Abstract: Drill cuttings are effectively removed from the bottom of a bore before they can adversely affect the operation of the bit. The bit includes a body member rotatably supporting individual cutter members. A shield means projects from the body member proximate the cutter members. A first portion of the shield means has an outside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the cutter means and substantially equal to the diameter of the bore and a second portion having an outside diameter substantially less than the outside diameter of the cutter members and substantially less than the diameter of the bore. A first passage extending through the bit is adapted to provide communication with a vacuum source to assist in removing the drill cuttings. A second passage extending along the length of the bit is adapted to provide communication with a gas pressure source to assist in removing the drill cuttings.

Abstract: An air hammer embodying an outer housing structure connectible to a rotatable drill pipe string through which compressed air is conducted. A hammer piston reciprocates in the housing structure along flexible inlet and outlet tubes, compressed air being directed alternately to the upper and lower ends of the piston to effect its reciprocation in the structure, each downward stroke inflicting an impact blow upon the anvil portion of an anvil bit extending upwardly within the lower portion of the housing structure. The piston contacts the housing structure at the upper and lower portions of the piston only, so that the piston can deviate upon flexing of the housing structure under load, and not bind in the housing structure, as permitted by the flexible inlet and outlet tubes.

Abstract: An insulating blanket is disclosed in which a semi-rigid mat of glass fibers is bonded on one side to a facing material. Lateral cuts are formed in the mat extending from the opposite side thereof toward the side on which the facing is bonded. Such cuts allow the facing to bend with a hinge-like manner when the insulating blanket is rolled, permitting the lamination of the facing and mat and the rolling of the laminate prior to the setting of the adhesive. The preferred method and apparatus for forming such insulating blanket is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to provide, in a composite structural assembly comprising a plurality of metallic support members disposed in side-by-side relationship and a layer of cementitious material disposed on the plurality of support members, for the securement of the support members to the layer of cementitious material in a particularly simple and efficient manner, there are provided spaced lugs which project from each side edge portion of each of the support members, with according to one aspect of the invention the lugs presented by adjacent side edge portions of adjacent support members being interfitted and being embedded within the layer of cementitious material.

Abstract: Tanks and containers and apparatus for constructing same wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of bolt-together panels each of which comprises a curved panel portion bounded by flanges. The flanges are so formed as to enable a very large number of different configurations of tanks and containers to be constructed.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically breaking up rock comprises a hydraulically operated piston-cylinder assembly, a slider wedge connected to the piston rod of the assembly and presser cheeks mounted on a tubular extension of the cylinder of the assembly for engagement with opposite sides of the slider wedge. A web extending transversely within the outer end of the tubular extension has an elongate opening through which "T"-shaped heads of the presser cheeks can be inserted into the tubular extension so that, on rotation through 90.degree. about the longitudinal axes of the presser cheeks, the heads are locked behind the edges of the elongate opening but capable of lateral movement along the opening as a result of axial movement of the slider wedge. Preferably, the lateral extremities of the T-shaped heads are seated between two pairs of semicircular shaped supporting plates which are retained within the tubular extension by the transversely extending web.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of in situ extraction of a constituent of a rock formation, e.g., copper deposits or particular petroleum deposits as found in oil shale, and to a method of preparing the rock formation for in situ extraction of the rock constituent. Various embodiments of a side excavating machine are also disclosed for preparing the rock for in-situ extraction of a constituent therefrom. The excavating machine breaks the rock in-situ in a manner to form a narrow, horizontal flow-directing chamber in the rock-filled with fluid-permeable broken rock.

Abstract: A substantially solid drill bit has a relatively flat face at its forward end; the face comprises a plurality of plateaus, preferably three in number, which are separated by radial relief channels that intersect one another near the center of the face. The sides of the body constitute a frustrum of a cone, preferably having an included angle of about 14.degree., with the narrow portion of the cone being at the base of the body. Spiral grooves extend along the sides of the body, and at least some of these spiral grooves intersect the radial relief channels. A plurality of hardened inserts or buttons are mounted on the face of the bit, and the radial spacing of such inserts from the longitudinal axis of the body is such that there is an overlap of the "track" or "trace" of each insert by the track of another insert, as the body is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting a pair of drill strings or the like in a predetermined manner in the center of a bore through a blowout preventer. The drill strings extend from a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water down through the preventer into a subsea wellhead installation. A first pair of opposed rams are actuated to move the drill strings into a predetermined central zone of the bore through the blowout preventer. These first rams operate under a predetermined maximum compressive force of the rams on the drill strings. Above this force, a second pair of opposed rams are activated to move the drill strings out of the predetermined central zone and into a final centrally oriented zone in the bore through the blowout preventer regardless of the position of the drill strings in the central zone.

