Abstract: A serge applying assembly includes a sewing machine and a cutting assembly attached thereto. The sewing machine will sew the desired serge onto the edges surrounding a section of material by feeding the material between a pressure foot and a feed dog for engaging the material to be sewn and cut. A cutting assembly is included attached to the sewing machine proximate the sewing needle. The cutting assembly is able to engage the material and make a desired cut to aid the operator in applying serge around the perimeter of the material. The cutting assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder having a housing enclosing piston, with a blade mechanically connected to the piston of the pneumatic cylinder. The cutting assembly is attached to the sewing machine proximate the pressure foot, and is able to cut the material so that the operator can rotate the material for serge to be applied to a second edge of the material. This process is repeated until serge has been applied to the perimeter of the material.

Abstract: A twisting apparatus for treating three conductor pairs at the same time. The leading conductor ends are fed by a first pivotal unit to first automatic devices for treatment and equipping. An extraction carriage then takes over the leading conductor ends and draws the conductors out to the desired length. A take-over module takes over the leading conductor ends and brings these to a twisting head. The trailing conductor ends are taken over by a second pivotal unit and fed to second automatic devices for treatment and equipping. A transfer module takes over the finished treated trailing conductor ends and transfers these to a retaining module. The conductor pair situated between the retaining module and the twisting head is twisted with regulated tension force and then passes into a deposit. At the same time, the leading conductor ends of one conductor pair are treated and equipped, one stretched conductor pair is treated, equipped and transferred and one conductor pair is twisted together.

Abstract: A fuel fill pipe assembly for promoting less turbulent flow in a fuel pipe is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipe extending between a first end to a second end wherein said pipe is suitable for receiving a fuel dispensing nozzle. The pipe includes a vent passage positioned on the pipe for providing space for fuel that is entering or has entered the pipe or is leaving the nozzle that is dispensing the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel filling point arrangement is provided which is particularly suitable for marine vessels. The arrangement has a fuelling aperture connected via a fuelling conduit to a fuel tank of a marine craft, with an overflow pocket provided below the aperture so as to collect fuel overflow. A draining aperture is provided at the bottom of the overflow pocket for draining accumulated fuel to the outside of the craft or to an overflow tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling a fuel tank (2) with a filling conduit (4). The fuel flow entering the tank is directed by a through flow sensor (53) in order to control and monitor the filling process. A particularly suitable tank system (1) for implementation of said method comprises a fuel tank (2), a filling tube (3) surrounding a filling conduit (4) and discharging into said fuel tank, an adsorption filler (6) connected to the gas area (8) of the tank (2) and a through-flow sensor (53) which detects the flow of fuel in the filling tube (2).

Abstract: A food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill element is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element has been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.

Abstract: A preconditioned air adapter chute for attachment to a ring connector of an aircraft has a body adapted at a first end to attach a hose for transmitting the preconditioned air. The body is provided at a second end with a flange connecting to the ring connector. A compressive gasket is affixed to a surface of the flange which faces the ring connector. At least one clamp assembly, affixed to the body, has a handle and a clamp pivotably mounted in a housing. The handle and clamp are pivoted about separate pivot points, so that a cam action is obtained as the handle is moved from an open to a closed position. The clamp of each clamp assembly passes through a slot-like opening in the flange to allow engagement of the clamp in the connector.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, two pairs of supporting rods respectively extending upright from the base, a cutter carriage including a pair of parallel carriage seats mounted movably and respectively on the pairs of the supporting rods, an emery axle mounted rotatably on the carriage seats and movable upward and downward relative to the carriage seats, and an axle height adjusting unit including a lever mounted on the carriage seats above the emery axle, and a pair of linkage plates interconnecting the lever and the emery axle. The lever is an eccentric rod, and is turnable about a horizontal axis so as to move the emery axle upward and downward.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base with posts, a cutter carriage, and a locking unit including clamp members pivoted on the cutter carriage and turnable toward the posts, linkage members that respectively extend between two adjacent ones of the clamp members and that have rear ends that engage one of two adjacent ones of the clamp members, and actuating members, each having a pivot end pivoted on the front end of one of the linkage members for turning relative thereto and formed with a cam face which is eccentric relative to a center of rotation of the actuating member, and which engages the other one of the two adjacent clamp members in a cam action manner.

