Abstract: A hopper trailer for hauling bulk material. The trailer has a hopper, a gate mounted to the hopper, and a discharge system mounted to the gate. The gate has a frame with first and second discharge outlets. The first discharge outlet is positioned to discharge material by gravity beneath the gate. The discharge system receives material passing through the second discharge outlet, moves the material to an elevation that is above the gate, and discharges the material from that elevation. Preferably, the gate frame has first and second side walls within which the first and second discharge outlets are formed, respectively. Preferably, the gate has first and second doors each of which being moveable between a closed position that blocks one of the discharge outlets and an open position in which material can pass through one of the discharge outlets.

Abstract: A pivoting door assembly for a downdraft cutting table assembly includes a door for covering a vent of the downdraft cutting table assembly, and an arm assembly coupled to the door. The downdraft cutting table assembly may include a cutting table for supporting a workpiece, a cutting torch assembly for positioning a cutting torch for cutting the workpiece, an exhaust duct for exhausting fumes, and a vent opening into the exhaust duct. The downdraft cutting table assembly may also include a slag removal system. The arm assembly is actuated by the cutting torch assembly as the cutting torch assembly positions the cutting torch over the cutting table. Actuation of the arm assembly by the cutting torch assembly causes the arm assembly to pivot the door open for allowing fumes from the cutting torch to be drawn into the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A downdraft exhaust cutting and shuttle table mechanism includes a cutting area and a loading area, which includes first and second elongated, horizontally disposed cutting tables which are shuttled into and out of a cutting area which includes a material cutting assembly positioned therein, the shuttle table mechanism including horizontal and vertical table movement devices which are operative to move the first and second cutting tables forwards and backwards between the cutting area and a loading area generally adjacent thereto and a vertical table movement device operative to move the first and second cutting tables upwards and downwards, the vertical and horizontal table movement devices cooperating to move each of the first and second cutting tables from a loading position generally horizontally forwards into the cutting area for cutting of material mounted thereon then generally horizontally backwards into the loading area to a position generally underneath the other of the cutting tables which has been

Abstract: A downdraft cutting table assembly includes a cutting table having a top surface for supporting a workpiece, and first and second side wall assemblies for supporting the top surface. The cutting table is comprised of table sections. First and second rail assemblies are mounted to the side wall assemblies for mounting a cutting torch assembly, which moves along the rail assemblies for cutting the workpiece. Partitions defining ventilation zones extend beneath the top surface. An exhaust duct having a vent associated with a ventilation zone is included for exhausting fumes produced when cutting the workpiece proximal to the ventilation zone. A pivoting door assembly having a door and an arm assembly is included for covering the vent. The arm assembly is actuated by the cutting torch assembly and pivots the door open, allowing the fumes to be drawn into the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A railway short span trestle is designed for quick erection at an installation site by assembly of a minimum number of parts. Those parts include a pair of spaced apart girders and whatever number of modular floor assemblies are required to span the length of those girders. Each floor assembly may be preassembled in the shop to include crossbeams for connection to the girders, a ballast floor plate which interconnects the crossbeams, and the bent curb plates which contain and support the ballast for a railway track. The invention is further directed to a method of constructing a railway short span trestle including tho preassembly of the modular floor assemblies and final connection of those floor assemblies to a pair of girders to provide a unitary trestle ready for placement onto a substructure.

Abstract: A tool for testing earth formations which is divided into upper and lower pivotable sections to alleviate the problem of becoming differentially stuck. A unique pivot structure incorporating sample chamber seal valve assembly, is provided.

Abstract: A tool for testing earth formations in boreholes provides a failsafe function for retracting the sealing pad elements of a formation isolation device, in the form of elements operable in response to failure of downhole power supply for the tool to effect release of hydraulic setting pressure on the seal pad elements. The tool further provides a formation mini-sample chamber of variable volume with elements permitting aboveground monitoring and control of same independently of any other tool function. The mini-sample chamber control device also controls the operation of a formation fluid sample flow line valve. The tool is divided into upper and lower pivotable sections to alleviate the problem of becoming differentially stuck. A unique pivot structure incorporating sample chamber seal valve assembly, is provided. A unique sand screen device is provided to permit the tool to function when working wih unconsolidated formations.

Abstract: A tool for testing earth formations in boreholes provides a failsafe function for retracting the sealing pad elements of a formation isolation device, in the form of elements operable in response to failure of downhole power supply for the tool to effect release of hydraulic setting pressure on the seal pad elements. The tool further provides a formation mini-sample chamber of variable volume with elements permitting aboveground monitoring and control of same independently of any other tool function. The mini-sample chamber control device also controls the operation of a formation fluid sample flow line valve. The tool is divided into upper and lower pivotable sections to alleviate the problem of becoming differentially stuck. A unique pivot structure incorporating sample chamber seal valve assembly, is provided. A unique sand screen device is provided to permit the tool to function when working with unconsolidated formations.

Abstract: A formation tester apparatus for use in a well bore for multiple testing of pressures of earth formation fluids and the taking of a fluid sample, including pad and shoe elements selectively operable for sealingly engaging a well bore. Upon sealing engagement of the pad element with the wall of a well bore, a fluid sample is ingested into an expanding chamber while its pressure is sensed. Upon completion of the pressure test, the pad element is retracted from the wall of a well bore, and the expanding chamber contracts to expel the fluid sample. The pressure test may be repeated any number of times. The expanding chamber includes a piston operated with fluid pressure used to actuate the pad element. A choke delays the application of pressure to the piston until after the pad element seals on the wall of the well bore.

