Abstract: A hydrodynamic seal for location in a seal groove of a structure, such as a housing and for dynamic sealing engagement with a relatively rotatable surface. Elevated contact pressure zones caused by pressure manipulation features located at least partially on the dynamic sealing surface of the seal provide for controlled lubricant movement within the dynamic sealing interface between the seal and the relatively rotatable surface for enhanced lubrication of the seal even when the seal defines a wide sealing footprint with the relatively rotatable surface. The pressure manipulation feature may be defined by projections at least partially from the dynamic sealing lip which are compressed against the relatively rotatable surface or depressions which define pressure manipulating edges which react with the lubricant in the dynamic sealing interface responsive to relative rotation.

Abstract: An opto-electronic data acquisition and storage system, having a light source for directing light along a predetermined light path, a light sensitive electronic memory, a light absorber, a spatial optical storage device being positioned to receive reflected light and to direct the reflected light to the light sensitive electronic memory and a digital light processor having an array of electronically positioned micro-mirrors each being selectively oriented to a reflecting position to reflect light from the light source along a reflected light path to the spatial optical storage device for data storage and being selectively oriented to reflect light from said source to the light absorber when the reflected light is not intended for storage.

Abstract: A urine collection bag includes an improvement in the form of an extendable drain tube that is normally retracted and retained in flat coiled condition against the front wall of the bag. The tube is biased into its coiled condition by the elastic memory of the thermoplastic material from which it is formed and, in a preferred embodiment, the flat coil is oval-shaped with its major axis extending generally vertically when the bag is worn. A retention strap attached to the front wall of the bag serves to hold the drain tube in its coiled condition against the bag's front wall.

Abstract: A load responsive hydrodynamic bearing is provided in the form of a thrust bearing or journal bearing for supporting, guiding and lubricating a relatively rotatable member to minimize wear thereof responsive to relative rotation under severe load. In the space between spaced relatively rotatable members and in the presence of a liquid or grease lubricant, one or more continuous ring shaped integral generally circular bearing bodies each define at least one dynamic surface and a plurality of support regions. Each of the support regions defines a static surface which is oriented in generally opposed relation with the dynamic surface for contact with one of the relatively rotatable members. A plurality of flexing regions are defined by the generally circular body of the bearing and are integral with and located between adjacent support regions.

Abstract: The strength and wear resistance of a steel component is improved by adhering to it a material of higher strength compatible metal alloy, such as Inconel (RTM) 725 or like precipitation or age hardenable alloy. The higher strength alloy may be adhered by welding, plasma spraying, dip coating or electroplating. The component may be subjected to post-deposition heat treatment which preferably simultaneously softens a heat affected zone in the component and hardens the higher strength material.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricating seal has a generally circular seal body defining a static sealing surface and having a dynamic sealing lip projecting from the seal body and defining a dynamic sealing surface, a non-hydrodynamic edge and a non-circular angulated flank having a flank angle. The flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface have theoretical intersection being positioned from the non-hydrodynamic edge by a variable distance having a minimum dimension being greater than {fraction (1/16)} inch and also having a maximum dimension. The circular seal body defines a theoretical center-line and, when viewed in a longitudinal cross-section taken along the theoretical center-line, a hydrodynamic inlet curve is shown that blends the theoretical intersection between the flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface. This hydrodynamic inlet curve is tangent to the dynamic sealing surface at a location of tangency and has a rate of curvature less than the rate of curvature of a ⅛ inch radius.

Abstract: An opto-electronic data acquisition and storage system, having a light source for directing light along a predetermined light path, a light sensitive electronic memory, a light absorber, a spatial optical storage device being positioned to receive reflected light and to direct the reflected light to the light sensitive electronic memory and a digital light processor having an array of electronically positioned micro-mirrors each being selectively oriented to a reflecting position to reflect light from the light source along a reflected light path to the spatial optical storage device for data storage and being selectively oriented to reflect light from said source to the light absorber when the reflected light is not intended for storage.

Abstract: A medical video-teleconferencing and treatment system, having a central video-conferencing station and one or more remote video-conferencing stations and a communications link establishing video-conferencing communication therebetween. A central video monitor and audio system is located at the central video-conferencing station, and a controller unit is coupled with the communications link. The remote video-conferencing stations each have a mobile emergency center cart including a remote video monitor and audio system and a video-conferencing camera controlled by the controller unit via the communications link and capable of responding to control signals of the controller unit for panning and zoom movement of said video-conferencing camera by a medical practitioner located at the central video-conferencing station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring against explosion of the gaseous atmosphere of a closed chamber, such as the QDCD room of an internal turret of an offshore production and offloading buoy wherein the closed chamber has production risers and conduit connectors that represent a potential source of flammable gas. The method comprises mixing and diluting the oxidant content of the air by introducing within the closed chamber a sufficient quantity of inert gas to render the mixture of the air and any flammable gas non-combustible regardless of the flammable gas content of the mixture. The method includes removal of the non-combustible mixture of air and any flammable gas from the closed chamber by purging thereof to the natural atmosphere, while introducing inert gas, thereby leaving a substantially inert atmosphere within the closed chamber.

Abstract: A wedge gate valve having a valve body defining a valve chamber and flow passages and upwardly diverging circular seat surfaces of circular, flat configuration and defining seat planes. A valve disk or wedge having downwardly converging sealing surfaces is movable within said valve chamber between open and closed positions for controlling flow through the valve. Pressure boundary plates connected by hubs to the valve disk define the sealing surfaces of the disk and have bottom corners that establish line contact with the downstream seat surface and prevent any portion of said sealing surfaces of said valve disk from crossing the sealing plane of the downstream seat in the event of flow responsive downstream movement of the valve disk during its opening and closing movement. Guide ears of the disk are provided with flexible upper and lower extremities and rounded or chamfered inner end surfaces to minimize localized peak contact stress with disk guide rails of the valve body.

