Abstract: A centralizing device is provided for a riser of an offshore well platform having a frame that defines an opening through which the riser passes from the platform to a subsea wellhead. The centralizing device has a centralizing ring with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the riser so that the riser can be passed longitudinally therethrough. The centralizing ring is positioned within the opening of the frame. Adjustable mounting means are used for mounting the centralizing ring to the frame at different positions within the opening. A roller assembly of the centralizing device is carried upon the riser as the riser is lowered through the centralizing ring. The roller assembly is configured to engage the centralizing ring as the riser is lowered through the centralizing ring so that the centralizing ring stops further carriage of the roller assembly by the riser.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid includes a centrifugal pump which is mounted to a support base. The support base has a support column which extends from the base in an approximately vertical direction. Braces are connected between the pump and the column along the longitudinal axis of the pump to laterally support the pump in the vertical direction. A thrust chamber and an electric motor are coupled to the pump for driving the pump and absorbing downthrust. The braces have slidable members located within them to allow the pump to thermally grow relative to the support column due to elevated temperatures of the fluid being pumped.

Abstract: An offshore well system has an assembly for tensioning an inner riser or casing string. The system has a hanger which lands on an internal load shoulder. The hanger has a gripping mechanism on its lower end which engages a mandrel, the mandrel being connected to tieback casing. The gripping mechanism allows upward moving of the mandrel relative to the hanger, but not downward movement. A running tool releasably engages an interior portion of the mandrel. A launch adapter secures to an upper end of the hanger. The launch adapter slidingly engages a running string which also extends upward through a blowout preventor. Closing the blowout preventor and applying pressure to the launch adapter causes it to move downward, pushing the hanger onto the load shoulder. Subsequently, the running tool is pulled upward to apply tension to the casing which is held by the griping mechanism. The running tool is retrieved along with the launch adapter.

Abstract: A shock absorber, optionally operable as a retractable landing gear actuator, includes a sealed cylinder divided by a cylinder head to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the lower chamber further divided by a piston having a piston rod passing in sealed manner through the lower cylinder end. The cylinder head includes one or more orifices, the effective opening of each orifice controlled by a valve, the valve having a stem attached to and passing through the upper cylinder end to the atmosphere, such that the pressure between the piston and the cylinder head is limited to a certain value above atmospheric pressure, regardless of the velocity or position of the piston. The valve is forced toward the closed position by a spring against a stop such that it is always at least partially open. During hard or crash landings, high fluid pressure on the piston or in the upper chamber forces the valve further open.

Abstract: A writing instrument has a short tubular body which contains a writing implement on each end. A tubular, elastic finger retainer has a small plastic plate which is pivotally mounted to the body. The user of the writing instrument inserts the middle finger of his writing hand through the retainer and slides it to a position between the first and second knuckles. The axis of the body is parallel to the axis of the retainer during use. The thumb of the user pushes outward and downward against the body while the index finger is placed on an upper side of the body. The writing instrument may be pivoted to the other writing implement by applying a twisting force to the body.

Abstract: An electrical circuit that includes a ferrous plunger operated by electrical coils and pulses current. One end of the plunger extends and retracts into contact with an adjustable latch such that only one moving part is required and only a small amount of electrical energy. Selectively activating the coils throws the plunger between the locked and unlocked positions. The circuit includes provisions to open the lock in the event of power failure. The plunger mechanism is mounted on an easily installed housing that, with the latch mechanism, has hardware for accurate alignment and installation. In one embodiment, a series of plungers can be operated by a wireless remote-control device. In another embodiment, the series of plungers can be operated by a switch mounted on a wall. In yet another embodiment, the series of plungers can be operated only after entering a four digit code into a programable key pad unit.

Abstract: A pulse detonation engine has a pulse ignition system, a plurality of detonation chambers (15), an oxygen source (33), and a fuel source (35). The oxygen source and the fuel source supply oxygen and fuel, respectively, to both the pulse ignition system and to the detonation chambers. The pulse ignition system creates detonation waves by igniting a first series of fuel mixtures inside a plurality of igniter tubes (39) equal to the number of detonation chambers (15). One detonation wave is delivered by each igniter tube into each detonation chamber for igniting a second series of fuel mixtures inside the detonation chambers. The detonation waves increase in magnitude as they travel through the detonation chambers before exiting the rearward ends of the detonation chambers. After detonation, the detonation engine is purged of residual gases by a ventilation system (81) and the process is repeated sequentially as described.

