Abstract: An umbilical constraint mechanism. The mechanism keeps the umbilical line near the center of the payload bay opening when the umbilical line is deployed. The mechanism will transfer lateral umbilical loads into the drone vessel frame near the bottom of the payload bay. A modified cone shaped structure is provided in the payload bay above the normal storage position of the ROV. The cone is mounted on a frame that is capable of sliding up or down in the drone vessel.

Abstract: A production riser that provides the benefits of a slug catcher, riser based gas lift, and multiphase meter in a single device and is suited to both shallow and deep-water oil/gas field developments. The riser is formed from a pipe within a pipe. The inner pipe provides the path for the production fluids. Perforations are provided near the base and top of the inner pipe. The top of the annulus between the pipes is closed and is in fluid communication with a gas supply/compression system via an isolation control valve/choke. The bottom of the annulus is closed. Three sets of pressure and temperature transducer transmitters are installed at the top, center, and base of the riser through the outer pipe wall.

Abstract: An engine service monitoring system and method for an engine having a spark plug, an ignition circuit with a transformer and a spark plug wire disposed between the spark plug and a coil of the transformer. A counting circuit for counting the ignition or spark pulses is inductively coupled to the spark plug wire such that for every spark pulse generated, a DC pulse is provided by a rectifier of the counting circuit. The DC pulses are provided to a computing element which computes the total number of the pulses, selectively adjusts the count on the basis of a low-oil pressure condition, an out-of-range temperature condition or other suitable operator-defined condition. The computing element also compares the adjusted count with one or more service change interval threshold values to provide an alarm to indicate that a service change is needed. The threshold values are either factory-set or field-adjustable.

Abstract: A system for tagging and monitoring subsea installations such as valves used in hydrocarbon production includes a torque tool provided with a read/write head for inductive interaction with a data storage capsule on a valve installation, the capsule storing valve identification and status data. When the torque tool is operatively engaged with the shaft (or an adaptor) of the valve, the read/write head inductively energizes the capsule and inductively receives identification data from the capsule, as well as operating data of previous operation, and this data is sent to a console in an ROV so as to ensure correct identification of the valve and proper subsequent operation by the tool.

Abstract: A computerized data processing system and method are provided. One embodiment of the system of the present invention includes a computer-readable memory for storing a definitional data table for defining variable symbols representing respective measurable physical phenomena. The definitional data table uniquely defines the variable symbols by relating them to respective data domains for the respective phenomena represented by the symbols. The system also includes a comparator for signaling existence of a match condition if both a symbolic description in an object instance describing at least one measured phenomenon matches one of the variable symbols in the table and an actual value, also in the object instance, of the at least one measured phenomenon conforms to a respective data domain defining the one variable symbol in the table.

Abstract: A rotating field, synchronized electric generator or motor in which the magnetic field that the armature produces can rotate relative to the stator at a speed significantly different from that of the armature, under electronic or other control that obviates the need for a mechanical torque-carrying gearbox that can be used for a similar purpose in a synchronized generator or motor.

Abstract: A method for executing a secure online transaction between a vendor computer and a user computer, wherein the vendor computer and the user computer are interconnected to a computer network such as the Internet for data communications therebetween.

Abstract: A method of modifying programs and databases having abbreviated date fields to achieve year 2000 compliancy includes examining an original database to ascertain the location of date fields, creating a supplementary PALM file that includes fully expanded date fields representative of corresponding date fields in the original database and modifying instructions or modules of the original program to access the PALM file for date information instead of the original database. The PALM file contains fully expanded date representations of abbreviated date fields of the original database. The PALM file also includes record identifiers and field identifiers to enable the modified program to access the required date information. Portions of the program requiring modification are identified by scanning for keywords that are generated from an examination of the database and/or from field layout definitions. The program is also examined for related keyword constructs or redefinitions found in the program itself.

Abstract: A method for processing or modifying programs and databases containing abbreviated date fields to achieve year 2000 compliancy includes examining an original database to ascertain the location of date fields, creating a supplementary PALM file that includes fully expanded date fields representative of corresponding date fields in the original database and modifying instructions or modules of the original program to access the PALM file for date information instead of the original database. The PALM file contains fully expanded date representations of abbreviated date fields of the original database. The PALM file also includes record identifiers and field identifiers to enable the modified program to access the required date information. Portions of the program requiring modification are identified by scanning for keywords that are generated from an examination of the database and/or from field layout definitions.

