Abstract: A platform is used to deliver a tool down a hole by controlling the flow of fluid through and around the platform. The platform has a top surface for receiving the tool. The platform also has a bottom surface to provide guidance through and resistance to the flow of fluid. The lower surface of the platform can be engineered to steer the platform against an inner wall of the casing. This slows the descent by adding mechanical friction to its descent. The lower surface can also be engineered to add a predetermined amount of resistance to the flow of the well fluid across it. A stop on the casing already in place in the well stops the descent of the tool at a desired depth. Once the tool is no longer needed, a fishing tool can be lowered from the same crane to retrieve the tool and platform. Use of a crane substantially decreases the cost of the operation compared to the need for a rig.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing automobile transmission clutches are provided by the present invention. An operator assembles the clutch with the components on a fixture. The clutch has an internal spring assembly to be compressed and a circlip (retaining ring) to be installed to hold the spring under tension. The circlip is installed into a tool that is placed onto the clutch assembly and a press is used to push the circlip down over a cone in the installation tool, snapping the circlip closed in its final position. A different tool is then placed onto the clutch assembly that holds the clutch pack together. The press is again operated and the cylinder compresses the clutch pack. By applying air pressure to the clutch assembly through the fixture, the clutch pack is forced upwards to its closed position. The distance traveled by the clutch pack is visible on a linear gauge. This distance is the Clutch Clearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an enhanced mouthstick device that allows. disabled individuals, having limited or no use of their hands, to independently, effectively and efficiently simulate computer mouse manipulation and input data in computer software applications. The present invention also allows disabled individuals, having limited or no use of their hands, to effectively utilize standard, commercially available, off-the-shelf GUI or windows-based software applications without requiring modification to the actual software application. The invention is comprised of three functional components mounted on a traditional mouthstick and a reception unit which is fitted to a computer display screen. The user manipulates the position of the cursor on the display screen by moving the StickMouse towards the desired position on the display screen. A signal transmitter unit transmits constant position signals which are received by the sensors on the reception unit.

Abstract: A multi-zone packing system having unique features that allow for remote operation, thereby eliminating the need to raise and lower a work string and crossover tool to various zones of interest during a frac pack, gravel pack or related completion procedure. The squeeze pack system has a crossover tool or port collocated with each zone of interest and remotely operated closing devices to allow for the setting of each packer and the packing job to be performed with minimal or no movement of the work string.

Abstract: The adapter couples a power module to a circuit board. An adapter embodying the present invention can be configured to allow the connection of any power module regardless of pin out to any circuit board. Signal modifying circuitry can also be added to the adapter to enhance or simply modify the signal to the end user's circuit board. The modifying circuitry can act on either the input to the adapter or the output from the adapter. At least one conductive path couples the input interconnects and the output interconnects.

Abstract: An offshore drilling rig contains a heavy-duty support cart that straddles the moonpool and rides on rails. A funnel-shaped hole extends through the support cart, and a cutout on one side of the cart provides lateral access to the hole. The cart can be moved to the region of the rotary assembly, where a length of tubulars can be suspended from the cart. For instance, when the BOP is pulled out for installation of the Xmas tree assembly, the BOP and attached riser can be pulled up above the seabed and hung from the support cart, then moved laterally out of the way while the Xmas tree assembly is installed. This lateral movement lowers the possibility of collision between the BOP and Xmas tree assembly. The BOP assembly can then be disassembled and at a later time, or hung until is needed for an adjacent borehole. In a preferred embodiment, the cart is included on multi-activity rigs with more than one load path, hoist, and rotary assembly.

Abstract: A unique phasing pattern is provided that maximizes the effective perforation geometry of a wellbore. The improvement overcomes the problems associated with multi-phase guns of the past that failed to account for the fact that the gun rested on the low side of the casing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the phasing is arranged so that there is a zero phase tunnel formed. The zero phase tunnel is located at approximately the location where the gun rests against the low side of the well. Further, tunnels are formed by shape charges at plus and minus forty-five degrees and at plus and minus ninety degrees. This can also be referred to as a penta-phase. In another embodiment of the invention, charges can also be placed to allow for a plus and minus one hundred and thirty-five degrees pattern in addition to the penta-phase pattern described above. This expanded pattern can also be referred to as a hepta-phase pattern.

