhead housing. In a first orientation, the removed arcs of the casing hanger shoulder align with the arcs of the support shoulder in the wellhead housing to allow the casing hanger to pass through the wellhead housing or the wellhead housing to be lowered below the casing hanger. In a second orientation the remaining shoulder arcs of the casing hanger align with the support shoulder arcs to support the casing hanger. The casing hanger also includes a thread for attaching a tool whereby the casing hanger and casing attached thereto can be tensioned. An alternate embodiment of the improved wellhead system includes a wellhead housing with an internal support groove.

Abstract: An improved and novel method for controlling the speed of a mechanical apparatus in relation to a reference parameter. The reference parameter can be torque, displacement or similarly measurable parameters. A preferred implementation of the improved and novel method is used for tightening fasteners which utilizes feedback torque to control the speed and sequence of a fastening tool. This feedback torque is constantly monitored to allow continuous adjustment of the speed of the fastening tool and thereby control the torque applied to the fastener. The method is implemented on a fastening tool used to tighten a retainer nut on a pinion gear shaft supported by bearings in a differential housing. The speed of a fastening tool is continuously monitored and changed in response to a rotational torque measurement taken from the pinion gear shaft and bearing assembly.