Abstract: A multi-lance reel assembly comprising a plurality of reel assemblies received onto and disposed to rotate about an axle. Each reel assembly rotates independently of the others. Each reel assembly further comprises a plurality of spokes separating a rim from a hub. Each hub provides a hub groove on each internal hub surface, and a hub aperture connecting each external hub surface with the hub groove. When the reel assemblies are received onto the axle, axle grooves on the axle align with the hub grooves to form a continuous ring aperture for each reel assembly. Separate axle apertures connect either one of the end faces of the axle with each axle groove, providing a separate passageway from each external hub surface to an axle end face. Hoses, electrical conduits, conductors or other similar carrier hardware deployed within hollow lances spooled on each reel assembly may connect to the hub apertures.

Abstract: A single-lance reel assembly comprising a reel assembly received onto and disposed to rotate about an axle at a rotary union. The reel assembly further comprises a plurality of spokes separating a rim from a hub. Hoses, electrical conduits, conductors or other similar carrier hardware deployed within hollow lances spooled on the reel assembly may be supplied via the rotary union and by further hose connection structure deployed on the hub and/or the rim. Embodiments of the reel assembly are powered by either a direct or indirect drive.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars in a process that, in preferred embodiments, also performs cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning, treating and inspecting tubular goods including, without limitation, continuous tubing. Tubing is fed through a box-like housing having an inner chamber. As the tubing proceeds through the housing, the exterior surface of the tubing passes through an initial squeegee wiper to remove moisture, debris and environmental contaminants. Thereafter, the external surface of the pipe is washed using a high pressure liquid spray followed by another wiper squeegee and gas (typically air) dry station. After the pipe is sufficiently dry, liquid rust inhibitor and/or other treating fluid can be applied to the outer surface of the pipe before the pipe exits the housing.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an internal surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing at least one reel on which a hollow articulated lance is spooled. Tools or sensors, for example, are installed on a distal end of each lance. Hoses, electrical conduits, conductors or other similar carrier hardware inside each hollow lance supply the tools or sensors as required. A stabbing mechanism causes the reel to spool and unspool the lance so that the tools or sensors reciprocate up and down the inside of the rotating tubular.

Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars, advantageously in association with cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded. The handling machine comprises a plurality of user-positional pods. Each pod includes scissor mechanisms, index machines and a roller machine to perform the handling methods. Sensors on drive rollers in the handling machine generate vibrational response data of the tubular while it rotates.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser generating samples of the distance from the laser to a sampled point on the tubular's external surface. The laser samples are processed in real time into surface contour data. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: A knuckle jointed lance (KJL) including a plurality of KJL segments concatenated into a string thereof. A tool head is connected to one end of the lance. Each KJL segment has a hollow body, open at both ends, with a generally trapezoidal profile. The string further comprises a plurality of articulated joints connecting neighboring KJL segments together at about a mid-point between the top side and base side of their respective trapezoidal profiles. Embodiments of the articulated joints include lug pins on the end of one of a neighboring pair of KJL segments connected to corresponding lug holes on the end of the other of the neighboring pair.

Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for performing operations such as cleaning, inspection or data acquisition on an external surface of a hollow cylindrical tubular. Preferred embodiments include providing a fluid dispenser and an abrasion assembly on a buggy that travels up and down the length of the tubular as the tubular rotates. The fluid dispenser includes nozzles that dispense cleaning fluids onto the tubular's external surface. The abrasion assembly includes a swivel brush and a brush train providing different styles of abrasion cleaning of the tubular's external surface. Preferred embodiments of the buggy also carry a range finding laser and an optical camera generating samples that may be processed in real time into data regarding the surface contours and the diameter variations on the tubular's external surface. Cleaning and inspection variables such as tubular rotational speed, or buggy speed, may be adjusted responsive to measured surface contour data.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for determining the state of a tubular while the tubular rotates about its cylindrical axis. The tubular remains otherwise substantially stationary. Sensors travel up and down the length of the rotating tubular, interrogating the inside and outside of the tubular for data regarding the tubular's state. Sensors may take samples which may be associated with rotational reference information tying the sample to its absolute position on the internal or external surface of the tubular. A data processor processes the samples and other sensor data to produce a wide array of output, including data signatures of the tubular, maps of contour data regarding the internal or external surface of the tubular, and dimensional data regarding the tubular. Data acquisition is advantageously done in real time, and may further be done concurrently with internal or external cleaning operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to automatically manage hardware and software capabilities of replaceable electronic modules as the modules are replaced or reassigned to different tasks. Each such module stores configuration information in a persistent memory. This configuration information enables the module to use only selected hardware and to execute only selected software. A replaceable electronic module manager stores copies of each module's configure information in a separate persistent memory. When a module is replaced, a copy of the configuration information is fetched from the module manager's persistent memory and sent to a replacement module, thereby making the replacement module functionally equivalent (from a point of view of which hardware can be used by the module or which software can be executed by the module) to the replaced module.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to automatically manage hardware and software capabilities of replaceable electronic modules as the modules are replaced or reassigned to different tasks. Each such module stores configuration information in a persistent memory. This configuration information enables the module to use only selected hardware and to execute only selected software. A replaceable electronic module manager stores copies of each module's configure information in a separate persistent memory. When a module is replaced, a copy of the configuration information is fetched from the module manager's persistent memory and sent to a replacement module, thereby making the replacement module functionally equivalent (from a point of view of which hardware can be used by the module or which software can be executed by the module) to the replaced module.

