Abstract: A method and system for reducing the salt content of a crude oil stream includes using a quill to disperse a water stream into the crude oil and then routing the mixed oil/water stream through a plurality of mixing stages. The water stream may include a wash water that has been preconditioned with recycled effluent water. Each mixing stage increases the homogeneity of the mixed oil/water stream. The first and third mixing stages are preferably lower pressure stages relative to the second mixing stage, which provides pressure effective for flowing the mixed oil/water stream through the third and fourth mixing stages. Upon exiting the fourth mixing stage, the mixed oil/water stream is electrostatically treated in a dual frequency separator vessel or a dual polarity separator vessel.

Abstract: A RFID printer for printing and determining the quality of RFID record members having transponders is provided. The RFID printer may be used to print RFID record members utilizing a continuous moving web. In particular, a RFID printer includes an integrated RFID data collector such that identifying RFID transponder information may be recorded and associated with a barcode for inventory tracking purposes. An association file created by the RFID printer may be transferred to a manufacturer or retailer brand owner. The association file may be deleted from the RFID printer upon acknowledgment of receipt of the transmitted association file to the manufacturer or retail brand owner. The RFID printer provides methods for determining quality of RFID printed record members.

Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.

Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.

Abstract: A brake actuator mechanism has an inner shaft received at least partially within an outer shaft. The overload protection device is disposed between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The device selectively couples the inner shaft and the outer shaft so that when the outer shaft receives a torque beyond a predetermined limit, the device allows the outer shaft to rotate about the inner shaft without rotating the inner shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively coupling members in a brake actuating mechanism. A coupling member is located between an outer clutch sleeve and a clutch cap. The coupling member exerts a pre-determined amount of force on both the outer clutch sleeve and the clutch cap. The force couples the outer clutch sleeve and the clutch cap. The coupling member allows the outer clutch sleeve and the clutch cap to decouple if a torque acting on the clutch cap exceeds the force exerted by the coupling member.

Abstract: A cellular wireless packet data communication system containing transmit-only endpoint devices which transmit to receive-only base stations. The system is configured to allow for large area coverage (e.g., a metropolitan area) with far fewer number base stations than are required with conventional two-way cellular systems. The base station coverage areas are configured to overlap, allowing for reception of packets at multiple base stations. A data concentrator resolves redundantly received messages. The network is configurable as a WAN, a LAN, or a combination of the two. Novel modulation techniques (e.g., a 16QAM submodulation together with a 7FSK modulation) are used such that low cost components can be used in the transmitters and receivers while achieving outstanding probability of success performance. The endpoint devices are battery operated and accordingly, are designed for low power consumption and multi-year battery life.

Abstract: A customer service center (answer resource management system) and method are described herein for answering an inquiry from a customer by combining human interaction and software automation through a transparent interface. Basically, the customer service center is capable of receiving an inquiry (e.g., question, request) from a customer and providing the customer with an answer to the inquiry through a transparent interface on one side of which is the customer and on another side of which is an automated system and an agent. If the automated system is not capable a providing the answer to the customer, then the agent can be consulted in order to provide the answer to the customer. The transparent interface (e.g., text-to-speech interface) is designed such that the agent can provide the answer to the customer without needing to talk directly with the customer.

Abstract: An inlet momentum absorber for passing an oil/water/gas mixture into a separator vessel having an inlet nozzle that extends through the vessel wall into the interior thereof, and a nozzle axis. A dish-shaped deflector is supported within the vessel adjacent to the deflector being intersected by the nozzle axis. A plurality of closely spaced apart cylindrical posts are arranged in an enlarged circumferential pattern defining a dispersing area within the vessel, the dispersing area being formed equilaterally around the nozzle axis. The closely spaced cylindrical posts provide a multitude of tortuous paths through which the oil/water/gas mixture flows from the dispersing area into the interior of the vessel. The tortuous paths are free of sharp edges to thereby minimize shearing of dispersed droplets.

Abstract: A demisting system used to remove entrained liquid droplets from a gas stream employing radially arranged serpentine vanes. The radial arrangement of the vanes provides flow paths in which the leading edges of the serpentine vanes are closer together than the trailing edges so that a gas stream must undergo a series of direction and velocity changes. Centrifugal forces act to cause liquid droplets to impinge on the surface of the vanes. Surface tension holds the liquid on the vanes as it collects and gravity causes the collected liquid to drain downward and out of the demisting system.

Abstract: A modified Kuester apparatus and a method for forming patterns of immiscible gels and of immobilized gels on a doctor blade functioning as a viewing screen before the gel pattern is deposited on a carpet are described. The preferred angle for the doctor blade is 30.degree.-40.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus having a reservoir for enclosing a fluid and a valve for selectively applying gas under pressure to said reservoir and venting said reservoir to the ambient air. A controller supplies a pulse of predetermined duration selected from a plurality of durations to actuate the valve to apply the gas under pressure to the reservoir for expelling a predetermined amount of ink therefrom through a tube by compensation for dynamic effects. The ink is transferred from one end of the tube to a selected item of a sheet of items by moving the end of the tube closely adjacent to the sheet while the ink is being expelled from the reservoir and through the tube for transfer to the individual item.