Abstract: A bridge rope assembly includes a main body comprising a rope that has a first end and a second end. The rope has a splice therein to form an eye loop in the main body. The eye loop is configured to engage a first bridge loop of a harness. The main body comprises a first portion including the first end and a second portion including the second end. The first portion extends through the second portion of the main body such that the first end is positioned adjacent to the second end. A distance between the first and second ends is less than 2.0 inches.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: A jam free dual redundant actuator lane changer system includes a primary lane system and a secondary lane system. The primary lane system is configured to provide actuation of a component during a normal operation while the secondary lane system remains in a standby configuration; and the secondary lane system is configured to provide an actuation of the component when the primary lane system fails or jams, but freed from its output to the component.

Abstract: A jam free dual redundant actuator lane changer system includes a primary lane system and a secondary lane system. The primary lane system is configured to provide actuation of a component during a normal operation while the secondary lane system remains in a standby configuration; and the secondary lane system is configured to provide an actuation of the component when the primary lane system fails or jams, but freed from its output to the component.

Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, dynamic filtration is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.

Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via a filtration assembly. The filtration assembly has a least a filtration unit employing at least a membrane for separating heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones and a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for providing at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the deasphalted oil, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones which operates at a temperature within 20° F. and a pressure within 10 psi of the pressure in the contacting zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroprocessing a heavy oil feedstock, the system employs a plurality of contacting zones and separation zones and a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for providing at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the deasphalted oil, forming upgraded products of lower boiling hydrocarbons. In the separation zones which operates at a temperature within 20° F. and a pressure within 10 psi of the pressure in the contacting zones, upgraded products are removed overhead and optionally, further treated in an in-line hydrotreater.

Abstract: A pipe connection includes a threaded pin and a threaded box for securely forming a metal-to-metal seal. The pin includes an elongated thread section forming threads that are oriented with angled front and rear faces. The pin also includes a sealing surface for direct engagement with an interior surface of the box, preventing the exacerbation of corrosion of the threads.

Abstract: Distillate fuel is stabilized against degradation during storage by inserting into storage tanks solid materials containing polar sites to enable polar condensation of the fuel constituents active in degradation. Polyether or polyester polyurethane open cell foams are the prime solid stabilizers proposed.