Abstract: A medical robotic system includes a viewer for displaying an image of a work site, a gaze tracker for tracking a gaze point of a user on the viewer, and a processor. The processor is configured to: draw an area or volume defining shape, overlaid on the image of the work site, in a position determined by the gaze tracker; assign a fixed virtual constraint to the shape and constrain movement of a robotic tool according to the fixed virtual constraint; receive a user selected action command selecting an image of patient anatomy; and superimpose the selected image of the patient anatomy over the image of the work site within the shape. The selected image of the patient anatomy is registered to the image of the work site.

Abstract: This invention relates to drilling a well, particularly an oil or gas well, where casing or liner will be installed to stabilize the wellbore. The present invention is intended to permit more drilling and longer lengths of casing or liner to be installed at one time. The present invention includes a combination of a smear tool and specially sized granular lost circulation material solids in the drilling mud which work together to close and seal leaking formations and fractures whether pre-existing or induced by drilling. By the natural collection of the inventive solids along with the conventional particles in the drilling mud to form a filter cake at the problem areas along the wall of the wellbore and the smear tool arranged to compress the filter cake into the problem areas, lost circulation is minimized Maintaining circulation naturally allows for longer drilling cycles and potentially fewer liner joints in the well.

Abstract: This invention relates to drilling a well, particularly an oil or gas well, where casing or liner will be installed to stabilize the wellbore. The present invention is intended to permit more drilling and longer lengths of casing or liner to be installed at one time. The present invention includes a combination of a smear tool and specially sized granular lost circulation material solids in the drilling mud which work together to close and seal leaking formations and fractures whether pre-existing or induced by drilling. By the natural collection of the inventive solids along with the conventional particles in the drilling mud to form a filter cake at the problem areas along the wall of the wellbore and the smear tool arranged to compress the filter cake into the problem areas, lost circulation is minimized. Maintaining circulation naturally allows for longer drilling cycles and potentially fewer liner joints in the well.

Abstract: An entire block of print data for a message is subdivided into sub-blocks of print data. During printing of sub-blocks, an earlier received sub-block of data is used to print one portion of a substrate moving in the downstream direction. The substrate is moved upstream for a back distance and then moved downstream with the next sub-block of data being printed on the substrate as it is moved downstream. As a back distance section of the substrate again travels in the downstream direction, data from the subsequent sub-block of data that corresponds to data printed on the back distance section of the substrate during printing of the immediately preceding sub-block of data, is printed on the back distance section of the substrate. The sub-blocks of data are in effect stitched together by the dual printed back distance to minimize transition artifacts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and process for recovering and recycling valuable target recycle materials such lost circulation material and weighting agents from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon drilling operations. The system and process includes use of a binary fluid that is separate from the drilling fluid and has a designed density that allows separation of the valuable target recycle materials from drill cuttings. The solids are separated from the drilling fluid in a primary separation step and then mixed with the binary fluid in a density separation or enhanced mass separation device. The binary fluid density allows the separation device to distinguish the target recycle material from drilling solids and recycles the target material to the drilling operations for re-use in drilling fluid. The binary fluid is recovered and refreshed to maintain a generally continuous process of targeted recycling.

Abstract: This invention relates to drilling a well, particularly an oil or gas well, where casing or liner will be installed to stabilize the wellbore. The present invention is intended to permit more drilling and longer lengths of casing or liner to be installed at one time. The present invention includes a combination of a smear tool and specially sized granular lost circulation material solids in the drilling mud which work together to close and seal leaking formations and fractures whether pre-existing or induced by drilling. By the natural collection of the inventive solids along with the conventional particles in the drilling mud to form a filter cake at the problem areas along the wall of the wellbore and the smear tool arranged to compress the filter cake into the problem areas, lost circulation is minimized. Maintaining circulation naturally allows for longer drilling cycles and potentially fewer liner joints in the well.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and process for recovering and recycling valuable target recycle materials such lost circulation material and weighting agents from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon drilling operations. The system and process includes use of a binary fluid that is separate from the drilling fluid and has a designed density that allows separation of the valuable target recycle materials from drill cuttings. The solids are separated from the drilling fluid in a primary separation step and then mixed with the binary fluid in a density separation or enhanced mass separation device. The binary fluid density allows the separation device to distinguish the target recycle material from drilling solids and recycles the target material to the drilling operations for re-use in drilling fluid. The binary fluid is recovered and refreshed to maintain a generally continuous process of targeted recycling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an index entry for a record in a semi-structured database involves analysing each field to identify an entry within each field and to identify a sequence of characters having a format corresponding to a predetermined format. Thereafter, the method and apparatus operate to generate an index entry for the identified entry, and for at least one field, define any characters not identified as an entry as a free text entry.

Abstract: A control system for a rethermalization appliance including one or more vats for containing water wherein the system enables designation of vat function and control of the water level in the vat(s). An input device enables the appliance operator to designate each vat function as desired. A timing and memory unit retrieves set point temperatures corresponding to the vat functions designated. Temperature controllers control the temperature of the water level in the vats based on the set point temperatures received from the timing and memory unit. Water level controllers receive input from sensors in the vats indicating low and full water levels. The water level controllers further receive input from associated temperature controllers indicating if the water temperature for that particular vat is within a predetermined range of the set point. Input to the water level controllers is also provided by the timing and memory unit to determine whether the associated vat is in an active finishing cycle.

Abstract: A wire line removable well safety valve in an oil and gas well completion design including a tubing string, a well packer around the tubing string sealing with the well casing, and a submergible well pump on the tubing string below the packer. The safety valve controls flow of pumped well fluids through the tubing string, directs separated gas into the casing annulus around the tubing string above the packer, and shuts off the flow of pumped fluids and separated gas to the surface while permitting recirculation of pumped well fluids between the annulus and tubing string below the packer.

Abstract: A conductive bushing connector includes an elongated metal stud having a center axial passage, a plurality of transverse apertures, and threaded portions at each end. A pair of insulative housings assembled on opposite sides of a transformer enclosure each overlying the metal stud and abutting the wall of the transformer enclosure form a cavity surrounding the metal stud. A pair of threaded end terminals cooperate with the threaded end portions of the metal stud to secure the entire assembly. Each interface of the assembly is provided with resilient sealing members which are maintained in compression by the end terminals. The insulative housing within the transformer enclosure includes a plurality of fluid convection apertures.