Abstract: A horizontal tree has a vertical bore and a horizontal production passage and is landed in a wellhead housing. A tubing hanger lands in the bore and has a vertical passage and a horizontal passage that aligns with that of the tree. A retrievable first plug seals the vertical passage. A tree cap seals in the tree bore above the tubing hanger and has an axial passage. A retrievable second plug seals the tree cap passage. A vent port extends laterally through the tree cap between its axial passage and outer surface. A pair of seals on the second plug seal above and below the vent port. A tubing annulus passage communicates with the vent port and an annulus passage. The second plug serves as a second pressure barrier to the first plug and blocks the vent port. The annulus passage is sealed from communication with a void between the plugs.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cantilevered bearing shaft, including a base and a cylindrical journal bearing surface extending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body, and at least one cutter mounted for rotation on the cylindrical journal bearing surface of the bearing shaft. A seal assembly is disposed between the cylindrical journal bearing surface and the cutter proximally to the base of the cantilevered bearing shaft. The seal assembly includes at least one rigid seal ring having a seal face in contact with a second seal face. At least one of the seal faces is at least partially formed of a super-hard material having wear-resistance greater than, and a coefficient of sliding friction less than, that of the rigid seal ring material.

Abstract: A tensioning device is provided for applying tension to a riser from a surface deck of an offshore oil or gas well. The tensioning device is used with a riser of the type having threads formed on an exterior surface thereof. A tension ring of the tensioning device is formed from first and second ring halves that are clamped together about the riser. The first and second halves have inner threads for engaging the threads of the riser. A clearance exists between the first and second ring halves when the ring halves are clamped together about the riser to allow the first and second ring halves to be tightened against the exterior surface of the riser so that the tension ring is securely fastened to the riser. Fastening means are used for clamping the first and second ring halves together about the riser. Tensioning members that couple at one end to the tension ring and at the other end to the surface deck are used to apply tension to the riser from the surface deck.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrolytic or fuel cell arrangement comprising a stacking of bipolar elements (21, 31, 41), each element comprising an anode part (22) and a cathode part (23), the anode part of one element cooperating with the cathode part of the next adjacent element.

Abstract: A neck exercise apparatus has a cord and a head strap. The cord is formed from a highly elastic, rubberized tube and has a mounting strap secured to one end. A spring clip is secured to the opposite end of the mounting strap. A foam rubber pad surrounds each end of the tube. The head strap has a flexible, inelastic body with two hook and loop fastening straps on each end. The body also has several rings on an outer side and an elastic head support on an inner side. A variety of exercises may be performed with the apparatus. Prior to use, the mounting strap is inserted between a door and its inner door jamb so that the mounting strap is held in place. The user attaches the spring clip to one of the rings and the head strap is placed on the head. The head strap may be adjusted for fit by adjusting the position of the hook and loop flaps. With tension in the cord, the user then exercises the extension muscles of the neck by slowly tilting the head at the neck away from the door.

Abstract: An undersea telescopic joint for a riser system is connected to a drilling vessel with a plurality of tensioners. The joint has a bearing with inner and outer annular mating members. A cap seals the outer member to the joint. The outer member closely receives and is axially movable relative to the inner member. A flat thrust bearing is located in a chamber between the two members. The members are sealed to one another with upper and lower swivel seals. A passage communicates hydraulic fluid to the chamber. The bearing has a pressure gage which registers with a passage that extends between the swivel seals. The chamber is filled with hydraulic fluid so that the two members are separated and the drilling vessel may rotate easily. The gage is used to detect whether the primary swivel seal is leaking.

Abstract: A subsurface well system contains well bore fluid and a pumping system which is lowered into the well bore on a conduit. The pumping system is supplied with electrical power through a conductor. The pumping system has a chamber, a discharge valve, and an intake valve for admitting the well bore fluid into the chamber. The chamber contains a reservoir that is filled with a reactive polymer gel that undergoes a significant change in volume in response to environmental changes. The gel expands when it is electrically stimulated, thereby forcibly expelling the fluid within the chamber. The gel contracts when it is not stimulated, thereby drawing fluid into the chamber. When electrical current is oscillated through the gel, the expansions and contractions repeat so that a pumping action of well bore fluid is achieved. The gel may also be formulated to react to an electromagnetic field. The gel of this embodiment contains metallic particles which increase in temperature when exposed to the magnetic field.

