Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.

Abstract: A grape cultivar particularly distinguished by large, seedless, black-skinned berries, large clusters, with a mid to late season of ripening, high productivity and good vine health, is disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for moving within a passage comprises an elongated body; a closed system for converting a circulating flow of a fluid into movement of the tool within the passage, and a pump-powering assembly configured to power the pump, the pump-powering assembly comprising one of a turbine and an E-line controlled motor. The closed system comprises a gripper assembly on the body, a barrel surrounding and engaged with the body, a piston longitudinally fixed with respect to the body, a valve assembly, and a pump configured to circulate the fluid through the closed system. The gripper assembly is configured to utilize fluid pressure to grip onto an inner surface of the passage. The barrel is longitudinally movable with respect to the body, and the gripper assembly is longitudinally fixed with respect to the barrel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating a carbohydrate antigen from a Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria in a purified form that contains no more than 10% protein. The separated antigen is coupled to an affinity column, over which polyclonal antibodies to the same bacteria are chromatographed and recovered in a purified form that exhibits high specificity and sensitivity in immunoassays for the raw carbohydrate antigen corresponding to the purified antigen on the column. A particularly preferred form of rapid immunochromatographic assay employing the purified antibodies, which assay is very useful as an aid to rapid diagnosis of diseases caused by bacteria, is disclosed.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.

Abstract: A qualitative and quantitative EIA for detecting L. pneumophila in water samples is disclosed. Critical to the disclosed levels of sensitivity of these EIA's is the use of antigen-specific antibodies to the target L. pneumophila antigen that have been rendered antigen-specific by affinity purification on a chromatographic column, which antibodies and their purification are described in detail in parent application Ser. No. 09/139,720 filed Aug. 25, 1998.

Abstract: A tool for moving within a passage comprises an elongated body, at least one gripper assembly engaged with the body, a turbine, and a power transmission assembly. The elongated body has an internal fluid chamber and is configured to be secured to a fluid conduit so that a first fluid flowing through the conduit flows into the internal fluid chamber. The gripper assembly has an actuated position in which the gripper assembly grips onto an inner surface of the passage to substantially limit relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface. The gripper assembly also has a retracted position in which the gripper assembly permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface of the passage. The turbine is configured to receive the first fluid flow through the internal fluid chamber, the turbine having an output shaft configured to rotate as the first fluid flows through the turbine.

Abstract: A tool for moving within a passage comprises an elongated body having an internal fluid chamber, at least one gripper assembly engaged with the body, a turbine, and a power transmission assembly. The body is configured to be secured to a fluid conduit so that a first fluid flowing through the conduit flows into the internal fluid chamber of the body. The gripper assembly has an actuated position in which the gripper assembly grips onto an inner surface of the passage to substantially limit relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface. The gripper assembly also has a retracted position in which the gripper assembly permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper assembly and the inner surface of the passage. The turbine is configured to receive the first fluid flow through the internal fluid chamber, the turbine having an output shaft configured to rotate as the first fluid flows through the turbine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered tractor includes an elongated body, two gripper assemblies, at least one pair of aft and forward propulsion cylinders and pistons, and a valve system. The valve system comprises an inlet control valve, a two-position propulsion control valve, a two-position gripper control valve, two cycle valves, and two pressure reduction valves. The inlet control valve spool includes a hydraulically controlled deactivation cam that locks the valve in a closed position, rendering the tractor non-operational. The propulsion control valve is piloted on both ends by fluid pressure in the gripper assemblies. The propulsion control valve controls the distribution of operating fluid to and from the propulsion cylinders, such that one cylinder performs a power stroke while the other cylinder performs a reset stroke. Each end of the gripper control valve is piloted by a source of high-pressure fluid selectively admitted by one of the cycle valves.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered tractor includes an elongated body, two gripper assemblies, at least one pair of aft and forward propulsion cylinders and pistons, and a valve system. The valve system comprises an inlet control valve, a two-position propulsion control valve, a two-position gripper control valve, two cycle valves, and two pressure reduction valves. The inlet control valve spool includes a hydraulically controlled deactivation cam that locks the valve in a closed position, rendering the tractor non-operational. The propulsion control valve is piloted on both ends by fluid pressure in the gripper assemblies. The propulsion control valve controls the distribution of operating fluid to and from the propulsion cylinders, such that one cylinder performs a power stroke while the other cylinder performs a reset stroke. Each end of the gripper control valve is piloted by a source of high-pressure fluid selectively admitted by one of the cycle valves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propelling a tool having a body within a passage. The tool includes a gripper including at least a gripper portion which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the passage and limits relative movement of the gripper portion relative to the inner surface. The gripper portion can also assume a second position that permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper portion and the inner surface of the passage. The tool includes a propulsion assembly for selectively continuously moving the body of the tool with respect to the gripper portion while the gripper portion is in the first position. This allows the tool to move different types of equipment within the passage. For example, the tool advantageously may be used in drilling processes to provide continuous force to a drill bit. This enables the drilling of extended horizontal boreholes.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct blackberry variety which originated from seed produced by a a hand pollinated cross of Navaho (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,679)×Arkansas selection 1506 (non-patented) is provided. This new blackberry variety can be distinguished by its high fruit yields, large fruit size, erect thornless canes, mid-season ripening, prolific fruiting row establishment, and good fruit quality.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct peach variety which originated from a hand pollinated cross of Ark. 392 (non-patented)×Ark. 433N (non-patented) made in 1993 at the University of Arkansas Fruit Substation, Clarksville. This new peach variety can be distinguished by its features of mid-season ripening, high yields of high-quality, attractive, freestone, firm, low-acid, white-flesh fruits, and good plant vigor along with good resistance to bacterial spot disease.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct peach variety which originated from seed produced by a hand pollinated cross of Ark. 371 (non-patented) and Ark. 367 (non-patented) is provided. This new peach variety can be distinguished by its features of early mid-season ripening, high yields of high-quality, attractive, clingstone, very firm white-flesh fruits, and good plant vigor along with good resistance to bacterial spot disease.

Abstract: A grape cultivar particularly distinguished by large, seedless, black-skinned berries, large clusters, with a mid to late season of ripening, high productivity and good vine health, is disclosed.