Abstract: Valve systems include a valve and a valve actuator assembly for operating the valve. The valve actuator assembly includes a drive device and a hand wheel assembly that can independently be used to cause movement of the valve. An anti-back drive component is coupled to the output of the drive device, the hand wheel assembly, or both. The anti-back drive component includes a locking device and an unlocking device, each with respective protrusions that cooperate to define cavities that house pairs of springs and rollers. The shape and orientation of the cavities allows for rotation of the rollers in the cavities and the anti-back drive component by rotating the unlocking device, while preventing rotation of the rollers and the anti-back drive component via rotation of the locking device to selectively prevent rotation of the output of the drive device, hand wheel assembly, or both.

Abstract: Valve systems include a valve and a valve actuator assembly for operating the valve. The valve actuator assembly includes a drive device and a hand wheel assembly that can independently be used to cause movement of the valve. An anti-back drive component is coupled to the output of the drive device, the hand wheel assembly, or both. The anti-back drive component includes a locking device and an unlocking device, each with respective protrusions that cooperate to define cavities that house pairs of springs and rollers. The shape and orientation of the cavities allows for rotation of the rollers in the cavities and the anti-back drive component by rotating the unlocking device, while preventing rotation of the rollers and the anti-back drive component via rotation of the locking device to selectively prevent rotation of the output of the drive device, hand wheel assembly, or both.

Abstract: Valve systems include a valve and a valve actuator assembly for operating the valve. The valve actuator assembly includes a drive device and a hand wheel assembly that can independently be used to cause movement of the valve. An anti-back drive component is coupled to the output of the drive device, the hand wheel assembly, or both. The anti-back drive component includes a locking device and an unlocking device, each with respective protrusions that cooperate to define cavities that house pairs of springs and rollers. The shape and orientation of the cavities allows for rotation of the rollers in the cavities and the anti-back drive component by rotating the unlocking device, while preventing rotation of the rollers and the anti-back drive component via rotation of the locking device to selectively prevent rotation of the output of the drive device, hand wheel assembly, or both.

Abstract: Valve systems include a valve and a valve actuator assembly for operating the valve. The valve actuator assembly includes a drive device and a hand wheel assembly that can independently be used to cause movement of the valve. An anti-back drive component is coupled to the output of the drive device, the hand wheel assembly, or both. The anti-back drive component includes a locking device and an unlocking device, each with respective protrusions that cooperate to define cavities that house pairs of springs and rollers. The shape and orientation of the cavities allows for rotation of the rollers in the cavities and the anti-back drive component by rotating the unlocking device, while preventing rotation of the rollers and the anti-back drive component via rotation of the locking device to selectively prevent rotation of the output of the drive device, hand wheel assembly, or both.

Abstract: A collapsible baffle sub installable within a casing string of a hydrocarbon well. The collapsible baffle sub includes a movable sleeve and a collapsible baffle. By moving the sleeve from a first to a second position using a setting tool, the collapsible baffle is permitted to collapse within the collapsible baffle sub. Once collapsed, the collapsible baffle may receive an untethered object, such as a ball, forming a seal between the untethered object and the collapsible baffle and isolating sections of the wellbore for treatment.

Abstract: A collapsible baffle sub installable within a casing string of a hydrocarbon well. The collapsible baffle sub includes a movable sleeve and a collapsible baffle. By moving the sleeve from a first to a second position using a setting tool, the collapsible baffle is permitted to collapse within the collapsible baffle sub. Once collapsed, the collapsible baffle may receive an untethered object, such as a ball, forming a seal between the untethered object and the collapsible baffle and isolating sections of the wellbore for treatment.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case in a motor vehicle driveline that includes by an engine controlled by a throttle having a variable position, and a transmission driveably connected to the engine for producing multiple ratios of the speed of a transmission input relative to the speed of a transmission output. The transfer case transmitting rotating power in response to an electric signal applied to a clutch. The method includes determining that the engine throttle position is less than a first reference throttle position during a period of predetermined length; determining that a speed of the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range; determining that the transmission is operating in a speed ratio greater than a reference speed ratio; determining that the engine throttle position is greater than a first reference throttle position; and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case clutch in a motor vehicle driveline controlled by an engine throttle having a variable position. The transfer case transmits rotating power to a primary power path and to a secondary power path in response to an electric current duty cycle applied to a coil that actuates the clutch. The method includes the steps of determining that a current vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed; determining that the engine throttle position is in a reference throttle position range; determining that a change in vehicle speed is greater than a reference change in vehicle speed; using a current magnitude of torque in the driveline to determine a desired duty cycle for the coil; and applying a duty cycle of the desired magnitude to the coil.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case clutch in a motor vehicle driveline controlled by an engine throttle having a variable position. The transfer case transmits rotating power to a primary power path and to a secondary power path in response to an electric current duty cycle applied to a coil that actuates the clutch. The method includes the steps of determining that a current vehicle speed is less than a reference vehicle speed; determining that the engine throttle position is in a reference throttle position range; determining that a change in vehicle speed is greater than a reference change in vehicle speed; using a current magnitude of torque in the driveline to determine a desired duty cycle for the coil; and applying a duty cycle of the desired magnitude to the coil.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transfer case in a motor vehicle driveline that includes by an engine controlled by a throttle having a variable position, and a transmission driveably connected to the engine for producing multiple ratios of the speed of a transmission input relative to the speed of a transmission output. The transfer case transmitting rotating power in response to an electric signal applied to a clutch. The method includes determining that the engine throttle position is less than a first reference throttle position during a period of predetermined length; determining that a speed of the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range; determining that the transmission is operating in a speed ratio greater than a reference speed ratio; determining that the engine throttle position is greater than a first reference throttle position; and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch for a predetermined period.

Abstract: This invention is a means for securely connecting a loop of webbing around an object then providing for the release and retrieval of the webbing from a remote location using a small pull cord. The primary application for the invention is rappelling. Rock climbers and canyoneers typically need to leave behind equipment after they complete a rappel. With this invention, all equipment associated with rappelling, including webbing used to attach a rope to an anchor, can be retrieved. This saves the rappeller money, as well as satisfy public land managers (ie, National Park Service) who are increasing becoming intolerant of “fixed” rappel anchors left behind by rappellers.