Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a motor controller to an electrical motor, said apparatus comprising: a motor interface board; a mounting mechanism for mechanically connecting said motor interface board to the electrical motor; at least one input lead for electrically connecting said motor interface board to at least one of an electrical power source and an electrical signal source; at least one output lead for electrically connecting said motor interface board to the electrical motor; and at least one connector for mechanically and electrically connecting said motor interface board to the motor controller.

Abstract: An end effector controller that is gripped by an operator in one hand, including a pistol-grip housing configured to fit in the palm of an operator's hand when gripped and having mounted thereon a plurality of switching mechanisms with pivoting, dual-acting switch triggers each configured for independent actuation by multiple fingers of the hand when said controller is gripped, and a method for controlling a robotic end effector remotely using the operator hand-gripped controller, the method including switching between preset operating modes of the end effector using a single, control input element, easily actuated by a finger in the operator's gripping hand; and providing continuous fine adjustment between preset modes using a second, control input element also easily actuated by a finger on the operator's gripping hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in association with a master entity index system may allow data records to be grouped together into various entities, where each of the entities may represent a logical or physical item. These entities may also be associated with one another in a manner such that relationships between entities may likewise be represented. In one embodiment, an interface may be provided for use in conjunction with the master entity index system such that these various entities and relationships may be better managed, manipulated or visualized. This interface may allow a user to search for or otherwise obtain an entity, where a representation of this entity and one or more associated entities may be presented to the user along with representations of the relationships between these entities.

Abstract: A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model.

Abstract: An optical processing system is described that allows rapid evaluation of derivatives and partial derivatives by means of optical Fourier transformation. In embodiments, separate filtering steps are used to provide phase and amplitude changes.

Abstract: A reversible hand operated work tool comprising; a shaft including first and second working ends at opposite ends of the shaft; a co operating handle mounted on the shaft and capable of sliding therealong. The hand tool can be adjusted to move from a first working orientation to a second orientation by sliding the handle along the shaft mtennediate said working ends and without jtatnoving the handle form the shaft.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a volume of a vehicle component. The system includes a computing device having a host application and analytical tool. The host application is configured to present an interface to a user and allow the user to modify a component model. The component model includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a vehicle component and has a virtual housing at least partially defining an internal cavity. The analytical tool is configured to generate a solid body representing the internal cavity and calculate a volume of the solid body. The analytical tool is configured to determine whether the internal cavity is bounded by the virtual housing, counting a number of external and internal faces traversed by the fluid during the simulated fluid flow, and determining a shortest path between the selected external and internal faces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for joining results in loosely collaborative data exchanges which include a plurality of nodes in communication with each other wherein a node is constrained from sharing payload data regarding a first subject, is allowed to share matching data regarding the first subject, and is further constrained to be separate from the other nodes. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a set of virtual results from the constrained node including the matching data and excluding the payload data. The method also includes receiving results from the other nodes and determining whether any of the results correspond to the same subject. The method also includes, when any of the results correspond to the same subject, joining the corresponding portions in a hub separate from the constrained node. The joined results can be output.

Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.

Abstract: A computing device includes a host application and an analytical tool. The host application is configured to present an interface to a user and allow the user to modify a component model. The component model includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a vehicle component and has a virtual housing at least partially defining an internal cavity. The analytical tool is configured to generate a solid body representing the internal cavity and calculate a volume of the solid body. The analytical tool is further configured to determine whether the internal cavity is bounded by the virtual housing of the component model.

Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

Abstract: A bicycle cover and methods of using the same are disclosed. The body of the bicycle cover is two walls made of thin and flexible transparent, weather proof material and includes an opening in the bottom of the cover configured to receive and protect a bicycle. The bicycle cover can include a securing element that secures the bottom cover to further protect the bicycle from the elements. The bicycle cover can include reinforced openings to receive a lock allowing the bicycle to be locked to a rack. The bicycle cover is designed to specifically receive the components of a triathlon bicycle which include aerobars, electronic gear shifters and seat mounted water bottle cages while the bicycle is stored on various styles of racks in the transition area.

Abstract: This invention enables the affordability of an elaborate, high-performance teleoperator master controller while encouraging continual operator training by supporting a teleoperator system in which one centralized master controller controls multiple field slaves sequentially.

Abstract: A pistol-grip controller for the control of a robotic or virtual hand has multiple dual-action switching mechanisms positioned to simulate intuitively the motion of grasping and releasing an object. An externally-projecting switch trigger of each switching mechanism is hook-shaped to facilitate the operator donning and doffing the controller. These switches move in response to gripping and releasing movements of the associated fingers so as to close or open peripherals (fingers) of the end effector hand. A rocker switch allows an operator to toggle conveniently between commonly used modes of a virtual or robot hand, or the like. The mode toggling is complemented by a control to adjust between the commonly used modes of operation. To make the manipulation of the end effector more intuitive, the controller remaps the switching mechanisms to different functionalities on the end effector based on the mode of operation. The transition between switch to end effector mappings is hysteretic.

Abstract: An optical phase modulation device having a layer of flexoelectro-optic effect liquid crystal material and electrode for applying an electric field to the layer of liquid crystal material. In this way, the optic axis of the liquid crystal layer can be deflected. This provides a phase shift to light transiting the liquid crystal layer. The substrate of the device is based on a liquid crystal over silicon (LCOS) microdisplay. The device is capable of providing multilevel phase shifts, e.g. for holographic displays.

Abstract: Well log data is assigned depositional labels by a soft computing method. A model is trained on an expert-interpreted well log by segmenting, assigning fuzzy symbols to the segments, and calculating attribute values for units labeled by the expert. From these values, classifiers are trained for each of a number of depositional types. Finally, a model is developed for translating fuzzy symbols into depositional labels. Once trained, the model is applied to well log data.

Abstract: A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in association with a master entity index system may allow data records to be grouped together into various entities, where each of the entities may represent a logical or physical item. These entities may also be associated with one another in a manner such that relationships between entities may likewise be represented. In one embodiment, an interface may be provided for use in conjunction with the master entity index system such that these various entities and relationships may be better managed, manipulated or visualized. This interface may allow a user to search for or otherwise obtain an entity, where a representation of this entity and one or more associated entities may be presented to the user along with representations of the relationships between these entities.

Abstract: In prior art methods of processing transactions, funds for any given transaction are typically designated for payment from a single account. Further, funds are often pre-paid into accounts associated with a subscription to a telecommunications network, reducing the funds that a user can allocate to the single account. This can cause the amount of funds available from the single account to be below that required to cover one or a series of transactions, leading to the problem that only transactions of a limited size or number can be effected for a given account balance. In embodiments of the present invention, a method of processing a transaction is provided in which, responsive to a request for a transaction, a plurality of accounts associated with a party to the transaction are identified, including at least one account associated with a subscription to a telecommunications network. Funds for the transaction are selected on the basis of account balances of the identified accounts.