Abstract: In one aspect, a method of performing an operation in a wellbore is disclosed that in one embodiment may include: placing a first device at a first location in the wellbore, wherein the first device includes a plurality of circumferentially placed tags at known orientations in the wellbore, conveying a second device in the wellbore, the second device including a sensor that provides signals in response to detecting signals from each of the tags in the first device, determining from the signals from the sensor orientation of the second device in the wellbore. In another aspect the method may include a plurality of axially placed tags on a first device and the sensor on a second device, wherein the sensor provides signals when it passes proximate each of the axially spaced tags and determining from the sensor signals location of the second device relative to the first device.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a reciprocating piston system is provided that compensates for uneven wear rates between the ring components of the seal assembly by initially sizing a portion of the width of the sealing ring larger than the width of the annular recess in the cover ring, this portion at least partially overlapping the gap in the cover ring but not the gap in the sealing ring.

Abstract: An as-manufactured multi-wall sack that comprises an inner pouch 5 and an outer bag 7 is disclosed. The sack has a top end that (a) is open in the as-manufactured form of the sack so that the sack can be filled with product via the open end and (b) is formed so that it can be closed to form a top block end. The as-manufactured form of the sack comprises pressure adhesive that connects together the inner pouch and the outer bag at the open top end of the sack. The as-manufactured form of the sack also comprises heat-activated adhesive on sections of the outer bag that adhere to other sections of the outer bag as part of the sequence of steps to close the outer bag. An apparatus and a method for closing the as-manufactured sack are also disclosed.

Abstract: A socket assembly can attach a fastener to a receiving structure. The socket assembly includes a body portion defining a receiving space. The socket assembly further includes a gripping structure attached to the body portion. The gripping structure movably supports the fastener within the receiving space. The gripping structure is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The socket assembly further includes an alignment structure axially aligning the body portion and the receiving structure. Methods of attaching a fastener to a receiving structure are also provided.

Abstract: A method for protecting a welded pipe assembly from metal dusting and a welded pipe assembly suitable for performing the method. The welded pipe assembly comprises two pipes, weld material joining the two pipes and insulating material. The pipes are protected from metal dusting by a protective coating. The present invention is useful for conveying gases comprising carbon monoxide at temperatures greater than 425° C. while preventing metal dusting of the welded piping assembly.

Abstract: The present application is directed to tethers and methods of use. The tether is attached with anchors to bony members within the patient. The tether applies a tensile force to the bony members to reduce and/or eliminate the abnormality of the bony members. The tether includes a release mechanism with a resorbable material that initially maintains the tether in a shortened orientation. The release mechanism is eventually releases the tether to a lengthened orientation. The release mechanism may prevent the need for a subsequent surgery to release tension from the tether as the patient grows.

Abstract: A method for protecting a welded pipe assembly from metal dusting and a welded pipe assembly suitable for performing the method. The welded pipe assembly comprises two pipes, weld material joining the two pipes and insulating material. The pipes are protected from metal dusting by a protective coating. The present invention is useful for conveying gases comprising carbon monoxide at temperatures greater than 425° C. while preventing metal dusting of the welded piping assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for lever stroke adjustment that includes, a master cylinder body having a master cylinder body wall at least partially bounding an inside of the master cylinder body, a piston bore situated substantially inside the master cylinder body, a rotatable cam assembly extending through the master cylinder body wall and into the piston bore, the cam assembly having a cam shaft with a lobe portion positioned in the piston bore and a cam lever positioned outside of the master cylinder body. The apparatus further including, a piston having a compression passage that includes a first sealing surface and a poppet valve having a first poppet end with a poppet actuating surface and a second poppet end with a second sealing surface, wherein rotation of the cam assembly varies the distance between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable lever assembly with a lever having an adjustment section and a grip section, where the adjustment section includes a slide passage in communication with an adjuster passage, and an adjuster positioned at least partially inside the adjuster passage, the adjuster having a threaded inner passage extending therethrough. The adjustable lever assembly further includes a slide positioned substantially inside the slide passage, the slide including an outer wall surface that is keyed to the slide passage and a threaded outer portion for rotatably engaging the threaded inner passage of the adjuster, wherein rotation of the adjuster translates the slide about the adjuster passage, and wherein the slide includes a bottom portion configured for securing pivotally to a pushrod.

