Abstract: The cold decompressed gas flowing into the compression station is preheated by the compressed warmer gas discharged by the station's compressor, thereby raising the temperature of the compressed gas at the discharge outlet of the compressor. The warm compressed gas discharged by the compressor is cooled with ambient air and with the cold decompressed gas stream flowing into the station. If required, to still further reduce its temperature, the cold compressed gas stream is expanded until its temperature approaches the temperature of the gas within the pipeline.The apparatus of the invention includes a gas-to-gas heat exchanger wherein the decompressed cold gas is first preheated by the counterflowing warm compressed gas. The preheated gas is allowed into the inlet of the compressor. The temperature of the warm compressed gas from the discharge outlet of the compressor is first reduced by a gas-to-air heat exchanger.

Abstract: The compact power wrenching machine (10) has an elongated, rigid frame (11). A fluid-operated cylinder (20') having a reciprocating ram (20) is mounted at one end of the frame. A wrench (22), preferably a ratcheting-type, is rotatably mounted at the opposite end of the frame. A force-transferring mechanism (21) has a body which is movably mounted on the frame between the wrench and the ram. The ram is securely connected to the mechanism's body which supports the ratchet wrench for relative motion therebetween. In use, the body of the mechanism is moved by the ram, the ratchet wrench is rotated by the body of the mechanism, and the rotating wrench can also rotate a threaded fastener.

Abstract: The surface ship has a hull comprised of a deck, a bottom, a starboard side and a port side, between the deck and the bottom. The hull has a bow section, a stern section, and a mid-body section between the bow and stern sections.Each side of the ship has an outwardly protruding top hull and an outwardly-protruding bottom hull. The top and bottom hulls form an open-ended channel therebetween extending throughout the full length of the ship. The side walls of the channel are formed by a flat surface portion in the ship's mid-body section, and by a complex surface in the ship's bow and stern sections. Each complex surface is formed by flat, cylindrical and conical surfaces.

Abstract: The tool is especially adapted for field use for spiral machining annular and solid work members of any geometric configuration, including but not limited to pipes, valves, flanges, etc., and comprises a stand carrying a hollow main shaft which rotatably supports a face plate which, in use, is positioned opposite to the work member. A tool holder is mounted for radial travel on the face plate. A motor rotates the face plate. The rotary motion of the face plate causes the tool holder to rotate and linearly travel. Preferably, the tool holder is mounted on a frame disposed for adjustable pivotal movement relative to the face plate.

Abstract: The emergency well-control vessel is capable of being moved above an offshore live oil or gas well, over which all normal controls have been lost. The vessel carries special purpose equipments and specially trained personnel for the purpose of bringing the erupted well under control, thereby stopping the pollution of the water body with the ejected formation fluids which form a so-called "plume". Such equipment is adapted to allow the vessel to move over and continue to dispel the plume while simultaneously attempting to regain control of the well. In one aspect, control of the abandoned wellhead and blowout preventers is established with divers working from the vessel or from an auxiliary craft. After control of the blowout preventer stack is confirmed and the same is fully operational, a kill string is lowered through the open blowout preventer stack and as deep down into the well as necessary.

Abstract: The method of ditching over a buried line involves making a hole, in advance of ditching, down to a level near a section of the buried line lying at the intersection with a proposed trench, spanning the line section with a line protector, and driving a ditching machine so that its excavating member makes the trench and in so doing rides in the trench over the protector and above the line section.

Abstract: The improved esophageal-endotracheal airway comprises an elongated flexible assembly having a shorter outer tube and a longer inner tube. The assembly is adapted to be inserted into the trachea or the esophagus. An expandable member is carried on the outer wall and near the distal end of each tube. The outer wall of the inner tube and the inner wall of the outer tube form an annular channel therebetween.

Abstract: The clamping apparatus is adapted for testing a flanged device having a casing defining a chamber and at least one annular end flange disposed on a horizontal test plate having a fluid inlet. At least one clamping unit is provided which comprises a lever disposed in a radial direction relative to the center of the annular flange. The lever has an outer end detachably resting on an underlying support, and an inner end gripping a portion of the flange. A fulcrum is fixedly mounted above the lever intermediate its inner and outer ends. The lever is adapted to pivot about the fulcrum. A hydraulic ram exerts a vertical force against one end of the lever, thereby causing the inner end of the lever to exert a predetermined clamping pressure on the flange, so as to obtain a fluid-tight connection between the flange and the plate.

Abstract: The power tool comprises a slit wrench having a pair of semi-cylindrical segments boltable to each other and defining a socket. At least one wrench segment has a laterally and outwardly-extending head defining a plurality of notches having ridges which are rounded and inclined to allow the application of a force thereto as by the rod of a hydraulic cylinder. A reaction-and-support structure serves as a mounting platform for the hydraulic cylinder. This structure also generates the required reaction forces. The rod of the hydraulic cylinder carries a drive pin which applies, during each power stroke of the cylinder, a drive force against consecutive notches, thereby rotating the threaded connector through a small angle during each power stroke of the cylinder.

