Abstract: The preferred pulser is a mud powered oscillator powered by the pressure variation produced across the signal valve by the unstable action. The signal valve comprises a poppet and cooperating orifice. The pressure drop across the orifice is used to urge the poppet away from the orifice and an opposing spring drives it toward the orifice. The preferred poppet control is a permanent magnet that secures the poppet in at least the signal valve open position. To generate a pulse, the permanent magnet is opposed by a magnetizing coil arranged and powered by the associated MWD instrument to oppose the permanent magnet, to release the poppet to close the signal valve. The pulser is arranged to provide a generally central axially extending bore to accept a conductor extending axially through the pulser. Optional features include an acceleration compensator, and a mud powered electric energy generator. Optional features include hydraulic actuation and control of the poppet.

Abstract: The human breast is enhanced by enlargement by inserting body compatible fluids into the natural lactatous containments within the breast by flowing the liquid into the lactatous duct openings at the nipples. Flow is induced, from a source of pressurized fluid, by directing a jet of liquid into the duct opening, by pressing the fluid conductor against the opening or by penetrating the opening with a blunt needle or equivalent catheter. To ease penetration of the opening, suction apparatus is offered that distends the nipple to straighten the duct. Plugs are offered to enhance the fluid retention ability. The plug may be solid or valved to allow fluid flow only when a handling tool is inserted to manipulate the plug. Fluid emulsification apparatus is provided to condition fluids which may include saline aqueous liquid, compressible fluid, and autogenous materials individually or in combinations.

Abstract: Improved welding method and padeye processing speeds up the connection of individual joints by peripheral fusion welding while the joint to be added stands vertically atop an existing pipe string also standing vertical in the rig floor. A plurality of welders can operate to speed up completion of the weld by removing heat from the pipe during the welding process. Heat is removed by the use of fluid cuffs near the weld area and, optionally, by using a spool within the pipe string to dispense expansion cooled air against the inner pipe wall in the vicinity of the weld. A special improved padeye is provided for welding near the pipe ends for handling. The padeye has a divided profile, a hole for a lifting shackle, and it will be accepted within the skirt of the lead system of the driving hammer. The upper end of the padeye can be cut from the pipe while the pipe is resting, on rig related structure, on the lower surface of the padeye.

Abstract: The human breast is enhanced by enlargement by inserting body compatible fluids into the natural lactatous containments within the breast by flowing the liquid into the lactatous duct openings at the nipples. Flow is induced, from a source of pressurized fluid, by directing a jet of liquid into the duct opening, by pressing the fluid conductor against the opening or by penetrating the opening with a blunt needle or equivalent catheter. To ease penetration of the opening, suction apparatus is offered that distends the nipple to straighten the duct. Plugs are offered to enhance the fluid retention ability. The plug may be solid or valved to allow fluid flow only when a handling tool is inserted to manipulate the plug. Fluid emulsification apparatus is provided to condition fluids which may include saline aqueous liquid, compressible fluid, and autogenous materials individually or in combinations.

Abstract: An improved pile driving drop hammer of the free piston internal combustion engine type preferably has integral pistons on each end of a ram that reciprocates, usually vertically, in an enclosing bore. There is a combustion chamber on each end of the bore and exhaust ports situated near each combustion chamber such that the ports are opened, two cycle engine fashion, by the associated piston, after some movement of the piston, after combustion takes place to vent the active combustion chamber and then serve as intake ports when the piston moves some distance farther along the bore. At each end of the bore an anvil extends from the bore, axially movable some amount, to serve as an end to each combustion chamber. The lower anvil delivers ram impact energy to the driven piling and the upper anvil delivers impact energy from the ram to a free rising mass that is the essential element of this invention as an improvement to existing hammer designs.

Abstract: Improved welding method and padeye processing speeds up the connection of individual joints by peripheral fusion welding while the joint to be added stands vertically atop an existing pipe string also standing vertical in the rig floor. A plurality of welders can operate to speed up completion of the weld by removing heat from the pipe during the welding process. Heat is removed by the use of fluid cuffs near the weld area and, optionally, by using a spool within the pipe string to dispense expansion cooled air against the inner pipe wall in the vicinity of the weld. A special improved padeye is provided for welding near the pipe ends for handling. The padeye has a divided profile, a hole for a lifting shackle, and it will be accepted within the skirt of the lead system of the driving hammer. The upper end of the padeye can be cut from the pipe while the pipe is resting, on rig related structure, on the lower surface of the padeye.

