Abstract: A device for storing sterile instruments and memorizing the count thereof. A main frame includes a plurality of juxtaposed boots, individually and selectively rotatable from open to closed positions. Each open boot stores the handle of an instrument and a rotatable cover plate is locked into position overlaying open and closed boots to apply holding contact pressure against instrument handles inserted in open boots. The number of open boots indicates the number of instruments selected to be stored by the device.

Abstract: A measuring-while-drilling system has a digitally implemented motor speed control circuit for controlling a downhole, motor-driven acoustic signal generator. The acoustic generator is motor driven at speeds for imparting to well fluid an acoustic signal having phase states representative of encoded data derived from measured downhole conditions. The digital motor control circuit drives the motor at a substantially constant, carrier frequency producing speed in the absence of data of one logic state and temporarily changes the speed of the motor to effect a predetermined phase change in the carrier signal upon data of the predetermined logic state.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a valve apparatus adapted for use in drill stem testing to apportion a pressure differential across two vertically spaced packers includes a housing mounted between the packers and having a flow passage leading from the exterior to the interior thereof, a first valve means including a spring-loaded mandrel arranged to close the passage at a preselected difference in pressures inside and outside the housing, and a second valve means that also can close the passage after a measured quantity of fluids has flowed through the passage.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a device for anchoring downhole apparatus such as a safety valve in a tubing landing nipple, and a running tool for lowering the anchoring device at the end of a wire line into the tubing.The anchoring device comprises a body member that carries locking dogs which are shifted outwardly and engaged by the longitudinal movement of an expander mandrel. An expansible ring that is maintained on the mandrel by shear pins functions to lock the mandrel in the engaged position of the dogs. The running tool comprises a control sleeve having pivotally mounted connecting keys which remain engaged with the mandrel until the locking dogs are properly engaged and which then are released automatically from the mandrel. A safety shear pin makes it possible to free the running tool from the anchoring device in the event of incorrect anchoring of the latter and, when sheared, provides a "tell-tale" of incorrect installation.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, a nuclear-magnetism logging tool is arranged with at least its polarizing and detecting coil isolated in an enclosed chamber containing a uniquely-treated hydrogenous oil and preferably coupled to a suitable compensating system operatively arranged for responding to borehole pressure and temperature conditions. In particular, a selected, minor amount of a ferromagnetic colloid is dispersed in the oil in a sufficient concentration for uniquely effecting a controlled decay of nuclear magnetic noise signals from the coil-isolating oil, with this decay being of selected rapidity sufficient to avoid interference with the measurement of nuclear magnetic measurement signals from earth formations.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a plurality of outwardly-biased bow springs are disposed around the lower end of the body of a spinner-type flowmeter and cooperatively arranged for centering at least that portion of the tool body in a well bore. The upper ends of the bow springs are pivotally secured to the tool body and their lower ends are coupled together below the body and adapted for longitudinal movement in relation thereto. To maintain the bow springs at a uniform spacing from the tool body when the flowmeter is in a deviated well bore, a corresponding number of rigid arms are pivotally coupled to the mid-portion of each spring and extended upwardly to a pivotal connection on a downwardly-biased collar which is slidably mounted on the tool body below the spring pivots. The spinner is provided with pivoted blades which are cooperatively arranged to be extended and retracted in response to the expansion and contraction of the bow springs.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, new and improved termination assemblies for multi-conductor electrical cables are manufactured by first molding a unitary fluid barrier around the cable conductors for integrally bonding or fusing this barrier around the conductor insulating sheaths so as to block fluid-leakage paths within the barrier and along the exterior of the conductor sheaths. The forward face of the barrier and the rear face of the contact support member of an electrical connector are also specially prepared so that as a selected thermosetting polymer, such as an unvulcanized elastomer, is subsequently molded to form a body individually surrounding each of the conductors extending ahead of the barrier, the now-vulcanized elastomer will be bonded to both the contact support member and the fluid barrier so to block fluid-leakage paths within the body and ahead of the fluid barrier which might otherwise intercommunicate the interiors of these sheaths.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a subsurface safety valve assembly includes a dome precharged with a set reference pressure that tends to close the valve, and means responsive to both ambient pressure and to the pressure of a control fluid for holding the valve open under normal conditions, a decrease in either control fluid pressure or tubing pressure, or both, enabling the dome pressure to cause the valve to automatically close and shut-in the well. The valve does not employ a coil spring to cause closure, which permits installation at great depths in a well, and a narrow spread between valve opening and closing pressures.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments of the safe-handling arming apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a spring-biased indicator is cooperatively arranged on an enclosed-carrier perforating gun for visually representing whether an obscured or secluded detonator enclosed within the carrier is either in an ineffectual or "safe" status or is in an effective or "armed" status in readiness for detonating one or more shaped explosive charges in the gun. In one embodiment of the new and improved arming apparatus of the present invention, a unique arrangement is provided for releasably retaining a selectively-movable detonator in either of two predetermined operating locations. In another embodiment of the invention, the detonator is instead fixed and isolated by a selectively-movable barrier whose presence or absence is shown by the indicator.

