Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly includes a strip type carrier having openings therein for receiving shaped charges. Each of the openings includes first and second diagonally opposed pairs of resilient tabs for snugly engaging an outer case of the shaped charge. In a preferred embodiment, every second one of the openings includes first and second elongated cord receiving slots communicated therewith, so that the assembly can be put together without threading a free end of a firing cord through openings in the carrier. Integral intermediate portions of the firing cord can be placed through the alternate openings in the elongated cord receiving slots associated therewith without threading the free ends of the firing cord therethrough.

Abstract: A load, such as a control circuit for a DC/DC converter, is initially operated by an initial load powering voltage developed by a power consuming regulator until another voltage, such as the DC/DC converter's output voltage derived from an input voltage used by the voltage regulator to establish the initial load powering voltage, reaches a predetermined level. A switching control circuit initially allows the regulator to operate and connects its output to the load. The switching control circuit, however, responds to the other voltage so that when this other voltage reaches the predetermined magnitude, the switching control circuit prevents the regulator from further operating and thus from further dissipating energy. The switching control circuit then connects the other voltage to power the load. The switching control circuit is designed so that it dissipates less energy than the regulator when the switching control circuit disables the regulator and allows the other voltage to power the load.

Abstract: A close tolerance pin connection includes a cylindrical connecting pin. A first sturcture has a first pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for closely receiving the connecting pin. A second structure has a second pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for loosely receiving the connecting pin. A weld washer has a third pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for closely receiving the connecting pin, and the weld washer is adapted to be located adjacent and engage the second structure. The connecing pin is received in the first, second and third pin receiving holes and the weld washer is then welded to the second structure so that the first and second structures are connected by the connecting pin.

Abstract: A method of discriminating between linear and nonlinear regions of measured data is based upon two hypotheses, one of which is a hypothesis that a response is merely a result of inherent randomness and the other of which is a hypothesis that the response is a result of a true nonlinear change greater than a value M. It is also based upon a relative cost between accepting the latter hypothesis when the former is true versus accepting the former hypothesis when the latter is true. A resulting probabilistic criterion (M/2)+(.sigma..sup.2 /M) [1n(P.sub.H0 /P.sub.H1)C] is graphically implemented for deriving offset values which can be used in a specific embodiment to construct tabular values defining linear/nonlinear regions from a presumed hypothetical straight line response.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for setting a packer and for placing a seal assembly into the packer bore on a single trip into the borehole. Such apparatus includes a releasable mechanism coupling the seal assembly in fixed relation to the packer until such time as the packer is at least partially set. Methods and apparatus of the present invention also include a mechanism for hydraulically setting a packer without any manipulation of the tubing string. A pair of hydraulic pistons are utilized to move in opposite directions and exert forces on both a packer actuating sleeve and the packer body to set the packer. Methods and apparatus are provided for actuating well tools in response to the hydrostatic pressure in the well. Through use of such apparatus, a chamber at atmospheric pressure is placed in communication with one side of a hydraulically movable member, the other side of which is exposed to hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A grid system for supporting a plurality of items of equipment from a deck of a floating vessel includes a plurality of brackets welded to the deck. A support grid for supporting the plurality of items of equipment above the deck includes a plurality of interconnected substantially horizontally oriented beams. The support grid spreads the weight of each of the items of equipment over a larger area of the deck than it would be if each item was directly supported from the deck. A plurality of detachable connecting pin assemblies are provided for detachably connecting the support grid to the plurality of brackets, so that the support grid can be attached to the plurality of brackets without the need for welding to the deck after the plurality of brackets have been previously been welded to the deck. Equipment mounting brackets are operably associated with the support grid for mounting the plurality of items of equipment above the support grid with similar connecting pin assemblies.

Abstract: An integrated blending system comprises a mixing subsystem and a particulate material conveying subsystem which introduce materials into a blender subsystem for producing a blend which is pumped into a well through a pumping subsystem. The subsystems are mounted on a single transportation vehicle at fixed relative positions to each other.

Abstract: A transportation assembly includes a single container having a primary confinement receptacle and a secondary confinement receptacle in which the primary confinement receptacle is retained. In the preferred embodiment the primary confinement receptacle has two reservoirs defined in it, one of which is for storing and transporting a radioactive substance and the other of which is for storing and transporting a diluting substance in which the radioactive substance is to be diluted at a location, such as a well site at which a radioactive tracer injection operation is to be performed. A system incorporating such a container and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: The improved poppet valve of the present invention comprises a simpler and shorter valve which meets or exceeds prior art performance characteristics while being easier and cheaper to make and to fabricate into a float collar or float shoe. The improved poppet valve of the present invention comprises a tubular one-piece body having flange means on the exterior thereof, and a downward-facing valve seat at the bottom interior thereof, with a valve guide spider thereabove. A dome-shaped poppet valve seats on the aforesaid valve seat, and has coaxially secured thereto a upwardly extending stem bolt which protrudes through and above the valve body guide spider. A spring disposed about the stem bolt biases it upwardly, acting on the top surface of the spider and on a lower surface of a spring retention cap secured to the top of the stem bolt. In such a manner, the poppet valve is biased into engagement with the valve body seat at the lower end of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A bundle type gauge carrier including a support assembly which may be loaded with a plurality of downhole gauges, the support assembly being quickly insertable in a case assembly incorporated in the pipe string used for a formation test. The gauges are grouped in the support assembly about an unobstructed central flow path, whereby each gauge is exposed to the pressure and temperature of the flowing oil and gas during a drill stem test.

