Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for determining that a drillstring in a wellbore is susceptible to sticking against a wellbore surface. When characterized as a method, the method steps include (1) monitoring a vibration characteristic of the drillstring during drilling operations, and (2) comparing the vibration characteristic with at least one prior vibration characteristic to identify impending sticking. In the preferred embodiment, vibration amplitude is monitored to detect amplitude diminishment which is indicative of impending pipe sticking. Preferably, vibration data is subjected to a stabilizing signal processing operation which minimizes the adverse impact of noise and normalizes the data to facilitate comparison with prior time periods. Preferably, the data is presented and displayed in a time-domain format to allow visual comparison over a selected time interval.

Abstract: An "L" shaped element having horizontal and vertical sections, is submerged in the liquid toner concentrate such that the horizontal section is totally submerged while the vertical section is submerged proportionally to an amount of the liquid toner concentrate. A voltage source is connected to the "L" shaped element. A second element is placed in close proximity to the horizontal section of the "L" shaped element and is also totally submerged in the liquid toner concentrate. Next, a third element is placed in close proximity to the vertical section of the "L" shaped element. The current flowing from the horizontal section of the "L" shaped element through the liquid toner concentrate to the second element is proportional to the concentration of solid. By measuring the current flowing from the vertical section of the "L" shaped element through the liquid toner concentrate to the third element and dividing by the current in the second plate, the volume of the liquid toner concentrate can easily be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon gas from drilling fluid samples utilizes microwave energy as the source for heating a sample, containing water, sufficiently to cause the extraction of the hydrocarbon gases therefrom. Either a batch or a continuous operation can be realized using this method.

Abstract: A mass microsensor is fabricated with a microcantilever oscillated by a piezoelectric transducer. A chemical coating having absorptive or adsorptive affinity for a specifically targeted chemical or compound is applied to the microcantilever for oscillation in the monitored atmosphere. Molecules of the targeted chemical attach to the microcantilever coating resulting in an oscillating mass increase which influences the resonant frequency of the microcantilever oscillation. The rate at which the coated microcantilever accumulates the target chemical is functional of the target chemical concentration. Consequently, the extent of microcantilever oscillation frequency change is related to the concentration of the target chemical within the monitored atmosphere.

Abstract: An arrangement for examining pipes for interior leaks, comprises two mirror-inverted sections, each having at least one clamping device and at least one pair of runners. A pneumatic pressure source is provided for inspection of the pipes, as well as a sealing arrangement and a control arrangement. Each section has an outer cylinder, at least one intermediate cylinder concentrically disposed in the outer cylinder and displaceable with respect thereto, and at least one inner cylinder concentrically disposed in the center cylinder and displaceable with respect thereto. The two inner cylinders of the two sections are connected with the pneumatic pressure source so that pneumatic energy for the internal-pressure test is also for used to move the two sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable piping-and-pump-system testing apparatus comprising a cabinet having a hinged lid and a front wall and having a supply tank for holding liquid comparable to the liquid in the piping and pump system being tested and further having a leakage detector adapter for receiving a leakage detector for the testing thereof and also having a calibrated cylinder mounted on a base member which is hingedly mounted to a bracket and having a control panel comprising a series of pressure gauges, regulators, and valves to conduct the tests of the leakage detector either in the piping and pump system or in the leakage detector adapter or to conduct tests for line leaks in the piping and pump system by using the supply tank and calibrated cylinder to monitor drop of liquid in the cylinder over a preset period of time.

Abstract: A method of introducing a leak detection additive into a closed refrigeration system by a substrate containing the additive. A predetermined amount of the additive is implanted on and absorbed into a host swatch of substrate material which is capable of absorbing and releasing the leak detection additive, but which does not react with refrigerant or system lubricant. The swatch is installed in a desiccant bag, which is then installed in a dehydrator of the refrigeration system. The refrigeration system is assembled, charged and operated, by which the refrigerant and system lubricant flowing through the desiccant bag mixes the additive with the refrigerant and system lubricant. In alternative embodiments, the substrate is constructed to be used as a filter in various components of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: This invention provides for a fiber optic moisture sensor. The sensor is comprised of a housing and a support positioned within the housing. The support is coated with a film. A first and second light guides are positioned within the housing and communicate illumination to and from the film. A reflective surface is positioned within the housing facing the film. The film comprises an optically transparent polymer and a salt complex of a metal ion and an organic compound. The salt complex is capable of absorbing moisture and emits a fluorescence signal when excited by light at the appropriate wavelength. The fluorescence signal can be quenched when the salt complex absorbs moisture. An apparatus incorporating the sensor and a method of making the sensor are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for conducting gas chromatography more rapidly than previously disclosed. By means of the present invention the time necessary to conduct a gas chromatographic analysis can be reduced by more than 50%. The methods and apparatus employed reduce system dead volumes to prevent band broadening and mixing of the sample components as the gas sample is analyzed. The present invention also relates to the apparatus described above as applied to controlling chemical, refining, and other processes.

