Abstract: A vertical steering axle rigidly connected with a steering frame of a roller vehicle, for example of a vibratory tandem roller, is rotatably and axially slidingly mounted in a guide bushing pendulously connected to a vehicle frame. An elastomeric element between the vehicle frame and the steering axle is arranged coaxially to the steering axle above an upper end face thereof and, on one side, is non-rotatably connected with this upper end face.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for removing sand and debris from a well bore utilizes an elongated string which includes a pump functioning to pump debris into the string interior from the lower end of the well bore. The pump includes a stationary hollow piston with a hollow piston rod which is connected to the lower portion of the string, and a cylinder which is connected to the upper portion of the string. The cylinder is keyed to the piston rod to transmit rotary motion from the upper portion of the string via the pump to a lower portion of the string in which the debris is trapped. Check valves are provided below and above the pump in the string to prevent retrograde flow of liquid downwardly in the string. By reciprocating the upper portion of the string, debris is pumped into the lower portion of the string, along with well liquids. The liquid pumped into the string from the well continues upwardly in the string, passing through the interior of the piston rod and piston and into the pump cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method modulate a carrier signal so that the resultant modulated signal varies between a value substantially equal to the quiescent level of the carrier signal and peak values up to several hundred percent of the quiescent level of the carrier signal. The apparatus includes an electrical circuit for adjusting the modulating signal so that it is clamped at a reference value to prevent overmodulation. The clamped signal controls a variable resistance mechanism which forms a part of the gain determining portion of a modulator circuit including an amplifier. The amplifier modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the gain determined by the variable resistance. The variable resistance is controlled by the clamped signal so that it causes the gain of the amplifier circuit to vary between approximately one and a value greater than one.

Abstract: Apparatus for skidding a drilling rig of the type having a roller mechanism which includes at least one roller for non-rotatingly supporting at least some of the rig on a platform and at least one roller for rotatingly supporting at least some of the rig while it is skidded. The drilling rig platform is supported by beams having a vertical web mounted below each non-rotating roller. The web is in vertical alignment with the vertical axis of its associated non-rotating roller. A beam having a vertical web is mounted beneath the rig above each rotating roller. The rig beam web is in vertical alignment with the vertical axis of its associated rotating roller.

Abstract: An adapter fitting for connecting a corrugated flexible conduit to an electrical outlet box which includes a pair of substantially identical, semi-cylindrical cooperating fitting halves. Each fitting half carries a projecting, externally threaded neck portion, and the halves are joined by an internally threaded locking ring. A radially inwardly projecting corrugation engaging rib is provided on the inner side of each fitting half.

Abstract: An automatically disconnecting connector apparatus for a floatable device, such as a fisherman's float tube, includes one coupling member having an aperture and another coupling member having another aperture. The other coupling member is bifurcated so that it can receive the first-mentioned coupling member therein. In this relationship, the apertures of the coupling members are aligned for receiving a shaft of a pin member which is retained in the apertures by gravity when the floatable device is in an upright position. The pin member is automatically extracted in response to gravity when the floatable device is overturned, thereby automatically disconnecting the connector apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling, especially vacuum refining and deodorizing edible oils and fats utilizing sheets of oil driven downwardly in a distiller with a vacuum source at its top. A nozzle includes pressure equalization chambers, cantilever adjustment screws, and a central drag sheet to produce longer lasting and more uniform thin oil sheets to be driven in the distiller. A continuous process deaerates, dehydrates, degums, bleaches, refines, removes tocopherol, deodorizes, and strips peroxides and hydroperoxides from raw oil in a series of isothermal stages utilizing driven sheet distillers. No stripping steam is used except in the stage which strips peroxides and hydroperoxides. The method produces valuable, pure products such as tocopherol and fractionated fatty acids. It is especially efficient in heat exchange and low in waste and pollution producing products.

Abstract: Apparatus for concealment and abridgement of relatively larger expansion joint voids between structures exhibiting orthogonal relative movement. The assembly consists of base plate and slide structure secured in orthogonal disposition on opposite sides of an expansion void, with angular matching cover plate structure supported on said base plate and slide structure.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a stair nosing formation that is particularly adapted to provide an overhang for housing an indirect lighting source thereby to provide both functional and aesthetically appealing effects. The formation consists of a tread plate in perpendicular affixure to a riser plate while extending an overhang portion that is further formed into an overhang plate disposed parallel to the riser plate. A transverse plate is formed to extend between the overhang plate and riser plate to provide high structural strength while also defining a downwardly oriented channel for retention of an illumination source for directing light downward along the adjacent step riser toward the next lower step tread.

