Abstract: A zonal isolation system for a subterranean well comprises at least one tubular body that comprises at least one semi-permeable membrane, or at least one removable material or both. The semi-permeable membrane is permeable to one or more activators that may cause a cement slurry to begin setting. The tubular body may comprise openings that are covered by or filled with a removable material. After a primary cementing treatment has been completed, the activator may be introduced into the tubular body, whereupon it passes through the tubular body and out into the cement slurry.

Abstract: A method of transferring heat to or from a downhole element comprising contacting a downhole fluid comprising a fluid medium, and a nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being uniformly dispersed in the downhole fluid, to a downhole element inserted in a downhole environment. A method of cooling a downhole element, and a method of drilling a borehole are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heater system may include an alternating current supply and an electrical conductor. An alternating current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors at a voltage above about 200 volts. The electrical conductors may be located in a formation. The electrical conductors may provide an electrically resistive heat output upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may be allowed to transfer from an electrical conductor to a part of the formation.

Abstract: Processes and systems for fracturing a formation are disclosed. Tools that may be selectively opened and closed are positioned on a tubular liner that in turn is positioned within a subterranean well bore. Separate pairs of packers are also attached to and positioned along the tubular liner so as to straddle each tool. Fracturing fluid is pumped from the surface through the tubular and open tool and past a pair of packers at a temperature and injection rate which causes contraction of the tubular liner. Thereafter, the velocity of the fracturing fluid is sufficient to set the pair of packers adjacent the open tool. Continued pumping of fracturing fluid is directed by the set packers into the adjacent subterranean environs at a pressure sufficient to fracture the subterranean environs.

Abstract: A set of manifold string members usable to selectively control separate flowing fluid streams of varying velocities for operations of well construction, injection or production of fluid mixtures of liquids, gases and/or solids, that can be injected into, or taken from, one or more proximal regions of a subterranean passageway, underground cavern, hydrocarbon or geothermal reservoir. Fluid communicated through a manifold string radial passageway of a manifold crossover, between conduit strings and at least one other conduit, can be controlled with at least one flow controlling member, communicating with a passageway member from an innermost, concentric, and/or annular passageway. Fluid communication can be selectively controlled for various configurations of one or more substantially hydrocarbon and/or substantially water wells, below a single main bore and wellhead.

Abstract: A commutating valve for a downhole steering tool. The downhole steering tool has a sleeve which surrounds an annular body which in turn surrounds a driveshaft. A plurality of steering cylinders are located in the annular body and a steering piston is located in each steering cylinder, the steering pistons engaging the sleeve. A pump pressurises hydraulic fluid within a reservoir, the reservoir having a closable outlet whereby the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the reservoir can be raised by closing the outlet and lowered by opening the outlet. The valve comprises a number of discrete valve members which are all in communication with the reservoir and can be opened sequentially whereby to deliver hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinders sequentially. The pressure within each steering cylinder can be controlled in order to control the position of the driveshaft within the sleeve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for upgrading hydrocarbon on offshore platforms are described. Hydrocarbon material can be extracted from deposits under bodies of water and upgraded on offshore platforms, such as through the use of one or more nozzle reactors. The upgraded hydrocarbon material produced by the nozzle reactor, can than be transported back to shore through pipelines, in part due to the improved viscosity of the upgraded material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a power and control pod for subsea artificial lift system. In one embodiment, a method of operating a downhole tool in a subsea wellbore includes: supplying a direct current (DC) power signal from a dry location to a subsea control pod; converting the DC power signal to an alternating current (AC) power signal by the control pod; and supplying the AC power signal from the control pod, into the subsea wellbore, and to the downhole tool.

Abstract: A subsea production and separation system comprising a subsea well drilled into a sea floor; a subsea tree located on the sea floor at a top portion of the subsea well; a manifold located on the sea floor; a well jumper connecting the subsea tree and the manifold; a first sled located on the sea floor; a second sled located on the sea floor; a separator located on the sea floor; a first flowline jumper connecting the manifold to the separator; a second flowline jumper connecting the manifold to the separator; a third flowline jumper connecting the separator to the first sled; a fourth flowline jumper connecting the separator to the second sled; a liquid export line connected to the third flowline jumper; and a gas export line connected to the fourth flowline jumper.

