Abstract: Autonomous non-destructive inspection equipment provides automatic and/or continuous inspection and evaluation of a material under inspection. The inspection equipment preferably comprises at least one detection sensor and at least one detection sensor interface for a computer. The autonomous non-destructive inspection system may also be retrofitted into conventional inspection systems by extracting pertinent features through spectral frequency analysis and sensor compensation and utilizing those features in the autonomous non-destructive inspection system.

Abstract: A pulse production interval measurement module (or temporal reconciliation module) for preferred use with a computational flowmeter and/or non-computational flowmeters to thereby temporally reconcile or time shift flowmeter output produced by a volume of fluid flow through the computational flowmeter with the start and stop times of the flow of a calibrated fluid volume through a prover. The pulse production interval measurement module may be implemented with software and/or hardware and operate on stored data or real time or near real time measurements.

Abstract: A pulse production interval measurement module (or temporal reconciliation module) for preferred use with a computational flowmeter to thereby temporally reconcile or time shift flowmeter output produced by a volume of fluid flow through the computational flowmeter with the start and stop times of the flow of a calibrated fluid volume through a prover. The pulse production interval measurement module may be implemented with software and/or hardware and operate on stored data or real time or near real time measurements. Timing signals are sampled or collected with respect to one or more measurement elements within the computational flowmeter from which the measurement time interval for the flowmeter is determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

Abstract: A method of seismic analysis is disclosed for extracting information relating to lithology, porosity, fluids, and AVO types and/or displaying the extracted information. In one possible embodiment, AVO points are plotted and a distance and/or angle is utilized for extracting this information. Various portrayals of the extracted information displays may be produced including displays wherein the extracted information is then displayed in terms of colors for respective x, y, z locations. The AVO points may or may not be normalized based on a shape of a cluster of the AVO points prior to extraction of the information.

Abstract: One or more support stand assemblies are utilized for mounting functional equipment or creating a barrier on variable surfaces or a surface which may be sloped. Each support stand preferably includes a support post configured to be releaseably secured to a stabilizer member with the support post including a functional end adapted for attachment to a functional structure. The support stand further includes a base preferably including first and second legs being configurable in a set up operating configuration and alternately a collapsed stowed configuration. After use, the support post is removed from the stabilizer member and the locking faster is loosened to permit the first and second legs to be substantially aligned and stowed adjacent the support post in a compactable bundle for handling and shipping.

Abstract: The non-destructive inspection equipment is provided with voice interaction to interface with the inspector and/or operator who preferably controls the inspection equipment and the inspection process, at least in part, through the use of voice control and by receiving audio and/or video feedback from the inspection equipment. The overall inspection quality is preferably substantially improved when the inspector and/or operator can focus entirely on the material under inspection while maintaining full control of the inspection equipment and the inspection process. The inspection equipment and its interfaces are adapted and fine-tuned for interaction with humans, particularly in a harsh noise industrial environment. Further, the voice interaction preferably allows the inspector and/or operator to operate the inspection equipment while wearing gloves or with dirty hands as he/she will not need to constantly physically manipulate the inspection equipment.

Abstract: Autonomous non-destructive inspection equipment provides automatic and/or continuous inspection and evaluation of a material under inspection. The inspection equipment preferably comprises at least one detection sensor and at least one detection sensor interface for a computer. The autonomous non-destructive inspection system may also be retrofitted into conventional inspection systems by extracting pertinent features through spectral frequency analysis and sensor compensation and utilizing those features in the autonomous non-destructive inspection system.

Abstract: Turbo-machinery and methods are disclosed for a bladeless conical radial turbine wherein fluid is directed axially within the pump body to produce an axial output. The rotor comprises a plurality of spaced apart conical elements. A plurality of spiraling flow paths may be provided to receive fluid to which fluid has been imparted by acceleration of the fluid through the spaces between the conical elements using boundary layer adhesion techniques. The fluid is smoothly directed to any number of subsequent boundary layer pumping stages which are axially positioned with respect to each other.

Abstract: A spotlight system is adaptable for use with preferably one or more power sources so as to provide lighting where needed. The spotlight system preferably includes a spotlight assembly comprising a lamp housing which includes at least one bulb, a switch, and an enclosure. The spotlight system may be operated utilizing DC power with or without a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may be recharged utilizing DC power or AC power while still connected to the lamp housing. When the lamp housing is operated without a battery, then the lamp housing is extremely light for hand held operation with a preferably high power beam.

