Abstract: The invention discloses a stent which has a locking feature to prevent recoil. The stent is composed of a plurality of rings which are joined by crossties of various construction. The locking feature of each ring can be in alignment or staggered. The crossties may be straight or angled or they may have curvature to them to further promote longitudinal flexibility. The locking mechanism includes features which minimize sharp ends exposed to the vascular wall.

Abstract: A high void fraction multi-phase fluid flow meter and method, wherein a first fluid flow path including a multi-phase flow measuring device disposed in series with a liquid flow restrictor is provided in parallel with a second fluid flow path including a gas flow measuring device. The presence of liquid flow in the flow meter is detected. When liquid flow is detected, a valve in the second fluid flow path operates to cut off fluid flow through the second fluid flow path. Otherwise the valve in the second fluid flow path operates to divert gas flow through the second fluid flow path. Alternatively, a negative pressure differential is produced across the second fluid flow path when liquid flow is present, by passing the incoming liquid flow through a jet pump nozzle, to prevent liquid flow into the second fluid flow path. A check valve is then disposed in the second fluid flow path to prevent backflow from the output of the multi-flow measuring device into the second fluid flow path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter which is useable in conjunction with subsea hydraulic control circuits. The filters incorporated in a housing which can be stabbed in or out of a control unit to become part of one or more fluid control circuits. The stab-type housing can be inserted with a remotely operated vehicle. Other configurations involve long, slender housings for use with subsurface safety valve control lines as well as with tubing hanger housings. The slender design allows mounting right on the production tubing. A rupture disc feature is available so that if excessive pressure differential is obtained due to clogging, the filter unit within the housing can be bypassed to allow continuing operation.

Abstract: Low viscosity, high concentration drag reducing agents may be prepared by slowly adding a liquid, non-solvent (e.g. isopropyl alcohol) for a drag reducing polymer (e.g. a polyalphaolefin) to a mixture of the polymer and the solvent (e.g. kerosene) in which the polymer is dissolved. When enough non-solvent is added, the polymer precipitates into fine particles. The supernatant mixture of solvent and non-solvent is then removed from the precipitated polymer slurry concentrate. Further solvent contained in the slurry concentrate may be removed by evaporation or further extraction with the liquid, non-solvent. The resulting slurry concentrate dissolves rapidly in flowing hydrocarbon streams to reduce the drag therein, and gives exceptionally good drag reducing results at low concentrations. Additionally, no injection probes or other special equipment is required to introduce the drag reducing slurry into the hydrocarbon stream, nor is grinding of the polymer necessary to form a suitable DRA slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical instrument which prevents backlash due to reduction of applied force on the handle or trigger of the surgical instrument. The instrument includes a clutch system that is adapted to maintain the position of the portion of the driver that is in mechanical communication with the forming tool upon reduction of the applied force.

Abstract: A packer or bridge plug design is revealed that has a lock mechanism involving the interengagement of teeth. The meshing of the teeth holds the set of the sealing elements and slips of the packer or bridge plug. Release is accomplished by an application of weight which, due to relative movement of parts, allows the stress applied to the slips and sealing element to be relieved with the interengaging teeth of the lock mechanism still in place. Upon stress relief as to the slips and sealing elements, further movement cams the locking member in a manner so as to separate the interengagement of the teeth, thus completing the release. The stress-relief mechanism and the lock mechanism are part of a compact assembly which is preferably mounted above the packer or bridge plug for easy access. A pressure equalization technique involves discrete operation of an equalizing sleeve followed by at least one opposed motion before a release sleeve can be tagged for removing the plug.

Abstract: A hydraulic disconnect is disclosed which allows flow therethrough for normal downhole operations. A shiftable sleeve is provided which closes off internal flow passages to permit pressure build-up which is in turn used to move a piston to undermine a dog to facilitate release. Shifting of a sleeve is accomplished by either creating backpressure through flow or by differential pressure between the inside of the joint and the annulus which is used to shift a piston which in turn acts on the release sleeve which in turn blocks a passage so that subsequent pressure build-up can result in shifting of another piston to undermine dogs which allows the joint to separate. The tool transmits torque through its body without stressing the locking dogs. Tensile and compressive loads are handled through the body giving the tool the connection strength of a tool joint.

Abstract: A tubular stent is disclosed that is made of a series of bands having a generally tubular shape with an open end. Each band has an open rectangular form made of an elongated material. The bands have the open ends (or interruptions) in an offset manner and each band has crosstie or ties which are either rigid or flexible. Ties, even if they are straight, can be disposed close to each other, or further away from each other, and can vary in number in order to adjust the relative stiffness of the stent. Each of the bands are preferably a generally rectangular shape and can be made from a wire of a variety of different cross-sections, or can be cut from a flat sheet, or burned out of a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a mill, particularly usable with a whipstock and driven by a downhole motor supported by coiled tubing is disclosed. The support mechanism comprises a wearable ring adjacent the cutting structure which, when assembled into the downhole assembly, keeps the rotating blades away from the whipstock face and oriented toward the casing to be cut. As the milling progresses, the support mechanism wears away to allow advancement of the mill into the casing to complete the formation of the window or opening.

Abstract: A straddle tool is disclosed which ensures sequential setting of the packing elements through the use of lost motion mechanisms. Once the lower pack-off has been set, the upper one is set and an internal valve is opened to allow flow through the tool to actuate a downhole tool, such as an inflatable packer. An anchor prevents actuation of the pack-off tool unless it is extended into a profile for support of the tool. Inadvertent settings of the pack-off tool are prevented, such as in oversized casing where the anchors are already fully extended, by virtue of a distance-sensing mechanism on the tool. When a large distance is sensed by one or more sensors, the mandrel is locked to the setting collars, preventing relative movement which could set the pack-off elements.