Abstract: A riser system for coupling a surface platform to a wellhead. The riser system includes a main tube, flanges and one or more tie rods. The main tube forms an annulus for fluid flow between the wellhead and the platform. A flange extends radially from each end of the main tube. The tie rods are coupled to and extend between the flanges.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder sealed by an upper head and a lower head and carrying a piston which divides the hydraulic cylinder assembly into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A load is connected to the piston and urges it toward the lower head. A conduit connects a reversible hydraulic pump assembly in fluid flow communication with a pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid and the lower chamber for counterbalancing the load. A control system is operably associated with the reversible hydraulic pump assembly to cause hydraulic fluid to flow back and forth between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and the pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid. A system is also provided to counteract leakage in the pump by adding hydraulic fluid makeup on an as needed and controlled basis.

Abstract: A hydraulic connection mechanism for use in a wellbore comprises an upper connection running tool, a lower connection tool configured to engage the upper connection running tool and form a fluid communication pathway through the hydraulic connection mechanism, and a debris barrier disposed in the fluid communication pathway. The debris barrier comprises a body element, and a spring element configured to maintain the body element in a closed position when the upper connection running tool is disengaged from the lower connection tool.

Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive, pressure compensated actuator system includes a housing having a bore therein. A force transmitter sealingly moveable within the bore. The force transmitter defining with the bore two fluid chambers. The two fluid chambers being in fluid communication with each other, one at each longitudinal end of the force transmitter. An activator in one or both of the two fluid chambers and operatively connected to the force transmitter. At least two seals sealingly positioned between the housing and the force transmitter. One of the seals disposed near one end of the force transmitter and another of the seals disposed near another end of the force transmitter. A separate compensation piston disposed in the housing so as to expose one end of the compensation piston to tubing pressure and to expose the other end of the compensation piston to a fluid volume including the fluid chambers. Also included is a method for reducing force requirements of an actuator.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively enabling fluid communication between two volumes, the system including a tubular having a port housing with at least one port, a member disposed with the tubular and movable between a closed position in which the port is closed and an open position in which the port is open, a lock element positively engaged with both the member and the tubular for maintaining the member in the closed position, and an actuator in keyed engagement with the lock element for biasing the lock element, wherein actuation of the actuator releases the lock element to resiliently spring into engagement with solely one of the member or the tubular for enabling the member to move relative to the tubular to the open position for opening the port.

Abstract: An actuation system and method, the system including a tubular defining a passage, and an assembly disposed with the tubular, the assembly including a restriction operatively arranged to receive a restrictor for enabling actuation of the assembly, the restriction including a degradable material with a protective layer thereon, the degradable material degrading upon exposure to a fluid in the passage and the protective layer isolating the degradable material from the fluid.

Abstract: A system of sliding valves wherein the inserts of multiple sliding valves may be shifted to an open position using a single shifting ball. Each individual sliding valve has a movable insert that, depending upon the position of the insert within the sliding valve, may either block or permit fluid to radially flow between the interior and exterior of the sliding valve. The insert has a profile about the interior of the movable insert allowing a shifting tool to connect to and move the insert so that fluid may be prevented from entering the interior portion of the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A system of sliding valves wherein the inserts of multiple sliding valves may be shifted to an open position using a single shifting ball. Each individual sliding valve has a movable insert that, depending upon the position of the insert within the sliding valve, may either block, permit fluid to radially flow between the interior and exterior of the sliding valve at a first rate, or permit fluid to radially flow between the interior and exterior of the sliding valve at some different second rate.

Abstract: An internal blowout preventer assembly having a central through-bore and flapper valve. The flapper valve permits fluid flow in a downward direction, but not the opposite (upward) direction. A retrievable tubular lockout sleeve can be conveyed via wireline, coiled tubing or other similar means and installed within the through-bore of the internal blowout preventer assembly. Once installed, the lockout sleeve prevents the flapper valve from closing, thereby permitting wireline or other concentric operations to be performed (as well as upward fluid flow) though the internal blowout preventer.

