Abstract: A novel process for sustaining microbial activity in subterranean formations which comprises introducing as a microbial nutrient, a phosphite salt. This process may include the sequential injection of sources of individual nutrient components which are deficient in said subterranean formation, whereby the injected phosphorus source is selected from the group consisting of a phosphite salt and a phosphorous acid.

Abstract: An inflatable well packer includes several annular layers of material, consisting of a series of oriented fibers encapsulated in an elastomeric resin, the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the well packer each carry a protective layer of material effective to protect the elastomeric resin, each protective layer 9, 11 is deposited on the well packer in a folded configuration, such that unfolding of the layers enables inflation of the well packer.

Abstract: A flotation mechanism for use on a crop harvesting machine having a header suspended from the frame thereof by flotation springs is disclosed wherein a hydraulic cylinder interconnects the frame and at least one of the springs to allow selective adjustment of the weight of the header supported from the frame. The extensible hydraulic cylinder is operable to vary the length of at least one of the flotation springs while the crop harvesting machine is in operation and movable over the ground.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously heating the subsurface and imaging the effects of the heating. This method combines the use of tomographic imaging (electrical resistance tomography or ERT) to image electrical resistivity distribution underground, with joule heating by electrical currents injected in the ground. A potential distribution is established on a series of buried electrodes resulting in energy deposition underground which is a function of the resistivity and injection current density. Measurement of the voltages and currents also permits a tomographic reconstruction of the resistivity distribution. Using this tomographic information, the current injection pattern on the driving electrodes can be adjusted to change the current density distribution and thus optimize the heating. As the heating changes conditions, the applied current pattern can be repeatedly adjusted (based on updated resistivity tomographs) to affect real time control of the heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chuck assembly for a drill box of a mine drill for releasably securing a mining tool including a working end and a depending rod-like member for roof bolting and roof and face drilling operations and a method of using the chuck assembly. The drill box includes a source of rotary power and a drive member operatively connected to the source of rotary power to rotatably drive the chuck assembly. The chuck assembly includes a spindle, a collet closer and a collet. The spindle is operatively connected to the drive member and has a sleeve of a cylindrical shape including a threaded collar end and a bottom end and an opening extending a selected distance from the collar end to the bottom end. The collet closer includes an annular housing having an aperture threaded for threadingly engaging the threaded collar end of the spindle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an unattended lawn mowing system in which multiple solar powered self propelled, random motion lawn mowers are used singly or in combination to mow a pre-defined lawn area. The mowing zone is defined as a region of grass bounded by naturally occurring or man made obstacles of infinite variation including, but not limited to, high grass, flowers, trees, fences and lawn edging. Each mowing unit is a solar powered, self-propelled, random motion lawn mower which comprises a frame with a set of drive and coaster wheels on the frame. A set of batteries and battery powered electric motors are mounted on said frame with output means from the motors to power drive wheels and a cutting mechanism on the frame. Photovoltaic panels are mounted on said frame to receive solar rays and convert them into electrical power to charge the batteries with means for controlling the orientation of the solar panels so as to face the direction of greatest solar intensity.

Abstract: Two spaced apart zones of a carbonate containing formation are simultaneously acid fractured. A lower density fracturing acid is injected into an upper zone of the formation via an annulus of a perforated wellbore communicating with the upper zone thereby causing a fracture to propagate. Simultaneously therewith, a higher density fracturing acid is injected into a lower spaced apart zone via a tube within the wellbore which fluidly communicates with the lower zone thereby causing simultaneously the propagation of a second fracture. Neither fracture contacts the other although complete fracture growth and zonal acidizing is obtained.

Abstract: A tungsten carbide chisel insert for rock bits is disclosed having a cylindrical base section and a cutting tip section, the top of the tip section having an elongated crest, the remainder of the cutting tip section below the crest is a contoured surface formed having cross-sections being shaped as to provide for better overall performance.

Abstract: A gauge carrier for absorbing longitudinal and radial shock forces on a shock sensitive gauge in a gauge housing where the gauge is insertable and retrievable with a unit assembly. The gauge or gauges are coupled to a longitudinal shock absorber comprised of belleville springs by a ball and socket arrangement to isolate longitudinal shock waves from the gauge while annular resilient members provide radial shock absorption for the gauge in the housing. The longitudinal shock absorber can be selectively pre-loaded.

Abstract: A reduce waiting time drilling jar 1 includes a mandrel 2, a housing 3 telescopingly positioned about the mandrel 2, and first and second pistons 89, 111 positioned axially between the mandrel 2 and the housing 3. The pistons 89, 111 are spaced longitudinally apart, forming a substantially sealed chamber 88 therebetween. The first piston 89 has a first and second substantially parallel flow passage 94, 200 formed therein and extending longitudinally therethrough to provide first and second flow characteristics. A valve 204 is hydraulically connected to the second flow passage 200. The valve 204 is translatable between first and second operating positions, wherein fluid flows relatively freely through the second flow passage 200 in the first operating position, but is restricted in the second operating position.

