Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of compressing tissue includes an end effector and a shaft assembly. The end effector has a jaw and a clamp arm movable between open and closed positions. The shafts assembly includes a clamp actuator having a proximal actuator portion, a distal actuator portion, and a force limiter. The force limiter is longitudinally connected between the proximal and distal actuator portions and configured to transfer movement from the proximal actuator portion to the distal actuator portion up to transferring a predetermined force therethrough. At least a portion of the force limiter is configured to deflect upon exceeding the predetermined force such that the proximal actuator portion is configured to longitudinally move relative to the distal actuator portion and thereby limit a clamping force between the jaw and the clamp arm.

Abstract: A vessel configured to float on a body of seawater has a wastewater treatment system having a wastewater intake port for intaking wastewater onto the vessel, a wastewater treatment component for treating the wastewater to produce treated wastewater and sludge, and a treated wastewater conduit for transporting the treated wastewater away from the wastewater treatment component, a desalination system has a seawater intake for intaking seawater from the body of seawater onto the vessel, a desalination component for desalinating the seawater to produce concentrate and desalinated water, and a desalinated water discharge port for transferring the desalinated water from the vessel, a mixing system has a mixing tank for mixing the treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment system with the concentrate from the desalination system, and a wastewater discharge system for discharging the treated wastewater and concentrate mixture into the body of seawater.

Abstract: A desalination vessel has a water intake system having a water intake configured to be in communication with a body of water, and a water intake pump configured to draw water from the body of water, a water desalination system configured to produce desalinated water and concentrate from water drawn from the body of water, a mixing tank on the desalination vessel configured to mix the concentrate with water drawn from the body of water to produce diluted concentrate, and a concentrate discharge system configured to discharge the diluted concentrate into the body of water. The desalination vessel is configured to float on the body of water.

Abstract: A vessel configured to float on a body of seawater has a wastewater treatment system having a wastewater intake port for intaking wastewater onto the vessel, a wastewater treatment component for treating the wastewater to produce treated wastewater and sludge, and a treated wastewater conduit for transporting the treated wastewater away from the wastewater treatment component, a desalination system has a seawater intake for intaking seawater from the body of seawater onto the vessel, a desalination component for desalinating the seawater to produce concentrate and desalinated water, and a desalinated water discharge port for transferring the desalinated water from the vessel, a mixing system has a mixing tank for mixing the treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment system with the concentrate from the desalination system, and a wastewater discharge system for discharging the treated wastewater and concentrate mixture into the body of seawater.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports. A water intake system installed on a sea-going vessel positioned on the surface of a body of water includes an apparatus for taking up seawater from the body of seawater. The apparatus includes a water intake member, a water intake positioned on the water intake member, and an impingement, entrainment, and entrapment mitigation device at least partially surrounding the water intake and including a plurality of apertures sized to prevent entry of marine organisms into the water intake.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating seawater to yield desalinated water and a concentrate features a structure positioned on the surface of a body of seawater; a water desalination system installed on the structure, a water intake system installed on the structure; a concentrate discharge system installed on the structure and a device for removing the desalinated water per day from the apparatus so that it can be transferred to a land-based facility. The apparatus can be operated to intake seawater into the desalination system where it is separated into a concentrate and desalinated water. The concentrate can be discharged into the body of water and the desalinated water can be transported to a land-based facility for distribution.

Abstract: Wastewater is treated on at least one apparatus positioned at a location on the surface of a body of seawater wherein a wastewater intake system takes in wastewater into the apparatus, the wastewater is treated on the apparatus to yield treated wastewater and sludge, and the treated wastewater and/or sludge is diluted with seawater prior to being discharged into the body of seawater. The wastewater treatment systems and methods can also be combined with desalination and/or power generation. In combination with desalination, the concentrate produced from the desalination process is mixed with treated wastewater or sludge prior to discharge to bring the resulting mixture to a salt concentration closer to the body of seawater than the unmixed concentrate, treated wastewater, or sludge.

Abstract: Offshore facilities, systems, and methods for treating wastewater have been developed. An offshore wastewater treatment facility include wastewater treatment components (for preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, and/or advanced treatment); a means for moving wastewater from a land-based site to the facility; a means for removing treated wastewater from the facility; and a means for removing sludge from the facility. A method of treating wastewater includes: transporting wastewater from a site on land to a wastewater treatment facility located offshore in a body of water, and subjecting the wastewater to preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, and/or advanced treatment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Abstract: A work-capable, miniature vehicle includes a small-scale hydraulic system, a propulsion system, and a means for remote control. The propulsion system includes a plurality of metal tracks, which are individually controlled. The vehicle is adaptable for performing work in hazardous areas. The vehicle comprises a completed vehicle and a kit including the vehicle components.