Abstract: A system for heating viscous fluids in a wellbore includes a submergible pumping system comprising a pump and submergible electric motor. A heating unit is coupled to the pumping system and is supplied with electrical energy through a cable used to supply electrical energy to the motor. The heating unit may include a direct or alternating current heater and protective circuitry. The heating unit may be supplied with electrical energy through the motor stator windings or via a jumper arranged in parallel with the stator windings. Switches may be included in the heating unit and in a motor base for energizing the motor and the heating unit based upon sensed temperatures of the viscous fluids surrounding the pumping system.

Abstract: A etch stop layer for use in a silicon oxide dry fluorine etch process is made of silicon nitride with hydrogen incorporated in it either in the form of N--H bonds, O--H bonds, or entrapped free hydrogen. The etch stop layer is made by either increasing the NH.sub.3 flow, decreasing the SiH.sub.4 flow, decreasing the nitrogen flow, or all three, in a standard PECVD silicon nitride fabrication process. The etch stop can alternatively be made by pulsing the RF field in either a PECVD process or an LPCVD process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an array of ultra-small pores for use in chalcogenide memory cells. A layer of a first material is applied onto a substrate. A portion of the layer of the first material is then removed to define an upper surface with vertical surfaces extending therefrom to a lower surface in the first layer of the first material. A fixed layer of a second material is then applied onto the vertical surfaces of the first layer of the first material. The fixed layer of the second material has a first thickness. A second layer of the first material is then applied onto the fixed layer of the second material. The fixed layer of the second material is then removed to define an array of pores in the first material layers. The pores thus defined have minimum lateral dimensions ranging from approximately 50 to 500 Angstroms and cross sectional areas greater than or equal to the first thickness of the second layer squared.

Abstract: A barrier material deposited as a barrier film layer in a semiconductor device to reduce the interdiffusion of materials of varying electrical conductivity comprising adjacent layers in a semiconductor device is provided. The barrier material contains a transition metal, aluminum, silicon and nitrogen as essential ingredients. Suitable transition metals are tantalum and titanium. The material provides excellent resistance to diffusion across the range of temperatures occurring in an integrated circuit manufacturing process. The material also exhibits good adhesion to materials used in semiconductor processes.

Abstract: A memory cell incorporating a chalcogenide element and a method of making same is disclosed. In the method, a doped silicon substrate is provided with two or more polysilicon plugs to form an array of diode memory cells. A layer of silicon nitride is disposed over the plugs. Using a poly-spacer process, small pores are formed in the silicon nitride to expose a portion of the polysilicon plugs. A chalcogenide material is disposed in the pores by depositing a layer of chalcogenide material on the silicon nitride layer and planarizing the chalcogenide layer to the silicon nitride layer using CMP. A layer of TiN is next deposited over the plugs, followed by a metallization layer. The TiN and metallization layers are then masked and etched to define memory cell areas.

Abstract: A cable and conduit assembly comprises a conduit, such as coiled tubing, with a cable, such as an electrical power cable, longitudinally disposed therein. A plurality of elastic fingers, such as relatively short lengths of spring steel, extend from the cable and frictionally engaging an interior surface of the conduit to transfer the weight of the cable to the conduit. The elastic fingers are angled to permit installation of the cable within the conduit in a first longitudinal direction and to prevent movement of the cable within the conduit in a second longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device having a folded bit line architecture. The ferroelectric memory device may include a selectable upper even memory cell connected to an upper even bit line, a sense amplifier having a first input and a second input; control circuitry operable to connect an upper odd bit line to a lower odd bit line at the first input of the sense amplifier, to connect the upper even bit line to the second input of the sense amplifier, and to isolate a lower even bit line from the second input of the sense amplifier; and a selectable lower odd reference cell, connected to the lower odd bit line.

Abstract: A method of partially fabricating a precisely dimensioned fuel pump wherein selected pump elements are partially assembled before those elements are machined. After machining, the partially assembled elements exhibit enhanced concentricity.

Abstract: A submergible motor having a universal motor base facilitates replacement of an internal filter while in the field. The submergible motor is designed for use in production wells and includes a generally tubular housing with a shaft lying generally along the axis of the tubular housing. The housing includes a mounting structure to which a universal motor base may be selectively attached and removed. Within the universal motor base is a filter assembly attached by threaded fasteners to permit easy removal of the filter for servicing or replacement.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use in drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, a number of blades formed on the leading face of the bit and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit so as to define between the blades a number of fluid channels leading towards the gauge region, a number of cutting elements mounted side-by-side along each blade, and a number of nozzles in the bit body for supplying drilling fluid to the fluid channels for cleaning and cooling the cutting elements. In each of the fluid channels, adjacent the gauge region, is an opening into an enclosed passage which passes internally through the bit body to an outlet which, in use, communicates with the annulus between the drill string and the wall of the borehole being drilled. The gauge region of the drill bit comprises a substantially continuous bearing surface which extends around the whole of the gauge region.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition system deriving the ignition pulse from a capacitor storing the flyback voltage induced from the fuel injector coil when the pulse supplied to the fuel injector coil is removed.

