Abstract: Methods and systems for capture object-based assays, including for determining a measure of the concentration of an analyte molecule or particle in a fluid sample, are described. The methods and systems may relate to high sensitivity detection of analytes, sometimes using assay conditions and sample handling that result in the capture and detection of a high percentage of the analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample using relatively few capture objects. Apparatuses and methods for immobilizing capture objects with respect to assay sites, in some instances with unexpectedly high efficiencies are also described. Some such apparatuses involve the use of force fields and fluid meniscus forces, alone or in combination, to facilitate or improve capture object immobilization.

Abstract: Shaped charge slitting devices for control line disruption in a hydrocarbon well and related methods for sealing the hydrocarbon well. The shaped charge slitting devices include a plurality of shaped charges. Each shaped charge is configured to, upon actuation, transform a corresponding liner into a high-speed sheet portion, which is configured to form a circumferential slit within production tubing, and a low-speed slug portion, which is configured to at least partially seal the circumferential slit. The methods include positioning a shaped charge slitting device within a selected region of a tubing conduit, actuating the shaped charge slitting device to form a plurality of circumferential slits within the production tubing and also to sever a control line, pumping a sealing material into an annular space via a sealing material injection opening that extends between the tubing conduit and the annular space, and curing the sealing material to form a fluid seal.

Abstract: Shaped charge slitting devices for control line disruption in a hydrocarbon well and related methods for sealing the hydrocarbon well. The shaped charge slitting devices include a plurality of shaped charges. Each shaped charge is configured to, upon actuation, transform a corresponding liner into a high-speed sheet portion, which is configured to form a circumferential slit within production tubing, and a low-speed slug portion, which is configured to at least partially seal the circumferential slit. The methods include positioning a shaped charge slitting device within a selected region of a tubing conduit, actuating the shaped charge slitting device to form a plurality of circumferential slits within the production tubing and also to sever a control line, pumping a sealing material into an annular space via a sealing material injection opening that extends between the tubing conduit and the annular space, and curing the sealing material to form a fluid seal.

Abstract: A simultaneous linear initiation mechanism (SLIM). The SLIM includes a first layer. The first layer includes a port, where the port passes through the first layer and is configured to receive a first high explosive. The SLIM also includes a second layer. The second layer includes one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the second layer configured to receive a second high explosive and two or more destination points, where the two or more destination points are the terminal ends of the one or more traces. The SLIM further includes one or more saddle blocks. The one or more saddle blocks include one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the saddle block configured to receive a third high explosive and multiple outlets, where the multiple outlets are configured to receive the third high explosive.

Abstract: This patent relates to lined shaped explosive devices, in particular it relates to linear Shaped Charges (SC), more particularly it relates to a Fluted or Scalloped Linear Shaped Charge. The fluted linear SC, unlike a standard linear SC produces hydrodynamic penetration, higher jet velocities, higher mass jets and deeper penetration. The fluted linear device disclosed herein produces greater compression and convergence of the liner material because of the partial radial collapse of the concave flutes. Further, the fluted linear SC is equipped with a simultaneous initiation of the full length of the explosive driving the liner, providing smooth detonation wave front along the full length of the fluted linear liner.

Abstract: This invention is a subterranean (non-hydraulic) shock fracturing system and process for fracturing oil and gas bearing formations. The system delivers small amounts of precisely placed explosive charges into the formation. These charges produce large diameter deep penetrations and by coupling to the rock concussively fracture the formation in the vicinity increasing permeability in the rock or strata. Shock fracturing (SF) is far more efficient than hydraulic fracturing (HF), SF fractures radially across all strata and leaves no part of the volume addressed un-permeated. The objective of the system is to efficiently increase permeability of the formation by directionally controlled concussive shattering of the rock around the epicenter of the detonation of the explosive charge deposited in the formation.

Abstract: A simultaneous linear initiation mechanism (SLIM). The SLIM includes a first layer. The first layer includes a port, where the port passes through the first layer and is configured to receive a first high explosive. The SLIM also includes a second layer. The second layer includes one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the second layer configured to receive a second high explosive and two or more destination points, where the two or more destination points are the terminal ends of the one or more traces. The SLIM further includes one or more saddle blocks. The one or more saddle blocks include one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the saddle block configured to receive a third high explosive and multiple outlets, where the multiple outlets are configured to receive the third high explosive.

Abstract: This patent relates to lined shaped explosive devices, in particular it relates to linear Shaped Charges (SC), more particularly it relates to a Fluted or Scalloped Linear Shaped Charge. The fluted linear SC, unlike a standard linear SC produces hydrodynamic penetration, higher jet velocities, higher mass jets and deeper penetration. The fluted linear device disclosed herein produces greater compression and convergence of the liner material because of the partial radial collapse of the concave flutes. Further, the fluted linear SC is equipped with a simultaneous initiation of the full length of the explosive driving the liner, providing smooth detonation wave front along the full length of the fluted linear liner.

Abstract: This invention is a subterranean (non-hydraulic) shock fracturing system and process for fracturing oil and gas bearing formations. The system delivers small amounts of precisely placed explosive charges into the formation. These charges produce large diameter deep penetrations and by coupling to the rock concussively fracture the formation in the vicinity increasing permeability in the rock or strata. Shock fracturing (SF) is far more efficient than hydraulic fracturing (HF), SF fractures radially across all strata and leaves no part of the volume addressed un-permeated. The objective of the system is to efficiently increase permeability of the formation by directionally controlled concussive shattering of the rock around the epicenter of the detonation of the explosive charge deposited in the formation.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical imaging of Cerenkov luminescence from an object subsequent to the object receiving a dose of a radiopharmaceutical, the apparatus comprising: a light tight enclosure within which the object can be received at a sample location; an imaging means; a means to mitigate direct particle impingement between the sample location and the imaging means; and one or more optical elements for transmitting Cerenkov photons from within the light tight enclosure to the imaging means.