Abstract: A flow slop valve (20) positioned in a downhole tubular (6), wherein: the flow slop valve (20) is in a closed position when a pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is below a threshold value, thereby preventing flow through the downhole tubular; and the flow stop valve (20) is in an open position when the pressure difference between fluid outside the downhole tubular (6) and inside the downhole tubular (6) at the flow stop valve (20) is above a threshold value, thereby permitting flow through the downhole tubular (6).

Abstract: A tubular hanger and tubular hanger seal are installed in a wellhead with a setting tool. The tubular hanger has a locking ring that is driven outward into engagement with a profile in the wellhead. The setting tool rotates a moveable member of the tubular hanger relative to the tubular hanger body so as to drive the moveable member to expand the locking ring outward to engage the profile in the wellhead. The moveable member may be wedged between the locking ring and the tubular hanger body. The setting tool enables the moveable member and the tubular hanger body to be rotated independently. The annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead may be sealed by a seal that has a plurality of sealing elements that are coupled together by a series of catches.

Abstract: A system for setting and retrieving a tool including a tubular having a first profile and a tool haing a second profile, the first and second profiles complementarily formed and engagable together for enabling the tool to be located in a borehole with respect to the tubular, the first profile or the second profile at least partially formed from a degradable material, the degradable material degradable upon exposure to a downhole fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrically isolating selected ones of a set of downhole tools that are connected to a common electrical cable. In one embodiment, a system includes surface equipment, a plurality of downhole tools and a common electrical cable. The downhole tools are connected to the cable by coupling switches. Each switch has a closed position in which the downhole tool is electrically coupled to the cable and an open position in which the downhole tool is electrically decoupled from the cable. The coupling switches are remotely actuated by placing an actuating device in proximity to the switches, thereby alternately coupling the corresponding downhole tools to the common cable or isolating the tools from the cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for sealing off a part of a wall (5) in a section (6) drilled into an earth formation and to be placed in such section (6), where said apparatus comprises elongate members (1) arranged along a closed curve, where adjacent elongate members (1) are connected via intermediate links (2), each link (2) being moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position. The invention further relates to a method for applying such an apparatus comprising the steps of:—positioning an apparatus in collapsed configuration in a section (6) drilled into an earth formation with a the wall (5) to be sealed off;—expanding a net or cage in the apparatus, which net or cage is formed by elongate members (1) connected by intermediate links (2);—expanding a flexible member (3) arranged at an outer diameter of the apparatus to seal against the wall (5).

Abstract: Upright and pendent sprinkler devices for spraying non-circular or semi non-circular areas are disclosed.

Abstract: An aeration core pulverizer for crushing aeration cores created by turf aeration devices and for dispersing the resulting particulate so as to be reintegrated with the ground, and so that remaining tufts of grass may be easily blown away or removed during mowing. The aeration core pulverizer may include a carriage for mounting a plurality of rows of tines, a brush assembly and a mat, each of which are positioned on the carriage in an arrangement which serves to crush the aeration cores into increasingly smaller pieces. In addition, the rows of tines, the brush assembly and the mat are designed to cooperate together to distribute the particulate across the surface of the ground. The carriage may further include a shaft for mechanically securing the aeration core pulverizer to any suitably designed vehicle, such that it may be pulled across the surface of a turf.

Abstract: A hammer drill having a housing and a rear handle moveably mounted to a rear of the housing by means of at least one movement control mechanism is disclosed. A bellows is fixed to the handle and slidably mounted to a protrusion on the housing to prevent access to the movement control mechanism.

