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A mudsaver valve is described that has a bi-directional snap action in opening and closing the valve. The mudsaver valve is adjustable for different mud weights and includes a preassembled valve cartridge for ease of assembly. Furthermore, elevated pressure from below is readily transmitted past the

A mudsaver valve is described that has a bi-directional snap action in opening and closing the valve. The mudsaver valve is adjustable for different mud weights and includes a preassembled valve cartridge for ease of assembly. Furthermore, elevated pressure from below is readily transmitted past the valve seat, so that the standpipe pressure of the well can be determined through the valve when the pumps are stopped and mudsaver is still connected to the drillstring. One embodiment of the mudsaver valve also contains a mechanism whereby the valve may be locked open by an accessory tube whenever a pipe gets stuck and becomes inaccessible, thereby permitting wireline operations through the valve so that the pipe may be freed.

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A mudsaver valve is described that has a bi-directional snap action in opening and closing the valve. The mudsaver valve is adjustable for different mud weights and includes a preassembled valve cartridge for ease of assembly. Furthermore, elevated pressure from below is readily transmitted past the

A mudsaver valve is described that has a bi-directional snap action in opening and closing the valve. The mudsaver valve is adjustable for different mud weights and includes a preassembled valve cartridge for ease of assembly. Furthermore, elevated pressure from below is readily transmitted past the valve seat, so that the standpipe pressure of the well can be determined through the valve when the pumps are stopped and mudsaver is still connected to the drillstring. One embodiment of the mudsaver valve also contains a mechanism whereby the valve may be locked open by an accessory tube whenever a pipe gets stuck and becomes inaccessible, thereby permitting wireline operations through the valve so that the pipe may be freed. rranged to lie between and in axially spaced-apart relation to each of the first of the annular flanges and to the annular base. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the annular base has an outer diameter and each of the first and second of the annular flanges has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the annular base. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the outer diameters of the first and second of the annular flanges are equivalent. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radially outwardly facing exterior wall includes an upper annular surface lying between the first and second of the annular flanges and mating with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a first portion of the labyrinthine boundary between the outer portion of the valve housing and the tank mount and a lower annular surface lying between the second of the annular flanges and the annular base and mating with the outer portion of the housing to define a second portion of the labyrinthine boundary. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first of the annular flanges includes an axially upwardly facing annular surface, an axially downwardly facing annular surface, and a radially outwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, said annular surfaces of the first of the annular flanges cooperate to mate with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a third portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the second of the annular flanges includes an axially upwardly facing annular surface, an axially downwardly facing annular surface, and a radially outwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, and said annular surfaces of the second of the annular flanges cooperate to mate with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a fourth portion of the labyrinthine boundary. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the exterior surface of the housing mount further includes an axially upwardly facing exterior wall, a third of the annular flanges is appended to the axially upwardly facing exterior wall, and a fourth of the annular flanges is appended to the axially upwardly facing exterior wall in a position surrounding the third of the annular flanges and lying between the first and third of the annular flanges. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radially outwardly facing exterior wall includes an upper annular surface lying between the first and second of the annular flanges and mating with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a first portion of the labyrinthine boundary between the outer portion of the valve housing and the tank mount and a lower annular surface lying between the second of the annular flanges and the annular base and mating with the outer portion of the housing to define a second portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the first of the annular flanges includes an axially upwardly facing annular surface, an axially downwardly facing annular surface, and a radially outwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, said annular surfaces of the first of the annular flanges cooperate to mate with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a third portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the second of the annular flanges includes an axially upwardly facing annular surface, an axially downwardly facing annular surface, and a radially outwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, said annular surfaces of the second of the annular flanges cooperate to mate with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a fourth portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the axially upwardly facing exterior wall includes an upwardly facing annular surface lying between the third and fourth of the annular flanges and mating with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a fifth portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the third of the annular flanges includes a radially inwardly facing, axially upwardly extending annular surface, a radially outwardly facing, axially upwardly extending annular surface, a nd an axially upwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, said annular surfaces of the third of the annular flanges cooperating to define a sixth portion of the labyrinthine boundary, the fourth of the annular flanges includes a radially inwardly facing, axially upwardly extending annular surface, a radially outwardly facing, axially upwardly extending annular surface, and an axially upwardly facing annular surface lying therebetween, and said annular surfaces of the fourth of the annular flanges cooperate to define a seventh portion of the labyrinthine boundary. