Abstract: A flexible connection apparatus is disclosed for accommodating relative movement between a compliant offshore structure and the sea floor. The compliant offshore structure supports a fluid-carrying system which conveys fluids between the sea floor and the structure. The fluid-carrying system includes a riser and a helical flowline. The lower end of the riser is connected to the sea floor. The first end of the helical flowline is connected to the upper end of the riser and the second end of the helical flowline is connected to the structure. As the compliant offshore structure is displaced from its vertical equilibrium position due to loading forces induced by wind, waves, and ocean currents, the helical flowline elastically flexes through torsional deflection to accommodate such movement. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a wellhead is connected between the riser and the helical flowline such that the centerline of the helical flowline is substantially vertical.

Abstract: The invention refers to a system for cooling the bits of a cutting machine and comprising a nozzle for the cooling water to be ejected under pressure, said nozzle being arranged at the area of the bit, the water supply to said nozzle being closable by means of a shutoff valve and the bit being supported on the bit holder for limited axial shifting movement under the action of the cutting pressure against the force of a spring and against the hydraulic pressure of the cooling water and the shutoff valve being coupled with the bit by means of a coupling member such that the shutoff valve is opened on shifting movement of the bit in direction of the cutting pressure.

Abstract: An earth removing apparatus for a shield tunneling machine comprising a tubular casing having an excavated earth inlet at one end and a closable outlet for excavated earth at the other end, and a double-shaft screw conveyor rotatably supported by the casing at two portions. The screw conveyor is supported on the casing in the vicinity of its earth inlet by an annular member fitted in an annular recess in the casing, with a bearing provided between the annular member and the casing. Since the forward end of the screw conveyor need not be supported at the center of rotation of the cutter head of the tunneling machine, the apparatus can be designed with greater freedom and is free of objections in its mechanical structure.

Abstract: An adjustable dockboard for bridging the gap between a loading dock and a carrier, the dockboard including a ramp member hingedly connected to the loading dock and biased to an elevated position, and a tread plate assembly positioned in the ramp member and movable to an extended position to engage the bed of a carrier when the ramp member is lowered, the tread plate assembly being locked into a set position on engagement with the bed of the carrier, the tread plate assembly being removeable from the carrier for repair and maintenance and the ramp member being seated in the dockboard by its own weight.

Abstract: A bidirectional hydraulic drilling jar includes an elongated mandrel telescopingly disposed within a body and defining spaced apart fluid chambers separated by a restricted bore portion of the body. The mandrel is provided with spaced apart positive mechanical seal assemblies engageable with the restricted bore portion to form a hydraulic dashpot to retard movement of the mandrel in each direction over a limited stroke length so that the spring tension or weight of the drill stem may become effective to deliver an impact blow when the seal assemblies move out of sealing engagement with the restriction. Back-to-back check valves are arranged to bridge the respective seal assemblies to reduce the length of stroke required to cock and trip the jar in each direction. A separate orifice or flow restricting passage is provided across the seal assemblies so that the retarding effect is independent of coacting seal surfaces between the mandrel and the jar body.

Abstract: A blast furnace taphole drill has a flaring head (3) with cutting edges (5) at its cutting end formed by intersecting angled faces. A central bore (4) carries cleaning air to the cutting end. To prevent blockage of the cleaning air bore (4) by debris and possible jamming of the drill, the head has deep radial grooves (6) formed at the bottoms of the valley shapes between the cutting edges (5). The grooves (6) extend radially from the air bore (4) and conduct the air so that it can get behind or under jammed debris. Reduced taphole drilling times can be achieved.

Abstract: A holding device for a boring head tool and the tool itself are arranged so that the tool can be mounted from the rear of the boring head. The tool is mounted on a supporting member which has head parts provided with supporting faces and the holding device has rigid support surfaces for engaging the supporting faces of the tool. The support surfaces are directed towards the front of the holding device and the holding device also has passages extending from the rear to in front of the rigid support surfaces as to allow the passage therethrough of the head parts for assembly. The head parts are conveyed through the passages in rotated positions offset with respect to their position in the assembled state and then moved to an assembly position in which the contact surfaces of the tool are held against the rigid support surfaces of the holding device by fastening screws which engage in threaded bores of the head parts.

