Abstract: A subsea device is configured to control a subsea well. The subsea device includes a frame, a blowout preventer connected to the frame and configured to close a bore that fluidly communicates with the subsea well, a pressure supply line connected to the frame and configured to provide a fluid under high pressure, and a control module connected to the frame and configured to receive the fluid from the pressure supply line. The control module includes a fixed part and a removable section. The fixed part has a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve. The removable section is configured to detachably attach to the fixed part and includes an electrically activated valve. The hydraulic activated valve of the fixed part are configured to be actuated by the electrically activated valve when the removable section is mated to the fixed part.

Abstract: A subsea device is configured to control a subsea well. The subsea device includes a frame; a blowout preventer connected to the frame; a pressure supply line configured to provide a fluid under pressure; and a control module configured to receive the fluid from the pressure supply line and to distribute the fluid to control various functions of the subsea device. The control module includes a fixed part and a removable section. The fixed part has a first base connected to a valve manifold that houses a hydraulic activated valve and the removable section is configured to detachably attach to the fixed part and includes a second base connected to an electrically activated valve. The hydraulic activated valve of the fixed part is configured to be actuated by the electrically activated valve of the removable section when the removable section is mated to the fixed part.

Abstract: An optical communication transmitter (13), receiver (15), and transceiver (17) having distinctive retro-reflective elements (30) and/or reflectivity that can be modulated. In one embodiment, the retro-reflective elements (30) can have different shapes or patterns (32), irrespective of rotation or size. In another embodiment, the retro-reflective elements can have their reflectivity modulated (42) to have a distinctive pattern in time. The solution also provides the capability to direct a remote optical receiver (15) to an available port (17) with an appropriate FOV. In the case where retro-reflective elements are only shape distinctive, a method may be used to direct the remote OWLink (15) to an appropriate port (17) of the hub (54). In addition to the hub ports (17) used for data links, additional hub ports called command ports (60) are added that are only used during the initial link setup of remote units. The hub (54) contains enough command ports (60) such that one command port covers each possible FOV.

Abstract: Optical wireless links communicate beam alignment information between them over a collimated, modulated light beam, without the requirement of a secondary channel. The alignment feedback signal can be formatted as control packets that are inserted between data packets traveling over the optical wireless channel, as control packets that are combined with the data packets, as a low frequency modulation of the light beam, or similar approaches. Alignment feedback signals are used by the device receiving the signal to align its light beam using a beam steering device, such as a micro-mirror device. Control signals preferably include x and y coordinate information relating to the position of both devices that are communicating, as well as time stamp, sample number, and similar synchronization information. Control packets are extracted from the data stream by a switch based upon the destination address of the control packets.

Abstract: An optical communication transmitter (13), receiver (15), and transceiver (17) having distinctive retro-reflective elements (30) and/or reflectivity that can be modulated. In one embodiment, the retro-reflective elements (30) can have different shapes or patterns (32), irrespective of rotation or size. In another embodiment, the retro-reflective elements can have their reflectivity modulated (42) to have a distinctive pattern in time. The solution also provides the capability to direct a remote optical receiver (15) to an available port (17) with an appropriate FOV. In the case where retro-reflective elements are only shape distinctive, a method may be used to direct the remote OWLink (15) to an appropriate port (17) of the hub (54). In addition to the hub ports (17) used for data links, additional hub ports called command ports (60) are added that are only used during the initial link setup of remote units. The hub (54) contains enough command ports (60) such that one command port covers each possible FOV.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for effectively disrupting biological samples contained in cuvettes to which beads have been added. In the apparatus, a special arm/bearing subassembly is driven and oscillated by a motor in a manner to attain cellular disruption of the biological samples without degradation of their cellular components. In the preferred form, the special arm/bearing subassembly has a cam, bearings, and a bearing sleeve which cooperate with a motor drive shaft to rotate a yoke with two arms holding four cuvettes. For increased safety and environmental protection, special sample retainers can be provided to better secure the cuvettes and the arm/bearing subassembly is enclosed in a sample chamber which provides a secondary containment compartment that contain any spillage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for imparting to a living culture of cells biaxial mechanical forces which approximate the mechanical forces to which cells are subject in vivo. The method utilizes a displacement applicator which may be actuated to contact and stretch a membrane having a living cell culture mounted thereon. Stretching of the membrane imparts biaxial mechanical forces to the cells. These forces may be uniformly applied to the cells, or they may be selectively nonuniformly applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imparting to a living culture of cells biaxial mechanical forces which approximate the mechanical forces to which cells are subjected in vivo. The apparatus includes a displacement applicator which may be actuated to contact and stretch a membrane having a living cell culture mounted thereon. Stretching of the membrane imparts biaxial mechanical forces to the cells. These forces may be uniformly applied to the cells, or they may be selectively non-uniformly applied.