Abstract: A method for assembling a control module having a fixed part and a removable section. The method includes configuring the fixed part of the control module to be attached to a pressure supply line for receiving a fluid under pressure; providing in the fixed part a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve; detachably attaching the removable section of the control module to the fixed part; fluidly connecting an electrically activated valve of the removable section to the hydraulic activated valve such that the electrically activated valve controls the hydraulic activated valve; and configuring the electrically activated valve to electrically connect to a control section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling synchronous and asynchronous communications in an avionic network. The method includes receiving one or more asynchronous messages and one or more synchronous messages, allocating each of the synchronous messages to a corresponding predetermined time slot while producing an unoccupied portion in at least one of the predetermined time slots, and allocating the asynchronous messages to one or more of the unoccupied portions of the predetermined time slots.

Abstract: Method and blowout preventer for sealing a well. The blowout preventer includes a body having first and second chambers, the first chamber extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the second chamber; first and second ram blocks configured to move within the first chamber to seal a first region of the second chamber from a second region of the second chamber; first and second rods connected to the first and second ram blocks, respectively, and configured to extend along the first chamber; first and second bonnets partially covering first and second rods, respectively, the bonnets being detachably attached to the body; and first and second stroke limiting devices configured to pierce through end parts of the first and second bonnets and limit a stroke of the first and second rods by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for redundant switched communications among end users in a network. The apparatus includes an interface for coupling to a corresponding end user, a first channel for processing a communication from the end user, a second channel for processing the communication, and a multiplexer coupled to the interface and the first and second channels. The multiplexer selects at least one of the first and second channels to transmit the communication. The method includes receiving a data communication via first and second switches, each of the first and second switches having first and second channels, and routing the data communication through at least one of the first and second channels of the first and second switches.

Abstract: A method for assembling a control module having a fixed part and a removable section. The method includes configuring the fixed part of the control module to be attached to a pressure supply line for receiving a fluid under pressure; providing in the fixed part a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve; detachably attaching the removable section of the control module to the fixed part; fluidly connecting an electrically activated valve of the removable section to the hydraulic activated valve such that the electrically activated valve controls the hydraulic activated valve; and configuring the electrically activated valve to electrically connect to a control section.

Abstract: A subsea device is configured to control a subsea well. The subsea device includes a frame, a blowout preventer connected to the frame and configured to close a bore that fluidly communicates with the subsea well, a pressure supply line connected to the frame and configured to provide a fluid under high pressure, and a control module connected to the frame and configured to receive the fluid from the pressure supply line. The control module includes a fixed part and a removable section. The fixed part has a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve. The removable section is configured to detachably attach to the fixed part and includes an electrically activated valve. The hydraulic activated valve of the fixed part are configured to be actuated by the electrically activated valve when the removable section is mated to the fixed part.

Abstract: A subsea device is configured to control a subsea well. The subsea device includes a frame; a blowout preventer connected to the frame; a pressure supply line configured to provide a fluid under pressure; and a control module configured to receive the fluid from the pressure supply line and to distribute the fluid to control various functions of the subsea device. The control module includes a fixed part and a removable section. The fixed part has a first base connected to a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve and the removable section is configured to detachably attach to the fixed part and includes a second base connected to an electrically activated valve. The hydraulic activated valve of the fixed part is configured to be actuated by the electrically activated valve of the removable section when the removable section is mated to the fixed part.

Abstract: A method to determine movement of a wellhead component includes sensing a relative position of the wellhead component with a magnetostrictive sensor over a selected interval of time. The method includes sending a signal from the magnetostrictive sensor to a data acquisition device and recording the relative position of the wellhead component with the data acquisition device with respect to the selected interval of time. Further, the method includes comparing the recorded position of the wellhead component with operations data to determine if the relative position is desirable.

