Abstract: A flow tube exercising tool and method for use are described for actuating the flow tube of a downhole safety valve in order to remove build ups of scale and debris from the safety valve and ensure proper operation. The exercising tool provides a lower engagement portion that underlies the lower end of the safety valve flow tube so that upward movement of portions of the exercising tool will move the flow tube upwardly. An upper engagement portion overlies the upper end of the flow tube so that downward movement of portions of the exercising tool will move the flow tube downwardly. Only a single trip of the flow tube exercising tool is necessary to accomplish multiple upward and downward movements of the flow tube.

Abstract: A link for supporting a wellbore apparatus, the link in one aspect, having a link body with a first end spaced-apart from a second end, a handle on the first end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a selectively operable timing device in operable communication with a force reducing mechanism, the mechanism restraining an effect of an external force on a tool member, that force being restrained to time actuation of a separate tool.

Abstract: A packer washout assembly for removing debris from a well bore is disclosed. The packer washout assembly includes a tubing string positioned in the well bore and forming an annulus with the well bore. A packer is interposed in the tubing string and is sealable against the interior of the well bore. A packer washout sub is connected to an upper end of the packer. The packer washout sub includes a mandrel having at least one fluid flow port extending through a sidewall and a rupture disk positioned in the fluid flow port of the mandrel. The rupture disk is adapted to rupture upon the application of a predetermined pressure within the fluid passage of the mandrel so as to place the fluid passage in fluid communication with the annulus to permit fluid to pass through the fluid port from the mandrel to the annulus and thereby circulate fluid over the top of the packer so as to wash debris from the top of the packer.

Abstract: A method of cementing a wellbore in a subterranean formation, comprising formulating a cement composition that may be suitable for long-term zonal isolation of the subterranean formation by evaluating a subterranean formation, preparing a base cement composition, determining the compressive strength of the base cement composition, determining the tensile strength of the base cement composition, and adjusting the ratio of compressive strength to tensile strength as need to within a first optimizing range to form a first optimized cement composition, and placing the optimized cement composition in the wellbore.

Abstract: A wellbore communication system for a wellsite having a downhole tool deployed from a rig into a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation is provided. The system includes at least one wellsite sensor adapted to collect wellsite data, at least one mobile communication module locatable at various positions about the wellsite and a surface unit operatively connected to the at least one communication module. The communication module includes a housing, at least one communication interface adapted to receive signals from the at least one wellsite sensor, at least one signal-conditioning module positioned in the housing, a power supply and a connector adapted to receive a communication link to the surface unit.

Abstract: A coal bed methane degassing tool is installed at the bottom of a first joint of production casing. As the casing is lowered into the well hole, the tool is fished to the top of the casing as more joints are added. The pressure at the tool may be recorded and logged. Any excessive pressure observed at the tool may be bled off by the tool automatically or manually. As more casing is tripped in, the tool is brought to the top. At the end of the run a log of formation pressure is established. Reservoir engineers can determine reserves in coal bed methane wells drilled and completed before the well is bled off and the tool is removed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing an expedited shoe test using an expandable casing portion as an annular fluid barrier. Such an expandable annular fluid barrier may be used in conjunction with cement if so desired but cement is not required. Further provided are methods and apparatus for successfully recovering from a failed expansion so that a shoe test can be completed without replacement of the expandable casing portion.

Abstract: Protective barriers for small devices, such as sensors, actuators, flow control devices, among others, protect the devices from erosive and/or corrosive fluids, for example, formation fluids under harsh downhole conditions. The protective barriers include protective coatings and fluid diverting structures in the fluid flow which facilitate use of the small devices in high temperature-high pressure applications with erosive and/or corrosive fluids that are often found in downhole environments.

Abstract: Subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods are provided. The subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with power provided to at least one downhole device by a light source at the surface. In one embodiment, a system includes uphole light source, a downhole sensor, a photonic power converter at the downhole sensor, an optical fiber extending between the uphole light source and the photonic power converter, and downhole sensor electronics powered by the photonic power converter. The photonic power converter is contained in a high temperature resistant package. For example, the high temperature resistant package and photonic power converter may operate at temperatures of greater than approximately 100° C.

