Abstract: A standoff compensation system is disclosed for use in an LWD system implementing gamma density and/or neutron porosity measurements. An acoustic transducer is provided to measure the standoff distance between the logging tool and the borehole wall. The present invention includes a downhole processor for determining a weighting factor for the density and/or porosity measurements based upon the measured standoff distance. The weighting factor can either be calculated by the downhole processor according to a predetermined weighting function, or can be retrieved from a pre-calculated look-up table in ROM. The processor then multiplies the weighting factor by the count data from the sensor to determine a weighted count value. The weighted count values are accumulated during an averaging period and normalized, so that a single normalized count value can be generated and either stored in downhole memory, used immediately, or transmitted by telemetry to the surface.

Abstract: An automatic closed loop drilling system is disclosed for providing automatic directional drilling capabilities in a bottomhole assembly. The drilling system includes at least one adjustable stabilizer that varies in response to formational and drilling conditions encountered downhole. A microcontroller is preprogrammed with a desired range of formation characteristics or with a desired inclination or target area. The microcontroller compares actual sensed data with the desired data and adjusts the position of the stabilizer blades to vary the direction of drilling.

Abstract: A telemetering system is disclosed for communicating command signals to a downhole adjustable blade stabilizer, and for transmitting encoded time/pressure signals back to the surface. The command signal provides information regarding a desired blade position for an adjustable blade stabilizer. The stabilizer sets a positioning piston in response to the command signal to limit the extent of blade expansion. A position sensor is provided in association with the positioning piston to measure precisely the position of the blades. An encoded signal is generated in response to the measurement and is transmitted to the surface in a combined time/pressure format to uniquely identify the position of the blades.

Abstract: A downhole adjustable blade stabilizer is disclosed for varying the position of stabilizer blades to provide an increased ability to control the direction of drilling. The adjustable blade stabilizer includes a plurality of blades mounted in an angled track to permit axial and radial movement of the blades. The blades are driven by a piston in response to a pressure differential created by a sufficient flow of drilling mud through the stabilizer. The stabilizer blades are retracted by a spring when the pressure differential is eliminated. A positioning piston limits blade extension to a desired position. The positioning piston moves in response to a command signal, and remains in place until a new command signal is received. By maintaining the positioning piston in a locked position, the position of the blades can be reset to the prior position after the loss of pressure differential. A measuring device is provided in association with the positioning piston to enable precise measurement of blade position.

Abstract: An automated density and chemical controller automatically controls the density and chemical proportions of a slurry that is injected into a well during a well fracturing operation to produce a slurry with a desired density. The automated controller automatically controls the addition of a proppant to water based on the parameters of the fracturing operation, the incoming flow of water into a blender tub, the incoming flow rate of chemicals, and the performance characteristics of the mechanism used to deliver the proppant. The automated density controller also measures the flow of the slurry discharged from the blender tub and calculates the actual density of the slurry. After comparing the calculated actual density with the desired density, the automated density controller calculates a correction factor and recalibrates the performance characteristics of the proppant delivery mechanism. The automated density controller also includes a densiometer for measuring the actual density of the slurry.

Abstract: An electron tube for achieving high power at high frequency with high efficiency, including an input coupler, a ribbon-shaped electron beam and a traveling wave output coupler. The input coupler is a lumped constant resonant circuit that modulates a field emitter array cathode at microwave frequency. A bunched ribbon electron beam is emitted from the cathode in periodic bursts at the desired frequency. The beam has a ribbon configuration to eliminate limitations inherent in round beam devices. The traveling wave coupler efficiently extracts energy from the electron beam, and includes a waveguide with a slot therethrough for receiving the electron beam. The ribbon beam is tilted at an angle with respect to the traveling wave coupler so that the electron beam couples in-phase with the traveling wave in the waveguide. The traveling wave coupler thus extracts energy from the electron beam over the entire width of the beam.

Abstract: The short hop communication link includes a sensor module positioned downhole from a motor in a well. The module includes sensors that monitor operational, directional and environmental parameters downhole and provide an electrical data signal indicative thereof. Sensors may also be positioned in the drill bit for obtaining parameters related to the bit, and communicating data signals reflecting the sensed parameters to the sensor module. The sensor module includes a transceiver, with an annular anrenna, for transmitting electromagnetic sensor data signals to a point above the motor. A control module, which also includes a transceiver with an annular antenna, is located above the motor, and receives the electromagnetic signals from the sensor module reflecting the sensed parameters. In addition, the control module is capable of transmitting command signals to the sensor module requesting data regarding desired parameters.

Abstract: A faulted circuit detector having an electrically isolated and remotely positioned indicator detects fault currents in a monitored conductor. When a fault of a predetermined magnitude is detected, a light pulse is transmitted from the detector to the indicator via a fiber optic cable where, upon receipt, the pulse is converted to an electrical pulse causing the indicator to indicate a "fault" state. A reset circuit within the indicator resets the indicator at regular intervals to the "normal" state as long as a predetermined minimum voltage is present on the monitored conductor. A test circuit is also provided to allow service personnel to field test the device with the monitored conductor in an energized state.

Abstract: A multi-purpose pin which supports jewelry and clothing accessories to the clothing, hat or hair of a wearer. The multi-purpose pin comprises a hoop with fastening means for attaching to the clothing of a wearer. A bar divides the interior portion of the hoop into a plurality of areas, through which a clothing accessory passes to wrap around the bar, thereby securing the clothing accessory to the pin. The bar may include a horizontal and a vertical passage therethrough for supporting jewelry accessories. A plurality of bars may be provided to alter the manner in which the clothing accessory is secured to the pin. A pair of hoops may be provided to define a circumferential groove around the pin for wrapping the clothing accessory. The multi-purpose pin may be used with or without backing, or with a decorative top as an independent jewelry item.

