Abstract: A connection assembly for articulated chains which comprise mutually-pivoted links that are split between at least one initial link and at least one terminal link. The assembly comprises transverse holes of the initial link and of the terminal link, which are arranged in mutual alignment when the initial and terminal links are in the coupling configuration; a master pin, with shape and dimensions substantially complementary to those of the holes and adapted to be inserted into those holes in order to couple the initial and terminal links; at least one elastic peg that can be accommodated, with elastic forcing thereof, in at least one respective radial channel which is defined, in its outermost parts, on at least one link chosen from between the initial link and the terminal link and, in its innermost part, on the master pin.

Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle and other autonomous vehicles can be transported to the location of use by a ferry vehicle thereby conserving vehicle systems and resources and expanding the vehicle utility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.

Abstract: A telescoping device mount is configured to hold an electronic device. The telescoping device mount is configured to fully extend or fully retract the electronic device. The telescoping device mount includes a telescoping post, a mount segment, and a base. The telescoping post includes an inner post segment and an outer post segment. The mount segment is configured to secure an electronic device thereto. The mount segment includes an outer collar slidably securable to the outer post segment of the telescoping post. The base is secured to the inner post segment such that the outer post segment telescopes relative to the inner post segment. In a fully retracted position, the electronic device is proximate to the base and/or an underlying surface.

Abstract: An underwater propulsion system is disclosed comprising a foot board with one or more battery-powered propulsion units. A throttle control system may be enabled in the foot board such that a movement of the user's foot controls the throttle. Flattened Lithium batteries allow thin lightweight construction of the foot board. Use of trolling motors as propulsion units provides thrust advantages over pre-existing underwater scooters.

Abstract: Methods and structures are disclosed for providing autonomous control of an underwater vehicle using a state machine. A controller is used onboard the underwater vehicle and includes a state machine having a plurality of operating states. Each of the plurality of operating states includes one or both of entrance criteria and exit criteria. The controller is configured to transition from executing a first operating state of the plurality of operating states to executing a second operating state of the plurality of operating states in response to the exit criteria of the first operating state and the entrance criteria of the second operating state both being met. The plurality of operating states includes a first portion of operating states associated with a first task, a second portion of operating states associated with a second task, and a third portion of operating states associated with both the first and second tasks.

Abstract: In a membrane type heat insulation system for a cryogenic liquefied gas carrier cargo tank and a liquefied gas fuel container, a secondary heat insulation layer comprises a plurality of panels which are stacked in multiple layers while each pair of upper and lower panels is arranged to intersect each other, whereby heat loss which may occur in the gap between the panels can be minimized and deformation due to a temperature difference can be minimized.

Abstract: An oblong cantilevered support includes a pair of latitudinally spaced apart oblong resilient members connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blocks. The longitudinal spacing between the blocks can be adjusted. One or both of the members can have a tapered profile causing the stiffness of the member to vary along its length. Adjusting the spacing between the blocks and/or sliding a variable stiffness member longitudinally with respect to the blocks can adjust the stiffness of the overall support. Each member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material such as a carbon fiber infused polymer wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The tapered geometry can be formed by a pair of parallely spaced apart oblique trapezoidal truncated pyramids interconnected by a webbing strip.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) for performing operations on a subsea pipeline, such as a riser (2), carries one or more interchangeable modules (18) and is configured to translate along the riser (2). The vehicle (10) comprises an elongate support structure (12) for carrying the modules (18). Gripper arms (14, 16) hold the support structure (12) a predetermined distance away from the elongate body and cause translation of the vehicle (10) along the riser (2) using a hand-over-hand action, so as to allow the vehicle (10) to pass protuberances or obstacles, such as a clamp (8), on the riser (2).

Abstract: A multi-tank/vessel buoyancy system for use in deploying and connecting tendons or other elongate members between subsea anchors and floating/semi-submersible platforms. The vessels are interconnected at axially spaced locations toward their upper ends and lower ends, there being an equalizing system proximate the top ends of the vessels to permit ingress and egress of air into the vessels and a lower water equalizing system to permit free-flowing ingress and egress of water into the vessels. There is at least one clamping system operatively connected to the multi-vessel system, the clamping system, like the valving systems, being remotely, acoustically operable from a PLC on a work barge or the like.

Abstract: A biomechanically adapted dual direction sportsboard. This stance-specific sportsboard accommodates a rider's stance, whether they are a “regular-foot” or a “goofy-foot.” This stance-accommodating dual direction sportsboard allows the rider much greater control since the board accommodates the specific biomechanics of the rider's dominant stance, whether their preference is to ride with their left foot in front or their right foot in front. The dual direction sportsboard has rails which are offset from each other, which allows for a rider with fixed foot positions to significantly change the trim of the board by shifting from heel-side rail to toe-side rail or back to heel-side rail. This provides the rider much greater control over the board while performing surfing-style maneuvers, especially with the board attached to their feet. Additionally, for kiteboarding, the offset rails allow for greater windward ability than with legacy designs.

