Abstract: A system is described for forming a debris barrier downhole in a wellbore. The system may include a mandrel, a retrievable downhole tool, and a debris ring. The mandrel may be positionable within a wellbore. The retrievable downhole tool may be positionable around the mandrel to perform tasks downhole in the wellbore. The debris ring may include an expandable material positionable around the mandrel to form a debris barrier. The debris barrier may be formed in response to exposing the expandable material to wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A system is described for forming a debris barrier downhole in a wellbore. The system may include a mandrel, a retrievable downhole tool, and a debris ring. The mandrel may be positionable within a wellbore. The retrievable downhole tool may be positionable around the mandrel to perform tasks downhole in the wellbore. The debris ring may include an expandable material positionable around the mandrel to form a debris barrier. The debris barrier may be formed in response to exposing the expandable material to wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus for a gun string is presented. The apparatus experiences an axial load and potentially a radial load during use. A central charge-carrier supports shaped-charges and substantially bears the axial load on the apparatus during use. The charge-carrier is positioned within an exterior sleeve and the plurality of shaped-charges, upon detonation, perforate the exterior sleeve. The exterior sleeve does not bear a substantial portion of the axial load on the apparatus and can therefore be thinner and cheaper than in prior art assemblies. An annular space can be defined between the charge-carrier and exterior sleeve. The exterior tubular can bear the radial load due to differential pressure in one embodiment. Alternately, the apparatus includes radial support members extending between the charge-carrier and sleeve for transmitting radial load to the charge-carrier. Alternately, the sleeve and charge-carrier abut one another along a substantial portion of the length of the charge-carrier.

Abstract: A collet device with an adjustable snap value can have a tubular body and beams. The tubular body can have a main body, an inner member in an inner area of the main body, and an outer member in an area external to the main body. The inner member and the outer member can each be axially moveable relative to the main body. The beams can be axially coupled to the main body, and a portion of the beams may extend axially from the tubular body. A length of the portion of the beams that extend axially from the tubular body can be adjustable by moving the inner member or the outer member for changing a snap value of the collet. The snap value corresponding to a magnitude of force exertable by the beams in a direction of a mating body that can be positioned radially adjacent to the beams.

Abstract: A collet device with an adjustable snap value can have a tubular body and beams. The tubular body can have a main body, an inner member in an inner area of the main body, and an outer member in an area external to the main body. The inner member and the outer member can each be axially moveable relative to the main body. The beams can be axially coupled to the main body, and a portion of the beams may extend axially from the tubular body. A length of the portion of the beams that extend axially from the tubular body can be adjustable by moving the inner member or the outer member for changing a snap value of the collet. The snap value corresponding to a magnitude of force exertable by the beams in a direction of a mating body that can be positioned radially adjacent to the beams.

Abstract: A system for controlling aircraft main engines cooling during starting operations. An aircraft incorporates a main engine and a pneumatic starter for starting the same, and a pneumatic source fluidly communicated with the pneumatic starter to supply pressurized air thereto. A control system is provided with a data chart containing predetermined pressure values of the pneumatic source, and the values correspond to an ambient condition to obtain a desired rotating speed for the main engine for that ambient condition. The control system is configured to control the pneumatic source air pressure output based on the data chart and to rotate the main engine within a predefined rotating speed range during cooling procedure. A controlled reduced rotating speed during main engines cooling or cranking operation is thus provided before starting main engines, in order to mitigate bowed rotor phenomenon.

Abstract: A position-indicating tool includes an outer mandrel that accommodates two or more indicator lugs movable between a first position, where the indicator lugs extend past an outer diameter of the outer mandrel, and a second position, where indicator lugs are radially contracted within the outer diameter, an inner mandrel arranged at least partially within the outer mandrel and providing a radial protrusion that radially supports the indicator lugs in the first position, and a pressure block arranged between the outer and inner mandrels to control a flow of hydraulic fluid between an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, wherein, when a pressure threshold is exceeded in the lower hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic fluid is able to flow into the upper hydraulic chamber and thereby allow the outer mandrel to axially translate with respect to the inner mandrel and move the indicator lugs to the second position.

