Abstract: A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.

Abstract: A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A thermal fluid generator utilizes a plasma energy heat source to generate steam, and combine the steam with nitrogen gas. Combined flow streams of steam and heated nitrogen are injected downhole into subterranean reservoir to thermally stimulate the flow of hydrocarbons (such as, for example, residual oil) from a reservoir, while also increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir. The thermal fluid generator can be located at the earth's surface, or positioned downhole within a wellbore.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A polymer melt candle filter having a support which comprises a hollow cylindrical body defined by a first end, a second end, and a cylinder wall having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a screw thread on its outside surface and optionally a hex fitting on its inside surface for receiving a hex wrench. The second end portion includes a plurality of holes in the cylinder wall. The area of the openings of the holes on the outside surface of the cylinder wall may be larger than the area of the openings of the corresponding holes on the inside surface of the cylinder wall. The shape of the openings of the holes on the outside surface may be non-circular.

Abstract: A granular material shooter is provided. The shooter includes a hopper with a top end and a bottom end. The top end includes a top rim forming an opening leading into the hopper. The bottom end comprises a bottom rim forming an opening. The present invention includes a base that supports the shooter in an upright position when the base is resting on a surface. The present invention includes a rotary housing mounted to the bottom rim so that the hopper leads into the rotary housing. A rotor assembly is suspended within the rotary housing and includes a plurality of blades. A motor assembly rotates the plurality of blades. The present invention further includes a shoot extending from the rotary housing below the hopper. The shoot is directed to propel a granular material away from the hopper and the surface.

Abstract: A pickup truck cab, rear window, and bed protector, referred to herein as a “cab and bed protector,” particularly suitable when transporting four wheelers or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the bed of a pickup truck. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cab and bed protector can be mounted in the bed of a variety of pickup truck models and is easily removable. The present invention serves as a shield to arrest the forward movement of the ATV during sudden stops, to prevent damage to the truck bed, cab, and/or rear window, and protect the passengers from harm. The preferred embodiment incorporates a plate fixed to a frame to transfer forces imposed on the plate by the ATV to the front wall of the truck bed, preventing damage to either the truck or the ATV.

Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.

Abstract: A mechanically releasable shackle pin arrangement that is readily operated by an ROV and is not affected by the hydrostatic pressures encountered at depth. A shackle body having two ends has a shackle pin received through bores at one end of the shackle body. A shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin secures the shackle pin in an installed position through the bores in the shackle body. An anti-rotation link plate is attached to the shackle body. The anti-rotation link plate extends to one end of the side plate. The shackle pin extends through bores at one end of the shackle body and the anti-rotation link plate and is secured in its installed position by a shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin. Means for preventing rotation of the shackle nut and loss of the shackle nut is provided on the anti-rotation link plate such that the shackle pin can be removed by a remotely operated tool on an ROV at depth to release a load without the need for hydraulics on the shackle assembly.

Abstract: A pickup truck cab, rear window, and bed protector, referred to herein as a “cab and bed protector,” particularly suitable when transporting four wheelers or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the bed of a pickup truck. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cab and bed protector can be mounted in the bed of a variety of pickup truck models and is easily removable. The present invention serves as a shield to arrest the forward movement of the ATV during sudden stops, to prevent damage to the truck bed, cab, and/or rear window, and protect the passengers from harm. The preferred embodiment incorporates a plate fixed to a frame to transfer forces imposed on the plate by the ATV to the front wall of the truck bed, preventing damage to either the truck or the ATV.

Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.

Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.

Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a telephone network to create a local area network over telephony (LAN/T) communication system network is disclosed. By coupling a broadband communication gateway and one or more client access devices to a wired telephone network, the telephone network can act as a LAN without interfering with ongoing telephony traffic.