Abstract: An improved underdrain block for an underdrain system supporting a filter media bed in a liquid filtration system is provided. The underdrain blocks are preferably made of an extrudable polymeric material that is extruded in relatively long sections to provide light weight, strong, easily manufactured underdrain systems having a lower profile than prior art underdrain blocks. The underdrain block comprises an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, at least one lateral member between the upper wall and the lower wall, at least two chambers within the underdrain block, each chamber being defined by the lateral member, a plurality of upper orifices in the upper wall of the underdrain block, and a plurality of internal orifices in the lateral member. The underdrain block is substantially greater in longitudinal length than a longitudinal distance between the upper orifices.

Abstract: A water-resistant movement holder for a pocket watch of the type that has a watch casing, comprised generally of a front and back portion that are joined or otherwise held together, a watch movement, a shaft, and a hinged cover portion. The movement holder comprises a primary housing and a mechanism to seal the primary housing within the watch casing. The primary housing has generally enclosed sides, an enclosed top and an open bottom with a generally hollow interior. The generally hollow interior is capable of releasably receiving the watch movement. The primary housing maintains the watch movement therein and limits the ingress of water, dirt and debris into the generally hollow interior and into contact with the watch movement.

Abstract: An anchoring device for anchoring an oil well tubing string within an oil well casing. The device generally comprises a drive mandrel and an anchor mandrel. The drive mandrel has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end releasably securable to an oil well tubing string. The anchor mandrel has an upper end that is releasably securable to the drive mandrel. The anchor mandrel is selectively engagable and disengagable with the interior surface of an oil well casing through the use of a plurality of rotatable slips. The slips have a gripping surface to contact and adhere to the interior surface of the oil well casing such that when the anchor mandrel is rotated in a first direction the slips are rotatably deployed to an engaged position with the gripping surfaces in contact with the interior surface of the oil well casing.

Abstract: Provided herein is are acidic Z5M-5 zeollte materials which are highly active and selective in the synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and similar ethers. The materials are obtained by the preparation method comprising the main steps of: i) impregnation of zeolites with fluorine species using ammonium fluoride as precursor, preferably with a F loading of ca.1.9×103 mol.g−1 of zeolite; and ii) stepwise activation in air at preferably 250° C. and then preferably at 300° C. to 500° C., preferably 450° C. The method is preferably applied to desilicated ZSM-5 zeolite and provides conversion rates to MTBE superior to those obtained with prior art commercial AMBERLYSF™ resin (gas phase reaction at 70-80° C.) is obtained. No by-products, commonly produced by prior art commercial organic resin catalyst, are detected in the product spectrum.

Abstract: A method of treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet.

Abstract: A plenum for a pneumatic conveyor of the type used for the movement of bottles and the like. The plenum comprises a central housing for receiving pressurized air, a cross block positioned within the central housing and generally spanning across its width, at least two bottle neck supports permitting bottles to be suspended from the plenum, and an air diverter to divert pressurized air from the interior of the central housing to the bottle neck supports to drive bottles along the length of the plenum. The cross block fixes the vertical positioning of the bottle neck supports to maintain the bottle neck supports in a parallel and co-planer configuration thereby helping to maintain the vertical alignment of bottles and the like suspended from the plenum and facilitating in their movement along the length of the plenum.

Abstract: A pump rod drive and torque release mechanism for use in association with a downhole pump positioned within a well. The pump rod drive and torque release mechanism comprises a central housing having a generally hollow interior, a drive shaft received within the central housing, a drive rod received within the central housing, and a torque transfer mechanism positioned within the central housing. The drive shaft may be operatively connected to a pump rod rotator to impart rotational movement to the drive shaft. The drive rod may be operatively connected to a downhole pump so as to enable transference of rotational energy from the drive rod to the downhole pump. The torque transfer mechanism has an engaged position wherein it operatively connects the drive shaft to the drive rod such that rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the drive rod. The torque transfer mechanism also has a disengaged position wherein it operatively disconnects the drive shaft from the drive rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic drilling jar for use in association with downhole drilling and adaptable for connection between components of a drill string or the like. The hydraulic drilling jar generally comprises an outer generally hollow hydraulic housing, an inner mandrel assembly, an anvil portion, a hammer portion, and a hydraulic valve. The hydraulic housing has an enclosed first end and an open second end with the first end releasably securable to a first component of the drill string. The mandrel has a first end releasably securable to a second component of the drill string and a second end slidably receivable within the open second end of the hydraulic housing to forming an internal fluid chamber between the mandrel and the housing. The mandrel is also slidable within the outer housing from a contracted position to an extended position. The hydraulic housing and the mandrel operatively connect the first and second components of the drill string.

Abstract: A method of extracting liquid hydrocarbons from geological formations having a reduced or low liquid hydrocarbon flow rate utilizing a wellbore extending downwardly from the surface of the ground into the geological zone of interest. The method includes the steps of first creating at least one downhole reservoir through enlarging a portion of the wellbore. The downhole reservoir is made substantially larger than the wellbore and formed so as to hold a desired amount of effluent, which includes liquid hydrocarbons, based upon approximated flow rates of effluent from the geological zone of interest. Effluent is allowed to accumulate in the downhole reservoir for a desired length of time until it reaches a desired level. Finally, the effluent is evacuated from the downhole reservoir through the use of a pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming decorative patterns in floor coverings. The preferred form of the apparatus includes a marking device having a body member. The body member includes a channel for receiving a guide member. The apparatus further includes a guide member to guide movement of the marking device along a predetermined path. The guide member is flexible so that it can be positioned on floor coverings in various configurations. The marking device includes a marking implement to mark floor coverings as the marking device is moved along the guide member. The preferred method is performed on site, i.e. at the site of the installation. Further, the preferred method is such that it can be performed relatively expeditiously and with great precision. Moreover, the preferred method can be performed with great accuracy without the need for a highly trained artisan.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubing string within an oil well. The apparatus includes an outer housing having an upper end, a lower end and a generally hollow interior where the lower end may be used to attach the outer housing to the casing bowl of an oil well. The apparatus further includes a drive assembly and a tubing string hanger generally disposed within the interior of the outer housing. The drive assembly has a generally hollow rotating gear mandrel and a drive gear. The tubing string hanger has a lower end for attaching to and supporting a tubing string. The tubing string hanger engages the rotating gear mandrel such that rotation of the rotating gear mandrel causes rotation of the tubing string hanger. The tubing string hanger, and a tubing string attached thereto, may be withdrawn from the oil well and through the outer housing without withdrawal of the rotating gear mandrel or the drive gear.

Abstract: A dielectric D-ring of the type having a hook receiving opening at one end and a strap or cable receiving opening at the other. The dielectric D-ring comprises a D-ring blank encased within a dielectric injection molded plastic shell. The blank has a plurality of plastic receiving holes therethrough that receive plastic when the dielectric plastic shell is injection molded about the blank. The plastic filled holes assist in holding together the portions of the plastic shell situated on opposite sides of the blank.

Abstract: A firefighting nozzle that will generate a spray of water in a 360° three-dimensional pattern, giving off a big sphere of fine droplets of water is disclosed herein. The nozzle has a hollow spherical portion rotatably mounted to the end of a rigid tube. Apertures are formed in such a pattern that an efficient mist production is achieved. Furthermore, some of the apertures are provided at such an angle that the water jets exiting these apertures exert a torque sufficient to rotate the nozzle with respect to the rigid tube to which it is mounted. The nozzle may be mounted to the end of a hand carried rigid tube or to the end of an articulated arm of a firefighting truck.