Abstract: A system for providing motion compensation of a platform attached to an ocean floor. The platform is operatively associated with a riser extending from a subterranean well. The system comprises a frame member positioned on the platform and a deck slidably attached to the frame member, and wherein the deck is attached to the riser. The system further comprises a moving device for moving the frame member relative to the deck. In one of the preferred embodiments, the frame member contains a plurality of guide post and wherein the deck is slidably mounted on the guide post so that the frame member is movable relative to the deck. The moving device may comprise a cylinder member operatively attached to the frame member and a piston operatively attached to the deck and wherein the system further comprises a pressurized recharging vessel configured to direct a pneumatic supply to the cylinder member, and a gas delivery mechanism for keeping the cylinder member within a pressure range.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler apparatus and method includes a sealed chamber and a lens assembly movable within the chamber for optically adjusting an image to be received by a video camera. The optical adjustment may be, for example, a focus adjustment or a zoom or orientation adjustment, etc. In a preferred embodiment, spaced permanent drive magnets located in an outer rotatable frame situated outside of the chamber are magnetically coupled with respective permanent driven magnets secured to an inner rotatable frame within the sealed chamber. The outer frame is rotatable but not longitudinally movable about the chamber and rotates the drive magnets and, therefore, the driven magnets. The inner frame is secured to a rotatable cylindrical housing which engages a lens assembly. Rotation of the driven magnets and the cylindrical housing moves the lens assembly longitudinally in response to rotation of an adjustment ring attached to the outer frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing virtual DMA capability for an adapter card connected to a host system bus with no DMA support. A special interface circuit resides on an adapter card together with a cache data memory. A special software driver resides in the host system. The software driver manages DMA transfers for the application processing circuitry on the adapter card using the cache data memory. The processing circuitry on the adapter card transfers data in and out of the cache data memory as if it had direct memory access to host system memory. In this way, an adapter card for a non-DMA-capable bus, such as the personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) bus can act as a bus master.

Abstract: Molten iron is cast into a mould through a filter located in the runner system of the mould using a filter comprising a body having a plurality of cells, at least some of the cells having their walls at least partially coated with a first layer of wax and a second layer of an inoculant, such as graphite, calcium silicide or ferrosilicon, for the iron.