Abstract: A system for storing and producing electrical energy deployed in a volume of water delimited by a bottom, comprising a floating structure at the surface of the volume of water, at least one linear and continuous solid mass connected to the platform and movable between a high position and a low position, at least one device for driving one or more linear and continuous solid mass(es) between the high and low positions thereof; the linear and continuous solid mass comprises: an upper end positioned at the surface of the volume of water an opposite end which is free or connected to the bottom of the volume of water a portion lying on the bottom, also called a trailing portion, which is maximum when the linear and continuous solid mass is in the low position; a suspended portion, which is maximum from the moment that a trailing portion exists.

Abstract: A system (200) for storing and releasing energy is provided. The system (200) is deployed in a body of water, and includes a platform (220). The system also includes at least one weight stored on a floor of the body of water, and a hoist system capable of moving the at least one weight between a first elevation position and a second elevation position. A remotely operated attachment device of the system is coupled to the hoist system, and is configured to locate and couple to the at least one weight on the floor of the body of water. The hoist system selectively raises and lowers the at least one weight when coupled to the remotely operated attachment device, from the first elevation position to the second elevation position. The system stores and releases energy when the weight moves between the first elevation position and the second elevation position.

Abstract: A retractable platform mechanism for a vehicle having a cargo area adjacent to its rear bumper 30, which includes a cut out 32 that permits a platform assembly 40 to pass therethrough and being slidably mounted to a supporting rail assembly 20 and movable between two extreme positions. A ramp assembly is housed within platform assembly 40 is selectively and transversally deployed. Optionally, a mechanism for moving assembly 40 is provided for moving that can be manually actuated with a crank or with an electronic motor. Extension assembly 90 can be optionally mounted to extend the cargo capacity.

Abstract: An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.

Abstract: An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.

Abstract: An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.

Abstract: An array of tampons having one or more benefit indicators. The array includes a first tampon having a first tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The first tampon further includes a first visually perceptible benefit indicator. The array also includes a second tampon having a second tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The second tampon also includes a second visually perceptible benefit indicator.

Abstract: A system for preventing a user from interrupting a script launching one or more applications on a computer is provided. The system comprises a script operable to promote launching one or more applications. The system also comprises a security curtain application operable to prevent the user's input from interfering with operation of the script. The system further comprises enabling and disabling the security curtain application based upon one or more triggering events.

Abstract: An array of tampons having one or more benefit indicators. The array includes a first tampon having a first tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The first tampon further includes a first visually perceptible benefit indicator. The array also includes a second tampon having a second tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The second tampon also includes a second visually perceptible benefit indicator.

Abstract: An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a method for bridging requests for access to resources between requesters in a distributed network and an authenticator servicing the distributed network. The bridging mechanism has security features including a naming service for machine authentication and machine process rules to authorize what process machines can perform. The security proxy bridge intercepts an access request, and checks the IP address for machine authentication as well as the machine process rules and if both verifications are successful, the bridge then forwards the request for access to the authenticator. The security proxy framework utilizes a data structure that provides a method for storing selected security information stored as data records supporting an authentication and authorization system for users to access resources on multiple components of a distributed network supporting multiple business units of an enterprise.

Abstract: A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Abstract: A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Abstract: A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Abstract: A telephone call connection architecture is disclosed which establishes a call connection between two parties. A caller at a caller location initiates a call request to an intermediate location over a first communication network requesting a call be connected to a callee at a callee location over a second communication network. The caller location is connected to the callee location over the second communication network in response to the call request being made over the first communication network. In both a call back and call collect scenario, the caller initiates the call request to the intermediate location. However, in a call back situation, the caller is ultimately charged for the call, while in a call collect situation, the callee authorizes charges for the call.

Abstract: A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Abstract: An improved panel structure wherein at least one face of the panel is perforated with small holes and where it is desirable to minimize the number of holes that get filled in with adhesive. For example, an improved noise reducing acoustic panel (30) (FIG. 3) constructed of a nonperforated inner skin (14), a perforated outer skin (16) having small holes (18), two sections (12, 12a) of honeycomb core material which are bonded or spliced together by a partially or fully encapsulated foaming adhesive (32e) which has been foamed and expanded, thereby forcing a supported film adhesive (34c) against the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22) whereby the supported film adhesive (34c) bonds to the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22). The nonperforated inner skin (14) has been adhesively bonded by a film adhesive to the honeycomb core sections (12, 12a).

Abstract: An improved panel structure wherein at least one face of the panel is perforated with small holes and where it is desirable to minimize the number of holes that get filled in with adhesive. For example, an improved noise reducing acoustic panel (30) (FIG. 3) constructed of a nonperforated inner skin (14), a perforated outer skin (16) having small holes (18), two sections (12, 12a) of honeycomb core material which are bonded or spliced together by a partially or fully encapsulated foaming adhesive (32e) which has been foamed and expanded, thereby forcing a supported film adhesive (34c) against the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22) whereby the supported film adhesive (34c) bonds to the walls (24, 24a) of the honeycomb cells in the area of the gap (22). The nonperforated inner skin (14) has been adhesively bonded by a film adhesive to the honeycomb core sections (12, 12a).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously supplying thermoplastic webbing to an application apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, first and second webs of thermoplastic material are held stationary and heat spliced together upstream in a line operation while a downstream segment of the thermoplastic webbing is continuously supplied to an application apparatus downstream in the operation. The heat splicing step is carried out by bringing together first and second opposable splicer clamps to form an overlapping area between the first and second webs and applying a heat impulse to the overlapping area to bond the webs together.