Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a butterfly valve driven by an electric motor and located within an inlet pipe made at least in part of a plastic material, electrostatic charges forming in the area of the inlet pipe are diverted away by a connection, containing a resistor, located between the butterfly valve section and the terminals of the electric motor used to control the butterfly valve's regulating flap.

Abstract: A connector is presented for tubing conveyed perforating guns which facilitates connection or disconnection between guns without the need for rotation. A latching mechanism is disclosed which latches by setting down weight and unlatches by an actuating ram camming the latch out of a window. The connectors are configured so that they are sealed internally and have an external profile for interengagement with a seal ram for support and sealing around the outer periphery. Accordingly, a live well can be isolated using a seal ram around a fired gun because the internal passages through the gun are sealed off by virtue of seals around a hammer piston. The connectors are configured so that an upper gun creates the pressure required to set off the gun below.

Abstract: A running tool particularly useful for running liners on coiled tubing is disclosed. A torque-transmitting outer sleeve is employed which initially traps the collets. The collets are engaged to the liner by relative mechanical movement and thereafter lock in a secured position to the liner, regardless of whether the liner is placed in tension or compression by the running tool. Release is accomplished by letting down weight on the running tool, coupled with hydraulic pressure to shear a pin securing the collet mechanism. Upon such a hydraulic release with the pin sheared, the outer torque sleeve shifts downwardly to prevent relatching. Torque is transmitted through the outer torque sleeved and not through the latching collets. A snap ring can optionally be inserted to further ensure that the tool will not relatch after release. If, for any reason, the tool does not release in the normal manner, a twist off release feature is provided.

Abstract: A connection is disclosed which is particularly applicable to subsea wellheads. A female receptacle end is provided on the wellhead which has connections on it to an umbilical or a flowline. The male end has an orientation lug for rough orientation. Once rough orientation is made, the male end is advanced into the female end and the shaft rotated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for alignment of lugs with a detent. Once the lugs advance past the detent, they are rotated so that a segment of the shaft on the male end of the connection can no longer turn. Further rotational movements by the ROV on another portion of the shaft advances a plate which makes up the connection, either for the umbilical or the flowline.

Abstract: A pressure-boosting apparatus particularly amenable for use in downhole applications is disclosed. The pressure-boosting apparatus employs an unbalanced piston which is initially fixated in a run-in position. The piston has a flowpath therethrough in which is mounted a check valve. Initially, pressure is applied to above and below the piston which results in an unbalanced force on the piston due to its configuration. Flow to the tool initiates its actuation at this time. When the unbalanced force reaches a predetermined level, the piston is no longer fixated to the housing and begins to accelerate. Acceleration of the piston closes the check valve due to the sudden decrease in pressure behind the check valve and an increase in pressure in front of the check valve as the fluid volume in front of the piston is compressed.

Abstract: A wireline-set retrievable packer with the flow plug on top is disclosed which uses a conventional setting tool. After setting the packer, picking up on the wireline allows the adapter assembly to disengage from the on/off seal nipple/packer so that the setting tool and adapter assembly can be removed.

Abstract: A height-adjustable standing back support for a fisherman in a boat is disclosed. The support can be generally a U-shape and can be arcuate or can comprise adjacent straight segments for an overall U-shape. The support is cushioned and has storage compartments for various accessories and other items typically used by a fisherman. The support is height adjustable and is secured to a base on the deck of the boat so that it cannot rotate the support about a vertical axis. The cushion gives steady support to a standing fisherman while fishing or controlling the boat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for recording uterine electrical activity from the surface of the abdomen or vagina for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus or abdominal muscles in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing electromyographic data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize uterine activity. The method and apparatus described include algorithms for the systematic analysis of electrical signals recorded from the abdominal surface. Such processing comprises integration of signals, frequency spectral analysis, 3-dimensional power density mesh plots, vector analysis, fast wavelet transform, and joint time-frequency characteristics. These techniques and apparatus are appropriate for use in a clinic or through communication lines for use as a remote or home uterine monitoring system.

