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 platform having a handrail along one side which includes a device that is quick-release, quick-engaging and lift-assisted, and is capable of supporting and retaining a full-sized handrail during normal operations. The present invention comprises a lockable, releasable mechanism that includes a biasing member for assisting in the raising and lowering of the handrail. The locking mechanism is preferably released by means of a foot pedal.

Abstract: A guide system for injecting continuous conduit or tubing into a well under pressure including a closed pressurized chamber for equalizing the interior and exterior pressure on the conduit in the area where the conduit is under maximum stress due to bending or flexing. The chamber may be installed on a standard wellhead or injection head. Low friction guide sleeves are provided as a bearing surface for the conduit in the pressurized chamber.

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: A wheel chair lift mechanism which can be installed in a storage compartment of a commercial vehicle to assist mobility-impaired persons in their ingress and egress to and from such vehicles is made up of a retractable control mechanism between fixed and movable frames within the storage compartment for selectively advancing a platform assembly between a retracted position within the storage compartment and an extended position outside of the compartment, and a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the platform assembly between a ground level position, raised position aligned with the doorway and a stowed position aligned with the storage compartment.

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: A wheelchair lift mechanism adapted for use particularly in the accessway of a train car is disclosed which comprises a generally planar collapsible platform assembly for receiving a wheelchair and its occupant thereon; a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the platform between first and second elevations; a vertical support column mounted inside the train car adjacent the accessway having a support portion rotatably mounted thereto; and an extensible lift mechanism support assembly attached between the support portion and the lift mechanism frame to move the lift mechanism and platform assembly horizontally between a retracted position and an extended position away from the vertical support column to provide lateral clearance for the platform assembly outside the vehicle in the deployed position. The extensible assembly comprises a pair of parallel fixed sleeve members and a pair of parallel slide members telescopically attached between the frame and the support portion.

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: A self-propelled passenger lift vehicle for transporting a mobility impaired passenger between a first location and first elevation and a second location and second elevation against an aircraft fuselage adjacent an aircraft door is disclosed. The vehicle comprises in combination a wheeled frame, a generally horizontal platform movably mounted on said frame having a leading edge portion and a support portion for supporting the passenger, a drive motor connected to at least one of the wheels for moving said vehicle from said first location to said second location, a brake mechanism connected to the at least one wheel for controllably stopping and preventing wheel rotation, and a position sensor in the leading edge portion of the platform for sensing the presence of the aircraft fuselage. The position sensor automatically actuates the brake to lock the drive wheel upon sensing contact with the aircraft fuselage. This feature minimizes damage to the aircraft due to operator error.

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 wheelchair lift apparatus for transporting a wheelchair and its occupant into and from a commercial vehicle can be installed in the existing doorway of the vehicle on a rotation column which is capable of supporting a telescoping platform assembly for movement into and out of an operative position across the doorway, there being a retention strap to prevent accidental forward rolling movement of the wheelchair as it is lifted or lowered, and a barrier plate across the front end of the forwardmost platform section cooperates with side flanges or rails on the platform section to prevent accidental movement of the wheelchair off of the platform assembly. The platform support unit is capable of lifting and lowering substantial loads without binding, and the platform assembly is hinged to the platform support unit in such a way as to require positive manual pressure in folding and unfolding the platform assembly with respect to the support unit.