Abstract: An improved method of removing and reinstalling a seal unit from a process vessel bottom entering agitator assembly wherein a jack is connected in the assembly and used to lower and raise the seal unit, agitator shaft and agitator connected thereto, whereby the agitator shaft and agitator are temporarily connected to the vessel and the seal unit is removed and reinstalled.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for an underwater vibrator has a hydraulically driven mass for generating a seismic wave into the seabed. The hydraulic drive system for the vibrator is accomplished by filtering sea water, conveying the filtered sea water to the hydraulic pump where the sea water under pressure is supplied through a control valve to the hydraulic vibrator. The output from the control valve is coupled to the sea water. The hydraulic system provides hydraulic fluid which will not need to be cooled, thereby eliminating the normal cooling system along with several necessary accumulators and sump which are used in a closed hydraulic system.

Abstract: Apparatus for dissipating the pressure of a confined fluid has a housing with a sidewall in a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration with a top and bottom. Inlet means is formed into the sidewall so that the axis of the inlet is tangent to a diameter of the sidewall. An outlet extends through the bottom and an opening extends through the top. High pressure fluids entering the inlet form a vortex around the sidewall and between the top and the bottom and pass out the outlet under low pressure. Air is introduced through the openings in the top to prevent cavitation within the housing. A device may be coupled to the outlet to reduce the velocity of the fluids leaving the outlet.

Abstract: An improved method and system for analyzing pyrolysis product gases wherein a portion of the gases are collected while another portion is being analyzed during the pyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: A combination of fixed geometry of vibrating masses on a baseplate coupled to the ground, the masses being at a fixed angle to each other and of relatively variable phase, can be controlled to produce both compressional and shear waves simultaneously in a seismic exploration system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the tension of mine roof bolts and/or mine roof stability which utilizes the natural vibration frequency of the seated roof bolt and/or roof structure to provide indication of bolt tension and/or roof stability.

Abstract: A method for removing an undesired surface wave from a reflected wave in a method for seismic exploration is accomplished by placing first and second detector arrays at a location on the surface of the earth in the direction of movement of the surface wave. The array has a length less than the length of the shortest wave length of the interfering wave to be eliminated. Signals from both arrays are recorded and processed by first adding the received signals to form a first output, subtracting added signals to form a second output, shifting one of the output signals by 90.degree., adjusting its amplitude and subtracting the phase shifted and adjust signal from the remaining signal thereby removing the surface wave.

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: 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 capabilities, 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 method for measuring the velocity of earth surface motion utilizing coherent light energy which comprises steps of generating and directing a coherent light beam toward a selected earth surface position, reflecting said beam from a stationary reflector located at the earth surface position, and simultaneously reflecting said beam from a reflector at said earth surface position which moves with earth surface motion; and, detecting the reflected beam, including both the reflection path components, to derive an instantaneous difference frequency that is proportional to the velocity of the earth surface motion.

Abstract: The integrity of mine roofs and rock bolts is tested by determining the natural frequencies of the roof and bolt. The roof is struck at a plurality of locations and the resulting vibrations sensed with accelerometers. The output of each accelerometer is separated into a plurality of signals of different frequencies by a comb filter having selected band passes. The amplitude of the outputs of each of the band passes of the filter are used to determine the condition of the roof and bolt adjacent each accelerometer. The high amplitude signal resulting from the initial impact of the striking implement is electrically gated from the accelerometer output.

Abstract: A fluid level indicator circuit is used in cooperation with a probe attached to a long wire where the probe has first and second electrodes for contacting the surface of the fluid and leads communicating to the indicator circuit. The water level indicator has a low current high gain transistor and a power source which has sufficient potential to not only properly reverse bias the transistor when the probes are out of contact with the fluid but also properly forward bias when the probes are in contact with conductive fluid. A meter and current adjusting device are provided in series with a collector and emitter to provide an indicator when the probes are in or out of the water. The circuit also has a light to give a visual indication.

