Abstract: A reciprocating valve for use in a hydraulic fracking, stimulation, or mud pump environment within a fluid end. The reciprocating valve has a seat and a valve body. The valve body reciprocates up and down within the seat at a high frequency, and a fluid flow from an oil well below the valve flows between the valve body and seat. The valve body includes a seal insert that absorbs a portion of the shock of striking the seat. The seal insert may be a compound META seal having a scaffold portion made of a foaming material with open cells, and a filler material such as a polymer that is molded onto and into the scaffold portion. The META seal insert demonstrates superior wear resistance, vibration characteristics, and erosion resistance.

Abstract: A system for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes a sample chamber configured to hold the reservoir fluid and a flash apparatus in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The flash apparatus includes a microfluidic device configured to flash the reservoir fluid in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a separation chamber configured to separate the flashed reservoir fluid into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase in fluid communication with the microfluidic device. The system further includes a gas receptacle configured to store the gaseous phase, A method for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes providing a reservoir fluid to a microfluidic device, urging the reservoir fluid through the microfluidic device such that the reservoir fluid is lashed within the microfluidic device, and separating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase from the flashed reservoir fluid.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the monitoring of thermodynamic properties of reservoir fluids. The technique utilizes a modular sensor assembly designed to evaluate a sample of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid within a cell body. A variety of sensors may be selectively placed into communication with a sample chamber within the cell body to evaluate the sample at potentially high pressures and temperatures. The sensors may comprise a density-viscosity sensor located in-situ to efficiently measure both the density and viscosity of the sample as a function of pressure and temperature. Other sensors, such as an optic sensor, may also be positioned to measure parameters of the sample while the sample is retained in the sample chamber.

Abstract: A cloud services management system (CMS) provides functional modules to help businesses manage cloud services by identifying users, business units and projects and assign levels of access to cloud services to each. Data pertaining to the foregoing is stored in a database. Using the CMS, an enterprise manages user privileges, distributes and reassigns modules to enable controlled distribution and re-assignment of cloud resources across an enterprise, monitors the consumption of cloud resources by an enterprise, geography, business unit, project and user, and provisions resources with time limits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device (WCD) to a wireless coverage are a based on early termination gain (ETG) are presented. In particular, a RAN may receive a request, from a WCD, for an assignment to one of a plurality of wireless coverage areas. In response to receiving the request, the RAN may select a wireless coverage area of the plurality that has a highest ETG, and assign the WCD to the selected wireless coverage area. Prior to selecting this wireless coverage area, the RAN may optionally remove one or more wireless coverage areas with high utilization from consideration.

Abstract: A system for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes a sample chamber configured to hold the reservoir fluid and a flash apparatus in fluid communication with the sample chamber. The flash apparatus includes a microfluidic device configured to flash the reservoir fluid in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a separation chamber configured to separate the flashed reservoir fluid into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase in fluid communication with the microfluidic device. The system further includes a gas receptacle configured to store the gaseous phase. A method for performing a flash separation of a reservoir fluid includes providing a reservoir fluid to a microfluidic device, urging the reservoir fluid through the microfluidic device such that the reservoir fluid is lashed within the microfluidic device, and separating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase from the flashed reservoir fluid.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the monitoring of thermodynamic properties of reservoir fluids. The technique utilizes a modular sensor assembly designed to evaluate a sample of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid within a cell body. A variety of sensors may be selectively placed into communication with a sample chamber within the cell body to evaluate the sample at potentially high pressures and temperatures. The sensors may comprise a density-viscosity sensor located in-situ to efficiently measure both the density and viscosity of the sample as a function of pressure and temperature. Other sensors, such as an optic sensor, may also be positioned to measure parameters of the sample while the sample is retained in the sample chamber.