Abstract: A point of sale system designed to read information from a consumer's check, credit card, or manual input with a subsequent debiting of a consumer's account and crediting a merchant's account for the goods or services provided. Point of sale terminals are designed to accept a form of credit card with a consumer's bank account information encoded thereon or in the alternative to read the MICR number from a consumer's check in order to verify that a consumer has an appropriate balance to conduct the transaction with a given merchant. Thereafter the transaction of that information is transmitted to a central computer system which verifies the consumer's credit worthiness and stores the transaction event information for subsequent bank reconciliation via the ACH network. The invention eliminates the need for paper checks with all bank reconciliation being accomplished electronically.

Abstract: An electrical power supply unit for the supply of low power loads is provided with a capacitor constructed in the form of a flat piece, having a large cross-section and a small height perpendicular to the plane of the large cross-section. This provides a particularly compact construction, in particular when the capacitor and a transformer or choke coil arrangement are accommodated in a common housing, which also enables a correspondingly compact illuminating lamp to be realized.

Abstract: A supply circuit for supplying electronic devices with current or voltage and mountable as a module has input and output connections, a rectifier cirucit, a transformer having a primary winding coupled with the inputs of the supply circuit and a secondary winding coupled with the rectifier circuit and at least one high-capacity capacitor. The capacitor is coupled with an output of the rectifier circuit for smoothing generated direct current or direct voltage. The capacitor has a housing which housesd the capacitor, the rectifier circuit and the transformer in or on the housing. The input and output connections are arranged on the housing so as to be accessible from outside of the housing. At least a parat of the housing consists of a magnetizable material and carries the primary and secondary windings in the manner of a winding body.

Abstract: A satellite TV or cable video receiver includes a decoder for decoding information embedded in a broadcasted TV program which can be utilized to permit an operator to select the program for viewing only, or viewing and the preparation of a copy of the program. In an alternate embodiment, the operator may also select and the receiver permit the preparation of a copy inhibited tape. With this receiver, first run movies may be displayed on a tape or view basis without destroying the after-market for the film.

Abstract: An antenna horn of molded plastic construction. The horn may be constructed of multiple sections, each section being of molded plastic construction with the sections joined to form the horn.

Abstract: A polarity switch for connection between a dual antenna system and a satellite television receiver to permit multiple receivers to simultaneously receive channels of different polarity includes a pin diode switch and input circuitry to decode the standard receiver signal previously used to rotate the antenna feed of a single feed antenna.

Abstract: A satellite television reception only receiver includes a programmable microprocessor which has a communications link for communicating between a plurality of receivers connected in a multiple receiver installation. An antenna is connected to only one receiver in the network, and it controls operation of the antenna, and the information relating to the antenna is transmitted to the other receivers to update them. The microprocessor further provides a means to programmably restrict access to particular satellites or transponders on satellites at each individual receiver, and vary the particular transponders or satellites restricted from receiver to receiver.

Abstract: An antenna system for a television reception only antenna includes an integral declination adjustment comprising an upper and lower curvilinear surface as part of the superstructure supporting the main reflector dish with an upper and lower pad rotatably mounted to a pivot tube providing surfaces matching the curvilinear surfaces against which the main reflector dish rests. Slots and holes are cut into the matching surfaces and a pair of nut and bolt assemblies extending through the slots and holes secure the surfaces once the proper declination angle has been achieved.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving satellite broadcast television reception only (TVRO) programming, includes a main reflector dish, a pivot tube for pivotally mounting the reflector dish from a support, and an integrally formed azimuth track and drive comprising an arcuate track bolted to the back of the reflector dish with a trolley drive which engages the pivotal mount to drive the reflector dish along the azimuth to move the dish from satellite to satellite. The integral track and drive rides freely in the vertical direction on the pivotal mount to permit adjustment of the declination and elevation of the main reflector dish without disassembly or removal of the azimuth track and drive.

Abstract: An improved polarity switch for connection between a dual antenna system and a satellite television reception system has a first embodiment which utilizes a pin diode switch between the dual antenna system and each of a plurality of receivers to permit use of the receiver to select one of the two antenna feeds for decoding and display at that television set. A second embodiment is also disclosed which utilizes an electromechanical relay to isolate the antenna feeds from each receiver.