Abstract: A system for sharing information between downhole drill strings is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a first drill string and a communications network integrated into the first drill string. The communications network includes multiple nodes spaced at selected intervals along the first drill string to gather subterranean data along the first drill string. The system further includes a second drill string and a real-time communication link between the first drill string and second drill string. The communication link is used to transit the subterranean data from the first drill string to the second drill string to control the second drill string.

Abstract: A locking mechanism to prevent rotation between a press frame and a hydraulic cartridge threaded into the press frame is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a locking mechanism body; one or more fasteners to attach the body to the frame of an HPHT press; and a pin extendable with respect to the body and adapted to engage an aperture in the hydraulic cartridge. The pin prevents rotation of the hydraulic cartridge relative to the frame. In certain embodiments, a cap constructed of a softer material than the hydraulic cartridge is attached to the end of the pin to prevent scratching or damage to the hydraulic cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating a flow of pavement rejuvenation materials for deposit on a roadway is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a first channel is supported by a pavement recycling machine and is in communication with a supply of pavement rejuvenation materials; a second channel slideably coupled to the first channel, the pavement rejuvenation materials adapted to flow through the first and second channels; and a hardened tip coupled to the second channel. The apparatus may also have a seat coupled to one of the channels; and a blocking element coupled to the other of the channels. Upon sliding the first channel with respect to the second channel, the blocking element contacts the seat, thereby impeding the flow of pavement rejuvenation materials flowing through the channels.

Abstract: A system for transmitting power to components of a downhole drill string is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a power source providing an alternating current at a first frequency. A rectifier is provided to convert the alternating current to direct current. An inverter converts the direct current to an alternating current at a second frequency, different from the first frequency, and more efficient for power transmission. An inductive coupler converts the alternating current at the second frequency to an alternating magnetic flux for transmission across a tool joint of a downhole drill string. The magnetic flux may be detected by another inductive coupler, magnetically coupled to the first inductive coupler, to convert the alternating magnetic flux back to an alternating current at the second frequency.

Abstract: A system for recycling pavement constituents in situ, includes a vehicle for traversing the pavement constituents comprising a container for storing and preserving heated pavement rejuvenation materials and at least one heating element adapted to heat the pavement rejuvenation materials above their working temperature. A dispensing element is in communication with the container for dispensing the pavement rejuvenation materials to the pavement constituents. The vehicle also supports at least one mixing element which is adapted to mix in situ the pavement constituents and the heated pavement rejuvenation materials together in such a manner that the pavement constituents are raised to a working temperature. The system also comprises a compaction element for compacting the pavement constituents.

Abstract: A downhole receiver for gathering seismic and sonic data from inside a borehole includes a substantially tubular housing adapted for axial connection to a tool string, and one or more sensors. A damping element is provided to flexibly couple each sensor to the tubular housing. An actuator extends the one or more sensors substantially radially with respect to the tubular housing to clamp the sensors against the wall of the borehole. In selected embodiments, the sensors may be one or multiple component geophones, accelerometers, hydrophones, vibrometers, or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for degrading a paved surface includes two or more pavement degradation tools, each rotating about an axis. The pavement degradation tools are adapted to degrade a paved surface substantially normal to their axes of rotation. A linking mechanism links the rotation of the pavement degradation tools such that rotation of one causes the rotation of the other. In selected embodiments, this linking mechanism includes gears operably connected to the pavement degradation tools that rotate with the pavement degradation tool about their axes of rotation. These gears directly engage one another causing the gears, and their corresponding pavement degradation tools, to rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for degrading and removing a paved surface is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a vehicle to travel across a paved surface, a pavement degradation tool coupled to the vehicle and adapted to degrade the paved surface while rotating about an axis substantially normal to the paved surface, and a vacuum device coupled to the vehicle and adapted to remove pavement fragments produced by the pavement degradation tool. The vacuum device may include several intake channels to draw in the degraded pavement fragments. In selected embodiments, these intake channels may be connected to two or more independently moveable banks.

Abstract: An apparatus for degrading the periphery of a paved surface is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a support assembly, one or more pavement degradation tools coupled to the support assembly and adapted to degrade a paved surface, and a trimming tool coupled to the support assembly and adapted to degrade the edge created by the pavement degradation tools, thereby providing a desired contour to the edge. In selected embodiments, the trimming tool is adapted to straighten the edge created by the pavement degradation tools. The support assembly may be connected to a vehicle and adapted to laterally extend and retract the trimming tool with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system that uses the flow of drilling fluid to cool electrical components in a downhole environment. A substantially cylindrical housing comprises a wall which houses at least one electrical component directly coupled to a thermoelectric cooling device. An opposing surface of the thermoelectric cooling device contacts a flow of drilling fluid through a hollow passageway in the wall. The flow of drilling fluid acts as a heat sink to transfer heat from the cooling device to a remote location. In this manner, heat is efficiently and directly transferred from the electrical component to the cooling device to the drilling fluid, while the location of the present system within a wall of the housing enables reliable protection of sensitive electrical components from hostile effects downhole.

