Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a device and a mechanism for heat transfer comprising a hydrofluoroether heat-transfer fluid wherein the heat transfer fluid is represented by the following structure: Rf—O—Rh—O—Rf? wherein: O is oxygen; Rf and Rf? are, independently, a fluoroaliphatic group, wherein each Rf and Rf? contain 1 hydrogen atom; Rh is independently a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms and at least 4 hydrogen atoms, and wherein the hydrofluoroether compound is free of —O—CH2—O—. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method therefor.

Abstract: A heat dissipation module is disclosed for providing good heat-dissipating efficiency. First and second cases correspond to each other, with a heat conducting structure connecting to an opening of the second case. The first and second cases and the heat conducting structure form a closed structure with a porous structure therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a semiconductor chip cooling device consists of multiple fans and heat sinks to provide redundant cooling capability. Heat coming from a semiconductor chip is first distributed to several heat sinks using multiple heat pipes. The heat sinks are placed around the fan outlet such that air is pulled in near the center of the fan and then pushed to across the heat sinks. Multiple fans and heat sinks are stacked up to form a complete cooling device. An external control circuitry is used to monitor and control the fans. In case of one fan fails, the other fans will be speeded up to make up the lost of air flow.

Abstract: A radial flow heat exchanger for heating or cooling a fluid includes a sealed fluid manifold for passage of fluid. A sealed fluid receiving hub is spaced interiorly of the interior peripheral portion of the manifold and includes a passageway for passage of fluid into or out of the heat exchanger. A plurality of separate and spaced fluid flow tubes are disposed between the manifold and the hub. Each of the tubes are in sealed fluid communication with the manifold at one end and the other end is in sealed fluid communication with the hub. A fin assembly is positioned between the manifold and the hub and includes a heat conducting material arranged at spaced intervals between the manifold and the hub, the heat conducting material including a plurality of spaced apertures through which tubes pass.

Abstract: Heat exchangers of this invention include a shell having an inner chamber defined by an inside wall surface, and having at least one opening adjacent an end of the shell. A tube bundle comprising a plurality of assembled together tubes are disposed within the inner chamber. A header plate is attached to the tubes and is positioned adjacent an end of the tube bundle. The header plate includes an outside diameter that fits within the shell inside wall surface to provide a nested attachment junction therebetween. The header plate and shell are fixedly connected to one another by use of a braze joint formed by the placement of brazing material between the interfacing header plate and the shell surface sections. A tank is attached to the shell adjacent the shell end.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a header having a plurality of header openings with rigid tubes that may be made of plastic are inserted in the openings. The tubes are sealed to the header to prevent leakage between the header and the tubes to prevent water and air leakage between the wet, scavenger air stream flowing through the tubes and a dry air stream flowing around the tubes. A method of making the heat exchanger includes providing the openings with a flange and uses an interference fit between the rigid heat exchange tubes and the header openings. A self-leveling sealant may be used to seal the heat exchanger tubes to the header using, for example, a paint roller and/or a paint sprayer.

Abstract: In a radiant heating box there is a convection current which flows over the surface of tubes in the box. Adding ribs to the external surface of vertical tubes provides an enhancement to the heat transfer by convection and increases the heat transfer to the tubes.

Abstract: A heat sink (100) includes a cooling block (105) having a plurality of fins (110) extending through the block to provide a series of coolant channels (112) extending between the fins, the channels having in the interior of the block a venturi narrowing. Beneficially, the channels have coolant entry regions in at least two different regions (115, 120) of the block to direct a plurality of coolant flows into the interior of the block from different directions. Also described is a method of cooling a device such as a processor of a mobile computer used in a vehicle by placing the heat sink or more than one of the heat sinks adjacent to the device to be cooled, preferably with a region in which the venturi narrowing of the coolant channels is provided close to the hottest part of the device to be cooled.