Abstract: This invention is an array of liners in an axilinear shaped charge device, such as a multiple component axilinear fluted linear liner that will be mated to high explosive that is housed in a single common containment body or a circular configuration of a six segment fluted Axilinear liner, which will be mated to high explosive and housed in a single common containment body. This connected liner variation of the Axilinear device can be straight, circular or in a curved spline arrangement, and each component of this novel Linear device can be on the path line of the spline or staggered about the path line, furthermore the orientation of the planer collapse of the fluted wing segments can be other than parallel or tangent to the spline path.

Abstract: This invention is an array of liners in an axilinear shaped charge device, such as a multiple component axilinear fluted linear liner that will be mated to high explosive that is housed in a single common containment body or a circular configuration of a six segment fluted Axilinear liner, which will be mated to high explosive and housed in a single common containment body. This connected liner variation of the Axilinear device can be straight, circular or in a curved spline arrangement, and each component of this novel Linear device can be on the path line of the spline or staggered about the path line, furthermore the orientation of the planer collapse of the fluted wing segments can be other than parallel or tangent to the spline path.

Abstract: This invention is a unique arrangement of shaped charge devices in an array to produce a patterned or arranged explosive pattern in a target area. The Axilinear design, in a plural array configuration, solves the limitations of a smooth walled circular linear liner by having opposing corrugations or flutes that have sufficient curvature to converge the liner material so as to obtain ductile Munroe jetting, longer jets, and higher velocities. The individual shaped explosive devices have a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. This Axilinear device will produce a combination jet, consisting of a rod forward portion, followed by and connected to a planar symmetric wide spade shaped rear portion.

Abstract: This invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that has a parabolic apex, which can produce a purely planar symmetric jet. The half pipe liner in the present invention has a parabolic apex or pole toward the aft end, a “V” notch on each side of the concave wings toward the fore end, and liner base end on each wing. Liner resembles two angled half sections of thin walled pipe butted together at the apex or pole, and when properly driven by a high explosive will produce a spade shaped stretching Munroe jet that erodes a deep elongated hole in a target. Alternatively, this invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. When applied in a circular or other polygonal shaped array the Axilinear shaped charges will produce extremely large diameter holes greater than the overall diameter of the array.

Abstract: This invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that has a parabolic apex, which can produce a purely planar symmetric jet. The half pipe liner in the present invention has a parabolic apex or pole toward the aft end, a “V” notch on each side of the concave wings toward the fore end, and liner base end on each wing. Liner resembles two angled half sections of thin walled pipe butted together at the apex or pole, and when properly driven by a high explosive will produce a spade shaped stretching Munroe jet that erodes a deep elongated hole in a target. Alternatively, this invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. When applied in a circular or other polygonal shaped array the Axilinear shaped charges will produce extremely large diameter holes greater than the overall diameter of the array.

Abstract: This invention is a unique arrangement of shaped charge devices in an array to produce a patterned or arranged explosive pattern in a target area. The Axilinear design, in a plural array configuration, solves the limitations of a smooth walled circular linear liner by having opposing corrugations or flutes that have sufficient curvature to converge the liner material so as to obtain ductile Munroe jetting, longer jets, and higher velocities. The individual shaped explosive devices have a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. This Axilinear device will produce a combination jet, consisting of a rod forward portion, followed by and connected to a planar symmetric wide spade shaped rear portion.

Abstract: This invention is a packaged propellant air-induced variable thrust rocket engine that has a vast number of uses and applications for this invention. The primary purpose of the device described here is to provide a light weight, torque and vibration free thrust generator for the propulsion of aircraft. This device will facilitate the fabrication of very light weight aircraft because of the lack these forces. This device can also be used anywhere high velocity air flow and or the resulting thrust is needed. The invention uses aerodynamic principles to compress and accelerate the incoming air, prior to it being heated and accelerated by a short duration burst of thermal and kinetic energy from discrete packets of a mixture of oxidizable fuels. The heated and accelerated air then expands as it travels thru the device providing thrust.

Abstract: This invention is a shaped explosive device with a liner that produces a single combination jet consisting of a forward rod portion and rearward flattened spade shaped portion, this jet has a velocity gradient form tip to tail. The jet produced by the shaped charge is axisymmetric for the forward rod portion and planar symmetric for the aft wide spade portion somewhat like linear shaped charge, thusly termed the “Axi-Linear” shaped charge. The forward rod portion of each jet erodes a round hole in the target followed by the aft flattened spade portion of the jet creating a long slotted deep cavity centered on the round hole and in the lateral direction of the spade jet.

Abstract: In the hemispherical family of axisymmetric circular linear shaped charge liners, this novel swept hemispherical profile shaped explosive device produces a stable jet with the ability to aim the jet by moving the initial explosive impulse ring on the liner surface inward or outward from the pole of the liner profile. The precision of the circular simultaneous initiation of the HE billet is accomplished by the use of a novel Circular Precision Initiation Coupler (CPIC). This CPIC uses a single point initiation to create a simultaneous peripheral detonation of the HE billet that collapses and drives the swept liner into a high speed stretching hollow cylindrical projectile, or more commonly called a jet in the industry.

Abstract: This invention is a segmented missile that uses multiple circular linear shaped charge warheads deployed in tandem. Each warhead is capable of full-caliber holes and 5 to 15 charge diameters of penetration for each warhead, depending on the target material. The full-caliber hole capability allows for the warheads to travel down the hole made by the previous warhead. Each warhead is sequenced in its time of arrival at the bottom of the hole, allowing for a cumulative effect.