Abstract: A system having an arbitrated interface bus and a method of operating the same are provided. The system may include, but is not limited to, one or more registers configured to store data, a plurality of external interfaces configured to receive data access requests for the register(s), an arbitrator communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of external interfaces, and an interface bus communicatively coupled between the arbitrator and the register(s), wherein the arbitrator is configured to arbitrate control of the interface bus between the plurality of external interfaces.

Abstract: A system having an arbitrated interface bus and a method of operating the same are provided. The system may include, but is not limited to, one or more registers configured to store data, a plurality of external interfaces configured to receive data access requests for the register(s), an arbitrator communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of external interfaces, and an interface bus communicatively coupled between the arbitrator and the register(s), wherein the arbitrator is configured to arbitrate control of the interface bus between the plurality of external interfaces.

Abstract: A damping system including a first set of plates having one end thereof attached to a first vertically extending structural element, a second set of plates having one end thereof attached to a second vertically extending structural element spaced in a horizontal direction from the first vertically extending structural element, and arranged such that the first set of plates has a second end portion extending towards and overlapping with a second end portion of the second set of plates at an overlapping region, and further including an energy dissipating material provided in the overlapping region for connecting the first set of plates and the second set of plates.

Abstract: A run-time meter for monitoring at least the amount of time a piece of equipment has been operating. The run-time meter comprises a counter and a blind interface. The counter is actuated to begin counting when the piece of equipment operates. The counter is adapted to register run-time data including at least the cumulative amount of time the piece of equipment operates. The counter has a memory portion for storing the run-time data and for storing a unique identifier selectively associated with the piece of equipment. The blind interface is in communication with the counter to permit the run-time data to be extracted from the memory portion of the counter by an external reader while preventing a user from perceiving the run-time data via the blind interface.

Abstract: A new configuration damper, for interconnecting two elements of a structure that undergo relative movements and deformations, that increase the level of damping when the overall structure is subjected to a loading condition is disclosed. The new configuration damper aides in controlling displacements, velocities and accelerations under dynamic loading in structural systems.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method for the determination of characteristics of slug flow in a multiphase flow pipeline comprising the steps of: detecting the acoustic emissions from the pipeline in the ultrasonic frequency range by means of at least one sound transducer, the output from which is an analogue electrical signal, converting the analogue signal to a digital signal, and analyzing the digital signal to determine the characteristics of the slug flow.The characteristics of slug flow which may be determined include distinguishing slug flow from wave flow, the frequency of slugging and the velocity and length of slugs. The method is particularly suitable for studying multiphase flow comprising oil, gas and water.