Abstract: Instruments, systems, and methods for measuring optical density of microbiological samples are provided. In particular, optical density instruments providing improved safety, efficiency, comfort, and convenience are provided. Such optical density instruments include a handheld portion and a base station. The optical density instruments may be used in systems and methods for measuring optical density of biological samples.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a distributed nondestructive inspection method for slickline cable structural defect detection transmits a light pulse along an optical waveguide in the slickline cable. A reflected light signal is 5 received from the optical waveguide in response to the light pulse. Defects can then be determined in the slickline cable based on variations in scattering intensity, phase shift, specific spectral signature, power spectral density, strain amplitude, and/or transmission loss of the reflected light signal as compared to the light pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release tool used to separate portions of a tool string. One release tool includes a main body, a collet retainer coupled to the main body and having a collet assembly arranged therein, the collet assembly being operatively coupled to a lower sub, a support piston releasably coupled to a separation nut and engaging the collet assembly such that the lower sub is prevented from removal from the collet assembly, and a trigger mechanism configured to send a command signal to the separation nut whereupon the separation nut releases the support piston such that it is able to be moved and the lower sub is thereby able to be removed from the collet assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing. The apparatus includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a distributed nondestructive inspection method and system for slickline cable structural defect and mechanical strength degradation inspection. One method may include transmitting a light pulse along an optical fiber embedded in a slickline cable. A reflected light signal is received from the optical fiber in response to the local strain induced refractive index variation. Defects and mechanical strength degradation may be determined by time-dependent time-domain and frequency-domain data analyses of the dynamic strain signals and power spectral density variation as a function of time and cable location.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a shape memory alloy rope socket for a downhole tool is disclosed. The rope socket includes a coupler formed of a shape memory alloy. The rope socket further includes a housing surrounding the coupler. The housing including a pathway and a connector for attaching a downhole tool is attached. The rope socket further includes a line passing through the pathway and the coupler such that the coupler is in contact with the line along a length of the coupler when the coupler is in a reduced diameter state.

Abstract: A polymer composite wireline cable comprising: a polymeric matrix material; at least one reinforced fiber embedded in the polymeric matrix material; and at least one optical fiber disposed in the polymeric matrix material, the at least one optical fiber having at least one pair of Bragg grating sensors, wherein one of the pair of Bragg grating sensors is configured to experience loading strain and the other of the pair of Bragg grating sensors is configured not to experience loading strain.

Abstract: Embodiments include wearable haptic feedback devices and methods of fabricating wearable haptic feedback devices. In an illustrative embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, a wearable haptic feedback device includes: a wearable headgear cap; a web disposed within the cap; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the web and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple the plurality of haptic elements to an electronic system.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a distributed nondestructive inspection method and system for slickline cable structural defect and mechanical strength degradation inspection. One method may include transmitting a light pulse along an optical fiber embedded in a slickline cable. A reflected light signal is received from the optical fiber in response to the local strain induced refractive index variation. Defects and mechanical strength degradation may be determined by time-dependent time-domain and frequency-domain data analyses of the dynamic strain signals and power spectral density variation as a function of time and cable location.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a slickline for use in well drilling and hydrocarbon recovery operations includes a cable and an intermediate layer disposed around the cable. The slickline also includes a doped polymeric coating layered around the intermediate layer. The doped polymeric coating is a different material from the intermediate layer, and the doped polymeric coating includes a polymeric material doped with an element that is detectable within the doped polymeric coating via a detection machine for purposes of determining wear or other aspects about the conditions of the slickline.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods of use are disclosed for repairing the coating of a coated wellbore line. A wellbore line can be cleaned and then coated with a repair material before being pulled through a die to shape the coating and then being pulled through setting section to set the repair material. The repair material can be a thermoplastic material that is set by cooling, or a thermoset material that is set by heating. The wellbore line can be repaired upon exiting a wellbore or being unspooled from a reel.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a cable system for conveying well servicing equipment into a wellbore includes a core support structure extending longitudinally along an axis of the cable system. The core support structure comprises polymer reinforced with fibers, and the fibers are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the cable system. The cable system also includes a mesh layer disposed around and bonded to the core support structure. The mesh layer includes metal wrapped around the core support structure. The cable system also includes a polymeric coating disposed around and bonded to the mesh layer. The mesh layer enables increased structural support of the cable system, particularly against forces in the radial direction relative to the axis of the cable system. In some applications, the mesh layer acts as a return conductive path for conductors embedded in the core support structure.

