Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tooling in layered structures for increased joint performance are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes placing a tool onto a first substrate to define an impression in the first substrate, curing the first substrate, removing the tool from the first substrate to define a joint interface corresponding to the impression, and coupling, at the joint interface, the first substrate to a second substrate.

Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.

Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.

Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.

Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.

Abstract: A remote adjustable fuel dispenser for dispenser diagnostics and remote telecommunication. The fuel dispenser contains a remote communication system for communication between the fuel dispenser and a remote telecommunication device. A wireless input device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or hand-held computer is in wireless communication with a fuel dispenser for use during fuel dispenser diagnostics.

Abstract: A teaching system apparatus and method for improving the ability of a student to learn with a connection to a remote computer. A plurality of CD Roms for storing at least one of text, audio and visual data are utilized on a local computer having memory. The local computer is in communication with the remote computer and the CD Roms are able to be loaded and operated on the local computer. A mechanism through software is provided on said CD Roms for causing the local computer to communicate with the remote computer and determine if the CD Roms are still up to date, and software on the CD Roms may request the local computer to download information from the remote computer. A mechanism via software on the CD Roms prevents local computer access of particular data on the CD Roms without an unlock code from the remote computer.

Abstract: A combination of a rubber or other elastomer part and a plastic or metal part is bonded by both chemical and mechanical means. The mechanical means is in the form of molded rivets integrally manufactured in the molding process as part of the elastomer. Appropriate mating holes are made in the plastic or metal parts to receive the rivets during the molding process or at least before the rivets are cured. Conventional chemical bonding materials for the circumstance are employed with the rivet bonding to provide dual bonding strength. The parts of a blowout preventer, such as at the T-seal and the upper seal, are disclosed as preferred examples of locations that are subject to high pressure and temperature where an elastomer part is bonded to a plastic or a metal part.

Abstract: A ram of a ram-type blowout preventer is enclosed within an enclosure so that the piston driving the ram is placed parallel to a stationary magnetizable waveguide tube. A transverse ring-like magnet assembly surrounds the tube and is attached to a carrier that, in turn, is attached to the tail of the piston. The magnet assembly longitudinally magnetizes an area of the tube where it is located. A wire running through the tube is periodically interrogated with an electrical current pulse, which produces a toroidal magnetic field about the wire. When the toroidal field intersects with the longitudinally magnetized area, a magnetostrictive acoustical return pulse is reflected back up the tube for detection by a transducer located outside of the enclosure. The time that the acoustical pulse travels from the magnetic field intersection compared to the timing of the electrical pulse on the wire is a measure of distance since the pulse time essentially travels at the speed of light.

Abstract: A combination of a rubber or other elastomer part and a plastic or metal part is bonded by both chemical and mechanical means. The mechanical means is in the form of molded rivets integrally manufactured in the molding process as part of the elastomer. Appropriate mating holes are made in the plastic or metal parts to receive the rivets during the molding process or at least before the rivets are cured. Conventional chemical bonding materials for the circumstance are employed with the rivet bonding to provide dual bonding strength. The parts of a blowout preventer, such as at the T-seal and the upper seal, are disclosed as preferred examples of locations that are subject to high pressure and temperature where an elastomer part is bonded to a plastic or a metal part.

Abstract: A ram of a ram-type blowout preventer is enclosed within an enclosure so that the piston driving the ram is placed parallel to a stationary magnetizable waveguide tube. A transverse ring-like magnet assembly surrounds the tube and is attached to a carrier that, in turn, is attached to the tail of the piston. The magnet assembly longitudinally magnetizes an area of the tube where it is located. A wire running through the tube is periodically interrogated with an electrical current pulse, which produces a toroidal magnetic field about the wire. When the toroidal field intersects with the longitudinally magnetized area, a magnetostrictive acoustical return pulse is reflected back up the tube for detection by a transducer located outside of the enclosure. The time that the acoustical pulse travels from the magnetic field intersection compared to the timing of the electrical pulse on the wire is a measure of distance since the pulse time essentially travels at the speed of light.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ram type blowout preventer whose rams have ram front packings which include seal strips of elastomeric material and top and bottom metal plates received in recesses across the front ends of the ram bodies, with the faces of the inner ends of the metal plates being slanted with respect to the vertical for sliding engagement with an oppositely slanting face of the inner end of the metal plate of an opposing ram.