Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber web and a method for preparing it. The fiber web comprises a filler-containing base web, which is possibly coated with a pigment-containing coating layer. According to the invention, 5-100% of the filler in the base web is made up of cellulose fibrils or lignocellulose fibrils with light-scattering material particles deposited thereon. These coated cellulose fibrils or lignocellulose fibrils constitute at maximum approx. 70% of the weight of the base web. The base web according to the invention contains more than 20% less retention agents than does a web which has the same formation but in which more than 95% of the filler is made up of filler particles known per se.

Abstract: A planar element for use in a papermaking machine comprising a synthetic construction incorporating nanoparticles in a polymeric resin matrix.

Abstract: A joining process for an endless or seamed press fabric, the joining process including the step of providing a woven base fabric having a plurality of monofilament yarns including warp yarns extending in a machine direction and weft yarns extending in a cross machine direction, the woven base fabric being cut along one of the weft yarns and having two opposing ends and two side edges. A predetermined number of the weft yarns are removed along each of the two opposing ends to free a plurality of cut ends of the warp yarns, fringing the ends. The plurality of free cut ends of the two opposing ends are interdigitated with each other and the cut ends opposing and adjoining one another are heat bonded to define a joint area.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or composition of matter adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a first form comprising: a plurality of surface artifacts that substantially spatially replicate a surface geometry of a stacked foil mold; and a prong that is adapted to form a hole in a cast product.

Abstract: Provided is bearing steel having excellent fatigue life by minimizing segregation during casting of the bearing steel and reducing the generation of large carbides in a segregation band. The high-carbon chromium bearing steel includes 0.5 wt % to 1.2 wt % of carbon (C), 0.15 wt % to 2.0 wt % of silicon (Si), 0.05 wt % to 0.45 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.025 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of phosphorus (P), 0.025 wt % or less (excluding 0 wt %) of sulfur (S), 0.1 wt % to 1.6 wt % of chromium (Cr), 0.01 wt % to 0.3 wt % of Ce, and iron (Fe) as well as other unavoidable impurities as a remainder. A method of manufacturing the steel is also provided.

Abstract: A combined continuous casting and rolling system, a control device for such system, and a method for producing rolling stock, e.g., metal strip, using such system are disclosed. The combined continuous casting and rolling system may include a casting device for casting metal and a roll train having at least one roll stand for hot forming the rolling stock, wherein the system is operated such that the rolling stock extends continuously between the casting device and the roll train, wherein rolling stock is continually supplied to the roll train, and wherein a predetermined target thickness progression for the rolling stock is predetermined. Because the thickness progression has at least two different target thicknesses for different sections in the longitudinal direction of the rolling stock and the thickness progression is designed such that particular target thicknesses are set at least twice, longitudinally profiled rolling stock may be produced relatively inexpensively.

Abstract: A continuous casting device including at least a crystallizer suitable for casting a metal product, and a plurality of guide and containing segments with rolls, the function of which is to accompany the cast product exiting from the crystallizer. The device includes, an extension of or in an intermediate position to one or more of the guide and containing segments with rolls, one or more guide and containing segments of the mixed type with panels and rolls, each including one or more guide rolls disposed on at least one side of the product and insulated and/or reflecting and/or heated panels disposed on the opposite side of the product, so as to reduce the loss of temperature of the cast product in transit.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of casting metal parts in sand molds, with the particularity that it is not necessary to use sleeves surrounding the feed risers which are arranged outside the part to offset the shrinkage occurring during the solidification of the molten metals. The operations of placing the sleeves which must be arranged around the risers are eliminated with the method object of the invention, the actual sleeves being made when the sand mold is produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous material having micropores capable of storing and releasing heat by phase change, which comprises a phase change material inserted into the micropores of a porous material medium such as activated carbon or silica gel so as to be capable of storing and releasing energy, and a preparation method thereof. The method comprises the steps of: pre-treating a porous material medium to remove impurities from the micropores of the porous material medium, thereby opening the micropores; pre-treating a phase change material to make it possible to insert the phase change material into the micropores of the porous material medium; inserting the pretreated phase change material into the pretreated porous material medium; filtering the porous material medium filled with the phase change material to remove the phase change material remaining after the insertion step; and washing the filtered material.

