Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for contextually related sharing of commentary for different portions of an information base. A method of the invention includes receiving a query for a portion of content in an information base and identifying a portion of different content in the information base that is related to the queried portion. The method also includes retrieving both commentary posted to the information base in respect to the queried portion, and also commentary posted to the information base in respect to the identified portion. Finally, the method includes transmitting the queried portion and the retrieved portion, but annotating the retrieved commentary in respect to the identified portion so as to direct a display of the commentary posted to the information base in respect to the different portion in a manner visually distinguishable from a display of commentary posted to the information base in respect to the queried portion.

Abstract: Stimulation valves are provided that have a valve housing, an indexed driver, a reciprocating shifter, an actuation seat, and an isolation seat. The indexed driver is linearly actuated from an initial position through intermediate positions to a terminal position. In the driver initial and intermediate positions, the valve body shuts off fluid communication through ports provided in the housing. In the driver terminal position the valve body allows fluid communication through the ports. The reciprocating shifter indexes the indexed driver from its initial position through its intermediate positions to its terminal position. The actuation seat receives a ball for actuation of the shifter and releases the ball after actuation of the shifter. The isolation seat allows passage of the ball when the indexed driver is in its initial and intermediate positions and receives the ball when the indexed driver is in its terminal position.

Abstract: Downhole tools that have a housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is adapted to index in response to one or more balls being deployed into said tool and thereafter to actuate in response to another said ball being deployed into said tool. The indexing balls and the actuation ball are substantially identical. The actuation mechanism may comprise a member adapted for indexing from an initial position sequentially through one or more intermediate positions to a terminal position where the indexed member is mounted in an annular space between an outer wall and an inner wall. The tool may comprise a central conduit which is substantially uniform internal diameter substantially free of profiles. Methods are provided that include deploying an ancillary tool through the tool which has not been actuated or drilled out.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole.

Abstract: An actuator for a downhole tool includes first, second, and third sleeves. The first sleeve obstructs a first port in a body of the downhole tool when the first sleeve is in a first position. The third sleeve obstructs a second port in the body when the third sleeve is in a first position, and the second and third sleeves are in one-way engagement with one another. A biasing member is positioned between the first sleeve and the third sleeve. The first sleeve is configured to move from the first position and toward the third sleeve in response a pressure communicated through the first port. When the pressure is reduced after the first sleeve is moved toward the third sleeve, the biasing member forces the first sleeve back toward the first position, which causes the third sleeve to permit fluid communication through the second port.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a body having one or more openings. A main sleeve is disposed in the body. The main sleeve is configured to move between a first position in which the main sleeve blocks fluid flow through the one or more openings and a second position in which the main sleeve allows fluid flow through the one or more openings. An actuator is disposed in the body. The actuator is configured to actuate from a first state to a second state in response to application of a first level of pressure, and to a third state in response to application of a second level of pressure. Actuating the actuator to the third state causes the main sleeve to move from the first position to the second position, and the second level of pressure is less than or equal to the first level or pressure.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a mandrel, a sealing element, a cone, a plurality of fingers, and a slip. The sealing element may be positioned around the mandrel. The sealing element is configured to expand radially-outward from a contracted state to an expanded state. The cone may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the sealing element. The plurality of fingers may be positioned at least partially around the mandrel. The fingers may be axially-aligned with at least a portion of the sealing element. The fingers are coupled to a base and configured to break away from the base at a weak point when the sealing element expands into the expanded state. The slip may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the cone. The slip may include a tapered inner surface configured to slide along a tapered outer surface of the cone.

Abstract: Return flow diverters are provided for which are adapted to allow return flow during cementing of a liner for a well. The return flow diverter comprises a cylindrical body adapted for installation in a well as part of the liner. The cylindrical body has a fluid port therein adapted to allow fluids displaced by a cementing operation to flow from an annulus between the liner and the well into the cylindrical body. The return flow diverter also comprises a cover supported on the cylindrical body for movement from an open position, in which the port is open, to a closed position, in which the port is closed by the cover, a transmission disposed within the cylindrical body and defining a cylindrical passageway adapted to accommodate a tubular conduit.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Downhole tools that have a housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is adapted to index in response to one or more balls being deployed into said tool and thereafter to actuate in response to another said ball being deployed into said tool. The indexing balls and the actuation ball are substantially identical. The actuation mechanism may comprise a member adapted for indexing from an initial position sequentially through one or more intermediate positions to a terminal position where the indexed member is mounted in an annular space between an outer wall and an inner wall. The tool may comprise a central conduit which is substantially uniform internal diameter substantially free of profiles. Methods are provided that include deploying an ancillary tool through the tool which has not been actuated or drilled out.

