Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.

Abstract: An overhead luminaire includes an externally accessible plug-in starter module that is electrically connectable to a starter receptacle located within a luminaire housing without having to open the housing and without the need for tools.

Abstract: An exothermic weld mold assembly for forming conductor to conductor welded connections. The exothermic weld mold assembly includes a crucible section having a U-shaped reaction chamber with exothermic material therein, and a mold section having a plurality of flat vertical exterior surfaces with holes drilled perpendicularly through the flat surfaces. A weld chamber is centrally located within the mold section, the weld chamber and the reaction chamber being communicably connected by a vertically extending tap hole. The holes are outfitted with guide sleeves projecting outwardly from the weld chamber. Conductors to be welded are inserted into the weld chamber through the guide sleeves.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for isolating and opening a subterranean zone in a multiple zone well. An isolation tool is installed in the well with a tubing string accessing a particular zone. The tool can be remotely opened and closed to provide access to the zone either mechanically or by applying pressure variation sequences to the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for using pressure differential between completion fluid in an oil well and produced fluids to power downhole devices, including instruments and actuators. A conduit is provided bypassing a packer which seals a production string to a well casing. A control system, including a flow valve, allows fluid to flow to an electrical generator as needed to charge an electrical storage device. Downhole electrically operated devices, e.g. a temperature sensor and signal transmitter, draw power from the storage device. Alternatively, fluid may also be directed to hydraulically driven actuators to, for example, operate a production fluid control valve.

Abstract: A pathology distribution system 10 is provided for automated sample container 14, 15 distribution. The system 10 comprises a loading station 500 for loading samples in primary containers 14 of different types, a sample handling station 16 for receiving the containers 14 and identifying the container types and samples therein, and a container distribution station 38 for distributing the containers in areas or racks in the distribution station 38 marked for analyzing processes prescribed for the samples therein.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain positioning system may include an inflator and an inflatable curtain. The inflator may have a neck for receiving the inflatable curtain. A protrusion, such as a hook or tab, may be disposed on the neck. The inflatable curtain may include a throat to be disposed around the neck of the inflator. An opening may be disposed within the throat. In one configuration, the opening may be positioned to receive the protrusion only when the curtain is situated at a desired location relative to the housing.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an outer tubular (110) forming a first annulus with the wellbore and an inner tubular (114) disposed within the outer tubular (110) forming a second annulus therebetween. The second annulus includes an axially extending slurry passageway (194) and an axially extending production pathway (190). The portion of the outer tubular (110) adjacent the slurry passageway (194) has an outlet (128). The portion of both the outer and inner tubulars (110, 114) adjacent the production pathway (190) has a plurality of openings (122, 146). The slurry passageway (194) is in fluid isolation from the production pathway (190) such that when a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (194), the fluid slurry exits through the outlet (128) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring system for remotely monitoring an item or activity, the monitoring system including a recording device for recording a visual record of the item, a communicator for communicating the visual record, and a security device for controlling access to the monitoring system. Also provided is a method of remotely monitoring an item by recording a digital image of the item, communicating the digital image of the item through a communication system, and accessing the digital image using a secured access device.

Abstract: A novel mounting bracket for an inflatable curtain is described. The mounting bracket includes a pair of attachment plates for engaging respective sides of the inflatable curtain. One plate includes an opening through which a fastener may be positioned to secure the bracket and attached inflatable curtain to the interior of a vehicle. A bushing having an inner surface and an outer surface is positioned within the opening in the mounting plate. Flanges extending from an outer surface of the bushing maintain the bushing within the opening. The outer surface of the bushing is smaller than the opening which allows the bushing to rotate freely within the bracket when a fastener is used to secure the mounting bracket to the interior of a vehicle.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for isolating and opening a subterranean zone in a multiple zone well. An isolation tool is installed in the well with a tubing string accessing a particular zone. The tool can be remotely opened and closed to provide access to the zone either mechanically or by applying pressure variation sequences to the tool.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an outer tubular (110) forming a first annulus with the wellbore and an inner tubular (114) disposed within the outer tubular (110) forming a second annulus therebetween. The second annulus includes an axially extending slurry passageway (194) and an axially extending production pathway (190). The portion of the outer tubular (110) adjacent the slurry passageway (194) has an outlet (128). The portion of both the outer and inner tubulars (110, 114) adjacent the production pathway (190) has a plurality of openings (122, 146). The slurry passageway (194) is in fluid isolation from the production pathway (190) such that when a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (194), the fluid slurry exits through the outlet (128) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (110), which forms a first annulus with the wellbore, and an inner tubular (114) disposed within the outer tubular (110) forming a second annulus therebetween. Within the second annulus is an axially extending production pathway (190) and an axially extending slurry passageway (194), which is defined between a channel (170) and the inner tubular (114). The outer tubular (110) has outlets (128) that are substantially aligned with outlets (178) of the channel (170). The portions of both the outer and inner tubulars (110, 114) adjacent the production pathway (190) have openings (122, 146). When a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (194), the fluid slurry exits through the outlets (178, 128) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.

Abstract: An exothermic weld mold assembly for forming conductor to conductor welded connections. The exothermic weld mold assembly includes a crucible section having a U-shaped reaction chamber with exothermic material therein, and a mold section having a plurality of flat vertical exterior surfaces with holes drilled perpendicularly through the flat surfaces. A weld chamber is centrally located within the mold section, the weld chamber and the reaction chamber being communicably connected by a vertically extending tap hole. The holes are outfitted with guide sleeves projecting outwardly from the weld chamber. Conductors to be welded are inserted into the weld chamber through the guide sleeves.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.

Abstract: A compact linear bi-directional motor is driven by one or more induced strain actuators, such as piezoelectric actuators, fabricated in its preferred embodiment using MEMS technology and incorporating a plurality of multi-clamps that alternately engage, forced by electrically energized auxiliary actuators, the rails or micro-ridges located on the base of the motor, on which they ride. This function is synchronized with energizing of the main actuator that alternately extends and contracts causing incremental motion of the multi-clamp assembly. An external load can be attached through a shaft to the multi-clamp assembly or the base.

Abstract: An overhead luminaire includes an externally accessible plug-in starter module that is electrically connectable to a starter receptacle located within a luminaire housing without having to open the housing and without the need for tools.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a pair of telescoping tubular supports extending between a support base and a mirror head to provide adjustment of the mirror head toward and away from the support base. Friction shoes within the tubular supports releasably hold such supports against unintentional telescoping movement. Cooperating stops on the telescoping supports limit outward movement of the mirror head and prevent complete separation of the telescoping supports. The tubular supports are hingedly attached to the support base for rotation about a vertical axis, and cooperating detents and spring elements on the supports and support base releasably hold the supports against rotation.