Abstract: A high speed connector system includes a shielded header (10) and a receptable (30) with self shielded terminals.

Abstract: A drug administration system includes a cradle attached about an intravenous injection port having a flange extending therefrom. The cradle supports first drug administration information in the nature of machine and human readable code, for example, barcode. A syringe including a needle includes a flange extending from the syringe. The syringe supports second drug administration information in machine and/or human readable form. A scanner module is constructed to slidably receive the flange of the cradle and syringe whereby the syringe needle is aligned with the intravenous injection port. The module may be provided with an electronic scanning system for identifying the first and second drug administration information, as well as determining the amount of the drug being administered from the syringe to the injection port by monitoring movement of the syringe plunger. The information and data may be stored within the module for uploading to a remote location.

Abstract: A connector for mounting to a circuit substrate comprising a housing and a connector pair supported by the housing. The connector pair includes a header connector having an electrically conductive connector housing, an opening in which an insulator element having a pin opening is disposed, a signal pin extending through the pin opening in the insulator element and through the connector housing and separated from the connector housing by the insulator element, and a raised cylindrical ground surface surrounding the insulator element the signal pin; and a socket connector, having a signal receptacle contact, a ground receptacle contact, and a dielectric separating element separating the signal contact and the ground contact from one another, so that, in mated condition, the signal contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the signal pin, and the ground contact mechanically connects and electrically contacts with the raised cylindrical ground surface.

Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical conductor areas of flexible circuits with associated conductor pads of an edge connector portion of a circuit board, comprising a connector housing having a circuit board opening sized to at least partially accommodate the edge connector portion, and a further opening allowing passage of the flexible circuits into an interior cavity of the connector housing. A first spring and second spring each have a resilient arched feature for supporting one of the flexible circuits to resiliently bias an electrical conductor area of the associated flexible circuit into electrical contact with associated conductor pads when the connector engages the edge connector portion. The electrical conductor areas of the flexible circuits face each other.

Abstract: A medication delivery and monitoring system and methods whereby drugs are safely delivered to a patient, monitored in real-time during delivery and crucial events are recorded during delivery to provide real-time, on-line information and detail for an audit trail. A novel safety label cradle unit is disclosed. Safety label cradles (SLC's) are provided in a plurality of sizes to match varying sizes of syringes which are disposed on a cradle of the SLC to provide a constant needle height on the SLC unit independent of syringe volume (barrel diameter). A selected SLC is securely affixed to a syringe by an adhesively backed label wrapping. The label is preprinted to provide drug identification indicia and drug preparation information. The information is automatically read into the system from the label. A novel delivery station of the system monitors drug delivery as a plunger of the syringe is pushed to deliver a drug to a patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly. More specifically, it relates to an electrical connector and assembly and to a method for spatially configuring multiple connector assemblies on circuit-bearing substrates. The connector assembly is configured with a ramp on the upper surface of the connector housing to guide and support the flexible cable of one connector assembly over the housing of an adjacent connector so permitting a denser spatial arrangement of connector housings on a printed circuit board than could be previously achieved.

Abstract: Well bore deviation from vertical is reduced or corrected by inducing a lateral deflection of the drill string at a predetermined location above the drill bit to force the drill bit to return to vertical. The lateral deflection occurs periodically and creates a nutating effect in the drill string which causes the drill bit to angle toward vertical. An eccentrically mounted roller becomes effective when it contacts the low side of a deviated well bore and preferably induces the lateral deflection as it rotates while in contact with the low side of the well bore.

Abstract: The invention includes a low-friction seal assembly for use with a rotary drill bit having bit cutters manufactured by casting. The seal assembly includes a seal element having a bellville spring element surrounded by an elastomeric material. The seal element is secured for rotation with the bit cutter by pitted surfaces of a securing groove formed in the cutter, adhesive, and/or by roughening the surface of the bit cutter contacting the seal element.

Abstract: A drill bit having a nozzle for drilling fluid to pass out of the drill bit and into the bore hole is disclosed. In one embodiment two diagonal passages through the nozzle impart angular momentum to the drilling fluid. In another embodiment, four diagonal passages through the nozzle impart angular momentum. In still another embodiment, a central bore hole through the nozzle has helical grooves along its internal orifice wall to impart angular momentum. The angular momentum causes the drilling fluid exiting from the interior of the drill bit to flow downward into the bore hole in a divergent vortex that sweeps the cuttings away from the cutting surfaces of the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved retainer for a rotary cone rock bit and a method for inserting the same is disclosed. A cone cutter is mounted on a bearing pin of an arm of the rotary cone drill bit. Formed in the bearing pin and the inner wall of the cone cutter is an annular channel that is filled with discs through an insertion cavity and the insertion cavity is subsequently sealed. This enables the bearing surface and the bushing engaging the bearing pin to be substantially longer than heretofore possible and the wobble of the cone cutter about the bearing pin is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit incorporating one or more rotary cutters. The rotary cutters are supported for rotation by a bearing assembly including ball bearings running in races in the rotary cutter and drill bit body. The bearing assembly further includes an annular bushing. A sealing assembly including an O-ring seal is provided to seal lubricant within the bearing assembly and prevent external contaminants from entering the bearing assembly. A corrosive environment has been found to increase the occurrence of stress fractures in the areas above the juncture of cutter supporting structure and the bit body. It has been found that a sacrificial anode partitioned about the surfaces of the juncture renders the surfaces cathodic and resist stress fracture.

Abstract: A low pressure differential compensator for use in a lubrication system having a lubricant reservoir is provided, the reservoir providing lubricant to a bearing area between relatively rotatable elements having a seal therebetween. In particular, the low pressure differential compensator includes a flexible elongated diaphragm having a plurality of longitudinally-extending ribs which expand radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir in response to the pressure differential across the seal. The radially collapsing and expanding flexible diaphragm is free operating and has no inherent restrictions which require increased pressure to overcome. Therefore, the pressure differential across the seal is minimized, increasing the effective life of the seal.

