Abstract: The apparatus provides both a novel reciprocating pump for pumping fluid from a source by forming and moving a fluid column within a tubing and a method of using the pump. The pump, which is particularly suited for oil wells, uses the pressure generated by the fluid column to increase the downward force acting on the pump plunger during the downstroke. The pump is provided with a reciprocable first surface which is in contact with the fluid column, a second surface which moves with the first surface and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first surface, valve means cooperating with the second surface for subjecting the second surface to fluid at the pressure of the fluid at the source in the vicinity of the pump during movement in one direction and to fluid at the pressure of the fluid column in the vicinity of the pump during movement in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Provisional road sign barriers and permanent medians are formed based on the correlative, interconnectable arrangement of a number of equal modules, some male and others female, for connecting, which are made of adequate plastic, are hollow and equipped to enclose an electrical supply and corresponding internal lamps that will provide a correct view and real volume of the formed barrier. The modules include, in addition to a metallic reinforcement structure, some sheets that act as elements which absorb the impact of vehicles. The modules will be filled with bags of water, or with sand and/or concrete, as weights, to form a static barrier that carries out the function of signposting and beaconing for works on highways and similar places, and of protecting against the impact of vehicles.

Abstract: An improved tubing rotator is mounted to the casing bowl of a well, for rotating a tubing string extending down the well. A swivel dognut assembly is provided, comprising inner and outer sleeves. The tubing string is suspended from the inner sleeve which is rotatably supported from the stationary outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is adapted to be suspended from the tapered inner surface of the casing bowl, and is restrained from vertically upwards displacement by holddown screws. The outer sleeve is almost entirely contained or recessed within the casing bowl. A housing is bolted onto the casing flange. A pair of worms extend through the housing and driveably engage a ring gear associated with the inner sleeve. Because the sleeves are seated in the casing bowl, a compact rotator assembly is obtained.

Abstract: An improved, light-transmitting, plastic shelter cone or terrarium is provided for the germination of seed and growth of seedlings. The cone has a lower soil-engaging flange at its base and a vent opening at its top. The vent opening is covered with a hinged flap which is an integral part of the cone and to which seed may be secured using a water soluble adhesive. When placed in the field, the flap is pressed down into engagement with sidewall indentations which hold the flap and seed in a generally vertical orientation within the cone chamber. Stiffening ribs are formed in the cone wall, protruding outwardly and forming grooves within. Seed may be secured within a groove with water soluble adhesive. When the cone is used, rainfall will dissolve the adhesive, whereby the seed may drop to the soil below. Latching the flap ensures that it does not return to block the vent opening. Preferably, the plastic is sunlight degradable and is further colored translucent red to modify the transmitted light.

Abstract: An auger is provided with a boring head having an arrangement for cutting relatively hard earth formations such as rock. First and second groups of drill bits are mounted to the boring head such that when the head is rotated, each bit in those groups cuts a different path at a different height to provide more than 100% coverage of the work surface being cut, while stabilizing the auger by distributing the down force of the auger over the entire work surface. The drill bits also are orientated to ensure bit rotation at relatively large attack angles (the angle the bit forms with the work surface therebeneath) of about 50.degree.-60.degree. to enhance auger penetration rates without detracting from the bit sharpening effect that results from proper bit rotation.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a pickup having a reel provided with fixed tooth bars to which are mounted a plurality of teeth having tines projecting approximately radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the reel. The fixed tines cooperate with the upper surface of a stripper assembly to convey crop directly into the inlet of a baling chamber and against an upwardly moving surface of a run of belts defining a rear wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An applicator for applying seamless flooring material to a subfloor is disclosed. The preferred embodiment includes a chassis steerably mounted on wheels which are propelled by hydraulic motors in series. A dispensing hopper on a frame is towed behind the chassis from a shaft on a steering column and enabled to move in three dimensions independent of the chassis. The hopper is supported by hopper wheels with an axle directly above a screed blade which distributes the flooring material dispensed out of the hopper. The height of each side of the hopper is independently adjustable on each side by screw-threaded rods and is not disrupted by lifting the hopper out of operation.

