Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring the vibrational condition of a drill string fitted with detectors comprises the following steps: obtaining a reference spectrum for each detector; obtaining a spectrum for each detector representing the actual situation; comparing the two spectra to detect possible instabilities in the values measured by the detectors; indication of said instabilities by means of audio and/or visual devices.

Abstract: An annulus pressure control system is provided for controlling annulus pressure in a well to send remote command signals to a downhole tool in the well. The well has associated therewith a high pressure source and a low pressure dump zone. The system includes at least one control valve having an inlet and an outlet with a variable flow restriction located between the inlet and the outlet. One of the inlet and outlet is connected to the well annulus and the other of the inlet and the outlet is connected to one of the high pressure source and the low pressure dump zone. A pressure sensor is provided for generating a pressure signal representative of annulus pressure. A controller has information stored therein describing the command signal which is to be applied to the well and which includes at least one annulus pressure change.

Abstract: A zone isolation apparatus is provided which allows for selective communication of fluid between a workstring and one or more subterranean zones. Fluid-pressure actuated packers may be placed in any desired location within a workstring without regard to the placement of the other packers, allowing maximum user flexibility and on-site configuration of the zone isolation apparatus. Each packer includes a rotary coupling to allow rotation of the workstring during running and sealing modes of operation. A latch mechanism is provided to prevent premature or accidental inflation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a a combination lock ring and chain guard for the outer most gear cog of a multi gear gear hub of the type retained on the drivewheel of a bicycle by a lock ring;said combination lock ring and chain guard comprised of an annular member 2 having an internally threaded central opening 1 for mounting the guard on the drive side of a bicycle drivewheel hub to the outside of a multi gear freewheel mounted on the drivewheel hub, the perimeteral edge of the annular member provides a high gear overshift chain guard supported to the outside, parallel to, and above and adjacent the path of the teeth of the outer most gear cog of the multi gear bicycle gear hub.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method and apparatus for locating and indicating collars and tubing ends through the use of a locator capable of repetitive use in a number of runs downhole in any given tubing situation. Specifically, this invention relates to a series of compressive springs and bows protruding radially outward from the locator and coming into contact with the inner bore of the tubing, thereby indicating upon contact with the collar or tubing end when run downhole. Therefore, this invention relates to a new and improved tubing end locator capable of running a number of times downhole to locate collars and tubing ends without the necessity of removal of the tubing end locator uphole and re-working or re-tooling. Alternatively, this locator may be used as a centralizer to center any object within the tubing that is connected to the locator.

Abstract: There is described an adjustable bent housing comprising a cylindrical housing having an uphole and a downhole end and a bore formed therethrough, the bore being divided into uphole and downhole portions axially offset to one another, and a tubular mandrel having an uphole and a downhole end, the ends being axially offset to one another. The downhole end of the mandrel is receivable along a portion of its length into the uphole portion of the bore in the housing for rotational movement relative to the cylindrical housing for varying the angle of bend between the mandrel and the cylindrical housing. Also provided is a locking mechanism comprising outer and inner concentric sleeves disposed annularly about the mandrel.

Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump assembly supported on a continuous length of coil tubing. An electrical cable extends through the coil tubing from the pump assembly to the surface for supplying electrical power to the pump assembly. The cable is of lesser diameter than the inner diameter of the tubing, resulting in an annulus. Standoff members locate in the annulus to centralize the cable. Standoff members frictionally engage the inner diameter of the tubing and the outer diameter of the cable to transfer weight of the cable to the coil tubing. Flow passages extend through the annulus surrounding the cable to enable lubricant and coolant fluid to be pumped from the surface to the pump assembly.

Abstract: A drill unit (12) is disclosed which uses slides (18, 20) mounted on the saver-sub (16) of the drill unit to lock the drill pipe (14) to the saver-sub (16) for joint rotation. Dogs (32) are engaged with flats (50) on the drill pipe by moving an outer collar (42) over the end of the drill pipe. The outer collar holds the dogs within the flats to ensure joint rotation between the saver-sub and the drill pipe. The outer collar (42) can be retracted away from the drill pipe to move the dogs out of engagement with the flats and move the slides (18, 20) to the retracted position.

Abstract: Noise reduction in a silent chain is achieved by forming the majority of the toothed link plates with modified tooth profiles having a circular concave portion conforming t the shape of the teeth of the sprocket engaged by the chain, and a circular convex portion near the tip, the center of curvature of the convex portion being on the dedendum side of the pitch line. Additional link plates having a different meshing pitch are disposed at irregular intervals along the length of the chain. These additional link plates can have linear of modified tooth profiles.

Abstract: A control system for a continuously variable transmission reduces the noise generated as a result of the use of an articulated belt for connecting the first and second variable pulleys. The control system dithers the ratio set point in order to prevent a cyclic repetition of the forces between the belt and the pulleys. This reduces the amplitude of noise peaks generated at discrete frequencies by operation of the transmission resulting in a decrease in the level of perceived noise.

Abstract: A straddle packer is disclosed using two inflatable packing elements mounted on a mandrel. After the packing elements are inflated, the mandrel can be moved relative to the packing elements to various positions to sample, test, treat, etc. the formation. Resilient connecting means between the mandrel and the packer require a substantial force that is detectable at the surface to move the mandrel to another position. A pin and J-slot control the movement of the mandrel relative to the packer and limit the movement so that a substantial increase in force at the surface indicates that the mandrel is properly positioned.

