Abstract: An ignition device for a downhole tool includes a body with a cavity, a thermite material and a resistive element within the cavity. The resistive element, which is heated to the high temperature needed for ignition of the thermite material, has a non-galvanic outer surface at the ignition temperature. A large amount of electrical power is required to reach the ignition temperature, making the device safe and unlikely to accidentally ignite. The device has an electrical connector that is located within a sealed chamber when downhole.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for cutting an opening through the wall of a conduit located in a borehole traversing the subsurface formations. The apparatus includes a body adapted to be lowered into the conduit to a desired level. The body is formed by a cylindrical wall defining an elongated chamber having a combustible charge receiving portion and an ignition system portion located close to the combustible charge receiving portion. A plurality of spaced apart apertures are formed through the wall defining a given pattern which may be at least one elongated row of apertures generally parallel with the axis of the cylindrical wall or a line which encloses a given configuration on one side of the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is adapted to be located in a conduit to be severed. The apparatus includes an upper ignition device, combustible material and a lower nozzle with a diverter. In operation the ignition device is actuated to ignite the combustible material to form a flame of hot gases for passage through apertures of the nozzle to the diverter which directs the hot gases radially outward and against the conduit to be severed. A uniform mixing cavity is provided above the nozzle in the flow path of the flame to the nozzle for mixing the hot gases prior to passages through the nozzle. A lower cavity is provided for the hot gases flowing out of the nozzle for pressurizing the hot gases at the outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for cutting an opening through the wall of a conduit located in a borehole traversing the subsurface formations. The apparatus includes a body adapted to be lowered into the conduit to a desired level. The body is formed by a cylindrical wall defining an elongated chamber having a combustible charge receiving portion and an ignition means portion located close to the combustible charge receiving portion. A plurality of spaced apart apertures are formed through the wall defining a given pattern which may be at least one elongated row of apertures generally parallel with the axis of the cylindrical wall or a line which encloses a given configuration on one side of the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is adapted to be located in a conduit to be severed. The apparatus includes an upper ignition device, combustible material and a lower nozzle with a diverter. In operation the ignition device is actuated to ignite the combustible material to form a flame of hot gases for passage through apertures of the nozzle to the diverter which directs the hot gases radially outward and against the conduit to be severed. A uniform mixing cavity is provided above the nozzle in the flow path of the flame to the nozzle for mixing the hot gases prior to passages through the nozzle. A lower cavity is provided for the hot gases flowing out of the nozzle for pressurizing the hot gases at the outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is used for severing a metal conduit disposed in a borehole extending downward into the earth. The apparatus includes a body adapted to be lowered into the metal conduit to be severed. The body is formed by a surrounding wall defining an elongated chamber with a central axis and having a lower portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion. The lower portion defines a cavity with a plurality of apertures extending through the wall in a given plane at angularly spaced apart positions located 360° around the axis for providing passages from said cavity to the outside of the wall. A combustible charge is located in the intermediate portion, and a movable seal member is located in the cavity above the apertures and below the combustible charge.

Abstract: Solid disks of polyethylene oxide are radiation crosslinked to instill viscoelastic memory. The disks are then pierced with a needle, heated, cooled and the needle removed to form disks containing a flow orifice in each which upon contact with water will revert to solid disks. A disk with a flow orifice made as just described when used as a memory flow control valve in a conventional injection device will produce a syringe with a single-use, auto-destruct capability. When the disk is inserted in a retainer in the flow channel of the injection device, a drug/vaccine can be drawn into the syringe and then expelled for a preselected time less than six minutes before the water in the drug/vaccine causes the flow orifice in the disk to close, the disk then reverting to its solid shape due to its viscoelastic memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting pipe disposed in a string down a borehole of an oil or gas well, including an elongated body for lowering into the bore of the string and defining an annulus between the body and the pipe wall, a quantity of combustible material supported within the elongated body, for providing a cutting flame when the material is ignited, a nozzle to direct the cutting flame radially outward from the body against the wall of the pipe to be cut, and an anchor supported along the lower end of the body, of a desired length and diameter defining an annulus below the cutting nozzle, so that upon the ignition of the material, the pressure of the gases produced by the ignition which collect in the annulus formed by the anchor below the nozzle is substantially equal to the gas pressure in the annulus formed by the body, and the cutting nozzle is maintained at a stable point within the hole to produce an even cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a pipe disposed in a pipe string extending from the surface of the earth down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a body having an elongate axis and being adapted to be lowered at a first end down the pipe string to the pipe to be cut, to support a quantity of solid combustible material for providing a pipe cutting flame and to direct the pipe cutting flame along the elongate axis toward a second end of said body. A nozzle is connected to the second end of the body for directing the pipe cutting flame from the elongate axis of the body radially against the pipe to be cut.