Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system for harnessing wave energy in a body of water and converting the harnessed wave energy to pressurized fluid, and also a method of deploying such a wave energy conversion system. The wave energy conversion system comprises a unit including a buoyant structure responsive to wave motion, at least one pump and at least one tether adapted to be operably connected between the pump and a fixture below the unit, whereby movement of the buoyant structure relative to the fixture in response to wave motion converts harnessed energy to pressurized fluid. The unit is adapted to be deployed by moving the tether into coupling engagement with the fixture upon actuation of the pump in a manner causing movement of the tether into engagement with the fixture.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system for harnessing wave energy in a body of water and converting the harnessed wave energy to pressurised fluid, and also a method of deploying such a wave energy conversion system. The wave energy conversion system comprises a unit including a buoyant structure responsive to wave motion, at least one pump and at least one tether adapted to be operably connected between the pump and a fixture below the unit, whereby movement of the buoyant structure relative to the fixture in response to wave motion converts harnessed energy to pressurised fluid. The unit is adapted to be deployed by moving the tether into coupling engagement with the fixture upon actuation of the pump in a manner causing movement of the tether into engagement with the fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for harnessing ocean wave energy, wherein the apparatus relieves excessive loadings on components to avoid damage thereof in adverse wave conditions. The apparatus includes a buoyant actuator and a pump anchored within the body of water. Fluid at high pressure is pumped ashore by the pump, energy is extracted as useful work at an on-shore plant, and the resultant reduced pressure fluid is returned to the offshore pump to be re-energized. The buoyant actuator is operably connected to the pump by tether and is buoyantly suspended within the body of water above the pump. The buoyant actuator is provided with a connector that includes a damping mechanism configured to maintain a substantially rigid connection between the hollow body and the tether until such time as loading therebetween exceeds a prescribed load whereupon the damping mechanism facilitates limited relative movement therebetween to relieve the loading.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for harnessing ocean wave energy, wherein the apparatus relieves excessive loadings on components to avoid damage thereof in adverse wave conditions. The apparatus includes a buoyant actuator and a pump anchored within the body of water. Fluid at high pressure is pumped ashore by the pump, energy is extracted as useful work at an on-shore plant, and the resultant reduced pressure fluid is returned to the offshore pump to be re-energized. The buoyant actuator is operably connected to the pump by tether and is buoyantly suspended within the body of water above the pump. The buoyant actuator is provided with a connector that includes a damping mechanism configured to maintain a substantially rigid connection between the hollow body and the tether until such time as loading therebetween exceeds a prescribed load whereupon the damping mechanism facilitates limited relative movement therebetween to relieve the loading.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes.

Abstract: A method for analysing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The method includes irradiating the substance with RF energy in a prescribed manner to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance. Then receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom. Thereafter analysing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance; and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes. Specific methods for analysing a chemical substance during production thereof to determine a characteristic of the substance indicative of the quality thereof, and for searching for chemicals together with specific systems are also described.

Abstract: A method for analysing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The method includes irradiating the substance with RF energy in a prescribed manner to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance. Then receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom. Thereafter analysing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance; and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes. Specific methods for analysing a chemical substance during production thereof to determine a characteristic of the substance indicative of the quality thereof, and for searching for chemicals together with specific systems are also described.