Abstract: A towed array ballasting unit includes a canister, an internal bladder, an external bladder, a motor valve, fluid, a shroud, and printed circuit boards. The canister includes a head endcap and an aft endcap with the internal bladder located within and attached to an internal end of a fluid channel. An external bladder is located outside the canister and attached to an external end of the fluid channel. The motor valve is attached to the aft endcap of the canister and the internal end of fluid channel. The fluid moves between the internal bladder and external bladder via the fluid channel. The shroud forms a shell around the canister, external bladder, and a connector that connects the towed array ballasting system to an array tail. The printed circuit boards execute instructions provided by a computer.

Abstract: A towed array ballasting unit includes a canister, an internal bladder, an external bladder, a motor valve, fluid, a shroud, and printed circuit boards. The canister includes a head endcap and an aft endcap with the internal bladder located within and attached to an internal end of a fluid channel. An external bladder is located outside the canister and attached to an external end of the fluid channel. The motor valve is attached to the aft endcap of the canister and the internal end of fluid channel. The fluid moves between the internal bladder and external bladder via the fluid channel. The shroud forms a shell around the canister, external bladder, and a connector that connects the towed array ballasting system to an array tail. The printed circuit boards execute instructions provided by a computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket that couples a pegboard to a table without requiring a separate table for a stand-alone table and a pegboard-coupled table. The bracket can include vertical and horizontal portions that couple to a pegboard and table, respectively. The bracket can further include tabs that grip the table or pegboard for additional support. The bracket therefore allows for a pegboard to be attached to a table, or for the table to be sold without the pegboard, therefore freeing substantial inventory for the seller of the table and pegboard combination.

Abstract: A bracket for a board that removably couples to a base. The bracket can include a slot at one end and a compression member at the other end. The slot can fit over the base at a first end of the base and can be removed from that end of the base upon removal of the compression member at the other end of the base. The compression member can be removed against a bias such that the compression member applies a bias to the base when the bracket is coupled to the base, and that bias can be removed so as to allow the removal of the bracket. A pegboard or other type of board can be coupled to the bracket with fasteners or other known means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket for a board that removably couples to a base. The bracket can include a slot at one end and a compression member at the other end. The slot can fit over the base at a first end of the base and can be removed from that end of the base upon removal of the compression member at the other end of the base. The compression member can be removed against a bias such that the compression member applies a bias to the base when the bracket is coupled to the base, and that bias can be removed so as to allow the removal of the bracket. A pegboard or other type of board can be coupled to the bracket with fasteners or other known means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket that couples a pegboard to a table without requiring a separate table for a stand-alone table and a pegboard-coupled table. The bracket can include vertical and horizontal portions that couple to a pegboard and table, respectively. The bracket can further include tabs that grip the table or pegboard for additional support. The bracket therefore allows for a pegboard to be attached to a table, or for the table to be sold without the pegboard, therefore freeing substantial inventory for the seller of the table and pegboard combination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand truck with a foot kick that rotates to be placed in a more compact position. The foot kick can include pins that fit within slots to move between the open and closed positions. The hand truck can therefore include a foot kick but still be compact enough to fit through hallways, staircases, and the like.

Abstract: A device and process for separating liquid and gas phases in a flowstream containing a liquefied gas or supercritical fluid under pressure mixed with a liquid. A splitter vessel separates the liquid from gas phases and transfers liquid to a collection container while conducting the gas phase out of the splitter. Separation of liquid phase out of the flowstream is provided without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the stream.

Abstract: Buoyancy is controlled in a tethered object by pumping fluids, either of a first or second specific gravity, from an external source into either a first or second containment chamber to change the respective volumetric capacities of the first and second containment chambers. The containment chambers are configured such that the second chamber is at least partially enclosed within the first chamber. The second chamber is configured to expand and retract within the first chamber, which has a fixed housing. Expansion or contraction of the second chamber results in a corresponding inverse change in a volumetric capacity of the first chamber. The fluid chambers may be separate or contained within the same housing, and may be located on a towing vessel. Sensor data from the tethered object's environment may be used to control the transfer of fluid to the first and second chambers.

