Abstract:
An offshore floating rocket launch platform (12) is disclosed. The platform (12) floats on the surface of a body of water (14). A rocket (16) and a rocket launch support tower (18) are shown on the top surface (19) of the platform (12) in preparation for launch. The platform (12) includes a statically buoyant chamber 20) and more than one variable buoyancy-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22). A number of variable buoying-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22) are capable of being pressurized with a fluid to provide counter-acting forces that compensate for position changes of the platform incurred by natural forces. Other embodiment of the invention may be used for floating offshore structures like buildings (26), bridges (46) and wind turbines (50).
Abstract:
An offshore floating rocket launch platform (12) is disclosed. The platform (12) floats on the surface of a body of water (14). A rocket (16) and a rocket launch support tower (18) are shown on the top surface (19) of the platform (12) in preparation for launch. The platform (12) includes a statically buoyant chamber 20) and more than one variable buoyancy-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22). A number of variable buoying-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22) are capable of being pressurized with a fluid to provide counter-acting forces that compensate for position changes of the platform incurred by natural forces. Other embodiment of the invention may be used for floating offshore structures like buildings (26), bridges (46) and wind turbines (50).
Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved gas transfer apparatus designed for enhanced purging of a pigtail and a process for effecting such purging. The improvement in the apparatus resides in an integrated system of components comprising: a surge chamber having a first end, a body and a second end, said first end in communication with the pigtail conduit, said body section of said surge chamber having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of said pigtail conduit and a second end in communication with said vessel containing said gas source; and, a purge gas source for delivery of a purge gas to said pigtail conduit whereby during an alternating cycle of pressurization of said pigtail with said purge gas and depressurization, optionally with application of vacuum within said pigtail conduit, impurities can be removed from within the pigtail conduit.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns, in part, a method for fabricating a silicon PIN detector component wherein three handle wafers are bonded to the wafer at varying points in the fabrication process. The utilization of three handle wafers during fabrication significantly ease handling concerns associated with what would otherwise be a relatively thin and fragile wafer, providing a stable and strong base for supporting those portions of the wafer that will constitute the PIN detector component. In a variant of the present invention, the third handle wafer comprises an optical element transparent in the wavelength of interest.