Abstract: A pneumatic device for firing projectiles with a charge of compressed air that accelerates a projectile carrier and the projectile through a barrel. The charge of compressed air is released into the barrel behind the projectile carrier and acts on the projectile carrier to initially accelerate it and a ball or other projectile down the barrel. The diameter of the projectile carrier is slightly less than that of the barrel and it includes a concave recess that receives balls of differing diameters, centering as they are accelerated through the barrel. The barrel is sufficiently long so that the projectile carrier comes to a halt before being ejected from the barrel. An intake for a compressor that develops the charge of compressed air is coupled in fluid communication with the barrel, behind the projectile carrier. Operation of the compressor produces a partial vacuum so that ambient air pressure forces the projectile carrier back to its firing position.

Abstract: An oil well instrumentation system for measuring the pressure and temperature at various depths during drill stem tests. The measurements may be hydrodynamically analyzed to map the geological structure of an oil field in order to select drilling locations. The measurements may also be utilized to calculate properties of an existing oil well such as total production and optimum production rate and to determine the geologic properties of the structure in which the well is drilled such as porosity. The system includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a microprocessor based device receiving the outputs of the pressure and temperature sensors for displaying and recording periodic measurements. The display and recording device is powered by a rechargeable battery, and the condition of the battery is internally monitored and an indication of its condition is displayed.

Abstract: A system for linearizing, processing and displaying data received from a non-linear transducer. The system includes a keyboard for entering coefficients which characterize the transducer to adjust the system so that it matches the physical parameters of the transducer. The linearized data may then be processed to generate selected functions of one or more transducers before being displayed on a digital display. The system processes data in real time so that the displayed data is frequently updated. Self-monitoring circuits detect processing or operating errors in the system and generate an appropriate error indication. The system further includes means for preventing the loss of data from volatile memories in the system, as well as means for initializing the central processing unit to the first program instruction when power is removed from the system.