Abstract: A pipeline pig inspection device having a plurality of pressure chambers for detecting pipeline leaks and eliminating erroneous indications of leaks caused by obstructions within the pipeline, significant changes in pipeline diameter, and minor fluid flows through the pig which are not caused by leaks.

Abstract: A structure suitable for in vivo implantation as a tension member to substitute for tension members such as ligaments and tendons. The structure includes an elongate member which is a biocompatible film, a biocompatible fabric which has a weave having substantially no permanent yield in one direction after said film is formed thereon and a biocompatible porous material which promotes the ingrowth of living tissue and such material is either bonded to the exterior of the elongate member or is contained within and exposed to the exterior. Also disclosed is a structure having a fabric with a film formed thereon and porous ingrowth material bonded to one or both sides threof to form a patch for in vivo implantation. The film used on the patch may be porous or solid depending on whether the patch is to be permeable to body fluids.

Abstract: A system for emergency release of a ship from its mooring cables is disclosed wherein pressurized actuating fluid stored in accumulators may be selectively released to actuate fluid powered cutters to sever the mooring cables. In its preferred form the system includes fire inerting apparatus adapted to operate in conjunction with the cable cutters to provide a fire inert atmosphere and thereby eliminate the possibility of fire or explosion resulting from sparks generated during the cutting operation. The system is remote controlled and operates on a power source independent from the ship's normal power. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which of course is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A heat treatment of nine percent nickel steel including carburizing, double normalizing, tempering, subcooling and then tempering to provide a steel having useful mechanical properties at extremely low temperatures.

Abstract: An orienting system for a kickover tool to permit the installation and/or removal of well equipment from a side pocket mandrel. The system includes a double orienting means to position the kickover tool in a non-aligned position as the tool moves downwardly and in an aligned position as the tool moves upwardly and a single key on the kickover tool to engage each of the orienting means. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A magnetic flux leakage method and apparatus for inspecting magnetizable test objects such as pipelines are disclosed. Magnetic diodes are connected to give temperature-independent readings of flux leakage and are spaced apart according to the size of the flaws sought to be detected. Groups of diodes are overlapped to provide complete coverage of the area sought to be inspected. Certain of the largest signals received at any one time from the groups of diodes are transmitted to recording means to reduce the number of signals recorded. Diode signals are subtracted from each other to determine relative differences in detected fluxes. For inspecting pipelines, the diodes and magnets are mounted on the apparatus by mounting assemblies which pivot about three axes and the diodes and magnets are urged yieldingly toward the pipeline wall by members formed of open cell foam polyurethane.

Abstract: A winch spool having disc brake system, such as a heavy duty winch that might be mounted on the deck or chassis of a drilling rig or may be employed to control the anchoring devices of a floating drilling platform, for example. The brake system for the winch spool may comprise a brake disc adapter fixed to at least one of the circular end flanges of the winch spool and may include a vertical generally circular support portion from which extends a transverse generally cylindrical portion having a disc support flange at the free extremity thereof. A circular brake disc may be secured to the adapter support flange in spaced relation with the flange of the winch spool and may be provided with opposed friction surfaces disposed in generally parallel relation with the flange of the spool.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and apparatus for inspecting test objects such as pipeline girth welds are disclosed. Ultrasonic transducers are carried by a track circumferentially mounted around the pipeline. The transducers are mounted in a hollow, open-ended housing and a flexible seal fixed to the housing retains coupling liquid between the transducers and the pipeline to permit the propogation of waves between the transducers and the weld. An adjustable pressure regulating device maintains substantially constant liquid pressure within the housing in order to minimize the loss of coupling liquid and yet insure adequate coupling between the transducers and the weld.

Abstract: A multi-passage ball joint assembly for connecting a riser or similar pipe to a well pipe therebelow and adapted primarily for use in underwater installations. The ball member of the joint assembly has a main longitudinal bore or passage through which well operations may be conducted and additionally is formed with at least one other passage for conducting fluid therethrough. The housing of the joint assembly includes passageways which are in communication with the bore and passages extending through the ball member in all positions of said ball member relative to the housing whereby fluid may be conducted downwardly through the ball joint for actuating devices therebelow or for other purposes. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the stress changes in an underground formation or in concrete or other structures such as bridges, tunnels or the like which includes a sensor unit having a stress or pressure sensitive element exposed to the area under measurement and a hydraulic measurement system actuated by said element so that changes in stress forces or pressure in said area are reflected by changes in the hydraulic measuring system, and a means for converting the changes in said hydraulic system into a visible or recorded indication of said changes to thereby provide a measurement of the stress or pressure changes.

Abstract: A magnetic flux leakage method and apparatus for inspecting magnetizable test objects such as pipelines are disclosed. Magnetic diodes are connected to give temperature-independent readings of flux leakage and are spaced apart according to the size of the flaws sought to be detected. Groups of diodes are overlapped to provide complete coverage of the area sought to be inspected. Certain of the largest signals received at any one time from the groups of diodes are transmitted to recording means to reduce the number of signals recorded. Diode signals are subtracted from each other to determine relative differences in detected fluxes. For inspecting pipelines, the diodes and magnets are mounted on the apparatus by mounting assemblies which pivot about three axes and the diodes and magnets are urged yieldingly toward the pipeline wall by members formed of open cell foam polyurethane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismic geophysical exploration including a seismic energy source, a control means, a plurality of geophones, and a plurality of geophone monitoring means, all located in a selected survey area. Each geophone monitoring means is positioned in relatively close physical proximity and electrically coupled to one or more of the geophones forming a set of geophones. The control means is utilized to generate electrical signals containing data initiating the operation of the seismic energy source and the plurality of geophone monitoring means. The electrical signals generated by the various geophones in a set responsive to a particular shot of the seismic energy source are received by the associated geophone monitoring means. Apparatus contained within the associated geophone monitoring means samples such geophone signals and produces representative data in digital form. The digitized data is stored in a memory device contained within the geophone monitoring means.

Abstract: Apparatus which renders a self-elevating drilling platform self-mobile on land and a method of moving the drilling platform employing the apparatus. The self-elevating platform includes a body, forward and rear legs, and means for adjusting the legs by moving the legs with respect to the body and moving the body with respect to the legs. The apparatus includes a launch pad which will be pivotally mounted to the platform beneath the body. In operation, the legs of platform are adjusted so that, alternatively, the launch pad swings forward beneath the body when the pad is elevated off the ground and the body pivots forward around the pad when the pad is on the ground.

Abstract: A machine for cutting fiberglass board of the type having an impermeable barrier, such as foil, on one face thereof. As a board of fiberglass moves through the machine, the leading edge of the foil is bent down from it normal plane of travel so that a knife edge which is below this plane of travel will be inserted between the foil and remainder of the board.The board is then maintained in its normal plane of travel and the knife edge being below the board forces the barrier to shear away from the board as the board passes through the machine. The knife edge cleans the loosened foil to remove most of the insulation material that might remain adhered thereto.