Abstract: A magnetic particle damper apparatus is provided for damping motion between two relatively movable members. The damper apparatus comprises first and second conductor members each attachable to one of the relatively movable members. The conductor members are disposed with confronting surfaces having a gap therebetween filled with a quantity of magnetic particles. A magnetic element is attached to one of the conductor members, producing magnetic flux which is substantially confined to a magnetic flux path defined by relatively magnetically permeable regions and relatively magnetically non-permeable regions of the conductor members to flow across the gap and through the magnetic particles. The magnetic field causes the magnetic particles along the flux path to adhere to one another and to the confronting surfaces of the conductor members producing a force opposing relative motion between said movable members and dissipating energy when the conductor members move relative to one another.

Abstract: In a system for mooring offshore drilling units, a first mooring assembles installed at a first drilling venue, after which the mobile offshore drilling unit is moored by connection to the mooring lines. A second mooring assembly is installed at a second drilling venue while drilling operations are carried out at the first drilling venue. In this manner the mobile offshore drilling unit can be relocated between successive drilling venues with minimum down time. Less than complete mooring assemblies can be used to temporarily secure the mobile offshore drilling unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and organizing tools comprising, a generally J-shaped channel (12) having first and second sides (22, 26) and an opening (20), a first magnet (14) disposed within the opening (20), a second magnet (15) disposed along the first side (22) opposite the opening (20) and a magnetically conductive plate (16) positioned on the first magnet (14) disposed within the opening (20), is disclosed.

Abstract: An anchor installation vessel transports anchors and mooring lines to an installation site and installs the anchors at diametrically opposed points in an anchor array. Following installation the mooring lines are directed to the vessel from opposite sides and are preloaded using winches mounted on the vessel.

Abstract: A novel reciprocating pump for cryogenic fluids. The pump has a cylinder sleeve, head, intake valve, discharge valve, and a reciprocating piston including a mechanical spring energized seal having a generally U-shaped jacket and a helical spring in the bight of the U.

Abstract: A stake assembly includes a spike having a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal axis of the stake. A flange is connected at the second end of the spike and extends laterally therefrom, the upper surface of the flange forming the axially and extremity of the second end of the spike. A receptacle is recessed axially into the flange and second end of the spike. A resilient fastening member, such as a coiled spring, has a first end connected in the receptacle between the flange and the first end of the spike and a second end extending out of the receptacle beyond the upper surface of the flange. A tether or leash may be fastened to the second end of the resilient fastening member.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for anchor installation, a plate anchor is mounted at the bottom of a suction follower comprising a hollow cylinder having an open lower insertion end and a closable upper suspension end. The suction follower and the anchor secured thereto are engaged with the sea floor, whereupon water is pumped out of the suction follower causing the suction follower and the anchor to penetrate into the sea floor to a predetermined depth. The anchor is then disengaged from the suction follower, whereupon water is pumped into the suction follower to disengage the suction follower from the sea floor for recovery to the surface, leaving the anchor embedded in the sea floor.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting the valve in a housing, the mounting mechanism including a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the housing and the valve in the closed position. The seal has a first portion secured to the housing on a first side of the rotational axis of the valve, a second portion secured to the valve on a second side of the rotational axis, a first transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis, and a second transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis.

Abstract: A magnetic particle damper apparatus is provided for damping motion between two relatively movable members. The damper apparatus comprises first and second conductor members each attachable to one of the relatively movable members. The conductor members are disposed with confronting surfaces having a gap therebetween filled with a quantity of magnetic particles. A magnetic element is attached to one of the conductor members, producing magnetic flux which is substantially confined to a magnetic flux path defined by relatively magnetically permeable regions and relatively magnetically non-permeable regions of the conductor members to flow across the gap and through the magnetic particles. The magnetic field causes the magnetic particles along the flux path to adhere to one another and to the confronting surfaces of the conductor members producing a force opposing relative motion between said movable members and dissipating energy when the conductor members move relative to one another.

Abstract: A portable saliva compensation device is provided with a portable carrying case holding a vacuum pump, and a portable power supply for providing power to vacuum pump. An electrical control circuit is connected to the portable power supply and the pump. A saliva collection device is positioned at or below a user's mouth for collecting excess saliva and conveying it to a hollow tube connecting between the saliva collection device and the vacuum pump. A saliva detection switch in the saliva collection device is coupled to the electrical control circuit to activate the vacuum pump when saliva is detected in the saliva collection device. This draws the saliva from the collection device through said hollow tube and into a collection reservoir.

