Abstract: An imaging solution that uses a small, adaptable, real-time, scalable, image-processing (SMARTS IP) chip configured to function like any one of a wide range of specialized FPA imaging devices, and a method for configuring and implementing same is provided. Configuration for a wide range of applications and implementations, including ones with or without IDCA assemblies or other types of dewar/cooler structures, is disclosed. A wide range of output data formats, including all SDI-compatible image data formats, may be accomplished. Frame stacking and variable effective resolution and charge well depth levels may be accomplished in output image data based on on-chip image processing techniques. On-chip image processing algorithms may include XR™, DRC, NUC, and other similar or related techniques. Image data output compression through on-chip processing is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: A reusable and replaceable tool label has a thin rigid body, an adhesive coating, and a removable liner. The thin rigid body is built from first face and a second face, which are connected by a lateral surface. The first face is a writable surface, and is used to record measurements, notes, and other information to the label. The second face allows the label to be attached to tools and other surface, by means of the adhesive coating that is placed on the second face. To prevent the label from sticking to a surface during packaging, transport, and storage, a removable liner is placed over the adhesive coating. The removable liner has a linear cut that makes the removable liner easier to grab. A tab may be connected to the removable linear to make peeling the removable liner away from the adhesive coating even easier.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: A method for determining a drilling state of a bottom hole assembly in a wellbore includes acquiring one or more downhole sensor measurements and processing the sensor measurements using a downhole processor to determine a drilling state of the bottom hole assembly. An operating state of the bottom hole assembly may be automatically changed in response to the determined drilling state. A method for computing a dynamic drilling energy of a bottom hole assembly includes acquiring at least one sensor measurement and processing the sensor measurements to obtain at least one of (i) an energy of axial motion of the bottom hole assembly, (ii) an energy of rotational motion of the bottom hole assembly, and (iii) an energy of lateral motion of the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing activated carbon that has a reactor vessel for containing carbon based feedstock and a processor that encloses the reactor vessel. An insulating barrier is disposed between the reactor vessel and the processor for defining generally vertical outer and inner pathways that are communicably interconnected. The reactor vessel has a gas receiving intake port in communication with the inner pathway. First and second inlet conduits are formed through the processor and into the reactor for respectively introducing a first ignition gas into the reactor to ignite the feedstock and a second gas into the first pathway. The second gas circulates through the outer and inner pathways and enters the reactor vessel through the gas receiving intake port. The exhaust gas is circulated through a catalyst chamber/cartridge/bed. At least one exhaust port discharges gas from the vessel exteriorly of the processor.

Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a compressor; a combustion chamber; a gas turbine; and an evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler includes a plurality of cooling elements, a flow channel, and a feed device. The plurality of cooling elements are arranged in the flow channel. The feed device supplies a liquid to the plurality of cooling elements. The liquid is evaporated or vaporized. Each of the plurality of cooling elements is a flat cooling sheet, a surface of the cooling sheet having hydrophilic properties at least in a subregion which is specified for forming a liquid film. The evaporative cooler is connected ahead of the compressor on an intake side.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimising the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t

Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.

Abstract: Optimising the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for wearing replica “cauliflower” ears which are molded from the actual cauliflower ears of athletes contact sports including mixed martial arts (MMA), wrestling, rugby, boxing and others. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises support means adapted to support left and right replica cauliflower ears on a wearer's head. A fastening means is adapted to fasten the left and right replica cauliflower ears, respectively, to the support means. The left and right replica cauliflower ears are modeled from a mold of an athlete's cauliflower ears, and suitably resized and shaped to be worn over the ears of the wearer. In another embodiment, the supporting means comprises a flexible head band, and the left and right replica cauliflower ears are fastened to the left and right arms, respectively, of the head band, and wherein the left and right arms am configured to at least partially wrap around a wearer's head.

Abstract: The invention relates to industrial lubricant and grease compositions containing high viscosity index polyalphaolefins (HVI-PAO). The use of HVI-PAOs in industrial oils and greases application provides advantages in improved shear stability, wear property, foam property, energy efficiency and improved overall performance.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method and apparatus, wherein said methods and apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a first plate, a pocket extending through the first plate, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a second plate coupled to a component that is to be actuated, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the pocket are dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the first plate and the second plate creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the second plate toward the first plate.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.

Abstract: A system for generating processor hardware supports a language for significant extensions to the processor instruction set, where the designer specifies only the semantics of the new instructions and the system generates other logic. The extension language provides for the addition of processor state, including register files, and instructions that operate on that state. The language also provides for new data types to be added to the compiler to represent the state added. It allows separate specification of reference semantics and instruction implementation, and uses this to automate design verification. In addition, the system generates formatted instruction set documentation from the language specification.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method and apparatus, wherein said methods and apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a first plate, a pocket extending through the first plate, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a second plate coupled to a component that is to be actuated, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the pocket are dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the first plate and the second plate creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the second plate toward the first plate.

Abstract: A turbine blade or vane is provided. The turbine blade or vane includes an airfoil portion, a root portion arranged below the airfoil portion, a dove tail shaped securing portion arranged below the root portion have a surface including subregions that have locally different compressive residual stresses, and a convexly curved sub region arranged on the surface and adjacent to the concavely curved sub region. The concavely curved region has higher compressive residual stresses than the convexly curved region, and the level of the compressive residual stress in the concavely curved region is at least 30% of the component base material yield strength.

Abstract: A turbine blade or vane is provided. The turbine blade or vane includes an airfoil portion, a root portion arranged below the airfoil portion, a dove tail shaped securing portion arranged below the root portion have a surface including subregions that have locally different compressive residual stresses, and a convexly curved sub region arranged on the surface and adjacent to the concavely curved sub region. The concavely curved region has higher compressive residual stresses than the convexly curved region, and the level of the compressive residual stress in the concavely curved region is at least 30% of the component base material yield strength.

Abstract: A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.