Abstract: An apparatus for straightening a cylindrical member having an imperfection. An imperfection detector is used to locate the imperfection. A plasma arc torch is used to heat a portion of the cylindrical member in the vicinity of the imperfection. The plasma arc torch has an arc extending between an anode and an electrode. Gas flows past the arc and is heated, thus expanding into a plasma jet. The plasma arc torch directs the plasma jet toward the cylindrical member, thus heating a portion thereof. A quenching device is used to quench the heated portion of the cylindrical member, thus alleviating the imperfection. A control system automates the straightening process by monitoring the detector and controlling the heating and quenching based on information within a database. Peening or burnishing may be employed in lieu of the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A flexible protective armor is provided with a very hard microstructure and a flexible macrostructure for flexurally deforming along smooth curves when impacted by a ballistic projectile, and then rebounding after the impact. The flexible protective armor includes an outward layer of hard geometric shapes, preferably spheres, which are firmly mounted to an outward side of a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is preferably a ballistic fabric which is formed of a sixty degree weave of ballistic fibers. The spheres have mounting portions and side engagement portions. The mounting portions of the spheres are firmly bonded to the flexible membrane by a rigid adhesive, with the spheres tightly packed to mechanically interlock the side engagement portions of adjacent ones of the spheres for rotating relative to on another, free of the rigid adhesive.

Abstract: Attached to a dobby for use in a loom is an actuator which is, in turn, attached to a first finger and a second finger to move them in unison in a cycle. The first and second fingers control the position of an upper hook and a lower hook. These hooks, when engaged by a knife, will raise a frame. During the first half of a cycle, the actuator positions both fingers in either an upper or lower position. In the second half of the cycle, the actuator positions the fingers in either the upper or lower position.

Abstract: A split tubing hanger for a well has two semi-cylindrical tubing hanger bodies. A seal has a ring portion which seals the tubing hanger bodies to the bore of a tubing head. The seal also has a diametrical band portion which joins the ring portion. The band portion seals between the two tubing hanger bodies. The bodies are run separately and land on a landing shoulder in the bore of the tubing head. The landing shoulder has upward extending tabs which engage recesses in the load shoulders of the tubing hanger bodies. The landing shoulder is a landing ring which is split and locates within a groove formed in the bore of the tubing head. An anti-rotation device prevents the landing ring from rotating relative to the tubing head.

Abstract: A fastener assembly having a receptacle attached to the underside of a first panel aligned with a first hole adapted to receive therein a threaded bolt extending through a second hole in a second panel. The holes are aligned and a spring-biased expandable bushing, associated with the receptacle, extends into the first hole receiving the bolt therethrough. When the bolt is threaded into the receptacle, the nut is drawn up, compressing the spring and biasing the bushing, expanding the same, completely, filling the first hole and providing a firm locking engagement therein.

Abstract: A protective sleeve protects a riser that extends between a subsea wellhead and a floating vessel. The protective sleeve has less resistance to bending than the riser so as to allow the riser to bend normally due to normal movement of the vessel. The stiffness of the protective sleeve augments the stiffness of the riser only if the acceptable level of bending is exceeded. The protective sleeve is made up of at least three segments that are articulated together to facilitate bending.

Abstract: A telescopic joint for an upper end of an offshore drilling riser is installed and controlled remotely. The telescopic joint has inner and outer telescoping barrels. A mandrel is located on the lower end of the outer barrel, the mandrel landing within a support ring which is supported by constant tension cables extending from the vessel. Control fluid passages are located in the mandrel for registering with control fluid passages in the support ring. Permanent control fluid lines extend between various points of the outer barrel and the mandrel. Control fluid hoses connect the support ring to the vessel. Fluid communication is achieved once the telescopic joint is oriented and landed in the support ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for emitting a laser like monochromatic narrow beam of light at a selected wavelength from a heated emitter member having a plurality of parallel layers while reducing emission at other wavelengths of light. The parallel layers are overlaid with each other. Each of the parallel layers extends transversely for a particular width. A heat source stimulates the emitter member to emit photons, which are determined by the composition of materials within the emitter member. The emitter member emits monochromatic light at a selected wavelength in response to the photon emissions. The selected wavelength of the monochromatic light is determined by the width of the layers of the emitter member. Light at other wavelengths does not transmit through and their emissivity also decreases.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly has provisions for emergency and nonemergency installation of oversized casing. The wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing which has counterbore. An adapter sleeve fits within the counterbore. The adapter sleeve has an inner diameter with a profile. A casing hanger is installed during nonemergency conditions. A portion of the casing hanger seal assembly engages the inner diameter of the adapter sleeve. For an emergency when the casing hanger seal and casing hanger cannot be employed, the adapter sleeve is removed. An emergency slips is installed to support the casing. A casing hanger seal is then installed between the counterbore and casing.

