Abstract: A data security apparatus has an analog component and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives an incoming digital message and converts it to or from encrypted form using the analog component. The control circuitry drives the analog component with drive signals and receives back a digital representation of what the analog component's sensor outputs. It uses this in making a digital keystream. In operation, the control circuitry makes the drive signals by encrypting a nonce-based value with a key. It can encrypt the digital representation of the sensor outputs that resulted from the drive signal, with the same key. The control circuitry also can also encrypt the nonce-based value with a different key, and then combine this with the encrypted sensor output to generate the digital keystream that is uses in the conversion.

Abstract: A data security apparatus includes an analog component. The analog component operates internally with a high degree of entropy. This high degree of entropy resides in the interactions between its internal components in response to an external driving signal. The interactions within the analog component have a level of entropy that is high enough to make digital simulation of the analog component impractical. Because the analog component is impractical to digitally simulate it is referred to as being digitally unclonable. The data security apparatus processes data by encrypting plaintext data into ciphertext and/or decrypting data from ciphertext into plaintext. Part of the conversion between plaintext and ciphertext uses the analog component.

Abstract: An optical numerical computation method obtains operands that have respective values, and modulates light sources to output light at amplitudes proportional to the operands. The light output for a given operand depends on whether the operand is positive or negative. The positive operands are output at wavelengths different from the negative operands. For operands that have multiple digits, the digits are separately treated so that the least significant digits are modulated with light sources at one frequency, and the most significant digits in two-digit numbers are modulated at another frequency, with positive and negative operands modulated at different frequencies. The light from the light sources enters a light collection cavity where it is sensed with sensors that generate resultant outputs at values indicative of the sensed light value.

Abstract: A light-based apparatus has an input device, accepting two or more numerical inputs and an output command. It has a logic unit that receives the two numerical inputs from the input device, and is adapted to combine various lights, in amplitudes based on the respective values of the numerical inputs, to produce an output light sum representing a sum of the two numerical inputs. The logic unit also has an output sensing circuit to sense the output light sum. The logic unit is responsive to the output command to output a value representing the output light sum. The device uses a computing method that includes comingling light from multiple sources, at the same time, in a light containment area to provide comingled light. The method includes using light amplitude sensing circuitry to sense an amplitude of the comingled light, outputting an arithmetic sum, based on the amplitude of the comingled light, without using a binary computer to compute the arithmetic sum.

Abstract: An optical numerical computation device relates light from a plurality of light sources to calculate an arithmetic solution. The optical numerical computation device includes input circuitry, pre-calculation circuitry, calculation circuitry, a light collection cavity, and a plurality of light computation components. The pre-calculation circuitry and calculation circuitry cause light sources to emit light representing the values of input operands, which is subsequently related within the light collection cavity. Sensors then generate resultant outputs at values indicative of the sensed light value. The respective wavelengths of light used may be associated with an operand arithmetic sign or an order of magnitude.

Abstract: A data security apparatus includes an analog component. The analog component operates internally with a high degree of entropy. This high degree of entropy resides in the interactions between its internal components in response to an external driving signal. The interactions within the analog component have a level of entropy that is high enough to make digital simulation of the analog component impractical. Because the analog component is impractical to digitally simulate it is referred to as being digitally unclonable. The data security apparatus processes data by encrypting plaintext data into ciphertext and/or decrypting data from ciphertext into plaintext. Part of the conversion between plaintext and ciphertext uses the analog component.

Abstract: A data security apparatus includes an analog component. The analog component operates internally with a high degree of entropy. This high degree of entropy resides in the interactions between its internal components in response to an external driving signal. The interactions within the analog component have a level of entropy that is high enough to make digital simulation of the analog component impractical. Because the analog component is impractical to digitally simulate it is referred to as being digitally unclonable. The data security apparatus processes data by encrypting plaintext data into ciphertext and/or decrypting data from ciphertext into plaintext. Part of the conversion between plaintext and ciphertext uses the analog component.

Abstract: A symmetric data encryption system configured to receive a data stream to be encoded; to relate segments of the data stream with a predetermined distortion-inducing amplitude of light to encrypt the data stream; to transmit the data stream; to decrypt the data stream by compensating for the value induced by the distortion-inducing amplitude of light; wherein the distortion-inducing amplitude of light relates to different wavelengths of light emitted by one or more of a plurality of light sources in a non-uniform manner so the effect of the distortion-inducing amplitude of light is difficult to predict, thereby providing obfuscation and encryption of the data stream.

Abstract: A data security apparatus includes an analog component. The analog component operates internally with a high degree of entropy. This high degree of entropy resides in the interactions between its internal components in response to an external driving signal. The interactions within the analog component have a level of entropy that is high enough to make digital simulation of the analog component impractical. Because the analog component is impractical to digitally simulate it is referred to as being digitally unclonable. The data security apparatus processes data by encrypting plaintext data into ciphertext and/or decrypting data from ciphertext into plaintext. Part of the conversion between plaintext and ciphertext uses the analog component.

Abstract: A symmetric data encryption system configured to receive a data stream to be encoded; to relate segments of the data stream with a predetermined distortion-inducing amplitude of light to encrypt the datastream; to transmit the datastream; to decrypt the data stream by compensating for the value induced by the distortion-inducing amplitude of light; wherein the distortion-inducing amplitude of light relates to different wavelengths of light emitted by one or more of a plurality of light sources in a non-uniform manner such that the effect of the distortion-inducing amplitude of light is difficult to predict, thereby providing obfuscation and encryption of the datastream.

