Abstract: A packed bed static mixer, and a piping network including the same, is disclosed. The packed bed static mixer includes a vertical intake portion, within which packing material consisting of small elements, is disposed. The packing elements may be spheres, PALL RING elements, or the like, and are fabricated of a material suitable for the particular application of the static mixer. The size of the packing elements is maintained to be relatively small relative to the mixer, to provide numerous mixing vortices therewithin; the packing elements are randomly packed into the static mixer. Outlets are provided which extend horizontally and radially from the bottom of the static mixer, and are typically of smaller diameter than the intake portion. Because the mixing action depends upon the size of the vortices at the interstitial voids among the packing elements, the disclosed static mixer design may be readily scaled to various diameters.

Abstract: A method and computer system for deriving and applying normal moveout phase and time shift corrections to seismic survey traces is disclosed. Normal moveout time-shift corrections are first applied to traces in a common midpoint (CMP) or common depth point (CDP) gather, based upon stacking velocity analysis applied to envelopes of the traces. One offset in the survey, preferably the maximum offset, is selected as the reference point; the NMO time shift at this reference offset is then selected as a reference NMO time-shift. The traces in the gather are each phase-shifted based upon iterated reference phase dispersion values at the reference offset, times the ratio of the normal moveout time-shifts for the trace in the gather to that of the reference offset (raised to a power). Semblance analysis is performed to identify, for each point in normal incidence time and thus for each reflective event, the optimum reference phase dispersion value.

Abstract: A topological panorama camera has a track or other system upon which a linescan camera can move in one, two or three dimensions while recording the image of an object. The path, speed, acceleration and direction of the linescan camera can be controlled, as can the path, speed, acceleration and direction of the object. Further, the scan rate of the camera and the orientation of the scan can be controlled. These factors allow the user to record an image of an object which change many of the properties of the object. The relative motion of the linescan camera and the object allows a student to create images which change properties of an object from one geometry to another.

Abstract: Two curved arch rib supports are provided with a pre-shaped flexible membrane cover attached to the ribs; the ends of the ribs are hinged on a common locus at base supports. When erected, a saddle shaped roof is formed to which contoured end walls may be added. Additional modules may be joined to the structure so formed, by applying a pre-shaped and independent fabric membrane or cable net attached by rings to only each of the two structure base pivot axles. A catenary cable and web belt stress concentrator connect each ring to its opposite on each separate structure. The cable and web are of pre-set length and are shorter than the perimeter of the outer chord of the beam.

Abstract: A computer system for interpreting seismic signals to identify reflective horizons is disclosed. The seismic signals are retrieved and conventional corrections are applied. A seismic survey is displayed, and a human analyst places horizon lines or surfaces above or below suspected reflective events in the survey. The disclosed method then operates on a trace by trace basis to identify the location in time at which the attribute, which may be amplitude, envelope amplitude, phase, frequency and the like, meets a draping criterion. The interpreted horizon is set at the identified depth or time location, and the interpreted horizon points are connected into an interpreted horizon surface (in the case of a 3-D survey). Traces having only weak or no reflections may not have an interpreted surface point, or may have an interpolated point set therefor. An automated and efficient horizon interpretation method and system, even for large surveys of complex geology, is thus provided.