Abstract: A process to temporarily seal an upper zone of higher permeability. Coiled tubing is used to cover a zone of lower permeability with a gel block containing rock salt. A lower density, more stable, slower yielding gel block having a gel breaker is squeezed into the upper zone. The well is shut-in and the low density gel plug becomes rigid. Water is then circulated down the coiled tubing to dissolve the high density gel block out of the wellbore and re-open lower perforations which allows the low permeability interval to be treated.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rod pumped well to limit the amount of time the pumping system is subject to fluid pound. The method monitors various pumping system parameters and shuts the pumping system down just before pump-off occurs.

Abstract: Structure for stripping cotton bolls from cotton stalks comprising a rubber batt having a rounded head and a toed foot; said foot being formed so that it may be installed into a lipped channel strip for connection to a rotatable shaft. The rounded head of the batt provides a buffering contact area between the batt and a cotton stalk thereby preventing excessive chipping of bark from the cotton stalk during harvesting operations. This results in production of a more pure cotton product by minimizing a cotton stripper's collection of foreign matter together with the desired cotton bolls.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating solid particles from well fluids in the bore hole including a separator or separation device (34) adjacent the lower end of a tubing string (14) positioned within a perforated casing (10). The separator device (34) includes concentric tubular members (44, 46) defining an annulus (60) therebetween. A spiral guide (62) is positioned in the annulus (60) about the inner tubular member (46) below perforations (54) in the outer tubular member (44) and extends about the inner tubular member (46) for around a complete turn or 360 degrees. A helical motion is imparted to the well fluids received through the perforations (54) and solid particles settle downwardly within the vortex or swirl chamber (79) below the inner tubular member (46). The liquid separated from the solid particles is pumped by a downhole pump (18) upwardly through the inner tubular member (46).

Abstract: A movable joint bent sub for attachment to a well conduit for use in deviated drilling of a well. An elongated housing is provided having one end for attachment to a well conduit, a mandrel is telescopically movable in the bore of the housing, and a movable body is pivotally connected to the mandrel and is longitudinally movable in the housing. Coacting cam surfaces on the body in the housing pivot the body to a desired deviation when the mandrel is telescopically moved in the bore. A releasable lock may be provided between the mandrel and the housing.

Abstract: A drill bit, and a cutter for a drill bit, are provided, wherein the cutter will encounter the formation with cutting surfaces of differing rake angles to optimize cutting efficiency. In most circumstances, the cooperating cutters will have differing, positive, and negative or neutral rakes. Cutters of differing rakes may be cooperatively paired on a drill bit such that the portion of a formation which is affected by the action of one cutter may be similarly affected by the operation of the other cutter.

Abstract: A rake component system consists of a tool bar frame member, a pair of rake assemblies, a pair of pivot heads for mounting the rake assemblies to the tool bar frame member, a lifting and lowering assembly, a three-point hitch assembly mountable to the tool bar frame member and a pull-type hitch assembly mountable to the tool bar frame member. These components are shipped to a dealer or assembler in a knocked-down condition. When desired, the rakes and pivot heads are mounted to the tool bar frame member. Either the three-point hitch assembly or the pull-type hitch assembly is mounted to the tool bar frame member, depending upon the particular configuration desired. The lifting and lowering assembly, which consists of a linkage connected to the rake pivot heads and an extendible and retractable cylinder connected to the linkage, is then mounted to tool bar frame member.

Abstract: A well installation preform for locating and dispensing granular materials nto a bore hole around the screen of a well casing is disclosed. A cylindrical sleeve containing a liner is assembled about the screen end of the well casing. The space between the sleeve and the well casing is filled with an ordered layer of granular material including a filter material adjacent the screen, a sealing material above the filter material and the screen and a quantity of filler material above the sealing material. The lower end of the sleeve is blocked while the preform is lowered into the well. The sleeve is thereafter removed whereby the liner is everted and the granular material is uniformly dispensed about the well casing in the bore hole. The sealing material forms a seal above the filter material for establishing an isolated filtration zone about the screen. A method of constructing the well using the preform and the resulting well structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon reservoir within a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore is simultaneously fractured within an upper zone with a lower density acid and within a lower zone with a higher density acid. As the fracturing propagates through the reservoir, the lower portion of the fracture within the upper zone of the reservoir intersects with the upper portion of the fracture within the lower zone of the reservoir. The lower density acid remains within the upper zone of the reservoir propagating the fracture therein while the higher density acid remains within the lower zone of the reservoir propagating the fracture therein.

Abstract: An earth boring bit having a body and a cantilevered bearing shaft extending inwardly and downwardly from the body. A rotatable cutter with an open end is assembled over the shaft, which has a radial bearing surface formed around a longitudinal axis. The cutter has a radial bearing surface sized to permit assembly over the journal surface of the shaft. The shaft and cutter have opposed thrust bearing surfaces, one of which has a gradually tapered outer region and a planar inner region to gradually reduce peak stress from a maximum to a minimum and avoid abrupt changes in stress from a high to a low value.