Abstract: A method for gripping a tubular with a tubular gripping mechanism includes the steps of moving the tubular gripping mechanism adjacent the tubular, positioning a jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism around the tubular, applying a force by an actuator onto the jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism such that the jaw assembly moves so as to clamp onto the tubular, removing the force from the actuator onto the jaw assembly such that the jaw assembly remains clamped onto the tubular. The clamping force is directed to surfaces of the tubular gripping mechanism away from the actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a base, a main rotating structural member pivotally connected to the base, a pipe handler connected to the main rotating structural member for moving a pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a jack connected to the pipe handler. The jack exerts a downward force in generally parallel relation to the pipe when the pipe is in the vertical orientation. The pipe handler has a gripping structure for gripping an outer surface of the pipe. The gripping structure has a stab frame. The jack is affixed to the stab frame. The jack has a piston-and-cylinder assembly positioned relative to the stab frame, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the piston-and-cylinder assembly. The hydraulic actuator is suitable for passing hydraulic fluid to the piston-and-cylinder assembly so as to move the piston-and-cylinder assembly from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A coupling device includes a coupling body and a collar adapted to engage a tubular member in a permanent swaged connection. The coupling device includes axially spaced front and back ferrules which engage during swaging to provide a plurality of seals intermediate the ferrules and the tubular member as well as the coupling body. The back ferrule includes a central region having a generally cylindrical wall that is elastically/plastically deformed to a corrugated tube-like shape during swaging to enhance the maintenance of the seals. A portable installation tool for swaging the coupling body and collar to the tubular member is hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: An active, smartpipe stand (apparatus and method) for feeding and receiving pipe in a horizontal orientation to and from a pipe handling apparatus has a first pipe-lifting mechanism, a second pipe-lifting mechanism, and a pipe-rotating mechanism positioned between the first and second pipe-lifting mechanisms. The bottom of the first pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the second pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the pipe-rotating mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. Individual tubulars are unloaded, prepared, staged and sequenced, assembled and presented for delivery from horizontal to vertical. The pipe stand is positioned under the boom of the pipe handling apparatus when the apparatus is in the first position. The pipe stand extends within the skid structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for processing of biological samples prior to spectroscopy analysis. The system includes a support for an organic sample, a solution applicator configured to apply a solution for extraction of at least one biomarker protein from the organic sample. The system includes a digester-medium applicator configured to apply to the organic sample a digesting medium capable of at least partial digestion of the biomarker proteins into peptides. The system includes a heating device configured to heat at least one of the organic sample, the solution, the digesting medium, and the biomarker proteins to a temperature above room temperature.

Abstract: A method for fragmentation of analyte ions for mass spectroscopy and a system for mass spectroscopy. The method produces gas-phase analyte ions, produces gas-phase odd-electron containing species separately from the analyte ions, and mixes the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species at substantially atmospheric pressure conditions to produce fragment ions prior to introduction into a mass spectrometer. The system includes a gas-phase analyte ion source, a gas-phase odd-electron containing species source separate from the gas-phase analyte ion source, a mixing region where the gas-phase analyte ions and the odd-electron containing species are mixed at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce fragment ions of the analyte ions, a mass spectrometer having an entrance where at least a portion of the fragment ions are introduced into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer, and a detector in the mass spectrometer which determines a mass to charge ratio analysis of the fragment ions.

Abstract: A coupling device includes a coupling body and a collar adapted to engage a tubular member in a fluid tight seal. The coupling device includes axially spaced front and back ferrules which engage during mounting to provide a plurality of seals intermediate the ferrules and the tubular member as well as the coupling body. The back ferrule includes a generally cylindrical or tubular wall that is elastically/plastically deformed to an arcuate shape to enhance the maintenance of the seals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring target gas concentrations in an atmosphere. The method and apparatus emit in the atmosphere a laser beam tuned to a molecular absorption line of a target gas, receive a reflected signal affected by gas absorption of the target gas in the atmosphere, divide and direct the received signal into a first optical path and a second optical path including in one of the paths a correlation gas cell filled with a predetermined concentration of the target gas, detect transmitted signals through the first optical path and the second optical path, and calculate a target gas concentration by comparing a first signal transmitted through the first optical path to a second signal transmitted through the second optical path.

Abstract: A system for detecting airborne agents. The system can include a laser source that provides laser pulses of at least two wavelengths, a transmitter that transmits the laser pulses, and a coupling mechanism configured to remotely couple the laser pulses between the laser source and the transmitter. The system can include a receiver receives both elastically backscattered signals from airborne agents and fluorescence signals from the airborne agents. The system can include a telescope both transmits a collimated laser beam of the laser pulse from the transmitter to a far field and receives the elastically backscattered signals and the fluorescence signals from the far field. The system can include a detection system having at least one of a backscatter optical detector that detects the elastically backscattered signals and one or more fluorescence optical detectors that detect the fluorescence signals in selected spectral band(s) from the airborne agents.

