Abstract: An apparatus for telemetering a downhole parameter from a well. The apparatus comprises a housing having a bore. The apparatus further comprises an annular main valve with an enlarged end positioned within the bore, with the main valve having a center of axis. A restrictor is concentrically disposed within the bore, the restrictor configured to define an annular passage with the main valve. The apparatus also includes: a pressure device for supplying hydraulic pressure to the main valve; a control valve, operatively associated with the restrictor member, for controlling pressure to the main valve; and a solenoid control valve assembly for activating the control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for microscope imaging that involve positioning a biological sample within a field of view of a microscope having an optical axis, and rotating the biological sample about a rotation axis different from the optical axis to improve an image of the sample produced by the microscope. The methods and systems are especially useful in assisted reproductive technologies, for example, to assess the developmental potential of oocytes.

Abstract: Geophysical measurement system employed during the drilling of a well borehole. The system employs a reference clock disposed within equipment at the surface of the earth and a borehole assembly which houses a downhole clock and at least one sensor. The borehole assembly is operationally connected to a drill string, which advances the borehole. At least one synchronization shuttle apparatus containing a shuttle clock is conveyed downhole to the borehole assembly to synchronize the borehole clock with the reference clock. Reference and borehole clock synchronization is maintained at one millisecond or less over a period of days. Outputs from the reference clock and borehole clock and sensor are combined to obtain a measure of a geophysical parameter of interest. Although the measurement system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling measurements, it can be used in a wide variety of clock driven geophysical measurements.

Abstract: The apparatus has a sensor disposed on the first end of an elongate connector by means of fixed interface link. A recorder unit is disposed on the second end of the connector opposite the first end. The connector is bendable within a predefined curvature range. When the apparatus is deployed into the sea, it is adapted to free-fall through the body of water and to land on the seafloor such that the sensor is spaced apart from the recorder unit. The apparatus is additionally adapted to substantially vibrationally de-couple the sensor from the recorder unit. The length of the connector is dynamically variable within a predefined range so as to minimise vibration coupling between the recorder unit to the sensor. Physical separation of the sensor and the recorder unit, together with the mechanical characteristics of the connector, ensure that the sensor is substantially vibrationally de-coupled from the recorder unit.

Abstract: Geophysical measurement system employed during the drilling of a well borehole. The system employs a reference clock disposed within equipment at the surface of the earth and a borehole assembly which houses a downhole clock and at least one sensor. The borehole assembly is operationally connected to a drill string, which advances the borehole. At least one synchronization shuttle apparatus containing a shuttle clock is conveyed downhole to the borehole assembly to synchronize the borehole clock with the reference clock. Reference and borehole clock synchronization is maintained at one millisecond or less over a period of days. Outputs from the reference clock and borehole clock and sensor are combined to obtain a measure of a geophysical parameter of interest. Although the measurement system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling measurements, it can be used in a wide variety of clock driven geophysical measurements.

Abstract: A method to determine the systematic error of an instrument that measures features of a semiconductor wafer includes the following sequential steps. Collecting sensor data from measurement runs on front and back surfaces of a wafer while the wafer is oriented at different angles to the instrument for each run, yielding a front data set and a back data set for each angle. Then organizing the data in each set into a wafer-fixed coordinate frame. Reflecting all back surface data about a diameter of the wafer creates a reflected back data set. Subtracting the reflected back data from the front data for each wafer angle, and dividing the result by two, yields an averaged wafer shape for each load angle. Adding the reflected back data to the front data and dividing the result by two, yields an instrument signature for each load angle. The symmetric corrector is calculated by taking the average over all instrument signatures at each load angle.

Abstract: A pail and lid with an integral handle molded with the lid includes a pail side wall extending upwardly from the pail bottom to an upper peripheral edge. The lid includes a cover portion shaped to cover the open top and a peripheral skirt depending from said cover portion, said skirt having an upper annular portion and a lower annular portion and both shaped to surround an outer surface of the pail side wall at or adjacent the upper edge and separated by a peripheral tear strip. The handle is integrally formed with said lower portion for carrying the pail. The skirt and pail have co-operating upper and lower pairs of retaining lips shaped to snap over each other by downward movement of the cover portion onto the pail to hold the cover portion on the pail. The skirt is sufficiently stiff to allow both snap actions to be effected simultaneously be pressure downwardly from the cover.

Abstract: A method to determine the systematic error of an instrument that measures features of a semiconductor wafer includes the following sequential steps. Collecting sensor data from measurement runs on front and back surfaces of a wafer while the wafer is oriented at different angles to the instrument for each run, yielding a front data set and a back data set for each angle. Then organizing the data in each set into a wafer-fixed coordinate frame. Reflecting all back surface data about a diameter of the wafer creates a reflected back data set. Subtracting the reflected back data from the front data for each wafer angle, and dividing the result by two, yields an averaged wafer shape for each load angle. Adding the reflected back data to the front data and dividing the result by two, yields an instrument signature for each load angle. The symmetric corrector is calculated by taking the average over all instrument signatures at each load angle.

