Abstract: The present invention relates to a program controlled apparatus for providing rapid calibration and update of sensor parameters in a push drill guidance apparatus which is remotely controllable from microprocessor circuitry. A special calibration program is set into non-volatile memory for coaction with the control processor to compute sensor parameters for storage and recall during normal programmed guidance operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a low pressure slurry into a high pressure stream to form a high pressure slurry by injecting a high pressure fluid into a chamber. A portion of the high pressure fluid is removed at a certain location in the chamber, to form a fluid low pressure vortex. The low pressure slurry is injected into the low pressure vortex where it mixes with the high pressure fluids. The slurry, at a high pressure, is removed from a high pressure outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic hydrocarbon exploration which is accomplished by implanting at least two pairs of electrodes into the ground. One pair transmits a signal into the earth, and the other pair receives the signal. With proper processing the polarization and resistivity of the ground can be calculated. The components are arranged in a manner to insure that the electromagnetic coupling can be determined and can be removed from the measurements. Electrode spacing can be varied to focus on the anomalous stratum. If an anomalous stratum is discovered, it is cored to determine the nature of the material creating the anomaly.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting oil in water. A plurality of oil sensors are maintained at selected positions in a body of water. Each sensor includes a limited wavelength light source for inducing fluorescence in oil which may be present and a light detector for detecting such induced fluorescence. Each sensor is connected to a computer which receives and stores information generated by each light detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the solids to fluids ratio of a slurry is constructed from a chamber which has a substantially circular cross section with a high pressure slurry inlet mounted through said chamber wall with the axis of the inlet normal to a diameter of the chamber. A high pressure slurry outlet is mounted through the chamber wall with the axis normal to a chamber cross section. A low pressure outlet is mounted through the chamber wall with its axis substantially aligned with the axis of the circular cross section so that a certain portion of the fluid entering the high pressure inlet will exit the low pressure outlet. The amount is controlled by a valve inserted in the low pressure outlet. The fluid is preferably of the type which operated by reducing its diameter. Anticavitation may be provided for the chamber by passing air from the outside of the chamber into the chamber when the pressure in the chamber becomes less than the air pressure outside the chamber.

Abstract: An underwater shear wave vibrator apparatus has a housing with a vibratory generating system mounted inside the housing for generating a force along an axis substantially parallel to the underwater seabed surface. A coupling apparatus which has an attachment surface and an underside surface for engaging the seabed is connected through a pivotal arm to the housing. A hydraulic apparatus is used for positioning the seabed engaging apparatus normal to the force axis of the vibratory generating apparatus by movement about the pivotal attachment so as to maintain contact of the seabed engaging apparatus with the seabed as the vibratory generating apparatus applies force against the seabed. Apparatus is also included for maintaining orientation of the underside surface of the positioning apparatus as the positioning apparatus moves the seabed engaging means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environment such as marine life, turbidity, etc.

Abstract: A ground probing radar method and apparatus which is effective to view the earth in advance of coal mining activity provides visual display of a coal seam and particular discontinuities that may lie therein. The system operates in the frequency range of 10 Megahertz to 5 Gigahertz. The received electromagnetic energy is amplified, sampled and band pass filtered with subsequent time gain amplification. A time analog return signal may be viewed directly and/or the return signal may be digitally processed to enable further signal refinement. A control microprocessor is utilized for both tape record control and digital signal processing, and the processor includes the capability for compositing and/or stacking of common source point data for output record and display.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilites, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: A dredging apparatus has a chamber with a substantially circular cross section. A first inlet and outlet is formed through the chamber with an axis of the inlet and outlet normal to a diameter of the chamber. A suction inlet is formed through the axis of the chamber along the axis of the vortex formed as the fluids leave the inlet and pass to a second outlet formed substantially coaxially with the vortex. Apparatus is provided for supporting the dredging apparatus in a position so that the suction inlet can remove material desired to be dredged.