Abstract: The human breast is enhanced by enlargement by inserting body compatible fluids into the natural lactatous containments within the breast by flowing the liquid into the lactatous duct openings at the nipples. Flow is induced, from a source of pressurized fluid, by directing a jet of liquid into the duct opening, by pressing the fluid conductor against the opening or by penetrating the opening with a blunt needle or equivalent catheter. To ease penetration of the opening, suction apparatus is offered that distends the nipple to straighten the duct. Plugs are offered to enhance the fluid retention ability. The plug may be solid or valved to allow fluid flow only when a handling tool is inserted to manipulate the plug. Fluid emulsification apparatus is provided to condition fluids which may include saline aqueous liquid, compressible fluid, and autogenous materials individually or in combinations.

Abstract: A well communication pulser is solenoid controlled but energized by an actuator responsive to the pressure drop across the signal valve. The signal valve is spring biased toward a closed state but the actuator urges it toward an open state with a force proportional to the pressure drop. When in the off-pulse state the spring is sized to yield an operating pressure for the pulser. A servo valve controls pressure admitted to the actuator to cause it to move to the on-pulse state to develop signal pressure. The servo valve is spring biased open to cause a pressure signal to be generated but it has a second actuator responsive to the pressure drop which will overcome the servo opening spring and move the servo to the off-pulse, or closed, state. The pulser would oscillate continually between the two states but a solenoid controlled latch automatically secures the servo when it arrives at either state.

Abstract: A downhole mud pressure change signal generator has a signal valve to variably resist the flow of mud down the drill string bore. The valve is powered by a bias driver and controlled by a holding magnet that is in turn controlled by a downhole instrument. The bias driver has a spring opposed fluid powered piston that moves in response to changes in fluid pressure drop across the signal valve. The valve in normally biased closed. The bias driver is resiliently connected to the valve such that when the piston moves the bias driver in response to fluid pressure that overcomes the spring, the valve is urged toward an open position. When the valve is open and signal pressure across the valve is low the spring exerts more force than the piston and the driver urges the valve toward a closed position.The valve is urged to move but not compelled and is subject to latching in desired positions without losing the power needed to move later. The bias driver is used to power a latch that holds the valve open or closed.

Abstract: A downhole signal generating mud pulser has a poppet and orifice signal valve to variably resist the drilling fluid stream. The poppet is upstream of the orifice and is moved by a piston in fluid communication with opposite flow related sides of the signal valve such that more pressure drop across the valve applies more piston force to open the valve. The poppet is spring biased toward the orifice and the piston force and spring balance when a preselected operating pressure exists. A servo valve controls flow in a by-pass loop to apply additional pressure to the piston to create a signal pulse when open. The servo valve is urged closed by flow in the servo loop and the closing is retarded by a dashpot to determine signal duration. The servo valve is spring biased to open and is automatically latched closed by a latch that responds to a solenoid actuated to release the servo valve.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator driven by drilling fluid flow pumped down a drill string bore is combined with sensors and controls to produce a downhole drilling fluid pressure pulse generator for use in drill strings for Measurement While Drilling (MWD) pipe bore telemetry.A fluid flow responsive valve designed to be put in continual motion by fluid flow is associated with a motion stop lock so that, on release, a discrete digital fluid pressure change is generated. A downhole instrument package controls the lock release in a timed sequence, so that a series of pressure changes represent information to be decoded at the earth surface to determine downhole parameters sensed by the instrument package.The active elements of the downhole system may be installed in the drill string or lowered as a shuttle package down the drill bore.The fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus can be classified as a fluid flow excited oscillator or an auto-cycling pulse generator.