Abstract: An improved sealing projectile for use in a borehole perforating tool of a type wherein there is an explosive charge such as one or more shaped charge units disposed in each of a plurality of chambers that are located one above the other, with a partition means between each two adjacent chambers and sealingly isolating the adjacent chambers but for a passageway in the partition means through which ignition wires are passed, with a sealing projectile driven into sealing relation with the lower end portion of the passageway upon detonation of the explosive charge in the lower one of the adjacent chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for achieving true and accurate feed of linear sheet material such as a recording or plotting medium in a strip chart type utilization device, particularly in applications where a high degree of feed accuracy is required.

Abstract: An improved wireline borehole shifting tool comprises upwardly extending upper dog means and downwardly extending lower dog means, with the upper dog means being extendable and retractable responsive to slack or tension, respectively, in the wireline; with the lower dog means being extendable and retractible and longitudinally movable relative to the upper dog means responsive to movement of a reciprocator shaft and power means that is disposed within the tool body beneath the lower dog means and with the lower dog means being at all times movable radially inwardly against a spring bias force. Also disclosed is an arrangement utilizing the shifting tool for running a caliper log of the borehole conduit diameter profile for a selected region, with the shifting tool lower dog means acting as the caliper sensing means. Further disclosed are unique methods for utilizing the shifting tool to perform shifting operations on devices that are disposed in wellbore conduits.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods are provided for conducting drill stem and production testing operations. A bypass sub removably receives a wireline tool in sealing engagement within a bypass sub bore, with the bypass sub including bypass passage means and selectively actuable port closure means to permit fluid from below the bypass sub to flow into conduit means above the bypass sub when the wireline tool is seated and secured in the bypass sub. In one embodiment, the means for selectively actuating the port closure means is a motorized shifter means incorporated in the wireline tool. The wireline tool carries selected sensor devices for sensing earth formation characteristics. Improved and unique means are provided for securing the wireline tool in the bypass sub and for selectively engaging the motorized shifter apparatus wih the port closure means.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods are provided for conducting drill stem and production testing operations. A bypass sub removably receives a wireline tool in sealing engagement within a bypass sub bore, with the bypass sub including bypass passage means and selectively actuable port closure means to permit fluid from below the bypass sub to flow into conduit means above the bypass sub when the wireline tool is seated and secured in the bypass sub. In one embodiment, the means for selectively actuating the port closure means is a motorized shifter means incorporated in the wireline tool. The wireline tool carries selected sensor devices for sensing earth formation characteristics. Improved and unique means are provided for securing the wireline tool in the bypass sub and for selectively engaging the motorized shifter apparatus with the port closure means.

Abstract: Improved end closures for shaped charge unit chambers in borehole perforating tools have flanged peripheral portions to be clamped in the threaded joint when sidewalls of adjacent chambers are threadedly joined. Also disclosed are sealing means for conductor wires passing through the end closures, which sealing means involves means for compressing and deforming the conductor insulation so that the conductors with their insulation sealingly occupy a predetermined space between surfaces of cooperating compressing and deforming means.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods are provided for conducting drill stem and production testing operations. A bypass sub removably receives a wireline tool in sealing engagement within a bypass sub bore, with the bypass sub including bypass passage means and selectively actuable port closure means to permit fluid from below the bypass sub to flow into conduit means above the bypass sub when the wireline tool is seated and secured in the bypass sub. In one embodiment, the means for selectively actuating the port closure means is a motorized shifter means incorporated in the wireline tool. The wireline tool carries selected sensor devices for sensing earth formation characteristics. Improved and unique means are provided for securing the wireline tool in the bypass sub and for selectively engaging the motorized shifter apparatus with the port closure means.

Abstract: This describes a method for improved data signaling equipment for use with well-drilling tools for rapidly sending measurements made down the hole in the wellbore to the surface without the need of an electric cable. A special well tool is connected into a drill string having a drill bit coupled thereto for drilling a borehole. During normal drilling operations, the data-sending equipment is not in operation, and the main body of circulating or drilling fluid is passed through a main valve in the downhole tool and bypasses a pressure-changing unit. A sensing unit is incorporated in the downhole tool and measures downhole parameters. When it is desired to send these data to the surface, the main circulation of drilling fluid is stopped and the bypass valve closed. Then, a small amount of fluid is supplied to the "closed" drill string from a substantially constant-pressure source.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for emplacing a liner in a conduit in a well penetrating subterranean formations characterized by suspending at a predetermined depth in the well at least one annular liner having an annular body portion and an adjacent, concentrically disposed swage means that is adapted for being driven interiorly of the body portion for expanding the latter outwardly into contact with the conduit; firing a setting tool in the method to drive the swage means concentrically interiorly of the body portion; and removing the setting tool, leaving the swage and the body portion set in the conduit with a large bore penetrating longitudinally thereof. Also disclosed are straddle patches having a liner at each end, either set in a unitary operation or set by a two-step operation; other combinations employing the liners and the specific apparatus for setting the liners.