Abstract:
A slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve. A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.
Abstract:
A downhole tool actuation system including: a tubing having a longitudinal axis and a main flowbore supportive of tubing pressure; an indexing mechanism in fluidic communication with the main flowbore, the indexing mechanism configured to count N number of tubing pressure cycles; a port isolation device movable between a blocking condition and an actuation condition, the port isolation device in the blocking condition for N−1 cycles of the indexing mechanism, and movable to the actuation condition at the Nth cycle of the indexing mechanism; and, a chamber sealed from the main flowbore in the blocking condition of the port isolation device, the chamber exposed to the tubing pressure in the actuation condition of the port isolation device. The downhole tool actuation system is configured to actuate a downhole tool upon exposure of the chamber to tubing pressure.
Abstract:
A selective locking apparatus for an indicating tool, the selective locking apparatus includes a mandrel having a rotational collet finger receiving area including a plurality of unlocked-position tracks alternatingly arranged with a plurality of locked-position detents. A rotational collet rotatably supported on the mandrel, the rotational collet including a j-track on an outer periphery of the rotational collet, the rotational collet further including a plurality of rotational collet fingers having heads engageable within the rotational collet finger receiving area of the mandrel. An indicating collet supported on the mandrel, the indicating collet including a plurality of indicating collet fingers; and, at least one pin fixedly mounted on the indicating collet for receipt within the j-track of the rotational collet; wherein longitudinal movement of the mandrel with respect to the indicating collet cycles the rotational collet via j-track interaction and selectively places the heads of the rotational collet fingers into either the plurality of unlocked-position tracks or the plurality of locked-position detents. A method of selectively locking an indicating tool.
Abstract:
A land vehicle steering system capable of selectively moving the left and right steerable wheels inboard and outboard of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting the distance between the left and right steerable wheels. The steering system includes left and right steering assemblies. Each assembly includes: a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis; a first hydraulic cylinder secured between the pivot arm and the vehicle; a wheel end pivotally secured to the pivot arm about a steering axis; and, a second hydraulic cylinder secured between the wheel end and the pivot arm. Actuation of the first hydraulic cylinders rotates the pivot arms about their first pivot axes and moves the wheel ends inboard and outboard of the vehicle. Actuation of the second hydraulic cylinders rotates the wheel ends and steerable wheels thereon relative to their pivot arm for steering the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring components in a nuclear reactor is provided along with related systems and component. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a first transducer mechanism disposed within a nuclear reactor, the first transducer being configured to emit a first wireless signal to an identified component of the nuclear reactor. A second transducer mechanism is configured to detect a response signal that is emitted by the identified component in response to the first wireless signal. In one particular embodiment, the first transducer mechanism may include one or more confocal transducers. The confocal transducer may include two or more electrodes configured to emit their respective beams coaxially with focal points that are coincidental. The system may be configured to determine a characteristic of a component being monitored. In one particular embodiment, the component may include a fuel rod.
Abstract:
An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cloth that can function as a moisturizing cleanser. When the cloth is moistened with water, it works up into a warm, sudsy cleansing lotion that feels great and works well as a facial cleansing cloth. The cloth contains water, at least one surfactant and at least one hydrophilic polymer.
Abstract:
Polyurethane shapes containing a core layer of a water soluble polymer such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) are produced by casting onto a surface an aqueous mixture containing a pre-polymer of a hydrophilic polyurethane as a first layer of uncured polyurethane, covering the uncured first layer with release paper and compressing the layer, uncovering the uncured first layer and distributing PEO on the uncured surface, applying a second layer of uncured polyurethane on top of the PEO while the polyurethane is still uncured, then covering the resulting mass with release paper and compressing it to form an integrated, layered shaped article containing a core region enriched in PEO that when wetted releases PEO over an extended period. The second layer is applied by adhering about one-half of the first uncured foam layer to the release paper as the first uncured layer is uncovered and then recombining the adhered material on top of the PEO and further compressing the resulting mass to produce an integrated, layered shaped article. The second layer can be applied, alternatively, by independently casting a second layer of uncured polyurethane foam after distributing the PEO and then compressing and curing. The PEO containing shapes are useful in making improved comfort strips for wet shaving razors. Shape products of the process where the core region contains other specified working ingredients are useful in applications including bandages and wound dressings, cosmetic sponges, cleaning and polishing sponges, dry cleaning and anti-static sheets, and in household, industrial and environmental clean up and waste recovery.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cloth that can function as a moisturizing cleanser. When the cloth is moistened with water, it works up into a warm, sudsy cleansing lotion that feels great and works well as a facial cleansing cloth. The cloth contains water, at least one surfactant and at least one hydrophilic polymer.
Abstract:
An inductor, such as for electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression, comprises a plurality of ferrite layers arranged in stacked relation and joined together to define a ferrite body, and a first electrical conductor extending between a first pair of adjacent ferrite layers. The inductor includes first respective opposing portions of the first pair of adjacent ferrite layers being sintered together, and second respective opposing portions of the first pair of adjacent ferrite layers being in spaced apart relation to define at least one first gap therebetween. Moreover, the device includes a sintering blocking material associated with the at least one first gap. The sintering blocking material causes the gap to form in the ferrite body to selectively block the magnetic path to thereby retain a higher inductance than would otherwise be possible at relatively high currents. In a surface mounting embodiment of the inductor, the ferrite body has a generally rectangular shape. In addition, a pair of end conductors are provided on opposing ends of the ferrite body to facilitate surface mounting of the inductor. The sintering blocking material may comprise a non-magnetic material. In particular, the sintering blocking material may comprise titanium-dioxide.