Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system for the detection and sorting of objects in a work space. The invention uses a modulated electromagnetic signal and then filters each received signal. The received modulated signals by an array of photosites are used to create an image of an object.

Abstract: A system for mooring a floating storage vessel (10) in the open sea for remaining on station at all times without any disconnection of the vessel (10) from the mooring system. The mooring system includes a plurality of anchor legs (26) connected to a turret (20) in the well (18) of the vessel (10) with at least one submerged support buoy (28) for each anchor leg (26). The submerged support buoy (28), by supporting a substantial portion of the weight of the associated anchor leg (26), reduces the vertical loads on the turret bearings (46, 48) and permits the turret (20) to be easily rotated from the torque exerted by the anchor legs (26) without any separate turret drive means. The system includes in FIG. 5 an embodiment in which a plurality of support buoys (28A) are provided for each anchor leg (26A). The system includes in FIG. 6 an embodiment in which the floating storage vessel (10B) is permanently moored to a mooring buoy (25B) secured by a plurality by anchor legs (26B) to the sea bed (16B).

Abstract: A poppet check valve (20) in the embodiment of FIG. 1 has a valve body (30) with a fixed unyielding metal seat (38) for engaging in metal-to-metal sealing contact with a sealing surface (48) on poppet valve member (34) at relatively high fluid pressure ranges. The metal seats 38 and 48 may both be frusto-conical in shape or one frusto-conical and the other spherical. A compliant metal sealing member (42) engages sealing surface (48) in metal-to-metal sealing relation at low fluid pressures prior to engagement of sealing surface (48) with fixed metal seat (38) at high fluid pressures. Alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3-7. The embodiment of FIG. 7 shows a poppet check valve with a pair of staged flexible metal sealing members (42D, 43D) which are integral with body (30D) for progressively engaging the sealing surface (48D) of poppet valve member (34D) prior to engagement of fixed metal seat (38D).

Abstract: A bearing support structure is disclosed for a turret (10A) mounted for rotation within a well (50A) of a moored vessel. The bearing support structure has a turret bearing assembly (900A) which may tilt about a tilting axis (783A, FIG. 3) relative to a lower bearing support structure (764A) mounted on the vessel. The turret bearing assembly (760A) has a retainer ring (794A) below a peripheral slot (782A) in a turret ring (102A); a segmented key (596A) fits in slot (782A). The retainer ring (794A) is supported on an annular abutment (780A) on turret ring (102A). A filler material (781A) is provided in an annular space or clearance between turret ring (102A) and retainer ring (794A) to tighten the joint therebetween. A construction method is also disclosed for first placing a mooring turret in the well of the vessel and later installing a bearing assembly between the vessel and the turret by lowering it over the top of the turret.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve position indicator for indicating an open or closed position of a valve having a valve stem, the valve position indicator comprising a body adapted to be mounted to a subsea xmas tree structure, a traveling block movably connected to the body by at least one guide bolt, the traveling block including a threaded hole for engaging a threaded extension shaft which is coupled to the valve stem, a rigid tube connected to the body and having first and second open ends, and a coiled spring member having one end connected to the traveling block and the other end extending through the first end of the rigid tube, wherein the extension of the spring member beyond the second end by a predetermined amount provides a visual indication that the valve is in its open or closed position, whereby movement of the traveling block in response to actuation of the valve will push or pull the spring member through the tube to provide the desired visual indication.

Abstract: An improved ball deck having a plurality of driven balls arranged in rows, with each driven ball supported on a freely rotatable ball and a pair of drive wheels secured to parallel shafts positioned on either side of the driven balls in each row, and a tray for each row of driven balls having bearings in the end plates thereof. Chain drive sprockets attached to each of the shafts with adjustment means for adjusting the trays to control the tension in the chains.

Abstract: A method of operating a drenching apparatus for drenching fruit and vegetables with an aqueous chemical solution having a pit for holding a large volume of the solution, a drench pump for drawing the solution from the pit and discharging it into manifolds equipped with nozzles for drenching the fruit, recovery apparatus for returning excess solution to the pit which is a holding tank for holding a volume of the solution; a heater, including a heater pump, connected to the holding tank and arranged to maintain the temperature of the solution therein; a re-circulation pump connected to draw solution from the pit and direct it to a heater with a conduit connecting said holding tank to said pit. The volume of the holding tank being sufficient to assure that portions of the solution are maintained at said temperature for a time to eradicate pathogens.

Abstract: Repulping and/or decolorizing formulations and mixtures which include a catalytic amount of a salt of a metal such as copper, iron, silver, or nickel; a persulfate; and from 0-10% saccharide. Formulations containing a carbonate, sesquicarbonate or bicarbonate for adjusting pH are preferred. A method of repulping and/or decolorizing broke, whether containing wet strength resin or not, using the formulations or mixtures of the ingredients in the formulations.

Abstract: An adjustable casing hanger for suspending a casing string from a wellhead is provided which includes an elongated tubular body having a lower end adapted to be connected to the casing string and an upper end portion including a plurality of axial annular grooves formed in the outer diameter surface thereof, each groove defining a downwardly facing support surface, and a support ring adapted to be positioned around the body in one of the grooves, the support ring having an upwardly facing load shoulder for engaging the support surface and a downwardly facing load surface for engaging a support shoulder formed in the wellhead, whereby the elevation of the casing hanger within the wellhead can be adjusted depending on in which groove the support ring is positioned.

