Abstract: A method of isolating a section of downhole tubing comprises: running a length of expandable tubing (20) into a tubing-lined borehole (12, 14) and positioning the expandable tubing (20) across a section of tubing to be isolated; deforming at least portions of the expandable tubing (36, 40) to increase the diameter of the portions to sealingly engage the tubing (14) and to isolate the tubing section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides a process whereby the parameters and/or functions of a hardware field device, e.g., field controller, can be altered dynamically by the use of a downloadable data table. This programming method is being called “Full Dynamic Linking” (abbreviated as FDL), and provides a mechanism by which software and firmware is written in such a way as to provide extreme flexibility in the application of control processing.

Abstract: A DLL circuit for phase matching of a periodic input signal, having a variable delay unit, having a delay element and having a regulation unit which has a regulation device, for setting an input signal delay in the delay unit, and a comparator unit, in order to generate a phase signal in each signal cycle, the state of which phase signal indicates that the input signal is leading or lagging a signal which has been delayed by the variable delay unit and the delay element, and which is provided to the regulation device during a steady-state operating phase, with the regulation device increasing the delay of the delay unit during an initial transient phase until a change in the phase signal indicates a change from identified lagging of the input signal to leading of the input signal, wherein the regulation unit has a filter circuit in order to provide a filtered phase signal to the regulation device during the initial transient phase, with the filter circuit changing the state of the filtered phase signal to the

Abstract: The invention is an optical device having a plurality of optical waveguides and comprising at least one waveguide, which is defined by a core region having first and second sections that are series connected and are capable of transmitting light energy, the core region being surrounded by a cladding that essentially confines the light energy within the core region, the first section of the core region comprising a first length of material whose refractive index increases as temperature increases; the at least one waveguide is temperature-compensating in that and the second section of the core region comprises a second length of material whose refractive index has a sufficient enough difference of the rate of the variation of the index with the temperature, wherein the second section has a plurality of grooves, filled with the material whose refractive index has a sufficient enough difference of the rate of the variation of the index with the temperature, that are designed in a way the effective width of the s

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling one or more holes at an angle to a wellbore. The apparatus includes a tubular housing defining one or more openings. Each opening is configured to provide an exit through which a drilling assembly drills to form a hole at an angle to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes one or more deflectors. Each deflector defines a surface for guiding the drilling assembly through an opening, and each deflector is positioned inside the tubular housing such that the surface is facing the opening. The apparatus further includes an anchor having a bottom portion attached to a top portion of the tubular housing and having a top portion configured to be removably fixed to a conveyance tubular.

Abstract: A tubing coupling method is provided. In one aspect, the method comprises providing a length of expandable tubing and a length of larger diameter non-expanding tubing, connecting an end portion of the expandable tubing to an end portion of the non-expanding tubing, running the tubing into a bore, and expanding the expandable tubing. The expandable tubing may form part of an expandable well or sand screen, or may be an expandable bore liner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a joint used with expandable sand screens and other expandable tubulars that permits elongation or contraction of the expandable tubulars during a tubular expansion operation within a wellbore. In one aspect, a connection assembly for use with expandable tubulars is provided. The connection assembly includes a first expandable tubular axially fixable at one end within a wellbore and a second expandable tubular axially fixable at one end within the wellbore. The second expandable tubular has an opposite end adapted to receive an opposite end of the first expandable tubular to provide a joint between the tubulars. The connection assembly further includes a releasable connection between the opposite ends of the tubulars for selectively permitting axial movement of the opposite ends relative to each other. In another aspect, a method for joining a first expandable tubular and a second expandable tubular is provided.

Abstract: A wellbore anchoring device for anchoring a down-hole tool within a string of casing is provided, comprising an expandable cone having at least one annular integral shoulder, defining the large end of at least one conical annular recess on an outer surface of the cone, and at least one resilient slip positioned within the at least one annular recess, wherein axial travel of the at least one slip relative to the cone is actively limited by engagement with at least one integral shoulder on the cone.

Abstract: The construction of directional couplers according to the invention with the aid of integrated optical waveguides makes it possible to produce such directional couplers in series very compactly and relatively easily. In this connection, the integrated optical waveguides in the coupling region have a smaller cross section than the cross section outside the coupling region. Consequently, it is possible to keep the spacing of the waveguide segments in the coupling region of a directional coupler according to the invention sufficiently far away from one another to minimize the error tolerance conditions in the manufacturing process. This is particularly advantageous if the difference in the refractive indices between the core of the integrated optical waveguide and its surroundings is very large.

Abstract: Method for producing an antifuse in a substrate, a first interconnect being applied to the substrate, a dielectric layer being applied at an end face of the first interconnect, which end face essentially runs vertically with respect to the substrate, a second interconnect being applied in such a way that it adjoins the dielectric layer with an end face, with the result that an antifuse structure is formed.