Abstract: A vehicle heat transfer module including a conduit for air circulation, an evaporator in the conduit between the cabin air input and cabin air output, and a heater having vehicle engine coolant circulated therethrough, the heater being in a first path between the evaporator and the cabin air output. A first door selectively opens or closes the fresh air input and fresh air output, and a second door blocks a selected amount of cabin air from the first path. A controller controls the first and second doors responsive to heating and cooling requirements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining suitable displacement fluids for use in subterranean cementing operations, and methods of cementing that use such displacement fluids, are provided. Examples of apparatus include apparatus for evaluating fluids. An example of a system is a system for inverting an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid in a well bore in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a seal assembly for a unitized wellhead system for land or platform applications utilizes a friction grip technology to create maintainable metal-to-metal seals with finely-controlled contact stresses, lock-down casing and tubing hangers, support test loads to minimize the size of landing shoulders required, and to rotationally lock casing hangers to provide simplified running procedures. The system can be used in combination with a friction grip clamping assembly to greatly streamline the wellhead design.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable off sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A high expansion packer or bridge plug is described. It features an external portion of a soft material that flows into spiral exterior leak paths formed when the sealing element is subjected to longitudinal compression. Preferably, the sealing element is an elastomer such as cured rubber, while the outer material is a soft uncured or somewhat cured rubber. The outer covering may itself be covered for protection when running in with such protective covering breaking or otherwise getting out of the way during the element compression process. As a result of compression, the soft material occupies the exterior helical or other leak paths for a sufficient length along the sealing element to withstand high differential pressures, without leakage.

Abstract: A compliant swage has the ability to change shape to allow clearance of an obstruction while permitting expansion to go on in other areas removed from the obstruction. A series of segments move with respect to each other longitudinally to change overall size. The segments have an additional degree of freedom to change from a round profile of varying diameter to an oblong, elliptical, or an irregular shape so as to compensate in the portion that encounters an obstruction to let the swage pass while at the same time permitting the intended maximum expansion in other portions where conditions permit such expansion.

Abstract: A liner hanger having a mechanical coupling between a liner hanger body and one or more cones is disclosed. The cones are coupled to the liner hanger body to resist axial and relative rotational movement without welding the cones to the hanger body, and without the need to use integral cones. In general, the mechanical coupling includes a hanger body or casing mandrel, a cone assembly journaled on the casing mandrel, at least one slot or groove in an outer wall of the casing mandrel, and at least one partially or fully annular slot on the inside surface of the cone assembly oriented to correspond with the groove(s) in the outer wall of the hanger body. At least one wire, or one or more bearings, is situated in the corresponding slot and the groove. The wire engages the flanks of the slot and groove sufficiently to resist axial or rotational movement of the cones relative to the hanger body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and treatment fluid for blocking the permeability of an elevated-temperature zone in a reservoir of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting the zone to be treated, wherein the upper limit of the temperature range of the zone is equal to or greater than 190° F. (88° C.); b) forming a well treatment fluid comprising: water; a water-soluble polymer comprising polymerized vinyl amine units; and an organic compound capable of crosslinking with the vinyl amine units of the water-soluble polymer; c) selecting the water-soluble polymer and the organic compound of the well treatment fluid such that the gel time of the well treatment fluid is at least 2 hours when measured at the upper limit of the temperature range of the zone; and d) injecting the well treatment fluid through the wellbore and into the zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining suitable displacement fluids for use in subterranean cementing operations, and methods of cementing that use such displacement fluids, are provided. Examples of methods include methods of water-wetting an annulus in a subterranean formation having an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid disposed on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the annulus. Another example of a method is a method of using an inverter fluid in a subterranean formation that includes a tubular string disposed therein having an annular region adjacent the outer surface of the tubular string, at least part of the annular region having an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid on a surface thereof. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of identifying an inverter fluid to use for inverting an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: This invention is method of recovering gas from a gas-bearing subterranean formation in which gas is produced from an upper portion of the formation and a waste gas is injected into a lower portion of the formation to dispose of the waste gas. The waste gas is injected within a 3000 foot (914 m) radial distance from the production of the gas. The injection and production can be carried out using one well or a plurality of wells.

Abstract: A gravel packing method and apparatus allows setting the packer by dropping a ball to a seat that it isolated from the effects of formation pressures when trying to set the packer. This is accomplished by isolation of the gravel pack outlet port when setting the packer and locating the ball seat in a position where the effects of formation pressure are irrelevant. Additionally, by positioning the evacuation ports above a seal bore in the screen extension during circulation or squeeze to deposit gravel and further putting check valves in the evacuation ports, the evacuation step after circulation or squeeze can be accomplished without having to reposition the crossover. The crossover is supported from the packer and movement of the crossover away and back to the support from the packer operates a valve to allow squeezing when the valve is closed and circulating and reversing out when the valve is open.

