Abstract: A battery powered welding system is provided. In one welding system a battery powered welder includes control circuitry configured to control a welding power output converted from power from an external battery power source. The battery powered welder also includes a wire drive assembly coupled to the control circuitry and configured to feed a welding wire using power from the external battery power source. The battery powered welder includes a case integrally supporting and enclosing the control circuitry and the wire drive assembly. The case is not configured to enclose the external battery power source.

Abstract: Drilling-fluid monitoring technology for a drilling rig's drilling-fluid circulation system. Pairs of vertically separated pressure sensors are installed at various points in the circulation system, including at the bell nipple or flow line, to provide drilling-fluid density information at different points in the circulation system. The bell nipple/flow line sensors provide information about the height of the fluid in the bell nipple and the density of the drilling fluid before the cuttings are removed from the fluid. Changes in the bell-nipple drilling-fluid density or height may indicate potentially dangerous borehole conditions. Similarly, comparisons between bell-nipple drilling-fluid density with the density at other points in the circulation system provide information about the status of the circulation system. This information may be used to operate the drilling rig more safely and efficiently during the drilling process.

Abstract: Drilling-fluid monitoring technology for a drilling rig's drilling-fluid circulation system. Pairs of vertically separated pressure sensors are installed at various points in the circulation system, including at the bell nipple or flow line, to provide drilling-fluid density information at different points in the circulation system. The bell nipple/flow line sensors provide information about the height of the fluid in the bell nipple and the density of the drilling fluid before the cuttings are removed from the fluid. Changes in the bell-nipple drilling-fluid density or height may indicate potentially dangerous borehole conditions. Similarly, comparisons between bell-nipple drilling-fluid density with the density at other points in the circulation system provide information about the status of the circulation system. This information may be used to operate the drilling rig more safely and efficiently during the drilling process.

Abstract: Drilling-fluid monitoring technology for a drilling rig's drilling-fluid circulation system is disclosed. Pairs of vertically separated pressure sensors are installed at various points in the circulation system, including at the bell nipple, to provide drilling-fluid density information at different points in the circulation system. The bell nipple sensors provide information about the height of the drilling fluid in the bell nipple and the density of the drilling fluid before the cuttings are removed from the fluid. Changes in the bell-nipple drilling-fluid density or height may indicate potentially dangerous borehole conditions. Similarly, comparisons between bell-nipple drilling-fluid density with the density at other points in the circulation system provide information about the status of the circulation system. This information may be used to operate the drilling rig more safely and efficiently during the drilling process.