Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are described herein for generating proxy reflectivity data associated with lightning activity. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity for one or more geographical areas. The computing device determines the logarithmic scale of the combined in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flash rate (dBR) for one or more grids of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device generates proxy reflectivity data based on the dBR of the grids.

Abstract: A method and system for proactive network maintenance (PNM)-based onsite or remote evaluation of craft skills is provided. The method can be used in stand-alone manner or in conjunction with a local broadband services provider that uses PNM technology, and may be used to evaluate student or technician craft skills, as well as to develop a detailed catalog of craft flaws in order to facilitate better training and also facilitate better troubleshooting of actual network impairments.

Abstract: The present invention includes a seed, a plant, a protoplast, a hybrid and methods of making the same of a cotton cultivar recombinantly modified overexpresses at least one of AtRAV1, AtRAV2 to confer longer fibers to transgenic cotton plants under drought conditions without an effect on yield.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an optical imaging system with a housing configured for mounting to a wall of the turbine engine, a hollow probe extending from the housing and having a longitudinal axis, and an image receiving device at an end of the hollow probe configured to receive at least one of a perspective or image.

Abstract: A turbine engine assembly including a turbine core and a cryogenic fuel system. The turbine core includes: a compressor section; a combustion section; and a turbine section, which are axially aligned. The a cryogenic fuel system includes: a cryogenic fuel reservoir; a vaporizer heat exchanger; a liquid supply line operably coupling the fuel reservoir to an input of the vaporizer heat exchanger; a gas supply line operably coupling an output of the vaporizer heat exchanger to the combustion section; and a second heat exchanger thermally connecting the liquid supply line and the gas supply line to transfer heat from the gas supply line to the liquid supply line.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for identifying individual branch circuits coupled to a power distribution point. A sensor module positioned in proximity to the power distribution point and having a plurality of magnetic field sensors senses a magnetic field emitted by each of a plurality of branch circuits coupled to the power distribution point. A processor coupled to the sensor module determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to each of a plurality of changes in power associated with at least one of the plurality of branch circuits. The processor positions the responses of the magnetic field sensors to each change in power on a point in a multidimensional space, where each dimension of the multidimensional space corresponds to a magnetic field sensor. The processor identifies clusters of the points in the multidimensional space, each cluster representing a different branch circuit and having a different vector direction.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems, including computer program products, for determining a load control schedule for energy control devices using a load shifting optimization model and applying the load control schedule to adjust the energy control devices. A server receives thermodynamic models, energy price data and energy load forecast data. The server generates price probability distribution curves based upon the price data and load probability distribution curves based upon the load forecast data. The server executes a load shifting optimization model to determine a profit probability distribution curve for demand response decision rules. The server determines a profit curve that has an optimal profit value. The server generates a load control schedule based upon the optimal profit curve and generates operational parameters for energy control devices using the load control schedule. The server transmits the operational parameters to the energy control devices to adjust operational parameters.

Abstract: A blowout preventer for sealing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, at least one ram slidably positionable in the housing (each of the rams having a ram block for sealing engagement about the tubular), an actuator for selectively driving the ram block (the actuator comprising a piston slidably positionable in a cylinder), and a monitor for detecting the piston therein. The monitor has a visual indicator on an exterior of the cylinder. The visual indicator is operatively coupled to the piston for displaying a position of the piston as the piston travels within the cylinder whereby a position of the ram may be determined.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for remote sensing to derive a calibrated power measurement for a power distribution point. Magnetic field sensors of a sensor module sense a magnetic field emitted by the power distribution point. A first processor generates an uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor, the uncalibrated power measurement derived from the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor and a voltage carried by the power distribution point. A second processor determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to a known power load being drawn through the power distribution point. The second processor derives a transfer function using the response of each magnetic field sensor to the known power load. The second processor applies the transfer function to the uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor to generate the calibrated power measurement for the power distribution point.

Abstract: A main body housing includes a main body port. An O-ring sleeve is contained in the housing. The O-ring sleeve includes an O-ring sleeve port and O-rings mounted on either side of the O-ring sleeve port. The O-ring sleeve is not rotatable with respect to the main body housing and is translatable with respect to the main body housing between an open O-ring sleeve position and a closed O-ring sleeve position. The O-ring sleeve port aligns with the main body port when the O-ring sleeve is in the open O-ring sleeve position and the O-ring sleeve port is sealed from the main body port by the O-rings when the O-ring sleeve is in the closed O-ring sleeve position.

