Abstract: An apparatus for accurately and adjustably throwing a ball to a specific location with variable speed while causing the flight characteristics of the thrown ball to simulate those of a pitched or batted ball. The apparatus includes an elongated planar deck, a flexible pouch for receiving the ball to be thrown, and elastic straps connecting the ends of the pouch to rigid members attached to the planar deck. The entire apparatus is mounted on a support structure which may be anchored to the ground to provide stability. The ball to be thrown is placed in the pouch and rests on the deck. The pouch is drawn to the rear of the deck thereby tensioning the elastics and causing the pouch to form a flared U-shape around the ball. Upon release, the pouch propels the ball down the deck which imparts rotation to the ball to its point of release from the pouch.

Abstract: A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system, which includes both process and apparatus, comprises slurrying of the solids with a solvent, feeding the slurry to a cyclone separation zone integrally connected to a countercurrent extraction zone, separating the slurry into an overflow stream which includes solvent and fine particles of solids and an underflow stream which includes mostly coarse particles of solids in the cyclone separation zone, processing the overflow stream in a cleaning zone with additional solvent, processing the underflow stream in countercurrent relationship with additional solvent through the countercurrent extraction zone, combining the cleaned coarse particles of solids withdrawn from the extraction zone with the cleaned fine particles of solids withdrawn from the cleaning zone and centrifuging the combined cleaned particles to remove residual solvent and recovering the combined solids having reduced contamination for disposal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing oil-based drilling mud from drill cuttings in order to prepare the drill cuttings for an environmentally safe disposal in the sea. A solvent in the range of solvents which may be condensed by ambient seawater and vaporized by heated internal combustion engine coolant is utilized in the process. The method of this invention includes the steps of transporting oil-based mud-laden cuttings to a solid feed tank wherein the oil-based cuttings are subjected to turbulent mixing to leave the surface of the cuttings substantially free of oil. The cuttings are then transported to a countercurrent flow column and subjected to countercurrent, laminar flow of solvent in order to separate oily solvent and fines smaller than a chosen diameter from the heavier solids. The heavier solids are cleaned of any remaining oil-based muds, separated from cleaning solvent and ultimately returned to the sea environment.

Abstract: A kelly spinner rotatable in opposite directions in which means are provided for preventing engagement of the jaws of the spinner with the pipe when rotated in one direction by a stop which may be removed by the operator to permit the jaws to engage when rotated in said direction.

Abstract: An improved screen separator which employs orbital motion for the positive removal of solids from liquids, such as drilling mud. A tensioned screen is mounted horizontally at it peripheral edges between parallel side members of a framework. A cushion rail mounted between the side members carries a resilient screen cushion in tight engagement with the screen. The unique screen cushion has an elongated body with a longitudinal slot receiving the lower edge of the cushion rail. The body has diverging sides which terminate at flared lips at each edge of the concave bottom side of the body. The body produces a downward bow in the screen and the bottom side surface conforms precisely to the the bowed screen. As a result, abrasive solids can not be trapped between the screen cushion and the screen. In addition, the body has diverging sides which divert solids from the screen cushion laterally onto the adjacent screen for separation from the liquid being purified.

Abstract: A dryer system for treating oily solids, such as oil based drilling mud cuttings, into dry and oil-free solids and a liquid which includes recovered oil values. The system is a continuous feed, high vacuum, low temperature, distillation unit. An indirect heat exchanger may also be employed. The dry solids can be discharged continuously through a water standpipe, venturi type eductor or other continuous solids discharge arrangement. The dry solids are oil-free sufficiently to allow discharge into public waters without a rainbow effect. The recovered liquid includes the oil base and chemicals in a state permitting reuse directly in formulation of additional amounts of the oil based drilling mud, or other employment such as a fuel for heating the distillation unit.In one embodiment, the present dryer system is especially useful for installation on offshore drilling platforms.

Abstract: Abnormal drilling conditions are detected by monitoring mud volume of the mud system or rate of change of the mud volume. In one embodiment, makeup mud is automatically added to the system as solids are removed from the mud. Abnormal conditions are indicated by when the rate of makeup mud addition differs from the rate of solids removal. The mud system is maintained at a substantially constant volume by means of tanks specially constructed to provide a small mud/air interface.

Abstract: A marine drilling riser is provided with a plurality of buoyancy cans having fail safe dump valves operative to vent compressed gas from the buoyancy cans and thereby cause rapid loss of buoyancy.

Abstract: A marine riser system for use in deep water drilling operations from a floating vessel is disclosed. The riser system permits detachment of the lower end of the riser from the wellhead enabling the riser to be set aside to a position which is clear of the wellhead. Support means adjacent the wellhead can be used to support and position the riser when it is set aside. Tensioners, support mechanisms and guidance means are provided to move the riser back and forth between the wellhead and support means. In this manner, casing and tools having diameters larger than that of the riser can be inserted into the wellhead without returning the riser to the surface. Drilling operations with large diameter drill bits can also be conducted with the riser in the set aside position.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a rotary drill string to maintain electric continuity therethrough includes an externally insulated electric conductor tube having an electric cable mounted therein. The cable is telescopically movable with respect to the tube, and its lower end is in sliding contact with the interior of the tube. As drilling progresses, the cable may be extended relative to the tube, the sliding contact of the lower end of the cable maintaining electric continuity in the system.