Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for improving the useful life of sorbent beds, such as activated carbon filter beds. It is known that breakthrough in carbon filter beds first occurs at the low gas velocity regions of the filter bed, i.e., at the filter's edges. A recirculation jacket filter system diverts already filtered air from the downstream side of the filter bed toward the peripheral region of the upstream side of the filter bed so that contaminants near the filter's edges are reduced and filter life is improved.

Abstract: A sequential hydraulic well control system provides actuator selection and operation utilizing pressure applied to hydraulic lines in a sequence. In a disclosed embodiment, an actuation control device of a well control system includes multiple pistons, at least one of which is included in a latch for selectively permitting and preventing displacement of another of the pistons. When one of the pistons displaces in response to pressure applied sequentially to hydraulic inputs of the control device, an associated actuator is placed in fluid communication with the inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smart card and also to a method of producing such a smart card having a card body (11), at least one recess (12a, 12b) arranged therein for receiving at least one chip module (16) having module connections (17) in the edge region (16a) of the chip module (16) and a conductive structure body embedded in the card body (11) and having body contact connections (13), in particular an antenna having antenna connections which are arranged below the edge region (16a) of the chip module (16), where, with the chip module (16) installed between the module connections (17) on the one hand and the body contact connections (13) on the other hand, adhesive parts (14) preferably applied at points and made of elastic, conductive material are arranged between the connections (13, 17) with pressure being applied to produce a contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with two or more hydraulic conduits deployed downhole reduces a number of penetrations required through a well bulkhead for a given number of fluid paths extending therethrough. In a described embodiment, a fluid conductor includes multiple fluid paths extending therein. The fluid conductor is installed in an aperture formed through a bulkhead. Couplings are connected on opposite sides of the bulkhead to opposite ends of the fluid conductor. Multiple hydraulic lines are connected to each of the couplings.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated fluid metering apparatus provides discharge of a known volume of fluid to an actuator of a well tool. In one described embodiment, the fluid metering apparatus is connected to a hydraulic input of a well tool actuator. Discharge of the known volume of fluid to the actuator input causes a piston of the actuator to displace a known distance, thereby producing a known increment of actuation of the well tool. The discharge of the known volume of fluid may be repeated to produce a desired total degree of actuation of the well tool.

Abstract: A sequential hydraulic well control system provides actuator selection and operation utilizing pressure applied to hydraulic lines in a sequence. In a disclosed embodiment, an actuation control device of a well control system includes multiple pistons, at least one of which is included in a latch for selectively permitting and preventing displacement of another of the pistons. When one of the pistons displaces in response to pressure applied sequentially to hydraulic inputs of the control device, an associated actuator is placed in fluid communication with the inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for absorbing shock downhole in a wellbore. The kinetic energy from a moving tool is absorbed to dissipate such energy, to decelerate the moving tool, or to prevent impact damage s from contact between the tool and other downhole components. An actuator has an interference fit with a body such as the interior wall of a tubing section. When the moving tool actuates the actuator to move the actuator relative to the body, kinetic energy is dissipated into the body as the body elastically deforms due to the moving actuator. The amount of energy dissipated can be determined from the strength of the body, the contact dimensions between the actuator and body, and the length of moving contact between the actuator and body.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for preserving plants and plant parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with two or more hydraulic conduits deployed downhole reduces a number of penetrations required through a well bulkhead for a given number of fluid paths extending therethrough. In a described embodiment, a fluid conductor includes multiple fluid paths extending therein. The fluid conductor is installed in an aperture formed through a bulkhead. Couplings are connected on opposite sides of the bulkhead to opposite ends of the fluid conductor. Multiple hydraulic lines are connected to each of the couplings.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated fluid metering apparatus provides discharge of a known volume of fluid to an actuator of a well tool. In one described embodiment, the fluid metering apparatus is connected to a hydraulic input of a well tool actuator. Discharge of the known volume of fluid to the actuator input causes a piston of the actuator to displace a known distance, thereby producing a known increment of actuation of the well tool. The discharge of the known volume of fluid may be repeated to produce a desired total degree of actuation of the well tool.

Abstract: A line marking system for installing permanent field lines in natural grass fields is disclosed. The system comprises a line fixed to a backing sheet which is installed under the grass sod. The backing sheet is preferably a mesh which allows the grass to grow through the backing sheet thereby anchoring the line to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for absorbing shock downhole in a wellbore. The kinetic energy from a moving tool is absorbed to dissipate such energy, to decelerate the moving tool, or to prevent impact damage from contact between the tool and other downhole components. An actuator has an interference fit with a body such as the interior wall of a tubing section. When the moving tool actuates the actuator to move the actuator relative to the body, kinetic energy is dissipated into the body as the body elastically deforms due to the moving actuator. The amount of energy dissipated can be determined from the strength of the body, the contact dimensions between the actuator and body, and the length of moving contact between the actuator and body.

Abstract: A method for recovering a component from a wellbore fluid mixture has been invented that includes feeding a wellbore fluid mixture to a decanting centrifuge, the wellbore fluid containing at least one liquid component and undesirable solids; separating undesirable solids from the wellbore fluid mixture with the decanting centrifuge, producing an intermediate fluid containing the at least one liquid component and a reduced amount of the undesirable solids; and feeding the intermediate fluid to a secondary centrifuge, producing a final fluid containing the at least one liquid component and a further reduced amount of the undesirable solids. In certain aspects at least some of the undesirable solids are barite pieces, which in one aspect have a largest dimension of no more than 192 microns, and in one aspect wherein at least 50% or 99% of the barite pieces by weight are removed. Such a method is useful, in certain aspects, to separate undesirable solids have a largest dimension of at least 75 microns.

Abstract: An interferometer used to measure distance to an object is provided with a laser sheath. The sheath encloses a substantial part of the measurement beam's path to provide a controlled environment which reduces environmental influences on the measured distance. The sheath is of variable length and responsive to a follower so as to maintain a sheath end nearest the object at a small distance from the object. An environmental controller controls the environment within the sheath. The environment within the sheath can be a vacuum or a suitable gas or gas mixture. A corrector can be used to compensate the interferometer's measured-distance signal for detected environmental characteristics to produce a corrected signal which indicates distance between the interferometer and the reflective surface. The apparatus and methods can be used to measure and control stage position in a projection-type wafer exposure system which is affected by variations in its atmospheric environment.

Abstract: A release device for releasably coupling a first object to a second object includes a first member (10) adapted to be coupled to the first object and a second member (20) adapted to be coupled to the second objects. A latch mechanism (12, 21, 28) releasably couples the first member (10) to the second member (20). A time delay mechanism (22, 23, 24, 26, 27) permits the latch mechanism (12, 21, 28) to decouple the first and second members (10, 20) only after a time interval has elapsed from initiation of the decoupling of the first and second member (10, 20).

Abstract: Apparatus (50) for amplifying a load applied by a wireline to a tool in a borehold includes a housing (4). A first coupling device (51) couples the wireline to the apparatus (50) and a second coupling device (60) couples the tool to the apparatus (50). The second coupling device (19) is movably mounted within the housing (4) and the transmission mechanism (9, 14,16) interconnects the first and second coupling devices. The transmission mechanism permits a mechanical advantage and comprises a first linearly movable member (9) coupled to the first coupling device (51) and a second linearly movable member (16) coupled to the second coupling device (19). The first and second members (9, 16) are interconnected by a rotatable member (14) such that movement of the first member (9) rotates the rotatable member (14) to move the second member (16). The movement of the second member (16) is less than the movement of the first member (9) and so the apparatus (50) generates a mechanical advantage.