Abstract: A hydraulic release mechanism for retrieving a stock downhole tool from a well casing having an elongated, cylindrical jack body, a piston carried in a bore in the jack body and a latching portion carried co-axially by the jack body for connecting with the stock tool. The piston is movable within the jack body under the influence of fluid pressure from a first position to a second position. The movement of the piston to a position intermediate its first and second positions causes an anchor slip member to ramp over a wedge member and expand radially outward against the well casing to restrain further longitudinal movement of the piston in the casing. A shearable element prevents relative motion between the anchor slip member and the jack body until the anchor slip member is moved radially outward against the well casing.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of partial hydrolysates of algae, optionally labelled with stable isotopes, are used as growth media for cells.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a metal valve, each having a body with flow passages and curved internal sealing surfaces and a valve member with a flow passage and external curved sealing surfaces. Both the body and valve member sealing surfaces are curved as a portion of the involute of a circle and are sealingly engageable. The valve member is mounted in the body for rotation between open and closed positions, permitting and preventing flow through valve.

Abstract: A computer system, including at least one host (processor and operating system), a channel subsystem and at least one switch (together with an associated switch controller) for switchably connecting an I/O device (together with an associated I/O device control unit) to a host via said channel subsystem, in combination with means for dynamically managing I/O connectivity in said computer from each host. The I/O manager's functions are centralized at the host level across the computer system. Each host is responsible for an instance of the manager.

Abstract: Match head formulations suitable for the production of safety matches and matches that may be struck anywhere are described in which chromium compounds, sesqui-based phosphorus compounds, sulphur compounds and oxides of zinc are absent. In their place is described the use of either amorphous phosphorus or, in the case of match head formulations suitable for the production of safety matches, an iron phosphide known as ferrophosphorus. These formulations are environmentally friendly both in manufacture and use. Environmentally friendly match head formulations which may be brightly colored are also described.

Abstract: Non-dyed and non-finished cotton woven fabric is contacted with a cellulase solution with agitation under conditions so as to produce a cascading effect of the solution over the cotton woven fabric. When so conducted, the treated cotton woven fabric has improved feel and appearance characteristics as compared to the fabric prior to treatment. Additionally, such methods result in the removal of dead and immature cotton from the fabric.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the temperature of a heat detector disposed on a heat exchanger. The control system includes a temperature detector (42) for determining the temperature of the hot spot sensor (32), non-liquid cooling means (50,52) for cooling the detector when its temperature is above the desired temperature range, and non-liquid heating means (48,53) for heating the detector when its temperature is below the temperatures range. The control system includes control means (82) coupling the temperature sensing means to the non-liquid heating and cooling means. By keeping the heat detector at a generally constant temperature, the accuracy of the hot spot sensor on the heat exchanger is improved.

Abstract: A cable anchor assembly (16) for an inverted, cable deployed submersible pump (28) that comprises a cable tensioning device (18) adapted to preload the multwire rope members (38) of the power cable (30). The cable tensioning device (18) comprises threaded upper (32), middle (34) and lower (36) sleeves, and the length of the device is manually adjustable by rotating the middle sleeve (34) relative to the upper (32) and lower (36) sleeves to increase or decrease tension on the multiwire rope members (38) of the power cable (30) as desired. The longitudinal bore (42) of the cable tensioning device (18) is adapted to accommodate and protect power delivery members (40) that extend through the bore for connection to the prime mover of the submersible pump.

Abstract: A method and system for deploying electric submersible pumps in oil wells using reeled tubing, comprising providing reeled tubing (10), providing an electric submersible pump (20) and connecting it to one end of the reeled tubing (10), providing electric cable (22) and connecting one end of it to the electric submersible pump (20), aligning the electric cable (22) with the reeled tubing (10), using clamps (28) to attach the electrical cable (22) to the reeled tubing (10), inserting the electric submersible pump (20) into a wellbore (18), and injecting sufficient reeled tubing (10) and electrical cable (22) into the wellbore (18) to lower the electric submersible pump (20) to a desired level.

Abstract: A connector for connecting tubing to a component in a downhole well completion system in which a sub is provided for connection to the component and a sleeve extends over a portion of the sub to define a mandrel for receiving the tubing. A plurality of locking slips extend in windows provided through the sub and are forced into locking engagement with the reeled tubing as the sleeve is advanced over the sub to transfer axial and torsional loads from the component to the tubing.

Abstract: The track assembly of a seat adjuster is formed by upper and lower tracks of inverted U-shaped cross-section with the lower track being nested in the upper track and with the rear end portion of the upper track serving as an anchor for a seat belt. A tubular sheath of anti-friction material is located between the tracks to promote gliding of the upper track on the lower track. Crash bars with longitudinally spaced teeth on their lower edges are housed within and anchored to the lower track. If the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash, load exerted by the seat belt on the upper track causes the rear end portion of the upper track to buckle upwardly and bring a latch on the lower side of the upper track into latching relation with the teeth of the crash bars for purposes of locking the upper track against upward and forward movement relative to the lower track.

