Abstract: The invention provides an island transaction terminal having a receiver for requesting purchases of fuel at a specified dispensing fuel pump, a receiver for receiving payments for such fuel purchases in the form of money or money equivalent and a signal emitter for emitting a first payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which each fuel purchase is requested. The island transaction terminal has a vertical bore so that the island transaction terminal can be securely affixed to a rigid post by attaching the island transaction terminal around the post, such that the post is disposed within the bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a pilot well and directionally drilling a directional well from the pilot well by the use of a casing including an easily drillable section positioned through a selected zone.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products and coproduct water wherein a gas comprising methane and a gaseous oxidant are contacted with a nonacidic catalyst at temperatures within the range of about 700.degree. to 1200.degree. C. in the presence of a halogen promoter, the contacting being conducted in the substantial absence of alkali metals or compounds thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressure testing fluid transmission pipelines comprising spaced apart annular inflatable seal members supported by support members which are interconnected by an elongated flexible tube to define an annular space which may be pressurized to pressure test a section of pipe between the seal members. The tubular member defines a flow passage for pipeline fluid during operation of the apparatus. A fluid motor is disposed in the passage and drivably connected to a hydraulic pump which receives fluid from the pipeline to pressurize the seal members and the annular space. The pump may be remotely controlled by radio control receiver-transmitter apparatus to operate the pressure testing apparatus and to monitor pressures in the seal members and the test space. The pump and control members may be disposed in a housing which is mounted adjacent one end of the apparatus. The apparatus is propelled through a pipeline by pressure fluid in the line.

Abstract: The weight of a transport vehicle and the actuator of an impact type seismic source carried thereby is partially transferred by means of hydraulic lift cylinders to a freely movable earth contacting baseplate positioned beneath the actuator. In operation a mass is propelled by the actuator along a prescribed slant path to strike the baseplate. Shear strain is induced in elastomeric pads sandwiched between the hydraulic lift cylinders and the baseplate if the baseplate shifts sideways under such a slanting blow. The pads then exert a force to restore the vehicle and the actuator to a correct perpendicular alignment over the baseplate. Upper and lower position locator means fixed respectively to the hydraulic lift cylinders and to the baseplate interface with the elastomeric pads and fit slidably within each other so as to transmit vertical force from vehicle to baseplate.

Abstract: A moldable composition which comprises a novel random bromostyrene-containing copolymer, a thermoplastic resin, preferably polycarbonate and a flame retardant synergist is disclosed. The molded composition exhibits at least a 94 V-1 classification when tested in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Test Method UL94.

Abstract: An ultrasonic borehole televiewer is modified to provide a vertical array of receiving transducers arranged above and below a conventional transmit/receive transducer. The variation in amplitude of reflected energy detected across this array for each firing of the televiewer is a measure of the extent to which scattered energy is present in addition to specular reflections. This in turn is an index of the relative smoothness or roughness of the borehole surface on a scale comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of the incident energy.

Abstract: An improved lubricant and coolant removal system for a roll stand includes suction boxes surrounding the sheet formed by the roll stand and a series of pipes connecting the suction boxes to various coolant traps. Special doctor blades and air knives remove coolant from the rolls. An enclosing shroud prevents coolant overspray and mist from escaping.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for hydroconverting a hydrocarbon chargestock having the steps of: heating the chargestock to produce a minor amount of coke; contacting the coke within the chargestock with a minor effective amount of an oil-soluble metal compound, the metal being selected from the group consisting of Groups IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements, and mixtures thereof; contacting the metal compound and the coke within the chargestock with a hydrogen-containing gas under conditions to produce a solid catalyst within the chargestock capable of promoting hydroconversion of at least a portion of the chargestock; contacting the chargestock containing the catalyst with hydrogen under hydroconversion conditions; and recovering a hydroconverted substantially-hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: An electrode well is described which utilizes a hydraulic fracture filled with conductive proppant as an electrode of extended contact with a formation. A highly conductive section of cement liner around the casing delivers current to the proppant particles.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of producing viscous immobile oil from a subsurface formation. Initially, steam is injected into the formation for a period of time by way of an injection well and a production well. Thereafter, a combustion-supporting gas is injected through the injection well into the top of the formation to form a fluid conductive path between injection and production wells. Subsequently steam is injected into the formation, preferably near the bottom of the formation and flows through the fluid conductive path. Heated oil adjacent the top of the formation is produced by steam drag into the producing well or wells.

Abstract: In processes using electrical power to apply heat to a subsurface formation through a transmission well, power losses are reduced by installing in flowlines leading to the well one or more devices that electrically disrupts the flowline and that creates a tortuous flow path for liquids flowing through the device. The parts of the device contacting liquids are either fabricated of metal which is electrically insulated from the liquids or are fabricated of electrically nonconductive material. The device may be a free-wheeling hydraulic pump or motor, for example, a free-wheeling gear pump.

Abstract: An improved game ball is manufactured from a polyurethane foam prepared from a hydroxyl-containing diene polymer, a catalyst system comprised of a tin compound and a tertiary amine and a surfactant system comprised of a non-hydrolyzable silicone-polyether copolymer and a polydialkylsiloxane.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon process equipment is protected against fouling by incorporating into the hydrocarbon being processed small amounts of a composition comprised of a dialkylhydroxylamine and an organic surfactant.

Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous liquid stream is modified to contain a minor amount of the amide reaction product of a polyalkylene polyamine, a neo-acid having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, the neo-acid having three alkyl groups on the carbon atom which is in the alpha position relative to the carboxylic group, and an aliphatic fatty acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, whereby corrosion of iron and other metals contacted by said stream is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a benchmark in an arctic region to provide an accurate, reliable reference point even after prolonged periods of exposure. To install the benchmark, a hole is formed through the active layer and into the underlying layer. An alignment jig mounts a marker element in a casing and both are positioned into the hole. A leveling clamp on the casing is used to plump and adjust the marker element to a known elevation. The marker element extends to the bottom of the hole while the casing terminates at a depth which is above the bottom of the hole but below the bottom of the active layer. A settable material, e.g. sand-water slurry which will freeze at ambient conditions, is poured into the hole to a point just above the lower end of the casing and is allowed to set after which the remainder of the hole around the casing is filled. The annulus within the casing around the marker element is filled with fluidic material which will not freeze under ambient conditions, e.g. grease.

Abstract: Disclosed are textile lubricants having improved adherency to textile fibers, comprised of a lubricant base oil, an emulsifier and a high molecular weight polymer of one or more alpha-monoolefins having 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording the depth of a well logging apparatus is provided. The method and apparatus include the direct acquisition of broad depth information from the logging system conversion of the broad depth information to an acceptable digital signal and recording that signal on the audio track of a video cassette recorder. A microcontroller is used to convert broad depth information from either the logging system or the video cassette recorder (in the playback mode) to actual depth and depth rate for use by other displays and plotters.