Abstract: A coupling is incorporated in the landing string which is non-destructively unlatched by the closure of BOP pipe rams. The coupling is simple and reliable to operate in emergencies. When the pipe rams are closed, the radial force releases a mechanism comprising captive pins and an outwardly biased split ring. The split ring is compressed inwardly, releasing shoulders on collet fingers from beneath an undercut in a bore of the coupling. Reconnection is simply achieved by re-engaging the collet fingers in the undercut. Other BOP closure element non-destructively operated landing string couplings are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for preparing perylenes by (a) continuously mixing a melt of the leuco form of a perylene tetracarboxylic diimide obtained by alkaline fusion of naphthalimide with a continuous water-containing stream containing (1) 2 to 50 parts of water per part of melt, (2) 0 to X1 moles of oxidizing agent per mole of the leuco form, (3) 0 to Y1 parts by weight of processing additives, based on the leuco form, and (4) 0 to Z1 parts by weight of an acid, based on the leuco form of the perylene tetracarboxylic diimide, to form a slurry; and (b) optionally mixing the slurry in one or more continuous or batchwise steps with a second stream containing (1) 0 to 10 parts by weight of water, based on the slurry, (2) 0 to X2 moles of oxidizing agent per mole of the leuco form of the perylene tetracarboxylic diimide, with the proviso the total of X1 and X2 represents at least the molar amount of oxidizing agent theoretically needed to oxidize all of the leuco form of the perylene tetr

Abstract: An explosive suitable for low energy initiation is made by coating epsilon structure one to five micron crystals of CL-20 with a polymeric binder where the polymeric binder is one to three percent by weight of the coated crystals and a method of applying such polymeric binders by either a slurry method or an alternate method of using a nonaqueous liquid to suspend CL-20 crystals then adding a lacquer of polymeric binder.

Abstract: A coupling is incorporated in the landing string which is non-destructively unlatched by the closure of BOP pipe rams. The coupling is simple and reliable to operate in emergencies. When the pipe rams are closed, the radial force releases a mechanism comprising captive pins and an outwardly biased split ring. The split ring is compressed inwardly, releasing shoulders on collet fingers from beneath an undercut in a bore of the coupling. Reconnection is simply achieved by re-engaging the collet fingers in the undercut. Other BOP closure element non-destructively operated landing string couplings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A completion component such as a tubing hanger includes a lockdown mechanism with an actuating mandrel that includes a positively acting anti-backout mechanism, which can be remotely deployed. The mechanism comprises a tooth on an inwardly biased retention ring carried by the mandrel, and positively engageable with a corresponding profile on the tubing hanger. Detent pins are outwardly biased by a tubing hanger running tool latch piston to hold the tooth and profile out of engagement during installation of the tubing hanger and setting of the actuating mandrel.

Abstract: A storage-controller-managed outboard incremental backup/restore of data. An indicator is assigned to an associated portion of data stored in a data storage device, wherein the indicator resides in a memory of a storage controller coupled to the data storage device. A value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set when the associated portion of the data has changed. The associated portion of the data stored in the data storage device is backed using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set. The value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is cleared when the associated portion of the data has been backed up.

Abstract: A concentric tubing hanger having a radially offset tubing annulus passage closeable by a remotely operable valve, preferably a pressure balanced, hydraulically-operated shuttle valve positioned at an upper end of the tubing annulus passage. The tubing hanger is of relatively compact design, accommodating a large diameter production bore and a large number of downhole service lines. Service line couplers and outlet ports of the valve are housed in a void defined between the tubing hanger and a seal stab assembly of a subsea Christmas tree. The couplers are bathed in an annulus fluid. A tubing hanger running tool has a slot and an orientation helix which cooperate with a key projecting into the production bore to provide passive orientation between the tubing hanger rubbing tool and tubing hanger. A subsea Christmas tree has an annulus flow conduit having a deviated portion, allowing room in a tree block for a bypass conduit and a valve.

Abstract: A subsea completion having an in-line Christmas tree received within a wellhead. The in-line Christmas tree having at least one valve closure element, for example valve gates. Valve actuator couplings, for example push rods are operatively engaged with the valve closure elements and extend through walls of the in-line Christmas tree and wellhead. Relatively bulky valve actuator mechanisms may therefore be mounted externally of the wellhead, with only the relatively small and unobtrusive actuator couplings extending into the wellhead and tree interiors. The in-line tree is used together with a jumper module, secured and sealed to the wellhead, and a separate flow control package.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer program instructions for providing location-independent packet routing and secure access in a wireless networking environment (such as that encountered within a building), enabling client devices to travel seamlessly within the environment. Each client device uses a constant address. An address translation process that is transparent to the client and server is automatically performed as the device roams through the environment, enabling efficient client migration from one supporting access point to another. The secure access techniques provide user-centric authentication and allow policy-driven packet filtering, while taking advantage of encryption capabilities that are built in to the hardware at each endpoint.

Abstract: A simultaneous voice and data modem coordinates the storage of voice messages and data messages on an audio answering machine and a personal computer, respectively. This allows the called party to subsequently retrieve, via the simultaneous voice and data modem, both a voice message and an associated data message, i.e., a multimedia message, where the called party listens to the voice message while viewing the data message. The called party can retrieve the multimedia message either locally or from a remote location.

