Abstract: A floating barrier system has a plurality of connected floating barrier units. Capture net segments are positioned on the floating barrier units by support post members, forming a barrier to vessel passage. Lanyards attach the ends of the capture net segments to the floating barrier units. Upon a vessel striking the capture net segments with sufficient force, the capture nets detach from the support post members and/or pull the support post members over, and the forces from the vessel are transferred via the lanyards to the floating barrier unit. The vessel is prevented from fully passing over the floating barrier unit, thus itself forming a barrier to passage by other vessels.

Abstract: A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.

Abstract: A negative pressure respiratory treatment hood for human medical patients. A rigid hood, preferably of unitary fabrication from a clear material, is positioned over the patient's head. The patient's body extends out of an opening in a front wall of the hood. A hinged door may be attached to the front wall of the hood, and is closed and partially closes the opening, and a shroud is sealing connected to the hood and is draped over the patient so as to form a pressure seal. A negative pressure source is connected to the hood and forms a negative pressure environment around the patient's head. Access openings have a resilient material across them, with small openings in the resilient material, to permit access to the patient by medical personnel and/or medical equipment.

Abstract: A floating barrier system has a plurality of connected floating barrier units. Capture net segments are positioned on the floating barrier units by support post members, forming a barrier to vessel passage. Lanyards attach the ends of the capture net segments to the floating barrier units. Upon a vessel striking the capture net segments with sufficient force, the capture nets detach from the support post members and/or pull the support post members over, and the forces from the vessel are transferred via the lanyards to the floating barrier unit. The vessel is prevented from fully passing over the floating barrier unit, thus itself forming a barrier to passage by other vessels.

Abstract: A waterbody access barrier system has one or more floating barrier segments, and a first floating gate segment for blocking an opening in the barrier system. The first floating gate segment has a latching system to connect it to a capture gear, which is at a fixed barrier termination point or on a second floating gate segment. One or more thrusters are mounted on at least the first floating gate segment. The latching system, and the thrusters, are autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled by a control system, which receives positional signals, for example from a global positioning system (GPS) and/or a light detection and ranging system (LiDAR) operatively connected to the first floating gate segment, and moves the first floating gate segment accordingly.

Abstract: A tillable anchor has a number of planar sides, typically four, attached to a base and to one another, forming an enclosed structure with a cavity therein. Attachment points for a deployment line and for mooring lines are provided. After the empty anchor is deployed to the seafloor or other water bottom, an inlet and an outlet permit placement of a flowable weight material into the cavity. The anchor may have an extended skirt around the base to enhance holding capability.

Abstract: A negative pressure respiratory treatment hood for human medical patients. A rigid hood, preferably of unitary fabrication from a clear material, is positioned over the patient's head. The patient's body extends out of an opening in a front wall of the hood. A hinged door may be attached to the front wall of the hood, and is closed and partially closes the opening, and a shroud is sealing connected to the hood and is draped over the patient so as to form a pressure seal. A negative pressure source is connected to the hood and forms a negative pressure environment around the patient's head. Access openings have a resilient material across them, with small openings in the resilient material, to permit access to the patient by medical personnel and/or medical equipment.

Abstract: A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.

Abstract: A vessel barrier system to prevent vessel movement through a passageway includes a flexible vessel barrier element coupled to one or more energy dissipating units. The vessel barrier element may be a single, typically large diameter element, for example a large diameter, high strength synthetic rope, or alternatively may be a barrier net suspended on a number of floats. The vessel barrier element is coupled by a cable to the energy dissipating unit(s), which may be large weights suspended from a frame. When a vessel contacts and moves the vessel barrier element, placing it in tension, the weights are moved from a first, lower position, to a second, elevated position. The kinetic energy of the vessel is transferred to an increase in the potential energy of the weights, and the vessel is brought to a stop. The system is particularly suitable for Large Displacement Vessels or LDVs.

Abstract: A vessel barrier system to prevent vessel movement through a passageway includes a flexible vessel barrier element Coupled to one or more energy dissipating units. The vessel barrier element may be a single, typically large diameter element, for example a large diameter, high strength synthetic rope, or alternatively may be a barrier net suspended on a number of floats. The vessel barrier element is coupled by a cable to the energy dissipating unit(s), which may be large weights suspended from a frame. When a vessel contacts and moves the vessel barrier element, placing it in tension, the weights are moved from a first, lower position, to a second, elevated position. The kinetic energy of the vessel is transferred to an increase in the potential energy of the weights, and the vessel is brought to a stop. The system is particularly suitable for Large Displacement Vessels or LDVs.

Abstract: A connector especially suited for connecting sections of floating port security barriers (PSBs) has a central portion joining two spaced apart, generally transverse end sections. The connector has a generally I-shaped cross section shape. Bolts or other fastening members are inserted through holes in the end sections to permit attachment to the PSB sections. The connector is preferably of a cast monolithic structure of a flexible, strong, non-corrosive material such as urethane. High-strength embedments may be formed into the end sections, to increase overall strength of the connector. Another embodiment has an internal tension member, which may be a loop of high-strength fiber, connecting the embedments.

Abstract: Self-tensioning load-equalizing mooring systems and methods (of mooring a ship) that employ at least one mooring line and at least one counter-weight.

Abstract: Self-tensioning load-equalizing mooring systems and methods (of mooring a ship) that employ at least one mooring line and at least one counter-weight.

Abstract: A pontoon provides buoyancy for a protection barrier to be provided in a body of water. The pontoon includes a metal structural member; a urethane inner shell that encases a portion of the metal structural member; a polyethylene region that encases the urethane inner shell; and a polyurethane elastomer or polyurea outer shell that encases the polyethylene region. A portion of the metal structural member extends out from the outer shell to thereby couple to a portion of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A winch gate for a waterborne protection barrier system includes a winch containing a length of wire wrapped around a spool. The winch gate also includes a metal fair lead that is disposed adjacent to the winch and that is positioned so as to accept the wire when the winch is controlled to unspool the wire from the spool. A hook is coupled to an end of the wire and configured to be coupled to a chain that is itself coupled to a protection barrier module of the protection barrier system. When the winch is controlled to spool the wire back onto the spool after the winch was controlled to unspool the wire from the spool and after the wire has been coupled to the chain, the chain is pulled through the metal fair lead and thereby onto the winch gate, to thereby allow the chain to be affixed to the winch gate.