Abstract: A pin router arm for attachment to a router table, and a mechanism that attaches to a plunge router to conveniently and accurately move the router body relative to the router base in order to adjust the position of a router bit in the router relative to the router table. Substantial excursions in router bit position are made by moving a handle up or down using a handle or a foot pedal, and small excursions are made using a micro-adjust mechanism that has a detent set screw and cooperating structure to facilitate adjustment of the micro-adjust mechanism by very small predetermined increments. The pin router arm can hold interchangeable sizes of guide pins and is easily and quickly mounted on and removable from the router table.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a wood board into two separate sheets, comprising a pair of parallel drive shafts rotatable in the opposite directions, a series of toothed wheels fixed on each of the drive shafts at a predetermined spaced interval, each toothed wheel having on the circumferential periphery thereof a number of teeth incisingly engageable with the board, the toothed wheels on one of the drive shafts being disposed radially in alignment with the toothed wheels on the other drive shaft, respectively, a knife having a cutting edge positioned and directed to split the board from end to end into two separate sheets. The tip end portions of the teeth of each two radially aligned toothed wheels is formed to be positioned in an offset relation in the axial direction of the drive shafts by forming the tip end portion to have at least one surface which is bevel or oblique with respect to a plane extending radially of the toothed wheel.

Abstract: A system for converting wood products into viable base construction materials consisting of a support structure, a central structure consisting of a low speed, high torque, hydraulic motor which drives a central drive shaft to which a planing table is rotatably attached. Four or more feed chutes are radially attached to the outer supports and the logs are sliced over eight blades arranged on the planing table. An alternative embodiment consists of a rotary cutting device where logs are fed to cutting blades rotating below.

Abstract: An adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus is provided having a pair of linearly elongated, telescoping cylindrical base members forming a V-shaped base diverging outwardly from an apex, a bracket base member, a linearly elongated, vertically extending handle support post, a linearly elongated, telescoping handle mounted above the apex and on a vertically extending handle support post, and a wedge vertically affixed to the handle.

Abstract: An improved chip capturing device for a planer comprising a chip director hood attached to a wood planer housing and a tubular shaped chip transporter. A first aperture of generally oval shape is embodied within the chip transporter and positioned on a first end of the transporter while a second aperture of generally oval shape and of greater circumference than the first aperture is embodied and positioned on a second end of the transporter. A third aperture to facilitate the introduction of wood shavings and chips to the tubular shaped chip transporter is positioned generally between the first and second apertures, reflects a generally rectangular shape, and extends downwardly generally perpendicular to the chip capture hood.

Abstract: In a control method of a tree harvesting machine, the tree harvesting machine comprises a tree-supporting part (1) with a feeding means (2) for feeding the tree in its longitudinal direction and a cross-cutting saw (5) for cutting the tree at selected locations. The part (1) is supported by a boom assembly (6) or the like. At the moment of action of the cross-cutting saw (5), the tree-supporting part (1) is moved by means of the control automatics of the tree harvesting machine in such a way that the force caused by the weight of the tree, tending to bend the tree at the cutting point and thereby tending to cleave the tree, is compensated at least partly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber tire, and its preparation, composed of carbon black reinforced rubber carcass with an outer, circumferential rubber tread construction of a rubber composition having a relatively high electrical resistivity. The tire tread construction has an electrically conductive filamentary thread stitched through the tread construction and extending between the inner surface of the tread to its outer surface. An electrically conductive path is thereby created through the tire tread.

Abstract: Cold flow is a problem that is commonly encountered in the handling and storage of low molecular weight linear rubbers, such as low vinyl polybutadiene rubber and isoprene-butadiene rubber. This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the cold flow of such rubbery polymers can be greatly reduced by incorporating a small block of polystyrene therein. The rubbery polymers of this invention which exhibit a low level of cold flow can be synthesized by simply terpolymerizing 1,3-butadiene, isoprene and from about 0.5 phm to about 3 phm of styrene under anionic polymerization conditions in the absence of a polar modifier. It is preferred to utilize batch polymerization techniques. However, continuous polymerization techniques can also be utilized. This invention more specifically disclosed a rubbery polymer which is comprised of polymer chains containing repeat units which are derived from 1,3-butadiene, isoprene and from about 0.

