Abstract: A shutoff valve is provided having a body enclosing a chamber that defines a continuous fluid passageway. A plunger resides in the chamber and is slidably positionable between a closed position wherein the fluid passageway is occluded and an open position wherein the fluid passageway enables fluid flow therethrough. A sealing member is also positioned in the passageway, which circumscribes the plunger to effectuate a seal when the plunger is in the closed position. A spring is compressibly mounted in the fluid passageway against the plunger to bias the plunger in the closed position. The chamber is characterized by a series of fluid-communicating sections formed therein which cooperate with a plurality of stages integrally positioned on the plunger to define the manner in which the valve is assembled and operated.

Abstract: An orthopedic ankle brace is provided having a pliant boot that surrounds the ankle joint, as well as the foot and lower leg in the region thereof. The boot may incorporate means of applying compression to the ankle joint. Attached to the boot are a pair of adjustable tension straps vertically disposed about the ankle joint for restricting the mobility thereof. Integral with the boot are pair of stiffening members positioned about the ankle joint to cooperate with the tension straps in the performance of their mobility restricting function Further provided integral with the boot are retention members that isolate the malleoli from the stiffening members for the comfort of the wearer. Finally, one or more retention straps are provided to maintain the stability of the brace.

Abstract: A system utilizable by a patient engaged in strengthening, stretching or range of motion exercise therapy of the ankle which contains a number of interactive components combinable in any one of several different configurations to provide the patient with specific ankle exercise devices. One such device provides ankle dorsiflexion and inversion/eversion strengthening exercises performed by moving the patient's foot in various directions against the elastic resistance of an elastomeric tube while the device is anchored in a door jamb. Another device provides ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion and inversion/eversion strengthening by exerting the foot against resistance from the patient across a strap. Yet another device provides ankle supination/pronation, toe flexion/extension, and isometric eversion exercises by performing various movements with the toes or feet to deform a towel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for generating a foam from a preheated dye solution and subsequently applying the foam to continuous strands of yarn wherein the foam is driven by a pressure differential. The apparatus has a foaming pan for producing the foam from the dye solution and a gas. The pan opens into a foam transmission chamber at or near ambient pressure which fluid communicates with an evacuated spent foam discharge chamber across an open interface. The yarn is dyed by conveying it through the open interface and contacting it with the foam which is drawn across the open interface in a flow path perpendicular to the yarn by the pressure differential between the foam transmission and discharge chambers.

Abstract: A device for measuring and isolating noise-creating imbalances in a paired telecommunications line has an internal circuit which includes a pair of substantially balanced ac current outlet pathways in parallel, a differential amplifier connected to a pair of voltage inlet pathways, and an oscillator to supply longitudinal alternating current to the paired line across the balanced pathways. A longitudinal alternating current signal is sent from the oscillator to each conductor of the line across the outlet pathways, travels the length of each conductor and returns to the inlet pathways as a metallic voltage signal. If there is any imbalance between the two conductors, the metallic voltage signals for the two conductors will be different. Accordingly, the differential amplifier measures this difference and it is displayed in units of noise or balance.

Abstract: The present invention provides strucutures for dispensing ulra-thin adhesive labels without risk of predispensing and comprising a carrier web and a face film, the carrier web having a top and reverse side, a release surface being provided on the top side, the face film having two faces, an adhesive-backing being provided on a first of the faces, the second of the faces being mounted against the release surface and wherein the face film is frangible and the release surface positively defines at least one label-shape, the area covered by the adhesive backing corresponding substantially to at least the one label-shape.

Abstract: A method of preventing intrusion of fluid into a horizontal well bore. A quantity of liquid composition capable of gelling and containing a breaker is introduced into a horizontal well bore up to a point corresponding to the bottom of the intrusion zone. After the liquid composition gels into a temporary gel, a second liquid composition capable of gelling into a permanent gel is introduced into the zone to shut off fluid flow from the zone. The temporary gel prevents flow of the permanent gel into the horizontal well bore. Thereafter the breaker in the temporary gel causes the gel to revert to a liquid, which is removed from the horizontal well bore upon production of the well.

Abstract: A low viscosity liquid, such as a monomer, is mixed with a gel, such as a concentrated polymer in gel form. The gel and monomer flow through a cylinder containing spaced rotating discs and stationary discs mounted between the rotating discs. The rotating discs are rotated slowly, at speeds in the range of 10 to 100 rpm, so as not to degrade the polymer. The discs contain a number of apertures through which the gel and liquid flow, breaking the gel down into small particles and increasing the gel surface area exposed to the liquid, thus increasing the rate of diffusion of the low viscosity liquid into the gel.

