Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filling a container with a liquid product. The apparatus includes various passageways which facilitate the evacuation of the container of atmospheric gases prior to filling as well as facilitating introduction of the liquid product into the container. The apparatus also allows for the introduction of a counter-pressure purge gas to be introduced into the container after evacuation to prevent reintroduction of atmospheric gases into the container during filling of the container with a fluid product. A method in accordance with the instant invention comprises substantially evacuating the container as well as introducing liquid product into the container.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and metering system including a tubeless dispensing module is disclosed. The liquid dispensing and metering system includes a turntable table supported and rotated by a driving mechanism. A plurality of solution bottles are positioned on the turntable table, each of which being mounted with an electromagnetic valve. At least one actuating unit is arranged to energize the electromagnetic valves of the solution bottles to allow the liquid material contained in the solution bottles to be flowed out via the electromagnetic valves. At least one electronic scale with a beaker is arranged under the turntable table for measuring the liquid material received in the beakers. The driving mechanism includes a liftable supporting mechanism for moving the turntable table upwardly or downwardly with respect to the electronic scale.

Abstract: A filling machine (38) includes at least one filling tube (22), whereby a product flows through the tube, which tube is placed opposite the opening of a receptacle (12) that is to be filled. The filling tube is accommodated in a fixed housing that is joined to a support (34) for the filling tube; the housing possesses an orifice (48) whereby the filling tube is placed opposite thereto and the housing also includes a moveable obturating flap (50) that closes the orifice and seals the housing when in a closed position. The machine includes structure that enables a cleaning agent to be circulated inside the housing.

Abstract: A cosmetic eye and lip pencil sharpener that includes an electrically powered sharpener for a number of different diameters of cosmetic pencils and which further includes a number of storage cavities for storing cosmetic pencils when they are not being used. In order to facilitate removal of the pencil shavings generated from sharpening the cosmetic pencils, the cosmetic eye and lip pencil sharpener also includes a removable pencil shaving capture drawer for capturing the shavings and providing a convenient mechanism for transporting the shavings to a disposal location such as a trash can.

Abstract: A rotary ring log debarker including one or more rotary rings each carrying one or more sets of equiangularly distributed log debarking arms and tools, in such a manner that the overall machine includes at least two axially offset (leading and trailing) sets of debarking tool arms which perform debarking in two different axially spaced planes. The trailing edges of the tool tips in the leading arm set are spaced upstream from the leading edges of the tool tips in the trailing arm set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as “lilypads”, such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.

Abstract: A tire rim (1, 40, 60) having a reduced flange height (h) is disclosed. The rim (1, 40, 60) has one or both flanges (2, 42, 62) having a maximum radial height (h) of less than 12 mm, preferably in the range of 6 mm to less than 12 mm. The rim (1, 40, 60) when combined with a tire (10) has a tire and rim assembly wherein the bead core (22) of the tire (10) has a centroid (24) that is within 3 mm of the maximum radial height (h) of the rim flange (2) preferably within 1 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for maintaining equal air pressure in a pair of tires on a work machine. The invention provides a valve body with a pair of piston chambers. A piston is reciprocatably positioned within each piston chamber, the pistons are biased toward a first closed end of the piston chambers. The closed end of each piston chamber is connected by a passageway to one of the tires. Each piston chamber is additionally fluidly connected to the other piston chamber. When the air pressure in each tire is above a predetermined amount the pistons are moved away from the closed end of the piston chamber and airflow is permitted between the piston chambers thereby balancing the tire pressures. If the pressure in either tire is below the predetermined minimum, the piston in that respective piston chamber moves toward the first end to block, airflow between the piston chambers.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a toroidal carcass satisfies the following expressions: Ra/D≦0.08; Rb/D≦0.08; 0<&phgr;a≦50°; and 0<&phgr;b≦50°. Alternatively, the pneumatic tire has a tire section constant J per a unit circumferential length of 0.8 or smaller.

