Abstract: A propulsion system for an airplane to permit it to achieve vertical and/or short take-offs and landings. The propulsion system is integrated into a wing/nacelle unit and includes a thrust vectoring system. A separate flow turbofan engine is mounted in each wing/nacelle unit. A system of three flaps is located at the rear of each wing/nacelle unit for deflecting the turbofan engine exhaust downward, rearward, or any angle in between. These three flaps are arranged to provide a main thrust nozzle in the horizontal flight position without any additional flaps between them. One flap is located at the wing/nacelle upper surface trailing edge. Two slots are provided at the leading edge of this flap. The upper forward most slot is provided as an exit nozzle for the engine turbine exhaust, which is shrouded from the fan exhaust. The second of these two slots removes a portion of the high energy fan exhaust from the fan discharge duct and ejects it over a flap upper surface.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit has a drilling fluid nozzle with features that protect the nozzle retaining ring from erosion and avoid pressing cracks. The drill bit has a passage with at least one outlet and a nozzle located at the outlet for discharging fluid. The nozzle has a shell mounted in the outlet and retained by a retaining ring. An insert is bonded inside the shell. The insert is of tungsten carbide or ceramic for resisting erosion. The insert has an extended portion that extends below the rim of the outer member for protecting the retaining ring from flowing drilling fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a large diameter earth boring bit with improved nozzle placement. The bit is of the type having a cutter support with several rotatable cutters mounted below. The bit is connected to a string of pipe having an input and a return flow passage. Nozzles are located on the cutter support for the discharge of fluid onto the borehole bottom to sweep cuttings into an intake port in the cutter support. An outer zone nozzle is located at the periphery of the cutter support for cleaning the gage area of the borehole.Several inner zone nozzles are spaced between the periphery and the intake port. The inner zone nozzles are positioned so that the area of influence of each nozzle overlaps with its next inward nozzle. This creates a continuous stream that entrains cuttings and sweeps them to the intake.

Abstract: A downcrowding device for an earth boring apparatus has an improved take-up device for taking up slack in the downcrowding cable. The downcrowding device is of the type having a rotatable drum, hydraulic rams for moving the drum downwardly, a brake for preventing rotation of the drum while moving downwardly, and a downcrowding cable that is connected directly to the top of the kelly and wrapped around the drum. The take-up device includes a take-up sheave that is suspended from the mast. A take-up cable is wrapped around the drum for rotating the drum in the opposite direction to the downcrowding cable. The take-up cable is reeved over the take-up sheave and is connected to the top of the kelly. The cable tensioner is located between the mast and the take-up sheave for allowing the sheave to move downwardly with respect to the mast as the kelly and drum move downwardly during drilling.

Abstract: The invention comprises gas lift apparatus including a generally tubular mandrel defining a main longitudinal bore therethrough and including pocket walls defining a longitudinally extending pocket laterally offset from the main bore and generally divided therefrom. The pocket has an open upper end for insertion of a gas lift valve. The pocket walls further have ports extending laterally therethrough on both sides of pocket, i.e. between the pocket and the main bore of the mandrel and between the pocket and the exterior of the mandrel. On one side of the pocket there are at least two such ports longitudinally spaced from each other, and on the other side of the pocket there is at least one port disposed longitudinally between the aforementioned pair of ports. The invention further comprises a gas lift valve adapted to be received in the pocket, and when so received, operable to permit communication between the port or ports on one side of the pocket and the port or ports on the other side of the pocket.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plug assembly for selectively closing and opening a flowway in a tubular conduit. The apparatus includes a seating body having a main passage and adapted to be mounted in the conduit with the main passage in register with the conduit flowway. The seating body defines a seat for receipt of a plug for closing the main passage and supporting a pressure differential across the seat. The apparatus further includes a release control mechanism operative upon the presence of a pressure differential across the seat in excess of a given magnitude to open a bypass passageway bypassing the seat and plug to permit a relatively slow decrease in the pressure differential across the seat.

