Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and process for drilling a subterranean wellbore. An embodiment includes a bottom-hole assembly for a downhole mud motor that incorporates an information sub, such as a measurement-while-drilling or logging-while-drilling tool, at a location below, or down-hole from, the mud motor. The assembly also includes a micronized bit-to-bend length, or a length between a forward end of the assembly's bearing mandrel and a fixed bend in the assembly's housing, of less than or equal to forty inches. The combination of the forward-located information sub and micronized bit-to-bend length allow the driller to rely on real-time data relating to conditions adjacent to the drill bit/bottom of the wellbore and take that real-time drilling data into account in steering the bit along a planned wellbore trajectory. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and process for drilling a subterranean wellbore. An embodiment includes a bottom-hole assembly for a downhole mud motor that incorporates an information sub, such as a measurement-while-drilling or logging-while-drilling tool, at a location below, or down-hole from, the mud motor. The assembly also includes a micronized bit-to-bend length, or a length between a forward end of the assembly's bearing mandrel and a fixed bend in the assembly's housing, of less than or equal to forty inches. The combination of the forward-located information sub and micronized bit-to-bend length allow the driller to rely on real-time data relating to conditions adjacent to the drill bit/bottom of the wellbore and take that real-time drilling data into account in steering the bit along a planned wellbore trajectory. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises ballistic plastic prisms with mirrored external surfaces disposed between armor plates so that the reflection of the image occurs entirely within the prism. The armor sheets are also redesigned with perforations to reduce weight while defeating incoming threats.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises ballistic plastic prisms with mirrored external surfaces disposed between armor plates so that the reflection of the image occurs entirely within the prism. The armor sheets are also redesigned with perforations to reduce weight while defeating incoming threats.

Abstract: Footwear architecture(s) and associated closure systems. A footwear closure system is described with an anchor section, affixed to a forefoot portion of an upper of the footwear, and an engagement section, coupled with the anchor section through an elastomeric material, to removably engage a rearfoot portion of the upper of the footwear, securing the rearfoot portion to the forefoot portion.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor (100) is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel (107) and a bearing stop (105) to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of a drill string to the bit. Also improved sealing systems (113) (114) (220) (515(706) for the transmission section and bearing section (116) (310) (117) (118) (119) prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging other parts as the piston moves under pressure. Compensating pressure assembly (204) preferably including a disk (1408) is placed in the lower housing (108) to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section (308). A combination of grooved ball seats (130) and circumferentially spaced balls (127) are provided in the transmission section (200) (207) to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for horizontal directional drilling that improves the accuracy of surveying while boring by enabling the progress of the bore to be monitored and tracked with the aid of a sonde. In one embodiment the sonde is received in the wall of a housing area of a mud motor surrounding the bearing mandrel, in another embodiment the sonde is carried in the wall of a collar surrounding the bearing mandrel housing, and in an additional embodiment the sonde is carried in an adapter between the bearing mandrel and the bit.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor (100) is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel (107) and a bearing stop (105) to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of a drill string to the bit. Also improved sealing systems (113) (114) (220) (515(706) for the transmission section and bearing section (116) (310) (117) (118) (119) prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging other parts as the piston moves under pressure. Compensating pressure assembly (204) preferably including a disk (1408) is placed in the lower housing (108) to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section (308). A combination of grooved ball seats (130) and circumferentially spaced balls (127) are provided in the transmission section (200) (207) to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel and a bearing stop to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of the drill string to the bit. Also improve sealing systems for the transmission section and bearing section prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging any parts as the piston moves under pressure. A compensating pressure disk is placed in the lower housing to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section. A grooved ball seat is provided in the transmission to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel and a bearing stop to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of the drill string to the bit. Also improve sealing systems for the transmission section and bearing section prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging any parts as the piston moves under pressure. A compensating pressure disk is placed in the lower housing to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section. A grooved ball seat is provided in the transmission to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for horizontal directional drilling that improves the accuracy of surveying while boring by enabling the progress of the bore to be monitored and tracked with the aid of a sonde. In one embodiment the sonde is received in the wall of a housing area of a mud motor surrounding the bearing mandrel, in another embodiment the sonde is carried in the wall of a collar surrounding the bearing mandrel housing, and in an additional embodiment the sonde is carried in an adapter between the bearing mandrel and the bit.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for horizontal directional drilling that improves the accuracy of surveying while boring by enabling the progress of the bore to be monitored and tracked with the aid of a sonde. In one embodiment the sonde is received in the wall of a area of a mud motor surrounding the bearing mandrel, in another embodiment the sonde is carried in the wall of a collar surrounding the bearing mandrel housing, and in an additional embodiment the sonde is carried in an adapter between the bearing mandrel and the bit.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction includes an aperture provided through the shoe sole and a composite support plate covering over the aperture. The support plate in turn is covered over by a pad having a peripheral dimension larger than the support plate. The pad cushions the support plate so that its presence in the shoe sole is not detected by the shoe wearer's foot.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved compact gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch apparatus allows for welding on such surfaces that otherwise could not be welded with linear or 90.degree. bend welding torch apparatuses, by providing a bend greater than 282.degree.. The inventive torch is compact, not requiring a large radius of curvature or a water outlet pipe passing through the support housing. The inventive torch also uses one of the feed pipes as an electrical conductor.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) torch apparatus allows for welding on such surfaces that otherwise could not be welded with linear or 90.degree. bend welding torch apparatuses, by providing a bend greater than 282.degree..

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an asymmetric shoe which provides greater support, proper flexion and a more accurate fit than conventional shoes. The shoe of the present invention structures one or more of the following portions of the shoe upper and sole asymmetrically between the medial and lateral sides. First, a lateral stability strap is positioned immediately posterior of the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint while a medial stability strap is positioned posterior of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint. Second, a lateral flex notch is aligned with the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint and a medial flex notch is aligned with the first metatarsal-phalangess joint to allow the shoe to flex along the foot's natural flex line. Third, a medial quarter notch is positioned anterior of a lateral quarter notch to accommodate the difference between the medial and lateral malleolar lengths.