Abstract: FePt-based perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media including an epitaxial exchanged coupling layer (EECL) between FePtX magnetic recording layers. The degree of exchange coupling may be modulated by the EECL while the texture is transferred between the magnetic recording layers. With an EECL of proper composition and thickness, the FePt-based composite media has high anisotropy field and low saturation magnetic field.

Abstract: Media may be produced with narrow c-axis dispersion while having small grain size and high grain density. A dual seed layer design and a substrate bias voltage may be applied during deposition of the seed layer are used in the media. In some embodiments, the first seed layer is an amorphous material because of a high content of elements with large atomic sizes. Application of the substrate bias during deposition of the second seed layer may reduce the grain size and may narrow c-axis dispersion.

Abstract: A workbench including a work top which is supported by a base. The base includes a plurality of attachment points of which various implements such as clamps, brackets and other accesories are removably mountable such that they are secured to the workbench without requiring attachment to the work top, thereby enabling the work top to remain unmarred, imperforate and in good working condition. The plurality of attachment points allow the implements to be mounted to the base in various positions as desired.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger in which a continuous weld circumferentially joins each tube to the outer surface of the upper, and desirably also the lower, tubesheet. The welds seal the crevices between the tubes and tubesheet holes and prevent corrosion. Since the circumferential welds cannot be deposited if the tube ends extend more than about 2 inches past the tubesheet, extensions can be added by welding.

Abstract: This invention relates to shell and tube vertical falling film heat exchangers. More particularly, this invention is concered with an improved heat exchanger which has an insert or cap on the upper ends of the tubes to direct the liquid against the inner surfaces of the tubes to form a thin falling film, thereby increasing heat exchange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a shell connected to vertically spaced apart horizontally arranged circular upper and lower tube sheets; a plurality of vertically positioned parallel tubes, with each tube extending through and connected to a hole in each tube sheet; a bottom sleeve-supporting plate positioned above, and spaced apart from, the lower tube sheet; a top sleeve-supporting plate positioned below, and spaced apart from, the upper tube sheet; a plurality of sleeves joined to holes in the top and bottom sleeve-supporting plates; each of said tubes being axially positioned in a sleeve so as to provide an annular space between the tube outer surface and the sleeve inner surface so that liquid can flow into the sleeve bottom end and out the sleeve upper end; an inlet to feed a heat exchange liquid into a space between the bottom sleeve-supporting plate and the lower tube sheet; an outlet to withdraw heat exchange fluid from the shell side of the heat exchanger above the bottom sleeve-supporting plate; and a

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger of the shell and tube type has the tubes positioned in concentric rings. A liquid distribution box is positioned above the tube upper ends. Short pipes extend downwardly from the box to feed liquid between the rings of tubes to distribute the liquid uniformly to the tubes. The box desirably rotates slowly. Also, the pipes desirably extend between upwardly extending tube ends so as to provide a uniform pool of liquid which overflows uniformly into the tubes.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes is provided with a liquid distribution member surrounding each tube which directs liquid against the tube external wall to control the falling film flow and to form uniform films on each tube. The liquid can be a feed liquid or a heat exchange liquid such as a refrigerant.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes is provided with a liquid distribution member surrounding each tube which directs liquid against the tube external wall to control the falling film flow and to form uniform films on each tube. The liquid can be a feed liquid or a heat exchange liquid such as a refrigerant.

Abstract: A falling film freeze exchanger having a shell connected to vertically spaced apart horizontally arranged circular upper and lower tube sheets; a plurality of vertically positioned parallel tubes, with each tube extending through and connected to a hole in each tube sheet; an inlet to feed a liquefied refrigerant gas to the lower part of the shell side of the heat exchanger and an outlet to withdraw refrigerant vapor from the upper part of the shell side of the heat exchanger; a liquid distribution box positioned above the upper tube sheet and a conduit to deliver an aqueous feed liquid to the liquid distribution box; a solid walled sleeve, surrounding and spaced outwardly from each tube, joined to the upper tube sheet and extending downwardly a short distance below the refrigerant liquid/gas interface on the shell side thereby providing a refrigerant vapor space between each sleeve and tube; and a hole in and through the upper part of the sleeve wall near the upper tube sheet.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of spaced apart tubes loosely penetrating aligned oversized holes in two spaced apart tube sheets; a shell around the tube sheets; each tube sheet being secured against inward displacement axial to the tubes by contact with stop means on the shell; each tube sheet being barred against outward displacement axial to the tubes by keys mechanically engaging the tube sheet and shell so that upon release of the keys they no longer bar removal of the tube sheet from the shell; a solid binder joining and sealing the tubes to the tube sheet and joining and sealing the tube sheet to the shell, with said solid binder having substantial compressive, tensile and shear strength, and being convertible by heat at a sufficiently high temperature to a physical state in which it has much lower compressive, tensile and shear strength; a conduit to deliver a heat exchange fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the tube sheets; and a conduit to deliver a liquid feed stream into a fee

Abstract: A ball and socket articulated connection in which the socket has an associated enclosed chamber for fluid transfer through the connection. A fluid conduit hole extends through the ball and a fluid conduit communicates with the chamber. It can be used at the base of an offshore tower secured to a sea floor site.

