Abstract: A subsea riser assembly connects two tubular members with axial movement of an outer sleeve. The assembly includes a first tubular member having an end, and a second tubular member having an end with a plurality of box end fingers separated by slots, the second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The end of the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member. An outer sleeve having an inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of each box end finger. Axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner diameter of the outer sleeve to interact with the outer diameter of the box end fingers, thereby causing the box end fingers to contract radially. The radial contraction of the box end fingers secures the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.

Abstract: A load control system and method of time multiplexing power to a plurality of holding shelves in a food holding cabinet to allow total cabinet power to be limited to electrical distribution capabilities. This method allows for individual shelf heaters to be utilized normally to maintain food temperatures during normal use and modulates power when multiple shelves demand heating that would normally exceed branch circuit capabilities thus tripping the breaker. The system monitors temperature of each shelf and based upon demand executes a logical demand schedule for each shelf heater output (time multiplexing or modulating AC power to each) such that total system demand does not exceed available power to the system.

Abstract: A coupler having two degrees of axial freedom couples a hydro-pneumatic cylinder to a tensioner ring of a riser tensioner mounted to a platform. A post extends along an axis of the cylinder and an intermediate sleeve is disposed around the post to form a post annulus. An outer sleeve is secured to the tensioner ring and defines a cavity into which the post and intermediate sleeve are inserted so that an annulus is formed between the sleeve and the outer sleeve. The Outer sleeve is coupled to the intermediate sleeve so that the outer sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the outer sleeve and the intermediate sleeve relative to the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is coupled to the post so that the intermediate sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the intermediate sleeve and the post relative to the post.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station that prevents electrical cables (e.g., from a portable power generator or other temporary power source) from even being connected to connectors in the interior of the docking station while the building's electrical system (or other electrical load) is in electrical communication with the utility. The docking station can include a cabinet with two doors that swing in different directions and a locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of those doors. In preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a trapped-key lock. Embodiments of the present invention can be used in applications other than docking stations.

Abstract: A health information services provider (HISP) application includes a controller, a transaction engine, a data encryption engine, an authentication engine, a user interface engine and a registration engine. The controller manages the core functions and transmission to the different components of the HISP application. The transaction engine routes messages and requests for joining a grid. The data encryption engine encrypts or decrypts messages. The authentication engine verifies messages. The user interface engine generates a user interface for exchanging healthcare information between providers. The registration engine registers providers to exchange healthcare information with other providers.

Abstract: A push-up tensioner for maintaining a tensile force in a riser having an axis couples to a floating platform and maintains the tensile force while the riser tilts variably from the vertical. The tensioner includes a plurality of cylinders having a lower end pivotally coupled to the deck. The cylinders are substantially perpendicular to the deck in the running position and at an angle to the deck in the tensioning position. After running of the riser, a placement assembly moves the cylinders from the running position to the tensioning position. A tensioner ring is run on the riser proximate to an upper end of the cylinders, and the cylinders are then automatically coupled to the tensioner ring.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station that prevents electrical cables (e.g., from a portable power generator or other temporary power source) from even being connected to connectors in the interior of the docking station while the building's electrical system (or other electrical load) is in electrical communication with the utility. The docking station can include a cabinet with two doors that swing in different directions and a locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of those doors. In preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a trapped-key lock. Embodiments of the present invention can be used in applications other than docking stations.

Abstract: A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.

Abstract: Methods of providing duplex free-space optical, communication comprising receiving a time-shift keying (TSK) encoded signal and selectively re-modulating—and optionally retro-reflecting —received TSK pulses so as to transmit an on-off keying (OOK) signal wherein modulation is achieved by operating a micro-opto-electronic mechanical system (MOEMS) device having a oscillation period, the difference in timing between logic 1 and logic 0 pulses of the TSK encoded signal being such that each pulse arrives at a time within a single MOEMS device oscillation period chosen to ensure high or low transmissivity through the MOEMS device independent of incident TSK encoded signal pulse value (0 or 1).