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing mount includes an axially extending annular outer sleeve carrying a first and second of the annular flanges, an axially lower end of the axially extending annular outer sleeve is coupled to the annular base, and the housing mount further includes a radially extending annular bridge coupled to an axially upper end of the axially extending outer sleeve and located to carry a third and fourth of the annular flanges. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fourth of the annular flanges is arranged to surround the third of the annular flanges and lie between the first and third of the annular flanges. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an O-ring seal positioned to lie between the third and fourth of the annular flanges. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing mount further includes an axially extending inner sleeve, the axially extending outer sleeve is positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to and around the axially extending inner sleeve, and the radially extending annular bridge is coupled to axially upper ends of each of the axially extending inner and outer sleeves. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the chamber portion of the valve housing includes a cylindrical exterior surface and the axially extending inner sleeve of the housing mount surrounds the cylindrical exterior sleeve. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing mount has an inverted U-shaped cross section. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the axially extending outer sleeve and the annular flanges carried thereon mate with a side wall of the outer portion to define a radially outer section of the labyrinthine boundary, the radially extending annular bridge and the annular flanges carried thereon mate with a top wall of the outer portion to define an axially upper section of the labyrinthine boundary, and the axially extending inner sleeve mates with an exterior surface of the chamber portion to define a radially inner section of the labyrinthine boundary. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing mount includes an axially upwardly facing exterior wall and a radially outwardly facing exterior wall and one of the annular flanges is appended to each of said exterior walls. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein two of the annular flanges are appended to the axially upwardly facing exterior wall and positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein an O-ring seal is positioned to lie in a space located between said two of the annular flanges. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein two of the annular flanges are appended to the radially outwardly facing exterior wall. 20. A vent apparatus adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material, the valve housing including an outer portion having an annular top wall and an annular side wall depending from the top wall, a valve positioned to lie within an interior region formed in the valve housing and arranged to move within the interior region to open and close a vent aperture formed in the valve housing, a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material, the tank mount including a housing mount arranged to mate with the annular top and side walls and an annular base coupled to the housing mount and adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank to support at least a portion of the valve housing within an interior region formed in the fuel tank, and wherein the annular side wall of the valve housing is arranged to surround the housing mount, wherein the housing mount includes a radially outwardly facing exterior wall contacting the annular side wall of the valve housing and an axially upwardly facing exterior wall contacting the top wall of the valve housing, and wherein the tank mount further includes a spaced-apart pair of radially outwardly extending annular flanges appended to the radially outwardly facing exterior wall of the housing mount and arranged to mate with the side wall of the valve housing to define a radially outer section of a labyrinthine boundary between the tank mount and the valve housing. 21. The vent apparatus of claim 20, wherein the tank mount further includes a spaced-apart pair of axially outwardly extending annular flanges appended to the axially upwardly facing exterior wall of the housing mount and arranged to mate with the top wall of the valve housing to define an axially outer section of the labyrinthine boundary between the tank mount and the valve housing. 22. A vent apparatus adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material, the valve housing including an outer portion having an annular top wall and an annular side wall depending from the top wall, a valve positioned to lie within an interior region formed in the valve housing and arranged to move within the interior region to open and close a vent aperture formed in the valve housing, a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material, the tank mount including a housing mount arranged to mate with the annular top and side walls and an annular base coupled to the housing mount and adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank to support at least a portion of the valve housing within an interior region formed in the fuel tank, and wherein the annular side wall of the valve housing is arranged to surround the housing mount, wherein the housing mount includes a radially outwardly facing exterior wall contacting the annular side wall of the valve housing and an axially upwardly facing exterior wall contacting the top wall of the valve housing, and wherein the tank mount further includes a spaced-apart pair of axially outwardly extending annular flanges appended to the axially upwardly facing exterior wall of the housing mount and arranged to mate with the top wall of the valve housing to define an axially outer section of a labyrinthine boundary between the tank mount and the valve housing. 23. The vent apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an O-ring seal positioned to lie between the pair of axially outwardly extending annular flanges. 