Abstract: A method of assembling a downhole well pump system comprising a reciprocating piston pump having a total vertical length exceeding the clearance available in most factories. The pump comprises a tubular body which is positioned horizontally within which an upper barrel section is threadably secured at the end corresponding to the top of the barrel section when the pump is in a vertical position. The lower end of the barrel section thus rests on the lower interior surface portion of the shell. A pair of axially spaced pistons are mounted on opposite ends of a piston tube and the piston tube slidably traverses a divider which has threads for connecting to the bottom end of the tubular shell and a cylindrical surface for snug insertion into the bottom end of the tubular barrel section.

Abstract: An adaptive computing system in which a plurality of instruction-like data structures called "classifiers" are stored in a classifier memory and operate upon selected ones of the data structures called "messages" stored in a message store. Each classifier is composed of one or more condition parts which specify the attributes of messages to be acted upon; an action part which specifies the operation to be performed on those messages specified by a condition part of that classifier; and a strength value which is indicative of the past utility of that classifier. The computing system includes means for monitoring the contribution (if any) made by each classifier toward achieveing a desired computational goal and for increasing the strength value associated with the more useful participating classfiers.

Abstract: Vertical reciprocation of the piston in a downhole well pump is hydraulically effected by surface-disposed power transfer apparatus comprising a driving fluid housing divided into first and second chambers by a drive piston reciprocably disposed therein, the first chamber being connected to the driving fluid chamber of the well pump by a driving fluid pipe. The pipe and the first housing chamber are filled with a first driving fluid. A driving fluid pump has an outlet connected to the second housing chamber, and an inlet connected to a source of a second driving fluid.

Abstract: A downhole well pump system comprises a reciprocating piston pump disposed in a fluid conduit in a wellbore which is filled with a driving fluid having a density preferably greater than the production fluid being pumped. The pump cylinder has a transverse partition and a piston assembly including an elongated piston rod extending through the partition and connected at its opposite ends to spaced apart pistons. The pump pistons and the cylinder partition divide the cylinder into a production fluid intake chamber, a production fluid transfer and delivery chamber, a driving fluid chamber and a second production fluid delivery chamber. Production fluid is conducted to the surface through a production fluid conduit disposed coaxial within the driving fluid conduit.

Abstract: An electronic computing system capable of learning and discovery employing a language composed of conditional statements called "classifiers" which respond to and operate fixed-length binary words called "messages". Each classifier comprises a condition part which identifies the message(s) to which the classfier responds, and an action part which specifies the content of the generated message which may, in part, be a function of one or more of the input messages. An adaptive algorithm, called the "bucket brigade algorithm", tracks the history of each classifier's performance and develops a strength value which serves as a measure of the past usefulness of that classifier in reaching a defined objective. A genetic algorithm generates new classifiers which are based on the strongest of the existing classifiers and which replace the weakest of the existing classifiers.

Abstract: A downhole well pump system comprises a reciprocating piston pump disposed in a fluid conduit in a wellbore which is filled with a driving fluid having a density preferably greater than the production fluid being pumped. The pump cylinder has a transverse partition and a piston assembly including an elongated piston rod extending through the partition and connected at its opposite ends to spaced apart pistons. The pump pistons and the cylinder partition divide the cylinder into a production fluid intake chamber, a production fluid transfer and delivery chamber, a driving fluid chamber and a second production fluid delivery chamber. Production fluid is conducted to the surface through a production fluid conduit disposed coaxial within the driving fluid conduit.

Abstract: A conveyor system for slip-form concrete and similar paving materials includes a V-shaped hopper having a material supporting beam extending longitudinally through it, and a conveyor for unloading paving materials from the hopper. The vertical positioning of the material supporting beam in the hopper is adjustable to control the amount of material that is unloaded during each increment of conveyor travel. The hopper includes channels which both protect and provide access to the components of the conveyor and the material supporting beam is supported solely at its ends, so that the system may be thoroughly cleaned after each use.