Abstract: An apparatus and method for bagging ice. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and a hopper for receiving for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a roller drum, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The roller drum includes an inner rotating drum. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a fan engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a heat sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the roller drum and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: A rodless pump is disclosed which is connected to a pressure source via a first conduit. In a common oilfield application the pump would be connected to the bottom of a tubing string within the reservoir fluid to be produced. A pressure source such as a hydraulic pump would be connected at the surface to the tubing string so as to selectively apply pressure via fluid in the first conduit to the pump, raising the plunger assembly in the pump drawing reservoir fluid into the pump. When pressure via the surface pressure source is released, a balancing fluid, connected to the pump from the surface through a second conduit positioned within the first conduit, urging the plunger assembly downward in the pump urging the reservoir fluid in the pump into the tubing and to the surface. Preferably, the pump includes dampening mechanisms at both the top and bottom of the plunger stroke so as to reduce metal to metal impact within the pump.

Abstract: A three-part sub-assembly comprising a wire line retrievable spear. The spear having two fluid chambers. A diverter valve having a truncated, inverted cone valve seat is preferably threaded into the interior of the spear. A diverter valve stem, having back-to-back cones is located within the interior of the spear/diverter valve combination, with one of the cones having a linear extension which prevents the first cone from completely seating against the valve seat within the interior of the spear. The spear/diverter valve assembly and a spring-loaded piston is placed within the interior of the cylinder and utilizes an adjustable ring within the interior of the cylinder as an adjustment for varying mud weights.

Abstract: A process is provided for capturing a state of a data input interface at a particular time in a complex workflow system. The data input interface provides an interface for entering actual data to populate a field document. The data input interface is modified on a plurality of occasions to accept input of additional or alternate types of actual data. Each modification of the data input interface is considered a version of the data input interface. The process involves saving a first version of the data input interface, which has been used to enter a first set of actual data. Modifications to the first version of the data input interface are then stored to create a second version of the data input interface. The second version of the data input interface is then activated allowing a second set of data to be entered via the second version of the data input interface.

Abstract: A U-shaped elevator having no doors is provided with first and second latching mechanisms which when contacted by the tubular to be entrapped within the elevator move from a closed position to an open position and which then return to a closed position as soon as the tubular is entrapped within the elevator. The latching mechanisms have a safety catch which prevents the tubular from being inadvertently removed from the elevator. The safety latch mechanism can only be activated by a handle which is manipulated by hand by personnel working on the derrick utilizing the elevator. The elevator has an open throat to receive tubulars that have couplers or other features with a lower flange surface for lifting a pipe string. The throat access has blocking members that are movable to allow tubulars to move out of the gap unless the blocking members are locked to prevent such movement. The blocking members have latches biased toward a position to immobilize the members.

Abstract: A mud saver valve being operable in conjunction with a top drive unit to retain mud in the top drive unit when a tubular is disconnected therefrom. The valve utilizes a spring-loaded piston to control the flow of mud or other fluid onto the work area and environment while the top drive unit is being connected to the new tubular and re-connected to the original tubular string. The valve further comprises multiple check valves for evaluating as well as monitoring wellbore pressure. The valves provides for full bore flow passages for the mud or fluid being pumped into a tubular fluidly connected to the top drive.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce often associated offensive odors by promoting aerobic conditions through decreasing the amount of oxygen required to maintain aerobic cultures and/or aerobic biological activity in the wastewater. Also, the wastewater is screened or otherwise separated the wastewater to remove or concentrate the solids which are anaerobically digested. By concentrating the solids, a smaller digester can be used. The anaerobic digestion produces biogas that may be collected and used, or burned by a flare or oxidized by a semipermeable membrane to deodorize the biogas. The heat produced from the biogas may have a variety of uses, including raising the temperature of the anaerobic digester and the bacterial metabolism. The wastewater is also clarified to remove nitrogenous and organic carbon wastes.

Abstract: A pick-up and lay-down pipe handling system and method provides a telescopingly extendable pipe trough which is telescopingly extendable from a lift frame. The lift frame is preferably pivotally moveable with respect to a support. A tilting mechanism is operable for tilting the pipe trough to either lateral side for unloading and/or loading purposes. A lift frame with slidable powered lift heads is provided to raise and lower pipes from a pipe rack to the pipe trough. A pivotal guide member on the slidable powered lift head to pivot into a guiding position for guiding pipe from the lift frame onto the pipe trough.

Abstract: The apparatus is connected to a member on the elevator that moves if and when the slips move between the open and closed positions. The member is locked in a preselected position that attends the position of the slips when the elevator is considered safe. When the member is in that safe position a wireless signal is generated by the apparatus part on the elevator and received by a receiving part of the apparatus in a convenient remote location such as the drillers position. In response to the received signal, the receiving part produces a visible signal to indicate that the slips are in the preselected position.

