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 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: 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 cable head provides an H.sub.2 S resistant assembly which includes a weak link therein substantially isolated from any stress other than tensile stress induced by the logging cable. The cable head also provides a fishing neck at the top of the tool string after the weak link is severed and the wireline retrieved. Moreover, the logging cable is positively secured to the cable head by a force-fit wedge, and the design thereof ensures that parting of the weak link also provides for a positive mechanical disengagement of the logging cable from the cable head. Finally, an external sinker bar has been provided which mounts externally of the cable head, surrounding the logging cable above the cable head and mechanically interlocking therewith; such sinker bars may be run above the cable head in series, each interlocking with the one below it.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly apparatus includes a carrier having a plurality of carrier segments integrally formed from a single substantially flat elongated sheet of structural material. An interconnecting portion is located between each two adjacent segments and is integrally connected therewith. The interconnecting portion provides a rigid and precise angular offset between adjacent segments through a permanent deformation of the interconnecting portion. Each carrier segment has a charge receiving opening therein and includes a pair of diametrically opposed wedges for snugly enaging a pair of elastomeric lugs of a shaped charge.

Abstract: The tubing tester valve of the present invention comprises a tubular housing assembly having a downwardly closing, spring biased flapper valve disposed therein near the top thereof. A tubular mandrel assembly is disposed within the housing assembly below the flapper valve, and is secured to the housing assembly with shear pins. The tubing tester valve may be permanently opened through the application of annulus pressure from the rig floor to the annulus surrounding the pipe string, which pressure moves the mandrel assembly upward to rotate the flapper valve to an open position. In order to assure that the mandrel assembly does not retract downwardly, thus permitting the flapper valve to reclose, a spring biased locking means is provided to hold the mandrel assembly in its "up" position.

Abstract: A slip joint for use in a well string and having a removable torque transmitting key. The slip joint includes an outer female mandrel having a central opening therethrough in which is slidingly positioned a male mandrel, also defining a central opening therethrough. In one embodiment, the male mandrel defines at least one longitudinal slot therein and the female mandrel defines a transverse opening therethrough adjacent the slot. The torque transmitting key is positioned in the transverse opening and extends into the slot. In the second embodiment, the inner mandrel includes a flat surface thereon and the outer mandrel has a longitudinal slot therein adjacent the flat surface. The key includes a ring portion having a flat surface therein engageable with a flat surface on the male mandrel and a lug portion extending from the ring portion into the slot.

Abstract: The gelation testing apparatus includes a closed fluid circuit in which a sample of the substance to be tested is contained. A pressurizing device, such as a pump, is connected into the closed fluid circuit so that the pressure within the closed circuit can be changed. A pressure detecting device, such as a differential pressure transducer, is connected into the closed fluid circuit for detecting a pressure differential across the sample in response to the operation of the pressurizing device. Through the pressurizing device, the system pressure can be subjected to oscillating pressure pulses. The apparatus also can have the ability to control the temperature of the sample. This apparatus is used by placing the sample in the closed fluid circuit, creating a pressure pulse within the closed fluid circuit on one side of the sample, and detecting whether the pressure pulse is transmitted across the sample. This can be performed under controlled pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a method for developing a single set of time intervals for controlling a memory device effectively utilizes a histograph having two parallel time lines with the same scale. One time line has a series of minimum time periods, each corresponding to when a respective event might occur. The other time line has a series of maximum time periods during which the respective events might occur. Time segments are defined between corresponding minimum and maximum time periods and sample rates and ratios are assigned to each time segment. At each start and end time of a period, the possible sample rates needed at that time are compared and the fastest sample rate is selected. The ratios are similarly analyzed, and the minimum ratio is selected. Consecutively occurring sample rates having the sample value are grouped into respective time intervals.

Abstract: An automatic fill-up floating apparatus usable in a float collar or a float shoe in a casing string. The apparatus includes a housing having a back check valve positioned therein. A spring biases the valve toward a closed position. A filling body is disposed across an opening at a lower end of the housing and includes a flow passage therethrough. The filling body is shearably pinned to a valve stem extending from the valve and has a holding position in which the valve is held in an open position. A resilient washer is annularly positioned around the valve stem and above the filling body. The washer is free to move upwardly in response to upward movement of flow through the flow passage in the filling body as the casing string is lowered into a well. The floating apparatus may be tripped by pumping fluid downwardly through the casing strings such that the washer is forced against the filling body, sealingly covering the flow passage therethrough.

Abstract: An automatic material sampling apparatus includes a housing for receiving a positively or negatively pressurized flow of material to be sampled as the material flows through a conduit, wherein the housing is disposed in-line with the conduit. The apparatus also includes a sampler mechanism for collecting a full cross-sectional sample of the material as the material flows through the housing under positive or negative pressure. The sampler means includes a collection member for receiving the sample and a movement mechanism for moving the collection member to collect or sweep out the full cross-sectional sample of the material. Movement of the collection member can be linear, arcuate or rotational or a combination of directions in different described embodiments of the apparatus.

