Abstract: A tie-back connection apparatus effects a metal-to-metal type seal between a riser run from an overhead vessel and a subsea well casing suspended from a casing hanger in a subsea wellhead member. The apparatus includes a tubular mandrel connected to and run by the riser into the wellhead. A metal-to-metal type annular seal ring, mounted at the lower end of the mandrel, is landed upon the casing hanger, with the end of the mandrel in coaxial alignment with the casing hanger. The seal ring effects a seal between the riser and the casing when compressive force is applied to the seal ring. A seal activating mechanism, operated by a tool run from the vessel, engages the casing hanger and applies the compressive force to effect the seal. The seal activating mechanism includes three locking collets, a reaction sleeve, and a drive sleeve. One collet engages the casing hanger.

Abstract: A structural system for use in bridges, buildings and other structures. The system supports part of its load by tension action and part of its load by arch action. Cables are stretched and anchored between end supports. Lateral compressive elements are placed over the cables and fit over grooves across the bottoms of the elements. The grooves vary in depth. The cables are near the bottom of the elements at the center span and near the top of the elements at the end supports.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head for a coal mining machine comprises sensor means for sensing a preselected state, as for example, the methane concentration in the vicinity of the cutter head and for deriving a signal indicative of the sensed preselected state.

Abstract: A tool stopping device for use in a well flow conductor having a preferably full open bore and an abrupt stop shoulder surrounding the bore and engageable by corresponding stop shoulders of spring biased keys carried on a well tool for stopping the well tool as it moves through the flow conductor to indicate the tool's arrival at the device, the device having lugs remotely actuable from the surface for releasing the keys from engagement with the stop shoulder in the device for movement of the well tool therebeyond. One form of the device is suitable for stopping tools entering from one direction only. Another form of the device is suitable for stopping tools both moving into and out of a well. Either or both types of devices may be used in any quantity to provide known checkpoints in a well system for monitoring the progress of well tools moving therethrough.

Abstract: A longwall coal-mining machine has a gearcase at each of its ends, each gearcase carrying two ranging arms respectively mounting a cutter drum and a lump breaker, and also carrying a haulage drive. Each gearcase comprises a casing having therein first and second co-axial and mutually-spaced transverse horizontal shafts projecting through opposite sides of the casing driven by individual transmissions located in the gearcase and from an electric motor and a hydraulic motor, respectively, both outside the casing. Rotation of the second shaft drives the mining machine along a longwall face. Rotation of the first shaft actuates a cutter drum through a gear train and also actuates a lump breaker through a gear transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to illumination devices and method of use in tunnel alignment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an illumination device producing a concentrated directional light beam adapted for verifying the center plane of a boring in an underground mine passageway. The illumination device includes a first elongated portion having a longitudinal axis. An arangement for fastening the first portion to a support is provided at a first end of the first portion. A second portion rotatably received by the first portion includes a light source for producing a directional light beam. The light beam is adapted to be directed away from the longitudinal axis of the first portion. An arrangement for retaining the second portion in a predetermined angular position with respect to the axis of the first portion is also provided.

Abstract: A down-hole drilling apparatus having a drill tool assembly with a cutting head at one end connected to an umbilical which extends to a retrieval reel on the surface. The umbilical provides electrical power, drilling fluid and means for instrumentation and control signals to be transmitted between the drill tool assembly and a processing device on the surface. The drill tool assembly can propel itself into or out of a bore hole by the cyclical actuation of anchor and ram units or change the direction of drilling by actuation of thruster assemblies in response to control signals sent manually by an operator or automatically by the processing device.

Abstract: A device for cutting a receptacle in pavement to receive a reflector designed to reflect automobile lights, which reflector is contained in a housing so that it is protected from a snowplow mold board during normal plowing operations. Such reflectors are becoming standard in separating traffic lanes and are embedded in the pavement in epoxy. The device simultaneously cuts a receptacle of a shape such that the reflector and its protective cast iron housing may be readily inserted in the pavement. The device enables the receptacle to be cut at right angles to a tangent to the curved portion of the crown of the road, permits rapid exact positioning of the receptacle location and enables the receptacle to be formed in approximately five seconds.

Abstract: A process for in situ recovery of a tar sand deposit located beneath the earth's surface. A number of boreholes are drilled laterally from subsurface tunnels into the lower portion of the tar sands formation. Initially as a displacing means such as steam is injected into the boreholes, the tar sands become viscous and gravity flow into the bottom of the boreholes. Continuing to apply steam removes the tar sand deposits located in interstitial crevices between the boreholes thereby allowing the steam to flow laterally through these interstitial crevices to nearby boreholes. The steam rises toward the upper portion of the resource formation to create a horizontal heated plane of steam to further remove tar sand deposits located therein.

Abstract: Coal is reduced to ash in place by gasification using in situ production techniques, resulting in significant void space underground, which in turn causes roof fall and subsidence. Overburden collapse is stabilized by backfilling with foaming mud cement that hardens into an expanded solid, which quenches and fills the production module and seals residual ash. Rubble volumes and subsidence cracks are sealed against water incursions and contaminated water excursions. Surface facilities above barrier pillars are protected from destructive forces of subsidence draw.

