Abstract: Disclosed herein is a robot of a robotic system for moving objects such as packages, containers, totes, cases, bins, and/or boxes in a site, such as a warehouse, for fulfillment automation. The robot includes a base, a lift mechanism, and an object transitioning apparatus. The lift mechanism is coupled to the base. The lift mechanism is configured to vertically displace the object transitioning apparatus, relative to the base. The object transitioning apparatus includes an object manipulator for grasping an object. The object manipulator includes an extendible arm and an end effector for grasping the object. Lateral displacement of the end effector is effected by extension and retraction of the extendible arm. The extendible arm is laterally extendible, relative to the base, in a first direction, and also in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control apparatus configured for optimizing use of available space within the wellbore for conducting of fluids between the surface and the subterranean formation. The flow control apparatus is useable for conducting all forms of fluid, such as, for example, liquids, gases, or mixtures of liquids and gases. As well, the flow control apparatus is useable for effecting injection of fluid (e.g. a fluid for stimulating hydrocarbon production via a drive process, such as, for example, waterflooding, or via a cyclic process, such as “huff and puff”) into the subterranean formation, and for receiving production of fluid (e.g. hydrocarbon material) from the subterranean formation (including production that is stimulated by gas lift).

Abstract: Disclosed is a rupture disc assembly for use in making a temporary seal in a vessel such as a casing string. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc having a side surface that has a shallow angle taper inward towards a bottom surface of the rupture disc, and a mounting apparatus to support the rupture disc so that the rupture disc forms the temporary seal. When a disc working pressure is applied to a top surface of the rupture disc, engagement/force transmission between the rupture disc and the mounting apparatus produces enough radial compression in the rupture disc due to the shallow angle taper to significantly mitigate or cancel tensile stresses thereby avoiding the rupture disc from breaking. The rupture disc may be configured to break when the rupture disc is subjected to a disc working pressure that is greater than the disc rupture pressure, thereby removing the temporary seal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rupture disc assembly for use in making a temporary seal in a vessel such as a casing string. The rupture disc assembly may generally include (A) a rupture disc having a side surface having a shallow taper inward towards a bottom surface of the rupture disc (B) an actuating mechanism including (i) an outer sled having an inner supporting surface forming a taper complimentary to the shallow taper of the side surface, (ii) an inner sled disposed within the outer sled and having a support shoulder to support the bottom surface of the rupture disc and (iii) a securing mechanism and (C) a housing to house the rupture disc and actuating mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control apparatus configured for optimizing use of available space within the wellbore for conducting of fluids between the surface and the subterranean formation. The flow control apparatus is useable for conducting all forms of fluid, such as, for example, liquids, gases, or mixtures of liquids and gases. As well, the flow control apparatus is useable for effecting injection of fluid (e.g. a fluid for stimulating hydrocarbon production via a drive process, such as, for example, waterflooding, or via a cyclic process, such as “huff and puff”) into the subterranean formation, and for receiving production of fluid (e.g. hydrocarbon material) from the subterranean formation (including production that is stimulated by gas lift).

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus of optimizing operation of one or more tubing strings in a hydrocarbon well are provided. Each tubing string is located in a hydrocarbon well and has a plurality of valves. Each valve is actuatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position and is in communication with a respective zone of a formation defining a reservoir containing hydrocarbon material. The method includes characterizing an injectivity of one or more zones of the formation and determining an optimal operating schedule in accordance with the characterization. The optimal operating schedule comprises one or more valve configurations and an operating duration for each of the one or more valve configurations.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control apparatus configured for optimizing use of available space within the wellbore for conducting of fluids between the surface and the subterranean formation. The flow control apparatus is useable for conducting all forms of fluid, such as, for example, liquids, gases, or mixtures of liquids and gases. As well, the flow control apparatus is useable for effecting injection of fluid (e.g. a fluid for stimulating hydrocarbon production via a drive process, such as, for example, waterflooding, or via a cyclic process, such as “huff and puff”) into the subterranean formation, and for receiving production of fluid (e.g. hydrocarbon material) from the subterranean formation (including production that is stimulated by gas lift).

Abstract: There is provided a flow control apparatus configured for optimizing use of available space within the wellbore for conducting of fluids between the surface and the subterranean formation. The flow control apparatus is useable for conducting all forms of fluid, such as, for example, liquids, gases, or mixtures of liquids and gases. As well, the flow control apparatus is useable for effecting injection of fluid (e.g. a fluid for stimulating hydrocarbon production via a drive process, such as, for example, waterflooding, or via a cyclic process, such as “huff and puff”) into the subterranean formation, and for receiving production of fluid (e.g. hydrocarbon material) from the subterranean formation (including production that is stimulated by gas lift).