Abstract: A single facer containing a first corrugating roll, a second corrugating roll and a gluing mechanism further has an introducing device which is disposed to oppose the second corrugating roll across the liner feed line and pressed against the second corrugating roll via a corrugating medium and a liner; a wrapped roll disposed to oppose the second corrugating roll across the liner feed line on the downstream side of the introducing device with respect to the liner feed direction such that it may not bring the corrugating medium and the liner into press contact with the second corrugating roll, the wrapped roll being driven to rotate at a variable circumferential speed relative to that of the second corrugating roll; a wrapping roll for wrapping the corrugating medium and the liner around the wrapped roll, disposed to oppose the wrapped roll across the feed line, the position of the wrapping roll being adjustable along the circumference of the roll; and a position adjusting mechanism for moving the wrapping rol

Abstract: An apparatus for longitudinally welding and severing superposed thermoplastic films forming a packaging hose includes first and second feed rollers each having an outer periphery contacting one another for advancing the films passing therebetween; a drive for rotating at least one of the feed rollers; a circular heating disk mounted in the first feed roller coaxially therewith and having an outer diameter greater than the peripheral diameter of the first feed roller; and a circumferential groove provided in the second feed roller in alignment with the heating disk. Peripheral portions of the heating disk project into the circumferential groove of the second feed roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing a pneumatic tire off a rim of a motor vehicle wheel comprises a pressing blade for removing the tire by pressing it off the rim. The pressing blade is mounted pivotably on a support structure of the machine in a substantially horizontal plane of pivotal movement. The apparatus includes a lift means for lifting the motor vehicle wheel in a standing position with its wheel axis into the horizontal plane of pivotal movement of the pressing blade.

Abstract: A dual closure system for overhead doors in a structure having a floor, a vertical wall, a ceiling structure, and a rectangular door opening in the wall which extends from the floor upwardly in a direction towards the ceiling has a pair of spaced tracks with a vertical segment extending upwardly from the floor adjacent vertical sides of the door opening, and terminating through curved track segments into a pair of vertically horizontal upper and lower track portions. The curved track segments both have lower ends arcuately merging into alignment with an upper end of the vertical segments of tracks. The upper ends of the curved track segments terminate in vertically spaced horizontal track portions. First and second foldable doors which have sets of rollers on their side edges are movably mounted one each in the horizontal portions of the track so that each door can be individually moved into a vertical position in the vertical segment of the tracks.

Abstract: A control and suspension system for a retractable covering mounted on a rotating element includes an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-extensions of the covering and an apparatus for mechanically limiting over-retractions of the covering. The apparatus for limiting over-retraction includes a threaded shaft and an internal, roll-bar-support wheel treaded on the threaded shaft. An intercepting ledge comprising part of the internal, roll-bar-support wheel, and a stopping ledge comprising part of the threaded shaft. Over retraction of the covering is prohibited when the intercepting ledge impacts the stopping ledge. The apparatus for limiting over-extension includes a roll-bar-end support wheel having a down limit stop pivotally mounted thereto.

Abstract: A spring motor with an improved take-up drum and idler gear assembly is disclosed. The spring motor includes a take-up drum proximate a drive drum with a coil spring interconnected between the two. First and second cord spools are mounted for rotation laterally adjacent the drive drum and take-up drum. The take-up drum is mounted about an idler gear which transfers torque from the first cord spool to the drive drum. Both the take-up drum and the idler gear are independently rotatable and are supported for rotation on first and second respective sides of each to thereby minimize binding between the idler gear and the take-up drum.

Abstract: The invention refers to a door with a door leaf consisting of one or more members that can swivel relative to each other, which is movable in a frame mounted on a building, guided on the side, from a vertical closed position into at least an approximately horizontal open position, where the door has a counterweight unit that is formed of at least one helical spring mounted on a horizontal pinion and that can be pre-tensioned by means of rotation, where the pinion is mounted directly on the door leaf with the helical spring. According to the invention, the pinion is mounted on the upper section of the door leaf in the closed state of the door.

Abstract: A shower curtain made of breathable fabric, which holds replaceable and disposable potpourri sachets. The fragrance is formed by the release of natural scents of potpourri ingredients through sachets comprised of tightly meshed netting. The potpourri sachets are retained within the rotund pockets of the shower curtain, which are sealed with velcro. Fragrance is additionally enhanced by the release of steam from warm shower or bath water saturating the atmosphere, and the bathroom is perfumed by the potpourri sachets. Furthermore, selected potpourri ingredients produce an environment conducive to aromatherapy.

Abstract: A foldable vehicle sunshade has a core of flexible, resilient material, with a plurality of folds defined by lines of stitching that extend from one edge of the sunshade to another edge of the sunshade.

