Abstract: A system and method are described to determine a pump intake pressure in a petroleum producing well. The system includes a controller at a well site of the petroleum producing well, a system of valves connected to pipes collecting the well casing gas produced from a casing annulus of the producing well. The valves are controlled by the controller and a pressure sensor measures the pressure of the well casing gas in the casing annulus. The system determines a well casing gas flow rate by measuring a build-up pressure of the well casing gas in a casing annulus when a valve from the casing annulus is closed. A fluid level in the casing of the well is determined using a pressure wave created in the well casing gas using the controller and the one or more valves. A fluid gradient correction factor is found using an actual fluid level in the casing. The controller then calculates the pressure using the gas flow rate, the fluid level and the fluid gradient correction factor.

Abstract: A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. A bypass that extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake may also be included.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of sorbent compositions, sorbent compositions and methods for using the sorbent compositions. The methods include the utilization of an acidic halogen solution as a source of a halogen species that is dispersed on a solid sorbent. The use of the acidic halogen solution results in a highly active halogen species that demonstrates improved efficacy for the removal of heavy metal(s) from a flue gas. The sorbent composition includes a substantially amorphous halogen species associated with a solid sorbent such as powdered activated carbon (PAC).

Abstract: Cross Seal Devices and related methods are provided. A cross seal device for forming ends of packages being formed in a packaging forming system can include an anvil configured to extend transverse to a product pathway of a packaging forming system along which top and bottom sheet materials travel. The cross seal device can also include a track positioned above the anvil transverse to the product pathway. Further, the cross seal device can include a carriage configured to operate along the track. The carriage can include one or more rollers configured to engage the anvil to form a pressure contact between the anvil and the roller so that the top and bottom sheet materials are joined together.

Abstract: An electrical connector body is provided includes first and second housing portions formed from molded plastic. The housing portions include first and second interface surfaces that are configured to butt against one another to define a housing and one or more electrical components are disposed within an interior of the housing. The one or more electrical components may comprise connectors of a male or female cord cap, an in-line surge suppression circuit, and/or a compact automatic transfer switch. In one implementation, each of the first and second connector body portions may include a strain relief extension for engaging an electrical cord and a compression member (3691) may be disposed over the strain relief extensions to secure together the first and second connector body portions. The compression member may be selected from a set of compression members based on a size of the electrical cord.

Abstract: Systems and method are described herein for determining scheduling of electrical power system loads and generation resources. A load scheduling module determines load scheduling characteristics of the electrical power system loads and the generation resources based on power system constraints including power system flow, voltage constraints associated with each electrical system loads or each generation resource, or energy storage capacity of an energy storage device coupled to at least one of the electrical power system loads or the generation resources. The load scheduling module initiates a first signal that curtails power of a subset of the electrical power system loads based on the load scheduling characteristics. The load scheduling module initiates a second signal that adjusts power of at least a portion of remaining loads of the electrical power system loads to accommodate for the subset of the plurality of the electrical power system loads having curtailed power.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supplying fuel, enabling communications, and conveying electric power associated with operation of a hydraulic fracturing unit of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are disclosed and may include a fuel line connection assembly configured to be connected to the first hydraulic fracturing unit and to supply fuel from a fuel source to a gas turbine engine connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit. A system also may include a communications cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to enable data communications between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a data center or another hydraulic fracturing unit. A system further may include a power cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to convey electric power between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a remote electrical power source or the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.

Abstract: Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

Abstract: Radiation detectors and methods of using the radiation detectors that provide a route for surface decontamination during use are described. The detectors utilize light illumination of an internal surface during use. Light is in the longer UV-to-near-infrared spectra and desorbs contamination from internal surfaces of radiation detectors. The methods can be carried out while the detectors are in operation, preventing the appearance of the negative effects of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination during a detection regime and following a detection regime.

Abstract: A testing assembly for the rapid detection of a desired chemical from a sample, the testing assembly having a sample collection device for obtaining the sample and depositing the sample into a chemical capture cartridge that operably engages with a sensing device, the chemical capture cartridge utilizing the microdiffusion of reagents to isolate the desired chemical from the sample and react the desired chemical to form a detectible complex that can be detected and measured. The testing assembly can be portable and can rapidly diagnose a toxic industrial chemical exposure in just a few minutes, preferably about a minute or less for cyanide exposure using a blood sample from a subject onsite. The testing assembly can be used to determine the presence and/or concentration of a toxic industrial chemical in a variety of samples, including biological, environmental, and industrial samples.