Abstract: Structural profiles mainly in the form of elongate prismatical columns and beams are erected plumb and true on footings.Each profile has guide surfaces which coincide with the surfaces required for brickwork, other building elements and plasterwork.Guide lines are strung between profiles on appropriate surfaces to guide brickwork.Bonding elements on the structural profiles are bonded by cementing into the brickwork so that after they have served as guides the structural profiles remain in the structure as permanent components.Structural profiles are in the form of vertical corner posts, horizontal floor- and ceiling-level beams and of door frames.

Abstract: A riser assembly in which each of the riser pipe and choke and kill lines includes a telescoping joint in a lower portion thereof which is at least partially pressure balanced so that the upper end of the assembly may be fixed to the drilling vessel.

Abstract: The modular building system of this invention relates generally, but not exclusively, to habitations. The system comprises at least two individual room or space modules which are individually secured to their foundations and at least one additional individual room or space module which structurally spans between and interconnects at least two of the aforementioned foundation secured modules.In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the enclosing shells of the modules are comprised of a plurality of prefabricated sections, the shapes of which are derived from the geometry of a spherical square. A great variety of floor plan arrangements can be realized within the scope of the invention by interconnecting individual room or space modules, either laterally or vertically into various groupings, any one of which comprises one particular building.

Abstract: The present sampler is adapted to take soil samples from the ground surface, from a borehole sunk by other tools, as well as for drilling shallow boreholes. The sampler is provided with an air-operated percussion mechanism and a soil sample receiving sleeve arranged coaxially thereto. The side surface of the sleeve is provided with an annular ridge having a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the percussion mechanism housing. This feature enables a reduction of the forces applied to the sampler to sink it into or withdraw it from the soil.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cementing basket for use in cementing the borehole of oil wells or gas wells. In some of the conventional cementing baskets metal slats are used to form the rigid part of the basket petals. The basket of this invention utilizes a wire loop, such as steel spring wire, for the rigid member of the basket petal.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil by injecting a miscible fluid to drive the oil vertically downward to the producing wells wherein the injected miscible fluid is heated so that it has a temperature equal to or greater than normal reservoir fluid temperature.

Abstract: A sheet of cladding has an unbroken weather resistant face formed on one side and attaching devices secured on the opposite side thereof to adapt it for attachment to the frame structure of a building. The attaching devices each comprise a metallic strip having tongues deformed therefrom and adapted to be nailed to the frame structure from within. The strip is preferably secured to the cladding by upset barbs punched-out of the strip to pierce the cladding into embedded relationship therein.

Abstract: Petroleum may be recovered from viscous petroleum-containing formations including tar sand deposits by injecting into the formation a multiple-component solvent for the petroleum. At least one solvent component is gaseous at the temperature and pressure of the petroleum reservoir such as carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, butane or pentane and at least one component is liquid at the reservoir conditions, such as hexane and higher molecular weight aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons. The multiple solvent is preferably introduced under sufficient pressure that it is substantially all in the liquid phase. Recovery of petroleum and solvent may be from the same well as is used for injection or from a remotely located well. When the pressure in a portion of the formation contacted by the solvents is reduced below the vapor pressure of the gaseous solvent, it vaporizes to provide drive energy for oil production. The liquid components dissolve in the petroleum and reduce the petroleum viscosity.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head of a mining machine having a hollow or axially bored driven shaft, is fed with dust suppression fluid through a tube extending along the axis of the driven shaft and is ventilated by an air flow induced along the bore of the shaft by an air flow-inducing nozzle mounted remote from the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Cone shell erosion between inserts is substantially reduced by positioning small, flat-topped compacts in the vulnerable cutter shell areas. At least one row of substantially outwardly projecting formation contacting inserts are located on the rock cutter. A row of substantially flush compacts are embedded in the cutter shell alternately positioned between the outwardly projecting formation contacting inserts.

Abstract: A building constructed mainly of a series of modular units permanently united to each other. Various different forms of units are provided, and units of different forms may be arranged in various different relations to each other, to provide a choice of floor plans. Each unit is a rigid structure having a floor slab portion and one or more wall portions integrally connected to the floor slab portion and rising to the full height of the story, at least some of the wall portions of most of the units being offset laterally inwardly from the edges of the floor slab portion. When various units of the same story are assembled in side by side relation, the wall portion or portions of one unit cooperate with the wall portion or portions of one or more additional units to provide an enclosure constituting a room. The floor slab portions of the next higher story rest on the top edges of the wall portions of the story immediately below.