Abstract: A marine autopilot system is disclosed. While in autopilot mode, the marine vessel's autopilot system autonomously steers the marine vessel's rudder. Steering input provided using the helm typically results in counter-steering to the autopilot. If the autopilot is following a current heading or course (route), the autopilot may continue its efforts to remain on the heading or course in response to the deviation caused by steering input to the helm. The disclosed autopilot system improves this problem by including one or more sensors that measure helm movement and wirelessly transmit helm movement data to one or more components of the marine vessel's electronic network. If the operator of the marine vessel manually steers the helm to deviate from a current heading or course, helm movement exceeding a predetermined autopilot disengagement threshold may cause the autopilot control to temporarily disengage, allowing a user to manually steer the marine vessel.

Abstract: A device, method and system improve the breathable air quality of the environment in the region of a specific part of a body, such as around the mouth and nose area of a person buried in an avalanche. The device includes at least one inlet, at least one pump, at least one power resource, a controller, and at least one outlet. An inlet of the pump is constructed to act as a chamber. A first end of the chamber is connected to the inlet and a second end of the chamber is an opening towards the outside of the device. When the pump is activated, the pump will provide a vacuum in the chamber and suck air from the surroundings into the pump through the second end of the chamber and the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for a boat includes a lower rail, a seat support slidably mounted to the lower rail, an upper set of rails connected to the seat support with at least one rail support supporting each upper rail in the upper set of rails, and two paddle holders, each paddle holder slidably mounted to one of the upper rails in the upper set of rails. The paddle holders pivot relative to the upper rails, such that when paddles are attached, the paddles holders are capable of lowering and raising the paddles in and out of the water.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a joystick device (100) operable to provide speed, direction and steering commands for controlling a marine vessel (300), the joystick device (100) comprising a movable steering lever (102) extending on an axis (V) and adapted to be tilted from a neutral position in at least four directions including a forward, a rearward, a leftward, and a rightward direction, wherein—an active length of the movable steering lever (102) is adjustable between a first (L1) and a second (L2) lever length,—the first lever length (L1) is shorter than the second lever length (L2),—a first mode for operating the marine vessel (300) is associated with the first lever length (L1), and—a second mode for operating the marine vessel (300) is associated with the second lever length (L2), the second mode being different from the first mode for operating the marine vessel (300).

Abstract: An offshore facility evacuation system that includes a submerged-floating pod (SFP) unit adapted to be positioned in a body of water adjacent an offshore facility, and a SFP station of the offshore facility adapted to launch the SFP unit from the facility. The SFP unit including a SFP controller, an SFP escape line to extend between the SFP station and the SFP unit to provide a path for moving persons from the SFP station to the SFP unit while the SFP unit is floating in the body of water, a SFP landing base including an inflatable platform to provide a landing area for persons, a SFP depth control system to regulate submergence of the SFP unit, a SFP location control system to control a location of the SFP unit, and a SFP communication system to provide communication with the SFP unit, and personal evacuation devices (PEDs).

Abstract: A boat maneuvering control method for a boat includes acquiring target route information and information about an actual position of the boat, setting a target position based on the target route information and the information about the actual position, acquiring, as a deviation amount, a distance between the target position and the boat in a predetermined direction that intersects with a target route, and controlling a magnitude of a propulsion force of a propulsion device so as to reduce the deviation amount.

Abstract: A propulsion rudder for use with a water vessel, preferably an unmanned surface water vessel. The propulsion rudder includes a rotating base, a rudder assembly, and a thrust assembly. In one embodiment, the rudder assembly may comprise two vertical mast rudders connected by an upper horizontal wing, with the thrust assembly mounted on the horizontal wing. In a second embodiment, the rudder assembly may comprise an annular airfoil with the thrust assembly mounted on a mast and positioned in the center of the annular airfoil. The thrust assembly may be a propeller, a turbine, a ramjet, or a rocket.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a marine vessel includes receiving an input signal from an analog user input device and comparing a magnitude of the input signal to a predetermined threshold. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being less than the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating a first marine propulsion device to produce thrust. In response to the magnitude of the input signal being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the method includes actuating the first marine propulsion device and a second marine propulsion device to produce thrust. The second marine propulsion device does not produce thrust when the magnitude of the input signal is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A membrane finishing sheet, which is disposed at a membrane finishing part among multiple membrane sheets which form a sealing wall installed at a membrane type cargo, comprises a corrugated part having a structure closed in a direction toward the membrane finishing part. In addition, a membrane insulation structure comprising a membrane finishing sheet according to the present invention comprises a membrane finishing sheet disposed at a membrane finishing part among multiple membrane sheets which form a sealing wall installed at a membrane type cargo. Among four sides of the membrane finishing sheet, a finishing side in contact with the membrane finishing part has a structure in which the corrugated part is closed and thus provides a membrane insulation structure that does not require a separate finishing member for sealing a membrane.