Abstract: Tank car cleaning apparatus mountable on a tank car hatch and movable within the car to clean its interior, the apparatus including a rotatable mast with a movable arm connected thereto having a high pressure liquid nozzle mounted at its end for applying liquid under pressure to the car's interior to clean it, the arm movable from outside the car into its interior, and in one aspect, the nozzle itself articulable through an arc.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting threaded members including a power tong, a backup unit disposed below the power tong for gripping a second pipe, and apparatus for transmitting reaction forces generated by the power tong to the backup unit, the backup unit having devices for transmitting compressive or tensile forces between its members from the power tong which, in one embodiment, includes a hydraulic connection between a double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies incorporated in the members.

Abstract: An active jaw for a power tong is provided with an upper cam and a lower cam which are shaped so that rotation of the rotary relative to the active jaw in either sense from a first position results in the active jaw being applied to a pipe via a roller. The active jaw can be released by reversing the direction of rotation of the rotary. A peg may be used to limit movement of the active jaw relative to the rotary to prevent the active jaw being reapplied to the pipe. Pipes of different diameters may be gripped by using rollers of different diameters and, optionally, different active jaws shaped to grip the pipe. In a second embodiment a brake band acts on a drum which supports the active jaw. When the rotary is started the active jaw is restrained from rotation. This relative movement applies the dies on the active jaw to the pipe. Further rotation of the rotary then overcomes the braking force and the rotary, drum and active jaw rotate in unison.

Abstract: Well apparatuses with device for preventing their relative rotation with respect to adjacent well apparatuses and anti-rotation devices for well apparatuses, including, but not limited to, plugs, float shoes, float collars, jars, and clutch devices for packers. In one embodiment a non-rotation device has a main member with a recess on which are disposed a plurality of teeth with a load member adjacent the teeth for bearing a load put on the device and for isolating the teeth from the load, the teeth extending beyond the recess. In one embodiment the teeth are configured, disposed, and profiled to facilitate their interengagement with other teeth and to contain between them foreign objects which might impede proper interengagement. In various embodiments plugs are provided with such anti-rotation devices. In various embodiments the load member is a continuous circular ring disposed about the apparatuses outer periphery or around the opening of a channel through the device.

Abstract: Nozzle-effect well apparatuses including nozzle-effect protectors, centralizers and stabilizers and related methods, the apparatuses having two or more blades or ribs extending outwardly from a body, the blades or ribs spaced apart further at one end of the apparatus than the other; in one embodiment, the wall thickness of the apparatus varying so that one end is thicker than the other or a portion or portions between the ends are thicker or thinner in wall thickness than other portions; in another embodiment, portions of valley areas between ribs or blades varying in size to create nozzle effects.

Abstract: Float equipment for well operations including float collars and plugs for use therein. In one embodiment a plug has a plurality of modular members so that a plug of desired dimensions and materials can be custom assembled for a particular job. Such a plug may include a plurality of modular wipers and spacers connected together with a plug top and a plug bottom with adhesives or connection means or both. Not only can such connection means provide an antirotation effect between adjacent plug components, but also combinations of lugs and recesses can achieve this. Also a plug is taught which can have a cavity therein with pieces of material for enhancing a plug's drillability.

Abstract: A tong having a flexible belt and an anchor member for it. A belt assembly for mounting, disposing, and moving a flexible belt in a tong or in the rotary of tongs having rotary elements.

Abstract: An hydraulic lock alleviation device a well cementing stage tool with such a device, and related methods for their use. The device has a channel for transmitting trapped fluid which causes a hydraulic lock from the trapped area to another area. The channel is blocked by a pressure responsive member which ruptures, moves, breaks, or is punctured to permit trapped fluid to glow from the area of hydraulic lock. In one embodiment of a stage tool with such a device, a puncture apparatus can be moved to puncture the pressure responsive member. In other embodiments, a movable piston or spool is mounted in the channel for movement to permit the flow of trapped fluid.

Abstract: A reticulated centralizing apparatus and methods for its use. The apparatus has a plurality of pairs of collars or cages and a plurality of springs or bows connected to and extending between the collars or cages. The bows of one pair of collars pass over one collar of another pair of collars. The bows can be alternated singly or in groups and one pair of collars may have a certain number of bows different from the number of bows associated with another pair of collars.

Abstract: A spring bow with a contact angle reduction member, a centralizer with such a bow, and methods for their use. The centralizer bow has a contact angle reduction member for affecting and reducing the angle of contact between the centralizer bow and the edge of an opening into which a centralizer with the bow is inserted. A spring bow with a tubular abutment member, a centralizer with such a bow and methods for their use. The centralizer bow has a tubular abutment member for affecting and increasing the bow restoring force. A spring bow with both a contact angle reduction member and a tubular abutment member, a centralizer with such a bow, and methods for their use.

