Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for alignment of a glass member for high temperature processing are disclosed. The high temperature processing can, for example, pertain to a slumping process to mold glass into a predetermined shape (e.g., a three-dimensional shape). In one embodiment, a glass slumping system can have a mold and an alignment system that support a glass member to be slumped relative to the mold. The alignment system may have a plurality of alignment members being configured to move away from the glass member as the temperature increases during the slumping process to allow the glass member to bend around the mold without interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening of polycondensation catalysts, wherein at least two polycondensation catalysis reactions are performed simultaneously under substantially equivalent conditions in at least two reaction cells which are present in one and the same room, using a sample comprising material to be polycondensated and a catalyst to be screened, and wherein the performances of the catalysts are analyzed. The present invention further relates to an apparatus suitable for performing the method.

Abstract: A technique is provided to temporarily protect well system components during transport, movement downhole and/or initial downhole operations. A sacrificial material is formed as a protective sacrificial element disposed proximate susceptible well system components. The protective sacrificial element is at least partially dissolvable in fluids within a wellbore to facilitate removal of the element after a desired time period. Once the temporary, protective sacrificial element is removed, the protected well system component is fully operable.

Abstract: A system for use in a well includes plural flow control devices to control fluid flow in respective zones of the well, where each of at least some of the flow control devices includes a membrane having a permeable material to provide a flow restriction. The membranes of the at least some flow control devices have different permeabilities to provide corresponding different flow restrictions.

Abstract: A flow control valve for use inside a wellbore. In one implementation, the flow control valve may include a housing, a chamber disposed inside the housing and an entry port disposed at a first end of the chamber. The entry port may be configured to allow fluid to enter into the chamber. The flow control valve may further include an exit port disposed at a second end of the chamber. The second end may be opposite of the first end and the exit port is configured to allow fluid to flow out of the chamber. The flow control valve may further include a check valve assembly disposed between the entry port and the exit port. The check valve may be configured to allow fluid to flow from the entry port to the exit port and to prevent fluid to flow from the exit port to the entry port.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an power converter and a controller. The power converter translates electrical power into hydraulic power downhole in the well to generate a first hydraulic signal to cause a downhole tool to transition to a first state and a second hydraulic signal to cause the tool to transition to a different second state. The controller responds to stimuli that are communicated from the surface of the well to cause the actuator to generate one of the first and second hydraulic signals.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of shifting a valve between a plurality of flow condition positions, includes the steps of providing a mechanical indexer device in operational connection with a valve, the indexer device including a primary path defining a sequence through a plurality of valve positions at and between open and closed and a detent moveable along the primary path; providing at least one alternate path from a point along the primary path to a preceding position on the primary path along the sequence; shifting the valve to a subsequent position in the sequence; and shifting the valve to the preceding position in the sequence.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure device which includes:—an inflatable breathable air reservoir provided with an air inlet/outlet; —a pressurised gas reservoir arranged to apply a predetermined substantially constant pressure on the breathable air reservoir, irrespective of the degree of inflation of the breathable air reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of reducing acrolein byproduct from polytrimethylene terephthalate using selected phosphorous compounds to contact the polytrimethylene terephthalate or reactants in the process of producing polytrimethylene terephthalate. The selected phosphorous compounds are retained in the polytrimethylene terephthalate. The present invention also provides polytrimethylene terephthalate compositions containing amounts of phosphorous compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of reducing acrolein by product from polytrimethylene terephthalate using selected phosphorus compounds to contact the polytrimethylene terephthalate or reactants in the process of producing polytrimethylene terephthalate. The selected phosphorus compounds are retained in the polytrimethylene terephthalate. The present invention also provides polytrimethylene terephthalate compositions containing amounts of phosphorus compounds.

