Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the potential effectiveness of refracing a previously fracked oil/gas well is accomplished by isolating a plurality of previously fracked zones of an oil/gas well in a formation and measuring the fluid flow rates from the isolated zones using a three phase flow meter positioned within the well at or near the previously fracked zones. The zones may be isolated by an isolation assembly which includes two packers connected by a perforated pipe and attached to a tubular positioned within the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of carbon nanotube structures.

Abstract: A replacement cartridge toner hopper seal assembly comprising an auger mounted in the hopper, the auger is configured to rotate upon actuation. A toner paddle is coupled to the auger. An original hopper seal has an original hopper seal first end opposite an original hopper seal second end, the original hopper seal is coupled to the auger proximate the original hopper seal first end and proximate the toner paddle. A replacement seal extension is coupled to the original hopper seal second end. A window seat is coupled to a cartridge upper toner window of the cartridge toner hopper. The replacement seal extension is coupled to the window seat. The replacement seal extension being removable from the window seat responsive to actuation of the auger.

Abstract: A cage valve, flow trim components, and method for signalling erosion of flow trim. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged across an inlet bore and aligned with an outlet bore, and including a stationary tubular cage and an internal or external flow control member such as a plug or flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover flow ports in the side wall. The flow control member includes an end plate which closes an upstream end of the cage. A cavity is formed in the flow control member upstream of the end plate. A transmitter, such as a proximity beacon, positioned in the cavity transmits a first signal indicative of intact flow trim when no fluid is in the beacon cavity and transmits a zero value signal or no signal indicative of eroded flow trim when fluid enters the cavity.

Abstract: A valve, and tubular cage component for a valve, in which the tubular cage is formed such that at least a ported portion between the ends of the cage includes a tubular outer cage member formed from a metal material, and a tubular inner cage member formed from a wear resistant material. The inner cage member and the outer cage member are concentrically aligned and have a length to span at least the ported portion. Some or all of the flow ports in the ported portion include a port insert which includes a port sleeve formed from a wear resistant material such that the port sleeve extends at least over the metal material of the outer cage member at the flow port.

Abstract: A jet pump assembly is adapted to be releasably attached to a tubular member of a tubular string in an oil well. The jet pump may be pumped out of the tubular string to the surface by a reverse flow of power fluid down the well between the tubular string and the casing of the well. Consequently the jet pump may be serviced or reconfigured to a direct pumping mode without the necessity of a wire line or other apparatus. A sensor for measuring downhole parameters such as temperature and pressure etc. is positioned within a cavity located in a lower portion of the jet pump so as to be removable from the well with the pump.

Abstract: A multi-compartment, sweeper-type rear loading refuse packer, in which a single pack blade is pivotally connected to a multi-section sweep blade. Only a single pack blade is needed to move all the sections of the sweep blade toward the compartments. As the type of refuse in each compartment is different and must be offloaded separately, especially in a three-compartment system, two anti-spill plates are provided for selective blocking of the lower portion of the outer two compartments. Seal plates can also be provided for selective blocking of the upper portion of the outer two compartments, whereby an anti-spill plate and paired seal plate confront and close the opening of the associated refuse compartment when the compaction unit is pivoted to the ejection position.

Abstract: The present invention involves a manipulator tool for use with a seed firmer having an extender attachment capable of engagement with a groove of the seed firmer. The tool facilitates the engagement and removal of the extender attachment by rotation of a rod in a bracket, which may be manual or with a power tool. The manipulator tool may be used on seed firmers which have been removed from a planting machine or are still attached to a planting machine.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring and control system includes a central hub having a central processor, a user interface and an input/output port. A plurality of control devices communicate with the central hub. Each control device includes a fluid pipe section including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A fluid valve is coupled in series within the fluid pipe section and an electric motor is mechanically connected to the fluid valve. A temperature sensor, pressure sensor and flow rate sensor are coupled to the fluid pipe section monitoring a temperature, pressure and flow rate of the fluid flow within the fluid pipe section. A control device processor is controllably connected to the electric motor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor and flow sensor. A control device input/output port is coupled to the control device processor, the control device input/output port in communication with the input/output port of the central hub.

Abstract: Multi-stage back pressure regulators are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a multi-stage back pressure regulator includes a first stage and a second stage downstream from the first stage. The first stage includes a gas-charged regulator device arranged to receive a fluid at an inlet, and the second stage includes a spring-loaded regulator device having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet. The gas-charged regulator and the spring-loaded regulator are configured to control inlet pressure to the back pressure regulator and maximum differential pressures across the first and second stages.

Abstract: A jet pump assembly is adapted to be releasably attached to a tubular member of a tubular string in an oil well. The jet pump may be pumped out of the tubular string to the surface by a reverse flow of power fluid down the well between the tubular string and the casing of the well. Consequently the jet pump may be serviced or reconfigured to a direct pumping mode without the necessity of a wire line or other apparatus. An attachment tool is provided that attaches to a fishing neck on the jet pump and also includes a plurality of seal cups. The attachment tool includes a rod which is adapted to release a locking mechanism positioned in the jet pump.

Abstract: A dental bur (10) is disclosed having an elongated shank (11) which extends to a cutting head (12). The shank includes a gripping portion (14), a tapered transition portion (15), and a neck portion (16). The diameter of the neck portion (D1) is generally the same as the diameter of the cutting head (D2). The cutting head includes six helical cutting flutes (20) extending from the neck portion (16) to a tip (18). Each cutting flute has a top cutting edge (21) and a series of generally rectangular shaped cross-cut notches. The rectangular shaped cutting notches are formed by a generally flat floor (25) and two oppositely disposed sidewalls (26). The floor forms a floor cutting edge (28) while the sidewalls form sidewall cutting edges (29). The intersection of the floor cutting edge with the sidewall cutting edges form two interior cutting corners (30).