Abstract: A system of the type wherein LNG from a tanker (30) is offloaded to a moored vessel (16), which has a regas unit (36) which heats the LNG to transform it into gaseous hydrocarbons, and which has a pump unit (38) that pumps the gaseous hydrocarbons to a consumer (46) such as an onshore gas distribution facility. The system is constructed to enable more rapid tanker unloading so the tanker is released earlier to sail back to a pickup location. The moored vessel has a thermally insulated LNG storage facility such as LNG tanks (100), with a capacity to store all LNG not regassed during offloading of the tanker. The regas unit has sufficient capacity to regas all LNG received in one tanker load, before the tanker returns with another load of LNG.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown particles contained in a fluid. The method utilizes a source of radiation and at least one radiation detector to measure the radiation scattered by an unknown particle in the fluid. The measurement for the unknown particle is compared with a standard radiation scattering pattern capable of uniquely identifying a previously identified particle and the unknown particle is identified based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing the chest of a patient to stimulate blood circulation, includes a torso wrap (32) that has a back portion (40) lying at the back of the patient's chest and a front portion (42) lying at the front of the patient's chest, and includes a compressor assembly with an actuator (16) having a pressing member (12) that can apply a series of force pulses to the sternum of the patient to stimulate blood circulation. The actuator is energized by pressured fluid, with a controlled pressured fluid source (20) connected by an elongated flexible hose (24) to the actuator so the pressured fluid source and a control (22) can lie on the ground and only the actuator lies on the torso wrap. The actuator includes a cylinder (66) and a plurality of telescoping piston parts (64, 66) to provide a long stroke in an actuator of small height. A stabilizer (150) that limits tilt of the actuator from the vertical, includes a saucer-shaped member that presses against the front of the patient.

Abstract: An improvement in a system that includes a group of field units (10, 10A) that each identifies unknown microscopic particles by use of a computer that compares an unknown particle interrogation pattern to the interrogation patterns of a set of known species of particles, which facilitates upgrading of the group of field units. Each field unit is connected by a communication link (84) to a central station (80). The central station can send interrogation patterns of a new species of particle to the field unit computers, which store them in a known-species-particle memory (34) that holds patterns of previously known species of particles. The field unit stores the patterns of unidentified particles in a memory (90) and notifies the central station when it has detected an invasion of a new species.

Abstract: A conduit structure (44) connects subsea oil wells to a floating structure (12) such as a vessel, in shallow water, the conduit structure providing a low cost and reliable fluid connection during drift of the vessel. The conduit structure includes a seafloor riser support (50) with a lower end (52) fixed to the seafloor and an upper end (54) lying a plurality of meters above the seafloor. A flexible pipe or hose (46) extends in a double catenary curve from the top of the seafloor riser support, at a downward incline away from the seafloor riser support and then at an upward incline to the floating structure. A rigid pipe (70) can extend along a plurality of meters of the height of the riser support to minimize the required length of flexible hose and facilitate installation.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automatic external defibrillator without stopping CPR (primarily chest compressions). While chest compressions continue to be applied to the victim, the system differentiates between (1) a perfusing rhythm that has the capability of leading to a beating heart without a shock and (2) ventricular fibrillation (VF) which sometimes occurs in the presence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), in which there is no capability for leading to a beating heart without a shock. Defibrillation shocks should be applied only when needed and that is in the presence of VF and sometimes in the presence of VT. Electrocardiographic (ECG or EKG) signals obtained from electrodes applied to the patient's chest are analyzed so that the presence of a QRS signal characteristic of a rhythm which has the potential of supporting a beating heart, or the absence of a QRS signal which indicates ventricular fibrillation, may be detected in the presence of artifacts resulting from chest compressions.

Abstract: A fluid valve operator for moving a moveable valve element such as a disc (14) that is pressed forcefully against a surface of a valve frame (12). The valve operator includes first and second electric gear reduction motors (22, 24) that each has a movable driving member such as a rack (34, 36) that moves against a handle (20) of the valve element to move the valve element to a connect or disconnect position. Each motor withdraws its driving member from the valve member handle after moving the valve member. A default mechanism (90) moves the valve element handle to a preselected one of the positions, such as the disconnect position, when pressure of a fluid falls below a preselected level.

Abstract: An offshore hydrocarbon production system in which gases are economically stored for transport. After the produced hydrocarbons are separated into liquid (crude oil) and gases, the gases are separated into heavy and light gases. The heavy gases, which consist primarily of propane and butane, are stored as LPG (liquid petroleum gas) in a refrigerated LPG tank. The light gases (methane and other light gases) are hydrated and the ice crystals are stored in a refrigerated hydrate tank.

