Abstract:
A compression sealing apparatus for efficiently repairing leaks in pipes and storage/containment structures. The apparatus includes an externa! 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 sea! 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:
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:
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for television control functionality. Control elements overlaid on video, DVR user interfaces and playlist creation tools, interacting with users via a pointing device, are described.
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 and phase modulated control signal to each of the switches; whereby 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 the 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; and wherein 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 based on at least one input without requiring sensing of the input current from the AC source; 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.
Abstract:
A tubular assemblyis disclosed for use in a wellbore of an oil, gas or water well, typically for landing a downhole device in the wellbore. The assembly has a sleeve adapted to receive the body of the downhole device. The sleeve is deployed into a conduit in the wellbore and expanded, so that the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is radially expanded against the inner surface of the conduit. The sleeve has a bore with an inner circumferential surface comprising an inwardly facing formation adapted to engage with an outwardly facing formation on the body of the downhole device when the body of the downhole device is disposed in the bore of the sleeve. The sleeve is typically deployed in the wellbore at the desired location and is radially expanded by an expander device that is deployed within the bore of the sleeve. The expanded sleeve plastically deforms and retains its expanded configuration after the radial expansion force is removed from the sleeve. The sleeve provides a modular anchoring or landing point in the wellbore that can be retrospectively set in the conduit at different locations, and various downhole devices can then be deployed into the sleeves at predictable depths and a reliable connection can be made with the sleeve. The assembly can typically pass through a smaller diameter before being morphed to seal and anchor in a larger diameter.
Abstract:
A receiver device comprising: a frequency hopping radio receiver for operation according to a frequency hopping radio protocol and arranged to detect the presence of interference characteristic of a predetermined other radio protocol; and a user-alerting unit responsive to the receiver; the receiver device being configurable to actuate the user-alerting unit for alerting a user in response to the detection of interference characteristic of the other radio protocol.
Abstract:
A braking system comprising a rotator (3) having a contact surface (4); a stator (5); mounted to the stator (5), a multiplicity of separate elements (60) packed together, the elements (60) collectively being engageable selectively with the contact surface (4) of the rotator (3) for braking rotation of the rotator (3). The multiplicity of separate elements (60) are arranged to allow flow of a fluid therethrough. A pressurised fluid system is arranged to cause fluid to flow through the elements (60) for cooling. The fluid flow cools efficiently because heat is removed close to where it is generated. This allows the braking system to be compact and simple in construction. The flow of fluid may also force the elements (60) into frictional contact with the rotator (3).
Abstract:
Sulphided ion exchange resins containing primary or secondary amino groups. They may be obtained by passing a non-aqueous liquid, e.g. a hydrocarbon, feedstock containing elemental sulphur or organic, or inorganic, di-or poly-sulphides through a bed of an ion exchange resin containing primary or secondary amino groups, and so unsulphided ion exchange resins containing primary or secondary amine groups may be used to remove such elemental sulphur or sulphur compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, feedstocks. The sulphided ion exchange resins may be used to remove elemental mercury or organic mercury compounds from liquid, e.g. hydrocarbon, streams.
Abstract:
A tubular assembly is disclosed for use in a wellbore (5) of an oil, gas or water well, typically for landing a downhole device in the wellbore. The assembly has a sleeve (1) adapted to receive the body of the downhole device. The sleeve is deployed into a conduit in the wellbore and expanded, so that the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is radially expanded against the inner surface of the conduit. The sleeve has a bore with an inner circumferential surface comprising an inwardly facing formation adapted to engage with an outwardly facing formation on the body of the downhole device when the body of the downhole device is disposed in the bore of the sleeve. The sleeve is typically deployed in the wellbore at the desired location and is radially expanded by an expander device (2) that is deployed within the bore of the sleeve. The expanded sleeve plastically deforms and retains its expanded configuration after the radial expansion force is removed from the sleeve. The sleeve provides a modular anchoring or landing point in the wellbore that can be retrospectively set in the conduit at different locations, and various downhole devices can then be deployed into the sleeves at predictable depths and a reliable connection can be made with the sleeve. The assembly can typically pass through a smaller diameter before being morphed to seal and anchor in a larger diameter.
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.