Abstract: An overlapping flanged mat system for assembling the mat system for fabricating an artificial road including parallel upper surface boards extending longitudinally in one array, an intermediate plurality of surface boards transverse to the upper layer, and a lower set of boards extending parallel to the upper boards, said lower set having an inner-connecting section, extending outwardly from the longitudinal position of the first and second set of boards, creating a landing surface. The mats are inner-connected by laying down a succession of such three-ply mats to form an artificial road.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus for manipulating well bore tubing includes a circular body having a top and a central cavity around a body axis. The cavity has a diameter allowing the collar portion of the tubing to pass longitudinally therethrough. A plurality of cavity restricting members above the body, supported on and spaced apart around the top of the body, have proximal and distal portions in respect to the cavity. One or more actuators are operatively associated with the petal plates for moving the proximal portion of each cavity restricting member into the cavity an extent sufficient, in combination with the other cavity restricting members so moved, to prevent passage of the collar portion of the tubing through the cavity, thereby to hold the tubing with the elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a pneumatically actuated, hydraulic jack and an electric air compressor. The disclosed apparatus is self contained and portable and includes a pneumatically actuated hydraulic jack, an air compressor, at least one air supply line, and an electronic switch, for directing the air flow to either the jack or the air supply line. The air supply line can be used to inflate objects, such as tires, or used to power pneumatic tools. The air compressor is preferably powered by an automobile's electrical system and is thus adapted with a cigarette lighter adaptor. This apparatus is preferably used for changing vehicle tires and/or inflating the tires.

Abstract: An improved automatic loading cross-bow comprising a main frame having pivotally mounted interchangeable bow limbs adjacent to its front end. The bow limbs can be latched in a folding position, for easy transportation, in an extended position for firing, or can be interchanged for different bow weights. The cross-bow includes an arrow magazine containing a plurality of arrows adapted to be attached to the main frame. An improved spring device automatically feeds arrows, one at a time, into the firing position in the main frame as the bow string is cocked. An improved safety release trigger is adapted to be cocked by moving the bow string into firing position and to be fired only when the safety release and trigger are both actuated. The improved release trigger further provides for a smooth center line firing.

Abstract: An assembly and method is disclosed for moving a load into and out of an enclosure such as the enclosure of a van. The assembly may include an upright shaft rotatably mounted within a side portion of the enclosure. A boom assembly extends from the shaft. The boom assembly includes a beam to which an arm is pivotally mounted. An extension member is also pivotally attached to the arm such that as the shaft rotates the angular orientation of the arm with respect to the beam is controlled by the extension member whereby the load may be moved in a substantially straight direction into or out of the enclosure in response to rotation of the shaft. A length of the extension member may be adjusted to move the line of movement of the load closer or nearer to the shaft. A motorized winch is preferably mounted to the end of the arm to lift the load.

Abstract: A well borehole is prevented from deviating from its intended vertical path as it is being drilled by use of a sub assembly which is eccentrically weighted with respect to its axis of rotation. Such a sub assembly can comprise a straight tubular member weight relieved along one side by, for example, forming a cavity within the heavy walls of the tubular member along the side of the collar. Thus, the eccentric weight is imposed upon the drill bit without providing any protrusions or elbows which are designed to bear on the wall of the borehole. Additionally, as the cavity is contained within the heavy walls of the tubular member, drilling fluids containing various debris cannot inhabit the cavity, thus maintaining a constant eccentric weight upon the drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing weld integrity is disclosed which is portable, self-contained, adaptable for field use in most locations, and can verify the integrity of attachment welds. The testing apparatus includes a cylinder or cylinders, attachable to the desired object to be tested on one end and to a cross bar on the other end, support beam or beams which, along with the cylinder or cylinders, support the test apparatus, a supply for pressurized fluid, and a control manifold for flow direction and pressure measurement. The pressurized fluid moves the cylinder shaft creating a load on the test piece. As the fluid pressure increases the cylinder shafts extract or retract and exert a required load on the test piece. The test piece is then inspected for breakage or damage such as deformation or attachment weld cracking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vibrating abrasive cleaning apparatus and method which is powered by at least one electric motor specially fabricated to the cleaning container assembly mounted on a rigid square tubing frame on one side by compression springs, on the opposite side by tension springs. The compression springs and tension springs have a different spring rate which produces better rolling of the media and therefore, faster circulation and cleaning. The specially fabricated electric motor attached to the cleaning container provides for enhanced oscillation and much greater cleaning capabilities thereby reducing the cleaning time. The entire vibrating assembly sits on a base and has a lid operated by a cable and counterweight for ease in loading the container for oscillation of the parts.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymers, rubbery polymeric components and reinforcing fillers are mixed and heated to a range of 380° F. to 440° F. The resulting mixture is then fed into a Banbury mixer, with the resulting mixture fed into a diverter feeding two molds. The velocity of the piston of each mold being filled is controlled to thereby control the density of the molded product along its length. As each mold is filled, it is deposited in a cool water bath (50° F.-60° F.) while the next mold is being filled. The molds are sequentially transferred to an air cooling rack to complete the process. A texture, generally comprising indentations perpendicular to the longitudinal axis on the molded object, provides a frictional surface between the railway crosstie and the ballast beneath the crosstie.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed that is operable by converting rotational force of a stem into linear motion of a valve closure element, such as a sleeve, to control fluid flow through the valve. In a presently preferred embodiment, at least two interconnection members are rotatably mounted, such as with a round end, to a stem drive element. The interconnection members are slidably mounted into channels or grooves in a sleeve. Rotatable movement of the stem permits rotation of the interconnection members whereby the interconnection members are constrained to slide in the channels whereby rotational movement of the stem is converted into translational or linear movement of the valve closure element.

Abstract: A power tong system and method is disclosed for making and breaking joints between wellbore. The system comprises a frame to which a spinner is mounted for spinning the wellbore tubulars. A first member is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame such that the first member is rotatable with respect to the frame. A piston/cylinder assembly is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame and with respect to the first member whereby the first member is rotatable with respect to the frame in response to movement of the piston with respect to the cylinder. A control arm is preferably pivotally mounted to the first member and the piston/cylinder assembly. The control arm is securable, such as with a moveable pin or a latch, to the first member in at least two positions for controlling whether the first member is operable for making or for breaking the joints.