156 results about "Pressure management" patented technology

Methods and control systems are provided for a wellbore drilling system having an active differential pressure device (APD device) in fluid communication with a returning fluid. The APD Device creates a differential pressure across the device, which reduces the pressure below or downhole of the device. In embodiments, a control unit controls the APD Device in real time via a data transmission system. In one arrangement, the data transmission system includes data links formed by conductors associated with the drill string. The conductors, which may include electrical wires and / or fiber optic bundles, couple the control unit to the APD Device and other downhole tools such as sensors. In other arrangements, the data link can include data transmission stations that use acoustic, EM, and / or RF signals to transfer data. In still other embodiments, a mud pulse telemetry system can be used in transfer data and command signals.

Multiple criteria are monitored and controlled to enhance the success of direct-metal deposition, including greater control over factors such as deposit layer height / thickness, sub-harmonic vibration, contour path shape, powder mass flow, and deposition speed, and stress accumulation. Sensors are used to monitor some or all of the following parameters during the deposition process: deposit height, width, temperature, and residual stress. A predetermined limit with respect to the yield strength of the material is preferably set. If the stress exceeds that limit sensors will automatically introduce one or more remedial measures, the priority of which is established using a look-up table generated in accordance with prior experimental knowledge. To control temperature induced distortion and stress, an infrared temperature detector may be used in conjunction with a controller to reduce temperature, increase speed and decreased power for purpose of stress management.

A life support apparatus comprising a vital information sensor attached to a body to acquire vital information of a user, a behavior information sensor attached to the body to acquire behavior information of the user, a situation recognition device which recognizes a user's situation based on the behavior information acquired by the behavior information sensor and the vital information acquired by the vital information sensor to generate user's situation information, a data base which stores stress management information are prepared in advance, an information search device which searches the data base for stress management information corresponding to the user's situation information, and an information presentation device which presents the stress management information obtained by the information search device to the user.

Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine / work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.

Methods and control systems are provided for a wellbore drilling system having an active differential pressure device (APD device) in fluid communication with a returning fluid. The APD Device creates a differential pressure across the device, which reduces the pressure below or downhole of the device. In embodiments, a control unit controls the APD Device in real time via a data transmission system. In one arrangement, the data transmission system includes data links formed by conductors associated with the drill string. The conductors, which may include electrical wires and / or fiber optic bundles, couple the control unit to the APD Device and other downhole tools such as sensors. In other arrangements, the data link can include data transmission stations that use acoustic, EM, and / or RF signals to transfer data. In still other embodiments, a mud pulse telemetry system can be used in transfer data and command signals.

A drilling control and information system comprising: a rig site network (102) including a drilling equipment controller (112) and a drilling parameter sensor (116); a downhole sensor (118) communicatively coupled to the rig site network; a data center (104) communicatively coupled to the rig site network; a remote access site (106) communicatively coupled to the data center; and a pressure management application (300) communicatively coupled to the rig site network, wherein the pressure management application receives pressure data from the drilling parameter sensor and the downhole sensor and issues an operating instruction to the drilling equipment controller.

An apparatus and method to provide monitoring of pressure outside the wellbore casing of a well in which a Wireless Sensor Unit is placed externally of a section of non-magnetic casing. An internal Sensor Energizer Unit is placed inside the wellbore casing. The Wireless Sensor Unit includes one or more sensors to measure the pressure and / or temperature of the surroundings. The Wireless Sensor Unit and the Sensor Energizer Unit communicate using electromagnetic modulation techniques, and the Wireless Sensor Unit may be powered by means of power harvesting from the Sensor Energizer Unit.

An apparatus and method to provide monitoring of pressure outside the wellbore casing of a well in which a Wireless Sensor Unit is placed externally of a section of non-magnetic casing. An internal Sensor Energizer Unit is placed inside the wellbore casing. The Wireless Sensor Unit includes one or more sensors to measure the pressure and / or temperature of the surroundings. The Wireless Sensor Unit and the Sensor Energizer Unit communicate using electromagnetic modulation techniques, and the Wireless Sensor Unit may be powered by means of power harvesting from the Sensor Energizer Unit.

The present invention provides a universal receiver (OTR) device which functions within a vehicle in the “under-the-hood” (UTH) environment such that various types of tire pressure management system (TPMS) device, located within, upon or near a vehicle's tires can transmit tire information, such as the transmitter identification number (TIN), the tire unique identifier (TUID), the vehicle identification number (VIN), tire pressure, tire temperature, tire rotation, and other tire relevant data, to the OTR for further processing regardless of frequency, data transfer speed, or data format of the TPMS device. The OTR device in sequence: identifies the TPMS device, receives the tire information from the TPMS device, and processes the tire information into date records for efficient and optimized transmission of such data records for future analysis both within and off a vehicle. The OTR also interfaces with various types of telematics devices, regardless of the type of transmission or protocol used, by identifying the type of telematics device. The OTR also stores or retrieves information related to various telematics and TPMS devices in order to identify these devices. For example, an automotive manufacturer, dealership, or tire distributor would be able to select various manufacturers' TPMS and telematics devices for installation within the vehicle and with the OTR collect previously captured TPMS data for further analysis.