Abstract: A metal concrete joint form is shown supported on a plurality of interlocking metal stakes for providing a positive, vertically-adjustable, strong locking action between these members. The top end of each stake is flattened and it has a plurality of closely-spaced vertically arranged serrations or ratchet formed on one side thereof. The concrete joint form is an elongated sheet metal member having an inverted hook portion at the top edge of the form with a downturned flange that has its lower edge hemmed on the inside and then folded outwardly to create an upwardly-inclined raw edge of the hem of the flange to serve as a locking pawl for cooperating with the vertical row of serrations or ratchet.

Abstract: A drill rod assembly for use in rotary drilling in a mine roof includes a plurality of releasably engageable drill rod members connected in end to end relation. One end of the assembly receives a cutting bit and the opposite end is drivingly connected to a drill chuck of a drill head. Each drill rod member includes a shank end portion, a socket end portion and a body portion extending between the shank end portion and the socket end portion. The shank end portion of each drill rod member is releasably engageable in the socket end portion of an adjacent drill rod member. The length of the drill rod assembly is progressively expanded to the length required for drilling a bore hole of a preselected depth into a mine roof. The shank end portion of each drill rod member is twisted in a helical pattern forming a plurality of helical faces around the axis of the shank end portion. The socket end portion of each drill rod member has an internal bore formed by a plurality of helical faces.

Abstract: A cutting tool and a method of manufacturing such a tool which may be a pick, bit or for a machine tool, in which a hard cutting insert 4 is mounted in a recess 7. Formed between the insert 4 and recess 7 are passages 11 which communicate with a fluid supply passage 13 and through which fluid for dust suppression, lubrication, cooling or removal of detritus is passed to emerge at ports 11a immediately adjacent to the cutting insert in the cutting region of the tool.The insert 4 is preferably formed as a pressing or moulding to include channels which co-operate with opposed walls of the recess 7 to form the passages 11.Preferably the insert 4 is secured in the recess 7 by press fitting and/or by heat shrinking the head 1 of the tool onto the recess to apply compressive retaining forces thereto.In a modification the insert 4 is provided with a sleeve and such assembly is received in the recess 7.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation comprises a longwall scraper-chain conveyor, and a mineral winning plough. The plough is drivable to and fro along the face side of the conveyor by means of a plough drive chain and a three-part sword plate. The plough drive chain is housed in a chain guide attached to the goaf side of the conveyor. The sword plate is attached to the plough, and passes underneath the conveyor. Each pair of adjacent sword plate parts is detachable joined together by a pair of detachable pivot joints positioned respectively adjacent to the face and goaf sides of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for breaking concrete and asphalt pavement and the like comprising a frame adapted to be supported by and above pavement to be broken. Power operated means move the frame in one and opposite directions relative to and in parallel relationship with the pavement. A plurality of air hammers are supported in a gang parallel arrangement by the frame with their cutting tools aligned in a closely spaced parallel series. Cutting ends of the tools are adjacent the pavement with the series of tools extending in one direction and frame movement occurs in a direction substantially at right angles relative thereto. Thus, the frame movement defines a predetermined generally rectangular path of movement and pavement breaking operation of the cutting tools. A cradle on the frame is moveable relative to the frame for adjusting both the height and the angle of attack of the cutting tools relative to the pavement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for annulus flow systems in which a safety valve controls flow adjacent the packer and the safety valve is operated by control of tubing pressure exerting an upward force on the valve operator and an urging device such as a weight string of tubing exerting a downward force on the operator. In one form the control valve is a foot valve below the packer which is automatically closed by removal of the actuator. In other forms the control valve is removable with the tubing string and a separate foot valve may be provided below the packer, if desired. The system may be designed to close the safety valve in direct response to a reduction in pressure in the well annulus, or it may be designed to reduce or increase tubing pressure and close the safety valve in response to any well condition sensed at the surface which would include a reduction in annulus flow pressure.

