Abstract: There is disclosed an ablatible drill comprising a soft or frangible matrix having embedded therein a multiplicity of hard inclusions which act as cutting teeth. During drilling, the matrix gradually wears away so that worn inclusions are circulated out of the hole and fresh inclusions are exposed as new cutting teeth. A plurality of joints of the ablatible drill are interconnected on the bottom of a drill string. The comminuted material of each joint of the ablatible drill provides a characteristic distinguishable from the comminuted material of adjacent joints so that in examination of the circulated returns provides an indication of which joint is then being drilled.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the interior of pipelines. The apparatus comprises a pig having an elongated body, a bogie assembly adapted to maintain the body in the center of a pipeline, and a seal assembly extending radially from the body and adapted so that the pig may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline. The pig further includes an on-board power supply coupled to the bogie assembly to provide and store electrical power for the pig. In addition, the pig includes an odometer, sensor and recording device powered by the power supply. The odometer is coupled to the bogie assembly and provides a motion signal representative of motion of the pig through a pipeline. The sensor includes a scanning ultrasonic surface wave exciter/transponder which generates a data signal representative of the interior condition of the pipeline. The recording device records the motion and data signals for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for heating the atmosphere adjacent a ground surface in an agricultural area as well as the process and apparatus for constructing the system. The system comprises an elongate heat distributing structure which extends through the cultivated area and means for circulating a relatively warm fluid through the heat distributing structure. The heat distributing structure includes a plastic shell member disposed in an upwardly concave configuration having a plurality of imperforate wall conduits bonded thereto. The shell member is filled with sand, crushed rock or gravel to provide a heat sink. The top of the plastic shell member is covered with an asphaltic material which acts to close the top of the heat distributing structure and radiate heat to the atmosphere in the cultivated area.

Abstract: A first pressure sensor is positioned to sense the weight of part of the patient's body in the normal position and a second pressure sensor is positioned for sensing the weight of part of a patient's body when a patient begins to leave the bed. The device also includes an alarm and a pressure responsive switch connected to the first and second sensors to energize the alarm when the patient's weight is shifted from the first pressure sensor to the second pressure sensor. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a patient moves from a recumbent to a sitting position or raises his head from a recumbent position. A further embodiment indicates when a child gets out of bed. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a child moves out of an area where the child is supposed to be into an area where the child is not supposed to be.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the interior of pipelines. The apparatus comprises a pig having an elongated body, a bogie assembly adapted to maintain the body in the center of a pipeline, and a seal assembly extending radially from the body and adapted so that the pig may be propelled by fluid flow through a pipeline. The pig further includes an on-board power supply coupled to the bogie assembly to provide and store electrical power for the pig. In addition, the pig includes an odometer, sensor and recording device powered by the power supply. The odometer is coupled to the bogie assembly and provides a motion signal representative of motion of the pig through a pipeline. The sensor includes a scanning ultrasonic surface wave exciter/transponder which generates a data signal representative of the interior condition of the pipeline. The recording device records the motion and data signals for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: An orifice fitting of an orifice meter installation is provided, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, with a tamper indicating cover positioned in a manner to obstruct access to the bolts which clamp the seal bar into sealing engagement with the fitting housing. Because the path of orifice place movement into and out of the fiting extends through the position normally occupied by the sealing bar, the tampering indicator also spans the path of movement of the orifice plate. The tampering indicator is made of plastic material having an external surface of one color and an internal surface of contrasting color. To gain access to the clamping bolts and to move the orifice plate out of its seated or operative position, the tampering indicator must be destroyed. Destruction of the tampering indicator is visible from a substantial distance. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tamper indicating cover is positioned to obstruct opening movement of the clamping and/or sealing bars.