Abstract:
A method of connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member located in a wellbore, the second tubular member including an upper end portion which has a greater diameter than the diameter of the first tubular member, the method comprising: lowering the first tubular member into the wellbore until the first tubular member is located at least within the bore of the upper end portion of the second tubular member; and expanding the first tubular member until the first tubular member is sealingly connected to the second tubular member.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a high-performance and small sized helical antenna element and array thereof for use in an aircraft communication system or the like, where stringent spatial restrictions and gain requirements generally apply. The performance of the array is enhanced by increasing the lateral distances between the antenna elements over a portion of the elements where the windings thereof have high current amplitude. The sweeping envelope of the array is maintained small by recovering the initial distancing over a portion of the elements where the windings thereof have low current amplitude.
Abstract:
A zonal isolation device (10; 20; 30; 300; 400; 500; 600) in the form of an active external casing packer is provided which includes a tubular section such as a casing or liner (1; 21; 31; 171; 203) arranged to be run into and secured within a larger diameter generally cylindrical structure such as an open borehole (163; 213). At least one sleeve member (3; 23; 33; 43; 173) is positioned on the exterior of the casing or liner and is sealed thereto and at least two deformable band members (201; 401, 403; 501) are provided around and are bonded to the outer circumference of the sleeve member. The sleeve member and the at least two deformable band members is/are expanded into place against the inner circumference of the open borehole by increasing the pressure within the sleeve member. The method detailed herein also provides zonal isolation by use of a pair of spaced apart sleeve members during a frac operation where frac fluid is supplied to a zone (in between the pair of sleeve members) requiring to be frac'd, where the frac pressure acts not only on the outside of the zonal isolation device but also on the interior of the sleeve member to enhance the seal provided thereby.
Abstract:
A compression sealing apparatus for efficiently repairing leaks in pipes and storage/containment structures. The apparatus includes an external compression member, an internal compression member, and a compression mechanism that is operative to draw the compression members towards each other to clamp the wall containing the leak between the compression members. Sealing can be enhanced by injecting sealant material through the apparatus to seal a cavity formed by the apparatus. The compression seal apparatus can also include an expandable insert plug that is installed in a hole in the wall of the pipe or storage/containment structure.
Abstract:
A co-existence method is described. The method comprises setting a priority level of a slot based on the likelihood that the slot will be required by a first radio and signalling the priority level to radio which is co-located with the first radio and which shares a resource with the first radio. The slot may, for example, be a re-transmission slot following a primary transmission slot or may be a sniff anchor point. The likelihood may be determined based on one or more factors, such as historical data or knowledge of the activity of a peer of the first radio.
Abstract:
This invention provides a system and method for printing continuous web and feeding ink to printing pens (or cartridges) that employs an array of interleaved ink-jet pens that are arranged to receive bulk ink through a manifold. The manifold and pens are mounted on a fixed array suspended over the web feed path. The manifold includes a plurality of self-sealing quick-disconnect couplings that each serve a discrete ink-jet pen. The pens lay down ink in a registered manner across the full width of the web. The pens are organized into two parallel, multi-pen arrays that are each diagonally oriented with respect to the feed direction. The feed path allows for duplex printing with a second web-side's array located on a lower level of the device, generally beneath the first-side's array. Duplex printing is facilitated due to its inherent length of the feed path. The printed part of the web is free of contact over predetermined lengths that ensure sufficient time for the drying of ink. Each pen is interconnected with a connection to a respective manifold that maintains a vacuum so as to prevent seepage of ink from the pen nozzles. The vacuum is maintained by a draw pump, while ink is continuously provided to the manifold via a float switch in a pressure regulator. The regulator is fed by a bulk ink supply using a feed pump. A check- valve standpipe on each manifold assists in removing any trapped air from the system, thus assisting in maintaining the vacuum.
