A method for controlling a device using a shape-memory alloy wire is disclosed. The method includes determining an ontime for the shape-memory alloy wire based on a target volume to be pumped by a pump plunger, determining the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire and adjusting the ontime based on the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire.

A drilling fluid system and associated method for supplying drilling mud to a drilling operation includes a plurality of first sensors associated with a first mud pit, configured to measure a plurality of properties of the drilling mud in the first mud pit, a plurality of second sensors associated with a second mud pit, configured to measure the plurality of properties of the drilling mud in the second mud pit, and a control unit configured to receive measurements from the plurality of first sensors and the plurality of second sensors, determine which of the mud pits comprises drilling mud with a desired plurality of properties, and cause to operate a first valve associated with the first mud pit or a second valve associated with the second mud pit for selecting drilling mud from the first mud pit or the second mud pit based on the determination.

Techniques for controlling water pressure at a plurality of water customer service sites are described. In an example, a first plurality of water service sites having water pressure values greater than a first threshold value are identified. A second plurality of water service sites having pressure values less than a second threshold value are identified. Valves controlling water flow to respective customer service sites within the first and second pluralities of water service sites are adjusted. The adjustments increase water pressure in the second plurality of water service sites to a pressure above a minimal target pressure. The adjustment maintains the water pressure of the first plurality of service sites above the minimal target pressure. In an example, groups of water service sites are associated with respective water mains and/or water pressure sensors. Information shared between groups may assist in adjusting water valves within the water system.

An apparatus to distribute pressurized fluid from one or more sources to multiple wellbores. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least two inlets and at least two outlets. Pressurized fluid is brought into the manifold from opposing directions so that the fluid from one inlet will impinge upon the fluid from the other inlet thereby deenergizing the fluid. Additionally, the manifold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inlets is less than the cross-sectional area of the manifold thereby decreasing velocity minimizing the kinetic energy available to erode or otherwise damage equipment, while providing a pressure decrease as the fluid enters the manifold. The outlets are configured such that the cross-sectional area of the outlets providing fluid to a single wellbore is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlets such that no pressure increase occurs within the manifold or the outlets as the fluid exits the manifold. Additional velocity reduction enhancements may include angled or camp third turns between the inlet and the manifold or the manifold and an outlet.

Provided are methodologies and systems employing an array of independently operated flow control valves at an uphole location in each of a plurality of legs of a multilateral well to facilitate resolution and effective execution of efficient production plan and to improve performance. Along each leg of the multilateral well, a flow-control valve may be located downhole of a confluence between the respective leg and another leg and uphole of the well completion portion (production and/or injection component) of the respective leg. Each valve is operable independently of each other and of any valving in the completion component. Data regarding the nature and rate of production from each leg may be acquired from downhole sensors located at or about each flow control valve. The acquired data may be processed through a reservoir-well computerized model to resolve optimal valve settings across the valve array.

The present invention relates to an automated system for managing a facility having equipment operable using compressed air, water and steam supply, which includes an electronic control device having a control panel, a human machine interface and a programmable logic controller for controlling operations of the equipment based on real-time and preprogrammed inputs. The automated system further includes a steam supply control means in communication with the electronic control device to control steam supply, a compressed air supply control means in communication with the electronic control device to control a compressed air supply and a number of monitoring means to provide feedback information to the electronic control device. The electronic control device performs automated, scheduled operations by controlling electric and pneumatic values of the equipment based on analysis of inputs provided to the electronic control device and feedback received from the monitoring means.

A computer implemented method for post installation adjustment of a climate system including determining a desired change of at least one radiator flow, determining a change of at least one Cv-value required to achieve the desired flow change, using a software implemented model of the system to automatically calculate a set of radiator flow changes resulting from the change of at least one Cv-value, identifying a subset of radiator flow changes from the set of radiator flow changes which have a perceivable impact on system performance, and repeating the above steps until the subset is empty. The iteration allows an operator to determine a complete set of Cv adjustments that will provide the desired radiator flow change(s) while (as far as possible) leaving other radiator flows unchanged.

A precision volumetric liquid dispensing instrument is disclosed that includes two pressure sensors and a fluid passageway with a defined volume portion in communication with the two sensors for receiving and distributing liquid in relatively small volumes. One of the pressure sensors is positioned to measure pressure at one portion of the defined volume portion of the fluid passageway and the other of the gas pressure sensors is positioned to measure gas pressure at a different portion of the defined volume portion of the passageway. At least one valve is in communication with the passageway for moving fluids into or out of the defined volume portion of the fluid passageway, and a processor carries out a step selected from the group consisting of (i) calculating the volume of the liquid based upon the measured pressure and (ii) metering a liquid into the defined volume portion of the fluid passageway until the measured pressure indicates that a desired volume of fluid is in the fluid passageway.

Controlling flow of gas in a gas pipeline network, wherein flow of gas within each of the pipeline segments is associated with a direction (positive or negative). Processors calculate minimum and maximum production rates (bounds) at the gas production plant to satisfy an energy consumption constraint over a period of time. The production rate bounds are used to calculate minimum and maximum signed flow rates (bounds) for each pipeline segment. A nonlinear pressure drop relationship is linearized to create a linear pressure drop model for each pipeline segment. A network flow solution is calculated, using the linear pressure drop model, comprising flow rates for each pipeline segment to satisfy demand constraints and pressures for each of a plurality of network nodes over the period of time to satisfy pressure constraints. The network flow solution is associated with control element setpoints used to control one or more control elements.

A pressure-type flow controller includes a main body provided with a fluid channel between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an exhaust channel between the fluid channel and an exhaust outlet; a pressure control valve fixed to the fluid inlet of the main body for opening/closing the upstream side of the fluid channel; a pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure of the fluid channel on the downstream side of the pressure control valve; an orifice provided in the fluid channel on the downstream side of the point of branching of the exhaust channel; and an exhaust control valve for opening/closing the exhaust channel.