Abstract: A disconnect apparatus and method for use in a well bore. The apparatus comprises a top sub having a collet, and wherein the top sub has an external seal surface. The apparatus further comprises a bottom sub having a bore, and wherein the external seal surface and the bore cooperate. The apparatus further includes a support piston disposed within the collet, wherein the support piston has a plurality of fins formed on an outer portion of the support piston, and shear device, operatively attached to the top sub and the support piston, for attaching and detaching the top sub from the support piston. In one preferred embodiment, the collet member comprises a plurality of fingers having a gap between each individual finger. Also, the plurality of fingers may have an external thread formed thereon that engage an internal thread formed on the bottom sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing onto closed vial units. The vial units are formed in a series and the vial units have a drug therein. The apparatus comprises a conveyor belt for moving the vial units, with the conveyor belt having spaced cleats. A first side of the vial units is placed on the conveyor belt. The apparatus further comprises a printhead for printing an ink pattern onto the vial units, with the printhead configured to print to the first side, and a back-up roller configured opposite the printhead, with the back-up roller being a cylindrical member that contains an indented profile placed about the cylindrical member reciprocal to the vial units. The apparatus further includes a dryer positioned to receive the vial units from the printhead and provide for drying of the ink pattern from the printhead.

Abstract: A latching apparatus for lifting and lowering loads. The apparatus comprises a prong and a receiving receptacle configured to receive the prong. The receiving receptacle comprises a body having a central passage, a plurality of jaws arranged about the central passage, and a spring for biasing the jaws to extend into the central passage. The latching apparatus may further comprise an activation disc for disengaging the jaws from the prong. The jaws have a pin extending therefrom; and wherein the activation disc contains a plurality of cam surfaces that engage the pin of the jaws. A method of latching onto a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power tong positioning apparatus having a base section and a backup elevating section engaging the base section. A first lift assembly is positioned between the base section and the backup elevating section while a tong elevating section engages the backup elevating section. A second lift assembly is then positioned between the backup elevating section and the tong elevating section.

Abstract: A method of measuring a dry gas flow from hydrocarbon wells. The hydrocarbon wells produce a stream which contains liquids and natural gas. The method comprises providing a differential flow measurement device (orifice) located at a well site containing the hydrocarbon wells. The method further includes testing the stream for gas composition and physical characteristics. Additionally, the method comprises measuring a static temperature (T) of the stream, measuring a static pressure (Ps), and measuring a pressure differential (dP) in the differential flow measurement device (orifice). The method includes computing the liquid-gas ratio (LGR) of the stream, computing the wet gas flow rate (Qw) of the stream, computing a first dry gas flow rate (Qd1) and a second dry gas flow rate and utilizing a iterative process to correct and obtain the dry gas flow rate. The data may be transmitted to another location.

Abstract: A running board assembly for a three wheel motorcycle including independent first and second support frame members. Each of the support frame members further includes: i) a substantially U-shaped configuration having a rear lateral section, a longitudinal section, and a front lateral section; ii) a connector on the rear lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle frame; and iii) a connector on the front lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle engine block. A running board member is connected to each of the support frame members.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a medium. The apparatus comprises a base having a plurality of arms extending from the base. The base and arms define a cage. A valve member is positioned within the cage. The apparatus further includes a biasing housing disposed within the base, and wherein a spring is disposed within the biasing housing. The apparatus further includes a passageway formed about the valve member when the valve member is opened so that the medium flows on the outer portion of the biasing housing, and wherein the flow of the medium in an opposite direction urges the ball into engagement with the valve seat. When the valve is open, the medium collapses the spring and the valve member blocks the flow of the medium from entering the biasing housing. A method of drilling a well with the flow valve positioned on a work string is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method used with a woman's garment, including a brassiere. The device comprises a ring member having a first segment and a second segment, a front side and a back side, and wherein the ring member has a mid-way point between the first and second segment. The device further comprises a first prong extending from the first end of the ring member, with the first prong having a length terminating at a distance less than the mid-way point of the ring member, and a second prong extending from the second end of the ring member, with the second prong having a length terminating at a distance less than the mid-way point of the ring member. In the most preferred embodiment, the center portion allows for passage of the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder.