Abstract: Formation of a carcass ply takes place by laying down onto a toroidal support (11), a first and a second series of strip-like sections (13, 14) cut to size from a continuous strip-like element (2a) and each comprising longitudinal thread-like elements (15) incorporated into a layer of elastomer material (18). The sections (13) of the first series are sequentially disposed at some circumferential distance from each other, to form side portions (19) to the end flaps (19a) of which primary portions (4a) of respective bead-reinforcing structures (4) are applied. The sections (14) of the second series are each interposed in the space defined between two sections of the first series (13), with the respective end flaps (20a) overlapping the primary portions (4a) of the annular structures (4). Additional portions (24) of the annular structures are applied to the end flaps (20a) of the sections (14) belonging to the second series.

Abstract: A drum for the formation of a vehicle tire carcass including bead positioning features, the drum including multiple subsystems which are operatively and cooperatively interconnected to enhance the definition of embryonic sidewalls of the tire.

Abstract: The decapsulating method is for an integrated circuit package and includes the steps of subjecting the encapsulant to electromagnetic radiation, and, more preferably microwave radiation, to break the polymer bonds of the polymer resin and convert the encapsulant to loosened particles. The loosened particles can then be removed to thereby decapsulate the integrated circuit package. The method may further include the step of maintaining the integrated circuit package below a predetermined temperature during the subjecting step. The step of maintaining the temperature below the predetermined temperature may be performed by controlling a power of the electromagnetic radiation, such as based upon sensing a temperature of the integrated circuit package. The method may further comprise the step of varying a frequency of the microwave radiation during the subjecting step.

Abstract: In a separator, a seesaw cover is pressed downward at its rear end to turn the seesaw cover counterclockwise to form an open mouth. A label comprising a printing tape and a cover tape attached through an adhesive layer o the printing tape is inserted at one end into the open mouth. The seesaw cover is released from the push force applied from above to its end opposite to the mouth, the cover is returned to its original position by the resiliency of a spring, and the label is then clamped at one end by elastic members within the mouth. When a push button is pressed downward, a pair of sliding contact surfaces thereof slide on a corresponding pair of sliding contact surfaces of a moving member to thereby move the moving member toward the mouth. This causes a curved member provided at a mouth-side end of the moving member and hence its curved member surface to curve a corner of the label.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sunshade roll screen which has light weight, has a sufficient degree of strength, and is quickly responsive to a rush of wind or the like. Gears held in mesh with each other are formed at adjacent ends of two arms coupled in series to construct a collapsible arm link. Meshing portions of a plurality of the collapsible arm links are coupled to each other by a connecting rod. Opposite ends of each of the collapsible arm links are pivoted to a support pipe and a horizontal moving rod to construct a framework. A roll screen is stretched over the framework.

Abstract: A hanger pin for a vertical vane covering for an architectural opening includes a new and improved symmetric headrail having uniquely designed carriers for suspending individual vanes wherein the carriers are designed to minimize skewing relative to a tilt rod as they are moved along the headrail. A pantograph system is utilized to interconnect the carriers, and is connected to the carriers in alignment with the tilt rod so as to minimize skewing. The carriers have pockets formed therein through which the traverse cord extends so that the traverse cord, which moves the carriers along the tilt rod, is secured to a lead carrier closely adjacent to the tilt rod to, again, minimize skewing. Light blocking rails are also attachable to the headrail to substantially bridge the gap between the headrail and the top of the suspended vanes to prevent light from passing therebetween. The tilt rod is keyed to gears in the carriers to facilitate assembly of the control system with all vanes properly aligned.

Abstract: A method for compacting molding sand in a molding box in which a model is present, which model is embedded in molding sand. The molding box is vibrated by means of imbalance weights, which are each to be rotated about an axis of rotation during operation. At least four imbalance weights being rotatable about parallel axes of rotation are used, which can be shifted in phase relative to each other.

