Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid. The apparatus includes: a piezoelectric resonator configured to be disposed in the fluid; an electrode embedded in the piezoelectric resonator and included in a resonator circuit configured to output an electrical signal related to the property; a discontinuity defined by a surface of the piezoelectric resonator, the discontinuity altering an impedance of the resonator circuit if a high-dielectric fluid or a conductive fluid is disposed in the discontinuity; and an insulating material disposed in the discontinuity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between a resonator electrical connection during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between resonator electrical connections during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is evacuated or placed in a vacuum prior to curing to remove bubbles from the insulator material. The insulator is then heat cured. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between resonator electrical connections during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is evacuated or placed in a vacuum prior to curing to remove bubbles from the insulator material. The insulator is then heat cured. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between a resonator electrical connection during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method for simple fluorescence spectrometry in a downhole environment using a UV light source and UV fluorescence to determine a parameter of interest for a sample downhole. The UV light source illuminates the fluid, which in turn fluoresces light. The fluoresced light is transmitted back towards the UV light source and through the pathway towards an optical spectrum analyzer. API gravity is determined by correlation the wavelength of peak fluorescence and brightness of fluorescent emission of the sample. Asphaltene precipitation pressure is determined by monitoring the blue green content ratio for a sample under going depressurization.

Abstract: The invention relates to refractometry and attenuated reflectance spectrometry in a wellbore environment. Specifically, it pertains to a robust apparatus and method for measuring refractive index of fluids along a continuum (rather than in steps), and for measuring attenuated reflectance spectra, and for interpreting the measurements made with this apparatus to determine a variety of formation fluid parameters. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to distinguish between gas and liquid based on the much lower index of refraction of gas. It can also be used to monitor fluid sample clean up over time. The refractive index of a wellbore fluid is determined from the fraction, R, of light reflected off the interface between a transparent window that has a known refractive index and this fluid. Preferably, the refractive index is measured at some wavelength of light for which the fluid is not highly attenuating but is optimally attenuating.

Abstract: The invention relates to refractometry and attenuated reflectance spectrometry in a wellbore environment. Specifically, it pertains to a robust apparatus and method for measuring refractive index of fluids along a continuum (rather than in steps), and for measuring attenuated reflectance spectra, and for interpreting the measurements made with this apparatus to determine a variety of formation fluid parameters. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to distinguish between gas and liquid based on the much lower index of refraction of gas. It can also be used to monitor fluid sample clean up over time. The refractive index of a wellbore fluid is determined from the fraction, R, of light reflected off the interface between a transparent window that has a known refractive index and this fluid. Preferably, the refractive index is measured at some wavelength of light for which the fluid is not highly attenuating but is optimally attenuating.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method for simple fluorescence spectrometry in a downhole environment using a UV light source and UV fluorescence to determine a parameter of interest for a sample downhole. The UV light source illuminates the fluid, which in turn fluoresces light. The fluoresced light is transmitted back towards the UV light source and through the pathway towards an optical spectrum analyzer. API gravity is determined by correlation the wavelength of peak fluorescence and brightness of fluorescent emission of the sample. Asphaltene precipitation pressure is determined by monitoring the blue green content ratio for a sample under going depressurization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion. The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion. The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion.

Abstract: A fixed wireless access system includes circuitry for routing a call for a subscriber having a directory number not only through the primary cell, but also through any secondary cell for a border cell subscriber. In each case, the primary and secondary cells borders a geographically located near the geographic location of the border cell subscriber. For calls that are being routed to the border cell subscriber, one of a plurality of subscriber features including call forward no-answer, call forward unconditional or multiple access directory numbers may be used to cause the switch to trigger one or more fixed wireless access controllers to generate page request signals to the base stations for the border cell subscriber. For calls originated by the border cell subscriber, the subscriber's directory number is placed within the subscriber list for each base station whose cell borders are located geographically near the border cell subscribers geographic location.

Abstract: While setting up a fixed wireless system, each subscriber radiotelephone is configured to a permanent home cell. Subscribers located at the border of a cell may be configured to multiple cells for better coverage. The signal levels at the border subscriber's position are received and the mean values of each determined. These mean values are listed in descending order. If the largest mean value is greater than a predetermined threshold, the subscriber is configured to only the home cell. If the largest mean value is within a predetermined range, the second largest mean value is evaluated to determine if it is within the predetermined range. If so, the subscriber is configured to both serving cells. If the second largest mean value is outside the predetermined range, the subscriber is configured to only the home cell.

Abstract: Hybrid cryo-mechanical apparatus is provided to collect condensable vapors from an incoming gas flow. The gas flow is refrigerated in a series of upstream mechanical refrigeration stages, and fed to an indirect contact heat exchanger suitable for operation with a cryogen refrigerant. Temperature of the cryogen leaving the heat exchanger is monitored, and is used to operate a control valve which throttles the heat exchanger output.

Abstract: A footwear assembly in the form of a sandal or like device designed to be attached to the foot after a pedicure has been performed thereon and specifically configured to both keep the foot from becoming soiled and concurrently separating the various toes of the foot. More specifically, a plurality of finger elements are integrally attached at one end to a plug element which itself is attached to the base portion and disposed to extend upwardly therefrom into separating relation to the toes of the foot on which the footwear assembly is mounted. The base means includes a sole portion which is configured at least in part and preferably entirely in corresponding relation to the configuration of the foot so that upon receiving a pedicure one may place the sandal on the pedicured foot and thereby be mobile without dirtying the foot or ruining the pedicure by inadvertent engagement of the toes of the foot.