Abstract: A method of optimizing the efficiency of an AC-DC converter, wherein the energy extraction time from the AC line is increased and as result the size of the bulk capacitor can be decreased and in applications wherein the size of the bulk capacitor is maintained constant the ripple across the bulk capacitor is decreased. The methods presented also increase the power factor in AC-DC converters. Extending the energy extraction from the AC line also lowers the RMS current through the input bridge and the input bulk capacitor. The reduction of the ripple across the bulk capacitor also increases the efficiency of the DC-DC converter, increasing in this way the overall efficiency of the AC-DC converter.

Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.

Abstract: A more robust packaging structure for maintaining the integrity of compressible biologically active materials during storage and especially during transportation is provided. These containers protect the materials from shock, vibration, deformation, or separation from agitation. The compressible materials may be in the form of synthetic fibers, and may include a composite of fibers and beads or granules. Suitable materials that may benefit from such a robust packaging structure include synthetic materials that comprise a biologically active ceramic or glass.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, has a carrier disposed on the tool between the opposing cones. Slips are disposed adjacent to the tool between the carrier and the cones. One arrangement has a proximal end of each slip connected by a linkage configured to articulate the proximal end relative to the carrier, while a distal end of each slip is configured to engage the cone opposed thereto. The linkage can be a linkage hingedly connected between the slip's proximal end and the carrier. Alternatively, the linkage can be a leaf spring flexibly connected between the slip's proximal end and the carrier. Another arrangement has linkages hingedly connected to the carrier and hingedly connected toward opposing ends of each slip. The linkages articulate the slip relative to the carrier while the ends of the slip engage the opposing cones.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the efficiency of an AC-DC converter, wherein the energy extraction time from the AC line is increased and as result the size of the bulk capacitor can be decreased and in applications wherein the size of the bulk capacitor is maintained constant the ripple across the bulk capacitor is decreased. The methods presented also increase the power factor in AC-DC converters. Extending the energy extraction from the AC line also lowers the RMS current through the input bridge and the input bulk capacitor. The reduction of the ripple across the bulk capacitor also increases the efficiency of the DC-DC converter, increasing in this way the overall efficiency of the AC-DC converter.

Abstract: Provided is a mixed polyhalide initial electrolyte for a static zinc halide battery. Also provided is a method for fabricating a static battery cell comprising the steps of: providing an initial electrolyte comprising one or more source for chloride ions and one or more source for bromide ions, wherein the one or more source for chloride ions and the one or more source for bromide ions are provided in a predetermined ratio selected to yield a target amount of mixed polyhalide upon charge of the initial electrolyte; and forming an electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode and the initial electrolyte.

Abstract: Present embodiments include a control system for one or more battery cells. The control system includes a bi-stable relay configured to switch a state of the bi-stable relay upon receiving a control signal to electrically connect or electrically disconnect the one or more battery cells to a bus and to remain in the state after receiving the control signal. The control system includes a controller configured to be operatively coupled to the bi-stable relay and configured to send the control signal indicative of instructions to control operation of the bi-stable relay based on the state.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing biocarbon pellets, comprising: pyrolyzing a biomass-containing feedstock in a first pyrolysis reactor to generate a first biogenic reagent and a pyrolysis vapor; introducing the pyrolysis vapor to a separation unit, to generate a pyrolysis precipitate in liquid or solid form; contacting the first biogenic reagent with the pyrolysis precipitate, thereby generating an intermediate material; pelletizing the intermediate material, to generate intermediate pellets; optionally, drying the intermediate pellets; separately pyrolyzing the intermediate pellets in a second pyrolysis reactor to generate a second biogenic reagent and a pyrolysis off-gas; and recovering the second biogenic reagent as biocarbon pellets. Some variations provide a similar process that utilizes a carbon-containing condensed-matter material, which is not necessarily a pyrolysis precipitate.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a choke with a flow restrictor having at least two positions, a flow coefficient Cv of the choke with the flow restrictor in one position being less than with the flow restrictor in the other position, and an operational device that displaces the flow restrictor at a variable actuation rate, the actuation rate with the flow restrictor in one position being less than with the flow restrictor in the other position. A method can include displacing a flow restrictor, thereby decreasing a flow coefficient Cv of a choke, and decreasing a rate of change of the flow coefficient Cv in response to decreasing the flow coefficient Cv. A drilling system can include a choke with a flow restrictor, and a continuously variable transmission which causes an actuation rate to vary based on a position of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: An electrical system having a battery system and a control system. The battery system may include a first switching device, a first battery electrically coupled in series with the first switching device, a second battery electrically coupled in parallel with the first switching device and the first battery when the first switching device is in a closed position, and a second switching device coupled in series with a load. The control system may perform diagnostics on the battery system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a battery module having a housing and a stack of battery cells disposed in the housing. Each battery cell has a battery cell terminal and a battery cell vent on an end of each battery cell, and the battery cell vent is configured to exhaust effluent into the housing. The battery module has a vent shield plate disposed in the housing and directly along an immediate vent path of the effluent, a first surface of the vent shield plate configured to direct the effluent to an opening between the shield plate and the housing, and a second surface of the vent shield plate opposite the first surface. The battery module also has a venting chamber coupled to the opening and at least partially defined by the second surface and a vent configured to direct the effluent out of the battery module.

Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for handling a tubular includes a housing; a plurality of gripping members for gripping the tubular; a first fluid line for opening the gripping members, the first fluid line having a one-way valve; and second fluid line for closing the gripping members. The tubular gripping assembly also includes an indicator assembly attached to the housing. The indicator assembly has an indicator movable relative to the housing. The indicator assembly also includes a sensor valve configured to open the check valve for fluid communication through the first fluid line in response to relative axial movement between the indicator and the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a first prime mover, a transmission, a power take-off (PTO), a lubrication system for the transmission and the PTO, and a control system. The transmission is powered by the first prime mover. The transmission is configured to rotate a drive shaft of the vehicle. The PTO is connected to the transmission at a first interface. The PTO includes the first interface and a second interface. The control system is configured to control fluid flow through the lubrication system for at least one mode where the input section of the PTO is stationary and the output section rotates.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Abstract: A packer assembly includes a packer mandrel and a packing element disposed about the packer mandrel. An upper recovery sleeve is disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and an upper end of the packing element, and a lower recovery sleeve is disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and a lower end of the packing element. An upper backup assembly is movably disposed about the upper recovery sleeve and adjacent to the upper end of the packing element. A lower backup assembly is movably disposed about the lower recovery sleeve. The lower backup assembly has a lower backup ring assembly configured to enclose an outer surface of the lower end of the packing element. A retrieval sleeve is selectively movable relative to the lower backup ring assembly and configured to at least partially retract the lower backup ring assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen product having a low carbon intensity is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to a hydrogen product using a hydrocarbon reforming process; (b) providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and (c) processing one or more flue gas streams from the biomass power plant in a carbon capture unit to reduce CO2e emissions. The hydrogen product has a carbon intensity preferably less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, more preferably less than 0.45 kg CO2e/kg H2, and most preferably less than 0.0 kg CO2e/kg H2.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen product having a low carbon intensity is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to a hydrogen product using a hydrocarbon reforming process; (b) providing at least some of the required energy for the hydrogen production process from a biomass power plant; and (c) processing one or more flue gas streams from the biomass power plant in a carbon capture unit to reduce CO2e emissions. The hydrogen product has a carbon intensity preferably less than about 1.0 kg CO2e/kg H2, more preferably less than 0.45 kg CO2e/kg H2, and most preferably less than 0.0 kg CO2e/kg H2.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for communicating notifications and other textual data associated with applications installed on an electronic device. According to certain aspects, a user can interface with an input device to send (218) a wake up trigger to the electronic device. The electronic device retrieves (222) application notifications and converts (288) the application notifications to audio data. The electronic device also sends (230) the audio data to an audio output device for annunciation (232). The user may also use the input device to send (242) a request to the electronic device to activate the display screen. The electronic device identifies (248) an application corresponding to an annunciated notification, and activates (254) the display screen and initiates the application.