Abstract: A portable gold mining dredge for use in collecting potentially gold containing aggregate from streambeds for subsequent classification and separation. The dredge has a receptacle, comprised of a drum with a water-tight lid, for receiving the aqueous dredged aggregate. The receptacle is of a size suitable for carrying. A self-priming pump having an inlet port and an outlet port is attached to the receptacle. A dip tube extends into the receptacle, the outer end of the dip tube being connected to the inlet port of the pump by a conduit. A suction tube communicates with the interior of the receptacle. Hoses are connected to the inlet of the suction tube and to the outlet port of the pump. During operation the suction hose is used to suck up aqueous aggregate from a streambed and the discharge hose is used to wash aggregate from cracks and crevices in rocks.

Abstract: A roadway cover system for protecting sections of utility lines run across roadways or the like that includes a ramp structure having a protected passageway through which the utility lines can be routed. To prevent the utility lines from abrasive rubbing contact with the roadway surface, the ramp structure is provided with a resilient protective shield that, in use, is positioned between the utility line and the roadway to protect the utility line from abrasive rubbing contact with the roadway surface.

Abstract: A method for making foundation piles in soil with a drilling device having an auger, the auger including two concentric tubes, an outer tube occupying an upper part of the auger and an inner tuber projecting partially as a prolongation of the upper part and occupying a lower part of the auger, the inner tuber having a first screw and the outer having one of a second screw and a plurality of blades, both of said tubes being displaceable with respect to each other, the method including the steps rotating the inner tube in a first direction, simultaneously rotating the outer tube in an opposite direction of the first tube and advancing the auger through said soil whereby the soil is compacted against a wall of a formed hole by the combined action of the first screw and the one of the second screw and plurality of blades of the inner and outer tubes.

Abstract: New armatures and system using them, applicable to reinforced or armored masses of earth, which present a non planar section, with surrounding retainers having improved technical characteristics of traction resistance and friction surfaces.

Abstract: A drain channel system comprising a channel with a lower channel section, which lower channel section incorporates a continuous cavity that is open toward the bottom and underneath which a seepage area is located for draining off surface water, the cavity being connected to a reservoir, a box drain or collecting tank, the reservoir, box drain or collecting tank being connected on its part to a device for feeding in surface water, and a dirt filter being provided in the reservoir, box drain or collecting tank, or between the reservoir or box drain or collecting tank and the cavity.

Abstract: A locator/control arrangement forms part of a drilling apparatus which also includes a boring tool that emits a locating signal. The locator/control arrangement is used for locating and controlling underground movement of a boring tool which is operated from a drill rig. The locator/control arrangement includes a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to the locating signal. In addition, the portable device generates command signals based on operator input in view of the generated certain information and transmits the command signals to the drill rig. An arrangement located at the drill rig then receives the command signals so that the command signals can be used to control the boring tool. In one feature, the arrangement located at the drill rig for receiving the command signals may indicate the command signals to a drill rig operator.

Abstract: The improved revetment system is created using a plurality of substantially identical blocks which comprise a body having at least one channel therein leading to a slot and at least one arm extending outwardly of the body and terminating in a locking ear. The ear engages in a slot of an adjacent block and is of less depth than the slot, with the arm being of a length at least equal to and preferably greater than that of the channel, the slot including a removable spacer tab therein which abuts a terminal edge of the ear to keep the blocks spaced apart and an area of the block defined by the arm and ear having an arcuately downwardly sloped top surface with a terminal edge of the ear defining a lowermost position along the arcuate surface.

Abstract: A motion impartation device having a driving portion; a driven portion engaged with the driving portion such that at least one gap separates the driving portion from the driven portion; and a structural element disposed in each gap such that a first compressive force is transferred from the driven portion to the driving portion and a tensile force is transferred from the driven portion to the driving portion. Each structural element including a compressive and a tensile structural element. The compressive structural element having a first enclosure defined by first walls surrounding a first cavity. The tensile structural element having a second enclosure defined by second walls surrounding a second cavity, a first non-compressible material disposed in the first cavity, and a second non-compressible material disposed in the second cavity.

Abstract: One end of a circumferential joining end surface 2 of segments 1 which are joined together in the circumferential direction of an excavated tunnel is made the male side circumferential joining end surface 2a on which a male coupler 4 is provided, and the other end is made a female side circumferential joining end surface 2b on which a female coupler 5 is provided. On a base plate 7, a bolt 10, which provides an engagement part 16 comprising a flat washer 13, a disc spring 14, and a head 15, is erected, and made a male coupler 4. An engagement plate 23, formed by a notch 22 which engages the bolt 10, and is inserted and engaged between the base plate 7 and the engagement part 16, and tightly held by the elastic force of the disc springs 14, is made the female coupler 5.