Abstract: A shovel for manual use, comprising a shovel blade having concave and convex faces and defining a longitudinal center-line and having side edges, an upper edge and a forward cutting edge. The shovel blade defines a handle connector receptable having a shovel handle fixed therein. A root cutting blade is fixed to the shovel blade substantially along the longitudinal center-line and projects from the concave face of the shovel blade. A sharpened root cutting edge is defined on the root cutting blade and is oriented toward the forward cutting edge of the shovel blade. The root cutting edge of the central blade preferably defines an intermediate edge recess and forms a slightly inclined sharp edge section for enhancing root cutting action. A pair of side blades are fixed to side edge portions of the shovel blade and are oriented in diverging relation projecting from the convex face of the shovel blade.

Abstract: A subsea system is provided for producing a number of subsea wells which may be arranged in groups. Each of the groups of subsea wellheads is connected to deliver production flow to a subsea manifold and each subsea manifold is connected to deliver production flow to a production riser. A plurality of production risers each being connected to receive production flow from one of said subsea manifolds extend from the subsea manifolds for groups of wells. A deep draft floating spar is located generally above the subsea wellheads with mooring lines and has a production platform located above the sea surface and has buoyancy and ballast chambers to control floatation. The spar structure defines a riser bore receiving the production risers extending from the subsea wellheads to the production platform. The spar is also capable of being shifted laterally by its mooring lines for positioning above a selected well to thus permit well intervention activities as needed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated rotary seal or packing assembly which provides environmental exclusion, lubricant retention and hydrodynamic interfacial lubrication in applications where the environment pressure may be higher than the lubricant pressure. The invention is particularly suitable for oilfield drilling swivels and rotary mining equipment, and for applications such as artificial lift pump stuffing box assemblies and centrifugal pumps where a rotating shaft penetrates a pressurized reservoir which is filled with abrasive-laden liquids, mixtures or slurries. The invention provides a unique sealing mechanism which controls high pressure abrasive fluids, and which accomplishes hydrodynamic lubricant pumping activity to maintain efficient lubrication at the dynamic sealing interfaces thereof to thus significantly enhance service life.

Abstract: A novel hydrodynamically lubricated compression type rotary seal that is suitable for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion. Particularly, the seal geometry ensures constraint of a hydrodynamic seal in a manner preventing skew-induced wear and provides adequate room within the seal gland to accommodate thermal expansion. The seal accommodates large as-manufactured variations in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sealing material, provides a relatively stiff integral spring effect to minimize pressure-induced shuttling of the seal within the gland, and also maintains interfacial contact pressure within the dynamic sealing interface in an optimum range for efficient hydrodynamic lubrication and environment exclusion. The seal geometry also provides for complete support about the circumference of the seal to receive environmental pressure, as compared the interrupted character of seal support set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the arrangement of a combination stuffing box and pressure transmitter system for use with a reciprocating or rotating rod on pumps or pumping systems is disclosed. The stuffing box assembly includes a housing that holds a primary and second seal that are separated by a lubricating reservoir filled with a refined environmentally friendly sacrificial lubricant from the unknown fluid being pumped. The secondary seal transmits the pressure of the fluid being pumped to the sacrificial lubricant that is being sealed from the atmosphere by the primary seal. The secondary seal has its outside diameter sealing against the housing liner and has its inside diameter sealing on the pump rod. It is free to move with respect to the liner and the rod to transmit the pressure of the fluid being pumped to the sacrificial lubricant between the primary and secondary seals, as well as balance the pressure across the secondary seal.

Abstract: A universal handgun carrying system, more commonly known as a holster, is provided for waist belt support, for positioning and carrying both semi-automatic and revolver type handguns. Inside and outside sheet-like panel members composed of leather or other suitable material are joined only at the front, so as to provide a universal holster assembly having an open rear portion that is closed by the waist belt of the user. Each of the inner and outer panels defines a body section having a pair of belt slots, with the front belt slots of both panels in registry and with the rear belt slots offset from one another. Projections, being preferably integral with the body sections, extend upwardly from the inner and outer panels and are provided with fastening devices such as snaps. One of the projections defines a retention strap and is adapted to be bent over the upper portion of a handgun to secure the handgun within the holster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing metal or non-metal vessels, including straight and curved pipes and various pipe connections, such as T's, elbows, swages, etc., and pressure containing vessels such as tanks, with an external composite lining of a webbing of biaxial or triaxial weave preferably composed of fiberglass which is pre-impregnated with a high temperature heat curable polymer composition capable of being heat cured at a temperature range of from about 275° F. to about 375° F. The vessel is prepared for bonding by abrasive cleaning and by solvent cleaning. Metal imperfections are then filled with an epoxy. A small amount a quick setting epoxy is employed to attach one end of the web to the external surface of the vessel in oriented position for wrapping of the web in intimate surface-to-surface contact with the vessel. During wrapping only enough tension is applied to the pre-impregnated webbing to eliminate any wrinkles.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic pallet having a plurality of pallet sections each composed of plastic material and having interlocking elements defined by side walls of the pallet sections. At least two of the pallet sections define front and rear pallet edges and each have at least one reinforcing receptacle located adjacent the front and rear pallet edges. At least two elongate reinforcing elements are located within the reinforcing receptacles and are oriented for reinforcing the front and rear pallet edges to minimize bending thereof when the front and rear pallet edges are resting on a rack and under load. The pallet sections are of generally tubular configuration having planar upper and lower walls and parallel side walls. The side walls define dove-tail or other interlocking connectors for securing the pallet sections in immovable assembly.