Abstract: An air conditioning method that reduces the amount of cooling energy and the amount of dehumidification energy to approximately a limiting amount, and also reduces the amount of humidifying energy to approximately a limiting amount. If an absolute humidity of the process air is calculated by use of measurements of changes in work conditions and variations in atmospheric pressure, the required amount of air to be cooled and dehumidified flowing downstream through the main-stream duct and the required amount of humidification can be determined. Therefore, by outputting a signal indicative of the required amount of cooled-dehumidified air to actuate a controller of flow-rate regulating means, and outputting a signal indicative of the required amount of humidification to actuate a controller of humidifying means, the amount of air to be cooled and dehumidified can be reduced to the required amount of cooled-dehumidified air close to the limiting amount.

Abstract: The cooling performance on an air-cooled fuel cell and a radiator for cooling electrical equipment is improved in an air-cooled fuel cell vehicle. The air-cooled fuel cell includes: air inlets respectively at both side portions in a vehicle width direction; and air outlets and an exhaust duct at a central portion in the vehicle width direction, the exhaust duct configured to discharge air flowing out of the air outlets to a rear side of the vehicle. Intake ducts extending toward the front portion of the vehicle are respectively connected to the air inlets. Air intake ports of the intake ducts are respectively opened at both side portions, in the vehicle width direction, of a radiator and at positions closer to the front portion of the vehicle than the radiator.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling part to cool a connecting part of a heating element with a first coolant having an electrical insulating property, the connecting part providing electrical connection between the heating element and a board, and a second cooling part to cool another part of the heating element with a second coolant, said other part being different from the connecting part.

Abstract: A system for cooling packing material utilized for sealing a shaft moving therethrough is described. The packing material held in place by at least one packing cup, wherein a coolant is directed axially through a significant volume of each packing cup close to the packing material. The present system finds use for compressors and pumps where pressure requirements of the fluids acted upon demand the use of packing materials in close contact with the moving shafts.

Abstract: Each of substrates which are sequentially loaded into an apparatus is transferred to one of empty (available) cooling units, and the cooling unit is reserved as a unit to be used for performing a cooling treatment after a post-exposure bake process for the substrate and the reservation information is stored. After one of the cooling units is reserved in advance before the post-exposure bake process, the substrate is transferred from the cooling unit to one of heating units without being subjected to a cooling treatment and is subjected to a post-exposure bake process therein. After the post-exposure bake process, the substrate is transferred from the heating unit to the reserved cooling unit which is reserved in advance and subjected to a cooling treatment therein.

Abstract: A motor vehicle and a method for operating the same. The motor vehicle includes a first heating/cooling circuit with a heat source/sink arranged therein and a first pump, and a second heating/cooling circuit with a battery to be heated/cooled arranged therein and a second pump. The heating/cooling circuits can be selectively operatively and/or fluidically connected by way of at least one valve such that the same liquid heat carrier flows through both heating/cooling circuits.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling an electronic device includes a heat exchanger, a first refrigerant pipe, a pump, a second refrigerant pipe, and a cooling apparatus. The heat exchanger, the first refrigerant pipe, the pump, and the second refrigerant pipe are connected in that order to form a first circulation system. The cooling apparatus is connected between the pump and the second refrigerant pipe. The cooling apparatus is exposed outside the electronic device. When the temperature outside the electronic device is higher than the temperature in the electronic device, the first circulation system cools the electronic device. When the temperature outside the electronic device is lower than the temperature in the electronic device, the refrigerant flows through the cooling apparatus to be cooled.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a casing including aluminum nitride impregnated alumina-silica cloth. The heat exchanger includes a hot fluid flowpath positioned inside the casing for carrying a hot fluid from an inlet to an outlet downstream from the inlet. The hot fluid flowpath is formed at least in part by a thermally conductive wall permitting thermal energy to transfer from hot fluid flowing through the hot fluid flowpath. The heat exchanger includes a cold fluid flowpath for carrying a cold fluid from an inlet to an outlet downstream from the inlet. At least a downstream portion of the cold fluid flowpath is formed by the thermally conductive wall permitting thermal energy to transfer from hot fluid flowing through the hot fluid flowpath to the cold fluid. At least a portion of the cold fluid flowpath upstream from the thermally conductive wall is formed by ceramic foam.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a hot fluid flowpath and a cold air flowpath. At least a portion of the cold air flowpath has a thermally conductive wall transferring thermal energy from hot fluid flowing through the hot fluid flowpath to cold air flowing through the cold air flowpath. The cold air flowpath includes a separator for separating ice particles from the cold air flowing through the cold air flowpath. The separator includes a passage having a bottom wall, an end wall, and a side wall including a porous wall through which a majority of cold air entering the separator passes. The end wall has an ice particle discharge opening adjacent the bottom wall permitting a minority of the cold air entering the separator to carry ice particles separated from the majority of cold air through the opening.