Roughly described, methods and systems for improving integrated circuit layouts and fabrication processes in order to better account for stress effects. Dummy features can be added to a layout either in order to improve uniformity, or to relax known undesirable stress, or to introduce known desirable stress. The dummy features can include dummy diffusion regions added to relax stress, and dummy trenches added either to relax or enhance stress. A trench can relax stress by filling it with a stress-neutral material or a tensile strained material. A trench can increase stress by filling it with a compressive strained material. Preferably dummy diffusion regions and stress relaxation trenches are disposed longitudinally to at least the channel regions of N-channel transistors, and transversely to at least the channel regions of both N-channel and P-channel transistors. Preferably stress enhancement trenches are disposed longitudinally to at least the channel regions of P-channel transistors.

In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed, including: a bit body; a pad associated with the bit body; a rate control device coupled to the pad that extends from a bit surface at a first rate and retracts from an extended position to a retracted position at a second rate in response to external force applied onto the pad, the rate control device including: a piston for applying a force on the pad; a biasing member that applies a force on the piston to extend the pad at the first rate; a fluid chamber associated with the piston; and a pressure management device for controlling a fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.

Alkali fuel cells, systems, and related methods, and flow-through, high-surface area electrodes, are employed to generate electricity. The electrode can include a porous substrate comprising a first side for fluid ingress, a second side for fluid egress, and a plurality of walls oriented in different directions between the first and second sides. Voids can be defined between the walls. The walls can include surfaces and micro-scale pores. A multi-directional fluid flow path can be defined between the first and second sides. A thin film comprising a catalytic material can be disposed on the surfaces. A fuel / electrolyte mixture can be flowable generally from the first side, through the voids and the pores of the substrate and in contact with the thin film, and to the second side. Additives can be included for refreshing the electrolyte and / or the electrode. A water / thermal / pressure management system includes a permeable membrane from which water can be removed from a fluid while retaining fuel and / or electrolyte in the fluid. The electrolyte can include an additive that cleans the electrodes. A refresh cycle can be implemented in which one or more electrodes are operated in a mode that refreshes catalytic material of the electrode.

A method for estimating equivalent top of fluid level or a theoretical surface annular back pressure in a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The pressure measurements may then be processed to compute the equivalent top of fluid level and / or theoretical surface annular back pressure of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of values corresponding to various wellbore intervals. The equivalent top of fluid level and / or theoretical surface annular back pressures may be used in automated managed pressure drilling operations.

A zone pressure management system and method are provided for use in an irrigation system having at least one irrigation controller for operating multiple irrigation zones each including multiple irrigation devices or heads, wherein a water supply pump is variably controlled to deliver water to each irrigation zone at an individually preset pressure selected to meet zone pressure requirements while minimizing pump energy requirements. The irrigation controller operates a plurality of solenoid control valves or the like associated respectively with the multiple irrigation zones, and is adapted to open these valves typically in a timed sequence for water flow from the pump to the associated irrigation zones. A zone pressure management unit or module monitors the irrigation controller to determine which irrigation zone is in an “on” state, and signals a pump controller for operating the pump to produce a unique and programmably set output pressure for that irrigation zone.

A stress management device is formed in an integrated design that enables pulse measurement, display of results and a power supply gathered into a small finger clip device. The stress management device includes a non-invasive infrared sensor that identifies and measures pulse rate variability and utilizes that information to calculate the power spectrum distribution and create a curve of the results multiple times per second. The device incorporates a display screen on which a graphic image of a pair of lungs filling and emptying to encourage the user into a predetermined breathing pattern known to reduce stress levels during a training period. After the completion of the training period, the device presents a score reflecting the percentage of times the user achieved high, medium and low relaxation states, and a pie chart reflecting the distribution of the states of relaxation calculated during the training period.

A fluid supply package is described, including a pressure-regulated fluid storage and dispensing vessel comprising a fluid dispensing flow path, and adsorbent disposed in the flow path or in fluid communication therewith to reversibly adsorb fluid from the flow path for pressure stabilization of fluid dispensed from the vessel. A corresponding method is disclosed, of stabilizing fluid pressure during dispensing of fluid through a fluid flow path in a fluid supply package, by contacting the fluid in the fluid flow path with an adsorbent on which the fluid is reversibly adsorbable during the dispensing of fluid. Such approach of using a pressure management adsorbent stabilizes fluid pressure during fluid dispensing, and combats pressure oscillations that may occur during initiation or subsequent performance of fluid dispensing.