Abstract: A mobile hazardous waste characterization system having a top driven rotary kelly bar and drill bit in conjunction with a non-rotatable casing surrounding the kelly bar in which the casing and waste contamination sensing probes affixed thereto are supported by the top drive and are moved into and out of the site with the kelly bar and drill bit. The sensors preferably are optical soil contamination probes affixed to the casing to qualitatively and quantitatively determine soil contaminants and monitor remediation progress in situ at a subsurface soil characterization and treatment location. Soil gas sampling and a solid soil core sample removal device may be integrated with the optical contaminant sensing for accurate site characterization and simultaneous remediation thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the quality of a lubricant by its solvating effect on an insoluble (resin) matrix to which charged groups have been covalently bound. The solvating effects are measured electronically as a variation in conductivity or capacitance of the resin matrix with respect to temperature. The apparatus includes a metal mesh housing containing e.g. milligram amounts of charged resin beads. A metal probe is fitted in the containing mesh and makes contact only with the resin beads. The entire device is immersed in the lubricant and the electrical conductivity or capacitance is measured from the probe to the mesh through the resin beads. Lubricant degradation is measured as e.g. a decrease in electrical conductivity through the resin beads with respect to an increase in the lubricant's solvent polarity.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the moisture content of an oil includes the steps of providing an enclosed chamber sealed in a gas-tight fashion, placing the oil to be analyzed within the enclosed chamber, heating the enclosed chamber for causing the moisture in the oil to evaporate, measuring a parameter that varies depending upon the amount of water vapor generated by the evaporation of the moisture, and deriving a value representative of the moisture content of the oil on the basis of the measured parameter.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic leak location includes showing sound levels at various measuring locations along a measurement segment, which is a part of an annular structure, with a bar diagram. The same bar diagram is added again to the bar diagram. A particular sound level having the highest value and being located the most in the middle of the placed together bar diagrams is picked out. A segment around the associated pickup positions having one complete set of pickup positions is picked out. Two compensating straight lines for that set having an intersection being ascertained to identify the leakage position are determined. Another method includes providing at least a sound level having a position substantially facing the leakage position with a correction value. An apparatus for ultrasonic leak location includes a number of ultrasound pickups being disposed along a measuring segment. Amplifiers and components forming an effective value connect a data processing system to outputs of the ultrasound pickups.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a lower sensor-holder head (40) and an upper sensor-holder head (72) each located at the center of an annular gasket (20, 70). Either (or both) of the sensor-holder heads are received in a space extending along the center axis of the gasket and are axially movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Preferably, one or both of the gaskets has stepped concentric rings for adaptation to different test object diameters. In operation, an object to be tested such as a wheel rim (C) is sealed between an upper gasket and lower gasket to define a space inside the wheel rim which encloses the sensor-holder heads, and to define a space enclosed between the outside of the wheel rim and an airtight bell chamber (66) which is pressurized with air or testing gas. Any leakage through the wheel rim is detected by one or more sensors on the heads.

Abstract: A drilling torque and drag monitoring method for a drillstring in a well bore including the steps of measuring hook load and axial displacement of the drillstring, measuring surface torque and angular position of the drillstring, correlating the hook load with the axial displacement of the drillstring so as to produce a first graphical relationship, correlating the surface torque and the angular position measurements of the drillstring so as to produce a second graphical relationship, and comparing the first and second graphical relationships so as to determine a contact resistance between the drillstring and the well bore. These relationships can be used independently or jointly so as to determine the condition of contact resistance. The method includes the step of identifying a slope discontinuity along the graphical curve. This slope discontinuity is indicative of a contact resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for the determination of the rate of sedimentation of particles in a liquid and for controlling the addition of a flocculant to the liquid in accordance with the sedimentation rate so determined. The apparatus comprises a sample chamber into which the liquid is drawn and held solely by maintenance of a reduced pressure in the chamber. The rate of sedimentation of the particles is then determined by any suitable means known in the art.

Abstract: The device embodying the invention uses a filter element encapsulating me acting like a sphincter, a means enabling an air flow to be generated through the filter element once the filter element has been encapsulated, and a means enabling measurement of at least one parameter relating to the fluid flow through the filter. The encapsulating means comprises a succession of encapsulation modules arranged coaxially end to end and each acting like a sphincter, independently of the others, by means of a control means separate from that of the others. The invention applies notably to the measurement of draw through the filter sticks used in filter-tipped cigarettes.

Abstract: A sample draining apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit having a sampler vessel and a drain vessel disposed therein. A first pump is located outside the hydraulic circuit and pumps fluid from a fluid source outside the hydraulic circuit into the hydraulic circuit to pressurize the circuit. A second pump is disposed in the hydraulic circuit for circulating fluid in the hydraulic circuit so that a fluid sample flows from the sampler vessel into the drain vessel while the sample is maintained within the closed hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A leak detector including a float having a number of magnets connected to the float. Electromagnetic coils are disposed along a length of the possible range of travel of the float within the leak detector. The coils, when energized, interact with the magnet making the float move-about and settle to a position representing its true equilibrium buoyancy. Optionally, the leak detector includes a self-calibration apparatus that provides a reference signal indicting the fixed position of the self-calibration apparatus, allowing the leak detector to compensate for offset errors.

Abstract: An electrochemical/gas analyzer providing a rugged contact system for removable sensors capable of withstanding inexpert sensor insertion or removal, providing protection for high impedance input electronics against electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, and providing automatic connection to diagnostic circuitry upon sensor removal has been developed. The contact system includes a plurality of stamped contacts electrically connecting a diagnostic circuit, including a source of diagnostic signals and a ground path, to analyzer signal processing circuitry. Removal of a sensor from this system electrically connects the sensor signal processing electronics to the diagnostic circuit. Insertion of the sensor interrupts electrical connection between the diagnostic circuit and the stamped contact, which connects the sensor terminals to the signal processing circuitry.