Abstract: A process for the selective controlled reduction of the relative water permeability in high permeability, oil-bearing formations, with negligible reduction of the permeability to oil. The process comprises, for sandstone reservoir rocks, a first layer of cationic polymer, followed by a brine spacer slug and a second polymer layer made up of a suspension of anionic polymer and an anionic or non-ionic microgel, optionally this configuration being repeated. As a result the thickness of the polymer layer is considerably increased, which permits the process to be used in high permeability formations. For limestone rocks the first layer is made up of anionic polymer, while the second layer involves a suspension of cationic polymer/cationic or non-ionic microgel. The polymers are all injected as aqueous suspensions in brine or seawater.

Abstract: Asphaltene control additives are added to base fluids which are introduced directly or indirectly into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to mitigate asphaltene deposition in the formation which results in improved permeability in the formation and production of hydrocarbons therefrom. The fluids to which the additive is added may be liquid CO2-based, aqueous-based or non-aqueous-based fluids. Further, the fluids are fracturing fluids, drilling fluids and wellbore treatment fluids such as acidizing fluids.

Abstract: An embodiment consistent with the present invention is a high strength proppant comprising an electrofused pellet. In another embodiment, a high strength proppant comprises a substantially solid and substantially spherical pellet produced by electrofusion of at least one metal oxide. A method of making a proppant is also provided, with that method comprising melting at least one metal oxide in an electrical arc furnace, pouring the molten metal oxide to create a pour stream, and separating the pour stream to form at least one electrofused pellet. A method of fracturing subterranean formations is also provided, with that method comprising injecting a fluid containing at least one electrofused pellet.

Abstract: A method for cementing a casing in a wellbore, the method having the following steps: attaching a valve to a casing; locking the valve in an open configuration; running the casing and the valve into the wellbore; reverse circulating a cement composition down an annulus defined between the casing and the wellbore; injecting a plurality of plugs into the annulus; unlocking the valve with the plurality of plugs; and closing the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for perforating a landfill gas well in situ. The invention allows for improved recovery of gas from a gas well without the danger of explosion.

Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise crosslinkable polymers and certain biopolymers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a crosslinking agent; and a gelling agent comprising a polymer that is a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer that is a biopolymer wherein a molecule of the biopolymer (1) consists only of glucose, or (2) has a backbone comprising one or more units that comprise at least (a) one glucose unit and (b) one linear or cyclic pyranose-type monosaccharide unit, wherein (a) and (b) have different molecular structures.

Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise crosslinkable polymers and certain biopolymers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a crosslinking agent, and a gelling agent comprising a polymer that is a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer that is a biopolymer wherein a molecule of the biopolymer (1) consists only of glucose, or (2) has a backbone comprising one or more units that comprise at least (a) one glucose unit and (b) one linear or cyclic pyranose-type monosaccharide unit, wherein (a) and (b) have different molecular structures; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Production from a hydrocarbon well is facilitated when heat generated by surface equipment used to produce hydrocarbons from the well is continuously injected into the well to heat the well system. The heat may be further concentrated using a vortex tube to separate a hot component from a cold component of compressed gas injected into the well.

Abstract: An elevator having, in at least certain aspects, an elevator body with two opposed ends and an elevator opening in the body, a door pivotably mounted to the body for selectively closing off the elevator opening, a lock bar on the elevator body, door latch apparatus on the door including a movable member to selectively and releasably hold the lockbar, and locking apparatus for selectively locking the door in position; and, in certain aspects, verification apparatus for maintaining the locking apparatus in position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball seat apparatus for actuating a downhole component. The ball drop apparatus comprises a plurality of ball seat bores and at least one passage extending therethrough.

Abstract: A connector is provided that enables connection between two parts without rotation of either of the two parts. The connector comprises a first part with N engagement members; a second part with N+1 engagement members; and a sleeve having a first and second end, the first end having N engagement members for engaging the N engagement members of the first part, the second end having N+1 engagement members for engaging the N+1 engagement members of the second end.

Abstract: A well tool is adapted to couple to at least one of a wireline service tool and a tubing string and has an adapter component engaging portion adapted to couple to an adapter component. At least a first and a second interchangeable adapter components are operable to couple to the adapter component engaging portion. The first adapter component is adapted to perform a first function and the second adapter component is adapted to perform a second function.