Abstract: An offshore tower having a buoyant column; a yoke at the lower end of the column; a socket joined to the end of the yoke; a base, adapted to be anchored to a sea floor, having a ball which fits in the socket for rotational joined movement relative to each other; a fluid delivery passageway, extending through the base and ball, communicating with a fluid swivel above the ball; and a fluid conduit having a flexible portion, extending outwardly from the fluid swivel and into engagement with the column.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a plurality of spaced apart tubes, a shell around the tubes; a pair of spaced apart molded in place tube sheets of solid polymeric material bonded to the tubes and to the shell interior surface and providing the primary support for the tubes, a conduit to deliver a heat exchange fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the tube sheets; and a conduit to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box partially defined by one of the tube sheets.

Abstract: A mooring system for a vessel comprising a floatable vessel having a vertical well therein, extending through the vessel bottom, defined by a bulkhead; a vertical spindle supported by the vessel within the well; the spindle being anchorable in place in water against significant lateral movement and against rotation about a vertical axis; and machined bearing retaining and contacting sleeves, cooperatively supported by the well bulkhead and the spindle, containing radial-thrust bearings at the top and bottom side portions of the spindle and vertical-thrust bearings along the side of the spindle. The bearings are maintained immersed in lubricant to protect them, such as from sea water.

Abstract: A releasable connection comprising a first member removably inserted in a second member with space between adjacent opposing surfaces of the members; a solid mass of a material, in the space between the members, which firmly joins the members together; said solid material having substantial compressive, tensile and shear strength, and being convertible by heat at a sufficiently high temperature to a physical state in which it has much lower compressive, tensile and shear strength; and, apparatus associated with at least one of the members for supplying heat to the material.The material, for example, may be ice, a low melting metal or a polymeric material.The releasable connection can be used onshore or offshore. It can be used to releasably secure an offshore structure to a seafloor, such as in the artic, using ice as the material.

Abstract: A drain for gravity removal of water from the deck of a floating roof in a tank. The drain comprises a flexible coiled hose having a lower outlet end in communication with a conduit inlet in a lower portion of the tank, and an upper inlet end in communication with a sump space on the floating roof deck. The coiled hose is extensible in length for a distance at least equal to the height the floating roof is vertically displaceable in the tank when it is full and empty of liquid.

Abstract: A liquefied gas storage tank having insulated vertical walls and an insulated top, said tank being located in and surrounded by a body of water with the exterior water level below the top of the tank walls, the tank interior space containing a layer of water in communication with the body of water so that water can be supplied to and be removed from the tank, an insulating layer floating on the water layer in the tank, and a liquefied gas floating on the insulating layer.The insulating layer can include a float which extends over the water layer except for a rim space between the periphery of the float and the tank walls, and an insulating liquid in the rim space which has a specific gravity less than water and higher than the liquefied gas, and with the insulating liquid being essentially immiscible with water and remaining liquid at the liquefied gas storage temperature.

Abstract: A fluid-swivel with a first member having a first face, a second member having a second face adjoining and mating with the first face of the first member, the first face and the second face being positioned to rotate relative to each other about a common axis, a fluid conduit defined by a first raceway in the first face and a second raceway in the second face opposite the first raceway when the first and second raceways are at a predetermined index point relative to each other, said fluid conduit at the indexed condition defining a path in one revolution about the common axis which advances the conduit a distance of at least one width of the conduit, an inlet conduit communicating with the fluid conduit, and an outlet conduit communicating with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A ball joined to a first element, a hole through the ball and first element, a socket, having a spheroidal internal surface, joined to a second element, a hole through the socket and second element, said socket containing the ball in mating and nesting arrangement with the hole in the ball communicating with the hole in the socket, one of the ball and the socket containing at least one cam slot extending along a line of longitude, a cam follower having an axle joined to one of the ball and the socket at the equator and extending into the slot in the other one, and said ball and socket being rotatable relative to each other around only two of three orthogonal axes intersecting at a point in the radial center of the ball.