Abstract: A fluid valve suitable for use in slush pumps is disclosed. The valve includes an elastomeric seal and a metal wear ring held in place on a valve body by a retaining ring. Thrust of the valve body against a valve seat is absorbed by the wear ring which is held against a shoulder on the valve body. The elastomeric seal is held between the valve body and the wear ring. A second seal is disposed between the inside diameter of the wear ring and the valve body to prevent fluid leakage behind the wear ring. The structure of the valve provides for replacement of the wear ring.

Abstract: A microporous lubricating composition is disclosed that includes an ionomer polymer and a liquid lubricant. The ionomer polymer can be combined with other polymers and the composition can include various additives to modify the performance and properties of the formed composition. The formed composition is useful for lubrication of mechanical components including wire rope and bearings such as journal bearings.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon steel strip of less than 0.30 mm thickness having cube-on-edge orientation, which comprises heating a silicon steel slab to 1300.degree.-1400.degree. C., hot rolling to hot band thickness, removing hot mill scale, cold rolling to intermediate thickness without annealing the hot rolled band, subjecting the intermediate thickness cold rolled material to an intermediate anneal at a temperature of 1010.degree. to about 1100.degree. C. with a total time of heating and soaking of less than about 180 seconds, cold rolling to a final thickness of less than 0.30 mm, decarburizing, applying an annealing separator, and finally annealing in conventional manner.

Abstract: The attenuation of RF pulses passing through a mineral slurry is determined by measuring the amplitude of the envelope produced by a series of successively occurring attenuated electrical pulses. The pulses are applied to the input of a variable gain amplifier, the gain of which is under control of a digital processor. The peak amplitude of each pulse is compared with a fixed reference voltage. The contents of a storage register associated with the processor is modified dependent upon whether the pulse amplitude is geater or less than the reference voltage. The contents of the register is used to control the gain of the variable gain amplifier in such a way that the amplitude of the next successive pulse will approach the value of the reference voltage. After the last pulse has been measured, the gain of the amplifier is inversely proportional to the amplitude of the pulse envelope, and the contents of the successive approximation register will also be proportional to the amplitude of the pulse envelope.

Abstract: A process of making aluminum killed, low manganese, deep drawing steel having a manganese content of up to 0.24%. The steel is hot rolled to hot band, cold rolled to final gauge, annealed and subjected to a small amount of temper rolling. In the annealing step, the steel is box annealed in coil form in such a manner that a coil cold spot temperature of at least about 1100.degree. F. (593.degree. C.) and below about 1250.degree. F. (677.degree. C.) is achieved.

Abstract: In installation of a flowline and connection thereof to an underwater installation equipped with guide lines extending from the installation to an operational base at the surface of the body of water, a pile or other upright support is first installed in a predetermined location adjacent the underwater installation, and all operations necessary to install the flowline and connect the flowline to the underwater installation are then carried out with the aid of the guide lines and employing apparatus installed on the pile.

Abstract: A flowline receiving and guiding unit characterized by having a generally tubular base member adapted to be landed upon the upper end portion of an upright support, typically a pile, secured in the floor of a body of water. The unit includes an elongated curved tubular structure, typically of J-tube configuration, so positioned that when the unit has been landed the upper end of the curved tubular structure is upright and occupies a predetermined position relative to the pile.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser beam across a moving strip of grain oriented silicon steel having an insulative coating to subdivide the magnetic domains of the strip to improve core loss without damage to the insulative coating. The laser beam is scanned by a multiple-faced rotating mirror and focused onto the strip surface by a flat field lens and cylindrical lens to produce a scan line of narrow width having the required irradiation energy, dwell time and line spacing at the surface of the moving strip.

Abstract: A hanger apparatus for suspending an upright inner pipe from an outer pipe including a pair of load-bearing rings interposed between the two pipes. The inner and outer pipes have opposed frustoconical load-bearing shoulders receiving the rings therebetween. In one embodiment, both rings engage the inner and outer pipes, with an upper ring being driven outwardly into a locking position by a lower ring. In this case, the upper ring is split while the lower ring is solid. In a second embodiment, an outer ring engages both the inner and outer pipes while an inner ring is nested into the outer ring and engages the inner pipe. In this second embodiment, both rings are split.

Abstract: In underwater well installations of the type in which a template or like rigid base structure at the floor of a body of water defines a well opening, and an outer well member such as a suspension joint secured in the borehole projects upwardly within the well opening, the outer well member is connected to the template by a structure which restrains the outer well member from moving laterally relative to the base structure until the force tending to cause such lateral movement exceeds a predetermined large value, after which point the connection serves as a lost motion connection allowing the outer well member to move laterally through a limited excursion relative to the template.

