Abstract: The present invention is directed to aquatic systems and methods for off-shore energy production, and particularly to systems and methods for generating large amounts of methane via anaerobic digestion, purifying the methane produced, and sequestering environmentally deleterious by-products such as carbon dioxide. The energy production systems contain one or more flexible, inflatable containers supported by water, at least one of which is an anaerobic digester containing bacteria which can produce energy sources such as methane or hydrogen from aquatic plants or animals. The containers of the present invention can be large enough to provide adequate amounts of energy to support off-shore activities yet are relatively easy to manufacture and ship to remote production sites. The systems can also be readily adapted to sequester carbon dioxide or recycle nutrients for growing feedstocks on site.

Abstract: The invention is directed to aquatic systems and methods for off-shore energy production, particularly to systems and methods for generating large amounts of methane via anaerobic digestion, purifying the methane produced, and sequestering environmentally deleterious by-products such as carbon dioxide. The energy production systems contain one or more flexible, inflatable containers supported by water, at least one of which is an anaerobic digester containing bacteria which can produce energy sources such as methane or hydrogen from aquatic plants or animals. Off-shore energy production facilities supported by water bodies offer many advantages over land-based digesters, including the use of large, available open water bodies as an alternative means of support and the potential for locating the facilities at sites that already contain, or can be easily modified to generate, sufficient amounts of feedstock onsite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aquatic systems and methods for off-shore energy production, particularly to systems and methods for generating large amounts of methane via anaerobic digestion, purifying the methane produced, and sequestering environmentally deleterious by-products such as carbon dioxide. The energy production systems contain one or more flexible, inflatable containers supported by water, at least one of which is an anaerobic digester containing bacteria which can produce energy sources such as methane or hydrogen from aquatic plants or animals. Off-shore energy production facilities supported by water bodies offer many advantages over land-based digesters, including the use of large, available open water bodies as an alternative means of support and the potential for locating the facilities at sites that already contain, or can be easily modified to generate, sufficient amounts of feedstock onsite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container connector having independently adjuble and locking ends, each end configured to be inserted into an opening of a cargo container and rotated to lock the connector with the container. When inserted and locked the connector holds two adjacent ends of adjacent containers in a spaced relationship. Locking mechanisms are provided for retaining each locking end in the locked or unlocked position. The ends of the connector may be adjusted to accommodate containers with different end spacing requirements.

Abstract: A container connector for interconnecting a pair of shipping containers to n essence form a single container of a larger size. There are to be utilized a plurality of these container connectors to secure together a pair of shipping containers. Each container connector comprises a grab bar and a position bar. Interconnecting the grab bar and position bar are a pair of threaded bolts. The threaded bolts are to be operable independently so that the position bar can be located at a skewed angle relative to the grab bar during installation of the container connector. Once the grab bar and the position bar are correctly installed, the bolts are rotated to cause the position bar to be moved in an outward direction from the grab bar to cause the grab bar to tightly engage with the side wall of a pair of aligned openings formed within the shipping containers which are located in a closely spaced, almost abutting, relationship.

Abstract: A barge connecting system for connecting a first vessel to a second vessel omprising three spaced parallel rectangular shaped plates, the first plate of which is attached to the stern of a lead vessel, and the third plate of which abuts or may be attached to the bow of a following vessel. Bracing for the second and third plates is provided by plurality of diagonal wire cables each of which has one end connected to a corner of the first rectangular shaped plate and the opposite end connected to either a corner of the second rectangular shaped plate or a corner of the third rectnagular shaped plate. Positioned vertically between the first and second plates are a first pair of pneumatic fenders which are rotatably mounted on the first plate by wire cables. There is positioned horizontally between the second and third plates a second pair of pneumatic fenders which are mounted on third plate by wire cables.

Abstract: A compression wall and tension spoke structural system which transfers lateral loads from the sea surface to the sea floor efficiently. The cellular breakwater combines tension piles and concrete fabric forms with oceanwheel structural elements to form cells which are serially placed in tangential contact to produce a breakwater of desired shape and length in shallow water.

Abstract: At least two generally parallel compression rims are joined by tension element spokes, such as cables. A rim separating means, such as columns, holds the rims apart thus maintaining spoke tension. The resulting structural element, comprising rims, tension elements and separating means, becomes an efficient means of transferring external forces from one rim to the other.