Abstract: A high-frequency, high-repetition gas detonator is provided which is adapted for shallow seismographic work. The detonator comprises a detonation chamber, a rigid bottom plate adapted to be coupled to the earth, and a top plate positioned over the bottom plate. A plurality of springs resiliently hold the plates together whereby the bottom plate covers a bottom vent port in the chamber when the plates engage. The bottom plate opens the chamber to the surrounding medium when the plates disengage. Fluid conduit means communicate with the interior of the chamber for supplying thereto a pressurized detonating fluid. Means are provided for detonating the fluid thereby causing the bottom plate to move downward and separate from the top plate. The compressive force of the bottom plate sends a downward seismic pulse into the underlying layers of the earth. The products of detonation from the detonation chamber are vented outside through the cavity formed between the top and bottom plates when the plates are separted.

Abstract: The arrangement transmits light energy from a light source by means of a stack of light-conducting members having surfaces which are approximately parallel to a common plane. The members are arranged around the light source and their outward ends define reflecting surfaces. Each member collects a portion of the light energy emanating from the light source and guides its portion of the collected light energy along a prescribed path to its reflecting surface.

Abstract: The power tool is especially adapted for driving one of a plurality of adjacently spaced members. The tool comprises a wrench adapter to be positioned over one of the members. A wrench extends laterally from the wrench adapter. An anchor assembly is coupled to the wrench adapter. The anchor assembly comprises an anchor ring rotatably mounted on the wrench adapter, an anchor adapter typically positionable over another of the members, and a reaction beam having one end coupled to the anchor ring and another end coupled to the anchor adapter.

Abstract: The navigation system permits remote maneuvering of a water-borne structure about a stationary object by utilizing dual sonar ranging. The structure can be self-propelled or towed by a surface craft. The transducer portion of the navigation system is mounted on the structure and the system's remaining portion is on the deck of the surface craft. For complete remote navigation, at least three but preferably four transducers are employed for positioning at the four corners of a rectangle. Each transducer is both sound-emitting and sound-receiving. The sonic impulses from each pair of port and starboard transducers are directed downwardly and inwardly. The travel time for each reflected sonic impulse is directly proportional to the slant range between the transducer and the object. The spacing between each pair of port and starboard transducers and the frequency of the emitted sound impulses are selected so that very accurate measurements are obtainable of the position of the object relative to the transducers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of oil from an oil well which normally produces a mixture of oil and water. The invention is carried out by determining the potential free water level in the well bore, draining the oil gravitationally from a point above the predetermined water level, and withdrawing the drained oil.

Abstract: This invention provides a pig adapted for cleaning material from the inner wall of a pipeline and for assisting in the removal of this material from the pipeline. The pig comprises a cylindrical, open cell foam core. An impervious jacket covers the outer wall of the core. An opening in at least one end wall allows the pressurized fluid inside the pipeline to permeate the core. An abrasive means completely covers the outer cylindrical surface of the jacket. The abrasive means preferably is a layer of hardened steel bristles attached to a web backing. The tips of the steel bristles are bent in a longitudinal plane in the direction of travel of the pig.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface of an extensible hydrocarbon article by positioning the article in a chamber from which extraneous oxidizing agents are excluded, extending the article, and treating the extended surface with a fluorinating gas which may contain elemental fluorine or a mixture of same with an inert gas such as nitrogen. The treatment provides improved frictional characteristics, chemical inertness, and other desirable properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for use in laying a submarine pipeline from a pipe-laying vessel. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reel pipe-laying method for continuously laying a pipeline of up to 24-inch diameter without a stinger by (1) aligning a pipe portion as it is being paid out from the reel, (2) straightening the aligned pipe portion, (3) tensioning the pipe, (4) discharging the straightened pipe under tension into the body of water, and (5) changing for different water depths and pipe conditions the lift off angle of the pipe relative to the horizontal by pivoting a diverter about a horizontal pivot, the diverter supporting at least the straightener and the tensioner and extending from the horizontal pivot mounted near the aft end of the vessel, upwardly toward the reel.

Abstract: The portable smokehouse is box-shaped and comprises a plurality of transverse walls forming at least, in vertically spaced relation from top to bottom: a comestible chamber and a fire box. Smoke is carried into the comestible chamber. A removable insulation pack allows the smokehouse to be selectively used either as a barbeque pit or as a smokehouse.

