Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity and power from the natural movement of a body of water including wave action, tide and current having a plurality of floating barges having paddle means driven by the wave, current or tide action and mounted for free rotation about a fixed pivot means in response to changes in the tide or current flow and mounted for up and down movement corresponding to the water level.

Abstract: A new and improved hydroponic system including a plant supporting chamber having an inert, supportive medium therein; a collection reservoir positioned below the plant supporting chamber; a pump reservoir for containing a nutrient solution and delivering the nutrient solution to the plant supporting chamber and first and second valve means for operating the hydroponic system as either a closed or an open hydroponic system as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous gasification of coal by partial combustion with a reactant gas is disclosed, wherein a vertical gasification reactor is provided with a reactant supply and ash removal assembly adapted to supply coal and reactant gases and to remove ash particles to and from the reactor via a constricted passageway in the reactor bottom. The assembly includes an ash quench chamber having means for supplying coal and reactant gases through the reactor disposed therein which opens opposite the constricted passageway a predetermined distance therefrom. The apparatus may be operated continuously without collecting by-product ash particles in the reactor and without superheating the reactant supply means.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus for mounting panels on a building, wherein the apparatus with a plurality of building panels thereon is raised alongside a building structure by a crane or similar lifting equipment connected to the upper end thereof, so that the panels can be mounted on the building structure from the apparatus to form a wall thereof at the third and higher stories of the building.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: Spiral wound gasket assembly and method of making same, wherein a spiral wound gasket ring is positioned in an inner groove in a metal gauge ring and a deformation is formed in the gauge ring adjacent the groove to reduce the size of the gauge ring groove to retain the gasket ring within the groove.

Abstract: A decorative lamp for ornamentation, wherein an outer translucent shell serves as a housing for an inner candle holder having a design therewith, with the design being spaced from the outer shell, for projecting an image of the design to the shell so that it is visible on the shell and so that it has the appearance of movement as the candle flame flickers. In one form, the shell is convex to provide an enlarged form on the shell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for earth boring using a rotary drilling rig and drilling string for mounting a bottom hole electrical motor to rotate a drill bit to form the borehole. Electrical power from an electrical power source at the earth surface is communicated to the electric motor by conductor lines positioned in the bore of the drill string and having releasable supporting connectors to enable adding and removing of lengths of conductor lines as desired. An electrical conductor swivel unit is mounted in the drilling string to enable rotation of the drilling string while operating the electric motor and an extendable electrical connector is provided in the kelly to compensate for variation in conductor lengths while effecting electrical contact with the conductors.

Abstract: An overshot-grappling tool adapted to be lowered, raised and manipulated to retrieve sections of electrical cable from a well, wherein a plurality of flexible gripping fingers are provided for gripping a termianl connector of the electrical cable section along with releasable means to restrain the gripping fingers under spring pressure for such gripping action and to release the fingers from the terminal connector.

Abstract: A game for simulating the play of football to be played by at least two opposing players wherein an action sled is movably mounted adjacent a playing field board which simulates a football field and is movable along the length of the board, the action sled having devices therewith provided for selecting the type of play and the direction of the play of each of the opposing players for their respective offensive and defensive simulated football plays and including a mechanism for randomly selecting penalty and non penalty situations for either of the opposing players during each simulated football play. A further feature includes a timing device for signalling the expiration of intervals of time. A further feature includes a random selection device having a rotatable head mounted on an upstanding base portion wherein a movable element is disposed within a cavity formed within the head to be randomly moved about to a plurality of positions in the cavity by rotation of the head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for converting an orifice fitting for an orifice plate, of the type known as a "simplex" or "semi" orifice fitting, in a pipeline so that the orifice plate in the orifice fitting may be replaced or removed while maintaining the product in the pipeline under pressure.

Abstract: A temporary guide support adapted to be removably connected to a high top insulator for guiding and transporting a wire or high voltage electrical line while it is being strung in place on its insulators. After the line is positioned on the insulators, the guide is removed and the line permanently connected to the insulators.

Abstract: A prefabricated insulating structure is formed from a ceramic fiber blanket, folded into plural folds, for insulating a corner formed by two walls within a furnace. The folded blanket is mounted in a curved configuration to a single attachment mounting such that each of the two ends of the curved folded blanket is adjacent one of the walls at the corner. The folded blanket is mounted to the attachment mounting by two support members, each of the support members being mounted in a fold adjacent one of the ends of the folded blanket.

Abstract: In a crane having a boom, a load cable, a traveling block and multiple sheaves for the cable, an improved sheaving arrangement for preventing spinning of the traveling block and twisting of the cable when raising and lowering the traveling block.

Abstract: A new and improved pin-type vessel connector wherein a first vessel section includes double connector rings separated by an annular recess which receives a single connector ring of a second vessel section, the connector rings being releasably joined by a plurality of pin-type connectors which include radially aligned openings in each of the rings for receiving a tapered pin, one portion of the opening in the single ring connector being partially tapered to provide a full bearing engagement against the tapered pin under load conditions. Positioning elements are mounted with the single connector ring for positioning the single connector ring uniformly within the annular recess between the double rings in spite of changes in the circumference or roundness of the single ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and withdrawing sections of electrical cable having substantially rigid terminal connectors at the ends of each section, wherein means are provided for preventing excessive bending of the cable terminal connectors and the cable conductor at an interface between the conductor and connectors to prevent damage thereto during feeding and removal.

Abstract: A seismic signal source adaptable for use with various types of seismic exploration vehicles which move over land. A signal means forms a seismic signal, and a transfer means transfers the signal to a fluid-filled tire of the vehicle for improved and more efficient coupling of the signal to the ground surface. Whether the vehicle with which the source is mounted is stationary or moving, signals may be sent from the source into the ground.

Abstract: Retrievable blowout preventer ram seals which are adapted to be removed and/or inserted with apparatus working on the inside of the well pipe.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus and method for lowering the apparatus downwardly in a drill string on a wireline to releasably engage a recess in a threaded joint or collar of the drill string to prevent further downward movement of the apparatus and to thereafter detonate an explosive by manipulating a wireline actuated jar with repeated downward blows for exerting a jarring force to the joint as a result of the explosion to release the threads at the joint upon simultaneous application of a back-off torque to the drill string. The apparatus can be released and removed from the well without breaking or damaging the collar locating and supporting portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: An elongated structural member of substantially triangular cross-section incorporating either one longitudinally extending continuous passageway of circular cross-section whose center is located at or near the center of the cross-section of the member or a cluster of passageways whose center is similarly located with a member so constructed employed to transmit forces in compression, tension, shear, bending, torsion and any combination thereof and the passageway employed as conduit for air, water, electrical wiring and the like and in the construction of buildings such members specifically designed to serve as beams, columns, or struts.