Abstract: A tie-back string and a method of coupling the tie-back string to a casing is disclosed. The tie-back string is disposed within the casing. The tie-back string includes an anchor and an actuator section. The actuator section including a sleeve that forms a first chamber and a setting piston that forms a second chamber. A pressure differential is created between the first chamber and the second chamber to move the setting piston to engage the anchor of the tie-back string.

Abstract: A tie-back string and a method of coupling the tie-back string to a casing is disclosed. The tie-back string is disposed within the casing. The tie-back string includes an anchor and an actuator section. The actuator section including a sleeve that forms a first chamber and a setting piston that forms a second chamber. A pressure differential is created between the first chamber and the second chamber to move the setting piston to engage the anchor of the tie-back string.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and releasing a pump down plug includes an outer housing having a recess and a shifting sleeve that contains the pump down plug and is disposed within the outer housing. The shifting sleeve is configured to slide within the outer housing. The apparatus also includes a retaining element configured to engage the pump down plug to retain the pump down plug, the retaining element being restrained from outward movement by the outer housing in a first position of the shifting sleeve, wherein sliding the shifting sleeve into a second position results in outward movement of the retaining element into the recess to release the pump down plug.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and releasing a pump down plug includes an outer housing having a recess and a shifting sleeve that contains the pump down plug and is disposed within the outer housing. The shifting sleeve is configured to slide within the outer housing. The apparatus also includes a retaining element configured to engage the pump down plug to retain the pump down plug, the retaining element being restrained from outward movement by the outer housing in a first position of the shifting sleeve, wherein sliding the shifting sleeve into a second position results in outward movement of the retaining element into the recess to release the pump down plug.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling an industrial robot. The system can include an industrial robot having a plurality of axes and a saw and water jet end effector. The system can also include an off-line program for controlling the industrial robot. The off-line program can include creating a tool path based on a prescribed cut pattern, then analyzing the tool path for kinematic singularity occurrences. If a kinematic singularity is found, it is avoided by creating corrected sub-paths. The corrected sub-path is then reanalyzed for kinematic singularity occurrences and corrected if needed. The tool path is then analyzed for collisions that occur between cutting motion segments, and avoiding those collisions by creating new paths of travel between cutting motion segments. Once the corrected sub-path is complete, the system includes translating and sending the corrected sub-path to the industrial robot.

Abstract: A liner hanger features a pressure balanced setting sleeve system that applies no net force to the slips when internal pressure is raised in access ports associated with opposed actuation sleeves such that applied pressure results in opposed forces that cancel each other out. When one of the sleeves is isolated from tubing pressure and the other port to the other sleeve is pressurized, the bi-directional slips are extended and their extended position is locked with a lock ring to hold the set of the liner hanger against release.

Abstract: An assembly and method for hanging, cementing and sealing a liner to an existing tubular uses an inflatable to set the hanger. The running tool then releases the liner string and a cement job can take place. The Cement is pushed with darts out of the liner into the surrounding annulus to set up. Displaced fluids are pushed through the liner hanger as the cement advances. The running tool is picked up to land on a setting sleeve for a liner top packer so that set down weight can be applied to set the liner top packer. The running string then pulls out the running tool out of the hole.

Abstract: A liner hanger features a pressure balanced setting sleeve system that applies no net force to the slips when internal pressure is raised in access ports associated with opposed actuation sleeves such that applied pressure results in opposed forces that cancel each other out. When one of the sleeves is isolated from tubing pressure and the other port to the other sleeve is pressurized, the bi-directional slips are extended and their extended position is locked with a lock ring to hold the set of the liner hanger against release.

Abstract: A series of ball seat assemblies preferably used to open a series of sliding sleeves for formation access to a zone that is to be fractured allows sequential shifting of the sleeves with a single ball. The ball is guided by a tapered member with a lower outlet larger than the ball. The ball lands on the segments that are initially supported. Some leakage occurs between the segments but not enough to prevent pressure buildup to shift the sleeves. The tapered member closely fits to the segments to minimize leakage. Shifting the segments axially allows them to retract so the ball passes to eventually land on a non-leaking seat so that the zone can be fractured. The ball is recovered at the surface after passing the retracted segments and going through the undistorted opening in the tapered member.

Abstract: A series of ball seat assemblies preferably used to open a series of sliding sleeves for formation access to a zone that is to be fractured allows sequential shifting of the sleeves with a single ball. The ball is guided by a tapered member with a lower outlet larger than the ball. The ball lands on the segments that are initially supported. Some leakage occurs between the segments but not enough to prevent pressure buildup to shift the sleeves. The tapered member closely fits to the segments to minimize leakage. Shifting the segments axially allows them to retract so the ball passes to eventually land on a non-leaking seat so that the zone can be fractured. The ball is recovered at the surface after passing the retracted segments and going through the undistorted opening in the tapered member.

Abstract: A stone cutting and finishing management system for managing an inventory of stone slabs is disclosed herein. The system includes a data management system with a database, an image station for creating a visual image of a slab from an inventory, each slab provided with a slab identifier, wherein the image and the identifier are stored in the database, a slab selection station with a visual display, a customer parts data file in the database including parts outline data, parts cutting data, and parts finishing data, a parts nesting system for displaying the parts outline data electronically on a selected slab image, a parts tagging station for projecting part outlines on the slab, wherein a part tag is attached to each part outline on the slab, a parts cutting station for cutting the parts from the slab in accordance with the data in the database, and a parts finishing station for providing a finishing process to the cut parts in accordance with the data in the database.

Abstract: A control device serving as a source of control reagent for a solid-phase analytical test device is disclosed. The analytical test device analyzes a biological sample for the presence of an analyte such as an enzyme or other chemical species or a particular pH range, and registers the presence or absence of the analyte as a detectable change in an indicator. The control device contains a control reagent that produces the same indicator change and that can be transferred to the analytical test device by a sample implement such as a wet swab. The control reagent is present on the control device as a dry lamina or combination of laminae. A positive control reagent on a control device in accordance with this invention mimics the action of the analyte once it is transferred to the analytical test device, while a negative control reagent on the control device mimics the action of a sample that lacks the analyte.

Abstract: Preventing damage to the porcelain surface of a bathtub that is being installed by using an original equipment manufacture (OEM) peripheral flange to mount support rods for a protective cover draped over the bathtub which remains in place except for the short duration when a bottom now of tiles is set in place, the workpersons exercising the necessary care during this short duration to avoid chipping of the porcelain surface with inadvertently dropped tools or the like.

Abstract: An automated stoneworking system and method for cutting and shaping various stone materials, such as marble and granite, in any number of preprogrammed fashions so as to eliminate the need for manual stoneworking operations.