Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: Transaction authorization systems may include a transaction processor and an authorization server system. The transaction processor obtains transaction requests authorizations for those requests from the authorization server system. The transaction processor may require an authorization be provided within a threshold time; otherwise, the transaction may be processed without authorization. The authorization server system may be hosted using one or more nodes in a distributed system. Degradation of the performance of the distributed system may cause the performance of the authorization server system to fall below the required performance threshold and transactions may not be authorized before automatic processing. Transaction authorization systems may monitor the health of the individual nodes and/or the distributed system and automatically adjust the routing of authorizations based on current and/or future performance degradation.

Abstract: An elastomeric device for packing the bowels of a subject comprising: a central portion and one or more flaps collectively manually positionable within the subject to retain the bowels of the subject in an operational, displaced position and to provide a surgical operational space; and a support structure disposed in at least one of the central portion and the flaps configured to provide rigidity to the device.

Abstract: A device for human organ packing in a laproscopic surgical procedure, including an expandable barrier configured to be laproscopically implanted into a human abdominal cavity such that a side of the expandable barrier interfaces with organs in the abdominal cavity, thereby forming a barrier between the organs and a region of the abdominal cavity on an opposing side of the barrier relative to the organs, wherein at least a portion of the barrier is configured to be controllably transformed from a first state to a second state, wherein when in the second state the barrier is in a more rigid state relative to the first state.

Abstract: An elastomeric device for packing the bowels of a subject comprising: a central portion and one or more flaps collectively manually positionable within the subject to retain the bowels of the subject in an operational, displaced position and to provide a surgical operational space; and a support structure disposed in at least one of the central portion and the flaps configured to provide rigidity to the device.

Abstract: A diverless process of tapping a pressurized subsea pipeline without removing the pipeline from service. The process includes the steps of lowering and landing a measurement tool onto the pipeline in order to check ovality and straightness of the pipeline with the measurement tool. Pipe lift frames are lowered and landed onto the pipeline spaced from a chosen location. The pipeline is lifted by hydraulic actuators or mechanical screws on the lift frames. A hot tap fitting and accompanying orientation frame are lowered and landed on the pipeline between the pipe lift frames. The pipe lift frames are incrementally raised until the pipeline is fully seated in the hot tap fitting and orientation frame. A fitting clamp is secured to the pipeline. A hot tap machine is lowered onto the hot tap fitting and orientation frame. The pipeline is then tapped with the hot tap machine. The pipeline is thereafter lowered by deflating the lift frame bags.

Abstract: A diverless process of tapping a pressurized subsea pipeline without removing the pipeline from service. The process includes the steps of lowering and landing a measurement tool onto the pipeline in order to check ovality and straightness of the pipeline. Pipe lift frames are lowered and landed onto the pipeline spaced from a chosen location. The pipeline is lifted by hydraulic actuators or mechanical screws on the lift frames. A hot tap machine and accompanying orientation frame are lowered from the surface and landed on the pipeline between the pipe lift frames. A fitting clamp is secured to the pipeline. A hot tap machine is lowered onto the hot tap fitting and orientation frame. The pipeline is then tapped with the hot tap machine.

Abstract: A machine for use underwater and therefor subject to ambient hydrostatic pressure for tapping a pressurized pipeline has an elongated tubular tapping machine body with a boring bar therein that receives a cutter at its lower end. A passageway in a lower end portion of the tapping machine body senses the internal pressure of a pipeline after the pipeline is penetrated by the cutter, the passageway being connected to a pressure equalizer having communication with the interior of the tapping machine body to thereby balance hydraulic forces applied to the boring bar during a tapping operation.

Abstract: A pig trap closure is disclosed which includes a collar adapted to be attached to the end of a pipe, a door for opening and closing the end of the pipe, means for clamping the door to the collar and sealing means for preventing communication between the interior of the pipe and the atmosphere when the door is clamped to the collar. A testing valve is provided for indicating the presence of pressurized fluid in the pipe and means connects the testing valve to a handle used to unclamp the door for preventing movement of the handle until after the presence of pressurized fluid within the pipe has been checked by the testing valve.