Abstract: The invention allows running, in one trip, a packer-setting tool, a whip-stock, and a window-milling system into the wellbore. Between the whipstock and the packer is a packer-setting tool. A flow passage extends through a portion of the whipstock into the setting tool. One or more seals are located between the whipstock and the setting tool if below the packer to be set there are already perforations which could result in fluid losses if they are pressurized. If there are uphole perforations which will cause fluid losses, one or more seals are disposed above the milling string. When both lower and upper seals are used below the whipstock and above the milling string, the zone between the seals is isolated in the wellbore, and pressure goes through the tubing, exits the tubing between the seals, and reenters into the lower end of the whipstock where it communicates with the setting tool for hydraulically setting the packer to support the whipstock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-profile balloon catheter which is extremely maneuverable and capable of dilating an occluded artery with minimal risk of angina. The catheter is highly maneuverable because its distal section has substantially coaxial inner and outer tubes which are in relatively tight mechanical communication at their proximal end and their distal ends are mechanically connected only via the balloon. As a result, the inner distal tube is relatively independent of the outer distal tube. The proximal section of the catheter is relatively stiff and preferably has two lumens therethrough. One lumen, which is substantially larger, is used to actively perfuse oxygenated blood, drugs, or dyes distal to the tip of the catheter at flowrates up to about 100 cc/min. Preferably, the inner surface of this first perfusion lumen has a shape at its inner surface that permits the second, smaller lumen to "nest" adjacent to and substantially within said inner surface of said first perfusion lumen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and system for cleaning the interior of conduits, gun barrels, or pipes, including drain pipes. The pipe cleaning device of the present invention is capable of (a) penetrating and removing restrictions that block flow, (b) scouring the interior wall of conduits or pipes to remove the buildup of undesirable solids that result in flow restriction, and (c) coating the wall of the pipe with a suitable substance. The present invention comprises a connecting member housed within a bendable or flexible conduit, a retraction handle attached to one end of the connecting member, and elastic or flexible strands attached to the opposite end of said connecting member. The strands are outwardly expandable in a radial dimension when said connecting member is retracted. The system of the present invention further comprises a pressure/suction source coupled to the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue bondable cystostomy tube for use in a human patient. The present invention also relates to a method for surgically implanting the tissue bondable cystostomy tube in a human patient.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool is disclosed which has as one of its purposes anchoring coiled tubing during certain downhole operations such as milling. In the anchor format the tool is run in in the retracted position and then expanded to get a grip on the casing or tubing in the wellbore prior to actuation of a downhole tool such as a mill, which is generally driven by a downhole motor. A flushing mechanism keeps the anchoring assembly free of debris so that it functions properly. The anchoring assembly employs a linkage of two or more links depending on the size of the tubing against which the coil tubing is to be anchored and the amount of anchoring force required. The same tool through a switchout of linkage components can serve a multitude of other functions on separate runs in the well or on the same run with one tool body. The tool can serve as a sleeve shifting tool, a centralizer, or a tubing end locator. The tool can expand to a ratio of greater than 1.

Abstract: The invention comprises a viscometer which has a bob assembly unit suspended between the fixation points for a torsion wire. The torsion wire runs through a tube, which is connected to the bob. The tube has cutouts so that it may rotate in response to rotations of a cup, in which the bob is disposed. The framework that can include spokes or bars to support a fixation point for the wire is preferably positioned to extend through cutouts or open window-like slots in the tube so as not to interfere with rotational movements of the tube. An arm connected to the tube, in conjunction with a transducer, measures the angular deflection of the wire for determination of viscosity for the fluid being examined via a direct sensing means without any manual contact, visual observation or mental judgement by a test operator.

Abstract: A process for removing acrolein from a gaseous or liquid mixture, in one case aqueous solutions, involving contacting the mixture with a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium hypochlorite; an acid salt of hydroxylamine; a urea compound such as urea itself or thiourea; sodium bisulfite and 4,4-dimethyl-1-oxa-3-azacyclopentane in an amount effective to substantially remove acrolein has been discovered. The process works particularly well in selectively scavenging acrolein from aqueous solutions containing acrylonitrile.

Abstract: A fly fishing reel is disclosed which allows for a simplified construction allowing for reversibility of the drag effect on a spool to facilitate left- or right-hand operation without disassembling small parts which can be lost in the boat. The spool structure is strengthened by virtue of a tapered design. A snap-on cap doubles as a support for a spring that holds the spool to a shaft.

Abstract: A sealing system, particularly useful for packers and anchors, is disclosed. The sealing element or elements are of a nonelastomeric material and are configured with a feature that can add a biasing force on one or both sides of the nonelastomeric sealing element(s) to allow the sealing element(s) to maintain the seal despite temperature or pressure fluctuations in the wellbore. The apparatus allows a packer with a nonelastomeric seal to be set at a broad range of downhole temperatures. The system includes a biasing member in the form of a cylindrical element having narrow width and wider width openings.

Abstract: A completion apparatus and method are illustrated to allow the use of an inflatable bridge plug system to be set in lower casing after the open-hole section has been drilled underbalanced. This is coupled with an assembly to deflate the plug which is run on the bottom of the completion liner. The completion liner is run downhole without having to kill the well to reduce possible formation damage from kill fluids. Sifter the open-hole section is drilled, the plug is run in the hole on coiled tubing and set. Heavy fluids are then circulated above the plug without its being applied to the open-hole formation. The liner for the open-hole section is run in the well with a deflation tool, which ultimately engulfs the deflated plug using the mechanical support associated with the plug to facilitate the enveloping procedure. After envelopment, setdown weight releases the anchor for the plug and the assembly is run in the hole with circulation through the plug to facilitate advancement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided that allows an operator to drill a well into a formation requiring treatment or gravel packing in a single pass, then to lower and position the liner and production strings simultaneously. The invention allows cementing of the liner prior to any treatment or gravel packing, and provides an integral circulation system to allow formation treatment or gravel packing of the production string. Once treatment or gravel packing is completed, the invention provides mechanical fluid loss control as the circulation system is pulled out of the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which allows running in a whipstock packer in combination with a setting assembly, which also includes instrumentation to sense the depth, as well as orientation of the anchor orientation groove on the packer. The packer can be run in the hole on wireline and when the proper depth is reached the sensed and a signal from the surface sets the setting tool into motion to set the packer with the whipstock anchor groove in proper orientation. The whipstock, along with a mill and the anchor are then run in and latched into the anchor groove on the packer on a second trip and milling through a casing begins.