Abstract: A distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is operated to detect fluid leaks from a pipeline. The DTS system obtains temperature profiles from a sensing element that is deployed along the pipeline, where the profiles are temperature measurements as a function of distance. The temperature profiles are examined to identify the presence of a characteristic temperature signature expected to occur in the presence of a leak. A leak condition signal for a particular distance point is generated based on a determination that the energy of the temperature signal exceeds a threshold energy for that point.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is connected to a buried fiber optic cable that is used to monitor a structure. The DTS system is operated to obtain temperature measurements along the length of the fiber cable. The temperature measurements are then used to calculate a measure of diurnal temperature variability at each point along the cable. This calculation is used to identify points at which the diurnal temperature variability changes rapidly over a short length of the cable. These points can be identified with features along the cable, such as splice chambers, where the cable burial conditions change. The known geographic location of these features can then be identified with specific distances along the fiber.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is operated to detect fluid leaks from a pipeline. The DTS system obtains temperature profiles from a sensing element that is deployed along the pipeline, where the profiles are temperature measurements as a function of distance. The temperature profiles are examined to identify the presence of a characteristic temperature signature expected to occur in the presence of a leak. A leak condition signal for a particular distance point is generated based on a determination that the energy of the temperature signal exceeds a threshold energy for that point.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is connected to a buried fiber optic cable that is used to monitor a structure. The DTS system is operated to obtain temperature measurements along the length of the fiber cable. The temperature measurements are then used to calculate a measure of diurnal temperature variability at each point along the cable. This calculation is used to identify points at which the diurnal temperature variability changes rapidly over a short length of the cable. These points can be identified with features along the cable, such as splice chambers, where the cable burial conditions change. The known geographic location of these features can then be identified with specific distances along the fiber.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A device for deploying, adjusting, and retrieving a medical implant is described. The device has at least one wing with a receiving element formed thereon for engaging the medical implant. An outer sheath may be used to move the device from the open configuration to the closed configuration. A method for using such a device is also provided.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A damping arrangement comprises a drive member arranged to be driven for angular movement relative to a housing by a motor, and a damping device independent of the motor and operable to damp oscillating motion of the drive member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a screw shaft, a nut translatable along the shaft between a retracted position and an extended position, a tine component carried by the nut, the tine component including tine fingers formed with projections each being engageable with a formation provided on a housing when the nut occupies its extended position to secure the nut against axial movement, and a lock member engageable with the tine fingers to restrict radial movement of the tine fingers.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement, especially adapted for use in an aircraft nose wheel landing gear steering arrangement, includes a rotatable drive input, a rotatable output, and an epicyclic gear arrangement, and a carrier upon which the planet gears are mounted, the drive input being connected to the ring gear of the gear arrangement or the carrier, the output being connected to the other of the ring gear or the carrier, and a clutch operable to control relative rotation between the ring gear and the sun gear and to direct the major portion of the torque being transmitted therethrough the first of two transmission paths.

Abstract: A torque limiter device for an aircraft wing-mounted flap includes a drive input, an output rotatable in response to rotation of the drive input, and a roller-jammer operable in the event that the torque transmitted between the drive input and the output exceeds a predetermined level to apply a braking load to the drive input and/or the output, and a brake device operable to apply a braking load to the roller-jammer device to cause activation thereof.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly comprises a wheel support housing rotatably connected to a support member, the wheel support housing containing an electrically powered motor operable to adjust the angular position of the wheel support housing relative to the support member.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a screw shaft, a nut translatable along the shaft between a retracted position and an extended position, a tine component carried by the nut, the tine component including tine fingers formed with projections each being engageable with a formation provided on a housing when the nut occupies its extended position to secure the nut against axial movement, and a lock member engageable with the tine fingers to restrict radial movement of the tine fingers.

Abstract: A torque limiter device comprises a drive input, an output rotatable upon rotation of the drive input, and a roller-jammer device operable in the event that the torque transmitted between the drive input and the output exceeds a predetermined level to apply a braking load to the drive input and/or the output, and a brake device operable to apply a braking load to the roller-jammer device to cause activation thereof.