Abstract: The use of non-porous membranes as sample supports for MALDI-TOFMS analysis of peptides and proteins as well as for the analysis of whole blood is herein described. Non-porous membranes have a uniform surface, allowing for greater sensitivity and accuracy. Specifically, the non-porosity favours crystal growth on the surface of the membrane only, thereby providing enhanced spectral quality over membranes with porous structures. Studies were performed using polyurethane (PU) membranes as an example of non-porous MALDI sample supports and showed that PU membranes yielded higher quality spectra compared with porous membrane sample supports such as polyether and poly(vinyl difluoride) and the spectra obtained from PU membranes are of comparable quality as those obtained with metallic targets. However, the sample preparation for use with PU membranes is much less arduous compared with the preparation necessary for metallic targets. On membrane proteolytic digestions of proteins were performed using trypsin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vibrating abrasive cleaning apparatus and method which is powered by a hydraulic drive motor mounted to a square tubing frame which is housed within an enclosure that is vibrated by an eccentric shaft assembly directly coupled to the hydraulic drive motor and square tubing frame. The container assembly is mounted on the rigid square tubing frame, on one side by compression springs, on the opposite side by tension springs. The compression springs and tension springs have a different spring rate which produces better rolling of the media and therefore, faster parts circulation and cleaning. To further give flexibility to the cleaning process the hydraulic power supply is equipped with the variable volume piston pump to give infinite speed settings. The eccentric shaft assembly with the eccentric weight positions set at different relative positions to one another gives the operator the ability to adjust the machine to produce optimum results with all parts, sizes, and weights.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vibrating abrasive cleaning apparatus and method which is powered by a hydraulic drive motor mounted to a square tubing frame which is housed within an enclosure that is vibrated by an eccentric shaft assembly directly coupled to the hydraulic drive motor and square tubing frame. The container assembly is mounted on the rigid square tubing frame, on one side by compression springs, on the opposite side by tension springs. The compression springs and tension springs have a different spring rate which produces better rolling of the media and therefore, faster parts circulation and cleaning. To further give flexibility to the cleaning process the hydraulic power supply is equipped with the variable volume piston pump to give infinite speed settings. The eccentric shaft assembly with the eccentric weight positions set at different relative positions to one another gives the operator the ability to adjust the machine to produce optimum results with all parts, sizes, and weights.

Abstract: Vibrations are created in a flow conduit by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration technique is utilized in a gravel packing tool. Gravel pack sand is placed while the gravel pack tool is vibrated by balls constrained within a wash pipe. A considerably improved gravel pack density is achieved.

Abstract: Vibrations are created in a flow conduit by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration technique is utilized in a gravel packing tool. Gravel pack sand is placed while the gravel pack tool is vibrated by balls constrained within a wash pipe. A considerably improved gravel pack density is achieved.

Abstract: A wash down placement of a screen into sand within a well borehole is improved by vibration of a wash pipe as the wash pipe is removed from the screen. A compacted sand gravel pack around the screen is achieved. The vibrations are created by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object.

Abstract: A clamp is disclosed which is capable of latching on to a buckle arrestor on a subsea pipeline which has been severed in the vicinity of the buckle arrestor. By severing the pipe in this location and utilizing the buckle arrestor to latch the clamp on to the pipe, a simple and reliable clamp is used. A method to recover such a subsea pipeline by severing the pipeline in the vicinity of the buckle arrestor and utilizing such a clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flowline bundle is twisted or braided into a permanent rope-like helical configuration, prior to laying the flowline bundle offshore by the reel method.Apparatus for forming the helical flowline bundle includes a pipe twist head and a series of pipe tumblers alternating with intermediate pipe supports, which apparatus rotates and translates part of a flowline bundle while simply translating the other part.

