Abstract: An air-tight bailer is filled completely and closed at its open upper end with a flat cap so that no ambient air is trapped in the bailer. A mounting member to which a rope is secured for lowering and lifting the bailer is recessed with respect to the open upper end of the bailer so that it does not interfere with the cap. A disc-shaped protuberance formed on the bottom of the cap fills the recess. An annular groove around the recess receives the rim of the open upper end to enhance an air-tight seal between the cap and the open upper end. In a first embodiment, the bailer is emptied by piercing a thin membrane formed in the cap with a spout device having a trailing end in fluid communication with a container. A second embodiment eliminates the membrane and the spout device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting a fluid specimen and testing it are disclosed that avoid unduly exposing the tester to the specimen and eliminate the possibility of contaminating the remaining portion of the collected fluid. The device includes a first compartment for collecting the fluid and provides controlled volumes of fluid from the first compartment to a second compartment where the fluid is accessible to test strips. Fluid from the first compartment is transferred to the second compartment by use of a fluid metering valve having a valve cylinder with one or more wells formed on the surface of the cylinder. The fluid metering valve is fluidly connected to the first compartment at a first valve position and is fluidly connected to the second compartment at a second valve position.

Abstract: A bailer having multiple check valves to minimize leakage of sample fluid from the bailer. A primary check valve assembly including a ball and a seat are disposed at a lower end of the bailer. At least one auxiliary check valve assembly is positioned above the primary check valve assembly. When a first auxiliary check valve closes, the hydrostatic pressure applied to the primary check valve is reduced significantly and leakage through the primary check valve is reduced. When a second auxiliary check valve closes, the hydrostatic pressure applied to the first auxiliary check valve is reduced and the same benefits are obtained for the first auxiliary check valve. Particulate matter is collected in an annular trough formed in the primary check valve assembly and in pockets that form a part of each auxiliary check valve assembly.

Abstract: A bailer having multiple check valves to minimize leakage of sample fluid from the bailer. A primary check valve assembly including a ball and a seat are disposed at a lower end of the bailer. At least one auxiliary check valve assembly is positioned above the primary check valve assembly. When a first auxiliary check valve closes, the hydrostatic pressure applied to the primary check valve is reduced significantly and leakage through the primary check valve is reduced. When a second auxiliary check valve closes, the hydrostatic pressure applied to the first auxiliary check valve is reduced and the same benefits are obtained for the first auxiliary check valve. Particulate matter is collected in an annular trough formed in the primary check valve assembly and in pockets that form a part of each auxiliary check valve assembly.

Abstract: An air sampling device and method is described, the air sampling device having a bag, an interior of the bag, a conduit coupled with the interior of the bag, the conduit generally being a duck-bill valve within the interior of the bag.

Abstract: A bailer that is substantially leak-free includes an improved valve housing at its lowermost end. A valve body in the form of a solid or hollow hemispherical ball is mounted at the lowermost end of a straight valve stem. The hemispherical valve body seats in a valve seat that matches the contour of the hemispherical exterior surface of the valve body. The valve body has a preselected specific gravity that enables it to float on the surface of the liquid fluid being sampled when the valve body is unrestricted. The valve stem is slideably received within and guided by a central aperture formed in a central hub of a spider member that spans the hollow interior of the valve housing. The spider is supported about its periphery by an annular shoulder formed in the interior sidewalls of the valve housing. The spider is inserted into the valve housing and pressed against the annular shoulder when the bailer is assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining the pressure of a well fluid sample as the sample is transported to the well surface from a downhole wellbore location. The invention collects a formation fluid sample under pressure. The fluid sample is further pressurized with a traveling piston powered by the hydrostatic wellbore pressure. The pressurized formation fluid sample is contained under high pressure within a fixed volume chamber for retrieval to the well surface. Multiple collection tanks can be lowered into the wellbore during the same run to sample different zones with minimal rig time. The tanks can be emptied at the well surface with an evacuation pressure so that the fluid sample pressure is maintained above a selected pressure at all times.

Abstract: A bailer having a slow rate of descent into a liquid body to minimize agitation. In a first embodiment, a plug closes the upper end of the bailer and a perforation is formed in the plug. Air in the hollow interior of the tubular main body of the bailer is constrained to flow through the perforation as the bailer fills. A back pressure created by the air prevents rapid descent of the bailer and thus prevents rapid filling of the bailer. When the bailer is being emptied, the perforation prevents a vacuum from forming in the space below the plug and above the liquid level, but it provides a partial vacuum and therefore slows down the rate of flow of the liquid as it exits the bailer. Covering the perforation with a thumb creates a vacuum above the liquid level and stops the flow of liquid from the bailer. This eliminates the need for a tool that unseats the valve of the bailer from its valve seat.