Abstract: An offset conveyor system utilizes a lower conveying section positioned adjacent a pouring station where molten metal is poured into weighted and jacketed sand molds. Molds are transported on carriers along the lower section from a mold loading station to a weight and jacket placement station to the pouring station. After pouring, the carrier with jacketed mold is moved up an incline to an upper conveying section parallel the lower section and may overlap the lower section partially. Molds are transported in an opposite linear direction relative to the lower section to a weight and jacket removal station and to a mold dump station, where the sand mold and casting are removed from the conveyor. The carrier is returned to the lower conveyor section to receive another mold. The weight and jacket removed from the upper section is placed on a mold on the lower section, therefore only a minimum number of weights and jackets are used.

Abstract: Fully dense long ingots are produced by the bottom pouring method and apparatus of the present invention. A solidification sequence is achieved which is conducive to eliminating solidification shrinkage and piping. The set-up of the bottom poured ingot molds facilitates a solidification sequence starting from the top and then down the ingot mold and then up the down pour pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is a segmented flow device for performing the functions of a reactor, heat exchanger or holding tube or their combination. The device controls the residence time of all of liquid and solid particles which make up a flow in the device. By controlling the residence time, the prediction of residence time becomes less of an issue during processing. The segmented flow device reduces the difference in residence time between the fastest and slowest moving particles of the flow. The device allows all of the particles to receive nearly the same processing time to reduce under-processing or over-processing of the particles If desired, the device allows the residence time of the larger solid particles to be controlled to be longer or shorter than the average of the residence time of other particles of the flow, such as the liquid and smaller solid particles.

Abstract: This invention concerns a liquid cooled dissipator for electronic components characterized by selectively arranged dissipation fins, namely fins positioned only in proximity of the areas against which the electric components to cool are mounted.

Abstract: The present invention includes heat sinks, heat sink devices, and heat sink systems. The invention also includes machines or electronic devices using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes in broadest terms, an electronic device in thermal contact with a two-layered micro-channeled heat sink device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-transfer tube, in particular an evaporator tube, with fins circumferentially extending on the shellside, which fins are shaped to essentially closed-off channels. The channels are open to the outside through pores with at least two variable sizes. In order to improve the evaporation characteristics, the invention provides advantageous regions for the ratio of the pore sizes and the ratio of the number of pores.

Abstract: A composite landing collar is disclosed which is preferably adhesive bonded to the liner string using a high temperature epoxy. The spacing during bonding is maintained within dimensional limits using spacers. The body features a bi-directional material, with an appropriate ratio in the warp and fills directions, for about a quarter of the wall thickness. A unidirectional material with the fibers axially aligned aids in reduction of thermal stresses in the thick wall during curing, as well as reducing shear stress concentration along the adhesive bonding interface.

Abstract: An expandable well screen provides increased collapse, torsional and tensile strength. In a described embodiment, an expandable well screen includes a generally tubular base pipe and an external filtering media. The well screen is configured to have sufficient torsional and tensile strength for conveyance and positioning in a wellbore, while also having sufficient strength to prevent collapse when the screen is radially expanded.

Abstract: A centralizer for laterally positioning an instrument in an opening larger in diameter than the diameter of an opening through which the centralizer can freely pass. The centralizer includes spring blades affixed at one end to an outer surface of the instrument and extending axially to a stop collar rotatably positioned on the outer surface of the instrument. A latch is operatively coupled to the stop collar and is adapted to enable rotation of the stop collar about the instrument upon release of the latch.

Abstract: An Internal Bottom Hole Assembly (IBHA) for a Coiled Tubing (CT) enables the CT to be used with other devices downhole. The IBHA includes a connector, a valve assembly and an emergency disconnect device, all of which are mounted internally in the CT. The connector couples to the inside of the CT by means of wedges that are urged against the inside wall of the CT. The valve assembly may be mounted either between the connector and the disconnect device or may be on the side of the connector away from the disconnect device. The valve assembly includes one or more flapper valves that are able to pass a ball through at a minimum flow rate of fluid, enabling the ball to be used to operate the disconnect device.