Abstract: A humidifier block and a method for producing a humidifier block are disclosed. The humidifier block may include a plurality of membranes each having a cavity for passing a through-flow and a jacket surrounding the cavity in a circumferential direction. The jacket may be moisture-permeable. At least one strip-shaped carrier may be fitted with the plurality of membranes, and the plurality of membranes may arranged in a longitudinal direction parallel to one another and adjacent to one another on the at least one carrier. The at least one carrier fitted with the plurality of membranes may be shaped into the humidifier block such that the plurality of membranes are arranged adjacent to one another in a transverse direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction and adjacent in a height direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction and transversely to the transverse direction.

Abstract: A humidifier block and a method for producing a humidifier block are disclosed. The humidifier block may include a plurality of membranes each having a cavity for passing a through-flow and a jacket surrounding the cavity in a circumferential direction. The jacket may be moisture-permeable. At least one strip-shaped carrier may be fitted with the plurality of membranes, and the plurality of membranes may arranged in a longitudinal direction parallel to one another and adjacent to one another on the at least one carrier. The at least one carrier fitted with the plurality of membranes may be shaped into the humidifier block such that the plurality of membranes are arranged adjacent to one another in a transverse direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction and adjacent in a height direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction and transversely to the transverse direction.

Abstract: A perforation gun string includes a perforation gun that forms at least part of the perforation gun string and a swellable material coupled to the perforation gun string. The swellable material is configured to be exposed to a downhole wellbore environment and to swell in response to exposure to the downhole wellbore environment. Further, the swellable material is configured to protrude beyond an outer surface of the perforation gun string when the swellable material swells.

Abstract: A perforating gun apparatus includes a carrier gun body having a plurality of jet target regions. A first set of the jet target regions has a first resistance to jet penetration and a second set of the jet target regions has a second resistance to jet penetration. A charge holder is positioned within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges is supported by the charge holder. A first set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the first set of the jet target regions and a second set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the second set of the jet target regions such that firing the first set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a first penetration profile and firing the second set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a second penetration profile.

Abstract: A method can include interconnecting a well tool in a well tool assembly with a shock mitigating connection, the interconnecting being performed without threading, and positioning the well tool assembly in a wellbore. A well perforating assembly can include at least two perforating devices, a detonation train extending through the perforating devices, and a shock absorber positioned between the perforating devices. A method of assembling a perforating assembly can include, prior to installing the perforating assembly in a wellbore, pushing one perforating device connector into another perforating device connector without threading the connectors together, thereby: a) preventing disconnection of the connectors and b) making a connection in a detonation train. A well system can include a perforating assembly including multiple perforating guns and multiple shock absorbers. Each shock absorber may be interconnected between at least two of the perforating guns.

Abstract: A fracturing/gravel packing tool system with dual flow capabilities. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: flowing a fluid into the well through a work string while simultaneously flowing another fluid into the well through an annulus; and directing each of the fluids to the exterior of a well screen in the well. A well treatment system includes a slurry and a fluid flowed into a well. The slurry has an initial density, but the fluid is mixed with the slurry in the well, thereby causing the slurry to have a reduced density in the well. Another method of treating a well includes the steps of: installing a gravel packing assembly including a well screen in the well; flowing a slurry and a fluid into the well; mixing the slurry with the fluid, thereby reducing a density of the slurry in the well; and flowing the reduced density slurry about an exterior of the well screen.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus for a gun string is presented. The apparatus experiences an axial load and potentially a radial load during use. A central charge-carrier supports shaped-charges and substantially bears the axial load on the apparatus during use. The charge-carrier is positioned within an exterior sleeve and the plurality of shaped-charges, upon detonation, perforate the exterior sleeve. The exterior sleeve does not bear a substantial portion of the axial load on the apparatus and can therefore be thinner and cheaper than in prior art assemblies. An annular space can be defined between the charge-carrier and exterior sleeve. The exterior tubular can bear the radial load due to differential pressure in one embodiment. Alternately, the apparatus includes radial support members extending between the charge-carrier and sleeve for transmitting radial load to the charge-carrier. Alternately, the sleeve and charge-carrier abut one another along a substantial portion of the length of the charge-carrier.