Abstract: A computing apparatus has a logic unit configured to perform an arithmetic operation by relating light beams, each having a respective light amplitude, to obtain a light-based result of the operation, and to evaluate the light-based result to output a corresponding numeric result. The logic unit uses variables values, each corresponding to a respective distinct light amplitude, the variable values thereby corresponding to a plurality of distinct light amplitudes.

Abstract: A bracket is for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure. The plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket. The bracket comprises at least two foot portions for being coupled to respective plates. Each foot portion comprises a gripper element for being inserted into the hole of the plate and a linking member connecting the at least two foot portions and establishing a predefined fixed distance and a predefined fixed relative orientation between said foot portions.

Abstract: A matrix for dissolving including a functional compound, method of preparing and using such a matrix, and a method of preparing a product including a functional compound as well as the use of such a product are described. The matrix has been provided with at least one functional compound, and at least one solvent dissolving the functional compound, and at least one film-forming agent, wherein the solvent dissolving the functional compound also homogenizes the film-forming agent into the matrix.

Abstract: A bracket is for use in a modular construction system, wherein plates are mechanically connected in a releasable manner to form a structure. The plates comprise at least one hole in a part thereof, wherein the hole is configured for being coupled to the bracket. The bracket comprises at least two foot portions for being coupled to respective plates. Each foot portion comprises a gripper element for being inserted into the hole of the plate and a linking member connecting the at least two foot portions and establishing a predefined fixed distance and a predefined fixed relative orientation between said foot portions.

Abstract: Dual-walled piping segments and pipelines are described that use an annular bulkhead to secure the jacket pipe radially outside of the carrier pipe near the axial ends of the piping segment. Pup joints are welded to each end of the carrier pipe, and the bulkheads are welded to the pup joints. The bulkheads have a number of features that provide improved load path control for axial forces induced by temperature differentials. There is a mechanical load-sharing interlock mechanism provided between the bulkhead and the interior pup joint and field joint closure joints designed to transmit stress loading to a plurality of ridges or threads, that may be enhanced by thermal contraction, and preclude axial movement between the jacket pipe and pup joint. A number of methods are described for creating the load-sharing interlock. Additionally, the bulkhead has a generally arcuate cross-section that defines an interior channel.

Abstract: A floating platform to provide fluid separation and storage of hydrocarbon effluents and the like. The platform includes a floating hull structure with a hollow central section and a center assembly mounted within the hollow central section and being retractable and extendable below the hull. A floating platform is described wherein fluid separators and/or storage vessels are disposed within the floating hull to provide additional separation capacity. The floating hull may also house ballast tanks and liquid storage tanks. Additionally, fluid separators may be housed within the central section.

Abstract: A floating platform of vertical axial symmetry which provides processing and/or storage of liquefied hydrocarbon gas. The platform is fixed by mooring or made mobile by added vessel or self-mobilization.

Abstract: A floating platform with motion characteristics for offshore deepwater developments with vertical axial symmetry and decoupling of hydrodynamic design features. A motion-damping skirt (120) is provided around the base of the hull (1), which is configured to provide ease of installation for various umbilicals and risers. A retractable center assembly (300) is used in a lowered position to adjust the center of gravity and metacentric height, reducing wind loads and moments on the structure, providing lateral areas for damping and volume for added mass for roll resistance. The center assembly (300) is used to tune system response in conjunction with the hull damping skirt (120) and fins (121). The center assembly (300) also includes separators (350) below the floating platform deck which serve to add stability to the floating structure by shifting the center of gravity downward, the separators (350) capable of being raised and lowered vertical separators alone or as a unit.

Abstract: A mechanical joint assembly for a steel catenary riser (SCR) is disclosed. The lower section of the mechanical joint assembly is comprised of steel or alternate high strength components, rather than elastomers to absorb the high loads and increase life of the unit. The lower mechanical joint assembly provides for reduction of bending moments and resulting fatigue stresses at the SCR top by removing resistance to movement in all angular directions, providing increased lateral and in-plane angles to provide increased construction tolerances for the pipeline approach corridor. Pipeline approach angle increase is accommodated by providing dual orthogonal trunnions in addition to an axial swivel. The upper mechanical joint assembly, acting without riser tension loads, allows for the use of either flexible high-pressure pipe or swivel arrangements to accommodate angular flexure before the rigid deck piping.

Abstract: A support structure is disclosed for use in drilling and production operations having one end positioned above a body of water and another end below the body of water on a bed. The support structure includes a base and a jacket structure having at least three jacket legs and support members for supporting a structure, such as a deck. The base has at least four cylindrical base legs engageably positioned in a generally rectangular pattern on the bed and a base frame connected to the cylindrical base legs. The cylindrical base legs start and terminate below the body of water. The jacket has a first jacket leg, a second jacket leg, a third jacket leg. The first, second, and third jacket legs start below the body of water and terminate above the body of water and are positioned with the support members for supporting a structure above the body of water. The first jacket leg is attached to one of the cylindrical base legs and the second jacket leg is attached to another of the cylindrical base legs.