Abstract: A tubing hanger (2) is suspended in a spool (1) by a composite load support ring (7,8). Upon running-in, the hanger expands the ring into engagement with complementary grooves (34) in the spool wall. By making the load support ring from individual split rings (7,8), a radially large bearing area is provided for supporting the hanger and/or a seal, whilst enabling an appreciable expansion of the ring without it yielding beyond its elastic limit.

Abstract: A container is arranged to include a flange to permit support of the container in a suspended orientation over a plant to be watered, with the container including a valve head permitting metering of fluid from the container to the underlying plant.

Abstract: A downhole steering tool comprises a hollow mandrel (11), an independently rotatable sleeve (12) extending over a portion of the mandrel (11), steering plungers (26) carried by the sleeve (12) and extendable and retractable laterally to and from pressure contact with the hole wall (28) for steering a drill below the tool when in use, releasable locking means (14) for locking the sleeve (12) to the mandrel (11) rotationally, and fluid control means (15) operable to direct to the locking means (14) and the steering plungers (26) a portion from fluid circulation through the mandrel (11) to release the locking means (14) and to extend the steering plungers (26) by means of pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A nut harvester includes a frame drawn by a tractor over nut and debris windrows on the ground of a nut orchard. The nut harvester collects the nuts from the windrows and separates the debris collected therewith while minimizing the dust emissions and airborne pollutants generated by the nut harvester. The nut harvester includes three primary sections: a pick-up section, a stationary grid section, and a conveyor/fan section. The pick-up section includes finger assemblies which engage the ground to propel the nuts and debris forwardly and upwardly into a rotating feed reel which in turn deposits the nuts onto a stationary grid. The stationary grid includes a number of parallel bars which are spaced to prevent the nuts from falling therebetween. Wipers extend transversely across the grid and advance the nuts therealong.

Abstract: Natural gas is reinjected into an earth formation for storage and/or stimulating the recovery of hydrocarbon liquids by mixing the gas with water at a pressure sufficient to maintain bubble flow of gas dispersed in a water flowstream in a range of volumetric gas fraction up to about twenty percent of total flow. A water and gas distribution system includes static flow mixers for maintaining uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the water flow stream through the distribution conduits. The mixers may comprise multi-stage bladed mixing elements of the same or opposite pitch and extending across the intersection of branch conduits with the main conduit of the distribution system. The water and gas may be mixed in an injection well having a tubing string extending within the well and having a distal end below the point of injection into an earth formation so that a uniform gas and water mixture enters the formation through the well perforations.

Abstract: A speed bump for use in connection with a roadway located in a climate wh a snow plow is used to clear a roadway, the bump is made from roadway construction materials extending across each lane of a roadway, the bump having a crown of fixed width running substantially the length of the bump; the right-side of the bump having a conventional profile portion, the left-side having a tapered ramp portion having an incline equalling about ten to thirty degrees, allowing a snow plow to lift smoothly over the bump, a plurality of bumps having the same shape can be aligned to manage multiple-lane, one-way and two-way traffic.

Abstract: A support plate for a bridge or ramp with a drive lane has two longitudinal supports forming lateral sides of the support plate. A plurality of transverse members is arranged parallel to one another and connected between the two longitudinal supports. The transverse members have an upper surface forming the drive lane. The transverse members are hollow and have a quadrangular cross-section. The transverse members have a first and a second sidewall, whereby the second sidewalls face the first sidewalls of neighboring ones of the transverse members. At least one angle member is connected to each second sidewall, the angle member having a first leg and a second leg. The first leg rests at an is fixedly connected to the second sidewall and the second leg projects laterally from the second sidewall for supporting the neighboring transverse member.

Abstract: A bridge member for bridging a loading ramp to a platform to be loaded or unloaded has a bridge plate with a sheet metal cover whereby the bridge plate has a first end, connected to the ramp so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. An extension is connected to the second end of the bridge plate so as to be pivotable from a vertical rest position into an operative position in which the extension is positioned in a plane of the bridge plate for supporting the bridge member on the platform. The extension has at least one eye for connecting the extension to the second end of the bridge plate. Holders are connected to the underside of the sheet metal cover and have an end facing the extension that is provided with a bore. A bolt is inserted into the eyes and the bores of the holders such that the extension is pivoted about the bolt. A first rod and a second rod extend parallel to the plane of the bridge plate and perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the bridge plate between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A well tool for delivering fluid (e.g. sand or gravel slurry) to different levels within a wellbore which is comprised of a delivery conduit which, in turn, has a plurality of exit ports spaced along its length. Each exit port has an exit tube connected thereto. Each exit tube includes a portion whose length lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the delivery conduit which permits larger exit ports to be used which, in turn, substantially reduces the likelihood of an exit port becoming blocked prior to completion of a well operation. Also, where at least a portion of an exit tube is inside the delivery conduit, the concentration of the sand flowing through the exit tube will be substantially the same as the original concentration in the slurry since sand particles will not tend to by-pass an exit port and remain in the slurry. This prevents the premature dehydration of the slurry and the resulting buildup of sand within the delivery conduit which is normally associated therewith.

Abstract: An eccentric fluid displacement sleeve is disclosed for use with a measurement-while-drilling instrument, to convert the instrument for use in different size boreholes. The sleeve is made eccentric by either increasing or decreasing the thicknesses of positioning blades on the periphery of the sleeve, while maintaining the thickness of the fluid displacement blade aligned with the detectors.