Abstract: An inflatable structure to control aircraft and a method of modifying the shape of an aircraft airfoil before and during flight, which includes inflating or deflating at least one inflatable bladder positioned on an aircraft wing. The inflatable structures to control aircraft include an aircraft wing structure, at least one inflatable section positioned on an aircraft wing structure in at least one location selected from the group of an upper surface, a lower surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge of the aircraft wing structure. The inflatable section is provided for modifying the shape of the aircraft wing before or during flight for causing desired flight characteristics. An elastic wing skin is provided to cover the wing structure and the inflatable structures.

Abstract: A first individual enters an offer to sell a security on a first data processing system. This offer is sent to a server over a communication network which is available to the public. From the server, the offer is transmitted to additional data processing systems which are connected to the publicly-available communication network. The first user's offer is eventually sent to a second data processing system, where a second individual enters an acceptance to the first user's offer to sell a security. This second user's acceptance is then transmitted back to the server over the publicly-available communication network. Upon the arrival of the acceptance, an account belonging to the second user is debited for the amount of the security just purchased, and the second user obtains title to the securities.

Abstract: A downhole tool containing instruments and a pulser is landed within a string of drill pipe. The pulser has a pulser body and an orifice on a lower end. A piston slides within a bore in the body and has a signal poppet on a lower end. In an extended position, the signal poppet extends into and obstructs the orifice to reduce the flow of drilling fluid. In an open position, the signal poppet does not obstruct the orifice to increase the flow of drilling fluid. A bidirectional solenoid valve is located above the piston and has upper and lower electromagnetic coils and an axially moveable rod. The rod is movable between a closed position in an opening in the body and an open position away from the opening. The rod is moved to both positions in response to the instruments which sends signals to the coils. The mud pulser also has an on/off flow switch which is actuated by the commencement of mud circulation. Initially, the rod is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method and system of image modulation detection of an aircraft or missile exhaust plume or explosives by time sequence differentiation is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming two sequential images of the field of view in which an exhaust plume to be detected is located, and forming a differential image from the sequential images showing components of the aircraft's exhaust plume that are modulating at a rate greater than the frame rate of the detection system. The detection system permits a selection of frame rates so that unwanted (non-modulating) items in the field of view may be eliminated from detection by the threat warning system. The nonmodulating components such as the sky, hills, and even the missile body are eliminated from the differential image. Only the plume remains and only the plume is detected. Each image is formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel images a portion of the field of view.

Abstract: A rock bit has a body and three cutters that include generally conical surfaces, at least one of which contains an outermost, circumferential row of heel teeth that dislodge cuttings from the borehole wall and bottom. The heel teeth form a corner with the borehole wall with successive contact points defined by the path of outer edges of the heel teeth while rotating into, and prescribing, the corner as it spirals downwardly during drilling. The rotational axis of the cutter is offset from the geometric centerline or intended rotational axis of the bit. Stabilizing pads extend outwardly from the body, each concluding in a surface that contains a low-friction, wear-resistant surface that engage the wall of the borehole. The center of each surface is located directly across from the contact point of an opposed cutter.

Abstract: A propeller pitch control apparatus for an aircraft in which the vector sum of the aircraft forward speed and the propeller rotational tip speed is a selected fraction of the speed of sound, the fraction based on percent power and altitude, to maximize efficiency and minimize noise.

Abstract: A threshing cage for a grain combine has a frame with permanent and removable panels. Each panel is a semi-circular arc which extends between adjacent frame members to form a cylindrical shape. Each panel has an arcuate rib on each axial end and a pair of axial supports which joins them together. A perforated screen extends between the ribs and axial supports. The panels are pivotally mounted on the frame members and rotated into a locking position with panel levers. The panel levers have a cam member which pivotally engages a mating slot in an adjacent frame member. The panels also have side arc clamps for locking their ribs to adjacent structural support members.

Abstract: A coiled tubing completion system has a gripping mechanism on a lower end which land in a tubing hanger and engage coiled tubing extending through the tubing hanger. A tubular member is located above the gripping member and receives the upper end of the tubing. A tapered metal seal seals between the tubular member and the coiled tubing. A threaded nut, when rotated, causes the seal to energize.

Abstract: A gage for measuring the external threads of a threaded body has a segment housing formed from a housing body. The housing body has a generally U-shaped cross section with a bottom extending between a pair of opposite, upright sidewalls so that a channel with a longitudinal axis is defined. First and second gage segments are configured to engage the threads of the threaded body when the threaded body is positioned between the first and second segments and the first and second segments are closed together. The first gage segment is fixed to the housing body, and the second gage segment is received within the channel of the housing body. The second gage segment moves linearly within the channel along the longitudinal axis to allow the first and second segments to be separated for insertion of the threaded body between the first and second segments. This also allows the first and second segments to be closed together for engagement with the threaded body.