Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/ or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: Phase locked loops (PLL) providing for conditional holdover are especially suited for use in communications networks. During a holdover condition, the timing signal is generated without use of an input reference clock signal. The PLLs may either enter or remain in a holdover condition if the demonstrated or expected quality level of the output of the PLL equals or exceeds the indicated quality level of the input reference clock signal. In this manner, the timing signal has an expected quality level equal to or greater than the quality level of the reference clock signal. Accordingly, network timing errors may be reduced to levels below those associated with using the reference clock signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for monitoring usage of a consumable resource, and displaying substantially instantaneous and historical usage measurements of the consumable resource in both numerical and non-numeric manner. The non-numeric manner facilitates comprehension by non-technical users in conservation applications. The relative size, position and movement of graphical icons, images, symbols and objects convey present and past consumption. A projection of consumption can be calculated and compared against consumption, prompting corrective actions. Past and present conservation performance can be displayed in the context of a game. Various symbols optionally incrementally visually reward conservation or admonish failure, and therein score efforts. Challenging goals can be established to increase conservation. User-chosen display color schemes facilitate décor integration.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: System and computer program product for updating an SSL certificate for a server. First program instructions detect when a change has been made to a name, domain or IP address of the server and detect that the server is using an SSL certificate based on a name, domain or IP address applicable before the change. In response, the first program instructions notify an administrator that a change is required to the SSL certificate to reflect the change to the name, domain or IP address. Second program instructions respond to a request by the administrator, to automatically create a new SSL certificate signing request. The new SSL certificate signing request is a form which can be sent to an SSL certificate authority. Third program instructions respond to another request by the administrator, to send the new SSL certificate signing request to the SSL certificate authority.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (method implemented with a machine, the machine, and the method for making the machine, and products produced thereby, as well as necessary intermediates and storage media). The computer system can, for example, be structured (e.g., including programmed) to carry out at least one of the steps of enabling an exchange of payments between parties related to uncertainty of risk.

Abstract: A technique for shutting down virtual machines in a computer system which comprises a real computer and a virtual machine operating system. The virtual machine operating system comprises a common base portion and a plurality of virtual machines sharing the common base portion. According to one feature of the present invention, the common base portion receives a shutdown signal from the real computer. The shutdown signal specifies a time period for shutdown of the common base portion or the virtual machine operating system. Next, the common base portion determines a time period for shutdown of the virtual machines by subtracting a time required to shutdown the common base portion from the specified time period. Next, the common base portion sends requests to the virtual machines to shut down in an orderly manner within the time period determined for shutdown of the virtual machines. The common base portion determines when and if each of the virtual machines shuts down in an orderly manner.

Abstract: A crossfire tube for attachment between casing bosses of combustors includes a bellows assembly having a bellows with opposite cylindrical ends welded to annular flanges. The annular flanges include a bolt circle for securing the flanges to the combustor bosses. The flanges bear against a gasket for sealing against inserts welded to the casing bosses for retrofit in the sealing assembly to combustors or to seats where the inserts and bosses are formed integrally during original equipment manufacture. A telescoping cylindrical sleeve surrounds the bellows to protect from falling foreign object damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a local clock in a node coupled to a packet network is disclosed. The method involves generating a first control signal based on RTS values received during a first period of time and generating at least one additional control signal based on RTS values received during at least one additional period of time. The method further involves selecting one of the first and at least one additional control signals to control the frequency of a local clock.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a service clock at a destination node with a service clock at a source node is provided. The method includes receiving data packets from a source node at at least one port of the destination node. At the destination node, the method determines control values for a numerically controlled oscillator for a plurality of time periods. The method selectively uses the control values to set the frequency of a service clock at the destination node for use in receiving data packets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling assembly and method that is especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is preferably comprised of a tungsten alloy which is sufficiently plastic to be able to withstand the bending, torsional, and compressive stresses which occur in a bottom hole drilling assembly. The tungsten alloy weight section may be axially moveable with respect to an outer tubular and when mounted within the bottom hole assembly, acts to place the outer tubular in tension to provide a stiffer bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A portable system (20) for testing an electro-optical guidance assembly (22) includes an electro-optical test unit (40) with at least two sources of electromagnetic energy at different wavelengths for selectively illuminating the guidance assembly. The electro-optical test unit (40) is mounted within a frame (56) that can be part of a wheeled cart (50). The system (20) further includes one or more of: an adjustable fixture (84) for supporting a guidance assembly (22) for testing, a processor unit (42) for controlling the electro-optical test unit (40), a power supply unit (44) for providing electrical power to the electro-optical test unit (40) and the guidance assembly (22), and a leak test unit (46) for generating a vacuum in the guidance assembly (22) or for pressurizing the guidance assembly (22) with an inert gas to test for leaks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsional energy control assembly and method for eliminating slip-stick and/or drill bit oscillations comprising axial and/or rotational oscillations. In one preferred embodiment, the assembly permits slippage between an upper portion of the drilling string and a lower portion of a drill string. The rotational control assembly may be installed at any desired position in the drill string. The rotational control assembly could also be utilized as a component of other drilling mechanisms such as a downhole drilling motor. The rotational control permits slippage while drilling for a selected time or selected rotational distance or other criteria to thereby release torsional energy in the drilling string which otherwise may produce damaging slip-stick torsional oscillations such as slip-stick.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsional energy control assembly and method for eliminating slip-stick and/or drill bit oscillations comprising axial and/or rotational oscillations. In one preferred embodiment, the assembly permits slippage between an upper portion of the drilling string and a lower portion of a drill string. The rotational control assembly may be installed at any desired position in the drill string. The rotational control assembly could also be utilized as a component of other drilling mechanisms such as a downhole drilling motor. The rotational control permits slippage while drilling for a selected time or selected rotational distance or other criteria to thereby release torsional energy in the drilling string which otherwise may produce damaging slip-stick torsional oscillations such as slip-stick.

Abstract: A technique for shutting down virtual machines in a computer system which comprises a real computer and a virtual machine operating system. The virtual machine operating system comprises a common base portion and a plurality of virtual machines sharing the common base portion. According to one feature of the present invention, the common base portion receives a shutdown signal from the real computer. The shutdown signal specifies a time period for shutdown of the common base portion or the virtual machine operating system. Next, the common base portion determines a time period for shutdown of the virtual machines by subtracting a time required to shutdown the common base portion from the specified time period. Next, the common base portion sends requests to the virtual machines to shut down in an orderly manner within the time period determined for shutdown of the virtual machines. The common base portion determines when and if each of the virtual machines shuts down in an orderly manner.