Abstract: Pump-motor hydraulic power system incorporation means to limit the power transmitted and the pressure in the transmission lines. High pressure line is connected to one end of a servo motor comprising a cylinder with a spring loaded piston therein. When the pump pressure increases above a certain amount it overcomes the spring and moves the piston and the piston rod to a blocking position, acting to limit movement of the three way control valve or to move the three way control valve back if it already exceeds the limit imposed by the power limiter's piston rod.

Abstract: A fire-resistant seal for maintaining sealing contact between the sealing surfaces within a packing box under high temperature differentials between the inner and the outer members of such packing box, comprising one or more graphite-component seal rings for engaging the sealing surfaces of the inner and outer members, metal seal rings above and below the graphite-component seals for preventing extrusion of the graphite-component seal rings as well as for establishing metal-to-metal sealing contact between said metal rings and the sealing surfaces of the inner and outer members, and load maintaining means in the form of a metal crushable follower of cylindrical shape, having recessed grooves along its outer and inner perimeters, the gap between said grooves being permanently narrowed to approximately half-closure after applying a predetermined make-up load greater than the rated working pressure, which enables said crushable follower to maintain such compressive load on said graphite-component seals over a pr

Abstract: A remote, automatic make-up, stab-in sealing system for providing metal-to-metal seals between a projecting structure and a surrounding bore telescopically receiving the projecting structure is disclosed. The sealing system includes the projecting structure, such as a pipe hanger or pack-off nipple. The sealing system further includes apparatus having the bore for receiving the projecting structure, such as a wellhead or tubing hanger. The sealing system also includes a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes at least one frusto-conical shaped metal gasket, a split ring and an actuator ring. The rings force the frusto-conical shaped metal gasket into metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the walls of both the projecting structure and the bore as the projecting structure is telescopically received by the bore.

Abstract: The instrument and method locate anomalies and the interface between two materials having little difference in their density in a mining or storage well. More particularly, the method comprehends the generation of gamma rays and the detection of scattered rays at a point spaced from the point of generation of the gamma rays. By moving the points of generation and detection through the well, there will be observed a pronounced change in the detection rate of the scattered gamma rays when various interfaces and anomalies are traversed.The focus interface instrument includes a decentralizer, collar locator, electronics assembly, detector, and radiation generator, all enclosed in a nonmagnetic stainless steel housing except for the electronics assembly whose housing is made of tubular steel. The radiation generator has a radioactive source which emits gamma rays, and the detector detects those rays reflected back to the detector.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having an energy concentrating unit and an energy collecting unit is disclosed. The concentrating unit includes at least one converging lens for concentrating the sun's rays onto the collecting unit. Each lens may be blow-formed from sheets of thermoplastic. Each lens may be hollow or filled with a liquid.The collecting unit includes a fluid-transporting member having a heat transfer fluid therein. Input and output pipes connected to the fluid-transporting member carry the heat transfer fluid to and from the fluid-transporting member, respectively. The fluid-transporting member may be a coil, or it may be a double-walled dome, or an arch of flat hollow plates.The solar energy collector further includes a backplate for fixing the position of the collecting unit relative to the concentrating unit such that the focus of each lens is on or near the fluid-transporting member.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having an energy concentrating unit and an energy collecting unit is disclosed. The concentrating unit includes at least one converging lens for concentrating the sun's rays onto the collecting unit. Each lens may be blow-formed from sheets of thermoplastic. Each lens may be hollow or filled with a liquid.The collecting unit includes a fluid-transporting member having a heat transfer fluid therein. Input and output pipes connected to the fluid-transporting member carry the heat transfer fluid to and from the fluid-transporting member, respectively. The fluid-transporting member may be a coil, or it may be a double-walled dome, or an arch of flat hollow plates.The solar energy collector further includes a backplate for fixing the position of the collecting unit relative to the concentrating unit such that the focus of each lens is on or near the fluid-transporting member.

Abstract: A high pressure gate valve having at least one pressure actuated seal means between the bonnet part of the valve body and the valve actuating stem and between the chamber part of the valve body and the valve actuating stem is disclosed. Each seal means includes at least one seal assembly. Each seal assembly includes two sets of plural, e.g., four, metal rings with an elevated temperature resistant and chemical resistant ring of solid lubricant, e.g., tetrafluoroethylene or graphite, separating the metal rings. Each metal ring is softer than the stem and is of rectangular cross-section. The seal assembly is actuated by pressure on larger follower metal rings. When multiple seal means are involved, another metal follower ring larger than the set of metal rings of the seal means also separates the two sets of seal assemblies. The seal means may also include a biasing spring. Each seal means is disposed in an annular pocket or stuffing box in the adjacent part of the valve body extending around the stem.

Abstract: A seismic streamer section includes a flexible tube with bulkheads at intervals therealong, end means to make electrical and mechanical connections with adjacent sections, tension lines extending from one end means to the other through the bulkheads, hydrophones in the tube between the bulkheads, an electric bundle including through conductors extending from one end means to the other through the bulkheads to various ones of the hydrophone. Each hydrophone comprises a drum shaped case with dished ends and convex sides providing standoff from the bundle and lines for piezoelectric wafers supported inside the ends. A cylindrical metal ring forms the side of the case. Stainless steel cups disposed with their bottoms adjacent and having their rims welded to the rims of the ring form the ends of the case. The piezoelectric wafers are conductively secured one each to the inner surfaces of flexible diaphragms forming the bottoms of the cups.

