Abstract: A safety shear tool for series connection into a string of sucker rod, especially a fiberglass sucker rod, which includes two coacting members connected together to form a swivel means, and to also form a shear means, so that the tool acts as a weak link as well as a swivel means. The tool is series connected into the sucker rod string and preferably located near the bottomhole pump. When the pump malfunctions and causes the tension in the sucker rod string to increase to a value less than but close to the designed breaking strength of the sucker rod string, the members of the tool are released, one from the other, thereby parting the sucker rod at the tool rather than parting the sucker rod structure itself. The tool is easily reassembled for subsequent use downhole in the above described manner. The set tension at which the tool parts the rod from the pump is easily changed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic brake apparatus having multiple stage rotor and stator assemblies housed within a main body. A shaft is journaled to the main body and connected to the rotors, so that power input to the shaft is dissipated by the reaction of the hydraulic fluid contained within the main body. An impeller connected to the shaft forces fluid to flow outwardly to the outer marginal end thereof where the fluid is directed across a stator. From the stator the fluid is forced against the turbine which also is affixed to the shaft in spaced relation respective to the impeller. The turbine forces fluid to flow against a housing stator. The fluid returns through the main body to the impeller, or through a cooler and then back into the main body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for matching the power output of a high slip motor to the demand requirement of a pumpjack unit. The stators of the high slip motor are automatically connected in various different configurations to provide the optimum torque as required by the pumpjack unit due to the downhole pumping condtions. A novel control circuitry is connected between the motor starter and the motor stators. The control measures the power drawn by the stators and selects the most optimum configuration thereof for the load required by the pumpjack. This selection operates the motor in the lowest possible torque mode, which is considered the best electrical and mechanical operation of the pumpjack apparatus.

Abstract: Improvements in the rotating head assembly of a rotating blowout preventor. The rotating head assembly includes a stripper rubber which has an upper annular area attached to the lower annular end of a metal support member. The support member extends upwardly into fixed relationship respective to part of the rotating head. The stripper rubber downwardly depends into concentrically arranged, spaced annular body members. The inner annular body has an axial passageway formed therethrough for telescopingly receiving a rotating member in sealed relationship therewith. The outer annular member has an outer circumferentially extending wall surface which rotatably engages the lower marginal end of a fixed washpipe. The inner and outer annular members are made integral respective to the upper annular area of the stripper rubber, and are separated from one another by a downwardly opening annular recess.

Abstract: This invention relates to a downhole rotary drilling device. More particularly, it relates to a gas operated turbine motor designed to be located downhole adjacent a rotary drilling bit to impart rotational force to the drilling bit and thus accomplish subsurface drilling operations.

Abstract: Apparatus by which a vertical borehole is curved to a new angle and extended through a production reservoir. A vertical borehole of a suitable diameter is extended downhole to the proximate depth of the production reservoir. A Zublin drill guide apparatus is employed to drill a curved section of the hole, thereby turning the borehole to a desired angle so that the lower marginal end of the borehole is directed laterally away from the vertical part of the borehole. A drill pipe string is positioned within the vertical part of the borehole. A flexible pipe is fitted to the downhole end of the drill pipe string, and a Zublin straight drill guide assembly is fitted to the end of the flexible pipe. A motor, such as an expansible gas turbine motor, for example, is connected to the end of the straight drill guide assembly. A suitable drill bit is connected to be rotated by the turbine motor.

Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon producing formation located downhole in a borehole, where the borehole has been cased and subsequently perforated, and the formation produces excessive water and an inadequate quantity of hydrocarbons through the perforations. Salt water is forced to flow down a tubing string, through the perforations, and out into the payzone. Thereafter, a spacer of fresh water follows the salt water, and thereafter a soluble alkali silicate solution flows behind the fresh water. Another spacer fluid of fresh water is forced to flow behind the silicate, followed by dilute acid. Next, the acid is displaced from the borehole and is forced out into the formation with flushing fluid, and the wellbore is then produced. The flow of the recited material through the perforations follows along the path of least resistance, which also is the flow path of the water intrusion. The salt water and silicate react with one another to form a barrier which prevents the water from invading the formation.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed tank gauge apparatus which continuously monitors the fluid level in a closed crude oil tank. A sensor device measures the liquid level in the tank. The sensor device communicates with the interior of the tank, and is isolated from ambient, so that no dangerous gases can escape from the tank, through the tank gauge apparatus, and into the surrounding atmosphere. The sensor device is arranged to continuously drive a recorder apparatus in response to change in liquid level thereof so that the quantity of fluid flowing into and out of the tank over a long interval of time can be ascertained. The sensor device and the recorder are tamper proof and enable accurate records of tank contents to be recorded.