Abstract: A unique phasing pattern is provided that maximizes the effective perforation geometry of a wellbore. The improvement overcomes the problems associated with multi-phase guns of the past that failed to account for the fact that the gun rested on the low side of the casing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the phasing is arranged so that there is a zero phase tunnel formed. The zero phase tunnel is located at approximately the location where the gun rests against the low side of the well. Further, tunnels are formed by shape charges at plus and minus forty-five degrees and at plus and minus ninety degrees. This can also be referred to as a penta-phase. In another embodiment of the invention, charges can also be placed to allow for a plus and minus one hundred and thirty-five degrees pattern in addition to the penta-phase pattern described above. This expanded pattern can also be referred to as a hepta-phase pattern.

Abstract: This improved surface mount power supply can withstand the rigors of the manufacturing process and still create sturdy and robust connection to a user's circuit card. The open frame power module uses a U-shaped or T-shaped interconnect rather than a spherical interconnect. In one embodiment, the U-shaped interconnect can have a hole through one surface to allow the wicking of solder. The wicked solder provides a sturdier connection that is more likely to survive subsequent reflow processes. The power module is also built on a thicker FR4 board. The thicker board is less likely to warp during subsequent heating.

Abstract: An improved auxiliary input device for use with various computer applications which is more versatile and easier to use than prior devices. A touchscreen device is used to provide easier inputs to the computer applications. The layout of the touchscreen display may be customized using layout software that maps visual indicators on the touchscreen to user-defined key sequences, mouse events, external calling of Dynamic Link Libraries, URL links, or other miscellaneous actions. Control software runs in the background for loading the saved layout configurations and executing the user-defined key sequences or mouse events whenever the touchscreen is touched by the user. The control software can be configured to automatically load layouts based on the active program or game being played. The touchscreen configuration for each game may be programmed with bitmaps and key sequences and then stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: The invention presents a highly efficient, tightly regulated DC-to-DC converter which can be used in various applications, especially multiple output converters. The converter uses a buck converter to produce an intermediate bus voltage. A current-fed double ended circuit, such as bridge or push-pull circuit, couples to the buck converter to provide power to outputs. The double ended circuit operates at about 50% duty. The secondary output filter inductor is not required. With 50% duty cycle operation, the secondary rectifiers are easily controlled by either a self-driven or an external driven circuit. The secondary windings can also be stacked up to simplify the transformer design. In addition, bias voltages needed for control circuitry can also be obtained by adding extra windings to the power transformer and extra rectifier devices.

Abstract: A fixing member (B, N) pierces a screw hole (13b) of a first clamping member (13) and an insertion hole (14c) of a second clamping member (14), and fixes the first and second clamping members (13, 14) to a workbench (12). The position of a workpiece (W) relative to the workbench is determined by utilizing the first and second clamping members (13, 14) fixed to the workbench (12) by the fixing member (B, N). The workpiece (W) moved to a space between a clamping face (13d) of the first clamping member (13) and a flange portion (14b) of the second clamping member (14) is fixed by a fastening member (15).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring tubular stands between a substantially horizontal position on the catwalk and a substantially vertical position at the rig floor entry. In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by moving bundles of individual tubulars to the process area, where a stand make-up/break-out machine, also called a bucking machine, makes up the tubular stands. The bucking machine aligns and stabs the connections and makes up the connection to the correct torque. The tubular stand is then transferred from the bucking machine to a stand storage area or to a trolley pick-up area. When additional stands are needed by the drilling operation, a trolley is moved into position over the trolley pick-up area to retrieve the stands previously placed in the trolley pick-up area. The stands are clamped to the trolley and the trolley is moved from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position at the rig floor entry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cattle management method utilizing a franchised cattle management system licensed to contract cattle producers. The contract grower contract producers manage cattle according to given production guidelines from the franchiser that increases the carcass value at sale. The cattle producer retains a profit from the increased market value of the cattle produced according to the franchisor's cattle production method. The franchiser receives a royalty from the contract cattle producer with little or no capital expenses or costs associated with the maintenance and production of the cattle herd operated by the contract cattle producer.