Abstract: A variable reluctance load cell for measuring the static or slowly fluctuating load, or tension, on devices is contained in a support tube. A sensor in the tube utilizes opposing C and I shaped magnetic cores attached to opposing ends of the support tube. A magnetic circuit is formed having an inductance defined by the size of the gap between the magnetic cores with the reluctance dominated by the gap. The sensor inductance is coupled with a fixed, predetermined capacitance in a resonant LC circuit, and the resonant frequency is a function of the gap. The sensor is in a cavity within the tube, and the cavity is sealed in a manner that prevents water or other damaging agents from entering the sensor. In this manner, mounting the sensor and tube to a static device and measuring the AC voltage at the sensor, the amount of load, or stress can be determined.

Abstract: A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.

Abstract: A composite metal seal includes core of relatively hard metal, and at least one annular region of relatively soft metal. The annular region of relatively soft metal is integrally bonded with the core of relatively hard metal, and has an annular sealing surface for providing a fluid pressure seal. Such a composite metal seal can be manufactured by welding an overlay of the relatively soft metal onto a workpiece of the relatively hard metal; and machining the overlay of the relatively soft metal to form the annular sealing surface. In a preferred construction, the seal is a ring including two annular regions of the relatively soft metal, which provide tapered annular sealing surfaces for engaging respective sealing surfaces of two mating hubs. Such a seal ring can be used in a subsea collet-actuated pipeline connector to permit a metal-to-metal seal connection to be made and broken a number of times.

Abstract: For continuous high temperature operation over a service life in excess of twenty years, a flexible pipe joint includes various features that tend to reduce the temperature of the load-bearing flex element or reduce strain in the warmer elastomeric layers of the flex element. These features include a heat shield of low heat conductivity material integrated into the inner profile of the pipe extension and interposed between the central bore of the pipe joint and the flex element, low heat conductivity metal alloy components between the hot production fluid and the flex element, high temperature resistant elastomer at least in the warmest inner elastomer layer of the flex element, and a flex element constructed to shift strain from the warmer inner elastomer layers to the colder outer elastomer layers by providing greater shear area, different layer thickness, and/or higher elastic modulus elastomer for the warmer inner elastomer layers.

Abstract: A security gate includes a portion that extends at a non-vertical angle. The gate can include a first vertical portion, and a second non-vertical portion extending at an angle with respect to the first vertical portion. In other examples, a gate can include a vertical frame, and a non-vertical portion coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A distribution plate for particulate material comprises a circular horizontal plate comprised of nylon. Spaced radial slots are cut in the plate and extend completely therethrough. A substantially rectangular fin is placed in each slot and is radially positioned in the slot for slidable movement to interconnect with interlocking surfaces between the slot and the bottom edge of the fin. The slots extend from an inner position to an outer radial position short of the outer periphery of the plate.

Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.

Abstract: A security gate having an adjustable width that is suitable for use as a barrier to restrict the movement of children or animals. The gate includes a stationary panel and an overlapping moveable panel which are slidably extendable with respect to each other and lockable in a variety of extended positions. The gate can be pressure mounted to an opening, such as a hallway or doorway.

Abstract: A tensile load is applied to a sensor element that will carry the tensile load in the absence of a substance and will fail to carry the tensile load in the presence of the substance. The sensor element is disposed in a flow of fluid, and a flow control member is actuated to shut off the flow of fluid when the sensor element fails to carry the tensile load. In a preferred implementation, a hydrocarbon sensing valve includes a polystyrene sensor element suspending the flow control member above a valve seat. The sensor element is disposed in a cavity in the top of the flow control member, and a channel member directs fluid from the inlet port to the cavity. The sensor element is pinned to the channel member, and the flow control member is pinned to the sensor element.

Abstract: A water heater comprising a water-tight tank having a combustion chamber located in the bottom portion of the tank. A combustion air blower is operable to draw combustion air into the combustion chamber through a vertical tube in which the air flows from atmosphere downwardly into the combustion chamber. Combustion air entering the combustion chamber supports combustion of gas emanating from burners positioned in the combustion chamber. The products of combustion (flue gases) are drawn upwardly through a plurality of tubes, which extend from the combustion chamber to a flue gas collector box on the top of the water heater. From the flue gas collector box, the flue gases flow into an air/flue product mixing chamber and then out through an exit port.

Abstract: A water heater having a water tight tank (10) with a cold water inlet (14) and a hot water outlet (16). First and second heating elements (24, 26) are mounted in the upper and lower portions of the tank (10). A controller is provided for energizing element (24) to heat water in the upper portion of tank (10) until the temperature of the water in the upper portion of tank (10) reaches a preset temperature, at which time, the element (24) will be de-energized. The controller is adapted to energize element (26) when element (24) is de-energized. The controller is further adapted to de-energize element (26) and at the same time energize element (24) when the temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank reaches a preset temperature.

