Abstract: This invention involves an improved ball-type check valve for use in conditions such as oil and gas drilling which involve abrasive fluids, high pressures, and high temperatures. In this improved check valve, a one-piece ball retainer is provided which consists of (1) a retainer ring for the ball, (2) a base, and (3) at least two vertical supports which connect the retainer ring and the base. Peripheral channels are formed by (a) orifices which pass between the vertical supports, adjoined to (b) recessed areas in the base. This allows the interior passageway (through the retainer ring) to be relatively large in relation to the peripheral channels. This has two effects. When downward flow begins, fluid velocity through the interior passageway is relatively high, which helps ensure rapid settling of the ball on the retainer ring.

Abstract: A stage cementing tool comprising a substantially tubular mandrel having a single interior unitary sleeve maintained at a first or closed position in said mandrel and adapted to move to a second or open position and subsequently to a third or closed position in said mandrel. The movable unitary sleeve is maintained by interior shear pins adapted to be sheared in two steps by separate forces applied at different points of the assembly of the unitary sleeve and respective opening and closing seats secured thereto. Positive locking means are located in the sleeve which act to maintain it at each successive position and to prevent regression when the moving force is removed. The mandrel and assembly is adapted to fit in a string of casing pipe for location at a site to be cemented. In operation the unitary sleeve is first actuated to open position for cement flow and placing and thereafter to fully closed position to stop such flow and is positively locked in such closed condition.

Abstract: A ball-type check valve assembly for use in a fluid flow line includes a valve body having an inlet end and an outlet end, a ball retainer cup positioned within the valve body intermediate the inlet and the outlet end, the ball retainer cup having a passageway extending therethrough adapted to fluidly communicate the inlet passageway with the outlet passageway, spaced apart lug members attached to the valve body adapted to support said ball retainer cup, a plurality of fluid channels defined by the space between adjacent ones of the lug members to fluidly communicate the inlet passageway with the outlet passageway and being adapted to direct the flow of fluid received from the inlet passageway to a first location within the outlet passageway, a flexible skirt member having one end portion thereof abutting the ball retainer cup and extending therefrom to another end portion located at a second location within the outlet passageway between the first location and the outlet end, the flexible skirt member having

Abstract: A reinforced composite structure is disclosed comprising a heat resistant chemically-bonded layer of a ceramic composition mechanically attached to a metallic substrate. The structure includes a metallic anchoring matrix characterized by a plurality of spatially and cooperably arranged reinforcing elements, the matrix being attached to the substrate and projecting from the surface thereof with the spatially arranged reinforcing elements of the matrix collectively defining a ceramic-occupiable zone of finite thickness adjacent to and following the surface configuration of said substrate, the zone having at least confined therein the heat resistant chemically-bonded ceramic in intimate contact with the reinforcing elements. A method for fabricating said composite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved fin element adapted for use in a fin and tube type heat exchanger core assembly, the improved fin element having a plurality of tube openings extending therethrough and having a "dog-bone" type pattern of corrugations extending substantially over the entire planar surface thereof, the corrugated pattern forming a uniform, discontinuous, six-sided configuration about each respective tube opening for altering the fluid flow characteristics across the fin in such a manner as to enhance its heat transfer capability. The particular pattern of corrugations utilized on the subject fin element effectively induces turbulent flow thereacross; it causes circulation of the fluid medium flowing thereacross to the downstream side of the tubes extending therethrough; and, it effectively reduces the thickness of the boundary layer associated therewith to achieve increased heat transfer performance without a corresponding increase in fluid flow resistance.

Abstract: A heat exchanger core assembly adaptable for allowing the passage of air therethrough comprising a plurality of fin elements extending in spaced apart parallel fashion across a plurality of fluid carrying tube members, each of the fin elements being positioned within the core assembly so as to have opposite side edges extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of air flow through the core assembly, each fin element including a folded over side portion extending along each of the opposite side edges thereof, the fin elements being stackable one upon the other such that the folded over side portions of one fin element mate with the folded over side portions of an adjacent fin element thereby forming a continuous, uninterrupted, substantially air tight core side on each opposite side of the plurality of mated together fin elements for substantially preventing the leakage of air therethrough.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling soil employing three disc gang assemblies pivotally mounted in spaced apart relationship to a support frame assembly having a hitch mechanism associated therewith for coupling to a conventional towing vehicle, the disc gang assemblies being arranged such that the front and rear disc gang assemblies are approximately equidistantly spaced from the center disc gang assembly and are offset laterally from the longitudinal axis of the support frame assembly, each of the disc gang assemblies including a plurality of spaced discing tools positioned such that the lateral working width of the center disc gang assembly is approximately equal to the combined lateral working width of the front and rear disc gang assemblies.

