Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), that includes a plurality of cameras that may be selectively combined to form a stereo pair for use in obtaining stereo images that provide depth information corresponding to objects represented in those images. Depending on the distance between an object and the aerial vehicle, different cameras may be selected for the stereo pair based on the baseline between those cameras and a distance between the object and the aerial vehicle. For example, cameras with a small baseline (close together) may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is close to the aerial vehicle. In comparison, cameras with a large baseline may be selected to generate stereo images and depth information for an object that is farther away from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the purification of ethylene glycol from a crude stream thereof.

Abstract: A key broker monitors network traffic metadata and determines which decryption keys are required at one or more packet brokers in order to decrypt relevant traffic required by various network monitoring devices. The key broker retrieves the required keys from a secure keystore distributes them, as needed, to the network packet brokers, and dynamically updates the decryption keys stored in the network packet brokers in response to changes in network traffic.

Abstract: The packet capture manager uses a multi-tiered storage for storing captured network traffic. Captured packets are stored on a primary storage with a time-to-live according to a retention policy. The packet capture manager receives instructions from one or more network monitoring devices identifying one or more captured packets as packets of interest. The packet capture manager flags the identified packets as packets of interest, moves the flagged packets to a secondary storage, and changes the TTL of the moved packets. A machine learning model analyzes historical data of the instructions received from the one or more network monitoring devices. The packet capture manager uses the machine learning model to identify packets of interest and move identified packets to the secondary storage without specific instructions from a network monitoring device.

Abstract: A key broker monitors network traffic metadata and determines which decryption keys are required at one or more packet brokers in order to decrypt relevant traffic required by various network monitoring devices. The key broker retrieves the required keys from a secure keystore distributes them, as needed, to the network packet brokers, and dynamically updates the decryption keys stored in the network packet brokers in response to changes in network traffic.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly (12) for use in deviating a wellbore (10) of a well is disclosed, the whipstock assembly comprising a whipstock (18) having an inclined deflection surface (20); a milling assembly (14) comprising a mill (16) for milling a window (49) in a wall (48) of the wellbore and forming a rathole (50) extending from the wellbore; a releasable joint (22; 122) by which the milling assembly is releasably connected to the whipstock, so that the milling assembly can be separated from the whipstock within the wellbore and subsequently deflected towards the wellbore wall by the deflection surface of the whipstock; at least one sensor (188) provided in the milling assembly, for measuring at least one parameter of the rathole, the at least one parameter relating to a trajectory of the rathole; and a communication device (190) associated with the at least one sensor, for communicating data relating to the at least one parameter to an operator of the milling assembly.

Abstract: A device comprising a plurality of antennas operable to transmit and receive communication packets via a plurality of communication protocols and an integrated circuit chip coupled to the plurality of antennas. The integrated circuit chip comprises a first and a second plurality of processing elements. The first plurality of processing elements operable to receive communication packets via a first one of a plurality of communication protocols and process an optimal route. The second plurality of processing elements communicatively coupled to the first plurality of processing elements and operable to determine the optimal route to transmit the communication packets from a source device to a destination device based, at least in part, on transmission characteristics associated with at least one of the source or destination devices.

Abstract: A lift gas injection system that is used for introducing lift gas into a stream of production fluid includes a lift gas injection valve. A pressure protection system guards the injection valve against external overpressure by blocking communication to inside the injection valve housing when ambient pressure exceeds a set pressure. Communication is blocked by moving a valve member so that it obstructs flow through an opening in the housing. The system includes pressure actuated valve which has a platen mounted to an end of a bellows, and a valve member coupled to the platen. Surface area is reduced on the bellows side of the platen that creates a force imbalance on the platen from applied ambient pressure. At the set pressure the force imbalance moves the platen, and which pushes the valve member against the opening. A compressible pressure compensator inside the injection valve protects against internal overpressure.

Abstract: A method of estimating a real time production flowrate from a well by estimating a real time flowrate of a marker fluid in the well, and comparing the estimated flowrate with a baseline marker fluid flowrate; where the baseline marker fluid flowrate correlates to baseline production fluid flowrate. The baseline marker fluid flowrate is obtained by introducing an amount of a marker fluid in the well, monitoring the time over which the marker fluid travels a set distance, and estimating a flowrate of the marker fluid based on the monitored time and amount of marker fluid. The real time production flowrate is obtained by extrapolating the baseline production fluid flowrate by an amount derived from a comparison of the baseline and real time marker fluid flow rates.

