Abstract: A retaining wall system and method for stabilizing earthen walls comprises box members assembled together to form a reinforcing wall assembly and anchor mesh connected to the box members and buried within the earthen wall. The box members define an interior cavity and a rear wall that engages the face of the earthen wall. Waste material such as used tires or waste dirt may be placed within the interior chambers of the box members. The anchor mesh is attached to the rear wall to inhibit lateral movement of the reinforcing wall assembly. The box members are connected to the anchor mesh by locking pins that extend through loop portions of the anchor mesh and engage a front face of the wall panels. Anchor bars are connected to the loop portions of the anchor mesh. These anchor bars engage a back face of the box members to control and limit the movement of the box members relative to the anchor mesh as earth is back-filled against the box members.

Abstract: A material spreading apparatus for filling recesses in a generally horizontal surface with a filler material is movable in a forward direction over the generally horizontal surface so as to define a coverage path thereon. The coverage path is comprised of multiple parallel treatment zones. The material spreading apparatus includes a frame, a sensor for sensing the presence of a recess in a generally horizontal surface, and a filler for filling recesses sensed by the sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor includes multiple mechanical sensors supported by the frame. One of the sensors is located in each of the treatment zones and is responsive to the presence of a recess and its associated treatment zone. In some embodiments, the filler includes a retainer and a counter rotating applicator drum. The container releasably holds a portion of the filler material and deposits material onto the counter rotating drum when the sensor senses a recess.

Abstract: In a system for mooring offshore drilling units, a first mooring assembly is installed at a first drilling venue, after which the mobile offshore drilling unit is moored by connection to the mooring lines. A second mooring assembly is installed at a second drilling venue while drilling operations are carried out at the first drilling venue. In this manner the mobile offshore drilling unit can be relocated between successive drilling venues with minimum down time. Less than complete mooring assemblies can be used to temporarily secure the mobile offshore drilling unit.

Abstract: A snow plow includes a central blade and left and right end blades pivotally connected to the ends of the central blade for movement between open positions in line with the central blade, and folded positions forward of the central blade. The rear of the central blade includes a horizontal slot for removable insertion of a loader bucket to lift and drive the plow. Side walls extend forward from the outer end of each end blade, each side wall including a removable wear shoe for sliding contact on a ground surface. The end blades are lockable in both their open and folded positions.

Abstract: An adjustable sewer inlet section for collecting and directing surface water to an underground conduit of a sewer. The inlet section comprises an eccentric hollow member adapted to be adjustably rotated on the top of the underground conduit to adjust the position of a surface water receiving member relative to a reference line, even though the underground conduit has been misplaced. A non-rigid connector is provided for connecting the receiving member in flow communication with the underground conduit, while allowing relative movement of the receiving member with respect to the underground conduit. The receiving member is provided with an inwardly directed bottom wall adapted to ensure proper distribution of loads from the receiving member to the underlying ground material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for absorbing shock downhole in a wellbore. The kinetic energy from a moving tool is absorbed to dissipate such energy, to decelerate the moving tool, or to prevent impact damage from contact between the tool and other downhole components. An actuator has an interference fit with a body such as the interior wall of a tubing section. When the moving tool actuates the actuator to move the actuator relative to the body, kinetic energy is dissipated into the body as the body elastically deforms due to the moving actuator. The amount of energy dissipated can be determined from the strength of the body, the contact dimensions between the actuator and body, and the length of moving contact between the actuator and body.

Abstract: In order to consolidate soil, a hole is drilled therein by advancing downwardly through the soil a rotary percussive drill bit disposed at the end of a drill string. Water is pressurized at the ground surface and is conducted to actuate a hydraulically driven down-the-hole hammer disposed above the drill bit. While vertically retracting and rotating the drill string, grout, which is pressurized at the ground surface, is conducted downwardly through the drill string and ejected laterally outwardly through a lateral opening in the drill string to produce a console of mixed soil and grout surrounding the hole. The water and grout are pressurized in respective chambers of a pump.

Abstract: A device for transferring fluid between equipment on the seabed and a surface unit. At least one flexible pipe extends in a catenary curve. An intermediate buoyancy and support member associated with the pipe splits the pipe into two parts, an upper part and a lower part. The intermediate member imparts to a region of the upper part a concavity facing the seabed. A yoke on the pipe and a cable from the yoke retain at least one region of the lower part of the pipe. The cable is connected to a fixed member on the seabed for tensioning the lower part of the pipe. The cable and the fixed member impart a bend to the region of the lower part of the pipe, the concavity of which faces the equipment on the seabed. The intermediate member is connected to the fixed member. The cable between the lower part of the pipe and the fixed member has a length at least equal to the minimum bend radius of the lower part of the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque impulse generator (16) of the kind having a motor rotated drive member (18;50) formed with a fluid chamber (19;53), an impulse receiving output member (20;51) coaxial with the drive member (18;50) and extending into the fluid chamber (19;53), a hydraulic peak generating mechanism (24-27;54-59) in the fluid chamber (19;53) for producing torque impulses at relative rotation between the drive member (18;50) and the output member (20;51), and a variable volume accumulator chamber (32;64) located in the drive member (18;50) and connected to the fluid chamber (19;53) for compensating for occurring volume changes in the hydraulic fluid, wherein the accumulator chamber (32:64) is divided into a first compartment (40;71) and a second compartment (42;72) by an elastically deflectable membrane (39;73), a passage (43;65) connects the first compartment (40;71) to the fluid chamber (19;53), and the second compartment (42;72) comprises at least partly a yeildable means for biassing the membrane (39;73) to

Abstract: A modular roof bolting apparatus adapted to be installed on a face conveyor track of longwall mining equipment. A roof drilling assembly is rotationally mounted on a platform to an operating position and an installation position. The roof bolting drill is mounted to the platform so that in the lowered position the roof bolting drill lies parallel to an elongate axis of the platform. This arrangement provides a low-profile arrangement that allows the roof bolting apparatus to be installed in areas where space is limited. For example, the roof bolting apparatus can be lifted over either the headgate or tailgate drive without having to disassemble them.

