Abstract: A pipe hanger for supporting and sealing a tubular conduit in a producing well. The initial application of the tubular conduit weight to the hanger automatically actuates the seal and both sets of pipe gripping members. The upper set of pipe gripping slips initiates support of the tubular conduit and actuation of the seal and lower pipe gripping members. The lower pipe gripping members are moved radially inwardly by deformation of a resilient annular ring that is then contained within an enclosed chamber to prevent inadvertent release of the lower pipe gripping members.

Abstract: A new and improved ram lock and blowout preventer are provided for locking a blowout preventer ram in any of a number of variable, adjustable sealing positions in a bore in the preventer. A ram carrier is mounted in a housing to move the ram to and from the sealing positions. The housing is provided with a tapered inner surface which selectively engages locking wedge members mounted with the ram carrier. A locking cone mounted with the ram carrier responds to fluid pressure during movement of the ram carrier to move the locking wedges into engagement with the tapered inner surface for locking purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surge absorber that may be easily custom fabricated to a particular flow line application. The surge absorber prevents "water hammer" by providing an enlarged compressible fluid chamber that is separated from the flow line by a diaphragm. When the pressure surge occurs, the greater incompressible fluid volume provided by the intermediate tubular section of the pressure vessel housing provides sufficient baffling while an internal diaphragm protector protects the diaphragm from damage by the incompressible fluid.

Abstract: An offshore drilling platform protection device for use on an offshore oil well drilling vessel including a drilling platform supportable on a plurality of extendable legs wherein each leg is moved by a rack gear assembly, which rack gear assembly includes an otherwise exposed first gear which engages a second gear positioned in a housing having a rectangular corner opening through which the first gear extends, the protection device including first and second protective sections adapted for mounting over the first gear adjacent to the rectangular corner of the housing for the second gear, the first and second protective sections cooperating to provide an L-shaped opening which communicates with the opening at the second gear housing for protecting the first gear while allowing the first gear to mesh with the second gear.

Abstract: An improved mixing device for viscous liquids includes an elongated body with an opening extending axially through the entire length of the body. An elongated diffuser is located in the opening with pathways therein for forming a circuitous path for mixing viscous liquid flowing under pressure through the opening. There are stops associated with both ends of the diffuser for holding it in place in the opening when liquid is flowing through the diffuser. At least one of the stops is removable and includes female threads which cooperate with male threads on the outer surface of the body so that when the stop is removed the diffuser can be axially removed from the opening through at least one end thereof, an end of the diffuser being accessible through the other end of the opening and shaped so that an axial force can be applied to remove the diffuser, if necessary.

Abstract: A composite seal is adapted to fit in a groove formed in the outer surface of a first body and project outwardly to engage a second body spaced apart from the first body and form a fluid-tight seal between the two bodies. The seal includes an elongated raised portion which engages the second body and is formed of a deformable material. The seal further includes a pair of retainer portions formed of a material stiffer than the raised portion, the raised portion being formed integral with and located between the retainer portions. The raised portion projects outwardly beyond the outer ends of the retainer portions. The seal also includes recesses between the raised portion and both retainer portions extending below the outer ends of the retainer portions so that when the second body moves closer to the first body the material forming the raised portion will deform and flow into the recesses.

Abstract: A drilling tool apparatus having easily released hard surface wear inserts for use in earth boring operations of the fixed blade stabilizer type is disclosed. Tungsten carbide inserts are preferably used on the wear surfaces of a fixed blade stabilizer and are formed where the tungsten carbide inserts may be released and dropped down the bore hole if it becomes necessary to free the stuck stabilizer by washover operations.A method for easy release of wear resistant inserts as used in the wall contact surfaces of earth boring drill string stabilization tools is disclosed. The inserts are formed and placed in the stabilization tool wall contact surfaces in such a way that the inserts may be released and dropped downhole should it be necessary to washover the stuck drill string.

