Abstract: A document handler system and method includes timed operation functionality in which the manufacturer of the document handler may input coded information in the document handler to establish a timed operation of the document handler which may be contingent on continued payments for use of the document handler. Alternatively, or in addition, the timed operation may be used to establish an appropriate warranty period during which the manufacturer is obligated to provide repairs, modification and/or support for the document handler.

Abstract: A thermal cutter device for cutting downhole objects in a reservoir wellbore, wherein the device lacks moving parts, and thus is more robust and less failure prone than prior art thermal cutter.

Abstract: A thermal cutter device for cutting downhole objects in a reservoir wellbore, wherein the device lacks moving parts, and thus is more robust and less failure prone than prior art thermal cutter.

Abstract: An air-carbon arc system for reducing irregularities in a work piece surface including a control box, a torch head operationally connected to the control box and configured to cooperate with the work piece to generate an arc, and a pendant operationally connected to the control box and having a means for reducing irregularities in the work piece surface.

Abstract: An air-carbon arc system for reducing irregularities in a work piece surface including a control box, a torch head operationally connected to the control box and configured to cooperate with the work piece to generate an arc, and a pendant operationally connected to the control box and having a means for reducing irregularities in the work piece surface.

Abstract: A downhole oilwell toolstring having an adapter having a male threaded portion, a longitudinally extending tubular female housing having a female threaded portion on an inner surface of the housing, a first end located proximate to the female threaded portion, a second end located distal to the female threaded portion, and a recessed groove extending around the circumference of the interior surface of the female housing at a location between the first end the female threaded portion. The adapter has a first end that is distal from the threaded portion and a second end that is proximate to the threaded portion, and a recessed groove extending around the outer circumference of the adapter at a location between the threaded portion and the first end of the adapter. The female housing is connected with the male adapter by way of the female threaded portion and the male threaded portion engaging one another. A ring is located in the recessed groove in the adapter and the recessed groove in the female housing.

Abstract: A wellbore tool includes a perforating charge adapted to create a tunnel in a subterranean formation upon activation; a propellant that provides a pressure cycle when activated; and a delay device operationally connected to the perforating charge and the propellant to activate the perforating charge and the propellant in a manner to influence a selected wellbore condition.

Abstract: An animal training device for use with a head collar, a neck collar and a leash simultaneously includes: an elastic body removably coupled between the neck collar and the leash, the elastic body lengthening in response a separating force between the neck collar and the leash and an inelastic line removably coupled between a snout portion of the head collar and the leash, the inelastic line having a fixed length. When the animal pulls against the leash, the inelastic line exerts a force on the snout portion of the head collar.

Abstract: An animal training device for use with a head collar, a neck collar and a leash simultaneously includes: an elastic body removably coupled between the neck collar and the leash, the elastic body lengthening in response a separating force between the neck collar and the leash and an inelastic line removably coupled between a snout portion of the head collar and the leash, the inelastic line having a fixed length. When the animal pulls against the leash, the inelastic line exerts a force on the snout portion of the head collar.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed which is usable with the well which comprises a base pipe having a plurality of apertures where each of the apertures contains a screen insert. The assembly also includes a plurality of perforating charges which are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe in proximity to the screen inserts. In one embodiment, the perforating charges are conical shaped charges, while in another embodiment, the perforating charges are linear shaped charges. An assembly according to the present invention may be utilized to perforate and gravel pack one or more of downhole zones in a single trip downhole. Utilization of linear perforating charges avoids killing the well and prevents formation damage by kill-pills or kill-fluids. An assembly in accordance with the present invention thus reduces drilling time and costs and allows for total flexibility for the distance between stacked intervals.

Abstract: An assembly that is usable with a well includes a base pipe, a screen and at least one perforating charge. The base pipe includes at least one radial port to communicate well fluid, and the base pipe has an outer surface. The screen is mounted to the base pipe and is adapted to at least partially surround the base pipe. The radial port(s) of the base pipe are covered by the screen. The perforating charge(s) are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe.

Abstract: An integrated sandface completion tool that can be positioned within a wellbore in a single trip and a method of providing a sandface completion in a wellbore. An embodiment of the integrated sandface completion tool includes a casing section having a casing wall, at least one explosive charge connected to the casing wall, and a screen assembly connected within the casing section forming a screen-casing annulus, the screen assembly having openings formed along a portion thereof and a port in selective communication with the screen-casing annulus. The method includes the steps of positioning the integrated completion tool in the wellbore, detonating the explosive charge and packing the screen-casing annulus with a material.

Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for holding and mounting a shaped charge having a non-standard size into a standard loading tube of a hollow carrier gun. The adapter may include a housing assembly having an interior bore to hold a relatively small shaped charge and an exterior surface sized for mounting in a standard loading tube via a standard jacket. Alternatively, the adapter may include an improved jacket having interior ribs for supporting a relatively small shaped charge and an exterior surface for mounting the shaped charge in a standard loading tube of a relatively large gun.

Abstract: A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.

Abstract: A device and method for repairing spinal discs in which the nucleus has been damaged. A central section of the nucleus is cored out using a device which ablates the tissue using RF energy. A nucleus implant comprising a shape memory material is placed in the central section of the disc through a cannula, which implant is activated by body heat to expand and fill the central section, such that the implant emulates the functions and strength of the disc's natural nucleus.

Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motor vehicles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to the headlight(s), and/or to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, an optical shutter may be connected to the logic circuitry, and the headlight(s) or one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights for causing light generated by the headlight(s) and/or the turn indicator lights to flash at approximately 10 Hz upon activation of the horn switch, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motor vehicles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to the headlight(s), and/or to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights, for alerting other drivers to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An emergency flasher circuit for use with motorcycles and bicycles comprising an emergency switch, a signal generator for generating a signal having a frequency of approximately 10 Hz, and logic circuitry for selectively applying the signal to one or both of the left and right turn indicator lights and a headlight of a motorcycle or bicycle, for alerting drivers of motor vehicles to the presence of the motorcycle or bicycle.

Abstract: A heat transfer conduit for extracting heat from a molten metal in transit from a containing vessel or delivery system includes at least two elongate segments separable along separation lines which lie generally in the direction of a longitudinal center line of the conduit, which in use, define a unitary structure. The segments can be disassembled following use for the removal of solidified material and other matter from the conduit interior.