Abstract: Secure transmission of data is provided between a plurality of computer systems over a public communication system, such as the Internet. Secure transmission of data is provided from a customer computer system to a merchant computer system, and for the further secure transmission of payment information regarding a payment instrument from the merchant computer system to a payment gateway computer system. The payment gateway system evaluates the payment information and returns a level of authorization of credit via a secure transmission to the merchant which is communicated to the customer by the merchant. The merchant can then determine whether to accept the payment instrument tendered or deny credit and require another payment instrument. An architecture that provides support for additional message types that are not SET compliant is provided by a preferred embodiment of the invention. A server communicating bidirectionally with a gateway is disclosed.

Abstract: Secure transmission of data is provided between a plurality of computer systems over a public communication system, such as the Internet. Secure transmission of data is provided from a customer computer system to a merchant computer system, and for the further secure transmission of payment information from the merchant computer system to a payment gateway computer system. The payment gateway system receives encrypted payment requests from merchants, as HTTP POST messages via the Internet. The gateway then unwraps and decrypts the requests, authenticates digital signatures of the requests based on certificates, supports transaction types and card types as required by a financial institution, and accepts concurrent VPOS transactions from each of the merchant servers. Then, the gateway converts transaction data to host-specific formats and forwards the mapped requests to the host processor using the existing financial network.

Abstract: A method of lyophilizing an oxazaphosphorin and a preparation produced thereby including dissolving an oxazaphosphorin in water, adding an amino acid to a molar ratio of between 1 to 10 amino acid to 1 oxazaphosphorin to produce a mixture and lyophilizing said mixture to remove said water, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive system for reading cards. The system comprises a card bearing an image and encoded information and a talking hand-held card reader for reading the encoded information on the card and playing back an audible message associated with the image or encoded information. In one aspect, the invention is also a talking hand-held card reader having a housing which is shaped to resemble a person, place, aspect or thing associated with the image or encoded information on the card being read.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for biologically treating water. The inventive process preferably comprises the steps of: (a) adding a sulfur-containing oxygen scavenger to the water in an amount effective for at least reducing the amount of dissolved free oxygen contained in the water; (b) removing at least a portion of a substance from the water by exposing the water to microorganisms effective for biologically removing the substance therefrom; and (c) feeding a biostimulant to the microorganisms effective for increasing the rate at which step (b) occurs. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises a system for adding the sulfur-containing oxygen scavenger to the source water stream and a system for feeding the biostimulant to the microorganisms.

Abstract: A comprehensive system, method and apparatus for dispensing, combining and blending refrigerated source liquids, ice, and flavoring additives to create a beverage of pulverized, slush-like consistency. The invention introduces metered volume or time control product dispensing within an architectural framework designed to improve upon the efficiency of product development processes. The invention further provides for improved cleanliness in the preparation of a consumer beverage, while reducing work-area requirements associated therewith.

Abstract: An interference apparatus is disclosed wherein the high-visibility quadrature interference signals are obtained by making a pair of polarization beamsplitter, a 45-degree oriented quarter-waveplate and four light-beam detected photodiodes. A three-dimensional interference optical configuration is made. The test-surface light beam and reference light beams are traveled on this optical configuration. The test-surface light beam and reference light beams have orthogonally linearly polarization state with each other. After they pass through the quarter-waveplate, one right circularly polarized light beam and one left circularly polarized light beam are produced. The vector sum of these two circularly polarized light beams is again a linearly polarized light beam which is then divided into two light beams by a non-polarization beamsplitter.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting a valve in a housing. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. A linearizing mechanism converts the forces exerted on the release mechanism by the shaft into a linear force. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft and the linear force exerted on the release mechanism exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the valve and the housing in the closed position of the valve.

Abstract: An inventory control system includes an inventory control probe, inventory control module, a docking station, a collar clip, and an inventory control collar used on a storage container. The inventory control collar includes a first conductive ring exposed on the top of the collar electrically connected to a memory and a second conductive ring exposed on the top of the collar and electrically connected to the memory. The inventory control probe includes a probe tip and a first pair of contact pins disposed on the probe tip at a predetermined distance apart such that the contacts concurrently contact the conductive rings of the inventory control collar. A probe body housing is connected at a first end to the probe tip, and a pair of data transfer terminal contacts are disposed on a bottom portion of the probe body housing. A handle is connected at a second end to the probe body housing.

Abstract: A boat motor mounting device is provided for mounting an outboard motor to a transom of a boat. A transom portion of the mount is adapted for fastening securely to the transom of the boat at a transom base from which a vertical side projects perpendicular to the transom base. A motor mounting portion is provided adapted for fastening securely to a motor at a motor base from which a vertical side projects perpendicular to the motor base. A vertical slide guide structure is formed for mating engagement between the transom side projection and the motor side projection. The vertical slide guide includes an elongated vertical protrusion and an elongated vertical groove, both of which are sized for overlapping, adjustable vertical sliding engagement. A releasable locking mechanism is provided to hold the elongated vertical protrusion and vertical groove in a desired fixed position so that the motor is held in the fixed position relative to the boat.