An acoustic device may include a housing; an acoustic channel for passing sound through the housing; a valve seat arranged in the acoustic channel; a valve member configured to control the passing of sound through the channel depending on a configuration of the valve member with respect to the valve seat; an actuator comprising a first SMA wire section and a second SMA wire section configured to actuate the valve member and to change a configuration of the valve member with respect to the valve seat from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa, respectively, when activated; and a retention mechanism which is configured to provide a retention force for retaining the valve member in the closed configuration, wherein the retention force is configured to be overcome by the actuator such that the valve member is released from the closed configuration upon activation of the actuator.

An acoustic device may include a housing; an acoustic channel for passing sound through the housing; a valve seat arranged in the acoustic channel; a valve member configured to control the passing of sound through the channel depending on a configuration of the valve member with respect to the valve seat; an actuator comprising a first SMA wire section and a second SMA wire section configured to actuate the valve member and to change a configuration of the valve member with respect to the valve seat from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa, respectively, when activated; and a retention mechanism which is configured to provide a retention force for retaining the valve member in the closed configuration, wherein the retention force is configured to be overcome by the actuator such that the valve member is released from the closed configuration upon activation of the actuator.

A method of forming a dielectric barrier and torque transfer member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a torque transfer assembly. The method includes assembling the drive shaft and the driven shaft in axially adjacent relationship to one another, the drive shaft and the driven shaft each having a recess formed therein such that when the shafts are assembled, the recesses cooperate to define a chamber extending across the interface between the drive and driven shaft and into the interior of both the drive and the driven shaft. The method further includes injecting a dielectric adhesive or resin material into the chamber to fill the chamber and to extend across the interface between the drive and the driven shaft, and curing the dielectric material to form a dielectric barrier between and to provide torque transfer between the drive and the driven shaft.

A method of forming a dielectric barrier and torque transfer member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a torque transfer assembly. The method includes assembling the drive shaft and the driven shaft in axially adjacent relationship to one another, the drive shaft and the driven shaft each having a recess formed therein such that when the shafts are assembled, the recesses cooperate to define a chamber extending across the interface between the drive and driven shaft and into the interior of both the drive and the driven shaft. The method further includes injecting a dielectric adhesive or resin material into the chamber to fill the chamber and to extend across the interface between the drive and the driven shaft, and curing the dielectric material to form a dielectric barrier between and to provide torque transfer between the drive and the driven shaft.

A kelly valve for placement in a tubular drillstring has an inner cage, which holds a valve ball, lower valve ball seat and other valve components. A valve stem connected to the valve ball extends through a valve stem sleeve, positioned in an opening in the wall of the main body of the kelly valve. A thrust bearing of a low friction material, preferably of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), is positioned between the valve stem and the valve stem sleeve. A port in the valve ball seat permits pressure below the kelly valve to bypass a seal and act on the inside of the valve ball. A circumferential notch in the valve ball seat accommodates a circular spring, and prevents complete compression of the spring when the valve ball seat contacts an interior shoulder in the inner cage.

A kelly valve for placement in a tubular drillstring has an inner cage, which holds a valve ball, lower valve ball seat and other valve components. A valve stem connected to the valve ball extends through a valve stem sleeve, positioned in an opening in the wall of the main body of the kelly valve. A thrust bearing of a low friction material, preferably of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), is positioned between the valve stem and the valve stem sleeve. A port in the valve ball seat permits pressure below the kelly valve to bypass a seal and act on the inside of the valve ball. A circumferential notch in the valve ball seat accommodates a circular spring, and prevents complete compression of the spring when the valve ball seat contacts an interior shoulder in the inner cage.

A valve actuator includes a motor and a gear assembly including an input gear rotated by driving force of the motor, an output gear receiving rotational force of the input gear, and at least one power transmission gear transmitting the rotational force of the input gear to the output gear. The valve actuator further includes a valve output shaft coupled to the output gear and actuated to close a path of a valve, and a selective power transmitter interrupting rotation of the output gear after the output gear is rotated at a predetermined angle by the rotational force of the input gear. After the valve is actuated to close the path, the driving force of the motor is not transmitted to the valve output shaft.

A valve actuator includes a motor and a gear assembly including an input gear rotated by driving force of the motor, an output gear receiving rotational force of the input gear, and at least one power transmission gear transmitting the rotational force of the input gear to the output gear. The valve actuator further includes a valve output shaft coupled to the output gear and actuated to close a path of a valve, and a selective power transmitter interrupting rotation of the output gear after the output gear is rotated at a predetermined angle by the rotational force of the input gear. After the valve is actuated to close the path, the driving force of the motor is not transmitted to the valve output shaft.

Devices, systems and methods for leak detection are provided herein. Also provided are devices, systems and methods for monitoring and/or measuring fluid usage. In some aspects, a system comprising a sensor, a processing system, and a platform are provided. In some aspects, the sensor may be coupled to a spinning device. The sensor can be configured to detect fluid data, which can comprise, for example, displacement data of liquid and/or movement data associated with the liquid in a container and/or flow data associated with a flow of fluid in a conduit. The processing system can be coupled with the sensor and configured to communicate the fluid data. The platform can comprise an application communicatively coupled to one or more databases storing evaluation data (e.g., known pattern data) and configured to receive the fluid data and determine if there is a leak.

Devices, systems and methods for leak detection are provided herein. Also provided are devices, systems and methods for monitoring and/or measuring fluid usage. In some aspects, a system comprising a sensor, a processing system, and a platform are provided. In some aspects, the sensor may be coupled to a spinning device. The sensor can be configured to detect fluid data, which can comprise, for example, displacement data of liquid and/or movement data associated with the liquid in a container and/or flow data associated with a flow of fluid in a conduit. The processing system can be coupled with the sensor and configured to communicate the fluid data. The platform can comprise an application communicatively coupled to one or more databases storing evaluation data (e.g., known pattern data) and configured to receive the fluid data and determine if there is a leak.