Abstract: A folding toolbar adapted for attachment to a draft vehicle for carrying ground working tools, such as rotary hoe wheels, includes a main frame section and lateral wing sections pivotally connected to the main frame section for upward folding to transport positions. One of the wing sections is foldable through 180.degree. to overlie the main frame section in relatively close proximity thereto, while the other wing section is pivotally connected to the main frame section through a pivot link arrangement and a power cylinder which enable 180.degree. folding to overlie both the main frame section and the opposite first folded wing section. An auxiliary frame member is mounted is spaced relation on the main frame section and provides arrangement for mounting the wing folding cylinders so as to allow substantially the full length of the main frame to be used for mounting tools thereon.

Abstract: An automatic support for folding frames such as those used in many agricultural implements. The folding frames include at least one generally horizontally disposed main frame section having at least one wing frame section hingedly connected thereto, the wing frame being movable between a lowered, outwardly extended working position wherein it is substantially coplanar with the main frame, to an upwardly folded transport position wherein it generally overlies the main frame and forms an included angle of less than 90.degree.. The automatic support includes a support arm, connecting link and pivot link all of which are pivotally interconnected with the wing frame section to form a four bar linkage arrangement. When the wing frame is in its extended working position the support arm is in close proximity to the wing frame providing the implement with a low overall profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved tractor front end implement mount adaptable for rapid attachment and detachment by a single person. This invention is characterized by a working implement having a pair of lift frame arm assemblies coupled in working relationship with intermediate frame members, the intermediate frame members being attachable to support structures attached to the tractor for mounting an implement thereto. Pockets are formed on the outer extremities of the support structures which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the tractor and are adaptable for catching and retaining the rear end portion of the respective intermediate frame members until the intermediate frame members can be pivotally attached thereto by pins. The invention is further characterized by the use of multiple diameter configuration pins which are tapered at the ends and adapted to fit into snug fitting relationship with openings in the pockets and in the intermediate frame members.

Abstract: A hitch locking mechanism for an implement or the like having a frame and transport wheels movable between lowered transport positions wherein the frame is raised for transport and raised positions wherein the frame is lowered for an operating mode, and having a hitch bar hinged to the frame, the hitch locking mechanism being interconnected between the transport wheels and the hitch bar and being operative to maintain the hitch bar in fixed relation to the frame when the transport wheels are in their lowered transport positions, and operative to enable hinged movement of the hitch bar relative to the frame when the transport wheels are in their raised positions.

Abstract: A tool bar control mechanism for an agricultural implement or the like having a frame, a pair of generally transverse tool bars mounted on the frame for rotation about their longitudinal axes and carrying ground working tools such as spring teeth for movement therewith, and transport wheels mounted on the frame and movable between lowered transport positions wherein the frame and ground working tools are raised for transport and raised positions wherein the frame and tools are lowered for ground working operation, the tool bar control mechanism including linkage means operatively interconnecting the transport wheels with the tool bars so as to effect predetermined rotation of the tool bars and ground working tools in response to movement of the transport wheels between their lowered and raised positions and positively maintain the tools in set position during ground working operation.

Abstract: An oil well bailer apparatus for use in bailing oil from an oil well. It includes a housing adapted for mounting over the top of the wellhead and a bail bucket which is arranged for lowering and raising between the well and the housing for raising oil to the housing and depositing it at the wellhead surface.

Abstract: A transport lock system for an implement or the like having a frame and transport wheels movable between lowered transport positions wherein the frame is raised for transport and raised positions wherein the frame and ground working tools thereon are lowered for an operating mode, and having a fluid pressure operated cylinder operative to move the transport wheels between their raised and lowered positions. The transport lock system includes a lock link and locking pin which are selectively cooperable to prevent an operator from lowering the frame during a transport mode and includes a flow control valve operative in response to movement of the locking pin to a locking position to prevent the operator from inadvertently applying fluid pressure to the cylinder in a manner to lower the frame. The control valve is operative in response to movement of the locking pin to a non-locking position to enable actuation of the cylinder to raise and lower the frame.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing device and method is provided wherein a test piece is held in a test stand located in a test enclosure. The test enclosure is evacuated. The test stand and test piece held therein is then vibrated, immediately after which the test piece is irradiated by at least one beam of collimated radiant energy, preferably ultraviolet light, which is scanned over the test piece in a systematic pattern. Measurements of exo-electrons given off by the test piece responsive to the irradiation of the test piece are recorded for correlation with other exo-electron measurements made of the test piece throughout the life of the test piece. For metal test pieces not sensitive to this technique, a selected gas or gases (mixed or in sequence) may be introduced into the evacuated chamber for forming a surface compound of gas and metal on the surfaces of the test piece. The test enclosure is then evacuated and the test piece is vibrated and scanned by radiant energy and measurements taken.