Abstract: A raingutter leaf guard assembly 8 is mounted on top of a typical raingutter 56 to prevent leaves from passing through a grid 12. A hinge portion 24 permits raising the leaf guard assembly 8 when an angled rod 30 affixed to a long pole 32 is mated to a funnel shaped opening 28 in lever 26. A downward pull of pole 32 from ground level raises the leaf guard assembly 8 and dumps leaf debris to the ground. Assembly 9 is comprised of an elbow 44 permanently connected to a raingutter end cap 38. A long pipe 52 is connected to the elbow 44 from ground level. A female duplex hose bib adaptor 54 completes the pipe thread 50, and garden hose thread 55 connections, thereby flushing a gutter clear of debris. All raingutter maintenance is performed on the ground.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for storing one or more constituents in a downhole tool. The constituents are segregated from each other until such time as the tool is actuated. At that time, the constituents are forced from their storage position and mixed as they are pushed from their storage position. The resultant mix is then directed to the location where the mixture will finally be placed for eventual solidification. The apparatus and method are useful for inflation of bridge plugs or external casing packers, as well as other downhole applications. Significant time is provided for the surface operator prior to initiation of the constituent elements by segregating the ingredients until shortly before they are mixed and directed to their final destination. Should a problem arise prior to mixing, the unmixed ingredients can be withdrawn from the wellbore.

Abstract: The method for rendering solid waste inert and for its subsequent definitive storage and a plant which allows this to be done, provide an initial stage in which the waste is reduced and/or prepared so that it can be covered then enveloped in substances which can form a coating on it; a second stage involving the mixing of waste prepared in the afore-mentioned manner with a bitumen-based substance; a third stage for the depositing and/or spreading of the amalgam obtained during the mixing stage directly below or above the ground; a fourth stage for compacting the amalgam so that the bitumen-based product solidifies, completely sealing in the waste and increasing its impermeability, thus preventing any contact between the waste and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An infinitely variable ratio drive mechanism consisting of at least one variable diameter pulley and a flexible drive belt. A plurality of pulley segments are connected via links to a hub, such that their concerted arcs of motion describe a variable pulley diameter, the segments being biased one to another by resilient force. When two pulleys operate together, the effective diameters of both are adjusted in like direction. The drive pulley diameter is the resultant of a balance between the drive belt force exerted on the individual segments and the opposing resilient force. The plurality of belt engaging members describing the driven pulley adjust opposite the first, their position being actuated in the direction of belt force and restricted by belt length.

Abstract: A new pile assembly and process are disclosed. A pile cap is attached to a pipe pile. A partition is installed below the pile cap creating an air chamber between them that is at surface atmospheric air pressure. An external conduit containing a valve that is closed connects the pile's interiors above and below the partition. The pile is driven into the ocean floor filled with entrapped sea water below the partition so that little or no soil core is generated. After the clay soils adjacent to the pile have regained their strength, the valve is opened. A small amount of sea water expands into the air chamber. The pressure on both sides of the partition and the bottom of the pile cap is now slightly above surface atmospheric air pressure. It is the downward force of hydrostatic pressure on top of the pile cap that increases the tension capacity of the driven pile. In deep water hydrostatic pressure is substantial, constant and cheap.

Abstract: A drill bit for boring an earth formation is designed for rotation in a given direction. The bit body includes an operating face with at least one cutting element formed thereon. A cutting surface formed on the cutting element faces in a forward direction with respect to the direction of rotation. A cutting edge is formed on the cutting surface and is embedded in the earth formation during boring so that the formation is received against a portion of the cutting surface. The cutting element creates successive formation chips during boring which grow in length during bit rotation. A chip breaker formed adjacent the cutting surface imparts a strain to the chip by bending and/or twisting the chip and thereby increases the likelihood that it will break off. In one aspect, fluid flows in a fluid course formed in front of the cutting element during boring. Twisting increases the surface area of the chip presented to fluid in the fluid course which further increases the likelihood that the chip will break.

Abstract: A system for conveying a fluid through an under-the-ground location and method of making the same are provided, the system comprising a primary flexible conduit for conveying the fluid therethrough and having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, and an outer secondary conduit having at least a portion of the primary conduit removably disposed therein and having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface that engages the ground in the under-the-ground location thereof, the secondary conduit having the inner peripheral surface thereof comprising a helically disposed and inwardly directed projection thereof that engages the outer peripheral surface of the primary conduit in a spiral manner and cooperates therewith to define a helically disposed passage that extends therebetween throughout substantially the entire engagement area thereof.

Abstract: A milled tooth (22) is provided having a back face (38), including an upper back face surface (58) and a lower back face surface (60). A tip or top surface (36) is provided below the upper back face surface (58). The upper back face surface (58) is in a recessed position relative to the lower back face surface (60). A gage rib guide (64) runs along one side of the lower back face surface (60). A layer of hardfacing material (33) is applied to the milled tooth (22) so that the layer (72) applied to the lower back face (60) surface is flush with the gage rib guide (64) and the layer (74) of hardfacing material (33) is thickest in the region of the upper back face surface (58).

Abstract: A potentially economically viable apparatus is provided for the containment and detection of underground leaking fluids by employing a wrapper, often in the form of a conduit, to enclose the underground portion of a hydraulic fluid system. An important application is the detection and containment associated with an underground elevator system using hydraulic oil.

