Abstract: Granular sodium bentonite particles in the size range of 8 mesh to 20 mesh, preferably in the size range of 8 mesh to 14 mesh, are coated with a solution of a copolymer of polyacrylamide and polyacrylate (PHPA) in a liquid emulsion form, including mineral oil as a carrier fluid, in proportions of 67% and 33%, by weight, respectively. The coated particles are mixed with water in proportions of 17-30 gallons, preferably 28 gallons, of water to each 50 pounds of coated particles to form a slurry, which is then pumped into an earth borehole to seal, gout or plug the borehole.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for the joining of plain end plastic or metallic pipe that includes an annular follower, a tubular middle ring extending between opposite followers, an annular gasket within the follower contiguous to the middle ring and a restrainer unit within the follower comprising a lock ring having a plurality of arcuately spaced radial slots for slideably supporting individual gripper segments 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.

Abstract: The improved insert for a ground engaging tool, with a plurality of sockets for receiving a respective insert comprises a body having first and second portions and first and second zones. The first zone may consist of tungsten carbide and metallic cobalt, with preselected dimensions adapted for press fitting within a respective socket of the ground engaging tool. The second body portion may define an earth engaging portion. The second zone may consist of encrusted diamond pellets, tungsten carbide and metallic cobalt, fused together. The first and second zones may be fused together with the first zone being substantially free of encrusted diamond pellets.

Abstract: A gas blower and method according to which the gas is introduced into the inlet of a housing where it is pressurized by rotating impellers. The pressurized gas is directed to a discharge plenum from which a first portion of the gas is discharged. The remaining portion of the gas is passed from the discharge plenum through a plurality of openings to a recirculating chamber for recirculating the gas back to the housing. The gas is passed from the recirculating chamber back to the housing through two radially-spaced sets of angularly-spaced openings formed in the housing.

Abstract: A relief valve for use in roller cone drilling bits of the sealed bearing type and other types of sealed fluid systems. The relief valve includes a valve body arranged to fit into the lubricating system of the bit and an elastomeric valve member having a flow port therein that is normally closed. The valve member includes a flexible lip defining the port that is arranged to permit flow in one direction through the port to relieve pressure above a predetermined value while preventing flow therethrough in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A sensor element suitable for sensing pressure values of fluid pressure at high pressure ranges on the order of 40,000 psi and above and comprised of a predetermined length of a closed end tube which at zero applied pressure is of rectilinear configuration. The tube contains a round bore eccentrically disposed parallel within the tube having one end open at which to receive fluid pressure. By virtue of the eccentric relationship of the bore to the tube, an internal bending moment occurs under pressure loading that is proportional to the applied pressure and which bending moment causes the free closed end of the tube to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction to the which the bore was predisposed with respect to the OD center line of the tube.

Abstract: A multi-product dispenser system includes a pump computer having a software program. A motor-valve drive board is coupled to the pump computer. A sales display is also coupled to the pump computer as is an optional preset. A hardware identifier in each of the computer, motor-valve drive board, sales display and optional preset, is provided to communicate with the software program in the pump computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting directional tools within a bore hole by recognizing and compensating for field biases brought about by ferromagnetic anamolies surrounding the bore hole, ferromagnetic casing strings and electrical/electronic tool components. The present invention includes the steps of measuring the magnetic field within a bore hole before casing strings are put in place and again measuring the magnetic field after such casings are in place. The ferromagnetic formation anamolies are detected in the first step of measuring the field prior to casing placement and further bias characteristics are determined in the second magnetic field measurement step after the casings are placed. Alternately, a conventional gyroscopic survey can be carried out to establish a bias in an already cased bore hole.

Abstract: An free water measurement apparatus and device for measuring the free water that separates from the cement slurry as a matter of time during curing. There is also provided an apparatus and method for measuring the free water that separates from the cement slurry under the temperature and pressure conditions the cement slurry will encounter in the well-bore of an oil and gas well. The apparatus and method provided may further measure the compressive strength measurement of the cement slurry as it is cured.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a hand held measurement instrument utilizing a touch screen display to provide a flexible and un-cluttered user interface. The measurement instrument includes a controller connected to the touch screen display as well as to a control port and a probe port. The control port supplies screen data for use by the touch screen display as well as control data for use in analyzing measurement signals received from the probe port. The controller retrieves one of the screens to be shown on the touch screen display, the screen including one or more keys. In response to one of the keys being touched, the controller performs a predetermined measurement function. In response to another one of the keys being touched, the controller retrieves another of the screens to be shown on the touch screen display. As a result, the touch screen display allows an ideal number of keys to be available to the user for a particular measurement function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the cross-sectional shape and orientation of an earth borehole and the motion of a tool therein. The method and apparatus involve measuring the distance from the tool to the borehole wall at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the tool and fitting those measured distances to a predetermined shape function using a nonlinear parameter estimation technique to minimize the error between the estimated shape of the borehole and the measured distances. The method and apparatus may be used to estimate elliptical and higher order borehole shapes. Additionally, the method and apparatus may be used while drilling the borehole.

