Abstract: A loading arm for transferring petroleum products at sea between two floating vessels. The loading arm structure includes a rotatably supported column having a boom hingedly supported at the upper end of the column for rotation about a first horizontal axis. An outer arm is hingedly connected at one end to the outer end of the boom for rotation about a second horizontal axis. A hydraulic/pneumatic spring includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the column and the boom, the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder being pressurized from a large volume of gas for counterbalancing the weight of the boom and the arm. A second hydraulic/pneumatic spring is coupled between the column and a lever arm rotatable about the first horizontal axis. Linkage means couples the lever arm to the outer arm for maintaining the lever arm and outer arm in fixed angular relationship relative to each other as they rotate. The gas pressure in the hydraulic/pneumatic springs is adjustable to accommodate changes in load.

Abstract: A gate for opening and closing a longitudinal joint of a core used in casting concrete pipe has a pair of hinge plates pivotally connected to each side of the core adjacent the joint. A pair of over-center links pivotally connect to the hinge plates and to a pair of coordinator links. The coordinator links pivotally connect, as well, to a displaceable one of the core sides. A remotely controlled actuator acting between the hinge plates and the over-center links opens and closes the gate. The pivotal connections of the coordinator links to the displaceable side of the core, the coordinator links to the over-center links, and the over-center links to the hinge plates are such that in a closed position with both sides of the core abutting and with opening rotation of the over-center links about their pivot with the hinge plates, the pivot between the over-center links and the coordinator links during opening first passes through center before moving away from the joint.

Abstract: Multilayers of high tensile strength wire are wound in tension around a tubular concrete core, and anchored to place the pipe in radial compression. The first layer of wire wrapped around the pipe is secured at its opposite end by a first anchoring system, and is coated with mortar. Each successive layer of wire wrapped around the pipe is secured to its opposite ends by respective separate anchors, and is covered by a respective coating of mortar. Each anchoring system after the first includes an insert block in an embedment anchor for supporting a separate anchor block for each layer of wire at a level different from that of the preceding layers of wire. Each insert block is contacted by the first wire to hold the insert blocks in place, and to provide electrical continuity for cathodic protection, when required.

Abstract: Chemically resistant coatings comprise a binder, the major portion of which is prepared by reacting, in the presence of an acidic solution, trialkoxysilanes with aliphatic polyols and/or silicone intermediates. The silanes have the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl groups containing up to about 6 carbon atoms and each R.sub.2 is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkoxyalkyl groups containing up to about 6 carbon atoms. The aliphatic polyols contain an average of at least two carbon bonded hydroxyl groups per polyol. The silicone intermediates have the formula ##STR2## WHERE EACH R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of the hydroxy group and alkyl, aryl, and alkoxy groups having up to about 6 carbon atoms. Each R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl and aryl groups having up to about 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A pipe mold for vertically cast concrete pipe includes a cylindrical outer mold case, a cylindrical core spaced inside the mold case, and a pipe-reinforcing cylinder between the core and the case. A system for casting concrete in the pipe mold includes a flat facing ring above the annular space between the mold case and the cylinder. A chute assembly mounted concentrically above the pipe mold includes several radially extending and spaced apart pouring chutes extending downwardly from the center of the chute assembly to corresponding circumferentially spaced apart openings in the facing ring. The pouring chutes channel the flow of concrete into the openings in the facing ring to fill the pipe mold to the bottom surface of the facing ring, which forms a flat annular end section at the desired elevation on the pipe. The facing ring eliminates the need for hand finishing and measuring which is common in the prior art manufacture of vertically cast concrete pipe.

Abstract: Toxic heavy metal ions are removed from water by electrochemical replacement as the water flows through a tandem bed of (a) activated zinc and then (b) magnesium alloyed with a minor amount of manganese to inhibit corrosion. The zinc is activated by contact with a noble metal salt. Preferably, fine granules of zinc and Mg/Mn are used. Clogging is prevented by intermittent vacuum degassing of the beds. The activated zinc and the Mg/Mn advantageously are prepackaged and stored in cartridges which become part of the processing column. The Mg/Mn cartridge has a non-reactive atmosphere of e.g., argon, retained by frangible or soluble barriers that hermetically seal the ends of the cartridge. The barriers are torn away or dissolved by the initial water flow when the cartridge is installed. System scale-up is simplified by a "half-length" concept characteristic of the present invention.

Abstract: A coating for protecting steel from corrosion is a mixture of an organic solvent and binder, powdered magnesium, and a passivating agent which has a pH greater than about 8 when in contact with water. Steel covered with the coating is cut or welded by the application of heat sufficient to melt the magnesium and underlying steel. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis products of the coating create an odor which warns of the build-up of nitrogen oxides produced by typical welding and coating operations.

Abstract: Compositions for protecting materials from growth of pestiferous organisms, and particularly for protecting marine surfaces from fouling organisms, are formed from precursors having the formula ##STR1## where m is from 1 to about 10, where each X is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl radicals containing less than about 6 carbon atoms and Y, where Y has the formula ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl radicals, where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 contain in combination up to about 18 carbon atoms. The ratio of the tin atoms to silicon atoms in the precursors is at least about 1:50.The precursors can be directly used as an additive for coatings. The precursors can also be used by subjecting them to hydrolysis and polycondensation to form an organotin substituted polysiloxane for use as an additive and a binder for coatings.

