Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure confirm a leak and determine a depth of the leak in a well of a drilling system. The drilling system include a circulating fluid and a fluid caliper having a density contrast relative to a density of the circulating fluid. Fluid mass flow and fluid density data are continually collected by an inlet and outlet side flow measurements. A measured surface pressure, a measured downhole pressure, a user-defined managed depth window, and a target equivalent circulating density at the user-defined managed depth window are inputted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor adjusts the fluid density data for temperature and pressure; calculates a mass flow balance and a wellbore pressure; compares the measured density and mass flow in with the measured density and mass flow out; and determines, based upon the comparing, the presence of the leak and the depth of the leak.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method of this disclosure continually determine a mass balance of a drilling or circulating system, using mass flow and density data adjusted for temperature and pressure. The system and method may be used to continually monitor and control wellbore pressures to achieve over-balanced managed pressure drilling (“MPD”). In some embodiments, the system and method may be used as a fluid tracking engine. In other embodiments, the system and method may be used to accurately track a fluid caliper intended to survey the well to determine string volumes or borehole volumes; an example is determining the volume of cement needed to circulate the cement or bring the cement up to desired height. The system and method may be used to track the effects of mixing. The system and method may also be used as a viscometer.

Abstract: Using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) fiber optic cable for borehole surveying and/or well ranging.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for automated operation of the brakes on a towed vehicle, in particular the conventional hydraulic brakes on an automotive vehicle, by controlled actuation of its own brake pedal or other such conventional operating component which is normally manipulated by the operator of the vehicle. The preferred embodiment of the system utilizes a power-actuated tension member such as a cable which is attachable to the towed vehicle brake pedal to pull it downward and thus apply the vehicle brakes in controlled response to commands from a controller mountable at a remote location such as on the towing vehicle, and the controller preferably includes, and operates in response to, an inertia sensor and related system which monitors deceleration of the towing vehicle caused by application of its brakes etc., as well as a manual control for selective optional braking of the towed vehicle by the tow vehicle driver at any desired time.

Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically set at least one of a gain level and a boost level for the brake control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for photonic channel allocation is described. A photonic signal, comprised of one or more channels, is received, characterized, and assigned to one or more channels. Once assigned the photonic signal is stabilized and wavelength shifted to occupy one or more channels on the photonic output signal. A modulation synthesizer provides a modulation waveform embedded with the shifting, stabilization and data encoding mechanisms. A variety of modulation devices and techniques are supported. The modulation waveform is optimized for the particular modulation device or technique. A wavelength error detector provides feedback to the modulation synthesizer. The error signal is used to stabilize the photonic signal and correct channel wavelength errors. Fixed wavelength channels and spread spectrum channels are supported.

Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically set at least one of a gain level and a boost level for the brake control unit.

Abstract: A brake control unit for providing a brake output signal to a brake load includes a processor, an accelerometer and a memory subsystem. The accelerometer is coupled to the processor and provides a brake control signal to the processor, which is configured to provide the brake output signal to the brake load in response to the brake control signal. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores processor executable code, which causes the processor to automatically acquire an operating point of the brake control signal when the brake control unit is mounted within a range of operating positions.

Abstract: Multi-domain, phase-compensated, differential-coherence detection of photonic signals for interferometric processes and devices may be manufactured holographically and developed in situ or with an automatic registration between holograms and photonic sources in a single frame. Photonic or electronic post processing may include outputs from a cycling or rotation between differently phased complementary outputs of constructive and destructive interference. A hyper-selective, direct-conversion, expanded-bandpass filter may rely on an expanded bandpass for ease of filtering, with no dead zones for zero beat frequency cases. A hyper-heterodyning, expanded bandpass system may also provide improved filtering and signal-to-noise ratios. An ultra-high-resolution, broadband spectrum analyzer may operate in multiple domains, including complex “fingerprints” of phase, frequency, and other parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for automated operation of the brakes on a towed vehicle, in particular the conventional hydraulic brakes on an automotive vehicle, by controlled actuation of its own brake pedal or other such conventional operating component which is normally manipulated by the operator of the vehicle. The preferred embodiment of the system utilizes a power-actuated tension member such as a cable which is attachable to the towed vehicle brake pedal to pull it downward and thus apply the vehicle brakes in controlled response to commands from a controller mountable at a remote location such as on the towing vehicle, and the controller preferably includes, and operates in response to, an inertia sensor and related system which monitors deceleration of the towing vehicle caused by application of its brakes etc., as well as a manual control for selective optional braking of the towed vehicle by the tow vehicle driver at any desired time.

Abstract: A brake control unit provides a properly oriented brake control display irrespective of whether the brake control unit is installed in a normal or inverted mode. The brake control unit determines whether a brake control signal is asserted when the brake control unit is connected to a vehicle power supply. If so, the brake control display is inverted. Alternatively, the brake control unit determines orientation by monitoring a position sensitive device. The brake control unit is also capable of determining and displaying the status of a brake load on the brake control display. In addition, the brake control unit is capable of determining and displaying an output voltage of the brake control unit on the brake control display.

Abstract: An electrical charging circuit for applying a controlled charge to a receiving device, such as a battery, and particularly such as a battery carried on a towed vehicle such as a trailer for actuating the trailer brakes during emergency situations such as unexpected disconnection from the towing vehicle, i.e., break-away. In a basic sense, the charging circuit includes a voltage potential-responsive element or component for sensing the charged level of the receiving device coupled to the circuit and enabling or disabling the circuit charging operation, together with a variable-conductance circuit component for producing a generally constant charging voltage output to the receiving device over a wide range of applied voltages but also operable to provide a first amount of current flow to the receiving device at a given applied voltage and temperature but a second a limited amount of current flow when the voltage across the charging circuit is sufficiently large.

Abstract: An electronic brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle in response to commands from the towing vehicle. The controller implements a microcontroller (10) that works in conjunction with analog circuit technology.

Abstract: A coiled-tubing system having a reel onto which steel tubing is wound in layered coils. A layon roller comprised of a compliant material is maintained in physical contact with the tubing on the reel to prevent premature unwinding of the tubing during operation. The roller is moved towards and away from the tubing to maintain the roller in contact with the tubing as it is payed out and reeled onto the reel. The system includes a level wind mechanism having a means therein for adjusting the tension in the tubing as it passes through the level wind mechanism.

Abstract: A tuning system is provided in which the tuning function is substantially integrated in a microprocessor. A fixed modulus counter is cascaded with a programmable counter (or timer) found within the microprocesor thereby extending the counting range of the programmable counter. Then by prescaling the output of the local oscillator to a value below the toggle frequency of the microprocessor counter, the microprocessor may periodically measure the output frequency of the oscillator and, if necessary, generate correction signals therefor.

Abstract: A channel number display device for a television receiver for displaying the numerals of the channel to which the receiver is tuned with the display being initially bright immediately after a channel change, and then after a predetermined time of several seconds, being reduced in brightness so as not to distract from the program material. Through the use of a thyristor, regardless of the number of individual elements in the numerical display, the brightness levels may be held to predetermined quantities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOver the years, it has been a desire of television manufacturers to provide a display of the channel numbers on the television receiver so that they can be easily read, especially immediately after tuning to a new station so that the viewer can determine if he is at the desired station. This is especially true for television receivers having remote control, wherein the viewer is spaced at the viewing distance from the receiver while tuning to a new station.