Abstract: A guide rail and method of forming a guide rail is provided. The guide rail includes a base rail having a groove with a plurality of fingers formed therein and a race insert mounted in the groove. The race insert has at least two different load directions. The fingers extend generally non-parallel to the different load directions. The fingers are preferably deformed into a state of bending.

Abstract: Adjustable slotted rim track for securing peripheral edges of a joist-floor panel assembly has a generally U-shaped planar web with interior depending tabs and opposite depending flanges normal to and separated by the web. The depending flanges may have a series of parallel adjustment slots for receiving fasteners through the flanges to connect and secure the rim track to a framing member such as a floor joist or floor panel assembly. Another design provides adjustment slots on the tabs instead of flanges. The slotted tabbed rim track design allows the joist-floor panel assembly to move relative to the rim track. Tabbed slots or angle clips affixed to the interior planar area of the rim track web are utilized for secure fastening of the adjustable rim track to the joist framing member during final installation of the assembly.

Abstract: A multiple axis gantry for providing movement along multiple axis is provided. The multiple axis gantry includes a pair of horizontal tracks and a vertical track to which a work piece carriage is attached. One drive motor provides an input for horizontal movement of the vertical track and a second drive motor provides an input for vertical movement of the work piece carriage. The vertical track of the gantry is driven proximate both ends to prevent cocking or binding during horizontal movement. Furthermore, the multiple axis gantry is configured such that manufacture of a gantry having custom dimensions for the horizontal tracks and vertical track is simple and cost effective.

Abstract: A multiple axis gantry for providing movement along multiple axis is provided. The multiple axis gantry includes a pair of horizontal tracks and a vertical track to which a work piece carriage is attached. One drive motor provides an input for horizontal movement of the vertical track and a second drive motor provides an input for vertical movement of the work piece carriage. The vertical track of the gantry is driven proximate both ends to prevent cocking or binding during horizontal movement. Furthermore, the multiple axis gantry is configured such that manufacture of a gantry having custom dimensions for the horizontal tracks and vertical track is simple and cost effective.

Abstract: A shear wall construction panel having a pair of load bearing vertical posts arrayed between upper and lower horizontal tracks or structural members is improved by the addition of a pair of bracing brackets for each diagonal bracing member. Shear wall bracing boot brackets at each end of the diagonal bracing members are securely affixed to the four interior corners of the shear wall panel system and the bracing members are located in the interior volume of a framed panel. The bracing members and bracing boot brackets are connected with a hillside washer configuration. A typical shear wall panel of the present invention will additionally contain several interior non-load bearing steel framing studs having an array of punch-out holes to facilitate the passage of the bracing members.

Abstract: A telemetry apparatus and method for communicating data from a down-hole location through a borehole to the surface is described including a light source, an optical fiber being placed along the length of the wellbore and receiving light from the light source, a transducer located such as to produce a force field (e.g. a magnetic field) across the optical fiber and its protective hull without mechanical penetration of the hull at the down-hole location, one or more sensors for measuring down-hole conditions and/or parameters, a controller to provide a modulated signal to the magnetic field generator, said modulated signal being under operating conditions representative of measurements by the one or more sensors, and an optical detector adapted to detect changes in the light intensity or polarization of light passing through the fiber.

Abstract: Although the methods have been described here for, and are most typically used for, hydrocarbon production, fluid diversion measurement systems and methods are described. One method includes inserting a tubular tubing having one more fluid injection ports into a wellbore, injecting a treatment fluid through the injection port, and determining differential flow of the treatment fluid at one or more wellbore based on measuring the concentration of at least one particular component of a wellbore fluid located in the annulus formed between the wellbore and tubular; and means for using the measured parameters in realtime to monitor, control, or both monitor and control diversion of the fluid. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a hydrocarbon mixture are disclosed, comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and at least one photodetector positioned to detect energy transmitted by the LED through a sample of the hydrocarbon mixture. In at least one embodiment an optical filter is coupled to the output of the LED to mitigate the adverse effects of the LED's sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed that uses magnetic propulsion for generating movement along a travel path in which the motor controller is mounted onboard the thrust block, thereby reducing connections the need for a remote motor controller. The motor includes a thrust rod extending along a travel path. The thrust rod includes an array of magnets arranged along the travel path arranged to create magnetic fields spaced along the travel path for generating magnetic propulsion when electrical coils on the thrust block are energized. The thrust block comprising a mounting body, electrical coils, and the onboard motor controller. The block may integrally provide a bearing surface that slides along a rail that may also provide the mounting structure and main support for the motor. A encoder mounted to the thrust block with a scale mounted directly to guide rail is also provided.

