Abstract: Apparatus for providing connectivity at a hub having a plurality of subscriber lines and a plurality of feeder lines. The apparatus includes a first switch module for coupling to N of the plurality of subscriber lines, where N is an integer. The first switch module is also for coupling to a digital subscriber line access modem (DSLAM) at the hub. A second switch module is coupled to the first switch module and the DSLAM. The second switch module is also adapted for coupling to M of the plurality of feeder lines at the hub, where M is an integer.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly for moveably carrying a conductor that communicates from a wellhead to a piece of well access equipment on a rig. The tensioner assembly includes a support frame, at least one hydraulic cylinder connected to the support frame, and at least one primary accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Reduction of administrative overhead in maintaining network information, rapid convergence on an optimal routing path through the data network, and utilization of only required network resources are realized by a novel method for establishing a call path between network users. The method is based upon deployment of a network information server that stores network topology information and that is addressable by each end user. In this method, the network information server receives a request to establish a call path. The request identifies at least the calling party. In response to the request, the network information server determines a network traversal between the calling party and a root network wherein the network traversal includes call path information about the sub-networks between the calling party and the root network. The request for establishing a call path can also identify the called party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring connectivity at a hub having a plurality of subscriber lines from a plurality of subscriber premises and a plurality of feeder lines from a central office. The hub provides connectivity between the plurality of subscriber premises and the central office. The method and apparatus include categorizing the plurality of subscriber lines into a plurality of groups based on penetration rates and chum rates of the plurality subscriber lines. Each group of subscriber lines are connected to feeder lines based on the penetration and chum rates for POTS and/or DSL services. Subscriber line groups with high penetration rates and high/low chum rates are coupled directly to feeder lines. Subscriber line groups with low penetration rates and high/low chum rates are terminated at the hub. Subscriber lines with an intermediate penetration rate are candidates for being connected to the feeder lines via an automatic switch.

Abstract: A method for supporting top tension drilling and production risers on a floating vessel using a tensioner assembly above the water line of the vessel. The method can include attaching at least one hydraulic cylinder on a first end to a first position on a floating vessel and on a second end to a tension frame below the first position. The next step of the method can be forming a fluid connection between the at least one hydraulic cylinder and at least one primary accumulator.

Abstract: Establishing voice calls in an IP based VPN includes determining the relative location of a terminating point with respect to an originating point of a new communication containing the voice data, determining one or more IP addresses to egress the communication from the originating point to the terminating point, creating a VPN identifier in the new communication, passing the new communication to the terminating point and removing the VPN identifier from the new communication. The VPN identifier can be an extra field added to an encapsulation coding scheme of the voice data.

Abstract: An air treatment system, in certain aspects, having a base, having a substantially horizontal base body, a first compressor mount structure formed integrally of the base body, and a second compressor mount structure formed integrally of the base body and spaced-apart from the first compressor mount structure; and, in other aspects, including, a housing or grill, a coil or coils, a compressor or compressors, a top cover, a fan, and/or a box for electrical items.

Abstract: A method for providing inventory for expedited loading and transport of compressed natural gas entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the high-energy gas into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. One or more storage elements are collected on the land to create an inventory that is quicker to load than comparable loading of natural gas unto the floating vessel. The floating vessel transports the inventory to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method for preventing explosions while transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas; separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids; and removing impurities from the saturated gas. The saturated gas is dehydrated forming a dry pressurized gas that is subsequently cooled forming a two-phase gas. The two-phase gas, natural gas liquid, and condensate are loaded onto a storage element forming a mixture. The storage elements are loaded onto the deck to provide open ventilation of the storage element. The floating vessel transports the storage elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A method for processing and transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel with a power plant entails obtaining pressurized high-energy content gas, separating the pressurized product stream into saturated gas and liquids, and removing impurities from the saturated gas. Water is removed from the gas forming a dry pressurized gas. The dry pressurized gas is cooled forming a two-phase gas. The gas is loaded into a storage element located on a floating vessel, while the liquids are loaded into the storage element forming a mixture. The floating vessel transports the storage modules and elements to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: A system for processing and transporting compressed natural gas having a separator for separating the pressurized high-energy content gas into saturated gas and liquids; a decontamination unit for removing impurities from the saturated gas to create a decontaminated saturated gas; a dehydration unit for dehydrating the decontaminated saturated gas to remove water forming a dry pressurized gas; a chiller for cooling the dry pressurized gas cooled from ambient temperature to between ?80 Fahrenheit and ?120 Fahrenheit forming a two-phase gas; a floating vessel; at least one storage module located on the floating vessel that maintains a pressure ranging from 800 psi and 1200 psi; and wherein the floating vessel transports at least one storage module a distance ranging between 500 nautical miles and 2500 nautical miles and utilizes the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.

