Abstract: A sample catcher comprises an inclined sampling screw conveyor which intercepts a continuous stream of drill cuttings from a shaker. A vaned metering rotor accepts a plurality of discrete samples from adjacent the conveyor's discharge. The vaned rotor is rotated at a lag rate proportional to the rate of penetration at the time the stream of cuttings with drilled. The plurality of discrete samples are discharged as a substantially continuous sample stream which is directed through a second conveyor to one or more analytical instruments. Further, the sample stream can be directed to a sample bag carousel which is index advanced for associating the bag contents with the drilling. The apparatus enables a method of analyzing cutting samples which correlate to the cuttings when drilled and in a process which is continuous.

Abstract: A heat-responsive fuse cord is positioned in the proximity of a pressure vessel and is thermally coupled to a thermal-pressure relief device which is in communication with the pressurized contents of the vessel. When ignited the fuse cord burns to a thermal coupler, transferring the heat to the thermal actuator of the TPRD. In a kit form, fuse cord and a thermal coupler provide an economical remote and retrofit triggering system for TPRD's having an otherwise limited environment of influence.

Abstract: A method for predicting seismic events wherein measurable and calculable parameters relating to alterations in the shape of the geoid, such as centripetal and tidal gravitational effects, and gravitational anomalies related to a buildup of energy at any given point in the earth are incorporated with observations from at least two previous, subsequent seismic events, to calculate the energy buildup required to result in a future seismic event.

Abstract: A modular construction system utilizes building components or panels formed of high strength plasticized concrete. Panels are formed with two or more linear peripheral edges fitted with mortises. FRP pultruded tenons are used to connect aligned mortises for adjacent panels. Walls, crown beams and roof panels can be so formed and assembled. Hollow corrugated panels are suitable for forming beams and interior partitions. Beams can be rested on regularly spaced piles and then floor panels on the beams, walls on the floor panels, crown beams on the walls and roof panels on the crown beams, buildings can be erected with a minimum of tools or specialized knowledge. The resulting structure is substantially impervious to environmental hazards, particularly relevant in more primitive locations.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle attachment having a housing with a venturi-shaped internal air chamber, an angled head and brush-lined aperture, blade guides and an offset tapered tubular neck for attachment to a vacuum hose or wand. The constricted air chamber provides enhanced suction due to an increase in velocity of air as it passes the tapered constriction in the air chamber. The angled head and aperture and shaped guides ensure correct alignment of the fan blade with the aperture. The offset tubular neck and transparent guides provide an unobstructed view of the nozzle and fan blades during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A personal steamer comprising an assembly of three pieces: a base tub and liner tub and a lid. The liner tub is body-shaped to form a foot, a seat, a back and side walls forming a steam enclosure. A lid, hinged at the foot, can be pivoted to a vertical, low stress vertical position, or closed for use. The liner tub is formed of ABS and reinforced with fiberglass on its underside where it is protected from the steam. The liner tub is fitted into the base tub and foamed together, forming a base assembly. Steam is conducted through a fitting in the base tub and through a conduit to a horn outlet at the user's feet. The steam is discharged away from the user and towards the lid, deflecting back to into the enclosure. U-shaped conduits and fans recirculate steam in the enclosure. A portable steam generator is coupled with the cabinet for providing constant temperature steam very quickly.

Abstract: A rotating tag bar is positioned below a progressive cavity pump stator for supporting at least a portion of a rod string a rotor. A tubular housing is secured to the stator and is fitted with a rotatable platform. The platform blocks downward stretch of the rotor and then rotatably support the rotor on a thrust bearing. Thereby, rotor-imposed loads on the platform translate into tensile loads directed into the stator, which is suspended from tubing string, lessening the load on the rod string and thereby both reducing the need for extreme accuracy in rotor positioning and reducing rod string and tubing wear. Optionally, a no-turn tool transmits load from the stator into the casing. In operation, the rotor is landed to contact the platform. The rotor is then lifted a distance less than the anticipated stretch so that when in operation, the rotor sets down on the platform and transfers at least a portion of the rod string load into stator.

Abstract: A single tool is provided to score the surface of aluminum or vinyl siding regardless of profile. The tool comprises an extensible measuring rail at the end of which is attached a scoring knife attached, the rail and knife being extensible from a siding guide which interlocks solely with the edge of the siding material. The measuring rail is spaced above the guide for spacing the rail and scoring blade above the surface of the siding material, thus avoiding undesirable damage to the surface as it is engaged in the tool and as the tool is drawn down the edge of the siding during scoring. The scoring knife is pivotable on the measuring rail so as to contact with the siding surface when under control of the installer and regardless of the siding profile. Further the knife is reversible for use by both right and left-handed installers.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are provided wherein an object can be manipulated between multiple discontinuous screens which form a single continuous virtual display. Each screen is touch or input sensitive to a pointing implement or device, and a physical discontinuity separates each of the screens from the others, this continuity being non-touch sensitive. First, a pointing implement contacts the source touch-screen to select the object, storing parameters in the computers buffer. The pointing implement is moved to the target touch-screen where the pointing implement contacts where the first object is to be dragged to; then the object is released from the buffer so that the first object is pasted to the target touch-screen. Preferably, when the object is touched at the source screen, a timer starts, and if the target screen is touched before timeout, the object appears at the target.