Abstract: One embodiment of my invention comprises a tool string for testing a wellbore formation that includes a production inlet, an injection outlet, and a sampler apparatus. Fluid is taken from a production zone, into the tool string through the production inlet, out of the tool string through the injection outlet, and into the injection zone. Within the interior of the tool string, the sampler apparatus takes samples of the fluid flowing therethrough. In another embodiment, a large volume of sample fluid is trapped within the interior of the tool string, such as between two valves, and is removed from the wellbore along with the tool string subsequent to the test. In another embodiment, the tool string includes at least one perforating gun to perforate one of the production and injection zones. The tool string may also include two perforating guns to perforate both the production and injection zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clean water separation system with an electric submersible pumping device and a surface separator and pumping device for the separation and transfer of different density fluids and solids. The electric submersible pumping device can be an encapsulated device that works in conjunction with a separator and pumping system that are located on the surface, to separate fluids and solids.

Abstract: Delayed thixotropic cement compositions and methods of cementing in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The novel cement compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry and a water soluble delayed thixotropy imparting additive selected from the group consisting of carbonic acid and alkali metal carbonates.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved lightweight well cement compositions useful for performing a variety of cementing applications in subterranean formations and particularly for cementing conductor pipe in offshore wells. A preferred cement composition basically comprises a hydraulic cement, an effective amount of an iron salt selected from the group of ferric chloride, ferrous chloride or mixtures thereof to reduce the transition time of the composition, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, an effective amount of a foaming additive for producing a foamed slurry, and sufficient gas to foam the slurry.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing multiple zones from a single wellbore wherein a hollow whipstock is used to complete a lateral into an upper zone which lies above a lower producing zone. The whipstock has openings through its tapered face which, in turn, are sealed by dissolvable plugs (e.g. aluminum). Once the lateral has been completed, a reagent (e.g. hydrochloric acid) is pumped down the wellbore to dissolve the plugs and open the openings through the face of the whipstock thereby allowing the flow from the lower zone to pass through the whipstock to be produced up through the wellbore along with the flow from the upper production zone.

Abstract: The components required for changing out a bottom hole assembly are stored within a submerged storage chamber adjacent the lower end of a riser extending up from the bottom of a body of water. A vertical, revolving magazine holds the bottom hole assembly components within the storage chamber. A pressure lock between the storage chamber and the interior of the riser is opened to permit the bottom hole assembly components in the chamber to be exchanged with those forming the drilling string assembly within the riser. The storage chamber may be selectively sealed from the body of water and the internal riser area as the bottom hole assembly components are moved into and out of the chamber. A remotely operated mechanism assembles and disassembles the bottom hole assembly components of the drilling string assembly.

Abstract: A drilling unit comprises a floating drilling rig, a subsea wellhead, and a riser connecting the subsea drilling rig with the subsea wellhead. A floatation collar encircles the riser so as to reduce deck load on the floating drilling rig. The floatation collar comprises a hollow fabric body filled with gas. The floatation collar has a longitudinal axia and is formed from a sidewall body having a longitudinally extending slit extending through the sidewall body. The slit enables the floatation collar to be transversely mounted onto the marine riser.

