Abstract: A multiple layered apparatus and method for forming a z-axis interconnect is provided. The multiple layered apparatus comprises a protective layer, a dielectric layer, a conductive layer, and a support layer. A method for forming a z-axis interconnect using the multiple layer apparatus resulting in a thinner and less expensive structure for printed circuit board applications.

Abstract: Magnesium oxychloride cement compositions, products, and uses thereof, are provided by mixing magnesium oxide, a magnesium chloride solution, and aggregate particles. The cement compositions are adapted for use in repairing damaged concrete surfaces, casting both functional and decorative forms, and coating surfaces with stucco. The addition of a small amount of acid to the cement composition promotes a more complete cementing reaction. The resulting cement product exhibits substantially increased strength and water resistance. Brine from the Great Salt Lake is a preferable source of the magnesium chloride solution. Brine from the Great Salt Lake results in a cement composition substantially stronger than cement produced from a pure magnesium chloride solution. Use of the Great Salt Lake brine as the gauging solution in lieu of a gauging solution made from magnesium chloride flakes (hexahydrate) reduces manufacturing costs of magnesium oxychloride cement products.

Abstract: Magnesium oxychloride cement compositions, products, and uses thereof, are provided by mixing magnesium oxide, a magnesium chloride solution, and aggregate particles. The cement compositions are adapted for use in repairing damaged concrete surfaces, casting both functional and decorative forms, and coating surfaces with stucco. The addition of a small amount of acid to the cement composition promotes a more complete cementing reaction. The resulting cement product exhibits substantially increased strength and water resistance. Brine from the Great Salt Lake is a preferable source of the magnesium chloride solution. Brine from the Great Salt Lake results in a cement composition substantially stronger than cement produced from a pure magnesium chloride solution. Use of the Great Salt Lake brine as the gauging solution in lieu of a gauging solution made from magnesium chloride flakes (hexahydrate) reduces manufacturing costs of magnesium oxychloride cement products.

Abstract: A flowline power generator especially adapted for use on a conduit or flowline carrying petroleum or hydrocarbon products is disclosed. A valve body incorporated in the flowline redirects at least a portion of the fluid flowing through the flowline into engagement with a turbine which drives an electrical generator. A gate valve is provided for bypassing the turbine to permit all of the flow in the conduit to bypass the power generator, and yet provide substantially the same pressure drop to protect downstream equipment from high-pressure surges. In the bypass configuration, the power generator can be repaired or completely removed. The valve body can be incorporated into the flowline with no power generator attached, and power generators can be subsequently installed at prescribed locations along the conduit.

Abstract: A gas pressure actuator for effecting the reciprocation of the stem of a valve subject to high-pressure loading comprises a tubular housing secured to the valve bonnet and defining a main cylinder chamber connected in axially series relationship with an auxiliary piston chamber which, in turn, communicates with a secondary fluid pressure chamber containing a compressible spring. A rod-like actuator is slidably and sealably mounted within the actuator housing and carries a main piston which cooperates with the main cylinder chamber in sliding and sealable relationship. The auxiliary piston chamber slidably and sealably mounts an auxiliary piston which is movable independently of the main piston. The actuating movement of the main piston produced by the introduction of gas pressure into the main cylinder produces an axial movement of the actuating rod and a compression of the spring. The spring-containing secondary chamber defined by the actuator housing is filled with a virtually non-compressible fluid.

Abstract: A pressure actuator is provided for a valve having a housing and an actuating stem, wherein an annular housing is attachable at one end of the valve housing and a cylindrical piston element is concentrically fixedly mounted to the other end of the annular housing. A cup-shaped cylinder is provided to cooperate in sliding and sealing relationship with the exterior of the piston. The cylinder defines an annular space between its exterior surface and the interior bore of the annular housing and spring elements are mounted in the annular space. If desired, an indicating stem passes through a bore in the fixed piston element and is interiorly engaged with the movable cylinder element, thus providing an indicating actuator wherein the total length of the actuator is not substantially in excess of twice the stroke of the actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides a conduit blow out preventer utilizing movement of an annular piston to selectively effect the reduction of flow through the blowout preventer to a pre-determinable value or alternately, terminate flow therethrough altogether in response to the occurence of a pressure fluctuation in the fluid conduit to which the conduit is attached. An annular fluid conduit is defined between the interior bore of the annular piston and a support post. A discontinuous annular sealing element is provided in such fluid passage to provide an orifice, creating a pressure differential across the piston in the event of a biased flow surge. Axial movement of the annular piston results in closing of the outward fluid flow in the annular fluid passage and flow is then restricted to that permitted by a radially disposed orifice communicating with the annular fluid passage. A check valve in a fluid inlet is normally held off its seat by a connecting rod extending to the support post.

