Abstract: A service valve for a CO2 refrigerant based air conditioning system in a vehicle. The service valve includes a dynamic seal that is opened and closed during servicing of the air conditioning system. The dynamic seal provides for good overall sealing as well as good permeation resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for admitting liquid from a draining surface into a drain conduit and for preventing discharge of waste gas from the drain conduit into the atmosphere in response to a higher pressure in the drain conduit than at the draining surface. The method and apparatus typically are for use draining floors, basements, roofs, countertops, exterior paved areas, and surfaces draining into line that could discharge waste gas back into the environment. The invention provides floor drain assemblies and check valves with good drainage performance with out the use of P or U-traps, and is particularly well suited for use when drainage occurs irregularly. Floor drains according to the invention comprise check valves adapted for disposition within floor drains, the check valves generally comprising spring-loaded stops, elastic diaphragms, or sheath valves. Check valves according to the invention are preferably installable in existing drain structures, and are easily removable.

Abstract: A combination check valve and pressure relief valve is provided for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side. The combination check valve and pressure relief valve includes a valve plug, a valve guide moveably positioned in relation to the valve plug, a valve stem engaged to the valve guide, a check compression spring attached to the valve stem and positioned between the valve guide and the valve plug, a valve seat carried by the valve stem, and a relief compression spring positioned between the valve seat and the valve guide. The valve guide is adapted to move the valve stem relative to the valve seat against the force of the relief compression spring to allow fluid to pass from the first fluid side to the second fluid side through a fluid flow passage formed between the valve stem and the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention is based on an apparatus (10) for regulating the pressure in a hydraulic circuit that comprises an electrically triggerable pressure-control valve (12), a receptacle device (14) in which the pressure-control valve (12) is installed, and means (54, 64) for damping pressure pulsations. In order to save space, simplify the manufacture of the receptacle device (14), and save additional holding elements, it is proposed according to the invention that the means (54, 64) for damping pressure pulsations be designed as integral components of the pressure-control valve (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating the amplitude of a time-variant property of a fluid stream which comprises an enclosed volume, wherein the enclosed volume includes a mixing zone having an inlet and three or more outlets; piping means for introducing an inlet fluid stream into the inlet of the mixing zone; and piping means for withdrawing from the mixing zone three or more individual fluid portions through the three or more outlets and combining the three or more individual fluid portions into an outlet fluid stream. The distance between at least one pair of adjacent outlets may be different than the distance between another pair of adjacent outlets, and the distance between adjacent outlets may decrease as the distance of each outlet from the inlet increases.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for transferring fluid (13) between a first site and a second site, comprising: a winch (40) for the first site (10) whereon is wound a suspension cable (17) designed to be stretched between the two sites (10, 11) and which is adapted to subject the cable to constant tension; a support (14) for the first site and for storing in suspension rigid pipe sections (15) mutually articulated via articulating sections (16) with rotary bends and joints, so as to shift from a storage position wherein the pipe sections (15) are suspended accordion-like to the support (14) to a stretched position between the two sites (10, 11) by being suspended to the cable; and means for coupling (22) some of the articulating sections (16) to the support (14) or to cable (17) depending on the length of the cable stretched between the two sites (10, 11).

Abstract: The present invention is a concrete piping system comprising a pipeline. The pipeline includes an intake end, an output end, a liner resistant to concrete abrasion and a pressure tube of composite materials placed over the liner. A concrete pump is connected to the intake end of the pipeline.

Abstract: A modular, multifunctional water valve controller has a first housing and a second housing drawably assembled to each other. The first housing defines a batter room, and receives a driver and a valve of a control circuit therein. A water path is defined at a bottom of the first housing. The water path has an input tie-in at an end thereof, an output tie-in at an opposite end thereof, and a spherical valve on a center thereof. A motor of the driver drives decelerating gears to control start-up or stop of the spherical valve. The control circuit includes a microprocessor, a plurality of operation keys, and three types of modules in the microprocessor. The modules have interval modules, watering modules and action modules. In use, the watering time and interval time or immediate time is predetermined via operation keys and is shown by an LED module. The water valve controller of the present invention has simple type, professional type and system type.

