Abstract: A wave-actuated system for desalination of water by reverse osmosis (RO) has at least one offshore wave energy converter subsystem for pumping salt water and supplying the pumped salt water via a water outlet, a pretreatment subsystem hydraulically connected to the water outlet of the at least one offshore wave energy converter subsystem, and a RO desalination subsystem receiving filtered water from the pretreatment subsystem. The at least one wave-energy converter has a float and a hydraulic cylinder pumping salt water to the RO desalination subsystem. A method for operating a reverse-osmosis desalination subsystem using pressurized salt water supplied by at least one wave energy converter subsystem is described. A method for making a hull is also described.

Abstract: A base comprising a clamp opening on its top surface; channels on its bottom surface; and a through hole from the bottom surface to the top surface; in a safety system, the clamp receiving an end of a post secured to the clamp using a fastener inserted from one of the side walls of the base, into abutment with the post in the clamp; and/or the channels guiding posts on the bottom surface; and/or the channels guiding posts to a connector on the bottom surface; or a first channel guiding a first post to a connector on the bottom surface and a channel guiding a second post to the connector; and/or the through hole receives the post inserted therethrough thus extending on each side of the base.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for designing a drainage well network pattern for soil liquid drainage and constructing same. The method comprises performing a preliminary soil characterization in a selected area to be drained, wherein the preliminary characterization includes soil measurements sampled from the soil in the selected area at different locations thereof, and wherein the soil measurements include saturated hydraulic conductivity and one of soil total porosity, bulk density, air-filled porosity and gas diffusion measurements at different depths of the soil in the selected area; and using the preliminary soil characterization, generating the drainage well network pattern, including determining parameters of drainage wells to be constructed including a spatial distribution, a depth and a radius of the drainage wells to improve at least one of water table drawdown, capillary rise and surface aeration.

Abstract: An energy storage unit having a rack assembly and a plurality of battery modules is disclosed. The rack assembly has a frame having at least one shelf adapted to receive the battery modules thereon, a plurality of first electrical connectors, a system control unit, and a main power terminal. Each battery module has two second electrical connectors that are each selectively slidingly connected to one first electrical connector. The first and second electrical connectors are configured such that inserting, by sliding, the battery modules on the at least one shelf connects the first and second electrical connectors. An energy storage unit having battery modules each with an engaging bracket selectively fixedly connected thereto, and a frame having a plurality of stoppers having an elevated member configured to limit vertical movement of one of the battery modules, when in a predetermined position, by selectively engaging the engaging bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for measuring an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium. The device includes a sensing portion, a light source, and a light sensor. The sensing portion is miniaturized and includes a permeable material body defining a measuring cavity therein and is insertable in the porous medium to allow the porous medium solution to diffuse through the permeable material body. The light source illuminates the porous medium solution contained inside the measuring cavity. The light sensor detects a resulting light emanating from the porous medium solution, the resulting light having at least one spectral characteristic indicative of the ionic concentration of the ionic compound in the porous medium solution. There is also provided a method for measuring in situ an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium.

Abstract: A device for measuring an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium. The device includes a sensing portion, a light source, and a light sensor. The sensing portion is miniaturized and includes a permeable material body defining a measuring cavity therein and is insertable in the porous medium to allow the porous medium solution to diffuse through the permeable material body. The light source illuminates the porous medium solution contained inside the measuring cavity. The light sensor detects a resulting light emanating from the porous medium solution, the resulting light having at least one spectral characteristic indicative of the ionic concentration of the ionic compound in the porous medium solution. There is also provided a method for measuring in situ an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium.

Abstract: A conversion circuit device for connecting lithium based batteries to a standard inverter/charger for lead-acid batteries and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for homes and facilities comprising a standard inverter/charger for lead-acid batteries, at least one lithium based battery, and a conversion circuit device connecting the at least one lithium based battery to the standard inverter/charger; the conversion circuit device translating the state of the at least one lithium based battery into signals that correspond to the state of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an installation (10) able to be electrically autonomous comprising elements to be powered (12, 20) from among which: —a building (12) comprising at least one room delimited by at least one wall and one roof, and —an electricity distribution terminal (20), situated outside the building and comprising means of connection for the connection to at least one external electrical apparatus, the installation comprising means for powering the elements comprising: —means for generating energy (16) on the basis of a natural source, —means for storing energy (56), —means of interconnection (58, 62, 64) of the means of storage and/or of the means of generation to the elements to be powered, the installation also comprising: —means of measurement (72) of at least one parameter relating to the energy stored in at least one part of the energy storage means, and —means of control (66, 68, 67) of the means of interconnection as a function of the values obtained by the measurement means, so that