Abstract: A method for fragmentation of analyte ions for mass spectroscopy and a system for mass spectroscopy. The method produces gas-phase analyte ions, produces gas-phase radical species separately from the analyte ions, and mixes the gas-phase analyte ions and the radical species at substantially atmospheric pressure conditions to produce fragment ions prior to introduction into a mass spectrometer. The system includes a gas-phase analyte ion source, a gas-phase radical species source separate from the gas-phase analyte ion source, a mixing region where the gas-phase analyte ions and the radical species are mixed at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce fragment ions of the analyte ions, a mass spectrometer having an entrance where at least a portion of the fragment ions are introduced into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer, and a detector in the mass spectrometer which determines a mass to charge ratio analysis of the fragment ions.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for transmitting an N-bit digital signal at a source. The N-bit digital signal representing a binary value is used to modulate an electrical current by using N discrete voltages representing each bit. The N discrete voltages are coupled to N corresponding switches to control the switches. The switches conduct a corresponding electrical current if the value of the corresponding discrete voltage is the binary value of 1. The currents from each of the closed switches are summed to form a current-encoded data signal in a single physical conductor representing the original N-bit digital signal. The current-encoded data signal is transmitted through the single physical conductor to a current decoder for decoding the current-encoded data signal and extracting the original N-bit digital signal at a destination.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting airborne agents. The system includes a semiconductor ultraviolet optical source configured to emit an ultraviolet light, a controller configured to generate a pseudo-random code for emission of the ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, a telescope configured to focus the ultraviolet light to a distance from the source and to receive elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and a sensor configured to detect the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals. The method generates a pseudo-random code and emits at least one wavelength of ultraviolet light modulated at the pseudo-random code, transmits the modulated ultraviolet light pulses to a distance from the source, receives elastically backscattered signals and fluorescence signals from the distance, and detects the elastically backscattered and fluorescence signals.

Abstract: A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprises a chassis, a pair of right and left drive pulleys, a right and left planetary wheel, a right and left track, a right and left arm mechanism, and a right and left drive motor. The drive pulleys are rotatably attached to the chassis and each pair of drive pulleys is in the same plane. The planetary wheels are movable relative to the chassis such that each planetary wheel is in the same plane as its respective drive pulleys. The tracks extend around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective sides. The arm mechanisms connect the respective planetary wheel to the chassis. Each arm mechanism is rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam. The cam defines a motion path of one end of the arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel provides a path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel is a constant track length.

Abstract: A two-part integrated head assembly (100) is disclosed wherein the lower portion (110) attaches to, and is supported by, the reactor vessel closure head (90), and the upper portion (160) is fluidly connected to the lower portion, but is supported externally from the reactor vessel closure head. In the disclosed embodiment, the upper portion includes transverse support beams (170) that engage containment walls (92), for example steam generator walls, to support the upper portion. A duct (150) releasably connects a fan plenum (165) in the upper portion with an annular plenum in the lower portion, such that fans (166) can draw heated air from around the CEDMs (95). In one embodiment, a chiller (168) is provided in the fan plenum to cool the air prior to expelling it in containment. A missile shield (169) is also provided in the upper portion.

Abstract: A method for fragmentation of analyte ions for mass spectroscopy and a system for mass spectroscopy. The method produces gas-phase analyte ions, produces gas-phase radical species separately from the analyte ions, and mixes the gas-phase analyte ions and the radical species at substantially atmospheric pressure conditions to produce fragment ions prior to introduction into a mass spectrometer. The system includes a gas-phase analyte ion source, a gas-phase radical species source separate from the gas-phase analyte ion source, a mixing region where the gas-phase analyte ions and the radical species are mixed at substantially atmospheric pressure to produce fragment ions of the analyte ions, a mass spectrometer having an entrance where at least a portion of the fragment ions are introduced into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer, and a detector in the mass spectrometer which determines a mass to charge ratio analysis of the fragment ions.

Abstract: A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with a simple means of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to the user.

Abstract: A coupling device includes a coupling body and a collar adapted to engage a tubular member in a permanent swaged connection. The coupling device includes axially spaced front and back ferrules which engage during swaging to provide a plurality of seals intermediate the ferrules and the tubular member as well as the coupling body. The back ferrule includes a central region having a generally cylindrical wall that is elastically/plastically deformed to a corrugated tube-like shape during swaging to enhance the maintenance of the seals. A portable installation tool for swaging the coupling body and collar to the tubular member is hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprises a chassis, a pair of right and left drive pulleys, a right and left planetary wheel, a right and left track, a right and left arm mechanism, and a right and left drive motor. The drive pulleys are rotatably attached to the chassis and each pair of drive pulleys is in the same plane. The planetary wheels are movable relative to the chassis such that each planetary wheel is in the same plane as its respective drive pulleys. The tracks extend around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective sides. The arm mechanisms connect the respective planetary wheel to the chassis. Each arm mechanism is rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam. The cam defines a motion path of one end of the arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel provides a path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel is a constant track length.