Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ measurement of flow characteristics in boreholes or the like is disclosed for determining various formation characteristics such as permeability, particularly in the range of approximately 100-1,000 microdarcies and lower. One embodiment of the method and apparatus contemplates formation of a test interval in the borehole by a pair of expandable packers, additional guard zones being formed in the borehole at either end of the test interval by two additional guard packers, suitable flow conditions being simultaneously and separately measured within the test interval and each of the guard zones in order to permit determination of multidirectional components of permeability, porosity and other characteristics of the particular formation. Another embodiment contemplates whole hole testing where similar data is developed for a test interval formed between a single packer and the end of the borehole and one guard zone formed by a single additional guard packer.

Abstract: An explosive projectile comprising a body having a flight end and defining an internal chamber having a main high explosive charge therein. The body has at least one passage therein which communicates with the internal chamber and intersects the exterior surface of the flight end. a detonation initiator material is disposed within the passageway and enables safe handling and high velocity projection of the projectile without ignition but is capable of detonation to effect detonation of the main explosive charge upon predetermined high velocity impact of the flight end with a target surface. A thin cover is preferably provided over the exposed end of the initiator passage. The detonator initiator material typically reaches high order detonation within a distance of one to one and one-half diameters from the impact end. The impact velocity on a metal target must, typically, be 0.5 kilometers per second or greater to effect detonation.

Abstract: A transducer monitoring system includes a transducer assembly positioned at a remote location which operates to measure the change in at least two separate physical phenomena. The transducer assembly is coupled to a central location, such as at the top of an oil drilling platform, by means of a single conductor with a grounded shield. The transducer assembly includes a stepper switch for separately selecting each of said transducer elements and for enabling current applied to said cable and transducer assembly to generate an output voltage representative of the present state of the resistance of each such transducer element. The improved invention requires only a single constant current pulse to both generate said output voltage and to switch the stepper switch to the next contact. Calibration and comparison resistors are also included in said transducer assembly.

Abstract: A reliable delay detonator device is disclosed which is thermally and chemically stable and which is also insensitive to mechanical shock and electrostatic charge. The device can be made with differing time delays and can be interconnected with other detonator devices for achieving multiple delay characteristics. A modification of the device is particularly suited to high temperature use. None of the devices contain any primary explosives, the device relying upon pyrotechnic delay materials and secondary explosives.

Abstract: A reliable delay detonator device is disclosed which is thermally and chemically stable and which is also insensitive to mechanical shock and electrostatic charge. The device can be made with differing time delays and can be interconnected with other detonator devices for achieving multiple delay characteristics. A modification of the device is particularly suited to high temperature use. None of the devices contain any primary explosives, the device relying upon pyrotechnic delay materials and secondary explosives.

Abstract: A broad beam DC cold cathode electron gun with a plurality of plasma emitters formed by a capacitively coupled sliding spark assembly operable as a steady state as well as a pulsed device. Stabilization of the plasma emission current is attained through a feedback loop between the spark assembly and the grid bias supply.

Abstract: A detector module for use in a gas monitor assembly to measure changes in electron flow resulting from absorption of electrons in an electron capture gas includes an internal housing for containing a radioactive source and electrodes suitably spaced apart to permit gas flow therepast. The internal housing along with couplings for interconnection with a gas flow source, a gas receiver and suitable electronic receiver means are disposed within a detector housing having integrally attachable closure means, the detector housing and closure means providing shielding for the radioactive source while being adapted in combination to prevent operating access to the couplings in order to prevent accidental or undesired exposure of the internal housing and radioactive source.

Abstract: A reliable delay detonator device is disclosed which is thermally and chemically stable and which is also insensitive to mechanical shock and electrostatic charge. The device can be made with differing time delays and can be interconnected with other detonator devices for achieving multiple delay characteristics. A modification of the device is particularly suited to high temperature use. None of the devices contain any primary explosives, the device relying upon pyrotechnic delay materials and secondary explosives.

Abstract: A method and pycnometer apparatus are disclosed for accurately determining the volume of a condensed material sample. Equal free space volumes are established between a pair of gas filled chambers before and after insertion of a powder or solid sample within one of the chambers. The volume of the sample receiving chamber is increased to maintain equal free space volumes after the sample is inserted, the adjusted increase in volume providing a highly accurate determination of the volume of the sample. The apparatus may also be employed to determine the compressibility or the porosity of a material sample.

Abstract: A gas monitor comprising means for detecting changes in electron flow between two electrodes caused by absorption of the electrons by an electron capture gas flowing between the electrodes. A carrier gas is supplied to the detecting means at a predetermined velocity. A sample of the gas to be measured is added to the carrier gas by a valve means at a predetermined time which gas sample contains a trace of a first type of electron capture gas. The carrier gas together with any gas sample flows through a column means which slows down the velocity of any other type of electron capture gas in the sample with respect to the velocity of the first type of electron capture gas. The gas then passes through the detector wherein the electron capture gas causes a decrease in the electron flow between the electrodes. Means are provided for measuring the maximum decrease in the electron flow caused by the first type of electron capture gas and means are coupled to the measuring means for indicating the maximum decrease.

Abstract: A pycnometer apparatus is disclosed for accurately determining the volume of a condensed material sample. Equal free space volumes are established in a pair of gas filled chambers before and after insertion of a sample of the condensed material within one of the chambers. The volume of the sample receiving chamber is increased to maintain equal free space volumes after the sample is inserted, the adjusted increase in volume providing a highly accurate determination of the volume of the sample. The apparatus may also be employed to determine the compressibility or the porosity of a material sample.

Abstract: Means for reducing the air drag on bluff vehicles are disclosed which facilitate improved fuel mileage and reduce induced air turbulence adjacent the vehicle. In one embodiment the air drag reducing means employs an airvane member secured in spaced relation to an air flow guide element in kit form for mounting adjacent a corner edge of the bluff surface to prevent separation of air flow from the corner edge and adjacent rearward surface of the vehicle and develop a net forward thrust on the air drag reducing means. Another embodiment includes an airvane member and means for mounting it adjacent a smooth curved windward corner edge of a bluff surface on the vehicle so as to define an air flow passage through which air passes from the bluff surface in attached relation to the corner edge and adjacent rearwardly extending surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airvane for use with bluff vehicles and the like to reduce air drag thereon is disclosed wherein the airvane includes a curved portion and a generally planar portion. Such airvanes are mounted adjacent the corner edges of the vehicle, particularly the windward corner edges, and reduce separation of air along the rearwardly extending surfaces of the vehicle in a manner to reduce air drag and buffeting of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reliable low voltage, electrically actuated, all secondary explosive detonator device is disclosed which is thermally and chemically stable and is relatively insensitive to shock and electrostatic charge. The device includes a cylindrical body having a chamber containing a donor secondary explosive, an elongated bore extending from the donor explosive to an acceptor secondary explosive, with a generally flat annular shoulder located at the junction of the bore and the chamber, an impactor disc positioned within the chamber against the shoulder and blocking the bore and low voltage electrical deflagration initiating means positioned within the chamber and extending outwardly of the body. Application of low voltage current to the conductors initiates deflagration of the donor explosive so that the central portion of the impactor disc is sheared and accelerated through the bore striking the acceptor explosive with sufficient velocity to detonate the acceptor explosive.