Abstract: A pipe transporting vehicle steps into a pipe, passes through the pipe, and exits at the opposite end to bring into the inside of the pipe a pipe carriage. The vehicle has a stepper assembly of a stanchion, a walking beam pivotally connected to the stanchion, an axle set at each end of the walking beam, and a support structure in telescopic receipt of the stanchion. Trunnions and gudgeons between the beam and axle sets permit oscillation of each axle set about a fore-and-aft axis of the stepper independently of the other to accommodate irregularities in the path of the vehicle transverse to the line of vehicle movement. The walking beam pivots through a large angle for the stepping function of the wheels and to accommodate irregularities in line of motion of the wheels. A sleeve of the support structure telescopically receives the stanchion. Vertical loads from the carriage of the vehicle and pipe are taken by the sleeve and transferred to the stanchion through elastomeric shock absorbers.

Abstract: The thermoplastic lining at a joint between adjacent lined pipe sections is sealed by means of a preformed elongated flat strip of thermoplastic material having resistance heater elements in spaced parallel relation along either side of the strip. The strip is placed circumferentially around the inside of the joint with the width of the strip bridging the joint and with the heater elements in contact with the respective liners on either side of the joint. Pressure is applied radially outwardly against the strip to urge the strip against the liners, and electric current is then passed through the heater elements to fuse the strip to the respective liners and seal off the joint.

Abstract: A loading arm for transferring petroleum products at sea between two floating vessels. The loading arm structure includes a rotatably supported column having a boom hingedly supported at the upper end of the column for rotation about a first horizontal axis. An outer arm is hingedly connected at one end to the outer end of the boom for rotation about a second horizontal axis. A hydraulic/pneumatic spring includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between the column and the boom, the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder being pressurized from a large volume of gas for counterbalancing the weight of the boom and the arm. A second hydraulic/pneumatic spring is coupled between the column and a lever arm rotatable about the first horizontal axis. Linkage means couples the lever arm to the outer arm for maintaining the lever arm and outer arm in fixed angular relationship relative to each other as they rotate. The gas pressure in the hydraulic/pneumatic springs is adjustable to accommodate changes in load.

Abstract: A multi-stage frusto-conical trowel is towed by a machine which travels through a pipe and applies a layer of mortar to the inside surface of the pipe. The multi-stage trowel is carried on a rigid support member which is pivotally connected to the end of a towing rod extending to the rear of the mortar-dispensing machine. A first stage trowel with overlapping arcuate leaves is rigidly attached to the front of the support member and performs rough troweling of the mortar layer. A second stage trowel has overlapping arcuate leaves in which the leaf joints are offset circumferentially from the leaf joints of the first trowel. The second stage trowel is rigidly attached to the rear of the support member and performs finish smoothing of the mortar layer.

Abstract: A frusto-conical trowel made up of a plurality of overlapping arcuate leaves includes an inflatable member within the trowel to bear against the leaves and urge them outwardly with a substantially uniform force against coating material being applied to the inside surface of a pipe.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing protective coating is bonded to the exterior of a plastic pipe. Preferably, the coating is a layer of low-cost, crushable, multicellular, inorganic particles, such as natural volcanic lightweight aggregate, expanded shale, expanded clay, pumice, slag, or furnace cinder, embedded in a thin film of plastic resin. The particles crush by breaking upon impact, which absorbs the energy of the impact and protects the pipe from damage.

Abstract: A pipe mold for vertically cast concrete pipe includes a cylindrical outer mold case, a cylindrical core spaced inside the mold case, and a pipe-reinforcing cylinder between the core and the case. A system for casting concrete in the pipe mold includes a flat facing ring above the annular space between the mold case and the cylinder. A chute assembly mounted concentrically above the pipe mold includes several radially extending and spaced apart pouring chutes extending downwardly from the center of the chute assembly to corresponding circumferentially spaced apart openings in the facing ring. The pouring chutes channel the flow of concrete into the openings in the facing ring to fill the pipe mold to the bottom surface of the facing ring, which forms a flat annular end section at the desired elevation on the pipe. The facing ring eliminates the need for hand finishing and measuring which is common in the prior art manufacture of vertically cast concrete pipe.

Abstract: A composite pallet for forming the lower end of a concrete pipe cast in a vertical position includes a concrete base having an annular portion shaped to form the end of the pipe. An outer annular steel ring is bonded to the base around the outer periphery of the annular portion of the concrete base, and an inner annular steel ring is bonded to the base around the inner periphery of the annular portion. The two rings are more chip-resistant than the concrete base. The outer ring is shaped to receive one end of an outer cylindrical form, and the inner ring is shaped to receive one end of an inner cylindrical form so that an annular cavity is formed between the two cylindrical forms for casting the concrete pipe.