Abstract: Provided is a downhole gauge for use in a wellbore, a well system, and a method. The downhole gauge, in one aspect, includes a gauge housing, the gauge housing having a first end and a second opposing end. The downhole gauge, according to this aspect, further includes first, second and third sensors located within an interior of the gauge housing between the first end and the second opposing end.

Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: Authentication request notifications are selectively suppressed, reducing notification fatigue and susceptibility to social engineering attacks. Authentication request notifications may be suppressed by not presenting a push notification on the user's phone. The authentication request may still be accessed and approved by manually opening the authenticator app. Notifications may be suppressed based on an estimation that the person attempting to login is not who they say they are. This estimation may be based on applying heuristics and/or machine learning models to the context of the login attempt, such as the IP address that originated the login request, time of day, recent user actions, patterns of previous logins, etc. One heuristic determines that the user has repeatedly ignored notifications caused by a particular IP address. Machine learning models generate a risk score from the login context, and notifications may be suppressed if the risk score exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A gateway device is disclosed for use in an internet-of-things environment. The gateway device comprises a sensor interface for interfacing with a plurality of sensors. A first memory unit is provided for storing sensed data received from the sensors. A second memory unit is provided for storing template data associated with the sensors which is generated by the sensor interface. A processing module is configured for generating encoded messages associated with the respective sensors containing the sensed data and the template data. A communication module is operable for communicating the encoded messages to a central server for decoding.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve includes a travelling member with a sealing member and operable between a closed position in which the sealing member forms a seal with a valve seat, and an open position. The valve further has a decelerating mechanism operable to slow the movement of the armature during closure of the valve. The sealing member and armature are decoupled and thereby moveable relative to each other such that the armature can continue to move and decelerate due to the action of the damping mechanism after the sealing member has impacted the valve seat. The peak deceleration force on the armature is thereby reduced, increasing the lifetime of the valve or the maximum rate at which it can be closed without damage.

Abstract: A cyclic process for the removal of NOx from a NOx containing feed gas, and optionally removal mercury vapour and/or sulfur dioxide is provided. A process is also provided by which an iron chelate absorbent may be thermally regenerated.

Abstract: A pier (10) to be driven into a ground surface includes an auger member (11) having a shaft (12) that is rotated in a first direction to drive the auger member into the ground surface, and a compaction member (16) having a sleeve (17) surrounding a portion of the shaft. The compaction member (16) includes a compaction part (18) attached to and extending laterally outwardly of the sleeve (17). A threaded rod (23) engages the shaft (12) and is rotated to cause the compaction member (16) to move down the shaft (12) and compact the soil around the shaft.

Abstract: This invention is for a reader/writer device (terminal) for accessing item-related data in rewritable tags of the “RF-ID” type wherein each tag includes non-volatile memory. In a farm animal application each animal is implanted with an identified tag. From time to time, the terminal can be given a selected security level by reading password-like and individual identity data from a special tag held by an individual. As a result the individual can gain “read” and/or “write” to selected fields in the data record held within the tag. Further information may be added from time to time by empowered individuals. Schemes are enabled for the enhanced management of animals having such tags include accurate descriptors, proving ownership, showing compliance with disease control programmes and withholding periods after possible treatments, traceability of meat products from the shop to the farm, breeding schemes and performance recording.

Abstract: A support for a deployable reflector for use on a modular satellite antenna assembly is constructed of an elongated boom supported at both ends by a pair of two axis actuators. The boom is attached at its inboard end to the satellite structure in close proximity to the point of attachment of the associated signal feed assembly to minimize the differential thermal stress throughout the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A solar concentrator for producing usable power as heat and/or electricity uses a self-steering heliostat 1502 to concentrate solar radiation 1509 onto an absorbing surface such as, or including, a solar cell array 1511 capable of absorbing power from the radiation, meanwhile removing heat (such as from long-wave infra-red radiation or resistive losses) from the surface with fluid heat transfer means 1503, 1504, then making effective use of that low-grade heat. Thus the solar cell array is kept relatively cool and a larger proportion of the solar energy incident on the reflector unit is used. The invention uses electricity 1506 from the solar cells to move a transporting fluid through a heat exchanger 1504. Excess electricity may be available for local storage or use 1510, or feeding 1512 to the power distribution grid. Applications include warming swimming pools 1501, heating hot-water supplies using excess electricity, or warming, lighting and ventilating open spaces.

Abstract: A universal joint comprising outer and inner joint members with circumferentially spaced grooves extending lengthwise of the members; and balls disposed one in each facing pair of grooves in the joint members for torque transmission between the members; wherein at least some of the grooves in one of the joint members are each provided in a groove base portion with a recess extending lengthwise of the groove, and a spring element is disposed in each said recess and arranged to engage the respective ball to bias it radially of the joint and preferably also axially to the central region of the spring element.

Abstract: A plunging constant velocity universal joint of the kind comprising a hollow outer member and an inner member, torque-transmitting balls which are located in apertures in a cage disposed between said members and are each engaged in and between a pair of opposed longitudinal grooves in said members so as to be movable therealong to permit relative angular and axial movement between the members, and a guide ring mounted on the inner member, the cage having a convex part-spherical outer surface engaging the surface of a cylindrical bore in the outer member so that the cage is movable relative to said member axially of the latter, and a concave part-spherical inner surface engaging a complementary convex part-spherical surface on the guide ring, the centers of the part-spherical surfaces of the cage being offset by equal amounts on opposite sides of the joint center along the joint axis whereby the cage assists in maintaining the balls in the bisector plane of the joint.