Abstract: A tampon pledget having a unique forming process enables a reduction in material (by weight) without reducing gram per gram absorbency and optionally improving absorbency. The tampon pledget is formed by a unique carding, cross-lapping, and needle-punching process. A tampon applicator is formed having one or more components from at least one of a sustainable material and a compostable material. A tampon applicator plunger has at least one deformed end. A tampon applicator plunger has improved strength. A tampon assembly has an improved retention force.

Abstract: A barge for renewable energy recourses is disclosed that comprises a plurality of horizontal axis wind turbines, a plurality of photovoltaic panels; and a plurality of sea-wave generators. The energy harvested by the renewable energy recourses is transformed to electrical energy and the electrical energy is transmitted to a grid onshore. A fleet of a plurality of barges located in deep waters is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A barge for renewable energy recourses is disclosed that comprises a plurality of horizontal axis wind turbines, a plurality of photovoltaic panels; and a plurality of sea-wave generators. The energy harvested by the renewable energy recourses is transformed to electrical energy and the electrical energy is transmitted to a grid onshore. A fleet of a plurality of barges located in deep waters is disclosed as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea structural connector (20) used in the offshore oil and gas industry for remotely joining elements of production and drilling vessel mooring systems and other subsea equipment. This invention relates to a connection mechanism that facilitates automatic latching of two components (1, 2) upon engagement, and then remotely controlled actuation of a device that secures the connection. Specifically, this invention relates to a securing mechanism that creates residual stress between the connected components (1, 2) such that the connector (20) can withstand high variable axial, shear, torsional and bending loads while minimizing the propensity for fatigue damage within the mechanism.

Abstract: An energy dissipater comprising a plurality of periodic hyperbolic surfaces, forming a continuous surface-structure, and enveloping contiguous tunnels there through.

Abstract: An energy dissipater comprising a plurality of periodic hyperbolic surfaces, forming a continuous surface-structure, and enveloping contiguous tunnels there through.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and fibrillating a molten polymeric film into nanofibers consisting of a plurality of two-phase flow spinning nozzles arranged in a substantially liner array each nozzle into nanofibers including one or more first input orifices for a process gas; one or more second input orifices for a polymer melt; a flow channel including two or more channel walls and a monotonically decreasing flow area wherein the process gas and polymer melt are combined into a stratified two phase flow with the polymer melt formed into a film on one or more of the channel walls; and one or more channel exit openings, each exit opening including an edge at which the process gas reaches sonic velocity or less and where the edge is configured to fibrillate the polymeric film into a stream of nanofibers.

Abstract: An energy dissipater comprising a plurality of periodic hyperbolic surfaces, forming a continuous surface-structure, and enveloping contiguous tunnels there through.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea structural connector (20) used in the offshore oil and gas industry for remotely joining elements of production and drilling vessel mooring systems and other subsea equipment. This invention relates to a connection mechanism that facilitates automatic latching of two components (1, 2) upon engagement, and then remotely controlled actuation of a device that secures the connection. Specifically, this invention relates to a securing mechanism that creates residual stress between the connected components (1, 2) such that the connector (20) can withstand high variable axial, shear, torsional and bending loads while minimising the propensity for fatigue damage within the mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle performance including multi-level caching. The system includes a vehicle portion with sensors, a vehicle caching data server, and a wireless transceiver and a monitoring station portion with monitoring workstations, a monitoring caching data server, and a wireless transceiver. The monitoring caching data server receives and aggregates requests for vehicle performance data from the monitoring workstations based on request priority and available bandwidth. The vehicle caching data server stores vehicle performance data from the sensors and selectively transmits a subset of the vehicle performance data to the monitoring caching data server in response to aggregate requests.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle performance including multi-level caching. The system includes a vehicle portion with sensors, a vehicle caching data server, and a wireless transceiver and a monitoring station portion with monitoring workstations, a monitoring caching data server, and a wireless transceiver. The monitoring caching data server receives and aggregates requests for vehicle performance data from the monitoring workstations based on request priority and available bandwidth. The vehicle caching data server stores vehicle performance data from the sensors and selectively transmits a subset of the vehicle performance data to the monitoring caching data server in response to aggregate requests.

Abstract: A power plant and method for the generation of power from flowing air utilizes a generally vertically extending duct having an inlet open to atmosphere at an elevation above an outlet. A spray system is mounted adjacent the inlet for spraying droplets of a predetermined amount of water into the air causing the air and droplet mixture to become cooler and denser than the outside air to create a down draft of fluid within the duct. A power system mounted adjacent the outlet recovers energy from the downdraft of fluid passing through it. The predetermined amount of water sprayed is greater than the amount of water that would theoretically and potentially evaporate in the air throughout the entire elevation over an unlimited time period using fresh water droplets. The power plant can also be synergistically combined with desalination systems and aquaculture.

Abstract: A power plant and method for the generation of power from flowing air utilizes a generally vertically extending duct having an inlet open to atmosphere at an elevation above an outlet. A spray system is mounted adjacent the inlet for spraying droplets of a predetermined amount of water into the air causing the air and droplet mixture to become cooler and denser than the outside air to create a down draft of fluid within the duct. A power system mounted adjacent the outlet recovers energy from the downdraft of fluid passing through it. The predetermined amount of water sprayed is greater than the amount of water that would theoretically and potentially evaporate in the air throughout the entire elevation over an unlimited time period using fresh water droplets. The power plant can also be synergistically combined with desalination systems and aquaculture.

Abstract: A power plant and method for the generation of power from flowing air utilizes a generally vertically extending duct having an inlet open to atmosphere at an elevation above an outlet. A spray system is mounted adjacent the inlet for spraying droplets of a predetermined amount of water into the air causing the air and droplet mixture to become cooler and denser than the outside air to create a down draft of fluid within the duct. A power system mounted adjacent the outlet recovers energy from the downdraft of fluid passing through it. The predetermined amount of water sprayed is greater than the amount of water that would theoretically and potentially evaporate in the air throughout the entire elevation over an unlimited time period using fresh water droplets. The power plant can also be synergistically combined with desalination systems and aquaculture.

Abstract: A building structure comprising at least one polyhyparic surface formed of a continuous tensioned web. The continuous tensioned web may be coupled to structural elements which extend only along the periphery of the web. A building structure formed of a plurality of polyhyparic surfaces arranged to have common structural members along their peripheries is also described.