Abstract: A running tool for a hydraulically set packer, hanger, or the like, having expandable slip elements held in a retracted position by an actuating sleeve during run-in, employs an annular piston to hold the actuating sleeve in a fixed locked position relative to the tubular body portion of the running tool, thus preventing inadvertent setting of the tool due to impacts received during the run-in of the tool. When the slips are positioned at their desired location in the well, an increase in fluid pressure applied to the tubular body portion of the running tool will effect an upward movement of the annular piston, shearing a shear screw which has held the piston during the run-in operation, releasing a positive lock engaged with the slip actuating sleeve, and effecting upward movement of the actuating sleeve to release the slips.

Abstract: Inhalation methods and apparatus are provided for performing xenon-enhanced studies or tests. The present invention is useful during computed tomography studies to provide neurologists with accurate yet relatively inexpensive measurements of cerebral blood flow. The apparatus includes a variable volume xenon/oxygen chamber for obtaining a closed-loop arrangement with the patient, thereby minimizing xenon gas usage during the study. According to the method of the invention, the volume of the xenon/oxygen chamber is reduced during a first phase of the study, while the patient's lung xenon concentration increases. The second phase is initiated when the variable chamber obtains a selected minimum value, after which exhalation returns to the chamber. During the second phase, oxygen and xenon are added to the closed loop system to maintain the desired concentrations, carbon dioxide is removed, and the chamber volume slowly increases.

Abstract: An improved base is provided for supporting conventional mobile scaffolding commonly used to erect and maintain buildings. The components of the base according to the present invention may be easily stored and transported to the jobsite, and then quickly and reliably assembled in a manner which decreases the likelihood of improper or unsafe assembly. The safety of personnel utilizing such scaffolding is substantially increased by providing a plurality of stop members fixedly secured to the assembled base, with each stop member extending downward and terminating a selected distance above the ground engaging surface of a roller. At least two stop members are provided for each of the base corner rollers, and each stop member is preferably positioned adjacent a line extending between two corner rollers.

Abstract: A male/female connection of the twistlock type is provided for coupling vertical scaffolding members. Both the male and female components are forged, and the connection components may be reliably welded to respective tubular scaffolding members or standards. The safety of the scaffolding is improved compared to mechanically crimped connections, and the cost of scaffolding field repair and maintenance is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating the hand sewing of a plurality of cloth laminations, such as the hand sewing of a quilt, comprises a handle portion conveniently held by the fingers of the hand of the user and having an integral tool portion shaped in the general outline of a spoon. The concave surface of the spoon shaped portion is engagable by the thumb or index finger of the user. The tip end of the spoon shaped portion is provided with a substantially flat or horizontal top surface which, when pressed upwardly against the cloth laminations to be sewn, effects a small ridge in such laminations, permitting the convenient insertion of the needle through the ridge and facilitating the production of a substantially uniform width of the successive stitches.

Abstract: A well perforating apparatus includes an underbalancing valve for opening ports in a tubing string immediately subsequent to the firing of a perforating gun, and comprises a hollow conduit having at least one pair of axially aligned, and radial holes traversing the wall of the conduit. A frangible member has its end portions slidably and sealably mounted in such holes and is therefore disposed transversely to the path of a detonating bar which is dropped to initiate the firing of the perforating gun. Upon breakage of the frangible member, the ends of the bar are forced inwardly out of the holes by the fluid pressure differential existing between the interior and exterior of the conduit due to the underbalanced fluid pressure condition achieved in the tubing string prior to firing the perforating gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a seal stack in a seal bore defined by a well tool located downhole where ambient conditions would cause radial swelling of the seal stack. The seal stack is mounted at the surface in a confined space defined between a mandrel and a constraining sleeve shearably connected to the mandrel. Upon run-in of the mandrel to enter the seal bore, the constraining sleeve engages an upwardly facing surface surrounding the entrance to the seal bore which prevents further downward movement of the constraining sleeve. Application of a downward force effects the shearing of the connection between the mandrel and the constraining sleeve and permits the mandrel and seal stack to be inserted in the seal bore while the constraining sleeve moves upwardly relative to the mandrel.

