Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure gauge construction in which the dial plate includes recessed indentations interfit with pins projecting beyond the front face of the gauge movement for supporting a dial plate in place. An adhesive cement is contained between the back face of the dial plate and the front face of the movement effects an adhesive bonding therebetween.

Abstract: A core sampling method, particularly for the oil industry, wherein actual core sampling is performed by means of a core sampler (1) comprising at least one Inner barrel (5), an outer barrel (2) and a bit (3), and a substantially axial compressive force (F) is exerted on the top (7A) of a core sample (7) being formed, at least during a major part of the core sampling process, said force being within a range determined particularly on the basis of the material of the core sample (7), whereafter the force (F) is removed at the latest before the core sample (7) is withdrawn from the inner barrel (5). A core sampler for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a downhole method and apparatus for simultaneously determining the horizontal resistivity, vertical resistivity, and relative dip angle for anisotropic earth formations. The present invention accomplishes this objective by using an antenna configuration in which a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna are oriented in non-parallel planes such that the vertical resistivity and the relative dip angle are decoupled. Preferably, either the transmitter or the receiver is mounted in a conventional orientation in a first plane that is normal to the tool axis, and the other antenna is mounted in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane. Although this invention is primarily intended for MWD or LWD applications, this invention is also applicable to wireline and possible other applications.

Abstract: A multiproduct fuel dispensing system for dispensing different grade fuels stored in several reservoir tanks. Several fuel delivery conduits deliver a specific grade of fuel from one or more of the reservoir tanks. Plural ultrasonic metering orifices are mounted in a single housing with shared electronic circuitry, and use sing-around measurement to measure flow. Each of the meters has a volume of about 50 cubic centimeters and a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute. The housing is connected to the conduits to permit measurement of fuel flow through each meter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wettability measurements are provided. The apparatus includes a surface having a pair of electrodes separated by an insulator affixed thereto. The electrodes are operable for supporting an oil film, and the may be immersed in a surfactant solution. Circuitry for measuring the complex impedance between the electrodes is coupled to the electrodes. The capacitive part of the complex impedance provides a measure of the oil thickness as it is removed by the surfactant solution. A rotating member is provided for agitating the surfactant solution thereby modifying the effectiveness of the solution in removing the film.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing a fuel dispenser with a graphics interface. The system easily retrofits onto an existing, conventional fuel dispenser. The system likewise allows a customer to interact with the commercials as well as the instructional interface. The system includes a video display terminal, a touch screen, a multimedia controller, and a pump interface. A conventional fuel dispenser may be readily retrofitted with the system because the multimedia controller and pump interface communicate with a customer activated terminal already on the conventional fuel dispenser. The system also operates in a manner to determine if the customer has used the fuel dispenser before, and if not, displays additional instructions and videos to explain operation of the fuel dispenser. The system also allows the customer to select between different categories of commercials in order to purchase amenities.

Abstract: A wear resistant cutter insert structure and method include a stud having at least one face. A primary tapered ridge and at least one secondary tapered ridge extending from the primary tapered ridge are formed in the face. A layer of abrasive material is disposed over the face covering the primary and secondary tapered ridges.

Abstract: Subsurface wellbore conditions are measured directly in the wellbore while the fluid circulation system is not pumping. The measured values are recorded at the subsurface location and subsequently transmitted to the well surface when circulation is resumed using fluid pulse telemetry (FPT). Real-time measurements made when the fluids are circulating are transmitted real time using FPT. Axially spaced measurements are used to obtain differential values. The apparatus of the invention comprises an assembly carried by a drill string that is used to selectively isolate the area within the well that is to be evaluated. The apparatus includes an assembly having axially spaced inflatable well packers that are used to isolate an uncased section of the wellbore. The apparatus is equipped with self-contained measuring and recording equipment, a fluid receiving reservoir, circulation valving, measurement while drilling equipment, and automated controls.

Abstract: A power spectrum density processor is located near the drill bit while drilling. The power spectral density processor computes the power spectral density of the vibrations generated by the drill bit while drilling. The power spectral density information is telemetered to the surface where it is used to enhance drill bit seismic techniques.

Abstract: A fluid distribution apparatus in which a conduit extends in a bore of a fitting having a shoulder formed in the bore, The conduit has an external bead for engaging the shoulder to locate the conduit relative to the fitting and a fastener is provided for fastening the conduit to the fitting.

Abstract: Core machine intended particularly to the oil prospection field, comprising a core crown (2), an external tube (3) for the rotational driving of the core crown (2), and an internal tube (4) having a free front end element (7) intended to receive a core (5), and a revolution surface (8) of the free end element (7) on the crown side (2), arranged to cooperate with an internal surface (9) thereof, or optionally of the external tube (3), so as to adjust between the two a predetermined passage for the core drilling fluid, the free end element (7) being mounted in the core drilling machine (1) so as to slide coaxially on an extremity section (13) of the internal tube (4), between a position wherein the revolution surface (8) is in contact with the internal surface (9) of the crown (2), or respectively of the external tube (3), and an extreme position away from said internal surface (9).