Abstract: A conversion circuit device for connecting lithium based batteries to a standard inverter/charger for lead-acid batteries and an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system for homes and facilities comprising a standard inverter/charger for lead-acid batteries, at least one lithium based battery, and a conversion circuit device connecting the at least one lithium based battery to the standard inverter/charger; the conversion circuit device translating the state of the at least one lithium based battery into signals that correspond to the state of a lead-acid battery

Abstract: A sheet holder (100) for holding sheets (50) comprising a housing (101) defining first and second side walls (120 and 110) spaced apart from each other and defining a slot (170) therebetween. The first and second side walls (120 and 110) also define a bottom aperture (172) leading into the slot (170). A plurality of guiding grooves (134) are defined in the first side wall (120) facing the slot (170). The guiding grooves (134) define substantially opposed groove top and bottom ends (136 and 138) and extend further away from the second side wall (110) adjacent the groove top end (136) than adjacent the groove bottom end (138). Holding elements are each at least partially received in a respective one of the guiding grooves (134) and movable therealong. At least part of the holding elements (134) remains in the guiding grooves (134) at all positions therealong.

Abstract: A porous medium extraction system has an access tube, an impact head and a porous medium extracting screw. The access tube has an access tube wall defining an open-ended channel extending along a longitudinal axis. A lower end of the access tube wall includes a cutting edge bevelled towards an inner surface of the access tube wall. The impact head is engageable with an upper end of the access tube wall. The porous medium extracting screw is insertable in the open-ended channel of the access tube and is engageable with the porous medium located inside the open-ended channel upon insertion of the access tube in the porous medium. The porous medium extracting screw is rotatable to extract the porous medium from the open-ended channel. A porous medium infiltrometer and a porous medium sensor assembly include the access tube of the porous medium extraction system.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an installation (10) able to be electrically autonomous comprising elements to be powered (12, 20) from among which: —a building (12) comprising at least one room delimited by at least one wall and one roof, and —an electricity distribution terminal (20), situated outside the building and comprising means of connection for the connection to at least one external electrical apparatus, the installation comprising means for powering the elements comprising: —means for generating energy (16) on the basis of a natural source, —means for storing energy (56), —means of interconnection (58, 62, 64) of the means of storage and/or of the means of generation to the elements to be powered, the installation also comprising: —means of measurement (72) of at least one parameter relating to the energy stored in at least one part of the energy storage means, and —means of control (66, 68, 67) of the means of interconnection as a function of the values obtained by the measurement means, so that

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation (10) for restoring power to equipment, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell (20A-20D; 22A-22B), at least one device for supplying power (12) comprising electrical connection means (14), at least one power storage assembly (18A, 18B), connected on the one hand to at least one of the photovoltaic cells and on the other hand to at least one of the power supply devices to supply it with electrical power, and an inverter (28, 30) interposed between at least one of the power storage assemblies and at least one of the power supply devices, so that the electricity transmitted to the supply device is in the form of alternating current. The invention also relates to a charging module comprising at least one power storage assembly and at least one inverter.

Abstract: A sheet holder (100) for holding sheets (50) comprising a housing (101) defining first and second side walls (120 and 110) spaced apart from each other and defining a slot (170) therebetween. The first and second side walls (120 and 110) also define a bottom aperture (172) leading into the slot (170). A plurality of guiding grooves (134) are defined in the first side wall (120) facing the slot (170). The guiding grooves (134) define substantially opposed groove top and bottom ends (136 and 138) and extend further away from the second side wall (110) adjacent the groove top end (136) than adjacent the groove bottom end (138). Holding elements are each at least partially received in a respective one of the guiding grooves (134) and movable therealong. At least part of the holding elements (134) remains in the guiding grooves (134) at all positions therealong.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor comprises: a sensing portion, a gas exchange tubing, a gas permeable protection sleeve, and a water impermeable distal end collar. The sensing portion is at least partially insertable in a porous medium and has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is insertable. The gas exchange tubing is in gas communication with the gas exchange aperture of the sensor portion and has a water-repellent membrane inserted therein. The water-repellent membrane prevents water infiltration in the housing through the gas exchange aperture. The gas permeable protection sleeve covers at least a section of the gas exchange tubing. The water impermeable distal end collar covers a distal end of the gas permeable protective sleeve and the water-repellent membrane.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor for measuring a quantity, such as the salinity, of the soil solution without requiring continuous calibration. The sensor is based on a porous material which automatically fills up and saturates when the soil is rewet and drains when the soil dries out from plant uptake or from air drying, then being filled up with a solution representative of the quantity to be measured in the soil during plant growth.

Abstract: A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.