Abstract: The vanes of a radial turbine have pressure surfaces which are convex when viewed in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the radial flow rotor and suction surfaces which are concave when viewed in the same plane. The curvature acts to promote favorable radial surface pressure gradients to assist the control of boundary layer migration in the intervane passages and also increase the structural integrity of the vane members. The otherwise flexible extremities of the vane members are stiffened by introducing the curvature, as the natural resonant vibration frequencies of the vanes are changed. The invention is also applicable to the vane members of a radial or mixed flow impeller in gas or other fluid applications.

Abstract: A continuous hot air intake for carburetor and fuel injection supplied engines that regulates the temperature of air mixing with fuel that is mixed in the carburetor or fuel injector prior to introduction to the cylinders of the engine. The invention includes preferably a heater and associated filter located at the air intake side of the carburetor that is activated by circulating heated fluid contained within the engine cooling system. The heater, in preferred form, is conveniently sized and circular in configuration so as to encircle the filter positioned at the air intake side of the carburetor, however, a circular filter can be used to encircle the heater. The heater and filter are encompassed by a releasably securable cover to hold these components together and in place and to block the entry of dust, dirt or other invading elements.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated slip assembly useful to grip pipe being run into or pulled from a well. This assembly has upper and lower plates, each having a passage for pipe. Wedges, carrying unique slip systems are positioned around the passages between the plates and are slidably mounted for guided radial movement inwardly to initially grip pipe in neutral position and outwardly to ungrip pipe as moved by an hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted aside on the lower plate. The unique slip systems automatically increase gripping force on initially gripped pipe on more than about 0.7 inches up or down movement from neutral position caused by loads on the pipe. Forces resulting from increased pipe gripping force on pipe develop frictional forces within the slip assembly, which effectively prevent outward movement of the wedges after inadvertent or on purpose operation of the cylinder to ungrip the pipe.

Abstract: An edge trimmer for trimming the side edges of a running length of metal strip having upper and lower rotary shearing cutter discs engaging the top and bottom respectively, of the strip being trimmer includes top and bottom cylindrical strip stabilizers mounted coaxially with the cutter discs engaging the top and bottom surface of the strip adjacent the trim line, and a movable holddown roll disposed inboard of the top strip stabilizer and cooperating with the lower strip stabilizer to stabilize the strip at a location spaced inward from the trim line. The holddown roll is movable between an operable position engaging the strip and an inoperable position permitting access to the cutter disc for servicing.

Abstract: A trapeze mount for mounting an airborne tree trimming apparatus on a helicopter or the like and operating the airborne tree trimming apparatus independently of the helicopter. The trapeze mount is designed to suspend a boom from the helicopter by means of a boom mount bar, which boom supports a plurality of circular saw blades arranged in tandem, coplanar relationship. The trapeze mount includes a pair of downwardly-extending pivot bars, the upper ends of which are pivotally attached to the helicopter fuselage and the opposite, lower ends connected by a cross-bar. A sliding collar is pivotally mounted on the cross-bar by means of a trapeze pivot joint and the sliding collar slidably engages the boom mount bar, which is pivotally attached at one end to a conventional quick-release hook mounted on the fuselage of the helicopter between the pivot bars.

Abstract: A photon signal received on a CCD is digitized and coupled to a 3.times.3 pixels data analysis array (DAA). The digital signals read out from the penultimate three pixels of the DAA are used to address a first look up table held in a memory, the digital signals read out from the last three pixels of the DAA are used to address a second look up table held in a memory. The data stored at the two addressed locations are then read out and logically ANDed to produce an output signal only when both ANDed data correspond to a valid photon event. The output signal thus defines the position of the center of the photon signal at a high level of precision.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated slip assembly useful to grip pipe being run into or pulled from a well. This assembly has upper and lower plates, each having a passage for pipe. Wedges, carrying unique slip systems are positioned around the passages between the plates and are slidably mounted for guided radial movement inwardly to grip pipe and outwardly to ungrip pipe as moved by an hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted aside on the lower plate. The unique slip systems automatically increase grip on pipe on up or down movement of gripped pipe caused by up or down loads on the pipe. Forces resulting from increased pipe grip develop frictional forces within the slip assembly, which effectively prevent outward movement of the wedges after inadvertent or on purpose operation of the cylinder to ungrip the pipe. The pipe must be returned to near the neutral position where the slip systems are not automatically gripping pipe tighter before the cylinder can move the slip systems outwardly to ungrip pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for making candles which includes one or more receptacles. Support means are provided to support a length of wick material strung across each receptacle. The apparatus also has posts where a continuous length of wick material is secured across each receptacle and around the posts.