Abstract: A stabilizer for attachment to drill string in large diameter earth boring or shaft drilling to center the drill string and maintain alignment of the drill bit. The stabilizer has an inner hub that is rigidly secured to the drill string above the bit. A rubber tube inside the inner hub is compressed to lock the inner hub to the drill string. An outer hub encircles the inner hub. A bearing is mounted between the inner hub and outer hub to allow rotation with respect to each other. The bearing includes a frusto-conical ring in contact with individual pads that are exposed to the drilling fluid. A number of arms extend radially outward from the outer hub to centralize the drill string. The arms are telescopingly received in the outer hub and are pinned together by tie bars at their outer ends to allow them to be quickly removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing and laying composite tape to form structural members with a shearing and compacting mechanism capable of a large variety of angular or circular severances. The severances are formed incrementally or digitally with a number of lengthwise slits of selected length. A plurality of transverse cuts are formed in the tape to intersect the slits to form a stairstepped severance. A curved chute at the discharge end of the apparatus has an endless belt to maintain the tape in alignment as it is pressed onto the work surface. The tape is compacted onto the work surface by a segmented roller system composed of several individual rollers. As the severance is reached, the rollers are selectively and individually disengaged from the work surface to correlate compaction termination with the shape of the severance.

Abstract: Electrical conductors having suitable combinations of coatings and coverings are disclosed which have the ability to inhibit low molecular weight hydrocarbon well fluids when under pressure and withstand high proportions of gassy hydrocarbons under pressure without undergoing rupture failure.

Abstract: An improved pressure compensator for earth boring drill bits for minimizing the pressure differential between the lubricant and the well bore. A flexible diaphragm is located in the lubricant reservoir for separating the lubricant from the borehole fluid. The diaphragm is positioned in the reservoir so that a substantial void space exists on the borehole fluid side of the reservoir. A retainer holds the diaphragm in this position, requiring a positive lubricant pressure to stretch the diaphragm in order to fill the void space. For lubricating the bit, the lubricant is introduced under pressure sufficient to stretch the diaphragm. The lubricant pressure is then released, allowing the compensator to return to its original shape which in turn causes the excess lubricant to be expelled. This assures complete filling and a desired void space.

Abstract: Production equipment for oil and gas wells has features that allow accumulated liquid to be removed from the well without the need for a low pressure system. This equipment also isolates the perforations from accumulated liquid back pressure, even if there is insufficient hole depth below the perforations. The well has a tubing string located inside the casing, with the tubing in contact with the accumulated liquid. Both the tubing and the casing are connected to the sales line. Periodically, both the casing and tubing are shut-in, allowing formation pressure to build up in the casing. Then the tubing is opened to the sales line to discharge its accumulated liquid, it being driven by the higher formation pressure that has built up. To isolate the perforations from accumulated liquid, a standpipe is mounted in the casing above the perforations by a packer.

Abstract: A tandem thrust bearing arrangement associated with a rotating shaft which is subjected to an axial load having spaced first and second annular members or thrust runners fixed to the shaft and first and second thrust bearings associated with the respective annular members and means axially movable with respect to the shaft supporting one of the thrust bearings which activates pivotable means applying load to the other thrust bearing.

Abstract: A method for forming a plug in a well bore by establishing a two-phase system within the well bore. The two-phase system includes a less dense phase which bears against the upper surface of a higher density phase to provide an interface between the two phases that is positioned at a desired location in the well-bore for formation of a plug. A hardenable plug material is injected at the interface between the two phases with the plug material having a density which is intermediate the densities of the less dense and more dense phases. The plug material is then permitted to harden to form a bond within the well bore. In the formation of the plug, the plug material floats on the more dense phase with the plug material being squeezed between the less dense and the higher density phases. Thus, the plug material is compressed and is also forced laterally into contact with the surface of the well bore to bond more securely to the well-bore surface during hardening of the plug material.

