Abstract: One or more embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to flotation devices, and more specifically to modular flotation devices with a mechanism to removably attach to other modular devices. In one embodiments, an apparatus includes a first flotation module and a first connector coupled to the first flotation module. The first connector has a first end portion, a second end portion and a sidewall extended from the first end portion to the second end portion. The sidewall defines a plurality of circumferentially defined stepped portions configured to matingly engage a second connector of a second flotation module to couple the first flotation module to the second flotation module. The first connector is selectively operative as one of a female connector or a male connector with respect to the second connector.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly including a plurality of discrete components each having an inner bore with a center axis, the plurality of discrete components axially abuttable such that each of the inner bores align to form a common bore, the plurality of discrete components including a fixing element; and a sealing element; wherein the plurality of discrete components are integrable by a setting device receivable through the common bore, and wherein application of a compressive force to the plurality of discrete components urges the fixing element and the sealing element to radially extend, relative to the axis of the common bore.

Abstract: A wellbore sealing assembly including a downhole device with a sealing sleeve coupled to the uphole end. The downhole device has an internal channel allowing fluid communication through the device that is substantially blocked when a ball is seated in the sleeve. The walls of the sleeve are elastically or plastically deformable, and are shaped to be deformed when the ball is seated. When deformed, the walls are in contact with the wellbore surface substantially blocking fluid communication around the device. Elastically deformable walls of the sleeve may further include a plastically deformable layer on its inner surface that, once deformed by the seating of the ball, keep the elastically deformed walls in contact with the wellbore surface when the ball is not seated.

Abstract: A steerable endoscopic tool uses concentric sleeves of varying curvature to steer a tool tip toward or in the direction of a location of surgical interest. By rotating and/or axially displacing such sleeves relative to one another the tool tip may be maneuvered within a current field of view with several degrees of freedom without any physical movement of an endoscope, thus facilitating improved surgical access and control without complex mechanical systems in the endoscope or at the surgical site.

Abstract: A wellbore anchoring assembly including a downhole device, a collar, and one or more deformable locking arms attached to the collar wherein the locking arms extend in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the collar. The downhole device having a first component, the surface of the first component having a first protrusion. Each of the locking arms being deformable away from the longitudinal axis, one or more gripping protrusions extend out from an outer surface of the locking arms, and at least one second protrusion extends from an inner surface of the locking arms. The inner surface is engageable with the surface of the first component to deform the locking arms away from the longitudinal axis. Upon engagement, the at least one first protrusion engages the at least one second protrusion to secure the collar to the downhole device.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly including a plurality of discrete components each having an inner bore with a center axis, the plurality of discrete components axially abuttable such that each of the inner bores align to form a common bore, the plurality of discrete components including a fixing element; and a sealing element; wherein the plurality of discrete components are integrable by a setting device receivable through the common bore, and wherein application of a compressive force to the plurality of discrete components urges the fixing element and the sealing element to radially extend, relative to the axis of the common bore.

Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine includes a location determining device for determining a location of the machine, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive location information from the location determining device, detect a path followed by the machine using the location information, present a plurality of preliminary waypoints to a user via the user interface, receive waypoint information from the user via the user interface indicating one or more selected waypoints corresponding to one or more of the preliminary waypoints, and automatically guide the machine using the one or more selected waypoints. The controller may automatically generate the plurality of preliminary waypoints as the machine traverses the path.

Abstract: A roofing system of the present disclosure has a first shingle layer and an overlaid layer a portion of which overlays the first shingle layer. Additionally, the roofing system has a first shingle in the first shingle layer, the first shingle having a first channel and a first protrusion in an upward-facing surface and the channel is contiguous with the protrusion, the channel and the protrusion formed on an interlocking end of the first shingle. Further, the roofing system has a second shingle in the overlaid layer, the second shingle having a second channel and a second protrusion in a downward-facing surface and the second channel is contiguous with the second protrusion such that the first channel is configured for receiving the second protrusion and the second channel is configured for receiving the first protrusion.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to control access from a casing in a borehole. A tool can be provided to allow flow from an inner diameter of a casing to external to the casing based on an alterable material structured as a portion of the tool. The alterable material can be structured as a dissolvable material or a degradable material. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A wellbore anchoring assembly including a downhole device, a collar, and one or more deformable locking arms attached to the collar wherein the locking arms extend in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the collar. The downhole device having a first component, the surface of the first component having a first protrusion. Each of the locking arms being deformable away from the longitudinal axis, one or more gripping protrusions extend out from an outer surface of the locking arms, and at least one second protrusion extends from an inner surface of the locking arms. The inner surface is engageable with the surface of the first component to deform the locking arms away from the longitudinal axis. Upon engagement, the at least one first protrusion engages the at least one second protrusion to secure the collar to the downhole device.