Abstract: A closure device attachable above a location of a closed receptacle, consisting of a stopper portion with a cylindrical pour-out spout which is connected or connectable to the receptacle, and of a screw cap which may be screwed onto the lower part, as well as of a cylindrical piercing means which in the axial direction is open at both sides and is displaceably mounted in the lower part, wherein catch means are present in the screw cap, said catch means moving the piercing means helically downwards when screwing off the screw cap for the first time, wherein the piercing means is equipped with at least one cutting element.

Abstract: A seal assembly sealingly engages a packer that is retrievable from the packer. The seal assembly comprises a sealing structure for receiving by a seal bore of the packer, and a housing assembly defining an inner chamber and having at least one control line conduit and at least one flow conduit passage. The seal assembly further comprises at least one control line extending through the control line conduit into the inner chamber, and at least one flow conduit extending through the flow conduit passage into the inner chamber.

Abstract: A horseshoe adapted to be attached to the hoof of a horse comprises a body having a U-shaped configuration, the body including a ground engaging surface, a hoof engaging surface, and a convex outer and a concave inner side wall, the side walls extending between the surfaces, and a continuous sequence of separate wedges in the form of V-shaped projections for improving traction of the horseshoe are integrally formed and extend outwardly from the convex outer side wall. An open sided swedge is provided in the ground engaging surface of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a fire in a multi-floored building, a method of treating fire in a multi-floored building, and a portable apparatus for assembly and subsequent treating of a fire in a multi-floored building are disclosed. The apparatus, method and system include a curvilinear tubular structure and a bracing system coupled to a source of a fluid pressure.

Abstract: A cutting attachment rotary edgers having a planar base and a plurality of cutting fins or evacuating blades that extend outward from an outboard side of the base. A plurality of teeth are formed along a peripheral edge of the base and are defined in part by leading edges which face a direction of rotation. The cutting fins extend outwardly from the base at an acute angle so that distal ends thereof are angled in a direction opposite of the direction of rotation. The cutting fins are also spaced apart from the leading edges of the teeth of the base. The cutting fins are further attached along bases thereof at acute angles with respect to the leading edges of the teeth of the base so that radially outermost ends of the bases of the cutting fins are spaced further from the leading edges of the teeth than inner most ends of the bases of the cutting fins.

Abstract: A scraper for a single-disc opener air seeder, comprising a mounting bracket, scraper attachment member, scraper plate, scraper edge containment member, scraper edge, bolt, spring, and nut, wherein the scraper attachment member is attached to the mounting bracket by the bolt, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a main surface, wherein the bolt comprises a top end, wherein the nut is screwed onto the top end of the bolt, wherein the spring lies between the main surface of the mounting bracket and the nut on the top end of the bolt, wherein the scraper attachment member is connected to the scraper plate, wherein the scraper plate is connected to the scraper edge containment member, and wherein the scraper edge containment member is connected to the scraper edge. Two different embodiments of the mounting bracket for installation on the seed/fertilizer boot and depth wheel sides of the opener disc.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing having a motor provided therein and a switch provided within the housing for activating the motor. The power tool also includes a member configured for movement between a first position in which the motor is operating and a second position in which the motor is not operating. The member includes a first end retained in the housing at a first location, a second end retained in the housing at a second location, a body portion extending between the first end and the second end, and a beam extending from the body into the housing for selectively actuating the switch.

Abstract: To maintain an interior environment in an environment in which negative ions are abundant, and to stably maintain the environment at a higher level with maintaining an efficacy of the charcoal included in a paint containing a charcoal powder applied to a wall face in a room, a floor face in the room is formed by an insulator and the wall face is made to have a grounding electric potential by connecting it to a grounding electrode buried in a ground according to a method of the invention. The grounding electrode device includes a main body formed in a bottomed tubular body by a metal, and a charcoal and a catalyst are accommodated in the main body.

Abstract: A method of installing a junction box for electrical conductors and any other cables in a concealed installation in a building component such as a wall, a ceiling or a floor. a) First, the junction box is attached to the building structure in the normal manner. The junction box has a cover with one or more magnets for indicating the center of drilling for opening up access to the junction box. b) The conduits are drawn and fixed to the junction box for conduits. c) The building component, junction box and conduits are then covered with covering building elements. d) The Junction boxes are then located by applying a powder to covering elements. The powder is magnetic and is attracted to the magnets in the cover to indicate the drilling center. e) An opening for access to the junction box is then drilled using the drilling center.

