Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling a rotary actuator to a mechanical device having a rotatable shaft. The coupling device comprises a spring return module with a first rotatable coupling configured to engage a first portion of the shaft, and a spring engaged with the first rotatable coupling, wherein the first rotatable coupling is rotatable about a rotation axis, and wherein rotation of the rotatable coupling about the rotation axis in a first direction causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring. The coupling device further comprises an actuator coupling module comprising a second rotatable coupling. The second rotatable coupling is configured to engage a second portion of the shaft, the second rotatable coupling being further engageable with an output of the rotary actuator. The second rotatable coupling is rotatable about the rotation axis, the second rotatable coupling being rotatable relative to the first rotatable coupling about the rotation axis.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for assigning and managing RF communication links between ground-based stations and airborne assets. In one or more examples, a pilot or other user of the systems and methods described herein can generate and transmit a flight plan to a spectrum management system. Additionally, or alternatively, the pilot or use can also transmit additional information to the spectrum management system such as the type of aircraft/radio configuration that they will be using during a flight, and a request for a certain amount of data throughput that they want to have access to during the flight. In one or more examples, upon receiving the flight plan and/or information from the pilot, the spectrum management system can proceed to match the user's desired flight plan with one or more RF spectrum resources for the airborne radio of the pilot's UAV to use during their planned flight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling a rotary actuator to a mechanical device having a rotatable shaft. The coupling device comprises a spring return module with a first rotatable coupling configured to engage a first portion of the shaft, and a spring engaged with the first rotatable coupling, wherein the first rotatable coupling is rotatable about a rotation axis, and wherein rotation of the rotatable coupling about the rotation axis in a first direction causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring. The coupling device further comprises an actuator coupling module comprising a second rotatable coupling. The second rotatable coupling is configured to engage a second portion of the shaft, the second rotatable coupling being further engageable with an output of the rotary actuator. The second rotatable coupling is rotatable about the rotation axis, the second rotatable coupling being rotatable relative to the first rotatable coupling about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device; a spring engaged with the drive coupling; and a retainer that retains the spring; wherein: rotation of the drive coupling in a first direction relative to the retainer causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring; and the spring return device comprises an integral locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is allowed and a second state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is prevented.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

Abstract: A vane assembly for use in a rotary vane actuator, the vane assembly comprising: a rotatable vane having a first side and a second side; a vane axle connected to the rotatable vane for converting pressure exerted on the rotatable vane into rotational motion; a vane seal on the first side of the rotatable vane, the vane seal being for sealing the rotatable vane; and a side-plate on the first side of the rotatable vane, the side-plate clamping the vane seal in position; wherein the side-plate comprises: an outer part providing an outer surface of the side-plate, the outer part defining an internal volume; and an inner part filling or substantially filling the internal volume defined by the outer part, the inner part being distinct from the outer part.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

Abstract: A vane assembly for use in a rotary vane actuator, the vane assembly comprising: a rotatable vane having a first side and a second side; a vane axle connected to the rotatable vane for converting pressure exerted on the rotatable vane into rotational motion; a vane seal on the first side of the rotatable vane, the vane seal being for sealing the rotatable vane; and a side-plate on the first side of the rotatable vane, the side-plate clamping the vane seal in position; wherein the side-plate comprises: an outer part providing an outer surface of the side-plate, the outer part defining an internal volume; and an inner part filling or substantially filling the internal volume defined by the outer part, the inner part being distinct from the outer part.

Abstract: A computer-based processing system (e.g., host server) is operable for receiving historical device operation information (power consumption data) collected during operation of the remote battery-operated device in accordance with a first set of operating parameters, including rechargeable battery information (such as the number of charging cycles experienced). The first set of operating parameters enable operation of the battery-operated device in a first operating mode. The processing system calculates an observed battery life for the device based on the received historical power consumption data and a power capacity value representing a power capacity of the battery resident in the device. This observed battery life may be output to a user and used to determine whether the device will meet a predetermined operational life. If not, parameters for the device can be modified and a new projected battery life calculated (simulation), with the new modified parameters controlling power consumption in the device.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

Abstract: A spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device; a spring engaged with the drive coupling; and a retainer that retains the spring; wherein: rotation of the drive coupling in a first direction relative to the retainer causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring; and the spring return device comprises an integral locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is allowed and a second state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is prevented.

