Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: The invention is to appropriately support work of a worker. A work support system includes an imaging unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The imaging unit captures an image of a work site. The control unit specifies a region selected by the worker at the work site in the image as a work target region including a work target. The display unit displays text for supporting the work of the worker in the vicinity of the work target region of the image. The work support system includes a sensor unit configured to recognize a line of sight of the worker, and the control unit specifies a predetermined region from a center of the line of sight recognized by the sensor unit as the work target region.

Abstract: A vehicle latch, including: a power release mechanism for transitioning the vehicle latch from a latched state to an unlatched state, the power release mechanism includes a motor that rotates a worm that meshingly engages a power release gear, which is operably coupled to a pawl of the latch; and a spring provided to reduce a speed of the gear as it is back driven into a home position.

Abstract: A specialized wireline-conveyed collet baffle, adapted for use with a conveying tool, setting tool, and explosive charges, for perforating and fracking a wellbore. The collet baffle like prior art baffles possesses an annular ring for engaging a circumferential annular groove in a casing, but unlike prior art baffles possesses an inner annular hollow ring member which may be actuated by a push rod of a setting tool and slidably repositioned when such annular ring underlies and is engaged with the circumferential groove on a casing sub, thereby retaining the collet baffle in place in the casing string when the conveying tool, setting tool, and explosive charges are subsequently re-positioned uphole. An adapter tool for coupling the collet baffle to a conventional setting tool, a wireline system employing the specialized collet baffle and adapter tool, and a method for perforating and fracking a wellbore are further disclosed.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative hinges, door assemblies, storage bins, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment a hinge includes a hinge bracket, a hinge pin, a hinge arm, and a detent assembly. The hinge arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via the hinge pin. The detent assembly is adapted to define a detent position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket that is between an open position and a closed position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket. The detent assembly includes a detent plate and a plunger assembly. The detent plate includes a recess formed therein. The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess while circumferentially aligned therewith to define the detent position.

Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that automatically determine solar access values. In one implementation, a 3D geo-referenced model of a structure is retrieved in which geographic location on the earth of points in the 3D geo-referenced model are stored or associated with points in the 3D geo-referenced model. Object point cloud data indicative of object(s) that cast shade on the structure is retrieved. The object point cloud data may be generated from one or more georeferenced images and the object point cloud data is indicative of an actual size, shape, and location of the object(s) on the earth. The structure in the 3D geo-referenced model is divided into one or more sections, which are divided into one or more areas, each area having at least three vertices. Then, a solar access value for the particular vertex is determined.

Abstract: A retrieving tool for retrieving an annular hollow baffle member in a wellbore. The baffle member has an interior bore and radially outwardly-biased collet finger protuberances on an exterior thereof matingly engaging a correspondingly-dimensioned annular recess within a landing sub of a well casing of the wellbore. The retrieving tool has a tubular body and a plurality of radially-outwardly-extendable dogs thereon. The tubular body and the dogs are sized that, when the dogs are retracted, the retrieving tool is movable through the interior bore of the baffle member to a position below a lowermost thereof, and when the dogs are extended after the retrieving tool moves to said position, the dogs radially engageable with the landing sub and axially engageable with the lowermost of baffle member for pulling the baffle member uphole and disengaging it from the landing sub for retrieving the entirety of the baffle member.

Abstract: A method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that automatically determine solar access values. In one implementation, a 3D geo-referenced model of a structure is retrieved in which geographic location on the earth of points in the 3D geo-referenced model are stored or associated with points in the 3D geo-referenced model. Object point cloud data indicative of object(s) that cast shade on the structure is retrieved. The object point cloud data may be generated from one or more georeferenced images and the object point cloud data is indicative of an actual size, shape, and location of the object(s) on the earth. The structure in the 3D geo-referenced model is divided into one or more sections, which are divided into one or more areas, each area having at least three vertices. Then, a solar access value for the particular vertex is determined.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative hinges, door assemblies, storage bins, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment a hinge includes a hinge bracket, a hinge pin, a hinge arm, and a detent assembly. The hinge arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via the hinge pin. The detent assembly is adapted to define a detent position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket that is between an open position and a closed position of the hinge arm relative to the hinge bracket. The detent assembly includes a detent plate and a plunger assembly. The detent plate includes a recess formed therein. The plunger assembly includes an end that is biased at least partially into the recess while circumferentially aligned therewith to define the detent position.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in well casing having a plurality of landed subs therein, for progressive injection of a fracking or treating fluid into a hydrocarbon formation via existing or created perforations in the well casing. The baffle members provide a plug seat, and are each frangibly affixed to a conveying tool and have collet finger protuberances thereon. The collet finger protuberances of each baffle are of a different width, and respectively engage only one annular recess of a corresponding width in a respective landing sub. Each annular recess and/or collet finger protuberance on an uphole edge thereof has a chamfer which allows disengagement of the collet finger protuberances and thus removal of the baffle member from the well casing upon upward force being applied to the baffle member. A method of using the baffle system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: A system and method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: A method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: A sliding valve has a valve body, a sliding sleeve received in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, and a collet receivable in a longitudinal bore of the sliding sleeve. The valve body has one or more fluid ports on an uphole portion of the sidewall thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the one or more fluid ports. The sliding sleeve has a sleeve-profile formed at least by one or more sleeve-grooves and one or more sleeve-ridges longitudinally distributed on an inner surface thereof. The collet has a flexible collet-profile formed by at least one or more collet-grooves and one or more collet-ridges respectively corresponding to the sleeve-grooves and sleeve-ridges. The length of each sleeve-ridge or collet-ridge is smaller than that of corresponding sleeve-groove or collet-groove.

Abstract: A system and method for successively fracking a wellbore at spaced intervals along tubing having therein frac ports each openably closed by a sliding sleeve. The system has at least one actuation member and at least one cylindrical sand screen sub insertable into the tubing. Each actuation member has a collet sleeve with a radially-outwardly biased protuberance of a first profile configured to matingly engage an interior groove profile on at least one of the sliding sleeves and slide the sliding sleeve downhole to open the corresponding port. Each cylindrical sand screen sub has a dissolvable plug member or burst plate disposed on one end thereof allowing for the sand screen to be forced into the well by pressure acting against the plug or plate, and has a resiliently-outwardly biased protuberance configured for engaging a mating profile on the tubing and retaining the sand screen sub in a desired position.

Abstract: A retrieving tool for retrieving an annular hollow baffle member in a wellbore. The baffle member has an interior bore and radially outwardly-biased collet finger protuberances on an exterior thereof matingly engaging a correspondingly-dimensioned annular recess within a landing sub of a well casing of the wellbore. The retrieving tool has a tubular body and a plurality of radially-outwardly-extendable dogs thereon. The tubular body and the dogs are sized that, when the dogs are retracted, the retrieving tool is movable through the interior bore of the baffle member to a position below a lowermost thereof, and when the dogs are extended after the retrieving tool moves to said position, the dogs radially engageable with the landing sub and axially engageable with the lowermost of baffle member for pulling the baffle member uphole and disengaging it from the landing sub for retrieving the entirety of the baffle member.