Abstract: Described herein are methods and system that use electromagnetic heating to heat wellbores and the fluids therein. The heating is achieved by placing one or more permanent magnets in the wellbore and moving a metallic component and/or the one or more permanent magnets relative to each other. This generates eddy currents in the metallic component, which heat the metallic component. This heat is transferred to the fluids in the wellbore from the metallic component by convection. In some embodiments, permanent magnets are installed in the tubing to induce eddy current heating in a well by converting the linear motion of a sucker rod to rotary motion of a conducting tube using a lead or ball screw. The heater may directly integrate with existing pump jack equipment with little or no additional infrastructure required.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and system that use electromagnetic heating to heat wellbores and the fluids therein. The heating is achieved by placing one or more permanent magnets in the wellbore and moving a metallic component and/or the one or more permanent magnets relative to each other. This generates eddy currents in the metallic component, which heat the metallic component. This heat is transferred to the fluids in the wellbore from the metallic component by convection. In some embodiments, permanent magnets are installed in the tubing to induce eddy current heating in a well by converting the linear motion of a sucker rod to rotary motion of a conducting tube using a lead or ball screw. The heater may directly integrate with existing pump jack equipment with little or no additional infrastructure required.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and system for welding, for example, girders. The method may include activating a homopolar generator. The method may include applying a force to two metal girders at a desired coupling joint. The method may include generating an electrical pulse using the homopolar generator and conducting the electrical pulse to the desired coupling joint to increase a temperature of the girders. The method may include forming a weld at the desired coupling joint attaching the two metal girders at the desired coupling joint. In some embodiments, the homopolar generator may include a radial bearing rotor including a rotatable shaft and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly may include nonmagnetic bearings. The homopolar generator may include a field coil. The homopolar generator may include a brush actuation mechanism which when activated engages a plurality of brush devices to the radial bearing rotor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system having a reaction mass with a field winding embedded therein, a base plate having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, and an armature winding coupled to at least a portion of the inner annular surface and at least a portion of the outer annular surface of an upper end portion of the base plate. In operation, directing an electric current in at least one of the field winding and the armature winding causes at least one of the base plate and the reaction mass to move relative to each other. The electromagnetic system can be used for seismic exploration and vibroseis applications, among other uses.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an electromagnetic system that can be used to replace the traditional hydraulic oil systems that actuate mass movement. The embodiments described herein provide wide frequency range operation, ground force application with high fidelity, and low environmental impact. Embodiments described herein can be used for seismic exploration and vibroseis applications, among other uses.