Abstract: A measurement station which rotates a wafer in a vertical plane and moves a scanning sensor linearly along an axis which is parallel to the wafer rotation plane, thus providing a spiral, or other, scan path across the wafer. The vertical orientation reduces errors from weight induced sagging, especially of large, e.g. 300 mm wafers. The measurement station includes wafer grippers which move in the wafer's plane for securing the wafer in position for rotation. The measurement station also includes master calibration gauges which simplify calibration and obviate the need for calibration test wafers. A technique for reducing vibration and assuring scan repeatability includes coasting of the wafer in rotation and coordinated linear probe motions for scanning. Probe measurement data obtained is digitized early and calibration, demodulation, filtering and other processing is done digitally.

Abstract: A modular measurement while drilling sensor assembly is presented. A typical cross-over assembly for mating with a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool is connected to a typical positive displacement mud motor (e.g., a Moineau motor). A modular sensor assembly comprises two portions, an upper drive shaft portion which includes a flexible shaft connected to the motor and a lower sensor portion and supported by a radial bearing. The lower end of the flexible shaft is connected to a hollowed shaft which extends beyond the lower end of the upper drive shaft portion and which is supported by a radial bearing. The lower sensor portion has a central channel extending longitudinally therethrough, with the lower portion of the hollowed shaft extending through this channel. The sensor portion may comprise any type of MWD sensor, however the present invention is preferably used with sensors (e.g., formation evaluation sensors) that benefit from obtaining measurements close to the bit.

Abstract: A helically grooved flexible optical cable core comprising a plurality of helically laid flexible bodies 1 of sector-shaped cross-section is manufactured by drawing a multiplicity of flexible non-metallic reinforcing elements 2 under tension through electrically insulating plastics material 3 in a semi-liquid state; causing the plastics encapsulated reinforcing elements to pass through an elongate die 23 having an outlet orifice 25 of sector-shape, which die, between its ends, is of such a shape that reinforcing elements adjacent the arcuate surface 4 of the body are travelling at a greater linear speed than reinforcing elements remote therefrom, and which has a blade 26 protruding inwardly of the die and forming in the arcuate surface of the body a longitudinally extending groove 5; causing the body as it emerges from the die to follow a helical path with its grooved arcuate surface outermost and so cooling the helically advancing body that the plastics material sets; partially filling the groove in the arcu

Abstract: An optical cable, especially suitable for use as an aerial cable, comprises a circumferentially rigid flexible tube which is of composite form and comprises a plurality of elongate flexible bodies helically laid up together, each of which bodies is of a cross-section approximating to a sector of an annulus and comprises extruded electrically insulating plastics material and a mulitiplicity of longitudinally stressed elongate flexible non-metallic reinforcing elements encapsulated in said plastics material, e.g. polypropylene or nylon, the multiplicity of non-metallic reinforcing elements being substantially evenly distributed throughout the cross-sectional area of the body. An outer protective non-metallic sheath surrounds the tube and at least one flexible optical guide, e.g. a separate optical fibre, optical bundle or optical fibre ribbon structure, is housed in the bore of and is movable relative to the tube.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive dead end fitting for securing an overhead conductor loosely housing an optical guide to a tower comprises a sleeve of malleable metal or metal alloy, open at each of its ends, for compression jointing to the conductor; a steel termination in screw threaded engagement with the sleeve and having a clevis for securing the fitting to a tower; and a lug welded to the sleeve for effecting electrical connection to a jumper cable. The lug engages in a notch in the adjacent end of the termination to lock positively the screw threaded engagement between the sleeve and termination.

Abstract: In an inexpensive and simple method of effecting a joint between two overhead electric conductors incorporating optical fibres or between an overhead electric conductor incorporating an optical fibre and an optical cable extending to a sub-station or other location, at least a part of each or the overhead conductor is introduced into a metal sleeve extending from a wall of a metal housing and the sleeve is compression jointed to the conductor to effect a mechanical and electrical joint between the conductor and the housing. The part of the conductor protruding into the housing is cut back and a joint is effected between the optical fibres of the two overhead conductors or between the optical fibres of the overhead conductor and the optical cable that has been introduced into the housing. The housing is sealed to render it fluid tight and is preferably filled with petroleum jelly.

Abstract: An electric cable support system is provided having means for supporting electric cables and an elongate metal duct housing said support means and divided transversely into separately formed parts that are detachably secured together, the internal surface of at least a part of the length of the elongate duct is lined with a continuous wall of thermal insulating material and/or absorbing material comprising a closed envelope, or at least two closed envelopes arranged adjacent one another, containing non-flammable evaporative cooling fluid. Preferably, the or each envelope is made of a flexible material which will melt at a temperature at or near the boiling point of the cooling fluid. In the event of an external fire, when the temperature of the duct wall is sufficient to melt the flexible material of an envelope, the cooling fluid will start to evaporate and cool the duct interior.

Abstract: A layer of plastics material is applied to at least one selected surface of a metal article by a method in which the article is heated and positioned in such a way that the selected surface or surfaces is or are lowermost; a table having an upper surface or surfaces carrying a layer of powdered plastics material, said carrier surface or surfaces of the table being of a shape and area such that the surface or surfaces will wholly underlie the selected surface or surfaces of the article, is raised upwardly beneath the article to urge said carrier surface or surfaces against the overlying selected surface or surfaces and so transfer powder from the carrier surface or surfaces to the selected surface or surfaces; and the powdered material adhering to the selected surface or surfaces is permitted or caused to coalesce and form a plastics layer on the or each surface.