Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base plate, a first fixed post, a second fixed post, a first actuator, a second actuator, a third actuator, a first test sample grip, and a second test sample grip. The first fixed post and the second fixed post are coupled to the base plate at one side thereof. The first actuator, coupled to the first fixed post and the second fixed post, rotates a test sample along an axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first fixed post and the second fixed post. The second actuator, coupled to the first fixed post and the second fixed post, displaces the test sample along the axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first fixed post and the second fixed post. The third actuator, coupled to the first fixed post and the second fixed post, rotates the test sample along the axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first fixed post and the second fixed post.

Abstract: A method, stored on a non-transitory medium and executed by a processor, for simulating strain induced orthotropy for a material, comprises calculating three (3) principal strain directions of the simulated material, calculating three (3) distortional strains for the simulated material, and calculating three (3) dilatational strains for the simulated material. The method further comprises calculating free energy for the simulated material, the calculated free energy being calculated from the calculated three principal directions of the simulated material, the three distortional strains and the three dilatational strains. The method yet further comprises calculating, via the calculated free energy, a stress for the simulated material based on the calculated free energy for the simulated material.

Abstract: An apparatus is comprised of a base plate, a first fixed post, a second fixed post, a first actuator, a second actuator, a third actuator, a first test sample grip, and a second test sample grip. The first and second fixed posts are coupled to the base plate at one side thereof. The first actuator, coupled to the first and second fixed posts, rotates a test sample along an axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first and second fixed posts. The second actuator, coupled to the first and second fixed posts, displaces the test sample along the axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first and second fixed posts. The third actuator, coupled to the first and second fixed posts, rotates the test sample along the axis that runs parallel to and halfway between the first and second fixed posts.

Abstract: A load frame assembly including a frame assembly, a servomotor, an actuator, a first crosshead assembly, a second crosshead assembly, a load frame and a displacement sensor. The servomotor is coupled to the frame and includes a control system. The actuator is coupled to the first crosshead assembly and provides for moving the first crosshead assembly relative to the frame assembly. The actuator comprises a ball screw assembly having a ball screw and a ball screw nut. The load frame is coupled to one of the crosshead assemblies. The displacement sensor is associated with the frame assembly and is configured to measure displacement by the crossheads relative to the frame assembly.

Abstract: An extensometer assembly for use in association with a material testing system. The extensometer assembly has a pair of extensometers each of which includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are pivotally coupled together through a connector, such as a flexure bearing. The extensometers may be positioned on opposing sides of a specimen to be tested. A pair of clips extending between opposing first arms and opposing second arms, respectively, retains the extensometers engaged to the specimen on opposing sides of the specimen.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: A load frame assembly comprising a frame assembly, a servomotor, an actuator, a first crosshead assembly, a second crosshead assembly, a load frame and a displacement sensor. The servomotor is coupled to the frame and includes a control system. The actuator is coupled to the first crosshead assembly and provides for moving the first crosshead assembly relative to the frame assembly. The actuator comprises a ball screw assembly having a ball screw and a ball screw nut. The load frame is coupled to one of the crosshead assemblies. The displacement sensor is associated with the frame assembly and is configured to measure displacement by the crossheads relative to the frame assembly.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: An extensometer assembly for use in association with a material testing system. The extensometer assembly has a pair of extensometers each of which includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are pivotally coupled together through a connector, such as a flexure bearing. The extensometers may be positioned on opposing sides of a specimen to be tested. A pair of clips extending between opposing first arms and opposing second arms, respectively, retains the extensometers engaged to the specimen on opposing sides of the specimen.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a component within a housing adapted for subsurface disposal using a vortex tube. The housing contains a first pressure chamber; a vortex tube coupled to the first pressure chamber; a cooling chamber coupled to the vortex tube; and a second pressure chambercoupled to the cooling chamber; wherein the pressure chambers are adapted to stimulate a cool fluid flow from the vortex tube into the cooling chamber. A cooling method entails disposing the component to be cooled within the cooling chamber and adapting the system pressure chambers to stimulate a cool fluid flow from a vortex tube into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: Conventional formation evaluation with dual inflatable packers includes the steps of pressurizing the packers so as to isolate an annular portion of the borehole wall, collecting one or more samples of formation fluid via the isolated portion of the borehole wall, and depressurizing the packers so as to permit movement of the mandrel within the borehole. A sampling method and apparatus that utilize one or more of the following to advantage is provided: restricting deformation of the packers during inflation using an annular bracing assembly; actively retracting the packers using ambient borehole pressure; and substantially centralizing the mandrel intermediate the packers so as to resist buckling of the mandrel.

Abstract: A protective hardcoating system is provided for a metallic substrate of a downhole tool. The metallic substrate is generally characterized by a thermal coefficient. The hardcoating system includes a hardface coating that is applied onto the substrate to protect it against wear. The hardface coating includes an interface section positioned adjacent to the substrate and defining an interface therewith, and a hard surface section positioned externally of the interface section. Further, the hard surface section includes an exposed surface. In this hardcoating system, the interface section and the surface section have a composition including a predetermined hardness component constituency and a thermal coefficient at least partially attributable to the hardness component constituency.