Abstract: A process is taught for improving the core loss of magnetic materials of the type having a plurality of magnetic domains and an insulative coating thereon. The insulative coating may be a mill glass, an applied coating, or both. The magnetic material is scanned by the beam of a laser across its rolling direction so as to subdivide the magnetic domains without damage to the insulative coating.

Abstract: A tension connector, and offshore platform mooring system embodying the connector, characterized in that the connector can be made up remotely and released remotely. The connector comprises a male connector member, typically attached to a string of pipe which serves as a mooring element, and a female connector member, typically secured to an anchoring base at the bottom of a body of water. The connector is made up simply by inserting the male member downwardly into the female member by manipulating the pipe string. Advantageously, two remote release means are provided, one operating hydraulically, the other by manipulation of the pipe string.

Abstract: In apparatus for connecting a tension member, such as an element of a leg of a tension leg platform, to an underwater anchoring base, actual connection to the anchoring base is accomplished by a connector which is joined to the tension element by a flex joint which is spaced above the connector but surrounded by a tubular element rigid with the anchoring base, the flex joint carrying an annular stop surface which is closely embraced by the tubular element. Lateral loads applied to the flex joint by the tension element are transferred directly to the tubular element and the anchoring base rather than to the connector.

Abstract: Hanger apparatus for suporting pipe in a well, the apparatus including both an annulus check valve, via which communication is established with the annulus between the suspended pipe and surrounding casing, and a pressure fluid by-pass, via which communication with a down-hole device such as a safety valve is established. Opening of the check valve and establishment of communication via the by-pass are accomplished by a simple stabbing operation with, e.g., a handling tool or a production upper body. Alternately, the check valve is opened by hydraulic pressure delivered via the production upper body.

Abstract: An intrachannel clarifier for producing clarified waste liquid within an oxidation ditch aerobic wastewater treatment system. The clarifier comprises a tank-like construction positioned in the upper portion of the oxidation ditch channel and having an opening in an upstream wall for admitting mixed liquor at a relatively slow rate. The region within the clarifier establishes a quiescent zone where solids may settle from the waste liquid by gravity to the tank bottom. A portion of the clarified liquid is removed by means of an overflow weir or launder. The bottom of the clarifier forms a perforated baffle made up of a plurality of spaced parallel slightly overlapping inverted V-shaped angle members extending between the walls of the oxidation ditch channel. The spaces between the angle members permit settled solids to return to the mixed liquor flowing beneath the clarifier, but prevent movement of excessive quantities of mixed liquor into the quiescent zone.

Abstract: A diverless system for levelling a template adjacent the floor of a body of water comprising a plurality of fluid-pressure activated gripping assemblies pivotally coupled to the template and receiving the supporting piles therein, with portions of the piles extending above the template; and a jacking assembly capable of being lowered down each of the piles, releasably connected to the template adjacent the associated gripping assembly and raising or lowering the template in the area each of each pile to level the template. The jacking assembly comprises an outer housing, and a double acting hydraulic piston slidably received in the housing, with a pile gripping assembly being coupled to the piston. The gripping assembly in the jacking assembly and those in the template are each formed from a plurality of ring segments that are serrated on the inside and have tapered ribs on the outside, these segments being received in a bowl having corresponding tapered ribs.

Abstract: A finishing method and apparatus for use in conventional hot-dip coating of the type wherein a ferrous base metal strip, having been appropriately pretreated so as to be at or near the proper coating temperature and so as to have its surfaces free of oxides, is cause to pass beneath the surface of a bath of molten coating metal, exiting the bath between conventional finishing rolls. The method comprises the steps of providing an enclosure which overlies at least the coating metal meniscus areas created between the finishing rolls and the strip, and maintaining within the enclosure an inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere to shroud the meniscus areas. The apparatus comprises the above mentioned enclosure with an appropriate system to provide and maintain the inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere therein.

Abstract: Remotely operated tool for performing functions at underwater installations. Tools according to the invention are especially useful for remote retrieval and installation of wireline bushings in hollow guide posts. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the tool are fluid pressure operated, include means for performing at least two functions, successively, and respond to a single pressure fluid input rather than requiring successive inputs.

Abstract: In connectors, particularly for underwater well installations, for securing two members together under large clamping forces, an annular locking means is actuated by means including cam surfaces which coact through rolling antifriction members, the actuating means being so constructed and arranged as to reduce the lengths of the cam surfaces and better retain the antifriction elements.

Abstract: Connectors, particularly remotely operated connectors used to connect underwater well members under large clamping forces, are provided with rigid rolling antifriction elements engaged between a camming surface and a cam follower surface for converting axially directed operating motion into radial movement of a contractible and expansible annular locking means.