Abstract: A drilling sub is provided in a drill string above a drill bit. The drilling sub includes a nozzle oriented to eject drilling fluid from said drill string into an annulus between the drill string and a well bore hole at an elevation above the drill bit with a horizontal velocity component tangential to said annulus to thereby impart a swirling motion to drilling fluid in the annulus. This creates a vortex extending down to the drill bit to enhance the cleaning of cuttings from the bore hole and to reduce a pressure differential thereby increasing a penetration rate of the drill bit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for drilling a well. A separator sub includes a cyclone separator which separates a stream of drilling mud into a less dense first portion and more dense second portion. The stream of drilling mud flows downward in an annular stream around the cyclone separator and then flows into a lower end of the cyclone separator. The less dense first portion of the stream of drilling mud is directed from the cyclone separator downward to a drill bit so that the drilling mud adjacent the drill bit has a density less than an initial density of the stream of drilling mud. The more dense second portion of the stream of drilling mud is directed upward from the cyclone separator and is ejected into a well annulus with an upward component of velocity and thereby reduces a hydrostatic drilling mud pressure adjacent the drill bit.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring power from the battery of a service vehicle to the battery of a second vehicle, wherein the final connection between the batteries is made from a remote location via a radio transmitter and a receiver which is mounted in the casing of the apparatus to actuate a solenoid in response to a signal from the transmitter. The circuit between the solenoid and the receiver includes a transistor to control current through the solenoid coil and the base of the transistor is connected to the battery of the second vehicle. Cables used to attach the apparatus to the second vehicle battery are wound on a spool having an interrupted ratchet on one end thereof, the ratchet engaging a ratchet lock that pivots in one direction to hold the reel when the reel is turned in one direction to pay out the battery cables and the ratchet lock pivoting in the other direction within a ratchet wheel interruption to permit free rotation of the reel in the opposite direction for retrieval of the cables on the reel.

Abstract: An improved construction is provided for a transverse passageway and a nozzle of a drilling sub of the type used to eject drilling fluid from the transverse passageway to create a vortex in an annulus surrounding the drilling sub.

Abstract: A drilling sub is provided in a drill string above a drill bit. The drilling sub includes a nozzle oriented to eject drilling fluid from said drill string into an annulus between the drill string and a well bore hole at an elevation above the drill bit with a horizontal velocity component tangential to said annulus to thereby impart a swirling motion to drilling fluid in the annulus. This creates a vortex extending down to the drill bit to enhance the cleaning of cuttings from the bore hole and to reduce a pressure differential thereby increasing a penetration rate of the drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the mixing of a first liquid foaming agent component with compressed air in a mixing chamber to produce a foam. A nozzle for ejecting a second liquid component into the foam is provided downstream of the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is attached to the downstream side of a valve housing. The valve housing includes a triple plug valve for simultaneously selectively connecting and disconnecting a first liquid component inlet and an air inlet with the mixing chamber and a second liquid component inlet with the nozzle. First port means, connecting the air inlet downstream of the triple plug valve, to a plurality of air ejection orifices communicating with the mixing chamber is provided within the valve housing. Air control valve means is provided within said first port means for controlling the amount of air flowing to said mixing chamber.

Abstract: An improved rotary valve comprising a valve body having a flow passage extending therethrough and a rotary valve stem journaled in said valve body transversely intersecting the flow passage. The valve stem includes at least one spring biased spherical valve member carried in a radially aligned cavity formed in the valve stem. A valve seat is formed in the valve body coaxial with the flow passage and is conformed to sealingly receive the spring biased valve member therein when the valve is placed in the closed position. The valve stem is pressure equalized within the valve body. In one form the valve stem is provided with an external configuration adjacent the valve member and flow passage to maintain a constant flow rate through the open valve. In another form this external configuration is modified to provide for varying the flow rate through the open valve through manipulation of the valve stem.

Abstract: An improved rotary valve comprising a valve body having a flow passage extending therethrough and a rotary valve stem journaled in said valve body transversely intersecting the flow passage. The valve stem includes at least one spring biased spherical valve member carried in a radially aligned cavity formed in the valve stem. A valve seat is formed in the valve body coaxial with the flow passage and is conformed to sealingly receive the spring biased valve member therein when the valve is placed in the closed position. The valve stem is pressure equalized within the valve body. In one form the valve stem is provided with an external configuration adjacent the valve member and flow passage to maintain a constant flow rate through the open valve. In another form this external configuration is modified to provide for varying the flow rate through the open valve through manipulation of the valve stem.