Abstract: An actuator for use with a fluid transfer device is provided. The actuator includes a piston cylinder having a longitudinal axis and defining a piston chamber having both a head end and a longitudinally opposite base end. The actuator further includes a piston disposed within the piston chamber. The piston movable between a first piston position proximate the piston chamber head end and a second piston position proximate the piston chamber base end. The piston includes a piston head end having a first indexing mechanism, a first piston seal, and at least one first feed hole. The piston further includes a base end longitudinally opposite the head end having a second indexing mechanism, a guide tooth, a second piston seal, and at least one second feed hole. The piston defines a plurality of channels that extends from proximate the first piston seal to proximate the second piston seal.

Abstract: Coating systems for a turbine blade tip, such as a metal turbine blade tip, are provided. The coating system can include a thermal barrier coating on the surface of the turbine blade tip as well as one or more bond coats and/or metallic coatings. The coated blade tip can be used with a ceramic matrix composite shroud coated with an environmental barrier coating to reduce blade tip wear. Methods are also provided for applying the coating system onto a turbine blade tip.

Abstract: Gas bearing for an aspirating seal assembly is disclosed. The gas bearing includes a bearing body having a bearing surface. The gas bearing further includes a first through-hole disposed in the bearing body, and a plurality of second through-holes spaced apart from each other and disposed around the first through-hole. The first through-hole is characterized by a size, and a first central axis. Each second through-hole is characterized by a size, and a second central axis. The second central axis of each second through-hole in the plurality of second through-holes intersects the first central axis at an angle in a range from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees or at an angle in a range from about ?30 degrees to about ?150 degrees. Size of at least one through-hole in the plurality of second through-holes is different from the size of the first through-hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a turbomachine that includes a first component and a second component coupled to another and a seal assembly between the two components. The seal assembly may include a first intersegment seal, a second intersegment seal, and a rope seal that are configured to block a flow of gas between the two components.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having one or more labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The sealing device includes a stator interface element having a groove or slot for allowing disposal of a spline seal for preventing segment leakages. The sealing device segment also includes multiple bellow springs or flexures connected to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element. Further, the sealing device segments include a secondary seal integrated with the stator interface element at one end and positioned about the multiple bellow springs or flexures and the shoe plate at the other end.

Abstract: Gas bearing for an aspirating seal assembly is disclosed. The gas bearing includes a bearing body having a bearing surface. The gas bearing further includes a first through-hole disposed in the bearing body, and a plurality of second through-holes spaced apart from each other and disposed around the first through-hole. The first through-hole is characterized by a size, and a first central axis. Each second through-hole is characterized by a size, and a second central axis. The second central axis of each second through-hole in the plurality of second through-holes intersects the first central axis at an angle in a range from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees or at an angle in a range from about ?30 degrees to about ?150 degrees. Size of at least one through-hole in the plurality of second through-holes is different from the size of the first through-hole.

Abstract: A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.

Abstract: A system to detect a position of a pipe with respect to a BOP includes a casing disposed around an outer surface of a section of the pipe. The system further includes sensing devices that are disposed on the casing and arranged to form a plurality of arrays and configured to generate position signals. The arrays are disposed circumferentially around the casing and spaced from one another along the length of the casing. The system includes a processing unit configured to compute distance between the pipe and each sensing device. The processing unit generates a first alert when the distance between the pipe and at least one sensing device is different from a reference distance. The processing unit generates a second alert when the distance between the pipe and each sensing device of at least one array of sensing devices is different from the reference distance.

Abstract: A method and system including a circumferential seal assembly for sealing between components within a turbine is provided. A circumferential seal assembly is disposed in a slot extending circumferentially about an inner barrel. The seal assembly includes a first shim layer and at least one additional shim layer configured in an overlapping stacked configuration so as to stagger the end portions of each of the shim segments defined by the shim layers, relative to one another and circumferentially about the seal assembly. One or more cloth layers are configured wrapping about the first shim layer and the at least one additional shim layer to define a sealing member having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface. The assembly further including a base plate, wherein the sealing member is disposed on an upper surface of the base plate to provide for sealing engagement between the components of the turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cage and a main plug disposed in the cage. The main plug is movable between a main plug closed position and a main plug open position. A seal assembly disposed on the main plug, the seal assembly having a seal that is configured to contact the cage when the main plug is in the main plug closed position, and configured to reduce contact with the cage when a pressure differential across the seal is reduced. The apparatus includes a pressure balancing assembly movable between a closed position, an overtravel position and an open position. The pressure balancing assembly is configured to balance the pressure differential across the seal when in the overtravel and open position.

