Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalks of sugarcane having a plurality of harvest chambers. Each harvest chamber has a pair of opposing side walls that forming a V-shaped forward opening for receiving sugarcane stalks to be cut for harvest and a plurality of revolving, opposing, resilient conveyor belts for grabbing, holding and feeding the sugarcane stalks through the chambers in a substantially upright position. Each harvest chamber has a plurality of adjustable blowers to selectively direct a high velocity air stream onto the sugarcane stalks to remove unwanted foliage from the sugarcane stalks and a vacuum system to suction unwanted foliage from the harvest chambers to a foliage collection chamber located within the harvester.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalks of sugarcane having a plurality of harvest chambers. Each harvest chamber has a pair of opposing side walls that forming a V-shaped forward opening for receiving sugarcane stalks to be cut for harvest and a plurality of revolving, opposing, resilient conveyor belts for grabbing, holding and feeding the sugarcane stalks through the chambers in a substantially upright position. Each harvest chamber has a plurality of adjustable blowers to selectively direct a high velocity air stream onto the sugarcane stalks to remove unwanted foliage from the sugarcane stalks and a vacuum system to suction unwanted foliage from the harvest chambers to a foliage collection chamber located within the harvester.

Abstract: A system and method for lessening impact on Christmas trees during downhole operations involving Christmas trees, by way of example and not limitation such as cementing processes. The system comprises an outer housing defining a chamber, a lubricator assembly disposed in the outer housing, and an inner sleeve slidably disposable within the chamber. The method uses the system of the present invention by inserting the inner sleeve into the lubricator assembly; lowering the inner sleeve into the Christmas tree to a predetermined position extending into a tubing hanger associated with the tree; introducing fluids through a fluid line coupled to the lubricator assembly, the fluids passing through a conduit within the inner sleeve into the wellbore; and retrieving the lubricator assembly upon completion of fluid introduction into the wellbore. In alternative embodiments, the inner sleeve may be retracted and withdrawn with the lubricator assembly upon completion of fluid introduction into the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method for lessening impact on Christmas trees during downhole operations involving Christmas trees, by way of example and not limitation such as cementing processes. The system comprises an outer housing defining a chamber, a lubricator assembly disposed in the outer housing, and an inner sleeve slidably disposable within the chamber. The method uses the system of the present invention by inserting the inner sleeve into the lubricator assembly; lowering the inner sleeve into the Christmas tree to a predetermined position extending into a tubing hanger associated with the tree; introducing fluids through a fluid line coupled to the lubricator assembly, the fluids passing through a conduit within the inner sleeve into the wellbore; and retrieving the lubricator assembly upon completion of fluid introduction into the wellbore. In alternative embodiments, the inner sleeve may be retracted and withdrawn with the lubricator assembly upon completion of fluid introduction into the wellbore.

Abstract: A moon pool platform containment system is disclosed for a vessel comprising a first moon pool having a width, length, and depth, to aid in stabilizing moon pool platform motion to achieve a motion compensated moon pool submerged platform, the moon pool platform containment system a platform having a predetermined opening therethrough, the opening defining a second moon pool, the platform being sized smaller than the width and length of the first moon pool; at least one leg connected to the platform, the leg having a predetermined length; a source of leveling material; and a chamber in communication with the source of leveling material via a leveling material conduit. Leveling material may be supplied to or transferred from the chamber to supply positive or negative floatation as dictated by forces on the platform.

Abstract: A pipeline connector apparatus comprising piston actuated means for gripping and sealing a pipe comprising a cylinder having an inner surface, the cylinder having a first groove for receiving a spring biased ring, a piston movable in the cylinder and actuating one of the gripping and sealing means, the piston having a second groove holding a spring biased ring. A plurality of compressible and relaxable spring biased rings are provided, each having an outer surface and a radius such that each will compress within the second groove and will expand within the first groove. The outer surfaces of the different rings have shoulders of different widths which allows the operator to control the piston stroke in the cylinder. The apparatus further comprises a means for predetermining and/or monitoring the displacement of the pistons.

Abstract: An anti-extrusion apparatus for a seal sealing on the outside diameter of a conduit. The anti-extrusion device is positioned at each end of the seal and includes a metal ring engaging an end of the seal in which the ring has a wedge shaped inside. A plurality of arcuate ring segments form a close ring having inner diameter equal to the outside diameter of the conduit. The segments have a wedge shaped outside coacting with the metal ring and are wedged inwardly against the conduit prior to compression of the seal for reducing extrusion of the seal as it is compressed.

Abstract: A flanged coupling for the repair of pipe lines which is engagable over an open pipe. A piston is actuated by drawing two flanges together and setting a slip and a packing to anchor and seal the coupling unit to the pipe. Tension and compression in the pipe does not affect the packing as a ring is positioned between the slip and the packing and its movement towards the packing is limited.

Abstract: Replacing a section of a pipeline by indenting the pipeline from the outside to provide a stop shoulder on the inside adjacent the section to be replaced. Positioning and securing an anchoring and seal pig in the pipeline against the stop shoulder, removing the section of the pipeline to be replaced including the stop shoulder, replacing a new section, and releasing and removing the anchoring and seal pig in order to provide space for the replacement section. A part of the anchoring and seal pig is removed prior to replacing a new section.

Abstract: A flanged coupling for the repair of pipelines and risers, especially for sub-marine repair and construction, and of unit configuration engageable over a first open pipe section and its flange to seal with a flange of a second open pipe section, and having a piston actuated by drawing said two flanges together and a shear member sequentially controlling operation of a slip and a packing to anchor and seal the coupling unit to the first pipe section operating a slip and a packing to anchor and seal the coupling unit to the first pipe section.

Abstract: A workman safety tool for use in the maintenance and repair of open pipelines, and comprising an anchor and a seal that are simultaneously operable and actuated by remote pressure application to ensure securement of the tool while work proceeds, with a pressure test plug and valve to determine and/or to release pressure before release of the tool.

Abstract: In a well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing in which the valve closure means is controlled by a longitudinal movable tubular member, the improvement of a fail-safe mechanism for avoiding damage to the valve by avoiding excessive operating forces. The tubular member includes first and second telescoping sections which are releasably locked together in an intermediate extended position for normally opening and closing the valve on movement of the tubular member. The releasable locking means is sized to release upon the application of a predetermined force less than a force sufficient to cause damage to the valve whereby upon application of an excessive force the sections will telescope towards each other preventing damage to the valve. Tool engaging means are provided on the second telescoping section for repositioning the tubular sections relative to each other or for extending the second section for locking the valve closure member in the open position.