Abstract: In the preferred application, an acceleration compensation mass is supported in a downhole drilling related housing for independent movement along an axis in response to acceleration of the housing. A control member that moves relative to the housing in a direction parallel the axis to carry out the function of the housed apparatus is connected to a piston in a cooperating bore in the housing to displace fluid when the member moves. A second piston and cooperating bore in the housing is arranged to displace fluid when the mass moves. Fluid plumbing is arranged to connect the two hydraulic cylinders such that the mass and the member, if they move, must move in unison in opposite directions. When the housing is accelerated in the direction along the axis, both member and mass tend to move in the opposite direction relative to the housing but each piston opposes the other and no movement occurs if the pistons have effective areas proportional to the weights of the related member and mass.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator driven by drilling fluid flow pumped down a drill string bore is combined with sensors and controls to produce a downhole drilling fluid pressure pulse generator for use in drill strings for Measurement While Drilling (MWD) pipe bore telemetry.A fluid flow responsive valve designed to be put in continual motion by fluid flow is associated with a motion stop lock so that, on release, a discrete digital fluid pressure change is generated. A downhole instrument package controls the lock release in a timed sequence, so that a series of pressure changes represent information to be decoded at the earth surface to determine downhole parameters sensed by the instrument package.The active elements of the downhole system may be installed in the drill string or lowered as a shuttle package down the drill bore.The fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus can be classified as a fluid flow excited oscillator or an auto-cycling pulse generator.

Abstract: A drilling fluid pulse generator for use above a drill bit to produce pulsations in drilling fluid flow. An autocycling valve briefly interrupts the flow of fluid to bit jets to reduce the effective hydrostatic pressure at the drilling face and to hydraulic energy in the drill string to thoroughly scour the hole face when the briefly closed valve reopens. An alternate configuration provides a bypass route for fluid diverted from the bit, and the bypass includes jet nozzles to add energy to the return fluid stream to further reduce the effective hydrostatic pressure at the drilling face.

Abstract: A replaceable insulating sleeve is disposed around the lower end of a drill string used in drilling a well. The sleeve is restrained from rotating relative to the drill string, but can be released and quickly slipped off the drill string in the field to permit rapid replacement if damaged, or if alternate equipment is required. The sleeve carries sensing means for measuring a characteristic of formations penetrated by the well.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing landing shock for instruments run into earth boreholes through drill string bores and to maintain azimuthal orientation being protected with enclosing structure. An instrument package has a depending spear point for engaging a baffle in the drill string. The spear point encloses a spring and fluid damped shock absorber. The instrument package further includes a second internal fluid damped shock absorber and a spring type rotary shock absorber for the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A monostable valve for insertion in a drill string used in forming a borehole such as an oil well. In an open position, the valve vents drilling fluid flowing in the drill string to an annulus in the borehole for return flow to the surface, thus generating a surface-detectable negative fluid-pressure pulse. A valve closure member is supported for horizontal movement to provide significant isolation from vertical accelerations occurring during drilling, and the closure member and associated valve seat are field replaceable. Primary power for valve actuation is drawn from the drilling-fluid hydraulic energy as controlled by a low-power solenoid-actuated pilot valve.

Abstract: A replaceable insulating sleeve is disposed around the lower end of a drill string used in drilling a well. The sleeve is restrained from rotating relative to the drill string, but can be released and quickly slipped off the drill string in the field to permit rapid replacement if damaged, or if alternate equipment is required. The sleeve carries sensing means for measuring a characteristic of formations penetrated by the well.

Abstract: The stabilizer disclosed includes a body for mounting on the drill string and a sleeve for mounting on the body to engage the wall of the well bore. The body is mounted eccentrically of the longitudinal axis of the drill string and the sleeve is mounted eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the body. The eccentricities of the body and the sleeve are equal so that when positioned where the eccentricities extend in the opposite direction, the sleeve will be centrally located with respect to the drill string and will tend to hold the drill string in the center of the well bore, whereas when the body and sleeve are rotated relatively so that the eccentricities of the two members accumulate, the sleeve will then be positioned with its longitudinal axis spaced from the longitudinal axis of the drill string and the sleeve will exert a lateral force on the drill string urging the drill string away from the center of the well bore.

Abstract: A pendulum is mounted in the drill pipe close to the drill bit to assume a vertical position in the azimuthal plane of the drill pipe. When the position of the pendulum is such that the inclination of the drill pipe is not a preselected amount or the azimuthal direction of the pipe is not the preselected direction, a lateral force is imposed on the drill bit urging it to drill in a direction that will return the drill pipe to said preselected inclination or azimuthal direction. The pendulum and its associated apparatus is rotated in the direction opposite the direction that the drill pipe is rotated and at the same speed, so that the pendulum is substantially nonrotative relative to the earth.