Abstract: A liquid blasting system for blasting an area, surface, structure, part, item, or member with liquid or with liquid and abrasives, or with a liquid-abrasive mixture. The system has a housing through which are disposed a plurality of inlets or nozzles. Liquid, e.g. water, under pressure is transmitted through the inlets or nozzles to the area, etc. to be blasted. Abrasives, e.g. sand, may be injected with the liquid or separate abrasive injection inlets or nozzles may be employed in connection with the liquid inlets or nozzles. The inlet or nozzle housing can communicate with a collection housing for receiving blasted material, liquid, and abrasives and the collection housing can have ports therein through which these liquids and materials can exit. The ports can be suitable for connecting thereto a vacuum source for sucking materials and liquid from the nozzle housing, to and through the collection housing, and thence out of the collection housing.

Abstract: A tong having a non-endless or an endless flexible belt. A belt assembly for mounting, disposing, and moving a flexible belt in a tong or in the rotary of tongs having rotary elements.

Abstract: A multiple high pressure liquid nozzled gun system and flow controller therefor. The flow controller permits the connection of two guns and allows activation or de-activation of one gun without affecting the other gun. The flow controller has multiple internal channels which re-direct liquid flow upon activation or de-activation of a gun. The flow controller has high pressure channels through which liquid under high pressure flows to the gun nozzles and alternate channels through which liquid may flow when the guns are in a trigger-released or "dump" mode permitting liquid to flow through the controller, to the gun, and out of the gun's dump port.

Abstract: A pump and a stress and fatigue resistant pump head, one embodiment of which is useful for a high pressure pump and having a manifold, a valve cartridge, inlet and outlet valves in the valve cartridge, a pump fluid cylinder with a reciprocating plunger therein, a packing cartridge with packing for the plunger. The pump head may exhibit one or more of the following features: a. increased diameter packing cartridge; b. increased length front bushing; c. inclined inlet valve; d. inlet valve spring in valve cartridge on manifold side of valve; e. decreased diameter of high pressure seal of packing cartridge.

Abstract: A wiper for a wellbore plug which is rigid for breaking off breakaway members and wellbore plug having a first wiper flexible enough to bypass breakaway members and a second wiper rigid enough for breaking off the bypassed members.

Abstract: A fluid spray apparatus for oscillating a fluid discharge head attached thereto and a self-oscillation apparatus. The fluid spary apparatus may have a mounting for receiving and holding a fluid discharge device or devices, the mounting member being pivotably connected to dual supports which are in turn movably mounted on a body member with a lost motion means so that a component of the force reacting to the fluid discharge effects oscillating movement of the fluid spray device.

Abstract: A multi-function valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through a single cavity, the valve assembly being particularly suited for use with an inflatable packer in a well bore. The valve assembly includes a control valve sliding piston in one end of a cavity such as a cavity in an inflatable packer, the cavity communicating between the interior of a tubular (such as well casing) and an annulus between the tubular and a wellbore in which the tubular is positioned. The control valve sliding piston isolates the packer until a certain predetermined pressure is reached, at which point it moves in response to the pressure of the fluid in the casing, thereby permitting flow of fluid from the casing into an inflatable bladder in the packer. An over-pressure piston disposed in the same cavity senses the packer inflation pressure and moves the control valve piston to close the valve, halting further inflation.

Abstract: A wellbore plug having a wiper disposed in inverted position which, in one embodiment, reinforces a conventionally disposed wiper of the plug. A plug wiper is provided which has a conventional cone-shaped portion and an opposing reinforcing portion, cone-shaped or otherwise. A plug wiper is provided which has no threads for mating with other parts of the plug, but which has a hollow recess for emplacing the wiper on a plug shaft.

Abstract: An auto-fill flow valve for use in providing valving action in a conduit, the valve having a releasable locking mechanism which prevents the valving element from moving to seat against the valve seat until the locking mechanism is released. Also provided is a valve guide for receiving the releasable locking mechanism and holding it against the valving element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting flow control means into a well casing is disclosed. A receptacle having portions adapted to receive check valve means is mounted within said well casing and said well casing is inserted into a well. Check valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said receptacle to regulate the flow of fluid through the well casing. Alternatively, choke valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said receptacle instead of check valve means. The choke valve means may be constructed having portions adapted to receive check valve means so that check valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said choke valve means to regulate the flow of fluid through the well casing.