Abstract: The rig has a base frame, with powered ground screw anchors, trunnion attached to a tiltable top frame equipped with pipe handling rollers, pipe clamp, power tongs, and crosshead mounted swivel arranged to slide along the frame to transfer axial forces to a drill string situated parallel to and centered above the top frame. The swivel is plumbed to deliver drilling fluids to the drill string. Remote power sources provide drilling fluid processing and hydraulic power to the various controls to operate; a tilt mechanism to tilt the top frame to align with a well bore, power tongs, to move the crosshead, rotate the ground screws, a pipe stabbing roller and a pipe cradle to move pipe sections into and out of the rig working center. Operator cab stations are positioned along the top frame and are bearing mounted to stay vertical when the top frame is tilted.

Abstract: An elongated body, capable of serving as a length of drill string, has two major portions with each portion providing an end for connection to the drill string with drilling fluid channels extending from end to end. One portion extends into the other and is hinged therein for deflection of the center lines of opposite ends. A piston in the body responds to drilling fluid flow to actuate the deflection of a few degrees. A turret carried by the body has a cam and groove relationship with the structure carried by the piston such that it turns one increment each time the piston makes a round trip of axial excursions. On alternate round trips of excursions, the piston is stopped short of the movement needed to deflect the body and instead holds the body straight until the fluid flow is reduced to begin another piston excursion. An internal valve is operated by the piston to cause a pressure rise in the drilling fluid stream when the piston moves enough to deflect the body.

Abstract: A fluid powered incremental stepping motor arranged to serve as a length of pipe string has a body that includes an arbor end with an arbor of reduced diameter extending into a bore of a housing end bearingly supported for rotation about the arbor. An annular space between arbor and housing contains a piston rotationally secured to the arbor for limited axial movement. The piston operates within the bore as a power cylinder and carries a flow resistor. Fluid channels extend through the body to accept fluid flow down the pipe string. Fluid flow urges the piston downward and a spring urges it upward. Cams on each end of the piston and mating cams in the housing bore engage at the upward and at the downward extreme of piston travel and at each engagement impart an increment of rotation of the housing relative to the arbor at each excursion of the piston. Increasing fluid flow down the pipe string and then decreasing the flow causes the piston to reciprocate at each flow rate change cycle.

Abstract: A modified jaw type shaft coupling has two opposed members arranged to allow limited flexure about a point that is the geometric center of mating spherical surfaces, a concave surface on one member and a mating convex surface on the other member. One member is attached to each shaft to be rotationally and axially coupled. The jaws on one coupling member have lugs that extend radially inward to axially entrap a larger flange attached to the other coupling member. The flange has notches to allow the flange to axially traverse the lugs. The flange is then rotated relative to the lugs to allow the flange to oppose the lugs. The flange is secured to the other coupling member after the coupling members are axially moved together to allow the jaws to interdigitate to provide rotational coupling. The convex and concave surfaces cooperate to accept axial compressive loads and the flange and lugs prevent axial separation.

Abstract: The sub, usable as a length element of a drill string which may include a drilling motor body, comprises three generally tubular members. Two members, each having means to attach to a continuing drill string, have threaded boxes positioned in opposition. A third member is a double ended threaded, shoulderless, pin threadedly extending into the boxes with box faces in contact when the sub is assembled. One box, and the mating pin end, have threads coarser than the finer threads in the other box and on it's mating pin end. Axial position adjustment of the pin causes the abutting box faces to change rotational relationship, thus changing the rotational relationship of axially spaced drill string elements separated by the sub. If the sub is to be used to deflect the drill string centerline, the double ended pin and the threaded boxes have a centerline tilted a small angle from the centerline of the first two members. In one configuration the assembly has, preferably, both end centerlines on one line.

Abstract: A pipe thread cleaner has cleaning heads with rotated thread brushes driven by motors on the heads. Separate heads for box and pin ends have splash shrouds with gaskets to bear on pipe surfaces. Cleaning fluids under pressure are supplied, selectively, to the heads. The heads have a scavenger system plumbed to a vacuum collector tank. The heads have pipe bore plugs on brush spindle extensions that seal the bore and squeegee the inner pipe surfaces when the heads are removed from the pipe. Optionally, compressed air replaces cleaning fluid to jets in the heads to finally blow dry the cleaned threads. Further options include jets that spin with the brushes and a centrifuge to recover reusable cleaning fluids from the effluent fluids from the cleaning heads.

