Abstract: A high pressure metal-to-metal seal utilizes an expandable metal seal element able to withstand caustic fluids, high pressure, and high temperature. The metal-to-metal seal assembly is resilient for repeatable sealing and comprises an energizing metal ring and a metal sealing ring. Engagement of these two rings expands surfaces of the metal sealing ring to create inner and/or outer metal-to-metal seals.

Abstract: Autonomous fitness for continuing service assessment equipment interacts with the operator through natural speech, voice and sound and provides active failure prevention through automatic and/or continuous fitness for service assessment of a material under evaluation. The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation.

Abstract: Autonomous remaining useful life estimation equipment interacts with the operator through natural speech, voice and sound and provides active failure prevention through automatic and/or continuous remaining useful life estimation of a material under evaluation. The equipment comprises at least one computer and a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features. The features are then evaluated according to rules that capture the multidiscipline knowledge of experts and are already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the condition of the material under evaluation, thus alleviating the need for multidiscipline experts to examine and analyze all the material data manually, a very slow and expensive process.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: A subsea electrical connector for connecting a first cable and a second cable. A first insulator has an outer face, possibly an inner face, and a pin portion transverse to the outer face. A second insulator has a mating outer face, an inner face, and a pin receptacle. At least one face seal ring is positioned between the first insulator outer face and the second insulator outer face. At least one pin seal ring is positioned between the pin portion and the pin receptacle. Preferably, an interference fit is provided between the pin and pin receptacle. A preferred seating angle seal has an angled surface adjacent the end of the pin portion and within the pin receptacle. First and second electrical connectors are mounted within the first insulator and the second insulator. The first and second metal electrical connectors each have a socket for receiving the first and second cables.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for a cement building which may utilize cement floor panels, cement wall panels, cement roof panels, cement joist panels, and cement roof support panel. Although each type of cement panel will vary in construction depending on the function, preferably each panel comprises a synthetic foam core and a cement outer shell. Molds may be utilized at the building site or offsite to create the panels which are then secured together to form the building. Once a panel is raised, it is substantially complete thereby reducing time required to complete the building. Floor panels may comprise an internal cement arch to provide a sturdy panel that provides a sturdy support for loads placed thereon.

Abstract: A region of a borehole with one or more openings to be sealed off, such as one or more fractures, voids, and or pores, may or may not be sealed off around a tubular string with a borehole seal such as a packer or plug. A carrying fluid may be utilized to transport a filtration material into the opening to create a bridge, which at least partially seals the opening, but still provides a flow path that permits fluid flow therethrough. A solid material and/or settable material may then utilize the fluid flow subsequently or be simultaneously spotted with or behind the filtration material to thereby form compositions which effectively seals off the flow path into the one or more openings.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: Groundbreaking equipment utilizes a gang of discs and a road grader to provide a consistent depth of tilling without skipping areas of ground. In one embodiment, the road grader weighs ten to twenty tons, has articulating tandem rear wheels, front steering wheels, and hydraulic vertical and horizontal angle blade adjusters, whereby the disc tillers may be oriented in a manner for tilling at a desired depth and orientation, and the road grader features can be adjusted to counteract forces produced by the gang of discs. Mud scrapers are preferably provided for individual discs on an opposite side of the gang of discs with respect to the grader blade. In one embodiment, a hitch mechanism with stop surfaces is provided behind the grader blade for mounting and/or removal of the gang of discs to the grader blade within minutes without need of special tools.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for a lightweight subsea intervention package that may be installed using vessels with a smaller lifting capacity than semi-submersible platforms so that the subsea intervention package can be transported, installed, and removed from a subsea well in less time and with less cost. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a lower riser package for controlling the subsea well which utilizes two hydraulically activated gate valves. An emergency disconnect package is secured to the lower riser package utilizing a disconnect mechanism. The emergency disconnect package is operable to seal the bottom of a riser if the disconnect mechanism is activated to thereby minimize environmental leakage of fluid from the riser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency due to a cushioning and has superior support due to a rigid or semi-rigid orthotic plate. The orthotic plate may be removably or securably attachable to the upper, and the padding may be removably or securably attachable to the orthotic plate. The cushioning may further may have supporting blades incorporated therein to counteract any undesired deforming characteristics of the cushioning and/or a bottom plate may be securably or removably attachable to the bottom side of the cushioning. The bottom plate may also have gripping elements which are permanently or removably attachable to the plate to compensate for wear, or for a change in activities. Further, the upper may be removably and attachable and interchanged with other types of removably attachable uppers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soffit assembly and method which comprises a soffit vent that can be mounted therein regardless of the lookouts to which the soffit boards are typically nailed. In one preferred embodiment, legs extend into a soffit opening. The soffit legs preferably comprise retainers mounted thereon that grasp an inside surface of the soffit boards once inserted fully therein. The base vent portion preferably comprises finish edges that produce a biasing force which is applied against a lower surface of the soffit boards to thereby hold the soffit vent in tension to quickly and easily provide a finished look.

Abstract: A temporary or portable traffic signal can be utilized to regulate traffic during power outages. However, when power is restored and the normal operation of the permanently installed traffic signal resumes, then a method of interconnecting the permanent and temporary systems ensures that the operation of the two system are synchronized in predetermined and/or selectable modes of operation. Whenever power is available, an interface detects operation of the permanently installed main system and produces signals that can be used in one mode of operation to direct the portable system to ignore its internal timing sequences and synchronize with the main system, or in another mode of operation to cease its operation.

Abstract: A digital motor control system utilizes time duration electric pulses generated by digital logic to control the motor speed and direction of rotation of a D.C. or A.C. motor. The digital logic produces width modulated pulses that can be connected to large or small electric motors by mechanical or electrical relays or switches to provide efficient motor control with little control circuit power loss. The mechanical or electrical switches are responsive to the digital logic to change motor direction or remove power from the motor windings. A variable control element such as a computer joystick can be utilized to control both direction and speed of the motor. The system can be configured as an open loop system or as a closed loop servo with a feed back element to control the rotational position of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and locating improper or illicit use of digitized information such as illegal pirating, copying, alteration, and the like. The digitized information may include software, digital music, digital movies, multi-media or the like that may be placed on a user's computer and possibly copied to other computers. The system or method preferably operates in the background so as to be unnoticeable to the user and preferably does not interfere with operation of the digitized information even if determined that copying or alteration has occurred. Thus, there is little motivation to remove the routine that effects transmission over the Internet to a server of information such as a program identification indicia, a computer identification indicia, program alteration identification.