Abstract: A downhole tool, a retrievable bridge plug system, and a method. The downhole tool includes a release mandrel, a plurality of slips disposed at least partially around the release mandrel, an upper cone disposed at least partially around the release mandrel and on a first axial side of the plurality of slips, a lower cone disposed at least partially around the outer mandrel and on a second axial side of the plurality of slips, and a collet positioned axially and radially between the release mandrel and the lower cone. The collet is configured to prevent downward movement of the lower cone relative to the release mandrel at least when the downhole tool is in a run-in configuration and when the downhole tool is in a set configuration.

Abstract: A tire digitizer system for digitizing the profile of a tire to create a digital model of the tire is described. There is provided a chassis that includes one or more sheet of light triangulation sensors for capturing the profile of a tire moving in a predefined area and outputting coordinate values describing a digital model of the tire. The system may be used during the tire development and manufacturing process to inspect for any defects in the tire.

Abstract: A liner hanger includes a mandrel and a slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, wherein the slip assembly includes an expandable non-frangible slip ring and a plurality of gripping members. A liner top packer includes a mandrel, a slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, and a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, wherein the slip assembly includes an expandable non-frangible slip ring and a plurality of gripping members disposed circumferentially around the expandable non-frangible slip ring. A method for setting a tool in a wellbore includes running the tool having a slip assembly disposed around a mandrel of the tool into the wellbore, positioning the tool at a predetermined wellbore location, actuating the tool to impart a force on the slip assembly, and expanding the expandable non-frangible slip ring from a first diameter to a second diameter to displace the gripping members radially outward into engagement with a surrounding surface.

Abstract: Stimulation valves for a well tubular having a cylindrical housing adapted for assembly into a tubular for a well. The valves have ports allowing fluid communication between a central conduit and the exterior of the housing and a valve body adapted for movement from a closed position to an open position allowing fluid communication through the ports. A ball seat is mounted in the valve conduit above the ports. The ball seat has an initial ball-catch state in which a ball may be received in the ball seat to move the valve body from its closed position to its open position. The ball seat is adapted to transition to a ball-pass state and release the ball as the valve body is moved to the open position. The ball seat remains in the ball-pass state after the transition from the ball-catch state.

Abstract: Tools for a well tubular comprising a ball seat assembly. The ball seat assembly comprises first and second ball seats. The first ball seat is adapted to receive a ball deployed into the tool, transition to a second state and release the ball. The first ball seat is operatively engaged with the second ball seat such that as it transitions to its second state it causes the second ball seat to transition from a first state of increased clearance to a second state having reduced clearance. The second seat then is adapted to receive the ball after it is released by the first seat. The second ball seat is adapted to actuate the tool, transition to a third state, and release the ball. The clearance through the second ball seat in its second state is less than the clearance through the first ball seat in its first state.

Abstract: Stimulation valves are provided that have a valve housing, an indexed driver, a reciprocating shifter, an actuation seat, and an isolation seat. The indexed driver is linearly actuated from an initial position through intermediate positions to a terminal position. In the driver initial and intermediate positions, the valve body shuts off fluid communication through ports provided in the housing. In the driver terminal position the valve body allows fluid communication through the ports. The reciprocating shifter indexes the indexed driver from its initial position through its intermediate positions to its terminal position. The actuation seat receives a ball for actuation of the shifter and releases the ball after actuation of the shifter. The isolation seat allows passage of the ball when the indexed driver is in its initial and intermediate positions and receives the ball when the indexed driver is in its terminal position.

Abstract: A smooth bore toe valve includes a first sub defining a through bore and a fluid flow path through a wall thereof; a second sub; a housing mechanically engaged with the first and second subs to define a valve cavity axially between the first and second subs and to define a chamber radially between the first and second subs and the housing, the housing further defining a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; and a sleeve disposed within the chamber between the housing and the first and second subs to close the openings and, upon application of fluid pressure horn the through bore through the fluid this path, open the openings to fluid flow from the valve cavity to the exterior of the housing. A method for using such a valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: Downhole tools that have a housing, a linearly indexing driver, a reciprocating shifter, and an actuation seat. The driver is adapted for linear indexing relative to the housing from an initial position sequentially through one or more intermediate positions to a terminal position. The shifter is adapted for axial reciprocation relative to the housing and is operatively connected to the driver and adapted to index the indexed driver from its initial position sequentially through its intermediate positions to its terminal position as the shifter reciprocates. The actuation seat is mounted on the shifter and is adapted to receive a ball for actuation of the shifter and to release the ball after the shifter has indexed the indexed driver. Thus, a series of such tools may be operated by deploying a series of balls, all of the same size, through the tools.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting component with multiple DC-DC converters. Each of the DC-DC converters is used to independently drive a corresponding string of LEDs. In general, rectifier circuitry receives an AC power signal and generates a rectified signal, which is provided to first and second converter circuitries. The first converter circuitry converts the rectified signal into a first drive voltage for a first string of LEDs and provides a first drive current for the first string of LEDs based on a first drive current control signal. Similarly, the second converter circuitry converts the rectified signal into a second drive voltage for a second string of LEDs and provides a second drive current for the second string of LEDs based on a second drive current control signal.