Abstract: A muzzle velocimeter comprising a pair of sensors positioned adjacent to the path of a projectile containing magnetic material wherein each of the sensors includes a permanent magnet having a wire coil wound thereon. The magnets provide magnetic fields which are disturbed by magnetic materials in a passing projectile causing each of the sensor coils to develop signal pulses. The distance between the sensor coils and the amount of time between the sensor coil pulses are used to calculate the velocity of the passing projectile. In an alternate embodiment a single sensor coil is used to sense the leading and trailing edges of a passing projectile, and the projectile velocity calculated by using projectile length and passing time of the projectile.

Abstract: A folding boom assembly supported articulated well service pipeline for the transfer of pressurized fluids from service vehicles to petroleum wellheads for the treatment and stimulation of production oil wells. The boom assembly is mounted on a truck, trailer or other suitable mobile support and the articulated pipeline comprises a plurality of long straight pipe sections interconnected by a plurality of pipe elbows and by swivel joints. Each of the pipe sections is supported by a corresponding boom section aligned generally parallel to the pipe section. The boom sections and their corresponding pipe sections are folded onto the service vehicle for transportation and are extended for connection to a wellhead. Supports between the ground and the boom sections reduce the loads transmitted to the service vehicle and allow the use of lighter and less costly boom assemblies.

Abstract: A telescoping boom assembly having novel and inexpensive apparatus for extending and retracting the boom assembly and for extending and retracting an articulated pipeline mounted on the boom assembly. A total of three winches can be used to move a multiple section boom assembly between a retracted position and an extended position regardless of the number of movable boom sections, and the same three winches can independently move the articulated pipeline between a folded and an extended position.

Abstract: A diverless subsea tubular connector with male and female elements that can be remotely connected and disconnected using only axial movement of one of the elements with respect to the other. The connector elements are secured together by a snap spring that prevents their disengagement so long as an axial tension tending to pull them apart is maintained. A release of that axial tension facilitates unlocking the two elements so that they can be pulled apart without requiring hydraulic, manual, or rotational manipulation.

Abstract: A telescoping boom assembly supported articulated well service pipeline for the transfer of pressurized fluids from service vehicles to petroleum wellheads for the treatment and stimulation of production oil wells. The boom assembly is mounted on a truck, trailer, or other suitable mobile transport, and the articulated pipeline comprises a pair of long straight end pipe sections interconnected by a plurality of shorter intermediate pipe sections and by swivel joints. The two end pipe sections are aligned generally parallel with the telescoping boom and the intermediate pipe sections flip-flop to change their direction of alignment as the pipeline is extended and retracted. The flip-flop feature provides a maximum change in length of the pipeline between the extended and the retracted positions with a minimum number of pipe swivel joints.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and sorting mushrooms includes an inclined plate along which the mushrooms move, a tunnel for erecting an air dam in the path of movement of the mushrooms to singulate the mushrooms, and a photoelectric mechanism for sorting the mushrooms according to size.

Abstract: A system for varying the speed and displacement of a variable-displacement hydraulic motor and for providing a feedback signal which prevents the motor from stalling when an operator tries to reduce the motor displacement below the stall level. The system is especially useful for operating a hydraulic winch system on a wire rope crane. A variable displacement hydraulic pump provides pressurized fluid to operate a variable displacement hydraulic motor for lifting loads supported by the wire rope. The motor speed is controlled by varying the displacement of the pump and/or the motor, with the motor speed generally increasing as motor displacement decreases. The motor could stall if the crane operator decreases motor displacement below a critical value. A feedback signal coupled to the motor controls the motor displacement to prevent motor stalls.

Abstract: A fire-safe seal for use in a swivel joint in a pressurized fluid system subject to fire risk, the seal having both a metal anti-extrusion ring and an annular resilient non-metallic seal member to provide essentially zero fluid linkage at normal operating temperatures, and the anti-extrusion ring to provide an extremely low rate of leakage in the event high temperature should destroy the resilient seal member. A curved spring or other metal anti-cocking device biases the anti-extrusion ring tightly against the junction of a male and a female joint to ensure that the ring remains in position after the resilient seal member is destroyed to prevent leakage through the junction.

Abstract: An article carrying cup transfers an article along a continuous conveyor from a load zone through a weighing zone to a discharge zone where the article is discharged into areas according to weight. The cup is pulled along by a transverse tow bar loosely pivoted to the cup. At the weighing zone the cup is supported front and rear by weighing pegs which ride on front and rear weigh bars to hold the cup in a horizontal position and with the center of gravity between the weighing pegs to insure accurate weighing of asymmetrical articles. The front and rear weigh bars are positioned so the front and rear pegs transfer onto the corresponding weigh bars at the same time, and transfer off the weigh bars at the same time to maximize the weighing time of a moving cup.

Abstract: A laser transmitter emits a beam which scans about a scanning axis to effect a curtain of light which defines a boundary of a working space. Photosensors mounted on the outboard portion of a crane or other construction equipment generate warning signals to the construction equipment operator and other nearby personnel whenever these photosensors move into the light curtain. Additional curtain sensing equipment positioned to intercept the rotating laser beam with each cycle of rotation develops an alarm signal which activates an alarm horn and/or alarm light whenever the laser transmitter fails to provide the light curtain.

