Abstract: An interlocking fence system is disclosed. Two spaced-apart upright posts (8, 10) attached to a grade G support a locking rail (4) with an offset locking aperture (26) and an alignment aperture (32) and further support an alignment rail (6) with an alignment aperture (40). A picket (2) has a locking slot (22) with an edge (28) of the locking aperture (26) in locking rail (4) serving as a tab to restrict axial movement when inserted therein. Alignment aperture (32) in the locking rail (4) and alignment aperture (40) in alignment rail (6) serve to restrict lateral movement of the picket (2). To support the rails (4, 6), retaining slots (24, 24?) in the locking rail (4) and retaining slots (42, 42?) in the alignment rail (6) can be retained by an edge (38, 50, 38?, 50?) in support apertures (12, 14, 16, 18) in the posts (8A, 10A).

Abstract: Disclosed is a runoff rain gauge 100 which includes a collector tube 104, soil infiltration resistance medium 108, a runoff resistance flow element 113, a standard rain gauge 102, and runoff collection tube 114. Precipitation enters the collector tube 104 and is divided to flow into the infiltration medium 108 and runoff collection tube 114 via flow element 113. Total precipitation is read in standard rain gauge 102, runoff in tube 114, and soil infiltration in medium 108 is calculated by the difference between total precipitation and the runoff. Also disclosed are a runoff rain gauge 100 comprising: a seal leg 150 downstream from the runoff resistance flow element 113; a collector tube 104 mounted directly to the ground so that the bottom of the soil infiltration resistance medium 108 contacts the ground surface; and/or a horizontal capillary tube in the runoff resistance flow element 113 to insure self-sealing via capillary forces.

Abstract: A method and drilling fluid additive composition are provided for reducing lost circulation and seepage loss when synthetic or oil based drilling fluid is used. The method includes injecting drilling fluid and 1 to 50 pounds per barrel of a loss control additive having a composition comprising 20 to 80 parts by weight fibrous particles, 10 to 40 parts by weight lignite, and 10 to 40 parts by weight phenol-formaldehyde resin.

Abstract: The invention discloses an additive for weighted aqueous slurries to reduce lost circulation during well drilling operations, a method of preparing the additive, and a method of reducing lost circulation utilizing the additive. The additive comprises a hardenable alkaline composition comprising mixtures of diatomaceous earth, finely ground paper, a hydrophobic liquid, micronized cellulose and lime. The hydrophobic liquid decreases the time required to prepare the weighted aqueous slurries, i.e., pills, containing the additive.

Abstract: A method of forming a ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting an impedance element through an insertion opening of a ball valve element into a bore; (b) forming a fluid opening in the ball valve element which is non-rectilinearly aligned with the insertion opening and which communicates with the bore; and (c) sealing the insertion opening. A ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly formed using such a method; and a rotary ball valve assembly comprising a ball valve element formed using such a method are also provided.

Abstract: A valve 100 comprising a one piece valve body 112 having an axial fluid bore 124 therethrough and a fluid control element 110 rotatable between open and closed positions. The body 112 includes an integral bracket 128 which provides an open access area between the bracket 128 and the main body 112 of the valve 100. A valve stem 130 is disposed within a stem bore 135, and 137 extending from the valve body 112 to the bracket 128, and engaging the flow control element 110. A contiguous single piece gland flange 142 secures packing 134 disposed between a valve body bore 137 and the stem 130. The stem 130 includes an enlarged shoulder 152 which engages a contiguous single piece shear bushing 148 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem bore 130, thereby preventing removal and/or blowout of the stem 130 without prior removal of the shear bushing 148.

Abstract: A lubricating nutating single cone drill bit 10 is disclosed. Bit 10 includes a bit shank 12 with an axially skewed bore 18 rotatably retaining a cutter body 22. A plurality of cutter elements (46, 48) are affixed to the cutter body 22. Bearings (26, 28, 30, 32) enable rotation of the cutter body 22 and lubricant is dispensed to the bearings from a lubricant chamber (76, 76?) by a plunger 80 driven by drilling fluid. A method to drill includes attaching the bit 10 to a drill string, engaging the bit 10 into a formation (WB), pumping a drilling fluid into a plunger 80 in the lubricant chamber 76 to dispense lubricant to the bearings (26, 28, 30, 32). The method can include pumping the drilling fluid through a fluid passage 90 in the bit 10 and out of a low pressure orifice 94 on the cutter body 22.

Abstract: A ball valve apparatus 10 for clearing an obstruction in a conduit is disclosed. The ball valve apparatus 10 incorporates a wear resistant choke tube 42 in the downstream opening 40B of the ball 36. The choke tube 42 can be two to four times smaller than the opening 40A on the upstream side of the ball 36. Removal of catalyst through the choke tube results in lower velocity of the flow through the bore of the valve, thereby reducing wear and erosion. In normal operation in an FCC unit, catalyst is extracted from the system through the choke tube 42. When the conduit becomes plugged, the ball valve apparatus 10 can be cycled into a fully opened position, thereby creating a high flow rate of fluid through the conduit, removing any existing obstructions.

Abstract: Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner/mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.

