Abstract: A cementing tool for use in a well has a housing and a closing sleeve received thereabout. An operating sleeve is received in the housing and is interconnected with the closing sleeve so that movement in the operating sleeve will cause the closing sleeve to move. The closing sleeve is detachably connected to the housing and is movable from the first or open position to a second or closed position in which it covers cementing ports defined in the housing. The tool has a plurality of lock rings that are moved with the closing sleeve. A plurality of locking grooves are adapted to receive the lock rings such that the engagement of any of the lock rings with any of the locking grooves will prevent the closing sleeve from moving out of the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for influencing mixing of a first fluid injected through a slot into a second fluid flowing through a conduit, by automatically or remotely adjusting the slot width to provide at least a certain slot velocity of the first fluid being introduced into the conduit. In particular, methods and apparatus are provided for mixing control in injecting titanium tetrachloride into an oxygen stream in a process for making titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A nut-cracking apparatus that is compact and efficient cracks nuts at high production rates. The nut-cracking apparatus includes an endless conveyor and delivers nuts from a hopper to a delivery point. The nuts are engaged at the delivery point by a nut-cracking unit which cracks the nuts. The endless conveyor includes nut pockets which are made up of separate nut pocket segments that are movable from open to closed positions. The nut pocket segments are in an open position where the nuts are cracked to provide ample room for cracking of the nut.

Abstract: A downhole tool releasing mechanism which includes a collet for releasably engaging a mandrel of a downhole tool. A retaining band is circumferentially disposed about the fingers of the collet for maintaining engagement of the collet and the mandrel prior to application of a predetermined axially directed force on the releasing mechanism. Upon application of such a force the collet fingers expand, breaking the shear band, the mandrel is released and the downhole tool is disengaged.

Abstract: A nut cracking apparatus includes a rotatable turret mounted to a frame. An endless conveyor delivers nuts to a pickup point at which nut cracking units engage nuts carried by the endless conveyor. The endless conveyor has a generally horizontal carrying portion for carrying nuts from the hopper to the pickup point.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereabout. The sealing element is movable from an unset position to a set position in which the sealing element engages the well. Extrusion limiters are positioned at the ends of the sealing element. The extrusion limiters have first and second layers and the first and second layers are different materials. The second layer may be made up of a plurality of discs. At least one of the discs may be a disc with an irregularly shaped outer peripheral edge and a generally circular inner peripheral edge. A plurality of the discs with the irregularly shaped outer edge may be stacked and may be stacked with a generally circular or ring-shaped segmented disc. The first and second layers are stacked and then molded into a final shape for placement at the ends of the sealing element.

Abstract: The current device relates to a gripper assembly for use within a coiled tubing injector unit. The gripper assembly comprises a carrier for securing the gripper to the chain drive mechanism of the coiled tubing injector unit and a gripping shoe carried by the carrier. The configuration of the gripper assembly permits quick and easy removal and replacement of the gripping shoe.

Abstract: A method of compacting a roadway section includes entering initial input parameters into a compaction analyzer. A plurality of passes is made with a roller over a portion of the roadway section and vibratory energy is applied thereto. Responsive vibration signals are gathered and the compaction analyzer generates estimated density signals. Actual density measurements are taken and the estimated densities are compared thereto. Selected ones of the initial input parameters are adjusted so that an adjusted density output signal which represents the actual density of a roadway section is generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved preconcentrator media suitable for selectively desorbing captured analytes. Additionally, the current invention provides improved methods for concentrating trace quantities of analytes to a degree suitable for detection by a detecting device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for straightening an article are disclosed. The apparatus and method disclosed provide for the conservation of metal, reduction waste worldwide, and the extension of the useful life for an article. The apparatus may comprise an actuator, an endpiece coupled to the actuator, the endpiece including two arms, the arms defining a space therebetween; and a support member including two rails, the rails defining a space therebetween. Upon activation of the actuator, the arms engage the article disposed on the rails. Also, the space between the arms is aligned with the space between the rails. Both spaces are adapted to receive article portions such that portions within the spaces are not engaged by the arms.

Abstract: A multi-tier approach for use in a mailroom for detecting bio-threats conveyed by mail. In a first tier procedure, mail entering the mailroom is continuously automatically screened at a mail screening station to detect a potential bio-threat contamination. If a potential bio-threat is detected, an alarm signal is generated, a sample of the potential bio-threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific bio-threats in the sample. If a specific bio-threat is found, appropriate steps are taken to limit spread of the bio-threat and exposure of personnel. A third tier procedure uses a manual assay to check for a specific toxin in background samples collected over a predefined time interval at each mail screening station and in the air handling system for the mailroom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a device for automatically delivering and retrieving singular medication from a plurality of containers or product blister packages, storing and recording medication transactions for each patient, and the crushing of designated medications. This invention also relates to medication control, delivery, consumption verification and monitoring within institutional entities.

Abstract: A piping elbow capable of facilitating a fluid flow direction change in a smaller space than conventional piping elbows, without causing the larger pressure losses found when using conventional elbows in the equivalent space. Piping elbows of the present invention comprise a substantially-cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a substantially-constant inside diameter; a tangential inlet attached to the body near the first end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body; and a tangential outlet attached to the body near the second end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body. Fluid flows linearly through the tangential inlet and enters the body. Inside the body, linear motion of the fluid is converted into a rotational or spiral motion. The fluid in the body continues its spiral motion as it also moves axially through the body toward the tangential outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing leaks from a stuffing box on a wellhead production assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises a containment vessel consisting of two half shells that are joined below the stuffing box. The apparatus further comprises a seal subassembly. The components of the seal subassembly are positioned one the nipple and pumping tee below the stuffing box. The half shells are positioned about and joined to the seal subassembly in a manner that provides a liquid tight seal. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a transparent topper having an upper opening to receive a polished rod extending from the stuffing box. The topper is secured to the containment vessel in a liquid tight manner such that the stuffing box is substantially isolated from the environment. As such, any leaks originating from the stuffing box will be contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: A field replaceable wing nut having an arcuate body and an arcuate insert is disclosed. The wing nut is designed to replace an existing wing nut which has deformed or non-useable lugs on a hammer union connection. The wing nut has accurate alignment of the mounting threads using an alignment attachment device. Replacing the wing nut in the field does not require any special equipment or training. Each wing nut is designed for a particular pipe diameter.

Abstract: A portable system for transferring liquids such as fuels from a first tank to a second tank. The first tank may be, for example, a railcar and the second tank a transport trailer. The portable system is separated into multiple compartments with an engine compartment and a pump compartment. A wall separates the engine and pump compartments and may be sealed to prevent the passage of air or vapor therethrough. The pump is utilized to transfer liquid from the first tank to the second tank.

Abstract: A pilot valve is switchable between snap and throttle modes. The pilot valve supplies output gas to a process control valve and has an adjustable biasing member for applying an adjustable force to a pilot plug in a pilot body interior. An opposed force is applied to the pilot plug to overcome the adjustable force and the output gas.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a mandrel with slip assemblies positioned thereon above and below a packer element. The slip assemblies are positioned in a manner to anchor the downhole tool in the well. The slip assemblies include a slip ring which has a plurality of slip segments. Each slip segment has inserts disposed in cavities therein. The cavities are oriented such that the longitudinal central axis of each cavity is parallel to the longitudinal central axis of each of the other cavities in the slip segment.