A bladder comprising an outer and inner surface having a length, height and width, first and second ends, and an internal volume. A support structure is disposed within the bladder and has a length, width, height as well as an inner and outer region. The outer region of the support structure comprises support projections which define openings in the outer region of the support structure. The support projections have an engaging end which contacts the inner surface of the bladder and exerts force upon the inner surface of the bladder. The support projections maintain the internal volume of the bladder in a no-load sate. The openings in the support structure allow air to move freely in the bladder versus a solid support structure lacking openings. This aids in distribution of air within the bladder and provides air-like pressure management and comfort in addition to the structural support provided by foam inserts.

A stressor detection system (100) comprises sensor means (101) arranged for being attached to a person for obtaining a time-varying signal representing a physical quantity relating to an environment of the person, and processing means (102) for deriving a stressor value from the obtained signal representing a degree to which the environment is inducing stress in the person. The processing means is arranged for deriving an amount of complexity comprised in the signal, and for deriving a higher stressor value for a larger amount of information. The processing means is further arranged for performing a spectral frequency analysis of the signal and for deriving the stressor value also in dependence on the spectral frequency analysis. The sensor means comprises a microphone (105), a camera (104), and a tri-axial accelerometer.

In one embodiment, the present invention eradicates pests, such as bedbugs, and toxic mold, for example, among other organisms that invade a dwelling, structure, building, vehicle, or other enclosure. The system includes a burner element having a heat exchanger in contact with the exhaust gas, the heat exchanger on the burner heats a heat transfer fluid (HTF). High pressure HTF flow is used to drive isolation pumps, electrical generators, fans, and other auxiliary equipment. A pressure management system within each heat exchanger ensures optimum flow of HTF. The fluid exchanger is either air-to-fluid or fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger.

A drag chain carbonizer is provided with a system and methods for anaerobic thermal transformation processing to convert waste into various solid carbonized products and varied further co-products. The drag-chain carbonizer includes an adjustable bed depth mechanism, a heating mechanism, a pressure management mechanism, and a chain tensioning mechanism containing at least one position sensor for communication of an actuator position to at least one programmable logic controller (PLC). Carbonaceous waste is transformed into useful co-products that can be re-introduced into the stream of commerce at various economically advantageous points. Depending upon the input materials and the parameters selected to process the waste, including real time economic and other market parameters, the system adjusts co-products output to reflect changing market conditions.

A diagnostic appartus and method for a fuel system that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel tank that has a headspace and a filler occluded by a removable cap, a charcoal canister in fluid communication with the headspace, and an integrated pressure management apparatus. The integrated pressure management apparatus has a pressure operable device and a switch that signals displacement of the pressure operable device in response to negative pressure at a first pressure level in the charcoal canister. The diagnostic apparatus comprises a pressure source, a first fitting adapted to be occluded by the removable cap, a second fitting adapted to sealingly engage the filler, an orifice in fluid communication with the pressure source, with the first fitting, and with the second fitting, and a first valve controlling the fluid communication with the orifice. The first fitting is in fluid communication with the pressure source, and the second fitting is in fluid communication with the pressure source and with the first fitting.

A drag chain carbonizer is provided with a system and methods for anaerobic thermal transformation processing to convert waste into various solid carbonized products and varied further co-products. The drag-chain carbonizer includes an adjustable bed depth mechanism, a heating mechanism, a pressure management mechanism, and a chain tensioning mechanism containing at least one position sensor for communication of an actuator position to at least one programmable logic controller (PLC). Carbonaceous waste is transformed into useful co-products that can be re-introduced into the stream of commerce at various economically advantageous points. Depending upon the input materials and the parameters selected to process the waste, including real time economic and other market parameters, the system adjusts co-products output to reflect changing market conditions.

An online lifestyle management platform designed to address and manage the multiple factors affecting an individual's lifestyle is discussed. The lifestyle management platform may include an assessment evaluation tool used to establish a profile for an individual by assessing the individual's lifestyle factors. The lifestyle factors being assessed may include an individual's physical and mental condition, occupational and personal stress factors and goal satisfaction. Based on the profile, the lifestyle management platform generates a customized lifestyle management program such as a stress management program for the individual.

A storage and delivery device for a cryogenic liquid that includes a vessel assembly and a delivery line assembly. The vessel assembly has a liquid space and a vapor space. The delivery line assembly has a liquid line, a vapor line, and a delivery line. The liquid line is in fluid communication with the liquid space. The vapor line is in fluid communication with the vapor space. The liquid line has a flow control device located thereon and structured to control the flow of fluid through the liquid line. The liquid line flow control device is structured to close the liquid line when the vessel assembly is at a predetermined pressure.