Abstract: The wrench for wrenching a shaft or stud comprises a housing having a longitudinal recess therein for mounting the housing over the shaft to be turned. A pawl is pivotably connected to the housing. A first clamping jaw is slidably mounted in the recess. A second jaw is slidably mounted in the recess. The first jaw is disposed for limited rotational and translational movement within the recess so as to open the clamping jaws to allow the tool wrench to be mounted over or to be removed from the shaft. A wrenching actuator is connected to the pawl arm for turning the pawl clockwise and counter-clockwise about the pawl's pivot. A clamping actuator is mounted on the housing for turning the pawl to thereby initially securely clamp the jaws about the shaft to be turned. Wrenching of the shaft can then be accomplished with the wrenching actuator by applying a torque on the pawl in a direction so as to increase the clamping force produced by the jaws and to rotate the shaft together with the housing.

Abstract: The liquid slug projector apparatus (9) comprises a generator (10) having a main housing (13) whose main port (17b) fluidly communicates with a liquid body (12). A first shuttle (26) and a second shuttle (61a) are slidably mounted inside the main housing. The first shuttle forms with the main housing a slug chamber (23) for confining therein a liquid slug (22). Force-producing means (8) cyclically cause the shuttles (26, 61a) to move relative to or in locked condition with each other, thereby applying during each cycle of operation an abrupt propulsion force to the confined liquid slug which becomes expelled as a very high-velocity liquid jet (22a) through the main port.

Abstract: The scaffold unit comprises a pair of towers, each having a pair of rails held together by crossties. Each rail has a gear rack on the front face thereof. The towers are held in fixed lengthwise parallel alignment by cross braces removably attached to the sides of the rails facing each other. A self-elevating, platform-supporting carriage projects outwardly from each tower. The carriage has a frame which supports a pair of upright shoes, each defining a U-shaped channel for slidably receiving a rail therein. The shoes fit over and guide the carriage on the rails when the carriage is in motion. A shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame and carries a pair of gears which mesh with the racks through slots in the shoes. A controllable motor is adapted to rotate the shafts independently of, or in synchronism with, each other.

Abstract: The method involves erecting a very large-diameter column from a plurality of buoyant columnar members at a selected site in a body of sea water. Each columnar member is floated erect to the site. The first or lowermost columnar member is pulled down and fully submerged to a predetermined depth over the site. The second columnar member is then positioned directly over the lowermost member. The lowermost member is allowed to move up and lift the second member out of the water. The two columnar members are securely interconnected to each other in a watertight fashion. The partial column is then pulled down to a fully submerged condition and the third columnar member is positioned directly over the second member. The partial column is allowed to move up and lift the third member out of the water. A secure watertight connection is made between the third columnar member and the second columnar member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coathanger suspender for suspending one or more conventional, wire-type coathangers and for providing a handle for carrying the suspended coathangers. The suspender comprises a housing having a handle portion and a magazine portion. The magazine portion is adapted to receive and then lock the hooks of the coathangers. The handle portion allows the hand to comfortably carry the magazine portion, the coathangers, and the garments suspended therefrom in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The test apparatus detects pressure changes in a vessel containing a volume of a contaminated industrial liquid and a volume of gas. The apparatus includes a detector having a housing defining a chamber. A pressure transducer having a flexible, pressure-transmitting wall is mounted in the chamber. A passageway fluidly communicates between a port in the housing and the transducer. In one embodiment a needle housing is removably coupled to the port. A hollow needle is adapted to pierce a stopper in the vessel. The vessel remains continuously sealed during and after the pressure test. Pressure changes in the gas of the vessel are transmitted through the needle and the passageway to the transducer. The transducer converts such pressure changes into corresponding electric signals which are indicative of the density of organisms in the liquid contained in the vessel.

Abstract: The power tool is adapted for driving one of a plurality of adjacently-spaced castellated nuts. Each castellated nut has a number of radial slots. Each nut is adapted to connect with a stud having an axial threaded bore. The power tool comprises a wrench driver for turning one of the castellated nuts. A wrench arm extends laterally from the wrench adapter. An anchor assembly is coupled to the wrench driver and includes an anchor adapter. The wrench driver has a head which carries an equal number of radial lugs for operatively engaging the slots in the nut. A retaining cylindrical skirt downwardly extends from the wrench driver's head for capturing therein a portion of the body of the castellated nut while the driver's lugs engage the nut's slots. A retaining bolt threadedly interconnects the wrench driver with the stud carrying the castellated nut prior to exerting power with the power tool, thereby preventing the lugs from disengaging from their mating slots.

Abstract: The cylinder has an open-ended longitudinal bore. A removable plug closes one end of the bore. A power piston is slidably mounted in the bore. A pressure inlet port admits pressure fluid into the bore between the plug and the piston for shifting the piston in the bore. A rod is slidably and preferably sealingly mounted in the opposite end of the bore. The rod shifts in response to an external force and to the force exerted by the power piston. The power piston is easily removed from the bore by removing the plug from the cylinder.

Abstract: A two-to-one or greater slope is stabilized by rolling a vibratory compactor upslope and simultaneously vibrating the compactor's roller. The compactor comprises a frame on which is rotatably mounted a suitable compaction roller. An engine is rotatably mounted on the frame, and means are provided for adjusting the tilt of the engine relative to the frame, so that, in use, the engine will remain upright while driving the vibratory shaft of the roller. The engine is remotely controlled, as by radio waves, by an operator riding a vehicle on the shoulder of the embankment. A crane and winch on the vehicle riding on the embankment control the movements of the compactor on the slope.