Abstract: Method and blowout preventer for sealing a well. The blowout preventer includes a body having first and second chambers, the first chamber extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the second chamber; first and second ram blocks configured to move within the first chamber to seal a first region of the second chamber from a second region of the second chamber; first and second rods connected to the first and second ram blocks, respectively, and configured to extend along the first chamber; first and second bonnets partially covering first and second rods, respectively, the bonnets being detachably attached to the body; and first and second stroke limiting devices configured to pierce through end parts of the first and second bonnets and limit a stroke of the first and second rods by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method to determine movement of a wellhead component includes sensing a relative position of the wellhead component with a magnetostrictive sensor over a selected interval of time. The method includes sending a signal from the magnetostrictive sensor to a data acquisition device and recording the relative position of the wellhead component with the data acquisition device with respect to the selected interval of time. Further, the method includes comparing the recorded position of the wellhead component with operations data to determine if the relative position is desirable.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling synchronous and asynchronous communications in an avionic network. The method includes receiving one or more asynchronous messages and one or more synchronous messages, allocating each of the synchronous messages to a corresponding predetermined time slot while producing an unoccupied portion in at least one of the predetermined time slots, and allocating the asynchronous messages to one or more of the unoccupied portions of the predetermined time slots.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for redundant switched communications among end users in a network. The apparatus includes an interface for coupling to a corresponding end user, a first channel for processing a communication from the end user, a second channel for processing the communication, and a multiplexer coupled to the interface and the first and second channels. The multiplexer selects at least one of the first and second channels to transmit the communication. The method includes receiving a data communication via first and second switches, each of the first and second switches having first and second channels, and routing the data communication through at least one of the first and second channels of the first and second switches.

Abstract: A muzzle worn on the snout of an animal includes a pair of oppositely-disposed opaque, continuous, imperforate sheets of material positioned at the respective sides of the animal's snout. A flexible netting connects the two pieces of material on three sides to form an enclosure that slides over the animal's snout. An adjustable strap is attached to the open end of the enclosure and extends from a point near the animal's throat to a point behind the animal's ears to form a collar around the animal's head and neck. A suitable fastener is affixed to the strap so that the length of the strap can be adjusted for maximum comfort and fit on the animal's head. The resultant muzzle allows the dog complete breathing ability while restricting dog bites and is almost impossible for the dog to pull off.

Abstract: A two compartment vessel has an upper compartment for containing a liquid and a lower compartment for containing an electrical circuit including a lamp. A light transmitting wall separates the two compartments. A set of spaced electrical contacts disposed on the vessel are connected to the electrical circuit. Responsive to the lowering of the electrical impedance between the contacts as caused by moisture bridging the gap between the contacts, the lamp is actuated to shine light into the upper compartment. In one embodiment, the contacts are disposed on the light transparent wall for causing activation of the lamp responsive to the electrical conductivity of the liquid in the upper compartment. In another embodiment the set of contacts is disposed on the handle forming a part of the container, and actuation of the lamp is responsive to moisture at the surface of the skin of the user grasping the handle whereby a lowering of the electrical impedance between the contacts occurs.

Abstract: An article for applying styptic powder to a dog's bleeding nail includes a body in which a cavity extending substantially vertically from the top of the body into the interior thereof is defined. The cavity has at least a portion of predetermined depth--being the maximum extension of the cavity from the top of the body to the cavity bottom--which substantially corresponds to the length of a dog's manicured nail. A quantity of styptic powder is contained in the cavity and, when a dog's bleeding nail is fully inserted into the cavity so that the nail end contacts the cavity bottom portion of predetermined depth, the styptic powder is properly applied to the nail and soiling of the paws and coat and other body portions of the dog with styptic powder is readily and reliably avoided.

Abstract: A communication bus user design that significantly reduces the likelihood of bus disablement. Request to transmit received by a user are validated in the communications processor and by an interlock circuit. Logic signals generated in response to the two validations are coupled to an AND gate, wherefrom an enabling signal is coupled to an amplifier when the two logic signals coincide. Communications signals from the communications processor are thereafter coupled via the amplifier to the bus.