Abstract: A condensation chamber cooling system of a condensation chamber for a boiling water reactor has a heat exchanger outside the condensation chamber. An elongate cooling module is provided in the condensation chamber with an evaporation space in its upper region. The cooling module is configured such that the evaporation space is located above a maximum filling level of the condensation chamber. The cooling module includes at least one riser pipe and one downpipe that issue with their upper ends into the evaporation space and with their lower ends in the condensation chamber. A first pressure line leads from the evaporation space to the heat exchanger and, from there, a second pressure line which issues in the condensation chamber below the minimum filling level. Thus, the condensation chamber, the pressure lines, the cooling module and the heat exchanger form a passive closed cooling circuit.

Abstract: Enhanced heat transfer by kinetic movement of boundary layer film by introducing particles with specialized surfaces. A boundary layer is stagnant, reducing heat transfer into a flowing fluid. Boundary layer heat transfer is primarily conduction. The introduction of specialized particles into fluid promotes boundary layer mixing, thereby converting conduction to convection through the film. Particles of the invention tumble while mixing the boundary layer, which provides low surface area energy sites around the particles. Kinetic movement increases nucleation formation for gas phase transfer during boiling. Metal and ceramic nanoparticles in fluids increase fluid thermal conductivity. By modifying surface characteristics of such nanoparticles to promote boundary layer mixing, fluid heat transfer and thermal conductivity will increase.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a component is provided. The method includes forming one or more grooves in a surface of a substrate, where the substrate has at least one hollow interior space. Each of the one or more grooves extends at least partially along the substrate surface and has a base and a top. The base is wider than the top, such that each of the one or more grooves comprises a re-entrant shaped groove. The method further includes forming one or more access holes through the base of a respective groove, to connect the groove in fluid communication with respective ones of the hollow interior space(s), and disposing a coating over at least a portion of the substrate surface. The one or more grooves and coating define one or more re-entrant shaped channels for cooling the component. A component with one or more re-entrant shaped channels and a method of coating a component are also provided.

Abstract: There is a need for a flexible, insulated jacket that can be used to substantially enclose a pipe junction, then inject a cooling substance into the jacket, and thereby freeze or substantially freeze the contents of the junction. Industries conveying fluids, including fluids comprising hydrocarbons, using pipes and valves would benefit from such a jacket. The jacket is shaped to substantially enclose a pipe junction connecting two or more pipes. The jacket comprises a flexible insulated body having fasteners. The jacket has an open position and a closed position. The body substantially encloses the pipe junction in the closed position. The jacket further comprises at least two fluid injection valves communicated through the jacket body.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a coupling between components. When igniting a plasma remote from a processing chamber, the reactive gas ions may travel to the processing chamber through numerous components. The reactive gas ions may be quite hot and cause the various components to become very hot and thus, the seals between apparatus components may fail. Therefore, it may be beneficial to cool any metallic components through which the reactive gas ions may travel. However, at the interface between the cooled metallic component and a ceramic component, the ceramic component may experience a temperature gradient sufficient to crack the ceramic material due to the heat of the reactive gas ions and the coolness of the metallic component. Therefore, extending a flange of the metallic component into the ceramic component may lessen the temperature gradient at the interface and reduce cracking of the ceramic component.

