Author: claimsbot

1-20. (canceled)
21. A threaded connection used in exploration and operation of hydrocarbon wells, comprising:
a first and a second tubular component, the first component comprising a male end comprising a threaded zone disposed on its external peripheral surface, the second component comprising a female end comprising a threaded zone disposed on its internal peripheral surface, the threaded zone of the male end being threaded up into the threaded zone of the female end,
the threaded zones comprising respective male and female threads, the threads comprising a root, a crest, a stabbing flank, and a load flank,
a groove being provided in the load flank of the threaded zone of the female end andor the male end respectively, adjacent to the root, and
a boss being provided which projects axially from the load flank of the threaded zone of the male end andor respectively from the female end adjacent to the crest, the boss comprising a convex surface and a concave surface, the boss being housed in the groove with, in a connected state, a radial clearance subsisting between the concave surface and the groove and an axial clearance subsisting between the end of the boss and the bottom of the groove.
22. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the boss is continuous.
23. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the boss is discontinuous.
24. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the axial clearance between the end of the boss and the bottom of the groove is in a range 0.011 mm to 2 mm in the connected state.
25. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the radial clearance between the concave surface of the boss and the groove is in a range 0.005 mm to 2 mm in the connected state.
26. A threaded connection according to claim 16, in which the threads have a constant axial dimension, an axial clearance subsisting in the connected state between the stabbing flanks of the male and female threads.
27. A threaded connection according to claim 26, in which the axial clearance between the stabbing flanks is in a range 0.05 mm to 1 mm in the connected state.
28. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the threads have a variable axial dimension.
29. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which a radial clearance subsists in the connected state between the crests of the male threads and the roots of the female threads andor between the crests of the female threads and the roots of the male threads.
30. A threaded connection according to claim 29, in which the radial clearance between the crest of the threaded zone of the female end and the root of the threaded zone of the male end, andor the radial clearance between the crests of the male threads and the roots of the female threads, is in a range 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, or is less than 0.2 mm, in the connected state.
31. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which an interference is present in the connected state between the crests of the male threads and the roots of the female threads or between the crests of the female threads and the roots of the male threads.
32. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the stabbing flanks of the threaded zones of the male and female ends comprises a positively inclined rectilinear portion, at an angle in a range 10\xb0 to 35\xb0, or in a range 15\xb0 to 25\xb0.
33. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the load flanks of the threaded zones of the male and female ends comprise a negatively inclined rectilinear portion, at an angle in a range 3\xb0 to 15\xb0, or in a range 3\xb0 to 5\xb0.
34. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the axial length of the boss is in a range 0.1 mm to 1 mm, or in a range 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.
35. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the axial length of the boss is in a range 50% to 150% of radial height of the boss, or in a range 80% to 120%.
36. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the radial height of the boss is in a range 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, or in a range 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.
37. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the radial height of the boss is in a range 5% to 45% of radial height of the thread, or in a range 10% to 30%.
38. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the female and male threaded zones are multiple start threads, or dual-start threads.
39. A threaded connection according to claim 21, in which the distal surface of the male end andor female end is brought into contact in axial abutment against a corresponding abutment surface.
40. A threaded connection according to claim 39, in which the male and female ends each comprises a sealing surface which cooperate with one another by tightening in a metalmetal seal.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A fuel injection system comprising:
at least one component defining a surface;
an airflow passing along the surface, the airflow including a boundary layer;
at least one fuel nozzle disposed within the component, wherein the at least one fuel nozzle is positioned to inject fuel into the airflow substantially at the boundary layer;
a first turbulence generator positioned at least partially within the boundary layer, wherein the first turbulence generator is located downstream of the fuel nozzle, whereby the first turbulence generator causes disturbances in the boundary layer;
a second turbulence generator positioned at least partially within the boundary layer, wherein the second turbulence generator is located downstream of the fuel nozzle and wherein the second turbulence generator is spaced from the first generator in the direction of the airflow, whereby the second turbulence generator causes disturbances in the boundary layer,
one of the first and second turbulence generators being a protrusion extending from the surface, a passage extending through the protrusion from an upstream inlet with respect to the airflow to a downstream outlet with respect to the airflow, the inlet being in fluid communication with an upstream portion of the boundary layer and the outlet being in fluid communication with a downstream portion of the boundary layer, wherein a portion of airflow in the upstream portion of the boundary layer is received in the inlet and exits from the outlet into the downstream portion of the boundary layer; and
a combustion area receiving the fuel and airflow.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one component is a turbine engine combustor component.
3. The system of claim 1 further including at least one sensor attached to the surface so as to be substantially proximate to one of the first turbulence generator and the second turbulence generator, wherein the at least one sensor is responsive to temperature changes, whereby the sensor alerts an operator of temperature increases near the respective one of the turbulence generators indicative of flashback or flame holding.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one sensor is located downstream of the respective one of the turbulence generators.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the at least one sensor is a thermocouple.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the fuel nozzle has an outlet end, wherein the outlet end is substantially flush with the surface, whereby the fuel nozzle is located substantially outside of the airflow.
