Abstract: Described herein is a graphene and polyvinyl alcohol based multilayer composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes to pass the membrane while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising a crosslinked graphene with a polyvinyl alcohol and silica-nanoparticle layer that can provide enhanced salt separation from water, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a crosslinked graphene and biopolymer (e.g. lignin) based composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes while providing water permeability. The membrane may include optional additional functional additives in a crosslinked material matrix that provides enhanced salt separation from water. Methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material-based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphene and polyvinyl alcohol based multilayer composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes to pass through the membrane while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising a crosslinked graphene with a polyvinyl alcohol and an additive that can provide enhanced salt separation from water, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a transaxle with a cooling arrangement for semiconductor devices such as IGBTs or MOSFETs, and a corresponding method. In particular, this disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, such as an electrified vehicle, including a transaxle, a plurality of semiconductor devices mounted adjacent the transaxle, and a source of cooling fluid. The semiconductor devices are exposed to fluid from the source that flows into the transaxle.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: A showerhead may include a first plenum in fluid communication with a first group of nozzles, a second plenum in fluid communication with a second group of nozzles, and a water direction assembly in fluid communication with the first plenum, the second plenum, and a fluid inlet, and alternatingly fluidly connecting the first plenum and the second plenum with the fluid inlet. The water direction assembly may include a turbine and a shutter arranged to oscillate between positions, oscillation of the shutter alternatingly fluidly connecting the first and second plenums with the fluid inlet.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: Gate drive faults are detected for an inverter which comprises a phase switch having an insulated gate, such as an IGBT. A complementary transistor pair is adapted to receive a supply voltage and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal to alternately charge and discharge the insulated gate. A comparator compares the voltage at the insulated gate with a reference voltage representing a gate drive fault to generate a first logic signal. A latch samples the first logic signal when the PWM signal has a value corresponding to charging the insulated gate. A logic circuit inhibits charging of the insulated gate when the latched logic signal indicates the gate drive fault. An insulated gate voltage less than the reference voltage is indicative of an under-voltage fault as well as other device failures of the IGBT or the complementary transistors.

Abstract: Gate drive faults are detected for an inverter which comprises a phase switch having an insulated gate, such as an IGBT. A complementary transistor pair is adapted to receive a supply voltage and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal to alternately charge and discharge the insulated gate. A comparator compares the voltage at the insulated gate with a reference voltage representing a gate drive fault to generate a first logic signal. A latch samples the first logic signal when the PWM signal has a value corresponding to charging the insulated gate. A logic circuit inhibits charging of the insulated gate when the latched logic signal indicates the gate drive fault. An insulated gate voltage less than the reference voltage is indicative of an under-voltage fault as well as other device failures of the IGBT or the complementary transistors.

Abstract: An artificial lift system provides a lifting mechanism located in a well. The lifting mechanism communicates with a remote intake that is located below in the well. A compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure that is sufficient to move the well fluid from the remote intake up to the lifting mechanism. The well has an annulus and tubing. The well has isolation elements that isolate the producing formation from compressed gas in the annulus. Various sources of compressed gas can be used such as a compressor, an accumulator or a gas sales line. A controller is provided to control the intermittent application and removal of compressed gas in the annulus and also to control the operation of the lifting mechanism. The well could be a horizontal well or a vertical well. The well could be a cased hole or an open hole well.

Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and plunger. The barrel has a first one-way valve and the plunger has a second done-way valve. The plunger reciprocates with respect to the barrel. The plunger has a first end which has a tapered leading edge. Ports are adjacent to the leading edge. The ports communicate with a passage in the plunger. A sucker rod string coupling is located at the plunger first end. The sucker rod string coupling is coupled to walls located between the ports. The end of the sucker rod string coupling that is coupled to the plunger is tapered so that fluid can flow out of the ports. The sucker rod string coupling and the plunger first end form an integral member that couples to the remainder of the plunger.

Abstract: A security device having a flexible material into which a product may be sealed and unauthorized removal of the product triggers a security alarm. The security device includes a flexible material adapted to house a product therein and is operable in a sealed orientation when the product is sealed within the flexible material and in an open orientation when the product is accessible from within the flexible material. Conductive material is affixed to the flexible material and forms a closed electrical circuit with an alarming device when the security device is in the sealed orientation and an open electrical circuit when the circuit is opened. The security alarm is triggered when the electrical circuit is opened.

Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and plunger. The barrel has a first one-way valve and the plunger has a second done-way valve. The plunger reciprocates with respect to the barrel. The plunger has a first end which has a tapered leading edge. Ports are adjacent to the leading edge. The ports communicate with a passage in the plunger. A sucker rod string coupling is located at the plunger first end. The sucker rod string coupling is coupled to walls located between the ports. The end of the sucker rod string coupling that is coupled to the plunger is tapered so that fluid can flow out of the ports. The sucker rod string coupling and the plunger first end form an integral member that couples to the remainder of the plunger.

Abstract: An artificial lift system provides a lifting mechanism located in a well. The lifting mechanism communicates with a remote intake that is located below in the well. A compressed gas source provides compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure that is sufficient to move the well fluid from the remote intake up to the lifting mechanism. The well has an annulus and tubing. The well has isolation elements that isolate the producing formation from compressed gas in the annulus. Various sources of compressed gas can be used such as a compressor, an accumulator or a gas sales line. A controller is provided to control the intermittent application and removal of compressed gas in the annulus and also to control the operation of the lifting mechanism. The well could be a horizontal well or a vertical well. The well could be a cased hole or an open hole well.

Abstract: A cross-flow filtration apparatus is provided. The cross-flow filter is a spiral wound filter that includes a semi-permeable membrane wrapped around a perforated central tube. The semi-permeable membrane includes a feed spacer and a membrane. The feed spacer is a biocidal feed spacer with a biocidal agent impregnated within the feed spacer to prevent biofouling of the feed spacer and the membrane.

Abstract: A smoking-waste receptacle includes a housing and a container for receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and removed from the housing. The container includes a removal opening that permits removal of smoking waste deposited in the container and a door movable relative to the removal opening and configured to cover the removal opening when the container is disposed in the housing. The container can include a container body and flow-inhibiting structure disposed within the container body to inhibit smoke from leaving the container body. The container can includes a first wall extending substantially vertically, a first insertion opening in the first wall that allows smoking waste to be inserted into the container, and a first snuff member disposed within the container and adjacent the first insertion opening at a position that permits smoking waste that has been inserted into the first insertion opening to be pushed against the first snuff member.

Abstract: A smoking-waste receptacle includes a housing and a container for receiving smoking waste and that can be inserted into and removed from the housing. The container includes a removal opening that permits removal of smoking waste deposited in the container and a door movable relative to the removal opening and configured to cover the removal opening when the container is disposed in the housing. The container can include a container body and flow-inhibiting structure disposed within the container body to inhibit smoke from leaving the container body. The container can includes a first wall extending substantially vertically, a first insertion opening in the first wall that allows smoking waste to be inserted into the container, and a first snuff member disposed within the container and adjacent the first insertion opening at a position that permits smoking waste that has been inserted into the first insertion opening to be pushed against the first snuff member.