Abstract: A measurement while drilling tool has upper and lower centralizers secured to an upper end. Each centralizer comprises three major components: a housing, a tapered nose, a shaft which is slides in a bore of the housing, and a set of fingers around the shaft. The nose of the lower centralizer is tapered at a greater angle than the nose of the upper centralizer. An upper end of each finger is pivotally attached to the shaft. The fingers slidingly engage the nose when they are not in a retracted position. The centralizers are suspended in a drill pipe so that the shafts are fully extended from their housings. With the shafts extended, the fingers retract. Prior to drilling, the tool is lowered until it lands in a sub which causes the lower shaft to slides downward into the housing. The lower fingers move outward to engage the drill pipe without wedging against it.

Abstract: A flexible pipe for subsea installation has a fluid impervious tube surrounded by a structure pipe. The structure pipe is a cylindrical monolithic member. It has at least two rows of slots extending along the length of the wall. The slots are evenly spaced apart, parallel and located on a helix. Each of the slots are in a row, which is also located on a helix, but extending in a different direction from the slot helix. Solid bands extend between the rows of slots. Arc members are located between each of the slots, the arc members joining the bands. The structure pipe surrounds a fluid impervious tube which is corrugated and metallic.

Abstract: A casing annulus remediation system for overcoming problems associated with lowering a flexible hose into an annulus between strings of casing in a petroleum well by pressurizing the hose so that the hose is rigid and may be forced down the annulus. It is necessary to insert the hose through an outlet into the annulus region for brine displacement when pressure builds up in the annulus between casing strings due to leaks in the casing. Pressure build-up in the annulus is reduced by pumping a heavy liquid through the hose into the annular space experiencing the pressure build-up. A nozzle is affixed to the lower end of the hose. The hose may be inserted several hundred feet into the well. Therefore, the hose is pressurized to maintain rigidity to keep the hose from winding about the well during deployment. To keep the hose rigid, internal pressure is maintained in the hose. The nozzle is provided with a burst disk that holds the pressure.

Abstract: A guidance system comprising two guide tubes is lowered into a well with a conductor. The guide tubes are connected together by partitions which are about 100 feet apart and divide the conductor into two halves. Each partition comprises two symmetrically formed, semi-cylindrical sections facing in opposite directions. A threaded collar is secured to the upper end of each of the guide tubes. The collars are then landed on a lower plate at the upper end of the conductor. An upper plate is secured to the upper end of the conductor on top of the lower plate. The operator lowers a string of drill pipe through holes in the plates into the conductor to drill a first smaller diameter well at the bottom of the conductor. After drilling to the desired depth, the operator runs a first string of casing down the conductor and through the new well bore. The casing is located on one side of each partition and cemented in place.

Abstract: A hernia patch has a first layer of inert synthetic mesh material selectively sized and shaped to extend across and beyond a hernia. A second layer of inert synthetic mesh material overlies the first layer to create a generally planar configuration for the patch. The first and second layers are joined together by a seam which defines a periphery of a pouch between the layers. One of the layers has a border which extends beyond the seam and which has a free outer edge. A plurality of border slits extend from the outer edge through the border substantially to the seam. An access slit is formed in one of the layers for insertion of a finger of a surgeon into the pouch to allow the surgeon to deform the planar configuration of the patch to facilitate insertion of the patch into the patient and to position the patch across the hernia.

Abstract: A method of checking out bulky products at a retail check-out counter having a stationary countertop bar code scanner alleviates having to lift heavy or bulky products onto the counter. Cards are assembled into a booklet that allows them to fold out. Each of the cards has a bar code and the name of one of the bulky products. When a bulky product is brought by a purchaser to the check-out counter, the clerk identifies the particular card, folds it out from the booklet and moves the card over the scanner.