Abstract: A fluidic Repeater, includes a rotary transmitter, a responder, and a rotary feedback.Various constructional features useful in conjunction with the system are disclosed.

Abstract: A structure for use in supporting a platform above a body of water is disclosed. The structure includes a leg extending between the bed of the body of water, the seabed, and the platform. The overall cross-sectional area of the leg is greatest near the seabed and decreases moving upwardly away from the seabed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a source of a coherent light beam of low divergence for quickly and simultaneously establishing a plurality of reference lines or planes for use in leveling, squaring, plumbing, and other alignment functions and for controlling the operation of construction equipment is disclosed. The apparatus includes feet for supporting the housing on a surface, the feet being attached to the housing through an alignment and leveling device that permits adjustment of the orientation of the housing relative to the surface. The alignment and leveling device may be controlled in part by a pair of level vials which, when the feet support the housing on a substantially horizontal surface, have substantially horizontal axis that are perpendicular to one another. The level vials actuate a motor drive servomechanism that adjusts that housing relative to the surface until the axis of each level vial is horizontal.

Abstract: A marine riser including a uniquely designed three element connection structure and associated connecting and releasing means for the inhibiting of fatigue failure caused by moments and axial loads resulting from relative motion between the fixed ocean bottom and a floating drilling platform or ship, such as a semisubmersible rig. The system includes a preloaded connection including a female member and a male member coaxially aligned and held in compression by a nut placed in tension. The connection holds riser pipe sections together. The connection is preloaded through a tool to a degree such that when a load equal to the yield strength of the pipe section material is applied to the pipe sections joined by the connector, the compressed faces of the male and female members do not separate from each other. The degree of preload would be sufficient to maintain the contact between the compressed faces under expected working loads of the pipe sections.

Abstract: Underwater flow lines, control lines and electrical conduits are connected to mating hubs on an underwater manifold center or other production unit by utilizing hydraulically powered means for pulling the lines toward the mating hubs and aligning them therewith, lock-down means actuated from the surface being utilized to lock the lines in axial alignment with the hubs, and a seal member being lowered from the surface and inserted between the facing hubs, with a split clamp being used to draw the hubs into sealing engagement with the seal means.

Abstract: A directional drill attached to a drill string having periodic concentric collars is advanced in an inverted arcuate path to form a pilot hole underneath an obstacle followed by a larger concentric washover pipe. When the washover pipe reaches the surface on the other side of the obstacle a first reamer is attached to the end of the washover pipe exiting the drilling path, a second reamer of smaller diameter than the first reamer is attached to the other end of the first reamer by means providing for some separation between the two reamers, and a production casing of smaller diameter than the second reamer is attached to the other end of the second reamer with a swivel. The remaining length of the first portion of casing is supported some distance above the ground on rollers located above and beyond the exit point of the pilot hole. The reamers are operated by rotating the washover pipe and simultaneously drawing the washover pipe through the pilot hole.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the combustion system includes a combustion chamber, hearth, burners, and an air/fuel control system. The control system controls a pressurized air supply, a regulated gas supply, and means for regulating the gas supply as a function of the air pressure. The burner includes an air manifold within which is housed an air control orifice telescoped in a gas manifold and a diffuser inserted within the air control orifice for mixing the air and gas and causing turbulence of the air/gas mixture. The diffuser protrudes through an aperture in the air manifold for communication with a juxtaposed combustion chamber and hearth having a flue gas outlet. Regulated air and gas are supplied to the air manifold and gas manifold respectively and are preheated. The pessurized preheated air passes through a throat and nozzle created by the diffuser and air control orifice creating a low pressure area at ports communicating with the gas manifold.

Abstract: A comparison circuit for use in an apparatus including a source of a coherent light beam of low divergence for quickly and simultaneously establishing a plurality of reference lines or planes for use in leveling, squaring, plumbing, and other alignment functions and for controlling the operation of construction equipment is disclosed.The present invention is a circuit that finds particular utility in automatically adjusting the orientation of the tool. More particularly the present invention is a circuit for comparing the amplitude of a first alternating current signal to the amplitude of a second alternating current signal, such signals being in phase with one another and having the same frequency.

Abstract: The present invention is an isomerically specific improvement of the oxo process reaction. It comprises the reaction of an olefin with carbon monoxide and water or hydrogen in a basic solution in the presence of a ruthenium carbonyl catalyst to preferentially produce the next higher normal aldehyde, or alcohol.

Abstract: A drilling head comprises a tubular body adapted for connection above a well head and having a removable side outlet with a replaceable wear bushing. An assembly removably secured in the head includes a stator and rotor with bearing means and rotating seal means therebetween. A replaceable tubular, kelly seal boot or stripper carried by the rotor includes an enlarged upper end which diverts drilling mud away from the rotating seal and toward the side outlet.

Abstract: A bulkhead for a marine seismic streamer section comprises a generally cylindrical body of rigid tough plastics material such as polycarbonate polymer, having an axial hole therethrough, through which passes the electric conductor bundle of the streamer section, and peripheral radial slots with hemicylindric bottoms receiving the tension lines of the streamer section. The bulkhead has an annular circumferential groove which is radially as deep as the axes of the bottoms of the slots and in which is disposed a belt of phosphor bronze, or stainless steel, or other strong corrosion resistant metal. The belt holds the tension lines in the slots and holds together the bulkhead, which is made of two sectors. One sector is greater than 180 degrees in extent and the other is less than 180 degrees in extent, e.g. the one sector may extend 240 degrees and the other 120 degrees.