Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for generating a quantified indicator of cognitive skills in an individual. In certain configurations, the apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented for enhancing cognitive skills in an individual.

Abstract: A plug configured to be at least partially inserted into a central housing of a turbocharger. The plug includes a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion extending from the second end to a location on the body between the first end and the second end. The plug further includes a heat sink coupled to the second end, and a microchip mounted to a substrate that is coupled to the heat sink, the microchip configured to store information related to the turbocharger, wherein the microchip is at least partially submerged in coolant in the central housing when the plug is inserted into the central housing of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A plug configured to be at least partially inserted into a central housing of a turbocharger. The plug includes a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion extending from the second end to a location on the body between the first end and the second end. The plug further includes a heat sink coupled to the second end, and a microchip mounted to a substrate that is coupled to the heat sink, the microchip configured to store information related to the turbocharger, wherein the microchip is at least partially submerged in coolant in the central housing when the plug is inserted into the central housing of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A multi-phase fluid solution measurement and gas separation system is described. The system includes a substantially vertical fluid supply pipe that introduces the multi-phase fluid solution in a steady flow having a substantially calm and steady fluid surface to a mud-gas separation unit. The mud-gas separation unit includes measurement tools such as force sensors and level sensors to allow for a rheological model of the fluid to be calculated. The system also includes components for flaring or processing gas which separates from the multi-phase solution.

Abstract: A multi-phase fluid solution measurement and gas separation system is described. The system includes a substantially vertical fluid supply pipe that introduces the multi-phase fluid solution in a steady flow having a substantially calm and steady fluid surface to a mud-gas separation unit. The mud-gas separation unit includes measurement tools such as force sensors and level sensors to allow for a rheological model of the fluid to be calculated. The system also includes components for flaring or processing gas which separates from the multi-phase solution.

Abstract: A multi-phase fluid solution measurement and gas separation system is described. The system includes a substantially vertical fluid supply pipe that introduces the multi-phase fluid solution in a steady flow having a substantially calm and steady fluid surface to a mud-gas separation unit. The mud-gas separation unit includes measurement tools such as force sensors and level sensors to allow for a rheological model of the fluid to be calculated. The system also includes components for flaring or processing gas which separates from the multi-phase solution.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and apparatus to enable efficient and protected interaction with a virtual world environment. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system including a virtual world commodity device including a housing and a memory. Furthermore, the system includes a product unique identifier stored in the memory of the virtual world commodity device. The virtual world commodity device is enabled to communicate with a virtual world environment to provide the product unique identifier and the virtual world environment provides a globally unique identifier to be stored in the memory of the virtual world commodity device.

Abstract: Optimizing the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: A drill string suitable for use in directional drilling of a borehole, comprising a rotatable shaft at the leading end of which is a drill bit, and wherein the shaft comprises a variable friction inducing member, which provides rotational friction by physical contact with an inside face of the borehole, the friction inducing member being arranged to exert a first rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially rotating and a second rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially not rotating, wherein the first rotational frictional force is less than the second rotational frictional force.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimizing the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t

Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: A drilling system comprising a drive shaft having a fluid flow conduit extending therethrough; a drill bit mounted for rotation by the drive shaft and having a bit face which, in use, contacts a formation to be drilled, and including a fluid flow passage with an outlet near the center of the bit face; a first fluid flow line extending from the outside of the drive shaft to the flow passage in the drill bit; and a second fluid flow line extending from the outside of the drive shaft to the flow conduit. A method of drilling a well using such a system comprise positioning the system in a borehole; rotating the drive shaft to rotate the bit; urging the bit against the formation to be drilled; and pumping drilling fluid down the borehole so as to pass though the first flow line and to exit the fluid flow passage in the drill bit via the outlet, flow over the bit face and pass into the fluid low conduit via the second fluid flow line.

Abstract: A method and system for acoustic monitoring using a fiber optic cable. The optical fiber is used as a distributed interferometer that may be used to monitor activity, such as activity with respect to a conduit, wellbore or reservoir. The distributed interferometric monitoring provides for accurate detection of acoustic occurrences along the fiber optic cable and these acoustic occurrences may include fluid flow in a pipeline or wellbore, processes taking place in a wellbore or pipeline, fracturing, gravel packing, production logging and/or the like.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: A method for preparing a formation surrounding a wellbore to bear hydrocarbons through a borehole is disclosed. In one step, a bottomhole assembly is inserted into the borehole. The formation is drilled with the bottomhole assembly. The formation may be characterized with logging tools, probes, sensors, seismic system and/or the like to create first information. One or more fractures are placed in the formation without removal of the bottomhole assembly from the wellbore. Further, continuous drilling of the formation is performed with the bottomhole assembly after/during placing the fractures. Further characterizing of the formation with the probes, sensors/systems or the like is performed to produce second information. Another fracture is placed with feedback from the second information. Repeating the drilling, characterizing and placing of fractures as necessary during the formation preparing process.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and apparatus to enable efficient and protected interaction with a virtual world environment. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system including a virtual world commodity device including a housing and a memory. Furthermore, the system includes a product unique identifier stored in the memory of the virtual world commodity device. The virtual world commodity device is enabled to communicate with a virtual world environment to provide the product unique identifier and the virtual world environment provides a globally unique identifier to be stored in the memory of the virtual world commodity device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimising the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t