Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed for use in a wellbore extending from the surface. The telemetry system includes fiber optic cable locatable in the wellbore, the fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber. The telemetry system also includes a telemetry device operable to transmit an optical telemetry signal over the fiber optic cable. An optical detector operably connected to the optical fiber and includes a single-photon detector operable to receive the optical telemetry signal transmitted over the optical fiber.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed for use in a wellbore extending from the surface. The telemetry system includes fiber optic cable locatable in the wellbore, the fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber. The telemetry system also includes a telemetry device operable to transmit an optical telemetry signal over the fiber optic cable. An optical detector operably connected to the optical fiber and includes a single-photon detector operable to receive the optical telemetry signal transmitted over the optical fiber.

Abstract: A dissolvable connector allows a wireline or similar conveyance to be detached from a downhole tool or device based on conditions in a downhole environment instead of an external action, such as application of tension or an electrical pulse. The dissolvable connector can be strategically positioned to allow retrieval of expensive tools and equipment that are located above the connector. A protective sheath may be provided around the dissolvable connector that opens or unsheathes based on conditions in the downhole environment (e.g., pressure, temperature), a telemetry signal (e.g., from the surface or from a tool string), or tension, to provide greater control over the timing of the release of the dissolvable connector. Such a dissolvable connector allows the device to be detached from the conveyance without the need for wire-cutting operations or weak-point breaking operations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus, as well as an article, may operate to determine downhole properties based on detected optical signals. An optical detection apparatus can include an optical detector including a superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) for detecting light received at an input section of fiber optic cable. The optical detection apparatus can further include a cryogenic cooler configured to maintain the temperature of a light-sensitive region of the SNSPD within a superconducting temperature range of the SNSPD. Downhole properties are measured based on detected optical signals received at the optical detection apparatus. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical detection system for analyzing a fluid sample including a light source configured to emit a light beam to interact with the sample to form a spectrum, an optical fiber to transmit the spectrum, an array of single-photon detectors (SPDs), and wherein each SPD is configured to receive and is tunable to analyze spectral characteristics of the spectrum across a spectral range.

Abstract: A dissolvable connector allows a wireline or similar conveyance to be detached from a downhole tool or device based on conditions in a downhole environment instead of an external action, such as application of tension or an electrical pulse. The dissolvable connector can be strategically positioned to allow retrieval of expensive tools and equipment that are located above the connector. A protective sheath may be provided around the dissolvable connector that opens or unsheathes based on conditions in the downhole environment (e.g., pressure, temperature), a telemetry signal (e.g., from the surface or from a tool string), or tension, to provide greater control over the timing of the release of the dissolvable connector. Such a dissolvable connector allows the device to be detached from the conveyance without the need for wire-cutting operations or weak-point breaking operations.

Abstract: An optical detection system for analyzing a fluid sample including a light source configured to emit a light beam to interact with the sample to form a spectrum, an optical fiber to transmit the spectrum, an array of single-photon detectors (SPDs), and wherein each SPD is configured to receive and is tunable to analyze spectral characteristics of the spectrum across a spectral range.

Abstract: A full-duplex borehole communication system includes a single light source to generate a light signal. A downlink modulator is coupled to the light source to modulate the light signal in response to downlink data using a first protocol to generate a first modulated light signal. An uplink modulator is coupled to the downhole modulator to modulate the first modulated light signal in response to uplink data using a second protocol to generate a second modulated light signal. A downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink modulator to demodulate the first modulated signal to recover the downlink data. An uplink receiver is coupled to the uplink modulator and configured to demodulate the second modulated light signal to recover the downlink data and the uplink data. Asymmetric protocols are used between the downhole portion of the system and the uphole portion.

Abstract: A method of playing a game including the steps of arranging at least one marker on a surface into a configuration, counting the number of strokes from the first marker including shooting a ball at a substantially cylindrical hoop from the first marker, shooting the ball from a rebounded location if the shot from the first marker is missed, shooting the ball from the first marker if the ball bounces out of bounds on the missed shot, continuing to shoot the ball until a shot is made, wherein each shot counts as one stroke, and totaling the number of strokes from the at least one marker for a total number of strokes for the configuration.

Abstract: In a network comprising printers and print servers which retain queues of print jobs, a user is able to survey and view selected portions of the network, either by enumerating printers to be queried directly, or by enumerating servers. By providing substantially simultaneous “views” of printers and queues in servers, problems within a large network can be readily isolated.