Abstract: In a mining machine or the like which incorporates cutting bits having conically shaped heads and located in sockets of bit holders having respective wear sleeves located on the shanks of the bits with the bit free to rotate with the sleeve interposed between the socket preventing wear mount; a retainer is provided maintained by the mount and engageable with a receptacle on the sleeve to insure against undesired ejection of the bit.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel has an elongated receptacle in the side pocket, parallel with the main bore. A lateral side port communicates the receptacle with the exterior of the side pocket of the mandrel. A flow control assembly includes a sliding sleeve valve and a control valve, both designed to be removable from the receptacle. The sleeve valve is movable within the receptacle between a closed position and an open position relative to the side port, and includes collet fingers having outwardly projecting latching lugs for engagement in a receptacle latching recess in the closed position. The bore of the receptacle is slightly larger below the latching recess than it is above the recess, so that limited inward movement of the latching lugs, restrained by an insert within the sleeve valve, will permit movement of the valve downward to the open position but will not allow movement of the valve upward from the closed position, so long as the insert is in place.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the cutting horizon of a mineral winning plough comprises means for pivoting the guide along which the plough moves. The guide is fixed to the face side of the conveyor, and said means acts on the goaf side of the conveyor. Said means comprises a plurality of control devices, each of which has an upstanding plate fixed to the goaf side of the conveyor, an abutment member pivotally connected to the base of the upstanding plate, and an actuator arranged between the abutment member and the upstanding plate. The actuators are effective to pivot the conveyor relative to the abutment members. Each actuator comprises a hydraulic ram and a toggle linkage which magnifies the working stroke of the ram.

Abstract: A mining drill mountable in a holder of a drilling machine. The drill includes an elongated shaft having an internal bore extending longitudinally therethrough. A cutting bit is mountable on one end of the shaft and includes a cutting tip mounted at one end thereof and a plurality of cutting teeth disposed about its periphery. A partial longitudinal bore is formed in the cutting bit and is alignable with the bore in the shaft. An aperture is formed in the cutting bit in communication with the bore in the cutting bit to direct debris through the aperture into the aligned bores in the cutting bit and shaft. A collar is mounted on the shaft and has a downward-extending inclined top surface. At least one aperture is formed in the shaft adjacent to the collar in communication with the interior bore in the shaft to direct debris into the bore. A cutting edge is formed on the bottom of the collar.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a sidewall core from a borehole which has a cylindrical housing with an opening through which a core bit and barrel are extended and retracted. In a preferred embodiment there is a fixed plate on opposite sides of the bit motor with guide slots cut therethrough. A drive plate is provided adjacent each fixed plate having guide slots. The bit motor has two pins on each side which extend through the guide slots of the drive plate. Movement of the drive plates causes the bit motor to follow the designated path.

Abstract: A rotary stone-cutting head has a body generally centered on and adapted to be rotated in a predetermined direction about an axis. An array of cutter supports on the body directed at least partially in the direction carry respective cutter teeth each having relative to the axis an outer cutting edge and relative to the direction a generally angularly forwardly directed face adjacent the edge and formed with an array of holding recesses. The teeth are at least at the edges of hardened metal. The teeth are removably secured to the respective supports and respective hardened-metal breaking pins have shanks fitted to the recesses and points directed angularly forwardly in the direction. At least some of the points lie angularly ahead in the direction of the respective cutting edge. These points having a crushing effect that greatly augments the effectiveness of the cutting edges.

Abstract: A cover capable of being both locked in position within a valve box or manhole cover and lifted upwards to assist in its removal, having a rotating bolt therein which maneuvers a lever base upwards or downwards which lever base causes the rotation of a lock lift lever extending through a slot in the side of the cover and which, when moved downwards, causes the lock member portion of the lock lift lever to tighten against the valve box and which when raised, rotates a lift member portion against the seat of the valve box thereby jacking the cover upwards so that it can be easily removed.

Abstract: A feed system of a mining combine includes a track made up of pivotally interconnected tubular segments on which is installed the combine being moved. The combine has a drive gearwheel meshing with a traction rack. The traction rack is formed by individual pivotally interconnected segments comprising side members interconnected by pins engageable with the drive gearwheel. According to the invention, the traction rack is connected to the track for rotation thereabout by means of pivotal joints which are provided at points of the joints between the segments of the track. Positive engagement of the traction rack with the drive gearwheel is maintained.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing viscous petroleum from subsurface deposits. The method employs a vertical well and a horizontal well through the petroleum deposit. A combination of injection procedures through the horizontal and vertical well heat the viscous petroleum in the annulus around the horizontal well. Successive completion intervals are installed in the horizontal well to produce the heated petroleum. The petroleum is driven by a drive fluid passing through previously produced intervals.

Abstract: The invention provides an installation for testing a well by pumping by means of a submerged pump and a process for use thereof. The assembly 6 formed of an hydraulic pump and motor is carried by one end of a reinforced flexible tube 1 wound through a pulley 7 on a drum 3 actuated by the surface motor 8. . In the sheath of tube 1 are housed electric conductors 2 for supplying the motor of assembly 6. Sensors detecting the level of fluid in the well allow the submergence depth of the pump to be detected, the signals coming from this detection being able to be used to control motor 8 at the submergence depth ensuring a given flow rate. The invention applies to determination of the flow rate, pressure and temperature characteristics of a well.