Abstract: A cable splice comprising a metallic sleeve member joining the conductor ends, a layer of adhesive over the sleeve member adjacent insulation and lead sheath, a helically-wrapped insulation layer formed of a thermosetting polymer, an overlapped layer of fabric surrounding the insulation layer, an overlapped layer of lead foil surrounding the fabric layer and extending over the lead sheath a helically-wrapped heat-shrinkable tape layer surrounding the lead foil layer and a heat-shrinkable sleeve surrounding the splice area which resists invasion by corrosive well fluids and consequent corrosive in high pressure gassy wells, and a method for forming said cable splice.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for gripping and manipulating pipe members, including a plurality of slip carriers mounted on an equal number of carrier actuators. The carrier actuators are arranged within a drive sleeve and constrained by radial T-slot connections to a base ring. Sloped T-slot connections link each of the carrier actuators to the drive sleeve. Longitudinal movement of the drive sleeve in one sense propels the carrier actuators and the slip carriers radially inwardly whereby slips mounted on the slip carriers may grip a pipe member positioned within the drive sleeve; longitudinal movement of the drive sleeve in the opposite sense withdraws the carrier actuators and slip carriers from the pipe member. Cooperating wedging surfaces between each of the slip carriers and the corresponding carrier actuator permits the application of holding or moving force on pipe members in either longitudinal sense.

Abstract: Disclosed are coiled tubing apparatus for operating on wells. A tubing injector head is supported on a mast and is moveable to selected elevations along the mast. The mast includes a lower section maintained in upright orientation, and an upper section which is pivotally joined to the lower section. The injector head may be lowered below the pivot point and the mast folded for transportation purposes. A chain drive maneuvers the injector head in one horizontal direction, and a fluid pressure cylinder maneuvers the injector head in a second horizontal direction generally orthogonal to the first. The chain drive is fitted with a worm gear coupling to positively lock the injector head in position. A height-adjustable level wind tubing guide directs the tubing onto or off of a reel. The base of the apparatus is fitted with a track along which a blowout preventer may be moved for subsequent positioning over a well.

Abstract: An inside blowout preventer assembly for connection into an earth boring drill string has improved features for preventing erosion. The blowout preventer assembly allows downward flow during normal drilling, but prevents upward flow if the flow rate is above a selected amount, to prevent a blowout. The assembly includes a valve body with a longitudinal passage having a throat section. A recess passage intersects the throat section and contains a ball. The ball is movable from the recess passage into the throat section, where it seals against a seat to stop upward flow. An equalizing passage of selected size and configuration extends from the base of the recess passage to the longitudinal passage. The ball is of lesser diameter than the recess passage for allowing downward flow through the recess passage and the equalizing passage. This prevents the ball from being drawn by pressure differential into the throat section during downward flow, reducing turbulence and erosion.

Abstract: A hydraulic mast digger has a kelly head with improved retaining and sealing features. The digger is of the type having a kelly with a bearing assembly mounted between the kelly and a bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve is reciprocally carried in the hydraulic cylinder and moves in response to hydraulic fluid pressure. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the kelly with respect to the bearing sleeve. A cap is secured by threads to the bearing sleeve above the top of the kelly to define a piston. The cap has an upwardly facing shoulder located below the upper edge of the bearing sleeve. A retainer is rigidly secured to the cap and extends down into the space between the cap and bearing sleeve. A locking device locks the retainer to the bearing sleeve. Preferably the locking device includes a key that fits within slots formed on the retainer and bearing sleeve. A primary seal encircles the retainer.

Abstract: An impact tool for mining, demolition work and the like. An energy storing device such as a coil spring, when compressed, accelerates a hammer to deliver a blow to a working tool. The hydraulic cocking mechanism has a compression chamber and a bias chamber. A shaft extends through the compression chamber and into the bias chamber. The shaft has an annular stop attached to it and reciprocally carries a compression sleeve above the annular stop. A bias member extends into the bias chamber. Input hydraulic pressure urges the bias member to press the compression sleeve into seating contact with the annular stop to define a piston. Hydraulic input pressure acting at the same time below the piston urges the shaft upward to cock the spring. At the top of the stroke, ports and passages reduce the pressure difference above and below the piston to allow the spring to force the shaft down for impact. On the downstroke, the compression sleeve and annular stop separate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a modular construction to create uniformity among several of its components. The heat exchanger utilizes concentric tubes, with one fluid flowing through the inner tube, and the other fluid flowing through the annular space in the outer tube. The inner tube fluid flows back over the outer tube, further exchanging heat, as it is discharged. The heat exchanger includes four cup-shaped modules that nest or slide together. Each module includes a sleeve with a port for one of the fluids. Each module also has a convex portion that slides sealingly into an adjacent module and contains holes for the tubes. The tubes are sealed into the holes in the convex portions, causing each module to define one of the four manifolds necessary for the operation of the heat exchanger.