Abstract: A retrievable well packer and gravel packing system employing a multi-component packing element system is disclosed. The packing element system is expandable under axial compression to seal the annulus between a production or treatment tubing string and the well casing. The packing element system includes outer elastically deformable anti-extrusion backup rings and a central primary seal. A resilient member conformable to the surrounding countour, such as wire mesh, is employed between the central primary seal and each backup ring to allow retraction of the backup rings for retrieval.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a downhole perforating gun comprises two cooperating housing sections having closed end walls in abutment. The lower housing section contains a booster charge and the primer cord for firing the gun. The upper housing section contains a detonatable primer, a hammer, and a downwardly directed explosive charge positioned between the primer and the bottom end wall of the upper housing. The upper housing is secured to the lower housing by a collet latch which, if firing of the gun does not occur, can be released by the exertion of a substantial upward force on a fishing neck provided in the assemblage of the upper housing. The defective elements can then be repaired or replaced, the upper housing reinserted in the well by wireline, and latched into an operative position with respect to the lower housing to permit another attempt to fire the perforating gun.

Abstract: A packer apparatus for use in a subterranean well comprises an inner mandrel and means for applying tension to the inner mandrel to set radially expandable slips and packing elements. The mandrel can be releasably positioned in a first position to secure the slips and packing element in the retracted position and can be shifted to a second position in which engagable lock segments secure the slips and packing element in expanded configuration. The packer can be released by rotational manipulation or by axial force. The packer apparatus can be used with rotationally manipulatable well tools positioned either above or below the packer apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting the inspection of a ferromagnetic element, or piping, and particularly piping that is already installed. The invention incorporates a device for indicating wall thickness of a length of the ferromagnetic element, including means for producing a value of magnetic flux extending longitudinally through a portion of the element. A voltage generating device is disposed in surrounding relationship to the element and is movable axially relative to the length of the element containing the value of the magnetic flux. Means for indicating the voltage generated in the voltage generating means by the value of the magnetic flux also are provided. Preferably, an axially split spool is provided which may be closed in surrounding relationship to an installed pipe. A saturation level of magnetic flux is induced in the pipe by a flexible cable which is wrapped around the spool in a multi-turn configuration and supplied with electrical current sufficient to produce saturation.

Abstract: A precision caliper gage to measure an internal or external dimension of a body. The caliper gage provides for quick and easy attachment of measuring components and for automatic interplanar alignment of measuring components as they are attached to the gage. A mainframe has a portion parallel to a longitudinal plane and is adapted for attachment of a pivot member in alignment with the longitudinal plane. A first measuring arm is mountable on the pivot also in alignment with the longitudinal plane. A second measuring arm is mountable on the mainframe in alignment with the longitudinal plane and cooperates with the first arm to measure a dimension. A measurement indicator is mountable on the mainframe with a measurement-responsive indicator stem in alignment with the longitudinal plane and responsive to measuring movement of the first measuring arm.

Abstract: A redundant firing mechanism for a perforating gun utilized in subterranean wells comprises a hollow housing assembly incorporating two spaced primer charges disposed in vertically spaced relationship. A fluid pressure chamber is defined within the hollow housing assembly and is closed at the top end of the assembly by a frangible barrier disc. A fluid pressure actuated hammer is provided to impact upon the lowermost one of the primers in response to fluid pressure developed in the fluid pressure chamber. In the event that the lowermost primer does not detonate, a detonating bar may then be dropped through the tubing string to break the frangible barrier and impact upon a second hammer disposed in overlying relationship to the second primer.

