Abstract: A semi-active RF proximity fuze for warhead detonation is provided where external RADAR is available to illuminate the target. The fuze incorporates multiple receiving antennas with digital phase detection processing to distinguish the angle from which the target returns are received and uses that information to determine the detonation timing for the warhead. Detonation timing can be improved by processing the rate of change of the angle-to-target or processing the range and Doppler information to compensate for target velocity and distance.

Abstract: A semi-active RF proximity fuze for warhead detonation is provided where external RADAR is available to illuminate the target. The fuze incorporates multiple receiving antennas with digital phase detection processing to distinguish the angle from which the target returns are received and uses that information to determine the detonation timing for the warhead. Detonation timing can be improved by processing the rate of change of the angle-to-target or processing the range and Doppler information to compensate for target velocity and distance.

Abstract: An air vehicle includes a combustible fuse that is used for time-delayed release of a retention device. Combustion of a combustible propellant for propelling the air vehicle initiates combustion of the fuse. After a time delay following initiation of the combustion of the fuse, a retention device of air vehicle is released. In one embodiment, the air vehicle is a projectile which is fired from a propellant in a cartridge that is behind the projectile. The retention device may be used to release a cover for a sensor of the air vehicle, such as a cover for an optical sensor or seeker.

Abstract: An air vehicle includes a combustible fuse that is used for time-delayed release of a retention device. Combustion of a combustible propellant for propelling the air vehicle initiates combustion of the fuse. After a time delay following initiation of the combustion of the fuse, a retention device of air vehicle is released. In one embodiment, the air vehicle is a projectile which is fired from a propellant in a cartridge that is behind the projectile. The retention device may be used to release a cover for a sensor of the air vehicle, such as a cover for an optical sensor or seeker.

Abstract: A system for detecting proximity to a target object. The novel system includes a detector adapted to receive a reflected electromagnetic beam from the target and a processor adapted to determine a distance to the target by measuring an angle of the reflected beam. The system may also include an emitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic beam toward the target to produce the reflected beam such that the angle of the reflected beam corresponds with a distance to the target. In an illustrative embodiment, the emitter is a focused infrared emitter or laser diode positioned to transmit the beam at a known angle such that the transmitted beam crosses an optical axis of the detector. The processor may also be adapted to use the rate of change of the amplitude of the reflected beam in determining the distance to the target.

Abstract: A system for detecting proximity to a target object. The novel system includes a detector adapted to receive a reflected electromagnetic beam from the target and a processor adapted to determine a distance to the target by measuring an angle of the reflected beam. The system may also include an emitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic beam toward the target to produce the reflected beam such that the angle of the reflected beam corresponds with a distance to the target. In an illustrative embodiment, the emitter is a focused infrared emitter or laser diode positioned to transmit the beam at a known angle such that the transmitted beam crosses an optical axis of the detector. The processor may also be adapted to use the rate of change of the amplitude of the reflected beam in determining the distance to the target.

Abstract: A well testing system and well testing method is described which can be operated as a closed system with no production of hydrocarbons outside the well or gas can be separated and flared at surface giving minimal environmental impact with the liquid hydrocarbon being re-injected. This is achieved by providing a string with at least two well conduits which may be arranged in a concentric or non-concentric parallel configuration. One conduit is used to produce formation fluids to surface or to produce/store unrepresentative initial flow products and the other conduit is used to store formation fluid. The storage conduit can be filled from the top (surface) or the bottom of the well. In a preferred arrangement a valve is provided between the storage conduit and the well annulus for well pressure control, and a shut-in or test valve, which is controllable from surface, is disposed in the non-storage production conduit.

Abstract: After the drilling of an oil well bore there is normally carried out testing using a test tool string. Following completion of the test, the test tools must be shut down, and the test string removed. It is an advantage if the string incorporate some means of isolating the upper portion of the its tubing, and of subsequently providing a communication route between this tubing and the annulus, so that tubing-contained well liquid above the test string can be circulated out of the tubing before it is raised to the surface. Previous apparatus suggested for this purpose performs quite satisfactorily, but commonly is a "one-off" system; once activated, the several operations resulting therefrom are irreversible, and the tool cannot easily be put back into the initial state.

