Abstract: I provide a braking device attachable to a body frame having one bearing member that pivotally supports a spool and an operation means for rotating the spool, including another bearing member that pivotally supports the spool; a spool brake; a control board that controls the braking force of the spool brake; a battery that supplies power to the control board; and a cover member that covers the battery and the board.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic disk is removably installed in a wellbore. The disk can be installed in the wellbore during oil and gas well completion and production activities to maintain pressure within the wellbore and then can be dislodged. More specifically, a strong magnet is installed within a magnetic tool to dislodge and remove a ferromagnetic disk without breaking the disk. The strong magnet can be a neodymium magnet, electromagnet, or other types of strong magnets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated pump-down operations. An apparatus may include a control system configured to be communicatively connected with a fluid pump disposed at a wellsite surface and with a conveyance device disposed at the wellsite surface. The control system may be operable to cause the conveyance device to unwind a conveyance line connected with a tool string disposed within a wellbore, and cause the fluid pump to pump a fluid into the wellbore such that the fluid moves the tool string along the wellbore while the conveyance device unwinds the conveyance line.

Abstract: A method is described to compute and display the line length required to troll a fishing rig at a desired depth. Line lengths and respective line angles measured at the surface are used to calculate an approximation to the actual underwater curve profile of the trolled fishing line, which is used to determine the line length required to troll at a desired depth or to determine the resulting depth for a specified line length. An embodiment is described which requires only a smartphone and software beyond standard trolling fishing equipment. This embodiment uses the embedded sensors of the smartphone to collect fishing line angle measurements. Also described is a method and devices to automatically collect the line angles and line lengths using a wireless fishing line inclinometer device and a wireless line counter, which is especially useful and convenient when software is implemented on a mounted marine electronics unit.

Abstract: A plumb bob for detecting differing fluids in tanks and vessels includes a tubular housing having enclosed ends. An LED infrared transmitter disposed in the tubular housing transmits infrared signals through fluids in which the plum bob is immersed to a LED infrared receiver. Circuitry disposed within the housing provides power to the LEDs and operates an LED driver to determine fluid parameters for the types of fluids in which the plumb bob is immersed. One or more vibration signal generators emits different vibrations according to the types of fluids detected. The vibration signal generators transmit the vibrations from the housing through a gauge tape line to a gauge tape reel held by an operator, who can determine the fluid types by the vibrations.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.

Abstract: Improved methods, devices, and systems for mixing fluids, including small volumes of fluid, are provided. Pressing a pipette tip against an inner surface of a mixing vessel allows pressure to be applied within the tip. Greater pressure may be built-up than would be possible without engaging the tip with the mixing vessel. Disengaging the tip allows fluid flow through the tip, providing improved fluid mixing as compared to methods lacking engagement of a pipette tip with an inner surface of a mixing vessel while applying pressure within the pipette tip. Mixing vessels having features on an inner surface that are configured to engage a pipette tip, and to occlude an orifice of a pipette tip, are provided. Sample analysis devices and systems including pipette tips and mixing vessels configured to engage each other for pressure application within the tip are provided.

Abstract: A sounding device for measuring the thickness of sediments at the base of dry or wet drilled shaft excavations for the assessment of drilled shaft bottom cleaning operations. The sounding device provides a simple and reliable means to quantitatively evaluate drilled shaft bottom cleanliness.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring the power expended in driving a chain. A light-weight, compact, flexible structure is attached to the chain. The tension within the chain bends the flexible structure; however, the bending of the structure itself limits the maximum amount of force applied to this flexible structure. Thus, the bending of the structure will be limited and nonlinearly dependent on the chain tension. The structure is affixed to the chain such that any up or down movement of the chain is also experienced by the structure. A sensor on this structure such as a strain gauge or an accelerometer (or both) can be used to determine the chain tension. The apparatus also has a sensor to determine the speed of the chain's movement. A microcontroller produces the resulting power data which can be stored or directly provided to the user as audio, visual, or tactile information.

Abstract: A freeboard-measuring device has a central housing with streamlined fins extending along sides and bottom of the housing to prevent uplifting of the housing when lowered into water and minimize resistance to wind and current. The housing defines a chamber with a bottom water ingress allowing swift filling of the inner chamber. A calibrated gauging stick is removably a positioned within the inner chamber. A stabilizing cross bar and a transverse bar are secured by flexible connectors above the housing. The attachment of the stabilizing bars above the water-contacting portion of the measuring device allows to avoid water resistance when using the measuring device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring the position of a lower positioning reference system with respect to an upper positioning reference system located above the former, comprising a pendulum including a pendulous mass and a metrological wire fixed on one side to the pendulous mass and on the other to the higher reference system, and a first proximity sensor capable of supplying a signal representing the position or the variation of position in the vertical direction of a planar zone of the surface of the pendulous mass relative to the lower reference system. Second and third proximity sensors, both optional supply each a signal representing the position or variation of position of a zone of the wire relative to the planar vertical surfaces of measurement related to the lower reference system and perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A plumb bob which may be used in combination with a measuring tape for gauging the vertical height of a liquid, such as oil, stored in a tank. The plumb bob comprises a weight which is cushioned at its lower end by a elastomeric bumper. The bumper, which may be formed from an oil-resistant elastomer, protects the tank base from deformational damage during the gauging process.

