Abstract: A connected frozen beverage machine is disclosed including a beverage dispenser with at least one hopper and a cooling system, a plurality of sensors adapted to produce a plurality of signals, and a retrofit module with a receiver for the plurality of signals and a communication component for sending the plurality of signals to a central system. The connected frozen beverage machine can be deployed as part of a system of machines. The system can estimate the amount of product throughput for each machine based on signals from the plurality of sensors. The amount of product throughput can be compared to the amount of authorized product provided for each machine to determine whether unauthorized product is being used.

Abstract: A fishing jar includes an outer housing, a mandrel positioned at least partially within the outer housing and having a fish end, an anvil coupled to or integral with the mandrel, a hammer coupled to or integral with the outer housing, and a triggering mechanism partitioning a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers separated axially apart and in fluid communication via the triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism is configured to permit hydraulic fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber at a first rate in response to pressing the outer housing to move toward the fish end of the mandrel during a downstroke of the outer housing, until the outer housing reaches a trigger position, and then permit the hydraulic fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber at a second rate until the hammer impacts the anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus performs a method for cleaning a wellbore. The apparatus is a jet sub including an engine, a flow diverter and mixing throat. The engine propels a driving fluid at a first end of the jet sub towards a second end of the jet sub along a longitudinal axis of the jet sub. The flow diverter redirects the driving fluid by a redirection angle that is an obtuse angle. The mixing throat receives a mixed fluid including the driving fluid from the flow diverter and induced fluid drawn into the mixing throat by the driving fluid. The mixed fluid is injected into an annulus of the wellbore at the obtuse angle.

Abstract: A wellbore system includes method of cutting a casing in a wellbore. A string is disposed in the casing, the string including a cutting tool and an activation sub coupled to the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a ball seat and a cutter. The activation sub includes a control piston disposed therein. The control piston has a ball at an end thereof. The control piston is configured to move within the activation sub to engage the ball to the ball seat when a flow rate of a fluid through the control piston is above a flow rate activation threshold, wherein engaging the ball to the ball seat creates a pressure differential across the ball seat that moves the ball seat to extend the cutter from the cutting tool.

Abstract: A wellbore system includes method of cutting a casing in a wellbore. A string is disposed in the casing, the string including a cutting tool and an activation sub coupled to the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a ball seat and a cutter. The activation sub includes a control piston disposed therein. The control piston has a ball at an end thereof. The control piston is configured to move within the activation sub to engage the ball to the ball seat when a flow rate of a fluid through the control piston is above a flow rate activation threshold, wherein engaging the ball to the ball seat creates a pressure differential across the ball seat that moves the ball seat to extend the cutter from the cutting tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a wellbore. The apparatus is a jet sub including an engine, a flow diverter and mixing throat. The engine propels a driving fluid at a first end of the jet sub towards a second end of the jet sub along a longitudinal axis of the jet sub. The flow diverter redirects the driving fluid by an redirection angle that is an obtuse angle. The mixing throat receives a mixed fluid including the driving fluid from the flow diverter and induced fluid drawn into the mixing throat by the driving fluid. The mixed fluid is injected into an annulus of the wellbore at the obtuse angle.

Abstract: A method of drawing a fluid into a wellbore from a formation. The wellbore is separated into a first section and a second section via an annulus closure device, the annulus closure device having a passage therethrough. A pump at a surface location, circulates a circulation fluid in the first section to reduce a pressure in the second section. Reducing the pressure in the second section draws the fluid from the formation into the second section.

Abstract: A vectored annular cleaning system (VACS) includes a tool body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface defining an internal bore. A valve system is arranged in the internal bore. The valve system includes a valve and an actuator member including a central passage. The actuator member extends from the valve toward the second end. A valve actuator is shiftably connected to the tool body and mechanically connected to the actuator member. The valve actuator includes a plurality of drag blocks and one or more spring members. The one or more spring members radially outwardly bias the plurality of drag blocks.

Abstract: A method of drawing a fluid into a wellbore from a formation, comprising separating the wellbore into a first section and a second section via an annulus closure device, the annulus closure device having a passage therethrough; and circulating a circulation fluid, via a pump at a surface location, in the first section to reduce a pressure in the second section, wherein reducing the pressure in the second section draws the fluid from the formation into the second section.

Abstract: A vectored annular cleaning system (VACS) includes a tool body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface defining an internal bore. A valve system is arranged in the internal bore. The valve system includes a valve and an actuator member including a central passage. The actuator member extends from the valve toward the second end. A valve actuator is shiftably connected to the tool body and mechanically connected to the actuator member. The valve actuator includes a plurality of drag blocks and one or more spring members. The one or more spring members radially outwardly bias the plurality of drag blocks.

Abstract: A connected frozen beverage machine is disclosed including a beverage dispenser with at least one hopper and a cooling system, a plurality of sensors adapted to produce a plurality of signals, and a retrofit module with a receiver for the plurality of signals and a communication component for sending the plurality of signals to a central system. The connected frozen beverage machine can be deployed as part of a system of machines. The system can estimate the amount of product throughput for each machine based on signals from the plurality of sensors. The amount of product throughput can be compared to the amount of authorized product provided for each machine to determine whether unauthorized product is being used.

Abstract: A hydraulic pivot arm positioning assembly includes a forward and aft pivoting arm on both the left and right ends of a paving machine configured to operate in a paving direction. Hydraulic cylinders or other linear actuators enable the forward and aft pivoting arms to rotate automatically through at least a 90-degree range including at least an operating configuration, wherein the pivoting arms extend parallel to the paving direction, and a transport configuration, wherein the pivoting arms extend parallel to the transverse framework of the paving machine, narrowing its overall width. The use of linear actuators enables the pivoting arms to change position with minimal downtime to the paving machine, and without the need for manual repositioning, disconnection, or reconnection of components or accessories of the pivot arm positioning assembly.

Abstract: A system and method include processing multiple individual participant speech in a conference call with an audio speech recognition system to create a transcript for each participant, assembling the transcripts into a single transcript having participant identification for each speaker in the single transcript, and making the transcript searchable. In one embodiment, encoder states are dynamically tracked and the state of each encoder is continuously tracked to allow interchange of state between encoders without creating audio artifacts, and re-initializing an encoder during a brief period of natural silence for encoders whose states continuously diverge. In yet a further embodiment, tracking of how each of multiple users has joined a conference call is performed to determine and utilize different messaging mechanisms for users.