Abstract: A heating element includes an electrically insulating layer; resistive layer formed of a positive temperature coefficient material; and an electrically conductive layer disposed between the electrically insulating layer and the resistive layer and including a first bus and a second bus that is spaced apart from the first bus, the resistive layer electrically connecting the first bus and the second bus. The electrically insulating layer, the electrically conductive layer, and the resistive layer are stacked to form a lamination and the lamination having a thickness and a width and length extending orthogonal to the thickness. The lamination may have slits extending through the thickness thereof and along a portion of the length thereof. Terminals may be connected to the buses and arranged to provide a counter current flow pattern across the lamination. The lamination may be used in a warming device and in connection with a patient warming system.

Abstract: Fluid is produced from a well that is equipped with a plunger lift system. The plunger lift system includes a plunger that is inserted into production tubing that is installed in the well. Liquid from a surrounding formation accumulates on top of the plunger. The liquid accumulation on the plunger is monitored. Lift gas is injected into the production tubing below the plunger to lift the plunger and accumulated liquid to surface. A wellhead assembly at surface directs the accumulated liquid away from the well, and injection of the lift gas is suspended to allow the plunger to drop back to its initial position. The timing of the lift gas injection is based on monitoring liquid accumulation, and also to maximize production from the well.

Abstract: A system for detecting transparent elements in a vehicle environment are described. In some examples, this may include accessing an image of a scene captured by an image capture device attached to a vehicle. A reflected image present in the image may be detected. The reflected image may include a portion of the vehicle. It may be determined that the scene includes a transparent element based at least in part on detecting the reflected image present in the image.

Abstract: A process for the production of glycolic acid or a derivative thereof comprises: reacting formaldehyde with carbon monoxide and water in a carbonylation reactor in the presence of a sulfur catalyst, said reactor operating under suitable conditions, such that glycolic acid is formed; recovering a first product stream comprising glycolic acid, impurities and a sulfur species in the carbonylation reactor; passing the first product stream to an esterification reactor where it is subjected to esterification to form an alkylglycolate and wherein the esterification is catalysed by the sulfur species recovered in the first product stream; recovering a second product stream comprising the alkylglycolate, sulfur species and impurities from the esterification reactor; separating the sulfur species from the second product stream and recycling it to the carbonylation reactor in step (a) to form a sulphur depleted second product stream; separating the alkylglycolate from the sulphur depleted second product stream in a dist

Abstract: Temperature management systems for aerial vehicles may include heat pipes that are thermally connected to components that generate heat. The heat pipes may be routed through or adjacent to a propeller or propulsion airflow, or within or across a vehicle airflow, to dissipate heat from the components. A heat pipe may be selected from a plurality of heat pipes based on measured temperatures of components that generate heat, operational characteristics of the aerial vehicle and/or one or more propellers, and/or measured temperatures of other components that may be heated. Additional temperature management systems may include cool air ducts and cool air pipes that may be routed from a propeller or propulsion airflow, or a vehicle airflow, to components that generate heat or other components that may be cooled.

Abstract: A system may include sensor modules configured to generate sensor signals representative of an environment surrounding a vehicle, and a sensor configured to be coupled to the frame of the vehicle at a location spaced from a first sensor module and configured to generate sensor signals representative of movement of the first sensor module relative to a portion of the frame. The system may also include a sensor processor configured to receive the sensor signals representative of movement of the first sensor module and estimate relative motion of the first sensor module relative to the portion of the frame of the vehicle. The sensor processor may also be configured to calculate, based at least in part on the relative motion estimation, a position, orientation, and/or velocity of the vehicle, and a position of objects in the surrounding environment and/or movement of the objects in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method of estimating a real time production flowrate from a well by estimating a real time flowrate of a marker fluid in the well, and comparing the estimated flowrate with a baseline marker fluid flowrate; where the baseline marker fluid flowrate correlates to baseline production fluid flowrate. The baseline marker fluid flowrate is obtained by introducing an amount of a marker fluid in the well, monitoring the time over which the marker fluid travels a set distance, and estimating a flowrate of the marker fluid based on the monitored time and amount of marker fluid. The real time production flowrate is obtained by extrapolating the baseline production fluid flowrate by an amount derived from a comparison of the baseline and real time marker fluid flow rates.

Abstract: Methods for improving the dispersion of optical brighteners in polymeric compositions are provided. Polymeric compositions obtained by these methods are also provided. Premixes for use in the methods are also provided. In particular, methods for incorporating an optical brightener in a polymeric composition comprising dissolving the optical brightener in a solvent prior to adding the optical brightener to the polymeric compositions are provided.

Abstract: Techniques for verifying a location and identification of a landing marker to aid an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a payload to a location may be provided. For example, upon receiving an indication that a UAV has arrived to a delivery location, a server computer may process one or more images of an area that are provided by the UAV and/or a user interacting with a user device. A landing marker may be identified in the image and a representation of the landing marker along with instructions to guide the UAV to deliver the payload to the landing marker may be transmitted to the UAV and implemented by the UAV.