Abstract: A flex joint is disclosed for connecting two cylindrical instrument housings of a downhole instrument assembly that will bend as required to allow the instrument housings to move through a curved section of a well bore. The joint includes spaced tubular connectors for connecting the joint to the cylindrical housings. The connectors are connected by a flexible cable or thin walled cylindrical tube. One or more helical springs extend between the connectors and are held in compression to urge the connectors toward an in-line position while allowing the joint to bend as required for the cylindrical instrument housings to travel through a curved section of a well bore.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of machining workpieces such as crankshafts, camshafts or similarly shaped members, having surfaces which are disposed both concentrically and also eccentrically relative to a workpiece axis and which are rotationally symmetrical or approximately rotationally symmetrical. The machining of the concentrically curved surfaces is effected by means of turning, rotational broaching and/or turning-rotational broaching and the machining of the eccentric workpiece surfaces is effected by means of end-milling wherein the axis of rotation of the milling cutter is transverse with respect to the spindle axis 3, and the workpiece is subjected to cutting finishing machining and the clamping means.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a tool for use in retrieving a cylindrical object which is stuck within a well bore, or, in the event the object cannot be retrieved, releasing therefrom to permit recovery of the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring bottom scour adjacent a foundation structure extending into the bottom of a stream of flowing water is disclosed. An elastic wave source is used for transmitting elastic waves through the water, the scour zone, and the bottom adjacent the foundation structure. The elastic waves are transmitted directly to an array of receivers and indirectly through the foundation structure to produce refracted signals that also travel to the receivers. The array of receivers are adapted for substantially vertical positioning such that a portion of the receivers will sense elastic waves that travel through the water above the scour, a portion will sense elastic waves that travel through the scour, and a portion will sense elastic waves that travel through the bottom adjacent the structure. Means are utilized for recording the time required for the elastic waves to reach each receiver to measure the depth of scour next to the foundation structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring a physically disabled person through a vehicle's driver side door opening to and from a driving position behind the steering wheel of the vehicle. The method and apparatus contemplate the use of a seat assembly, including a seat having a back support, a seat frame, and lift means for lifting and lowering the seat relative to the seat frame. A hinge assembly is mounted inside the vehicle for pivoting the seat assembly about a vertical axis and supports the weight of the seat assembly. The lift means is slidable relative to the hinge assembly. Powered means are mounted to a floor within the vehicle for rotating the seat assembly via the hinge assembly between an outwardly facing position, wherein the lift seat may be lifted or lowered by the lift means outside the vehicle, and an intermediate forwardly facing position inside the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally controlling a light fixture contemplate the use of a housing for holding a high-wattage, heat-producing lamp, with the housing having an opening through which light emanates from the lamp. Two lenses are provided, and mounting means support the lenses in spaced layered relation so as to form a thermal barrier that at least partially encloses the opening of the housing whereby the lens furthest from the heat-producing lamp is maintained cooler than the lens closest to the lamp.

Abstract: A muzzle-loading firearm designed to utilize an ignition device carrier and to discharge projectiles having pre-cut rifling. The ignition device carrier serves to facilitate easy installation and removal of the primer or percussion cap required to discharge the firearm in addition to protecting both the primer from inclement weather and the shooter from powder detonation. The carrier also provides a means for positive mechanical extraction of the ignition device from the weapon. Projectiles for the firearm have the rifling grooves cut into them by forcing the bullets through an engraving die fashioned from a portion of the rifle barrel or from a separate barrel of slightly different dimensions than the barrel of the weapon which will fire the projectiles.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use with coil tubing for drilling, comprising a mud motor having a housing that is bent at its lower end, an output shaft extending through the bent housing, a drill bit connected to the output shaft to be rotated as drilling mud is pumped through the mud motor, a rotator having a torque tube that is connected to the housing of the mud motor to allow the rotator to rotate the housing of the mud motor to change the orientation of the bent section of the housing as required to drill in the desired direction, a steering tool having a housing connected to the housing of the rotator and a central mandrel that is connected to the torque tube of the rotator so that the sensors of the steering tool will be rotated by the rotator the same angular distance as the bent housing so that the orientation of the sensors in the steering tool and the bent housing is always the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheeled carriage, particularly a walker, including a load-bearing frame having a plurality of wheels rotatably carried thereby for support and mobility thereof. The frame carries a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a pair of pumps having inlet and outlet ports. The pumps draw fluid through their respective inlet ports from the reservoir and return fluid through their respective outlet ports to the reservoir. Conduit is also carried by the frame for fluid communication between the reservoir and the inlet and outlet ports of the pumps. The wheels are respectively connected to each of the pumps for operating the pumps in response to the rotation of the wheels. The frame further carries a valve in the conduit that is adapted to be opened or closed by the hand strength of the user. The closed position of the valve prevents movement of the hydraulic fluid from the outlet ports of the pumps to the reservoir whereby the connected wheels are prevented from rotating.

Abstract: A transport vessel hull is provided for withstanding great pressure differential between the environments inside and outside the hull, and includes an enclosed hexahedral housing having a substantially diamond-shaped cross section with a long diagonal oriented horizontally and a short diagonal oriented vertically. A support structure is contained within the housing for bearing the loads resulting from the pressure differential across the hull, and includes a plurality of vertical frame members connected at the upper and lower ends thereof to the housing on either respective side of the short diagonal to form a plurality of high strength-to-weight ratio trusses.

