Abstract: Two types of isolation tools are disclosed for installation between the upward end of the LMRP and the lower end of a riser string in the drilling of a subsea well using dual gradient techniques, one of which is especially adapted for rotation about a rotating drill sling. Each type includes insert packer adapted to be closed about the drill string to divert drilling fluid in the annulus between the drill string and the subsea wellhead into lines extending along the side of the riser to the surface. The insert is selectively removable to permit conventional drilling.

Abstract: There are disclosed two types of valves connectible in a subsea drilling riser to permit the opening and closing of side ports therein. One such valve is automatically opened when the hydrostatic subsea pressure is greater by a predetermined amount than that of drilling mud in the riser. The other valve is installed in the lower end of the riser and is adapted to be opened to discharge drilling fluid therefrom.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ram type blowout preventor whose rams have variable ram packers for sealing about pipes of difference sizes in the bore of the preventor housing. Each ram packer includes a body of elastomeric material installed with a slot across the face of a metal ram body slidable with a guideway intersecting the bore of the preventor body. First and second sets of metal segments embedded in the body of elastomeric material beneath a top plate embedded in the packer body are so constructed and arranged as to prevent extrusion of the elastomeric material as the packers seal about the different sizes of pipe.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a gas turbine engine in which a cooling system is utilized to lower the temperature of light hydrocarbon liquid fuel before the fuel is injected into the combustors. Specifically, the fuel cooling system is deployed in the fuel delivery system upstream of the combustors to lower the temperature of the liquid fuel below the flash point temperature, preventing phase change and premature combustion. In the preferred embodiment, the cooling system is a closed loop system comprising a heat exchanger, a containment reservoir, and a refrigeration unit. Brine is circulated within the loop, such that cooled brine is passed into the heat exchanger to act as a heat sink for the light hydrocarbon flowing therethrough. Warm brine exiting the heat exchanger is directed into the refrigeration unit for cooling before being collected and stored in the containment reservoir. The cooled light hydrocarbon exits the heat exchanger and is injected into the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A wet cell battery electrolyte level monitor monitors the electrolyte fluid level of individual battery cells on battery powered mobile or stationary equipment. The one piece monitor includes a probe housing with associated circuitry and two wire leads. The monitor wire leads may be permanently or temporarily attached to the battery system voltage and battery system ground. After removing the battery fill cap of a specific cell, the probe is inserted into the fill cap opening on the battery. The monitor's electrolyte level indicator provides an indication that the electrolyte is at the battery manufacturer's recommended level. If the indicator does not illuminate, water needs to be added to the batteries.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a slide-gate valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry. A recirculation line is included for density control during initialization.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and dry cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a rotary valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber and a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the rotary valve. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry.

Abstract: There are disclosed rams for blowout preventers having blades on their inner ends in position to shear or sever a pipe or other object extending within the bore of the preventer housing as the rams are moved within guideways intersecting the bore from outer positions, in which the bore is open, to inner positions in which shear edges on opposed faces of the blades pass over another. The rams also carry packing for sealing with respect to the guideways in which they move as well as with respect to one another to close off the bore following shearing of the object.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and dry cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a rotary valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber and a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the rotary valve. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry.

Abstract: An automated density and chemical controller automatically controls the density and chemical proportions of a slurry that is injected into a well during a well fracturing operation. The automated density controller receives from the operator the parameters of the fracturing operation and automatically controls the addition of a proppant to water to produce a slurry with a desired density. The automated density controller measures the incoming flow of water into a blender tub and regulates the delivery of proppant in the blender tub to produce a slurry of the desired density. The performance characteristics of the mechanism used to deliver the proppant are programmed into the controller to enable the controller to regulate the quantity of proppant delivered by controlling the operational speed of the delivery mechanism. The automated chemical controller regulates the addition of chemicals based on the incoming flow rate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube bundle extractor having an improved sled and motive means operable to move the tube bundle into or out of its shell. A fixed screw shaft is provided on the chassis, and a rotatable drive nut on the sled. The drive nut is threadedly retained on the screw shaft. The drive nut is held against axial movement with respect to the sled by a gear box disposed on the sled. The gear box output includes a rotating shaft to which the drive nut is connected, which provides the drive nut with the appropriate speed and power to effectively pull the tube bundle from, or push it back into, the shell. A balance nut disposed on the opposite end of the drive shaft from the drive nut, and threadedly engaged with the screw shaft, reacts against side forces on the sled and screw shaft to assist in keeping the drive nut and screw shaft properly aligned.