Abstract: A treatment media, system, and method are disclosed which combines adsorptive capacity of a carbon media (e.g., biochar) with chemical treatment characteristics of a red mud substance, e.g., to remove metals and/or other contaminants from waters. The treatment media may also improve biological conditions of affected soils. In an example treatment method, a lignin based material is thermo-chemically decomposed to have a large weight fraction of carbon (e.g., the biochar), and an ore is processed to yield aluminum oxide comprising a variety of iron oxides and having high alkalinity in slurry (e.g., the red mud). The thermo-chemically decomposed lignin based material is combined with the mud material.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems, including computer program products, for optimizing and controlling a building's energy consumption and comfort. A computing device receives measurements from a plurality of sensors, at least some of which are located inside the building, where the measurements include temperature readings and comfort characteristics. The computing device generates a set of thermal response coefficients based on energy characteristics of the building, the measurements from the sensors, and weather data associated with the building's location. The computing device predicts an energy response of the building based on the set of thermal response coefficients and forecasted weather. The computing device selects minimal energy requirements of the building based on an energy consumption cost associated with the building and determines energy control points based on the energy response and the minimal energy requirements.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for remote sensing to derive a calibrated power measurement for a power distribution point. Magnetic field sensors of a sensor module sense a magnetic field emitted by the power distribution point. A first processor generates an uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor, the uncalibrated power measurement derived from the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field sensor and a voltage carried by the power distribution point. A second processor determines a response of each magnetic field sensor to a known power load being drawn through the power distribution point. The second processor derives a transfer function using the response of each magnetic field sensor to the known power load. The second processor applies the transfer function to the uncalibrated power measurement for each magnetic field sensor to generate the calibrated power measurement for the power distribution point.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a housing having a flow path therethrough in fluid communication with a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation and a sealing assembly positionable in the housing about the flow path. The sealing assembly includes a piston slidably positionable in the housing and a packer element. The packer element includes a plurality of fingers and a packer seal. The fingers include a housing portion and a piston portion. The housing portion is slidably movable along the housing and the piston portion is slidingly movable along the piston. The fingers are engageable by the piston and movable to a sealed position about the flow path, and the packer seal is energized to form a seal about the blowout preventer to seal the wellbore in the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for conveying vehicle driving information. A server computing device generates a hazard index for a plurality of road segments in a predefined coverage area. The server computing device determines a current hazard value for each of the plurality of road segments based on (i) weather conditions data associated with the road segments, (ii) road conditions data associated with the road segments, and (iii) physical attributes of the road segments. The server computing device determines a predicted hazard value for each of the plurality of road segments and assigns the present hazard value and predicted hazard value to the corresponding road segment. The server computing device receives location data associated with a remote device and transmits hazard information associated with one or more of the plurality of road segments based on the location data and the hazard index.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for measuring greenhouse gas. A calibration device receives a first sample of atmospheric gas from a first port exposed to the earth's atmosphere. The calibration device receives a second sample of atmospheric gas from a second port exposed to the earth's atmosphere. The calibration device routes the first sample and the second sample to a measurement device for greenhouse gas analysis. The measurement device determines a characteristic of a greenhouse gas present in at least one of the first sample and the second sample. The measurement device transmits data associated with the determined characteristic of the greenhouse gas to a computing device for determining sinks and sources of the gas.

Abstract: Flow control mechanism (100) for a downhole tool includes a housing (102), an inner liner (104), and a rotatable sleeve (106). The inner liner (104) is provided in and remains stationary relative the housing (102). The rotatable sleeve (106) can be arranged to rotate about the inner liner (104) to provide a closed configuration (900), a first open configuration (1400), and a second open configuration (1900). The closed configuration (900) can enable through-flow of fluid through the flow control mechanism (100) to a distal tool (50). The first open configuration (1400) can enable partial through-flow of fluid through the flow control mechanism (100) to the distal tool (50) and partial through-flow of fluid in a substantially radial direction. The second open configuration (1900) can prevent through-flow of fluid through the flow control mechanism to the distal tool (50) and to enable through-flow of fluid in a substantially radial direction.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a center structure to an outer structure at least partially circumscribing the center structure, the attachment assembly having a bushing provided within the center structure or the outer structure, the bushing defining a first through passage, a bushing adapter slidably mounted within the first through passage and defining a second through passage, a threaded passage provided on the other of the center structure or the outer structure and a bolt passing through the first through passage and the second through passage and threaded into the threaded passage.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems, including computer program products, for optimizing and controlling the energy consumption of a building. A computing device generates thermal response coefficients for the building based on energy characteristics of the building and weather data associated with the location of the building. The computing device an energy response for each of a plurality of different points in time based on the thermal response coefficients and forecasted weather conditions. The computing device selects minimal energy requirements based on an energy consumption cost. The computing device determines a series of temperature set points based on the corresponding energy response and the minimal energy requirements. The computing device transmits the series of temperature set points to a thermostat, which adjusts operating parameters using each series of temperature set points when a time value matches the point in time associated with each series of temperature set points.