Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow through a passageway includes slidably disposing a piston having a conduit that reduces the flow area through the passageway in the passageway and selectively closing the conduit of the piston by moving at least one of the piston and a plug.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a body having a fluid passageway therethrough and first and second openings each adapted for receiving or discharging fluid from the passageway. A piston is slidably disposed in the passageway between the first and second openings of the body. The piston has a conduit portion that defines a bore therethrough for conducting fluid through a portion of the passageway. The bore has a reduced flow area. A plug is carried within the body and is equipped with one or more annular seals for sealably engaging the reduced flow area of piston bore so as to close the bore upon translatory movement of the piston, the plug, or a combination thereof. The flow control valve has particular application in downhole tools for communicating fluid into, out of, or through the downhole tool when disposed in a subsurface borehole.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireline assembly that includes a coring tool for taking coring samples of the formation and a formation testing tool for taking fluid samples from the formation, where the formation testing tool is operatively connected to the coring tool. In some embodiments, the wireline assembly includes a low-power coring tool. In other embodiments, the coring tool includes a flowline for formation testing.

Abstract: A clarifier feedwell having a seismic protection system. The clarifier feedwell includes a feedwell frame and at least one pressure relief door which is slidably inserted into the feedwell frame. The pressure relief door includes a supporting frame, the supporting frame defining an opening. A flexible panel is disposed in the opening. A first edge of the panel is attached to a first portion of the supporting frame. The remaining edges of the panel are releasably engaged with other portions of the supporting frame such that the panel occupies substantially the entire area of the opening. At least one stiffening frame is disposed on the panel. The stiffening frame increases the rigidity of the panel, so that the panel does not disengage from portions of the supporting frame under a normal hydrodynamic load.

Abstract: A dual spool seat belt retractor includes a comfort mechanism actuated by limited protraction of one belt relative to the other to provide a predetermined amount of slack in the one belt. A comfort limiting mechanism is drivingly coupled by a gear train to both the first and second retractor spools to disengage the comfort mechanism in response to relative rotation between the first and second spools caused by protraction of the one belt to an extent exceeding the limited protraction employed to actuate the comfort mechanism so as to allow retraction of the belt by the rewind spring. Slack in the belt in excess of the predetermined amount is thereby prevented. The comfort mechanism is also disengaged by the comfort limiting mechanism when the belts are unbuckled to allow full retraction of both belts.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle wherein a conventional latch for engaging an apertured tongue of a conventional connector is pivotally seated within the base loop of an inverse clevis having an opening for insertion of the tongue and a solid transverse interior surface confining the engaged end of the latch against pivotal displacement incident to latch angularity under ultimate tensile belt loads sufficient to deflect the channel sides of conventional stamped frames characteristic of prior art seat belt buckles. A modified embodiment of the buckle provides an end release push button in place of the transverse push button of the main embodiment.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle wherein a conventional latch for engaging an apertured tongue of a conventional connector is pivotally seated within the base loop of an inverse clevis having an opening for insertion of the tongue and a solid transverse interior surface confining the engaged end of the latch against pivotal displacement incident to latch angularity under ultimate tensile belt loads sufficient to deflect the channel sides of conventional stamped frames characteristic of prior art seat belt buckles.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt system including a retractor with a static loop snubber operative to normally freely pass webbing and to lock under predetermined belt load thereby eliminating occupant excursion incident to belt tension on the retractor side of the static loop snubber.

Abstract: A seat back core for a vehicle having a fold down seat which is also required to serve as a load floor.The core is blow-molded and formed with a pair of parallel spaced walls having tying links extending between the walls to strengthen and rigidify the core but not to prevent flexure thereof. There is a peripheral closing wall around the core.An elongate metal member is incorporated into the core at the time that it is blow-molded and becomes a permanent part of the core. It serves to limit the flexure of the core, provide additional strength and may serve as an anchor for securement of hardware.

Abstract: An automotive structural member which is especially intended for use as a fold down multipurpose vehicle seat back core but is not limited to such use.