Abstract: A fluid powered valve actuator is disclosed for a valve having a valve body and a threaded valve stem for connecting to the actuator to be reciprocated along its longitudinal axis to open and close the valve. The actuator includes an actuator housing for attaching to the valve body, a fluid motor mounted on the housing having a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, and a piston rod having one end attached to the piston. To connect the valve stem to the piston rod, a connecting block having a threaded opening in one end is screwed onto the threads on the valve stem. An opening in the other end of the block receives the end of the piston rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in flushing the cooling systems of water cooled outboard and inboard/outboard motorboat engines that draw cooling water through intakes in the engine housing beneath the surface of the water in which the boat is operating. The apparatus allows lubricant to be injected into the cooling system after the cooling system has been flushed with clean, fresh water to leave a coating of oil in the surfaces of the cooling system to prevent rust from forming on the surface. The apparatus consists of a U-shaped or bighted spring with two legs on which are slidably mounted two cup-shaped seal members constructed of elastomeric material. The seal members are positioned over the cooling intakes of the engine housing. One of the seal members has an opening through which clean fresh water is introduced and the other sealing member has an opening through which lubricant is injected.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for controlling the operation of a ram of a subsea blowout preventer connected to a piston shiftable between alternate positions within a cylinder. The system includes valve apparatus for so shifting the piston which includes an outlet connected to the cylinder, a first passageway through which hydraulic fluid may be supplied to the outlet, a second passageway through which hydraulic fluid may be vented from the outlet, and a valve member movable between positions alternately connecting the outlet with the first and second passageways, respectively, so as to selectively supply hydraulic fluid to or vent hydraulic fluid from the cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus including an assembly of parts for use in preparing the rim of a vehicle wheel having either a tube type or tubeless tire for use in dispensing liquid in the tire to fight fire in and around the area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for enabling, without first opening the envelope, prioritized processing of envelopes according to indications of clearing organization(s) of potentially enclosed checks. The method is rapidly executed by high speed automatic sorters operating on appropriate encoded indicia supplied to drawers of checks in such a way that the indicia is detectable from unopened envelopes delivering the checks.

Abstract: A bonded woven fabric compartment containing a super absorbent polymer which absorbs atmospheric water, condensate and water in oil for use in enclosures containing instrumentation and electronic equipment. The polymer is a granular form that when it absorbs water swells and does not migrate out of the compartment.

Abstract: A wellhead mounted pneumatic actuator for bottom hole oil pumps designed for operation by compressed air or gas. The preferred embodiment utilizes a single action cylinder with the downstroke actuated by the weight of the sucker rods and the fluid contained therein. Sufficient relatively high pressure air or gas from an external source is supplied under the piston of the cylinder to lift the piston at all times. A pressure or solenoid control floating piston bleeder valve selectively routes air or gas into the power cylinder on both sides of the piston to accomplish the downstroke. First and second contactors are mounted to cables suspended from a spreader reciprocating with the piston to contact respective first and second pivot arms to pivot the pivot arms into engagement with the respective first and second activator buttons of the bleeder valve to shift the bleeder valve from one position to the other to effectuate the selective routing of air or gas to the top of the piston as well as under the piston.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diverter valve having a gate for closing one or the other side-by-side seats aligned with outlets from a valve body wherein the body is made of carbon steel or other relatively low heat resistant but inexpensive metal, and the seats and other internal parts are made of stainless steel or low heat resistant metal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a through the tubing bridge plug adapted to close off a well bore beneath the lower end of a well tubing and which includes a tubular body connectable to a pipe string for lowering it through the well tubing, an elastomeric packing element surrounding the body, and upper and lower sets of thin, elongate metal strips surrounding the body respectively above and below the packing element. The upper strips are caused to move downwardly and the lower strips to move upwardly to cause their ends to slide over expander surfaces and outwardly against the well bore, on the body above and below the packing element, and the packing element is then inflated into engagement with the well bore intermediate the ends of the strip ends of the metal strips being forced outwardly against the well bore, and the packing element then being inflated to sealably engage the well bore intermediate the ends of the upper and lower metal strips.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in suspending an inner case within an outer casing of an offshore well at the ocean floor, which includes an outer body adapted to be connected to the outer casing for lowering therewith into a landed position at the ocean floor, a hanger body adapted to be connected to the inner casing for lowering therewith into the bore of the outer hanger body, and first and second circumferentially split rings carried about the hanger body for radial movement with respect thereto between contracted and expanded positions in which they may be moved with the hanger body into and out of the bore and normally expanded expansion in which they are seated within the bore of the outer body to support the hanger body from the outer body.