Abstract: A substantially leak-free bailer includes an improved valve assembly at its lowermost end. A valve body is mounted to the lowermost end of a valve stem and the valve stem is slideably received within and guided by a central bore formed on a support member that spans the hollow interior of the bailer at its lowermost end. The valve body may be hemispherical, frusto-conical, or elongate and downwardly tapered. The valve seat is configured to match the contour of the valve body. An annular ridge circumscribes the valve seat and serves as a barrier to particulate matter so that the valve body sits in the valve seat without interference from such particulate matter.

Abstract: The extraction of intact, representative fluid samples in well-defined depths, such as from wells sunk into the ground, has until now been very difficult, and in many cases impossible to perform. A method is provided as well as a sample extractor for the extraction of intact fluid samples, in particular from a well (26) sunk into the ground, by submersion of a compressible hollow flexible body (22) fitted in a supporting device which, subsequent to submersion to the sample extraction depth, is acted upon to effect liquid entry through an inlet. In particular, hollow flexible body (22) is held in the support device in the form of a pressure vessel (2) and fully compressed by pressurized gas inside the pressure vessel, whereupon the pressure vessel is caused to change in such a way that a surrounding fluid seeps into the hollow flexible body (22), whereupon the vessel (2) with the body (22) containing the fluid sample is hoisted out of the well (26).

Abstract: A portable draft measurement device for measuring the draft of a vessel including a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and an interior volume between the upper and lower ends. The device includes a valve fixed to the lower end of the tube, and a resiliently biased valve actuator coupled with the valve and accessible through the upper end of the tube for selectively opening and closing the valve. Selectively opening the valve with the lower end of the tube immersed in the water in which the vessel floats, produces a level of water within the interior volume of the tube indicative of a water-line on the vessel. Selectively closing the valve retains the level of water within the interior volume, whereby the device can be removed from the water and transported to a location where the level of fluid can be measured as against a measuring tape observed through the tube.

Abstract: The invention includes a rotatable tool for collecting fluid through the wall of a container. The tool includes a fluid collection section with a cylindrical shank having an end portion for drilling a hole in the container wall when the tool is rotated, and a threaded portion for tapping the hole in the container wall. A passageway in the shank in communication with at least one radial inlet hole in the drilling end and an opening at the end of the shank is adapted to receive fluid from the container. The tool also includes a cylindrical chamber affixed to the end of the shank opposite to the drilling portion thereof for receiving and storing fluid passing through the passageway. The tool also includes a flexible, deformable gasket that provides a fluid-tight chamber to confine kerf generated during the drilling and tapping of the hole. The invention also includes a fluid extractor section for extracting fluid samples from the fluid collecting section.

Abstract: A bailer that is substantially leak-free includes an improved valve assembly at its lowermost end. In a first embodiment, a valve body in the form of a hemispherical ball is mounted at the lowermost end of a straight valve stem. The hemispherical ball seats in a valve seat that matches the contour of the hemispherical exterior surface of the ball. In a second embodiment, the valve body and the matching valve seat are both frusto-conical in configuration. In a third embodiment, the valve body and matching valve seat are tapered downwardly to form an elongate, narrow slot. A fourth embodiment adds a guide member to the third embodiment structure to ensure seating of the downwardly tapering valve body in its valve seat. In all embodiments, the valve stem is slideably received within and guided by a central bore formed in a support member that spans the hollow interior of the lowermost end of the bailer, and the valve body is covered with a cushioned material of uniform thickness.

Abstract: A fluid metering and measuring device is provided and which is particularly adapted to regulate ratios of oil and gasoline in a mixture of oil and gasoline used, for example, in a two-stroke engine. The device has a filling chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. One-way check valves are disposed in both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to prevent backflow. A plunger stem comprising a piston disposed within the chamber. When the stem and attached piston are pulled upwardly, a vacuum is created in the chamber to cause a fluid, e.g. oil to flow into chamber and when depressed causes outflow. Gradations or indicia indicate the amount of oil drawn into the chamber to ensure proper fluid ratios. The metering device may be incorporated into any suitable container including a two compartment container wherein the compartments are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A submerged, valve assembly for controlling flow of fluid (e.g. ballast water) to and from a reservoir (e.g. a ballast tank of a ship. The valve assembly is comprised of a valve which is controlled by a hydraulic valve actuator. A fluid-tight housing encloses the actuator so that any leaking hydraulic fluid will be contained within the housing and will not pollute the surrounding fluid in the tank. The assembly includes a means for detecting any hydraulic fluid which may leak into the housing.

Abstract: A bailer has two externally-mounted weights. The first weight is positioned at the uppermost end and the second weight is positioned at the lowermost end of the bailer. The combination of weights increases the insertion rate of the bailer into a liquid so that the time elapsed for an insertion is reduced relative to the time required to insert unweighted bailers, top-weighted bailers, or bottom-weighted bailers. The weights also prevent wobble about the longitudinal axis of the bailer as it descends. The external mounting of the weights further prevents contamination of the liquid collected by the bailer and eliminates back pressure and turbulence caused by interior weights.