Abstract: A filter unit for use in metal casting including a filter adapter, a filter adapter per se, and a mold for use in metal casting utilizing the filter unit, as well as a method of producing a metal casting, facilitate or practice direct pouring in a manner which provides for greater flexibility, being applicable to a wider range of castings. The apparatus elements and method are particularly suitable for the manufacturing of castings of relatively high modulus and low pour weight, and for the manufacture of high volume castings of low modulus. The mold includes a mold cavity and a sprue, a filter unit located in the sprue, and the filter unit comprising an adapter of refractory material having one or more ledges o10 for mounting a filter, and a filter (e.g. ceramic foam filter) supported by one of the ledges.

Abstract: A mold wall of a continuous casting mold is composed of an inner mold plate and a water box connected to the inner mold plate through screw connections, wherein the inner mold plate has on its side facing the water box webs with grooves extending between the webs, and wherein the grooves have a groove width and filler pieces are arranged in the grooves. The grooves of the mold plate have undercuts with an undercut thickness, the filler pieces have connecting elements with a connecting element thickness, the filler pieces engage releasably in the undercuts, and the screw connections are arranged between the filler pieces and the water box.

Abstract: A periodic disturbance restraining unit 23 is provided with a control component oscillating at a frequency equal to a frequency of a periodic disturbance of a mold level, calculates a mold level periodic disturbance restraining state amount by using a mold level control deviation signal from a control deviation calculating unit 21 and outputs a mold level periodic disturbance restraining signal. A control loop robust stabilization unit 24 receives a mold level steady-state deviation restraining signal from a steady-state deviation restraining unit 22 and the mold level periodic disturbance restraining signal, calculates an operating amount of a stopper so that a mold level control loop of the control apparatus is brought into robust stability and outputs an operating amount signal.

Abstract: An integrated plant for the production of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as bars and rods, is described in which the product is initially cast in a pair of continuous casters and conducted along parallel conveyor lines toward a rolling mill which is in-line with one of the conveyor lines. A tunnel furnace operative to heat the product to rolling temperatures contains transfer mechanism for transferring product on the out-of-line conveyor to the in-line conveyor whereby the benefits of substantially continuous rolling of the product is achieved. A method for operating the plant is also described.

Abstract: A continuous casting installation comprises an ingot mould and an oscillating holding device used for causing the ingot mould to swing when in a casting position. The installation consists, in a separable manner, of an interchangeable part and a stationary part. To replace the intechangeable part, it is separated from the stationary one and moved using a conveying means, at least along a partial path, from its position of operation into an area beneath the casting position. This enables, especially in the multiline casting installations, the interchangeable part to be transported during the casting process and, for example, along paths comprising straight or arciform segments, to any purposefully selected position and to be replaced by a new interchangeable part to be replaced in multiline installations with no interference with the casting process in any adjacent ingot arrangement.

Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator includes four rectangular regenerative heat exchangers, two blowers, a rotating air switch all disposed in a compact rectangular housing. The regenerative heat exchangers are made of a pleated HEPA filter material. The HEPA filter material captures at least 99.97% of particles having a diameter greater than 0.3 microns. Alternatively, the HEPA filter material is rated at least 85% Dust-Spot Efficiency percentage as measured by ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992, Dust-Spot Procedure. The regenerative heat exchangers are stationary with stationary seals between the outside and inside climate. One of the blowers blows a stale airstream out through the heat exchangers; the other blower blows a fresh airstream in through the heat exchangers. The rotating air switch operates in conjunction with the two blowers producing the necessary flow reversal through each regenerative heat exchanger to allow heat and moisture exchange between the stale airstream and the fresh airstream.

Abstract: A heat dissipating device includes a plurality of heat dissipating plates. Each of the heat dissipating plates has a stack plate portion and at least one fin plate portion that extends integrally from the stack plate portion. The stack plate portions of the heat dissipating plates are in close contact with one another and cooperatively form a stack part with a flat contact face adapted to be placed on a heat generating articles. The fin plate portions of the heat dissipating plates are bent from the stack plate portions to extend divergingly away from the stack part. The fin plate portions have confronting surfaces which diverge away from one another.

Abstract: For multi-cell, mechanical draft, vacuum steam condensers, a design of a noncondensible gas removal system that isolates bundles and fan cells from external/internal influences and gas/vapor interchange and allows bundles to operate in a reverse air-flow direction, all of which promotes freeze protection and improved performance.