Abstract: A splice electrical connector for connecting core members of two cable conductors to each other is provided. The connector include two end members. Each end member comprises a first coupler end and a second wedge contact end. A splice coupler connects the first coupler ends of the two end members to each other. A fastener is connected to the splice coupler, wherein the fastener combines with the splice coupler to interlock the first coupler ends in mating portions of the splice coupler.

Abstract: Silicon carbide-based fine particles containing an electrically conducting inorganic substance and a electromagnetic wave absorbing material, which are fine particles comprising a particle inner portion of a silicon carbide-based material and a surface layer formed of an electrically conducting inorganic substance mainly comprising carbon, wherein a gradient layer with the compositional ratio of the electrically conducting inorganic substance gradiently increasing toward the particle surface is present and the thickness of the electrically conducting inorganic substance gradient layer is from 1 to 500 nm. The electromagnetic wave absorbing material of the present invention can selectively absorb a electromagnetic wave of 1 to 300 GHz in a wide band.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes a cable jacket defining a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors oriented longitudinally within the cable jacket. Each of the twisted pairs of insulated conductors has a width. A filler element is disposed in the cable jacket and is located adjacent to at least one of the twisted pairs of insulated conductors. The filler element defines a width that is substantially larger than the width of each the twisted pairs of insulated conductors. The filler element has a central axis laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the cable jacket. The filler element reduces alien crosstalk from an adjacent cable.

Abstract: A braided cord is provided comprising a conductive foil made of aluminum or copper or similar good electrically conductive materials. The foil is wrapped around the line (hot) and neutral wires of a cord. Over the foil is the braid made of copper strands. Due to the conductive foil underneath the braid of copper strands, the amount of braid coverage can be considerably reduced, thus making the cord used in LCDI applications considerably less expensive. The LCDI's are typically used on room air conditional power supply cords as required by the NEC and UL standards.

Abstract: A hinge board having a hinge bending part and a rigid part includes: not less than two flexible wiring boards including a polyimide sheet layer, a conductor layer having a circuit formed on both sides or one side of the polyimide sheet layer, and a coverlay film layer covering the conductor layer; and a bonding material for bonding the flexible wiring boards. At least one of the flexible wiring boards is a flexible double-sided wiring board including the conductor layers on both sides of the polyimide sheet layer. Moreover, the flexible wiring boards are bonded to each other in the rigid part by use of the bonding material in such a manner that a space part is formed between the flexible wiring boards in the hinge bending part.

Abstract: A method of forming circuit patterns on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The method of forming circuit patterns on a printed circuit board comprising: (a) applying etchant on portions of an insulation substrate where the circuit patterns are to be formed, (b) curing the etchant by adjusting curing conditions, (c) applying metal ink on the etched circuit patterns, and (d) sintering the metal ink, allows a great reduction in production costs, since the processes of applying photoresist (PR), exposing, and developing can be eliminated to simplify the overall process, and the circuit patterns of printed circuit boards can be formed minutely and with precision with a fewer number of processes and less time.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is by formed by laminating an interlaminar insulating layer on a conductor circuit of a substrate, in which the conductor circuit is comprised of an electroless plated film and an electrolytic plated film and a roughened layer is formed on at least a part of the surface of the conductor circuit.

Abstract: An embedded capacitor core includes a first set of capacitors, a second set of capacitors, and an inter-layer dielectric film between the first set of capacitors and the second set of capacitors. The first set of capacitors includes: a first conductive pattern comprising at least two conductive electrodes; a second conductive pattern comprising at least two conductive electrodes corresponding to the two conductive electrodes of the first conductive pattern; and a first dielectric film between the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern. The second set of capacitors includes: a third conductive pattern comprising at least two conductive electrodes; a fourth conductive pattern comprising at least two conductive electrodes corresponding to the two conductive electrodes of the fourth conductive pattern; and a second dielectric film between the third conductive pattern and the fourth conductive pattern.

