Abstract: A method and apparatus of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line to a pair of hoppers that each have an interior. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior of each hopper using a blower that is in fluid communication with the hopper interiors. The two hoppers are positioned one above the other so that cuttings can be added to the first, upper hopper via the suction line and then fed by gravity to the second, lower hopper.

Abstract: An article of composite design for attachment to another fabric article, comprising an underlying layer of twill on one side of which an ink portion of the composite design has been screen printed and heat cured. The twill is cut into a desired shape so that the twill and the ink portion form the composite design, the portion of the twill without ink printed thereon forming a substantial portion of the composite design. Methods of making and attaching the composite design are disclosed.

Abstract: In a network wherein replicas of a data object reside at a plurality of nodes, a node has a lock manager which handles requests for access to the data object by processes of differing nodes. When a process native to the node desires access to the data object, the lock manager sets a lingering lock flag in a lock table for the data object. Setting the lingering lock flag indicates that the data object can only be accessed at the node to the exclusion of processes of other nodes. The lingering lock flag can remain set after the process native to the node terminates access to the data object, thereby enabling a successive access to the data object by the same process or another process native to the node, such successive access being without notification to other nodes of the network.

Abstract: An auxiliary printing media roll holder use with printer/plotters to accomodate a large feed roll of printing media and increase the printing/plotting capacity and operational efficiency of the printer/plotter and reduce downtime due to reloading printing media rolls. The auxiliary roll holder has an elongate longitudinal frame with opposed ends adapted to be mounted between the laterally spaced legs that support the printer/plotter, longitudinal rollers rotatably mounted on the frame in parallel spaced relation, a longitudinal spindle bar removably received and rotatably engaged at opposed ends on the frame, and a pair of hubs slidably received and releasably secured on the spindle bar near its opposed ends, each having a generally cylindrical core receiving portion disposed in opposed facing relation for engaging and supporting opposed ends of a tubular core of a large roll of printing media which is drawn from the roll, passes over the roller, and into the printer/plotter.

Abstract: An alkaline-reserve-free, oil-based drilling fluid is disclosed as comprising an oleaginous liquid, and an amine surfactant having the structure R-NH.sub.2, wherein R represents a C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 alkyl group or alkenyl group. Such fluid is particularly useful in the drilling of subterranean wells in which CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S or other acidic gases which adversely effect the rheologies and other properties of the drilling fluid are encountered. The alkaline-reserve-free oil-based drilling fluid permits the logging of acidic gases which otherwise could not be logged in the presence of lime or other alkaline.

Abstract: A container including an outer shell, a flexible bag within the outer shell, a mouth and a handle. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines an opening. The flexible bag within the outer shell defines an aperture. The mouth is secured to said flexible bag surrounding said aperture and defines a fluid passageway. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outward from said top of said outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for said container when the bag is filled with liquid in either of two positions, with the first position being where the opening is facing upwards and the second position being where opening is facing sidewards. Desirably, the mouth and opening are sized and shaped such that when the opening is facing upwards the human eye can detect when a level of fluid in the container is approaching the mouth.

Abstract: Improved methods for administering an interferon (IFN) to a warm-blooded vertebrate are described. The methods employ oral administration of the IFN to the vertebrate in very low dosages, for example, 0.1 to 1.5 IU per pound of body eight per dose.

Abstract: A method is provided whereby a mobile cellular terminal can acquire and lock onto a low duty-cycle reference beacon transmitted from a private radio system base station. The terminal alternately scans the private radio beacon frequency spectrum (over a large frequency range) and processes the received signals off-line until the reference beacon is found. During each scan, only a limited amount of sampling time is allowed, in order to keep the amount of sampled data manageable. The processing time is selected so as to be long enough for the terminal to complete any required (software) analysis of the sampled data. Consequently, even if the terminal misses a reference beacon that arrives during the processing period, the next consecutive reference beacon will be found.

