Abstract: A method for creating a covering for a body of water including joining photovoltaic/solar cells to a float wrap material to form a joined assembly, placing the joined assembly over pre-positioned foam, and creating a covering assembly for a body of water by joining the float wrap material to a cover material at one or more seams.

Abstract: A covering system for a body of water including a cover for covering a portion of the body of water, the cover having formed therein at least one hole, and a load bearing post that passes vertically through the at least one hole, an end of the load bearing post being anchored in a bottom surface of the body of water, wherein the cover moves up and down along the load bearing post as a level of the body of water rises and falls.

Abstract: A water integrated photovoltaic (WIPV) system including a plurality of interconnected photovoltaic cells covering at least a portion of a body of water, wherein at least some of the photovoltaic cells have a solar collecting surface covered by the water, and a processing unit electrically connected to and powered by the photovoltaic cells, the processing unit comprising a fluid connection from the body of water for processing the water.

Abstract: A solar cell geomembrane assembly including a solar cell integrated with a geomembrane, the geomembrane including a flexible floating cover material that floats partially submerged below a water surface.

Abstract: Fluid monitoring and sampling apparatus including a buoyant element suspended from a filament, a load sensor that senses a tensile force in the filament, a rotation sensor that senses the rotation of the spool around which the filament is wound, wherein the buoyant element is adapted to be initially at least partially submerged at an equilibrium position at an initial level of a fluid, thereby creating a nominal tensile force in the filament, wherein a change in the level of the fluid changes the tensile force in the filament, a positive change in the tensile force corresponding to a downward movement of the buoyant element and a negative change in the tensile force corresponding to an upward movement of the buoyant element, wherein the rotation of the spool corresponds to an amount of distance traveled by the buoyant element, and a sensor for sensing a property of the fluid, the sensor being in communication with a processor above ground.

Abstract: An underground water resource monitoring and management system is described. The station is a complete hydrological and weather station and/or network capable of measuring, analyzing, storing and/or transmitting hundreds of parameters, such as but not limited to, quality and/or quantity of water and surroundings, and weather factors (e.g., rain, wind, etc), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a tensing element connected at one end thereof to a supporting structure and at another end thereof to a cover, wherein movement of the cover imparts a force on the tensing element, an actuator adapted to move the tensing element, and a sensing device adapted to sense an equilibrium force position of the tensing element, wherein if the force changes the equilibrium force position the sensing device instructs the actuator to change a tension imparted by the tensing element on the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a tensing element connected at one end thereof to a supporting structure and at another end thereof to a cover, wherein movement of the cover imparts a force on the tensing element, an actuator adapted to move the tensing element, and a sensing device adapted to sense an equilibrium force position of the tensing element, wherein if the force changes the equilibrium force position the sensing device instructs the actuator to change a tension imparted by the tensing element on the cover.

Abstract: An anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, the expandable portion having a first portion thicker than a second portion thereof. There is also disclosed an anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, and a biasing device adapted to exert an outwardly directed expanding force against the expandable portion.

Abstract: A method for aromatherapy including recirculating shower water on a body of a bather, the shower water including at least one aromatherapy substance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a fluid level monitor including a buoyant element suspended from a filament wound on a spool, a load sensor that senses a tensile force in the filament and a rotation sensor that senses the rotation of the spool around which the filament is wound, wherein the buoyant element is adapted to be initially at least partially submerged at an equilibrium position at an initial level of a fluid, thereby creating a nominal tensile force in the filament, wherein a change in the level of the fluid changes the tensile force in the filament, a positive change in the tensile force corresponding to a downward movement of the buoyant element and a negative change in the tensile force corresponding to an upward movement of the buoyant element, wherein the rotation of the spool corresponds to an amount of distance traveled by the buoyant element.

Abstract: Apparatus including a mass suspended from a filament, and a sensor adapted to sense a change in a time derivative of a spatial position of the mass when the mass moves from a first material to a second material. The change in the time derivative may include acceleration, deceleration, jerk or impact of the mass, for example. The change in the time derivative may be due to the mass being removed from a liquid to a gas, lowered from a gas to a liquid or abutting against a solid surface, such as the bottom of a well, for example. The change in the time derivative of a spatial position of the mass may also be due to seismicity.

Abstract: An anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, the expandable portion having a first portion thicker than a second portion thereof. There is also disclosed an anchoring system including an anchor including a shank with an expandable portion and a wedge arranged to wedge against the expandable portion, and a biasing device adapted to exert an outwardly directed expanding force against the expandable portion.

Abstract: A method for aromatherapy including recirculating shower water on a body of a bather, the shower water including at least one aromatherapy substance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a fluid level monitor including a buoyant element suspended from a filament wound on a spool, a load sensor that senses a tensile force in the filament and a rotation sensor that senses the rotation of the spool around which the filament is wound, wherein the buoyant element is adapted to be initially at least partially submerged at an equilibrium position at an initial level of a fluid, thereby creating a nominal tensile force in the filament, wherein a change in the level of the fluid changes the tensile force in the filament, a positive change in the tensile force corresponding to a downward movement of the buoyant element and a negative change in the tensile force corresponding to an upward movement of the buoyant element, wherein the rotation of the spool corresponds to an amount of distance traveled by the buoyant element.

Abstract: A drilling tool including a shank having a chuck end adapted for being held in a chuck of a drill, and an opposite, bifurcated end formed with a bore, the bifurcated end including two portions separated from each other by a gap, an abrasive annulus formed at least partially around the bifurcated end, and a wedge member slidingly disposed in the bore, the wedge member operative to push the two portions away from each other when moved towards the chuck end.