Abstract: An improved method of completing unconsolidated subterranean formations is provided whereby the necessity of expensive high density brine completion fluids is eliminated. Also, the drilling rig time is eliminated or reduced. In one embodiment, the method involves placing a bridge plug below the zone, and displacing drilling mud with a lighter weight completion fluid such as potassium chloride fluid whereby the lighter weight completion fluid does not in itself create a sufficient bottom hole hydrostatic well pressure to control the well. Except for monobore/tubingless completions, a production packer and production tubing string may be placed in the well, if not already in place from a prior completion. The wellhead tree is placed on the well, two subsurface safety valves may be installed in the tubing, and the rig may be released from the wellsite. Sufficient pressure may be applied at the surface to thereby increase the bottom hole hydrostatic pressure to amount sufficient to control the well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for replacing a BOP with a gate valve to thereby save space, initial costs, and maintenance costs that is especially beneficial for use in offshore subsea riser packages. The method provides a gate valve capable of reliably cutting tubing utilizing a cutting edge with an inclined surface that wedges the cut portion of the tubing out of the gave valve body. A method and apparatus is provided for determining the actuator force needed to cut the particular size tubing.

Abstract: A dual end stop is provided for setting precise open and closed positions for the valve to which the pneumatic actuator is attached. In a preferred embodiment, a stop assembly housing contains two stop adjustment bolts as well as a cam that defines first and second stop surfaces. The stop assembly housing is preferably mounted to the actuator housing outside of the pressurized zone contained by the actuator housing. The stop bolts and associated threaded apertures are designed for minimum overhang of the stop bolts to provide more support. The stop assembly housing not only preferably houses the stop assembly components but also preferably serves as an adaptor plate for the various valves to which the actuator may be mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is for an improved pencil sharpener that is slidingly disposed about a pencil. The pencil sharpener comprises a cutting surface, a first arm pivotally mounted or connected with respect to a second arm, and a pencil receiving variable-sized aperture formed through the interior of the first arm and the second arm. The variable-sized aperture preferably alters in size and/or shape depending on the pivotal position of the first arm with respect to the second arm. The pencil receiving variable-sized aperture preferably forms a substantially conical channel when the first arm and the second arm are compressed inwardly for sharpening the pencil. In another position of the arms, the variable sized aperture permits the pencil to slide through the pencil sharpener.

Abstract: A valve system and method is disclosed that includes, in one preferred embodiment, a compact valve system that may be configured in many different ways so as to be especially suitable for conforming to the dimensional requirements of many particular subsea installations such as lower riser packages. Thus, the height of the hydraulic actuator and/or manual override operators can be varied depending on the necessary configuration. However, operation of the manual override operators is the same as previously utilized subsea manual override operators. In one presently preferred embodiment, a hydraulic actuator which may be a fail-safe actuator, is connected to a gate valve utilizing an operating stem which extends through a first bonnet secured to one side of a gate valve body. A moveable gate is attached to the operating stem and is therefore operably connected for control by the hydraulic actuator. On an opposite side of the gate valve body, a second bonnet is secured.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lock mechanism and method for high security locking of a valve in a desired position. A moveable locking member is operably mounted within a housing for moving between a locking position and an operating position. The housing preferably defines a lock hole into which a pad lock or the like can be inserted into the lock hole to secure the locking member in the locking position. A retainer member is preferably provided to prevent the locking member from being easily removed from the housing. The retainer member is preferably mounted such that an external lock cannot be inserted when the valve is not locked into the desired position. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member is incorporated into the end stop mechanism for the actuator, which is preferably adjustable and preferably is a dual end stop mechanism.

Abstract: A sexual assistance device and methods which may be used as a marital aid are disclosed which include two elongate members secured by a pivotal connection. A biasing element, such as a spring coil, is disposed at or adjacent the pivotal connection for biasing the opposite ends of the two elongate members away from each other. Respective supports are provided at the two opposite ends of the two elongate members which are engageable with the operator's legs. A sexually stimulating element, such as a vibrator or the like, is preferably removably attached to the pivotal connection. Thus, the operator may produce reciprocal longitudinal movement inwardly and outwardly, relative to the operator's body, by compressing and uncompressing the two elongate members with the legs of the operator thereby fully controlling movement of the sexually stimulating element by the legs of the operator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lock water purifier and method. In a presently preferred embodiment a floating salt housing is provided to produce a high salt concentration salt brine within the salt housing. A plurality of metallic probes are removably positioned within the salt housing. The metallic probes are preferably not connected to a power source but rather react within the salt brine to produce metallic ions. A channel is provided whereby the metallic ions can flow into the body of water. The number of metallic probes can be controlled to thereby control the amount of metallic ions produced. As well, moveable gates can be utilized to control the flow of metallic ions into the body of water. In a preferred embodiment, a chlorine generator is also provided which comprises a power source, preferably a solar power source, which supplies power to a plurality of cell plates.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and locating improper or illicit use of digitized information such as illegal pirating, copying, alteration, and the like. The digitized information may include software, digital music, digital movies, multimedia or the like that may be placed on a user's computer and possibly copied to other computers. The system or method preferably operates in the background so as to be unnoticeable to the user and preferably does not interfere with operation of the digitized information even if determined that copying or alteration has occurred. Thus, there is little motivation to remove the routine that effects transmission over the Internet to a server of information such as a program identification indicia, a computer identification indicia, program alteration identification.

Abstract: A dual end stop is provided for setting precise open and closed positions for the valve to which the pneumatic actuator is attached. In a preferred embodiment, a stop assembly housing contains two stop adjustment bolts as well as a cam that defines first and second stop surfaces. The stop assembly housing is preferably mounted to the actuator housing outside of the pressurized zone contained by the actuator housing. The stop bolts and associated threaded apertures are designed for minimum overhang of the stop bolts to provide more support. The stop assembly housing not only preferably houses the stop assembly components but also preferably serves as an adapter plate for the various valves to which the actuator may be mounted.