Abstract: An automatic mechanism is provided for locking the piston rod of a multi-position fluid operated linear actuator in its existing extreme axial position and to maintain such piston rod's position against unbiased forces acting on the piston rod, in the event of a failure of, or significant decrease in, the fluid pressure applied on the piston. A lost motion connection is provided between a piston head and the piston rod opposite the locking mechanism, permitting a limited amount of axial movement of the piston head relative to the piston rod. A locking mechanism is provided to automatically engage the piston rod whenever it reaches one of its two extreme axial positions and to lock the piston rod at that position. The locking mechanism is releasable by a cam structure provided on the piston head. The initial movement of the piston head relative to the piston rod in a direction toward the other axial position of the piston rod effects the camming of the locking mechanism to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube apparatus is provided for monitoring the pressure of a fluid pressure source. The output of the Bourdon tube is translated into a curvilinear motion which is transmitted to a linearly movable actuator valve or indicator. To enhance the force output linear response or linear output of the Bourdon tube actuator, an abutment block is provided which contacts one or more turns of the Bourdon tube adjacent its closed end to prevent expansion movement of the Bourdon tube in a direction opposite to the desired linear output movement. The Bourdon tube is mounted for calibrational purposes by having its open end connected by a flexible pipe to a support post which is rotationally mounted for movement about its longitudinal axis and defines a fluid conduit connection between the pressure source being monitored and the open end of the Bourdon tube.

Abstract: A pressure actuator is provided for a valve having a housing and an actuating stem, wherein an annular housing is attachable at one end of the valve housing and a cylindrical piston element is concentrically fixedly mounted to the other end of the annular housing. A cup-shaped cylinder is provided to cooperate in sliding and sealing relationship with the exterior of the piston. The cylinder defines an annular space between its exterior surface and the interior bore of the annular housing and spring elements are mounted in the annular space. If desired, an indicating stem passes through a bore in the fixed piston element and is interiorly engaged with the movable cylinder element, thus providing an indicating actuator wherein the total length of the actuator is not substantially in excess of twice the stroke of the actuator.

Abstract: An improved valve actuator is provided for employment in environments such as subterranean wells where highly corrosive gases and fluids are contained in the well fluid which is normally pressurized and employed to operate the actuator. The bias element opposing the pressure induced movements of the piston unit of the actuator is disposed in an isolation chamber defined between two axially spaced, radial shoulders provided on the piston and having sealing engagement with the bore of the cylindrical wall, thus defining constant volume annular chamber that is isolated from the highly corrosive fluids and gases. The isolated chamber moves with the piston and thus does not provide fluid pressure opposition to the fluid pressure induced movement of the piston.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive locking mechanism is provided for a fluid pressure actuator which will hold the shaft of the actuator in a spring compressing position until the occurrence of a pre-selected temperature in the vicinity of the actuator. Locking threads are provided on the exterior of the actuator, and a latching collet, having a plurality of peripherally spaced, internally threaded, latching arms cooperates with such threads and prevent movement of the actuator shaft by abutting a surface of a stop block which is in abutment with the actuator shaft. The radial faces of the threads are sufficiently angled so as to exert an outwardly directed camming force on the collet latching arms to permit the release of the latch under the axial forces produced by the spring bias on the actuator shaft. The collet latching arms are forcably retained in locked position by an encircling spring wire, the ends of which are connected by a fusible link.

Abstract: A fluid pressure valve actuator of the type utilized for controlling the operation of a ball-type valve is provided and includes a housing for supporting an actuating shaft for axial movement relative to the housing. A piston assembly is mounted within the housing and is responsive to fluid pressure for moving the shaft axially to an actuated position. A latch member is provided in the actuator for engagement with a shoulder portion on the actuating shaft to define an actuated position. In accordance with the present invention, the latch member is mounted for selective axial movement relative to the housing. This permits the axial position of the latch member to adjust the change in the actuating position of the shaft thereby compensating for wear in the internal components of the valve. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a ratcheting element such as an adjustable collet lock is utilized as the means for supporting the latch member.