24. A vent apparatus adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material, the valve housing including an outer portion having an annular top wall and an annular side wall depending from the top wall, a valve positioned to lie within an interior region formed in the valve housing and arranged to move within the interior region to open and close a vent aperture formed in the valve housing, a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material, the tank mount including a housing mount arranged to mate with the annular top and side walls and an annular base coupled to the housing mount and adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank to support at least a portion of the valve housing within an interior region formed in the fuel tank, and wherein the annular side wall of the valve housing is arranged to surround the housing mount, and wherein the tank mount further includes a spaced-apart pair of axially extending annular flanges appended to the housing mount and arranged to mate with the outer portion of the valve housing to define a labyrinthine boundary between the housing mount and the outer portion of the valve housi ng. 25. The vent apparatus of claim 24, further comprising an O-ring seal positioned to lie between the pair of axially outwardly extending annular flanges. 26. A vent apparatus adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material, the valve housing including an outer portion having an annular top wall and an annular side wall depending from the top wall, a valve positioned to lie within an interior region fanned in the valve housing and arranged to move within the interior region to open and close a vent aperture fanned in the valve housing, a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material, the tank mount including a housing mount arranged to mate with the annular top and side walls and an annular base coupled to the housing mount and adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank to support at least a portion of the valve housing within an interior region formed in the fuel tank, and wherein the annular side wall of the valve housing is arranged to surround the housing mount, wherein the annular base underlies the housing mount and the annular side wall of the valve housing lies above a radially outer portion of the annular base, and wherein the housing mount further includes a pair of radially outwardly extending annular flanges cantilevered to the housing mount to lie above the radially outer portion of the annular base and mate with the annular side wall of the valve housing. 27. A vent apparatus adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank, the apparatus comprising a valve assembly including a valve housing made of a non-weldable plastics material and a valve arranged to move within an interior region formed in the valve housing to open and close a vent aperture fanned in the valve housing and a tank mount made of a weldable plastics material and adapted to support the valve housing within a mounting aperture fanned in a fuel tank, the tank mount including an annular base adapted to be coupled to a fuel tank and mount means for supporting the valve housing on the annular base and for mating with an interior wall defining an annular channel in the valve housing to establish a labyrinthine boundary lying between the tank mount and the valve housing in the annular channel and extending along radially outwardly facing and axially upwardly facing exterior walls of the tank mount. ed electrophoresis channel. 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises an unvented electrophoresis channel. 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises a curved electrophoresis channel forming an arc of about 90 degrees or more within the substrate. 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises a curved electrophoresis channel forming an arc of about 180 degrees or more within the substrate. 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprise a plurality of capillary tubes attached to the substrate. 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises a porous plug. 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrophoresis medium chamber is located radially inward from each electrophoresis channel with which the at least one electrophoresis medium chamber is in fluid communication. 10. A device for processing sample material, the device comprising: a substrate comprising first and second major surfaces and a hub defining an axis of rotation for the substrate; a plurality of electrophoresis channels in the device, wherein the plurality of electrophoresis channels extend generally radially outward relative to the axis of rotation, and further wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises an unvented electrophoresis channel; a plurality of process chambers in the device, each at the process chambers defining a volume for containing sample material; a connection structure located between at least one electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels and at least one process chamber of the plurality of process chambers, wherein the connection structure comprises a closed configuration in which sample material is prevented from moving into the at least one electrophoresis channel from the at least one process chamber, and wherein the connection structure comprises an open configuration in which sample material is capable of moving into the at least one electrophoresis channel from the at least one process chamber; and at least one electrophoresis medium chamber in fluid communication with each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels, wherein the at least one electrophoresis medium chamber is located radially inward from each electrophoresis channel with which the at least one electrophoresis medium chamber is in fluid communication. 11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprise straight electrophoresis channels extending radially outward from the electrophoresis medium chamber relative to the axis of rotation. 12. A device according to claim 10, wherein at least one electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises a curved electrophoresis channel. 13. A device according to claim 10, wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises a curved electrophoresis channel forming an arc of about 90 degrees or more within the substrate. 14. A device according to claim 10, wherein each electrophoresis channel of the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprises a curved electrophoresis channel forming an arc of about 180 degrees or more within the substrate. 15. A device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of electrophoresis channels comprise a plurality of capillary tubes attached to the substrate. 16. A device according to claim 10, wherein the connection structure comprises a porous plug. 17. A device for processing sample material, the device comprising: a substrate comprising first and second major surfaces and a hub defining an axis of rotation for the substrate; a plurality of ele