Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons or other lighter than water pollutants from a water table by drilling a well to a depth below the surface of an underground water table; positioning a vessel having a negative buoyancy in fluid in the well; positioning an inlet into the vessel at a location below the surface of hydrocarbons floating on the surface of the water table and above the interface between the upper surface of the water and the lower surface of the hydrocarbon material; establishing a low liquid level in the vessel; establishing a high liquid level in the vessel; positioning the inlet to a pump in the vessel below the low liquid level; energizing the pump to remove liquid from the vessel when fluid reaches the high liquid level and deenergizing the pump when the surface of the liquid reaches the low liquid level but above the pump inlet.

Abstract: A sensing probe having a hollow tube for disposition in a flow stream is provided with an internal stiffening rod. A volume between the stiffening rod and the inner surface of the tube communicates with an open end of the sensing probe. In one embodiment, oppositely directed spiral grooves are formed in the surface of the stiffening rod to define the volume. A method of manufacturing the sensing probe includes first inserting a stiffening rod into a tube and then turning the tube to a desired wall thickness.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus including a piston-driven, plunger-type injection pump in combination with a three-way normally closed pilot-operated relay valve, and a variable restrictor adjustable during operation of the pumping apparatus for controlling the flow of a pilot fluid to the relay valve. Pilot fluid is vented from the relay valve through passageways in the plunger of the injection pump at the completion of each pumping stroke.

Abstract: A convertible high or low pressure pilot valve adapted to selectively control fluid flow between a common port and a supply port or exhaust port by moving a band of orifices in a plunger that is slidably disposed within the valve past an O-ring seal disposed between the supply port and the exhaust port so as to establish fluid communication between the common port and the supply port whenever the band is aligned with the supply port through a unitary axial bore in the plunger that maintains fluid communication with the common port or between the common port and the exhaust port through the same axial bore, whenever the band is aligned with the exhaust port or to block fluid communication between the common port, the supply port, and the exhaust port whenever the band is disposed between the supply port and the exhaust port in such manner that the O-ring bridges the orifices in such band.

Abstract: A controller comprises a body having a first port, a second port and a third port. A valve element is disposed in the body for movement between a first position which blocks fluid flow through the first port while permitting fluid communication between the second and third ports and a second position to permit fluid communication between the first and second ports while blocking fluid flow through the third port. A device is disposed in the body for urging the valve element to the second position. A mechanism is connected to the body for moving the valve element to the second position and this moving apparatus includes a member which when heated permits the urging device to move the valve member to the first position. Indicator means are provided to indicate position of the valve element. Safety means is provided to avoid accidental movement of the valve element to the second position during manual operation.

Abstract: A three way relay valve has a body defining a bore and first and second chambers, a supply port in fluid communication with the first chamber, and valve and exhaust ports in fluid communication with the second chamber. A plunger is moveably disposed within the bore and extends from the third chamber into the second chamber and a passageway being provided in the plunger for placing the valve port in fluid communication within the body to selectively block fluid communication between the first and second chambers or to block fluid flow through the passageway in the plunger and thereby block fluid communication between the valve and exhaust ports. The valve has a manual reset apparatus and a lock-out device to facilitate actuation of the valve after pilot pressure has been lost.