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: An analog-to-digital conversion technique utilizes an oscillator which provides a primary oscillating signal that drives a counter and that generates a derived signal having a frequency less than the primary signal. The derived signal is integrated for use in comparing against the threshold voltage defining the analog signal to be converted. The comparison of the integrated and the threshold signals provides a pulse width modulated signal which is related to the primary signal. The pulse width modulated signal gates the counter for generating a count at the rate established by the primary signal. This output can be communicated to a microcomputer or other device.

Abstract: A self-contained electrical energy source, particularly embodied as a linear array of interconnected battery cells, includes a housing having the cells linearly disposed therein. At the two ends of the housing, mechanical connectors are provided for coupling with the apparatus to be energized by the energy source and for coupling with additional energy sources in a selectable electrical series and/or electrical parallel configurations. The electrical potential provided by the batteries within the housing is connected to both connectors through separate conductive paths which include folded conductors that permit the conductors to be deformed in response to forces that might act upon the conductors.

Abstract: A caliper is mounted on two springs in a free-floating manner between interlockable upper and lower packers to be set in a well bore. The caliper has radially extendible arms which are extendible in response to independent forces exerted thereon as derived from the movement of a carriage driven by a single motor contained in the caliper tool. A clutch mechanism is used to lock the arms to precision measurement transducers only after the arms have been moved radially outwardly a sufficient distance. Other transducers for generating signals indicating the total movement of the arms and for indicating the forces exerted by the springs on the arms are included in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus especially suitable for hydraulically releasing from a screen on a circulation-type gravel pack job. The releasing tool of the present invention comprises a tubular case by which the tool is secured to a gravel packer thereabove, and a gravel screen is secured thereto therebelow, the case having disposed within a collet sleeve assembly shouldering on the top of the case and including a plurality of collets extending downwardly into the case, the collets being radially outwardly biased into engagement with the case by the lower end of a releasing mandrel disposed within the collet sleeve. A ball seat at the top of an axial bore extending through the releasing mandrel permits the seating of a ball and downward movement of the releasing mandrel inside the collet sleeve, removing the outward bias against the collets and permitting withdrawal of the collet sleeve and releasing mandrel from the case and attached screen therebelow.

Abstract: A lock, particularly suitable for locking a top packer against upward movement relative to a lower packer in a well bore, includes a radially movable latch member slidably mounted in a radial cavity defined in an inner mandrel which is movable relative to an outer member to which the top packer is connected in the exemplary use. Spring biasing elements are used to retain the latch member in a disengaged position until, from within the mandrel, an actuating pressure is exerted radially outwardly on the latch member with a force greater than the biasing force of the spring biasing elements and a radially inwardly acting force exerted by a hydrostatic pressure existing externally of the outer member but communicated internally thereof. When this occurs, gripping teeth on the latch member interlock with an engagement surface on the interior of the outer member.

Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive tester valve includes a tool housing having a flow passage disposed therethrough. A ball valve is disposed in the flow passage and rotatable between closed and open positions. An actuating mandrel is operably connected to the ball valve. An annular power piston is disposed within the housing and reciprocates relative to the housing in response to changes in well annulus pressure. A lug and slot ratchet assembly operably connects the ball valve with the power piston for moving the ball valve between its closed and open positions in response to movement of the power piston within the housing.

Abstract: A method of testing a magnetic core memory includes writing a test bit to each storage location addressed by each X-drive/X-sink transistor pair and each Y-drive/Y-sink transistor pair to determine which transistor or transistors of each pair is or are inoperable. Once this determination is made, a memory status map is created designating the inoperable transistors. Thereafter, the map contents are converted into an address field for matching against a selected memory address. If the selected memory address calls for an inoperable transistor, as indicated by a comparison with the address field, this is detected and the address changed until only operable transistors are accessed.

Abstract: A sampler valve including a tubular housing defining a cylindrical chamber of enlarged diameter in comparison to the remainder of the full bore extending through the valve, an axially slidable sample chamber mandrel adapted to span the length of the enlarged diameter chamber in a sealing manner to thereby create an annular sample chamber while simultaneously trapping a fluid sample therein, and drain means to remove a trapped sample from the sample chamber. The sample chamber mandrel is operated by a power mandrel responsive to a predetermined level of well annulus pressure surrounding the sampler valve, the power mandrel being initially secured in place against axial movement by shear means shearable at the aforesaid predetermined pressure. A time-delay means to retard the movement of the power mandrel after shearing of the shear means is also included.