A noningestible separation barrier having one or more pores or micropores (of one or more diameters) therein, with the pores or micropores being initially plugged with one or more materials selected for its/their solubility and/or integrity characteristics relative to certain environmental conditions. Ordinarily, the pores or micropores of the noningestible separation barrier are initially filled with at least one material having greater erodibility, under a given environmental condition, than t...

Plug 40 inserted in inspection opening 20 has an internal surface 42 conforming to interior surface 16 when properly oriented. Arm 46 secures the plug in the oriented position and acts against tapered boss 30 for removal of the plug.

A method of making a plugged microporous film from a film which comprises a structural component having pores extending therethrough, and a plugging material within the pores, the method comprising: (a) selectively treating the plugging material so that its susceptibility to a crosslinking treatment differs from a first region of the film to a second region thereof; (b) crosslinking the plugging material at the second region of the film; and (c) removing the uncrosslinked plugging material from ...

A method for preparing an SRAM or DRAM structure on a substrate with an oppositely doped well therein, a field oxide region extending above and between the well and the substrate, first and second N-MOS transistors on the silicon substrate, and a P-MOS transistor on the silicon well. The source and drain regions of each of the P-MOS transistor and the first and second N-MOS transistors each have a polysilicon plug making contact therewith. Each polysilicon plug is isolated one from another by ni...

Disclosed herein is a slotted entry ball and socket swivel bearing joint including an outer race member having a race axis and having an axially extending entry slot, an inner race member, and a plug which has an outer surface with a shape complementary to the shape of the entry slot, which is selectively inserted into the slot, and which has an inner concave surface that, when the plug is inserted in the slot, lines up with the race surface of the outer race member to complete the race surface ...

A plugged filter detection system includes a valve housed within a cavity defining an initial inlet for receiving fluid at an inlet pressure before fluid enters a filter, a final inlet for receiving fluid at an outlet pressure after the fluid exits the filter, and a switch port for directing fluid to a switch to activate the switch. The inlet pressure biases the valve in a first direction and the outlet pressure biases the valve in a second direction substantially opposing the first direction. T...

A digital signal representative of a difference in pressure is received from a differential pressure transmitter. A noise signal is obtained by processing the signal through a band pass filter or otherwise to provide a filtered noise signal. Absolute values of the filtered noise signal are calculated and compared to one or more predetermined threshold values to determine if one or more impulse lines are plugged. A training mode is used to determine the thresholds, which may be a function of flow...

A noningestible separation barrier having one or more pores of micropores (of one or more diameters) therein, with the pores or micropores being initially plugged with one or more materials selected for its/their solubility and/or integrity characteristics relative to certain environmental conditions. Ordinarily, the pores or micropores of the noningestible separation barrier are initially filled with at least one material having greater erodibility, under a given environmental condition, than t...

The flow apertures of a perforated mandrel are temporarily sealed by plugs which are made of a sacrificial material, for example, zinc, aluminum and magnesium. The sacrificial plugs prevent dirty completion fluid from passing through and in and out of the screen as it is run into the hole, thereby protecting the screen from plugging. During the time the screen mandrel is temporarily sealed by the sacrificial plugs, cleaning fluid is circulated through a work string and is returned through the an...

A drain clearing device for use on unvented plumbing fixtures having a drain and a holding tank is provided having a valve body. The valve body has a first end and a second end with a fluid flow channel therethrough, and a valve connected to a handle actuated to open and close to valve. A first fitting member and a second fitting member are connected to the first and second end of the valve body, respectively. Each of the first and second fitting members has a threaded portion on an interior sid...