Abstract: A rotary vane type actuator includes a vane assembly for converting pressure from a pressurized medium within the actuator into rotational movement. The vane assembly has a rotatable vane and a vane seal for preventing leakage of pressurized medium through or around the vane assembly. A side-plate is attached to the rotatable vane and the side-plate has a limiting protrusion that abuts the vane to maintain a gap between the vane and the side-plate so that the seal in the gap is not extruded from between the vane and side-plate.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a tool, a hanger connected to the tool, and a plurality of tubulars connected to the hanger and adapted to be positioned within a wellbore. The tool, hanger, and tubulars are rotatable in response to at least the application of torsion to the tool, and without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, a method includes positioning a tubular string within a wellbore, connecting a hanger to the tubular string, and applying torsion to the tubular string to rotate the tubular string. To apply torsion to rotate, a tool is connected to the hanger, and torsion is applied to the tool without transferring torque to the connection between the tool and the hanger. In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for rotating a tubular string in a preexisting structure, such as a wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a device has moved based upon sensed changes to the observed magnetic field are disclosed herein. Various embodiments function on the principle that it is highly unlikely that the observed magnetic field will be the same in any two given locations (at least, when the observed magnetic field is measured in three dimensions), and moreover, it is unlikely that the observed magnetic field will change if the device remains stationary. Various embodiments therefore include one or more magnetic sensors (e.g., a compass) disposed within the device. The device can be configured to periodically check its current reading of the observed magnetic field. If the device determines that its magnetic reading has changed relative to its last reading, a possible or actual relocation event can then be declared.

Abstract: An asset tracking system, comprising an asset; a tag comprising a tag identifier, the tag associated with the asset; a tracker comprising: a device identifier, a reader configured to read the tag identifier from the tag, and a transmitter configured to transmit the tag identifier and the device identifier to a server; a server configured to receive the transmitted tag identifier and device identifier, to associate them with each other, and to store the tag identifier, device identifier, and the association in a database.

Abstract: A computer-based processing system (e.g., host server) is operable for receiving historical device operation information (power consumption data) collected during operation of the remote battery-operated device in accordance with a first set of operating parameters, including rechargeable battery information (such as the number of charging cycles experienced). The first set of operating parameters enable operation of the battery-operated device in a first operating mode. The processing system calculates an observed battery life for the device based on the received historical power consumption data and a power capacity value representing a power capacity of the battery resident in the device. This observed battery life may be output to a user and used to determine whether the device will meet a predetermined operational life. If not, parameters for the device can be modified and a new projected battery life calculated (simulation), with the new modified parameters controlling power consumption in the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate a data usage plan for a mobile device. A method includes identifying a plurality of data usage requirements for the mobile device. The method includes identifying one or more carrier models for data service costs. The method includes generating cost estimates for a plurality of data usage transactions based on the data usage requirements and one or more carrier models. The method includes generating the data usage plan for the mobile device based on the cost estimates. The data usage plan includes usage parameters for carrier selection by the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-based processing system (e.g., host server) is operable for receiving historical device operation information (power consumption data) collected during operation of the remote battery-operated device in accordance with a first set of operating parameters. The first set of operating parameters enable operation of the battery-operated device in a first operating mode. The processing system calculates an observed battery life for the device based on the received historical power consumption data and a power capacity value representing a power capacity of the battery resident in the device. This observed battery life may be output to a user and used to determine whether the device will meet a predetermined operational life. If not, parameters for the device can be modified and a new projected battery life calculated (simulation), with the new modified parameters controlling power consumption in the device.

Abstract: A remote battery-operated device operates in accordance with a first set of operating parameters. During operation, power consumption information is generated and transmitted via a data network to a remote location for later use. In one embodiment, the remote location transmits one or more modified parameters back to the battery-operated device which control subsequent operation of the device. In this manner, power consumption within the device may be controlled to achieve a predetermined or desired operating lifetime.