Abstract: A flowline bundle is twisted or braided into a permanent rope-like helical configuration, prior to laying the flowline bundle offshore by the reel method. Apparatus for forming the helical flowline bundle includes a pipe twist head and a series of pipe tumblers alternating with intermediate pipe supports, which apparatus rotates and translates part of a flowline bundle while simply translating the other part.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the force required to pull a pipe through a J-tube riser by coating the pipe and/or the inside of the riser with a fluorocarbon polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus are used for creating data processing application programs in programmer oriented languages such as COBOL from atomic or fundamental program building blocks, i.e., individual programming language statements, based on information provided by the user at the terminal. Host/peripheral input/ output subroutines are selected from a library of existing I/O subroutines, based on the type of I/O indicated by the user; and, the application program can incorporate existing subroutines, tables, files, etc. so as to avoid having to create code which has already been created. The system also provides for a level of validity checks and interactive editing of the application program as it is being created at the terminal. A user may thus change some aspect of the application program, or correct a logic error which has been detected by the system, interactively without having to start over from scratch after compiling the source program to detect errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the force required to move a pipe through a J-tube attached to an offshore platform. The J-tube is provided with at least two spaced-apart sections and at least the pipe and/or one section is oscillated as the pipe is moved through the J-tube, thereby reducing the force required to move the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the force required to move a pipe through a J-tube riser attached to an offshore platform. The J-tube riser is provided with at least one movable section and the movable section is oscillated as the pipe is moved through the J-tube riser, thereby reducing the force required to move the pipe.

Abstract: A reusable template is disclosed herein for use in cutting pipe and other related applications in conjunction as a guide for an oxygen cutting torch. The template, as described in a preferred embodiment as a pipe template, has one or more contour ends so configured that after the branch pipe is cut it will fit flush against the external surface of a header pipe at the desired angle determined by the configuration of the contour end. The template is made of oxidation resistant material, with an alloy content sufficient to produce refractory oxides when heated by a flame, thus preventing the template from being cut by the oxygen cutting torch. The template is held in place over or on the workpiece or pipe by means well known in the art. The contour end or shape of the template is used as a guide for the nozzle of a standard oxygen cutting torch.

Abstract: A printed circuit board has two contact areas on each surface near one end. The board is sandwiched between two halves of a shell to form a plug in such a way that the contact areas are exposed. The contact areas on one surface are nearer the exposed end than the contact areas on the other. The tip and ring conductors of a pair of wires in a test cord are connected, respectively, with the two contact areas which are nearer the exposed end. A keeper spring which is connected to the shield of the jumper cable, the ground potential, insures that the plug will be retained within a jack into which the plug is inserted by engaging a detent. The detent is connected to ground potential. The jack has two long electrical contacts and two short electrical contacts. The long electrical contacts engage the two contact areas which are farther away from the exposed end and the two short electrical contacts engage the nearer contact areas.

Abstract: A writing instrument has an ink applicator at one end and a hollow cylindrical reservoir at the opposed end containing a correction fluid. A first cap member is removably received on the instrument to cover the ink applicator when not in use and a second cap member is removably received on the opposed end of the instrument to enclose the reservoir. A fluid applicator brush is secured in the second cap and has a depending portion which is removably received within the reservoir in a stored position when the second cap is in place.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lifting tool for applying vertical forces to loads. A body carries a catch device for engaging such a load, and therebelow a support mechanism for receiving the load and limiting rotational movement of the load about the point of engagement with the catch mechanism. A handle is provided above the load whereby vertical forces may be applied. The handle and the support mechanism are collapsible relative to the body for storage purposes, for example.

Abstract: A rotor containing plural circumferentially spaced radial cylinders revolves in a concentric stationary housing around a fixed but adjustable profiled cam engaged by follower rollers on the connecting rods of pistons which reciprocate in the cylinders due to cam action during rotor rotation. A biasing spring for each piston maintains contact between the profiled cam and piston follower rollers. A secondary spring cushioned cam enables smooth transition of the piston follower rollers from an abrupt drop-off point on the main cam to a rotor torque inducing face thereof at the explosion point for each cylinder. Four cycle piston engine operation is achieved without the massiveness of a conventional fixed block piston engine of comparable displacement. The engine can be fuel injected or carburetor operated. Extreme simplicity of construction is achieved.

Abstract: A gel plug of vegetable oil, fatty acid, a particulate filler such as calcium carbonate, and an optional base and/or polymer is employed during construction of an offshore pipeline to separate a gas-filled portion of the pipeline from a water-flooded portion, and to facilitate control and movement of a gas/gel plug/water interface as desired to assist in construction operations.