Abstract: A ceramic article comprises ceramic fibers having an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1 and ceramic particles. The ceramic fibers are substantially randomly oriented in three dimensions in the ceramic article. A method of forming the ceramic article includes the step of providing a composition including ceramic fibers having an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1 and ceramic particles. The composition is extruded through a multi-screw extruder having at least three intermeshing screws to form an extrudate. The extrudate is heated to form the ceramic article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a preform from a material having a first edge and a second edge utilizing a mandrel. The method comprises the step of extruding the material through an extruder to form an extrudate. The first edge of the extrudate has a configuration complementary to a configuration of the second edge of the extrudate. The method also includes wrapping the material around the mandrel by abutting the first edge and the second edge to form a spiral joint. The invention uses a manufacturing apparatus comprising a multi-screw extruder having at least three intermeshing screws for forming the extrudate. The mandrel receives the extrudate and a pressure-applying device adjacent to the mandrel engages the extrudate and applies pressure to the spiral joint to create a smooth exterior surface of the extrudate and to define the preform.

Abstract: A method of controlling evaporation of a fluid, such as water, in an article includes the step of encapsulating the article with a film such that the fluid is prevented from evaporating from the article. The method further includes the step of heating the article encapsulated with the film to a first desired temperature for a first period of time while preventing the fluid from evaporating from the article. The method also includes the step of removing the film from the article after heating the article to the first desired temperature for the first period of time and, after the step of removing the film the article, the method includes the step of further heating the article to a second desired temperature for a second period of time while the fluid freely evaporates from the article.

Abstract: Mobile drilling rig 10 includes a carrier frame 14 and a mast 12 supported on the frame. A top drive 16 is supported on the mast when in an operative position, and a coil tubing injector 20 is supported on the mast when in an operative position. A first dolly assembly 22 and a second dolly assembly 60 are provided each for supporting a portion of the carrier frame, and include a first plurality of wheels on a first plurality of axles. Each dolly assembly is adaptive for selective attachment to and detachment from the carrier frame, so that the dolly assemblies may be changed out for compliance with regulations and road conditions.

Abstract: The rig for selectively inserting coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor 13 and into a well includes a mast 15 extending upward from the rig floor and movable between a threaded tubular position and a coiled tubing position. A top drive 21 is movable along an axis of the mast to insert the threaded tubular in the well when a top drive axis 42 is substantially aligned with the axis 44 of the well. Injector 17 supported on the mast inserts coiled tubing into the well, with the injector having an axis 46 offset from the top drive axis and substantially aligned with the axis of the well when the mast is in the coiled tubing position. A powered drive 54 is provided for selectively moving the mast between the threaded tubular position and the coiled tubing position.

Abstract: A coiled tubing transfer system comprising a carrier having a bed, the bed having a width and the length, the length of the bed being longer than the width of the bed, a reel removably supported on the bed, the reel comprising a spool rotatably journaled in first and second supports, the spool having a core with a diameter and long axis extending between the supports, the long axis having a length greater than the width of the bed, the reel being positionable on the bed in a first position with the long axis of the core extending lengthwise of the bed, the longest dimension of the reel transverse to the long axis of the core being less than the width of the bed and a length of coiled tubing useable in earth borehole operations being wound around the core, the coiled tubing having an outside diameter of from 1? to 9?, the ratio of the diameter of the coiled tubing to the diameter of the core being from 1:20 to 1:70.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting earth borehole operations include a reel (28) of continuous coiled casing (30), and an injector (20) for moving the coiled casing. The bottomhole assembly including at least a motor (54) and a bit (56) is connected to the free end of the coiled casing, and injected into the earth while circulating fluid through the coiled casing to form a drilled earth borehole having a borehole wall. The coiled casing drill string may be retrieved from the borehole, the bottomhole assembly removed, and the coiled casing again injected into the borehole, then suspended from a wellhead assembly. After severing the coiled casing, a bonding agent such as a cementitious material may be injected into the suspended coiled casing and into the annulus between the coiled casing and the borehole.

Abstract: The rig for selectively inserting coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor 13 and into a well includes a mast 15 extending upward from the rig floor and movable between a threaded tubular position and a coiled tubing position. A top drive 21 is movable along an axis of the mast to insert the threaded tubular in the well when a top drive axis 42 is substantially aligned with the axis 44 of the well. Injector 17 supported on the mast inserts coiled tubing into the well, with the injector having an axis 46 offset from the top drive axis and substantially aligned with the axis of the well when the mast is in the coiled tubing position. A powered drive 54 is provided for selectively moving the mast between the threaded tubular position and the coiled tubing position.

Abstract: A rig (10) for selectively inserting coiled tubing or threaded tubulars into a well includes a mast (14) extending upward from a mast carrier (12), and a coiled tubing injector (16) and a coiled tubing reel (26) supported on a coiled tubing carrier (28) separate from the mast carrier. The mast (14) may be pivotal on the mast carrier to attach the coiled tubing injector 16 to the mast while the injector is supported on the coiled tubing carrier.

Abstract: The rig (10) is provided for electively inserting either coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor and into a well. The rig includes a coiled tubing injector (16) supported on a mast (14) when in an operative position to insert coiled tubing into the well, and a top drive (18) movable along an axis of the mast when in an operative position to insert the threaded tubular into the well. The rack or support (20) is secured to the mast for receiving a plurality of substantially vertical threaded tubular joints therein when the mast is in an operative position. Tubular joints may be moved between the top drive and the tubular support when running threaded tubulars into or out of the well.

Abstract: The rig for selectively inserting coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor 13 and into a well includes a mast 15 extending upward from the rig floor and movable between a threaded tubular position and a coiled tubing position. A top drive 21 is movable along an axis of the mast to insert the threaded tubular in the well when a top drive axis 42 is substantially aligned with the axis 44 of the well. Injector 17 supported on the mast inserts coiled tubing into the well, with the injector having an axis 46 offset from the top drive axis and substantially aligned with the axis of the well when the mast is in the coiled tubing position. A powered drive 54 is provided for selectively moving the mast between the threaded tubular position and the coiled tubing position.

Abstract: A variable speed pulley or sheave with a broad speed range is designed particularly for self-propelled lawn mowers. The variable speed pulley is mounted on a drive shaft of a gear unit in the form of a transaxle or transmission located on the mower and is driven through a belt connected to the drive shaft of the mower engine. The engine drive shaft can also drive a mower blade, thus eliminating any special power take-off shaft otherwise required to propel the mower. The variable speed pulley includes two pulley members or halves which are designed with inter-nesting tines and recessed hubs which enable the pulley halves to nest together more fully and thereby increase the speed range by more widely varying the effective diameter of the pulley.

Abstract: A variable speed pulley or sheave with a broad speed range is provided. The variable speed pulley comprises three inter-nesting components which enable a broad range of ratios to be achieved. The multiple component pulley is mounted on an idler shaft with one V-belt connected to a pulley of a drive shaft and another V-belt connected with a pulley of a driven shaft. The pulley includes two outer pulley components which are designed with generally radially-extending tines and recessed hubs. The pulley has a third, intermediate pulley component also mounted on the idler shaft between the outer two components and being slidable thereon to inter-nest with the outer two components. The intermediate component has generally-radially extending, generally triangularly shaped tines which can extend into slots between the tines of the outer two components. The intermediate component also has a hub which can extend into recesses of the outer two pulley components when moved into inter-nesting relationship therewith.