Abstract: A pyrolysis oven for derivation of pyrolysis products from a selected sample which utilizes a tube within a tube structure of quartz glass for controlled sample heating preparatory to applying pyrolysis products for subsequent analysis. The apparatus includes a dual input helium supply to both the sample tube and oven tube with derived pyrolysis products delivered through a heated zone to the analyzing apparatus.

Abstract: A system for porting of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulically driven seismic energy vibrator of the reciprocating mass type. A mass is reciprocated relative to an earth contacting frame which includes at least two hydraulic piston rods coacting with internal cylinders within the mass. The piston rods, of the type having double rod ends, each include a single axial bore therethrough in communication with respective opposite sides of the piston ring assemblies, and cross porting is effected between opposite ends of the mass cylinders.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for moving a slurry line supported above the ground by a plurality of wheeled carts which are interconnected by one or more linkages, through a 180.degree. bend by having a disc journaled to a platform through the axis of the disc. Notches are formed in the periphery of the disc for receiving a wheel and a portion of the cart which extends outward from the linkage. Linkage retaining means extends from the periphery above and below the linkage and traps the linkage against the disc during the 180.degree. bend. On each side of the platform, below the linkage is attached a guide means to insure that the linkage is properly positioned both vertically and horizontally for mating with the linkage engaging apparatus which is attached to the disc periphery.

Abstract: A method for deriving seismic information through the simultaneous operation of a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems such that the information produced by each source system may be separated from the combined recorded information.

Abstract: An electronic guidance system for a push drill that is remotely guided by the operator. The system functions to maintain continual indication as to the attitude of the drilling apparatus, i.e., pitch, roll and distance to rock formations overlying or underlying the drilled stratum, with such indication being made available to the remote operator so that he can control the progression of the drilling apparatus. The drilling apparatus utilizes an instrument package adjacent the drilling mechanism which samples pitch and roll data through accelerometer output, and which monitors the distance of the drill head from adjacent rock formations by means of gamma ray count.

Abstract: A high pressure seal is formed between a stationary piston and a reciprocating cylinder. The seal includes a sleeve which has an inner diameter dimensioned to permit the cylinder to slide freely over the piston rod, the sleeve being in rigid contact at one end to the cylinder and the other end to an end plate surrounding the piston and closing the end of the sleeve. A bleeder port communicates with the outer surface of the piston rod, through the piston rod, and terminates at a low pressure supply. Bleeder grooves are formed around the inner wall of the sleeve. A first bleeder groove is positioned in the inner wall of the sleeve at the mid-stroke position of the piston with second and third bleeder grooves positioned at each extreme position of the piston stroke in the inner wall of the sleeve. A plurality of pressure drop grooves is formed along the inner sleeve diameter such that the hydraulic fluid passing from the cylinder into the sleeve will gradually drop in pressure as it moves toward the end plate.

Abstract: An input for a sump for uniformly distributing material along the length of the sump has a support mounted above and along the length of the sump with a flexible pipe extending over the sump and moveably attached to the support. One end is connected to a discharge outlet which is positioned over the sump for depositing material into the sump, and the other end passes through an arcuate bend to a pipe which is connected to a source of slurry. Apparatus is attached between the support and the discharge outlet for moving the discharge outlet along the length of the sump in a predetermined manner which will either depend on the movement of the dredge and/or the density distribution of the material in the bottom of the sump.

Abstract: A method for maintaining suitable velocity or velocity range in a slurry pipeline system of the type with a water pipeline return and slurried material pipeline output with more than one slurry injection point. A single set of primary pipelines, one water and one slurry, is able to serve multiple points of hydraulic injection by means of slurry pipeline flowmeters downstream from each slurry injection water bypass junction, with each flowmeter actuating water control valves to bypass water to the slurry pipeline at the respective junction so as to maintain slurry pipeline velocity within prescribed limits.