Abstract: A centrifugal well pump has modules of pumping stages, each module having a separate thrust bearing. The thrust bearing for each module is supported by an uppermost diffuser of the module. A thrust runner rotates with the shaft and engages the stationary thrust bearing. A tension member engages the runner and extends downward through the stages. The tension member has a number of upward facing load shoulders, one for each impeller within the module. Each of the load shoulders supports the hub of one of the impellers. Downthrust on each impeller transfers through the load shoulder to the tension member, and from there to the thrust runner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for unloading packages from a conveyor and then stacking the packages in rows on the floor of a shipping container. A package loader is disposed at the discharge end of the conveyor and is moveable with the conveyor into different positions between the forward and aft ends of the shipping container. The package loader includes a frame. A transfer table is mounted to the frame and aligned for receiving packages from the conveyor and supporting the packages as a person arranges the packages in rows extending across the width of the shipping container. A horizontal platform is mounted to the frame forward of the transfer table. The platform is moveable to selected elevations to first align the platform for receiving packages from the conveyor and transfer table, with the packages arranged in rows, and then to align the platform for transferring the rows of the packages onto the floor of the shipping container.

Abstract: A sample display rack is designed for displaying samples of flat materials like carpet. The sample display rack has a stand with an upper and a lower horizontal cross member connected to vertical support rods with each rod rotating about its vertical axis. A swing arm is connected to each rod and has a horizontal portion connected to the upper portion of the rod and a bracing portion angling down to the lower portion of the rod. A mounting assembly is used to connect the display sample to the swing arms. The mounting assembly has a mounting sleeve with an upper wall and two perpendicular side walls that fit around the cross section of the swing arm. The free end of each side wall has an abutting lip extending inward for preventing excessive flexing of the mounting sleeve. A display clamp extends outward from each mounting sleeve side wall. Each display clamp has an upper wall joined to the mounting sleeve and a side wall depending downward from the upper wall.

Abstract: A nasal splint comprising a turbinate retaining portion and securing system for securing the splint against the nasal septum and causing the turbinate retaining portion of the splint to retain the middle turbinate against the nasal septum. In operation, the nasal splint is placed inside the nose prior to performing endoscopic surgery. The splint is secured to the nasal septum so as to retain the middle turbinate against the nasal septum. Endoscopic surgery is then performed while still retaining the middle turbinate against the nasal septum.

Abstract: A building block for a wall enables the blocks to be mounted in offset and flush modes. The block has an extension portion on the bottom, making the bottom longer than the top. The rearward lug protrudes from the bottom at the extension portion. The forward lug protrudes from the bottom forward of the rearward lug. In the offset mode, the upper row of blocks rests on the lower row with the forward lug of the upper row engaging the rearward end of the lower row of blocks. In the flush mode, the forward lug is removed and the blocks positioned with the forward end substantially flush. The rearward lugs of the upper row will then engage the rearward ends of the lower row. Holes extend through the blocks for receiving pins for interlocking them together. Some of the holes are elongated. The pins have enlarged heads which locate in the elongated holes, but will not fit in the cylindrical holes.

Abstract: A fastener assembly having a receptacle attached to the underside of a substructure and extending through a hole within the substructure which are both generally aligned with a panel with a hole adapted to receive a threaded bolt. The hole in the panel has a cylindrical portion. The fastener extends through the panel which is being secured to the substructure and enters the receptacle before engaging a threaded section within the receptacle. The dimensions are sized so that the central section of the fastener engages the central section of the receptacle before the tapered section of the fastener contacts the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel. Continued rotation of the fastener causes the tapered section on the fastener to enter the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, exerting a lateral force on the panel to align the hole in the panel with the bore in the receptacle.