Abstract: An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device. A method of producing a relative angular offset between a first flange and a second flange can include positioning at least one alignment device between the first and second flanges, and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing the angular offset. A method of aligning an axis of a blowout preventer stack with a rig floor can include positioning at least one alignment device between a first flange, and a second flange of the blowout preventer stack; and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing an angular offset of the second flange relative to the first flange.

Abstract: An excavator implement attachment system can include a tooth having a pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, the fastener having a helical thread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a fastener body. A tooth can include a pocket with at least one side wall which has an insert-receiving recess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formed therein, with one interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about a longitudinal axis in one direction, and another interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. An excavator tooth can include a pocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in an adaptor nose.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a chassis and a compartment defined by the chassis. A power container houses at least one energy storage/generating device for powering the electric vehicle. The power container is insertable into and removable from the compartment through the left side and the right side of the chassis. A suspension apparatus includes a shaft, a control arm pivotably connected to the shaft, at least one helical torsion spring mounted on the shaft, and a linear actuator. Movement of the linear actuator increases bending stress on the at least one helical torsion spring and urges the control arm downwardly.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include determining a real time wellbore pressure PwbRT1 at a pressure sensor in the wellbore, calculating hydrostatic pressure Ph1 at the pressure sensor, determining a real time annulus pressure PaRT, calculating friction pressure Pf due at least to circulation of the fluid through the wellbore and depth in the wellbore, calculating a friction pressure correction factor CFPf1 equal to (PwbRT1?Ph1?PaRT)/Pf, and controlling operation of a pressure control device, based on the friction pressure correction factor CFPf1. The method can further include determining a desired wellbore pressure PwbD1 at the pressure sensor, calculating an annulus pressure setpoint PaSP1 equal to PwbD1?Ph1?(Pf*CFPf1), and adjusting the pressure control device as needed to maintain PaRT equal to PaSP1.

Abstract: An annulus vortex flowmeter for use in conjunction with a subterranean well. A flowmeter includes a housing, a vortex responsive structure which vibrates in response to vortices produced external to the housing and a sensor which senses vibration of the structure and produces a signal indicative of a flow rate. A method of measuring fluid flow rate between a tubular string and a zone intersected by a wellbore includes utilizing a flowmeter having a vortex shedding device external to a housing for interconnection in the tubular string, the flowmeter including a vortex responsive structure which vibrates in response to vortices produced by the vortex shedding device as the fluid flows through an annulus external to the housing, and a sensor which senses vibration of the structure and produces a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid; and determining the flow rate based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: A system for variably resisting flow of a fluid composition can include a flow passage and a set of one or more branch passages which intersect the flow passage, whereby a proportion of the fluid composition diverted from the passage to the set of branch passages varies based on at least one of a) viscosity of the fluid composition, and b) velocity of the fluid composition in the flow passage. Another variable flow resistance system can include a flow path selection device that selects which of multiple flow paths a majority of fluid flows through from the device, based on a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid in the fluid composition. Yet another variable flow resistance system can include a flow chamber, with a majority of the fluid composition entering the chamber in a direction which changes based on a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid in the fluid composition.

Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.

Abstract: An exercise strap comprises an upper strap and a lower strap. A plurality of loop members are located on the lower strap to allow for handles to be easily removed and replaced on different locations on the lower strap. An adjustment member attached to both the upper strap and the lower strap allows for the overall length of the exercise strap to be adjusted. A strap attachment member attached to the upper strap connects the exercise strap to a suitable mounting mechanism.

Abstract: A perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes a perforating gun and a swivel device connected to the perforating gun to permit rotation of the perforating gun within casing, and the perforating gun spaced apart from the casing by the swivel device. Another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center of gravity of the perforating gun. Yet another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center axis of the perforating gun.

Abstract: The invention provides an insert assembly to convert an existing fireplace hearth into a gas burning fireplace and a method for installing the insert assembly while conveying the appearance of a wood burning fireplace. The insert assembly comprises legs removably attachable to the base of the firebox for allowing the insert to be installed higher into the hearth. The inner walls of the firebox are colored so as to camouflage the structure of the assembly in the hearth and a decorative fender mimics a wood burning grill. Where the insert includes a heat exchanger, a guide plate is provided at the top of the insert to ensure that air exiting the heat exchange outlet at the top of the insert is directed into the room.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method and a novel inflatable flotation device for the method which are used in association with water sports boards such as kite boards, surfboards and the like, for the purpose of uprighting the water sports boards when inverted and encouraging the water sports boards to be moved by the wind in the direction of a water sports board rider when the rider becomes separated from the water sports board.

Abstract: An actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached externally to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line. A method of constructing an actuator control system includes the steps of: assembling a modular controller, the modular controller including a control valve therein for controlling operation of an actuator via a hydraulic line; testing the modular controller, including functionally testing the control valve; and then attaching the modular controller to a housing assembly having the line formed therein. Another actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached separately to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line via a manifold of the modular controller, the manifold including a concave interface surface which receives the housing assembly therein.

Abstract: A multi-tier cross-department scheduling model for order processing operations. A scheduling model for planning assignment of discrete jobs to multiple departments for shipment, wherein selected jobs are assignable to respective selected departments and the departments share finite capacity resources, includes a programmable computer system having loaded therein an objective function, and the computer system being operable to minimize a value of the objective function; and wherein the objective function comprises a sum of cost to ship containers in at least one of consolidated and unconsolidated forms, cost for each of a container equivalent not completed in a selected scheduling horizon, cost to process each job in each department, and cost for setup due to at least one of shift crossing and job splitting.

Abstract: An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device. A method of producing a relative angular offset between a first flange and a second flange can include positioning at least one alignment device between the first and second flanges, and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing the angular offset. A method of aligning an axis of a blowout preventer stack with a rig floor can include positioning at least one alignment device between a first flange, and a second flange of the blowout preventer stack; and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing an angular offset of the second flange relative to the first flange.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

Abstract: An offshore universal riser system (OURS) and injection system (OURS-IS) inserted into a riser. The OURS/OUR-IS provides a means for pressurizing the marine riser to its maximum pressure capability and easily allows variation of the fluid density in the riser. The OURS-IS includes a riser pup joint with provision for injecting a fluid into the riser with isolation valves. The OURS includes a riser pup joint with an inner riser adapter, a pressure test nipple, a safety device, outlets with valves for diverting the mud flow, nipples with seal bores for accepting RCDs. The easy delivery of fluids to the OURS-IS is described. A method is detailed to manipulate the density in the riser to provide a wide range of operating pressures and densities enabling the concepts of Managed Pressure Drilling, Dual Density Drilling or Dual Gradient Drilling, and Underbalanced Drilling.

Abstract: A protective body guard (10) providing a full range of motion that closely tracks the biomechanical movement of a joint. The device provides protection against sharp objects, impact and limb movement into positions that may cause injury. The device (10) comprises successive segments (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) made of a hard, impact-resistant, light material and arranged in overlapping fashion and interconnected by means of a single pivot pin (28) or flexible strap in an arcuate slot (30) at each side of the segments. Cushioning pads (24, 26), detachably fixed to the segments (12, 22), provide protection from contact with the interior of the segments.