Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110031704 | Segmented Gaskets - A segmented gasket is formed from two or more gasket segments arranged end-to-end. In one embodiment, the end portions of the gasket segments overlap a predetermined amount to define a region of overlap having a thickness greater than the thickness of the individual gasket segments. An embossed region extends along the gasket segments and aligns in the region of overlap. When compressed between two flanges to be sealed, a continuous seal is formed from one gasket segment, across the region of overlap, and to the other gasket segment. In another embodiment, the gasket segments are locked together with interlocking tabs that project laterally from the end portions of the gasket segments and that are positioned outside of a joint within which the gasket segments are clamped. In a preferred embodiment the gasket segments are metal or rubber coated metal core gasket segments. | 02-10-2011 |
20140217679 | Gasket with High Temperature Coating - A method of making a gasket having a high temperature coating that includes obtaining a substrate formed from a metallic material and having the shape of a gasket, applying a nanoparticle suspension over the outer surfaces of the substrate, and heating the substrate to a first elevated temperature to form an undercoat layer of a self-protective oxide coating. The method also includes applying a liquid comprising boron nitride over the undercoat layer and drying the boron nitride liquid at a second elevated temperature to form an overcoat layer. | 08-07-2014 |
20140238648 | Lightweight Thermal Shield - A method of making a lightweight thermal shield that includes obtaining a mold having a shaped support screen with a molding surface configured to allow the passage of air and moisture therethrough, and with the mold being adapted for drawing a vacuum from behind the support screen. The method also includes applying a wet insulation material onto the molding surface of the support screen and drawing a vacuum to withdraw moisture through the support screen and consolidate a layer of insulation material on top the molding surface. The method further includes removing the consolidated layer of insulation material from off the molding surface, installing the consolidated layer of insulation material into an outer shell layer, and drying the consolidated layer of insulation material within the outer shell layer to form a lightweight core insulation layer. | 08-28-2014 |
20140263369 | INSULATING CONTAINER AND METHODS OF MAKING AN INSULATING CONTAINER - An insulating container for controlling the transfer of heat from a hot object contained therein, the insulating container including a first half-shell and a second half-shell configured to couple together to form a sealed enclosure. The container further includes a first insert and a second insert sized and shaped to be received within the first half shell and the second half shell, respectively, and having inner surfaces that are shaped to surround and substantially conform to the hot object enclosed within the sealed enclosure, and wherein the first insert and the second insert are built up from a plurality of planar pieces of insulating material. | 09-18-2014 |
20150137508 | Sealing Sleeve for Slip Joint - A sleeve for sealing an annular gap between opposed co-axial surfaces of a slip joint includes a tubular body formed from a metallic material and having a first end, a second end, a center section between the first and second ends, and a longitudinal cross-sectional profile having a plurality of bendable curves. The sleeve is shaped so that two or more of the bendable curves contact each opposed coaxial surface to form two or more circumferential lines of contact with each opposed coaxial surface. The sleeve further includes a self-protective oxide undercoat layer that protects the metallic material and a lubricous overcoat layer that provides lubricity to the contact surfaces when the sleeve is exposed to temperatures greater than about 600° C. | 05-21-2015 |
20160116101 | LIGHTWEIGHT THERMAL SHIELD - A method of making a lightweight thermal shield that includes obtaining a mold having a shaped support screen with a molding surface configured to allow the passage of air and moisture therethrough, and with the mold being adapted for drawing a vacuum from behind the support screen. The method also includes applying a wet insulation material onto the molding surface of the support screen and drawing a vacuum to withdraw moisture through the support screen and consolidate a layer of insulation material on top the molding surface. The method further includes removing the consolidated layer of insulation material from off the molding surface, installing the consolidated layer of insulation material into an outer shell layer, and drying the consolidated layer of insulation material within the outer shell layer to form a lightweight core insulation layer. | 04-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090020295 | Deep water hurricane valve - A storm plug for temporarily isolating an offshore well in deep water includes a retrievable service packer connected to a valve housing containing a movable isolation sleeve and a standing valve. The standing valve precludes the fluid flow through a portion of the isolation sleeve. The isolation sleeve being hydraulically actuated from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, fluid may flow through flow ports in the standing valve to an annular bypass area between the valve housing and the isolation sleeve. In the closed position, the isolation sleeve prevents fluid flow through the valve housing. The valve may be hydraulically actuated as compared to conventional storm valve that are set by workstring rotation. The running tool used to run the storm plug into the well may be hydraulically disconnected from the valve housing. | 01-22-2009 |