Abstract: A system for sensing the surface level of flowable material within a container, comprises a drop weight secured to a cable through a pulley for being disposed above the material and brought into contact with the surface level of the material. The cable is wound and anchored to a spool driven by a reversible motor. A transducer operably secured to the pulley provides an output responsive to the strain on the cable exerted by drop weight. A signal processor connected to the transducer generates an output signal responsive to the drop weight being supported by the material. A pulse generator for generating a plurality of pulses the number of which is proportional to the amount of rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring scour depth in a waterway bed is described. The apparatus utilizes magnetic attraction between a weight resting on the waterway bed and a magnetic probe within a guide chamber to which the weight is attached. Magnetic attraction between the probe and the weight retains the probe in an aligned position with the weight, enabling a user to detect a reduced force in the support line to identify the location of the weight and thus the riverbed. In a second embodiment, the inventive device includes a second weight slidably attached to the guide enabling a measurement of infill in a waterway bed scour. In the method according to the invention, the weight is placed upon the waterway bed and allowed to rest there. A probe is then inserted into the chamber and allowed to descend to the level of the weight where magnetic attraction supports the probe.

Abstract: A depth measuring system for a slickline utilized in a well bore operation where the slickline is in a non-slip relationship with the circumference of a calibrated measuring wheel and the revolutions of the wheel are utilized to provide a first length measurement. A load cell is provided to measure tension in the slickline so that length elongation of the slickline due to tension can be determined. A temperature differential determination is made so that corrections in length can be made for the temperature effects. The temperature differential can be temperature effects on the measuring wheel and/or temperature effects of the slickline in the well bore. The measuring wheel determination of length is algebraically summed with the tension elongation and changes due to temperature to provide a more accurate indication of the depth measurement in the well bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus (1) for monitoring the level of a liquid within a vessel (3). The apparatus comprises a surface following sensing head (5) adapted to follow the surface (7) of the liquid. A gauging head (9) is mounted outside the vessel (3) at pre-determined fixed distance from the vessel (3). Rotatably mounted within the gauge head (9) is a reel (11) which has wound upon it a flexible elongate tape (13) having its free end (15) connected to the sensing head (5). The flexible tape (13) passes along a defined path of fixed length from the reel (11) to a reference point above the vessel and includes a plurality of level markers (17) which are equally spaced one from another along the length of the tape (13) each pair of adjacent markers (17) being of pre-determined fixed distance apart. A stepper motor (19) is mounted within the gauging head (9) and coupled to the reel (11) to rotate the reel (11) about its axis in two opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a plumb bob device for determining the bed height of bulk material in a shaft furnace. The winding drum 1 for unwidning and rewinding a cable 5 or a chain with a plumb bob 6 suspended at its end is driven by a hydraulic motor 3. A displacement transducer 9 is driven by the shaft of the winding drum 1. The motor for driving the winding drum 1 is a so-called low-speed hydraulic motor 3. The displacement transducer 9 sends a signal associated with the actual measured depth to a pressure-proportional valve 10 directly, i.e., without an electrical control device. This valve presets a plumb bob holding pressure associated with the actual depth for the hydraulic motor 3.

Abstract: A level gauge is used on a tank containing a liquid. The gauge utilizes a displacer suspended on a support wire or tape which is wound on a storage wheel. The storage wheel is balanced by a counterweight. Any change in liquid level results in an imbalance which causes a servo motor to energize and rotate the wheel to bring the counterweight and displacer back into balance. The change in level is determined by counting the steps of motor operation. The changes in level are determined using the relationship between length and steps of motor operation. The level gauge is operable to continually correct calculation to compensate for changes in wire length per turn of the spool.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of material comprises a cable vertically suspended so as to contact and be surrounded by the material. The cable is suspended from a cam follower mechanism that engages a cam coupled to a motor for selectively introducing slack in the cable, such that the upper portion of the cable unsupported by the material engages and is suspended from a load cell. Circuitry is responsive to cable weight measured by the load cell for indicating level of the material. The motor comprises a rotary electric motor having a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the vertical cable. The cam comprises a cam plate coupled to the motor to rotate about the motor axis and having an asymmetric periphery surrounding the axis of rotation. The cam follower mechanism comprises an arm pivotally mounted in fixed position adjacent to the cam plate and supporting a roller that engages the cam plate periphery.

Abstract: A swivel head counter for accurately measuring line in tension, such as a downrigger line passing over a pulley and the pulley driving a compact gear train. The gear train drives a counter wheel or knob so that actual depth or extension of downrigger line or the like may be directly read out. A swivel adjusts to maintain proper positioning of line to pulley.

Abstract: The invention relates to a freeboard measuring device which comprises an elongated housing having a rectangular cross-section form, a central part of the device body. A pair of fins fixedly connected to the housing on each of its sides extend substantially the length of the hosuing and have at least slightly greater lateral dimensions than the lateral dimension of the housing. The fins are triangular in cross section, with the tops of the triangles facing outwardly and providing the device with streamlined characteristics. The base of the triangles does not exceed in length the depth of the housing. The central portion has a main chamber for housing a gauging stick. The main chamber is divided into a lower and upper secondary chamber with the lower chamber having water ingress and separated from the upper chamber by a separation wall with openings to allow water to enter the upper chamber. The lower chamber has a packing of fibrous material to prevent water turbulence.

Abstract: A drop-weight material level indicator in which a spool is mounted above material whose level is to be sensed and is coupled to a motor for selectively unwinding and winding a drop line wound on the spool. The drop line is trained over an idler pulley carried at the end of a pivot arm, and over a second idler pulley to a drop weight. Level sensing electronics are coupled to the second idler pulley for measuring the amount of cable unwound as the drop weight descends toward the upper surface of the material. A magnet is carried on the pivot arm, and a reed switch is positioned adjacent thereto for sensing removal of tension from the drop line and consequent pivotal motion of the arm, and thereby indicating rupture of the drop line to an operator.