Abstract: A rotary joint for use in directional control of a subterranean rotary steerable drilling apparatus. The rotary joint is formed by mated spherical-shaped sockets, each of which is connected with a hollow rod. By virtue of this arrangement, a continuous passageway is provided for fluid to flow through the rotary joint, which fluid may be used for cooling the rotary joint during operation of the rotary steerable drilling system.

Abstract: A method for purging of, and debris removal from, a hole created with laser energy in which a swirling purge gas stream is provided in a hole containing debris to be removed, imparting a swirl to the debris and lifting the debris from a bottom of the hole. In accordance with one embodiment, the purge gas is swirled in a purge gas nozzle providing purge gas into the hole. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, the purge gas is swirled directly in the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting light through a light absorbing medium in which a light transmissive fluid column or channel contiguous with the light absorbing medium is formed in the light absorbing medium. The light is introduced into a light inlet end of the column of light transmissive fluid, whereby the light is transmitted in the column of light transmissive fluid through the light absorbing medium until exiting a light outlet end of the column. The invention has applicability to the field of fiber optics and downhole applications of lasers, such as for wellbore drilling and completion activities.

Abstract: A method for heating flat or curved surfaces comprising injecting fuel and oxidant along the length, width or longitudinal side of a combustion space formed between two flat or curved plates, transferring heat from the combustion products via convection and radiation to the surface being heated on to the material being dried/heated, and recirculating at least 20% of the combustion products to the root of the flame.

Abstract: A method for heating flat or curved surfaces comprising injecting fuel and oxidant along the length, width or longitudinal side of a combustion space formed between two flat or curved plates, transferring heat from the combustion products via convection and radiation to the surface being heated on to the material being dried/heated, and recirculating at least 20% of the combustion products to the root of the flame.

Abstract: An improved system for detecting and preventing telecommunications fraud prior to call connection, in which attempted calls are screened for fraud at the point of calling card validation in the SCP. The SCP accesses a database holding a variety of fraud decision nodes that may be interrelated and grouped together to cooperatively define fraud screening trees against which attempted calls may be tested. A fraud screening tree ultimately produces a fraud prediction based on a variety of information concerning the attempted call. The present invention therefore facilitates fraud screening with greater granularity and customization.

Abstract: A method for mixing fluids in which a continuously variable flow rate stream of an injection fluid is introduced into a substantially constant flow rate stream of a primary fluid in a direction substantially transverse with respect to the direction of flow of the substantially constant flow rate stream of the primary fluid.

Abstract: An amplifier (104) for a dual band device includes multiple amplifier stages coupled between an input (103) and output (105). The amplifier stages include a first amplifier stage (200) having a first amplifier (206), a second amplifier stage (202) having a second amplifier, and a third amplifier stage (204) having a third amplifier (210). A first bypass (218) in said first amplifier stage provides a bypass for signals in a first frequency band. A second bypass (250) is provided in the third amplifier stage, the second bypass to provide for signals in a second frequency band a signal path that bypasses the third amplifier. Signals in the first and second frequency bands are amplified by the second amplifier.