Abstract: A process for reducing or eliminating Caro's acid mist, created when producing a hot mixture containing Caro's acid by reaction of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, is carried out by quenching the hot Caro's acid mixture with water to both cool and dilute the Caro's acid.

Abstract: A pulp wash system in which recovery of juice and sugar solids is enhanced by the provision of an in-line static mixer disposed in the line between a pump supplying pulp to a finisher and the finisher. A plurality of pulp inlet pumps and finishers may be connected in series. Further, in using a series of finishers, the liquid introduced into each finisher except for the last finisher comes from the liquid output from a subsequent or further downstream finisher.

Abstract: An insecticidal composition comprising, in admixture with an agriculturally acceptable carrier, an insecticidally effective amount of a 2,4-diaminoquinazoline compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, W, X, Y, and Z are as defined herein; methods of using the same; novel 2,4-diaminoquinazolines per se; and intermediates in the preparation thereof.

Abstract: An SCR firing circuit is provided which includes a plurality of opto-couplers, diodes, a capacitor and an SCR, utilized to control the AC power applied to a load, such as a vibratory feeder. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more opto-couplers act as solid state switches and also isolate a control signal from the AC line voltage. The capacitor is charged from an AC power source through the diode during a half cycle of the AC line voltage, and remains charged until the SCR is triggered. In response to a control signal rendering the opto-couplers conductive, the capacitor is discharged through the opto-couplers to fire the SCR and provide AC power to the load. A back-to-back SCR firing circuit is also provided which fires a first SCR when a line voltage is positive and which fires a second SCR when the line voltage is negative, which may be utilized to adjust the frequency of the application of power to the load independently of the frequency of the AC power supply.

Abstract: A method of producing a reduced sodium process cheese from a natural cheese using selected phosphate salts: disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate and/or tripotassium phosphate, and tricalcium phosphate and/or dicalcium phosphate. A formulation that is a blend of such salts. A cheese that contains these salts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a tree running tool (120) for guiding a conventional or horizontal tree (150) for the purpose of connection to a subsea wellhead or wellhead system (110) without the use of guidelines or guide funnels as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. The horizontal tree (150) has an orientation sleeve (154) projecting downwardly from tree body (150), and the tree running tool (120) has a lower stabbing extension or stinger (100) which extends below the orientation sleeve for guiding and aligning the orientation sleeve (154) into engagement with a high pressure wellhead housing (153) and associated production casing hanger (159) for connection of the tree body (150) to the high pressure wellhead housing (153).

Abstract: A base-excited vibratory conveyor includes an elongated conveyor trough, and an elongated support structure extending generally beneath the conveyor trough. A plurality of springs operatively interconnect the trough with the support structure, whereby vibratory drive of the support structure effects vibratory motion of the trough for conveyance of materials therealong. The support structure includes a plurality of cross-member assemblies which facilitate operative connection of the springs to the support structure, while enhancing the structural integrity of the support structure. The overall conveyor construction can be relatively lightweight in configuration, thus facilitating economical manufacture and operating efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is a harvester which is able to weigh harvested fruit. The harvester transfers the fruit from the harvester by a transfer conveyor. The weighing system is a first shoe and a second shoe supported on the end of the transfer conveyor. A load cell supports the second shoe and is used to determine the weight of the fruit in the second shoe. A linkage system is used to keep the first shoe and second shoe in desired relative positions as the transfer conveyor is moved up or down.

Abstract: Clutch mechanism for use in an automatic feed system includes a lockout device that prevents re-engagement of a disengaged clutch mechanism until such time as reset of the clutch is accomplished. When the clutch is first disengaged a mechanical flag cooperates with a specially configured shaft to prevent shaft rotation until such time when the flag has been urged out of blocking contact with the shaft.

Abstract: A disconnectable vessel mooring system including a storage vessel (10) with a turret (32) mounted therein so that the vessel is free to weathervane about an anchored turret. A spider buoy (44) in a docked position is received within the turret (32) with the upper part of the buoy at a position above the sea water level to permit dry servicing of the buoy (44). Anchor legs (68) in the docked position are secured to the turret (32) by securing means (71). Guide tubes (72) on the outer surface of the buoy (44) receive the anchor legs (68) therein for limited longitudinal travel. Selected anchor legs (68) may be disconnected from the buoy (44) when detached from the turret (32) for lowering onto the sea floor to reduce the weight of anchor legs supported by the buoy (44).

Abstract: It has now been found that certain heterocyclyl-spirobicyclic catechols are useful as pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. These compounds are represented by formula II: ##STR1## where Q is a 1-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4 (1H,3H)-pyrimidinedion-3-yl, a 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimid-1-yl, a 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,3H-?1,3,4!thiadiazolo?3,4-a!pyridazineimin-1-yl, or a 1,6,8-triazabicyclo?4.3.0!-nonane-7,9-dion-8-yl; and A, B, X, Y, Z, n, u and R are as described in the specification. Preferred are those compounds where A and B are oxygen; Y is chlorine; Z is fluorine; n is 1 when u is 1 or n is 2 when u is 0; and X is oxygen.