Abstract: A power tool is provided for turning the screw collars 7 of falsework without the requirement of having to use spanners with long torque bars and without having to strike those torque bars with hammers or sledgehammers in order to exert the necessary torque on the collars 7. The tool is in two parts. A first part is a screw collar 7, or a collar adapter 10 which can be closed and locked around the screw collar 7 to be turned. The collar 7 or the collar adapter 10 has one or more drive engagement elements 11. The second part is a motor housing 20 supporting a motor 19 and a motor drive element 16 such as a spur gear. The motor housing 20 is formed to take its angular support from a falsework post 1 and its vertical support from either the falsework post 1, the screw collar 7 or the collar adapter 10.

Abstract: A housing includes a transparent panel and a housing body. The housing body includes a main body and a flange portion extending from the main body. The filler is formed between the transparent panel and the housing body. The filler includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a support portion integrally formed together, the first connecting portion connecting the transparent panel to the flange portion, the support portion supporting the transparent panel, and the second connecting portion connected to the housing body.

Abstract: A junction box for a photovoltaic module is provided. The junction includes a housing and a base. The housing is prepared from a first material. The base is provided in the housing and configured to mount an electronic device. The base is prepared from a second material. With the housing and the base being separated from each other and made of different materials, the junction box meets the design requirements regarding a system voltage range of 600-1,000V according to UL.

Abstract: A three-dimensional crossbar array may include a metal layer, and an insulator layer disposed adjacent the metal layer. A trench may be formed in the metal layer to create sections in the metal layer, and a portion of the trench may include an insulator. A hole may be formed in the trench and contact a section of the metal layer. The hole may define a via. A contact region between the via and the section of the metal layer may define a crossbar array.

Abstract: An electrode for a power storage device with good cycle characteristics and high charge/discharge capacity is provided. In addition, a power storage device including the electrode is provided. The electrode for the power storage device includes a conductive layer and an active material layer provided over the conductive layer, the active material layer includes graphene and an active material including a plurality of whiskers, and the graphene is provided to be attached to a surface portion of the active material including a plurality of whiskers and to have holes in part of the active material layer. Further, in the electrode for the power storage device, the graphene is provided to be attached to a surface portion of the active material including a plurality of whiskers and to cover the active material including a plurality of whiskers. Further, the power storage device including the electrode is manufactured.

Abstract: An adhesive film includes an insulation film, an adhesive layer formed on the insulation film and including a copolyamide resin being soluble in a solvent at a room temperature (25° C.) and having a melting point of not less than 100° C. and not more than 150° C., a halogen-free flame retardant at a rate of not less than 100 parts by mass and not more than 250 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the copolyamide resin, and a carbodiimide compound soluble in the solvent at the room temperature (25° C.), and a conductor adhesion layer laminated on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: When a grommet provided with a wire insertion tubular portion is mounted in a through-hole of a vehicle body panel by engaging a vehicle body engagement recess on an outer periphery of the grommet with a peripheral edge of the through-hole, the present invention prevents the wire insertion tubular portion from being caught by the peripheral edge of the through-hole, bending toward the vehicle body engagement recess side, and being wedged in between the peripheral edge of the through-hole and the vehicle body engagement recess, and thus enables the grommet to be securely mounted in the through-hole. A rib is provided between an outer peripheral surface on a central axis line side of a wire insertion tubular portion and a peripheral wall of a central tubular portion in order to reinforce a base on the central axis line side of the wire insertion tubular portion.