Abstract: Heat exchanger, having multiple first flow channels (4) of a cooling medium arranged one over another, second flow channels (5) of a process medium, which are arranged between the first flow channels (4) and are provided on their ends with manifold boxes (7, 8), the first and second flow channels (4, 5) each being formed by partition plates (2) and first and second block profiles (3, 6), which hold these partition plates spaced apart, and lamellae (9, 10) arranged between respective block profiles (3, 6), the first block profiles (3) delimiting the first flow channels (4) being designed as C-shaped, two springy legs (32) extending in the direction of the lamellae (9) from a base (31) of the first block profiles (3) and delimiting a recess (33) open in the direction of the lamellae (9) between them, wherein the base (31) has at least one recess (38, 39) for the flexible design of the base (31) of the first block profiles (3).

Abstract: A cooling device for an electronic component, includes: a metal pipe; a metal foil provided on an external surface of the metal pipe; and a thermally-cured resin layer that bonds the external surface of the metal pipe and the metal foil together.

Abstract: A header for an air cooled heat exchanger is provided. The header includes a housing having top and bottom walls and side walls and an inlet and an outlet, one of said side walls being a tube wall for connection to a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. The header includes a partition wall between the top and bottom walls defining upper and lower regions, the partition being a sheet having a higher central area which extends downward to corners of the upper region. Each corner has a drain aperture for fluid in the upper region to drain by gravity out of the upper region.

Abstract: A radiator fin (10) has front (11) and rear (12) faces, and is defined by upper (15) and lower (16) edges and opposed side edges (17, 18). The fin (10) has first and second apertures (13, 14), each passing through the front (11) and rear (12) faces and adapted to receive and contact a conductive element (24, 25) for the transfer of heat to the fin (10). The centre of the first aperture (13) is offset relative to the centre of the second aperture (14), such that said first (13) and second aperture (14) centres are not vertically aligned when the fin (10) is installed. The fin (10) is adapted for mounting adjacent a plurality of like fins (10) to form a heat exchange coil (30) for use in a radiator (40).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to process a thermal interface material to achieve easy pick and placement of the thermal interface material without lowering thermal performance of a completed semiconductor package. One method involves applying a non-adhesive layer on one or more surfaces of the thermal interface material, interfacing the thermal interface material with one or more components to interface the non-adhesive layer therebetween, and applying heat to alter the non-adhesive layer to increase thermal contact between the thermal interface material and the interfacing component(s).

Abstract: A heat pump operation method includes: obtaining, on a per time unit basis, an amount of the power generated by the power generation device, an amount of the power consumed by the electric load, and surplus power which is a difference between the generated power and the load power; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to generate heat using power adjusted to follow a per time unit increase or decrease in the surplus power. In the controlling, when an amount of change in the surplus power remains greater than a predetermined threshold value for a given period of time extending back from a present time, an extent to which the power consumed by the heat pump follows the surplus power is reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a dwelling is provided. The system includes a plurality of wireless thermostats disposed throughout multiple zones within the dwelling and operable to control climate conditions in the corresponding zones. The system further includes a primary power source operable to supply power to thermostats for operating in a high-power mode when operatively connected thereto. The thermostats each include a secondary power source operable to supply power to the thermostats for operating in a low-power mode when the corresponding thermostat is not powered by the primary power source. Thermostats operating in the high-powered mode and are operable to receive and repeat signals originating from one or more thermostats operating in the low-power mode.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a heat radiating portion provided with first, second, and third connecting lines formed in a predetermined sequence by stacking a plurality of plates, and receiving first, second, and third operating fluids respectively into the first, second, and third connecting lines, the first, second, and third operating fluids exchanging heat with each other while passing through the first, second, and third connecting lines and the first, second, and not being mixed with each other while being circulated, and a bifurcating portion connecting an inflow hole for flowing one operating fluid of the first, second, and third operating fluids with an exhaust hole for exhausting the one operating fluid, adapted for the one operating fluid to bypass the heat radiating portion according to a temperature of the one operating fluid, and mounted at an exterior of the heat radiating portion.

Abstract: A heater cable for hydrocarbon drilling tubing, preferably applicable to pressurized or flooded annular space shale type wells, to prevent and/or remove obstructions in petroleum production wells tubing, caused by the accumulation of substances such as paraffin and hydrates or by a sharp increase in viscosity of the type which extends alongside a metallic thermo conductor duct affixed to the tubing by means of fixation elements. The cable is formed by an inner sheath insulating the electrical conductors, a metallic coat on said conductors' insulating sheath, a fluoropolymeric jacket surrounding said metallic sheath and an outer armour generally defined by a spring which surrounds the jacket in a helicoidal way. The coating of the conductors' insulating sheath is defined by a laminar band which protects all the surface of said sheath arranged in a surrounding way alongside it following a helicoidal arrangement and whose successive spirals are partially overlapped between them.