Abstract: A roofing system of the present disclosure has a first shingle layer and an overlaid layer a portion of which overlays the first shingle layer. Additionally, the roofing system has a first shingle in the first shingle layer, the first shingle having a first channel and a first protrusion in an upward-facing surface and the channel is contiguous with the protrusion, the channel and the protrusion formed on an interlocking end of the first shingle. Further, the roofing system has a second shingle in the overlaid layer, the second shingle having a second channel and a second protrusion in a downward-facing surface and the second channel is contiguous with the second protrusion such that the first channel is configured for receiving the second protrusion and the second channel is configured for receiving the first protrusion.

Abstract: A wellbore sealing assembly including a downhole device with a sealing sleeve coupled to the uphole end. The downhole device has an internal channel allowing fluid communication through the device that is substantially blocked when a ball is seated in the sleeve. The walls of the sleeve are elastically or plastically deformable, and are shaped to be deformed when the ball is seated. When deformed, the walls are in contact with the wellbore surface substantially blocking fluid communication around the device. Elastically deformable walls of the sleeve may further include a plastically deformable layer on its inner surface that, once deformed by the seating of the ball, keep the elastically deformed walls in contact with the wellbore surface when the ball is not seated.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising a tubular body comprising a downhole component having an external surface and a first inner bore formed therein, and an uphole component having a sloped external surface and a second inner bore formed therein, wherein the sloped external surface of the uphole component has at least one first protrusion, a plurality of slips disposed about the external surface of the tubular body between the uphole component and the downhole component, each of the plurality of slips comprising at least one sloped surface having at least one second protrusion, and an outer surface facing away from the external surface of the tubular body, the outer surface having one or more gripping protrusions, wherein the at least one sloped surface of each of the slip abuts the sloped external surface of the uphole component, wherein the three components provide a central inner bore.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a subsurface wiping plug apparatus includes an internal bore that extends for less than a length of the apparatus. A ported case encloses internal components of the apparatus such that each port of the case is configured to couple the internal bore to an external side of the case. A plug capsule is coupled to an end of the ported case. The plug capsule contains an internal wiping plug that is releasable by internal pressure.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising a tubular body comprising a downhole component having an external surface and a first inner bore formed therein, and an uphole component having a sloped external surface and a second inner bore formed therein, wherein the sloped external surface of the uphole component has at least one first protrusion, a plurality of slips disposed about the external surface of the tubular body between the uphole component and the downhole component, each of the plurality of slips comprising at least one sloped surface having at least one second protrusion, and an outer surface facing away from the external surface of the tubular body, the outer surface having one or more gripping protrusions, wherein the at least one sloped surface of each of the slip abuts the sloped external surface of the uphole component, wherein the three components provide a central inner bore.

Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine includes a location determining device for determining a location of the machine, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive location information from the location determining device, detect a path followed by the machine using the location information and, as the machine travels the path, receive waypoint information from a user via the user interface indicating a plurality of initial waypoints associated with the path. The controller is further configured to present the initial waypoints to the user, receive selected waypoint information from the user via the user interface indicating one or more of the initial waypoints as selected waypoints, and automatically guide the machine using the one or more selected waypoints.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a subsurface wiping plug apparatus includes an internal bore that extends for less than a length of the apparatus. A ported case encloses internal components of the apparatus such that each port of the case is configured to couple the internal bore to an external side of the case. A plug capsule is coupled to an end of the ported case. The plug capsule contains an internal wiping plug that is releasable by internal pressure.

Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine includes a location determining device for determining a location of the machine, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive location information from the location determining device, detect a path followed by the machine using the location information, present a plurality of preliminary waypoints to a user via the user interface, receive waypoint information from the user via the user interface indicating one or more selected waypoints corresponding to one or more of the preliminary waypoints, and automatically guide the machine using the one or more selected waypoints. The controller may automatically generate the plurality of preliminary waypoints as the machine traverses the path.

Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine includes a location determining device for determining a location of the machine, a user interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive location information from the location determining device, detect a path followed by the machine using the location information and, as the machine travels the path, receive waypoint information from a user via the user interface indicating a plurality of initial waypoints associated with the path. The controller is further configured to present the initial waypoints to the user, receive selected waypoint information from the user via the user interface indicating one or more of the initial waypoints as selected waypoints, and automatically guide the machine using the one or more selected waypoints.