Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor are disclosed, whereby the combination involves a mass-flow-air (MFA) throttle and a mass-flow-gas (MFG) throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine and other interventions as desired.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor are disclosed, whereby the combination involves a mass-flow-air (MFA) throttle and a mass-flow-gas (MFG) throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine and other interventions as desired.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery facility (MRF). A control system receives data from set of sensors that reflect a status of the MRF. The control system determines an operating status of various MRF components (e.g., material handling units (MHUs), sensors, and/or other elements) and/or a composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. The control system controls MHU(s) based on the data to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recoverable materials from the waste stream. The control system may rearranging MHUs within the MRF and/or re-tasking individual MHUs to perform different handling functions. Machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) mechanisms can be used to optimize the operation of the MRF in an autonomous fashion. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: A state of battery testing system is disclosed which includes a charger, a load to be coupled across the battery's positive and negative terminals, a processer adapted to apply a predetermined voltage pulse across the battery's positive and negative terminals, apply the load to the battery, measure and log current through the load as Iexp, and establish a model based on establishing an initial estimation of state of the battery (?0), and establishing a modeled state of battery (?i) based on a plurality of internal parameters of the battery. The model is adapted to output a model current through the load, inputting ?0 and the plurality of internal parameters of the model to thereby generate Imodel, generate an objective function (f) based on a comparison of Imodel and Iexp, and iteratively optimize ?i, and output ?optimal based on the iterations.

Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom having a housing, an outer cylinder, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. Indexing detents are positioned on at least one of the housing, the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the ball and socket mount and one or more detent pins positioned on another. The indexing detents are arranged about at least one rotational or translational axis of the phantom and the detent pins are configured to releasably engage with the indexing detents as the components of the phantom rotate or translate relative to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery facility (MRF). A control system receives data from set of sensors that reflect a status of the MRF. The control system determines an operating status of various MRF components (e.g., material handling units (MHUs), sensors, and/or other elements) and/or a composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. The control system controls MHU(s) based on the data to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recoverable materials from the waste stream. The control system may rearranging MHUs within the MRF and/or re-tasking individual MHUs to perform different handling functions. Machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) mechanisms can be used to optimize the operation of the MRF in an autonomous fashion. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom, having a housing, an outer cylinder with a first diameter, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The target is mounted to the housing by way of the inner and outer cylinders and the ball and socket mount. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the housing and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the ball and socket mount and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of gaseous supplies of fuel and/or air to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's engine control module (ECM), especially for large spark-ignited internal combustion engines. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are suited to be used for both mass-flow gas (MFG) and mass-flow air (MFA) throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow. The throttle, in combination with the sensors and ECM, enable detection of backfire events, with the throttle system further being enabled to take operative measures to prevent damage to the throttle components resulting from a backfire event.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery facility (MRF). A control system receives data from set of sensors that reflect a status of the MRF. The control system determines an operating status of various MRF components (e.g., material handling units (MHUs), sensors, and/or other elements) and/or a composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. The control system controls MHU(s) based on the data to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recoverable materials from the waste stream. The control system may rearranging MHUs within the MRF and/or re-tasking individual MHUs to perform different handling functions. Machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) mechanisms can be used to optimize the operation of the MRF in an autonomous fashion. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine .

Abstract: Provided are systems and apparatus for improving the production of hydrocarbons from a liquid loaded well. More specifically, plungers for pushing a slug of liquid up a production tubing string of an underperforming well are provided. The contemplated plungers employ pads, shifting rods, or unique outer profiles. In addition, bumper spring assemblies for arresting the downward motion of a plunger are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of gaseous supplies of fuel and/or air to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's engine control module (ECM), especially for large spark-ignited internal combustion engines. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are suited to be used for both mass-flow gas (MFG) and mass-flow air (MFA) throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow. The throttle, in combination with the sensors and ECM, enable detection of backfire events, with the throttle system further being enabled to take operative measures to prevent damage to the throttle components resulting from a backfire event.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery or recycling facility. In some embodiments, a central control system receives inputs in the form of at least one data stream from each of one or more environmental sensors that reflect the status of a material recovery facility (MRF). The inputs are used to determine the operating status of one or more components of the MRF, and/or composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. At least one material handling unit is controlled in response to the inputs to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recyclable or recoverable materials from the waste stream. A service unit or mechanism may also be controlled in response to the inputs indicating that a component of the MRF requires servicing.

Abstract: A novel and non-trivial system and method for restrictively exchanging and controlling vehicular data between communication devices of a private network is disclosed. A processor in communication with a plurality of user communication devices is used for controlling and restricting the exchange of vehicular data. In such network, the processor may establish a communication connection with an initiating communication device of an initiating user, receive initiating vehicular data from the initiating communication device and corresponding first users (e.g., defined trusted users) data, provide the initiating vehicular data to at least one available first user communication device, receive responding vehicular data responsive to the initiating vehicular data, and provide the responding vehicular data to the initiating communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery or recycling facility. In some embodiments, a central control system receives inputs in the form of at least one data stream from each of one or more environmental sensors that reflect the status of a material recovery facility (MRF). The inputs are used to determine the operating status of one or more components of the MRF, and/or composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. At least one material handling unit is controlled in response to the inputs to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recyclable or recoverable materials from the waste stream. A service unit or mechanism may also be controlled in response to the inputs indicating that a component of the MRF requires servicing.