Abstract: Hardfacing to protect wear surfaces of drill bits and other downhole tools having coated cubic boron nitride particles or coated particles of other ceramic, superabrasive or superhard materials dispersed within and bonded to a matrix deposit. The coating on the ceramic particles or particles of other hard materials may be formed from materials and alloys such as tungsten carbide, and tungsten carbide/cobalt and cermets such as metal carbides and metal nitrides. The coated particles are preferably sintered and have a generally spherical shape. The coated particles are pre-mixed with selected materials such that welding and cooling will form both metallurgical bonds and mechanical bonds within the solidified matrix deposit. A welding rod may be prepared by placing a mixture of selected hard particles such as coated cubic boron nitride particles, hard particles such as tungsten carbide/cobalt, and loose filler material into a steel tube.

Abstract: An electronic turbocharger control system for an internal combustion engine is provided to control at least one turbocharger by controlling a bypass valve and a wastegate in response to the engine speed, engine load, ambient temperature, and the operating environment's barometric pressure wherein the turbocharger is controlled to operate within predetermined islands of efficiency on a pressure ratio versus mass airflow map thereby allowing the adaptation of one turbocharger assembly for various applications. The method and apparatus provides improved engine efficiency and increases low speed torque.

Abstract: Steel bit bodies are manufactured with polystyrene patterns in a lost foam casting process. The patterns are machined in complex shapes that cannot be extractable from reusable, two-piece pattern molds. The patterns are machined in a basic, programmed, five-axis machining process to form multiple copies of a complex pattern body. The process is modified to produce multiple copies of a modified design. Multiple bit patterns of variable forms are produced without an intermediate, reusable pattern mold that would require multiple mold pieces, thus eliminating the time and expense in variation of the bit design. The pattern is machined in a single chucking operation in a machine tool adapted for machining plastics in a three-dimensional global process. The plastic composition and density permit it to be machined into a pattern having relatively small, unsupported structural projections and smooth surface features.

Abstract: A method of assaying work of an earth boring bit of a given size and design comprises the steps of drilling a hole with the bit from an initial point to a terminal point. A plurality of electrical incremental actual force signals are generated, each corresponding to a force of the bit over a respective increment of the distance between the initial and terminal points. A plurality of electrical incremental distance signals are also generated, each corresponding to the length of the increment for a respective one of the incremental actual force signals. The incremental actual force signals and the incremental distance signals are processed to produce a value corresponding to the total work done by the bit in drilling from the initial point to the terminal point. Using such a basic work assay, a number of other downhole occurrences and/or conditions can be assayed.

Abstract: A plastic pipe coupling for the joining of plain end plastic pipe that includes a pair of longitudinally displaced annular followers, a tubular middle ring extending between the opposite followers, an annular gasket within each follower contiguous to the middle ring, gripper segments within the follower that are operative during tightening installation of the follower about a received pipe end to effect a penetrating restraining grip against the surface of the pipe end and means on each of said followers cooperating with the end configuration of the middle ring to effect a snap-in-interlock and a perceptive signal when installation is completed.

Abstract: Dampening apparatus for a pressure gauge in which a short length of sleeve, ferrule, hub or thimble encircles the pointer shaft in a close but loose fit relation and is packed with a high viscosity fluid such that it will serve to decelerate and cushion any sudden shock or pulsation force that would otherwise be transmitted to the pointer shaft.

Abstract: A system and method to adapt a fuel dispenser and related facilities to accept bar coded cards in addition to or instead of magnetic strip cards. A standard bar code reader is used in conjunction with a magnetic strip card reader. The bar code reader includes a light detector and a light source. The light detector and light source are secured so that they may visually access a card in the magnetic strip card reader. This allows the light detector to access bar coded data that is printed on a bar coded card. Furthermore, the addition of the bar code reader does not prevent the magnetic strip card reader from also reading a magnetic strip if it is present on the card. When a bar coded card is slid into the magnetic strip card reader, the bar code reader interprets the signals generated thereby and "decodes" the signals into corresponding numbers. These numbers are then sent over a data bus to a controller, where they are interpreted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the performance of a drilling system for the drilling of a well bore in a given formation includes generating a geology characteristic of the formation per unit depth according to a prescribed geology model, obtaining specifications of proposed drilling equipment for use in the drilling of the well bore, and predicting a drilling mechanics in response to the specifications as a function of the geology characteristic per unit depth according to a prescribed drilling mechanics model. The geology characteristic includes at least rock strength. The specifications includes at least a bit specification of a recommended drill bit. Lastly, the predicted drilling mechanics include at least one of bit wear, mechanical efficiency, power, and operating parameters. A display is provided for generating a display of the geology characteristic and predicted drilling mechanics per unit depth, including either a display monitor or a printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use in fabricating rotary cone drill bits from multiple drill bit segments. Each drill bit segment (40) preferably includes a first portion (50) with mating surfaces (61, 62) designed to be aligned with mating surfaces (61, 62) of other drill bit segments (40) and a second portion (80) which includes a support arm (90) with a cutter cone assembly (100) rotatably mounted thereon. A recess (70) having a generally spherical surface is formed within the first portion (50) of each drill bit segment (40) such that when the respective drill bit segments (40) are aligned with each other, the spherical recesses (70) cooperate with each other to define a generally spherical cavity. A ball (72) is disposed within the resulting spherical cavity when the drill bit segments are joined with each other to form the bit body (42) for the resulting rotary cone drill bit (20).