Prototype Equipment Research Articles

Automatic Computation of Dipmeter Logs Digitally Recorded on Magnetic Tapes

Abstract A prototype equipment has been designed and built for the digital recording of well logs on magnetic tape at the same time that the regular film recording is made. The format of the digital tape produced is such that it can be used directly at the input of the IBM 704, 7090 or other models of IBM computers which accept digital magnetic tape. This apparatus has been used for the experimental field recording of dipmeter tape logs which were subsequently computed by means of an IBM 704 or 7090.In this paper the equipment and the digital tape are described briefly, and their application to the computer interpretation of dipmeter data is discussed. A principal element in the interpretation of the dipmeter log is the correlation of the three microresistivity dipmeter curves to determine the depth displacements between them. Several correlation methods for computer use are considered, with particular attention to their sensitivity to error and their consumption of computer time. The tape data were used to compute information content of the dipmeter microresistivity curves in terms of their frequency spectra. The results show that the sampling rate used in recording the digital information is quite adequate and illustrate a use of the digital tape in evaluating the characteristics of new tools. Some examples of field results are shown. It can be foreseen that, when digital tape recording becomes available for general field use, a whole new realm of possibilities will be opened up for the processing of other well logs through computations, which hitherto were not feasible because they were too laborious and time-consuming. Introduction The last few years have seen a revolution in the design and production of data-processing equipment. Stored-program digital computers have progressed from a research curiosity to the basis of a major industry. There are now hundreds of such machines in daily use in the United States. With the acceptance of a technique that was, in fact, already clearly described by John von Neumann in 1945, the last decade has seen great strides in the development of components, reliability, programming systems and, most spectacularly, in the sheer number of machines built and in use. In 1957 there were enough digital computers available to the oil industry to justify the suggestion that it would be worthwhile to investigate the possibility of using these machines in processing well log data. The first result of this investigation was the appearance of what may be referred to as the input-output bottleneck. Well logs are customarily recorded on film. To get these data into a machine required then (and still does): a time-consuming semi-automatic reading of the film; conversion of the log data to digital form; and recording these digital data in some medium acceptable for computer input, such as cards, magnetic tape, or punched paper tape. However, the recording, reading, and re-recording could only result in deterioration of the data. Therefore, it was concluded that the first step should be the development of a new, more direct recording technique supplemental to the film recording, which would provide easy access to the digital computer. There are many solutions to the problem of recording log data in an easily recoverable form. After careful consideration it was decided to adopt the boldest solution which, it was felt, was also the most elegant. It was decided to record well logs directly, in the field, on magnetic tape in such a way that this tape could be used without further modification as an input to the IBM 704 or 7090 computer. To realize practical field recording of magnetic tape logs, it became necessary to develop in a rather small package, an analog-to-digital converter, a tape recorder, and the necessary multiplexing and control circuits to allow the simultaneous recording of a multiplicity of logging signals. The magnetic tape recording was to be made simultaneously with the conventional logging operation in such a way as not to interfere with it. Along with the development of hardware, it was necessary to begin development of interpretation techniques and machine programs that would exploit the power of the digital computer. Here, again, there is a long list of possible applications. After much consideration it was decided to concentrate on the interpretation of the dipmeter log as a first application. It is the object of this paper to describe in some detail the developments sketched in the last three paragraphs. JPT P. 771^

A.C. railway electrification at 50 c/s in Great Britain

The paper, assuming a knowledge of the published descriptions of the equipments used and of Brigadier Langley's reports on the trouble experienced with some of it, describes the performance of equipment of all kinds in 18 months of service, during which 1100 single-track miles of overhead equipment have been brought into use on the 25/6.25 kV 50c/s a.c. system. Individual sections deal with:The method and cost of obtaining freedom from interference with neighbouring light-current circuits.The performance of the power-supply and overhead equipments, including reference to the use of 25 kV only on the Euston- Manchester-Crewe electrification and the retention of the dual-voltage 25/6.25 kV system elsewhere.The satisfactory performance of the electrical equipment of five of the seven types of 800 hp multiple-unit train equipment which have aggregated about 25 million miles in service, and of the five types of 3300 hp locomotives. Statistics are given of the performance of certain important components.The hope is expressed that the information given warrants confidence in the future of the equipments in use.The paper indicates the ways in which the information obtained from this experience with prototype equipment will be used for the further improvement of future equipments.

