Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems implementing AC mains circuit parameter characterization are provided. One example embodiment of an image forming device includes a variable electrical load, and a controller adapted to vary the electrical load based on a characterization of AC mains circuit parameters including source voltage and line impedance wherein line impedance is determined for a change in source voltage.

Abstract: The personal dryer apparatus provides a full personal enclosure. The apparatus can be positioned as chosen, whether next to a shower or bath or apart from. One door of the apparatus may be selectively removed if complete shower-to-apparatus joining is desired, as the apparatus provides opposite entry and exit. The cap design and interior air delivery and air exit designs provide optimal air flow into, through, and out of the apparatus. The spaced apart nozzles provide multi-levels of air delivery. The apparatus provides temperature controlled heated air. The selectively positioned nozzle openings and fan control provide selectively delivered air flow amounts.

Abstract: An apparatus to be used with a shoe for kicking a ball includes a connecting member adapted to secure the apparatus to the shoe and a contacting member coupled to the connecting member and adapted to extend away from an instep portion of the shoe when the apparatus is coupled to the shoe. The apparatus is configured such that when a person kicks the ball, the contacting member contacts the ball above the equator when the shoe contacts the ball below the equator.

Abstract: Embodiments of voltage monitoring are disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a load, one or more switches, and a controller. The switches are to switch power received from a power source to power the load. The controller is to control switching of the switches to deliver the power to the load to reduce perceptible flickering of one or more lights coupled to the power source.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems implementing AC mains circuit parameter characterization are provided. One example embodiment of an image forming device includes a variable electrical load, and a controller adapted to vary the electrical load based on a characterization of AC mains circuit parameters including source voltage and line impedance wherein line impedance is determined for a change in source voltage.

Abstract: A method including attempting to provide a first amount of power to a component of an image forming system during a first time period and determining a second amount of power applied to the component during the first time period using a first power measurement made during the first time period and at least a second power measurement made during a second time period outside of the first time period is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to calculating a number of dryer passes that will be used to dry ink applied to print media, the number of dryer passes being calculated relative to a current dryer temperature, applying ink to the print media, and drying the applied ink with the dryer using the calculated number of dryer passes without first waiting for the dryer to reach its normal operating temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for subsea drilling/completion. The system comprises a high-pressure riser extending from a semi-submersible platform to a subsea wellhead. A landing string extends along the insider of the riser, and has a surface blowout preventer and at least one subsea blowout preventer attached thereto. A tubing hanger running tool is run from the platform toward the wellhead. In one embodiment, hydraulic control for various functions of the tubing hanger running tool is communicated either through the tubing string or through the riser. In another embodiment, hydraulic control lines for the tubing hanger running tool extend from the platform to the tubing hanger running tool through an umbilical line, which may either run through the tubing string, inside the riser but outside the tubing string, or outside and alongside the riser.

Abstract: Embodiments of voltage monitoring are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a device to provide an estimate of supplied power circuitry configured to direct a level of power to be supplied to a load and configured to determine a difference between the level of the power and the estimate.

Abstract: A running tool 10, a lockdown sleeve 27, and a seal ring 24 are provided for axially fixing upward movement of a tubular hanger with respect to a subsea wellhead. The running tool 10 includes a tool latching and unlatching mechanism 51 for axially connecting the running tool to the subsea wellhead housing, a tool force applicator 64 for exerting a downward setting force, and a sleeve latching mechanism 73 for securing the lockdown sleeve to the subsea wellhead housing 20. The seal 24 is provided between the lockdown sleeve and one of the tubular hanger and the wellhead housing. The method of the invention includes running the tool and sleeve in open water to the subsea wellhead housing, locking the tool to the housing, setting the seal, locking the sleeve to the housing, then retrieving the tool in open water.

Abstract: The horizontal spool tree assembly 10 controls fluid flow through a production tubing string 18 within a well. The horizontal spool tree assembly is adapted for use with a workover string for fluid communication with the tree assembly. The spool body 12 has a central bore 14 for receiving a tubing hanger 22 therein, with a production passageway extending laterally through the spool body to a production line 36. The spool body also includes an annulus passageway extending laterally through the spool body for fluid communication between the tubing annulus 16 and the annulus line 52. The spool tree assembly has improved porting for the production line and the annulus line, and also for both workover and crossover operations.