Abstract: A multiphase flow measurement system determines the individual total flow rates of the water, gas, and oil components in a production fluid mixture from a subterranean well. The system includes a mass flow measurement unit which is coupled to the outlet of the well for measuring a total mass flow rate of the production fluid mixture. After the mass flow rate has been measured, a sample portion of the production fluid is supplied to a test separator tank system which is utilized to determine individual sample flow rates of the water, gas, and oil components in the sample portion of the production fluid. A central control unit is responsive to the individual sample flow rates and the mass flow measurement for determining the individual total flow rates of the water, gas, and oil components at the well head.

Abstract: An improved control line blow out preventer valve is provided, having a fluid pressure chamber interposed in a control line extending from a surface control panel to a downhole safety valve in a subterranean well. Axially spaced inlet and outlet openings are provided in the pressure chamber and a piston is reciprocally mounted intermediate the inlet and outlet openings. A sealing plug carried by the piston cooperates with a seal surrounding the inlet opening. A bypass passage through the piston mounts a check valve which permits free fluid flow in the direction from the control panel to the subsurface safety valve but only a restricted fluid flow in the opposite direction. A check valve is mounted in the outlet passage to prevent fluid flow from the subsurface safety valve to the control panel. A fusible link normally maintains this check valve off its seat so that it does not close until the occurrence of an elevated temperature caused by fire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a refrigeration system having at least two compressors connected in parallel to the refrigeration system suction and discharge lines. Each compressor is adapted to operate singly or in combination in accordance with load requirements. More particularly, this invention relates to a valving arrangement associated with each compressor for preventing refrigerant from condensing in the discharge opening of the idle compressor of such a multiple compressor refrigeration system, and a refrigerant bleed arrangement associated with each compressor which directs refrigerant when present in the discharge of an idled compressor to the system suction line.

Abstract: A method and a valve are provided for opening or closing fluid flow through an annular conduit by the utilization of a flexible diaphragm. Such diaphragm is preferably of annular configuration and has an annular U-shaped portion disposed in the annular fluid conduit. The outer portions of the diaphragm are secured to the outer member defining the annular fluid conduit and the inner portions of the flexible diaphragm are secured to the inner member defining the annular conduit. The annular U-shaped portion contains at least one aperture which is rolled into and out of sealing engagement with either the inner or outer wall of the annular fluid conduit by limited axial movement of one wall relative to the other. In a modification of the invention, a second such diaphragm is employed to provide an opening or closing of a bleed passage for the fluid outlet.

Abstract: Microprocessor controlled apparatus is provided for automatically diagnosing faults in a heat pump system. Temperature sensors located at strategic points in the system are read periodically in accordance with a preprogrammed diagnostic routine. Temperature measurements preferably representing comparison of two temperature readings that produce temperature differentials outside pre-established tolerance limits are stored with a fault identification representative of the corresponding fault measurement. A service technician can read the fault data from storage by activation of control means for that purpose whereby the nature of the causative fault or faults can readily be determined.

Abstract: A microprocessor based control for a heat pump system providing at least two setback temperature settings individually selected by the system user to be effective during different time periods of the day, also individually selectable by the user. In the event of conflicting setback temperature settings during an overlap in the selected time periods, the microprocessor is programmed to implement the setback temperature that provides the most energy efficient operation of the system. Additionally, the microprocessor automatically assures that any setback temperature settings are at least a minimum temperature differential away from the normal temperature setting in the more energy efficient direction. This override provision is effective whether the invalid setback temperature settings are initially inserted by the user or are the result of a subsequent change in the normal temperature setting.

Abstract: A muffler for attenuating the sound of the hot refrigerant gas discharged from a hermetic refrigeration compressor and for transferring heat from the hot discharged refrigerant gas to a water tube arranged in heat exchange relationship with the muffler. The water tube is adapted to be connected to a water heater tank in a manner that recirculates water from the tank through the water tube in a closed circuit.