Abstract: A wave generating system can include a water channel for creating a flow of water to produce a standing wave. A water return passageway can circulate the water back to the inlet of the water channel. One or more pipes can extend under the water channel for circulating the water. A water storage chamber can be positioned below the water channel. Water can be stored in the space between the one or more pipes, and the storage water can be isolated from the water being circulated in the system. The system can produce a hydraulic circuit with hydraulic continuity so that water can be efficiently circulated through the water channel and water return passageway. The system can be modular.

Abstract: A wave generating system can include a water channel for creating a flow of water to produce a standing wave. A water return passageway can circulate the water back to the inlet of the water channel. One or more pipes can extend under the water channel for circulating the water. A water storage chamber can be positioned below the water channel. Water can be stored in the space between the one or more pipes, and the storage water can be isolated from the water being circulated in the system. The system can produce a hydraulic circuit with hydraulic continuity so that water can be efficiently circulated through the water channel and water return passageway. The system can be modular.

Abstract: A pool cleaner having two tilted pumps pointing in opposite directions, which propel the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, the pumps are turned on alternatively to alternate the direction of travel of the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, each pump has a discharge opening facing upwards at an angle, covered by an adjustable flap. The flap can be adjusted to open to different degrees to change the speed of the pool cleaner. The flap is attached to a ring that rotates and thereby rotates the angle of the orientation of the flap. Adjusting the angle of orientation of the flap of the pool cleaner changes the extent to which the pool cleaner moves sideways while moving forwards or the extent to which the pool cleaner turns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV) having both cleaning and scrubbing structures. The PCV includes spaced wheels and wheel covers over the wheels include scrubbing elements. The PCV also includes a cleaning brush which dislodges particulates and facilitates the particulates being sucked into the intakes and then a filtering member. In one exemplary embodiment, the PCV includes wheel covers that have embedded scrubbing elements. In another exemplary embodiment, the scrubbing elements extend from the wheel covers and have a plurality of circular members.

Abstract: A swimming pool structure comprises a plurality of buttress post assemblies spaced about the perimeter of the pool and servicing to support the pool wall. Each of the assemblies include a horizontal foot beam with a vertically oriented buttress post connected thereto by angle brackets. Laterally located beams and plates interconnect the sides of adjacent buttress post assemblies and the inner ends of opposing foot beams from opposite sides of the pool are directed under the floor of the pool and are secured together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool liner assembly that comprises a main liner subassembly and a secondary liner subassembly. The main liner subassembly comprises a main liner sheet for lining the walls of a pool, and a main liner clip attached to the top edge of the main liner sheet for attaching the main liner subassembly to a coping of the pool. The secondary liner subassembly comprises a secondary liner sheet overlapping an upper portion of the main liner sheet and having a bottom edge that is attached to the main liner sheet, and a secondary liner clip attached to the top edge of the secondary liner sheet, for attaching the secondary liner subassembly to the coping of the pool. The secondary liner subassembly may be attached to the front or back of the main liner subassembly. After the portion of the assembly facing the sun has faded, it can be removed to reveal an fresh underlying portion of the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating transporting and heating a liquid for treating oil and gas wells and pipeline systems is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle having an engine and a tank for transporting a liquid that can be used for treating oil wells or pipeline systems is connected to move with the vehicle. A heat exchanger system is operatively connected to the engine. A selectively operable circulating pump and a circulating line are operatively connected between said tank and said heat exchanger system for circulating the liquid from the tank through the heat exchanger system to heat the liquid. The apparatus includes at least one selectively operable valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the circulating pump, the circulating line, and the heat exchanger system. Liquid is pumped through the heat exchanger system to use heat energy from the engine to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to use for treating an oil well or pipeline system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method of moving a large, heavy structure or piece of machinery, such as an oil rig structure on an offshore platform. A plurality of load bearing plates are provided for supporting the structure. Each of the load bearing plates rides upon a plurality of rollers connected together by an endless chain revolving about a central core member when the structure is to be moved. A motor drives the endless chain connecting the rollers on which at least one of the load bearing plates rides when the structure is to be moved. A worm gear coupled to the motor transmits the motion of the motor to the endless chain to translate the structure across a platform.