Abstract: An improved grounding detection circuit includes an intrinsically safe circuit connected to a grounding clip for grounding vehicles and container durng the transfer and storage of combustible materials. The intrinsically safe circuit includes grounding loop for verifying that the grounding clip and the intrinsically safe circuit are grounded. The intrinsically safe circuit transmits a signal to an optoisolator when the container is grounded, and the optoisolator, in turn, transmits an energization signal to relay circuitry, to energize a relay coil. A capacitor in series with a resistor are connected across the relay coil to minimize the inductive effect of the relay coil on the optoisolator.

Abstract: A Keratometer for ascertaining the shape of the corneal surface of the eye comprises a television camera with associated processing circuitry. The television camera receives a reflection of a target such as placido's disc from the surface of the cornea. The television image of the reflection of the placido disc from the corneal surface is subjected to digital analysis after treatment in an edge detector. The edge detector reduces the number of data points that must be processed to define the radius of each ring in the reflected placido disc image. The resultant data are processed to derive surface contour and to provide a display in tabular, graphic or pictorial form of the contour data so generated.

Abstract: An improved burn-in board cartridge for use in burn-in and testing of IC packages in an automated burn-in and test system is disclosed. The cartridge includes printed circuit cards mounted on a single or both side faces of the cartridge, thereby permitting IC packages to be mounted on either or both sides of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a sturdy frame holding in place the printed circuit cards and providing strength to reduce damage to the circuit cards. Attached to the frame are rails which are used to position the cartridge in various apparatus such as burn-in chambers. Cooling tubes and electrical components can be placed inside the two-sided cartridge, between the printed circuit cards. The burn-in chamber is divided into zones with each zone having a number of slots into which a burn-in board is placed. The chamber includes rotating air diverters positioned at each end of a zone which are capable of channeling the heated air within the chamber around any one zone.

Abstract: A distributed transmission line network for connecting a plurality of DUTs to a low-power driver includes a plurality of distributed transmission lines with distributed capacitors. The distributed capacitors are added to the distributed transmission lines to make the propagation delay on each line equal, thereby eliminating skewed input signals to the DUTs. The capacitors also minimize capacitive cross-talk between the plurality of distributed transmission lines. The distributed transmission line network includes a driver with an internal resistance that is much less than the characteristic impedance of the distributed transmission line to minimize the voltage drop at the driver. The distributed transmission line also includes an input RC network for speeding rise time and a termination RC network for minimizing reflections in the distributed transmission line.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting optimum lighting fixtures for a given application first determines a room cavity ratio from entered values of the dimensions of the room. The room cavity ratio is used to select from tabulated values a coefficient of utilization. The light output in lumens from a particular lamp, modified as necessary by depreciation factors, is applied to determine the number of fixtures and the spacing of those fixtures that are necessary to achieve a desired level of illumination. The design process then normally requires changing the number of fixtures to an integral number that lends itself to the space to be illuminated. Reentry of such values as well as different values of illumination levels that are associated with different fixtures allows repeated determinations to optimize the selection of a lighting fixture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing circuit boards which control digital displays includes a TV camera which images the digital display. The output of the TV camera is fed into a computer which controls a laser trimmer. The laser trimmer trims the resistors on the controlling circuit board until the desired value and characteristics are obtained on the digital display.

Abstract: A cylindrical coil conductor incorporated in a vacuum interrupter comprises a cylindrical body with a plurality of inclined slits therein defining a plurality of current paths. The coil conductor is uniformly cylindrical to reduce radial magnetic fields, which tend to cancel the axial magnetic field generated by the coil conductor. The cylindrical coil conductor electrically connects to the rear surface of a main electrode through a copper ring to maintain current on the periphery of the main electrode. The front surface of the main electrode includes a ring-shaped protrusion to define a point of contact with an opposite main electrode. Current flows into the protrusion, through the main electrode to the copper ring, thereby defining a short current path with a minimal resistance.

Abstract: An improved runway lighting system comprises a first set of runway lights providing illumination in one direction along the runway, a second set of runway lights providing illumination in the opposite direction along the runway and a switching unit for switching on either the first set of lights or the second set of lights, depending on the direction of approach of incoming aircraft. A control unit provides current pulses along existing runway circuitry to operate the switching unit. Circuitry in the switching unit determines which set of lights to illuminate based upon the amplitude and duration of the current pulse. A selector switch may also be provided in the control tower to remotely operate the control unit.

Abstract: An improved burn-in board cartridge for use in burn-in and testing of IC packages in an automated burn-in and test system is disclosed. The cartridge includes printed circuit cards mounted on a single or both side faces of the cartridge, thereby permitting IC packages to be mounted on either or both sides of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a sturdy frame holding in place the printed circuit cards and providing strength to reduce damage to the circuit cards. Attached to the frame are rails which are used to position the cartridge in various apparatus such as burn-in chambers. Cooling tubes and electrical components can be placed inside the two-sided cartridge, between the printed circuit cards. The burn-in chamber is divided into zones with each zone having a number of slots into which a burn-in board is placed. The chamber includes rotating air diverters positioned at each end of a zone which are capable of channeling the heated air within the chamber around any one zone.