Abstract: A system and a method include a container configured to retain one or more liquids. A liquid level sensor is disposed within the container. The liquid level sensor includes sensing elements configured to sense a level of the one or more liquids within the container. A control unit is in communication with the liquid level sensor. The control unit is configured to determine a status of each of the sensing elements based on signals received from the sensing elements.

Abstract: An inlet assembly of a nacelle includes an inlet cowl. The inlet cowl includes a lipskin that has a front section which defines the leading edge of the inlet cowl. The front section includes a composite panel and a metallic coating disposed along an exterior surface of the composite panel to protect the composite panel from damage. The lipskin defines perforations that penetrate through the composite panel and the metallic coating at the front section to convey a liquid through a thickness of the lipskin onto an exterior surface of the inlet cowl.

Abstract: A system and a method include a container configured to retain one or more liquids. A liquid level sensor is disposed within the container. The liquid level sensor includes a plurality of sensing elements configured to sense a level of the one or more liquids within the container. In at least one example, the sensing elements are optical fibers.

Abstract: A system and a method include a container configured to retain one or more liquids. A liquid level sensor is disposed within the container. The liquid level sensor is configured to transmit and receive light including a first light component and a second light component into the container retaining the one or more liquid. A control unit is in communication with the liquid level sensor. The control unit is configured to determine a level of the one or more liquids within the container based on a comparison of the first light component in relation to the second light component.

Abstract: A hole opener configured for use with a power unit to open a hole. The hole opener comprises a gearbox including a hydraulic inlet fluidly coupled to the power unit and an exciter fluidly coupled to the hydraulic inlet, the exciter being coupled to a gear train including an imbalanced mass which is configured to generate vibrations upon receipt of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet. The hole opener further comprises a connector coupled to the gearbox for receiving the vibrations, the connector defining a void, and a hammer slidably coupled to the connector within the void, the hammer configured to receive the vibrations from the connector and to transmit the vibrations to the hole.

Abstract: A hole opener configured for use with a power unit to open a hole. The hole opener comprises a gearbox including a hydraulic inlet fluidly coupled to the power unit and an exciter fluidly coupled to the hydraulic inlet, the exciter being coupled to a gear train including an imbalanced mass which is configured to generate vibrations upon receipt of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet. The hole opener further comprises a connector coupled to the gearbox for receiving the vibrations, the connector defining a void, and a hammer slidably coupled to the connector within the void, the hammer configured to receive the vibrations from the connector and to transmit the vibrations to the hole.

Abstract: An inlet assembly of a nacelle includes an inlet cowl. The inlet cowl includes a lipskin that has a front section which defines the leading edge of the inlet cowl. The front section includes a composite panel and a metallic coating disposed along an exterior surface of the composite panel to protect the composite panel from damage. The lipskin defines perforations that penetrate through the composite panel and the metallic coating at the front section to convey a liquid through a thickness of the lipskin onto an exterior surface of the inlet cowl.

Abstract: A hole opener configured for use with a power unit to open a hole. The hole opener comprises a gearbox including a hydraulic inlet fluidly coupled to the power unit and an exciter fluidly coupled to the hydraulic inlet, the exciter being coupled to a gear train including an imbalanced mass which is configured to generate vibrations upon receipt of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet. The hole opener further comprises a connector coupled to the gearbox for receiving the vibrations, the connector defining a void, and a hammer slidably coupled to the connector within the void, the hammer configured to receive the vibrations from the connector and to transmit the vibrations to the hole.

Abstract: A traction rod assembly for a bogie system includes a body extending between first and second ends. A bush assembly is coupled with the first end and includes a first component having a passage, and a second component disposed within the passage of the first component. The bush assembly includes an eccentric offset such that a center of the first component is offset from a center of the second component. A bearing assembly is coupled with the second end of the body and includes cylindrical bearings and spacers that are concentric with a passage disposed at the second end of the body. The bush assembly is coupled with a frame of the bogie system and the bearing assembly is operably with an axle assembly of the bogie system. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the body relative to the axle assembly of the bogie system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing consumer directed energy management are described. Consumer defined triggers provide consumers and utilities with the ability to control residential energy usage, by managing manage multiple residential load control elements. A user interface is provided separately from the load control elements to allow the consumer to define his or her schedule and preferences for the purposes of controlling the multiple load control elements. In addition, settings on load control elements can be automatically adjusted based on information about consumer schedules and preferences obtained from other sources. In some embodiments, a utility interface allows utilities to implement improved energy load control. When a utility expects to implement a load control event, the utility can monitor consumer schedules and/or preferences, in order to achieve the desired energy reduction while reducing the impact on participating consumers' comfort.