Abstract: A tool is provided for preventing the rotation of a downhole tool or rotary pump stator, the tool comprising a tubular housing and a jaw which pivots radially outwardly from the tool upon tool rotation to engage the casing wall for arresting tool rotation and providing significant stabilization of a rotary pump. In doing so, the tool housing moves oppositely to rest against the casing opposite the jaw. The tool housing and the downhole tool are thereby restrained and stabilized by the casing wall. The tool's jaw is released and is stowed adjacent the housing by opposite tool rotation. Preferably the profile of the jaw allows it to stow closely against the housing for presenting minimal obstruction. More preferably, the jaw is formed independent of the housing and the bore supports differential pressure so that the tool can be installed above a rotary pump or as a part of an extended tailpiece.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing semi-quantitative values indicative of porosity and permeability of a formation during drilling. A sample of mud is analyzed and the proportions of each grain constituents are classified into their respective grain size divisions. Each proportion is multiplied against a corresponding weighting factor for establishing values representative of the relative contribution to the formation's porosity and when summed they establishing numeric values corresponding to an environmental index related to the porosity of the formation. Through the assignment of values for ranges of other conventional qualitative characteristics, similar and useful semi-quantitative value of relative permeability can be determined which is proportional to the environmental index, grain angularity, extent of sorting, porosity and is inversely proportional to the extent of cementation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for protecting a reciprocating polish rod from suffering circumferential scoring when it is rotated by a rod-rotator while misaligned and in contact with the carrier bar of a pump jack. A cylindrical sleeve is inserted through the bore of the carrier bar and any additional stacked components supported thereon. An upset at the top of the sleeve retains it within the bore of the carrier bar and any stacked components. The bottom end of the sleeve extends substantially to the bottom of the carrier bar. The polish rod is installed through the bore in the sleeve and can slide and rotate therein. The polish rod is suspended from the carrier structure with a rod clamp. The sleeve guides the polish rod through the carrier structure without permitting accidental contact of the polish rod and the carrier structure and thereby prevents circumferential scoring of the polish rod when the rod is rotated by the rod-rotator.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons in the pores of a formation while drilling. One sensor (TG), applied to gas liberated from drilling mud, outputs a signal proportional to the concentration of hydrocarbons. Additional information acquired while drilling is combined with the TG analysis for quantifying a fraction of hydrocarbon in the pores of the drilled formation. Further and better quantification of hydrocarbons is achieved by normalizing drilling characteristics which are independent of porosity such as mud weight, weight on bit, bit rotational speed, and sampling dilution compared to the overall circulation of mud. Further, quality of the hydrocarbons is determinable using a second gas sensor which outputs a decreasing signal with increased concentrations of heavy hydrocarbons in the liberated gas and outputs an increasing signal with increasing concentrations of light hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A push rod rotator and push rod boring rig uses a reciprocating carriage to push a drill string of push rods into the ground and pull the drill string back out usually with an expander and pipe or utility lines. A push rod rotator is connected to a swivel supported on the non-rotating carriage. The rotator is a two-part assembly, one part is a non-rotating conduit, having two or more helical slots and the other part has a pin which follows the slots for inducing relative rotation. Slips grip the push rods and are reversible to enable push and pull operations. Preferably the slips trail the carriage and the rotator leads the swivel. The rotator is adapted to a boring rig having a frame, and hydraulic cylinders for reciprocating the carriage relative to the rig. The double-acting cylinders are mounted in pairs with the powerful extension stroke oriented to pull back the drill string and push rods and the weaker retraction stroke to push rods.

Abstract: Apparatus and process is provided for establishing values of the quality of gaseous hydrocarbons in gas extracted from mud while drilling. Two rare earth sensors, without a coating, are exposed to the extracted gas. The first sensor is pre-calibrated and outputs a signal proportional to the relative concentration of light hydrocarbons. The second sensor is precalibrated and outputs a signal proportional to the relative concentration of heavy hydrocarbons. Preferably a second sensor is selected which, during calibration outputs a signal which is also proportional to the relative concentration of light hydrocarbons in a light sample gas and outputs a signal which is inversely proportional to the relative concentration of heavy hydrocarbons in a heavy sample gas. The difference of the two signals is obtained and is compared to the first sensor signal as being indicative of the quality of any hydrocarbons present in the extracted gases.

Abstract: The productivity of a formation is determined by stroking the drill bit up and down (swabbing) in the zone of interest for creating a suction in the wellbore and inducing the flow of hydrocarbons from the formation. The drilling mud 15 is first circulated to deplete hydrocarbon gas from the mud 15, the zone is swabbed, and the mud 15 is again circulated and the quantity of hydrocarbon gas contained therein is measured for comparison against that known for predetermined productivity. Preferably, the swabbing is performed enough times to ensure measurable production regardless of filter cake or invasion.