Abstract: A method for forming coreless flip chip ball grid array (FCBGA) substrates comprising the steps of sequentially depositing a pair of laminates, each having a plurality of insulated metallization layers simultaneously respectively on each side of a temporary carrier substrate, and then removing the temporary carrier to separate the pair of laminates, so that each laminate has an outer ball grid metal pad array, and during the depositing of the pair of laminates on the carrier substrate, further depositing a supporting layer of dielectric material enclosing the metal pad array, wherein said supporting layers of dielectric material provides structural support for each of the laminates after the separation.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to circuit structure of an electronic device, wherein the circuit structure comprises of a main line formed on a substrate; and at least an auxiliary line electrically connected to the main line to form a conductive return circuit used for a signal to pass through the auxiliary line when the main line is disconnected. Addition of the auxiliary line avoids any breaking of signal transmission due to partial disconnection of the main line. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing the circuit structure, wherein the method simplifies the manufacturing process and also reduces the rate of deformation or disconnection of lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a raised conductive image on a non-conductive or dielectric surface, the method comprising placing a metal coordination complex on a surface of the substrate, exposing the surface to electromagnetic radiation, reducing the exposed complex. removing unexposed complex leaving an elemental metal image, removing unexposed metal complex and then plating the resulting elemental metal image with a highly conductive material.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed circuit board includes: forming a metal layer on a support plate; forming a mask layer on the metal layer; forming a pattern plating having a stem as plating up to a level of the mask layer, and a cap as a portion of plating exceeding the mask layer and having an outgrowth lying over the surface of the mask layer; laminating an insulating base on a conductive circuit board constituted by the support plate, the metal layer and the pattern plating to form a circuit board intermediate in which the pattern plating is buried in the base; removing the support plate and the metal layer to form an exposed surface; and mechanically polishing the exposed surface until the stem of the pattern plating is removed, to increase the width of the conductive pattern on the exposed surface.

Abstract: A ceramic elements module including ceramic elements that have a plurality of lower inserting grooves; an electronic component that is mounted on a lower surface of the ceramic elements; and a heat sink that is coupled with a lower part of the ceramic elements mounted with the electronic component and has a first penetrating hole corresponding to the lower inserting groove and a second penetrating hole into which the electronic component is inserted.

Abstract: A flexible substrate includes a flexible mother substrate and a planarization layer on the flexible mother substrate. Here, the flexible mother substrate includes a transparent textile and a resin layer. The transparent textile includes a plurality of first transparent fibers and a plurality of second transparent fibers crossing the plurality of first transparent fibers, and the resin layer coats the transparent textile to fill a space between the first and second transparent fibers. The planarization layer includes an organic material having a curable contraction rate of no greater than about 20%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pane with an electrical connection element, comprising: a substrate made of glass (1), an electrically conductive structure (2) with a layer thickness of 5 ?m to 40 ?m on a region of the substrate (1), a connection element (3), and a layer of a solder material (4), which electrically connects the connection element (3) to a portion (12) of the electrically conductive structure (2), wherein the connection element (3) contains at least an iron-nickel alloy or an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy, the connection element (3) is connected to the portion (12) of the electrically conductive structure (2) via a contact surface (11) over its entire surface, and the contact surface (11) has no corners.

Abstract: [PROBLEM] To provide a circuit board improved in electrical reliability. [SOLUTION] A circuit board 3 comprises a plurality of first inorganic insulating particles 13a which are connected to each other via first neck structures 17a and have a particle size of 3 nm or more and 110 nm or less and a resin (third filling portions 19c) arranged in first gaps G1 among the plurality of first inorganic insulating particles 13a.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a manufacturing method for a touch panel comprising: disposing an electrode layer extending from touch area of a substrate to periphery area of the substrate, wherein the periphery area surrounds the periphery of the touch area. The method further includes disposing an insulation layer in the periphery area of the substrate to form a shielding layer, making the shielding layer cover the overlapping electrode in the periphery area and making the electrode layer of the touch area and the overlapping electrode locate on the same layer of the substrate so as to avoid fluctuation of resistance value in the electrode layer due to height difference. Meanwhile, adopting the disposition method also maintains insulating performance of the shielding layer. The present disclosure also provides a touch panel made by the manufacturing method.

Abstract: A cable holding structure includes a shielded cable that includes a center conductor and a shield conductor on an outer periphery of the center conductor, and a holding portion being electrically conductive, provided on a flat plate portion and configured to hold the shielded cable. The holding portion includes a through-hole aligned in a direction intersecting with the flat plate portion. The shielded cable is held by the holding portion such that at least the center conductor is enclosed in the through-hole and the shield conductor is electrically connected to the conductive holding portion.