Abstract: This invention relates to drilling fluid additives that suppress clay swelling within a subterranean well and to methods for controlling clay swelling during the drilling of a subterranean well. In one embodiment trihydroxy alkyl amine is reacted with an alkyl halide or a water soluble quaternary amine to form a quaternized trihydroxy alkyl amine. The reaction products can also include condensed reaction products of quaternized trihydroxy alkyl amines. In another embodiment a choline derivative is used. The quaternized reaction products and choline derivatives are characterized by low toxicity and compatibility with anionic drilling fluid components. The products are added to water base drilling fluids which are circulated throughout a well. The drilling fluid additives and the method of controlling clay swelling provide for improved control of the rheological properties of drilling fluids along with increased environmental and drilling fluid compatibility.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, selectively transmits packets of message data between a sending and a receiving station. When a packet of message data is received at a receiving station, the receiving station acknowledges reception thereat of the packet with an acknowledgment response signal, transmitted back to the sending station. If the sending station fails to detect an acknowledgment response signal, a packet of activity-request data is sent to the receiving station. If the receiving station fails to acknowledge reception of the packet of activity-request data, a determination is made that the receiving station would be unlikely to be able to receive an additional packet of message data. A channel to be used to transmit the packet of message data can instead be reallocated for other purposes.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack system comprises a plurality of fuel cell sub-stacks, each of which comprises a plurality of individual fuel cell units. A separator plate separates the fuel cell units between an anode of one fuel cell unit and a cathode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. A single separator plate separates corresponding fuel cell units in each fuel cell sub-stack. The edges of the separator plate extend substantially beyond the periphery of each fuel cell sub-stack forming oxidant flow paths between adjacent separator plates extending from the separator plate edges to the center of the separator plate from which oxidant is then distributed to each of the fuel cell units. By virtue of heat transfer from the extended edges of the separator plate to the oxidant, the heat generated by the fuel cell can be controlled.

Abstract: Information relating to previously made or received calls charged to a subscription associated with a given mobile station is stored in a data base. The information stored comprises called/calling party identification, time of day for the call, and duration of the call in relation to all long distance calls (incoming and outgoing) that are charged to the mobile station subscription. This information is then delivered at certain predetermined times to the subscriber via the mobile station. Responsive to receipt of the information, the subscriber may compare the cellular service record of prior subscription use to their own recollection of use. If the record and the recollection do not coincide, it is possible that a fraudulent use of the subscription via a cloned (or otherwise fraudulent) mobile station has occurred. A prompt report of the fraudulent use may then be made to the cellular service provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fixed telephony service in a mobile cellular telecommunications system is disclosed. In the invention a fixed subscriber is assigned a fixed area within a cellular system and may not move beyond the fixed area. The restriction on movement is accomplished by monitoring a location area identity (LAI), a timing advance (TA) value and a handover candidate cell list for the fixed subscriber. Monitored parameters are then compared with a fixed LAI, a fixed TA and a fixed handover candidate cell list to determine if the fixed subscriber has moved beyond the fixed area. If the comparison indicates movement has occurred, a violation signal is generated.

Abstract: A piston rod assembly has a release link connector (12) coupled to a power end component (10) and a fluid end component (11). The connector (12) allows quick release of the assembly and includes one or more tension links (15,20) which do not extend or protrude beyond the axial limit of the ends of the body (13) of the connector (12).

Abstract: An active interphase reactor for twelve-pulse diode rectifiers is disclosed. The system draws near sinusoidal currents from a power utility. In one embodiment, a low kVA (0.02 P.sub.o (PU)) active current source injects a triangular current into an interphase reactor of a twelve-pulse diode rectifier. This modification results in near sinusoidal utility input currents with less than 1% THD. In alternative embodiments, a low kVA, 12-pulse system with an autotransformer arrangement (kVA rating of 0.18 P.sub.o (PU)) is implemented with the proposed active interface reactor. The resulting systems draw clean power from the utility and are suitable for powering larger kVA ac motor drive systems.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree ? (Prunus armeniaca.times. (Prunus salicina.times.Prunus armeniaca).times.Prunus salicina! which has the unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. The following features of the tree and its fruit were characterized with the tree budded on nemaguard rootstock, grown on Hanford sandy loam soil, Storie Index rating 95, in USDA hardiness zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation, fertilization, etc.:1. Early maturity of the fruit.2. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.3. Regular and heavy production of fruit.4. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.5. Having the ability to adequately pollinate Flavorella PlumCot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,470).6. Vigorous, semi-spreading growth.