20130206409 | ONE-WAY FLOWABLE ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TREATING AND PRODUCING A WELL - A one-way flowable anchoring system includes a plurality of same anchors that are sealedly fixedly engagable within a structure and each of the plurality of same anchors has a flow bore longitudinally therethrough with a first seat and a second seat on opposing ends thereof The system also has a plug positionable within the structure between two of the plurality of same anchors positioned longitudinally adjacent one another. The plug is sealedly engagable to substantially block flow through the flow bore of a first of the plurality of same anchors when sealingly engaged with the first seat thereof and the plug is seatingly engagable to allow flow around the plug and into the flow bore of the second of the plurality of same anchors through an area at least equal to that of the flow bore when the plug is seated at the second seat thereof | 08-15-2013 |
20130306330 | Slip-Deployed Anti-Extrusion Backup Ring - Arrangements and packer devices having anti-extrusion backup rings that are expanded radially outwardly by a setting mechanism that lies proximate the elastomeric packer element that is being protected against extrusion. The setting mechanism can be a slip assembly that has a radially expandable slip element. | 11-21-2013 |
20140041857 | SETTING TOOL, ANCHORING AND SEALING DEVICE AND SYSTEM - An anchoring and sealing device includes at least one slip, a seal and a tubular in operable communication with the at least one slip and the seal. The anchoring and sealing device is configured to cause radial movement of the at least one slip into anchoring engagement with a structure and to cause radial movement of the seal into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the anchoring and sealing device. The anchoring and sealing device is also configured to maintain anchoring and sealing engagement with the structure without additional components remaining in contact therewith. | 02-13-2014 |
20140196889 | DOWNHOLE ANCHORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SAME - Anchoring systems for disposition in wellbores and tubular devices comprise a tubular member defined by two or more radially expandable slip members. The upper ends of the slip members are shaped such that when the slip members are in their respective run-in positions and in their respective set positions, a portion of an upper end of one slip member overlaps a portion of an upper end of another slip member so that the longitudinal space between each slip member that is created when the slip members are in their set position are blocked by the upper end of at least one of the slip members. Thus, in their set position, the upper end of at least one of the slip members provides a back-up to a sealing element that can be disposed adjacent to and in contact with the upper ends of the slip members when in their set positions. | 07-17-2014 |
20140251593 | Shear Member Post Shear Segment Retention Apparatus - Shear member designs in various formats are presented with additional features for segment retention and subsequent removal after a shearing event and removal of the tool from a subterranean location. In some embodiments a portion of the shear member is retained by threads so that the segment stays in the part and then can be removed at the surface with putting a notch in the segment and removing it with a screwdriver. In another embodiment a retaining pin in an intersecting bore can hold onto a sheared remnant of the shear pin by pushing the remnant laterally in the bore that it is mounted. Another design for a shear ring uses a split design with the right angle portion of the ring that gets sheared appearing in segments so that the ring can be rapidly snapped into a groove at its outer periphery followed by a retaining cap facilitating removal. | 09-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120284474 | ENABLING RECOVERY DURING DATA DEFRAGMENTATION - In defragmentation of data of a data storage system, the data storage system having at least one storage control and data storage, allowing defragmentation of data with respect to the data storage, the defragmentation comprising analysis and data movement. During the defragmentation and before completion of the defragmentation, in response to the data movement reaching a stable state, further defragmentation analysis and data movement is interrupted; making a point-in-time copy of the data subject to the defragmentation; and resuming the defragmentation analysis and data movement. At a further stable state where a new point-in-time copy is made, an earlier point-in-time copy is withdrawn. Should the defragmentation process end prematurely, a backup of the data subject to defragmentation may be recovered from a most recent point-in-time copy. | 11-08-2012 |