Abstract: A fence includes upright metal posts and a brace or rail clamped between the posts, where clamping the rail squares the posts with respect to the rail. The posts are anchored in the ground vertically, and the rail is installed horizontally, providing a rigid, H-shaped fence brace. Fence corners are provided by having at least three posts and two rails clamped together, although an additional post and rail can be used for added stability. Each rail preferably has a fixed, U-shaped clamp on each end, and a free, U-shaped clamp is bolted to the fixed clamp, the clamps encircling a fence post and squaring the fence post with respect to the rail. Gate hangers can be clamped to one of the posts to provide a gate post, where the gate hangers can be slid up or down or rotated about the post, providing flexibility for receiving and supporting a gate.

Abstract: A rotary plug valve is disclosed in a preferred embodiment that has two telescoping seat assemblies that fit into respective recesses provided in the valve body surrounding a passageway through the plug valve. A valve chamber is formed in the valve body into which the rotary plug may be positioned to control flow through the valve by rotation thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the telescoping seat assemblies provide an upstream and a downstream seal with the rotary plug. The telescoping seat assemblies preferably function differently when in the open and closed position so that both assemblies expand when in the open position whereas in the closed position one assembly expands and one is compressed. A line pressure surface is provided to provide a force against the plug seal seat element. The plug seal seat element and plug mate with a curved surface and the contact stress varies depending on the location along the curved surface.

Abstract: A gate valve is disclosed having a telescopingly interfitted seat assembly that fits into a recess in a gate chamber between the gate valve body and the gate. A sealing cavity is formed between two seat elements that form the telescopic connection. A preferably unidirectional seal is disposed therein having two lip seals. The unidirectional seal is preferably oriented to allow leakage for a pressure differential wherein the gate chamber has a higher pressure than the pressure on the opposite side of the seal from the gate chamber. The seal is preferably made of non-permeable material and the material is preferably flexible but non-elastic with little or no memory. Additional such seals may be used for sealing with the gate valve body. In one embodiment, an expansion member is provided for extending into an open end of the seal to expand the two lip seals.

Abstract: A seat assembly including preferably telescoping seating elements for use between a gate and a pocket in a gate valve body are disclosed. A seal is provided between the telescoping seating elements that is axially moveable and acts to seal with one or more sloping surfaces disposed on the seating elements. A spring acts to bias the seal towards the sloping surfaces so as to provide an initial seal. The sloping surfaces prevent movement of the seal in one axial direction. As line pressure increases the seal will move against the sloping surfaces with increased force to maintain the seal between the line or valve bore and the bonnet of the valve. A reverse pressure differential across the seal that is greater than the biasing force will cause the seal element to move in the opposite axial direction and bleed off the pressure across it.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a deployment valve used with an underbalanced drilling system to enhance the advantages of underbalanced drilling. The underbalanced drilling system may typically comprise elements such as a rotating blow out preventer and drilling recovery system. The deployment valve is positioned in a tubular string, such as casing, at a well bore depth at or preferably substantially below the string light point of the drilling string. When the drilling string is above the string light point then the upwardly acting forces on the drilling string become greater than downwardly acting forces such that the drilling string begins to accelerate upwardly. The deployment valve has a bore sufficiently large to allow passage of the drill bit therethrough in the open position. The deployment valve may be closed when the drill string is pulled within the casing as may be necessary to service the drill string after drilling into a reservoir having a reservoir pressure.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface.

Abstract: A compact umbrella anchor and method is disclosed that includes a bit with a pin member with an auger blade. The pin member has a small body to support the auger blade without interfering with operation of the larger blade surface. A retractable handle is built onto the tubular body of the umbrella anchor. The handle pivots between an open position and a closed position. Stops on the handle stop rotation at the open position so that the hand grips are directed radially outwardly. The handle has slots that are slightly undersized with respect to the tubular body or in other words the cross-section is slightly greater than a semi-circle, so as to cause the grips to snap gently into the closed position. An umbrella pole can be telescopically interconnected with the tubular body of the umbrella anchor.

Abstract: A subsea multiphase fluid separation system and method are disclosed which provide for efficient and reliable remote separation operation at deep and ultra deep water depths including depths of ten thousand feet or more. The system is preferably of modular construction wherein the modules are secured in a single frame to be lowered as a unit to the seabed. The system utilizes reliable cyclonic operation. The sequence of process steps is designed to make the system more efficient as compared to surface separating systems and thereby permit a more compact size as is desirable for subsea operation. The method of operation includes up to five basic process steps with the initial step in one embodiment including cyclonically separating solids. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cyclonic solids separator is sized to eliminate solids greater than fifty microns. A second stage is directed to cyclonically removing bulk gas from the liquid in either a cyclone or auger separator.

Abstract: A seal bearing assembly and method for a pneumatic actuator is provided for placement within a groove in an actuator piston. For maintaining a compact size of the piston, the piston preferably has only a single encircling piston groove. In accord with the present invention, a compressible seal and bearing ring are positioned adjacent each other within the single piston groove. The compressible seal ring and bearing ring are sized so that side-to-side movement is possible within the piston groove until the piston is inserted into the pneumatic actuator cylinder. Upon insertion of the piston, compression of the seal ring causes the diameter of the seal ring to expand within the piston groove thereby securing the seal bearing assembly into a fixed position that prevents side-to-side movement of the assembly. The bearing is preferably non-metallic and centralizes the piston within the actuator cylinder to prevent metal-to-metal contact, scoring, and resulting wear.