Abstract: A lightweight rigid housing and baseplate structure for a seismic transducer. The baseplate (12) includes a central hub (26) for receiving a lower piston rod (76). Upper and lower skin plates (32 and 36) extend radially outward from the central hub (26). A plurality of equally angularly spaced reinforcing plates (40) also extend radially outward from the hub (26) and have their upper and lower edges rigidly connected to the upper and lower skin plates. A housing assembly (78) rigidly connects an upper piston rod (74) to the baseplate (12), and includes a frusto-conical section (82). The lightweight rigid housing (78) and baseplate (12) structure provides a seismic transducer having in-phase force distribution over substantially the entire area of the baseplate as it is engaged with the earth.

Abstract: A vibration assisted sluice is constructed with a plurality of trough sections connected end to end and supported above the earth. Each of the sections is yieldably supported so that the individual trough can vibrate to assist in moving the material in the trough. The ends joining one trough with another are vibrationally isolated so that each trough is free to move in its own vibrational mode, independent of adjacent troughs and the support system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environmentsuch as marine life, turbidity, etc.

Abstract: A borehole logging device for obtaining shear wave velocities in formations adjacent the borehole, a device which utilizes a closely controlled, relatively low frequency torsional shear wave. The system includes an elongated housing for suspension within the borehole, said housing including a shear wave source for generating shear waves directly within the borehole wall, and including two spaced, variable reluctance torsional detectors which are also placed in direct contact with the borehole wall. The torsional detectors are, of course, at known spacing from the source such that cross-correlative procsssing of the detector output signals will enable a very accurate phase difference indicative of the shear wave velocity in the formation.

Abstract: A method for boring a hole so that its axis is substantially parallel to the axis of a previously bored hole for positioning an acoustical transmitter and receiver against the hole of the hole being bored so that their position on the wall lies on a horizontal plane through the axis of the bore hole being bored. Then transmitting an acoustical frequency acoustical signal into the wall of the hole. The reflected signal is then received from the adjacent wall along with other unwanted additional reflections. The phase shift is then determined between the transmitted and received signal and the changes in the distance between the wall of the bore hole is then determined.

Abstract: Apparatus for incremental cylinder length control in hydraulic seismic vibrators having increased frequency range. The vibrator apparatus (10) of the type having a reaction mass (38) and axial cylinder bore (42) utilizes hydraulically movable end sleeves (86 and 96) in each end of the cylinder bore (42) so that the end sleeves (86 and 96) can be controllably positioned thereby to alter the cylinder volume and adjust the hydraulic drive system (18) for maximum efficiency relative to operating frequency.

Abstract: A slurry recovery sump apparatus is formed from a substantially vertical sidewall and a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and includes a bottom. A support extends diametrically across the sump and above the sump, a material input is mounted between the sidewall and the vertical axis of the sump and is attached to the support, a slurry removal apparatus is mounted to the support between the sidewall and the sump vertical axis on the opposite side from the material input. Apparatus is provided for rotating the sump support around the vertical axis and additional apparatus is provided for moving the sump removal apparatus in a prescribed manner to empty the material being deposited into the sump by the material input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shear wave logging which utilizes relatively high frequency sweep control transmission and subsequent correlation of received signals in order to define travel times of horizontally polarized shear and/or torsional wave energy. The apparatus includes specific sonde structure for effecting firm contact of transmitting and receiving elements with the borehole wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for shear wave logging of a fluid-filled borehole which consist of an elongated housing defining an air cavity and containing first and second spaced geophone housing each having an orthogonal pair of horizontal motion detectors secured therein for detection of horizontal shear waves along said borehole as generated from a seismic source in a frequency range having wavelengths that are long relative to the length of housing.

Abstract: A method for filling an elongated sump which has a plurality of diverter gates emptying into the sump is accomplished by dividing the sump into a plurality of adjacent zones along each side of the sump and adding slurry in each of the zones in sequential order in a direction related to the direction of movement of a dredge removing material from the sump. The sequencing automatically skips the zone where the dredge is removing material and empties it during that period of time in the sequence just previously emptied.