Abstract: A GPU connection apparatus for an aircraft towing vehicle comprising a vehicle-mounted ground power unit (GPU). The GPU includes a GPU cable having a first end which is connected to the GPU and a second end which includes a GPU connector that is configured to be plugged into a GPU receptacle on an aircraft to be towed. The GPU connection apparatus includes an intermediate cable having a first end which comprises a cable plug and a second end which comprises a cable receptacle. The cable plug is configured to be plugged into the GPU receptacle. In addition, the cable receptacle is configured to receive the GPU connector. In use of the GPU connection apparatus, the cable plug is plugged into the GPU receptacle and the GPU connector is plugged into the cable receptacle to thereby electrically connect the aircraft to the GPU.

Abstract: A casing patch includes a deformable seal configurable to a deformed and undeformed position for sealing and unsealing respectively with a target stub and a pressure based subsystem in operable communication with the deformable seal. The patch may also contain a stop ring to prevent overcompression of the seal.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods for treating a multi-level spinal deformity. The methods may include inserting a tether in a minimally-invasive manner through an entrance incision. The tether is moved along the spine and positioned to reduce and/or eliminate the deformity. Once the tether is positioned along the spine, the tether may be secured to the vertebral members. In one embodiment, the tether includes a rigid section and a flexible section. The tether may be positioned within the spine with the rigid section extending along a first length of the spine and the flexible section extending along a second length of the spine. The different sections provide different corrective forces to the spine to reduce and/or eliminate the spinal deformity. In one embodiment, the rigid section extends along an apex of the spinal deformity.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods for treating a multi-level spinal deformity. The methods may include inserting a tether in a minimally-invasive manner through an entrance incision. The tether is moved along the spine and positioned to reduce and/or eliminate the deformity. Once the tether is positioned along the spine, the tether may be secured to the vertebral members. In one embodiment, the tether includes a rigid section and a flexible section. The tether may be positioned within the spine with the rigid section extending along a first length of the spine and the flexible section extending along a second length of the spine. The different sections provide different corrective forces to the spine to reduce and/or eliminate the spinal deformity. In one embodiment, the rigid section extends along an apex of the spinal deformity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice dispenser apparatus having an ice storage bin removably mounted to the refrigerator for receiving and storing ice pieces from an ice maker, a metering device for separating individual ice pieces, and a sensing device for detecting the presence of ice pieces. Actuation of a motor causes the metering device to separate individual ice pieces and the sensing device detects ice pieces before, after, or during dispensing.

Abstract: A method of mitigating proppant settling in a hydraulic fracture in order to better suspend the proppant as well as ensure a more uniform pack, by mixing a pre-determined volume percent of low density additive, such as glass beads or other suitable material, such as polylactic acid particles, into the fracturing slurry along with the standard high-density proppant, it is anticipated that density gradients can be induced inside the fracture. Upward movement of low density additive due to them having density lower than the carrier fluid will interfere with downward movement of high-density proppant and vice versa. This mutual interference between the two proppants confined in the narrow fracture will significantly hinder the settling/segregation of the high-density proppant. The low density material has a specific gravity of about 0.3, particle size distribution similar to that of standard proppant, and sufficient mechanical strength to survive fracture closure stress.

Abstract: An easily assembled and repairable plastic shipping pallet includes two or more plastic runner rails and multiple plastic cross boards secured perpendicularly to the top and bottom of the runner rails by pins and pin receiver/retainers. The pins engage and retain the cross boards by a slide and snap-in mechanism. This construction allows for rapid and easy repair of a pallet that may become damaged. The method of assembly includes placing pairs of holes of the slats over mating pairs of pegs in the proper orientation; and sliding each slat a short distance to engage each projection in its mating recess.

Abstract: A game attracting apparatus comprises a pole, a flag and an actuator. The pole has a lower end and a top end displaced from the lower end. The flag includes a tip, a mounting location, an outer side and an underside. The flag is configured to resemble the shape and color of a deer's tail when viewed from the underside and is mounted at the mounting location to the pole at a location above the lower end. The actuator is coupled to the flag adjacent the tip of the flag. The flag, pole and actuator are configured to induce the flag to hang from the pole with the tip downward so that the outer side is presented toward a desired direction when the actuator is not actuated and so that, during actuation of the actuator, the tip of the flag moves upwardly so that the underside of the flag is presented toward the desired direction.