Abstract: An improved stabilizing tool includes a body with a pocket, and a roller rotatably disposed in the pocket. The body includes a fluid passageway formed axially therethrough. The passageway has a first zone wherein the pressure of the fluid is relatively high and a second zone wherein the pressure is relatively low. A first conduit provides fluid communication between the first zone and an interior of the roller for the ingress of fluid to the interior, and a second conduit provides fluid communication between the interior of the roller and the second zone for the egress of the fluid back to the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A bore hole support system is formed from a flexible liner that is readily everted within a bore hole and forms a bore hole support system to install a casing in the bore hole while supporting the bore hole walls. After a pilot hole is drilled, the pilot hole is traversed with a reamer to form the pilot hole diameter to a larger diameter for the final bore hole. The flexible liner with the attached casing is everted and pressurized behind the reamer as the reamer traverses the pilot hole to support walls defining the bore hole while pulling the casing into the bore hole. The liner is simply removed from a storage and everting canister and remains with the casing in the bore hole. In certain circumstances, the liner may be coated with a water soluble material so that the casing may be in fluid communication with the bore hole walls when the coating has dissolved.

Abstract: High performance, multiple rotor riding trowels for finishing concrete comprise hydraulic circuitry enabling complete joystick control to the operator. The rigid trowel frame mounts separate spaced-apart, downwardly-projecting, bladed rotor assemblies that frictionally engage the concrete surface. The rotor assembly blades finish the surface while supporting the trowel. The rotor assemblies are tilted with double acting, hydraulic cylinders to effectuate steering and control. Double acting hydraulic cylinders also control blade pitch. Separate gimbaled, hydraulic motors revolve each rotor assembly. A joystick system enables operator hand control with minimal physical exertion. The joystick system activates electrical circuitry that fires solenoid control valves to energize various hydraulic cylinders that tilt the rotors and alter blade pitch. The hydraulic steering control circuit driven by a motor driven pump pressures a flow divider circuit to control the solenoid tilt control valves.

Abstract: A road construction machine for the treatment of roadways, comprising an automotive wheel frame consisting of a steerable frontal wheel frame axle (6) and two rear support wheels (14, 16) independent from each other, comprising a driver's platform (4), for a driver of the vehicle, arranged in the area of the rear support wheels (14, 16) and on a machine frame (8) supported by the wheel frame, comprising a working means (20) arranged in or on the machine frame (8) and roughly flush with the machine frame (8) on one side, namely the so-called zero extension side (24), comprising a driving motor for the driving power required for driving the driving means (20) and for moving the vehicle, the rear support wheel (16) arranged on the zero extension side being pivotable from an exterior end position (26) projecting beyond the zero extension side (24) to a retracted interior end position (28) where the support wheel (16) does not project beyond the zero extension side, provides that the pivotable support wheel (16) i

Abstract: A pile for anchoring a floating structure in deep water includes an elongated body provided with a tapered pointed tip at the lower end thereof and a closure disc at the upper end thereof. A plurality of radially and axially extending fins are secured to the pile adjacent the upper end thereof. The elongated body of the pile is filled with material having a high specific gravity distributed in such a manner that the center of gravity of the pile is located well below its center of buoyancy. The process for installing the pile uses the potential energy generated by the free fall of the pile from a vessel in order to ensure that the pile penetrates the ocean floor.

Abstract: A mat support system is disclosed, wherein there is included a series of straps supporting a mat, wherein the straps are quickly releasable from a position where the mats are supported to a position where the mat is released. The quick release mechanism substantially simultaneously releases all supports for the mats. A safety lock is includes to prevent inadvertent operation of the quick release mechanism.

Abstract: A mud separator monitoring system utilizing electronic transducers positioned in various locations in the mud separator and the lines leading from the mud separator to the mud return pit and gas discharge flare for obtaining data during drilling operations to calculate the volume of gas retained in the drilling fluid, the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid and gas pressure in the separator on a continuing basis and informing field personnel of conditions in the mud separator indicating potential hazard. The system further monitors continuously the volume of injected gases and hydrocarbon gases circulated during drilling operations for making adjustments to the volume of injected gases required to sustain the drilling operations.

Abstract: A process comprising: fixing a first end of a tendon to an anchor; lowering the anchor to the sea floor; securing the anchor to the sea floor; fixing a second end of the tendon to the platform. A tendon comprising: a flexible line that extends from the TLP to the anchor, wherein the flexible line comprises a top end and a bottom end; an attacher of the top end of the flexible line to the TLP; and an attacher of the bottom end of the flexible line to the anchor. A platform comprising: a platform for floating on the surface of the sea; an anchor for attachment to the sea floor; and a flexible tendon for securing the platform to the anchor.

Abstract: A mowing machine for cutting plants with radially protruding blades of upper and lower blade disks which are coaxially disposed and rotated under the hood that is disposed at the end of a handle. The upper blade disk has a ring gear, the lower blade disk has a sun gear, and a transmission gear is provided between the ring gear and the sun gear and meshes these gears so as to rotate the ring and sun gears in the opposite directions, thus rotating the upper and lower blade disks in the opposite directions for producing a shearing force that cuts the plants.

Abstract: A process for reducing waste material for use with household and other landfill waste material at a landfill waste management site is described. The process reduces the volume of waste material in the landfill site, prevents contamination of the ground soil, allows for the natural breakdown of the organic components of the waste material and allows for the recycling of some or all of the waste material.