Abstract: A system and method for performing seismic prospecting and monitoring during drilling of a well are disclosed. The system generates energy, such as acoustic vibrations and electromagnetic energy, at a downhole location and imparts the same into the surrounding earth. The energy may be imparted by the drilling operation itself, or may be generated by a downhole apparatus. Downhole sensors are provided which sense the energy after it has passed through the earth surrounding the wellbore. The sensed energy is either communicated to the surface, or is communicated to a downhole computer for analysis, with the results of the analysis communicated to the surface. Due to the use of both downhole generation and sensing of the energy, high frequency energy may be used. As a result, the resolution of the resulting survey is improved over techniques which utilize surface detectors for energy traveling through the earth.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operating the same, to execute multiple analysis application programs upon multiple persistent databases, each arranged to a vendor-specific format for geological and geophysical data, is disclosed. According to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, an abstract object interface is provided, by way of which the analysis application program need not be aware of the vendor format of the persistent database upon which operations are being executed. The abstract object interface includes program code by way of which, upon execution, a hierarchy of objects are instantiated. Prior to instantiating objects according to the geologically-related information, the user selects a particular source of data, for example by selecting a catalog corresponding to one of the vendor formats.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an indicator for amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) analysis of seismic survey data is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, a raw AVO indicator is generated for each of multiple depth points, from the AVO intercept and gradient coefficient values. The indicator is generally a positive amplitude number for those locations having petrophysical importance, while the background neighboring points will have a zero or negative value for the raw indicator. Statistics are derived for a group of depth points that surround the depth point under analysis, in time and in space, from which a probability function may be evaluated, assuming a distribution of values in the background trend of AVO intercept and gradient values, and based upon which the raw AVO indicator will be modified. In one embodiment, the probability function is evaluated to determine the loci of points that are within the background to a certain statistical confidence.

Abstract: A method of forming a scale model for simulation of a seismic survey is disclosed. The model includes layers which are formed by way of stereolithography or similar methods, from a CAD data base; the precision of the formation of the layers allows for construction of the model without adhesives between all layers for structural integrity of the model, although adhesive or a wetting agent may be used, depending upon the desired simulation experiment. The model also includes molded layers which are poured, injected, or otherwise introduced in liquid form. The liquid may then be solidified, or may remain in liquid form, depending upon the survey. These molded layers may be made into the prefabricated layers where appropriate, or during the process of constructing the model. Simulation of the survey may be made by imparting acoustic energy thereinto and detecting the same.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing and decompressing a sequence of image frames is disclosed. According to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, the compression process includes an intraframe decomposition process (24, 24') performed upon each frame in both the row and column directions, including an m.sup.th order averaging and differencing operation (56, 62). Each frame is then combined with others in an adjacent pair or group of four by way of an interframe decomposition (28). Quantization (30) is then performed, preferably by division of each coefficient by a quantizer (.rho.) associated with the one of the frequency component subbands containing the coefficient. Reconstruction of the compressed frames is accomplished by performing the inverse of the compression process. According to the disclosed embodiments, either the compression or decompression processes and systems performs Cholesky filtering (60, 66; 170, 172), preferably in a recursive manner by way of forward and backward filtering.

Abstract: A vapor permeable prefabricated membrane for use in an exterior wall or party wall of a building, which has passageways formed when the membrane is in place in the wall extending from a region near a top of the wall to a bottom thereof. The passageways permit the escape of trapped moisture.

Abstract: A method of obtaining gravity gradient well logs over selected baselines, using a well log tool having first and second gravity meters separated by a fixed distance, referred to as the baseline, is disclosed. Gravity gradient measurements are obtained in the wellbore by stepping the tool along the wellbore, where readings at adjacent depths are obtained by setting one of the gravity meters at the same depth at which the other gravity meter is or was located in another reading; alternatively, the well log tool may include a single gravity meter, with readings at adjacent depths made by moving the tool along the wellbore by the baseline. The user or computer system selects a virtual baseline, corresponding to a multiple of the gravity gradient measurements. The gravity gradient is then obtained by summing the individual gravity gradient measurements and dividing by the number of summed measurements.

Abstract: A powder for use in selective laser sintering, from which prototype articles and masters for molds may be formed, is disclosed. The powder is formed by spray drying a polymer emulsion to yield a distribution of particles of substantially spherical shape. The powder is then air classified to remove excessively small particles from the distribution; the powder may also be screened to remove large particles therefrom, as well. The resulting distribution of particle sizes, by volume, preferably has a mean particle size of between about 20.mu. and about 50.mu., with preferably less than about 5% (by volume) of its particles with a size of less than about 15.mu. and less than about 2% (by volume) of its particles with a size of greater than about 75.mu.. The powder is subjected to selective laser sintering to produce an article of approximately 55% to 75% of theoretical density. The article may be used as a prototype article or part, or as a pattern or master for a mold.