20130007397 | DYNAMIC VVDS EXPANSION - A method for addressing an out-of-space condition for a VSAM Volume Data Set (VVDS) includes detecting an out-of-space condition in a VVDS on a volume. The method creates, in response to the out-of-space condition, a new VVDS on the volume without adding a record to the old VVDS (e.g., by bypassing “catalog services”). The new VVDS is assigned a temporary name. The method then copies records from the old VVDS to the new VVDS. The method may then rename the old VVDS to a temporary name and rename the new VVDS to the original name of the old VVDS. The old VVDS may then be deleted. Alternatively, instead of renaming the old VVDS to a temporary name, the old VVDS may be deleted. The new VVDS may then be renamed to the original name of the old VVDS. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also described. | 01-03-2013 |
20130019070 | CONSOLIDATING CONTROL AREASAANM Lehr; Douglas L.AACI AustinAAST TXAACO USAAGP Lehr; Douglas L. Austin TX USAANM McCune; Franklin E.AACI TucsonAAST AZAACO USAAGP McCune; Franklin E. Tucson AZ USAANM Reed; David C.AACI TucsonAAST AZAACO USAAGP Reed; David C. Tucson AZ USAANM Smith; Max D.AACI TucsonAAST AZAACO USAAGP Smith; Max D. Tucson AZ US - A detection module selects logically adjacent first and second control areas of a cluster. The detection module further determines that the first and second control areas satisfy a migration test wherein the first control area has free space exceeding a free threshold, the free space is at least equal to a space requirement for each second control area control interval, and the second control area has fewer control intervals than a control interval threshold. In addition, a copy module copies each second control area control interval to the first control area in response to determining that the first and second control areas satisfy the migration test. | 01-17-2013 |
20130290341 | MAINTAINING A DATA STRUCTURE WITH DATA SET NAMES AND POINTERS TO A PLURALITY OF CATALOGS - A plurality of catalogs are maintained, and wherein each catalog of the plurality of catalogs includes data sets and attributes of the data sets. An indication that a new data set is to be defined is received. A selected catalog is determined from the plurality of catalogs, wherein the selected catalog is suitable for including the new data set and attributes of the new data set. An entry that indicates a data set name corresponding to the new data set and an index to the selected catalog is inserted in a group table. | 10-31-2013 |
20140068185 | AVOIDING RECALL OPERATIONS IN A TIERED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a system for recalling a data set, includes logic integrated with and/or executable by a hardware processor, the logic being configured to receive a request to open a data set, determine whether the requested data set is stored to a lower tier of a tiered data storage system in multiple associated portions or to a higher tier of the tiered data storage system, move each associated portion of the requested data set from the lower tier to the higher tier of the tiered data storage system when at least one portion of the requested data set is stored to the lower tier of the tiered data storage system, and assemble the associated portions of the requested data set into a single data set to form the requested data set on the higher tier of the tiered data storage system. | 03-06-2014 |
20150379067 | MAINTAINING A DATA STRUCTURE WITH DATA SET NAMES AND POINTERS TO A PLURALITY OF CATALOGS - A plurality of catalogs are maintained, and wherein each catalog of the plurality of catalogs includes data sets and attributes of the data sets. An indication that a new data set is to be defined is received. A selected catalog is determined from the plurality of catalogs, wherein the selected catalog is suitable for including the new data set and attributes of the new data set. An entry that indicates a data set name corresponding to the new data set and an index to the selected catalog is inserted in a group table. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090094413 | Techniques for Dynamic Volume Allocation in a Storage System - A technique for operating a storage system includes determining utilization of multiple storage volumes over a time period. One or more application datasets are then reassigned to a different one of the multiple storage volumes based on the utilization of the multiple storage volumes over the time period and a requested performance level for an associated application. | 04-09-2009 |
20090210617 | MULTI-LEVEL VOLUME TABLE OF CONTENTS - Methods, data structures and systems provide organize a table of contents for a volume (VTOC) stored in a storage system. The volume is divided into a plurality of ranges of tracks, including a first track range. For each track range, an associated sub-VTOC is created containing information about the contents of the track range. A master VTOC is also created containing a plurality of pointers, each pointer pointing to one of the plurality of sub-VTOCs. A first data set stored on one or more tracks within the first track range is updated and the sub-VTOC associated with the first track range is locked, whereby access to other sub-VTOCs is unaffected. The sub-VTOC associated with the first track range may then be accessed, updated and unlocked. Thus, updating data sets stored within different track ranges on the volume may proceed at the same time. | 08-20-2009 |
