Abstract: A method for enhancing downhole telemetry performance comprising enhancing a signal in order to offset signal-to-noise ratio reduction with increasing measured depth, wherein the signal is modified at specified measured depths which are inferred from acoustic wave velocity determination.

Abstract: A method whereby a downhole drilling transmission device that communicates to the surface automatically modifies its transmission parameters in order that it substantially improves its ability to adequately communicate with a surface receiver despite increasing signal attenuation between the two as the length of drillpipe increases. This utilizes a simple measure of localized downhole pressure that then relies upon a look-up table or similar that provides a correspondence between said pressure and measured depth. Such a look-up table or similar can be readily built by incorporating appropriate features of the planned well such as drilling fluid flow rate, drilling fluid density, drilling fluid viscosity, well profile, bottom hole assembly component geometry, drillpipe geometry, and indications as to whether the fluid is flowing or stationary.

Abstract: Non-contacting means of measuring the material velocities of harmonic acoustic telemetry waves travelling along the wall of drillpipe, production tubing or coiled tubing are disclosed. Also disclosed are contacting means, enabling measurement of accelerations or material velocities associated with acoustic telemetry waves travelling along the wall of the tubing, utilizing as a detector either a wireless accelerometer system or an optical means, or both; these may also be applied to mud pulse telemetry, wherein the telemetry waves are carried via the drilling fluid, causing strain in the pipe wall that in turn causes wall deformation that can be directly or indirectly assessed by optical means. The present invention enables detection of telemetry wave detection in space-constrained situations. The invention also teaches a substantially contactless method of determining the time-based changes of the propagating telemetry waves.

Abstract: A bone screw has a spring section to allow the screw to elongate while it is being installed. The screw has a cavity with a proximal drive surface and a distal drive surface. The drive surfaces are located on opposite sides of the spring section. A drive tool that has proximal and distal drive members fits within the cavity. Rotating the drive tool transmits torque to both the proximal and distal drive sockets simultaneously.

Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed within the main valve member and extends coaxially relative to the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.

Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed within the main valve member and extends coaxially relative to the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.

Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed integrally within the valve body and extends parallel to, and spaced a short distance from, the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.

Abstract: An integrated pneumatic pressure regulator assembly including a housing having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a supply of pneumatic pressure, an outlet adapted for fluid communication with at least one pneumatically actuated device and an exhaust port. A pilot regulator valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to provide a pilot pressure. A pilot operated regulator valve is also provided in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The pilot operated regulator valve is responsive to the pilot pressure to regulate the supply pressure from the inlet to a predetermined system pressure delivered through the outlet to a pneumatically actuated device during normal operation.

Abstract: A solenoid having a bobbin with a rectangular core hole in which is mounted an armature having a rectangular cross section, and a pole piece having a rectangular cross section. The bobbin has a magnet wire coil wound around a bobbin tubular body which is rectangular in cross section. The bobbin has an upper flange and a lower flange that encloses the ends of the coil. A tubular can is seated around the bobbin. A top flux plate is seated on the upper can surface and a bottom flux plate is seated under the lower can surface. The flux plates are secured to the bobbin flanges. A sealing, electrical insulating heat dissipating material is disposed inside of the tubular can which seals the coil and insulates the coil from the flux plates, tubular can and solenoid mounting screws.

Abstract: A direct solenoid operated poppet valve having an adjustable valve seat that provides a selectively variable flow orifice for supplying a preset air flow requirement. The poppet valve spool stroke is set in accordance with the preset air flow requirement. Then, based on the measured poppet location with respect to the solenoid pole piece, a solenoid push pin is selected that provides the minimum solenoid stroke required for the preset valve stroke and preset air flow requirement.

Abstract: A direct solenoid operated poppet valve having an adjustable valve seat that provides a selectively variable flow orifice for supplying a preset air flow requirement. The poppet valve spool stroke is set in accordance with the preset air flow requirement. Then, based on the measured poppet location with respect to the solenoid pole piece, a solenoid push pin is selected that provides the minimum solenoid stroke required for the preset valve stroke and preset air flow requirement.

