Abstract: An underwater trenching machine comprising a carriage and a pair each of fore and aft pivotal frames, each of which carries a drive roller means for intimately contacting the pipeline, said front and rear frames being adapted to mutually exclusively pivot outwardly upon command so that the frame carrying the roller means resting at that time on the pipeline takes over the drive function performed by the roller means on both pair of frame means theretofore, and further including improved jet legs each divided into multiple sections for enabling differential water velocity while minimizing water pressure loss through the length thereof, all while the machine is maintained at a predetermined buoyance and attitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading pipeline from the shore onto a reel mounted on a vessel adjacent to the shore whereby the reel may be pivoted from its normal operational position in which the reel axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vessel to a position in which the reel axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel so as to thereby permit the vessel to be anchored parallel to the shore while the pipe-loading operation is being conducted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deviating a conductor casing, or the like, after it has been driven into a substratum, generally beneath the floor of a body of water. The conductor casing is characterized by a drive shoe assembly on the end thereof having a bevel cut extending therethrough for up to 180 degrees of the circumference thereof, or more, and thereby providing a residual connection characterized as a hinge means. The conductor casing and drive shoe is characterized in operation by an entire linear configuration until they are driven beneath the floor into the substratum, at which time the hinge means allows closure of the distal end through the arc of the bevel cut thereby providing a deviated section which produces directional implacement of the conductor casing.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an installation for preparing cement clinker from carboniferous shale or from any other mineral substance capable of releasing a certain amount of calorific power. According to this novel method, raw material constituted in part by previously calcined carboniferous shale and in part by additive substances which may contain limestone and clay, is submitted to clinkerization. The additive substances are at least partially decarbonated prior to their admixture with the shale.

Abstract: This invention concerns a weighing device to measure the weight of a sample of powder supplied by a suitable feed-mechanism.This weighing device comprises at least one sample-holder vessel and a taring vessel, connected to a transfer mechanism which moves the sample-holder vessel from a filling position where it is directly under the feed-mechanism, to receive the sample, to an emptying position, and which also sets the taring vessel and the vessel containing the sample on a weighing mechanism in turn, to measure their weight.The invention concerns this weighing device and an installation comprising such a device, used in particular for volumetric analysis of a sample of powder, such as raw material for cement-making.

Abstract: Garments are deposited in a cleaning drum and the drum is agitated during a wash cycle. A dry cleaning solvent is continuously added to the drum during the wash cycle and continuously removed from the drum during the wash cycle to flush the radioactive particulate material separated from the garments into a sump. The solvent is pumped from the sump for addition to the drum during the wash cycle and the pumped solvent is filtered to remove substantially all of the radioactive particulate material suspended in the solvent.The apparatus for decontaminating the radioactive garments comprises a sump for supporting a dry cleaning solvent. A drum for supporting the radioactively contaminated garments during a wash cycle which separates the radioactive particulate material from the garments means are provided for continuously pumping the dry cleaning solvent from the sump to the drum and for continuously removing the solvent and separated particulate material from the drum into the sump.

Abstract: A vibrating apparatus comprising a pair of arms supported each in cantilever manner from an off-center vibrating motor and disposed in separate but substantially parallel planes, said arms being in structural communication at their free ends and configured to each transmit to the other a vibratory force which is amplified by the receiving arm.

Abstract: An acoustic impulse generator is disclosed for use in a fluid media for oceanographic, seismographic and related applications. The generator includes a housing with a piston slidably disposed therein and a passageway through which a rod attached to the piston moves. A firing chamber is attached to the housing for channeling a quantity of liquid through a nozzle. A diaphragm may be disposed between the housing and the firing chamber with the quantity of liquid being displaced in response to movement of the piston.

Abstract: A mobile artist cart having a support frame adapted to receive and support an artist's supply cabinet, a handle, a set of support wheels, a set of support legs and a structure for transporting canvas frames along with the other artist's supplies. The artist cart collapses to a folded position for storing or carrying purposes.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining the visual integrity of an individual is disclosed. An equal amount of visible light intensity is provided to the right and left eyes by viewing a target through a binocular viewing mechanism. The eyes of the individual are adapted to the equal intensities of light for an adaptation period and the individual then adjusts the light intensity until the perceived light intensity in each eye is equal. The difference between the light intensities provided to the right and left eyes are measured, which provides an indication of the visual integrity of the individual.

Abstract: A lightweight shade apparatus constructed of a plurality of intersecting ribs extending radially outwardly, the ribs being covered by bowed cross members adapted to fit over the ribs and to be affixed thereto by a cooperating circumferential belt, the belt functioning also to secure a covering over the top of the bowed cross members.

Abstract: The body of a valve is partially rebuilt by using electrical welding device, first support apparatus, second support apparatus and a driving mechanism. The electrical welding device adds material to the inside of the valve body by using an electrode to provide an arc. The first support apparatus is used to detachably support the valve body aligned with a hole. The second support apparatus rotatably supports the electrode of the welding device in a relatively fixed relationship to the valve body and has an elongated tubular member extending through the hole in the first support apparatus. The driving mechanism rotates the tubular member and electrode about the elongated axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A reel and bending apparatus and method for laying pipelines from a floating vessel on the floor of a body of water in which the pipeline is capable of being unreeled from either the top or bottom of the reel and then translated through two pair of independently housed horizontally disposed rollers working in conjunction with the reel for straightening the pipe in the vertical plane.

Abstract: Valve, wherein a hollow semisphere element serves as the closure or valve element. The semisphere has a circular opening through one of its quadrants, which is aligned with a passage leading to the valve chamber to open the valve, the other quadrant of the semisphere being positioned over the passage to close the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving conductor pipe in an offshore drilling platform including the steps of mounting a block and tackle on the platform and then lifting a crane onto the platform with it before the drill rig is placed thereon, and driving the conductor pipe through use of a pile driver brought onto the platform with the crane, thus avoiding utilization of either a derrick barge or a drill rig for the conductor pipe driving functions.

Abstract: A lifting and transfer mechanism disposed inside a vehicle such as a van for lifting and moving a paralyzed or otherwise immobilized occupant from a wheelchair disposed within the vehicle to a seat of the vehicle itself comprising a horizontally disposed transfer bar pivotally supported at one end and extending along the width of the vehicle and supporting thereon a transfer means which is movably attached to the transfer bar and adapted to support the wheelchair occupant so as to move him from the chair to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A traffic indicator used in the road has a body movable from an indicating position to a protection position, the body including a first shoulder lying substantially flush with the road surface, and thus in the protecting position, and a second shoulder, having a reflector in it, standing at an angle away from the first shoulder above the road surface and thus residing in the indicating position. A stationary bar extends through the body for supporting it in a recess in the roadway. The bar forms an axle about which the body pivotally moves from the indicating to the protecting position. A spring means is disposed in the body so that the indicator will be urged back to the indicating position after a vehicle has passed over it and caused it to pivot to the protecting position.