Abstract: An isolator and method of using same for providing an atmosphere free of contamination from external sources and for containing and evacuating contaminates generated during the course of a surgical procedure, particularly laser procedures that are performed within the isolator. The isolator includes a double chambered structure made of a flexible material on a rigid frame. Filtered air is provided to the outer chamber and enters the inner chamber through various openings in the inner enclosure walls. The inner chamber is under negative pressure and the mix of filtered air and any air borne contaminants generated by the procedure are evacuated to an air handling unit where contaminants are neutralized and removed from the air. A portion of the top side of the bag is made of a relatively stiff, optically transparent, material through which the surgeon or the assembly worker can view the work area.

Abstract: A light fixture for setting the optimum position of a position-oriented lamp, independently of the fixture position, includes a housing for holding the position-oriented lamp and having an opening through which light emanates from the lamp. Means is releasably connected to the housing for rotating the position-oriented lamp relative to the housing and securing the lamp to the housing when the lamp has been rotated to its optimum position. Means is mounted to the rotating and securing means for indicating when the position-oriented lamp has been rotated to its optimum position, so that the lamp can be so positioned without having visual access to it.

Abstract: A method for monitoring mammalian reproductive cycles by monitoring variations in the quantity of one or more low molecular weight volatile compound having a molecular weight of less than 50 grams per mole present in a body constituent sample is disclosed. Samples of a body constituent selected from the group of humoral fluid, breath and body cavity air are collected from a female mammal a multiple number of times during the reproductive cycle. The quantity of a low molecular weight volatile compound in each sample is measured. In the preferred embodiment, the low molecular weight volatile compound, acetaldehyde, will be measured and monitored. Variations in the quantity of the low molecular weight volatile compound appearing in each sample is monitored to determine the phase of the mammal's reproductive cycle and to predict the occurrence of ovulation.

Abstract: An improved cableway system includes a base pylon; a lower saddle mounted to the base pylon from which a track cable may be strung; and an upper saddle from which a catenary cable may be strung, the upper saddle movably mounted to the base pylon to articulate in response to the weight of a vehicle traversing the track cable. The lower saddle is a linkage pivotally mounted to the base pylon beneath the first saddle to accommodate the articulation of the upright and distribute the weight of the vehicle across a portion of the track cable. The hanger for suspending a track cable from a catenary cable includes a hanger member suspended from the catenary cable by one end thereof; a cross-tie pivotably mounted to the hanger member at the end distal to the catenary cable; a track cable guide affixed to the cross-tie; and a power rail guide mounted to one of the suspended member and the cross-tie.

Abstract: A high pressure seal material, such as for a lateral "T" seal of a shear ram blowout preventer, is disclosed wherein the seal material is preferably nitrile rubber and includes uniformly dispersed synthetic, non-cellulosic fibers in parallel alignment to resist rollover action occurring transverse to the applied compressive force by orienting the aligned fibers parallel to the axis of the applied force. The material is made in a milling process that aligns and maintains the alignment of the fibers. The milled sheet is then cut into appropriately shaped pieces. The pieces are rotated 90.degree., plied and cured to make the final material, which curing can be done in a suitable mold so that the final product is in its desired final shape.

Abstract: An expandable clamp of the type that is used within a channel to compress a planar member within that channel against a wall of that channel. The clamp has an expandable bladder of an elongated cylindrical shape and a valve for introducing a gas or a liquid into the bladder for expanding it. Alternatively, the clamp may be manufactured with a closed bladder that is partially filled with a fluid. This closed bladder may be expanded by increasing the pressure on the fluid such as by compressing the fluid with a piston. The clamp is particularly suited for use in Standard Electronic Modules for providing more uniform contact between the frame of the electronic module and the card chassis of the instrumentation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a door for closing an access opening of a hyperbaric or other pressure chamber in which access may be had to the interior of a vessel in which a patient is received through an opening and which, when in closed position, is releasably locked to the vessel.

Abstract: A decorative light assembly for illuminating a tree includes an electrical cable having primary input and output conductors, a plug at one end thereof, and being adapted for placement within the tree about the trunk thereof. At least one light string cluster stems from the electrical cable and includes a plurality of looped components adapted for extending along the branches or subbranches of the tree and electrically connected to one another, and a plurality of bulb sockets electrically connected at spaced intervals in series along the respective looped components. The looped components and bulb sockets together create a dense distribution of lights in the tree when the looped conductors are extended along the branches or subbranches of the tree.

Abstract: There is disclosed a butterfly valve having a body connectable in a flowline and a seat which lines its inner side, and a disc which has stem portions at its opposite ends closely received within openings in the seat and body to permit the disc to be rotated between opened and closed positions. A ring which is restrained from movement with one of the disc and seat in a direction transverse to the stem portions substantially fills a groove in the other of the disc and seat which surrounds each stem portions so as to seal between the seat, disc and such stem portion.

Abstract: Preheated diluent and steam are introduced into a container containing waste material typically comprised of a sludge mixture of liquid and solid material including hydrocarbons. The material is thereby heated and its viscosity reduced to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is pumped out of the container and its viscosity is adjusted to the optimum for separating the solids and liquids. The solids are then separated from the liquid, any valuable material in either the solids and the liquid are recovered and the rest disposed of.