Abstract: A fluid flow resistor 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a housing 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. An elongated turbine 22 is caused to spin within the housing 12 by a flow of fluid which extracts energy from the fluid flow and effectively increases a resistance to fluid flow from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of forming a trench isolation region includes forming a trench within a substrate. A silanol layer is formed to partially fill the trench and then converted, at least some of the silanol, to a compound including at least one of SiOn and RSiOn, where R includes an organic group. An electrically insulative material is formed over the converted silanol to fill the trench. In another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a trench isolation region includes forming a trench within a substrate. A first layer of at least one of Si(OH)x and (CH3)ySi(OH)4-y is formed to partially fill the trench. At least some of the Si(OH)x if present is converted to SiO2 and at least some of (CH3)ySi(OH)4-y if present is converted to (CH3)xSiO2-x. Next, a layer of an electrically insulative material is formed to fill the trench.

Abstract: A bead-weaving system including a multiplicity of beads for spacing apart a multiplicity of warp threads, wherein the beads are pierced by a hole in their diameter and threaded on a weft thread by a needle and positioned between each warp thread, the needle having a body including an end portion having an eye for passage of a weft thread and another end portion including a bead holder extending along the another end portion to hold the beads in selected positions along the another end portion and a point.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric, which may be produced by modified endless weaving, includes machine-direction (MD) and cross-machine-direction (CD) yarns. When so produced, the MD yarns weave continuously back and forth between the two widthwise edges of the fabric, each time forming a seaming loop at one of the two widthwise edges. Interwoven with at least one of the two sides, top and bottom, of the seaming loops at one or both widthwise edges are at least two additional CD yarns. The additional CD yarns interweave with the top and/or bottom of the seaming loops in a leno weave, which keeps the seaming loops in a common position vertically relative to the plane of the papermakers fabric, locks the seaming loops into a desired position and orientation with their planes perpendicular to that of the papermaker's fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing a filled flexible pouch is provided. The apparatus includes a cylindrical cup member having an open upper end, a closed lower end and a side wall extending therebetween the upper end and lower end. An inside portion of the side wall includes a pair of opposed guide channels for receiving the flexible pouch, and the side wall includes a slot positioned adjacent guide member. The side wall includes a notched opening positioned above each of the guide channels. The apparatus also includes a pouch opening lever arm pivotally attached to the side wall of the cup member, having a lower portion below the pivotal attachment with a wheel at an outer end and an upper portion above the pivotal attachment with an outwardly extending push member at an outer end. The manufacturing process includes the steps of placing the flexible pouch into the guide channels of the cylindrical cup member, while the lever arm is pivoted outwardly.

Abstract: A pressurized container includes a vessel defining a chamber therein. A housing that is connected to the vessel defines an outlet that is fluidly separated from the chamber by a closure member. A moveable member may be seated within and form a seal with the housing and abut the closure member. Activation of an initiator propels the moveable member through the closure member, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet. The pressurized container might include an obstruction partially blocking an outlet path and another initiator that breaks the obstruction when activated, thereby further opening the outlet path. The pressurized container might include a main path fluidly connected to the outlet, a first secondary path that connects the main path to the chamber, and a second secondary path that also connects the main path to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste collection system including a receptacle housing at least one chamber configured to accept waste and at least one containment layer configured to retain waste within the at least one chamber. The at least one chamber of the at least one containment layer includes a vent to allow gases to escape from the chamber. The at least one containment layer may be configured to quickly deliver waste to an aperture therein. A valve member configured to direct waste into the at least one chamber may be associated with the aperture. A method of using the waste collection system is also provided.

Abstract: An underground beverage chase system is provided for receiving a plurality of tubing installed therethrough for delivering food and beverage material from at least one location to at least another location through the underground chase system. The chase system includes various conduits including straight portions and those having enlarged radial bends which are fused together to form a leak-free system. The conduits are made from a high density polyethylene (HDPE) material.

Abstract: A gas cylinder charging system includes (1) at least two gas inlet ports and (2) at least two gas outlet ports, (3) a gas compressor having an input port and an output port, where the input port selectively receives gas from a gas inlet port and selectively transfers the gas to a gas outlet port, and (4) a controller, receiving status signals and transmitting control signals, and connected to and controlling the gas compressor. A method aspect of filling a gas cylinder using the described cylinder charging system further including an input/output selector valve for selecting one of the gasses to transfer to the gas cylinder, includes the following steps. A gas cylinder is connected to one of the cylinder connectors. A user manipulates the selector valve selecting the gas to be transferred to the gas cylinder and activates the cylinder charging system filling the gas cylinder with the selected gas.

