Abstract: An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. For some embodiments, the optical waveguide includes a tapered surface biased against a seal seat formed in the housing. The feedthrough assembly can include an annular gold gasket member disposed between the tapered surface and the seal seat. The feedthrough assembly can further include a backup seal. The backup seal comprises an elastomeric annular member disposed between the glass plug and the housing. The backup seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments.

Abstract: An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. For some embodiments, the optical waveguide includes a tapered surface biased against a seal seat formed in the housing. The feedthrough assembly can include an annular gold gasket member disposed between the tapered surface and the seal seat. The feedthrough assembly can further include a backup seal. The backup seal comprises an elastomeric annular member disposed between the glass plug and the housing. The backup seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments.

Abstract: An electronic poker-style card game of the present disclosure comprises an input device and a display device. In addition, the electronic poker-style card game comprises logic stored in memory and configured to display a gaming table via the display device, receive data, via the input device, indicative of at least one initial wager, thereby forming a wagered player, and deal a first number of cards to the wagered player and deal a second number of cards indicative of a dealer's hand. In addition, the logic further receives data indicative of a discarded card from the first number of cards and a corresponding additional wager and deals the wagered player a replacement card for the discarded card if the wagered player discarded one of the first number of cards to form a wagered player's hand. Furthermore, the logic discards one card from the second number of cards and resolves the wagered player's wager based upon the wagered player's hand and a predetermined payout schedule.

Abstract: A method for playing a combination of Three Card Poker® and Draw Poker. One to seven people can play against the dealer. Each player places a wager on ante and pairplus (optional) and is dealt three cards face down and the dealer four cards face down. Each player has the option to discard one card and receive another by placing a wager equal to ante on the draw card space. If the player bets only pairplus he cannot receive a draw card. If the player decides to play he must place wager (equal to ante) on play space or fold and forfeit all wagers. The dealer then flips his four cards, discards one card to make his best three card hand. Dealer plays with Queen high or better. Dealer checks each played hand. Payouts are then determined based on the paytable and the amount the player wagered.

Abstract: A method for playing a combination of Three Card Poker® and Draw Poker. One to seven people can play against the dealer. Each player places a wager on ante and pairplus (optional) and is dealt three cards face down and the dealer four cards face down. Each player has the option to discard one card and receive another by placing a wager equal to ante on the draw card space. If the player bets only pairplus he cannot receive a draw card. If the player decides to play he must place wager (equal to ante) on play space or fold and forfeit all wagers. The dealer then flips his four cards, discards one card to make his best three card hand. Dealer plays with Queen high or better. Dealer checks each played hand. Payouts are then determined based on the paytable and the amount the player wagered.

Abstract: Optical sensors used in harsh environments require a sealed pressure tight passage of an optical waveguide into an interior of the sensor. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor assembly for determining the pressure of a fluid in a harsh environment includes a sensing element suspended within a fluid filled housing. An optical waveguide that provides communication with the sensing element couples to a feedthrough assembly, which includes a cane-based optical waveguide forming a glass plug sealingly disposed in the housing. The glass plug provides optical communication between the optical waveguide and the sensing element. A pressure transmitting device can transmit the pressure of the fluid to the fluid within the housing. The assembly can maintain the sensing element in a near zero base strain condition and can protect the sensing element from shock/vibration.

Abstract: An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. For some embodiments, the optical waveguide includes a tapered surface biased against a seal seat formed in the housing. The feedthrough assembly can include an annular gold gasket member disposed between the tapered surface and the seal seat. The feedthrough assembly can further include a backup seal. The backup seal comprises an elastomeric annular member disposed between the glass plug and the housing. The backup seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments.

Abstract: Optical sensors used in harsh environments require a sealed pressure tight passage of an optical waveguide into an interior of the sensor. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor assembly for determining the pressure of a fluid in a harsh environment includes a sensing element suspended within a fluid filled housing. An optical waveguide that provides communication with the sensing element couples to a feedthrough assembly, which includes a cane-based optical waveguide forming a glass plug sealingly disposed in the housing. The glass plug provides optical communication between the optical waveguide and the sensing element. A pressure transmitting device can transmit the pressure of the fluid to the fluid within the housing. The assembly can maintain the sensing element in a near zero base strain condition and can protect the sensing element from shock/vibration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding on optical waveguide through a partition device, such as a wellhead outlet are disclosed. For some embodiments, the wellhead outlet includes a first chamber having a first port, a second chamber having a second port connected by a path to the first port for feeding an optical waveguide through to the first chamber, and a strain relief member coupled with the first chamber to limit motion of the optical waveguide at or near the first port. The strain relief member can be a rigid curved tube coupled to the first port and/or a fiber management member providing one or more fiber retention pathways.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in measurement-while-drilling applications includes modular ring connectors on opposed ends thereof with the ring connectors being interconnected by a single bus for delivering both power and ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for nuclear logging is presented. In accordance with the present invention, nuclear detectors and electronic components are all mounted in chambers within the sub wall with covers being removably attached to the chambers. A single bus for delivering both power and signals extends through the sub wall between either end of the tool. This bus terminates at a modular ring connector positioned on each tool end. This tool construction (including sub wall mounted sensors and electronics, single power and signal bus, and ring connectors) is also well suited for other formation evaluation tools used in measurement-while-drilling applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for nuclear logging is presented. In accordance with the present invention, nuclear detectors and electronic components are all mounted in chambers within the sub wall with covers being removably attached to the chambers. A single bus for delivering both power and signals extends through the sub wall between either end of the tool. This bus terminates at a modular ring connector positioned on each tool end. This tool construction (including sub wall mounted sensors and electronics, single power and signal bus, and ring connectors) is also well suited for other formation evaluation tools used in measurement-while-drilling applications.