Abstract: A vessel (14) that stores crude oil in tanks (12A–12H) in the vessel hull, maintains oxygen-free gas in the tank spaces (32) that lie above the crude oil. This is achieved by flowing in hydrocarbon-inert gas (gas that does not react with hydrocarbons), such as flue gas, when crude oil is removed so the crude oil level drops, and by flowing out vent gas that includes the inert gas and gaseous hydrocarbons that come from the crude oil, when crude oil flows into the tank and the oil level rises. An inert gas pipe (50) is used to flow inert flue gas into the tanks, and a separate vent gas pipe (52) is used to flow out the vent gas. A vacuum is applied to the vent pipe by connecting the vent pipe to an eductor (102) through which pressured gas, such as steam, is flowed. The vent gas is usually released into the atmosphere, but is burned when there is almost no wind, to prevent a buildup of hydrocarbon gas on the vessel deck.

Abstract: A system for offloading LNG (liquified natural gas) from a tanker (26) in shallow waters, for regasing, or heating the offloaded LNG to produce gaseous hydrocarbons, or gas, for pressurizing the gas, and for flowing the gas to an onshore station (56), includes a structure that is fixed to the sea floor and projects above the sea surface and aids in mooring the tanker. In one system, the structure that is fixed to the sea floor is a largely cylindrical tower (12) with a mooring yoke (20) rotatably mounted on its upper end. A floating structure (14) such as a barge that weathervanes, has a bow end pivotally connected to a distal end of the yoke, so the barge is held close to the tower but can drift around the tower with changing winds, waves and currents. The tanker is moored to the barge so the barge and tanker form a combination that weathervanes as a combination.

Abstract: An earplug of the type that includes a soft foam body (14) and a more rigid core (16) that stiffens the body during its insertion into the ear canal, is mass produced so the front end (30) of the stiff core cannot rub along the surface of the ear canal during insertion. The core is elongated and bonded to the body, and the core has a front end (30) that is recessed from the front end (36) of the body, so the soft foam material of the body prevents the front end of the core from contacting the ear canal. The earplug can be mass produced by extruding the soft foam through an extrusion head (42), around the cores, with a long core device having been cut into the cores and with the extrusion (52) cut at locations to leave foam material forward of each core front end.

Abstract: A system for offloading LNG (liquified natural gas) from a tanker (26) in shallow waters, for regasing, or heating the offloaded LNG to produce gaseous hydrocarbons, or gas, for pressurizing the gas, and for flowing the gas to an onshore station (56), includes a structure that is fixed to the sea floor and projects above the sea surface and aids in mooring the tanker. In one system, the structure that is fixed to the sea floor is a largely cylindrical tower (12) with a mooring yoke (20) rotatably mounted on its upper end. A floating structure (14) such as a barge that weathervanes, has a bow end pivotally connected to a distal end of the yoke, so the barge is held close to the tower but can drift around the tower with changing winds, waves and currents. The tanker is moored to the barge so the barge and tanker form a combination that weathervanes as a combination.

Abstract: A system is described for offloading LNG (liquified natural gas) from a tanker for eventual delivery to an onshore gas distribution station. The system includes a floating structure that floats at the sea surface and that is connected to the tanker so they weathervane together. The floating structure carries a regas unit that heats the LNG to produce gas, and delivers the gas through a riser to an underground cavern that stores the gas. Gas from the cavern is delivered through a seafloor pipeline to an onshore gas distribution station. The regas unit includes water pumps and other equipment that is powered by electricity. The electricity can be obtained from an electric generator on the floating structure, with surplus electricity delivered through a sea floor electric power line that extends along the sea floor to an onshore electricity distribution facility.

Abstract: An improvement is described for use in a system that identifies particles in a fluid such as water by passing the fluid through a passage in a transparent carrier and detecting light from a laser beam that is scattered by particles, followed by comparing the scatter pattern to those of known particles, which increases the rate at which particles are detected. A plurality of transparent carriers with through passages are provided, and a narrow beam is directed through each carrier to scatter light from particles at a detect zone in each carrier passage. In one arrangement (60), the carriers (62, 64, 66) are connected in series, so a limited amount of water passes through detect zones (24A, 24B. 24C) to generate a high rate of particle detection. In another arrangement (130), the carrier passages are connected in parallel, so when a larger sample of water is available different parts of the water sample pass through different carrier passages, to again increase the rate of particle detection.