Abstract: For deploying a pipe string, a traveling table is movably mounted to a mast and clamps an upper region of a pipe section. For weld alignment, at least two centralizer units are mounted to the mast between the traveling table and an upper end of the pipe string. One centralizer unit translates a lower region of the pipe section radially for alignment of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Another centralizer unit at a middle region of the pipe section translates the middle region of the pipe section radially for correcting angular mismatch of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Each centralizer, for example, includes four hydraulic cylinders, each operative for driving a respective pinned cam having a face carrying a roller for contacting the pipe section.

Abstract: The pig launcher is installed subsea by coupling it to a launcher manifold. The launcher manifold is installed substantially permanently subsea as a part of a pipeline. The pig launcher includes a dual bore collet connector for coupling to the launcher manifold, and a rotary storage magazine for storing the pigs. The launcher manifold can be manufactured, for example, as part of an inline lateral tie-in sled or as part of a pipeline end manifold (PLEM). A branch connection from the pipeline to the pig launcher is provided in the launcher manifold via a piggable Y connection to a dual bore collet connector male hub. The pig launcher is landed and latched to the launcher manifold to complete the pig launching system. A closure valve between the Y connection and the hub prevents a pressure loss when the pig launcher is not installed, and the closure valve is opened to permit passage of the pigs during launching.

Abstract: A child and pet security gate is disclosed for use in larger passageways. The security gate includes multiple (at least three) telescopically sliding panels that extend to close the passageway and retract to minimum width. The extension and retractive relative sliding movement is progressive; thus, only one panel moves relative to another until it reaches its fully extended or retracted position. The security gate also includes mounting hardware that permits the gate to either hingeably pivot or to be removed for storage. A latching member securely closes the gate and is operable only by an adult.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention relates to a new design for a fairlead that is capable of being remotely uninstalled from and then reinstalled on an offshore drilling and production vessel, while the vessel is in its moored position, in the event that the fairlead develops mechanical difficulties that require repair. Thus, the present invention discloses a fairlead that may be remotely uninstalled and reinstalled while the fairlead is underwater and without ballasting the vessel far enough to raise the fairlead above the water surface. The need for this invention primarily arises in connection with fairleads that are mounted to a vessel of the type where the ballasting process can be a very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process.

Abstract: A pipeline connection assembly includes a landing platform and rotary or swivel connection hub which may be attached to a pipeline branch, termination, or manifold. The landing platform is mounted so that it may be rotated about the connection hub. This permits the installation of a subsea connection on a near level platform and allows the pipeline to be laid subsea with greater roll angles than would be acceptable otherwise. Orientation of the landing porch horizontally removes the requirement to manufacture the connection jumper to compensate for the roll differences in the hubs. In the preferred construction, the elevation of the platform can be adjusted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and locked into place once the adjustment is completed.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank, a cylindrical jacket surrounding the tank to provide an insulating space therebetween and a cover member mounted on top of the jacket to close off the top of the insulating space. An insulating wall is provided in the insulating space between the tank and the jacket. The insulating wall is comprised of a plastic envelope member and a wall of insulating material which has been foamed-in-place inside the envelope member. The envelope is constructed in such a way as to evenly distribute the foam material inside the envelope during the foamed-in-place operation.

Abstract: A security enclosure for children and pets is disclosed which is formed from a plurality of identical interlocking panels. Each panel comprises a panel body having opposed inner and outer faces and first and second opposite sides. First and second hinge members are disposed on the first panel body side in vertically spaced relation, and a third hinge member is disposed on the second body side having a vertical dimension which corresponds to the vertical spacing of the first and second hinge members. A spring loaded engagement member holds the third hinge member in interlocking relation between the first and second hinge members. A circular array of gear teeth formed on the respective hinge members hold adjacent panels in a predetermined angular relationship and are constructed to permit relative angular adjustment between the adjacent panels. The hinge means are offset in such a manner that adjacent panels can be folded in flat, face-to-face relation.

Abstract: A gas burner adapted to discharge said fuel at its the periphery for combustion, includes upper and lower concave plates secured together to define a chamber and an outer periphery having a plurality of burner ports. The upper plate preferably has a periphery extending radially at least as far as the lower plate. The periphery of the upper plate is downwardly angled, preferably more steeply than the periphery of the lower plate. The peripheral edge of at least one or the other of the top or bottom burner plates extends radially outwardly from the central axis a distance beyond the location of the burner ports and into the path of burning gases issuing from the ports whereby the temperature of said burning gases is reduced. Preferably, the periphery of the upper plate extends downwardly to an elevation below the upper edges of the burner ports, so that gases emerging from the ports are caused to impinge against the periphery, thus cooling the gases and thereby reducing the NO.sub.