Abstract: A device for inflating an elastic, translucent object, specifically a balloon which encloses a nozzle that can be inserted into an opening of the object, whose nozzle bore hole is connected to a compressed gas line, having a self-activating, resettable, release lever for manually controlling the compressed gas flow, designated in such a way so that the nozzle bore hole is connected to at least one paint cartridge, which can contain liquid paint and upon activation of the release lever the paint together with the compressed gas can flow into the inside of the object.

Abstract: A funnel with a liquid level index is provided beneath the neck thereof with a plurality of extension rods, and a plurality of openings are formed between every two extension rods; an indicator with a floating member and an upper shank is provided under the neck within the extension rods. The indicator is provided on the top end thereof with an easy identified index; thereby, when the funnel is added with solution-up to a level fully filling a container, the bottom floating member of the indicator is raised to move the index on the indicator; by raising of the index, a user determines whether the container is fully filled with liquid or determines the degree of fullness of liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an essentially wedge-shaped wood flake comprises a chipping tool rotating about a first, horizontal axis for chipping the flake out of the wood such that the flake has a first, concave surface and a second, convex surface. The flake is delimited between the surfaces. A circular saw blade is provided rotating about a second, vertical axis for removing wood in an area in which the surfaces intersect in an imaginary tip, prior to the chipping out.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing rectangular furniture boards with a glued-on edge, in which the following are arranged one after another in the passage direction: a longitudinal sawing device (14), which divides a rectangular initial board (12) into a plurality of parallel longitudinal boards (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), a longitudinal gluing device (31), which in each case glues a longitudinal edge onto both longitudinal sides of a longitudinal board (12a) passing through and machines the edge, a transverse sawing device (38), which divides a longitudinal board (12a) transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction into furniture boards (39) with a predetermined size, a transverse gluing device (40), which in each case glues a transverse edge onto both transverse sides of a furniture board (39) passing through and machines this edge.

Abstract: In a pneumatic tire including sipes extending in zigzag provided on tread surfaces, both wall surfaces of each sipe, which face to each other, are inclined with respect to a diameter direction of the tire, constituted of triangular wall surfaces, each having two sides expanding toward a sipe bottom with a bending point of a zigzag of the sipe as an apex and of inverse triangular wall surfaces, each having two sides narrowed toward the sipe bottom with one side of the zigzag of the sipe as a base, and a pair of the triangular wall surfaces adjacent to each other and a pair of the inverse triangular wall surfaces adjacent to each other are alternately arranged. Thus, provided is a pneumatic tire capable of improving ice performance without lowering driving stability on a dry road surface, and of suppressing occurrence of uneven wear.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle includes a radial carcass, a tread band disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread band. The tread band also includes a first portion of a first elastomeric compound having a first modulus of elasticity between about 12 MPa and 16 MPa, measured at 23° C., and a second portion of a second elastomeric compound having a second modulus of elasticity between about 7 MPa and 11 MPa, measured at 23° C. Additionally, a first tread pattern formed on the first portion is different from a second tread pattern formed on the second portion. A related tread band, method for making an asymmetrical tire, and wheel for a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread rubber disposed radially outside a belt, the tread rubber comprising an axially inner base rubber layer, a pair of axially outer base rubber layers, and a radially outer tread rubber layer. The axially inner base rubber layer is disposed on the radially outside of the belt and centered in the tread width. The axially outer base rubber layers is disposed one on each side of the axially inner base rubber layer, on the radially outside of the belt. The radially outer tread rubber layer is disposed over the radially outside of the axially inner and outer base rubber layers. The radially outer tread rubber layer has a hardness HC in a range of from 60 to 80 degrees, the axially inner base rubber layer has a hardness HB1 in a range of from 50 to 65 degrees, the axially outer base rubber layers has a hardness HB2 in a range of from 75 to 95 degrees, and they satisfy the following condition HB1<HC<HB2.

Abstract: A solid tire includes an annular tire body having opposite left and right side faces and a ground contacting face interconnecting the left and right side faces. Each of the left and right side faces is formed with a plurality of axially extending blind bores. Each of the blind bores has an open end, a closed end opposite to the open end, a reduced section extending inwardly from the open end, and an enlarged section extending from the reduced section to the closed end. The enlarged section of each of the blind bores reduces gradually in cross-section toward the reduced section and the closed end.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel end assembly includes a sleeve member that allows air to be vented from the wheel end while significantly reducing venting of lubricating fluid. The wheel end includes a hub that is driven by a gear assembly. Lubricating fluid is stored within the hub to lubricate the gear assembly. Air pressure that builds up within the wheel end during vehicle operation is vented from the wheel end assembly via a vent path. A sleeve is installed within the wheel end to block the lubricating fluid from entering the vent path.