Abstract: A downhole tool has at least one diverter valve. The diverter valves are used to reduce pressure in a wellbore caused by frictional resistance to fluid flow during a gravel pack operation. The increased pressure tends to be created as the beta wave of a gravel pack operation makes its way up the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid may be produced from the formation. Such mixture may, in some embodiments, be treated or burned.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for completing a well. Particularly, the present invention relates to a single-direction plug for use with cementing applications and with drilling with casing applications. One embodiment comprises a cement plug for installation in a wellbore casing. The plug includes a body and gripping members for preventing movement of the body in a first axial direction relative to the casing. The plug further comprises a sealing member for sealing a fluid path between the body and the casing. The plug is movable in a second axial direction with fluid pressure but is not movable in the first direction due to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A cutting device cuts one or more downhole control lines such that the cut ends of the one or more control lines will not interfere with subsequent fishing operations. The cutting device comprises a mandrel, a cutting sleeve and a housing supported on a tubing. Movement of the tubing induces relative motion of the cutting sleeve to cut the one or more control lines.

Abstract: A rig, the rig useful in well operations, the rig having rig structure above the earth, and heat transfer loop apparatus connected to the rig for supplying heat transfer fluid for use on the rig, either from a loop or loops with portion(s) in water or portion(s) in earth, or both.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for stimulating the production of an existing well. In one aspect, a method of treating a well is provided. The method includes inserting a selective treatment assembly and a plug assembly into a partially lined wellbore until the selective treatment assembly is positioned proximate an area of interest. Thereafter, the selective treatment assembly is activated to isolate and treat the area of interest. Next, the selective treatment assembly is deactivated and urged toward the surface of the well until the plug assembly is seated in a polished bore receptacle disposed in a string of casing. At this point, the treated portion of the wellbore is separated from the untreated portion. Thereafter, the pressure in the untreated portion of the wellbore is equalized with the surface of the well and then the selective treatment assembly is removed from the wellbore while the plug assembly remains in the polished bore receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight composite particulates and their use in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and completion. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a lightweight particulate suitable for use as proppant or gravel in a subterranean operation comprising the steps of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of PET and a filler material; forming the homogeneous mixture into particulates suitable for use in a subterranean environment. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating, fracturing, and gravel packing a chosen zone in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a system for limiting vortex-induced vibrations on a riser suspended at one end from a support and subjected to substantially transverse fluid flows. The system comprises suspension means (10) for hanging the riser from the support, which include displacement means for moving the end in a transverse direction in relation to the principal axis of the riser.

Abstract: A downhole tool has at least one diverter valve. The at least one diverter valve is used to reduce pressure in a wellbore caused by frictional resistance to fluid flow during a gravel pack operation. The increased pressure tends to be created as the beta wave of the gravel pack operation makes its way up the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a supporting member connectable to said top drive characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool for engaging said tubular and an external clamping device for engaging said tubular.

Abstract: A method for positioning sleeve down hole in a hydrocarbon producing well. A running assembly with associated sleeve is run down a hydrocarbon producing well until the sleeve is in a desired positioned in a conduit. The sleeve is expanded until it sealingly engages the conduit. Pressure is maintained within the sleeve until the seals of holding the pressure sequentially fail to expand the ends of the sleeve. When a preset pressure threshold is reached, the pressure is relieved. The running assembly is then pulled back through the expanded sleeve to surface. A major advantage of this method is that the expanded sleeve provides sufficient internal clearance that a further sleeve of the same size as the original may, in future, be passed through the expanded sleeve and positioned lower down in the well.

Abstract: Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simpler untrained and automatic self servicing of a fire extinguisher. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO2 canister located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO2 canister as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

Abstract: A support has a post. The post has a circular cross sectional configuration. The post extends upwardly from the support. An arm has a collar. The collar is rotatably received on the post. The collar is pivotably coupled to the collar with a finger. The finger has a vertical aperture there through. A wheel assembly has a drive wheel centrally and a cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is outboardly and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the drive wheel. The wheel assembly has a clevis. The clevis is inboardly and has vertical aperture and a pin.