Abstract: A multi-mode testing tool operable as a drill pipe tester, formation tester, nitrogen displacement valve or circulation valve. Tool mode is changed responsive to pressure cycling in the well bore. A ball valve in the tool bore may also be operated by pressure cycling when the tool is in its formation tester mode. Also disclosed is a pressure responsive double-acting piston power mechanism, and a ball and slot ratchet assembly.

Abstract: The power-conversing apparatus includes a plurality of independently energizable electrical circuits used in receiving electrical signals from a transducer which senses an environmental condition, in processing the electrical signals, and in storing information related to the detected environmental condition. The apparatus further includes a power control circuit for continuously providing electrical power to at least one of the electrical circuits and for independently switchably providing electrical power to selectable ones of at least two others of the separately energizable circuits.

Abstract: A downhole inflatable packer pump for use in a testing string. The pump includes an upper mandrel rotatably disposed in a case. The upper mandrel includes a pump cam with a cam slot thereon. A piston cavity is defined between the case and inner mandrel in which a single, sleeve-type piston is reciprocably disposed. A cam roller on the piston engages the cam slot, and as the inner mandrel rotates, the piston is reciprocated. A diaphragm sealingly separates the piston chamber from a pumping chamber. Inlet and outlet check valves with annular resilient lips allow fluid flow into the pumping chamber from the well annulus and out of the pumping chamber into an outlet chamber in communication with the lower portion of the testing string. The piston chamber is filled with a lubricating oil, and pumping action of the reciprocating pump piston causes movement of the oil which is transmitted to the pumping chamber through the diaphragm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sidewall core gun attached to the lower end of a drill string, enabling the taking of core samples from within a deviated borehole. The gun also includes an improved charge assembly, including a detonatable core and one or more deflagratable cartridge assemblies for propelling a coring bullet from the gun to the sidewall of the borehole. Coring bullets imbedded in the sidewall remain connected to the gun via steel cables, whereby the bullets may be retrieved by raising the drill string.

Abstract: A rheology test system includes a self-propelled vehicle, a computer contained in the vehicle and a rheology flow loop skid mounted in an outboard storage compartment of the vehicle. The rheology flow loop skid includes an obliquely mounted helical conduit through which laminar flow is maintained. The helical loop is mounted on a base near an inboard side thereof, and instrumentation is mounted on an outboard side of the base so that the apparatus can be readily used while mounted on the vehicle. Improved connecting pipes provide a more compact construction and a more easily assemblable and disassemblable construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a filter screen and for packing gravel around the filter screen adjacent a well formation. The apparatus includes a body having a packer portion and a valve portion. The body defines a central passageway therethrough. The valve portion includes a valve mandrel with a valve sleeve slidably positioned therein, and transverse openings in the valve sleeve and valve mandrel are aligned to form a transverse passageway therethrough when the valve is in an open position. A stinger is positionable in the body for closing the central passageway and actuating the valve sleeve between the open and closed positions thereof. When in the open position, the transverse openings in the valve mandrel and valve sleeve are aligned with a transverse opening in the stinger such that fluid communication is provided between a well annulus below the packer portion and the tool string above the apparatus. Collet fingers engage the stinger so that when the stinger is moved from the body, the valve is closed.

Abstract: A transportable material conveying apparatus includes a frame having a surge bin mounted on the frame for receiving, holding and discharging particulate material. A gathering conveyor is mounted on the frame for gathering the particulate material and delivering the particulate material into the surge bin. A discharge conveyor is mounted on the frame below an outlet of the surge bin for receiving the particulate material from the outlet and for conveying the particulate material to a discharge point.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a well bore annulus. A mandrel includes non-elastomeric packer elements disposed thereabout. A first annular piston is received about the mandrel and is slidable upwardly against the packer elements to seal the same in a well bore. A bi-directional slip assembly is disposed about the lower portion of the mandrel and a second annular piston is slidable along the mandrel above the slip assembly for setting the same in response to downward piston action. The mandrel includes a pair of bores for communicating internal mandrel pressure to both pistons. An increase in mandrel pressure causes the first piston to move upwardly thereby sealing the packer elements in the bore and causes the second piston to move downwardly thereby setting the slips.

Abstract: A flow controller apparatus having few moving parts that may be inserted directly into a flow line to be responsive to flow pressure and maintain the flow rate constant. The flow controller has an internal bore that is a revolutional chamber having a maximum cross-sectional diameter at the inlet end and tapering toward a minimum cross-sectional area across a throat portion. A differential pressure plate supported axially movably in said chamber is spring biased toward the inlet end of the chamber, and is movable in response to upstream flow pressure to adjust the cross-sectional fluid flow area to maintain a constant flow rate. In addition, the use of such flow rate controller enables the construction of a portable type of fluid pressure and flow rate control apparatus to reduce pressure and flow rate from a high pressure, high volume liquid or gas source for supply to a low pressure, low volume output requirement.

Abstract: An annulus pressure operated ratchet device for use in a well bore. A mandrel includes an upwardly-directed elastomeric cup which is slidingly received over the mandrel. A sleeve is slidingly received over the mandrel beneath the cup and a ratchet disposed between the sleeve and the mandrel permits only downward movement of the sleeve. An elastomeric packer is received about the mandrel between the sleeve and an upwardly-directed shoulder. Annulus pressure urges the cup and sleeve downwardly to compress the packer thereby sealingly engaging it with the casing. The shoulder beneath the packer is threadably engaged with the mandrel by a left-hand thread. Right-hand mandrel rotation unthreads the connection thereby releasing the packer.