Abstract: A tool for lifting, rotating, and/or manipulating tubulars comprises an inserting head positioned at the end of a shaft acting as a handle. The insertion head comprises a conical shape defined by smaller-diameter end cap, a larger-diameter rear cap, and frame bars connecting the two. On the frame bars are mounted rails along the angle of the conical shape, and slips having a negative angle corresponding to the conical angle of the rails. In use, the head is inserted into a tubular, which abuts a flared portion of the slips and pushes them back along the rails, until the slips make contact with the inner diameter of the tubular, enabling it to be pushed around and lifted.

Abstract: A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion system includes hubs that are rotatable with respect to a hub carrier and support one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and a track orientation control mechanism (“TOCM”) for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions. Each ECP has opposed surfaces and leading and trailing edges and may have one or more lips projecting from one of the opposed surfaces, wherein the one or more lips comprise at least an inboard end lip extending transversely from an inboard end of the plate. Articulation of each ECP is controlled by a follower within a track that is rotatable with respect to the hub carrier, and service lines pass through a chase or bore passing through the hub carrier to bring power and/or control signals to the TOCM for effecting controlled, powered rotation of the track.

Abstract: Described herein are electrospun nanofiber structures and compositions configured to serve as TNT-based platforms for the delivery of an agent or cargo, such as genetic material. The structures can include a conductive nanofiber comprising a shell electrospun from an insulating polymer, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of nanochannels therethrough, a conductive element, and an agent contained within the shell. The conductive nanofiber can be configured to deliver the agent when exposed to an electric field. The agent can include a therapeutic agent, a prophylactic agent, or a diagnostic agent.

Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for removing reactive carbonyl monomers which can polymerize to produce red oil. In an embodiment the method may include cracking a hydrocarbon stream in a fluidized catalytic cracker to produce a cracked hydrocarbon stream comprising carbonyl compounds; separating hydrocarbon components from the cracked hydrocarbon stream in a debutanizer column to form a debutanizer overhead LPG stream comprising the carbonyl compounds; introducing the debutanizer LPG overhead stream into a carbonyl removal unit comprising a metal bisulfite bed; reacting the carbonyl compounds in the debutanizer overhead LPG stream to form a carbonyl adduct with the metal bisulfite; and withdrawing a first LPG product stream from the carbonyl removal unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly is provided. In some embodiments, an example surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument configured to pass through a guide tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical instrument can include one or more arms configured to extend from the intermediate position, each arm having one or more joints positioned along the arm and an end effector attached at the distal end of each arm. The surgical instrument assembly can include a control assembly positioned at the proximal end and configured to control the movement of the joints and the end effectors.

Abstract: A decoder includes circuitry configured to receive a bitstream, extract a header associated with a current frame and including a signal characterizing that global motion is enabled and further characterizing parameters of a global motion model, and decoding the current frame, the decoding including using a motion model for each current block having a complexity that is less than or equal to a complexity of the global motion model. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A system, as well as associated methods, for increasing the efficiency of a gas turbine including an inlet assembly and a compressor may include a housing configured to channel airstream towards the inlet assembly, an air treatment module positioned at a proximal end the housing, and at least one air conditioning module mounted downstream of the air treatment module for adjusting the temperature of the airstream entering the compressor. The air treatment module may include a plurality of inlet air filters and at least one blower configured to pressurize the air entering the air treatment module.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for a modular communication middleware for data retrieval and presentation. An agent device includes a customer service application and a customer service database. An external telephony system and an application system are provided. The application system includes a data storage and a query component coupleable to the external telephony system. The query component may receive an incoming call from the external telephony system and query the data storage for additional information based at least in part upon the received incoming call. A user interface component may selectively transmit match information to the customer service application for presentation to a user of the customer service application based at least in part upon a result of the query to the data storage.

Abstract: A decoder includes circuitry configured to receive a bitstream; construct, for a current block, a motion vector candidate list including adding a global motion vector candidate to the motion vector candidate list; and reconstruct pixel data of the current block and using the motion vector candidate list. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.