Abstract: System (10) for containing airborne dust created during the transfer of material between components of a material delivery system (18) includes at least one airflow duct (70) fluidly coupled to at least one central vacuum unit (14) and configured to direct at least some of the contained airborne dust to the central vacuum unit.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a modem intermediate and in communication with a plurality of data sources within the apparatus and a network external to the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises one of a plurality of bandwidth regulators intermediate and in communication with each data source and the modem. Each bandwidth regulator comprises a transmission limit and is adapted to limit data transmission from the data source to the modem. A method for regulating bandwidth usage by data sources in a node in a downhole network along a downhole tool string is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a modem, providing a bandwidth regulator, setting a transmission limit within each bandwidth regulator, and limiting a rate of data transmission. The modem is intermediate and in communication with a plurality of data sources and the downhole network, and the bandwidth regulator is intermediate and in communication with each data source and the modem.

Abstract: A method for remotely managing downhole power consumption in a downhole network system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of monitoring an activation state for each of a plurality of individually activatable electrically-powered modules in a downhole device and determining an optimal activation state for each module according to system demands. The activation state of each module may be selected from the group consisting of activated or deactivated. The method further comprises the step of transmitting a power state switching instruction from a top-hole processing element to a downhole power-consumption state controller over the downhole network. The method also includes the step of switching the selected electrically-powered modules according to the determined optimal activation states.

Abstract: A method and system for use in synchronizing at least two clocks in a downhole network are disclosed. The method comprises determining a total signal latency between a controlling processing element and at least one downhole processing element in a downhole network and sending a synchronizing time over the downhole network to the at least one downhole processing element adjusted for the signal latency. Electronic time stamps may be used to measure latency between processing elements. A system for electrically synchronizing at least two clocks connected to a downhole network comprises a controlling processing element connected to a synchronizing clock in communication over a downhole network with at least one downhole processing element comprising at least one downhole clock. Preferably, the downhole network is integrated into a downhole tool string.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing computational latency within a deterministic region on a network comprises a network interface modem, a high priority module and at least one deterministic peripheral device. The network interface modem is in communication with the network. The high priority module is in communication with the network interface modem. The at least one deterministic peripheral device is connected to the high priority module. The high priority module comprises a packet assembler/disassembler, and hardware for performing at least one operation. Also disclosed is an apparatus for executing at least one instruction on a downhole device within a deterministic region, the apparatus comprising a control device, a downhole network, and a downhole device. The control device is near the surface of a downhole tool string. The downhole network is integrated into the tool string. The downhole device is in communication with the downhole network.

Abstract: A method for triggering an action of at least one downhole device on a downhole network integrated into a downhole tool string synchronized to an event comprises determining latency, sending a latency adjusted signal, and performing the action. The latency is determined between a control device and the at least one downhole device. The latency adjusted signal for triggering an action is sent to the downhole device. The action is performed downhole synchronized to the event. A preferred method for determining latency comprises the steps: a control device sends a first signal to the downhole device; after receiving the signal, the downhole device sends a response signal to the control device; and the control device analyzes the time from sending the signal to receiving the response signal.