Abstract: A method of growing tissue culture callus on a nutrient substrate comprises the steps of preparing a semi-solid slab of the nutrient substrate and placing it on top of a honeycomb-like forming plate, which defines a plurality of hollow passages surrounded by thin walls. A series of the callus is deployed on the slab, so that each callus is located in alignment with one of the passages. The callus are allowed to grow to a desired extent under conventional conditions. A pneumatic pressure is then applied to the slab so that it becomes pushed through and sliced by the walls of the forming plate into a respective number of blocks, each carrying a single plant, and ejected out of the bottom side of the forming plate for further plantation thereof.

Abstract: A pop-up traffic control device (10) is raised above or withdrawn below the pavement surface through a bore in the cover (18). A lead screw (16), rotated by power source (30), raises a traffic marker tube (12) by a follower tube socket (14) attached to the lead screw (16). The follower tube socket (14) moves vertically on the lead screw (16) and is rotated to either raise or retract the traffic marker tube (12) above or below the roadway. The interior of the traffic control device is sealed from external foreign matter by a linear tube (48) in the cover bore surrounding the traffic marker tube (12). The traffic marker tube (12) is easily replaceable. Additional features include: a slope adjustment mechanism, a heating unit (74), a lead screw lubrication/cleaning arrangement (80, 82), lighting units (84) for the traffic marker tube (12), a watertight coupling (90, 92), a variable-speed arrangement for the lead screw rotation, and a marker tube status signal unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool for enhancing the impact delivered to an object stuck in a well bore by means of a jar having a first tubular member connected to the object and a second tubular member having a hammer arranged to deliver an upward blow to an anvil on the first member in response to raising and a downward blow in response to lowering of the second tubular mandrel member with respect to the first member, the tool comprising a first tubular member having a lower end adapted to be connected to the second tubular member of the jar for raising and lowering therewith, a second tubular member vertically reciprocable with respect to the first member to form on annular space between them and having an upper end adapted to be connected to a well pipe string above it, and first and second sets of upper and lower longitudinally spaced seal rings within the annular space and sealably slidable with respect to equal diameter portions of each of the tubular members to form upper and lower fluid chambers between the

Abstract: A method of constructing a bridge using a two step composite construction process. In the first step, the region to be spanned is bridged with precast prestressed concrete elements that are designed as beams and complete permanent formwork to carry the dead load of the bridge, to provide a high density concrete protective shell giving a greater degree of protection against deterioration from the elements and to provide a very high quality of finish and architectural design, to provide a complete working platform for construction, and to eliminate the need for temporary scaffolding and formwork. In the second step, additional poured in place concrete is cast into the spaces created by the precast elements and serves as beams, post-tensioned to carry the live loads of the bridge.

Abstract: An energy absorbing roadside barrier includes an elongated container configured to receive and hold a volume of water. The container defines a pair of sidewalls having sufficient rigidity to stand alongside a roadway and sufficient resilience to deform upon an impact by a vehicle and to recover their shape after at least some impacts. The barrier also includes an internal frame positioned within the container. The frame includes first and second axial braces positioned adjacent respective sidewalls of the container, and the axial braces are secured together by at least one cross brace. The frame and container are formed of different materials, and the frame increases the rigidity of the barrier and strengthens the barrier against bending.

Abstract: A formation injection tool disposable in a casing of a production well includes an intake flow control assembly, a seal mechanism located below the intake flow control assembly, and a discharge flow control device located below the seal mechanism. The intake flow control assembly is attached to a lower end of a pump extending downward within the well casing past and below an upper productive formation. In response to an upstroke of the pump, the intake flow control assembly permits one-way flow of undesired heavier fluid, such as water, from the upper productive formation downwardly and into the intake flow control assembly concurrently as desired lighter fluid, such as oil and/or gas, flows from the upper productive formation upwardly within the well casing to the ground surface. The seal mechanism establishs a closure seal within the well casing between the upper productive formation and lower disposal formation.