Abstract: The method for loading pressurized compressed natural gas into a storage element on a floating vessel entails introducing compressed natural gas from a source into a storage element located on the floating vessel raising the storage element pressure from about 800 psi to about 1200 psi at an ambient temperature; allowing a portion of the compressed natural gas to cool forming a liquid in the storage element; removing remaining vapor phase compressed natural gas from the storage element to a refrigeration plant, wherein the refrigeration plant is adapted to cool the vapor; removing the liquid from the storage element to the refrigeration plant; wherein the refrigeration plant is adapted to cool the liquid; mixing the cooled vapor phase with the cooled liquid phase and returning the mixture to the storage element; repeating the steps until the vapor has been cooled and is substantially a liquid.

Abstract: The method for re-deploying an offshore jacket using a plinth involves the steps of locating an offshore jacket; constructing a plinth with a plinth legs, a skirt pile sleeve, a mud mat, a space frame, guide cones, and a trestle per plinth leg; placing the plinth at the second site; driving one skirt pile into each skirt pile sleeve; disconnecting the jacket legs from the seabed at the first site; lifting the offshore jacket above the seabed; moving the offshore jacket from the first site to the second site; and lowering the offshore jacket such that each jacket leg stabs into each guide cone on the plinth until each jacket leg mud mat contacts each trestle; and inserting pin piles through each jacket leg and plinth leg and grouting the pin piles to effect a permanent structural connection between plinth and jacket.

Abstract: A method for offloading and storage of liquefied compressed natural gas into a salt dome by using inserting displacement gas with a pressure greater than a pressure of the liquefied compressed natural gas and a temperature of from about 80 degrees Fahrenheit to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit into a created cavern in the salt dome. The liquefied compressed natural gas is offloaded from the vessel to the storage cavern, wherein the liquefied compressed natural gas is at a pressure of from about 750 psi to about 1100 psi and a temperature of from about ?80 degrees Fahrenheit to about ?110 degrees Fahrenheit. The liquefied compressed natural gas is mixed with gas vapor in the storage cavern, wherein the gas vapor in the storage cavern is at a geostatic temperature and at a pressure lower than a pressure of the liquefied compressed natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing virtual private network (VPN) connectivity between at least two customer sites. Each of a plurality of PE routers includes at least one access module adapted for connectivity to at least one customer site. The access modules are generated automatically for each PE router associated with a VPN, wherein customer sites, which are associated with said VPN and have an identical export route target (RT) value and import RT value, are connected to a common access module. Otherwise, customer sites associated with the PE router that do not have identical export and import RT values are coupled to their own respective access modules at the PE router. Each access module generates an ingress-forwarding table for routing packetized information between the at least two customer sites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming multilayer ceramic substrates from large area ceramic green sheets, each having an array of layer sites thereon, by serially aligning each individual layer site with respect to a die cavity and punching the aligned layer site into the die cavity to thereby stack the requisite number of aligned layer sites. Individual layer site alignment ensures that each layer site is aligned with respect to the die cavity so that the dimensional tolerances between layer sites on the large area green sheet are eliminated. Thus, as large a green sheet as is cost effective may be employed, notwithstanding the fact that dimensional distortions on the large area green sheet would preclude alignment of corresponding layer site vias on superimposed large area green sheets.

Abstract: A system for cleaning material from a surface of an object, such as an MLC mask, having movable support member having extended along its length a line of liquid dispensing nozzles and a line of gas dispensing ports for respectively cleaning and drying the surface. The liquid dispensing nozzles and said gas dispensing ports are arranged to respectively provide a continuous line of liquid spray and a continuous line of gas at an angle with respect to the surface so as to form a wedge therewith in the direction of motion of the movable support member. The nozzles and ports are preferably arranged on both sides of the object to simultaneously clean both sides. The support member is moved vertically with respect to the surface by an air cylinder.

Abstract: Vertically displaceable green sheet support fixtures are borne by respective horizontally movable carriages traveling on common rails between respective dual loading stations and a common unloading station, through separate intermediate screening stations, with the carriages movable in opposite directions and out of phase stationwise. The carriages have fixedly coupled thereto, horizontally movable trailers which bear trays of stacked green sheets for selective transfer of the uppermost green sheet to a loading head at the loading station while the carriage borne fixture itself is at a screening station for paste screening of a prior transferred green sheet. Masks employed in screen printing at the screening station are removed from the screening station console and placed in a cleaning chamber for solvent removal of residual screening paste and are air dried prior to return to the screening station console.

Abstract: An automatic and adaptive time-domain equalizer with a first transversal structure operating on received signal samples has its convergence properties improved by the addition of a second transversal structure operating on detected signal samples and having its tap-gain settings conjugate, i.e., reversed in time, with respect to those of the first transversal structure for effectively measuring the spread of tap gain values generated at the first transversal structure and a third transversal structure also operating on received signal samples but having its tap-gain settings determined by the spreading error. The matrix product of the spreading-error tap-gain values and received signal samples modifies the up-dating of the tap-gain values controlling the first transversal structure. The resultant faster convergence is particularly useful in the presence of severe amplitude distortion in the data transmission channel.