Abstract: A water seal arrangement for use at a water transfer zone between a static member (2) and an associated rotary member (16) comprises a water delivery network (13) in the static member (2) including a water delivery port in fluid flow communication with a water receiving port of a water distribution network (12) in the rotary member (16), pairs of spaced-apart, circumferential seals (20) carried by the static or the rotary member (2 or 16), with each pair located to opposite sides of the ports (14), and in sealing engagement with a peripheral portion (22) of the rotary or static member (16 or 2); an oil supply network (27) to a zone (25) between each pair of seals (20), and an intensifier (30) to pressurize the oil of the oil supply network (27) to a higher pressure than the water pressure. Also, the water seal arrangement above includes a machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique wherein a sliding member is disposed between a supporting portion formed on a head of a pile and a binding portion formed on a bottom of a footing. Thus, the binding portion of the head of the pile acts as a roller bearing structure or a pin structure, thereby making it possible to relatively slidingly move in a horizontal direction or slidingly rotate the footing and the pile. As a result, the present invention can prevent damage or destruction in applying a great external force such as an earthquake to the structure, enhance execution and achieve low-cost by means of decreasing the amount of reinforcing steel used.

Abstract: Breaking hard compact materials, such as rock and concrete, is based upon a controlled-fracturing process wherein a high-pressure foam is used to pressurize a pre-drilled hole of appropriate geometry. The high-pressure foam is delivered to the bottom of the drilled hole by a barrel inserted into the hole. The barrel includes an end seal for sealing near the bottom of the hole. By restricting and controlling the pressure of the high-pressure foam to the bottom of the hole, a controlled fracturing is achieved which results in the fracturing and removing of a large volume of material at a low expenditure of energy. The foam-injection method produces almost no fly rock nor airblast. The foam-injection method may be used to fracture, remove and/or excavate any hard material such as rock or concrete. The method may be used in either dry or water filled holes and the holes may be in any orientation. The foam injection apparatus is carried on a boom mounted on a carrier.

Abstract: A pavement marker comprising a base member and a signal device for sending a light signal to a driver of an oncoming vehicle further includes a longitudinally extending tire directing hood member that directs tire contact away from the upper edge, upper portion, and upper generally corner portions of the signal device front face, while allowing tire contact with the lower portion of the signal device front face. The signal device front face is at a predetermined recess depth in said pavement marker, and is at a predetermined angle with respect to the roadway surface. The marker can be either a snowplowable marker or a sun country marker. The signal device optionally can be mounted on a base member by a mechanical interlock. Optional drainage channels can be provided in the base member to allow drainage of fluid from in front of the lower portion of the signal device.

Abstract: A break intercepts waves moving in an anticipated direction along a water surface. Modular elongated floats are aligned end-to-end and extend generally perpendicular to the anticipated direction of the waves. Modular elongated ballast containers aligned end-to-end depend from the floats. The float is wider than the waves. Ballast in the containers is coordinated with the buoyancy of the floats so that the floats extend higher above the water surface than the waves and the container depends below the water surface by a distance greater than the width of the waves. The lower portion of the ballast container face which intercepts the waves is disposed at an angle so as to downwardly deflect the waves. Thus, the float is wide enough to cut off the upper portion of the waves and the lower portion of the container is positioned to intercept and downwardly deflect the lower portion of the waves.

Abstract: A portable core sampler includes a portable electric drill having an output rotary shaft connected detachably to a coupler shaft that supports a water swivel which connects a source of water to an axial water delivery passageway in the coupler shaft. The passageway in the coupler shaft communicates with the water delivery passageway in an elongated core sampler tube connected detachably to the coupler shaft, either directly or through one or more spacer tubes, for simultaneous rotation with the coupler shaft. The end of the core sampler tube opposite the coupler shaft includes core cutting elements for cutting core material for collection in the core sampler tube. Water injected into the system assists the cutting elements in cleanly cutting sub-surface materials by removing heat and cuttings. An inner shoulder in the sampler tube supports a core sample in the core sample tube during retraction of the tube assembly from the sub-surface.

Abstract: The invention is a method to operate a heat injection well, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heat injection well comprising a metal casing and a controllable source of heat within the casing; determining the maximum temperature of the casing which can be applied to the metal casing as a function of external pressure; providing a formation stress measurement device within the formation in the vicinity of the wellbore; providing a temperature measurement device effective for determining the temperature of the casing; determining the formation stress during operation of the heat injection well; and controlling heat released from the controllable source of heat to maintain the formation stress below a predetermined fraction of the collapse stress of the casing.

Abstract: A rubber sheet is formed in a bag shape, and a seam portion of the bag-shaped rubber sheet is fixed to a summit portion of an overflow dam. When the bag-shaped rubber sheet is expanded, a rubber dam is raised, thereby damming up water and adjusting the amount of running water. Next, when the bag-shaped rubber sheet which has been expanded is contracted and collapsed, the rubber sheet is supported by pipes, which extend substantially horizontally from the summit portion of the overflow dam toward the downstream side at a predetermined distance from each other. For this reason, the rubber sheet hangs down with its own weight and with the weight of water running downstream so as to droop down between the pipes. As a result, a rubber dam that does not bulge at the downstream side is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a current to guide fish includes a propeller; a device to rotate the propeller; and a frame to mount the propeller and the device to rotate the propeller. Fish may be guided from an intake area to a fish bypass by generating a current leading away from the intake area. The apparatus may also be used to guide fish through low velocity areas in river situations.

