Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies are coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and may detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. Limited battery power for the sensor assemblies and for assemblies for communicating sensed data may be a concern, and the sensor assemblies and communication assemblies may therefore operate in different modes of varying power consumption. In certain modes, sensing operations are curtailed (or expanded) depending on particular requirements. In one case, sensor operation is expanded during active portions of a cementing operation, and curtailed prior to and thereafter. Different triggering events may cause the sensor assembly to operate in different modes at different sensing frequencies.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon well (e.g., oil well) may be monitored during to determine whether a fault exists during an operation such as injecting sealant (e.g., cement) into the borehole. RFID tags may be mixed in a wellbore fluid (e.g., drilling mud, cement, etc.), placed into a borehole, and then tracked within the borehole by communication assemblies with RFID sensors. Data may be obtained by interrogating RFID tags in one or more azimuthally oriented regions of an annulus surrounding a casing of the borehole. Fluid distribution in the annulus will be evaluated with respect to azimuthally offset regions of the annulus.

Abstract: Sub-arrays such as tiles or chips having pixel elements arranged on a routing layer or carrier to form a larger array. Through-chip vias or the like to the backside of the chip are used for connecting with the pixel elements. Edge features of the tiles may provide for physical alignment, mechanical attachment and chip-to-chip communication. Edge damage tolerance with minimal loss of function may be achieved by moving unit cell circuitry and the electrically active portions of a pixel element away from the tile edge(s) while leaving the optically active portion closer to the edge(s) if minor damage will not cause a complete failure of the pixel. The pixel elements may be thermal emitter elements for IR image projectors, thermal detector elements for microbolometers, LED-based emitters, or quantum photon detectors such as those found in visible, infrared and ultraviolet FPAs (focal plane arrays), and the like. Various architectures are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of sensors embedded in material surrounding a well. In an example system, at least one seismic signal generator is configured to generate a seismic wave signal to communicate information that enables the determination of the sensor location to the sensor. A sensor location apparatus is provided and configured to lower the at least one seismic signal generator into the subsurface structure. A sensor location controller is provided in the sensor location apparatus and configured to actuate generation of the seismic wave signal as the at least one seismic signal generator is lowered into the well.

Abstract: Bags, pouches, and/or other packages. Pouches of embodiments comprise a pair of plies which are permanently sealed to each other along their edges. The plies and permanent seals define an internal cavity. Pouches of the current embodiment further comprise dispensers in communication with the internal cavities. A portion of each ply (of a particular bag) can be releasably sealed. In some embodiments, the pouches further comprise a (pivotable) spout. If desired, the spout can be configured such that its pivoting is gravity driven. The foodstuff pouches of embodiments can define a longitudinal axis wherein the spout defines a beveled surface further defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the spout can further comprise a fitment glued to the plies. In some embodiments, the plies define a bite-shaped registration feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, etc. for making sandwiches. For instance, some systems comprise flowable-foodstuff bags and sandwich making apparatus. The apparatus comprise trays, presses, and drives. The trays hold bread while the presses press the foodstuff out of the bags. Moreover, the presses hold the bags in fixed relation to the trays. The drives operatively couple to the tray and press and drives the press and tray to spread the foodstuff on the bread. Some apparatus include features that fix/register the relative positions of the bag and tray. Those registration features can be bite-shaped. If desired, the bag and tray can be spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: Balloons and related components and manufacturing methods. Various embodiments provide balloons which define elastomeric balloon bodies and necks. The balloon bodies define body thicknesses and filled and unfilled internal volumes. Tension in the balloon bodies gives rise to internal pressures when the balloons are filled. The necks couple with the bodies and define neck thickness which differ from the body thicknesses. Various embodiments provide check valve for use with the balloons and/or various liquids. These check valves can comprise a ball that further comprises a generally spherical substrate of fine particles of a biodegradable material and a coating on the substrate. The coating can be made of another biodegradable material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may operate to mount one or more communication assemblies relative to the exterior of a casing being placed in a borehole. Two communication assemblies can be placed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along the casing, wherein each communication assembly is configured to obtain excitation responses from electrodes of a fluid sensing component, where the excitation responses vary based on properties of fluids in one or more regions of the annulus surrounding the casing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies may be coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. During cementing or other operations, RFID tags may be used to track fluids. RFID detection circuits may be used to scan at different frequencies, and corresponding results may be compared by various means and processes to determine the presence of RFID tags.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies are coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and may detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. Limited battery power for the sensor assemblies and for assemblies for communicating sensed data may be a concern, and the sensor assemblies and communication assemblies may therefore operate in different modes of varying power consumption. In certain modes, sensing operations are curtailed (or expanded) depending on particular requirements. In one case, sensor operation is expanded during active portions of a cementing operation, and curtailed prior to and thereafter. Different triggering events may cause the sensor assembly to operate in different modes at different sensing frequencies.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon well (e.g., oil well) may be monitored during to determine whether a fault exists during an operation such as injecting sealant (e.g., cement) into the borehole. RFID tags may be mixed in a wellbore fluid (e.g., drilling mud, cement, etc.), placed into a borehole, and then tracked within the borehole by communication assemblies with RFID sensors. Data may be obtained by interrogating RFID tags in one or more azimuthally oriented regions of an annulus surrounding a casing of the borehole. Fluid distribution in the annulus will be evaluated with respect to azimuthally offset regions of the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may operate to mount one or more communication assemblies relative to the exterior of a casing being placed in a borehole. Two communication assemblies can be placed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along the casing, wherein each communication assembly is configured to obtain data from RFID tags in one or more azimuthally oriented regions of the annulus surrounding the casing, and to interrogate RFID tags in a first fluid in the borehole. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can include a die attached to an inductive-capacitive (LC) circuit including a capacitive element coupled to an inductive element. The LC circuit can have a resonant frequency that varies according to properties of fluid proximate the RFID tag. The RFID tag can further include a coating material disposed around the die to form an outer surface of the RFID tag. The coating material may have a thickness over a portion of the LC circuit, to permit a conductivity property of a fluid proximate the outer surface to affect the resonant frequency of the LC circuit such that the resonant frequency shifts to a second resonant frequency. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device for switching an optical signal between a first optical path and a second optical path, including a substrate, a first guide forming at least a portion of the first optical path, formed on the substrate, and having a movable portion separated from the substrate, a second guide forming at least a portion of the second optical path and disposed adjacent to the first guide, and means for electro statically bending the movable portion so as to optically couple the first guide to the second guide.

Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A variable threshold logic detector with high switching speeds and small circuit size is disclosed. The device utilizes transistors of opposite semiconductor materials to provide a large change in voltage when a certain current threshold or number of inputs has been crossed. The number of inputs that may be accommodated and the current threshold are variable and each input may be individually weighted.