Abstract: A safety or traffic marker is capable of providing a continuous physical border between two locations. A housing, or one of several adapters, are employed in a conventional traffic cone to dispense an elongated strip of tape therefrom. In one embodiment, the housing is physically incorporated into the interior of the marker, and is adapted for easy insertion and removal of a tape or safety material dispenser. In order to achieve easy insertion of the tape dispenser into the housing, the upper portion of the marker is split into separable sections. Since the marker is fabricated from a deformable material, the upper portion can be manually separated into an opened position for insertion of the tape dispenser therein. Hook and loop fasteners may be used to fasten together the two sections into a closed position. Adapters may also be used in conjunction with conventional traffic markers for creating a continuous physical border between two or more locations.

Abstract: A rotating coupling device or connector for interconnection between a number of risers (12) suspended from a submerged buoy and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a swivel unit consisting of a pair of concentric swivel members (20, 21) in the form of a male member (20) and a female member (21) defining mutually sealed annuluses (22) communicating with associated fluid paths (16) between the topical risers (12) and the pipe system on the vessel. The female member (21) is adapted for non-rotatable attachment to the vessel. The male member comprises a number of axially extending pipes (24) which, at their upper ends are connected to respective annuluses (22) and at their lower ends comprise a releasable connection (25) with fluid paths (16) leading to the respective risers (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for severing a tubular, such as a drill string, which is stuck within a subterranean well bore. A volume of liquid explosive is positioned within a housing and initially restrained against movement therein. The housing is lowered within the tubular and positioned at a location where the tubular is to be severed. The volume of liquid explosive is then moved into closer proximity to the tubular and detonated thereby severing the tubular. A portion of the tubular is then removed from the well bore.

Abstract: A method for determining the front and rear axle weights of an earth moving machine. The method includes determining the weight of a portion of the earth moving machine, and the forces acting on the lift cylinder pin, lift arm pin, and the tilt cylinder pin. The axle weights are determined in response to the above mentioned weights and forces.

Abstract: A spreader for spreading treatment products on soil to improve the quality thereof is disclosed. The spreader consists of a vehicle including a frame (103) slidably housing an assembly (105, 106) of a hopper and a metering device. The frame also supports soil shearing means (114) located ahead of the hopper, and mixing means (112) located behind the hopper for mixing together the spread product and the loosened soil. As a result, soil treatment may be enhanced and the nuisance caused by spreading may be diminished.

Abstract: A weldless grating comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending primary load-bearing members having an upper portion, a lower portion and a web located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the primary load-bearing member having a plurality of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped openings in the web, the openings in each of the primary load-bearing members being aligned with the openings in adjacent primary load-bearing members. A plurality of secondary and tertiary load bearing members are provided.

Abstract: A rotating connector or coupling device for interconnection between at least one fluid passage (9) through a submerged buoy (1, 2) and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a pair of cooperating, fluid-transferring swivel members in the form of a female member (3) and a male member (4) which may be introduced axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member (4) being permanently fixed to the buoy (1, 2), and an electrohydraulic swivel (30) which is arranged on the top of the male swivel member (4) and comprises partly a slip-ring arrangement (37, 45) for the transfer of high electric power and electrical/optical control signals, and partly a number of hydraulic courses for the transfer of hydraulic signals.

Abstract: A method of forming boreholes using a cutting head having a low angle cutting face includes positioning orifices within the cutting head to direct pressurized streams of drilling fluid to impinge directly on the cutting face. The pressurized fluid streams clear excavated material away from the cutting face to increase the efficiency of the cutting head. In one embodiment, the orifices are positioned within the cutting face, while a second embodiment positions the orifices behind the cutting face. An alternative method provides for the stealthy formation of boreholes without disturbing the surrounding formation. The method includes positioning an orifice within the cutting head behind the cutting face to direct drilling fluid toward excavated material which has accumulated within the cutting head to a point behind the cutting face.

Abstract: A concrete masonry unit especially suited for use in soil reinforced retaining walls is provided. The reinforced retaining wall is comprised of precast, concrete block masonry unit facing elements connected by suitable connectors to reinforcing members which extend from the facing elements into the adjacent reinforced soil to form a mechanically stabilized earthen wall construction. The connectors which affix the reinforcing members at their connecting ends to the facing elements comprise concrete poured into a part or all of certain of the void spaces within selective facing blocks, which concrete may or may not be reinforced and which concrete, when dry and cured, envelops and secures the connecting ends of the reinforcement members to their corresponding blocks and forms anchors thereat. The novel masonry unit disclosed herein effectively provides maximum facing area per unit volume (weight) of block, always exceeding 4.0 m.sup.2 /m.sup.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks. Alternative stabilizing element designs may be used with the modular wall blocks and other types of facing elements in a mechanically stabilized earth structure.

Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit includes a hull member having an opening of predetermined size for receiving a separately fabricated, interchangeable, rig block, which further includes a draw works, a drilling floor, a diesel driver, an electric generator, a derrick, and at least one each of a mud pump, mud tank, a fuel tank, and a drilling water tank. The method of constructing such a unit includes constructing the hull member at a marine shipyard and fabricating the interchangeable rig block at a remote location. The rig block is constructed with the main deck having a drilling floor and mounting a draw works thereon; constructing a machinery deck with a diesel driver, an electric generator, and at least one mud pump; and constructing a tank deck with at least one each of a fuel tank and a water tank.

Abstract: A pavement mat to be used in the construction of temporary roadways comprising a plurality of vehicle tire segments tightly compressed and bound between preceding and succeeding stabilizer members. Each of the stabilizer members has an end plate and a plurality of tie rods that extend perpendicularly outward from its surface. The end plates also have rod holes to receive the tie rods the next succeeding stabilizer member. The preceding and succeeding stabilizer members are held in place by bolts or other means. When the vehicle tires are compressed together between the stabilizer members they are penetrated by the tie rods of its preceding stabilizer member. These tie rods stitch the tires together and keeps the tires tightly compressed together between the stabilizer members. A cap plate stabilizer member, without tie rods, is for use as the last of the succeeding stabilizer members, the cap plate has holes for receiving each of the tie rods of its immediately preceding stabilizer member.

Abstract: An arrangement for shoreline construction, maintenance, and protection, and methods for making and using the same wherein wave energy-absorbent pilings are arranged in rows parallel to a shoreline such that a portion of the pilings are exposed above the water body bottom and filled with soil, thereby absorbing and transferring wave energy to the water body bottom, and where aquatic vegetation is provided in the soil in the pilings resulting in a shoreline that is stable, incorporates natural materials and provides a habitat for aquatic life.

Abstract: An improved method for constructing filter underdrain systems may be provided which uses prefabricated underdrain cells. The prefabricated underdrain cells may have a one piece construction having side walls and a bottom. The side walls may include a porous plate support ledge with a ridge at the center of the ledge. The ridge helps ensure that the sealant forms a uniform and effective gasket when the porous plates are installed.

Abstract: A grass catcher for attachment to a power mower. In certain embodiments, the grass catcher is mounted to a self-propelled power mower so that the catcher is pivotable about two substantially perpendicular axes simultaneously.

Abstract: A drain and inspection manhole for liquid conduits, in particular waste water and/or storm water drains, comprises a manhole section which is formed as a composite pipe having a smooth cylindrical internal pipe and a corrugated external pipe. The external pipe is deformed to comprise at least one connecting base with a marginal web. Apertures that are flush with each other are cut into the connecting base and the internal pipe, a connector being inserted in these apertures.

Abstract: In the operation of a landfill compactor, it is a common problem for the wheels to pick up debris, especially wire and cable, and carry it around with the wheels as they rotate. When the debris falls from the wheels in the direction toward the frame and the axles, it becomes packed between the frame and the axle hampering machine operation and requiring hours of corrective maintenance. The apparatus of the subject invention for inhibiting the wrapping of debris about the axle assembly provides a hook member to ensnare debris. As the wheel rotates, the debris picked up by the hook member is dragged across a serrated blade portion mounted on the axle assembly to pull apart the debris and thus prevent the debris from wrapping around the axle assembly.

Abstract: A bidirectional dredge provides active dredging on both forward and reverse passes across an area being dredged. The dredge includes a pivot turning mechanism that allows a turnaround of the dredge, allowing each pass to start at the terminating point of the previous pass. The dredge is driven by a winch attached to an overhead cable strung between the perimeter of the dredging area. The winch is mounted on a pivot mechanism which is operative to rotate the dredge at each end of a dredging pass. The pivot mechanism includes a pair of plates which rotate, a lower plate being attached to the dredge, and an upper plate attached to the winch. At the end of each pass, the pivot unit is activated and the dredge rotated. Following rotation, the dredge is now facing forward toward the distal end of the dredging area, and ready to effect an active dredging pass in the opposite direction, thereby utilizing every pass over the area for active dredging.

Abstract: A passive absorptive device covered with a layer of DNAPL-philic hydrophobic material, is disposed within a groundwater remediation well to soak up DNAPL (ie., dense non-aqueous phase liquid) seepage at the wall of the groundwater remediation well so that, after retrieval of the passive absorptive device from the well, the DNAPL soaked in the DNAPL-philic hydrophobic layer can be safely disposed of.

Abstract: A connecting lock and a sheet pile wall, wherein the connecting lock has a straight end and a curved end which are arranged on one side of a center piece, and a hook-shaped end which is arranged on the other side of the center piece. The hook-like end may be arranged directly across from the straight end or the curved end.