Abstract: Runflat tire construction is optimized for tire ride comfort by reducing tire wall gauges in the tread-shoulder-to-upper-sidewall transition region and compensating with supporting sidewalls that constantly increase in thickness (gauge) from the transition region to a bead/flange area where a chafer extends above a wheel rim flange. Thus the bead and lower sidewall area are reinforced to a maximum and the shoulder area gets only the minimum stiffness necessary to achieve the required runflat performance. Within the context of wall gauges that constantly increase from the transition region to the bead/flange area, a mid-sidewall gauge ratio MSGR, being equal to a mid-sidewall gauge G2 divided by a shoulder gauge G1, is approximately within the range of 1.1 to 1.4, preferably approximately equal to 1.3; and a bead/flange gauge ratio BFGR, being equal to a bead/flange gauge G3 divided by a shoulder gauge G1, is approximately within the range of 1.5 to 1.8, preferably approximately equal to 1.7.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire has a single carcass ply reinforced with parallel metallic cords, each cord composed of at least one filament having a tensile strength of at least (−2000×D+4400 MPa) ×95%, where D is the filament diameter in millimeters. The turnup portion of the single carcass ply 12 in the bead portion of a pneumatic tire is interposed between the bead core 11 and a toe guard 18, and the radially outer edge of each turnup portion being in contact with the main portion of the carcass ply and extending to an end point 0.5 to 4.0 inches (12.7 to 101.6 mm) radially outward of the bead core. The toe guard 18 has a first and second end and each end is disposed directly adjacent to the carcass ply. The first end 18a of the toe guard is located on the axially inner side of the main portion of the carcass ply at a location about 0.4 to 3.

Abstract: Device for cutting out articles from a long tape and adhering the articles to an adhesive tape comprises a cutting roll, an adhering roll and a transfer device for transferring the cut-out articles to the adhesive tape. The cutting roll carries blade forms for cutting out the articles. The adhering roll carries anvils whose shapes correspond to the shape of the blades. The adhering roll also carries cylinders each of which is disposed adjacent an anvil and has a shaft capable of piston action disposed therein. Each shaft has a suction mouth at its end. The suction mouths are used to transfer the cut-out articles from the cutting roll to the adhesive tape to which they are to be adhered.

Abstract: Shutter (4) with articulated elements (6) guided by two rails (8) having a first rectilinear part (8V) mounted in the plane that the shutter (4) is to occupy in the closed position, connected by a curved part (8C) to a second rectilinear part (8H), mounted in the plane that the shutter (4) is to occupy in the open position. This shutter (4) is equipped with an electrical drive device having: two drive tracks (10) mounted respectively along said second rectilinear part (8H) of the rails (8), a carriage (5) having a frame carried and guided by the second rectilinear part (8H) of the rails (8), there being mounted on this frame a drive shaft (24), an electric motor (22) and a transmission between the shaft (24) and the motor (22), pinions (27) or notched wheels fixed to the two ends of the shaft (24) meshing with the drive tracks (10), connection mechanisms (30, 31) between the carriage (5) and the closest shutter element (6), and a control station for controlling the running and stopping of the motor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the novel placement of two pairs of vertical track disposed adjacent to each other together with a pair of radiused horizontal tracks being attached to the outer pair of vertical tracks allowing the use of a flexible lift and reverse cable system to open, close and reverse multi-paneled garage doors. Use of an inner and outer pair of vertical tracks disposed adjacent to each other allows the lowermost rollers to be guided on the inner vertical tracks and the remaining rollers to be guided on the outer vertical tracks and, ultimately, the horizontal tracks as the garage door opens. This configuration allows the lift cable a clear pathway to travel from the drum down the center of the inner vertical tracks to the connection with the shaft journal mounted near the bottom of the garage door.