Abstract: A downhole mud pressure change signal generator has a signal valve to variably resist the flow of mud down the drill string bore. The valve is powered by a bias driver and controlled by a holding magnet that is in turn controlled by a downhole instrument. The bias driver has a spring opposed fluid powered piston that moves in response to changes in fluid pressure drop across the signal valve. The valve in normally biased closed. The bias driver is resiliently connected to the valve such that when the piston moves the bias driver in response to fluid pressure that overcomes the spring, the valve is urged toward an open position. When the valve is open and signal pressure across the valve is low the spring exerts more force than the piston and the driver urges the valve toward a closed position.The valve is urged to move but not compelled and is subject to latching in desired positions without losing the power needed to move later. The bias driver is used to power a latch that holds the valve open or closed.

Abstract: A downhole signal generating mud pulser has a poppet and orifice signal valve to variably resist the drilling fluid stream. The poppet is upstream of the orifice and is moved by a piston in fluid communication with opposite flow related sides of the signal valve such that more pressure drop across the valve applies more piston force to open the valve. The poppet is spring biased toward the orifice and the piston force and spring balance when a preselected operating pressure exists. A servo valve controls flow in a by-pass loop to apply additional pressure to the piston to create a signal pulse when open. The servo valve is urged closed by flow in the servo loop and the closing is retarded by a dashpot to determine signal duration. The servo valve is spring biased to open and is automatically latched closed by a latch that responds to a solenoid actuated to release the servo valve.

Abstract: In the preferred application, an acceleration compensation mass is supported in a downhole drilling related housing for independent movement along an axis in response to acceleration of the housing. A control member that moves relative to the housing in a direction parallel the axis to carry out the function of the housed apparatus is connected to a piston in a cooperating bore in the housing to displace fluid when the member moves. A second piston and cooperating bore in the housing is arranged to displace fluid when the mass moves. Fluid plumbing is arranged to connect the two hydraulic cylinders such that the mass and the member, if they move, must move in unison in opposite directions. When the housing is accelerated in the direction along the axis, both member and mass tend to move in the opposite direction relative to the housing but each piston opposes the other and no movement occurs if the pistons have effective areas proportional to the weights of the related member and mass.

Abstract: A pipe wiper assembly for stripping fluid from well strings has a container, with side walls, for use above the well head. Inside the container a frame is situated for some limited horizontal movement and the frame contains a pair of wiper blades in a horizontal guideway. The wiper blades move in opposite directions in the guideway between open and closed positions by way of forces provided by fluid power cylinders mounted on the frame and attached to the wiper blades. In the open position, the wiper blades are clear of the well string and in the closed position they are pressed against the well string. The wiper blades are vertically stacked in the closed position and overlap to assure full circumferential wiping of the well string. The frame is tethered to the container to prevent rotation due to well string friction. The cylinders are provided with fluid power by way of flexible hoses.

Abstract: A recreation vehicle enclosure includes a base to which a cover is pivotally secured at one end. The base is, preferably, rectangular in plan form and triangular in section to provide stiffness and to elevate a cover hinge to allow the cover to be fully opened in irregular terrain and to be gravity stabilized when open. Optional features include wheels and wheel mounts to convert the enclosure to an open road trailer and to convert the cover, when inverted, into an off-road trailer. The cover is shaped to accept nesting of covers for shipment and to reduce profile. An optional hitch provides means to attach to a towing vehicle. An optional solar panel, on the cover, charges the battery of a protected vehicle.

Abstract: A self-locking trailer hitch has a frame arranged for attachment to a vehicle, a housing arranged to slide longtudinally on the frame between extended and retracted positions, a swing bar pivotally attached to the housing to swing laterally about a vertical axis so that a hitch ball on the free end of the swing bar can be moved about for coupling of two vehicles. The swing bar, housing and frame have holes that will align when the swing bar is centered and the housing is extended, and a spring loaded pin that will lock the three holes and, hence, the related parts into extended and centered position when the towing vehicle is driven forward after coupling.

Abstract: A drill string deflection tool is arranged to function as a segment of drill string. An upper and a lower portion telescope together to form a mid-section with limited telescoping movement and limited angular deflection of the axes of the opposite ends. Axial load compresses the tool and a cam and fulcrum arrangement deflects the tool when it is axially compressed. The tool extends axially when pulled in tension and the axis becomes straight. Drilling fluid pressure acts on rams in the tool to lock it in whatever state exists when pressure is applied. The locking mechanism acts upon the drilling fluid channel to cause a pressure drop, detectable at the surface, that indicates the state of the tool downhole.