7. A fuel injection system comprising:
at least one component defining a surface;
an airflow passing along the surface, the airflow including a boundary layer;
at least one fuel nozzle disposed within the component, wherein the at least one fuel nozzle is positioned to inject fuel into the airflow substantially at the boundary layer;
a protrusion extending from the surface and into at least a portion of the boundary layer, wherein the protrusion is located downstream of the fuel nozzle, whereby the protrusion generates turbulence in the boundary layer, a passage extending through the protrusion from an upstream inlet with respect to the airflow to a downstream outlet with respect to the airflow, the inlet being in fluid communication with an upstream portion of the boundary layer and the outlet being in fluid communication with a downstream portion of the boundary layer, wherein a portion of airflow in the upstream portion of the boundary layer is received in the inlet and exits from the outlet into the downstream portion of the boundary layer; and
a combustion area downstream of the protrusion, the combustion area receiving the fuel an airflow.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one passage is angled relative to the surface.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the other one of the first turbulence generator and the second turbulence generator is a cross-flow of a fluid into the boundary layer.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the fluid is high pressure air.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the fluid is introduced at about 90 degrees relative to the surface.
12. The system of claim 9 further including at least one sensor attached to the surface proximate the cross-flow, wherein the at least one sensor is responsive to temperature changes, whereby the sensor alerts an operator of temperature increases near the cross-flow indicative of flashback or flame holding.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is located substantially adjacently downstream of the cross-flow.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is a thermocouple.
15. The system of claim 9 wherein the cross-flow is introduced by a fluid nozzle disposed within the component, wherein the fluid nozzle has an outlet end, wherein the outlet end is substantially flush with the surface, whereby the fluid nozzle is located substantially outside of the airflow.
16. A method of introducing fuel to a fluid flow upstream of a combustion area comprising:
passing a fluid flow along a surface, wherein the fluid flow includes a boundary layer; injecting a fuel substantially at the boundary layer; and
disturbing the boundary layer downstream of where the fuel is injected and upstream of a combustion area by providing at least one protrusion on the surface, wherein the protrusion extends into the boundary layer such that turbulence is generated in the boundary layer downstream of the protrusion, a passage extending through the protrusion from an upstream inlet with respect to the airflow to a downstream outlet with respect to the fluid flow, the inlet being in fluid communication with an upstream portion of the boundary layer and the outlet being in fluid communication with a downstream portion of the boundary layer, wherein a portion of fluid flow in the upstream portion of the boundary layer is received in the inlet and exits from the outlet into the downstream portion of the boundary layer.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid vaporizing device, comprising:
a fluid source;
a fluid passage through which fluid from the fluid source is vaporized; and
a tubular heater comprising a thin electrically resistive film lining the interior surface of all or part of the length of the fluid passage.
2. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises one or more of platinum, gold, nickel, silver, or tin in the form of a pure metal, alloy, mixture, or plural layers andor the fluid passage is of capillary size.
3. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is located in a monolithic or multilayer body of an electrically insulating material andor the fluid passage has a uniform cross section along the length thereof, and a maximum width of the fluid passage is 0.01 to 10 mm.
4. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a deposited layer of platinum.
5. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the heater is a bio-compatible material, and the heater is arranged to be in direct contact with fluid in the passage.
6. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is at least partially defined by first and second layers of material enclosing a channel therebetween, or wherein the fluid passage is defined by a stack of first, second and third layers of material with the third layer comprising a void enclosed between the first and second layers; and, wherein the layers are assembled to form the fluid passage prior to the formation of the heater.
7. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the thin electrically resistive film is deposited by a process selected from the group consisting of thermally decomposing a metal salt deposited in the passage in solution, heating a metal powder deposited in the passage in suspension or emulsion in a carrier, reducing a metal oxide deposited within the passage in a suspension or emulsion in a carrier, coating the passage with resistive ink, electroless deposition of one or more layers of metal, and vapor deposition of a metal by electrically heating a wire threaded through the passage.
8. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the thin electrically resistive film heater has been formed within the fluid passage by steps of coating the interior of the passage with a metal powder, metal oxide powder, or metal salt in solution, suspension, or dispersion, and heating the passage to a temperature sufficient to reduce the deposited material to a thin metal film.
9. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the thin electrically resistive film heater has been formed within the fluid passage by steps of:
(a) coating the interior of the passage with a metal salt solution; and,
(b) heating the passage to a temperature sufficient to reduce the deposited material to a thin metal film.
10. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is located in an aerosol generator of an inhaler having a mouthpiece, the outlet of the passage directing volatilized fluid into the mouthpiece of the inhaler wherein an aerosol can be formed in the mouthpiece.
11. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply arranged to supply electrical current to the heater sufficient to resistively heat the heater and volatilize the fluid in the passage.
12. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 3, further comprising at least two vias filled with an electrically conductive material connecting electrical contacts on an exterior surface of the body to the heater within the interior of the fluid passage or to conductive elements in communication with the heater within the interior of the fluid passage.
13. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 1, wherein the heater is arranged to directly contact the fluid in the fluid passage or wherein the heater is coated with a material comprising glass, polymer, andor resin.
14. The fluid vaporizing device of claim 11, further comprising a controller operably connected to the power source to allow intermittent activation of the heater.
15. A method for generating a vaporized fluid, comprising the steps of:
(a) supplying fluid to a fluid passage, wherein a heater is arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage such that the volatilized fluid is directed to an outlet from which the volatilized fluid is ejected out of the fluid passage;
(b) heating the heater so as to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage; and
(c) directing the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage via the outlet;
wherein the heater comprises a tubular thin resistive film lining the fluid passage.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid passage comprises a passage in a body of an inhaler and the volatilized fluid is ejected through an opening in a surface of the body so as to form an aerosol to be inhaled.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid passage has a maximum cross sectional dimension of 0.01 to 10 mm and the fluid comprises a solution containing a medicated fluid.
18. A method of manufacturing a fluid vaporizing device comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a fluid passage in a body, the fluid passage having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; and,
(b) forming a tubular heater by depositing a thin resistive film inside said fluid passage such that the film lines all or part of the length of the passage;
the heater being operable to volatilize fluid in the passage by passing an electrical current through the film.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the depositing step comprises introducing a metal in solution, suspension, or dispersion in the flow passage and depositing metal on the interior of the passage.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the depositing step comprises introducing a solution containing a platinum salt into the fluid passage, depositing platinum and heating the deposited platinum.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of forming conductive contacts electrically connecting the exterior of the body to the interior of the passage; the contacts being operable to supply an electrical current to the heater and wherein the contacts may be formed before, after, or concurrently with the formation of the heater.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the depositing step comprises a process chosen from the group consisting of:
thermally decomposing a metal salt, deposited in the passage in solution, to a thin resistive metal film;
heating a metal powder deposited in the passage in suspension or emulsion;
reduction of a metal oxide deposited within the passage in a suspension or emulsion,
coating the passage with resistive ink;
electrolessly depositing of one or more layers of metal; and,
vapor depositing a metal by electrically heating a wire threaded through the passage.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the depositing step comprises:
(a) coating the interior of the passage with a layer of metal powder, salt, or oxide in solution, suspension, or dispersion; and,
(b) heating the layer to a temperature sufficient to convert the layer to a thin metal film.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein the depositing step comprises:
(a) coating the interior of the passage with a metal salt solution; and,
(b) heating the passage to a temperature sufficient to reduce the deposited material to a thin metal film.
25. A fluid vaporizing device made by the method of claim 18.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method by which a liquid material containing a thin film forming material is applied to a substrate to form a thin film in a prescribed region, the method comprising:
a step of subjecting the substrate to lyophobization;
a step of patterning an underlayer on a lyophobized surface of the substrate, the underlayer being more lyophilic to the liquid material than the lyophobized surface; and
a step of applying the liquid material to the underlayer and then drying it.
2. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of patterning the underlayer, the underlayer is formed by a dry method.
3. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein the underlayer is a layer comprising a metal oxide or a metal composite oxide.
4. The thin film forming method according to claim 3, wherein the metal oxide or the metal composite oxide is any of vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide, ruthenium oxide, aluminum oxide, nickel oxide, barium titanate, and strontium titanate.
5. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein the underlayer is a layer comprising an organic material insoluble in the liquid material.
6. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of patterning the underlayer, an edge of the underlayer is formed into a forward tapered shape.
7. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of patterning the underlayer, a pattern of the underlayer is formed in the same region of the thin film as the prescribed region.
8. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of patterning the underlayer, a pattern of the underlayer is formed on a conductive material partitioned with an insulating material.
9. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein the lyophobization is a vacuum plasma treatment including a fluorine-containing gas, an atmospheric pressure plasma treatment including a fluorine-containing gas, or a treatment comprising applying a lyophobic material to the substrate.
10. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein the step of applying the liquid material and drying it is repeated multiple times using the same liquid material.
11. The thin film forming method according to claim 1, wherein the step of applying the liquid material and drying it is repeated multiple times using different liquid materials.
12. A method for producing an organic electroluminescent device using the thin film forming method according to claim 1.
13. A method for producing a semiconductor device using the thin film forming method according to claim 1.
14. A method for producing an optical device using the thin film forming method according to claim 1.