Abstract: A dock leveller for releasable securement to a loading dock installation is disclosed. The dock leveller comprises a main frame with a ramp hinged to the main frame for swinging movement. Securement devices are provided for releasably securing the dock leveller to the dock installation. The securement devices comprise at least one latch for connecting the main frame to the dock installation. The arrangement of latches is such to fix securely the dock leveller to the dock for withstanding traffic over the ramp.

Abstract: An improved ripper assembly (12) is joined to and drawn by a draft device (10) and includes a mounting structure (14), a ripper element (16), and an impactor apparatus (18). The mounting structure (14) includes an upper flange (20) and a lower flange (22) joined together by a pair of side plates (23). Aligned openings (24,26) in the flanges (20,22) permit attachment thereof to the draft device (10) and allows pivoting about a vertical pivot axis (28) when pins (30,32) are installed. The ripper element (16) is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (38) and is secured to the mounting structure (14) by a pivot pin (40). The impact apparatus (18) imparts intermittent blows to the ripper element (16) and is joined to the mounting structure (14) by a single upper support pin (44) and two, aligned lower support pins (46).

Abstract: An in situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale by excavating one or more horizontally extending voids across a retort site, leaving a zone of unfragmented formation having a horizontal free face adjacent such a horizontal void. In one embodiment, such a horizontal void is excavated across less than the entire width of the retort site, leaving "side pillars" of unfragmented formation spaced inwardly from adjacent side boundaries of the retort site at opposite sides of such a horizontal void. This reduces the maximum span of the horizontal void, when compared with supporting overburden above the void with one or more interior isolated pillars spaced inwardly from the side boundaries of the retort. The side pillars are explosively expanded. Then such a zone of unfragmented formation is explosively expanded toward such a horizontal void for forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in the retort.

Abstract: A pallet for use in decking a bridge constructed from girder sections of the type disclosed in Patent No. GB 1209747 comprises a plurality of decking units (1) held in pre-determined disposition by tie bars (7) and spacers (6) so as to engage directly with corresponding recesses (4) in the girder sections (5). The pallet is provided with slinging eyes (9) and may be used to carry additional decking units for manual distribution along the girder sections.

Abstract: An improved method of setting a packer in a geothermal well bore under pressure to allow isolation of the wellhead valve including the steps of connecting a lubricator to the wellhead above the valve with the improved packer of the present invention in the lubricator and with a string extending into the lubricator to connect to the packer, running the packer into the well bore below the valve, releasing the packer to allow well pressure to move the packer to set position, disconnecting and recovering the running string, removing the lubricator, repairing or replacing the valve attaching the lubricator, running and connecting the string to the set packer, equalizing pressure across the packer, unsetting the slips and recovering the packer from the well bore.

Abstract: A recloseable circulation valve includes a cylindrical housing having a central flow passage disposed therethrough and having a power port and a circulation port disposed through a wall thereof. An operating mandrel is telescopingly received in the upper end of the housing. A valve sleeve is slidably received in the housing and movable to open and close the circulation port. A power mandrel is disposed in the housing and is connected to the valve sleeve for moving the valve sleeve from an initial position toward an open position. A mandrel lock is provided for locking the operating mandrel and power mandrel together after the power mandrel moves the valve sleeve from its initial position. The power mandrel and valve sleeve are initially held in their initial positions by a shear pin assembly.

Abstract: Pressure equalizing means for well tools having a tubular housing and an operator tube movable longitudinally therewithin, there being provided a valved bypass passage in the housing and a shoulder on the operator tube for engaging and opening the valve of the valved bypass passage upon longitudinal movement of the operator tube in the housing, the equalizing mechanism further including a pair of seal rings sealing between the housing and the operator tube above and below the valved bypass passage in the housing and a lateral passage in the wall of the operator tube normally above the pair of seals but movable under no-flow conditions with the operator tube to a position between the pair of seals prior to the operator tube shoulder contacting the valve of the bypass passage, thus avoiding damage to or flow cutting of the seals which normally form a secondary seal to provide bubble-tight integrity even if the valve in the bypass passage does not seal bubble tight.