Abstract: A two-phase ductile iron-based alloy which is resistant to oxidation and fidation at high temperatures is disclosed. The alloy contains from about 8 to 20 wt % of Cr; about 6 to 30 wt % of Ni; about 3 to 11.5 wt % of Al; and 0 to 2 wt % of Mo; about 0 to 1 wt % of Si; about 0 to 2 wt % of Mn; about to 0 to 0.1 wt % of C; about 0 to 0.02 wt % of S; about 0 to 0.02 wt % of P; about 0 to 1 wt % of Ti; about 0 to 2 wt % of Nb and Ta; and the balance of Fe. The atomic ratio of nickel to aluminum is between 0.8 and 1.2.

Abstract: An apparatus in which grout is extruded from the same chamber in which mixed. Provision is made to clean the system after it has undergone one cycle of mixing and extrusion. The basic components of the apparatus include a mixing chamber with a mixing ram having collapsible mixing fingers. Encircling this mixing ram is an extruding ram with a ram head. The mixing ram is concentric with and extends through a lower extruding ram cylinder with the upper portion of the mixing ram having a mixing head normally seated in the mixing chamber and concentric with the ram head. Provision is made to bring water into the mixing chamber, to insert grout in the same chamber, and to outlet the water and grout from the same.

Abstract: A mobile support system for an underground mine brattice curtain which extends the ventilation control of a conventional line brattice. Three embodiments are disclosed for the support system utilizing different fulcrums. In the preferred embodiment, the support's fulcrum is made up of two identical spaced semicircular skid plates which engage the floor and rockably support a first inclined rigid beam. This first beam is pivotally attached to a cantilevered generally horizontal roof engaging upper support at its inby side and has a foot engaging section on its outby side. A second rigid beam extends upwardly from the first beam towards the outby side of the upper support and is pivotally attached to the first beam. The other end of the second beam is a free end which can engage an indexing member on the lower outby end of the upper support. An impervious air curtain depends from the upper support along its length and along with the upper support can be moved to engage the roof.

Abstract: A short range, low power, radio wave transmitter which acts as a miner locator. The transmitter is incorporated with the cap lamp circuitry for the miner. It utilizes the same self-contained power source and its wire connection thereto acts as the transmitter's antenna. No action on the miner's part is necessary in order to begin the transmission which may be on a specific identifying frequency for each miner. An electronic crowbar circuit may be used to conserve power for the transmitter by cutting off power to the cap lamp should the voltage across the self-contained power source fall below a preset level. This enables the transmitter to function for several days by reducing the load on the power source.

Abstract: Tungsten monocarbide is prepared by sparging a molten composition comprising an alkali metal halide and an oxygen compound of tungsten with a gas comprising a gaseous hydrocarbon, particularly methane.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein relates to the removal of unwanted gases and associated fluids in underground mining operations by utilizing mine boreholes. After the mine borehole has been drilled its desired distance from the mine face, an inflatable packer assembly is inserted therein and placed to the end remote from the mine face. This assembly is made up of at least two spaced inflatable packers wherein the spacer between the packers in conjunction with the borehole defines an isolation zone. Fluid conduit members, suitably supported at the mine face, extend into the borehole and act as supply lines from the two separate fluid sources for the packer assembly and isolation zone. A fracturing fluid under high pressure is supplied to the isolation zone and an inflatable fluid is supplied to the at least two packers to rigidly mount them in the borehole. After a fracture is induced in the zone, an additional amount of fracturing fluid is injected thereinto to extend the fracture.

Abstract: A lockout safety device used in combination with a conveyor pullcord syst The device is used to tension and then lock the conveyor system's pullcord in the tensioned position which action renders the conveyor inoperative. Several embodiments are disclosed each of which is portable, simple in structure, inexpensive, compact in size, and useable anywhere along the length of the pullcord. Each functions to cam its surface against and thereby tension the pullcord which then allows it to be locked in that position. In the preferred embodiment, two sets of parallel members are pivotably joined together with each set having a pin to engage the pullcord on one side while the pivot engages it on the other side.

