Abstract: A boat lift apparatus includes a support structure located proximate to a body of water. An elongate threaded shaft is located adjacent to the support structure and extends in a substantially vertical direction. A nut threadably engages the shaft. A boat accommodating platform is connected to the nut. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the support structure and selectively driven rotatably relative to the nut in a first direction to raise the nut relative to the shaft and in an opposite, second direction to lower the nut relative to the shaft. As a result, the platform and the boat accommodated thereon are selectively lifted and lowered relative to the body of water.

Abstract: A pillar cable truss system including a support cable extending between a pair of splice tubes mounted onto a geological formation such as a pillar in a coal mine with a pair of rock anchors. The splice tubes may be attached to two support cables such that sets of the support cables with splice tubes and rock anchors may be connected together to encircle a pillar. A vertically arranged elongated cable spacer tube is mounted onto the pillar with a rock anchor and includes openings through which the support cables extend. The spacer tube retains sets of the support cables apart from each other and/or allows the support cables to be installed in a crisscross pattern.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of assembling sections (20) of support legs (2) of an oil platform in which an opening (11) is formed in the hull and in the lower part of the drive mechanism support framework (10) for each leg (2) to pass through, the sections (20) are engaged successively in the lateral opening (11) and the sections (20) are assembled to form each leg (2).

Abstract: Method of controlling the operation of an irrigation system for irrigating an area of land or other terrain. The method comprising the steps of monitoring a condition of the material of the land by a sensor located below the surface thereof, and controlling irrigation structure for irrigating the land area in response to the monitored condition of the material thereof and disturbing the material of the land in the vicinity of the sensor to maintain the material in operational monitoring contact with the sensor.

Abstract: A torque nut for a mine roof or rock bolt intended for use with a multi-component, rapid curing resin that is mixed by rotation of the bolt through the torque nut includes a nut body having a threaded bore including threads of uniform lead and threads of progressively decreasing lead whereby the threads of decreasing lead create an interference between the nut threads and the bolt threads when the nut is threaded on the bolt to permit transmittal of a predetermined torque through the nut into the bolt to mix the resin in a bore hole associated with the bolt. The threads of decreasing lead in the torque nut are created by a coining process that does not affect the geometry of the threads other than the thread leads, which are affected in a progressive manner as the distance from the coined end of the nut increases.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus for conveying at least one logging tool through an earth formation traversed by a horizontal or highly deviated borehole is disclosed. The conveyance apparatus comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped cams pivotally mounted to a support member, means for biasing the arcuate surface of each cam into contact with the borehole wall, and actuators operatively connected to each cam. A logging tool is attached to the conveyance apparatus. When either actuator is activated in a first direction, the cam connected to the activated actuator is linearly displaced forward and the arcuate surface of the cam slides along the borehole wall. When either actuator is activated in a second direction, the activated actuator pulls the connected cam backwards and the biasing means thereby urges the arcuate surface of the cam to lock against the borehole wall.

Abstract: Shaped concrete blocks are provided each having generally parallel top and bottom surfaces, a shaped front face (adapted to be exposed as the wall element), side walls and a rear wall. The one surface of each block is provided with shallow parallel grooves, while the other surface of each block is provided with rows of projecting knobs respectively positioned correspondingly with the grooves. In this manner, successive blocks may be stacked on top of one another with the knobs engaging the grooves.

Abstract: An earthen work bulk form construction has a wire mesh facing and granular compactable fill with stabilizing members projecting horizontally into the fill from the front facing. The front facing is comprised of modular shaped panels which form a mosaic pattern that enables construction of the wall with non-adjacent panels serving to facilitate and support adjacent panels. Connection of the stabilizing members to the front panels is effected through a quick engagement and locking handle bar connector.

Abstract: An amphibious audible alarm device for a diver to use with an air tank in the water or above water surface in the event of incident or emergency to get other people's attention. The device includes a valve member connecting with the air tank for controlling compressed air flow, a noise making mechanism includes a piston reciprocally movable within a cylinder because of compressed air and an impact member to receive the impact of the piston to produce audible sound, and a body to house the valve member and the noise making mechanism. The device can work equally well in the water or in the atmosphere. It is compact size, simply structured, easy to carry and use.

Abstract: A leaching field is constructed from a plurality of rectangularly shaped elongated geotextile covered in-drain core elements provided alongside one another. The elements have equally spaced fold lines extending laterally across their adjacent semi-folded portions so that a stack of such elements in a flattened condition occupies a minimal space whereby these elements can be readily transported to the site. When expanded honey comb configuration is achieved so that a self supporting in-drain structure greatly facilitate construction of the leaching field without the need for templates and the like to support the structure during the filling of the voids between the adjacent in-drain elements themselves. If desired, expendable stakes may be used to support the in-drain assemblies in an optimum configuration.