Abstract: A method for calculating knock resistance ratings for various blends of non-commercial grade natural gas involves the use of a computer model derived from collecting experimental data for constituent concentration levels typical in field grade natural gas. The computer model is derived using a MN (methane number) calibration curve for various natural gas compositions typical at the wellhead. The empirically-derived computer model considers concentrations of the following molar constituents: methane (60%-100%); ethane (0%-20%); propane (0%-40%); normal butane (0%-10%); normal pentane (0%-3%); mixtures of higher order hydrocarbons (0%-2%); nitrogen (0%-15%) and carbon dioxide (0%-10%). The knock characteristics of isomers of butane and pentane are accounted for by assigning fractions of their concentrations to concentrations of modeled constituents.

Abstract: Shale plasticity in a geological formation is quantified by the steps of measuring a shale volume of the formation, measuring a shale composition of the formation, measuring a shale water content of the formation, and determining a measure of shale plasticity of the formation in response to the measured shale volume, shale composition, and shale water content according to a shale plasticity model. An apparatus for quantifying shale plasticity is disclosed also.

Abstract: A breakaway hose coupling according to which a removable housing is detachably connected to a fixed housing. A sealing member in the fixed housing is urged towards a seat in the fixed housing to prevent fluid flow through the fixed housing, and a member in the second housing is urged into engagement with the sealing member in the first housing to urge the latter sealing member away from the seat. The connection between the housings is released in response to a predetermined force acting on the second housing and the member in the second housing disengages from the sealing member in the first housing. As a result, the sealing member in the first housing is urged against the seat to prevent fluid flow through the fixed housing.

Abstract: A fluid flow system and method according to which a fluid flow meter is provided that receives fluid and has an internal member that rotates in response to fluid flow through the meter. A self-contained, battery-operated sensor is disposed adjacent to, but externally of, the meter and functions to sense the rotation of the member. The sensor includes a display device that responds to the sensing of the rotation, and therefore the fluid flow through the meter, and provides a corresponding output signal. Thus, a service technician can be assured of the status of fluid flow through the system.

Abstract: A well logging instrument, embodied both in drillstring and in wireline logging systems, is caused to traverse an earth borehole and to generate lithology-related data. First and second lithology compositional models are constructed from such data and are combined to determine a range of possible solutions having an upper limit defined by a pure component model and a lower limit defined by a proportional mixture model, thus allowing the maximum concentration of any lithologic component to vary between 0% and 100%. The exact value of the lithology lies between the upper and lower limits in the range of values and can be calibrated to a mineralogic analysis of actual core samples or drill cuttings.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for two different fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in two storage tanks, according to which a flow line extends from each tank to a chamber for receiving each fuel from its corresponding tank. A conduit extends from the chamber to a system for passing fuel from the chamber to the system for dispensing; and a valve is provided in the chamber for selectively blocking flow of the non-selected fuel into the chamber while permitting flow of the selected fuel into the chamber for passage, via the conduit, to the system. The valve eliminates any flow of the non-elected fuel into the chamber caused by the flow of the selected fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the size of a borehole while drilling are disclosed. The apparatus includes a gamma ray source configured to direct gamma rays into a formation, a far gamma ray detector and a near gamma ray detector configured to detect gamma rays originating in the formation and a far gamma ray counter and a near gamma ray counter coupled to the far gamma ray detector and the near gamma ray detector, respectively. The apparatus also includes a sampler coupled to the gamma ray counters configured to take and store samples from the counters, the sampler configured to reset the counter when a sample is taken. The apparatus includes a density computer for computing far density and near density for each sample, a standoff computer for computing the standoff for each sample from the far density for that sample, a formation density and a mud density, and a borehole size computer for adding the maximum standoff, the minimum standoff and the diameter of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the pressure in a fluid system, according to which a member is provided for connecting to the fluid system in a manner to receive fluid from the system. A hydraulic cylinder establishes a fluid pressure and is connected to the member so that the cylinder can establish a predetermined fluid pressure in the system which is measured by a gauge and monitored.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus is provided for quickly and accurately estimating the ellipticity of an earth borehole during any drilling operation using circle-based calculations involving statistical analysis of distance measurements made by acoustic sensors. A corresponding method of estimating such ellipticity is also disclosed.