Abstract: A variation of expanding solvent steam assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD) production of heavy oil wherein steam and hydrocarbon solvent are co-injected into a heavy oil reservoir and water, hydrocarbon solvent and heavy oil are produced by gravity drainage until the steam chamber is well developed or until oil recovery reaches about 20-30% of oil in place. At that time, the wells are switched to a lateral sweep using non-condensible gas (NSG) and steam co-injection, where more hydrocarbon solvent is recovered than is recovered with ES-SAGD used alone and where the cumulative steam to oil ratio is reduced over using -ES-SAGD alone.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. In one implementation, at least one drilling operation is executed at the subterranean formation according to at least one drilling parameter. High resolution geomechanical data is continuously captured in-situ during a duration of the at least one drilling operation. A geomechanical model of the subterranean formation is dynamically recalibrated as the high resolution geomechanical data is continuously captured during the at least one drilling operation. An integrity of caprock at the subterranean formation is determined based on the geomechanical model. The at least one drilling parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the integrity of caprock at the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A variation of expanding solvent steam assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD) production of heavy oil wherein steam and hydrocarbon solvent are co-injected into a heavy oil reservoir and water, hydrocarbon solvent and heavy oil are produced by gravity drainage until the steam chamber is well developed or until oil recovery reaches about 20-30% of oil in place. At that time, the wells are switched to a lateral sweep using non-condensible gas (NSG) and steam co-injection, where more hydrocarbon solvent is recovered than is recovered with ES-SAGD used alone and where the cumulative steam to oil ratio is reduced over using -ES-SAGD alone.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for programming a universal control system includes generating a list of devices associated with a network; based on configuration data and statistical data associated with a first set of devices included in the list of devices, generating programming for a first activity to be performed via the network, wherein first activity is associated with the first set of devices included in the list of devices, and the programming is associated with a device configuration for the first set of devices and includes commands for transmission to the first set of devices by the universal control system; and causing the programming for the first activity to be stored, wherein, when the first activity is selected, the device configuration for the first set of devices is implemented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing consumer directed energy management are described. Consumer defined triggers provide consumers and utilities with the ability to control residential energy usage, by managing manage multiple residential load control elements. A user interface is provided separately from the load control elements to allow the consumer to define his or her schedule and preferences for the purposes of controlling the multiple load control elements. In addition, settings on load control elements can be automatically adjusted based on information about consumer schedules and preferences obtained from other sources. In some embodiments, a utility interface allows utilities to implement improved energy load control. When a utility expects to implement a load control event, the utility can monitor consumer schedules and/or preferences, in order to achieve the desired energy reduction while reducing the impact on participating consumers' comfort.

Abstract: A method for heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated non-microwave frequency from 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge.

Abstract: A container for containing and dispensing viscous comestibles, such as ice cream, is disclosed. The container includes a container body with a nozzle and a container cap movably coupled to the container body. The container cap moves between at least two positions, a first position where the container cap covers the nozzle, and a second position where a portion of the nozzle extends through a container cap opening. In some embodiments a straw portion of the nozzle extends through the container cap opening. A method of containing viscous comestibles is disclosed which includes attaching a container cap to a container body such that the container cap has at least two positions, testing that the container cap moves to each of its at least two positions, inserting viscous comestibles into the container body through a nozzle opening in the container body nozzle, and locking the container cap in the first position.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering petroleum products from an underground reservoir. Injection of steam along with carbon dioxide into the reservoir facilitates the recovering, which is further influenced by operating pressure for the injection. Absorption of the carbon dioxide by the products and heat transfer from the steam to the products act to reduce viscosity of the products in order to aid flowing of the products.