Abstract: A mono-rail boom supported articulated pipe well service line for the transfer of pressurized fluids from service vehicles to petroleum wellheads for the treatment and stimulation of production oil wells. The boom is mounted on a truck, trailer, or other suitable mobile transport, and the articulated pipe line which comprises a plurality of pipe sections interconnected by swivel joints to provide the required rotational freedom and flexibility, is suspended from the boom by trolleys to facilitate extension and retraction of the pipe line either independently of movement of the boom, or concurrently therewith.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously preparing both open-core and closed-core apples for cold storage includes subjecting a batch of such apples in a sealed chamber to a treatment in a pressurized bath of CaCl.sub.2 solution and selectively reducing and increasing the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to effect penetration of the solution in desired quantities into both types of apples.

Abstract: An improved pipe connector especially adapted for connecting subsea pipes includes a dart-shaped assembly that can be installed and sealed in a cylindrical housing to establish a fluid-tight connection between the assembly and the housing using a minimum of diver assistance. The connector housing includes an axial passage to receive the assembly, and an annular groove in the inner wall of the axial passage. The assembly includes a bore extending axially from one end thereof through a portion of the assembly, and a port extending radially from the axial bore through the wall of the assembly to the groove of the housing when the assembly is positioned in the housing. Another passage extends radially from the groove to the outside of the housing. A pair of annular resilient packing rings mounted between the assembly and the housing provide fluid-tight seals for fluid flow from the axial bore of the assembly through the radial port and the annular groove out through the radial passage in the housing.

Abstract: A diverless subsea tubular connector with male and female elements that can be remotely connected and disconnected using only axial movement of one of the elements with respect to the other. The connector elements are secured together by a snap spring that prevents their disengagement so long as an axial tension tending to pull them apart is maintained. A release of that axial tension facilitates unlocking the two elements so that they can be pulled apart without requiring hydraulic, manual, or rotational manipulation.

Abstract: The motor braking system for use with an alternating current motor and an AC power source includes a power circuit for supplying a DC braking current to the motor. A capacitor which was charged during motor operation, discharges when the motor is turned off and thus provides a pulse of energizing current to a contactor which quickly connects the power circuit to the motor and starts the electric braking cycle as soon as the AC source is disconnected from the motor. A timing circuit is also started and maintains the energizing current for a predetermined amount of time while the motor is coming to a stop. A mechanical brake may also be used to complete the stopping sequence if desired, with the mechanical brake being engaged when the braking current is terminated.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve operating circuit for providing positive opening and closing of a downhole safety valve includes shut-off valves which prevent leakage of fuel to the outside environment if a leak should occur in the hydraulic lines which are connected to the hydraulic actuator of the downhole safety valve. A hydraulic control line is connected to the actuator of the safety valve through a normally-closed shut-off valve and the hydraulic control line is also connected to the actuator of the shut-off valve to hold both the shut-off valve and the downhole safety valve open when the hydraulic line is pressurized. Another valve moves to a position to direct the flow of fluid from the safety valve to an accumulator when the pressure in the control line falls below a predetermined value to insure that the downhole safety valve will close properly.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a fluid cargo transfer hose to a marine tanker manifold, comprising a flow control valve and a flanged spool on the end of the hose, and a pipe coupler-valve operator assembly on the tanker manifold. In one embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted on an articulated pipe assembly and supported by a guide structure that facilitates moving the coupler into and out of contact with the spool flange on the end of the hose, and moving the valve operator into and out of engagement with the valve stem, during coupling and uncoupling operations. In another embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted in a fixed position on the tanker manifold, and the flow control valve and flanged spool are brought into coupling position by means of a winch and a guide assembly mounted on the tanker deck.

Abstract: An offshore loading system especially suited for transferring petroleum from a floating storage and loading terminal to a marine tanker. The system comprises a support boom pivotally mounted on the deck of the terminal, a pair of fluid conduits extending generally horizontally along the boom from risers at the deck, a pair of vertical fluid conduits slidably connected to the outboard end of the boom and a pair of articulated manifold assemblies connected between the lower ends of the vertical conduits and the marine tanker. The outboard end of the horizontal conduits are articulated and are connected by swivel joints to the vertical conduits to facilitate raising and lowering the vertical conduits relative to the outboard end of the boom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting subsea wellheads and christmas trees from damage by anchors, fishing nets, trawl boards, and other towed devices. The apparatus includes an annular, rigid protective enclosure with inner and outer walls that define a hollow annular chamber, and a plurality of bag-like containers spaced around and attached to the enclosure's outer wall. The annular chamber is in communication with the interiors of the containers by means of ports through the enclosure's outer wall, whereby when cement is pumped into the chamber it also flows into and fills the containers to form a smoothly contoured shield around the enclosure. Should an anchor or other device become fouled on this shield, the container or containers involved will break away and let the anchor continue on its way up and over the enclosure without damage to the wellhead or other well equipment.

Abstract: A system for sensing the positon in space of the outer end of an articulated fluid loading arm while it is connected to a marine tanker or other transport vessel, and for sounding an alarm if the arm's operating envelope is exceeded. The sensing system includes means for determining various angles representative of the orientation of the booms or limbs of the arm, and a microprocessor for using these angles to compute the spatial position of the arm's outboard end. The boundaries between the safe and unsafe areas of operation of the arm are stored in a digital memory and compared with the actual position of the arm. The boundaries which define the safe areas can be any desired shape, and the shape can be readily changed by storing a new set of boundary values in the digital memory. If desired, the location of the boundaries can be made to depend upon the velocity of the arm as it is being maneuvered.