Abstract: A roller chain is provided with the links having extending butt portions to prevent excess inward movement of the chain. The butts may be located on the inner links or outer links. A silent chain with block lacing is also provided with the butt portions on the guide links.

Abstract: An automated bicycle transmission (10) comprises an actuator (17) for movement into predetermined positions of a sprocket change mechanism member (18) moving to engage a chain (19) for transmission of motion opposite a predetermined sprocket among a plurality of coaxial sprockets of different diameter (20). The actuator is controlled by an electronic control device (11) to which is connected a plurality of sensors including a sensor (1) for detection of bicycle speed, a sensor (13) for longitudinal slope or inclination of the bicycle and optionally a sensor (15) of stress transmitted by the cyclist to the pedals. The electronic device (11) compares values detected by the sensors with ranges of preset values corresponding to the various sprockets and controls engagement of the chain with the sprocket having a range of values including said detected values. There can also be provided a sensor (14) of movement of the pedals enabling operation of the actuator (17) only if the cyclist is pedalling.

Abstract: A scarifier comprises a plurality of supported, downwardly depending, axially secured scarifying teeth supported on a scarifying-tooth supporting frame connected in loose fitting relation to a tractor to thereby operatively impart a first component of lateral play at respective scarifying tip ends. The frame also includes a bracket engaging respective shank portions of the scarifying teeth en axially secured relation with sufficient degrees of lateral freedom to provide a second component of lateral play to spaced apart scarifying points of respective ones of those teeth.

Abstract: A blade-type chain tensioner constructed from a plastic shoe and a blade spring. The shoe is slightly arcuate and has a pocket along its concave side. At each end of the pocket is a cavity. The blade spring is substantially more arcuate than the shoe and is rectangular. The blade spring is further dimensioned to allow each end of the blade spring to be mounted in the pocket having an end in each cavity at the end of a shoe. Through this configuration the blade spring is mechanically interlocked with the shoe without the use of fasteners or cutouts. The blade spring places a load on the shoe and causing the shoe to creep at an elevated temperature and thereby provide tension to a chain.

Abstract: An equalizing apparatus is provided for use in a wellbore tool string which includes a wireline-conveyable source of pressurized fluid which selectively discharges fluid, a wireline-conveyable fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool which is operable in a plurality of modes of operation including at least a running mode of operation with the wireline-conveyable fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool in a running condition and a actuated mode of operation with the wireline-conveyable fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool in an actuated condition, a flow path for communicating fluid from the wireline-conveyable source of pressurized fluid and the wireline-conveyable fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool, and a wireline assembly which is coupled thereto for delivery of the wireline-conveyable source of pressurized fluid and the wireline-conveyable fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool to a selected location within a wellbore.

Abstract: If, in the case of a transverse element for application in a driving belt for use in a continuously variable transmission, the thickness of the transverse element is indicated by d, and the area of a principal face of the transverse element is indicated by A, and the circumference of the principal face is indicated by O, then the parallelism of the transverse element remains optimally conserved if the formulated condition hereunder is satisfied. As a result of this measure, noise and vibration during operation are decreased and the efficiency is improved.Od/A<2.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated apparatus for use as a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having an outer shroud and an inner shroud, the outer shroud surrounding a predetermined portion of the inner shroud to define a pressure chamber between the inner and outer shrouds and a vacuum chamber within the inner shroud. A drive mechanism includes a motor having a rotatable shaft. A single impeller is supported in the pressure chamber and rotates on the shaft for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber to erect grass underlying the opening while simultaneously pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the apparatus above the grass. Airborne cut grass clippings are vacuumed into and through the impeller for distribution into the soil for recycle and recut. According to the invention, an adjustment assembly is provided for adjusting a position of the housing relative to a center-line auxiliary wheel assembly.

Abstract: A chain-belt that extends between driving and driven members such as the pulleys of a continuous variable transmission wherein the chain-belt is formed of a plurality of interleaved sets of links. The links define a passageway and a plurality of load blocks are positioned in the passageway. Several members for reducing the noise produced by such a chain-belt are disclosed whereby certain of the load blocks in the chain-belt engage the pulleys at a different location to alter and reduce the pattern of noise produced by the chain-belt. The chain-belt also has links with a particular configuration that allows the links to have a short pitch length while still maintaining strength in the links.

Abstract: A power transmission toothed belt drive having a belt tooth power transmission surface defined by an arc having a radius centered on a point approximately one-half the belt tooth pitch from the centerline of the tooth. The pulley groove has a sidewall surface which confronts the power transmission surface of the belt tooth centered on the same point when the belt tooth is fully meshed with the pulley groove in the operation of the drive. A relatively small clearance with the pulley is provided adjacent the belt tooth root and a relatively large clearance is provided between the pulley groove inner surface and the tip surface of the belt tooth. In one form of the invention, both the power transmission surface and tip surface of the belt tooth are defined by a single radius and the confronting pulley groove sidewall surface and inner surface confronting the belt tooth power transmission surface and tip surface have a constant clearance therewith and are defined by continuous circular arcs.