Abstract: An oil well tool including a release mechanism, a splined torque transmitting driver, a liner, an under reamer and a drill bit. Circulation in a passageway through the tool provides drilling foam or fluid to the drill bit and under reamer. A restriction below the under reamer provides pressure to hydraulically force cone arms of the under reamer outwardly. A valve mechanism located within a stinger subassembly within the liner controls communication between the central passageway and the perforated liner. The valve is actuated by placement of a ball following drilling. Gravel packing through the well annulus may then occur following drilling. A second valve may later by actuated to separate the drill pipe from the liner and associated components.

Abstract: A capsule for insertion into a bore includes a hollow head section having a first diameter, a hollow shank, extending along a central axis of the capsule and having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, interconnected with the head section by a hollow tapered transitional section, and a cap received within the head section. The cap defines, together with inner surfaces of the shank, the transitional section and the end face, a capsule volume for storing a chemical agent. The capsule is insertable into the bore so that when the capsule is inserted into the bore, the distal edge portion of the shank end face abuts an end wall of the bore. The shank is frangible so that when a force is applied to the head section, causing the head section to at least partly move into the bore, the distal edge portion translates the force into a stress which breaks the shank to release the chemical agent from the capsule volume.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for holding a tree (12) in an upright position above a level surface (14) includes a base (22) for supporting the tree (12). A rim (24) holds a quantity of water (20) on the base (22) and in contact with the tree's trunk end (16). Four retainer pins (60) hold the trunk end (16) centrally on the base means (22). A back-up retainer (32) limits trunk end (16) sliding or twisting while allowing the quantity of water (20) to flow to the trunk end (16). Guy elements (28) engage the trunk (18) of the tree at an elevated position above the trunk's end (16) and resist tree-tipping forces. Clamps (30), disposed at spaced locations around the rim (24), hold the guy elements (28) to the rim (24). Each clamp (30) has a lever arm (118) that adjustably and releasably clamps the guy elements ( 28) to the base (22) as the lever arm (118) is pivoted between engaged (A) and disengaged (B) positions. A reservoir fence (176) prevents objects, such as tree skirts from contacting the water (20).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a tool through a drill string in slimhole drilling operations is disclosed. A fluid passage such as a groove is formed in the inner wall of the pipe joint to permit the passage of fluid from one pipe section to an adjacent pipe section as a tool is transported through the pipe joint. In one embodiment of the invention, the tool can comprise a core barrel for retrieving a core sample from the wellbore.

Abstract: A drilling head for making a borehole along a predetermined underground path is formed by a tubular body having a guidable rotary drilling sub normally axially mounted in the body by means of a sleeve bearing journalling a drill bit equipped rotary drilling string sub joint moveable with and within the sleeve for disposing the drilling bit on a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the body by means of diametrically opposite superposed pairs of wedges interposed between respective end portions of the sleeve bearing and the inner periphery of the body.

Abstract: The pipe racker assembly includes a mast, a dolly assembly vertically slidably secured to the mast for vertical movement, a handling arms assembly rotatably secured to the dolly assembly and having an upper handling arm extensible to accommodate pipes of varying length and as long as 45 feet and lower arms capable of gripping pipe either from a horizontal pipe rack or from a carousel pipe rack turntable when the handling arms are rotated 90.degree. on the dolly assembly. A stabilizer is secured to the ends of the handling arms in order to allow the handling arms assembly to be supported remote from the pipe racker assembly to reduce the structural strength requirements of the assembly.

Abstract: Directional drilling is achieved by a weight-on-bit control mechanism that is attached to a drill bit having asymmetrical cutters. A valve in the mechanism temporarily interrupts or bypasses mud flow toward the bit to correspondingly change the downward force acting thereon during a portion of each revolution. The bit will drill preferentially on that side of the bottom surface of the borehole where the downward force is increased, and thereby cause the borehole to curve in an azimuthal direction on such side.