Disclosed is a novel type of computing apparatus which is integrated within a buoy that obtains the energy required to power its computing operations from waves that travel across the surface of the body of water on which the buoy floats. Additionally, these self-powered computing buoys utilize their close proximity to a body of water in order to significantly lower the cost and complexity of cooling their computing circuits. Computing tasks of an arbitrary nature are supported, as is the incorporation and/or utilization of computing circuits specialized for the execution of specific types of computing tasks. And, each buoy's receipt of a computational task, and its return of a computational result, may be accomplished through the transmission of data across satellite links, fiber optic cables, LAN cables, radio, modulated light, microwaves, and/or any other channel, link, connection, and/or network.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reconnaissance and communication assembly, adapted to be launched from a gun barrel into the air over a body of water. The assembly comprises a carrier (with a cavity) and a payload (within the cavity). The payload is arranged to be controllably expelled from the carrier and once expelled from the carrier, the payload is adapted to enter the water; and the payload transmits a signal after entering the water.

A sensor suspension system for use in an underwater environment comprises a sensor (e.g., vector sensor) and a framework comprising a plurality of support structures, and a plurality of compliant devices that suspend the sensor within an inner volume of the framework. The plurality of compliant devices facilitate a symmetrical sensing response of the sensor in three degrees of freedom when deployed in the underwater environment. The framework is moveable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. A plurality of sensor suspension systems can be tethered together into a sensor array by a deployment control system operable to release a buoyant device, tethered to the sensor suspension systems, that vertically positions the plurality of sensor suspension systems into the sensor array. The buoyant device can cause each framework to expand via pulling force through the tethers upon release of the buoyant device.

Disclosed is a novel type of computing apparatus which is integrated within a buoy that obtains the energy required to power its computing operations from winds that travel across the surface of the body of water on which the buoy floats. Additionally, these self-powered computing buoys utilize their close proximity to a body of water in order to significantly lower the cost and complexity of cooling their computing circuits. Computing tasks of an arbitrary nature are supported, as is the incorporation and/or utilization of computing circuits specialized for the execution of specific types of computing tasks. And, each buoy's receipt of a computational task, and its return of a computational result, may be accomplished through the transmission of data across satellite links, fiber optic cables, LAN cables, radio, modulated light, microwaves, and/or any other channel, link, connection, and/or network.

Disclosed is a novel type of computing apparatus which is integrated within a buoy that obtains the energy required to power its computing operations from winds that travel across the surface of the body of water on which the buoy floats. Additionally, these self-powered computing buoys utilize their close proximity to a body of water in order to significantly lower the cost and complexity of cooling their computing circuits. Computing tasks of an arbitrary nature are supported, as is the incorporation and/or utilization of computing circuits specialized for the execution of specific types of computing tasks. And, each buoy's receipt of a computational task, and its return of a computational result, may be accomplished through the transmission of data across satellite links, fiber optic cables, LAN cables, radio, modulated light, microwaves, and/or any other channel, link, connection, and/or network.

A plastic internally hollow body has a cavity for containing liquids, solids or gases, and includes a main body shaped and having an inner surface at least partially defining the cavity. The inner surface terminates in a shaped edge that delimits a coupling aperture to the cavity. The internally hollow body includes a closure body, having an outer sealing surface suitable at least partially engaging the inner surface of the main body. The closure body at least partially closes the cavity in correspondence of the coupling aperture. The main body is joined to the closure body at least partially along the shaped edge by a joining element over-moulded to the main body and the closure body and covering the over-moulding seat resulting between the main body and the closure body. A method for making the internally hollow body over-moulds the joining element by injection moulding with an over-moulding mould.

A plastic internally hollow body has a cavity for containing liquids, solids or gases, and includes a main body shaped and having an inner surface at least partially defining the cavity. The inner surface terminates in a shaped edge that delimits a coupling aperture to the cavity. The internally hollow body includes a closure body, having an outer sealing surface suitable at least partially engaging the inner surface of the main body. The closure body at least partially closes the cavity in correspondence of the coupling aperture. The main body is joined to the closure body at least partially along the shaped edge by a joining element over-moulded to the main body and the closure body and covering the over-moulding seat resulting between the main body and the closure body. A method for making the internally hollow body over-moulds the joining element by injection moulding with an over-moulding mould.

A system for transferring crude oil from an onshore location to an offshore vessel comprises a buoy, a floating vapor hose supported by the buoy and configured to be connected to the vessel for discharging vapor; a subsea pipe-line end manifold (PLEM); a subsea vapor hose extending between the PLEM and the buoy, and connected via the buoy internal piping to the floating vapor hose; a subsea vapor line extending between a vapor processing facility and the PLEM and connected to the subsea vapor hose; wherein the system further comprises a drain for the removal of condensed vapor from at least one of the floating vapor hose, subsea vapor hose and subsea vapor pipeline.

A system for transferring crude oil from an onshore location to an offshore vessel comprises a buoy, a floating vapor hose supported by the buoy and configured to be connected to the vessel for discharging vapor; a subsea pipe-line end manifold (PLEM); a subsea vapor hose extending between the PLEM and the buoy, and connected via the buoy internal piping to the floating vapor hose; a subsea vapor line extending between a vapor processing facility and the PLEM and connected to the subsea vapor hose; wherein the system further comprises a drain for the removal of condensed vapor from at least one of the floating vapor hose, subsea vapor hose and subsea vapor pipeline.

A floating mirror includes a buoyant body extending between a first end and a second end, and a reflective material disposed on opposite surfaces of the buoyant body.