Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces have an inner ring positioned between two inner sealing deformable layers and an outer ring positioned exterior and concentric to the inner ring, the outer ring positioned between two outer sealing deformable layers. The two inner sealing deformable layers are configured to compress a greater amount than the two outer sealing deformable layers when a compressive force is applied. In a compressed configuration, the two inner sealing deformable layers fill in the crevices of the mating surfaces of a corroded flange connection thereby avoiding immediate maintenance for the damaged flanges. The inner and outer rings have grooves and ridges on upper and lower surfaces to retain and receive portions of the inner and outer sealing deformable layers in a sealed flange connection.

Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces have an inner ring positioned between two inner sealing deformable layers and an outer ring positioned exterior and concentric to the inner ring, the outer ring positioned between two outer sealing deformable layers. The two inner sealing deformable layers are configured to compress a greater amount than the two outer sealing deformable layers when a compressive force is applied. In a compressed configuration, the two inner sealing deformable layers fill in the crevices of the mating surfaces of a corroded flange connection thereby avoiding immediate maintenance for the damaged flanges. The inner and outer rings have grooves and ridges on upper and lower surfaces to retain and receive portions of the inner and outer sealing deformable layers in a sealed flange connection.

Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces have an inner ring positioned between two inner sealing deformable layers and an outer ring positioned exterior and concentric to the inner ring, the outer ring positioned between two outer sealing deformable layers. The two inner sealing deformable layers are configured to compress a greater amount than the two outer sealing deformable layers when a compressive force is applied. In a compressed configuration, the two inner sealing deformable layers fill in the crevices of the mating surfaces of a corroded flange connection thereby avoiding immediate maintenance for the damaged flanges. The inner and outer rings have grooves and ridges on upper and lower surfaces to retain and receive portions of the inner and outer sealing deformable layers in a sealed flange connection.

Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces have an inner ring positioned between two inner sealing deformable layers and an outer ring positioned exterior and concentric to the inner ring, the outer ring positioned between two outer sealing deformable layers. The two inner sealing deformable layers are configured to compress a greater amount than the two outer sealing deformable layers when a compressive force is applied. In a compressed configuration, the two inner sealing deformable layers fill in the crevices of the mating surfaces of a corroded flange connection thereby avoiding immediate maintenance for the damaged flanges. The inner and outer rings have grooves and ridges on upper and lower surfaces to retain and receive portions of the inner and outer sealing deformable layers in a sealed flange connection.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a merchant to process third party closed-loop instruments (such as gift cards) as if the closed-loop instruments were open-loop instruments. A customer provides card data of a third party gift card to a merchant, e.g., online or in a merchant store, for the purchase of one or more items provided by the merchant. The merchant sends the gift card data to an intermediary that deducts at least a portion of the balance of the gift card. The intermediary sends an offer for the gift card to the customer. If the customer accepts the offer, then the merchant applies the offer towards the total purchase price of the one or more items.

Abstract: The invention is an rotary steerable tool. The improved rotary steerable tool comprises a control tube that slides vertical within a mandrel in response to changes in drilling fluid pressure, thereby opening and closing a channel between the mandrel and a piston chamber in a rotationally isolated sleeve. With the channel open, a piston in the piston chamber is exposed to the drilling fluid. When the drilling pressure is sufficient to cause the piston to move, the piston forces a deflection pad outward. After the deflection pad engages a borehole wall, any additional increases in pressure force the opposing side of sleeve toward the opposite wall, thereby tilting the direction of any attached drill bit. An optional guide lug and alignment sleeve orient the deflection pad with respect to other components.

Abstract: A gasket (10; 40; 50; 70) comprises a sealing member which forms a closed loop extending around a hole. The sealing member is formed from resilient metal and has a transverse cross section which is generally X-shaped and comprises two arms (12, 14) which project inwardly of the hole, and two arms (16, 18) which project outwardly of the hole. The inwardly projecting arms form a first seal around said hole, and the outwardly projecting arms form a second seal around said hole. Each arm extends from a junction (22) with the remainder of the gasket to a tip (24) of the arm which engages one of the bodies. Each arm has its greatest thickness at said junction (22) and its smallest thickness at a point adjacent to or at said tip (24), the arm continuously reducing in thickness between said junction and said point. The gasket can yield from the tips of the arms inwardly as the pressure on the gasket increases.