Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for drilling a bore hole using a dual concentric drill pipe. Air is supplied through the outer pipe to the bit to cool the bit and jet cuttings upwardly in the bore hole to a suction inlet leading from the bore hole to the inner pipe. A negative pressure is applied to the inner pipe to bail the cuttings up the inner pipe. Makeup air flows down the annulus in the bore hole to the suction inlet and prevents upward movement of dust in the bore hole. A bore hole enlarging bit is disclosed and has expansible cutters which are expanded by hydraulic fluid pressure. In one form, the expansible cutters can also be retracted by hydraulic fluid pressure. The enlarging bit is employed to enlarge a pilot bore hole from a selected beginning location to the bottom of the pilot bore hole to form a blast chamber.

Abstract: A rotary bore hole enlarging bit is connected to a rotary pipe string having a drilling fluid flow path and an actuator flow path. The bit comprises a body structure including inner and outer telescopic body sections, expansible and retractible arms carrying cutters on the outer body section and an expander on the inner body section engageable with the arms to expand the arms and cutters upon telescopic movement of body sections in one relative direction. A piston and cylinder is provided between the inner and outer body sections to secure relative telescopic movement between the body sections. A first passage is disposed in the body structure and expansible arms and cutters for conducting drilling fluid to the cutters from the drilling fluid flow path, there being a second passage in the body structure for conducting actuator fluid to the piston and cylinder from the actuator fluid flow path.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe via a cross-over sub, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a limited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joint.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth dormation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, a cross-over sub and through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expandible bit while a limited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. The dual concentric pipe is made up by joints having pin and box structures which provide inner and outer flow passages and shoulders which abut between the outer members and which are resiliently sealed between the inner members.

Abstract: The method is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a milited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Abstract: A printed circuit board guide spring having spring members for securing the printed circuit board and the guide spring within guide slots in a heat sink.

Abstract: A pilot hole of a preselected diameter is drilled with a suitable bit in an earth formation to a desired depth. The bit is withdrawn from the hole, and an expandable hole opener or underreamer run in the pilot hole with its cutters fully retracted and closely adjacent to each other. When the depth is reached at which enlargement of the pilot hole is to commence to produce a blast chamber, the cutters are forced laterally outwardly by fluid pressure while the hole opener is rotated, without moving the hole opener axially of the pilot hole, to cut the wall of the pilot hole and increase its diameter to the extent determined by maximum expansion of the cutters, thereby forming the upper end of the enlarged blast chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a limited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Abstract: A method for removing a vinyl halide, e.g. vinyl chloride, from a polyvinyl halide-containing slurry is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises counter-currently contacting the slurry with hot water.

Abstract: The upper end of a rotary drill bit having initially retracted expansible cutters is connected to a stabilizer having initially retracted expansible stabilizer members, the upper end of the stabilizer being connectable to a rotary drill pipe string. The apparatus is lowered in a bore hole on the drilling string and rotated, the cutters being expanded to cut into the bore hole and enlarge it to a desired diameter, the apparatus being lowered to progressively continue enlarging the hole in a downward direction. Upon the stabilizer moving into the enlarged hole, its stabilizer members are expanded laterally to an extent conforming to the enlarged hole diameter, being engageable with the wall of the bore hole to stabilize the bit therebelow.