Abstract: A method of fusing a joint between two bones, comprising boring a hole through one of the bones across the joint therebetween and into the other bone, placing the leading end of a screw into the hole, where the screw has a threaded region having a pitch that is larger toward a leading end of the screw and smaller toward a trailing end of the screw, and driving the screw into the bone until the threaded region spans the joint.

Abstract: An assembly for determining the thermal properties of a downhole formation while drilling or perforating comprises a system for generating a laser beam that cuts and heats the formation within a wellbore extending into the formation, and at least one temperature sensor within the wellbore that measures a temperature of the formation.

Abstract: A method comprises heating a formation adjacent a selected depth level within a wellbore extending into the formation, forming a temporary liner in the wellbore, measuring a first temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a first time after heating the formation, measuring a second temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a second time after heating the formation, and combining the temperature measurements to derive an indication of thermal properties of the formation. An apparatus comprises a coiled tubing drillstring extending into a wellbore, an assembly supported by the drillstring, the assembly comprising an extruder that extrudes a liner material onto a wall of the wellbore, a heat source that heats the liner material and a formation, and at least one temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for measuring state properties without requiring an internal or proximate power supply. The apparatus provides a sensing device that is responsive to fluctuations in a state property that are encountered within the test zone. Due to the fluctuations experienced by the sensing device, a sensing signal is generated and transmitted to an optical device, such as an interferometer. The sensing signal's affect on the optical device produces an interference pattern that may be detected remotely and correlated to the fluctuation experienced by the sensing device.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing that holds a plurality of electrical wafers. Each of the wafers includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a forward mating edge. A plurality of contact pads on the first side are recessed from the forward mating edge, and a perimeter conductive trace is closer than the contact pads to the forward mating edge.

Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: A receive system providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: A downhole oil and water separator for an oil well includes a water-selective membrane disposed in a production flowpath of the well. The water-selective membrane is operable to selectively pass water from the production flowpath to a disposal zone to increase the concentration of oil in the production flowpath at the surface.

Abstract: A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a neural network ensemble. Conventional algorithms are used to train a number of neural networks having error diversity, for example by having a different number of hidden nodes in each network. A genetic algorithm having a multi-objective fitness function is used to select one or more ensembles. The fitness function includes a negative error correlation objective to insure diversity among the ensemble members. A genetic algorithm may be used to select weighting factors for the multi-objective function. In one application, a trained model may be used to produce synthetic open hole logs in response to inputs of cased hole log data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compiling a protocol data unit (PDU) having a predetermined length from at least one data block for transmission in a wireless communication system. At least one data block is designated for transmission. The data block is first stored in a memory. A data block information list and a data block address list are generated for the data block. The data block information list contains the length of the data block which is to be included within the PDU and the data block address list contains the memory address of data block which is to be included in the PDU. The PDU is then compiled utilizing the data block information list and the data block address list when the PDU is ready for transmission.

Abstract: An orbital downhole separator for separating well fluids into constituents of different specific gravities. Specifically, it is designed to separate water from oil or gas. The apparatus comprises a housing with a rotating member therein driven by a motor in the housing. Well fluid flows through the rotating member and is subjected to centrifugal force to separate the components. A flow conditioner is used to facilitate separation. The invention includes several different versions of the flow conditioner including an impeller, a stator and controllers for controlling the speed of the motor in response to signals related to the amount of petroleum in the water.

Abstract: A receive system and method providing enhanced Signal to Noise performance is applicable to a wide variety of applications including both wireless and wireline systems which further include packetized-types of communications, such as the Internet. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the digitally stored nature of the received data and a unique iterative data processing method.

Abstract: A method for determining a formation profile surrounding a well is used to establish a first formation profile using a neural network inversion method. A synthetic log is generated from the first formation profile and if the synthetic log converges with a real log, the formation profile parameters associated with the synthetic log are output. Otherwise, the first formation profile is modified and a new synthetic log is generated.

Abstract: Laminated interlocking stackable wall units are assembled using a large proportion of wood species unsuitable for use in the construction industry. The interlocking stackable wall units are used in combination with a laminated roof beam, and a roof panel to construct an earthquake-resistant buildings. Each building is tied together by composite steel bands that lend the structure flexibility and excellent resistance to wracking forces induced by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes and windstorms. The buildings are rapidly assembled with a minimum of labor, and are inexpensive to construct. The advantage is a high quality building constructed at reasonable cost.

Abstract: A corrosion resistance treatment for ductile iron pipe placed in corrosive environments provides a corrosion resistant coating from an aluminum-silicon alloy which is applied by thermal spraying or arc spraying onto the material. The alloy contains 88% aluminum and 12% silicon by weight. The aluminum provides corrosion resistance due to cathodic action and protects the pipe even when the coating is damaged. The silicon in the alloy provides greater strength to the otherwise malleable aluminum coating to resist damage to the coating during shipping, handling and installation.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and/or disorders associated with cerebral senility and/or other disorders which method comprises the administration of an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound of formula (I): or if appropriate a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent alkyl or a moiety of formula (a): —(CH2)m−A   (a) wherein m represents zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3; A represents a substituted or unsubstituted cyclic hydrocarbon radical; and R3 represents a halogen atom, a nitro group, or a group −NR4R5 wherein R4 and R5 each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkylcarbonyl or R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached forming an optionally substituted, heterocyclic group; certain novel compounds falling within formula (I) and compositions comprising such compounds.

Abstract: Laminated interlocking stackable wall units are assembled using a large proportion of wood species unsuitable for use in the construction industry. The interlocking stackable wall units are used in combination with a laminated roof beam, and a roof panel to construct an earthquake-resistant buildings. Each building is tied together by composite steel bands that lend the structure flexibility and excellent resistance to wracking forces induced by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes and windstorms. The buildings are rapidly assembled with a minimum of labor, and are inexpensive to construct. The advantage is a high quality building constructed at reasonable cost.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and/or disorders associated with cerebral senility and/or other disorders which method comprises the administration of an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound of formula (I): or if appropriate a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent alkyl or a moiety of formula (a): —(CH2)m-A  (a) wherein m represents zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3; A represents a substituted or unsubstituted cyclic hydrocarbon radical; and R3 represents a halogen atom, a nitro group, or a group —NR4R5 wherein R4 and R5 each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkylcarbonyl or R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached forming an optionally substituted, heterocyclic group; certain novel compounds falling within formula (I) and compositions comprising such compounds.