Abstract: A system for determining the phase envelope of a gas condensate includes a microfluidic device defining an entrance passageway, an exit passageway, and a microchannel in fluid communication with the passageways. The system includes an input sample bottle in fluid communication with the entrance passageway and a first pump associated with the input sample bottle for urging the gas condensate, in the input sample bottle, into the entrance passageway. The system further includes an output sample bottle in fluid communication with the exit passageway and a second pump associated with the output sample bottle for pressurizing the gas condensate, in the output sample bottle, into the exit passageway in opposition to the first pump. The system includes a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the gas condensate in the microchannel. The first pump and the second pump operate to provide a desired pressure drop across the microchannel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device (WCD) to a wireless coverage are a based on early termination gain (ETG) are presented. In particular, a RAN may receive a request, from a WCD, for an assignment to one of a plurality of wireless coverage areas. In response to receiving the request, the RAN may select a wireless coverage area of the plurality that has a highest ETG, and assign the WCD to the selected wireless coverage area. Prior to selecting this wireless coverage area, the RAN may optionally remove one or more wireless coverage areas with high utilization from consideration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency are presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) radiates to define one or more wireless coverage areas using at least two different carrier frequencies. A given wireless communication device (WCD) seeks to engage in a call, and accordingly transmits a probe message to the RAN. In response to receiving the probe message, and based at least on information associated with the probe message, the RAN determines an initial carrier frequency assignment for the given WCD. Preferably, this initial carrier frequency assignment is performed to balance load across at least some of the at least two different carrier frequencies. The RAN then transmits an indication of the carrier frequency assignment to the given WCD. The given WCD may then tune to the assigned carrier frequency and conduct communications using the assigned carrier frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for carrier frequency management based on slot contention are provided. A radio access network (RAN) may radiate on one or more carrier frequencies to define wireless coverage areas. Each wireless coverage area may provide network access for one or more wireless communication devices (WCDs). In order to efficiently manage these carrier frequencies, the RAN may measure a slot contention metric for each carrier frequency. Based on the measured slot contention metrics, the RAN may perform a carrier frequency management function affecting at least one of the carrier frequencies. Carrier frequency management functions may include, but are not limited to, assigning a WCD to a carrier frequency, taking a carrier frequency out of service, and placing a new carrier frequency in service.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using mobile-station revision ratio to improve reverse-link performance. An access node provides service to first and second subsets of access terminals, the first operating according to IS-856, Rel. 0, the second according to IS-856, Rev. A. The access node periodically transmits a reverse activity bit (RAB) to the access terminals, and also periodically computes a ratio of (a) either (1) the number of access terminals in the first subset or (2) the number of access terminals in the second subset to (b) a total number of access terminals in the first and second subsets, and transmits the ratio to at least the first subset. When the RAB is set, the access terminals in the first subset perform a ratio test by comparing the ratio with a threshold, and decrease their reverse-link data rates without reference to any reverse-link transitional probabilities when the computed ratio passes the ratio test.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving reverse-link performance by using differentiated reverse activity bits (RABs) based on mobile-station revision. In an embodiment, an access node provides wireless service to first and second mutually exclusive sets of access terminals, the first operating according to IS-856, Release 0, the second according to IS-856, Revision A. The access node maintains first and second RAB thresholds, and periodically (a) measures reverse noise rise (RNR), (b) compares the RNR to the first and second thresholds, (c) transmits a first RAB to the first set of access terminals, and (d) transmits a second RAB to the second set of access terminals. The first RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the first threshold, and clear when it does not. The second RAB is set when the measured RNR exceeds the second RAB threshold, and clear when it does not.

Abstract: A technique facilitates substantially improved service quality and data quality with respect to measurement and analysis of reservoir fluid samples. The technique integrates a variety of components which simplify the actions involved in measurement and analysis of the reservoir fluid samples. As a result, the reservoir fluid analysis process is more reliable and repeatable during many or all phases of the procedure from job initiation to output of the data as a final report.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to determine whether to upgrade the infrastructure of a wireless communication network. The invention is directed to generating an alert signal indicating that an additional data line between a packet-switched network and the wireless communications network should be installed. The alert signal may indicate that an additional data line should be installed. Alternatively, the alert signal may enter an automated order for the installation of an additional data line.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for initiating a handoff of a wireless access terminal based on a set of one or more factors including the determined value of the Reverse Activity Bit (RAB). The set of one or more factors may also further include (i) a determined round-trip delay for a bi-directional communications link between the first wireless access node and the wireless access terminal, wherein the bi-directional communications link comprises a forward link from the first wireless access node to the wireless access terminal and a reverse link from the wireless access terminal to the first wireless access node, and/or (ii) a determined forward-link signal-strength indicator for a forward link from the first wireless access node to the wireless access terminal.

Abstract: A system for determining the phase envelope of a gas condensate includes a microfluidic device defining an entrance passageway, an exit passageway, and a microchannel in fluid communication with the passageways. The system includes an input sample bottle in fluid communication with the entrance passageway and a first pump associated with the input sample bottle for urging the gas condensate, in the input sample bottle, into the entrance passageway. The system further comprises an output sample bottle in fluid communication with the exit passageway and a second pump associated with the output sample bottle for pressurizing the gas condensate, in the output sample bottle, into the exit passageway in opposition to the first pump. The system comprises a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the gas condensate in the microchannel. The first pump and the second pump operate to provide a desired pressure drop across the microchannel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are defined that support, in a radio access network, measuring the latency between the radio access network and each respective access gateway of a plurality of access gateways. From these measurements, a list of access gateways, rank ordered from lowest to highest latency, is created. If the radio access network receives an incoming call indication designating that an associated incoming call is latency-sensitive, the radio access network will preferably assign the incoming call to an access gateway that is one with a measured respective round trip latency less than or equal to a median measured respective round trip latency. Additionally, the radio access network maintains a profile for at least some wireless communication devices that use its services.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mechanism to help improve message waiting notification. In accordance with the mechanism, when a RAN transmits an MWI to a mobile station after unsuccessful call setup paging of the mobile station, the RAN will transmit the MWI at a higher power level than the RAN used for transmitting the call setup paging. Using a higher transmission power specifically for the MWI should help the MWI reach the mobile station, particularly in a scenario where a reason for call setup paging failure was noise on the air interface. Consequently, the disclosed mechanism should help improve user experience by increasing the likelihood that mobile stations will receive and process MWIs soon after the associated voice mail messages are left.

Abstract: A flash system and method is disclosed to control the rate of flashing a reservoir fluid sample from reservoir conditions to a given pressure and temperature in order to produce a liquid and a gas phase of the sample. The flash system comprises a flash apparatus including a separating chamber, a metering valve positioned at an inlet of the separating chamber, and a gas flow meter positioned at an outlet of the separating chamber. A pump is provided to displace the sample from a sample chamber to the flash apparatus, wherein the pump speed and the discharge rate of the metering valve can be automatically controlled. The flash system may be used in a laboratory environment and at the site of an oilfield reservoir. The present disclosure provides a universal flash system and method that can limit operator actions to a minimum of simple operations to ensure the repeatability of the process independent of the operator's skill.