Abstract: A position-indicating tool includes an outer mandrel that accommodates two or more indicator lugs movable between a first position, where the indicator lugs extend past an outer diameter of the outer mandrel, and a second position, where indicator lugs are radially contracted within the outer diameter, an inner mandrel arranged at least partially within the outer mandrel and providing a radial protrusion that radially supports the indicator lugs in the first position, and a pressure block arranged between the outer and inner mandrels to control a flow of hydraulic fluid between an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, wherein, when a pressure threshold is exceeded in the lower hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic fluid is able to flow into the upper hydraulic chamber and thereby allow the outer mandrel to axially translate with respect to the inner mandrel and move the indicator lugs to the second position.

Abstract: A perforating gun apparatus includes a carrier gun body having a plurality of jet target regions. A first set of the jet target regions has a first resistance to jet penetration and a second set of the jet target regions has a second resistance to jet penetration. A charge holder is positioned within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges is supported by the charge holder. A first set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the first set of the jet target regions and a second set of the shaped charges is oriented to have discharge ends aligned with the second set of the jet target regions such that firing the first set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a first penetration profile and firing the second set of the shaped charges creates perforations having a second penetration profile.

Abstract: A method can include interconnecting a well tool in a well tool assembly with a shock mitigating connection, the interconnecting being performed without threading, and positioning the well tool assembly in a wellbore. A well perforating assembly can include at least two perforating devices, a detonation train extending through the perforating devices, and a shock absorber positioned between the perforating devices. A method of assembling a perforating assembly can include, prior to installing the perforating assembly in a wellbore, pushing one perforating device connector into another perforating device connector without threading the connectors together, thereby: a) preventing disconnection of the connectors and b) making a connection in a detonation train. A well system can include a perforating assembly including multiple perforating guns and multiple shock absorbers. Each shock absorber may be interconnected between at least two of the perforating guns.

Abstract: A perforation gun string. The perforation gun string comprises a perforation gun that forms at least part of the perforation gun string; and a swellable material coupled to the perforation gun string. The swellable material is configured to be exposed to a downhole wellbore environment; the swellable material is configured to swell in response to exposure to the downhole wellbore environment; and the swellable material is configured to protrude beyond an outer surface of the perforation gun string when it swells.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling structures by pulling air underground through corrugated pipe is disclosed. The system allows the air to cool down prior to being pulled back into the structure. The system comprises: a trench located outside the structure; an elongated pipe resting in the trench, having a first end and a second end; a first manifold connected to the first end of the elongated pipe, and a second manifold connected to the second end of the elongated pipe; a first airtight duct connecting the first manifold to the structure, and a second airtight duct connecting the second manifold to the structure; a duct fan coupled to the second set of ducting such that the duct fan causes air to flow through the first airtight duct to the first manifold, then to the elongated pipe, then through the second manifold, then through the second airtight duct back into the structure, thereby cooling the structure due to a naturally cooler temperature of the elongated pipe located in the trench.

Abstract: A slurry discharge device for use in a subterranean well can include a slurry flow passage extending longitudinally in the device. The slurry flow passage has flow passage sections. One flow passage section is positioned downstream of, and is laterally offset relative to, another flow passage section. Another slurry discharge device can include the slurry flow passage having multiple flow areas. One flow area is positioned in a downstream direction from, and is greater than, another flow area. A method of delivering a slurry into a subterranean well can include discharging the slurry from a tubular string through a first sidewall section of a slurry discharge device; and flowing only a returned fluid portion of the slurry through a second sidewall section of the slurry discharge device. The second sidewall section has a lateral thickness greater than a lateral thickness of the first sidewall section.