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: A thermal storage composition is defined by a polymer having thermally responsive absorption or passage capabilities based on an Upper Critical Solution Temperature (UCST) or Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST), and a sorbent in fluidic communication with the polymer. A fluid such as water conveys thermal energy between the polymer and the sorbent based on an identified target temperature that acts as a thermostat for synergistic fluid release and transfer between the polymer and sorbent that stores and releases heat energy in a cyclic manner. The composition includes a synergistic integration of a sorbent and selectively hydrophilic polymer to alternately hydrate according to a target temperature based on the UCST of the water/sorbent combination.

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 thermal storage composition is defined by a polymer having thermally responsive absorption or passage capabilities based on an Upper Critical Solution Temperature (UCST) or Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST), and a sorbent in fluidic communication with the polymer. A fluid such as water conveys thermal energy between the polymer and the sorbent based on an identified target temperature that acts as a thermostat for synergistic fluid release and transfer between the polymer and sorbent that stores and releases heat energy in a cyclic manner. The composition includes a synergistic integration of a sorbent and selectively hydrophilic polymer to alternately hydrate according to a target temperature based on the UCST of the water/sorbent combination.

Abstract: A rigid, rod liquid crystal polymer includes a poly(phenylene sulfonic acid).

Abstract: A rigid, rod liquid crystal polymer includes a a poly(phenylene sulfonic acid).