Abstract: The attitude of a submerged array of sensing elements can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid having density different than water. In one embodiment, a non-rigid array of sensor elements is equipped with two expandable reservoirs connected between a flexible conduit which allows the ballast fluid to be transferred back and forth. Pumping fluid between the two reservoirs causes one reservoir to expand while the other contracts. Due to the density difference between the pumped fluid and water, the difference in volume between the two expandable reservoirs causes a shift in the center of buoyancy of the array system. The center of buoyancy in this way becomes offset from the center of gravity of the array system, causing a shift in the attitude of the array.

Abstract: The invention provides a means by which the attitude or orientation of a submerged object can be changed or altered using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid which has a density less than that of the surrounding fluid in which the object is submerged. In one embodiment, the process utilizes a static negatively buoyant material (which could be a lead weight) to offset the net negative buoyancy of the transferable ballast fluid. In this way, the total overall buoyancy of the system does not change, but by transferring ballast fluid into expandable reservoirs which are physically separated from the static negatively buoyant material, the separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of mass of the object can be changed, and thus the attitude or orientation of the object, if it is unrestrained, may be changed.

Abstract: A device and process for separating liquid and gas phases in a flowstream containing a liquefied gas or supercritical fluid under pressure mixed with a liquid. A splitter vessel separates the liquid from gas phases and transfers liquid to a collection container while conducting the gas phase out of the splitter. Separation of liquid phase out of the flowstream is provided without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the stream.

Abstract: A device and process for separating liquid and gas phases in a flowstream containing a liquefied gas or supercritical fluid under pressure mixed with a liquid. A splitter vessel separates the liquid from gas phases and transfers liquid to a collection container while conducting the gas phase out of the splitter. Separation of liquid phase out of the flowstream is provided without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the stream.

Abstract: An Investment System (Vehicle) invests or holds an ownership interest in real property, receiving income from the property for the benefit of the underlying owners in the Vehicle. The Vehicle offers fractional ownership interests to investors owning real property which are exchanged for an ownership in the Vehicle. Such exchanges obtain deferral of gains from appreciation in the value of the property, which would otherwise be taxable, by complying with the provisions of IRC section 1031. The Vehicle provides investors the ability to execute subsequent exchanges of ownership interests in the Vehicle, at the discretion of the exchanging owner, for a separate replacement property representing a more desirable investment. The Vehicle Sponsor facilitates such subsequent exchanges, via either a replacement investor that acquires the ownership in the Vehicle or by purchasing the exchanging owner's interest. Purchases could be financed using a liquidity facility or line of credit established for such purpose.

Abstract: A device and process for separating liquid and gas phases in a flowstream containing a liquefied gas or supercritical fluid under pressure mixed with a liquid. A splitter vessel separates the liquid from gas phases and transfers liquid to a collection container while conducting the gas phase out of the splitter. Separation of liquid phase out of the flowstream is provided without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the stream.

Abstract: A method of forming a building wall system in the absence of building paper or housewrap that comprises providing a generally flat structural insulating sheathing. The sheathing comprises at least a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first and third layers comprises an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam. The second layer comprises paperboard. The insulating sheathing is fastened to the stud wall to form the building wall system such that a seal is formed that inhibits water from penetrating therethrough. The building wall system in the absence of building paper or housewrap passes the test requirements set forth in Section 1403.2 of the 2003 International Building Code.

Abstract: A system configured to allow adjustment of a vehicle seat includes a securing bracket, an extension bracket, and a latching member. The securing bracket is configured to be secured to structure within a vehicle, and includes an adjustment guide track having a plurality of recessed grooves separated by a plurality of teeth or ribs. The extension bracket is movably secured to the securing bracket and includes a fixed arm track, a lever engaging arm positioned within the arm track, and a lever operatively connected to the lever engaging arm. The engaging arm includes a curved channel. The latching member includes a boss or knob and a protuberance. The boss is positioned within the curved channel. The protuberance is configured to be retained within each of the recessed grooves. Movement of the lever engaging arm in a first linear direction causes the latching member to move in a second linear direction that is perpendicular to the first linear direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a minimum distribution rate and an investment allocation among individual investments of different types, including income generating investments that may be counter-balanced by principal protection investments, according to predefined ratios, determining a distribution amount based upon a performance level of individual investments and the minimum distribution rate, and determining at least a portion of individual investments to liquidate to fund the distribution amount. The minimum distribution rate is greater than a predefined percentage of a current value of the investment per year and is maintained at a level at least equal to a highest level of all prior years. The present invention further provides distribution types that allow selection of a distribution method that best suits an investor's requirements.