Abstract: The module is formed from two sheets welded to each other by laser welding. Longitudinal weld beads define between them longitudinal ducts for the flow of a first fluid. The sheets are also joined together by a peripheral weld bead. The weld bead defines, beyond the longitudinal ducts, a transition zone which narrows from the longitudinal ducts up to the gap. Weld spots are previously formed in this zone. Once the welds are completed, the module is formed by the injection of a fluid under pressure through a gap in the weld bead. Utilization for rendering mutually compatible the variations in width of the module during hydroforming in the end regions and for forming, with the transitions zone, a flow distributer to the various channels during operation.

Abstract: A coiled heat exchanger and a method of making the coiled heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a pair of corrugated plates connected to one another such that the crests of their respective corrugations contact. Edges of the sheets that correspond to the faces of the cylindrical core formed from coiling the sheets are bent and connected such that a substantially continuous and flat wall is formed between the two sheets. Portions of the wall are alternately cut open, left intact, and flattened so as to form a pattern of three distinct angular sectors on the face of the core. These angular sectors respectively include cut-open sectors configured to pass a heat transfer fluid therethrough, platform sectors configured for the mounting of headers thereon, and flattened wall sectors creating gaps configured to pass a heat transfer fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A heat exchanger that achieves a reduction in the dimensions of the header pipes, a sufficient level of strength against pressure and a structure that allows the caps to be washed thoroughly during the washing process is provided At each of the caps closing off the two ends of the cylindrical portion constituting a header pipe, a circular groove at which the circumferential edge at an end of the cylindrical portion is fitted over the entire circumference is formed to completely fit the cylindrical portion inside the cap so that the dimensions of the header pipe along the axial direction are reduced. In addition, by forming a thick portion at a closing portion, the pressure withstanding capability of the cap is improved. The cap also has a projected portion at its outer flat surface.

Abstract: A heat exchanger baffle and method by which the internal passage of a heat exchanger member is divided into two separate flow regions. The baffle includes first and second members having planar portions that define edges of the first and second members. The planar portions are connected to each other so as to form a connection region between the first and second members. The connection region is deformable to enable the planar portions to be folded onto each other. The baffle can then be installed in a heat exchanger member by installing the planar portions together into a slot in the wall of the heat exchanger member. After installation, the planar members remain substantially parallel to each other, and the connection region preferably contacts a portion of the wall opposite the slot. The manner in which the baffle is folded serves to bias the first and second members against the slot, so that the baffle is more reliably retained within the slot prior to being permanently secured by such methods as brazing.

Abstract: A multi-bored flat tube has outermost unit passages located at both ends of the tube and intermediate unit passages between the outermost unit passages. The outermost unit passage has a circular-based inner surface in cross-section, such as a circumferentially smooth curved shape in cross-section like a perfect circular shape or elliptical shape, or has a circular-based inner surface in cross-section having a plurality of inner fins extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube. The intermediate unit passage has a non-circular based cross-sectional shape, such as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or circular based shape including a plurality of inner fins. The tube is strong against being hit by a stone and has a high heat exchanging performance.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, particularly an evaporator, has a number of ducts (19) for the flow of a cooling fluid which are connected in series, each duct (19) being produced as a pair of plates (13) including a concave region (3) limited by an edge (5) and provided with a number of studs forming dimples (9), the dimples being randomly distributed. The invention applies mainly to the air conditioning of motor vehicles.

Abstract: Device for connecting tubular conduits with the distributor section or tank (2) of a liquid treatment flow through apparatus (1) provided with treatment elements assembled as a parallelepiped package or core the tank extending over a front surface of the package and provided in a corner section with a cut off triangular section (3) in which there is provided a passage (4) for the liquid, and a substantially pyramidal hollow adapter attachment (6) which may be mounted on the triangular section (3) and which is provided with a base surface having a passage for the liquid corresponding to the passage for the liquid of the triangular section and with a conduit connector opening (9) in one of its side surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature-control apparatus for a printing machine includes a closed, temperature-control fluid circuit including a pump with a suction and pressure side, a fluid feed line feeding temperature-control fluid from a fluid source to the suction side of the pump and a fluid return line on the suction side of the pump between the pump and the load. Temperature-control fluid from the source may be pumped by the pump through the circuit to the load and recycled to the suction side of the pump. A valve is provided in the return line to the source and is controlled by a temperature sensor that senses the temperature in the circuit and selectively directs fluid to the circuit or out of the circuit and back to the source dependent upon the sensed temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is a system permanently installing measuring sondes against the inner wall of a pipe (1) such as a well or a tube. Measuring sondes (8) are respectively associated with coupling devices (2) that are brought to their coupling points in the pipe by means of an elongate support element (3) such as a cable or a tube. Each coupling device (2) comprises a deformable element (6) made of a shape-memory alloy that is deformed in order to allow displacement thereof along the pipe, and that is brought back to its expanded (convex) shape for example by means of a hot fluid stream that is injected in the pipe by means of a pump (P). In this expanded position, it immobilizes coupling device (2) and presses the sonde (8) against pipe (1) while mechanically decoupling the sonde from support element (3). The support element may be withdrawn if not serving another purpose.