20090307283 | DYNAMIC BACKUP WINDOW OPTIMIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus, method, and computer program product to dynamically optimize a backup window for a data store is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include tracking module, a determination module, a window module, and a backup module. The tracking module may track usage of a data store over a period of time. A determination module may determine a period of minimal usage associated with the data store. The determination module may also determine an expected backup duration for the data store. Once the expected backup duration and period of minimal usage are known, a window module may calculate an optimal backup window for the data store. A backup module may then backup the data store during the backup window. | 12-10-2009 |
20100287354 | VSAM SMART REORGANIZATION - Various embodiments for adaptive reorganization of a virtual storage access method (VSAM) data set are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, upon each control interval (CI) split of a plurality of CI splits occurring over a period of time, historical data including a key value for a record causing each CI split is recorded in a data repository. The historical data is analyzed with a predictive algorithm to determine an amount of free space to be allocated to each of a plurality of control intervals generated pursuant to the adaptive reorganization. The predictive algorithm allocates a greater percentage of the free space to a first location of the VVDS having a larger proportion of historically placed key values than a second location of the VVDS having a smaller proportion of the historically placed key values. | 11-11-2010 |
20110167158 | MULTI-SYSTEM DEADLOCK REDUCTION - Method, system, and computer program embodiments for reducing deadlock in multi-system computing environments are provided. A set of default, current wait times is initialized for resource requests of each of a plurality of resources. A plurality of resource holders and resource waiters is monitored within an address space. If one resource holder of the plurality of resource holders of one of the plurality of resources is determined to be one resource waiter on another of the plurality of resources, a current wait time for the one resource holder is incremented and a deadlock indicator for both the one resource holder and the one resource waiter is activated. Following expiration of a predefined interval, the plurality of resource holders and resource waiters are parsed through to determine an original resource holder, indicating a system deadlock. The resource holder associated with the system deadlock having a lowest current wait time is restarted. | 07-07-2011 |
20120096053 | PREDICTIVE MIGRATE AND RECALL - Various embodiments for optimizing data migration and recall in a computing storage environment by a processor device are provided. Data stored in the computing storage environment is analyzed over a predetermined period of time to identify a usage pattern of a portion of the data. The portion of the data having the usage pattern is recalled in advance of a usage time, the usage time predicted by the usage pattern for the portion of the data to be accessed. | 04-19-2012 |
20120110288 | TEMPORARY VTOC LOCKING DURING DEFRAGMENTATION - Various embodiments for defragmentation of a storage volume in a computing storage environment by a processor device are provided. A volume table of contents (VTOC) is serialized for a volume scan operation. At least one dummy data set in the storage volume is allocated, to be subsequently filled with actual data pursuant to a degragmentation operation. The serialization of the VTOC is released, allowing access to the storage volume. Input/output (I/O) operations are allowed to occur. | 05-03-2012 |
20120173833 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AVOIDING RECALL OPERATIONS IN A TIERED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a system includes logic adapted to: receive a request to open an existing data set indicating a write operation, receive new data to write to the existing data set, determine that the existing data set is stored on a lower tier of a tiered data storage system, determine that the existing data set is capable of being updated by appending the new data to an end of the existing data set, create a temporary data set on a higher tier of the tiered data storage system comprising the new data, associate the temporary data set on the higher tier of the tiered data storage system with the existing data set on the lower tier of the tiered data storage system, and create a write indicator associated with the new data set indicating that the new data set belongs at the end of the existing data set. | 07-05-2012 |
20130227234 | TEMPORARY VTOC LOCKING DURING DEFRAGMENTATION - Various embodiments for defragmentation of a storage volume in a computing storage environment by a processor device are provided. A volume table of contents (VTOC) is serialized for a volume scan operation. At least one dummy data set in the storage volume is allocated, to be subsequently filled with actual data pursuant to a degragmentation operation. Input/output (I/O) operations are allowed to occur. | 08-29-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110258485 | TRANSITIONAL REPLACEMENT OF OPERATIONS PERFORMED BY A CENTRAL HUB - A central hub is coupled to a plurality of computational devices. The central hub stores a data structure that grants locks for accessing common data stored at the central hub, wherein the common data is shared by the plurality of computational devices. Each computational device maintains locally those locks that are held by the computational device in the data structure stored at the central hub. In response to a failure of the data structure stored at the central hub, a selected computational device of the plurality of computational devices is determined to be a manager system. Other computational devices besides the manager system communicate to the manager system all locks held by the other computational devices in the data structure stored at the central hub. The data structure and the common data are generated and stored at the manager system. Transactions are performed with respect to the data structure stored at the manager system, until the data structure stored at the central hub is operational. | 10-20-2011 |
