Abstract: A tuned mass damper (TMD) system in combination with a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes a barge type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. A TMD system is mounted in the hull and has a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency, and a second TMD configured to operate at a second frequency different than the first frequency.

Abstract: A non-keyed clamping shaft collar with radial mounts is disclosed to provide maximum effective holding force for a mounting clamp against high torque, and which provides a means for precisely locating a counterbalance weight to minimize system torque without requiring any measurements or calculations of system masses or vectors. The counterbalance clamp comprises two concentric rings of different materials. The outer material is strong enough to prevent breaking under a maximum designed clamping force. The inner material has a high coefficient of static friction with the bar onto which it is clamped to prevent slipping after it is clamped. The outer ring has two tapped holes located 180 degrees opposite each other. The clamp enables the use of a lower clamping force, mitigating the potential to deform the bar as a result of the higher coefficient of static friction between the two sliding elements (the bar and the inner ring) being clamped together.

Abstract: A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer.

Abstract: A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer.

Abstract: A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer.

Abstract: A fluid disperser is provided for dispersing a first fluid into a moving eam of a second fluid. After the first fluid is pressurized to at least twice the pressure of the second fluid, the first fluid is passed through a throat that increases the flow velocity of the first fluid to supersonic. A fluidic oscillator, coupled to the output of the throat, has a central axis of symmetry, a first end by which the first fluid enters the oscillator and a second end by which the first fluid exits the oscillator. The oscillator includes two opposing walls that diverge symmetrically about the central axis from the first to the second end at an angle of divergence relative to the central axis that causes the first fluid entering the first end to attach to either of the two opposing walls and continue therealong to the second end.