Abstract: A caliper seal assembly is adapted to seal two relatively moving parts in a drilling tool or drill bit or other device where a sealing relationship must be maintained under relatively large relative position and tolerance changes between the two movable parts, under relatively rapid pressure variations and surges, and under relatively high temperature conditions. The caliper seal includes a pair of flexible flank members having contact pads formed thereon and between which sealing surfaces of a flange-like projection extend. The caliper seal is particularly advantageous for sealing bearing assemblies between a cutter wheel and the body of a rotary drill bit. A heat pipe assembly can be incorporated within the flange-like projection to remove excess heat generated by the frictional contact of the contact pads on the flange sealing surfaces. The flange projection can also be formed with an interior fluid conducting conduit to remove excess heat.

Abstract: Harmonic resonation of cutting elements against the earth formation is impeded in a rotary drag-type drill bit by providing connection means which yieldably and resiliently support the cutting elements from the drill bit but which deflects or vibrates with different natural resonant harmonic frequencies. The different natural harmonic frequencies tend to cancel or nullify resonance of any one of the connection means. The connection means can also be externally damped against vibrational movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit (10) incorporating one or more rotary cutters (14). The rotary cutters (14) are supported for rotation by a bearing assembly including ball bearings (28) running in races (24, 26) in the rotary cutter and drill bit body (20). The bearing assembly further includes an annular bushing (34). A sealing assembly (36) including an O-ring seal (38) is provided to seal lubricant within the bearing assembly and prevent external contaminants from entering the bearing assembly. Corrosion has been found to destroy the seal surfaces (42, 44) against which the O-ring seal acts (38). It has been found that plating the sealing surfaces with a material passive to the electrochemical system or higher in the electromotive series than the material forming the sealing surfaces reduces corrosion. Alternatively, a sacrificial anode (68) is provided about the sealing surfaces to render the surfaces cathodic and resist corrosion.

Abstract: Abrasion cutting elements of a rotary drill bit are operatively connected to the bit body structure by means for yieldably supporting the abrasion cutting elements and for forcing them into a continuous drag mode of cutting contact with the earth formation. The drill bit may also employ compression or indentor cutting elements operatively attached in fixed operative positions. The yieldably supporting and force applying means may be hydraulically controlled by drilling fluid pressure and the cutting force applied on the abrasion cutting elements can be established independently of the axial cutting force transferred from the drill string and drill bit to the indentor cutting elements. Optimum performance of both the abrasion and indentor types of cutting elements is secured. The abrasion cutting elements are preferably retained for contacting and cutting the gage corner material.

Abstract: Residual favorable stresses are induced in a zone of stress concentration in a coupling and connection joint mechanism of a drill collar or drilling tool, for example. The residual favorable stress is created by tensily stressing the material within elastic limits, relieving the stress in the zone by heating the material therein into a nonstressed plastic or liquid state, and releasing the tensile stress maintained in an area adjacent the zone. The residual force of elasticity in the area adjacent the zone applies the favorable residual stress in the zone. Preferably, the favorable residual stress is a compressive stress to resist fatigue failures from tension-induced cracks. The extent and depth of penetration of the favorable residual stress in the zone is controlled and is substantially greater than that available from mechanical cold-working surface-hardening techniques.

Abstract: Impending bearing failure, seal failure and drilling an undergage well bore, among other things, are immediately detected by sensing the presence of aqueous drilling fluid in a lubricant or other type of sealed cavity of a drilling tool or the like during a downhole drilling operation in an environment of aqueous fluid. Electrical conduction elements are preferably employed to sense the presence of the aqueous fluid. The electrical conduction means may employ a soluble anhydrous conductive material which, when in contact with the aqueous drilling fluid, dissolves or becomes an electrical conductor to signal the presence of the aqueous fluid. The aqueous fluid may additionally serve as an electrolyte between two dissimilar metals, thereby forming a galvanic cell, or as a conductor between a pair of contact terminals. In a drilling operation, a signal is preferably transmitted from a downhole location to the surface of the earth by mud pulse telemetry.

Abstract: Improved lubricant pressure compensation is achieved in apparatus operative between substantially different changing pressures, for example earth drilling tools and deep submergence ocean machinery, by a flexible hermetically sealed gas-containing chamber which is operative to apply ambient pressures through the interiorly contained gas to a flexible wall membrane which at least partially defines a lubricant containing reservoir. The pressure exerting chamber and the lubricant containing reservoir may both be defined by flexible bladder-like structures with the lubricant containing reservoir contained within the interior of the pressure exerting chamber. In earth drilling apparatus, the reservoir and chamber structures are preferably operatively positioned on a drill collar in adjacency to a rotary drill bit, and lubricant is communicated through passageways from the reservoir to the bearing and seal assemblies operative between the drill bit body and the rotationally mounted cutter wheels.

Abstract: The advancement angle of a borehole cut by a rotary drill bit of the type which forms a cylindrical sidewall, a drill face and a circumferentially extending gage corner, is controlled by removing a different amount of the gage corner material over a selected partial arc of the gage corner circumference during each rotation of the drill bit. The different amount of material removed causes the remaining arc of the gage corner circumference to apply a slight lateral force on the drill bit, thus forcing the drill bit in a desired direction. Gage corner removal apparatus include a hydraulic fluid jet impinging upon the gage corner. Selectively activating the gage corner removal apparatus during each of a plurality of subsequent drill bit revolutions results in a cumulative angle change effect. Control apparatus is attached to the drill string at a position at which gravity induced sag causes the drill string to contact the low side portion of the borehole.