Abstract: A bottom-up method of fracturing a multi-zone subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore that enables one zone to be fractured while at the same time flowing previously placed fracture fluid from one or more other zones back to the surface is provided. The method employs a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) that is attached to the bottom end of a tubing string. The BHA includes a hydra jetting sub, a centralizer, a packer and valve sub. The hydra jetting sub is used to perforate and initiate the fracture in the zones of interest. The zones are fractured by pumping fracturing fluid down the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore. The previously placed fracture fluid flows back to the surface through the tubing string. It enters through the valve sub in the BHA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bottom-up method of fracturing a multi-zone subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore that enables one zone to be fractured while at the same time flowing previously placed fracture fluid from one or more other zones back to the surface. The method employs a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) that is attached to the bottom end of a tubing string. The BHA includes a hydra jetting sub, a centralizer, a packer and valve sub. The hydra jetting sub is used to perforate and initiate the fracture in the zones of interest. The zones are fractured by pumping fracturing fluid down the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore. The previously placed fracture fluid flows back to the surface through the tubing string. It enters through the valve sub in the BHA.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting and lowering a component of an automobile body that is hingedly and releasably attached to the automobile body at first and second attachment points. The lifting apparatus includes an extension member having first and second ends that is operable to move from a normally retracted position to an extended position. The first end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the component at a third attachment point and the second end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the automobile body. An actuator is operable to extend and retract the extension member. When a one of the first and second attachment points is released, the extension member moves from the retracted position to the extended position and moves the component to an open position about the other of the first and second attachment points.

Abstract: A compression spring comprising a plurality of composite wave rings stacked and attached to one another in crest to crest configuration. Each of the wave rings has a plurality of alternating peaks and troughs wherein one peak and one adjacent trough define a wave having a wave height measured axially from the peak to the trough and the wave heights vary such that the compression spring provides a varying spring rate as the compression spring is compressed.

Abstract: A compression spring comprising a plurality of composite wave rings stacked and attached to one another in crest to crest configuration. Each of the wave rings has a plurality of alternating peaks and troughs wherein one peak and one adjacent trough define a wave having a wave height measured axially from the peak to the trough and the wave heights vary such that the compression spring provides a varying spring rate as the compression spring is compressed.

Abstract: A method for minimizing errors in a modulated signal transmitted over a transmission medium. The method is applied to the entire data block, thereby incorporating information about the parities of each row of data to fix and correct the errors in the row. Thereafter ISI removal is applied on a row by row basis, with such corrections being applied via soft decision coding. In particular, the data samples are first collected in a data block (or FEC block). A soft decision buffer is thereafter created by taking each sample involved. An FEC word is created by processing down each row of the soft decision buffer and creating a binary stream out of the sign bits for each table entry. This creates an estimate of the word by thresholding it around the zero level. A syndrome is generated via a comparison of the parity bits for each FEC word. The syndrome provides the most likely bit error positions, represented by an offset into the FEC word.

Abstract: A security ink is provided containing a colored dye, a colored pigment, and a fluorescent pigment. The ink may be printed on a number of security documents such as checks and may be passed through printing devices such as laser printers without the problem of damage to the ink the printed image, or the printer. The fluorescent pigment in the ink will fluoresce when the document is exposed to ultraviolet light and may be used to provide an authentication feature.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a mixing tank for a slurry of solid particles in a liquid, said mixing tank having first and second inlets and an outlet. A sublimator has a bottom inlet, a top outlet and several internal paths connecting the inlet and the outlet, said internal paths having no descending parts. A first conduit connects the outlet of the mixing tank to the bottom inlet of the sublimator via a pump, there being no descending parts between the pump and the inlet of the sublimator. A separator has an inlet and top and bottom outlets. A second conduit connects the outlet of the sublimator to the inlet of the separator, the bottom outlet of the separator being connected to the first inlet of the mixing tank. A compressor has an inlet and an outlet, and conduits connect the top outlet of the mixing tank to the inlet of the compressor and the outlet of the compressor to the second inlet of the mixing tank.

Abstract: An air bag module (18) mounted on a vehicle steering wheel (12) includes an electrically conductive base plate (30). An electrically conductive member (60) is fixed to the steering wheel (12). A resilient member (80) supports the module (18) on the steering wheel (12) for movement toward the electrically conductive member (60). Bolts (100, 120), which secure the resilient member (80) to the module (18), are engageable with the electrically conductive member (60) on the steering wheel (12) to complete an electric circuit to operate a vehicle horn (50).

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel unit (12) and fasteners (16) which fasten the steering wheel unit (12) in an installed position on a vehicle steering column (14). The steering wheel unit (12) includes parts which are attached to each other separately from the steering column (14). The attached parts of the steering wheel unit (12) include a steering wheel armature (50), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (22), an inflator (20) for inflating the restraint (22), and a cover (40) for covering the restraint (22) and the inflator (20) on the armature (50). The fasteners (16) snap into a locked condition to establish a mechanical interlock between the steering wheel unit (12) and the steering column (14) when the steering wheel unit (12) is moved to its installed position on the steering column (14).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery insulator apparatus which in the preferred embodiment comprises an insulating enclosure within which the battery is placed. The enclosure includes a pair of vents operable to open or close passageways leading from outside the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure. A vent includes a diaphragm and a compression spring positioned to normally move the diaphragm against an opening leading to the interior of the enclosure. The space behind the diaphragm is connected to a vacuum source, and application of a vacuum to the space causes the diaphragm to collapse against the spring, and thereby to move away from the opening to the interior of the enclosure. Alternative to the vacuum-operated vents, a shutter vent is mounted over an opening of the enclosure and is operable by air movement, such as that generated by the fan of an automobile engine, to open and permit air flow.