Abstract: A liquid pump includes a pump assembly attached to a motor. The pump assembly includes an inlet chamber and pump chamber. The pump chamber accommodates a drive gear driven by an output shaft of the motor and driven gear meshed with the drive gear. An inner cover is disposed within the pump chamber. An outer cover overlies the inner cover with an elastic member disposed there between. The outer cover exerts a force to the inner cover through the elastic member and holds the inner cover in sliding contact with an axial end of the drive and driven gears. An outlet chamber formed between the inner cover and the outer cover is in fluid communication with and the pump chamber.

Abstract: A subsea riser support buoy is disclosed having a riser support member and a jumper support member that extend generally parallel to each other and that define a lengthwise direction extending between them across the buoy. Pontoons extend lengthwise beyond the riser support member and the jumper support member to provide attachment points for connecting tethers to the buoy. In this way, the attachment points are spaced more widely than lengthwise extremities of the riser support member and the jumper support member, beneficially altering the dynamic behavior of the buoy and especially its pitch characteristics.

Abstract: A subsea riser support buoy is disclosed having a riser support member and a jumper support member that extend generally parallel to each other and that define a lengthwise direction extending between them across the buoy. Pontoons extend lengthwise beyond the riser support member and the jumper support member to provide attachment points for connecting tethers to the buoy. In this way, the attachment points are spaced more widely than lengthwise extremities of the riser support member and the jumper support member, beneficially altering the dynamic behaviour of the buoy and especially its pitch characteristics.

Abstract: Tendon systems described herein may include a cellular tendon main body system having at least two essentially parallel pipe strings and may be used to moor a floating structure to a seabed. Hybrid tendon systems may include one or more tendon modules, where at least one tendon module includes a cellular tendon main body system. Where more than one module is used, the modules may be different types or designs of tendon systems, such as conventional single-string tendon or cellular tendon, according to the performance requirements of the module. Cellular tendon main body systems described herein enable the overall tendon, and subsequently the floating structure, to be used in ultra-deep waters and/or with heavy topsides.

Abstract: A liquid pump (10) comprises a pump assembly (14) attached to a motor (12). The pump assembly (14) comprises an inlet chamber (50) and pump chamber (28). The pump chamber (28) accommodates a drive gear (22) driven by an output shaft (16) of the motor (12) and driven gear (26) meshed with the drive gear (22). An inner cover (68) is disposed within the pump chamber (28). An outer cover (20) overlies the inner cover (68) with an elastic member (70) disposed there between. The outer cover (20) exerts a force to the inner cover (68) through the elastic member (70) and holds the inner cover 968) in sliding contact with an axial end of the drive and driven gears (22, 26). An outlet chamber (72) formed between the inner cover (68) and the outer cover (20) is in fluid communication with and the pump chamber (28).

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A central pontoon semisubmersible floating platform for use in offshore applications has a hull configuration including vertical support columns, a central pontoon structure disposed inboard of the columns at a lower end thereof, and a deck structure supported at an upper end of the columns. The vertical columns and pontoon structure are constructed substantially of flat plate. The vertical columns are adjoined to the outer periphery of the central pontoon and have a transverse cross sectional shape with a major axis oriented radially outward from a center point of the hull, and a central vertical axis disposed a distance outward from the pontoon outer periphery. Risers can be supported on the inboard or outboard side of the pontoon and extended to the deck, and the structure can be anchored by mooring lines extending along the outboard face of the columns extending radially outward and downward from their lower ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A central pontoon semisubmersible floating platform for use in offshore applications has a hull configuration including vertical support columns, a central pontoon structure disposed inboard of the columns at a lower end thereof, and a deck structure supported at an upper end of the columns. The vertical columns and pontoon structure are constructed substantially of flat plate. The vertical columns are adjoined to the outer periphery of the central pontoon and have a transverse cross sectional shape with a major axis oriented radially outward from a center point of the hull, and a central vertical axis disposed a distance outward from the pontoon outer periphery. Risers can be supported on the inboard or outboard side of the pontoon and extended to the deck, and the structure can be anchored by mooring lines extending along the outboard face of the columns extending radially outward and downward from their lower ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an endogenous cotton chitinase and its promoter, which are preferentially expressed in fibers during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoter with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in fibers during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marine connector that facilitates docking of large floating objects during a sea state that produces significant relative motion between the two objects. A toggle nose is mounted on one floating object and a mating device, a toggle nose receiver, is mounted on the second floating object. The toggle nose contains a toggle mechanism that extends and retracts two opposed transverse pins having conical ends. The toggle nose receiver is provided with corresponding conical sockets to receive the ends of the pins.