Abstract: A method is described for producing a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate in which one or more activated pneumococcal polysaccharides of particular pneumococcal serotypes and carrier protein are separately lyophilized, the separately lyophilized polysaccharides and carrier protein are separately reconstituted in an organic solvent, and the reconstituted polysaccharide and carrier protein are then combined together by Tee-mixing and conjugated together to produce polysaccharide carrier protein conjugates. A plurality of conjugates, each comprising polysaccharides of a particular serotype, may be used to produce multivalent pneumococcal immunogenic compositions having a combination of conjugates for use in vaccines.

Abstract: An after-fan system for a gas turbine engine includes a variable pitch fan exit guide vane array. An after-fan turbine downstream of the variable pitch fan exit guide vane array and a control operable to vary a pitch of the variable fan exit guide vane array. A method of generating thrust for a gas turbine engine includes rotating a fan section with an array of fan blades; rotating an after-fan turbine downstream of the fan section; and varying a pitch of a variable fan exit guide vane array downstream of the fan section and upstream of the after-fan turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for consumption of at least one compound from a fluid are disclosed. A method, comprising: providing processed algae for subsequent use in accelerated consumption of at least one compound from a fluid to be treated by exposing algae to a processing fluid depleted in the at least one compound to be consumed by the algae in a processing vessel; adding said processed algae to a contact receptacle containing said fluid to be treated to reduce a concentration of said at least one compound from said fluid to be treated; and recirculating at least a portion of said algae and said processing fluid from said contact receptacle to said processing vessel. This makes the processed algae better adapted to reduce the amount or concentration of the at least one compound within the fluid more quickly than is possible with unprocessed algae.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig with a self-elevating drill floor. The drilling rig may have one or more jacking systems that may operate to raise the drill floor. The one or more jacking systems may raise the drill floor to a height sufficient to accommodate a substructure such as a substructure box. A substructure box may be placed, and the one or more jacking systems may lower the drill floor onto the substructure box. Substructure boxes may be placed beneath the drill floor, using the one or more jacking systems, until a desired drill floor height is reached. In some embodiments, the one or more jacking systems may additionally operate to move the drilling rig, for example between adjacent wells on a pad drilling site. The jacking systems may operate to move the drilling rig using walking feet or another mechanism.

Abstract: A method releases rotor poles of a large electrical machine from the rotor hub, which in the fitted state is located within the stator. In one method step, at least one device is introduced into the air gap between the sector and a rotor pole to be released. The device has a carrier plate and at least one cushion that can be filled with gas and is attached to the carrier plate. In a following method step, the cushions belonging to the device are filled with gas under pressure, the pressure being successively increased until the pole to be released has come away, and in that, in a following method step, the at least one device is removed from the air gap. In a further step, the released pole is pulled out of the rotor hub.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig with a self-elevating drill floor. The drilling rig may have one or more jacking systems that may operate to raise the drill floor. The one or more jacking systems may raise the drill floor to a height sufficient to accommodate a substructure such as a substructure box. A substructure box may be placed, and the one or more jacking systems may lower the drill floor onto the substructure box. Substructure boxes may be placed beneath the drill floor, using the one or more jacking systems, until a desired drill floor height is reached. In some embodiments, the one or more jacking systems may additionally operate to move the drilling rig, for example between adjacent wells on a pad drilling site. The jacking systems may operate to move the drilling rig using walking feet or another mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a wavelength-dependent optical characteristic of an optical system has a light-pattern generation device which generates a pattern of polychromatic light in an object plane. Together with the optical system, a measuring optical unit images the object plane on a spatially resolving light sensor. A dispersive optical element is arranged in a light path between the optical system and the light sensor in such a way that a plurality of images of the pattern with different wavelengths are generated simultaneously on the light sensor. The evaluation device determines the wavelength-dependent characteristic of the optical system from the plurality of images on the light sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig with a self-elevating drill floor. The drilling rig may have one or more jacking systems that may operate to raise the drill floor. The one or more jacking systems may raise the drill floor to a height sufficient to accommodate a substructure such as a substructure box. A substructure box may be placed, and the one or more jacking systems may lower the drill floor onto the substructure box. Substructure boxes may be placed beneath the drill floor, using the one or more jacking systems, until a desired drill floor height is reached. In some embodiments, the one or more jacking systems may additionally operate to move the drilling rig, for example between adjacent wells on a pad drilling site. The jacking systems may operate the move the drilling rig using walking feet or another movement mechanism.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for validating a manufacturing tolerance of a structure. A method includes receiving a digital image of a cross-section of the structure at an interface of a computing device, identifying an outer boundary of the structure from the digital image, selecting a region of the outer boundary based on changes in a first derivative or a second derivative of points of the outer boundary, identifying a geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary by comparison to stored templates of geometry features of the structure, making a comparison of the geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary to a manufacturing specification for a corresponding portion of the structure, and determining whether the structure is within a manufacturing tolerance based on the comparison of the geometry feature to the manufacturing specification.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for validating a manufacturing tolerance of a structure. A method includes receiving a digital image of a cross-section of the structure at an interface of a computing device, identifying an outer boundary of the structure from the digital image, selecting a region of the outer boundary based on changes in a first derivative or a second derivative of points of the outer boundary, identifying a geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary by comparison to stored templates of geometry features of the structure, making a comparison of the geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary to a manufacturing specification for a corresponding portion of the structure, and determining whether the structure is within a manufacturing tolerance based on the comparison of the geometry feature to the manufacturing specification.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig with a self-elevating drill floor. The drilling rig may have one or more jacking systems that may operate to raise the drill floor. The one or more jacking systems may raise the drill floor to a height sufficient to accommodate a substructure such as a substructure box. A substructure box may be placed, and the one or more jacking systems may lower the drill floor onto the substructure box. Substructure boxes may be placed beneath the drill floor, using the one or more jacking systems, until a desired drill floor height is reached. In some embodiments, the one or more jacking systems may additionally operate to move the drilling rig, for example between adjacent wells on a pad drilling site. The jacking systems may operate the move the drilling rig using walking feet or another movement mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a wavelength-dependent optical characteristic of an optical system has a light-pattern generation device which generates a pattern of polychromatic light in an object plane. Together with the optical system, a measuring optical unit images the object plane on a spatially resolving light sensor. A dispersive optical element is arranged in a light path between the optical system and the light sensor in such a way that a plurality of images of the pattern with different wavelengths are generated simultaneously on the light sensor. The evaluation device determines the wavelength-dependent characteristic of the optical system from the plurality of images on the light sensor.