Abstract: A method for preventing critical annular pressure buildup in an offshore well utilizes a modified casing coupling that includes a receptacle, or receptacles, for a modular burst disk assembly. The burst disk assembly is retained by threads or a snap ring and is sealed by the retaining threads, or an integral o-ring seal. The disk fails at pressure specified by the user but before trapped annular pressure threatens the integrity of the outer casing. The design allows for the burst disk assembly to be installed on location or before pipe shipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling hydrostatic pressure in drilling fluid in a subsea well. A main pump forces drilling fluid down the drill pipe, out of the end of the drill pipe, and upward in an annulus surrounding the pipe. A rotating drilling head is attached to a wellhead assembly at the sea floor. The drilling head has an inner body rotatably carried in an outer body landed in a bore of a housing. An energizable gripper in a bore of the inner body grips an outer surface of the drill pipe. The drilling head diverts the drilling fluid into a lateral passage in the sidewall of the housing. An auxiliary pump forces seawater through a venturi into a conduit, creating a lower pressure to draw drilling fluid into the conduit to be carried back to the surface vessel. Pressure and flow rate measurements are sent to a control system that modulates the speed of each pump to control hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A monolithic pumping tree combining a bottom connection, production blow-out preventer section, flow tee section and top connection is cast so as to provide an access port extending downwardly through the side wall of the tree from its outer surface, to connect with either the central vertical bore of the tree or its horizontal bottom surface, thereby enabling coiled tubing to be inserted either into the tubing string bore or into the annulus between the tubing and production casing strings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole water separation system with an encapsulated electric submersible pumping device for the separation and transfer of different density fluids in downhole applications. The encapsulated device works in conjunction with a separator and packer, using a pump assembly and a motor assembly that are contained in an enclosed device, to separate fluids with a minimum use of conduits. The pump and motor are part of an encapsulated single device, and the separation system arrangement permits the motor and pump to be either above or below the separator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping pipes, tubes, liners, or casing at downhole locations in wells. Use is made of rollers bearing radially outwards against the inside wall of the pipe (etc.), the rollers being rolled around the pipe to cause outward plastic deformation which expands and shapes the pipe to a desired profile. Where one pipe is inside another, the two pipes can be joined without separate components (except optional seals). Landing nipples and liner hangers can be formed in situ. Valves can be deployed to a selected downhole location and there sealed to the casing or liner without separate packers. Casing can be deployed downhole in reduced-diameter lengths and then expanded to case a well without requiring larger diameter bores and causing further uphole. The invention enables simplified downhole working, and enables a well to be drilled & produced with the minimum downhole bore throughout its depth, obviating the need for large bores.

Abstract: There is provided a downhole tubing sealing system (10) comprising a radially expandable slotted tubular body (16) carrying deformable material (22) on the exterior thereof; and a seal member (26) for location within the tubular body and for engaging an inner surface of said body. There is further provided a method of sealing a portion of a downhole bore, the method comprising locating a radially expandable slotted tubular body (16) carrying deformable material (22) on the exterior thereof in a bore, expanding the body radially into contact with the bore wall, and locating a seal member (26) within the body and radially extending the seal member to engage an inner surface of the body, so sealing portion of the downhole bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for use in coiled tubing operations wherein fatigue of the coiled tubing owing to short trips is reduced by reducing the number of bending and straightening events that coiled tubing undergoes to accomplish a particular wellbore objective. The invention relates to a method that allows the coiled tubing reel and tubing reeled thereon to remain stationary while making small movements of coiled tubing using the injector. The invention also relates to a method that permits synchronized movement of coiled tubing between the coiled tubing reel and injector.

Abstract: An impact rotary tool includes an output shaft having an anvil at an end portion thereof, a hammer having a projecting portion applying an impact force to the anvil under a predetermined condition, a driving shaft connected to the hammer through a cam mechanism, and a changeover mechanism for changing the connection between the driving shaft and the output shaft. The mechanism is arranged along with a common axis defined by the driving shaft and the output shaft. The changeover mechanism includes a connecting member accommodated into the driving shaft in a first condition, and connecting the driving shaft and the output shaft in a second condition.

Abstract: A surface vessel is anchored almost geostationarily by a turret rotatable relative to the vessel about a vertical axis and having mooring cables extending to the seabed. A well is drilled from a drilling section in the vessel at a distance from the axis of rotation of the turret. The drilling is performed using a drill string through a riser extending from the seabed to the drilling section, which riser can be broken and shut off between the seabed and the vessel. By manipulating (hauling in and slackening) the mooring cables, the vessel is held in position so that the derrick is kept almost geostationary relative to the well during drilling operations. The system includes a surface vessel, a turret rotatable relative to the vessel about a vertical axis and which can be anchored to the seabed by a plurality of mooring cables, and a riser extending from the seabed to the vessel through which the well can be drilled with a drill string from a derrick in a drilling section on board the vessel.

