Abstract: Described are embodiments for allowing clients that access a distributed file system to locally cache directory metadata. The client may request a read lease which allows the client to cache the directory metadata locally and service requests received from the same application which originally requested the directory metadata using the cache. In addition, the client may also request a handle lease which allows a client to delay the closing of a directory handle and allow the handle to be reused to service subsequent directory metadata requests from the same or a different application. A client may also request a write lease which allows an application on the client to modify the directory metadata, such as by creating or deleting new files in the directory, or changing their attributes, and cache those changes.

Abstract: Current file systems may implement opportunistic locks on files that allow clients to locally cache file data, while promoting data consistency when multiple clients read/write the same file. Unfortunately, when a client locally caches directory content of a directory, the file system may lack a mechanism for notifying the client of changes to the directory that would render the cached directory content “stale”. Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for managing a directory oplock are disclosed herein. A directory oplock may be generated based upon an oplock request comprising a first target key and a first parent key. Subsequent access requests for access to the directory or objects therein may be compared with the directory oplock to determine whether to break the directory oplock, and notify the client (e.g., directory oplock is broken if the client submitting the access request is different than the client owning the directory oplock).

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for granular opportunistic locking mechanisms (oplocks) are provided for increasing file caching efficiency. Oplocks can be specified with a combination of three possible granular caching intentions: read, write, and/or handle. An oplock can be specified with an identifier that indicates a client/specific caller to avoid breaking the original oplock due to an incompatibility from other requests of the same client. An atomic oplock flag is added to create operations that allow callers to request an atomic open with an oplock with a given file.

Abstract: A method of designing a rotary drill bit includes selecting and positioning a plurality of cutting elements on a rotary drill bit. At least one substantially helically extending feature is selected and positioned to rotationally follow at least one of the plurality of cutting elements, the at least one substantially helically extending feature exhibiting a selected maximum Helical Pitch.

Abstract: A method for collision avoidance in multiple protocol networks using a shared communication medium begins by determining a first protocol probable active time period. The method continues by determining a first protocol probable inactive time period. The method continues by generating a transmit blocking indication based on the first protocol probable active time period and the first protocol probable inactive time period.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to salts that are room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), methods of making them, and methods of using them in connection with temporary or permanent gas sequestration. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a class of solvents which can be transformed into RTILs by exposure to a gas, and methods of using them in connection with temporary or permanent gas sequestration.

Abstract: A method of metering bandwidth allocation on a server using credits is disclosed. The method may receive a request for data from a client, respond to the request for data and determining if the request for data for the client exceeds a current data allocation credit limit for the client. Using the round trip time, the method may calculate a connection throughput for a client and may increase the current data allocation credit limit for the client if the server has resources to spare, the client is actively using the current pipeline depth allowed and network connection latency and bandwidth indicate a deeper pipeline is necessary for saturation. The method may decrease the current data allocation credit limit for the client if the server does not have resources to spare.

Abstract: A cutting element for use in drilling subterranean formations. The cutting element includes a superabrasive table mounted to a supporting substrate. The superabrasive table includes a two-dimensional cutting face having a cutting edge along at least a portion of its periphery, and a surface comprising a chamfer extending forwardly and inwardly from proximate a peripheral cutting edge at a first acute angle of orientation of greater than about 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cutting element, and to no greater than a selected depth. The chamfer may be arcuate or planar, and of a dimension sufficient to ensure that a wear flat generated during use of the cutting element remains outside the inner boundary of the chamfer within the chamfer envelope, and small enough to maintain aggressive cutting characteristics for the cutter. Drill bits and drilling tools bearing the cutting elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter configured to provide tracking data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data from the transmitter only when the transmitter is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data from the receiver. The processor is configured to estimate the location of the transmitter when the transmitter is outside the coverage area based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed herein. The telemetry system includes a transmitter/monitor configured to provide tracking data and monitoring data, and a receiver adapted to define a coverage area. The receiver is configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the transmitter/monitor when the transmitter/monitor is within the coverage area. The telemetry system also includes a processor configured to receive the tracking data and the monitoring data from the receiver, analyze the tracking data and the monitoring data, and identify an alarm condition based on the analysis of the tracking data and the monitoring data.