20120203784 | MAINTAINING A DATA STRUCTURE WITH DATA SET NAMES AND POINTERS TO A PLURALITY OF CATALOGS - A plurality of catalogs are maintained, and wherein each catalog of the plurality of catalogs includes data sets and attributes of the data sets. An indication that a new data set is to be defined is received. A selected catalog is determined from the plurality of catalogs, wherein the selected catalog is suitable for including the new data set and attributes of the new data set. An entry that indicates a data set name corresponding to the new data set and an index to the selected catalog is inserted in a group table. | 08-09-2012 |
20120265790 | PROCESSING OF SPLITS OF CONTROL AREAS AND CONTROL INTERVALS - A data structure maintained in a computational device stores how many control areas splits have occurred to store a data set, wherein each control area split causes an addition of a single new control area. A command is received to add a new data record to the data set. A determination is made as to whether adding the new data record to the data set will result in a threshold for control area splits to be exceeded. In response to determining that adding the new data record to the data set will result in the threshold for control area splits to be exceeded, creating at least two new control areas in addition to continuing to use one existing control area for storing the data set. | 10-18-2012 |
20120271861 | PROCESSING OF SPLITS OF CONTROL AREAS AND CONTROL INTERVALS - A data structure maintained in a computational device stores how many control areas splits have occurred to store a data set, wherein each control area split causes an addition of a single new control area. A command is received to add a new data record to the data set. A determination is made as to whether adding the new data record to the data set will result in a threshold for control area splits to be exceeded. In response to determining that adding the new data record to the data set will result in the threshold for control area splits to be exceeded, creating at least two new control areas in addition to continuing to use one existing control area for storing the data set. | 10-25-2012 |
20120278367 | PROCESSING OF SPLITS OF CONTROL AREAS AND CONTROL INTERVALS - A data structure maintained in a computational device stores how many control areas splits have occurred to store a data set, wherein each control area split causes an addition of a single new control area. A command is received to add a new data record to the data set. A determination is made as to whether adding the new data record to the data set will result in a threshold for control area splits to be exceeded. In response to determining that adding the new data record to the data set will result in the threshold for control area splits to be exceeded, creating at least two new control areas in addition to continuing to use one existing control area for storing the data set. | 11-01-2012 |
20130218834 | DYNAMIC VVDS EXPANSION - A method for addressing an out-of-space condition for a VSAM Volume Data Set (VVDS) includes detecting an out-of-space condition in a VVDS on a volume. The method creates, in response to the out-of-space condition, a new VVDS on the volume without adding a record to the old VVDS (e.g., by bypassing “catalog services”). The new VVDS is assigned a temporary name. The method then copies records from the old VVDS to the new VVDS. The method may then rename the old VVDS to a temporary name and rename the new VVDS to the original name of the old VVDS. The old VVDS may then be deleted. Alternatively, instead of renaming the old VVDS to a temporary name, the old VVDS may be deleted. The new VVDS may then be renamed to the original name of the old VVDS. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also described. | 08-22-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140074140 | INFLATOR FOR DILATION OF ANATOMICAL PASSAGEWAY - A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus; or to dilate some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The dilation catheter system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter may be inserted within the affected passageway to allow the dilator to be positioned through the guide catheter and into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074141 | INFLATOR FOR DILATION OF ANATOMICAL PASSAGEWAY - A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus or some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter is configured to guide the dilator into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway. The inflator may include a body, a plunger assembly, and locking features that selectively secure the position of the plunger assembly relative to the body by moving along a path that is transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the plunger assembly. | 03-13-2014 |