Abstract: An improved endodontic instrument includes a tapered working portion defined on a flexible shaft. The working portion includes a plurality of spiral rotationally bi-directional cutting edges thereon. The instrument includes a tapered tip defined on the flexible shaft and intersecting an end of each of the cutting edges of the working portion. The tapered tip has a greater angle of taper than does the tapered working portion. The tapered tip is shaped such that the sharp cutting points which are normally present at an intersection between the ends of the cutting edges and a standard 75.degree. included angle conically tapered tip are substantially eliminated so that lateral transportation of the instrument when cutting a curved root canal is reduced as compared to an otherwise similar instrument having a standard 75.degree. included angle conically tapered tip.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a hydrocarbon feed gas into residue gas and a less volatile product fraction utilizing phase separation resulting from cooling. The present invention utilizes a portion of the liquid product fraction as internal refrigerant by expansion-cooling of the fraction which is then recycled after heat exchange to the inlet feed gas. No external refrigeration system is required. Flow of the portion of the liquid product fraction used as internal refrigerant is controlled with a Joule-Thompson valve responsive to the temperature of the residue gas and product fraction as they are separated so as to regulate expansion-cooling to provide a desired composition of the residue gas and the product fraction.

Abstract: A pin mixer for mixing particulate solids having a rotor with a plurality of radially extending pins removably attached thereto. The pins form a plurality of axially and angularly staggered helices along the rotor, and pins adjacent the inlet of the mixer are interconnected by a solid ribbon. Adjustable fluid nozzles are provided in the inlet for mixing fluids with the solid particulate material. The pin mixer has a pair of bearings, a pair of seals located inwardly from the bearings, and a pair of discs attached to the rotor thereof. A first pressure source may be connected between each bearing and seal to assure that leakage across the seals is away from the bearings, and a second pressure source connected between each seal and respective disc so that leakage between the disc and shell is away from the seals. The rotor has a pair of detachable stub shafts, and a means is provided to quickly change the rotor and shell without disturbing the connection to the power source.

Abstract: A fishing lure holder for receiving and automatically locking hooks of fishing lures. The apparatus includes a base having an elongated portion defining a plurality of U-shaped slots therein and a locking plate having a plurality of L-shaped slots therein. The locking plate is movable between a closed position in which pairs of L-shaped and U-shaped slots overlap and an open position in which the slots are substantially aligned, defining a transversely extending gap between each pair. A hook-guiding surface extends from an apex of each L-shaped slot and a similar hook-guiding surface extends in a longitudinally opposite direction from an intermediate portion of each the U-shaped slot. The hook-guiding surfaces form normally extending hook-receiving grooves adjacent a longitudinal edge of the apparatus. A spring longitudinally biases the locking plate toward the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combusting fuel-air mixtures while inhibiting the formation of nitrogen oxides are provided. The fuel is discharged from one or more nozzles disposed within a housing, air is caused to flow into the housing whereby it mixes with the fuel and the resulting fuel-air mixture is ignited and combusted. The nozzle or nozzles each include one or more ignition orifices for discharging a first portion of fuel in an ignition zone, one or more primary combustion orifices for discharging a second portion of fuel in a primary combustion zone containing excess air and one or more secondary combustion orifices arranged for discharging the remaining portion of fuel in the form of high velocity jets shielded by slower moving fuel within the downstream of the primary combustion zone whereby the fuel is burned in a secondary combustion zone substantially isolated from direct contact with incoming air by the primary combustion zone.

Abstract: A container for holding a document at a well site comprises a housing having a cavity into which the document can be received. The cavity can be substantially fluid-tightly sealed by a lid appropriately connected to the housing. The housing has a side in which a window is disposed to enable one to determine whether anything is inside the cavity without having to open the lid. The housing has pairs of holes defined therein so that the housing can be connected to well site structures which are disposed at different angles to the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically heat welding a thermoplastic fitting having an electric resistance heating element disposed therein whereby a regulated quantity of electric power is supplied to the heating element during the welding process and the making of a high quality weld is insured. In accordance with the method, a controlled electric power is supplied to the resistance heating element of the fitting. The initial magnitude of the current flowing through the heating element is sensed and compared with predetermined current levels for various sizes of fittings whereby the size of the fitting as well as the total time the controlled electric power should be supplied to the heating element of the fitting for the making of a high quality weld are determined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for raising and lowering a telescoping mast. A telescoping mast having an upper section slidably received within a lower section is pivotally connected to a base in a horizontal position. A line is connected to the lower end of the upper section and is placed over a pulley mounted on the upper end of the lower section and secured to the base. Upward pivoting of the lower section moves the mast to a vertical position while the upper section is extended by action of the line. Lowering the mast from the vertical position causes contraction of the upper section into the lower section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting a drilling rig mast. The foot of a drilling rig mast is pinned to the base of a substructure. A traveling block is strung with a crown block at the top of the mast and the traveling block is secured to the substructure. A drawworks mounted on the substructure reels in traveling block line thus pivoting the end of the mast upwardly. The foot of the mast is unpinned and raised to the top of the substructure where it is pinned in a shoe. The drawworks reels in additional cable thus pivoting the mast into an upright position at which point it is secured for drilling or other operations.