Abstract: An appliance for heating a food product includes a housing having an interior defining a heating cavity, a lid enclosing an upper opening of the heating cavity, a water supply including a portion directed through the lid for introducing water to the heating cavity, a heating element adjacent a lower portion of the heating cavity, and a steamer basket receivable within the heating cavity. The steamer basket defines a body with a perforated lower wall positionable above the lower portion of the heating cavity such that the food product is suspended above the lower portion of the heating cavity during heating of water therein and such that steam generated by heating water within the lower portion of the heating cavity permeates the food product for heating thereof.

Abstract: A countertop appliance comprises interchangeable containers including a first container and a second container each having a base. The first container includes a first magnet coupled to the base of the first container at a first distance and the second container includes a second magnet coupled to the base of the second container at a second distance. A housing includes a motor and an attachment portion. The interchangeable containers are selectively and operably coupled to the attachment portion of the housing. An analog magnetic sensor is disposed proximate the attachment portion of the housing. The analog magnetic sensor is configured to detect the first magnet at the first distance and the second magnet at the second distance. A controller communicatively coupled with the analog magnetic sensor is configured to identify one of the interchangeable containers based on the detected distance of one of the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.

Abstract: An improved fixed ballast for a floating offshore structure. The material used for the ballast may be a dense liquid that is pumped into the fixed ballast tank during ballasting and forced out of the tank during deballasting. The material may also be a soluble material that is ground up into particles and added to water. After a saturated solution is obtained, more particles are added to produce a slurry. The slurry is delivered into the ballast tanks. Removal of the slurry is accomplished by pumping sea water into the ballast tanks until all of the ballast material is dissolved and forced out of the tank.

Abstract: A practice device for use with a gun includes a laser-producing mechanism for producing a laser beam simulating a fired-bullet pathway. The device includes a bore insert with a striker member which the firing pin of the gun impacts and moves during a firing movement thereof. The movement of the striker member moves an electrical switch mounted on the bore insert to form a closed electrical circuit to activate the laser-producing mechanism. The electrical switch automatically returns to an open-circuit position to turn the laser beam off. A support which preferably includes resilient plastic bristles extends radially outwardly from the bore insert to prevent damage to the gun bore inner surface and to allow for use with guns having different bore sizes. The laser-producing mechanism is pivotally mounted on the bore insert to provide alignment thereof.

Abstract: A lawn mower is provided having a chassis, a mower deck dependent from the chassis, having a chute for discharging clippings generally in a first direction onto the ground; and a blower assembly mounted to the chassis on the same side as the chute, and having an outlet oriented such that a stream of air from the blower extends along a second direction and intersects the clippings discharged from the chute in the first direction and redisperses the clippings over an area greater than that achieved by the mower deck alone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressurizing the inside of tubular members of an offshore structure that are immersed in sea water so that the internal pressure resists the hydrostatic pressure of the sea water. To achieve this internal pressure, gas is generated automatically on the inside of the members as the structure descends to its in-place location. The gas can also be used to deballast a tubular member.

Abstract: A pile is plugged at its lower end or tip region so as to make it easier to drive. Additionally, such a plugged pile facilitates the transportation and handling of the pile prior to its driving.

Abstract: A fixed, non-compliant, non-floating offshore platform subject to lower wave, wind, current, and rig loadings resulting from a configuration that supports the portion of the well casings that extend from near the seafloor to a deck level above the water surface using tension instead of intermediate lateral supports. Only the smallest one or two well casings among all those that comprise the well casing system are extended back from the seafloor, which further reduces the lateral loadings on the structure.

Abstract: A compliant offshore structure with flex tubes that are not driven into the sea bottom. A foundation template has bottles with skirt pile sleeves and a closed bottom socket. A tower and tower extension support the deck above the water line. The tower legs each enclose a flex tube such that there is an annulus between the leg and flex tube. The flex tube extends below the lower end of the leg so as to be received in the socket. The flex tubes are grouted in place in the sockets to connect the tower to the foundation template. Thickened wall portions may be provided on corresponding sections of the leg and flex tube to provide wear surfaces.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a braced offshore structure that is constructed on land as a single unit in a compact bundle before being transported on a barge to the installation site. After the compact unit is launched, it is unfolded and ballasted before being installed upon the ocean floor. This structure consists of an elongated central tower having a plurality of braces pivotally secured thereto. These braces are initially positioned generally parallel to this central tower within recesses in the central tower but after the braces are unfolded, they extend at an angle to the central tower.

Abstract: A fixed pile guide having a removable ring gate which restrains a pile within the pile guide. When in the closed position, the ring gate is secured to the guide by means of a pivotable arm. To release the pile and/or to convert the guide to an open pile guide, a cable secured to the arm is pulled which pivots the arm thereby releasing the gate from the fixed guide as well as releasing restraint on the pile.

Abstract: An improved removable closure plate arrangement providing a liquid-tight seal in an elongated floatable offshore hollow tubular column structure. The closure plate being adapted for easy removal and including a centrally located pull member removably connected to the upper and fixedly connected to the lower portion of the closure plate with the closure plate being removably connected about its periphery to the inside surface of the column.

Abstract: A mudmat and mudmat removal procedure used in combination with an offshore marine structure for supporting said structure on a soft, unconsolidated seafloor during installation of said structure to the seafloor.