Abstract: The underwater gun assembly of this invention has an acceleration barrel and a firing gun. Percussion-initiatable cartridges are carried to the acceleration barrel by a stream of water. Each cartridge has an outside diameter which is nearly equal to the inside diameter of the bore in the barrel whose length is such as to allow the water pressure to optimally accelerate each cartridge in its trajectory through the barrel. The firing gun is detachably coupled to the barrel by a quick-disconnect coupling means. The detachable coupling means preferably includes a non-metallic resilient member which absorbs the shock waves from the ambient charge explosions, thereby preserving the integrity of the coupling means in respect of its detachable characteristics.

Abstract: In necessary embroidery machine, especially in an area embroidery machine the combination of a yarn support stand together with feed yarn rolls for all needle yarns required for the operation of the machine which are arranged in a yarn group, a yarn storage and tensioning device for accommodating the needle yarns over the feed yarn rolls with the same yarn lengths and for tension free and continuous supply of the yarn ncessary for the operation of the machine while the embroidering mechanism is running, and a clamping arrangement, by means of which the stationary feed yarn rolls in the yarn support stand can be clamped and changed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roller for moving water on and simultaneously drying very large, flat hard surfaces such as tennis courts. The roller has an outer sleeve which is made from a foam whose compression load density and porosity values fall within critical ranges. The roller moves the water in the rolling direction as it simultaneously establishes a moving seal with the portion of the hard surface over which the roller rides.

Abstract: The back-up wrench comprises a stationary jaw having an angular gripping wall adapted to grip two adjacent sides of different size connectors, and a rotatable jaw having a concave wall adapted to grip limited portions of two symmetrically-opposite sides of the connectors. The rotatable jaw is pivotally mounted on a cylindrical bearing surface provided by a forward extension of a plate whose rearward end is pivotally mounted on a stationary handle forming integral part with the stationary jaw. A rotatable handle is pivotally coupled to the plate. Conventional means are provided in and between the handles for applying and releasing the gripping action of the jaws against the four sides of the connector.

Abstract: A depth controller whose streamlined body has only negative variable lift-producing means, such as a pair of vanes that can produce a controllable downward force. Embodied in the controller are also means providing an uncontrollable upward force. The vanes are preferably movable by translation or rotation in a single plane, inclined relative to the horizontal. Depth control means are operatively coupled to retract the vanes inward as the controller moves from the water surface down to a reference depth. The uncontrollable positive lift producing means return the controller to the desired depth should it fall below the reference depth. Each controller can be used to effectively maintain a seismic streamer cable section at or near the desired reference depth.

Abstract: The push-pull power wrench of this invention includes: a wrench adapter for positioning over a threaded connector desired to rotate, a wrench extending laterally from the adapter, and reaction means positioned on a single anchor point which can be an adjacent connector. A wrench actuator is mounted on the reaction means for exerting a force on the wrench.

Abstract: A waterproof coupler having a casing and a cap to form a junction box for enclosing a junction between a plurality of electric conductors. The casing has a single opening to enclosingly receive the junction. A plug member constructed of resilient material defines passages therethrough for the conductors. The member is adapted, when compressively urged by the cap into sealing position with the opening, to simultaneously seal the casing and the junction between the conductors. The bare ends of the conductors are anchored by solder balls to a disc positioned inside the casing.

Abstract: A spar buoy is dynamically stabilized by providing a streamlined, V-shaped wing just above the center of gravity of the spar. The wing has a dihedral sufficient to stabilize the spar in three axes while under tow. The buoy may be equipped with a radio transmitter and a flasher beacon for tracking by an automatic direction finder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and a rig for, testing vertical foundation piles and foundations to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile and the settlement behavior of the foundation soil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a land seismic exploration method and apparatus employing a plurality of elongated tubes each having a flexible wall for containing a volume of liquid explosive therein. Each tube is adapted to be detachably connected to either a detonating device for exploding the liquid explosive therein thereby creating a seismic explosion, or to a pressure transducer for monitoring the pressure changes in the liquid explosive caused by the detected seismic pressure waves.