Abstract: A deep mix soil stabilization system comprises a hydraulic cement grout, and a soil dispersant comprising at least one of i) an acrylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a salt thereof, ii) an acrylic acid/sulfonic acid copolymer, or a salt thereof, iii) an acrylic acid/phosphonic acid copolymer or a salt thereof, and iv) a blend of an acrylic acid polymer with at least one of a sulfonic acid polymer and a phosphonic acid polymer, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly has a tubular housing having a sidewall, an axial bore, and a housing lateral passage extending from the bore through the sidewall. A blocking sleeve fits around the housing to block the housing lateral passage while drilling through the housing. A tubing hanger is secured to a string of tubing and landed in the housing. The tubing hanger has a vertical passage which communicates with the tubing and a tubing lateral passage which extends from the vertical passage and registers with the housing lateral passage. A lower annulus port is in the sidewall of the housing below the lower seal and leads to a tubing annulus. An upper annulus port is in the sidewall of the housing above the upper seal and leads to the bore of the housing. A tree block having a central opening for receiving the housing is lowered over the housing after removal of the blocking sleeve.

Abstract: An arrangement of a jackup platform's elevating system, leg guides, hull-to-legs load transfer device, and method of operation of the load transfer device for an offshore jackup platform's hull to be supported by legs which have one or more vertical toothed gear racks attached. An apparatus consisting of rectangular blocks with protruding lugs that are shaped for efficient engagement with a portion of the upper faces of the gear rack teeth, that extend vertically on the leg chords of the jackup platform. The rectangular blocks are movable in a direction perpendicular to one side of the gear rack. Powered guide assemblies control movement of the rectangular blocks such that their protruding lugs can move into the spaces in between the gear rack teeth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing water from a lake, pond, or other body of water, relatively silt and sediment free. A water inlet is positioned off the bottom of the body of water and is adjustably supported from the bottom of the body of water. The inlet is maintained above the silt and sediment layer at the bottom of the body of water and below the surface layer of the body of water.

Abstract: A harvester especially for grape harvesting that has a picking head which includes a support frame and picking rods of fingers to contact the leaves and stems in the canopy of a grape vine to thereby shake the vines to remove grapes. The picking head includes one or more oscillation aims pivotably connected to the support frame on a respective pivot axis to allow oscillation about the respective pivot axis. The oscillation arms are pivotably connected with a respective picking rod or ringer support by a connection, so that the respective picking rod support is driven by the oscillation arm to oscillate in a picking direction. An oscillation flywheel is mounted on the oscillation are to impart an oscillating moment on the oscillation arm and the oscillation flywheel connected solely with the one or each of the oscillation arms.

Abstract: A loading apparatus and method for attaching and mounting a loading ramp to a hitch receiver of a pickup truck, van or similar vehicle. A attachment apparatus is comprised of a receiver bar, a support structure, a ramp and a clamping plate for clamping the support structure to the opened tailgate of the pickup truck. The apparatus provides an attachment and also provides for load sharing between the receiver and the tailgate.

Abstract: An underdrain pipe has a pipe wall in which wall portions rectangular in section and wall portions circular in section are disposed alternately in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, in which a number of water collecting small holes are formed in portions of the pipe wall, and in which the whole of the pipe wall is formed of material of synthetic resin or rubber.

Abstract: A method for placing a plug at a predetermined location in a wellbore, the method being based on utilising a supporting fluid solidifying after being subjected to shear forces. After placing the supporting fluid and allowing it to develop sufficient strength, the plug material is injected. A preferred example of the fluid is an emulsion comprising polymer material and crosslinking agent separated by phase boundaries prior to the shearing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a screed plate to a frame member of a screed assembly is disclosed. A leading edge portion of the screed plate is secured to the frame member by a number of fastening assemblies each of which includes an upper fastening block, a lower fastening block, and a bolt. The upper fastening block is welded to the frame member, whereas the lower fastening block is welded to the screed plate. Rotation of the bolt causes the fastening blocks, and hence the frame member and the screed plate, to be secured to one another. The bolt is disposed at an angle relative the screed plate thereby allowing access thereto from a rear portion of the screed assembly. Such a configuration allows the screed plate to be exchanged without the need to remove the screed assembly from the tractor associated with the paver. Such a configuration further allows the screed plate to be exchanged without the need to remove a number of deflector plates associated with the screed assembly.

Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.

Abstract: An adjustable foundation piering system in which piers are used to support a building foundation in highly expansive soil. The adjustable pier is partially incapulated in the foundation of the building when said foundation is poured. Upon settling of the foundation, the adjustable pier can be raised without an expensive piering device or substantial excavation around the foundation.