Abstract: A mule shoe assembly for use in directional drilling which advantageously has releasable locking means to free the directional orienting tool from engagement with the outer mule shoe in situations where the drill bit may become stuck. The releasable locking means comprises a moveable pin which engages an aperture. A first configuration utilizes detent means and spring biasing of the pin. In a second configuration, the pin is adapted for locking engagement by pressurized downhole drilling mud, and may be disengaged from the aperture when pressure from drilling mud ceases. In a preferred embodiment the pin both has detent means and is spring biased, and also relies on drilling mud pressure to remain in locking engagement. The pin may be disengaged upon removal of drilling mud pressure and application of a positive separation force between the directional measurement tool and associated inner tool member, and outer mule shoe member.

Abstract: A technique enables improvements in hydraulic fracturing treatments on heterogeneous reservoirs. Based on data obtained for a given reservoir, a fracturing treatment material is used to create complex fractures, which, while interacting with the interfaces and planes of weakness in the reservoir, develop fracture connectors, e.g. step-overs, which often grow for short distances along these planes of weakness. The technique further comprises closing or sealing at least one of the fracture connectors to enable reinitiation of fracturing from the truncated branches, and to subsequently develop additional connectors. As a result, the overall fracturing becomes more complex (more branches and more surface area per unit reservoir volume is created), which leads to an increase in the effective fracture area and improved fluid flow through the reservoir.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for in-situ upgrading bitumen or heavy oils during thermal recovery operations. In one embodiment, steam injection for thermal recovery of bitumen in a dolomitic or limestone reservoir matrix material can be carried out at a higher temperature, a higher pressure, a longer dwell time or a combination of all three to allow the mobilized bitumen to remain in contact with the catalytic materials in the dolomitic or limestone reservoir matrix material for longer times at higher temperatures and pressures. In another embodiment, catalytic materials such as for example, oxides or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, potassium, nickel and/or iron can be injected into the reservoir along with steam to further enhance catalytic activity during the heating, mobilization and recovery phases of a thermal recovery operation.

Abstract: Method for repairing a hanger (D) of a liner (B), for making a leak-tight connection, the liner (B) being placed inside and in the continuation of the casing (A) of a well, the method consisting in axially positioning a metal tubular blank (1) in the well, the blank having a solid wall radially deformable beyond its elastic limit and comprising an upper cylindrical portion (10) whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the casing (A), a lower portion (13) also cylindrical whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the liner (B), and an intermediate portion (11, 12) of diameter varying between these two diameters, and causing radial expansion of at least one of these two cylindrical portions (10, 13) beyond its elastic limit so that they are applied closely and firmly and in leak-tight manner against the inner face of the wall opposite the casing (A) or liner (B).

Abstract: An assembly for minimizing damaging effects of pressure waves on devices in a wellbore. The assembly comprises a dynamic device disposed in the wellbore and generating pressure waves during actuation; a barrier device disposed in the wellbore and presenting an obstacle to the pressure waves generated by the dynamic device; and an occlusion disposed in the wellbore between the dynamic device and the barrier device which reduces the damaging effects of the pressure waves on the barrier device.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart is not necessarily the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. Such a design presents operational and ergonomic advantages, particularly in an offshore environment. Methods for launching cementing plugs and cementing a subterranean well are also presented.

Abstract: A method of severing a well string that extends into an oil well from an oil platform with a deck includes supporting upper and lower sections of the well string, the lower section supported at the platform deck with a deck located string support. A shear mechanism cuts the well string at a position that can be above the deck located string support. The upper section is then lifted a selected distance and the deck located string support again supports the string at a position below the cut.

Abstract: A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Abstract: A debris collecting tool for use within a wellbore is provided. The tool comprises a filter body having an upstream end and a downstream end. A first fluid passage extends longitudinally between the upstream and downstream ends of the filter body, and at least one second fluid passage connects the first fluid passage with the exterior of the filter body. A filter is located between the first fluid passage and the at least one second fluid passage. The tool further comprises a flow controller movable between a first position in which fluid is prevented from entering the at least one second fluid passage from the exterior of the filter body, and a second position in which fluid is permitted to enter the at least one second fluid passage from the exterior of the filter body. An agitator body is attached to the upstream end of the filter body, and includes at least one radially projecting agitation member. Methods of using the tool to collect debris and clean a wellbore are also provided.