Abstract: This invention relates to asphalt concrete paving systems and how they are structured. For more than the last sixty years, such systems have been one integrated structure consisting of (1) one or more "lower supporting courses" and (2) one or more "surface wearing courses". Such systems are integrated structures and, therefore, cracking starting from either the top or bottom will proceed through the entire structure. This invention provides a third type of course, a "separation course" between the "lower supporting courses" and the "surface wearing courses". The "separation course" prevents bonding of the "lower supporting courses" to the "surface wearing courses". This "separation course" is a barrier to stop the cracking at this point. It is also waterproof and will stop water from getting into the "lower support courses" and causing them to fail. The concept of a "separation course" is applicable to both roadways and running tracks.

Abstract: A supporting frame for a mower attachment of the rotary or flail type to provide for quick attachment of the mower to and detachment of the mower from a road grader or similar prime mover. The mower is designed for mowing roadside ditches, and the supporting frame mounts the mower so it can float and still be easily raised and lowered by the operator when necessary for transport.

Abstract: A heated screed assembly (10) for use with a paving machine (12) includes a screed (16). An elastomeric, electrically-powered heating element (36) is carried on the upper surface (28) of the screed. A retaining member (48) is disposed to overly the heating element, whereby the heating element is retained in contact with the upper surface of the screed during operation of the paving machine. Electric power is supplied to the elastomeric heating element by a generator (44).

Abstract: The application describes an automatically deployable terrain marking dev used to identify off-road safe-travel lanes for vehicles. The marking device has a base comprising a heavy ground engagement dish and a canister set on the ground engagement dish. The canister holds reagents of a foam formation system that can be triggered to form a expanding fluid foam that later hardens. A flexible inelastic base wall forms part of the base and mates to the ground engagement dish to form a sealed compartment containing the canister. A flexible tube frame assembly is communicated with the canister such that the tube frame assembly extends and expands during foam formation. The frame assembly thus has both a compact condition in which at least a part of the assembly folds upon a portion of the base and has an expanded condition in which the assembly is filled with hardened foam.

Abstract: A noise-suppressed timing belt pulley and a method of making the same is disclosed. The pulley has a toothed face for engaging a toothed timing belt and a pair of flanges for guiding the belt. Air holes are formed in the flanges in positions aligned with the spaces between the teeth of the pulley. Air passages are formed in the rim of the pulley. A channel is formed in the valleys between adjacent teeth between and connecting the air passages. The combination of air holes in the flanges, air passages formed in the rim and the channels formed in the tooth valleys greatly reduces the noise generated by an operating timing belt transmission.

Abstract: A liner hanger assembly structurally interconnects a casing within a bore hole and a tubular liner suspended from the casing. The hanger body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced piston bores. A plurality of slips are provided circumferentially about, the hanger body for gripping engagement with an internal surface of the casing. A plurality of pistons are each housed within a respective piston bore and are movably responsive to internal pressure within the hanger body. A sleeve is axially movable with respect to the hanger body in response to axial movement of the plurality of pistons. The sleeve is interconnected with each of the plurality of slips to cause radially outward movement of the slips in response to movement of the pistons. The liner hanger assembly has a high fluid pressure rating for ensuring reliable gripping engagement with the casing, yet creates a comparatively low fluid restriction in the annulus between the casing and the liner.

Abstract: A vibrating tamping float for smoothing the top surface of freshly poured concrete, pushing coarse aggregates down into the concrete while allowing cream to surface, and reducing a formation of large air pockets in the concrete, includes a float body having a bottom surface and a pushing device for pushing coarse aggregates down into the concrete while allowing cream to surface. The pushing device includes a plurality of ribs mounted on the bottom surface of the float body. The ribs have a ramp on front and rear portions thereof for providing a smooth entrance into the concrete and pushing coarse aggregates downward as they are slid back and forth in the concrete. A vibrator is provided on the float body for vibrating the float body to reduce a formation of large air pockets in the concrete, to aid in pushing the coarse aggregates on the surface down into the concrete, and to aid in leveling-off and smoothing the top surface of the concrete.

Abstract: A tubular connector for connecting a drilling tool assembly to a drill string for use in CTD operations. The connector has a fluid flow passage therethrough, and comprises: a first part connected to the drill string and a second part connected to the drilling tool assembly; inter engaging formations such as splines provided on the first and second parts such that, when engaged, the formations do not prevent relative axial movement of the first and second parts but prevent relative rotation thereof; a threaded collar provided around adjacent end portions of the first and second parts for axial location thereof when connected. The connector can also include a non-return valve assembly located in the fluid flow passage; a pressure actuated piston device in the fluid flow passage for disconnecting the drilling tool assembly from the chill string; and a pressure actuated valve which, when operated, allows fluid communication between the fluid flow passage and an exterior region of the connector.

Abstract: Movable ground supports, which are folded out either manually or hydraulically, are arranged at the tip of the launching support in devices for laying collapsible bridges. An inflatable container (6) is integrated in the structural part (2) of the launching support (8), and the container acts as a movable support in the filled state. A release mechanism (10) arranged in the vicinity of the container ensures that the medium--compressed air or nitrogen--will escape from the inflated container (6) when the end of the bridge (5) has completely reached the bearing (9) after advancing forward.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting depressions in a road surface. The cutting machine includes a rotatable cutting head connect with a drive device for rotating the cutting head and an engaging device for moving the cutting head out of and into contact with the road surface. A power unit that moves the cutting head along the road surface is provided with a detector for continuously detecting a distance that the cutting head is moved by the power unit and for generating a signal indicative of the distance moved. An electronic controller, responsive to the signal, electronically controls the engaging device so that the cutting head moves out of and into contact with the road surface in accordance with the distance that the cutting head moves along the road surface and a specified dimensional profile of the depressions which are stored in the electronic controller. The movement of the cutting head cuts depressions in the road.