Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of a gas lift well including the steps of: collecting data from at least one surface mounted sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor including a skin-mounted temperature sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor mounted to the gas lift well's surface equipment; collecting ambient temperature data; and determining gas lift performance from data so obtained. A system and field test kits for optimizing the operation of a gas lift well.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of a gas lift well. The method includes the steps of: collecting data from at least one surface mounted sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor including a skin-mounted temperature sensor, the at least one surface mounted sensor mounted to the gas lift well's surface equipment; collecting ambient temperature data; and determining gas lift performance from data so obtained. A system and field test kits for optimizing the operation of a gas lift well are also provided.

Abstract: Method for determining the depth of entry of lift gas into a production tube of a gas lift well includes the step of determining the concentration of GCOI endogenous to formation gas produced from the production tube of a gas lift well and absent from gas used as the lift gas in said gas lift well versus time after a perturbation of the rate of introduction of said lift gas into said production tube via one or more gas lift valves. The invention includes a system configured for evaluating the performance of gas lift well, including a separator, a flow regulation device, a measurement device for measuring over time the concentration of a GCOI in production fluids, a data collection and storage device for recording data from the measurement device, and a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium for analyzing the data collected by the measuring device.

Abstract: Software is provisioned by providing a repository that contains software files available for provisioning. At least one tag is associated with respective ones of at least a subset of the software files, the tags describing the at least a subset of the software files. A tag handler is used to process at least one detected change affecting at least one of the software files having a tag associated therewith.

Abstract: Software is provisioned by providing a repository that contains a software trove. A local changeset is generated that represents differences between a version of the software trove on the repository and a corresponding version of the software trove on a local system.

Abstract: The invention system is an automated system for creating, storing and using registration and itinerary records to provide security to participants. The system automatically monitors itinerary records and prompts the initiation of security response actions such as a telephone call to a participant provided contact person if a participant fails to cancel an itinerary prior to a stated itinerary completion time. The system is also able to receive payment and maintain a current payment status for the participant until a set time of expiration or until the participant fails to cancel an itinerary prior to a stated itinerary completion time.

Abstract: A wind guard is adapted for mounting on the upper edge of a vertically movable window of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile. The wind guard is preferably composed of a flexible plastic material and has an inverted U-shape so that it can be slipped onto the window and adjusted vertically thereon to provide the desired amount of window opening.

Abstract: A load cell includes base and load receiving members connected together by a pair of parallel flexures to form a parallelogram configuration. One of the flexures has at least one strain gage secured thereon, along with a cantilevered stop member positioned between the base and load receiving members. The stop member is suspended between the ends of a pair of adjustable set screws threadably mounted in the base and load receiving members to provide for an overload and underload protection of the load cell. Additional adjustable set screws are strategically placed in the load cell to further provide for the selective adjustment and redistribution of stresses sensed by the strain gage whereby the same electrical signal will be produced independent of the location of a load along a longitudinal axis of the load cell or a second axis perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A transducer adapted for load cell applications comprises a base having a load receiving member connected thereto by at least one and preferably two flexure springs to permit the member to flex relative to the base. A sensing beam, having one or more strain gauges secured thereon, is mounted in cantilevered relationship on the base and has a free end positioned adjacent to the member for engagement therewith to sense the load imposed on the member to produce a variable electrical output signal in response to the magnitude of the load. An adjustment is preferably provided to selectively adjust a point whereat a sensing tip mounted on the member engages the sensing beam whereby the output signal can be selectively adjusted to vary the weight capacity of the transducer.

Abstract: Control apparatus for recording first wanted signals of an input signal having the first signals and second unwanted signals, each of the second signals being of a time duration up to a predetermined maximum and each of the first signals being of any time duration greater than the predetermined maximum, including a circuit, responsive to the input signal, for automatically distinguishing the first signals from the second signals as a function of time duration, and a circuit for producing recorder control signals to record each of the first signals and to prevent recording of the second signals.

Abstract: A self-propelling toy comprises a ball-shaped housing having a tubular support member rotatably mounted therein. A weight is secured to and suspended from the support member and at least one rubber band is attached between the support member and the housing for storing-up and releasing energy therefrom when the rubber band is wound-up and the ball released.

Abstract: A method for anchoring and straightening a wall which extends below the ground including the steps of forming a hole in the ground at a distance from the wall, forming an opening in the wall from one side of the wall at a level below the ground, driving a shaft through the opening in the wall until one end thereof extends into the hole in the ground, securing an anchoring device to the end of the member in the hole, attaching a wall plate to the other end of the shaft by threading a nut onto the other end of the shaft and tightening the nut so that the wall plate is forced against the wall to thereby straighten and anchor the wall.