Abstract: A work string assembly for an oil or gas well has a first and second tubulars, and a torque limiting device connected in the work string. The torque limiting device has a body with an axial bore and two interconnected members that can disconnect to be relatively rotatable. The interconnected members can be repeatedly re-engageable when the torque levels drop below a torque threshold value, or can be connected by a frangible member that is broken when the interconnected members disconnect. A selectively actuable circulation port provided in the string adjacent to and above the torque limiting device allows the annulus between the work string and the casing to be flushed with fluid from the port.

Abstract: A well chemical dispensing system includes a tubular sub for securing into a drill string. A ball stop is located within the passage. A ball filled with a liquid surfactant is pumped down the well. The ball is formed of a frangible material for shattering on impact with the ball stop, so as to dispense the surfactant, causing foaming when mixing with well fluid. Struts within the ball extend across an interior of the ball and join to inner surfaces of the ball. The struts are formed of a solid surfactant material. The ball has a spherical shape with dimples formed in an exterior surface of the sphere. A spring in the passage applies an upward force on the ball stop. The ball stop has upper and lower grids extending across the passage.

Abstract: A method of performing a stimulation operation for an unconventional wellsite having natural fractures and hydraulic fractures. The method involves providing at least one treatment parameter with a corresponding objective function value and performing a fracture operation based on the treatment parameter. The fracture operation involves defining a treatment schedule, conducting a hydraulic fracture operation, and estimating production. The objective function value is based on an objective function. The method also involves modifying the treatment parameter and performing the fracture operation based on the modified treatment parameter. The modified treatment parameter has a corresponding modified objective function value based on the objective function.

Abstract: The rod guide and solids control assembly can be mounted on a rod string. The assembly can allow well fluid that contains high solids to pass through the pump under normal operation while eliminating the solids from being swept back into the pump barrel. The assembly can include a body portion coupled to a bristle that extends helically around the body portion. The body portion can be placed on a pump valve rod or hollow valve rod. On an upstroke, the bristles can be locked into place for trapping and lifting the solids. On a downstroke, the bristles can be rotated for leaving the solids higher and away from a pump intake. This can allow the solids to be lifted out of the pump and thereby prevent solids from collecting on a bottom portion of the pump. Multiple assemblies can be incorporated into the sucker rod string.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device which can be employed in connection with oil and/or gas wells for the purpose of increasing the well's production. The device comprises an external structure, in which external structure a first and a second pressure-influenced bellows device is mounted, where the first and second pressure-influenced bellows devices are in fluid connection with each other via a support device. At the end opposite the connection with the support device, the second pressure-influenced bellows device is connected to a movable sleeve. The device further comprises a pivotable or rotatable closing mechanism for the device, where the closing mechanism is connected to the movable sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.

Abstract: A method for capturing at least a portion of hydrocarbon fluids vented into the surrounding sea from a subsea discharge site comprises (a) mounting a pressure control device to the subsea discharge site. Further, the method comprises (b) flowing the vented hydrocarbon fluids from the subsea discharge site through the pressure control device. Still further, the method comprises (c) positioning a collection system subsea on a lower end of a tubular string. Moreover, the method comprises (d) flowing the vented hydrocarbons fluids from the pressure control device into the collection system and through the tubular siring after (b). The method also comprises (e) minimizing lateral and vertical loads applied to the subsea discharge site by the collection system.

Abstract: A device comprising a sleeve in the form of a cylinder to be placed over a defective deep-water subsea oil-well equipment structure such as a defective Blow-Out Preventor (BOP), said cylinder being anchored by suction anchors and including a roof in the form of a funnel and including pipelines for introducing methanol for preventing hydrates formation and pipelines for removing water/oil/methanol mixture, where the space between the inner wall of the cylinder and the outer surface of the sub-sea equipment may be filled with grout, is suitable for stopping run-away oil-well leakage. A process for stopping run-away oil-well leakage by using said structure is also disclosed.