Abstract: The invention provides a chair armrest that is variably adjustable to allow a user to assume an ergonomically preferred sitting position. The ergonomic chair armrest comprises, either separately or together, an arm support assembly capable of adjustment to various positions through a vertical plane and an arm pad assembly capable of adjustment to various positions through a horizontal plane. The invention further provides an ergonomic chair having an armrest that is adjustable in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a well. The apparatus comprises a mandrel containing a radial shoulder, a sub member concentrically disposed about the mandrel, and an upper slip, concentrically disposed about the mandrel, for engaging the well. The apparatus further comprises an upper cone abutting an underside of the upper slip, and wherein the upper cone is disposed about the mandrel, and an elastomer operatively associated with the upper cone, and wherein the elastomer is disposed about the mandrel. The apparatus further includes a lower slip, concentrically disposed about the mandrel, for engaging with the internal portion of the well, and lower cone abutting an underside of the lower slip, and wherein the lower cone is disposed about the mandrel, and wherein the lower cone is operatively associated with the elastomer. The apparatus further contains a first alignment member selectively connecting the sub with the upper slip, and wherein the first alignment pin is selected to shear at a first predetermined force.

Abstract: A cementitious porous pavement comprising a hydraulic conductivity greater than about 0.0001 cm/sec and a depth of at least three inches.

Abstract: An improved tong positioning apparatus which includes a base positionable on the rig floor; a hydraulic cylinder positioned on the base, having a first end engageable to a rear support member and a second end engageable to a pivotal moment arm; a forward shock attachment arm engaged at a first end to one of a plurality of attachment points on the moment arm, and a second end which attaches to a tong frame attachment point on the tong. The forward shock attachment arm includes a pair of shock absorbers engaged along its length to provide a smooth, non-jerking motion both vertically and horizontally in moving the power tong. The tong positioning apparatus is designed to be remotely operated by hydraulic, air, air over hydraulics, electronically, by a single operator.

Abstract: A screen apparatus for use in a well bore. The apparatus comprises a latch; a first tubular disposed within the latch, the first tubular having an internal retrieving profile; a screen extending from the first tubular, and wherein the screen contains a first portion with a first outer diameter, and a second portion that extends to a second outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter is larger that than the second outer diameter. The apparatus further comprises a diverter device operatively attached to an inner portion of the first tubular, and wherein the diverter device contains a passage to divert the fluid to an outer portion of the screen. In one preferred embodiment, the screen comprises a series of longitudinal slots of progressively smaller length. Also, the screen may contain a stepped outer diameter portion and inner diameter portion. A method of cleaning debris is also included.

Abstract: A method of drilling a well. The method includes calculating an estimated formation dip angle, wherein said estimated formation dip angle being based on offset well data, seismic data, core data, pressure data. Next, the method includes drilling a well with a logging while drilling means so that real time logging data is generated along with drilling data and calculating an instantaneous formation dip angle. Next, real time logging data is obtained and a target formation window is projected ahead of the well path that includes a top of formation and a bottom formation. The method includes monitoring the real time logging and drilling data and drilling the well through the target formation window. The method further includes changing the estimated instantaneous formation dip based on the obtained data and adjusting the target formation top and bottom window.

Abstract: A sorptive-filtration system for removing at least one of negatively or positively charged ions, complexes or particulates from an aqueous stream. The system includes a) flow formed substantially from at least one of rainfall-runoff or snowmelt-runoff; b) a filter containment communicating with the runoff stream such that at least part of the stream passes through the filter containment; and c) a granular filter media disposed within the filter containment, the filter media having an amphoteric material applied thereto, wherein the amphoteric material comprises a metal selected from at least one of Fe, Al, Mn, or Si.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid stream. The system includes a first separator device mounted to a container. The container includes a settling compartment and baffle plate module, with the initial settling compartment receiving the fluid from the first separator device. The fluid stream proceeds through the baffle plate module. The solids within the fluid stream will descend to the bottom of the container. A spiral blade is positioned at the bottom of the container, with the spiral blade adapted to convey solids to a first pump member. The speed of rotation of the spiral blade may be varied. The first pump member discharges the slurry to a second separator device. The second separator device will discharge the separated fluid stream into the baffle plate module. In one embodiment, the first separator device is a linear shaker and the second separator device is a cyclone separator and linear shaker mounted in tandem.

Abstract: The invention is a method to predict the type of deformation of an object as elastic, plastic or fracture from a time series of specklegram patterns or fringe patterns (the difference of specklegrams). From the recorded patterns, a velocity vector field is calculated. The behavior of the velocity vector, as it evolves in time or space, is used to predict the deformation type. Fracture is predicted at a particular spatial location if the velocity vector file shows the dominate wavelength (or period) as increasing over time at that particular point. Plastic deformation is predicted at a particular spatial location if the maximum excursion of the velocity vector field at that particular location is decaying or distortion tensor parameters begin to depend on locations (they are different at different locations).