Abstract: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the surface of the ground in a drilling area. The mapping tool includes a housing and a transmitter arrangement supported by the housing for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region for use in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling. The associated mathods include the step of configuring the mapping tool for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region and using the received setup locating signal in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling.

Abstract: A system of apparatus for use in a coring tool measures the height of a core sample being recovered and transmits data relative thereto to the surface of a formation concurrently during the coring operation. A transmitter of an electromagnetic ranging system rides atop a core sample being formed in the barrel chamber and a receiver member of the electromagnetic ranging system is fixed at a top end of the barrel it known distance above the transmitter. During the coring operation the transmitter transmits a fixed frequency signal to the receiver through drilling fluid disposed therebetween. The distance between the transmitter and receiver decreases and the amplitude of the transmitted signal changes as a function of the separation distance between the transmitter and receiver as the core sample enters the inner barrel and the height of the core sample within the barrel is determined as a function of time and depth.

Abstract: An early formation evaluation tool is provided which includes formation fluid sampling capabilities. In one embodiment, fluid pressure in a drill string in which the tool is interconnected is utilized to operate packers of the tool and to operate fluid samplers of the tool. To successively control actuation of the samplers, a ratchet mechanism responsive to altering fluid pressures in the drill string aligns a piercing member with a series of frangible pressure barriers associated with the samplers.

Abstract: A method and system of drilling straight directional and multilateral wells utilizing hydraulic frictional controlled drilling, by providing concentric casing strings to define a plurality of annuli therebetween; injecting fluid down some of the annuli; returning the fluid up at least one annulus so that the return flow creates adequate hydraulic friction within the return annulus to control the return flow within the well. The hydraulic friction should be minimized on the injection side to require less hydraulic horsepower and be maximized on the return side to create the desired subsurface friction to control the well.

Abstract: The diverter valve is carried in a housing that serves as a length of drill string. A selector valve is actuated by selective mud flow control signals from the surface and can close to build internal pressure to move a poppet to open a by-pass channel. Positive resilient seals are carried inside a protective sleeve until the principal openings are closed, then the seal is deployed to stop leakage.

Abstract: An air inlet is provided at the bottom of a vehicle to open downwardly. The air inlet is connected by a first tube to an air cooler for a PDU and a down converter. A fan for inputting the flow of air and turning its direction 90 degrees is connected at the downstream of the air cooler. The fan is further connected by a second tube to an exhaust outlet. The air inlet is located above a fuel tank thus to prevent any object jumping up from the road surface from straightforwardly entering the air inlet while the vehicle is running. The exhaust outlet is located above a silencer and can thus be prevented from being frozen in the winter. Using the above arrangement, the present invention embodies an air intaking and exhausting apparatus in an air cooling system for air cooling the PDU and the down converter at higher efficiency without the help of the air cooler mounted in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible seal with a tree insert on the lower portion of the seal that is pushed without tools into a continuous slot or a series of slots that are spaced along the flat mounting surface. When the seal is mounted adjacent to an edge of a panel or surface, a retaining clip feature can be added along with the tree insert to aid in retaining the seal during the open and close cycle or compression and un-compressed state. There is an upper seal portion engaged to a lower portion. This upper portion is made of a material of a different flexibility than the lower portion. In one embodiment, the lower portion with the tree and the retaining clip, if used, is made of a dense rubber and the upper portion is a cellular sponge. The seal may be used to seal the space between the top of a vehicle radiator module and the hood of the vehicle to thereby prevent recirculation flow around the radiator.

Abstract: A scooter includes a front frame has a pivot bracket with a quick release device mounted on the pivot bracket and a head tube attached to the pivot bracket so a steering assembly can be attached to the front frame. A rear frame is slidably connected to the front frame and selectively held in place by a positioning device. A drive axle is mounted in one end of the rear frame and has at least one rear wheel rotatably mounted on the drive axle. A drive device is mounted on the scooter for driving the rear wheel. A carrying case is mounted on the rear frame and adapted for a rider to sit on a top of the carrying case or to hold the scooter after the scooter is folded.