Abstract: A multipurpose container for storing, transporting, collecting and disposing of fluids such as motor oil and the like. The multipurpose hollow container includes a top wall, a bottom wall and four connected generally rectangular side walls enclosing the interior. In the top wall is a first threaded pouring outlet having a cooperating removable sealing cap for pouring of the fluids. One side wall is concave shaped with a second threaded opening formed thereon for communication with the interior of the container for providing a funnel for collecting the spent fluid and flowing that fluid into the interior of the container. The second opening is located substantially away from and with its lowermost edge below the first opening which vents the interior to avoid splattering and minimizes overflow spillage. A perforable membrane is secured over the second opening by a removable plug to avoid leads during storage while a handle is provided to aid in transporting and placement of the container.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener providing high attenuation in a narrow quiet band or frequency. The pulsation dampener is tuned to provide a reflected wave 180.degree. out of phase in the narrow band to cancel the undesired pulsation. A silicone polymer contained by a diaphragm is used as the dampening fluid. The pulsation dampener operation is virtually unaffected by changes in working fluid pressure or density. The latter aspect makes the pulsation dampener particularly well suited for use in well drilling operations where pressure pulses in the drilling fluid are used to transmit information to the surface.

Abstract: A calipering tool for use in a pipe and having a body and feeler means mounted with the body for engaging the surfaces of the pipe being calipered and with feelers moving in response to variations in the surface of the pipe, improvements residing in pairs of stylus members, including active and base-line styli, each active stylus adapted to engage a chart and move relative thereto in response to movements of a feeler and with each base-line stylus adapted to engage the chart adjacent the active stylus for providing an individual base-line for the respective active stylus for providing accurate dimensional recording and continuing thermal calibration of the calipering tool in response to temperature variations encountered within the pipe and a new removable stylus assembly capable of being removed from the calipering tool as a unit for repair and/or replacement as is necessary without requiring replacement of the entire calipering tool.

Abstract: The apparent electrical resistivities of various parts of a marine bottom are determined by supplying an alternating electrical current to a pair of current supply electrodes and measuring potential differences between pairs of measuring locations. The locations are on a straight line on the marine bottom. There is a fixed ratio between the distance between the locations of each pair and the distance between said pair and the pair of current supply locations. Adjoining pairs of measuring locations have a measuring location in common.A flexible cable for taking these measurements is described.The determined resistivities are subsequently compared with calculated resistivities to determine the compositions and thicknesses of the soil layers of the marine bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to produce an optical illusion of variable geometric patterns. The apparatus may be used as an electronic toy, display or kinetic art mural, as well as a demonstration aid in geometry, physics or physiology. An array of light emitting diodes mounted on a rotating disk or carrier is selectively activated to control the geometric patterns formed.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: Seismic sources and detectors are each positioned in a series of shotholes along a course to be explored. The sources in the shotholes are activated in a sequence along the course and caused to emit seismic waves. The detectors remaining along the course sense or detect the seismic waves which are then recorded. Since the detector at each shothole has performed its function, that of sensing signals from earlier shots in the sequence, its disposal by destruction when the source in the shothole with it is activated does not impair further surveying efforts.

Abstract: An inside blowout preventer well tool includes an elongated body threaded at both ends and including an axial opening. A flapper is pivotally mounted on a side of the opening and movable between a lower-open position and an upper-closed position. A downwardly-facing valve seat is formed around the opening, the flapper engaging the seat in the upper-closed position. A spring urges the flapper toward the seat and a piston is movable in the opening between an upper position, where the lower end of the piston is above the valve seat, and a lower position, where the piston encases the flapper and holds it in the lower-open position. The piston is normally urged toward its upper position, the piston being shaped so that when the internal pressure of drilling mud normally circulating through the opening is greater by a predetermined amount than pressure outside the body, the pressure differential will overcome the force urging the piston upwardly and move the piston to the lower position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tool for removing fuel injectors from diesel engines without damaging any adjacent component parts or user's hands. The invention comprises an elongated member having a U-shaped injector engaging member at one end. The elongated member has a locating pin which is adapted to fit inside one of several bolt holes along side a fuel injector in a diesel engine. The locating pin serves as a pivot for the mechanic to manually lever the injector loose from the diesel engine.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A testing mechanism for a ram lock for blowout preventer rams which permits testing of lock mechanism by overriding the automatic unlocking capability of the mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating an indoor grill or griddle to prevent accumulation of smoke and odors. Collection inlets formed in wall members spaced around the grill draw the smoke away from the grill. A receiving chamber having a filter receives the vapor from the wall members and conducts it away from the grill.