Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses and systems for providing edge heating of semiconductor wafers using optical means. Such systems may direct radiant energy towards the edge region of a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A gas-operated, fixed-volume, downhole setting tool includes a mandrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The mandrel has a first end on the upper portion and a second end on the lower portion. The mandrel also includes an interior combustion chamber having a first end proximate to the first end of the mandrel and having an interior upper portion. The setting tool further includes a pressure bulkhead with a pressure igniter disposed in the mandrel at the first end of the mandrel in the interior upper portion of the mandrel. The pressure igniter is sealed to at least a first threshold pressure. The pressure bulkhead and pressure igniter form a seal on the first end of the mandrel and thereby define a fixed volume for combustion gases. Other settings tools and assemblies are presented.

Abstract: A gas-operated, fixed-volume, downhole setting tool includes a mandrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The mandrel has a first end on the upper portion and a second end on the lower portion. The mandrel also includes an interior combustion chamber having a first end proximate to the first end of the mandrel and having an interior upper portion. The setting tool further includes a pressure bulkhead with a pressure igniter disposed in the mandrel at the first end of the mandrel in the interior upper portion of the mandrel. The pressure igniter is sealed to at least a first threshold pressure. The pressure bulkhead and pressure igniter form a seal on the first end of the mandrel and thereby define a fixed volume for combustion gases. Other settings tools and assemblies are presented.

Abstract: A blender includes a base. The blender further includes a sensor disposed in the base. The blender further includes a container selectively coupled with the base in a first rotational position and in a second rotational position. The container has an upper portion and a lower portion. The blender further includes a lid selectively engaging the upper portion of the container. The blender further includes a carrier in the lower portion and extending between a first end and a second end. The carrier includes a first magnet disposed proximate the first end. The carrier further includes a second magnet disposed proximate the second end. The sensor is configured to detect the first magnet in the first rotational position and the second magnet in the second rotational position.

Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a structure securing a circuit board. The structure may be configured to be inserted into a recess in a tool on a drill string. The downhole sensor apparatus may include one or more sensors coupled to the circuit board and a cap over the structure. The downhole sensor apparatus may further include a data port electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to transmit data from the sensors to an external device. The downhole sensor apparatus may include a threaded element configured to thread into complementary threads in the recess in the tool. The downhole sensor apparatus may be configured to operate in an idle condition. The downhole sensor apparatus may compare readings from at least two sensors to threshold downhole conditions and begin normal operation when the readings from the at least two sensors meet or exceed the threshold downhole conditions.

Abstract: A dual-plenum fractal (DPF) showerhead for distributing different semiconductor processing gases across a semiconductor wafer during processing operations is provided. The DPF showerhead may have a plurality of layers, each featuring a pattern of gas distribution features, with the gas distribution features on each layer generally being similar in shape to the gas distribution features on the layer immediately upstream therefrom but smaller in size. Such a “fractal”-like structure to the gas flow passages provides very uniform processing gas delivery across the surface of a semiconductor wafer during processing operations, thereby enhancing wafer uniformity.

Abstract: Igniter assemblies for use with setting tools are disclosed. The igniter assemblies have an electronic heating element disposed adjacent to an energetic material within a setting tool. In some embodiments, the electronic heating element is a resistor or a PCB mounted resistor. Electrical connections are attached to the heating element to provide electrical current to activate the heating element. In some instances, the electrical heating element is disposed onto an insulator cap that is coupled to a pressure block attached to the setting tool, and in some instances the electronic heating element is attached to a non-explosive portion and the energetic material is disposed within an explosive portion. When the non-explosive portion and the explosive portion are assembled, the electronic heating element is adjacent to the energetic material. Other assemblies are described.

Abstract: In the context of downhole tools, bulkhead igniter assemblies having snap-on insulators are disclosed. In some embodiments the bulkhead igniter assemblies have a bulkhead with a first end formed with at least one ridge or groove, a pressure block, a setting tool, and a snap-on insulator. The snap-on insulator has an annular body having a tubular channel through a center portion. Ridges or groves on the snap-on insulator mate with ridges or grooves on the bulkhead igniter to hold the snap-on insulator in place on the bulkhead igniter by interaction of the ridge or groove of the snap-on insulator with the ridge or groove on the first end of the bulkhead igniter. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In the context of downhole tools, fixed volume power charge initiator assemblies and bottom hole assemblies utilizing fixed volume power charge initiator assembly are disclosed. The fixed volume power charge initiator assembly has a pressure bulkhead coupled to a cartridge. The cartridge includes an igniter disposed within an interior cavity of the cartridge. When used in a bottom hole assembly the fixed volume power charge initiator assembly is located in a setting tool adjacent to a power charge located within a combustion chamber of the setting tool. The combustion chamber and the cartridge together define a fixed total combustion volume. In some instances, the fixed volume power charge initiator assembly includes a power charge detector switch. Other assemblies are discussed.

Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a first surface at a first end of the downhole sensor apparatus, a sensor coupled to the downhole sensor apparatus, and an exterior surface at a second, opposite end of the downhole sensor apparatus. The downhole sensor apparatus is configured to be inserted into a recess of a drill string component such that the first surface is adjacent an interior surface within the recess. The exterior surface of the downhole sensor apparatus is configured to receive external pressure that results in a force that transfers through the downhole sensor apparatus to an interface defined by a contact area between the first surface and the interior surface. The contact area of the interface is smaller than the exterior surface. Drill string components, such as earth-boring and downhole tools, incorporating such a downhole sensor apparatus and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool operable to connect within a downhole tool string. The downhole tool may include a first sub, a second sub, and a movable joint movably connecting the first sub and the second sub to facilitate relative angular movement between the first sub and the second sub. The downhole tool may be operable to connect together a first portion of the tool string and a second portion of the tool string and facilitate relative angular movement between the first portion of the tool string and the second portion of the tool string when the downhole tool is connected within the tool string.

Abstract: A gas-operated, fixed-volume, downhole setting tool includes a mandrel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The mandrel has a first end on the upper portion and a second end on the lower portion. The mandrel also includes an interior combustion chamber having a first end proximate to the first end of the mandrel and having an interior upper portion. The setting tool further includes a pressure bulkhead with a pressure igniter disposed in the mandrel at the first end of the mandrel in the interior upper portion of the mandrel. The pressure igniter is sealed to at least a first threshold pressure. The pressure bulkhead and pressure igniter form a seal on the first end of the mandrel and thereby define a fixed volume for combustion gases. Other settings tools and assemblies are presented.

Abstract: Improved edge rings with wafer-centering roller mechanisms are disclosed. The roller mechanisms of these apparatuses are equipped with spring-biased rollers that are urged radially inward such that the rollers may move radially inward or outward to compensate for differential temperature expansion between wafers and the edge ring over a large temperature range while still maintaining high placement accuracy at both high and low temperatures.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a machine is provided. The steering assembly includes a frame. The steering assembly also includes a steering column mounted on the frame. The steering column includes a steering input device and a controller communicably coupled to the steering input device. The steering assembly further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering column. The steering wheel is disposed adjacent to the steering input device.

Abstract: A downhole tool operable to connect within a downhole tool string. The downhole tool may include a first sub, a second sub, and a movable joint movably connecting the first sub and the second sub to facilitate relative angular movement between the first sub and the second sub. The downhole tool may be operable to connect together a first portion of the tool string and a second portion of the tool string and facilitate relative angular movement between the first portion of the tool string and the second portion of the tool string when the downhole tool is connected within the tool string.

Abstract: A downhole sensor system may include at least two accelerometers having at least two axes of measurement. The at least two accelerometers may include a first accelerometer in a first position and a second accelerometer in a second position. A first axis of the second accelerometer may be substantially coaxial with a first axis of the first accelerometer and a second axis of the second accelerometer may be parallel to and offset from a second corresponding axis of the first accelerometer. The downhole sensor system may further include at least one processor, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that when executed by the at least one processor may cause the processor to measure a first acceleration from the first accelerometer and measure a second acceleration from the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A downhole sensor apparatus may include a structure securing a circuit board. The structure may be configured to be inserted into a recess in a tool on a drill string. The downhole sensor apparatus may include one or more sensors coupled to the circuit board and a cap over the structure. The downhole sensor apparatus may further include a data port electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to transmit data from the sensors to an external device. The downhole sensor apparatus may include a threaded element configured to thread into complementary threads in the recess in the tool. The downhole sensor apparatus may be configured to operate in an idle condition. The downhole sensor apparatus may compare readings from at least two sensors to threshold downhole conditions and begin normal operation when the readings from the at least two sensors meet or exceed the threshold downhole conditions.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a machine is provided. The steering assembly includes a frame. The steering assembly also includes a steering column mounted on the frame. The steering column includes a steering input device and a controller communicably coupled to the steering input device. The steering assembly further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering column. The steering wheel is disposed adjacent to the steering input device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for running casing into a wellbore. An apparatus may be or include a casing collar configured to couple together a first casing joint and a second casing joint. The casing collar may have a body and a plurality of rotatable members connected to the body. The body may have a fluid passage extending axially therethrough, a first coupler configured to couple the casing collar with the first casing joint, and a second coupler configured to couple the casing collar with the second casing joint. At least a portion of each rotatable member may extend from the body in a radially outward direction.