Abstract: An embedded capacitor device within a circuit board having an integrated circuitry thereon is provided. The circuit board has a common coupling area under the integrated circuitry. The embedded capacitor device includes a first capacitor section providing at least one capacitor to a first terminal set of the integrated circuitry and a second capacitor section providing at least one capacitor to a second terminal set of the integrated circuitry. A portion of the first capacitor section is in the common coupling area and has its coupling to the first terminal set located in the common coupling area. Similarly, a portion of the second capacitor section is in the common coupling area and has its coupling to the second terminal set located in the common coupling area.

Abstract: A three-dimensional PWB is provided that may include two or more layers stacked together forming a top surface, a bottom surface, and one or more side surfaces, and one or more solder pad situated on at least one of the one or more side surfaces. The one or more solder pads may include exposed voids in the one or more side surfaces. In some cases, the top surface and/or the bottom surface may have one or more solder pad. The one or more solder pads on at least one of the one or more side surfaces may be electrically connected to the one or more solder pads on the top surface and/or the bottom surface. In the illustrative PWB, the top surface and/or the bottom surface may be adapted to be mounted with an inertial sensor. The one or more side surfaces may be adapted to be mounted to a printed wiring board.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is by formed by laminating an interlaminar insulating layer on a conductor circuit of a substrate, in which the conductor circuit is comprised of an electroless plated film and an electrolytic plated film and a roughened layer is formed on at least a part of the surface of the conductor circuit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is by formed by laminating an interlaminar insulating layer on a conductor circuit of a substrate, in which the conductor circuit is comprised of an electroless plated film and an electrolytic plated film and a roughened layer is formed on at least a part of the surface of the conductor circuit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (20) includes a sub-assembly having dielectric (22) and conductive layers (24). A hole (26) extends into the sub-assembly. Metal plating (32) is applied on a barrel (27) of the hole (26). A conductive layer (32) and an etch resist (34) are applied to a first photoresist (30) on the hole barrel (27). The first photoresist (30) is removed and a second photoresist (36) is applied leaving areas to be controlled depth etched exposed. The exposed areas (38) are chemically etched. The second layer of photoresist (36) is removed and a second chemical etch operation is performed to define previously plated features (40) on the sub-assembly (20). The etch resist (34) is then removed.

Abstract: A method for producing a durable electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shield between two or more structural members of a wall or enclosure and a shielded shelter produced using the method. In one embodiment, joints between structural members are preferably filled with an electrically conductive filler. A base coat of a metal spray that adheres well to the filler and structural member is then applied. At least one layer of a metal spray with magnetic field attenuation properties such as steel, and at least one layer of a metal spray that has plane wave attenuation properties such as tin are applied to the base coat. Optionally, a coat of protective or conductive paint is then applied to the top surface of the metal spray layers. An enclosure with shielded joints according to the present invention has superior shielding capability and durability over the art.

Abstract: Raceway for electrical cables having a channel-shaped base element made up of a flat bottom wall, and two side walls which form with the flat bottom wall respective blunt edges and which have a plurality of narrow cut-outs that are parallel and extend perpendicular to the flat bottom wall and a series of slits arranged between the flat bottom wall and the narrow cut-outs. Each slit extends as far as the flat bottom wall, completely sectioning the blunt edge that the slit forms with the side wall The flat bottom wall is provided with a weakening line extending parallel to the blunt edge. The raceway allows a cable to be deviated through one of the side walls without having to deviate the cable vertically, by breaking away one of vertical flanges (20) defined between two the narrow cut-outs.

Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., a flexible elongate hose member and a swivel coupling.

Abstract: Plug connections used to connect at least two modules of a motor vehicle cockpit to a main cable harness each comprise a first plug element and a second plug element which is designed as a suitable mating piece for the first plug element. Each of the first plug elements is electrically connected to the main cable harness and each of the second plug elements is electrically connected to a module cable harness which is part of one of the at least two modules. In order to simplify mounting of the modules, the plug connections are of identical design and are formed in a self-finding manner. The first plug element is in each case mechanically connected to the body of the motor vehicle and is arranged in an end region of the body, and the second plug element is mechanically fixed to an outer face, which is directed toward the end region of the body, of the respective module.

Abstract: This invention relates to a removable cover for an electrical outlet. A base plate is coupled to the wall. The base plate contains one or more slots for receiving a protective cover. The protective cover has tabs thereon whose location correspond to the location in the base plate. The protective cover is attached to the base plate by inserting the tabs into the base plate. The protective cover prevents electrical cords from being inadvertently removed from the wall plug.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.