Abstract: An automated locking joint can include a first member, a second member, a joint, a locking structure, and a positioning device. The joint can connect the first member with the second member. The second member can be pivotable about the joint relative to the first member. The locking structure can be positionable between a lock position that prevents pivoting of the second member about the joint and an unlock position that allows pivoting of the second member about the joint. The positioning device can automatically move the locking structure from the lock position to the unlock position or from the unlock position to the lock position.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite cables suitable for use in conjunction with wellbore tools. One cable may include a polymer composite that includes dopants dispersed in a polymer matrix and continuous fibers extending along an axial length of the cable through the polymer matrix, wherein the cable is characterized by at least one of the following: (1) at least a portion of the cable having a density greater than about 2 g/cm3, wherein at least some of the dopants have a density of about 6 g/cm3 or greater, (2) at least a portion of the cable having a density less than about 2 g/cm3, wherein at least some of the dopants have a density of about 0.9 g/cm3 or less, (3) at least some of the dopants are ferromagnetic, or (4) at least some of the dopants are hydrogen getters.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for determining a dynamic effective elastic modulus of a composite slickline or wireline cable are provided. A system for estimating the effective elastic modulus (or change thereof) may include a sensing head assembly, a vibration generator, a pair of pulleys, and an optical-based signal processing assembly. The system may detect a resonant frequency of a section of the composite cable held between the two pulleys and estimate the effective elastic modulus based on the detected resonant frequency variation. Adjustments for weight and length of the cable extending into the wellbore may be made as well to determine the dynamic elastic modulus of the cable. The opto-mechanical integrated system described below may enable real-time elastic modulus determination.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly includes a downhole tool and an anchor. The anchor is positionable at a downhole work site and includes a wet-connect port for engaging a battery pack. The tool operates until the battery runs low on power, when a low battery power alert is activated. The tool may be anchored at the work site while the battery is disconnected and retrieved to the surface for replacement. One or more charged batteries are then deployed and connected to the tool without having to remove the tool from the worksite or reposition the tool. The tool may be coupled to a wireline cable or a slickline cable or coiled tubing having a conductive wire for delivering low-voltage power to the tool. While the low-voltage power may not be adequate to operate the tool at full load, the power may be used to charge the tool during downtime.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a downhole anchoring apparatus for use in a downhole tool. An example downhole anchoring apparatus may include a housing with a hub provided within the housing. The hub may be arranged to rotate in a bidirectional fashion about a longitudinal axis. The downhole anchoring apparatus may also include a deployment linkage. The deployment linkage may be coupled to the hub by a hinge so that when the hub is rotated in a first direction, a distal end of the deployment linkage is extended radially outward from the central axis, and when the hub is rotated in a second direction, the distal end of the deployment linkage is retracted toward the central axis.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a distributed nondestructive inspection method for slickline cable structural defect detection transmits a light pulse along an optical waveguide in the slickline cable. A reflected light signal is 5 received from the optical waveguide in response to the light pulse. Defects can then be determined in the slickline cable based on variations in scattering intensity, phase shift, specific spectral signature, power spectral density, strain amplitude, and/or transmission loss of the reflected light signal as compared to the light pulse.

Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment includes a system of testing slickline cable integrity. The system includes a composite slickline cable including a fiber reinforced polymer having at least one optical fiber disposed therein. At least a portion of the optical fiber is placed in axial stress. An optical analyzer is optically coupled to the optical fiber. The optical analyzer is operable to send an optical signal into the optical fiber, receive optical feedback from the optical fiber, responsive to the received optical feedback, identify variations in at least one parameter of the optical fiber and determine whether any identified variations exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby indicating possible loss of composite slickline cable integrity.

Abstract: Embodiments include wearable haptic feedback devices and methods of fabricating wearable haptic feedback devices. In an illustrative embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, a wearable haptic feedback device includes: a wearable neckwear band; a plurality of haptic elements disposed about the band in a spaced-apart manner and configured to provide haptic feedback to a user; and an interface circuit configured to operatively couple each of the plurality of haptic elements individually to an electronic system.