Abstract: A system for reducing pressure while running a casing liner, hanging a casing liner from a casing and cementing the liner in a borehole during a single trip downhole is disclosed. Some of the components of the system are 1.) a bypass or diverter sub for reducing surge pressure having either an incremental breakaway seat or a yieldable seat, 2.) a container or manifold for launching a smaller ball used to close the bypass, a larger ball used to hang the liner in the casing, and a drill pipe wiper dart for cementing, and 3.) a guide shoe with multiple openings and no float valve to provide proper flow of drilling fluid up the liner and out the port of the bypass to reduce surge pressure and to provide for proper cementation. Advantageously, methods for operation of this surge pressure reduction system and its components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical aid apparatus and methods for making corneal incisions are disclosed. The apparatus includes a stabilizer pivotally mounted on a body which slidably houses a keratome.

Abstract: A high performance protecting surface coating, and methods, is disclosed. The coating comprises a resin such as epoxy loaded with inert particles, preferably ceramic, a curing agent for hardening, and a selected additive such as a solvent. The protective coating of the present invention has adhesion strength of at least 2,000 psi and impact resistance of at least 90 inch-lbs.

Abstract: An apparatus for optionally gripping and releasing a tube, said apparatus having an elevator with a set of slips for optionally gripping and releasing a tube and a spider with a set of slips for optionally gripping and releasing the other end of said tube, said elevator and spider slips being in communication one to the other by pressurized conduits, said conduits forming a pressure circuit to supply pressure to release one set of slips only when the other set of slips is gripping said tube, wherein said apparatus has improved response time, said spider may be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated and said elevator maybe pneumatically operated, and wherein said spider may be flush mounted; and methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting sealant into the packing chamber of a valve requiring no venting of pressure within the valve. The apparatus which includes an interior valve is attached to the valve body by drilling and tapping a connection or by friction welding. A high pressure packing gland is attached to the apparatus and a drill bit is passed through the combination to complete an opening into the packing chamber. The drill bit is withdrawn past the interior valve, which is closed and then out of the combination. The packing gland is removed and a sealant injection device attached. The interior valve is opened and sealant injected into the packing chamber. The valve is closed, a completion plug installed into the end of the fitting, and a completion cap with a sealing ring is installed over the entire valve and fitting, thereby forming multiple redundant seals.

Abstract: A non-metallic centralizer for casing having a tubular, plastic sleeve adapted to fit closely about a joint of casing, said sleeve having a plurality of blades extending substantially longitudinally along an outer surface of said sleeve. The non-metallic centralizer having strength characteristics capable of withstanding the forces encountered in casing operations. The non-metallic centralizer is non-sparking for use in hazardous environments, abrasion and wear resistant, and provides protection from electrolysis between adjacent casing strings. The non-metallic centralizer is light weight, allowing increased transportation capacity at a economical cost.

Abstract: A vehicle ramp system of the type connected to a vehicle and moveable from an extended ramp position to a retracted tailgate position is provided. The vehicle ramp system includes a ramp moveably connected to said vehicle, wherein said ramp may be moved from a ramp position, extending between the ground and said vehicle, and a tailgate position in which said ramp is retracted and connected to said vehicle; and an alarm system positioned and connected to said truck in a manner such that when said ramp is retracted and in the tailgate position said alarm is disengaged, and when said ramp is extended said alarm system is activated alerting an operator that said ramp is in the extended position. The ramp may be constructed as a single piece or preferable in sections. The ramp is to be constructed of a material such as carbon steel or stainless steel with dimensions capable of supporting equipment which may be loaded onto the vehicle on which the ramp is connected.

Abstract: An arrangement of a jackup platform's elevating system, leg guides, hull-to-legs load transfer device, and method of operation of the load transfer device for an offshore jackup platform's hull to be supported by legs which have one or more vertical toothed gear racks attached.An apparatus consisting of rectangular blocks with protruding lugs that are shaped for efficient engagement with a portion of the upper faces of the gear rack teeth, that extend vertically on the leg chords of the jackup platform. The rectangular blocks are movable in a direction perpendicular to one side of the gear rack. Powered guide assemblies control movement of the rectangular blocks such that their protruding lugs can move into the spaces in between the gear rack teeth.

Abstract: A self-educting, high expansion, multi-agent nozzle of the type for educting more than one chemical and mixing these chemicals with a motive fluid stream within the nozzle and ejecting the mixed fluid stream is provided. The self-educting, high expansion, multi-agent nozzle including a body having an eductor section and a barrel section, the eductor section forming a vacuum chamber and a first and second chemical port adapted for connecting to a first and second chemical source respectively, the barrel section forming a pathway between an inlet from the eductor section to an open discharge end; a head forming a tapered conduit between an open motive fluid end adapted for connecting to a motive fluid source and an open exit end, the head connected to an open head end of the eductor section in a manner such that the exit end is disposed within the vacuum chamber; a barrel sleeve movably connected to an exterior surface of the barrel section; and a diffuser mounted within the pathway of the barrel section.

Abstract: A pipe gripping apparatus for angularly adapting to misaligned pipe on one or more pipe strings, said apparatus comprising: a housing having internal, opposing, downwardly curved surfaces therein and forming a longitudinal opening for passing a portion of at least one tubing string therethrough; a plurality of slip carriers each having an exterior surface contoured to match said downwardly curved surface and having a downwardly inclined interior surface, each said slip carrier being in movable connection with one of said curved surfaces of said housing; a plurality of slips having downwardly inclined exterior surfaces and longitudinal channels formed on an internal surface for holding gripping elements for gripping a portion of the pipe, each said slip being in sliding engagement with one of said slip carriers; and a lifting mechanism having a securing arm in connection between each pair of said opposing slips.

Abstract: A multi-sectioned, bidirectional gripping ring for a closed-head power tong is disclosed of the inventive gripping ring have an open position in which a pipe may be placed within or removed from the gripping ring and a closed position in which the gripping ring completely encircles the pipe. The inventive gripping ring uses radially moveable dies in circumferentially moveable die carriers to grip the pipe. The dies are synchronously moved in the radial direction to grip or release the pipe by changing their circumferential position with respect to the cams in the gripping ring housing.

Abstract: A backup tong having an inner throat sized to accommodate a second pipe string while a first pipe string is held within the jaws of the tong is disclosed. The inventive backup tong facilitates operations on dual pipe strings by allowing the tong to grip not only the closer of two pipe strings, but also the farther of the pipe strings by allowing the nearer pipe string to reside in an inner throat of the backup tong, between the gripping members of the tong and the body of the backup tong, while the farther pipe string is held between the gripping members. The inventive backup tong thereby allows the operator to grip either of the pipe strings from a single side, eliminating the side-to-side movement (and corresponding time and risk of harm) which is required when using prior art backup tongs.

Abstract: A .Iadd.system and .Iaddend.method .[.of.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.automatically starting and stopping an engine of a .[.truck.]. .Iadd.vehicle .Iaddend.to conserve fuel while maintaining the engine in a ready-to-start condition, and while controlling the temperature of .[.a truck sleeper unit.]. .Iadd.an interior portion of the vehicle.Iaddend.. The method includes the steps of selecting predetermined system parameters .[.via a password accessible interactive program, providing a first switch for selecting an automatic engine start-stop operating mode, providing a second switch for selecting an automatic temperature control mode for the truck sleeper unit, and providing safety apparatus which indicates when the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic engine start-stop operating mode..]. The method further includes the step of overriding the .[.ignition switch.]. .Iadd.operator .Iaddend.control of the engine in response to a predetermined condition when .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.