Abstract: The instant invention relates to an apparatus and method for enhancing the fire extinguishing properties of water for use with fire fighting aircraft. The apparatus and method includes the steps of, and equipment for, transferring media into a holding tank in aircraft; filling a reservoir hopper with water in the aircraft; calculating the amount of media to be added to the reservoir; drawing the calculated amount of media into the reservoir to form an enhanced fire fighting admixture while the aircraft is in flight, wherein the admixture is offloaded by a controlled discharge for use in fighting forest fires.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an apparatus and method for enhancing the fire extinguishing properties of water for use with fire fighting aircraft. The apparatus and method includes the steps of, and equipment for, transferring media into a holding tank in aircraft; filling a reservoir hopper with water in the aircraft; calculating the amount of media to be added to the reservoir; drawing the calculated amount of media into the reservoir to form an enhanced fire fighting admixture while the aircraft is in flight, wherein the admixture is offloaded by a controlled discharge for use in fighting forest fires.

Abstract: Example workover vehicles for removing and installing sucker rods and tubing of completed wells include a mast having a distinctive spatial relationship with various equipment of the vehicle. The mast has a series of vertical corner posts or weight bearing derrick legs that define the mast's horizontal footprint. In some examples, a tubing storage rack is situated mostly within the footprint while a rod storage rack is mostly beyond the footprint. A robot traveling vertically along the mast transfers rods and tubing between the well and the appropriate storage rack. In some examples, the rod storage rack pivots between an extended operative position and a retracted transport position. In some examples, a robotic jib transfers rods or tubing to and from a lay-down storage area. Some example robot jibs are movable to a fully deployed position for normal operation and a stored position within the mast's footprint for vehicle transport.

Abstract: A method for handling water and oil automatically monitors and schedules the trucking of waste water between a disposal site and multiple well sites. In some examples, the method automatically detects the presence of a tanker truck at a well site and/or at the disposal site and records the truck's arrival and departure times. In some examples, the method monitors the changing level of waste fluid collected in a waste fluid storage tank at the well site and thereby determines the volume of waste fluid transferred from the tank to the truck. In some examples, the method also estimates the volume of waste fluid transferred from the well bore into the tank while the truck is withdrawing fluid from the tank. In some examples, the method automatically generates and posts online billing information and regulatory reports associated with waste water trucking, waste water disposal and oil reclaiming.

Abstract: Example well servicing vehicles for removing and installing well strings (e.g., sucker rods and tubing) within wellbores provides a method for determining and logging snag points within the wellbore. In some examples, snag points are determined based on a predetermined change in cable tension, crown load strain and/or hydraulic pressure. The predetermined change is adjusted based on the current length of the well string at the time the snag occurs.

Abstract: An example robotic method for disassembling and removing a well string (e.g., a string of sucker rods or tubing within a wellbore) involves a computer controlled track and trolley system. Movement of multiple trolleys, carriages, shuttles, articulated arms and other hardware is orchestrated in a manner that minimizes cycle time and thus reduces the overall time for removing the entire well string. In some examples, upper and lower robots travel along and share a first set of tracks while an upper trolley mechanism and a main trolley travel along and share a second set of tracks. In some examples, the two sets of tracks are mounted vertically to a mast, wherein the mast is part of a workover vehicle.

Abstract: Just above an oil wellbore, an example circumferential displacement tool grips a threaded coupling in performing a circumferential displacement method of properly tightening the coupling to an upper sucker rod and/or to a lower one. In some examples, upper and lower joints of the coupling are tightened sequentially and independently to ensure proper circumferential displacement at each joint. In some examples, during disassembly of a string of rods being withdrawn from the wellbore, the tool can unscrew the coupling selectively from either the upper rod or the lower one. In some examples, a controller monitors the tightening or unscrewing of a joint and derives a joint signature based on a series of torque and rotation readings sampled during the make or break operations. The controller, in some examples, identifies a defective joint by comparing the joint signature to a predetermined reference.

Abstract: Example workover vehicles for removing and installing sucker rods and tubing of completed wells include a mast having a distinctive spatial relationship with various equipment of the vehicle. The mast has a series of vertical corner posts or weight bearing derrick legs that define the mast's horizontal footprint. In some examples, a tubing storage rack is situated mostly within the footprint while a rod storage rack is mostly beyond the footprint. A robot traveling vertically along the mast transfers rods and tubing between the well and the appropriate storage rack. In some examples, the rod storage rack pivots between an extended operative position and a retracted transport position. In some examples, a robotic jib transfers rods or tubing to and from a lay-down storage area. Some example robot jibs are movable to a fully deployed position for normal operation and a stored position within the mast's footprint for vehicle transport.

Abstract: An example robotic method for disassembling and removing a well string (e.g., a string of sucker rods or tubing within a wellbore) involves a computer controlled track and trolley system. Movement of multiple trolleys, carriages, shuttles, articulated arms and other hardware is orchestrated in a manner that minimizes cycle time and thus reduces the overall time for removing the entire well string. In some examples, upper and lower robots travel along and share a first set of tracks while an upper trolley mechanism and a main trolley travel along and share a second set of tracks. In some examples, the two sets of tracks are mounted vertically to a mast, wherein the mast is part of a workover vehicle.

Abstract: A washing soap dispensing system and method of manufacture comprising a wand adapted for the discharge of water therefrom in a second mode of operation and for the discharge of water and soap in a first mode of operation. The washing wand is constructed with a chamber adapted for containing concentrated liquid soap. The system includes an adjustable metering device for accurately dispensing concentrated liquid soap from the wand and a fluid assist water valve to control the flow of water through the wand.

Abstract: A protective trim system is provided which protects the surface of an underlying solid body. The system includes an elongated trim member which is attached to a surface and is movable away from the surface to protect the underlying body.