Abstract: A computer-operated method for analyzing seismic data to discern the presence of hydrocarbon-bearing formations is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) analysis is performed to assign, for each depth point in a survey region, an AVO intercept value and an AVO gradient value; the AVO intercept value corresponds to the zero-offset response for acoustic reflections from the depth point, while the AVO gradient value corresponds to the rate of change of the amplitude as a function of the angle of incidence of the acoustic energy (typically, with the square of the sine of the angle).

Abstract: A method and computer system for applying corrections to dual sensor ocean bottom cable marine seismic signals, for purposes of eliminating ghosts and reverberations, are disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, both phase and amplitude corrections are derived in common receiver gathers, and applied to each geophone trace in the gather; preferably, the derivation of the corrections is performed on a limited offset common receiver gather. The phase correction is determined by minimizing a folded cross-correlation of the hydrophone and geophone signals over varying phase angles, with the appropriate phase correction corresponding to the angle at which the minimum is obtained; preferably, stacked cross-correlations are used in the phase correction determination to reduce the effects of random noise. The phase correction is then applied to the geophone traces in the gather, and an amplitude correction is derived by minimizing a cross-ghosting relationship.

Abstract: A broad band broadcasting transmission system for sending broad band downstream data and telephone signals from a central office to a number subscriber set top terminal. Each frame of data is marked to indicate the set top terminals it is to be received by. A downstream light fiber is located between the head office and a curbside box. A transmitter transmits the frames along a light fiber to a SAC box. A converter converts the light signals from the light fiber to electrical signals. A distribution line coupled to the curbside box carries the electrical signals to a plurality of drop line twisted pair conductors connected to the distribution line. The drop lines are coupled via a residential units to the set top terminals.

Abstract: A computer system and method for correcting seismic data for phase distortion due to the effects of the near-surface layer are disclosed. Phase error corrections are performed on multiple frequency bands, beginning with a primary band and then proceeding with adjacent frequency bands. The primary band phase constant and time lag corrections are derived in a manner in which the phase correction is applied to the correlation function prior to selection of the peak time lag value, improving the accuracy of the time lag decomposition. Corrections for the secondary bands are made in such a way that the phase corrections at a tie frequency within the overlap frequencies between each secondary band and its adjacent bands are forced to be equal. At each step, surface-consistent decomposition of the phase static components and the time lag static components is performed using a weighted least-squares approach.

Abstract: A box spring wrap and dust ruffle system is disclosed. The box spring wrap is fabricated of a material to which hooks, of a hook-and-loop fastener system, may be attached. The wrap has a length selected so that it is long enough to wrap around two sides and the foot of the perimeter of a large box spring, such as a king size; the wrap also preferably is of a length so as to be tied about the perimeter of a smaller size box spring, such as a full size or a queen size. Drawstrings are provided to secure the wrap around the box spring. The dust ruffle of the system has hook fasteners attached to the reverse side along the top, and thus may be attached at any height of the wrap when secured about a box spring.

Abstract: A method of fabricating articles, such as prototype parts and prototype tooling for injection molding, is disclosed. The method begins with the fabrication of the article in a "green" state by the selective laser sintering, or another additive thermal process, applied to a composite powder, preferably a powder of metal particles coated with a thermoplastic polymer. Both the green article and also an aqueous emulsion of a thermosetting material are then preheated to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, and the green article is then infiltrated with the aqueous emulsion. The thermosetting material may be a thermosetting polymer with an appropriate cross-linking agent, or may be a cross-linking agent that will react with the thermoplastic binder polymer. After infiltration, the article is dried, and a rigid skeleton of a thermosetting material is now present within the structure of the article. Further processing may now be performed.