Abstract: A control valve assembly for regulating the mixing of abrasive from a pressurized tank with high pressure fluid during abrasive blasting operations having a tubular abrasive flow pipe and an abrasive control nozzle within a control valve housing, with provisions for moving the abrasive control nozzle and the tubular abrasive flow pipe relative to each other to and from an abrasive fluid mixing position from and to a sealed, closed position, respectively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the true cathode polarization potential for automatically regulating the impressed current in a cathodic protection system.

Abstract: Heavy load-carrying vehicles such as concrete trucks occasionally require the temporary addition of extra load-carrying wheels in order to reduce load concentrations transmitted to highways to within allowable limits as set by statute and/or regulatory agencies in various states. This invention is directed to a load-carrying unit adapted for attachment to the frame of a heavy load-carrying vehicle such as a concrete truck or the like for mounting outside of both sides of the frame thereof for movement between retracted and load-sharing positions. The load-carrying unit includes first and second wheel assemblies which are movable between the retracted and load-sharing positions independently of each other, each wheel assembly including wheels mounted for rolling engagement with the highway and for rotation about an approximately vertical axis located forwardly of the wheels.

Abstract: Specially designed stress relief grooves for threaded end portions of tools and for collars on reciprocating or rotating drill string mounted tools.

Abstract: A new and improved ram lock for blowout preventer rams which permits locking of the ram at multiple and adjustable positions to compensate for wear on sealing elements of blowout preventer rams and increase sealing action of the ram without requiring separate special control lines. Automatic locking of the ram at a desired position, such as in adjustable sealing positions to compensate for ram elastomer wear, is obtained.

Abstract: A well drilling tool including a tubular member having a bore therethrough and adapted for connection in a drilling string to form a flow passage for drilling fluid and a full opening rotatable ball type bore closure means pivotally mounted with the tubular member in the bore of the tubular member for enabling desired flow down the bore of the drill string and which automatically rotates closed when incipient well pressure conditions indicate the direction of flow in the bore may be reversed. The drilling tool includes a means for releasably locking the ball in the open position in response to a predetermined directional pressure in the bore to render inoperative the automatic operation of the ball. The drilling tool may be employed by stabbing the tool in a drilling string having an upwardly flow in the bore of the drilling string to connect the tool with the drilling string for subsequently blocking the upwardly flow.

Abstract: A power swivel particularly adapted for downhole cementing operations. The power swivel includes a housing having a fluid passageway therethrough and a stem assembly mounted for rotational movement with respect to the housing and having a fluid passageway communicating with the housing passageway. A hollow bore motor mounted with the housing receives the stem assembly through a central bore of the motor and rotates the stem assembly with respect to the housing.

Abstract: An electrically powered hand-held heating device having an electrical heating member with a sleeve member disposed thereabout for insulating the user's hand from localized heating of the heating member, a body member formed having an enlarged housing portion and a reduced neck portion. The neck portion releasably engages the heating member and the sleeve member and provides a thermal barrier between the heating member, and the enlarged housing portion while the enlarged housing portion has an electronic control circuit mounted therein for controlling the heating temperature of the heating member for various selected heating ranges.

Abstract: A towed levee forming apparatus and method of using for forming a dike or levee which is particularly suited for use with agriculture operations. The apparatus includes a plurality of laterally spaced digger means for forming corresponding ditches in the ground surface and having a helical auger means transporting the earth removed from the ditches to a predetermined location on the apparatus. The removed earth is then deposited at the predetermined location on the earth surface and worked to form a levee of desired cross-section. The levee formation is preferably accomplished in a single pass of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical heating cable which limits power output once an established temperature limit is reached. The cable includes heating elements in the form of temperature-sensitive variable resistance elements electrically connected in parallel between two supply bases at spaced positions along the length of the buses. The heating elements not only serve to generate heat for heating but also undergo a substantial positive increase in resistivity when the temperature of the cable nears the established temperature limit. The increase in resistivity substantially reduces the heat-generating current in the cable to limit the power output to within established heat limits.

Abstract: Seismic sources or source arrays and seismic detectors or detector groups are arranged and spaced with respect to each other during the seismic survey to enhance simulation of plane waves or cylindrical waves, and also to reduce undesirable effects of horizontally travelling seismic noise.

Abstract: A new and improved subsurface safety valve which is inserted into well tubing without requiring removal of the tubing, and which replaces worn, deteriorated and fully or partially inoperative safety valves in the well tubing to prevent blow-outs in wells. The replacement subsurface safety valve may be subsequently removed after insertion without requiring removal of the well tubing.

Abstract: A new and improved color display of geophysical and other scientific and industrial or similar technological data readily and quickly obtained from input data and containing color indications of variables in the data in a form better adapted for interpretation by analysts.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an external member to a tubular member having a resilient, curved clamp member with open ends. The curved clamp member extends for more than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree., having a diameter less than the diameter of the tubular member prior to mounting the curved clamp member to the tubular member. The curved clamp member further includes a mounting portion opposite the open ends for engaging an external member for holding the same securely to the tubular member.

Abstract: A new and improved patient shifting aid and method of using same for assistance in transferring of reclining patients normally unable to propel themselves between patient supports, for example, a stretcher and bed. The patient is essentially placed on a flexible plastic shifting slab having a low friction coefficient for relatively easy sliding and minimizing the direct application to the patient of any shifting force, as well as easily enabling sliding the shifting slab under a patient. While the plastic slab is flexible, the slab is strong enough to enable normal lifting of a patient by two or more persons. In addition, patient X-rays may be taken through the shifting slab further reducing patient handling.

Abstract: A tubing hanger for suspending multiple strings of tubing in a subsea wellhead or casing hanger upon being lowered from the drill vessel into a properly oriented seating position in the casing hanger. The tubing hanger is releasably secured to the casing hanger by hydraulic manipulation of the running tool after the tubing hanger has been oriented in the casing hanger. Thereafter, by further hydraulic manipulation, the running tool is released from the hydraulic set tubing hanger for retrieval to the drill ship. The running tool may later be returned and connected to the tubing hanger and, by further manipulation of the running tool, the hanger is disconnected from the casing hanger and elevated to the drill ship.

Abstract: An anti-two block system adapted to be used with a crane having a sensor device mounted with the boom point of the crane in communication with a hoisting actuator mechanism such that the sensor device effects movement of the hoisting lever of the crane to discontinue the lifting force exerted on the lifting line when the travelling member engages the sensor device.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve to 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: A zinc-enriched protective coating comprises a vehicle containing an alkali-lithium silicate solution with sufficient alkali silicate, preferably lithium, to provide a self-curing one-coat composition, an organic interpolymer latex to provide improved adhesion, and zinc dust to provide cathodic protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method of displaying a plurality of seismic sections of geophysical data on two-dimensional surface in an isometric view, while the display so formed is a display of increased information content.