Abstract: Metal V-belt drive having small angle V-pulleys engaged by belt mounted pairs of bridging traction drive toggle elements radially loaded by belt tension to provide locking angle driving contact subject to free radial releasing upon leaving each pulley.

Abstract: A unidirectional sprocket includes a hub and a series of radially arrayed sprocket teeth. Each of the sprocket teeth include a root at the point of connection with the hub, a radially extending split body and twin outwardly projecting points at the distal or outermost end. Forward and rearward flanks extend from the root radially outwardly, while forward and rearward faces extend radially inwardly from the pitch circle. Each of the sprocket teeth is asymmetrical with a forward offset. Thus, the point is shifted in the drive direction toward the forward face and flank, and shifted away from the rearward face and flank. Each of the teeth also includes a forward landing area formed above the forward flank and a rearward landing area formed above the rearward flank. Together, the forward and rearward faces and landing areas of adjacent teeth define a split chain link seat for engaging the chain being driven.

Abstract: In a drilling process speed, bit thrust and penetration are monitored. Data stored in a data base relating rotational speed and thrust as adjustable variables is correlated with data on the penetration rate as controlled parameter to produce a matrix to enable prediction of penetration rate to be expected at known thrust and rotational rates. Likewise a similar matrix may be constructed for relating wear rate to adjustable variables for example speed and thrust. The parameters predicted from these variables at various values for the speed and thrust are used to construct a further matrix relating bit penetration and bit wear rates with cost per unit distance drilled and this third matrix searched for minimum cost. From the first two matrices rotation rate of the drill bit and thrust applied to the drill bit are adjusted to give a predicted penetration rate for minimum cost and the drill bit is operated at these conditions.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated impact-action self-propelled mechanism for driving holes in the earth comprises a cylindrical housing assembly with an anvil at its forward end. An impact piston is provided which is reciprocal in the housing to deliver successive impacts to the anvil. The piston and housing form a forward chamber of variable volume. The mechanism further includes a control assembly comprising a forwardly extending sleeve which slides within a rear space of the impact piston to form a rear chamber of variable volume, and a central passage within the sleeve for continuous supply of compressed air through a forward opening of the sleeve into the rear chamber and therefrom into the forward chamber through a port in a side wall of the rear chamber of the impact piston. The sleeve has an aperture in its side near the forward opening and is provided with a valve operable by twisting of the sleeve. Operation of the valve controls forward and reverse movement of the mechanism.

Abstract: Multiple sintered metal sand screen sections are mechanically coupled to a perforated screen mandrel in an arrangement which is capable of sustaining normal bending loads associated with run-in in highly deviated and horizontal well bores, without breaking the mechanical connections or otherwise damaging or impairing the structural integrity of the sintered metal screen sections. The multiple screen sections are held under compression by end collars. Adjacent screen sections are separated by annular spacing rings and by resilient seal rings which seal the union between adjacent end portions of the sintered metal screen sections. The end collars are welded directly onto the screen mandrel, with the sintered metal screen sections being stabilized about the perforated mandrel by longitudinal compression loading, so that it is not necessary to form a weld joint on the sintered metal material.

Abstract: A packer valve for regulating the fluid flow rate and pressure within a fluid conduit such as a well, includes a housing, and an inflatable packer element mounted on an elongated mandrel. The inside diameter of the housing is formed with an arrangement of annular grooves which circumscribe the inflatable packer element. The inflatable packer element is adapted to adjust an annulus between the housing and the inflatable packer element to provide complete shutoff of fluid flow or to provide a tortuous flow path for fluid flow within the annulus. The tortuous flow path causes a frictional pressure loss. The amount of the pressure loss is controlled by the inflation pressure of the inflatable packer element, by the shape of the annular grooves, and by the length of the inflatable packer element.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the lateral alignment of a belt arranged to move in a predetermined path includes a first roll arranged to support a portion of the belt passing thereover. The first roll has first and second ends. A first centering assembly for the belt is located adjacent the first roll. The first centering assembly includes a first rotating member located adjacent a first end of the first roll and a second rotating member located adjacent a second end of the first roll. The first and second rotating members urge the belt to an equilibrium position on the first roll. In one embodiment, the first and second rotating members are rollers which may either be tapered or crowned. In a second embodiment, the rotating members are driven rollers which rotate towards each other. In a third embodiment, the two rotating members are endless tracking belts which rotate towards each other.

Abstract: A clutch cooling system for cooling a clutch used in combination with a continuously variable transmission including a pressure controlled spool valve having a housing defining a chamber, a spool movably mounted by a spring within the chamber, and a notch defined by the housing such that as the leading edge of the spool aligns with the notch a variable orifice is formed; a pressure controller means for adjusting the pressure applied to the remote end of the spool such that as the pressure applied to the remote end is reduced the spring decompresses causing the spool to traverse the housing and further causing the leading edge of the spool to pass along the notch thereby increasing the size of the variable orifice; a slot located within the spool that allows for minimum cooling flow when the spool valve variable orifice is closed; a cooling fluid feed line and a clutch cooling line extending from the chamber such that cooling fluid can flow from the cooling fluid feed line, into the chamber, through the orific

Abstract: In an oil-operated tensioner for applying tension to a power-transmitting chain, a ball check valve is positioned above the oil chamber, either in the tensioner housing, or in the plunger. The ball of the check valve can oscillate when air is present in the oil chamber, since air is compressible. Oscillation of the ball, which occurs when the plunger oscillates during operation of the tensioner, allows the residual air to be discharged from the oil chamber. However, after the air is discharged, oscillation of the plunger is restrained by the incompressibility of the oil, and oscillation of the ball is restrained by the viscosity of the oil which then surrounds the ball. The valve seat of the check valve preferably opens upwardly so that oil splash is accumulated in the valve seat to prevent entry of air through the check valve upon sudden projecting movement of the plunger.