Abstract: A soccer training aid which allows the user to continuously kick a tethered ball at a variety of angles. This embodiment allows the user to focus on developing leg strength and ball control without having to pursue the ball or the encumbrance of a hand-held control utilized in returning the ball.

Abstract: A stent delivery apparatus is disclosed comprising a movable inner tube and a fixed outer tube having corrugations or undulations at its distal end. The undulations or corrugations are stretched by movement of the inner tube, whereupon the stent is placed over the relatively flattened undulations or corrugations. A solid structure or an open structure such as a coil can be used for this purpose. One large proximal undulation is provided for preventing the stent from sliding from the predetermined location during the setting. Upon relative movement between the inner and outer tubes, which can be a single longitudinal or twisting movement or a combination of such movements, the undulations under the stent are outwardly relaxed, forcing the stent to expand toward the vascular wall. The relative movement is then reversed to retract the undulations and the delivery device withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for chemically modifying non-ionic, water soluble particulate contrast agents so that they degrade in vivo to their non-ionic parent contrast material and carbon dioxide. According to the present invention, known particulate, non-ionic contrast agents are chemically modified to form a precursor or "prodrug" comprising cyclic carbonates and carbamates of the parent compound. The resulting cyclic carbonates and carbamates are lipid soluble, biodegradable, and can be prepared in large quantities using well-established methods. These cyclic carbonates and carbamates can be converted to particulate contrast media using simple, well known techniques, such as solvent-extraction or solvent evaporation.

Abstract: A fence post trim collar which prevents vegetation growth in the corners between fence posts and fencing material is disclosed. The collar also protects the fence posts from damage by monofilament line trimmers and protects the monofilament in a line trimmer from damage by the fence posts. Accumulation of grass clippings in the corners between the fence posts and the fencing material is also prevented.

Abstract: An assembly for a production string with a downhole pump is disclosed which makes use of the polished bore in the top of the liner already installed in the wellbore. Lugs on the assembly align themselves with longitudinal grooves in the top of the liner assembly as an antirotation feature for when the downhole pump is operated. A signaling assembly, involving a collet which can be ultimately released, gives the surface personnel the feedback they need to know that the assembly has been set in the proper place in the top of the liner string, as opposed to another location in the wellbore. Seals, preferably stacks of opposed chevron seals, can be used to bridge the gap between the assembly and the seal bore at the top of the liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of matched surfaces usable in sealing a downhole subsurface safety valve. The continuous seat and the matching flapper profile feature a surface that is around its periphery transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat and the flapper. The seating surface, if extended in a two-dimensional plane, defines an undulating shape which can be a sinusoidal shape in the preferred embodiment. The result is an improvement in the performance of the metal-to-metal contact between the seat and the flapper, coupled with a self-centering effect when the seating surface on the flapper, which is formed adjacent a shoulder, is presented in opposition to the seat. Additionally, the transverse undulating seat can have an embedded groove which accommodates a resilient seal, preferably PTFE or Teflon.RTM..

Abstract: An electric motor used to control the butterfly valve in an engine is supplied with increased dissipating energy. The mechanical link between the electric motor and the butterfly valve, preferably combined with favorable heat conductivity of the inlet pipe material in the area of the butterfly valve, facilitates transfer of the electric motor's dissipating heat to the butterfly valve nozzle.

Abstract: A retrieval tool for whipstocks is disclosed. A latch is retractable into the tool upon application of hydraulic pressure. A locking pin securely fastens the whipstock and retrieving tool together. The hydraulic pressure acts a cleaning force on the top of the whipstock and the retrieving slot to facilitate engagement. The offset stabilizer, when oriented opposite the lug on the retrieving tool, creates a force in the direction of the lug, whereby latching the retrieving tool will start. A joint of drillpipe or heavyweight drillpipe is run above the eccentric stabilizer. An offset stabilizer is provided to ensure proper initial orientation and avoid sticking the tool. The latch can firmly grip lugs within a slot in the whipstock. A overshot design is also disclosed using a similar hydraulically actuated latch assembly where the latch grabs the whipstock without having to use an opening therein, if for any reason the opening has been fouled with debris or damaged due to milling.

Abstract: A shifting tool is provided which is preferably hydraulically actuated. A built-up hydraulic force overcomes a retaining piston, which, in turn, frees up a pivoting linkage whose movements are opposed by a coil spring. The coil spring urges the pivoting linkage outwardly where contact can be made with the internal groove on a shifting sleeve. The shifting tool can be run in with the linkage in the expanded position since the parts are configured to allow the linkage to retract to clear any internal obstructions before reaching the shifting grooves in the shifting sleeve. The pivoting action of the grip on the groove in the shifting sleeve increases the gripping force when jarring occurs. The parts are configured so that there is a minimum of movement of shifting parts which have seals to further reduce potential wear on pressure seals. A compact design is provided which can be useful on sleeves with a range of internal bores.

Abstract: A guide lug for a starting or window mill is provided at the upper end of the whipstock. A back-up shoulder is provided to act against any tendencies of the mill to whirl. A taper is provided for use in guiding the mill toward the casing for the cutting of the window. The lug is configured to be worn by a guide for the window mill or starter mill rather than being milled away. As a result of the use of the lug, the upper sections of the whipstock are protected from the mill. In turn, any holes or other projections provided for subsequent retrieval of the whipstock are functional for such a retrieval at the conclusion of the milling process for the window.