Abstract: A downhole tool for gathering formation data from inside a borehole includes a substantially tubular housing adapted for axial connection to a drill string and multiple sensors coupled to the tubular housing. The sensors include a first pair of sensors aligned along a first axis and adapted to measure a spatial derivative along the first axis, a second pair of sensors aligned along a second axis and adapted to measure a spatial derivative along the second axis, and a third pair of sensors aligned along a third axis and adapted to measure a spatial derivative along the third axis. In selected embodiments, the spatial derivatives are used to differentiate seismic or sonic compression and shear waves measured in a downhole environment.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the invention may include a downhole tool and a data transmission path incorporated into the downhole tool. The data transmission path may include one or more contact surfaces providing electrical continuity to the data transmission path. To protect the contact surfaces from corrosion while maintaining electrical conductivity, a coating may be attached to one or more of the contact surfaces. The coating may include any of various materials that increase the corrosion-resistance of the underlying base metal, including but not limited to cobalt, nickel, tin, tin-lead, platinum, palladium, gold, silver, zinc, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A precise downhole clock that compensates for drift includes a prescaler configured to receive electrical pulses from an oscillator. The prescaler is configured to output a series of clock pulses. The prescaler outputs each clock pulse after counting a preloaded number of electrical pulses from the oscillator. The prescaler is operably connected to a compensator module for adjusting the number loaded into the prescaler. By adjusting the number that is loaded into the prescaler, the timing may be advanced or retarded to more accurately synchronize the clock pulses with a reference time source. The compensator module is controlled by a counter-based trigger module configured to trigger the compensator module to load a value into the prescaler. Finally, a time-base logic module is configured to calculate the drift of the downhole clock by comparing the time of the downhole clock with a reference time source.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for directionally degrading a paved surface. A substantially cylindrical rotary tool may include cutting inserts embedded within its cylindrical surface. The tool may be rotated about a rotational axis extending from a top end of the tool to its cutting head and may contact a paved surface such that the tool degrades the surface in a direction substantially normal thereto. The tool may be mounted to a motorized vehicle and adapted for independent movement to limit degradation to an isolated area, extend degradation beyond the width of the motorized vehicle, and/or avoid obstacles in the pavement.

Abstract: A state-holding circuit having improved stability at high temperatures includes a bi-stable circuit capable of assuming one of two reversible and stable states. The bi-stable circuit comprises a plurality of logic components (e.g., transistors) arranged into two sides. Because each of the logic components has a leakage current and/or resistance that varies significantly as a function of temperature, one or more stabilization components, such as transistors or other devices, may be connected to a side of the bi-stable circuit to balance the leakage currents and/or resistances of each side. In certain embodiments, the sole function of the stabilization components is to balance the leakage currents and/or resistances of each side.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed in one aspect of the present invention as including a drill string and a transmission line integrated into the drill string. Multiple network nodes are installed at selected intervals along the drill string and are adapted to communicate with one another through the transmission line. In order to efficiently allocate the available bandwidth, the network nodes are configured to use any of numerous burst modulation techniques to transmit data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that uses the flow of drilling fluid to generate electrical energy in a downhole environment. A substantially cylindrical housing comprises a wall having an inlet, an outlet, and a hollow passageway therebetween. A flow of drilling fluid through the hollow passageway actuates a generator located therein, such that the generator generates electricity to power downhole tools, sensors, and networks. The miniaturization of the generator within the housing wall facilitates an unobstructed flow of drilling fluid through the central borehole of a drill string, while allowing for the introduction of tools and other equipment therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for working asphalt pavement, comprising one or both of a mechanical, hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic means for providing high-speed rotation; a rotary tool comprising a first end comprising a working surface and a second end adapted for connection to the means for providing high-speed rotation; and a screed, cooperatively arranged with the rotary tool, and comprising a working surface adjacent the working surface of the rotary tool, wherein the rotary tool is spun at high speed and applied to the asphalt pavement, frictionally heating the asphalt pavement to a temperature sufficient to work the pavement locally adjacent rotary tool and the screed. The screed and rotary tool comprising abrasion resistant materials selected from the group consisting of high-strength steel, hardened alloys, cemented metal carbide, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. The rotary tool and the screed apparatus may comprise a closed loop control system.

Abstract: Pressure-balanced primary and secondary batteries suited for supplying power to downhole tools and for powering a downhole telemetry network. The battery comprises an electrochemical generator disposed within at least a partially compliant enclosure or housing. The compliant enclosure permits pressurization of the electrochemical generator, thereby compensating for the increased temperature downhole. By permitting the electrochemical generator to be pressurized, the thermal range of the battery is extended to beyond 120.degree. C. The electrochemical generator comprises flexible components comprising an ionic conductor intermediate anode and cathode materials, a current collector, and a terminal. The battery may be installed within a recess in the wall of the downhole tool or within an annulus formed by the inside wall of the tool and a liner. In another embodiment of the invention, the battery may be located within an operative portion of a selected downhole tool, itself.

Abstract: A pressure-balanced battery for powering downhole-drilling components and a downhole telemetry network in a subterranean environment includes a battery and a housing enclosing and sealing a volume containing the battery. At least a portion of the housing is expandable and contractible to enable pressure encountered downhole to balance pressure internal to the housing. In this way, the thermal range of a battery's operation may be increased to function in a downhole environment. In selected embodiments, the housing is in operable communication with downhole fluids to transfer pressure to the battery. In selected embodiments, the battery is integrated into the annular structure of an existing downhole tool. In other embodiments, the battery may be integrated into a downhole tool specifically dedicated for use as a battery.