Abstract: The invention is an adapter chainring for a multiple speed bicycle comprising a derailleur and a crankset having outer and inner chainrings. The adapter chainring has teeth disposed on its outer periphery for engaging the bicycle chain. The adapter chainring defines a plurality of holes which receive bolts to attach the adapter chainring to the crankset in place of the conventional inner chainring of a two chainring crankset, and to a third, smaller inner chainring which is added to the crankset to convert it to a three chainring crankset having additional, lower gears.

Abstract: A chainguard is disclosed for fully enclosing a bicycle chain on a bicycle having a front sprocket and a rear sprocket. The chainguard includes inside and outside covers extending from the front sprocket to the rear sprocket. The inside cover is formed as a hinged structure having top and bottom halves which may be pivoted together once the inside cover is in position extending around the bicycle crank and the rear axle. After the inside cover is in position, the outside cover may be moved into engagement with the inside cover whereby the top and bottom halves of the inside cover are secured together and the bicycle chain is fully enclosed.

Abstract: An auto-tensioner comprising a fixed shaft having a cylindrical surface section formed on the tip of the fixed shaft, eccentric to the centeraxis of the fixed shaft, a rocker member coaxial with the fixed shaft and a damper plate such that the outer peripheral edge of the damper plate is slidally engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the rocker member, and that the cylindrical surface section is fitted into a circular hole provided eccentrically in the center section of the damper plate so that the damper plate is secured to the tip of the fixed shaft so as not to rotate.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cutoff member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. Upright forward slots and rear fore-and-aft extending slots in flat auger walls provide increased dirt and trash elimination. The top of the row unit housing is formed with a low friction material that is angled downwardly toward the row receiving area to reduce cotton loss.

Abstract: The invention represents a differential pneumopercussive self-propelled reversible soil penetrating machine (100) having essentially higher efficiency, reliability, durability, and controllability compared to conventional machines. All of these achievements are associated in part with the development of an innovative differential air-distributing mechanism (106) which inherently allows for relatively long strokes of the striker (104) resulting in relatively high impact energy of the striker. The operation of this mechanism is based on the difference between the pressures in the two separate nominal (high) and reduced (low) pressure air lines which deliver compressed air to the machine. In order to switch over the machine (100) from the forward to the reverse mode operation or vice versa it is just necessary to adjust properly the pressure in the reduced (low) pressure air line by a conventional air pressure regulator associated with the source of compressed air.

Abstract: Cementing plugs for use in the cementing of casing in oil and gas wells. The cementing plugs are well-suited for use with a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit.

Abstract: Directional drilling techniques allow a borehole to be drilled downwardly, horizontally and even upwardly. The present invention provides a method of navigating a borehole that can be drilled with directional drilling techniques. The direction in which the borehole is drilled is determined relative to a stratigraphic target zone. By so navigating, the borehole can enter the target zone and be extended inside of the target zone. First, an offset log is obtained. Then a log of the borehole is obtained. Correlation points along the lengths of the borehole are selected. At each correlation point, the true stratigraphic depth of the borehole is determined, using the offset log. Knowing the true stratigraphic depth of the borehole allows the location of the target zone relative to the borehole to be determined, wherein the direction that the next segment of the borehole should be drilled is determined.

Abstract: A conventional four wheeled lawn motor carriage having a vertically mounted electric motor with flexible cutting, lines attached to the bottom end of the motor axial drive shaft. A Hand lever is attached to the electric motor enabling the electric motor to rotate from a vertical position to a transverse horizontal position wherein the flexible cutting lines rotate in a vertical plane parallel to and outside of the carriage.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a belt ratio measurement system. The continuously variable transmission contains a moveable sheave and a fixed sheave. The measurement system includes two tone wheels and pickups. The first tone wheel is mounted to the fixed sheave with a corresponding first pickup mounted proximate thereto. The second tone wheel is mounted to the moveable sheave with a corresponding second pickup mounted proximate thereto. The second tone wheel has angled teeth so that the signal sensed in the second pickup varies in relation to the axial position of the moveable sheave. By comparing the signal sensed by the first pickup with the signal sensed by the second pickup, the axial position of the moveable sheave, and thus the belt ratio of the transmission, may be determined.

Abstract: A tensioning ring and riser assembly for use in oil well platform riser tensioning apparatus. The cylindrical riser has male threads formed on the exterior surface. The annular tensioning ring has female threads formed on the interior adapted to loosely thread onto the male threads. The tensioning ring is adapted to be tensioned in a first direction relative to the riser. The female threads have a leading face lying at a shallow angle to the assembly centerline in the first direction and a trailing face lying approximately perpendicular to the assembly centerline. The male threads have a complementary configuration. When the tensioning ring is tensioned in the first direction, the shallow angled faces are brought into tangential pressure contact so that hoop stress is uniformly distributed and minimized in both riser and tensioning ring with the shear load between them distributed over the wall thickness of both parts.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device having an improved damping mechanism for damping movements of the pivoted structure rotatably carrying the pulley with respect to the fixed structure. The damping mechanism includes a strap and a ring mounted on their respective fixed and pivoted structures and with respect to one another such that the strap engages the ring with a gripping action sufficient to provide (1) a relatively high resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in one direction correspond to the direction of untensioning of the belt with the pulley and (2) a relatively low resistance to frictional sliding movement between the strap and ring in an opposite direction corresponding to the direction of belt tensioning.