Abstract: A process for producing a tube target for cathode sputtering plants, in which the tube target is formed from a metallic inner tube (target holder) made of a first material with a first melting point of Ts1≧900 K and a metallic outer tube (target) that concentrically surrounds the inner tube and that is made of a second material with a second melting point of Ts2≦800 K. The inside diameter of the outer tube and the outside diameter of the inner tube are proportioned in such a way that the two tubes fit together tightly and are mechanically firmly joined. The outer tube is formed by casting the second material in a molten state in a heated, vertical, cylindrical permanent mold, which has a heated mandrel that constitutes the inner tube.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus of a metal material places a heating cylinder in an inclined position. The heating cylinder includes a nozzle at a tip thereof and a screw disposed inside. In this way, the metal material in a liquid phase state can be transferred and metered accurately in a reliable manner at all times by flowing due to the inclination and a transfer force produced by rotation of the screw. A clamping apparatus is provided to oppose the injection apparatus and includes a mold having a sprue bush inside. The injection apparatus and the clamping apparatus are placed on an apparatus platform in an inclined position at the same angle with the mold in a lower end, so that the metal material in the liquid phase state in the heating cylinder flows down toward the head due to self-weight. The nozzle and sprue bush are positioned on the same straight line, thereby maintaining nozzle touch without bending the nozzle.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern of an article to be investment cast wherein the pattern includes a plurality of locator embossments disposed in an array to provide a datum reference system by which the pattern can be held and positioned by a manipulator, such as for example a gripper device to a computer controlled robotic device, for assembly with another component of the pattern assembly. The datum embossments are located on a portion of the pattern that will be removed from the final metallic casting made to replicate the pattern. The casting includes integral cast datum embossments thereon by which the casting can be held and positioned.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of making a heat exchanger which includes providing a header having openings adapted to receive a plurality of tubes. The tubes are inserted into the header openings, then, substantially uncured fluid sealing material is applied to at least the inner surfaces of the header openings. The inner surfaces of the header openings and the outer surfaces of the tubes are connected by the sealing material. The method further includes curing the sealing material after the tubes are inserted into the header openings. The sealing material thus provides a flexible, bonded, liquid tight, tube-to-header joint.

Abstract: A heat removal system comprising a gas supply, a duct, and a heatsink is presented. The gas supply may be realized as a fan, a blower, or a compressed gas source and is located remotely from the heatsink. The duct provides a passageway for delivering high velocity gas from the gas supply to the first heat sink. The duct includes a plurality of vanes for reducing the turbulence and air boundary separation within the duct. The heatsink is in thermal communication with a heat-producing device such as a microprocessor.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat sink is provided having a cooling housing including a peripheral side wall extending from the perimeter of a bottom wall and a lid sized to engage the peripheral side wall so as to form a chamber. A fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port are defined through the lid, and disposed in fluid communication with the chamber. In one embodiment, a plurality of pins project outwardly from the bottom wall so as to be positioned within the chamber and arranged in a staggered pattern. The pins include an end that engages the undersurface of the lid. In an alternative embodiment, a corrugated fin having a plurality of corrugations is positioned within the chamber so that at least one of the corrugations engages the bottom wall and at least one of the corrugations engages the under surface of the lid.

Abstract: A first intermediate plate 5C adjacent to a heat receiving plate 5A and a second intermediate plate 5D adjacent to the first intermediate plate 5C are provided so that the slit width of the openings (first opening 5a) in the first intermediate plate 5C is wider than that (second opening 5b) in the second intermediate plate 5D. In this way, when the first intermediate plate 5C and the second intermediate 5D are stacked, a tunnel structure is formed in which the opening dimension L3 (the opening dimension of the second openings 5b) of the communicating sections through which the first openings 5a and the second openings 5b communicate with each other is smaller than the length L2 (the opening dimension of the first openings 5a) of the tunnel portions (L2>L3). Therefore, a heat-generating member with large density of heat generation can be effectively cooled.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system for a device for autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon having a reaction zone fed with at least two fluids which react with one another, the reaction zone being at a higher temperature level than an environment of the device and at least one of the fluids being heated by the reaction products effluent from the reaction zone. The heat exchanger system includes tubes for transporting the effluent reaction products, at least one section of the tubes being arranged essentially parallel to a center axis of the reaction zone and led through the flow path of the fluid to be heated. At least sections of the flow path are curved helically or spirally around the center axis so that the fluid to be heated impinges on and passes around the tubes containing the effluent reaction products essentially perpendicularly.

Abstract: The shear ram assembly 10 for shearing an oil well tubular T includes a first ram 16 axially moveable along the first axis 66 for moving an upper blade 17, and an opposing second ram 18 axially moveable along the second ram axis 68 for moving a lower blade 19. An upper planar surface 40 of the lower blade passes closely adjacent a lower planar surface 42 of the upper blade as the blades move towards each other to shear the tubular. The sealing system 24 is positioned within a recess 26 in the upper surface of the lower blade, and includes an elastomeric seal 28 for sealing engagement with the lower planar surface of the upper blade and a rigid actuator 30 moveable relative to the lower blade to energize the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced-apart carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is part of a frame positioned above a wellhead. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems comprises gripper chains that can be engaged or disengaged from the coiled tubing extending through the apparatus. A wetting fluid basin is positioned below the gripper chains, and support guides engage the coiled tubing below the gripper chains to prevent buckling of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for selectively emplacing a wear bushing in a wellhead housing and removing it therefrom. A drill string-mounted running tool is used to selectively engage the wear bushing during emplacement and removal. The wear bushing need not be removed each time the drill string is tripped into or out of the well. In addition, the drill string may continue to be lowered after the wear bushing is landed since the running tools described can easily pass through the bushing.