Abstract: A more computationally efficient and scalable systolic architecture is provided for computing the discrete Fourier transform. The systolic architecture also provides a method for reducing the array area by limiting the number of complex multipliers. In one embodiment, the design improvement is achieved by taking advantage of a more efficient computation scheme based on symmetries in the Fourier transform coefficient matrix and the radix-4 butterfly. The resulting design provides an array comprised of a plurality of smaller base-4 matrices that can simply be added or removed to provide scalability of the design for applications involving different transform lengths to be calculated. In this embodiment, the systolic array size provides greater flexibility because it can be applied for use with any transform length which is an integer multiple of sixteen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear which has improved shock absorbency due to a cushioning and has superior support due to a rigid or semi-rigid orthotic plate. The orthotic plate may be removably or securably attachable to the upper, and the padding may be removably or securably attachable to the orthotic plate. The cushioning may further may have supporting blades incorporated therein to counteract any undesired deforming characteristics of the cushioning and/or a bottom plate may be securably or removably attachable to the bottom side of the cushioning. The bottom plate may also have gripping elements which are permanently or removably attachable to the plate to compensate for wear, or for a change in activities. Further, the upper may be removably and attachable and interchanged with other types of removably attachable uppers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling assembly and method that is especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is preferably comprised of a tungsten alloy which is sufficiently plastic to be able to withstand the bending, torsional, and compressive stresses which occur in a bottom hole drilling assembly. The tungsten alloy weight section may be axially moveable with respect to an outer tubular and when mounted within the bottom hole assembly, acts to place the outer tubular in tension to provide a stiffer bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: Ventilating footwear provides air circulation under and around the foot. Apertures in the heel and/or sole and/or midsole communicate with an air compartment in the heel and/or sole and/or midsole, and as the wearer strides, the heel and/or sole and/or midsole are compressed, expelling the air from the compartment and into the footwear upper. The top side surface of the sole or midsole may also be provided with a plurality of air channels which direct and circulate air from the compartment around and underneath the wearer's foot. The footwear may also provide shock absorbence and energy return through the compressible heel and/or sole and/or midsole, and may have a rigid or semi-rigid midsole, which provides support, as well as cushioning below the midsole for comfort.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for highly flexible placement of one or more wheel chocks on a transport to thereby support one or more motorcycles. The wheel chocks are preferably mounted to the transport utilizing flexible straps. When the straps are under tension, then the wheel chock is urged in a first direction towards the motorcycle wheel. Additional straps may secure the motorcycle to the transport such that when the additional straps are under tension then the motorcycle is urged in a second direction toward the wheel chock. In a preferred embodiment, the first direction and second direction are substantially opposite so that movement of the wheel chock and motorcycle is prevented.

Abstract: A flowhead for a well testing system is disclosed. The well testing system comprises a plurality of threaded connection pipes extending from the surface to a subterranean zone of interest which is isolated for testing purposes. Fluid flows from the subterranean zone into the flowhead and is directed to a flare and related measuring instrumentation. The flowhead includes a swab inlet with a swab valve, a kill line with an associated valve and a flow line with an associated valve. The line connecting directly to the well preferably comprises an outer swivel element integral with a body of the flowhead and a roller bearing supported inner swivel element rotatably mounted therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are herein described which provide a door assembly for the drum door and lid of a top loading horizontal axis laundry machine. The drum door is provided with an automatic latch system that can be automatically latched and unlatched on command. In a presently preferred embodiment, the automatic drum latch employs a floating latch bar which engages or disengages a latch strike attached to the drum door, depending on its orientation at the time the drum door is depressed and released. An actuator is utilized to perform the task of depressing and releasing the drum door at the proper times. When the lid of the machine is closed, the drum is rotated to a selected rotational position that determines whether the automatic drum latch will latch or unlatch after an actuator is extended to depress the drum door and then is released.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing a self-cleaning water circulation system which may be utilized for a fish pond, fountain, or the like. Means for automatically cleaning the pump intake to avoid pump failure due to leaves and debris is provided. The circulation system also comprises a self-cleaning filter for cleaning the circulated water whereby maintenance requirements are substantially reduced.