Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a sealed rotary fluid coupling apparatus including a first housing having an inner diameter there-through, a first internal seal interface, a second internal seal interface and a bleed port extending from the inner diameter to an outer surface of the first housing. A second housing includes an inner diameter there-through, a first internal seal interface external to the inner diameter and a second internal seal interface external to the inner diameter. The first housing and the second housing are configured to engage each other such that at least a portion of the second housing inner diameter is disposed within the first housing inner diameter. The sealed rotary fluid coupling apparatus further includes a first and second seals operable to create seals between the first housing first internal seal interface and the second housing first internal seal interface.
Abstract:
A system for applying power into a wellbore. The system can include a casing, a tubing string, a first and second isolator sub, a power source, and an electrical device. The casing has a first cavity running therethrough. The tubing string is disposed within the first cavity without contacting the casing, where the tubing string has a second cavity running therethrough. The first isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The power source is electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub. The second isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The electrical device is electrically coupled to a bottom end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string.
Abstract:
A system, method and device may be used to monitor conditions in a borehole. Well tubing and casing act as a conductive pair for delivering power to one or more downhole active sensors. At the surface, power and signal are isolated so that the same conductive pair may act to transmit the sensor signals to the surface. In an embodiment, the sensor signals are RF signals and the surface electronics demodulate the RF signals from the sensor power.
Abstract:
A pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a fluid includes a tubular housing that has a first capacitor plate segment and a second capacitor plate segment. Each of the first capacitor plate segment and the second capacitor plate segment includes a respective substantially planar inner surface. The pressure sensor also includes an anvil positioned within the tubular housing. The anvil and the tubular housing function as opposite terminals of a variable capacitor. A first capacitor plate side of the anvil and the first capacitor plate segment face each other and have a first gap therebetween. A second capacitor plate side of the anvil and the second capacitor plate segment face each other and have a second gap therebetween. Capacitance of the variable capacitor changes in response to a first change in a size of the first gap and a second change in a size of the second gap.
Abstract:
A hollow electrochemical cell is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a hollow electrochemical cell includes two sets of electrodes and an opening for admitting an analyte to the cell. At least one of the two sets of electrodes can be in fluid communication with the opening. Further, a first set of electrodes can include a working electrode spaced from a counter or counter/reference electrode by less than 500 μm one embodiment the working and counter or counter/reference electrodes are not co-planer. In another embodiment the working and counter or counter/reference electrodes are of substantially corresponding area. In yet another embodiment the working and counter or counter/reference electrodes are spaced from 100 to 200 μm apart. The first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes can be spaced apart by greater than about 500 μm. Other embodiments of a hollow electrochemical cell are also provided, as are several embodiments of a glucose sensor.
Abstract:
An optical system which includes some or all of the following parts: a laser light source which illuminates a spatial light modulator such that optical characteristics are preserved; a stereoscopic display which has a polarization-switching light source; a stereoscopic display which includes two infrared lasers, two optical parametric oscillators, and six second harmonic generators; two light sources processed by two parts of the same spatial light modulator; a method of assembly using an alignment plate to align kinematic rollers on a holding plate; an optical support structure which includes stacked, compartmented layers; a collimated optical beam between an optical parametric oscillator and a second harmonic generator; a laser gain module with two retroreflective mirrors; an optical tap which keeps the monitored beam co-linear; an optical coupler which includes an optical fiber and a rotating diffuser; and an optical fiber that has a core with at least one flat side.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fibre membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fibre membranes (5), at least one end of the fibre membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fibre membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for recovering fine solids from a liquid feed suspension is disclosed. The apparatus has an operating cycle including a concentration part of the cycle in which solids present in the feed suspension are concentrated and a backwash part of the cycle in which supply of feed suspension to the concentrator is interrupted, the concentrator comprises a shell (11), and a plurality of elastic, hollow, microporous, polymer fibers (12) being fixed at their ends within the shell (11). Pressurized feed suspension is supplied to the outside of the fibers during said concentration part of the cycle and the filtrate may be withdrawn from the fiber lumens during the operating cycle. During the backwash cycle the concentration part of the cycle is terminated by ceasing supply of feed to said exterior surface of the fibers (12). The shell (11) is then sealed and the remaining filtrate removed from the lumens. A source of fluid under pressure is then applied to said lumens before, at the same time as, or just after opening the shell (11) to atmosphere, to cause explosive decompression through the walls of the fibers (12) whereby the fluid under pressure passes through said walls. The pressure level in said lumens is maintained at a predetermined value for a sufficient time following said decompression to cause substantial portions of solids lodged within and/or on the fiber walls to be dislodged. The dislodged contaminant matter is then washed away by the application of a flow of liquid over the surface of the fiber walls; and the concentration part of the operating cycle is recommended by introducing the supply of feed suspension to said exterior surface of said fibers (12).
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell comprises a porous membrane (8) of electrically insulating composition, the membrane having pores (not illustrated) communicating from one side of the membrane to another, a working electrode (5) disposed on one side and a counter or pseudo-reference electrode (7) disposed on the other side. A target area (11) of one electrode is liquid permeable and extends over the surface of membrane (8) without blocking underlying pores of the membrane. Optional insulating layers (9,10) cover the electrodes (5,7) and opening defines the target area (11). Preferably, the porous membrane is impregnated with reagents, for example GOD/Ferricyanide.
Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for offshore drilling is described which is particularly useful for drilling in deep water from a floating surface vessel. Drilling fluid is introduced into a drill string extending from the vessel into a wellbore in the floor of the body of water. In order to maintain a controlled hydrostatic pressure within the riser, drilling fluids are diverted from the lower end of the riser and are either discharged into the body of water or pumped to the surface through a return conduit adjacent the riser.