Abstract: The apparatus is a whipstock assembly for use in a wellbore to form a lateral wellbore therefrom. In one aspect, a whipstock is attached to a cutting tool by a shearable connection whereby the whipstock and cutting tool assembly may be run into the wellbore simultaneously. The shearable connection is designed to fail in compression while being able to withstand forces in tension brought about by the whipstock, accessories and extensions required to properly place the whipstock above a preset packer in the wellbore. The shearable connection means consists of two sets of shearable members, one set provides equal shear resistance in tension and in compression, another set provides shear resistance in tension, but not in compression. The resulting connection is stronger in tension than in compression and failure of the connection due to the weight of the whipstock assembly is less likely.

Abstract: A apparatus is disclosed for attaching and sealing to the upper end of the casing allowing the inner string to be run through the apparatus. The apparatus provides a latch for anchoring the inner string and a seal for sealing on the inner string. Also disclosed is a flow path for providing for circulation of fluid between the inner string and casing annulus. Also disclosed is an inner string sub that provides a profile anchoring and sealing the inner string by the apparatus.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A high hydrogen partial pressure within the formation may allow for hydrogenation of formation fluid within the formation. In addition, hydrogen, from produced formation fluid or from another source, may be used to hydrogenate produced fluid in a surface hydrogenation unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of the water from the oil/gas in the well itself, down-hole, in which gravity is allowed to work on the mixture in a non-vertical section of the well, and then, using separated flow paths, the gravity-separated components pumped to the surface or into a subterranean discharge zone. Detectors are used to control the pumping so as to keep the unsettled/unseparated mixture away from the flow paths. Preferably the discharge zone is chosen to have a formation pressure which is lower than the pressure of the producing zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sampling the formation fluids in an earth formation surrounding a borehole, the region of the formation immediately surrounding the borehole being at least partially invaded by borehole fluids, and an apparatus for carrying out such a method. According to the invention, a borehole tool is adapted to be lowered into the borehole and is provided with a sampling probe device and means for urging the sampling probe device into contact with the borehole wall, the sampling probe device comprising an inner probe and an outer probe surrounding the inner probe for withdrawing respective fluid samples from the formation, wherein the ratio between the respective flow areas of the inner and outer probes is selected so as to tend to reduce the time taken to obtain via the inner probe a sample of the formation fluids having a given level of contamination by borehole fluids.

Abstract: A tool for removing solid particles from a well after sand fracturing, drilling, etc. The tool includes a flapper valve assembly above a drill bit, a sand screen, and a screw pump. Fluid in the well, with the solid particles therein, is pumped into the tool by rotating the screw pump, wherein the fluid moves past the bit, across the flapper valve assembly, and through the sand screen. The solid particles stay in a cavity above the flapper valve, but the fluid moves further along the screw pump and is returned along the outside of the tool to the bit, to start the cycle over again. Over time, the cavity fills with solid particles, and the device is raised to the surface, where the accumulated solid particles are dumped. The device can be re-introduced into the well to remove more solid particles, if necessary.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) and method for treating multiple formations traversed by a wellbore (34) in a single trip are disclosed. The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (56) with multiple openings (58) that allow fluid flow therethrough. A filter medium (62) is positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (56) to filter particulate matter out of the production fluids. One-way valves (70) are positioned within the openings (58) of the base pipe (56) to prevent fluid flow from the interior of the base pipe (56) to the exterior of the base pipe (56) during and following a treatment process. The one-way valves (70), however, are actuatable to allow fluid flow from the exterior of the base pipe (56) to the interior of the base pipe (56) to allow production of fluids from the formation (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a fish into engagement with a latch mechanism on a fishing tool, by hydraulically expanding the ends of a set of fingers into contact with a bore hole. The ends of the fingers surround the fish and guide the fish and the latch mechanism together, as the tool is lowered, until the latch mechanism latches onto the fish.