Abstract: A system to detect a position of a pipe with respect to a BOP includes a casing disposed around an outer surface of a section of the pipe. The system further includes sensing devices that are disposed on the casing and arranged to form a plurality of arrays and configured to generate position signals. The arrays are disposed circumferentially around the casing and spaced from one another along the length of the casing. The system includes a processing unit configured to compute distance between the pipe and each sensing device. The processing unit generates a first alert when the distance between the pipe and at least one sensing device is different from a reference distance. The processing unit generates a second alert when the distance between the pipe and each sensing device of at least one array of sensing devices is different from the reference distance.

Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.

Abstract: A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor comprises at least one stage suited to separate a liquid phase and a gas phase with the aid of at least one of a hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, hydrophilic or super-hydrophilic surface layer, wherein the hydrophobic and/or super-hydrophobic surface layer is disposed on at least one of an inlet guide vane, impeller, return channel straight hub, or exiting hub bend; and the hydrophilic and/or super-hydrophilic surface is disposed on at least one of the impeller casing, diffuser casing, exiting casing bend, return channel straight hub, exiting hub bend, collection point, or drain.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cage and a main plug disposed in the cage. The main plug is movable between a main plug closed position and a main plug open position. A seal assembly disposed on the main plug, the seal assembly having a seal that is configured to contact the cage when the main plug is in the main plug closed position, and configured to reduce contact with the cage when a pressure differential across the seal is reduced. The apparatus includes a pressure balancing assembly movable between a closed position, an overtravel position and an open position. The pressure balancing assembly is configured to balance the pressure differential across the seal when in the overtravel and open position.

Abstract: This disclosure details methods and techniques for inhibiting natural gas hydrate formation in gas conduits. In one embodiment, an article is provided which comprises (a) a gas conduit defining a gas flow channel; (b) an interior surface of the gas conduit; (c) a hydrate inhibiting coating on the interior surface, wherein the coating comprises: (i) component A, a one- or two-part room temperature vulcanizable polyorganosiloxane composition comprising a surface-treated filler, a condensation catalyst, and a crosslinking agent; and any reaction products thereof; and optionally (ii) component B, a hydrate release-enhancing proportion of at least one polyorganosiloxane comprising one or more silanol or alkoxy-silyl groups and comprising from about 10 weight percent to about 85 weight percent of at least one hydroxy-terminated or alkoxy-terminated polyoxyalkylenealkyl radical; and optionally (iii) any reaction products thereof.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having one or more labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The sealing device includes a stator interface element having a groove or slot for allowing disposal of a spline seal for preventing segment leakages. The sealing device segment also includes multiple bellow springs or flexures connected to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element. Further, the sealing device segments include a secondary seal integrated with the stator interface element at one end and positioned about the multiple bellow springs or flexures and the shoe plate at the other end.

Abstract: A fracturing system is described. The system includes an electric motor-driven pumping sub-system, configured to pump a pressurized fracturing fluid into at least one wellbore, under high pressure conditions sufficient to increase the downhole pressure of the wellbore, to exceed that of the fracture gradient of the solid matter surrounding the wellbore. The system also includes an electric power generation sub-system that provides energy to the pumping sub-system. The electric power generation sub-system includes a multitude of electric motors that are powered by a single electrical feed source. A related process for extracting hydrocarbons from a reservoir rock formation by the fracturing operation is also described.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided. The sealing assembly includes a foil disposed circumferentially around a rotating component and configured to provide primary sealing to the rotating component between high pressure and low pressure sides and a spring system disposed adjacent to the foil. The spring system includes a plurality of features to facilitate foil surface to follow excursions of the rotating component, wherein the plurality of features provide secondary sealing from the high pressure to the low pressure sides between the foil and a stationary component.

Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.