Abstract: A system and method for refreshing data in a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) is provided, where the system includes a data memory having a plurality of memory banks, a map memory in signal communication with the data memory for translating an internal address of each of the plurality of memory banks into a corresponding external address, a map comparator in signal communication with the map memory for selectively enabling a memory bank in accordance with its external address, a refresh address generator in signal communication with the map comparator for selectively refreshing the enabled memory bank in accordance with its external address, and a refresh counter in signal communication with the refresh address generator for signaling a refresh in accordance with the maximum required refresh time of the enabled memory bank; and where the corresponding method includes determining the maximum required refresh period for each of the memory banks, respectively, prioritizing the memory banks in accordance wit

Abstract: A distributor/collector system includes a distributor provided with an upper header having upper laterals carrying fluid away from the upper header and a collector provided with a lower header having lower laterals carrying fluid toward the lower header. Flow enters the distributor on one side of the vessel and exits the collector on an approximately opposite side of the vessel. The distance traveled by each fluid particle through the system is substantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature controlled energy transparent window or electrode used to advantage in a substrate processing system. The invention also provides methods associated with controlling lid temperature during processing and for controlling etching processes. In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a fluid supply system for the lid which allows the fluid to flow through a feedthrough and into and out of a channel formed in the window or electrode. The fluid supply system may also mount the window or electrode to a retaining ring which secures the window or electrode to the chamber. In another aspect the invention provides a bonded window or electrode having a first and second plate having a channel formed in the plates so that when the plates are bonded together they form a channel therein through which a temperature controlling fluid can be flowed. An external control system preferably regulates the temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for conveying downhole tools within a borehole using a continuous rod. The apparatus may include a continuous rod, a downhole tool attached to one end of the continuous rod, and a delivery rig for lowering the continuous rod and downhole tool into the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and system for the controlled irradiation of optical fibers in a process for fabricating optical fiber components such as Bragg grating devices. A beam of ultraviolet light is passed through a narrow slit in a mask to form a narrow beam of light. The narrow beam is focused into a line image that is directed onto the optical fiber to produce a photo-induced refractive index change in the optical fiber. The intensity and configuration of the line image as it impinges the optical fiber is controlled to reduce detrimental effects to the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid within tubing disposed within a downhole wellbore. The present invention provides an inverse Venturi meter inserted within tubing with an enlarged inner diameter portion. Pressure differential is measured between the enlarged inner diameter portion and another portion of the inverse Venturi meter. Flow rate is determined from the pressure differential and the density of the fluid.

Abstract: A connector arrangement used for connecting and locking tubular members. The connector consists of two tubular members and a coupling member. The tubular members are threaded together to create a threaded connection. The locking arrangement is provided by a pathway formed on the tubular member whereby a locking member can be inserted in to the pathway to lock the threaded connection. The locking arrangement is also provided by a plurality of castellation members disposed on each tubular member. The connector also has a separate coupling member which has opposite right-hand and left-hand threaded ends to threadedly mate with the threads of the two tubular members.

Abstract: A resonant optical modulator includes an electro-optical substrate, an optical waveguide formed in the substrate and having a variable index of refraction, and an active modulator electrode formed on the substrate in relation to the waveguide to effect electro-optical variation of the index of refraction upon application to the electrode of a modulating signal. An interface port formed on the substrate provides the modulating signal to the electrode from a signal source and has an impedance. An electrical structure, formed on the substrate and coupled to the interface port and the electrode, makes an impedance of the optical modulator substantially equal to the impedance of the signal source. The electrical structure includes a delay line and a stub formed on the substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a method for loading solid particles into a multi-tube reactor having an upper tube-sheet holding together the upper ends of the multitude of reactor tubes, the method comprising positioning a loading device having a plurality of holes on top of the upper tube-sheet such that the loading device rests on and substantially covers the upper tube-sheet and the holes correspond to the reactor tubes, the loading device comprising a plurality of adjacent polygonal plates, each polygonal plate having from 1 to 30 holes, each hole corresponding to one reactor tube; pouring the particles over the combined polygonal plates covering the tube-sheet; sweeping the particles through the holes in the plates into the respective reactor tubes; removing residual particles and any dust remaining on and between the plates; and removing the loading device.

Abstract: Present invention is a packer for sealing an annular region in a wellbore. The packer includes a packing element which is held through bi-directional forces. The packer first comprises an inner mandrel. Disposed around the inner mandrel are three tubulars: (1) a top sleeve; (2) a bottom sleeve; and (3) a booster sleeve. A packing element is disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the booster sleeve. The top sleeve and bottom sleeve each include an upper compression member which rides across the booster sleeve in order to compress the packing element. The packing element is expanded outward from the packer to engage a surrounding string of casing through compressive forces provided by the top and bottom sleeves. Thereafter, differential pressure applied above or below the packer acting on the packer element and booster sleeve may provide additional compression of the packer element.