Abstract: A process for deethanizing light hydrocarbons comprising olefins is disclosed. A feed stream, comprising ethylene, ethane, propylene, and propane, is supplied to a primary deethanizer 24, having absorption and stripping sections. The absorption section produces an overhead vapor effluent 128, consisting primarily of ethylene and ethane, which is supplied to a C2 splitter to separate ethane and ethylene. The stripping section produces a primary deethanizer bottoms stream having an ethane concentration from 1 to 20 mole percent of the feed ethane. The primary deethanizer bottoms 120 are cooled and supplied to a secondary deethanizer 142 having absorption and stripping sections. The absorption section is refluxed, producing an overhead effluent 154 essentially free of ethylene. The stripping section is refluxed to produce a secondary deethanizer bottoms stream essentially free of ethane. The secondary deethanizer bottoms stream is supplied to a depropanizer or C3 splitter for separation of the remaining olefins.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes radiation reflectors on the refractory wall of a fired furnace opposite the spaces between adjacent tubes. The refractory radiation reflectors have a base contiguous with the refractory surface and secured to a subjacent structure, and an isosceles triangular cross section with similar sides extending from the base. The base has a dimension less than the spaces between adjacent tubes to facilitate installation in a modular construction. The radiation reflectors focus the reflected radiation from the flame onto the dark side of the tubes. The invention increases the overall heat transfer of the tube by increasing the heat flux rate for the backside of the tube, and also decreases the flux and temperature differentials between the front and rear sides of the tubes.

Abstract: A deflectable in-line swivel that permits axial deflection of a tubular string is presented. The in-line swivel is preferably constructed as a ball and socket design whereby the ball of a swivel mandrel is permitted to articulate within a socket of a retainer sub. The system preferably includes a thrust bearing to allow the tensile loads to be carried across the swivel.

Abstract: A method of forming a ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting an impedance element through an insertion opening of a ball valve element into a bore; (b) forming a fluid opening in the ball valve element which is non-rectilinearly aligned with the insertion opening and which communicates with the bore; and (c) sealing the insertion opening. A ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly formed using such a method; and a rotary ball valve assembly comprising a ball valve element formed using such a method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental scaling translucent insert which provides a coaxially aligned light adjacent the distal end of such insert for illuminating the tip of the dental scaler which light may be provided by light emitting from a fiber optic light guide from a light source located remotely from the tip. The light provided can also be used to view through a camera lens system located in translucent insert to provide a clear unobstructed view of the work at the tip of the scaler on a remote screen or for recording.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to allow tools disposed upon a conduit to enter the bore of a drillstring is presented. The apparatuses and methods include the use of one or more articulated knuckle joints at ends of an entry sub. The articulated knuckle joints are capable of articulating the entry sub among various conduit entry and load carrying positions.

Abstract: A diffracting optical filter for use with telescopes provides a plurality of cells separated by opaque lines on an translucent substrate, the spacing of the cells proportionally spaced to match the Airy disk of a specific optical system for the telescope to aid observation through a turbulent atmosphere.

Abstract: Automated Provisioning of radiotelephone handsets at a fulfillment center and automated quality assurance are disclosed. The provisioning uses a computer database of specifications for authentication and activation from multiple handset manufacturing vendors, radiotelephone service providers, and distributors. A universal interface system is provided to efficiently access diverse makes and models of handsets. The handsets are attached to the interface system in accordance with a build request, checked to see if the attached handset matches the build request, and automatically provisioned via the interface in accordance with the build request.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elongated wireline entry device (10) which allows a wireline tool or coiled tubing with a tool attached to be inserted in a well bore without disconnection form the drill string appended thereto without introducing bending moments into the threaded connections (101, 106, 202) attached to the drill string because the pin and box connections of the tool are in axial, longitudinal alignment, the absence of these bending moments is required to suspend long pendular, and therefore heavy, drill strings for this device without failure. The angle between the longitudinal ayes of the longitudinal passage and the wireline passage in the wireline entry device is at most 4.0°.

Abstract: A valve 100 comprising a one piece valve body 112 having an axial fluid bore 124 and a rotatable fluid control element 110. The body 112 includes an integral bracket 128 which provides an open access area between the bracket 128 and the main body 112 of the valve 100. A valve stem 130 is disposed within a stem bore 135, and 137 extending from the valve body 112 to the bracket 128, and engaging the flow control element 110. A contiguous single piece gland flange 142 secures packing 134 disposed between a valve body bore 137 and the stem 130. The stem 130 includes an enlarged shoulder 152 which engages a contiguous single piece shear bushing 148 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem bore 130, thereby preventing removal and/or blowout of the stem 130 without prior removal of the shear bushing 148.

Abstract: A top entry sub (ES) includes a tubular member (TM) with a main body section (8) and an enlarged external diameter upper end portion (11). A single passage (15) extends through the main body section (8) and terminates in a pair of spaced passages (14) and (14a) that extend through the enlarged external diameter end portion (11), which passages terminate in a common upper surface on the top entry sub (ES) for receiving a well string and providing an entry into the top entry sub for members such as coiled tubing, snubbing members and cable.