Abstract: A steam generation system includes a silo, a heater, a material transfer system, and a heat exchanger. The silo is configured to receive granular material into the silo at an upper portion of the silo. The heater is arranged at or in the upper portion of the silo to heat the granular material received into the silo. The material transfer system is arranged to remove granular material exiting from a bottom of the silo. The heat exchanger is disposed in a lower portion of the silo and is arranged to contact granular material flowing downward inside the silo. The electricity for operating the heater may be generated by a renewable energy source such as a solar energy source or a wind energy source.

Abstract: Optical bridges including a bridge body configured to be mounted directly or indirectly onto a head-worn device and at least one rail operatively engaged with the bridge body, in which the at least one rail having a first end and a second end. The optical bridges also include a first stopblock located at or proximate to the first end and a second stopblock located at or proximate to the second end. The at least one rail has a first side portion located between the first stopblock and the bridge body and a second side portion located between the second stopblock and the bridge body. Systems including an optical bridge and one or more optical devices directly or indirectly releasably coupled to the optical bridge are also provided.

Abstract: Night vision refocus devices are provided, in which the night vision refocus devices include a housing comprising (i) a proximate end configured to couple to a lens frame (e.g., housing an objective lens) of a night vision device and a distal end, (ii) a faceplate operably connected to the housing, in which the faceplate includes a faceplate aperture, and (iii) an aperture-selection component (ASC) rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the faceplate. The ASC includes a plurality of individual refocusing-apertures (IFAs) including a first IFA having a first area and a second IFA having a second area, in which the first area is larger than the second area. The first IFA is aligned with the faceplate aperture when the ASC is oriented in a first position, and the second IFA is aligned with the faceplate aperture when the ASC is oriented in a second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a remote well servicing system including a control unit and a remote servicing manifold. The control unit further includes a service fluid source and a control system. The remote servicing manifold further includes a fluid input line coupled to the service fluid source, a fluid output line couplable to a well component, and a valve coupled to the fluid input line and the fluid output line, wherein the valve, when actuated, places the fluid input line in fluid communication with the fluid output line and permits delivery of a service fluid from the service fluid source to the well component. The remote servicing manifold also includes a control line coupling the valve and the control system wherein the control system controls actuation of the valve via the control line.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of replacing valve operation methods during fracturing operations including installing a first operator on a first valve of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes installing a second operator on a second valve of a second fracturing tree, the second fracturing tree being adjacent the first fracturing tree. The method also includes removing the first operator from the first valve, the first valve maintaining a position on the first fracturing tree after the first operator is removed. The method further includes removing the second operator from the second valve, the second valve maintaining a position on the second fracturing tree after the second operator is removed. The method also includes installing the first operator on the second valve after the first operator is removed from the first valve and after the second operator is removed from the second valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) having a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH. The MIFH also includes a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes a proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer overlying a first face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer overlying a second face of the polymer electrolyte membrane. At least one of the anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer includes a composite electrode layer that comprises a colloidal or soluble ionomer binder component, a catalyst dispersed along with the colloidal or soluble ionomer binder component, and insoluble ionomer nanofibers disseminated throughout a thickness of the composite electrode layer. The presence of the insoluble ionomer nanofibers within the composite electrode layer may enhance the voltage performance of the fuel cell, particularly at high current densities and/or low relative humidity operating conditions. A method of making a composite electrode layer for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) having a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH. The MIFH also includes a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) having a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH. The MIFH also includes a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of replacing valve operation methods during fracturing operations including installing a first operator on a first valve of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes installing a second operator on a second valve of a second fracturing tree, the second fracturing tree being adjacent the first fracturing tree. The method also includes removing the first operator from the first valve, the first valve maintaining a position on the first fracturing tree after the first operator is removed. The method further includes removing the second operator from the second valve, the second valve maintaining a position on the second fracturing tree after the second operator is removed. The method also includes installing the first operator on the second valve after the first operator is removed from the first valve and after the second operator is removed from the second valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) having a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH. The MIFH also includes a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a remote well servicing system including a control unit and a remote servicing manifold. The control unit further includes a service fluid source and a control system. The remote servicing manifold further includes a fluid input line coupled to the service fluid source, a fluid output line couplable to a well component, and a valve coupled to the fluid input line and the fluid output line, wherein the valve, when actuated, places the fluid input line in fluid communication with the fluid output line and permits delivery of a service fluid from the service fluid source to the well component. The remote servicing manifold also includes a control line coupling the valve and the control system wherein the control system controls actuation of the valve via the control line.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the generation of steam via the use of a combustion process to produce heat and, in one embodiment, to a device, system and/or method that enables one to control one or more process parameters of a combustion process so as to yield at least one desirable change in at least one downstream parameter. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to measuring or determining at least one process parameter of a combustion system and using the information obtained from same to control at least one component of the combustion system.

Abstract: A hinge comprising a first plate having at least one first cylindrical member provided on an end thereof is set forth. A second plate having at least one second cylindrical member provided on an end thereof is provided. A pin is provided through the at least one first cylindrical member and the at least one second cylindrical member for rotatably connecting the first plate to the second plate. At least one stop is formed on the exterior of the at least one first cylindrical member for limiting rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.

Abstract: A system for analyzing the quality of combustion in the vicinity of the over fire zone of a combustion system includes at least one lens assembly mounted to a wall of the combustion system in the vicinity of the over fire zone. One or more photo-detectors are used to measure the intensity of light emitted in the over fire zone. A data acquisition system is connected to the photo-detector assembly via a communication link and includes an analog-to-digital converter and data buffering device for converting the light signals to digital signals. A computer analyzes the digital signals with linear and nonlinear signal analysis techniques.

Abstract: Methods for cyclone boiler flame diagnostics and control, including methods for monitoring the operating state of a cyclone furnace using linear and nonlinear signal analysis techniques, including temporal irreversibility and symbol sequence. Adjustments may be made in the air flow distribution to optimize performance. Signals for the main flame and lighter scanners are relatively independent, thereby allowing for independent control of the primary air flow to the burner and secondary air flow to the barrel.

Abstract: A method for forming images including a) depositing an electrostatic latent image on a charge retentive surface of a photoreceptor member having a substrate; a charge transport layer with charge transport materials; and an overcoat layer positioned on the charge transport layer, wherein the overcoat layer includes a crosslinkable alcohol-soluble polyamide; and wherein the overcoat layer further includes additives having titanium dioxide, silica, a crosslinking agent, a deletion control agent, and a charge transport molecule; and b) applying a developer material via a development component to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge-retentive surface, wherein the developer material comprises emulsion aggregation toner, and further wherein at least one of the additives create a texturized surface on the charge retentive surface thereby reducing the contact area between the emulsion aggregation toners and the charge retentive surface enabling

Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus, which uses symbol sequence techniques, temporal irreversibility, and/or cluster analysis to monitor the operating state of individual burner flames on a appropriate time scale. Both the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used optimize the performance of burner flames.

Abstract: Methods for cyclone boiler flame diagnostics and control, including methods for monitoring the operating state of a cyclone furnace using linear and nonlinear signal analysis techniques, including temporal irreversibility and symbol sequence. Adjustments may be made in the air flow distribution to optimize performance. Signals for the main flame and lighter scanners are relatively independent, thereby allowing for independent control of the primary air flow to the burner and secondary air flow to the barrel.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum or SO3 is provided. A process for preparing proton exchange membranes and fuel cells comprising the proton exchange membrane are also provided.