Abstract: A steel tooth rolling cutter earth boring drill bit includes a bit body with a threaded upper end for attachment to the end of a drill string, and a lower end including three legs extending downwardly from the bit body and with a rolling cutter rotatably mounted on each leg. A layer of wear resistant material is applied to a portion of each rolling cutter and comprises wear resistant particles in a substantially steel matrix. The steel matrix is integrally formed with the cutter in a rapid, solid state densification powder metallurgy (RSSDPM) process, and includes a duplex microstructure comprising from about 10 to 40 volume percent austenite and from about 60 to 90 volume percent martensite. The duplex microstructure may be achieved by incorporating a minor fraction of pure nickel and/or manganese powder in the powder mix used in the process, thereby providing nickel or manganese enrichment of the austenitic zones of the matrix.

Abstract: A cable anchor for preventing longitudinal movement of a cable within a conduit to transfer the weight of the cable to the conduit, comprises a housing connectable to the cable. An arm member is connected to the housing and is movable from a retracted position to an extended position in gripping contact with an interior surface of the conduit to thereby transfer the weight of the cable to the conduit. A piston and cylinder assembly, operable from fluid pressure within the conduit, is connected to the housing and in operable contact with the arm member to extend the arm member.

Abstract: A vertically oriented diode for use in delivering current to a multi-state memory element in a memory cell. A vertical diode may be disposed in a diode container extending downwardly from a top of a silicon or oxide layer, and may be formed of a combination of silicon and/or metal layers disposed proximate to inner surfaces of a diode container. A multi-state memory element may be formed of a multi-state material, such as a chalcogenide, above a diode to complete a memory cell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for checking the resistance of programmable circuits in an integrated circuit where each programmable circuit includes a programmable element, such as an antifuse. A precharged node is connected to the programmable element and the voltage at the node discharges based on the resistance of the programmable element. An output signal is produced whose binary value is based on the voltage at the node after a sufficient time has elapsed to allow the initial voltage to discharge based on the resistance of the programmable element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a gravity separated well in which water and oil are permitted to separate under the influence of gravity. A pumping unit, including an oil pump and a water pump, is positioned in the well. A drive motor may be close coupled with the pumps. The pumping unit may be positioned in the oil region, the water region or in an interface region therebetween. A discharge line extends from the oil pump to a location above the earth's surface, while another discharge line extends from the water pump to a location adjacent to a water injection zone of the well. At least one of the pumps includes a remote intake for drawing fluid from the region in which the unit is not positioned. The technique permits the pumps to be positioned in the well and driven without the need for extended power transmission elements between the pumps.

Abstract: A membrane shield for application over the eye of a wearer to retain moisture. The moisture shield includes a window that can be made of a transparent plastic. A collar is connected to the perimeter of the window such that the collar extends outwardly from the window. An adhesive layer, such as an adhesive gel, is applied to the collar to permit the moisture shield to be adhered to the wearer's face about the eye. A vapor distribution element is attached to the membrane shield to expose the eye to a desired substance or substances, such as water or medication.

Abstract: A start-assist circuit for increasing the fuel-injection voltage during the startup of an internal combustion engine having fuel injectors, a starter solenoid, and a battery is provided. The boost circuit receives the battery DC power and then boosts the battery voltage to provide an output having a level sufficient for a fuel injection solenoid during the start process.

Abstract: A variable resistance material-based memory cell is disclosed for use in an electronic memory. The memory cell includes a MOS diode for delivering large amounts of current to the variable resistance material, as needed during programming of the memory cell. In one embodiment, a buried contact under the gate is used as the drain of the device. The buried contact allows formation of a very short channel, causing a "snapback" phenomenon in the MOS diode and thereby greatly increasing the amount of current flow across the device. This buried contact construction has the additional advantage of reducing the area needed for the memory cell. Additionally, the processing is simple and may be performed using the same techniques normally used during the fabrication of electronic memories.

Abstract: A logic module design is disclosed which incorporates an unencapsulated wafer section or sections. The disclosed module is an improvement over previous designs in that it is less expensive and easier to manufacture due to the reduced number of components and the complexity of the components, is faster and consumes less power because of its shorter trace lengths and smaller size, and is more reliable as a result of its greatly reduced number of interconnects.