Abstract: A pile driving system and method of operation for driving pile casings formed of a material which is a composite of fiberglass and a resin matrix. The pile casing is sleeved on a mandrel which receives driving forces from a hammer. The driving forces are directed from the mandrel into a boot plate which penetrates down as it makes a hole in the soil. The pile casing rides down with the mandrel, and as the depth increases additional sections of pile casings and mandrel segments can be added. Trapping devices are provided for trapping the pile casing relative to the mandrel so that a portion of the driving forces are directed into the pile casing.

Abstract: A dive rescue search device has a stanchion with a locating mechanism for the device, a marking device to assist the diver and a search area marker to properly direct the search.

Abstract: An offshore oil or gas well riser system which forms a connection between the well head and a surface vessel. The system has a first riser section which extends vertically and is essentially rigid and a second riser section which is made of a flexible material to accommodate movements of the surface vessel. The first riser section has buoyancy means attached to its upper end to support at least partly the weight of the first riser section, and the first and second riser sections have corresponding first and second bores which provide a continuous path between the surface vessel and the well head. The profile of the flexible second riser section is variable to provide a smooth continuous path through its corresponding second bore and such that the path does not extend below the upper end of the first riser section.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mining support for supporting rock within a mine. The mining support is constructed of a cable and means for mixing resin in a resin cartridge as the cable is inserted into a bore hole drilled in the rock which the resin cartridge is disposed. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing means is comprised of a helical mixing strand which is fixedly attached to one end of the cable. The mining support can include a drive ferrule, swaged onto the cable, for driving the end of the cable into the bore hole. In a preferred embodiment, the drive ferrule is threaded and there is included a hex nut washer and contact plate for tensioning the cable after the resin has set. The present invention also pertains to a drive tool for driving a metal cable having drive ferrules disposed in proximity to either end of the cable into a bore hole containing a resin cartridge.

Abstract: An extensible shoring bar for bracing vehicle loads wherein telescoping tubular elements are spring biased toward an extended position for wedging the bar between the sides of a van or truck. An actuator interposed between the tubular elements includes a rotatable locking detent which automatically rotates between locking and release positions upon full retraction of the elements permitting the shoring bar to be locked in a retracted position for handling and positioning purposes, and by fully retracting the elements, the detent is automatically released permitting the elements to be expanded under the influence of a compression spring. The automatic locking and unlocking action of the actuator occurs upon sequential retractions of the tubular elements.

Abstract: The apparatus and technique of the invention constitutes a hydraulic jack system for pushing sections of new pipe which, in turn, pushes a sleeve-cone expander arrangement to break up the old pipe and define a straight path for the new pipe. Apparatus is employed to determine the skin friction and the penetration friction, and to dispense a lubricant to reduce such frictional forces.

Abstract: A method for assembling a cluster platform in a body of water, by embedding a plurality of conductors in soil underlying the body of water; wet welding in the body of water at least one bracing element between the plurality of conductors, wherein the bracing element is wet welded to at least a first conductor of the plurality of conductors at a first elevation and wet welded to at least a second conductor of the plurality of conductors at a second elevation different from the first elevation; securing a deck atop the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A foundation system for tension leg platforms without use of foundation templates, wherein each tendon (5) is directly connected to a socket (9) inside the pile (8), said piles (8) being positioned for driving purpose by means of a pile-driving template (10) which is employed as a spacing device is described. The pile-driving template (10) is positioned with the aid of pins (11) that slot into guides (7) built into the well template (6). After the groups of piles (8) needed to anchor a corner of the platform (1) have been driven in, the pile-driving template (10) is withdrawn and repositioned so as to enable the piles for the other group of legs to be driven; this process continues until all of the pile-driving is finished. Alternatively one single pile-driving template (16) may be employed to guide the driving of all the piles (8) thus doing away with the need to reposition the template every time.

Abstract: Structural panels (12) of extruded PVC and of stretched Z-shaped configuration and which can be driven into the ground include strengthening ribs (36-40) extending from the inner surfaces (34 and 35) of the opposed side sections (26 and 27). The ribs extend at a right angle to the side section bending planes (56 and 57) and at a right angle to the panel bending plane (64), thereby adding significant resistance to both compression and tension forces applied to the panel. The structural panels are driven into the earth to form a wall barrier, with the female locking element (43) being telescopically moved along the male locking element (42) of a previously installed panel. Distal strengthening rib (40) functions as a driving tongue to stabilize the position of the male locking element (42) during driving of the panel into the ground.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes a waste processing attachment. The vehicle is adapted for being moved over a supporting surface, and has a moveable working arm for reaching outwardly from the vehicle and downwardly beneath an adjacent surface of a waste lagoon. The waste processing attachment injects and mixes a waste processing material into the lagoon. The attachment includes a bucket mounted on a free end of the moveable working arm, and having a plurality of spaced-apart waste sifting openings. A material delivery line extends along the working arm of the vehicle, and has a connecting end connected to a material supply source and a discharge end residing proximate the bucket. Waste processing material flowing through and exiting the delivery line beneath the surface of the waste lagoon is discharged into a target area directly adjacent the bucket and mixed with the waste as the bucket is carried by the working arm through the lagoon.

Abstract: A tank buoyancy compensator for an underwater breathing tank comprises a ballast boot having a tubular portion to receive the end of the tank remote from the diver's head. The ballast boot includes an end portion that includes weight retention pin for releasably retaining one or more annular ballast weights on the end portion. A connector is attached to the retention pin and is operable by the diver at convenient location on the ballast boot for releasing the retention pin to jettison the weight(s) from the boot, for example, when the diver experiences an emergency situation.