Abstract: An arch useful for withstanding effects of rock burst occuring in underground mines/tunnels. The arch comprises a curved U-section arch provided on both ends with slidingly coupled U-section arch pieces, the coupled top and bottom pieces being provided with at least two guides on both sides. The guides are slidingly coupled with the bottom section aches, the ends of the top section arch being placed on upper holder plates, the upper holder plates being fixed with the bottom sections on both sides. The bottom portion arches also having at least one lower pair of holder plates fixed on both sides below the upper holder plates.

Abstract: A caisson wellhead system having a weak point wherein the wellhead system may be installed in a well as a single unit. The caisson wellhead system of the invention includes a lower tubular member having an upper rim. A lower rim of an upper tubular member is placed on the upper end of the lower tubular member. A removable connector is installed inside of and between the lower tubular member and upper tubular member for temporarily connecting the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member. A weak point is formed at the interface between the lower tubular member and the upper tubular member when the removable connector is removed. Therefore, the caisson wellhead system will break at a controlled location if any external components of the well equipment are struck by a foreign object such as an iceberg.

Abstract: A drilling tool including a drilling head equipped with cutting edges and fitted with several shock-absorption elements, of which at least one part is made of an elastomer material. Each shock-absorption element having a block incorporating one portion inserted inside a receptor housing formed on the tool surface, and a portion which projects outward beyond the receptor housing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frame subassembly, an actuator, a cable, rollers and a flexible hinge. The rollers include two rollers located at the outer edges of, and perpendicular to, the frame subassembly and two rollers located in and parallel to the plane of the frame subassembly located adjacent to the flexible hinge which is located in the center of the frame subassembly. When the actuator is actuated, the frame subassembly folds about the flexible hinge.

Abstract: A replacement pipe is installed within an existing service pipe (1) by first advancing a sealing means (6,8) along the existing pipe to a position adjacent its junction with a main pipe (2), then deploying the sealing means to seal against the inner surface of the existing pipe) in the example shown, by pumping sealant (10) into the space between the seal body (6) and the pipe (1), and subsequently advancing the replacement pipe along the existing pipe. The space between the two pipes is then filled with sealant and finally the sealing means is opened, in the example shown by withdrawing a guide rod (5) and its collar (7) on which the sealing means was advanced into position.

Abstract: An electrically insulating gap subassembly for inclusion in a pipe string (30) comprising a pair of tubular members (90, 98) having an electrically insulating isolation subassembly (94) threadably disposed therebetween is disclosed. The electrically insulating isolation subassembly (94) has an anodized aluminum surface that provides electrical isolation to interrupt electrical contact between the two tubular members (90, 98) such that electromagnetic waves (46, 54) carrying information may be generated thereacross.

Abstract: An ice composite body has an inner ice core covered by a protective outer armor layer. Thermal insulation is provided between the inner core and the outer armor layer. Refrigeration is accomplished by a system of conduits for refrigerant are located within the body. The insulation and the refrigeration are adapted to maintain the ice core in a frozen condition relative to the ambient temperature. The base of the body cavity can be in direct contact with the water bed such that the ice core is freeze bonded to an advancing ice front in the water bed. The ice composite body provides structures of equal or greater strength than equivalent structures using conventional materials.

Abstract: A large capacity, self-propelled walk-behind power tool, such as a lawn mower, employs gear-operated transmissions for independently driving each drive wheel. Control handles are connected to idler pulley levers and brake levers to control the movement of the driving wheels. A constant input rate to the control handles results in a variable output rate to the idler pulley levers and the brake levers.

Abstract: A marker post formed of a resilient materiel which is normally bendable without breaking, with the resilient material arranged in a triangular cross shape with internal webs therein to impart sufficient rigidity to the marker post to enable the marker post to be driven into most soils with the internal webs coacting to provide a restoring force to enable the marker post under many field conditions to return to a normally straight condition.

Abstract: In a dry cutting and grooving apparatus for pavement in which blades for cutting or grooving the pavement are covered by a housing which leaves the lower ends of the blades exposed, and in which chips and cutting powder generated at the time of cutting and grooving operation by the blades are collected by a suction means connected to the housing, air is forcibly supplied to the housing and the dust stored within the housing is quickly scavenged by the air flow toward the suction end. Further, by providing an air supply passage within the main shaft of the blades and discharging the air from the surface and the outer periphery of the blades, the dust within the housing is scavenged in the same manner while the tips of the blades can be cooled by the discharged air.

Abstract: A soil sampling device for collecting samples of soil provides a single use unit with an integrally molded plunger. The soil sampling includes a cylindrical body having first and second ends, with the body comprising a cylindrical wall having a longitudinal axis and an end wall. The cylindrical wall extends between the first and second ends of the body, with the end wall being positioned at the first end of the body. The second end of the body defines a mouth which is adapted for inserting into soil. A piston is positioned in the body, and the end wall includes a projecting member extending outwardly from the body which defines a plunger. The end wall includes reduced cross-section around the projecting member and is adapted to break when a force is applied to the projecting member to thereby permit the plunger enter into the body and thereby push the piston along the longitudinal axis to expel a sample of soil collected in the body.