Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a shear pin including a cylindrical shape positioned along a vertical axis having a first end having a common diameter with a second end; the first end and containing a first clutch at a point along the vertical axis that is furthest from the second end, the first clutch containing one of a recessing shape and a protruding shape; (c) the second end containing a second clutch at a point along the vertical axis that is furthest from the first end, the second clutch containing one of a recessing shape and a protruding shape; and (d) the curved portion including a diameter that is largest where the curved portion connects to each of the first end and the second end and then narrows along the curved portion, forming a curve that culminates at a neck where the diameter is smallest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a shear pin including a cylindrical shape positioned along a vertical axis having a first end having a common diameter with a second end; the first end and containing a first clutch at a point along the vertical axis that is furthest from the second end, the first clutch containing one of a recessing shape and a protruding shape; (c) the second end containing a second clutch at a point along the vertical axis that is furthest from the first end, the second clutch containing one of a recessing shape and a protruding shape; and (d) the curved portion including a diameter that is largest where the curved portion connects to each of the first end and the second end and then narrows along the curved portion, forming a curve that culminates at a neck where the diameter is smallest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole pump designed to include a sand separation unit. In one implementation, the downhole pump comprises a barrel having a first valve for controlling fluid flow into the barrel. The first valve includes an interior cavity with a first surface. The downhole pump further includes a plunger housed within the interior cavity of the barrel. The plunger comprises a wiper-plunger having a first circumference to which one or more resilient seals are coupled. The one or more resilient seals seal a first boundary between the first circumference of the wiper- plunger and a first portion of the first surface associated with the barrel. The plunger further comprises a sand separation unit coupled to the wiper-plunger at a first side. The sand separation unit forms a balancing chamber that minimizes a pressure differential across the one or more resilient seals.

Abstract: A multi-use cooking system for reducing splash and managing steam release while cooking a food item in a cooking vessel is provided. The cooking system comprises a lid having at least one opening portion allowing a user to open and close the opening portion to regulate steam release. A splashguard is attached to the lid by a locking device which allows the splashguard to be securely attached and separated and reattached to the lid. A lid edge forms the periphery of the cooking system and allows the cooking system to be placed on a cooking vessel while cooking a food item.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based heat source includes a first chimney structure and a second wall structure surrounding the chimney structure. An inner chimney flue receives air for igniting and burning the charcoal-based heat source and an outer chimney flue exhausts combustion fumes from the charcoal-based heat source. A bottom wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue and forms of a combustible material to be consumed during the ignition and burning of the charcoal-based fuel. A top wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue to be consumed during the ignition of the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of exhaust apertures are arranged within the top wall for exhausting the combustion fumes from the outer chimney flue. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition of sufficient duration to ignite uniformly the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of flaps provide an initial ignition of the ignition ring.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based heat source includes a first chimney structure and a second wall structure surrounding the chimney structure. An inner chimney flue receives air for igniting and burning the charcoal-based heat source and an outer chimney flue exhausts combustion fumes from the charcoal-based heat source. A bottom wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue and forms of a combustible material to be consumed during the ignition and burning of the charcoal-based fuel. A top wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue to be consumed during the ignition of the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of exhaust apertures are arranged within the top wall for exhausting the combustion fumes from the outer chimney flue. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition of sufficient duration to ignite uniformly the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of flaps provide an initial ignition of the ignition ring.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, disposable, and combustible charcoal-based heat source includes a first chimney structure and a second wall structure surrounding the chimney structure. An inner chimney flue receives air for igniting and burning the charcoal-based heat source and an outer chimney flue exhausts combustion fumes from the charcoal-based heat source. A bottom wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue and forms of a combustible material to be consumed during the ignition and burning of the charcoal-based fuel. A top wall member secures to the inner chimney flue and the outer chimney flue to be consumed during the ignition of the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of exhaust apertures are arranged within the top wall for exhausting the combustion fumes from the outer chimney flue. An ignition ring establishes a sustained ignition of sufficient duration to ignite uniformly the charcoal-based fuel. A plurality of flaps provide an initial ignition of the ignition ring.