Abstract: A fluid-tight cable bushing for a ribbon cable has two profile supports. The ribbon cable extends through an opening in a penetration element, such as a housing for a switch or meter. The bushing has two profile supports each with a first flange having snap-on elements and a second flange. The first flanges extend symmetrical along and enclose the ribbon cable. To form a first fixation point, the snap-on elements are v-shaped and arranged to snap against a first end of the opening. To form a second fixation point, the second flanges extend laterally beyond a second end of the opening. A fluid-tight potting mass covers one of the fixation points. Preferably, the potting mass is disposed in a recess formed in the penetration element about the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a heat pipe and a heat sink that includes a foam (e.g., a metal foam, a carbon foam, and/or a graphite foam) and is configured to exchange thermal energy with the heat pipe. For example, the heat pipe can include a thermal energy receiving portion and a thermal energy rejecting portion. The heat sink can be configured to receive thermal energy from a busbar and the thermal energy receiving portion can be configured to receive thermal energy from said heat sink. Alternatively, the thermal energy receiving portion can be configured to receive thermal energy from a busbar, and the heat sink can be configured to receive thermal energy from the thermal energy rejecting portion.

Abstract: An improved connector for ACSR cable includes a connector core having an axial bore dimensioned to receive the steel core of the cable. A connector body has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical cavity. A distal portion of the cavity having a first substantially cylindrical inner surface is dimensioned to receive the connector core. A second portion of the cavity proximally adjacent to the distal portion has a substantially cylindrical second inner surface dimensioned to receive the aluminum conductor strands of the cable. The connector body may be configured with one or more additional portions of the cavity having substantially cylindrical inner surfaces with progressively increasing diameters, the number of such portions depending on the size of the cable. The connector body is compressed with a swaging tool at several axially spaced-apart locations to grip the aluminum conductor strands and also to compress the connector core.

Abstract: An improved cable connector includes a connector insert having an axial bore dimensioned to receive the core of a reinforced cable. A connector body has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical cavity. A distal portion of the cavity is dimensioned to receive the connector insert. A second portion of the cavity proximally displaced from the distal portion is dimensioned to receive the conductor strands of the cable. The connector body may be configured with one or more additional portions of the cavity having progressively increasing diameters, the number of such portions depending on the size of the cable. Alternatively, the inner surface of the cavity may have a slight taper. Using a single die, the connector body is compressed with a swaging tool at several axially spaced-apart locations to grip the conductor strands and also to grip the connector insert.

Abstract: Electromechanical assembly for connecting a series of guns used in the perforation of petroleum producing wells. Each gun has a cylindrical housing for a charge-carrier loaded with explosive shaped-charges set in radial fashion. The charges are in contact with a detonating cord that is in contact with an electronically activated detonator. The series of guns are joined firmly by intermediary joints and terminate in a bottom sub on its lower extreme, where the series is initiated by a firing head which is connected to the surface with an electrical connection. It is possible to detonate the charge-carrier of each gun, beginning with the bottommost gun that remains active.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling method and drill. According to a disclosed method, multiple reciprocating rock-breaking elements, including a hammer drill bit, are used. The elements are moved in alternation to each other such that the net volume displacement by the moving parts is reduced for reducing compression work and thus for losing useful energy from the available amount from the drill bit engine for rock breaking. If desired, a small component of the net volume displacement is kept for enhancing PVW for enhancing rock chipping by tensile strength. The method also includes synchronizing the peak of the pressure depression wave with that of the impact moment of the drill bit's reciprocating motion to enhance, rather than hamper, rock breaking by the creation of PVW.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly avoids damaging vibrations that can develop during directional drilling with a rotary steerable system. The assembly has a drill bit, a first collar that rotates with the bit, a rotary steerable tool that controls the bit's trajectory, and a second collar that rotates with the drill string. The first collar between the bit and the tool defines a bend that deflects the bit from the first collar's axis. During operation, this bend causes portion of the assembly to engage the borehole wall to inhibit counterclockwise (CCW) bit whirl by promoting clockwise whirl in the assembly, generating friction against the borehole wall, and dampening vibrations. By inhibiting CCW bit whirl, other damaging vibrations such as CCW whirl in the drill string can also be prevented up the borehole. Alternatively, only the second collar between the tool and the drill string may define the bend, or both collars can define bends.