Abstract: A well testing system is described which comprises a ball valve (10) having a plurality of fluid lines coupled thereto (20a, 20b, 20c). The ball valve (10) is located between a process fluid flow line (16) and a vent line (18) with each fluid line (20a, 20b, 20c) being coupled to a respective piece of well-test equipment rated at a certain pressure value. Pressure relief means (22a, 22b, 22c) are located in each fluid line (20a, 20b, 20c) between the piece of equipment and said ball valve (10) and each pressure relief means (22a, 22b, 22c) is operable when the in-line fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value to pass said fluid to said ball valve (10).

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes an apertured ball valve element which is spring loaded and is rotatably and axially mounted in the valve bore so that when an over pressure situation arises fluid forces the ball axially off the valve seat against the force of a spring and causes the ball valve to rotate such that the aperture in the ball valve connects the inlet bore and outlet bore of the valve housing so that fluid can flow through the pressure relief valve. When pressure at the inlet falls beneath a predetermined value, the spring forces the ball to rotate and move back against the valve seat, thus closing the valve. With this arrangement there is minimal pressure exerted on the valve housing and the valve will operate with a back pressure up to 50% of the inlet pressure. This means that much smaller bore outlet piping can be used with a savings in weight and, consequently, cost.

Abstract: A tubing test valve (34, 34a) is described for use with a drill string (20) for pressure testing tubulars and downhole equipment, particularly in a cased hole (12) which has a permanent packer (16) fitted. The valve (34) permits self-filling during running-in, but allows pressure testing when stationary in the well (1). The valve (34) also permits multiple entry of the string to, and retrieval from, permanent packers without committing the tool to the locked open position. This is achieved by providing an apertured ball valve (50, 50a) in the tool housing (42, 42a) which can be moved axially and rotated with the bore (70A, 71A) of the housing (42, 42a). The ball valve has side orifices (54, 54a) and a top orifice (52a) which controls flow through the valve (34, 34a). In one embodiment the ball element (50) is suspended by coil spring (64) above the lower valve seat (56) during running-in and is closed for pressure testing by pressuring with fluid from above.

Abstract: Once a new oil well has been drilled and cased, a test string is set in place for the purpose of evaluating the production potential of the chosen formation. One way of controlling the operation of the various tools included in the downhole test string, including the opening and closing of the downhole valve itself, is by changes in the pressure differential between the tubing and the annular space which surrounds it in the well, but this requires the provision and maintenance of a fixed "reference" pressure within the tool, and a convenient such pressure is the hydrostatic (annulus) pressure experienced by the string after it has been lowered down the well bore and set into the packer.

Abstract: For use as part of a test string employed to evaluate the production potential of a chosen formation through which an oil well has been drilled, an annulus-pressure-operated sub-surface control valve, typically a ball valve, wherein to deal with the problem of the high pressure of fluid acting on the upstream side of the ball resulting in the frictional forces caused by the ball being pressed up against the seating on its downstream side making the ball stick, the utilization of a differential thread force multiplier by which the actuating force may be applied to the ball.

Abstract: Apparatus for the venting and isolation of an oil well test tool drill string comprises reference pressure gas release apparatus having two spaced pistons (7, 11) located at opposite ends of the reference gas chamber (10) and blocking both a gas vent (17) to annulus and a hydraulic liquid passageway (22) extending further up the test string, the pistons being held together by a shear pin (13) until the application of a predetermined higher pressure across those pistons causes the pin to shear, allowing sequential movement of the two pistons toward each other, firstly opening the gas vent to annulus, and secondly opening the passageway (22) to a chamber (24) of hydraulic liquid. The hydraulic liquid pressure within this passageway then causes actuation of ball valve apparatus for isolating the upper section of tubing, which in turn enables transfer of hydraulic pressure to apparatus for venting the contents of the tubing to annulus.