Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression apparatus including a base member having an interior surface dimensioned to at least partly encircle a tubular member; a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the base member; and at least one aperture formed through the base member, from the interior surface to the exterior surface.

Abstract: A handheld device is configured with a mode indicator to provide an easily seen indication of a defined mode of operation. A command may be received by the handheld device to enter the defined mode of operation. After entering the defined mode of operation, the device may set one or more specific pixels on a display of the handheld device to a predefined color indicative of the defined mode of operation. The mode indicator on the handheld is illuminated by transporting colored light generated by the one or more specific pixels to the mode indicator.

Abstract: A tow body apparatus, a method of making a modular tow body, and a method of using a tow body. The tow body comprises a nose module, a tail module, and a first payload module that may be made of plastic by three-dimensional printing. The nose module is configured to be connected to a tow cable for towing the tow body through water and comprises a nose module mating interface. The tail module comprises fins for stabilizing the tow body as the tow body is towed through water and a tail module mating interface. The first payload module comprises an interior configured to hold a payload, a first mating interface configured to be attached alternatively to the nose module mating interface or to a second payload module, and a second mating interface configured to be attached alternatively to the tail module mating interface or to the second payload module.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a fiber optic system to organize optical fibers. The tray assembly includes a backbone structure with a plurality of backbone segments that are connected together and are positioned along an expansion/contraction axis of the backbone structure. The tray assembly also includes a stack of fiber management trays that are connected to the backbone structure. Each of the fiber management trays are pivotally connected to the backbone segments at a pivot axis. The backbone segments are moveable relative to one another along the expansion/contraction axis to allow the backbone structure to be moved between an expanded state and a contracted state.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: Provided are smoking products and methods of preparing smoking products that include tobacco and a deflavored rosemary or a heat-treated rosemary. The deflavored and/or heat-treated rosemary may have been previously heated at a temperature and a time sufficient to reduce or remove flavorant components compared to the use of untreated rosemary. The heated rosemary may include one or more pentacyclic triterpenoid acids such as betulinic, betul-18-enoic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids.

Abstract: A tow body apparatus, a method of making a modular tow body, and a method of using a tow body. The tow body comprises a nose module, a tail module, and a first payload module that may be made of plastic by three-dimensional printing. The nose module is configured to be connected to a tow cable for towing the tow body through water and comprises a nose module mating interface. The tail module comprises fins for stabilizing the tow body as the tow body is towed through water and a tail module mating interface. The first payload module comprises an interior configured to hold a payload, a first mating interface configured to be attached alternatively to the nose module mating interface or to a second payload module, and a second mating interface configured to be attached alternatively to the tail module mating interface or to the second payload module.

Abstract: A turbine engine airfoil apparatus, including an airfoil defined by a plurality of airfoil sections arrayed along a stacking axis that extends between a root and a tip, wherein at least two of the airfoil sections spaced apart from each other have differing airfoil section thermal expansion properties.

Abstract: An arrangement for a fiber optic distribution network includes a fiber management tray having a first major side and an opposite second major side. The arrangement also includes a fiber optic cable including optical fibers. The fiber optic cable has first and second jacketed sections and an unjacketed mid-span access location positioned between the first and second jacketed sections. The unjacketed mid-span access location can be managed by the fiber management tray with drop splicing being performed at the first major side of the tray and the remainder of the fiber management and splicing being performed at the second major side of the tray.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending black-start availability using energy storage systems can be provided. In one example implementation, a method includes detecting, by one or more controllers, a disconnection of the power system from a power grid; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of the amount of energy present in a first energy storage system; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of an amount of energy associated with powering one or more loads coupled to the power system; and determining, by the one or more controllers, to activate the auxiliary power source based at least in part on the amount of energy present in the first energy storage system and the amount of energy associated with powering the one or more loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a short circuit current associated with an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include an energy storage device and a switching power supply coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage system can further include one or more cables configured to couple the energy storage device to the switching power supply, and a magnetic framework positioned proximate the one or more cables. The magnetic framework can include one or more magnetic structures and can span at least a portion of the length of the cables. The one or more cables are positioned in a physical arrangement that, in conjunction with the magnetic framework, facilitates a selected inductance between the cables.

Abstract: An arrangement for a fiber optic distribution network includes a fiber management tray having a first major side and an opposite second major side. The arrangement also includes a fiber optic cable including optical fibers. The fiber optic cable has first and second jacketed sections and an unjacketed mid-span access location positioned between the first and second jacketed sections. The unjacketed mid-span access location can be managed by the fiber management tray with drop splicing being performed at the first major side of the tray and the remainder of the fiber management and splicing being performed at the second major side of the tray.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate generally to fiber wall jacks including connector covers for protecting mating fiber optic connectors or adapters that prevent light emissions from the fiber-optics of the connectors when the adapter is open (i.e., when no mating connector is inserted). The connector covers providing protection of the open end from environmental contamination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending black-start availability using energy storage systems can be provided. In one example implementation, a method includes detecting, by one or more controllers, a disconnection of the power system from a power grid; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of the amount of energy present in a first energy storage system; obtaining, by the one or more controllers, data indicative of an amount of energy associated with powering one or more loads coupled to the power system; and determining, by the one or more controllers, to activate the auxiliary power source based at least in part on the amount of energy present in the first energy storage system and the amount of energy associated with powering the one or more loads.

Abstract: A mounting system for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand at a location near a pole is disclosed. The mounting system includes a hanger arrangement configured to clamp to the aerial strand with the enclosure hung below the aerial strand at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure is laterally offset from the aerial strand such that a weight of the enclosure generates torque about the aerial strand. The mounting system includes a rod for securement to the hanger arrangement and to the pole for transferring the torque generated by the weight of the enclosure from the hanger arrangement to the pole such that the enclosure is prevented from rotating about the aerial strand toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure is located directly beneath the aerial strand.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.

Abstract: A mounting system for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand at a location near a pole is disclosed. The mounting system includes a hanger arrangement configured to clamp to the aerial strand with the enclosure hung below the aerial strand at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure is laterally offset from the aerial strand such that a weight of the enclosure generates torque about the aerial strand. The mounting system includes a rod for securement to the hanger arrangement and to the pole for transferring the torque generated by the weight of the enclosure from the hanger arrangement to the pole such that the enclosure is prevented from rotating about the aerial strand toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure is located directly beneath the aerial strand.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector storage apparatus for storing a fiber optic connector having an exposed ferrule includes a housing and a dust cap portion. The housing defines a socket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector. The dust cap portion is integral with the housing and is configured to receive and protect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the socket.