Abstract: A pump rod drive and torque release mechanism for use in association with a downhole pump positioned within a well. The pump rod drive and torque release mechanism comprises a central housing having a generally hollow interior, a drive shaft received within the central housing, a drive rod received within the central housing, and a torque transfer mechanism positioned within the central housing. The drive shaft may be operatively connected to a pump rod rotator to impart rotational movement to the drive shaft. The drive rod may be operatively connected to a downhole pump so as to enable transference of rotational energy from the drive rod to the downhole pump. The torque transfer mechanism has an engaged position wherein it operatively connects the drive shaft to the drive rod such that rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the drive rod. The torque transfer mechanism also has a disengaged position wherein it operatively disconnects the drive shaft from the drive rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for efficient cleaning of downhole equipment in boreholes, especially oil and gas wells drilled offshore from floating drilling vessels. The apparatus is a wash tool having an elongated central body with a longitudinal bore therethrough. A plurality of integral, outwardly-extending blades radiate outward from the central body. Wash ports extend radially from the longitudinal bore through the body of the blades, to the outermost surface of the blades and exiting at that point. Spiral or straight blades may be employed. A reduced diameter, extended nose portion is attached to the lower end of the tool. Removable jet nozzles may be installed in the wash ports near the outermost blade faces, to create a high velocity wash stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the management of H2S containing gas streams and high alkalinity water streams in which process the H2S is selectively removed from the gas stream and combusted to form an SO2 rich waste gas stream. The SO2 gas stream is then scrubbed with the water stream to substantially remove the SO2 from the gas while subsequent treatment of the water such as softening or settling is improved.

Abstract: A process for cleaning boreholes, drilling equipment and drill cuttings is presented involving the application of a cleaning composition to surfaces and the subsequent removal of the cleaning composition and soils. The cleaning composition contains a cleaning additive having alkoxylation products obtained by the reaction of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof with an OH-containing C10-22 carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, where structural units corresponding to formula (I): comprise one or both of the 9/10 or 13/14 positions, wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, an OH group or a OR2 group, R2 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group containing 2 to 18 carbon atoms or a group corresponding to formula (II): where R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1 to 21 carbon atoms or an alkylene group containing 2 to 21 carbon atoms. The cleaning composition is biodegradable.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly suspended on a string of tubing in a well has a valve that drains the tubing above the pump when the pump shuts down. The valve includes a valve housing installed with the tubing string above the submersible pump assembly. The valve housing has an interior in communication with fluid in the string of tubing above the valve housing, and a shunt port communicating the interior of the valve housing with an annulus surrounding the string of tubing. A valve cage is slidably received within the valve housing for movement between upper and lower positions. The valve cage blocks communication through the shunt port while in the upper position, and while in the lower position, opens the shunt port. A valve seat is located in the valve cage, and a valve member moves between a lower position, sealingly engaging the valve seat, and an upper position, allowing flow through the valve seat from the pump to the tubing string.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating a section of liner intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprises a length of tubing, the wall of the tubing defining a plurality of apertures, and perforating charges being located in the apertures. The tubing is adapted for mounting on the lower end of a length of production or test tubing such that the formation fluid may flow into the tubing and then directly into the production or test tubing. The charges disintegrate on detonation to leave the apertures unobstructed and to form light or small parts which may be swept out of the well by the formation fluid. Following detonation of the charges, the flow area of the tubing corresponds to the tubing internal diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into a well to displace well fluid. A flexible hose is lowered into an annulus between strings of casing. A nozzle is affixed to the lower end of the hose. During insertion, the hose is pressurized and rigid to keep the hose from winding about the well. To keep the hose rigid, internal pressure is maintained in the hose. The nozzle is provided with a check valve that holds the internal pressure up to a selected amount. Once the hose is lowered to a desired depth, the operator increases the pressure sufficiently in the hose to open the check valve, thereby allowing heavy liquid to flow out. The heavy liquid displaces the lighter well production, which flows out of the outlet. After the heavy fluid has been dispensed, the internal pressure is reduced, causing the check valve to close. The check valve can also be opened during insertion, if desired.