Abstract: A method and a system are provided for prioritising the fetching of instructions for each of a plurality of executing instruction threads in a multi-threaded processor. Instructions come from at least one source of instructions. Each thread has a number of threads buffered for execution in an instruction buffer. A first metric for each thread is determined based on the number of instructions currently buffered. A second metric is then determined for each thread, this being an execution based metric. A priority order for the threads is determined from the first and second metrics, and an instruction is fetched from the source for the thread with the highest determined priority which is requesting an instruction.

Abstract: In one aspect, a downhole device for use in a wellbore to selectively isolate a first pressure and a second pressure is disclosed, including a first piston including: a first sealing face to selectively isolate the first pressure and the second pressure; a first pressure face to receive the first pressure; and a second pressure face to receive the second pressure; and a second piston selectively coupled to the first piston, the second piston including a third pressure face to receive the second pressure; and a fourth pressure face to receive the first pressure, wherein the fourth pressure face is larger than the first pressure face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for executing instructions of a multi-threaded processor having multiple hardware threads with differing hardware resources comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of streams of instructions and determining which hardware threads are able to receive instructions for execution, determining whether a thread determined to be available for executing an instructions has the hardware resources available required by that instructions and executing the instruction in dependence on the result of the determination.

Abstract: A system and method allows the operation of a remotely located tool in an application where there is a telescoping space out joint in such a manner that the hanger need not be released. A hydraulic piston is surface actuated to move gripping teeth against the pipe and then take the pipe with the gripping teeth so that a tool that is engaged by the string can be remotely operated while safety features for the well can remain operative. The shifted position is held with maintained control line pressure. Some release of the control line pressure will not allow the operating piston to return. Rather, a check valve holds the shifted piston position until a differential pressure on the check valve drops to a predetermined value so that the check valve acts as a dump valve. The system operates off annulus pressure if the control line is damaged.

Abstract: A portable lift is provided. The portable lift includes a top frame assembly, a carriage frame, a base frame, and a hoist mechanism. The top frame assembly is secures top ends of a pair of stringers together. The base frame assembly secures bottom ends of the pair of stringers together forming the portable lift frame. The carriage frame includes a plurality of wheel assemblies each having a plurality of wheels. The plurality of wheels releasably retain to and slidably engage with a stringer of the pair of stringers. The hoist mechanism includes a motor, a spool rotatable by the motor, a pulley secured to the top frame assembly, and a hoist cable wrapped around the spool and running from the spool through the pulley and secured to the carriage frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for executing instructions of a multi-threaded processor having multiple hardware threads (32, 34) with differing hardware resources comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of streams of instructions (38, 44) and determining which hardware threads are able to receive instructions for execution (40, 46), determining whether a thread determined to be available for executing an instructions has the hardware resources available required by that instructions (36) and executing the instruction in dependence on the result of the determination (50).

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for prioritising the fetching of instructions for each of a plurality of executing instruction threads in a multi-threaded processor. Instructions come from at least one source of instructions. Each thread has a number of threads buffered for execution in an instruction buffer. A first metric for each thread is determined based on the number of instructions currently buffered. A second metric is then determined for each thread, this being an execution based metric. A priority order for the threads is determined from the first and second metrics, and an instruction is fetched from the source for the thread with the highest determined priority which is requesting an instruction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve. The valve includes a first member having a first port therethrough, a second member in operable communication with the first member having a sealing surface thereon on an inner radial surface of the second member and a second port therethrough that is movable relative to the first member. The valve also has a seal sealingly engaged with the first member and slidably sealingly engagable with the second member, and a support member movably disposed relative to the first member and the second member. The support member has a support surface dimensioned similarly to the sealing surface, and is movable with the second member relative to the first member so that upon such movement the seal is continuously supported by at least one of the sealing surface and the support surface.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for prioritizing the fetching of instructions for each of a plurality of executing instruction threads in a multi-threaded processor. Instructions come from at least one source of instructions. Each thread has a number of threads buffered for execution in an instruction buffer. A first metric for each thread is determined based on the number of instructions currently buffered. A second metric is then determined for each thread, this being an execution based metric. A priority order for the threads is determined from the first and second metrics, and an instruction is fetched from the source for the thread with the highest determined priority which is requesting an instruction.

Abstract: There is provided a method to dynamically determine which instructions from a plurality of available instructions to issue in each clock cycle in a multithreaded processor capable of issuing a plurality of instructions in each clock cycle, comprising the steps of: determining a highest priority instruction from the plurality of available instructions; determining the compatibility of the highest priority instruction with each of the remaining available instructions; and issuing the highest priority instruction together with other instructions compatible with the highest priority instruction in the same clock cycle; wherein the highest priority instruction cannot be a speculative instruction. The effect of this is that speculative instructions are only ever issued together with at least one non-speculative instruction.

Abstract: A system and method allows the operation of a remotely located tool in an application where there is a telescoping space out joint in such a manner that the hanger need not be released. A hydraulic piston is surface actuated to move gripping teeth against the pipe and then take the pipe with the gripping teeth so that a tool that is engaged by the string can be remotely operated while safety features for the well can remain operative. The shifted position is held with maintained control line pressure. Some release of the control line pressure will not allow the operating piston to return. Rather, a check valve holds the shifted piston position until a differential pressure on the check valve drops to a predetermined value so that the check valve acts as a dump valve. The system operates off annulus pressure if the control line is damaged.

Abstract: A method is provided for dynamically determining which instructions from a plurality of available instructions to issue in each clock cycle in a multithreaded processor capable of issuing a plurality of instructions in each clock cycle. The method includes the steps of: determining a highest priority instruction from the plurality of available instructions; determining the compatibility of the highest priority instruction with each of the remaining available instructions; and issuing the highest priority instruction together with other instructions compatible with the highest priority instruction in the same clock cycle. The highest priority instruction cannot be a speculative instruction. The effect of this method is that speculative instructions are only ever issued together with at least one non-speculative instruction.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for providing trace data in a pipelined data processor. Aspects of the invention including providing a trace pipeline in parallel to the execution pipeline, providing trace information on whether conditional instructions are complete or not, providing trace information on the interrupt status of the processor, replacing instructions in the processor with functionally equivalent instructions that also produce trace information and modifying the scheduling of instructions in the processor based on the occupancy of the trace output buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve. The valve includes a first member having a first port therethrough, a second member in operable communication with the first member having a sealing surface thereon on an inner radial surface of the second member and a second port therethrough that is movable relative to the first member. The valve also has a seal sealingly engaged with the first member and slidably sealingly engagable with the second member, and a support member movably disposed relative to the first member and the second member. The support member has a support surface dimensioned similarly to the sealing surface, and is movable with the second member relative to the first member so that upon such movement the seal is continuously supported by at least one of the sealing surface and the support surface.