Abstract: An improved directional drilling tool permits changing the downhole drilling assembly between straight and directional drilling configuration by manipulation of conventional drilling fluid flow controls at the surface. A housing, with stabilizer features, shrouds a shaft which functions as an extension of the drill string and attaches to a drill head. A drilling fluid flow rate responsive selector valve is situated in the shaft and responds to drilling fluid flow rate manipulations to change assembly configuration. In the straight configuration the shaft remains straight and is rotationally locked to the housing. In the directional configuration the housing is rotationally unlocked from the shaft, normally after directional orientation, so that the shaft can rotate through it. The same action transversely displaces the shaft midsection relative to the housing and the shaft and drill head below is angularly deflected by way of a hinge arrangement near the drill head end of the housing.

Abstract: An elastomeric body encapsulates an electronic assembly, to be protected from vibration on shock, and is confined in a closed cavity of a structure subject to the vibration and shock. The body is cast in a separate mold having a cavity corresponding in shape and size to the closed cavity. The surface of the mold has projections to form indentations in the surface of the body. With the body in the closed cavities, the indentations are effectively voids and accept elastomeric material displaced from the body when the body expands relative to the cavity.The preferred embodiment provides a strongback support with open cavities, each to receive a body. The strongback is inserted into a tube to complete the structure and close the open cavities. The strongback has wiring chambers to accept flexible leads connected to each body, and channels into which wire is potted, to extend from the leads to external circuitry.

Abstract: A latch for a telescoping drill string jar is confined in an opening in the jar housing and engages the arbor of the jar to prevent telescoping action for normal drilling. The latch has a number of spring bars, each with a latch lug extending into a latch groove in the arbor. The lugs and the groove have beveled engagement surfaces that urge the spring bars radially outward, into clearance provided, when axial forces on the arbor relative to the housing exceed a preselected amount. The end of the spring bars are restrained in a cup with tubular sides extending along the spring bars to limit the length of spring bar allowed to flex radially outward. The length free to flex determines the average axial force required to release the latch. The ratio of the extending sides of the opposed cups determines the ratio of tension or compresive axial forces required to release the latch. The jar fitted with the latch is free to telescope, to cause jarring, when the lugs clear the groove.

Abstract: A drilling tool having a body that functions as a length of drill string and telescopes to shorten the body each time column load is applied by way of applied bit load. The telescoping action causes a cam turret in the body to change position to cause one of two possible conditions to exist while drilling. In one condition the body centerline is held straight while drilling. In the second condition the lower portion of the body is laterally deflected for changing the course of the well bore while drilling proceeds. Optional features cause a mud pressure signal to be generated, for detection at the surface, when selected elements in the apparatus are in preselected positions.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator driven by drilling fluid flow pumped down a drill string bore is combined with sensors and controls to produce a downhole drilling fluid pressure pulse generator for use in drill strings for Measurement While Drilling (MWD) pipe bore telemetry.A fluid flow responsive valve designed to be put in continual motion by fluid flow is associated with a motion stop lock so that, on release, a discrete digital fluid pressure change is generated. A downhole instrument package controls the lock release in a timed sequence, so that a series of pressure changes represent information to be decoded at the earth surface to determine downhole parameters sensed by the instrument package.The active elements of the downhole system may be installed in the drill string or lowered as a shuttle package down the drill bore.The fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus can be classified as a fluid flow excited oscillator or an auto-cycling pulse generator.

Abstract: A drilling fluid pulse generator for use above a drill bit to produce pulsations in drilling fluid flow. An autocycling valve briefly interrupts the flow of fluid to bit jets to reduce the effective hydrostatic pressure at the drilling face and to hydraulic energy in the drill string to thoroughly scour the hole face when the briefly closed valve reopens. An alternate configuration provides a bypass route for fluid diverted from the bit, and the bypass includes jet nozzles to add energy to the return fluid stream to further reduce the effective hydrostatic pressure at the drilling face.

Abstract: A separator for removing oil from a fluid mixture at a well site. An elongated conduit is arranged for support on an offshore structure and extends downward into a body of water into which cleaned water is to be discharged. The process fluid flows downward in the conduit past a series of baffles and out the lower end into the body of water. Quiescent regions at each baffle allows oil droplets to migrate into entrapment regions and be withdrawn up a riser connected to each entrapment region. A mixture inlet tube extends down to discharge below the topmost baffle. A fluid enclosure above the topmost baffle accepts the collected oil. An oil collection box is situated in the fluid enclosure and receives oil directly from the riser, some of which is allowed to flow out openings into the enclosure. An oil outlet standpipe collects oil from the oil box for removal.