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a driveshaft including a longitudinal shaft axis, a first end, a second end, and a radially outer surface. The first end includes a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the radially outer surface. The recesses each include a convex engagement surface. The driveshaft assembly also includes a first end housing including a longitudinal housing axis and an axially extending receptacle. The receptacle includes a plurality of planar receptacle surfaces. In addition, the driveshaft assembly includes a plurality of torque transfer keys configured to transfer torque between the driveshaft and first end housing. Each of the torque transfer keys includes a planar key surface and a concave key surface. The convex engagement surface of each recess engages the concave key surface of one of the torque transfer keys. The planar key surface of each torque transfer key engages one of the planar receptacle surfaces.

Abstract: A method of optimizing operation one or more tubing strings in a hydrocarbon well, apparatus and system for same. Each tubing string is located in a hydrocarbon well and has a plurality of valves. Each valve is actuatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and is in communication with a respective zone of a formation defining a reservoir containing hydrocarbon material.

Abstract: A lubrication system includes a pair of mating surfaces subject to relative motion and a source of lubrication in communication with the mating surfaces. A microfluidic channel system including at least one diffuser element is disposed in an interface between the mating surfaces to create a coherent fluid film at the interface in response to the relative motion.

Abstract: A thread profile for rotary shouldered threaded connections uses different thread root radii for the pin thread and the box thread in order to optimize stress distribution and maximize thread contact area. The thread profile may be adapted for use in double-shouldered, two-start, taper-threaded connections to replace currently-used threaded connections such as the rotor-to-adapter connection in a downhole motor. The thread profile may incorporate an undercut buttress design.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a driveshaft with a shaft axis, a first end, and a radially outer surface. The first end includes a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the radially outer surface and each including an engagement surface. The driveshaft assembly also includes an end housing with a receptacle including a plurality of planar receptacle surfaces. Further, the driveshaft assembly includes a torque transfer assembly including a plurality of torque transfer keys each with a planar key surface and a convex key surface, and an adapter including a plurality of concave adapter surfaces and a plurality of planar adapter surfaces. The engagement surface of the each recess engages the planar key surface of one of the keys. The convex key surface of each key engages one of the concave adapter surfaces. Each of the planar adapter surfaces of the adapter engage with one of the receptacle surfaces.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a driveshaft including a longitudinal shaft axis, a first end, a second end, and a radially outer surface. The first end includes a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the radially outer surface. The recesses each include a convex engagement surface. The driveshaft assembly also includes a first end housing including a longitudinal housing axis and an axially extending receptacle. The receptacle includes a plurality of planar receptacle surfaces. In addition, the driveshaft assembly includes a plurality of torque transfer keys configured to transfer torque between the driveshaft and first end housing. Each of the torque transfer keys includes a planar key surface and a concave key surface. The convex engagement surface of each recess engages the concave key surface of one of the torque transfer keys. The planar key surface of each torque transfer key engages one of the planar receptacle surfaces.

Abstract: A lubrication system includes a pair of mating surfaces subject to relative motion and a source of lubrication in communication with the mating surfaces. A microfluidic channel system including at least one diffuser element is disposed in an interface between the mating surfaces to create a coherent fluid film at the interface in response to the relative motion.

Abstract: A thread profile for rotary shouldered threaded connections uses different thread root radii for the pin thread and the box thread in order to optimize stress distribution and maximize thread contact area. The thread profile may be adapted for use in double-shouldered, two-start, taper-threaded connections to replace currently-used threaded connections such as the rotor-to-adapter connection in a downhole motor. The thread profile may incorporate an undercut buttress design.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a driveshaft with a shaft axis, a first end, and a radially outer surface. The first end includes a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the radially outer surface and each including an engagement surface. The driveshaft assembly also includes an end housing with a receptacle including a plurality of planar receptacle surfaces. Further, the driveshaft assembly includes a torque transfer assembly including a plurality of torque transfer keys each with a planar key surface and a convex key surface, and an adapter including a plurality of concave adapter surfaces and a plurality of planar adapter surfaces. The engagement surface of the each recess engages the planar key surface of one of the keys. The convex key surface of each key engages one of the concave adapter surfaces. Each of the planar adapter surfaces of the adapter engage with one of the receptacle surfaces.