Abstract: A technique is provided to temporarily protect well system components during transport, movement downhole and/or initial downhole operations. A sacrificial material is formed as a protective sacrificial element disposed proximate susceptible well system components. The protective sacrificial element is at least partially dissolvable in fluids within a wellbore to facilitate removal of the element after a desired time period. Once the temporary, protective sacrificial element is removed, the protected well system component is fully operable.

Abstract: A completion system for use in the well includes a liner for lining the well, where the liner has a first inductive coupler portion. An electric cable extends outside an inner passage of the liner. The completion system further includes a second inductive coupler portion and an electrical device inside the liner and electrically connected to the second inductive coupler portion. The first and second inductive coupler portions enable power to be provided from the electric cable outside the inner passage of the liner to the electrical device inside the liner.

Abstract: The Philippians 419 Engine is a machine that produces kinetic energy by using the phenomenon of buoyancy and gravity. No fuel is consumed and no waste elements are produced thus, an inexpensive form of power generation is produced and the Earth can be left alone to heal. The Christian Bible in Philippians 4:19 states that GOD will meet all of our needs. This engine is one way HE is doing just that.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an power converter and a controller. The power converter translates electrical power into hydraulic power downhole in the well to generate a first hydraulic signal to cause a downhole tool to transition to a first state and a second hydraulic signal to cause the tool to transition to a different second state. The controller responds to stimuli that are communicated from the surface of the well to cause the actuator to generate one of the first and second hydraulic signals.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of shifting a valve between a plurality of flow condition positions, includes the steps of providing a mechanical indexer device in operational connection with a valve, the indexer device including a primary path defining a sequence through a plurality of valve positions at and between open and closed and a detent moveable along the primary path; providing at least one alternate path from a point along the primary path to a preceding position on the primary path along the sequence; shifting the valve to a subsequent position in the sequence; and shifting the valve to the preceding position in the sequence.

Abstract: A gravel pack service tool is lowered into a well. At least one sensor proximate a well region to be gravel packed measures at least one characteristic of the well, where the measuring is performed during a gravel pack operation by the gravel pack service tool. The gravel pack service tool is removed from the well after the gravel pack operation.

Abstract: A completion system for use in a well includes a first completion section and a second section. The first completion section has a sand control assembly to prevent passage of particulates, a first inductive coupler portion, and a sensor positioned proximate to the sand control assembly that is electrically coupled to the first inductive coupler portion. The second section is deployable after installation of the first completion section. It includes a second inductive coupler portion to communicate with the first inductive coupler portion, to enable communication between the first completion section's sensor and another component coupled to the second section.

Abstract: A system for use in a well includes plural flow control devices to control fluid flow in respective zones of the well, where each of at least some of the flow control devices includes a membrane having a permeable material to provide a flow restriction. The membranes of the at least some flow control devices have different permeabilities to provide corresponding different flow restrictions.

Abstract: A process for the production of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), wherein the process comprises: (i) one or more esterification steps, wherein terephthalic acid (TPA) or an alkyl diester of terephthalic acid is reacted with 1,3-propanediol (PDO); and (ii) one or more subsequent polycondensation steps, wherein the process further comprises the addition of a protic acid, other than terephthalic or isophthalic acid, before and/or during the one or more esterification steps, wherein the protic acid has a dissociation constant of at most 4 (pKa measured in water at 25° C.), and wherein the total amount of protic acid added before and/or during the one or more esterification steps is in the range of from 0.001 to 10 millimole of acid per kilogram of polytrimethylene terephthalate produced.

Abstract: A flow control valve for use inside a wellbore. In one implementation, the flow control valve may include a housing, a chamber disposed inside the housing and an entry port disposed at a first end of the chamber. The entry port may be configured to allow fluid to enter into the chamber. The flow control valve may further include an exit port disposed at a second end of the chamber. The second end may be opposite of the first end and the exit port is configured to allow fluid to flow out of the chamber. The flow control valve may further include a check valve assembly disposed between the entry port and the exit port. The check valve may be configured to allow fluid to flow from the entry port to the exit port and to prevent fluid to flow from the exit port to the entry port.