Abstract: A sketching system sketches first notes to be transmitted over a telephone line receives second notes from another sketching system. The sketching system includes a signal de-combiner device, receiving the second notes from the another sketching system and voice data as a combined signal via the telephone line and de-combining the combined signal into the second notes and the voice data. In addition, the sketching system includes a sketching unit connected to the signal de-combiner. The sketching unit includes a note displaying device displaying the first and second notes, a note generating device generating the first notes, and a processor connected to the note displaying and generating devices and to the signal de-combiner, receiving the first notes from the note generating device, receiving the second notes to the note displaying device.

Abstract: A method of controlling an oxygen concentrator having a first sieve bed operated over successive control periods according to a duty cycle for alternately pressurizing and flushing the first sieve bed and a second sieve bed operated over the successive control periods according to a reciprocal of the duty cycle is disclosed. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during every second one of the successive control periods to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the first sieve bed and to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the second sieve bed, for reducing concentration of oxygen produced. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during remaining control periods to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the first sieve bed and to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the second sieve bed, such that water vapor is purged from the first and second sieve beds after pressurizing thereof.

Abstract: A method and simultaneous voice/data transmission of signals through a single communications channel wherein the transmitted voice and data signal quality is greatly enhanced over current practice. A time-varying stream of coded voice and data signals is simultaneously transmitted and the sequence of transmitted data signals is determined only after receiving data signals for a predetermined period of time. The received signals are buffered and a received coded data signal sequence is compared to a predetermined plurality of permissible coded data signal sequences to correlate the received coded data signal sequence with the particular permissible coded signal sequence with which the data signal was coded prior to transmission. The correlated data signal sequence is then separated from the combined voice and data signal to recover the coded voice signal.

Abstract: A system manages data transfer between a computer, a data storage disk, and a data buffer which is associated with the disk. Upon receipt of a write request during data read-ahead from the disk to the buffer, the system preempts the read-ahead to write the data to the disk only when the target write track on the disk is different from the track being read ahead into the buffer. Otherwise, the system permits read-ahead to continue until the target write sector is positioned beneath the disk drive head. Also, upon receipt of a read request during cache writing from the buffer to the disk, the system immediately satisfies the read request prior to completing the cache writing when the requested read data is contained in the buffer. Moreover, the system provides for dynamic switching between a data read-ahead preempt policy and a data read-ahead no-preempt policy based upon parallel monitoring and comparison of data request service times under both policies.

Abstract: A disaster recovery system providing asynchronous remote data shadowing between a primary and a secondary site uses a pair of track arrays for each primary data storage device of a remote copy pair to monitor which record updates are in transit between the primary site and the secondary site. A host processor at the primary site of the disaster recovery system transfers a sequentially consistent order of copies of record updates to the secondary site for back-up purposes. The copied record updates are stored on the secondary data storage devices which form remote copy pairs with the primary data storage devices at the primary site. One track array, the active track array, is used to set elements according to which tracks on the primary data storage device receive record updates from the host processor at the primary site.

Abstract: A sketching system sketches first notes to be transmitted over a telephone line and receives second notes from another sketching system. The sketching system includes a signal de-combiner device, receiving the second notes from the another sketching system and voice data as a combined signal via the telephone line and de-combining the combined signal into the second notes and the voice data. In addition, the sketching system includes a sketching unit connected to the signal de-combiner. The sketching unit includes a note displaying device displaying the first and second notes, a note generating device generating the first notes, and a processor connected to the note displaying and generating devices and to the signal de-combiner, receiving the first notes from the note generating device, receiving the second notes from the de-combiner, and transmitting the first and second notes to the note displaying device.

Abstract: A simultaneous voice and data modem coordinates the storage of voice messages and data messages on an audio answering machine and a personal computer, respectively. This allows the called party to subsequently retrieve, via the simultaneous voice and data modem, both a voice message and an associated data message, i.e., a multimedia message, where the called party listens to the voice message while viewing the data message. The called party can retrieve the multimedia message either locally or from a remote location.

Abstract: A down hole well tool for use in operating another well tool against the resistance of incompressible well bore fluid. The down hole tool includes a pressure chamber that communicates through an adjustable pressure relief valve with the well bore fluids beneath the tool, so that when the pressure of said fluids exceeds the relief valve setting the valve opens and allows said fluids to pass into the chamber, thereby lowering the fluid pressure beneath the tool and facilitating its downward movement to actuate the other well tool.

Abstract: A hand-held, programmable, electronic calculator is capable of performing a larger number of functions than the number of keys on its keyboard and has one or more prefix keys to allow one function key to initiate more than one function. Each key generates a unique key code when it is depressed, and the calculator may be programmed by storing a series of the key codes in a memory. Memory space can be saved by generating unique merged codes to represent the combination of a prefix key and a function key, and storing this single merged code rather than the two key codes.

Abstract: In a power conversion system wherein AC input current is supplied through contacts of a circuit breaker and phase controlled rectifiers, a control derives a DC signal, I.sub.o, proportional to the square of the RMS value of actual current. The summation of I.sub.o and I.sub.ref, a signal representative of desired AC current limit value, is applied to an integrator whose output is coupled to an amplifier. A tripping circuit for opening the contacts is coupled through a first diode from the integrator output. A current limit circuit for regulating the phase controlled rectifiers is coupled through a second diode from the amplifier output. A clamping circuit establishes proper integrator and amplifier outputs. When the AC current is below the critical limit value, and I.sub.o is less than I.sub.ref, both diodes are back biased and neither the tripping nor current limit regulator circuits are enabled. When the AC current attains the critical limit value, I.sub.o is equal to I.sub.