Abstract: Offshore oil drilling or producing platform comprising a hull (1) carried by legs (2) provided with feet (3) adapted to rest on the sea bed, characterized in that the walls of each of the legs (2) define a space opening onto the respective foot (3) in which are retracted anchoring piles (5) for the leg carried by the foot, each leg (2) being also provided in its upper part with support means (7) in vertical alignment with the piles within the space defined by the walls of the leg (2) for supporting a device for driving the piles into the sea bed.

Abstract: A remotely controlled mower which can be easily converted to an edger, a trimmer and a blower with replaceable kits. The mower is battery powered with two drive motors (16A & B) having gear reducing means to provide rotational energy for propulsion and steering which enables the mower to turn with unlimited angles. Cutting devices for mowing, edging, trimming and blowing device are molded integrally with assemblies for easier attachment. The multiple holes on the assemblies provide a simple way to change cutting heights. Angle drives (54A & B) are used to convert the rotating directions for trimming, edging and mowing. The mower produces no air pollution with low operating noise. The combination of various functions in one remotely controllable mower not only makes lawn maintenance tasks easier but saves homeowners money to purchase and to service different equipments with less space required for storage.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for tubular members has a pattern of scratching elements arranged on the outside of an elongate member such as a mandrel. The mandrel is coated with a rigid or resilient polymeric material or a combination of both. The scratching elements are affixed in the polymeric material in an arrangement to allow fluid flow around the mandrel.

Abstract: A core barrel having an inner tube for coring and, alternately, a center plug assembly or closing the throat of the core bit at the bottom of the assembly for drilling in lieu of coring. The inner tube assembly and plug assembly are disposable and retrievable through the drill string on a wireline using an overshot. The core bit is of a stabilized, preferably anti-whirl, design and may be a low-invasion core bit used in cooperation with a low-invasion coring shoe. A logging tool and data transmission assembly may be incorporated in the plug assembly for logging while drilling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the hydraulic branching of an open stream having at least one straight main stream of a specific momentum and having one or more branch streams. Deflection from the main stream is brought about using the Coanda Effect. The hydraulically working channel, i.e., the main stream channel has an upstream corner in common with the branch stream channel which corner is rounded in the form of an arc of a circle between the upstream channel and the branch channel and which converges toward the corner and extends opposite that wall of the upstream channel leading toward the corner and forms with the corner an outflow gap, such that the momentum of the main stream flow which emerges, creates the Coanda Effect, thereby deflecting the controlled flow of water into the branch channel.

Abstract: A drag bit is formed of an elongate tooth made of tungsten carbide and having an elongate right cylinder construction. The end face is circular at the end of a conic taper. The tapered surface is truncated with two 180.degree. spaced flat faces at 15.degree. to about 45.degree. with respect to the axis of the body. The end is capped by a PDC layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth the method and apparatus for installing a casing in a geothermal well. Procedurally, the well is drilled toward but not into the geothermal zone of interest, a surface conductor pipe is cemented in place, a casing sting is then positioned in the well borehole and the bottom portions thereof is cemented in place, tension is then placed in the casing string, and the top end is anchored. With tension in the casing string, wellhead completion steps are carried out and production upwardly the casing string causes the casing string to elongate and thereby reduces the tension in the casing string. An apparatus is disclosed including an external spool having an outer groove which is locked in position with a set of lock pins. The spool has a set of slips of wedge shaped construction on the interior which grip the casing when subjected to hydraulic pressure. This enables the casing string to be held firmly without slipping at the wellhead.

Abstract: A drill stem diverter tool for removing gelled drilling fluid and filter cake from the side of a well bore. The apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be connected into a drill string. The housing includes a plurality of diverter ports which communicate a central opening of the housing with a well annulus. A valve means which can be moved from a first position which blocks the diverter ports to a second position which opens the diverter ports is disposed in the central opening. The diverter ports are angled and offset from the center line of the housing so that the fluid exiting the ports creates a turbulent circular motion. A stop is provided to limit the movement of the valve means. The valve means may also be moved from its second position back to its first position to block communication to the well annulus through the diverter ports.

Abstract: Linear apertures are created in well casing through the use of linear charges lowered into the well casing in place; hydraulic fracturing conducted through the linear apertures achieves larger and less dissipated fractures than conventional small circular perforations which generate near well bore tortuosity. The linear charges can also be used in open bores and in overbalance perforating.

Abstract: A thermal method of in-situ soil treatment using a charge of combustible substrate placed within the area to be treated and combusted with the use of oxidizer resulting in solid products and generating no gases. The substrate can be a metal, such as aluminum or iron, and oxygen can be an oxidizer. Alternatively, thermite mixtures can be used. The treatment of soil constituents and pollutants can be achieved by vaporizing, pyrolyzing, incinerating, oxidizing, reducing, or vitrifying the constituents of pollutants and the soil in the zone of influence of the charge of the combustible substrate.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a lawn mower has a generally planar body (1) rotationally balanced about a vertical central shaft (24), with four projecting blades (6) extending radially from the periphery of the planar body. The planar body (1) is shaped with vanes (3) to form a fan-like impeller. The impeller is arranged to create a strong rotational flow, which carries air and cut material around the blade assembly in use. The projecting blades (6) create an updraft in a peripheral region of the blade assembly, while the vanes (3) of the planar body (1) are shaped to create a regulated, relatively light downdraft towards the central shaft (24). If the mower is provided with an outlet (25) for a catcher, the strong rotational flow overwhelms any influence of the relatively light downdraft, and the air with the clippings is carried centrifugally through the outlet (25).