Abstract: The invention applies the economies of scale to data processing and provides automated methods of collecting, categorizing, indexing, storing and retrieving large amounts of data from a wide variety of sources. The invention discloses the use of location and industry templates to categorize documents and other data objects. Location and industry data for each document is translated into a set of assignment numerals that are used to create a header number. Each document or data object is indexed and stored in a data warehouse in accordance with the header number. Subsequently, documents and data objects are retrieved from the data warehouse using the index of header numbers and the location and industry templates.

Abstract: An improved centrifugally-cast tube is provided, along with a related method and apparatus of making the tube. The tube includes a plurality of grooves and bosses that are mechanically machined into an interior surface of the tube, such as by a broaching process. The profile of grooves and bosses may be defined by a plurality of intersecting concave and convex radii. The tube is resistant to creep, carburization and metal dusting. The tube also has an enhanced heat transfer rate, and a desirable surface roughness. A method of making the tube is also provided. The method essentially consists of mechanically deforming the interior surface of the tube by passing a series of cutting inserts on support rings having incrementally-differing dimensions over the interior surface.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention may include a subsurface safety valve for controlling a fluid flow through a well conduit. The valve may include a housing that has a bore and is disposed within an annulus defined by the space between the well conduit and the housing. The valve may also have a valve closure member that is movable between an open position and a closed position, and adapted to restrict the fluid flow through the bore when in the closed position. The valve may also include a flow tube that is moveably disposed within the housing and adapted to shift the valve closure member between its open and closed positions. The valve may also include a piston that is moveably disposed within a cylinder in the housing and in mechanical communication with the flow tube. The piston may have a first seal disposed adjacent an upper end of the piston, a second seal disposed adjacent a lower end of the piston, and a third seal disposed between the first and second seals.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.