Abstract: A system and method of cutting a core out of a finished surface for keyhole excavation provides a truck with a turret to which a support arm supporting the cutter assembly is mounted, and a stabilizing member remote from the turret, which allows the turret to be rotated about its complete arc of motion while stabilizing the support arm at any desired position about the truck. In a first embodiment the invention comprises an upstanding support rim affixed to or integrated into the bed of the truck. In a further embodiment the invention comprises a support member affixed to the horizontal arm and supported by the truck bed. This makes the keyhole excavation procedure safer and more precise, and allows a larger-depth cutting head to be used in order to penetrate thicker finished surfaces. In the preferred embodiment the cutter head is provided with a pilot which creates a pilot hole in the core that facilitates removal, manipulation and replacement of the core, and improves the integrity of the reinstated core.

Abstract: A planting tool having a handle, an auger receiver and a basket. The auger receiver has an upper opening and a lower opening. The auger receiver is attached to the handle. The auger receiver is adapted to receive an auger. The basket has an upper opening and a lower opening. The basket is slidably attached to the handle for movement between a raised position and a lowered position. When the basket is in the lowered position, the lower opening of the auger receiver is adjacent the lower opening of the basket to define a partially enclosed region between the auger receiver and the basket.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for automatically detecting the state of a drilling rig during the drilling process of a wellbore. Two or more, but preferably four independent input data channels are received, each input data channel representing a series of measurements made over time during the drilling process. Based on the input channels the most likely state of the drilling rig is detected from at least three possible rig states. The detection method is preferably probabilistic and even more preferably based on particle filtering techniques. The preferred systems and methods disclosed are also capable of detecting events and displaying or notifying drilling personnel of the detected events and suggesting corrective action.

Abstract: The invention provides a reamer apparatus for a ground boring machine that is capable of restricting increase in drawing resistance when performing drawing of a buried pipe by using a reamer and of efficiently performing drawing operations of the buried pipe without degrading properties such as flexibility and rotatability. The reamer apparatus includes a reamer main body of substantially hollow conical shape that reduces in diameter towards a drawing side, and a rod connecting portion that provided at a narrow diameter end portion of the reamer main body and connected with a rod. The reamer main body is connected to a buried pipe through a coupling structure disposed on an opposite side to the rod connecting portion. The coupling structure has a Swivel joint that allows rotation of the reamer main body with respect to the buried pipe, wherein a main portion of the Swivel joint is substantially accumulated in the reamer main body.

Abstract: Method for the removal and recovery of the oily component from cuttings coming from the drilling of oil wells by treatment of the cuttings with a solvent, which can be compressed to the liquid state, at a pressure value ranging from 45 to 80 bar and a temperature corresponding to the saturation value.

Abstract: A stabiliser (10) has a body (12) having a through-bore (16). A mandrel (14), also having a through-bore (20), is axially slidable in the body bore to actuate and de-actuate the tool. A step (64) in the body defines annular chambers (102, 104) between the mandrel and body on either side of the step. A control piston (18) in the mandrel alternately directs drilling mud pumped under pressure along said body bore and mandrel bore to the chambers to drive the mandrel hydraulically to actuate and de-actuate the tool. The control piston has a through-bore (46) and is slidable in the mandrel bore against the force of a return spring (40) by drilling mud pressure from a low-pressure position to a pressure position. The pressure position is alternately one of an actuate position (a) and a de-actuate position (b), axially spaced along the mandrel bore from said actuate position.

Abstract: An earth boring bit has rotating cones with two lubricant passages to increase bearing capacity and cause lubricant circulation. A lubricant reservoir in the body supplies lubricant to passages between the cone and bearing pin. A pressure compensator equalizes lubricant pressure to the exterior of the bit. A first passage leads from the reservoir to the upper side of the bearing pin. A second passage leads from the reservoir to the bearing pin at a point from 185 degrees to 225 degrees as seen from an inner end of the bearing pin. This point is located in a diverging region 51d of an annular clearance surrounding the bearing pin.