Abstract: A torso-conforming diver's weight pouch for use by a diver in a buoyancy compensator vest containing at least one recess. At least one weight for neutralizing the diver's buoyancy is contained within a pocket on the pouch. Attached to the pouch is a curvature retaining device which defines and retains a curved configuration of the pouch. The diver can manipulate the curvature retaining device to determine the pouch's configuration. Such configuration can be changed to conform to the diver's hips. Therefore, when the pouch is installed into a buoyancy jacket, the pouch provides more comfort to the diver.

Abstract: A system transfers, at sea, a load onto fixed legs of a substructure emerging from water. The load is specially fabricated in the construction yard and is transported to the substructure by a suitable cargo barge. The load and the substructure have a corresponding number of legs. The transfer system includes a preload mooring subsystem in front of the substructure. A horizontal sheave can be opened and is used to shift a mooring wire from one position to another. The transfer system also includes a subsystem to mate the load to the substructure. This mating subsystem has a main transfer or extender, called an ALS, installed on legs of the load. Also, the mating subsystem has a secondary transfer or cargo barge release, called a BRS, installed on the cargo barge. Furthermore, the transfer system includes a subsystem to protect the barge sides and the legs of the substructure. Finally, the transfer system includes a cargo barge arrest subsystem.

Abstract: A mat installation is disclosed which reduces shoreline deterioration due to wave and tide surging, comprising a series of concrete elements, disposed over a set of pipes fastened together, preferably in groups of three, by strapping or other suitable means and protected with a geotextitle fabric. The mat is then placed over the set of pipes and anchored at the onshore side of the pipes, with the pipes laterally facing the wave action.

Abstract: A concrete slab for forming blocks for a retaining wall comprises a prism having parallel top and bottom surfaces, and opposed parallel side walls, and end walls, the prism has an X axis in the longitudinal direction extending between the end walls, a Y axis in the width direction extending between the side walls, and a Z axis perpendicular to the X and Y axes extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A first dividing line extends parallel to the X axis from one end wall to the other end wall in order to define a separating plane bisecting the prism. At least a pair of dividing lines extend parallel to the Y axis of the prism from the first dividing line to each of the opposite side walls, wherein the second dividing lines are parallel to each other but offset therefrom, whereby upon separating the slab along the first and second dividing lines, at least four blocks in the form of rectilinear prisms having different dimensions in the X axis will be formed.

Abstract: A self-guided system for trenching water bottoms for the installation of a pipeline. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a system which is configured to be mounted about the pipeline to be buried, and which further contemplates a uniquely configured, forward mounted trenching/drive mechanism incorporating a cutter wheel generally about the width of the desired trench, the mechanism configured to propel the system as well as trench the desired area. An alternative embodiment of the contemplates a frontal high pressure jet array in lieu of the cutter head. The trenching/drive mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a high pressure spray array mounted about the frontal cutter wheel area, and a suction/mud pump assembly to the rear of the cutter wheel. The high pressure spray array provides the dual purpose function of loosening the area to be trenched, as well as cleaning and removing the trenched matter from the cutter wheel.

Abstract: Device for the adjustment of buoyancy of a seismic cable comprising a main part (1) adapted to firm, integrated mounting into a chosen point in the length of the cable, the main part (1) comprising fastening means (3,4) for one or more weight or buoyancy elements (2) and one or more exchangeable weight or buoyancy elements (2) adapted to being mounted into the main part (1).

Abstract: A retaining wall for reinforced infill material of the type comprising superimposed courses of modular blocks, each block having a front face, a rear face, parallel upper and lower faces, and opposed sidewalls which extend between the upper and lower faces. Reinforcement material extends back from the wall into the infill material with an end portion of the reinforcement material interposed between two superimposed coursed of the wall and anchored to the wall by an anchor element which is retained in a retaining cavity between contiguous upper and lower faces of blocks in the superimposed courses. The anchor element has a spine which is of wedge-shaped cross-section for at least part of its length and has a plurality of spaced-apart projections extending from one side there of and engaging through apertures in the reinforcement material.

Abstract: A pneumatic/hydraulic shoring strut is disclosed for bracing walls in various situations. The shoring strut is provided with features that allow it to be infinitely adjustable and self-locking. In a preferred embodiment, the strut contains an internal biasing member that urges contraction when pneumatic pressure is released. More particularly, the pneumatic/hydraulic shoring strut of the present invention is composed of an inner and outer cylinder which form an annular recess therebetween. The cylinders are mounted in first and second caps and an annular drive piston is positioned within the annular recess, creating first and second chambers. A port for injecting air into the first chamber is mounted on the outer cylinder and hydraulic fluid is sealed in the second chamber. A channel is provided in one of the caps providing fluid communication between the second chamber and an interior cavity located within the inner cylinder where a working piston is reciprocatingly mounted.

Abstract: A lightweight intervention apparatus is described for use with a single bore intervention operation and which is suitable for use with a sub-sea horizontal tree with a tree cap and integral ball valve. The lightweight intervention apparatus is adapted to be coupled to the horizontal tree and that when so coupled the integral ball valve within the tree can be actuated via the intervention apparatus and cycled between an open and a closed position. The annulus line within the horizontal tree is adapted to be coupled through the lightweight intervention apparatus to a separate annulus line such that the annulus line is separate from the main bore to facilitate control of the annulus for certain well functions. A significant advantage of this arrangement is that the internal diameter of the main bore is not reduced in any way by apparatus or equipment for separating the annulus line from the main bore so that full bore diameter may be used.