Abstract:
A downhole expandable liner hanger apparatus (10) for extending the length of an existing tubular such as a casing (40) or liner string is described. The apparatus (10) comprises a tubular portion and a securing and/or sealing means for securing the tubular portion to the existing tubular such as a casing string (40) to thereby extend the length of the existing tubular (40) and preferably simultaneously provide a sealed coupling between the tubular portion and the existing tubular (40). A first part or a length (30) of the tubular portion (10) preferably comprises a first sidewall thickness and a second part or length (38, 39) of the tubular portion is located adjacent the first part, where the second part (38, 39) comprises a second sidewall thickness, said first sidewall thickness being less than the second sidewall thickness.
Abstract:
A boost type power supply circuit for providing a DC output voltage comprising first and second semiconductor switches coupled between respective input lines and a common connection; an AC input voltage from an AC source being supplied across the input lines; first and second diodes coupled in series with respective ones of the switches; third and fourth diodes coupled across respective ones of the switches in a free-wheeling relationship with the switches; an inductance coupled in at least one of the input lines; a controller for controlling the conduction times of the switches by providing a pulse width control signal to each of the switches; wherein the controller turns on at least one of the switches during a positive half cycle of the AC voltage to allow energy storage in the inductance and turns off the at least one switch to allow the energy stored in the inductance to be supplied to an attached load through one of the first and second diodes and one of the third or fourth diodes; and the controller turns on at least one of the switches during a negative half cycle of the AC voltage to allow energy storage in the inductance and turns off at least one switch to allow the energy stored in the inductance to be supplied to the attached load through one of the first and second diodes and one of the third and fourth diodes. The controller determines an on-time and an off-time of a pulse of the pulse width modulated control signal during each half cycle of the AC voltage, the on-time and off-time of the pulse being controlled to regulate said output voltage and to provide power factor correction of said AC input voltage, based on either voltage sensing or current sensing.
Abstract:
A boost type power supply circuit for providing a DC output voltage comprising first and second semiconductor switches coupled between respective input lines and a common connection; an AC input voltage from an AC source being supplied across the input lines; first and second diodes coupled in series with respective ones of the switches; third and fourth diodes coupled across respective ones of the switches in a free-wheeling relationship with the switches; an inductance coupled in at least one of the input lines; a controller for controlling the conduction times of the switches by providing a pulse width control signal to each of the switches; wherein the controller turns on at least one of the switches during a positive half cycle of the AC voltage to allow energy storage in the inductance and turns off the at least one switch to allow the energy stored in the inductance to be supplied to an attached load through one of the first and second diodes and one of the third or fourth diodes; and the controller turns on at least one of the switches during a negative half cycle of the AC voltage to allow energy storage in the inductance and turns off at least one switch to allow the energy stored in the inductance to be supplied to the attached load through one of the first and second diodes and one of the third and fourth diodes. The controller determines an on-time and an off-time of a pulse of the pulse width modulated control signal during each half cycle of the AC voltage, the on-time and off-time of the pulse being controlled to regulate said output voltage and to provide power factor correction of said AC input voltage, based on either voltage sensing or current sensing.
Abstract:
An open web (10) suitable for use in a potato harvester comprises at least two belts (11) having embedded therein end portions (13) of a plurality of rods (12) mounted across the belts in spaced parallel relation. The belt ends (22, 24) have male and female portions (23, 25) formed therein and the belts include tensile reinforcing layers and/or cords (44, 54) extending longitudinally in the belts. In one embodiment, the male and female portions (23, 25) are of complementary dovetail configuration and the ends of the reinforcing cords are secured to connecting members (50, 52) moulded in the male and female portions. Alternatively, the cords are secured around end portions (13) of rods (12) which extend through outer metal casings (27, 28) provided on the male and female portions. In another embodiment, two male belt ends (23, 63) are connected by a steel member (65) having two female portions (66, 67) and reinforcing cords (76) in the belts are captively connected to the steel member via connecting rods (68, 72) passing through apertures in the steel member and the belt ends (23, 63).