Abstract: A fibre placement tool comprising a plurality of tool segments, each tool segment having an outer surface defining a predetermined profile, each tool segment being removably mounted on at least one elongate shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting data paths among nodes of a clustered storage system is provided. A data path selection module is operatively interconnected with one or more test modules executing on a client computer of the clustered storage system. When invoked, the data path selection module performs an auto discovery process to identify the configuration of the cluster and identifies an appropriate data path to be utilized for either local/remote access to a specified data container.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (700) that controls fuser nip balance is disclosed. The apparatus can include a first fuser member (110) rotationally supported in the apparatus, a second fuser member (120) rotationally supported in the apparatus, and a rotatable cam mechanism (130) coupled to the second fuser member. The rotatable cam mechanism can be configured to provide variable pressure between the first fuser member and the second fuser member, The rotatable cam mechanism can include a cam rotational axis (135), a first cam end (131) at one end of the cam rotational axis, the first cam end including a first cam member (141) having a first cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, and a second cam end (132) at another end of the cam rotational axis, the second cam end including a second cam member (142) having a second cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, the second cam profile different from the first cam profile.

Abstract: A fiber placement tool comprising a plurality of tool segments, each tool segment having an outer surface defining a predetermined profile, each tool segment being removably mounted on at least one elongate shaft.

Abstract: A load control system and method of time multiplexing power to a plurality of holding shelves in a food holding cabinet to allow total cabinet power to be limited to electrical distribution capabilities. This method allows for individual shelf heaters to be utilized normally to maintain food temperatures during normal use and modulates power when multiple shelves demand heating that would normally exceed branch circuit capabilities thus tripping the breaker. The system monitors temperature of each shelf and based upon demand executes a logical demand schedule for each shelf heater output (time multiplexing or modulating AC power to each) such that total system demand does not exceed available power to the system.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (300) that adjusts a fuser nip width in an apparatus that can include a fuser member having a fuser nip configured to fuse an image on media is disclosed. The method can include feeding (320) a media sheet in a media sheet travel direction through the fuser nip. The method can also include sensing (330) a media sheet exit temperature of the media sheet after the media sheet exits the fuser nip. The method can also include adjusting (340) a fuser member nip width according to the sensed media sheet exit temperature, where the fuser nip width is substantially parallel to the media sheet travel direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (700) that controls fuser nip balance is disclosed. The apparatus can include a first fuser member (110) rotationally supported in the apparatus, a second fuser member (120) rotationally supported in the apparatus, and a rotatable cam mechanism (130) coupled to the second fuser member. The rotatable cam mechanism can be configured to provide variable pressure between the first fuser member and the second fuser member, The rotatable cam mechanism can include a cam rotational axis (135), a first cam end (131) at one end of the cam rotational axis, the first cam end including a first cam member (141) having a first cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, and a second cam end (132) at another end of the cam rotational axis, the second cam end including a second cam member (142) having a second cam profile perpendicular to the cam rotational axis, the second cam profile different from the first cam profile.

Abstract: A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (300) that adjusts a fuser nip width in an apparatus that can include a fuser member having a fuser nip configured to fuse an image on media is disclosed. The method can include feeding (320) a media sheet in a media sheet travel direction through the fuser nip. The method can also include sensing (330) a media sheet exit temperature of the media sheet after the media sheet exits the fuser nip. The method can also include adjusting (340) a fuser member nip width according to the sensed media sheet exit temperature, where the fuser nip width is substantially parallel to the media sheet travel direction.

Abstract: A system includes a location determination unit for determining a geographic location of a mobile asset having an engine that produces one or more emissions during use; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined characteristic profiles, the characteristic profiles including information regarding geographic location and at least one of engine emission levels, noise emission levels, fuel usage levels, power output, load manifest, or speed level; a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the characteristic profile for the determined location of the mobile asset and generating a control command responsive to a selected characteristic profile; and a control unit on board the mobile asset controlling an operation of the mobile asset responsive to the control command. Associated methods are provided.