Abstract: A three-way normally closed, pilot air valve for supplying pressurized pilot air to a directional flow control air valve. The valve includes a valve body structure having a pilot air inlet port, a cylinder port, an exhaust port, an axial bore therethrough. A first passageway connects the pressurized pilot air inlet port to the cylinder port. A second passageway connects the cylinder port with the exhaust port. A balanced captive poppet valve spool is movably mounted in the valve body structure axial bore for controlling the flow of air through the two passageways, and it has an upper and a lower, conical annular, valve member element, which alternately seat on a circular sharp edged valve seat and an angled valve seat, respectively.

Abstract: A four port, individual, valve base for a fluid pressure valve system which is provided with a pair of integral exhaust flow control valves mounted in one end of the valve base, which meter the exhaust from a pair of exhaust inlet ports formed in the top surface of the valve base into a common exhaust passage, which communicates with a single exhaust outlet port formed in the front surface of the valve base. An electrical junction box is formed in the other end of the valve base.

Abstract: A valve base for a fluid pressure valve system which is provided with integral exhaust flow control valve means which may be selectively mounted in an end of the valve base, or in a side of the valve base, or with an exhaust flow control valve means in an end of the valve base and another exhaust flow control valve means in a side of the valve base.

Abstract: A manifold stacking base which may selectively provide an integral flow control function, with or without a pressure regulation function, for a fluid pressure valve system, without the need for a sandwich plate or an interface plate between the base and the valve in said system.

Abstract: An air pressure control system for use where a plurality of various sequential and repetitive air pressures are selectively required. A pilot air operated pressure regulator valve having a pilot air operator and a working air flow control valve are connected in series in a pressurized working air conduit between a source of pressurized air and an air cylinder. A pilot air pressure selector circuit means, for selectively and sequentially providing a plurality of pre-set pilot air pressures to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve, includes a plurality of pressurized pilot air conduit means which are connected in parallel with each other, and with one end of each pressurized pilot air conduit means being operatively connected to the source of pressurized air and the other end thereof being operatively connected to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve.

Abstract: A four-way, poppet valve having a plurality poppet valve elements mounted on a poppet valve spool. The poppet valve spool is movable in one direction by a return spring to a first operative position, whereby one pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a first pair of poppet valve seats to control the flow of pressurized air through the valve from a pressurized air inlet port and out through a first cylinder port and simultaneously to exhaust air entering a second cylinder port. A solenoid means having a floating pole piece is provided for moving the valve spool to a second operative position, whereby a second pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a second pair of poppet valve seats to reverse the flow of pressurized air through the valve. The flow of exhausting air may be controlled by a pair of flow control valves.

Abstract: A four-way directional flow control air valve having a valve spool movable to a first position. A solenoid has a pole piece seated against the valve body adjacent one end of the valve spool. An end of the valve spool is seated against the solenoid pole piece when the valve spool is in the first position. A pusher rod on the valve spool extends through a bore in the pole piece into engagement with a solenoid armature, whereby when the solenoid is energized, the armature moves the pusher rod and the valve spool from the first position to a second position a distance equal to the difference in length between the pole piece and the pusher rod. The valve spool can be moved back alternatively by a return spring or a second solenoid engageable with the other end of the valve spool in the same manner as the first solenoid moves the valve spool to the second position.

Abstract: A sliding valve spool and method of making the same for a directional, reversing flow control air valve, such as a four-way valve, a three-way valve, a two-way valve, and the like. A plurality of annular valve members and a pair of annular centering seals are integrally molded on a valve body, in a single molding operation and which function to maintain the center position of the valve spool during use of the same in a valve spool bore in an air valve, and which also provide a sealing function with said bore. The outer, equal diameter peripheries of the molded valve members and the molded annular centering seals are simultaneously ground together with an annular pressure seal groove adjacent each of the annular centering seals.

Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body and projected through the valve body cover, and having valve elements extended into separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and in the end plates.