Abstract: Adhesion between silicon nitride etch-stop layers and carbon doped oxide films may be improved by using plasma argon densification treatments of the carbon doped oxide films. The resulting surface layer of the carbon doped oxide films may be carbon-depleted and may include a relatively rough interface to improve the adhesion of deposited silicon nitride films.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis is described having: (a) a submersible housing having a fluid analysis means and a power supply to provide power to said system; and (b) a substrate for receiving a fluid sample, having embedded therein a fluid sample inlet, a reagent inlet, a fluid sample outlet, and a mixing region in fluid communication with the fluid sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the fluid sample outlet, and wherein the substrate includes a fluid drive means for moving the fluid sample through the substrate, and wherein the substrate interconnects with the housing. At least a portion of the fluid analysis means may be embedded in the substrate.

Abstract: A system and a method for connecting a call through a telecommunications network. A base station, connected to a public switched telephone network, includes a call processor, a memory and a transceiver. The memory includes a database containing dialing instructions for a wireless station for a telephone connection through the public switched telephone network to a destination station. The transceiver receives a call request from the wireless station, and the call processor in response to the call request, accesses the database and dials a call for connection through the public switched telephone network to the destination station based on the dialing instructions for the wireless station.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed that uses magnetic propulsion for generating movement along a travel path in which the motor controller is mounted onboard the thrust block, thereby reducing connections the need for a remote motor controller. The motor includes a thrust rod extending along a travel path. The thrust rod includes an array of magnets arranged along the travel path arranged to create magnetic fields spaced along the travel path for generating magnetic propulsion when electrical coils on the thrust block are energized. The thrust block comprising a mounting body, electrical coils, and the onboard motor controller. The block may integrally provide a bearing surface that slides along a rail that may also provide the mounting structure and main support for the motor. A encoder mounted to the thrust block with a scale mounted directly to guide rail is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: A multiple mode pre-loadable fiber optic pressure and temperature sensor includes a generally cylindrical structure having at least one compression element, a fiber optic having a Bragg grating in contact with one side of the compression element, a diaphragm in contact with the other side of the compression element, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the diaphragm. According to preferred aspects of the, a groove is provided in at least one compression element for receiving the fiber optic. The sensor is pre-loaded by straining the diaphragm over the adjacent compression element when the cover is attached. The compression element in contact with the diaphragm preferably has a contoured surface contacting the diaphragm and the diaphragm is stretched to match that contour. By varying the contour of the compression element and the thickness of the diaphragm, the dynamic range of the sensor can be changed. The preferred diaphragm has a variable thickness and is made as an integral part of the structure.

Abstract: A multiple mode pre-loadable fiber optic pressure and temperature sensor includes a generally cylindrical structure having at least one compression element, a fiber optic having a Bragg grating in contact with one side of the compression element, a diaphragm in contact with the other side of the compression element, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the diaphragm. According to preferred aspects of the, a groove is provided in at least one compression element for receiving the fiber optic. The sensor is pre-loaded by straining the diaphragm over the adjacent compression element when the cover is attached. The compression element in contact with the diaphragm preferably has a contoured surface contacting the diaphragm and the diaphragm is stretched to match that contour. By varying the contour of the compression element and the thickness of the diaphragm, the dynamic range of the sensor can be changed. The preferred diaphragm has a variable thickness and is made as an integral part of the structure.

Abstract: Adhesion between silicon nitride etch-stop layers and carbon doped oxide films may be improved by using plasma argon densification treatments of the carbon doped oxide films. The resulting surface layer of the carbon doped oxide films may be carbon-depleted and may include a relatively rough interface to improve the adhesion of deposited silicon nitride films.