Abstract: A decoy holder is provided that releasably retains the keel of a keel-type floater decoy. The holder includes a central cavity in which the keel of a decoy can be inserted. The holder includes a generally flat base that supports the decoy in an upright position on solid ground.

Abstract: A running tool 10, a lockdown sleeve 27, and a seal ring 24 are provided for axially fixing upward movement of a tubular hanger with respect to a subsea wellhead. The running tool 10 includes a tool latching and unlatching mechanism 51 for axially connecting the running tool to the subsea wellhead housing, a tool force applicator 64 for exerting a downward setting force, and a sleeve latching mechanism 73 for securing the lockdown sleeve to the subsea wellhead housing 20. The seal 24 is provided between the lockdown sleeve and one of the tubular hanger and the wellhead housing. The method of the invention includes running the tool and sleeve in open water to the subsea wellhead housing, locking the tool to the housing, setting the seal, locking the sleeve to the housing, then retrieving the tool in open water.

Abstract: The horizontal spool tree assembly 10 controls fluid flow through a production tubing string 18 within a well. The horizontal spool tree assembly is adapted for use with a workover string for fluid communication with the tree assembly. The spool body 12 has a central bore 14 for receiving a tubing hanger 22 therein, with a production passageway extending laterally through the spool body to a production line 36. The spool body also includes an annulus passageway extending laterally through the spool body for fluid communication between the tubing annulus 16 and the annulus line 52. The spool tree assembly has improved porting for the production line and the annulus line, and also for both workover and crossover operations.

Abstract: A connector for connecting the lower tubular member of a tie-back to the upper tubular member of a subsea wellhead is disclosed as having a first sleeve carried about the upper member for axial reciprocation with respect thereto and extension over the lower member, and a second sleeve also carried by the upper tubular member for axial reciprocation thereto within the first sleeve. Each of the tubular members has locking grooves formed about its ends, and a normally expanded lock ring has about its ends to engage the grooves, as well as outer cam surfaces carried within inner cam surfaces on the inner sides of the sleeves for radial movement between a normally expanded unlocking position and a contracted locking position, as the sleeves are axially reciprocated in opposite directions with respect response to one another. A fluid operator is formed between the upper portions of the sleeves for moving them in opposite axial directions.

Abstract: A multichannel dynamic range adaptor (102) includes a multichannel signal input (116) for carrying an input signal with an input bandwidth spanning multiple communication channels, and a multichannel signal attenuator (118) connected to the multichannel signal input (116). The multichannel signal attenuator (118) includes a signal output (120) and a signal attenuation input (134) responsive to an attenuation control signal. The multichannel signal attenuator (118) is adapted to provide, on the signal output (120), an output signal corresponding to the input signal reduced in dynamic range in accordance with the attenuation control signal. The output signal dynamic range is generally constrained to be no greater than the dynamic range capability (e.g., 60 dB or less) of an analog to digital (A/D) converter (122) coupled to the multichannel signal attenuator (118) for digitizing the output signal.

Abstract: A multichannel signal amplitude equalizer (102) includes a multichannel signal input (112) that carries an input signal with an input bandwidth spanning multiple communication channels. The equalizer also includes a multichannel equalizer (114) connected to the multichannel signal input (112) and that includes a signal output (116). The multichannel equalizer (114) connects to an equalizer control input (130) for regulating the multichannel equalizer (114) to attenuate selected frequency bands in the input signal. As a result, the signal output (116) carries, as an output signal, the input signal reduced in dynamic range. The equalizer (102) generally includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter (122) coupled to the multichannel equalizer (114) for digitizing the output signal. The A/D converter (122) is characterized by an A/D converter dynamic range that is at least equal to the output signal dynamic range and a bandwidth at least equal to the input bandwidth.

Abstract: A connector for connecting the lower tubular member of a tie-back to the upper tubular member of a subsea wellhead is disclosed as having a first sleeve carried about the upper member for axial reciprocation with respect thereto and extension over the lower member, and a second sleeve also carried by the upper tubular member for axial reciprocation thereto within the first sleeve. Each of the tubular members has locking grooves formed about its ends, and a normally expanded lock ring has about its ends to engage the grooves, as well as outer cam surfaces carried within inner cam surfaces on the inner sides of the sleeves for radial movement between a normally expanded unlocking position and a contracted locking position, as the sleeves are axially reciprocated in opposite directions with respect response to one another. A fluid operator is formed between the upper portions of the sleeves for moving them in opposite axial directions.