Abstract: A bi-directional sealing assembly for providing a fluid seal for a pony rod in stationary equipment. The sealing assembly can include first and second sealing assemblies and an intermediate mechanical component. The sealing subassemblies can include a flange element configured for contacting the pony rod. The flange elements contact and form a bi-directional fluid seal with the pony rod when mounted thereabout, such that the first sealing subassembly forms a first fluid seal when the pony rod moves in a first axial direction and the second sealing subassembly forms a second fluid seal when the pony rod moves in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.

Abstract: A method comprises measuring, at a surface of a wellbore during drilling of the wellbore, at least one drilling operational parameter and determining at least one at-bit model parameter, at a drill bit used for drilling the wellbore, based on the at least one drilling operational parameter measured at the surface of the wellbore. The method comprises determining a drilling efficiency based on the at least one at-bit model parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of a biogas from a lignocellulosic biomass. These methods can include inoculating a feedstock mixture with a mixed microbial community; using a pH adjusting agent to increase a pH of the feedstock mixture to an alkaline pH; incubating the feedstock mixture at a thermophilic temperature; contacting the digestate with a pH adjusting agent to a substantially neutral pH; and incubating the first digestate to form a second biogas. Also provided are systems to convert a lignocellulosic feedstock to biogas having a first reactor operating at an alkaline pH and a thermophilic temperature; and a second reactor operating at a substantially neutral pH. The systems and methods disclosed herein can produce substantially pure biogas and a residual biogas stream having high carbohydrate conversion without the addition of non-digestible solids and can also be used to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to produce a high purity biogas from a lignocellulosic biomass. The methods can include inoculating a feedstock mixture comprising the lignocellulosic biomass with a mixed microbial community; contacting the feedstock mixture with effective amount of a soluble pH adjusting agent to increase a pH of the feedstock mixture to an alkaline pH; incubating the feedstock mixture anaerobically at a thermophilic temperature of at least 45° C.; collecting the high purity biogas. In other embodiments, the method comprises inoculating a feedstock mixture comprising the lignocellulosic biomass with a mixed microbial community; anaerobically digesting the feedstock mixture at a pH, temperature, and retention time effective to afford at least 30% carbohydrate conversion of the lignocellulosic biomass to produce high purity biogas having at least 85% methane by volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly for providing sealing on a rotating shaft or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer, housing, and a rotational seal element such as a matrix is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computing unit for securely performing an operation on encrypted data in an Internet of Things, IoT, environment. The computing unit comprises a secure element, at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory contains instructions executable by the at least one processor such that the computing unit is operable to obtain (S302) encrypted data collected by a sensor provided in the IoT environment, pass (S304) the encrypted data to the secure element requesting the secure element to decrypt the encrypted data and to perform an operation on the decrypted data, and obtain (S306) an encrypted or non-encrypted result of the operation from the secure element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computing unit for securely performing an operation on encrypted data in an Internet of Things, IoT, environment. The computing unit comprises a secure element, at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory contains instructions executable by the at least one processor such that the computing unit is operable to obtain (S302) encrypted data collected by a sensor provided in the IoT environment, pass (S304) the encrypted data to the secure element requesting the secure element to decrypt the encrypted data and to perform an operation on the decrypted data, and obtain (S306) an encrypted or non-encrypted result of the operation from the secure element.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly is provided for forming a seal between a shaft and housing. The seal assembly includes a stationary element configured to be coupled to the housing and having an annular shape defining a space through which the shaft extends; a rotary element disposed within the space and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the rotary element having an outer surface that extends in an axial direction and having a groove formed therein, the rotary element being disposed between the stationary element and the shaft; and a valve element mounted within the groove and disposed between the stationary element and the rotary element when assembled to form the seal. The valve element is formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly is provided for forming a seal between a shaft and housing. The seal assembly includes a stationary element configured to be coupled to the housing and having an annular shape defining a space through which the shaft extends; a rotary element disposed within the space and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the rotary element having an outer surface that extends in an axial direction and having a groove formed therein, the rotary element being disposed between the stationary element and the shaft; and a valve element mounted within the groove and disposed between the stationary element and the rotary element when assembled to form the seal. The valve element is formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly for providing sealing on a rotating shaft or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer, housing, and a rotational seal element such as a matrix is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.

Abstract: Device comprising equipment for measuring parameters of a drilling or coring operation by means of a drillbit fixed to the end of a drill string, measurement equipment (7) being housed in a chamber (5) made in a coupling (1, 18) that is designed to be interposed between two drill string pipes or between the drillbit and a drill string pipe, or to constitute an adapter (18) for a cutting head (15) of the drillbit of a drill string.

Abstract: Device comprising equipment for measuring parameters of a drilling or coring operation by means of a drillbit fixed to the end of a drill string, measurement equipment (7) being housed in a chamber (5) made in a coupling (1, 18) that is designed to be interposed between two drill string pipes or between the drillbit and a drill string pipe, or to constitute an adapter (18) for a cutting head (15) of the drillbit of a drill string.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage stable microemulsion formulation for modified lecithin as well as other materials. For modified lecithin, the microemulsion contains at least one metal chelate complex, at least one surfactant such as an anionic surfactant, modified lecithin, water, and optionally at least one alcohol. For other materials, the microemulsion contains all above plus one or more other materials wherein modified lecithin can be replaced by unmodified lecithin. Further provided are methods of making and using the above microemulsions.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a gutter cover on a new rain gutter or an existing rain gutter, wherein the gutter cover prevents debris from entering the gutter. The cover support structure is comprised of a lifting strut that supports the leading hooked frontal edge of a gutter cover, two stabilizing struts that interlock with the hooked edge of a frontal rim of a gutter trough, a connecting strut that connects the lifting strut to the stabilizing struts, and a junction where the lifting strut and stabilizing struts converge.

Abstract: The invention is a bracket for installing a gutter cover for ducting rainwater to a rainwater gutter, where the gutter cover prevents debris from entering the gutter. The bracket is roughly shaped like three extended fingers, where each finger is a strut. The struts converge at a junction. The various struts are a lifting strut that supports the leading hooked frontal edge of a gutter cover, a stabilizing strut that has a hooked end that interlocks with the hooked edge of a frontal rim of a gutter trough, and a bracing strut that is a leg stemming from the junction to a bottom portion of the gutter.

Abstract: The rectifier arrangement, preferably for a three-phase generator for a motor vehicle, has at least one power diode of positive polarity and at least one power diode of negative polarity assigned to respective half waves of each phase of the three-phase current and a cooling arrangement for the power diodes, the power diodes of like polarity being arranged on respective heat sinks in an electrically and thermally conductive fashion, and the heat sinks being sandwiched together with at least one electrically insulating part (32) which contains the electrical conductors between the diodes and the three-phase winding.