Abstract: A key fragment generator accepts a key string, such as from a key string generator, and produces a plurality of key fragments that can be entered by a human with a lower likelihood of error than if the human attempted to enter the original key string. A key defragmenter accepts a plurality of entered key fragments, reconstitutes the original key string from the entered key fragments and, optionally, provides the reconstituted key string to a software package or other license manager. The key fragment generator can produce “friendly” key fragments that are easier for humans to read and enter than the arbitrary character strings that characterize typical key strings. The key fragment generator can produce “error-detectable” key fragments. If an error-detectable key fragment is entered incorrectly, the key defragmenter can generate an error message and permit a user to enter the key fragment again. The key fragment generator can produce “error-correctable” key fragments.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to automatically manage hardware and software capabilities of replaceable electronic modules as the modules are replaced or reassigned to different tasks. Each such module stores configuration information in a persistent memory. This configuration information enables the module to use only selected hardware and to execute only selected software. A replaceable electronic module manager stores copies of each module's configure information in a separate persistent memory. When a module is replaced, a copy of the configuration information is fetched from the module manager's persistent memory and sent to a replacement module, thereby making the replacement module functionally equivalent (from a point of view of which hardware can be used by the module or which software can be executed by the module) to the replaced module.

Abstract: A dual shaft rack and pinion steering assembly for a vehicle includes a housing mounted to the vehicle and containing first and second parallel shafts linked to one another for synchronized axial movement. The first and second shafts are slidably positioned within the housing. One of the shafts includes a piston operable by hydraulic fluid contained within the housing. The other of the shafts includes a rack of teeth for meshing with a pinion gear driven by a steering column. The hydraulic fluid operates the piston by pressure coordinated with the driving of the rack by the pinion gear to assist the coordinated movement of the dual shaft assembly. The linked parallel shafts are connected to a drag link to direct a first wheel in response to axial movement of the shafts, which is further connected to a cross car link simultaneously directing a second wheel.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion assembly comprises a housing, a rotatable pinion gear including a plurality of teeth, and at least one moveable mount for providing a moveable attachment of the housing to the vehicle. A rack is slidably positioned within the housing and includes a plurality of teeth corresponding to the pinion teeth. A tie rod is operably attached to one of two ends of the rack, and may also be attached to a first wheel. A cross car link is operably attached to the first wheel and a second wheel. Rotation of the pinion gear causes translational movement of the rack and tie rod relative to the housing, which may thereby turn the first wheel. The first front wheel cooperates with the cross car link to simultaneously turn the second wheel, and the housing moves with respect to the vehicle as the first and second wheels turn.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a power supply that is switchable between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply includes a first connector element of the power supply, the first connector element being one of a male and a female connector element for mating with a corresponding second connector element, the second connector element being one of a female and a male connector element, respectively. The power supply also includes a guard member disposed on the first connector element, the guard member being movable between a first position in which the first connector element is adapted to mate with any corresponding second connector elements and the power supply is in the first mode and a second position in which the first connector element is only adapted to mate with specially configured second connector elements and the power supply is in the second mode. The electrical device also includes electrical equipment powered through the power supply.

Abstract: A curbside mailbox wherein the outgoing mail compartment is located under the incoming mail compartment behind a single carrier service door. The incoming mail, when inserted, drops behind the outgoing mail compartment and falls into a deep mail storage area, to be retrieved by the owner through a locking rear access door. The rear access door retains a mechanical key lock and acts like a hasp fitting over a flange that is built into a upper rear wall. This feature allows the owner to double lock for added security or single lock placing a combination lock on the flange if the owner desires not to carry a key or give access to key for someone authorized to remove mail. The locking mailbox further includes a channel on top for a highly visible address display, a mounting channel on lower front to allow for quick and easy engagement, and a post cover assembly for safe and attractive installation.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball. This feature helps to prevent the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.