Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy with at least one thermocouple, which thermocouple comprises two thermoelectric branches (A, B) electrically connected in series, and the thermocouple has a first passage surface (F1) and a second passage surface (F) for the heat flow (Q) and for the electrical current (7, 7?). In this connection, the value of the first passage surface (F1) is less than 5% of the value of the second passage surface (F).

Abstract: A method for removing fluids from a commingled well comprises positioning a fluid removal system in the well. In addition, the method comprises sealing a first formation from a second formation, shutting in the annulus, and closing off an inner flow passage of a tubing string. Further, the method comprises allowing the pressure of the first and second production zones to build up naturally. Still further, the method comprises flowing a fluid from the first production zone through a first of a plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage, and flowing a fluid from the second production zone through a second of the plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage. Moreover, the method comprises re-opening the inner flow passage of the tubing string and lifting the fluid in the inner flow passage to the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy with at least one thermocouple, which thermocouple comprises two thermoelectric branches (A, B) electrically connected in series, and the thermocouple has a first passage surface (F1) and a second passage surface (F) for the heat flow (Q) and for the electrical current (7, 7?). In this connection, the value of the first passage surface (F1) is less than 5% of the value of the second passage surface (F).

Abstract: A method for removing fluids from a commingled well comprises positioning a fluid removal system in the well. In addition, the method comprises sealing a first formation from a second formation, shutting in the annulus, and closing off an inner flow passage of a tubing string. Further, the method comprises allowing the pressure of the first and second production zones to build up naturally. Still further, the method comprises flowing a fluid from the first production zone through a first of a plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage, and flowing a fluid from the second production zone through a second of the plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage. Moreover, the method comprises re-opening the inner flow passage of the tubing string and lifting the fluid in the inner flow passage to the surface.

Abstract: In a communication system having a first network unit and a second network unit, a plurality of subscriber units which transmit and receive signaling messages to the second network unit are provided in the first network unit. The signaling messages of the subscriber units are in each case divided into a first class of signaling messages and into a second class of signaling messages. The signaling messages are transmitted between the first network unit and the second network unit via a common link. In the case where a measured utilization of the common link exceeds a first threshold, the transmission of signaling messages assigned to the second class is interrupted for all subscriber units. In the case where the measured utilization of the common link drops below the first threshold and exceeds a second threshold which is lower than the first threshold, the transmission of signaling messages assigned to the second class can be interrupted for some subscriber units.

Abstract: A telecommunication network has an operation and maintenance device and a plurality of network elements each of them having hardware objects. At least one network element communicates state changes to the operation and maintenance device. The operation and maintenance device has a memory device and a processing device. The memory device stores a state dependency graph with objects, states of the objects and operators and a set of rules allocated to the operators. The processing device processes the communicated state changes by applying the rules to the operators of the graph and calculates the new states of all objects that depend on the communicated state change.