Abstract: A vest-like garment is provided comprising a front fabric panel with a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving associated electrodes, a horizontally stretchable rear panel, and a pair of vertically stretchable shoulder straps. Each of the electrodes is biased against the front panel for better electrical engagement with the skin of the user. Leads from each electrode may carry signals to a telephonic transmission unit, which is also equipped with emergency electrode handles.

Abstract: A compressed fluid pressure actuated firing mechanism for a well perforating gun comprises a hollow housing assembly defining a mounting for a primer, a hammer releasably secured above the primer for movement towards the primer, and a fluid pressure chamber associated with the hammer for effecting a compressed fluid pressure force on the latching mechanism for the hammer and on the hammer to move it into impact engagement with the primer. The fluid pressure applied to the hammer is produced by permitting a selected fluid pressure surrounding the fluid pressure chamber to be forced into the fluid pressure chamber through at least one unidirectional check valve, thus compressing the fluid pressure within the fluid pressure chamber. The upper portions of the hammer are in contact with this compressed fluid pressure and the lower portions of the hammer are in contact with the selected fluid pressure.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus for securing a production tubing string against axial movement in a subterranean well is disclosed. The anchoring apparatus can be employed with a conventional sucker rod pumping apparatus transporting fluids through the production tubing. A separate injection line is attached to the exterior of the production tubing and treating fluids are injected therethrough. A conduit which can be connected to the separate injection line extends along the exterior of the inner body of the anchoring apparatus in an axially extending groove and extends through encircling anchoring slips which are expanded by rotational movement of the production tubing and of the body of the anchoring apparatus.

Abstract: An injection tool for use in injecting fluids through perforations in the well bore of an oil or gas well is mechanically set and mechanically releasable. Fluid can be injected between upper and lower packing elements into a selected perforation. The upper and lower packing elements on opposite sides of the perforation into which fluid is injected are retractable, and any pressure differential across the upper packing elements or across the lower packing elements can be separately equalized.

Abstract: A subterranean well tool such as a packer and attached telescoping seal receptacle assembly is disclosed. The tool is fabricated from a plurality of threaded tubular members and annular deformable rings fabricated of a metal softer than the tubular members are used to establish metal-to-metal sealing integrity between interengagable component members. Upon full engagement, sealing integrity is established along the transverse interface between each tubular member and the deformed seal ring. During initial disengagement, sealing integrity is maintained along a bearing inclined interface between the ring and at least one tubular member adjacent the threaded connection.

Abstract: A gas pressure actuator for effecting the reciprocation of the stem of a valve subject to high-pressure loading comprises a tubular housing secured to the valve bonnet and defining a main cylinder chamber connected in axially series relationship with an auxiliary piston chamber which, in turn, communicates with a secondary fluid pressure chamber containing a compressible spring. A rod-like actuator is slidably and sealably mounted within the actuator housing and carries a main piston which cooperates with the main cylinder chamber in sliding and sealable relationship. The auxiliary piston chamber slidably and sealably mounts an auxiliary piston which is movable independently of the main piston. The actuating movement of the main piston produced by the introduction of gas pressure into the main cylinder produces an axial movement of the actuating rod and a compression of the spring. The spring-containing secondary chamber defined by the actuator housing is filled with a virtually non-compressible fluid.

Abstract: A more reliable operation of a multisection perforating gun for a subterranean well is achieved by disposing a detonation-transmitting element in parallel relationship to the conventional arrangement of booster charges and primer cords by which the detonating energy is transmitted from one gun section to the next. In one embodiment the detonation-transmitting element extends adjacent the primer cord from the upper portion of a gun section to a medial portion of the primer cord in the gun section, where the bottom end of the detonation-transmitting element is secured to an auxiliary booster charge having sufficient detonating energy to effect the detonation of the medial portion of the primer cord. In another modification, the detonation-transmitting element is radially spaced from the primer cord and has a circular, radially disposed portion at its upper end which is ignited by the booster charge secured to the bottom end of the flame-transmitting element in the upwardly adjacent section.