Process Improvement Through Evolutionary Operation

Laboratory and pilot-plant experimentation, performed to find means of improving a product or process, must often be supplemented by trials on the prototype equipment. Evolutionary Operation, first proposed by Dr. George Box, is a statistical method of conducting such trials without interference with routine production. By slight but deliberate variation of a few of the influential factors at a time, the process is gradually moved in the direction of an optimum. Weight of evidence for the improvement is built up by repeating each set of experimental conditions a great number of times. Since it results in a movement toward optimum conditions without disrupting normal production, Evolutionary Operation can be considered as a permanent plan for plant operation.

An electrostatic dust monitor

A smoke or dust particle carried by an air stream and subjected to high-voltage corona acquires a charge approximately proportional to its external surface area. If such ionized particles are precipitated at a collector electrode, the resultant flow of charge constitutes a current proportional to the rate of deposition of total dust surface, and a significant measure of the toxicity of a chimney discharge is obtained.The paper outlines the theory of a dust monitor incorporating this principle, describes some experiments in smoke measurement and examines the operation of prototype equipment in a pulverized-fuelfired boiler installation

Differential analyzer aids design of electrical utility automatic dispatching system

THIS PAPER encompasses two important aspects of the 1957 symposium theme of ?Computers in Control.? First, the General Electric Automatic Dispatching System1?3 to be described includes analog computing loops which insure that the turbine generators within the utility system are loaded according to incremental cost theories, thus resulting in minimum fuel expenditures for the utility system. Second, the application of a differential analyzer as a tool in the design of this automatic dispatching system will be described. The differential analyzer application may be outlined as follows: 1. Complete differential analyzer simulation of power system and dispatching system to determine optimum design of regulating and economic loops. 2. Differential analyzer simulation of power system tied together with prototype control components to study and evaluate the design of prototype equipment.

Study of Apparatus for the Teaching of Physics. Report of the AAPT Committee on Apparatus for Educational Institutions

This report contains a summary of the results obtained in a study of apparatus used in the teaching of physics at ninety-eight representative colleges and universities. The study yielded information about apparatus budgets, about the need for new items of apparatus, about the availability of prototype equipment, and about the problems involved in providing physics departments with apparatus from commercial sources.

A miniature vidicon of high sensitivity

Experimental models of a sensitive miniature Vidicon pickup tube ½ in diameter and 3 long have been built and operated in prototype equipment. With such a small photolayer area, the use of a photoconductor having the sensitivity of conventional Vidicons would require an excessively fast lens or an increase in scene illumination. A new photoconductor has been developed which has sufficient operating sensitivity to more than offset the reduction in light collecting area. The spectral response of the new tube covers the approximate range from 400 to 800 millimicrons with its maximum in the neighborhood of 600 millimicrons. Resolution and picture lag are adequate for many applications where the small size is particularly attractive. The ½ tube requires only one-fourth the heater power and one-third the deflection power of the 6198 Vidicon.

Oil drums buoy 1,700 ft. of pipe while being floated to place

This article presents the development of novel technological equipment for laboratory testing marine diesel engine crankshaft renovation using an in-situ laser cladding device. It outlines the technology and method devised to perform crankpin journal renovation operations directly in the engine housing, without removing the crankshaft from the engine. Firstly it describes marine crankshafts and the common faults of their main and crankpin bearings. There follows an analysis of conventional crankshaft repair methods, along with their limitations. The principles of laser cladding nozzles are then described, outlining the benefits of laser cladding technology for in-situ marine crankshaft repairs. The paper goes on to assess previous studies in field and the laser cladding repair solutions currently proposed for marine crankshafts. It also indicates the view taken by Classification Societies towards laser-cladding crankshaft repairs. The development of the in-situ prototype equipment is detailed, along with full-size prototype design steps, accompanied by the relevant analysis and considerations. In addition, appropriate calculations for the laboratory test device are given. The technological process and method described in this article are an innovative application of additive manufacturing technology to the crucial requirements of modern, ship-repair enterprises. In-situ crankshaft laser cladding is a promising technology with good financial prospects.