Abstract: A monolithic molded plastic fishing hook connectable to a monofilament fishing line. The hook by its unique parts is arranged to provide a shock absorber action during catching fish, to release from a hooked snag before the line breaks, and to maintain the axis of penetration of the barbed point substantially parallel to the line of action while under tension.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in placing cement within the annulus between a casing string and a well bore in which the casing string is suspended, such apparatus including a stage collar connectible as part of the casing string and having a packing element mounted thereon and adapted to be inflated into engagement with the well bore, one or more side ports through which cement may be circulated into the annulus above the packer, tubular members or sleeves for opening and closing the ports following inflation of the packing element.

Abstract: A tubular connector, such as used with a liquid sight monitor, having a plurality of internal deformable ridges for bearing against the external surface of the tube of the monitor. Hence, it accommodates to a range of sizes and irregular tube shapes. The connector is made of a material that in a thick dimension is not deformable, but in a small dimension is deformable, such is Teflon FEP. The body is thick enough to be rigid, whereas the ridges are complaint, more so in a direction toward the mounting end of the connector or end of the tube. Pressure leakage form the liquid system to which the sight monitor is attached increases the pressure seal of the ridges with respect to the surface of the tube. Concentric tube sight monitors are connected to their systems using a connector having, in addition to the set of ridges for accommodating to the internal tube in the manner just described, a second set of ridges for conforming to an external tube.

Abstract: An improved continuous, smooth, porous, rigid surface is supported by an array of shaped, porous, support blocks mounted on an impervious planar foundation and surrounded by bi-functional containment walls to form a gravity filtration and drainage apparatus. The particular shape of the support blocks in contact with the foundation creates a plurality of parallel flumes, the center-lines of which align with the slope, if any, of the plane to facilitate drainage to contiguous drainage ditches. Accessibility of these drainage flumes at both ends of the overall structure provide for inspection, flushing, and purging of the overlying filter surface to assure functionality by simplified maintenance procedures. The drainage apparatus can be attached to an impervious evaporation surface, on which residual solids harvested from the surface of the drainage apparatus are deposited and periodically manipulated for further accelerated dewatering by evaporation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing a fastener around two members, the jaws of which are initially retracted to allow loading of a fastener from a magazine, cassette, clip, or cartridge into the jaws. A piston is then moved into engagement with the jaws, which capture the fastener, shearing the fastener from the magazine, to move the fastener into position over the two members around which the fastener is to be secured. A ram is positioned against the fastener to hold the fastener against the members and to facilitate bending of the fastener at desired points to conform the fastener to the shape of the members. The jaws then close around the members, bending the fastener, as the piston continues downward movement. The piston is then moved in the opposite direction to first allow the jaws to return to the open position and then to retract the jaws to allow loading of a second fastener.

Abstract: A pulse generation and tracking system for connection to an object or a subject under treatment therewith, the waveform being a train of repetitive complex pulses each pulse comprising a large amplitude, short duration positive polarity portion and a small amplitude, long duration negative polarity portion, and a zero value portion. The prescribed pulse train for a subject is delivered by a delivery device, which also provides monitoring of the averaged voltage amplitude of the positive portion in terms of either voltage or current value. The impedance of the subject is expected to change over time and cause the individual pulses to vary from predetermined limits. When this occurs, then a subsequent generation of pulses will be changed so that the pulses are again delivered within the predetermined value limits or boundary. Tracking and generation can be operationally crossed, if desired, so that a voltage out of boundary will cause the current of a subsequent pulse to be changed or vice versa.

Abstract: Liquid purification apparatuses and methods; an open filtration, treatment and siphon apparatus and process; a porous mass formation apparatus and process; and a liquid-solid separation apparatus and a process using a siphon member. In one embodiment, a liquid or liquid containing mass, gel, or mud having solids is contained in or introduced into an upper vessel. The liquid and particles of undissolved solids are drawn away from the upper vessel by siphonage. Particles of solids may either settle to the bottom of the upper vessel, remain in the liquid or mass, or float to the top of the surface in the upper vessel. Particles of undissolved solids may be deposited in a siphon member of porous media as the liquid and particles of undissolved solids flow through the porous media.

Abstract: A method of determining the continuity of a lithographic layer located between two vertical boreholes is disclosed. A seismic source is lowered in the first borehole while simultaneously a receiver pair, preferably a pair of "vertical" geophones spaced apart by about two feet, are lowered in the second borehole to develop a "differenced signal". The recording of high amplitude signals within a layer is an indication of a continuous, low velocity layer. The middle of a layer can also be discovered using a single vertical receiver and finding the place of phase reversal.

Abstract: A device for inserting into the vagina of a patient for delivery of a medicament in the vagina. The walls of the tubular member comprising the device are comprised of water-swellable materials having a higher porosity at one end than the other, the relatively low porosity end being positioned distally in the vagina to the relatively high porosity end. The medicament is contained within a reservoir in the tubular member and delivered to the vagina through the pores in the walls of the tubular member at different rates depending upon the porosity. Also provided is a method of delivering a medicament to the vagina of a patient.