Abstract: A high pressure seal material, such as for a lateral "T" seal of a shear ram blowout preventer, is disclosed wherein the seal material is preferably nitrile rubber and includes uniformly dispersed synthetic, non-cellulosic fibers in parallel alignment to resist rollover action occurring transverse to the applied compressive force by orienting the aligned fibers parallel to the axis of the applied force. The material is made in a milling process that aligns and maintains the alignment of the fibers. The milled sheet is then cut into appropriately shaped pieces. The pieces are rotated 90.degree., plied and cured to make the final material, which curing can be done in a suitable mold so that the final product is in its desired final shape.

Abstract: A pipe protector has been designed to provide free flow and low energy. The outside surface has a bilateral asymmetrical pattern when comparing the approximate top half of the pipe protector to the bottom half of the pipe protector. The pattern has raised figures surrounded by communicating channels.

Abstract: A pipe protector is disclosed comprising a tubular rubber member with an inner diameter sized to the approximate outer diameter of a pipe. The protector is a variable diameter pipe protector that prevents slipping on undersized pipes, but can also be used on full sized pipes. The pipe protector is capable of surrounding a full size outer diameter pipe and is provided with at least one rubber flap attached to the inside surface to compensate for undersize pipe diameters.

Abstract: A carbon black system for manufacturing rubber comprises a pair of carbon blacks having the same structure, a fumed silica and a silane coupler. One of the pairs of carbon blacks has an Iodine Adsorption No. of less than 115 and the other pair of carbon blacks has an Iodine Adsorption No. of greater than 115. A rubber composition comprises a rubber selected from a group of polar and nonpolar rubbers, a carbon black system comprising a pair of furnace carbon blacks with both of the pairs of carbon blacks having the same structure, a fumed silica and silane coupler. One of the pairs of carbon blacks has an Iodine Adsorption No. of less than 115 and the other pair has an Iodine Adsorption No. of greater than 115. The carbon black system is from about 40 parts per hundred to about 80 parts per hundred of the rubber. The ratio of either pair of carbon blacks to the other in the rubber does not exceed 3:1.

Abstract: A safety sub is disclosed for retaining drilling fluid in the kelly or equivalent and other components of the mud system located above the drill string when pressure drops in the drill string, such as when the circulation pump is turned off in adding a new joint to the drill string. The safety sub includes a pressurized elastomeric cartridge with an elastomeric closure having an asymmetrical wall thickness, preferably achieved by the removal of a chord of material from its external circumference. When internal drilling pressure drops, the external pre-charge pressure closes the elastomeric material by inwardly collapsing the thinner wall portion of the closure. The metallic end pieces of the cartridge are bonded to the elastomeric material during the molding process.

Abstract: A safety sub is disclosed for retaining drilling fluid in the kelly or equivalent and other components of the mud system located above the drill string when pressure drops in the drill string, such as when the circulation pump is turned off in adding a new joint to the drill string. The safety sub includes a pressurized elastomeric cartridge having three or more depressions surrounding a central bore. When internal drilling pressure drops, the external pre-charge pressure closes the elastomeric material by creating a cusp opposite each depression, the cusps closing together. The metallic end pieces of the cartridge and parallel round connecting rods between these inserts are bonded to the elastomeric material during the molding process.

Abstract: An improved rubber stock with a unique carbon black system including mismatched pairs of furnace blacks with fumed silica and a silane coupler has been developed. The carbon black system includes a mixture of large and small particles with high and low structure carbon black pairs. The carbon black system compounded with polar and nonpolar rubber provides products with a range of desirable characteristics using only two carbon blacks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ram type blowout preventer with rams having ram front packings disposed within a recess extending across the front face of each ram body and including a seal strip of elastomeric material, metal plates above and below the strip of elastomeric material, and strips of non-elastomeric, relatively rigid material between the seal strip of elastomeric material and the top and bottom metal plates.

Abstract: A rubber composition with small fluorocarbon micro-powder particles incorporated into the composition which reduces the coefficient of friction. The rubber with a lowered coefficient of friction allows for ease of movement of the rubber part against metal surfaces thereby reducing the wear of the rubber part.

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt is provided which has a twisted helically wound load-carrying cord provided in its load-carrying section with the twisting of such cord being according to an empirical equation and being substantially greater than in previously proposed belts whereby such belt has improved performance characteristics.