Abstract: A coronary sinus guiding introducer utilized to introduce medical devices, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of a human heart. This guiding introducer contains a precurved distal portion, which curves through an arc of about 50 to 150 degrees. Preferably, the distal portion contains a pair of generally coplanar curves, wherein the arc of the first curve is from about 20 to about 60 degrees and the arc of the second curve is from about 30 to about 90 degrees and wherein the second curve is generally coplanar with the first curve. In an alternative embodiment, the second curve curves out of a plane formed by the first curve from about 15 to about 90 degrees. In addition, preferably the guiding introducer is splittable. Also disclosed is a process for introducing medical devices through the lumen of the precurved, coronary sinus guiding introducer.

Abstract: In a system having a plurality of digital printers on a network, when a newly-installed printer is discovered, new printer's object ID is used to determine the type (make and model) of printer. A template printer, of sufficiently similar type, is also identified on the network. Configuration data is then automatically copied from the template printer to the new printer. A central database of configuration data for various printer types is not required.

Abstract: In a network comprising printers and print servers which retain queues of print jobs, a user is able to survey and view selected portions of the network, either by enumerating printers to be queried directly, or by enumerating servers. By providing substantially simultaneous “views” of printers and queues in servers, problems within a large network can be readily isolated.

Abstract: A coronary sinus guiding introducer utilized to introduce medical devices, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of a human heart. This guiding introducer contains a precurved distal portion, which curves through an arc of about 50 to 150 degrees. Preferably, the distal portion contains a pair of generally coplanar curves, wherein the arc of the first curve is from about 20 to about 60 degrees and the arc of the second curve is from about 30 to about 90 degrees and wherein the second curve is generally coplanar with the first curve. In an alternative embodiment, the second curve curves out of a plane formed by the first curve from about 15 to about 90 degrees. In addition, preferably the guiding introducer is splittable. Also disclosed is a process for introducing medical devices through the lumen of the precurved, coronary sinus guiding introducer.

Abstract: A coronary sinus guiding introducer utilized to introduce medical devices, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of a human heart. This guiding introducer contains a precurved distal portion, which curves through an arc of about 50 to 150 degrees. Preferably, the distal portion contains a pair of generally coplanar curves, wherein the arc of the first curve is from about 20 to about 60 degrees and the arc of the second curve is from about 30 to about 90 degrees and wherein the second curve is generally coplanar with the first curve. In an alternative embodiment, the second curve curves out of a plane formed by the first curve from about 15 to about 90 degrees. In addition, preferably the guiding introducer is splittable. Also disclosed is a process for introducing medical devices through the lumen of the precurved, coronary sinus guiding introducer.

Abstract: An apparatus assembles a heat exchanger core having first and second side plates. The first and second side plates cooperate with first and second end plates to sandwich a plurality of layered tubes and fin plates therebetween. The apparatus includes a lifting mechanism for stacking the tubes and fin plates with respect to one another to define a layered stack having opposite sides and opposite ends. A side plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second side plates on opposite sides of the layered stack. An end plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second end plates on opposite ends of the layered stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and delivering fins manufactured in a fin mill for use in manufacture and assembly of heat exchangers used for controlling temperature conditions. The apparatus includes first and second conveyors, the first conveyor receiving and transporting fins emanating from a fin mill, and the second conveyer delivering the fins to an apparatus for manufacturing and assembling a heat exchanger. A tier of chutes reorient the direction of the fins with respect to the direction of the conveyor travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for alignment and delivery of tubing for use in manufacture and assembly of heat exchangers used for controlling temperature conditions. The apparatus includes a drum into which bulk tubes are loaded. The drum aligns and deposits the tubes onto a conveyor which transports the tubes to a feed magazine. An alignment mechanism aligns the tubes within the feed magazine for use in the process of the assembly of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus assembles a heat exchanger core having first and second side plates. The first and second side plates cooperate with first and second end plates to sandwich a plurality of layered tubes and fin plates therebetween. The apparatus includes a lifting mechanism for stacking the tubes and fin plates with respect to one another to define a layered stack having opposite sides and opposite ends. A side plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second side plates on opposite sides of the layered stack. An end plate assembling mechanism associates the first and second end plates on opposite ends of the layered stack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a carrier for a data storage disk. Such carrier comprises means for releasably capturing a disk so that it may be removed by a suitable disk release mechanism and used at a location spaced from the carrier, thereby avoiding any potential for disk damage due to contact with the carrier during disk rotation, and avoiding the need to precisely locate the carrier with a disk drive unit. Preferably, the carrier features enabling disk release are located so the disk release can be effected by the same disk-releasing mechanism no matter which of four different orientations the disk carrier has when inserted into the disk drive unit.