Abstract: A gas sampling device whose operation is activated by the blast whose gas to be sampled. This blast activates a switch which in turn starts the operation of a control box which thereafter sequentially outputs pneumatic signals at preset time intervals. These signals are received by a sampling unit assembly which functions in response thereto to receive and retain a gas sample from the blast.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the in situ levels of tritium in ground water at depth in the earth. A tritium analyzer is made to fit in a sonde or probe which is placed in a borehole. This analyzer can perform a programmed cycle and has a sample intake to allow ambient water to enter; a reaction chamber; a drying chamber; an ion chamber; a cryogenic gas pump, and a spent capsule collection chamber. After the water sample is brought into the unit, it rises into the reaction chamber where it reacts with a preweighed quantity of calcium carbide in a capsule to yield acetylene. Next the acetylene vapor passes through the drying chamber to remove excess water and then flows into the evacuated ion chamber. Following this, the ion chamber is sealed off and a count of tritium beta decay events is started. Following the completion of the count, a valve is opened to remove the acetylene from the ion chamber with the cryogenic gas pump.

Abstract: A suspended sediment sensor system for determining concentrations of particles and their size distribution in a submitted fluid sample. The particles being measured range from 50-1000 microns in dimensions and the concentrations range from <50 to 50,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluid. Equipment used includes a fall tube, laser light source, light scattering detector system, optical equipment, and a system to control the movement of the sample and other fluid past the laser and detector system. The detector system measures background scatter from particles impinged upon by the laser source at an angle of about 165.degree.. Contemplated to be used with the foregoing is a computer and associated controls to allow an unattended in situ system for a river, lake, etc.

Abstract: A electrolytic method and its associated apparatus for in situ recovery of coal products. With this method, the recoverable coal is in physical contact with a series of two or more positive electrodes while it is isolated from a single negative electrode by an electrolytic solution. The negative electrode and positive electrode are in boreholes which are drilled and are configured in the earth such that the positive electrodes may surround the single negative electrode. An electrolyte is placed in the center borehole with the negative electrode inserted in the liquid but insulated and positioned so as not to touch the coal in the side of the borehole. All of the positive electrodes in the adjacent boreholes are serially electrically connected to each other and to the positive terminal of an electrical potential difference source. The negative electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the same power source to initiate an electrolytic reaction in the coal-bearing earth.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe power supply employing a binary current interrupter connected between the power source and the electrical load. Normally the load is situated in a potentially dangerous environment, like a coal mine, and the intrinsically safe power supply at a safe remote location, e.g., on the earth's surface. The interrupter has a pass and switching transistor, current sensor, gating circuitry, a flip-flop switch, and means to delay the turning on of the transistor--but not its turning off. If an overcurrent or overvoltage condition is sensed between the input and output of the intrinsically safe power supply, load current will cease to flow. In normal operation, only the current interrupter pass transistor will open. A reset signal from an oscillator internal of the interrupter may be used to reset the flip-flop after actuation or upon its initial setting, thereby causing the flow of power into the load.

Abstract: A volumetric filtering device is provided for use in a liquid level measuring apparatus. The device includes a communicating passageway between a first container for the liquid and a second container in which the measurement is to be made. The communicating passageway is provided with a first opening to the first container and a second opening to the second container, the first opening being located at a higher vertical displacement than the second opening. The described filter prevents passage of suspended particles, sediments, solids and other precipitants, as well as the passage of air bubbles, from the first container to the second container. The filter structure is also useful to prevent passage of a buoyant liquid, floating in a layer above the liquid to be measured, from the first to the second container. The passageway is volumetrically chosen to assure that none of the buoyant liquid will pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus to practice the method, to complete multiple (triple) branch wells using separate drill and casing templates. Principally this invention finds its greatest utility in the in situ leach mining of deep lying ore bodies. Initially, a generally vertical main hole is drilled in the earth and cased. The particular casing used has an internal indexing dog and specific areas which act as windows from which some of the branch wells are to be drilled. To form the individual branch wells, each window is sequentially drilled out by a drilling assembly which is oriented by a movable drilling template. The template is fixed with respect to the casing for each branch drilling by engaging the indexing dog. After each window and branch well is drilled, the drilling assembly and drilling template are retrieved to the surface and repositioned with respect to each other to provide for the next branch drilling.

