Abstract: An actuator assembly (100) comprises: a support structure (51); a movable part (10) that is movable relative to the support structure; and a set of one or more actuating units (80). Each actuating unit (80) is configured, on actuation, to apply a force on the movable part (10) that is substantially directed along a line in a plane perpendicular to a primary axis (z). Each actuating unit (10) comprises: a force-modifying mechanism (84) connected to one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); a coupling link (83) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the other of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10); and an SMA element (70a) connected between the force-modifying mechanism (84) and the one of the support structure (51) and the movable part (10).

Abstract: Drilling tools and/or drill bits having notches with buttressed regions and/or notches therewithin to improve notch strength. In some embodiments, the drill/drill bit may comprise a shank comprising a cutting face, the cutting face terminating in a cutting edge. A notch may be formed along the cutting edge, which may be configured to separate chips formed by the drilling tool during operation. A buttressed region may be formed within the notch and may terminate along the cutting edge. The buttressed region may expand a size of the notch in one or more dimensions.

Abstract: Drilling tools and/or drill bits having notches with buttressed regions and/or notches therewithin to improve notch strength. In some embodiments, the drill/drill bit may comprise a shank comprising a cutting face, the cutting face terminating in a cutting edge. A notch may be formed along the cutting edge, which may be configured to separate chips formed by the drilling tool during operation. A buttressed region may be formed within the notch and may terminate along the cutting edge. The buttressed region may expand a size of the notch in one or more dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining skew measurements for clock errors in an autonomous seismic node. A parabolic fit may be used to estimate the clock drift of an ocean bottom seismic node during node deployment. A temperature and/or frequency trend and a real-time temperature measurement may be used to compute a temperature corrected parabolic trend. The temperature and/or frequency trend may be measured in a laboratory on a node by node basis or it may be a single trend that is suitable for all nodes. The method may include measuring clock skew prior to node deployment and after node recovery, correcting the pre and post deployment skew measurements based on a temperature and/or frequency trend and/or to a constant reference temperature, and/or computing a parabolic trend of the skew measurements of the clock based on the temperature corrected pre and post deployment skew measurements.

Abstract: A modular countersink assembly, comprising a drill having an exterior tapered surface, a countersink body having an interior tapered surface for mating with the exterior tapered surface of the drill, and an insert removably secured to the countersink body enables an operator to replace either the drill and/or the insert if one or the other or both become worn. The insert is positioned both axially and radially and may have a PCD cutting edge.

Abstract: A veined cutting tool for producing holes in various materials is disclosed. The veined cutting tool includes a tungsten carbide body using a sintered abrasive particulate such as diamond (PCD) or Cubic Boron Nitrite (PCBN). The cutting tool shields a portion of the PCD or PCBN edge on the cutting side to reduce the overall length of the exposed PCD or PCBN to prevent the cutting edge from chipping and increase the service life of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A veined cutting tool for producing holes in various materials is disclosed. The veined cutting tool includes a tungsten carbide body using a sintered abrasive particulate such as diamond (PCD) or Cubic Boron Nitrite (PCBN). The cutting tool shields a portion of the PCD or PCBN edge on the cutting side to reduce the overall length of the exposed PCD or PCBN to prevent the cutting edge from chipping and increase the service life of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A drill bit for producing holes in composite materials is disclosed. The drill bit includes an elongate drill bit body having a drill bit diameter. The drill bit also includes at least two helical flutes. The helical flutes have a reverse helix angle and a primary cutting edge. The primary cutting edge may have a positive rake angle. The drill bit further includes a point having a point length. The drill bit may also include a cutting tip with a tip angle and a tip length. The tip length is at least twice the drill bit diameter.

Abstract: A PCD drill for producing close tolerance holes in multi layer laminates, such as carbon fiber reinforced composites, with minimum fraying of the fibers on both entrance and exit from the hole is provided. The drills provided include a symmetrical cutting point with a self-centering split point and a high shear second cutting lip positioned at the outer diameter of the drill. The drills of the invention may allow for increased cutting speeds and feeds when used with such advanced composite materials, thus increasing tool productivity and providing increased performance.

Abstract: A readout apparatus that can be carried in the shirt pocket of a technician. The readout apparatus is used to easily and quickly make a connection to a heating system via a data access port of the heating controls, especially in low light situations, without the need for cables or probes. A display enables a technician to determine information concerning the operational characteristics of the heating system control unit to obtain information concerning the operational characteristics of the heating system. Real time operational information concerning the operation of the heating system via its control unit such as well temperature, cad cell, and line voltage are provided. The apparatus is powered from the electrical power available at the data access port so that the apparatus does not require the use of batteries or need any external switching such as an on/off button.

Abstract: A swath of marine seismic data is acquired using a plurality of receiver lines, at least two near sources and at least one far source. Lines of data corresponding to the far seismic source are augmented to produce additional lines of interpolated and/or extrapolated seismic data that are equivalent to that which would be produced by a second far source. This makes it possible to obtain fill coverage seismic data with a shorter cable length and also increases the acquisition speed relative to an acquisition method using two near and two far seismic sources.

Abstract: A compact cutter for drilling or cutting material, such as rock, is formed from a substrate of tungsten carbide, or other hard substance, bonded to a polycrystalline layer which includes an upper, generally planar cutting surface. The corner formed by the cutting surface and the sides of the polycrystalline layer is rounded by honing to remove cracks and other irregularities and to eliminate the need for chamfering the corner.

Abstract: An abrasive compact with a substantially solid body is provided from a mass of abrasive particles which are bonded together on a particle-to-particle basis. A network of interstices is formed within the body by removing the metallic second phase by-product of a solvent catalyst sintering aid. The network of interstices is filled with the carbide by product of a non-catalyst sintering aid forking a solid body. A substrate is bonded to some of the particles and to some of the carbide filling the network of interstices.

Abstract: A helically fluted twist drill apparatus in which offset, opposed veins of sintered abrasive particulate, such as diamond, are embedded within a drill blank made of a less abrasive material such as carbide. The non-aligned veins of abrasive material, in one embodiment, themselves intersect through juxtapositioning adjacent the point and web of the drill, and in another embodiment, rely upon the interpositioning of a third intermediate vein which, in turn, intersects at least part of both the first and second nonintersecting veins, to describe a more economical and effective highly abrasive material region at the drill point and web locations.

Abstract: A composite sintered abrasive drill blank for formation into a rotary cutting tool in which one or more veins of sintered abrasive particulate are positioned to extend longitudinally from the conically shaped point region of the drill blank. The one or more veins of abrasive particulate are directly and molecularly bonded into the drill blank structure to expose the sintered abrasive particulate at both the top conical surface and the circumferential edges of the drill blank, with the sintered abrasive particulate forming the cutting surface elements of the rotary cutting tool formed therefrom.