Abstract: A polymer solution makeup water containing hydrogen sulfide is pretreated with an oxygenating agent to convert the hydrogen sulfide to an inert compound. The treated water is then mixed with an acrylamide polymer to form a stable polymer solution for oil recovery applications.

Abstract: A fluid pump for delivering accurate volumes of high-pressure fluids is obtained using an intensifier to supply the majority of the motive power required to displace the fluids. The intensifier balances the forces between the output pressure of the displaced fluid (above a convention drive piston) with a large diameter booster piston that is driven pneumatically by low-pressure gas. A small horsepower motor provides needed power to overcome the friction of the high pressure gas pump, the differential pressure needed for the use of the pump, and to accurately control or trim the high-pressure output or rate to a precise value. A ball screw and spur gears are used to transmit the power. The pump is uniquely designed to reduce the stress from the motor to the components.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating volatile components from a volatile-containing liquid by a stripping gas flowing countercurrent to the liquid. Separation of the volatile components is enhanced by heating the liquid with radiant solar energy and agitating the liquid as it flows.

Abstract: Treatment fluid is injected into the production fluid of a well from a bladder contained in a canister at the bottom portion of the well bore. The flow rate is predetermined through use of a capillary tube connecting the bladder and an injection outlet. Differential pressure between the bladder and the outlet to actuate the flow of treatment fluid is created either by restricting the flow of production fluid adjacent the outlet or by compressing the bladder through the use of water-expansible material in contact with the bladder in the canister. An aperture in the bottom of the canister is provided to expose the bladder to the well fluid.

Abstract: A zone of a subterranean formation containing a low-viscosity crude oil which has already been waterflooded to completion is sequentially flooded with alternating slugs of produced gas and water to produce incremental amounts of the oil. The zone is characterized as a low-permeability zone having mixed geology, i.e., containing two or more rocks of differing permeability randomly distributed throughout the zone.

Abstract: A process for treating a region in a high-temperature hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a gel for hydrocarbon recovery applications. The gel is prepared by mixing a single aqueous gelation system at the surface comprising a solution of a polyvalent metal crosslinking agent and an unhydrolyzed acrylamide polymer. The system is injected into a desired treatment region of the high-temperature formation wherein the polymer is hydrolyzed in situ. The gelation system is then gelled to completion in the treatment region.

Abstract: A surfactant solution is injected into an oil-wet fractured formation and becomes the preferred wetting phase of the matrix blocks in the formation thereby displacing oil from the matrix blocks into the fracture network. The formation is then flodded with water to displace the oil from the fracture network to the surface while returning the matrix blocks to an oil-wet condition. The injection cycle is repeated until the formation is depleted.

Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly having sections for controlling the modal deformation of collapse and capable of absorbing the dynamic energy of impact caused by the rapid deceleration of heavy masses is provided. The shock absorbing assembly has a plurality of arcuate steel sections sandwiched between steel plates with an elastomeric rubber compound secured to and covering at least one surface of one plate. Each of the arcuate steel sections are provided with a groove in its soffit.

Abstract: In the process of collecting data to be used in determining the capillary pressure of immiscible fluids in a porous rock sample, fluid is expelled from the sample by spinning a sample disk about its own center axis instead of centrifuging a core plug in the usual manner. The disk is contained in a cylindrical chamber whose dimensions are only slightly larger than those of the sample disk. A rotating shaft is connected to the center of the bottom face of the chamber and vessels are connected to the chamber about its periphery to collect the expelled fluid.

Abstract: An oil well tool for in situ release of treatment fluid into an oil well is disclosed. A tubular body is insertable into an oil well casing, which tubular body carries a bladder containing treatment fluid. The body is closed at a lower end and has at an upper end a fishing neck connector. A weight slideable within the tubular body compresses the treatment fluid within the bladder and forces the treatment fluid under a constant pressure through a fluid passageway. The size and length of the fluid passageway, combined with the pressure applied and viscosity of the treatment fluid, dictate the flow rate at which the treatment fluid is deposited into the oil well. The treatment fluid mixes with other fluids being circulated through the well formation. The primary purpose for the treatment fluid is to inhibit scale buildup and corrosion. This is accomplished by slow release of the treatment fluid over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A bottom hole shut-in tool incorporating a ball and seat shut-off valve and a ball and seat pressure equalizing valve. The ball elements of the valves are formed of elastomeric material, which allows the ball elements to engage their seats in continuous annular sealing contact even when debris from the well is trapped between a ball and its seat or when a ball is not exactly aligned with its seat. This arrangement effectively seals off the pressure gauge used in conducting a pressure survey from fluid in the well tubing located above the shut-off valve.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring Klinkenberg permeability and pore volume of a tight core plug sample is provided wherein a pressure transducer is positioned between the sample cell and the manifold of the system.