Abstract: A lease system is described herein that allows clients to request a lease to a remote file, wherein the lease permits access to the file across multiple applications using multiple handles without extra round trips to a server. When multiple applications on the same client (or multiple components of the same application) request access to the same file, the client specifies the same lease identifier to the server for each open request or may handle the request from the cache based on the existing lease. Because the server identifies the client's cache at the client level rather than the individual file request level, the client receives fewer break notifications and is able to cache remote files in more circumstances. Thus, by providing the ability to cache data in more circumstances common with modern applications, the lease system reduces bandwidth, improves server scalability, and provides faster access to data.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for granular opportunistic locking mechanisms (oplocks) are provided for increasing file caching efficiency. Oplocks can be specified with a combination of three possible granular caching intentions: read, write, and/or handle. An oplock can be specified with an identifier that indicates a client/specific caller to avoid breaking the original oplock due to an incompatibility from other requests of the same client. An atomic oplock flag is added to create operations that allow callers to request an atomic open with an oplock with a given file.

Abstract: A reactive foil is used to join rock bit components such as leg sections, hardfacing, and cutter elements to the rolling cone earth-boring bit body. A small pulse of localized energy ignites the foil in a fraction of second to deliver the necessary amount of heat energy to reflow solder or braze and form a strong, true metallic joint. The reaction in the foil may be activated using optical, electrical, or thermal sources.

Abstract: A method and system for managing remote file system requests between client and server redirectors where a set of data request packets may be aggregated and/or ordered at a server based on hint information from a client.

Abstract: A method of metering bandwidth allocation on a server using credits is disclosed. The method may receive a request for data from a client, respond to the request for data and determining if the request for data for the client exceeds a current data allocation credit limit for the client. Using the round trip time, the method may calculate a connection throughput for a client and may increase the current data allocation credit limit for the client if the server has resources to spare, the client is actively using the current pipeline depth allowed and network connection latency and bandwidth indicate a deeper pipeline is necessary for saturation. The method may decrease the current data allocation credit limit for the client if the server does not have resources to spare.

Abstract: A cutting element for use in drilling subterranean formations. The cutting element includes a superabrasive table mounted to a supporting substrate. The superabrasive table includes a two-dimensional cutting face having a cutting edge along at least a portion of its periphery, and a surface comprising a chamfer extending forwardly and inwardly from proximate a peripheral cutting edge at a first acute angle of orientation of greater than about 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cutting element, and to no greater than a selected depth. The chamfer may be arcuate or planar, and of a dimension sufficient to ensure that a wear flat generated during use of the cutting element remains outside the inner boundary of the chamfer within the chamfer envelope, and small enough to maintain aggressive cutting characteristics for the cutter. Drill bits and drilling tools bearing the cutting elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of designing a rotary drill bit includes selecting and positioning a plurality of cutting elements on a rotary drill bit. At least one substantially helically extending feature is selected and positioned to rotationally follow at least one of the plurality of cutting elements, the at least one substantially helically extending feature exhibiting a selected maximum Helical Pitch.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit is disclosed, including at least one cutting element affixed thereto and configured to form a distinct borehole surface in response to drilling a subterranean formation. At least one substantially helically extending feature associated with the at least one cutting element may be formed upon the leading end of the rotary drill bit. Alternatively, a rotary drill bit may include a plurality of substantially helically extending features. Methods of operating a rotary drill bit are also disclosed. Specifically, a subterranean formation may be drilled with a rotary drill bit to form an on-center bottomhole pattern, which may be at least partially contacted by at least one substantially helically extending feature of the rotary drill bit. Alternatively, a subterranean formation may be contacted with at least one substantially helically extending feature of the rotary drill bit. A method of designing a rotary drill bit is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-fetching data uses a combination of heuristics to determine likely next data retrieval operations and an evaluation of available resources for executing speculative data operations. When local resources, such as cache memory for storing speculative command results is not available, the compound operation request may not be sent. When resources on a server-side system are insufficient, only the primary command of a compound operation request may be processed and speculative command requests may be rejected. Both local computing resources and network resources may be evaluated when determining whether to build or process a compound operations request.

Abstract: A method for evaluating existing drill bits and drill bit designs includes measuring several desired characteristics of a bit, including the wear experienced in drilling a formation, such as an actual formation or a simulated formation or a laboratory test fixture. A computer model may be used to evaluate the work-force and/or the sliding-wear rates that cutting elements of the bit experience as compared with the rate-of-penetration and/or durability of the bit. This information may be used to design a new drill bit, which may involve modification of the cutting elements (e.g., moving the location, volume (size and shape) or number of cutting elements from areas of the bit that receive lower work-force and sliding-wear rates to those areas that experience relatively greater work-force and sliding wear-rates. This may permit the cutting elements to be oriented more aggressively relative to a formation to be drilled.