Abstract: An automated density and chemical controller automatically controls the density and chemical proportions of a slurry that is injected into a well during a well fracturing operation to produce a slurry with a desired density. The automated controller automatically controls the addition of a proppant to water based on the parameters of the fracturing operation, the incoming flow of water into a blender tub, the incoming flow rate of chemicals, and the performance characteristics of the mechanism used to deliver the proppant. The automated density controller also measures the flow of the slurry discharged from the blender tub and calculates the actual density of the slurry. After comparing the calculated actual density with the desired density, the automated density controller calculates a correction factor and recalibrates the performance characteristics of the proppant delivery mechanism. The automated density controller also includes a densiometer for measuring the actual density of the slurry.

Abstract: The tubing injection apparatus of the present invention includes a frame upon which is mounted a pair of opposed endless flexible conveyor members. The conveyor members have opposed elongated parallel runs spaced apart to form a path for engagement with the tubing by gripper blocks disposed on the conveyor members. The conveyor members are trained over spaced apart drive sprockets and idler wheels. Rollers are reciprocally disposed on the frame adjacent that side of the opposed elongated parallel runs opposite the path and adapted for engagement with the gripper blocks. The conveyor members include two strands of chain having projecting pins. The gripper blocks are mounted on the projecting pins such that the surface of the projecting pins is coincident with that surface of the gripper blocks which engages the rollers.

Abstract: A totalizer and rate meter is totally enclosed within a permanently sealed, fluid tight body formed of a low cost, transparent epoxy material. The meter can be programmed in the field by means of an optical transmitter communicating with an optical receiver enclosed within the transparent body of the meter.

Abstract: A railroad car moving vehicle has a main frame on which are mounted front and rear axles with steel wheels for engaging the railroad track. Front and rear coupler assemblies have a set of coupler arms with a cross rail member extending between one end of the arms. A coupler is reciprocally mounted on the cross rail member and adapted for coupling with the railroad car. The other ends of the coupler arms are rotatably mounted on a pivot shaft supported by the main frame. The pivot shaft extends between opposed sides of the main frame at its center line. Each set of front and rear coupler arms are mounted on a common pivot shaft such that the horizontal portion of any shock load imparted to one coupler will pass directly through the pivot shaft to the other coupler and not to the main frame. Each end of the pivot member is supported by an isolator assembly. Each isolator assembly is mounted on the main frame and includes a resilient mount.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for heating air entering a combustion gas turbine to increase the power output of the turbine when the turbine operates in a cold environment. The heat exchanger may be used also as a cooler to cool air entering the turbine to increase the power output of the turbine when the turbine operates in a hot environment.

Abstract: A fluid control circuit and method of operating equipment such as a blowout preventer having a two-way hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly. The circuit includes various features such as a dual pressure level independently controlled fluid supply, a dedicated secondary fluid supply reserved for supplemental use, a dedicated fluid supply reserved for exclusive use in one operating branch, automatic sensor for applying a reserve fluid supply on a sensed demand, a pressure intensifier for increasing available operating force, and control circuitry for preventing loss of enhanced secondary operating energy into a primary circuit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for heating air entering a combustion gas turbine to increase the power output of the turbine when the turbine operates in a cold environment. The heat exchanger may be used also as a cooler to cool air entering the turbine to increase the power output of the turbine when the turbine operates in a hot environment.

Abstract: A steering system for a tow tractor having steerable front and rear road wheels is disclosed. The steering system comprises a steering wheel for turning the front road wheels and a hydrauclic servo valve for turning the rear road wheels through an angle proportional to the turning of the front road wheels.A rear mechanical push-pull cable is used for signaling a feedback angular quantity of the turning of the rear road wheels to the servo valve. A front mechanical push-pull cable is used for signaling an input angular quantity of the turning of the front road wheels to the servo valve. A hydraulic clutch is used for remotely engaging and disengaging the front mechanical system having at least two steering modes for the front and rear road wheels.A method of operating a vehicle having mechanical controls for steerable front and rear road wheels is disclosed that eliminates the dangers of a failure mode inherent in an electronic control over hydraulic four-wheel steering device.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit and method of operating a blowout preventer having a two-way hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly including an open and close port. An adjustable hydraulic supply is connected to a control valve which is in turn connected to the open and close ports. A pressure booster having an input and an output is connected to the close port and a control circuit is connected to the input of the booster and to the close port for actuating the booster and also blocking flow from the control valve to the closed port when the hydraulic supply increases to a predetermined value.