Abstract: A readout circuit for determining the displacement of a magnet relative to a fixed reference point is disclosed. The relative displacement is determined by measuring the time interval required for a stress wave created in a magneto-strictive probe adjacent to the magnet to travel to the reference point. The readout circuit includes a counter means for counting at a predetermined rate. In order to determine the displacement of the magnet using the readout circuit, a pulse signal is generated in the probe causing a stress wave to be created in the probe at the location of the magnet. The counter means of the circuit is then activated in timed relation to the generation of the pulse signal. A means for detecting the arrival of the stress wave at the reference point and for stopping the counter means when the wave is detected is also provided in the readout circuit. By measuring the travel time for the stress wave with the readout circuit, the displacement of the magnet is determined.

Abstract: A method for the separation of extracted viscous crude oil placed in a reservoir of a opened cell. Materials such as oil shale, oil sand, or tar sand may be involved. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir material in the cell while steam is injected into a steam gallery running through the cell. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to "flip-flop" so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. This separated oil may be removed from the cell and the remaining material disposed of.

Abstract: A method and the necessary equipment to form horizontal cased and perforated drainholes for an underground, in situ leach mining operation. After a vertical hole has been formed and cased in the earth, horizontal drainholes are to be drilled from below its casing. The depth and thickness of the ore body which is to be recovered is determined. Following this, the proper whipstock orientation is computed and the horizontal drainhole is whipstocked and drilled from above the ore bed into it. A flexible casing, such as Coflexip pipe, is used to case the drainholes. Perforations or slots are provided for in these casings before they are put in the earth. A special retrievable cement plug, basket, and one-way valve are used to control and direct the flow of cement to the volume between the outside of the juncture at the casings.

Abstract: A multiple branch well for use with in situ leach mining of deep lying ore bodies. The branch wells may be formed by a method disclosed in a related invention. Each well may have two branches one of which is a producer well and one an injector well. Internally of the main casing from which the two branch casings extend are--from the lower end up--a packer unit, a tubing hanger, and a wireline retrievable hydraulically generated pump. The packer and tubing hanger serve their conventional function of, respectively, blocking the flow of leach fluids and holding the branch tubular casing in place within the main casing. The hydraulic pump joins the tubular casings to maintain a constant ratio of produced fluid to injected fluid. This pump is operated by a pressurized fluid source. Since it is retrievable and hydraulically operated, the pump can be brought to the surface for any repairs or maintenance and it requires less surface plumbing with no down hole electrical power.

Abstract: A method of drilling and completing multiple branch wells extending from a main generally vertical hole. This invention finds its primary applicability in in situ leach mining of deep (500 to several thousand feet) lying ore bodies such as uranium, copper, etc. Initially, the main generally vertical hole is drilled, cased, and cemented. Whipstock drilling guides are placed to extend downwardly and outwardly from the bottom of the casing for this hole and cemented in place. These guides are the same in number as the branch holes to be drilled. In addition, the well bore casing contains an indexing dog just above the whipstock drilling guide. The actual drilling of the branch wells is accomplished with a floating index collar and a drill bit assembly which runs therewith. The indexing dog is fixed in the main hole and engages the indexing collar so that the drill bit is oriented to drill into one of the whipstock drilling guides.

Abstract: A water spray cooler with a pair of water collecting mesh structures and having a water spraying nozzle assembly disposed therebetween. Air entering the cooler is directed through the mesh structures and towards a cooler outlet port. The entering air is cooled as it passes through a cool water spray from the nozzle assembly and through the mesh structures which have collected water.