Abstract: A control valve apparatus adapted to be positioned within a subsea blowout preventer stack for controlling the flow of fluid from an offshore well includes a ball valve element provided with the capability of cutting coil tubing typically employed in well workover and completion operations. The ball element has a cutting edge that coacts with the valve seat to shear the tubing, and a relief slot that receives the tubing during cutting to prevent the tubing from being placed in double shear. Hydraulically operable means is provided to assist in closure of the ball valve element and consequent cutting of tubing extending into the well, in case of emergency.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a plurality of outwardlybiased bow springs are disposed around a tool body and cooperatively arranged for centering the tool body in a well bore. The upper ends of the bow springs are pivotally secured to an intermediate portion thereof and their lower ends coupled together for longitudinal movement in relation to the lower portion of the body. To maintain the bow springs at a uniform spacing from the tool body when the tool is in a deviated well bore, a corresponding number of rigid arms are pivotally coupled to the mid-portion of each spring and extended upwardly to a pivotal connection on a collar which is slidably mounted on the tool body and biased downwardly. Diameter-measuring devices are cooperatively arranged on the tool body for operation in response to the expansion and retraction of the bow springs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a well logging cable that is gas-blocked by virtue of having solid outer conductors cabled around a stranded, filled center conductor and interred in a monolithic matrix material. Substantially all void spaces are thereby eliminated to prevent collection of gas anywhere within the cable at high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A rectifying circuit comprises a high gain A.C. amplifier having first and second rectifying means connected in respective negative feedback paths between its output and its input and arranged to pass respective feedback currents of opposite polarity. A current copying device is responsive to the current flowing in one of the rectifying means to copy this current.In a preferred embodiment, said one rectifying means comprises the base-emitter junction of a first transistor, whose collector is connected to the input of the amplifier, and the current copying means comprises a second transistor, matched with the first transistor, and having its base-emitter junction connected in parallel with the base-emitter junction of the first transistor. The rectified output signal in this embodiment is taken from the free collector of the second transistor.

Abstract: A flowmeter comprises an axial flow measurement turbine having a relatively thin turbine disc secured to a shaft which is supported on at least one axial bearing. At high flow rates, it is possible for a large pressure differential to build up between the opposite axial sides of the disc, subjecting the turbine to an axial force which results in excessive friction at the bearing and therefore reduced life and reduced accuracy. To solve this problem, the disc is provided with apertures passing axially therethrough, and a set of blades is secured to the upstream face of the disc to force fluid to flow through these apertures, and thus substantially eliminate the pressure differential.

Abstract: A wave motion compensating and drill string drive apparatus for use in connection with offshore drilling operations includes a kelley with a mandrel telescopically disposed therein and providing a hydraulic ram whose working volume is supplied with fluid at a preselected pressure such that a constant weight can be imposed by the drill string on the bit as the vessel undergoes vertical motion. The hydraulic fluid is supplied to the ram via a swivel coupling to enable the kelley and mandrel to rotate relative thereto, and the members are coupled by slidable splines for the transmission of torque from the rotary to the drill string.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, a first ported or grooved signal-producing member is coaxially disposed within the apparatus for dividing drilling fluids flowing through the drill string into two or more longitudinally-directed streams or jets. A second ported or grooved signal-producing member is coaxially arranged in the apparatus adjacent to the first member and adapted for rotation in a transverse plane to cyclically obstruct the fluid jets for developing an alternating or cyclic acoustic signal of a desired frequency in the drilling fluid stream.

Abstract: A hub lighted indicator suitable for aircraft applications including one or more pointers, each capable of a full 360.degree. excursion over the dial face. The pointers include a portion which extends through a central circular aperture in the dial between the dial and the hub lighting member and are connected in a non-interfering manner to corresponding ring gears mounted for rotation coaxially with the dial aperture. The ring gears are driven in accordance with the quantities being measured to cause a corresponding excursion over the dial face of the connected pointer. Electrical connections are made to the hub lighting member from the rear portion of the indicator through the center portions of the ring gears.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the invention herein, delicate instruments and electronics circuitry used for obtaining downhole measurements are mounted on an elongated support or chassis which is removably disposed within a tubular housing and uniquely restrained from movement in response to shocks and vibrations which might otherwise damage or destroy the components. In this preferred arrangement, at least one set of angularly-disposed transverse rollers of a somewhat-resilient material is mounted on the chassis and respectively arranged for being slightly compressed and rollingly engaged with the internal wall of the tubular enclosure as the chassis is inserted into the enclosure.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, this new and improved perforating apparatus includes a plurality of encapsulated shaped explosive charges having their forward ends respectively fitted and threadedly secured in a facing relationship along the concave rear face of an elongated steel carrier strip of a unique design having its forward face complementally shaped for accommodation within a given size of well bore piping thereby allowing the largest possible mass of explosive to be disposed in each capsule. To assure the proper installation of the detonating cord, the rear portions of the two-part charge capsules are cooperatively arranged in a unique fashion so as to be rotatably positionable in relation to their forward portions for facilitating proper alignment of transversely-oriented cord-receiving openings provided in the base of each capsule.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a drill stem test of an offshore well utilizing a pressure controlled test valve. The test valve includes a valve element having a transverse pressure area with the high pressure side exposed to the pressure of fluids in the well annulus and the low pressure side subject to the pressure of a compressible fluid medium contained within a chamber in the test valve. The pressure in the chamber is equalized with the hydrostatic head of the well fluids so that at test depth the same pressure is acting on both sides of the transverse pressure area, whereupon this pressure is confined within the chamber. Then a fluid pressure in excess of the hydrostatic head is applied to the well fluids externally of the test valve to develop a pressure difference across the valve element which causes it to shift from closed to open position.