Abstract: A method releases rotor poles of a large electrical machine from the rotor hub, which in the fitted state is located within the stator. In one method step, at least one device is introduced into the air gap between the sector and a rotor pole to be released. The device has a carrier plate and at least one cushion that can be filled with gas and is attached to the carrier plate. In a following method step, the cushions belonging to the device are filled with gas under pressure, the pressure being successively increased until the pole to be released has come away, and in that, in a following method step, the at least one device is removed from the air gap. In a further step, the released pole is pulled out of the rotor hub.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for moving connection equipment on a drilling rig is disclosed. The positioning apparatus includes a piston and cylinder having a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod. The piston and piston rod are moveable relative to the cylinder (601)from a retracted position to an extended position. The positioning apparatus further includes a transfer barrier linked to the piston and cylinder for setting a maximum extension of said piston rod.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an impact absorbing “diving board,” or access platform, of a drilling rig “fingerboard,” or pipe racking assembly. One illustrative diving board assembly of a drilling rig fingerboard assembly disclosed herein includes a first end proximate the drilling rig and a second end positioned remote from the first end, where the first end is more proximal to the drilling rig than the second end. The illustrative diving board assembly further includes a clamping assembly operatively coupled to the first end and to the second end, where the clamping assembly is positioned between the first and second ends and defines a pinned connection adapted to permit a rotation of the first and second ends relative to a plane defined by the fingerboard assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring pipe (including tubulars such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) or stands of pipe from one location to another in a wellbore derrick, e.g. from a fingerboard to a well center.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an impact absorbing “diving board,” or access platform, of a drilling rig “fingerboard,” or pipe racking assembly. One illustrative diving board assembly of a drilling rig fingerboard assembly disclosed herein includes a first end proximate the drilling rig and a second end positioned remote from the first end, where the first end is more proximal to the drilling rig than the second end. The illustrative diving board assembly further includes a clamping assembly operatively coupled to the first end and to the second end, where the clamping assembly is positioned between the first and second ends and defines a pinned connection adapted to permit a rotation of the first and second ends relative to a plane defined by the fingerboard assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring pipe (including tubulars such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) or stands of pipe from one location to another in a wellbore derrick, e.g. from a fingerboard to a well center.

Abstract: Extension systems for iron roughnecks are provided. These systems are equipment apparatuses and extendable/retractable supports for devices used for connecting and disconnecting tubular members (e.g. casing, tubing, pipe, or drill pipe) on drill rigs. The systems in particular relate to iron roughnecks, and methods of moving them on a drilling rig.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for dispensing ice that includes a housing having an inlet opening for introducing uncomminuted pieces of ice into the housing and an outlet opening for dispensing at least one of the uncomminuted pieces of ice or comminuted pieces of ice from the housing. The ice dispenser further includes an ice comminution device including a rotatable shaft supporting a blade arrangement and a counterblade arrangement operable to rotate along with the rotatable shaft, and a locking device, wherein based on a position of the locking device, the counterblade arrangement is operated to rotate along with the shaft or to be fixed with the housing. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one counterblade of the counterblade arrangement includes a catch for engaging with a counter-catch of the locking device. As such, an undesired release of the counter blade for the locking means may be prevented.