Abstract: A spill preventing device for use on a tubular portion of a well head is provided. The device has at least two sections forming an open-topped container with a bottom, the container being of a size to receive spills around the well. The container sections have a central opening in the bottom of the container of a size to fit around a tubular portion of a well head. An upstanding centrally located cylindrical flange is provided to fit around the tubular member. The flange is formed with upwardly extending walls from the container sections, which are releasably connected together to form the flange. A splash suppression assembly is positioned in the open-topped container to prevent liquid from splashing out. The splash suppression assembly has a plurality of rings mounted above the bottom of the container. The rings are concentrically positioned about the central cylindrical flange.

Abstract: Aggregate, fragmented material and the like is transported in a pipeline by introducing foam under pressure into the pipeline along with the aggregate, fragmented material and the like to be transported and the foam and aggregate, fragmented material and the like are maintained at a pressure to move the aggregate, fragmented material and the like and foam along the pipeline. The foam may be regenerated at spaced positions along the pipeline by introducing additional foam into the pipeline or introducing gas under pressure into the pipeline to agitate the foam. The gas phase of the foam, as well as the gas employed to regenerate the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of air, nitrogen, natural gas or carbon dioxide and the liquid phase of the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of water, brine or oil.

Abstract: An air channel device is disclosed for spas or bath units which is mat-like and has a plurality of openings therein to permit the entry of air into a heated bath. The air channel mat is mounted to the interior of the spa bath unit at any desired location including the foot and seat areas. It is secured to the interior surface of the spa by interlocking retainers which seal the periphery of the air channel to the interior of the spa. Air is blown into the spa beneath the air channel mat and then escapes into the bath through the perforations in the mat. The air channel device of the present invention eliminates prior U-shaped exterior air channels which were susceptible to cracking and breakage. The present air channel provides a cushioning effect in the foot and seat areas and also permits uniform aeration for the heated bath.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fixed offshore platform and method of erecting the same. The platform has an open truss structure with upper and lower deck levels. The upper deck has removable floor sections to allow installation of equipment down through the truss structure. The platform is provided with pads for mounting equipment and housing in modules on the deck. No flotation is provided in the platform and means are provided for supporting the platform on the deck of a simple barge. The platform is generally triangular in shape having three caisson legs with one leg enlarged to allow drilling therethrough. Jacks are provided for gripping the legs and a crane is mounted on the deck to move along tracks provided thereon. In erecting the platform, the platform is first barged to the location of installation on a simple barge with the legs in a vertically-extending position and the platform in its normal operating position with the crane thereon. The barge is moored in position over a well site.

Abstract: A trussed leg structure for use in jack-up mobile offshore platforms of the type that include a plurality of support legs extending into the water down to the ocean floor with jacking units engaging each leg to raise and lower the platform structure relative to the surface of the water. The leg structure disclosed includes a plurality of mutually parallel and laterally spaced apart column members rigidly interconnected to define a triangularly-shaped leg. The leg structure has only a single elongated rack carried on one of the column members to provide single point jacking of the leg. The rack comprises a flat, plate-like rack member having a set of rack teeth extending along each edge for meshed engagement with a separate one of a pair of pinions on a jacking unit. Two of the three column members are made of tubular pipe. The third column member, which carries the elongated rack, is an elongate rack plate oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the first and second column members.

Abstract: A multiple section mast having telescoping modular sections adapted to be erected at remote land sites or on offshore platforms by small capacity cranes. A separate lower mast section having an open side is first placed in vertical position on a substructure. A separate upper mast section is moved horizontally into the lower mast section then elevated vertically to extend above the lower mast section. A separate intermediate mast section having at least part of one side open is then moved horizontally into the lower mast section and fastened to the lower end of the upper mast section. The upper and intermediate mast sections are then simultaneously elevated until the lower end of the intermediate mast section can be fastened to the upper end of the lower mast section. Retainer means removably attached to the lower mast section extend into the open side engaging the upper and intermediate sections as they are telescoped.

Abstract: A mobile crane for use on an offshore oil well platform, comprising parallel base beams adapted to span the capping beams of the platform, and a pedestal and a rotating upper works movably mounted on the base beams. A method is described for erecting a workover rig on the offshore platform by means of the crane, and for expeditiously erecting workover rigs on a plurality of platforms in succession.