Abstract: A foundation lifting and support system and method according to which two mounting units are attached underneath the foundation and to a wall of the foundation, respectively. A piling is inserted thougb support sleeves of the mounting units and, and a load is applied by a hydraulic unit to the pilings to drive the pilings to bedrock. After resistance is encountered, an additional load is applied to raise the foundation and the foundation is secured in the raised position. The additional load can be applied by the same unit that applied the driving load or by a different unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for facilitating the connection of underwater flexible risers coming from the sea bed at any point located above the sea surface on a surface structure. Two principal components are used, namely a guide device (1,51), and a connection device (8), which is connected to an underwater flexible riser (14) which it is desired to connect to the structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing the buckling of a pipeline (10) on either side of a localised zone of increased stiffness in the pipeline (such as a buckle arrester (12)) when the pipeline is bent around an arcuate path, in which packing elements (14) are located between the pipeline and a pipeline bearing surface (20) defining the arcuate pipeline path on either side of the zone of increased stiffness so as to vary the radius of curvature of the pipeline between a first, greatest value adjacent the zone of increased stiffness, and a second smaller value substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the arcuate pipeline path at a predetermined distance from the zone of increased stiffness on either side thereof. The packing elements (14) comprise a graded series of blocks adapted to be attached to the pipeline on either side of the zone of increased thickness. The blocks may be shaped as required to cooperate with the pipeline and the pipeline bearing surface.

Abstract: A toxic waste and glass frit are fed into an extruder having a helical screw. The glass frit, as well as any glassy material and glass-forming component in the waste, are melted in the extruder as the screw transports the waste and the frit through the extruder. The screw further mixes the waste and the frit and homogenizes the resulting mixture. The extruder is designed to generate high shear rates and high internal friction and at least a portion of the heat for melting is produced by such friction. A vitrified mass of the toxic waste is discharged from the extruder. The vitrified mass can be stored as is or can be pelletized and/or encapsulated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shoreline reclamation which includes utilizing groyne structures including stanchions to which are mounted at least one porous screen and wherein the screen is vertically adjustable as material is deposited during the reclamation process.

Abstract: Heavy duty mobile metal foundation installation apparatus and method are disclosed including a push-it carriage movably supported through controllable positioning to push a metal foundation into the ground by hydraulic cylinders pushing against a header frame held and secured in adjustable positions on a heavy duty mobile push-it tower. The heavy duty mobile push-it tower and metal foundation holder and push-it carriage mounted on the heavy duty tower are attached to a track roller frame tractor structure. The push-it tower is attached to the track roller frame tractor structure by a hydraulically activated tractor boom arm, a pivot point on the tower, and a hydraulic cylinder for rotating and positioning the tower about the pivot attachment point.

Abstract: An undercut excavation method is provided, which is particularly suitable as an undercut-and-fill mining method, wherein concrete posts are inserted into holes drilled in the ground and are used to support a concrete floor poured on their top ends, which serves as a roof for the lower excavation level. The bottom ends of these posts rest on resilient elements to provide protection against seismic events or excessive ground movements. Excavation beneath such roof is thereby safely carried out in areas prone to seismic events such as rock bursts or earth quakes or to excessive ground movements. The concrete posts may be attached to the resilient elements at their bottom ends, thereby producing yielding posts suitable for such excavation. For still greater safety, a double post system may be used, which involves placing a second post beside the first after excavation on a given level and tying them all together with the concrete used to make the floor/roof for the next lower level of excavation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming soil has a drilling rod with at least two pipes for injecting a high-pressure fluid and a viscous low-pressure fluid containing a granulated agent into the soil. The high-pressure fluid disaggregates the soil, while the low-pressure fluid carries the granulated agent for treating the soil and injects it into sludge formed by the high-pressure fluid to provide good mixing and distribution of the granulated agent.

Abstract: Non-abrasive and non-shielding pads are attached to the at least one side of concrete elements with polymeric based fasteners that are embedded into a cast material, such as concrete, when the latter is soft. A flexible rope is laced through the center of each element in two directions to form a mat in a row-column array, and a groove is established to interconnect two mats together. Adequate spacing is provided between each element to allow the mat to conform to an uneven seabed or structure. The non-abrasive non-shielding pads separate the elements from the underwater installation to prevent the elements from scratching and permitting cathodic protection of the structures. Grooves are provided in selected elements, and loops are provided at the outer edges of the mat to enable several mats to be linked together.

Abstract: A watercraft support structure formed from a plurality of rigid platforms that are coupled together by the use of linking pins or insertion plugs. Each platform having independent buoyancy formed integral therein for support of most any size watercraft. The structure includes multiple ramp, cradle, and flat platforms, allowing an individual to customize a support structure for a particular sized watercraft. The platforms allow the structure to raise or fall with each tidal change. One embodiment of the dock assembly 110 includes a hinge-type connection that promotes ease of loading and unloading of a watercraft. The dock assembly 110 may also be configured to provide a surface to which watercraft may be moored.