Abstract: A separator and process for separating a mixture of oil, gas, and water, such as may be received from a hydrocarbon producing well. The separator is in the form of a vessel divided into separation chambers and provided with a dynamic separator device which progressively increases the droplet size of the oil and water of the mixture by flowing the mixture in a spiral, and thereafter flowing the mixture linearly, and thereafter flowing the mixture into the first of the separation chambers where the mixture impacts against an impact member, thereby partially separating the gas from the resultant oil and water mixture. The partially separated gas migrates to the upper end of the first chamber and is further stripped and flows out of a gas outlet. The residual liquid mixture descends into a lower chamber where the liquid separates into a water phase and an oil phase.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which the interior of a pipe is coated with a uniform thickness of plastic. A source of heat-meltable plastic material in particular form is connected at a location upstream of the inlet end of the pipe, while the opposed end of the pipe is made attachable to a reduced pressure. A source of compressible fluid is also connected at a location upstream of the inlet end of the pipe. The pipe is preheated and then rotated axially while a charge of powdered plastic is forced through the pipe by the compressible fluid. The powdered plastic which flows through the pipe is a finite pocket of the finely divided plastic, which is smaller in volume respective to the volume of the pipe being coated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for matching the power output of a multitorque motor with the torque requirement of a connected load device. The stator windings of the motor are automatically connected in various different configurations to provide the optimum motor torque demanded by a connected load device which imposes varying load conditions on the motor. A novel control circuitry is connected between the motor starter and the motor stators. The control measures the power drawn by the motor stators and selects the most optimum configuration thereof which meets the changing torque requirements of the connected load device. This selection of optimum stator winding configurations commensurate with torque demand operates the motor in the lowest possible torque mode, which is considered the best electrical and mechanical operation of the motor and connected load device.

Abstract: A bowling aid is constructed to include a panel member from which there extends a finger guide and stiffener member. Cutouts enable the panel member to be wrapped about the hand and wrist in a manner to expose the thumb and fingers. Overlapping parts of the panel are attached to one another by Velcro fasteners. The stiffener and guide member includes a tongue part which is received within a pocket formed within the panel. The finger guide is positioned forwardly of the stiffener member and extends forwardly of the panel member for receiving the knuckles of one's second and third fingers therewithin. The fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm are restrained by the bowling aid device in a manner which increases one's bowling skill.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly for sealing the annulus between a free-type downhole hydraulically actuated pump and the pump cavity within which the pump is telescopingly received downhole in a borehole. A connector body is affixed to the upper end of the pump, and a packer nose assembly is affixed to the upper end of the connector body. The connector body has a circumferentially extending groove formed thereabout, and a flow passageway wherein the connector body interconnects the interior of the hollow connector body to the inner wall surface of the groove. A resilient seal is received within the groove. The seal is quadrangular in cross-section.

Abstract: A unitary rack with latch means. The rack provides a hanger for articles, and is supported from a window, as for example, a window having a frame, gasket, and glass, wherein the glass is held within the frame by the gasket, and the gasket contacts the marginal edges of the glass. The rack includes a blade having a flat side which bears against the glass. A cradle depends from the blade. A lip is formed at the upper edge portion of the blade, and extends in opposition to the cradle. The upper marginal end of the blade is forced between the gasket and the glass, with the lip thereof being positioned in abutting relationship respective to the edge at the upper end of the glass. A marginal flat side of the blade is in contact with a marginal edge portion of the glass. Various different objects, including clothes and the like, can be supported by the cradle.

Abstract: A captive air system for a water well. A submersible type pump is located downhole in a wellbore for pumping water from an aquifer to the surface of the earth. A special storage tank is buried below the surface of the earth. The tank has a relatively short vertical leg connected to a relatively long lateral leg which slopes downwardly away from the vertical leg. A water supply conduit is located at the lower end of the lateral leg. The pump outlet is connected to the interior of the vertical leg. A blowdown pipe is connected to the bottom of the vertical leg. The edge portions of the tank which join together the vertical and lateral legs serve as a dam so that as the liquid level in the storage tank is lowered, debris always remain in the bottom of the vertical leg while clean fresh water is delivered by the lateral leg.

Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor apparatus includes an adaptor located at the upper end of a main body, and a rotating head assembly which is removably received by the adaptor. The adaptor is longitudinally split to provide two segmented circles which are hinged together, and which may be opened to thereby enable a very large bit to be received within the main body. The rotating head assembly is left affixed to the drill string, with the bit located in underlying position respective to the rotating head assembly. Relatively small rotating blowout preventors can accommodate extremely large drill bits by utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: A process by which vertical fracture growth is controlled downhole in a hydrocarbon producing formation through which a wellbore extends. The wellbore includes a perforated casing. Two different fluids are simultaneously forced along two separate flow paths downhole into the borehole, with the first flow path entering the uppermost perforations and the second flow path entering the lowermost perforations of the perforated casing. The first flow path conducts acid laden with relatively coarse grains of sand into the hydrocarbon producing part of the formation, while the second flow path conducts the flow of water laden with relatively fine grains of sand into the water producing part of the formation. The flow characteristics of the water/sand mixture and the acid/sand mixture causes the fine sand to drop out along the water/oil interface located between the low water and high water part of the formation.

Abstract: A fluid actuated pumping system for producing fluid from a subsurface reservoir through a wellbore communicating therewith. A conduit extends from the surface, downhole to the pump. The pump includes an inner piston reciprocatingly received within an inner barrel, an annular piston reciprocatingly received within an outer barrel, and energy storage means connected to the pistons by which energy is stored when one of the pistons is forced to move downhole. The inner piston divides the inner barrel into an upper and lower chamber, and check valve means associated therewith enables reciprocation of the piston to cause one way flow to occur into the lower chamber, and from the lower chamber into the upper chamber, where the liquid is lifted through the conduit and to the surface of the ground. The conduit is also flow connected to the annular piston so that when fluid pressure is applied thereto, both pistons are forced in a downhole direction to store energy.

Abstract: A wind turbine has axially aligned, spaced, rotatable support flanges with a plurality of vertically aligned air foils having opposed ends journaled thereto. The air foils are pivoted respective to the wind by a pitch flange mounted eccentrically respective to the support flanges. The pitch flange moves the air foils into an aligned relationship respective to the wind to optimize the energy derived from the blowing wind.