Abstract: A pipeline pig has a body with two symmetrical, flexible end portions which give the pig a generally ovate appearance. The end portions are separated by and contain a flexible core. The end portions have a rounded exterior surface and an internal cylindrical cavity. Each cavity has a beveled entry portion for receiving the core. Each end portion also has an outer cleaning area for an abrasive band with teeth for scrubbing a pipeline. Polishing teeth are on an upper portion of the band while coarse teeth are on a lower portion of the band. The core allows the pig to flex as it passes through nonlinear pipeline. The core has a flexible linkage which gives the pig the ability to undergo extensive flexing while maintaining the integrity and strength of the pig. Each end of the linkage receives a bolt which extends through an axial hole in each end portion for fastening the end portions to the core. As the pig moves through pipeline with light build-up, the polishing teeth gently remove it.

Abstract: An applicator for applying joint compound or mud to wallboard has six embodiments with a head, a mud outlet and a mud hose. The applicator has a handle and a control valve for controlling the flow of mud. Each embodiment also has a screed on the head above the mud outlet which extends beyond the end of the head. The screed smoothes down the mud applied to the wall and wipes away any excess mud. The first embodiment has a fan-shaped head with baffles to define multiple flow ports. The second and third embodiments have a rectangular head and a pair of retractable corner stops which align the mud outlets flush with the corners of drywall sections. The third embodiment adds a dispersion mechanism for varying the width of the outlet. The fourth embodiment of the applicator has a wedge-shaped head and a V-shaped screed with flow ports in the sidewalls that are designed to apply mud to right-angled corners.

Abstract: An electric trolling motor has a motor body with a propeller, and a vertical shaft extending upward from the motor body. A rudder attachment having forward, rearward and lower portions is secured to the motor. The forward portion is a diagonal blade located between the shaft and a forward end of the body. The rearward portion is a thin rudder which extends between a rearward end of the motor body and the shaft. The lower portion has is mounted to a lower side of the motor body and tapers downward. Tie wraps are used to securely fasten the portions of the rudder attachment to each other and to the trolling motor.

Abstract: A segmented ring forms a set of latches for a tendon top connector on a floating platform. The latches reside in a housing and have either a groove or thread profile on an upper internal surface. The grooves interface with a mating groove profile on the tendon. The latches rotationally pivot backward and forward from the outer portion of the bottom surface. When the latches are forward, the profile in the internal surface engages the mating profile of the tendon top joint. When the latches are swung out, these profiles clear and permit the top joint to pass through the connector. Retraction of the latches is provided by application of force on the inside surface of an annular extension on the outer portion of the latches. This force can be provided by a variety of actuators. This top connector allows for passive dynamic engagement of the connector to the tendon top joint. When the latches are permitted to move inward, contact is made with the mating profile on the tendon top joint.

Abstract: An elevator is provided with a car, an inner door mounted to the car and outer doors mounted to floor openings which define floor zones, the inner door registers with the outer doors when the car is disposed within one of the floor zones. The elevator includes a door restrictor having an electric solenoid mounted to the car so that the inner door cannot be opened more than four inches when the elevator is between floor zones. The electric solenoid has a plunger which is normally in an extended position to block the inner door from opening. Power will only be applied to the electric solenoid to lift the plunger from the extended position to a retracted position to allow the inner door to be fully opened when both the car is disposed within a floor zone and the inner doors are being opened by the main elevator controls. A floor zone sensor is mounted to the car for detecting when the elevator is disposed within one of the floor zones.

Abstract: A pacemaker for providing electrical pulses for a heart has an anatomically-shaped housing. The housing has a concave inner wall and a convex outer wall, which are spaced apart and joined at the periphery. The periphery is elliptical and rounded. The electronics locate within a cavity between the inner and outer walls. An electrical wire extends upward directly above a center of gravity of the housing for connection to the heart. An aperture is located above the center of gravity for suturing to tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven hammer has a piston which contains metal piston rings on a constant diameter section. The housing has a plurality of axially spaced apart radial ports that extend through the housing into the bore. A valve supplies fluid to the ports to control reciprocation of the piston.