Abstract: A rock drill includes a housing in which are disposed a reciprocable percussive device, slidably mounted in the housing, a rotary device, and a shank adapter aligned with the percussive device. The shank adapter includes first and second adapter portions. The first adapter portion has a front end and a rear end, the rear end arranged to be impacted by the percussive device and rotated by the rotary device. The second adapter portion has a rear end releasably connected to the front end of the first adapter portion, and a front end carrying a coupling adapted for connection with a drill rod component.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a mechanical face seal assembly with PCD faces. The bit has a bearing shaft with a cone rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft. The seal locates between the bearing shaft and the cone for sealing lubricant therein. The seal includes at least one rigid seal ring having a cemented carbide body and an annular PCD face located on it. The mating face may also be of a PCD material. The cemented carbide body contains a binder that migrates into the PCD face while the PCD face is being formed. A binder-free region is leached on the surface of the PCD face.

Abstract: The present invention describes a drilling and anchoring device for diverse application, which possess as a basic principle to provide the formation of a specific drilling and anchoring device of the most diverse products to soils, fully based on a lower penetration device in order to fully optimize both processes by directly eliminating excavations and high efforts, having as a basis a drilling and anchoring device incorporating a proprietary structure of high durability and strength possessing a properly integrated and attached main supporting body, a lower penetration device, a central rotating device and, as an option, an upper fitting device, so as to form a structure whose shape and internal and external arrangement directly adapts itself to the most diverse types of soils and products in general.

Abstract: A multi-terrain amphibious vehicle for travel across various types of surfaces and upon various bodies of water. The vehicle has an elongated longitudinally extending chassis having a bottom surface having a centerline. A plurality of left side propulsion units and a plurality of right side propulsion units extend inwardly toward the centerline and they are supported by the chassis. A vehicle body having a passenger compartment is mounted on the chassis. A source of drive power is mounted on the chassis. Power transmission structure connects the drive power structure to the driven axles of the respective left and right side propulsion units. The propulsion units each have a plurality of cam-shaped wheels mounted on each driven axle. The cam-shaped wheels are oriented on the driven axle so that there will always be an arcuate perimeter segment of one of the cam-shaped wheels positioned to contact the ground surface during each 360 degree rotation of the driven shaft.

Abstract: Suspension wheels, or bogie wheels, in an endless track vehicle are longitudinally offset, or staggered, from one another in such a way as to cause the track rods of the endless track to impact only one suspension wheel at any given point in time.

Abstract: A safety system for a riding lawn mower that prevents powered operation of a PTO driven implement while in reverse unless an override switch is “ON”. The override switch may be a sustained action two position switch and the PTO driven implement may be a lawn mower blade. In one embodiment, the override switch does not allow the engine to start if the override switch is on. In one embodiment, the override switch cooperates with an operator presence switch to prevent operation of the PTO driven implement when the override switch is on and the operator is not present.

Abstract: An arrangement of radiators (2–6) for a utility vehicle, e.g., an agricultural tractor, comprising three or more cooling radiators which together define a chamber (7), optionally with some of the walls formed by perforated plates instead of radiator elements. One of the radiator elements may be pivotally mounted with respect to the others to provide access to the chamber. The arrangement of radiators may be mounted on a common support (1).

Abstract: A fork lift truck has a chassis and a battery block located inside the chassis. The chassis has a lateral opening for the removal of the battery block essentially in the horizontal direction. The chassis has a beam (5) to which a bending load can be applied and which is located on the upper side of the opening in the chassis. The beam can have an at least approximately T-shaped section.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.

Abstract: In a seat console, weight sensors for measuring the weight of occupants are arranged, which are provided between a top frame and a bottom frame of the console. So that a floating bearing of the top frame in the bottom frame is ensured, the top frame and the bottom frame are held to be supported by the weight sensors. In order to avoid damage or a faulty measurement, the top frame dips into the bottom frame in an open manner.

Abstract: A power steering system includes first and second drain passages connected to the first and second passages, respectively, and first and second passage switching valves arranged at connections of the first and second drain passages and the first and second passages, respectively. When a hydraulic pump operates to discharge the hydraulic pressure to the first passage, the first passage switching valve provides fluid communication between pump-side and cylinder-side portions of the first passage and closes off the first drain passage. And when the hydraulic pump stops, the first switching valve provides fluid communication between the cylinder-side portion of the first passage and the first drain passage.