Abstract: Sediment-control fences designed to withstand hydrostatic forces associated with elevated backwater against the fence are disclosed. The fences are made of anisotropic fabric having different mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness in the machine direction versus the transverse direction. The anisotropic fabric may include fibrillated yarns in one direction and monofilaments in another direction. The sediment-control fences may be used without the necessity of wire or chain-link backed supports that are conventionally used to resist structural failure due to hydraulic overtopping of the fences.

Abstract: A composite drainboard includes a patterned substrate core having an inward surface, and opposed outward facing surface. The substrate core comprises a plurality of projections, forming concavities on the inward surface. A first geotextile membrane is attached to the substrate core and covers the outward facing surface. A second membrane is attached to the substrate core to cover the inward facing surface and the concavities to provide a substantially smooth coating to the inward surface. The second membrane at least partially absorbs a liquid applied waterproofing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction device and to a method for operating this construction device, comprising a carrier device, an approximately vertical mast, which is mounted on the carrier device, a movement element, which is vertically movable along a linear guide on the mast, and at least one GPS receiving unit, which is arranged in the region of the mast. According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one GPS receiving unit is attached to the movement element and that the at least one GPS receiving unit can be moved between an upper, first measuring position and a lower, second measuring position by means of the movement element.

Abstract: A wire pulling assembly for pulling a wire carrying tooling through an underground environment. The pulling assembly includes a cyclical vise carried by one or more hydraulic cylinders attached to a frame. The cylinders have a pulling stroke and a retraction stroke. A powered reel is used to store the wire as it is removed from the ground. During a pulling stroke, the reel is hydraulically isolated such that cable is stripped from the reel with tension maintained in the cable. During a retraction stroke, a motor turns the reel to load excess cable onto the reel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sludge three-dimensional electroosmosis drainage reinforcing method based on a novel electric geotextile complex, and belongs to the field of soft soil foundation reinforcement. A novel electric geotextile complex is adopted, and a designed multidirectional three-dimensional continuous electroosmosis drainage method is adopted to perform rapid drainage reinforcement treatment on sludge, wherein the electric geotextile complex is prepared by combining fibers and conductive materials with a flexible drainage plate and has the effects of electric conductive, drainage, corrosion resistance and reinforcement. The proposed drainage method can realize the electroosmotic drainage in vertical and horizontal directions. Through layer by layer electroosmosis from bottom to top, the consolidation drainage effect of sludge in the lower layer can be enhanced by the increasing loading pressure from the upper sludge.

Abstract: A locking assembly is provided for a cover. The cover is a substantially rigid cover configured to close off an opening to a void, said void bounded by a side wall. The cover defines a top side and an opposed underside. The locking assembly includes a mounting arrangement mountable to the underside. A link is pivotally connected to the mounting arrangement. The link defines a first end and a second, free end. A locking member is carried by the second, free end of the link. The locking member frictionally engages the side wall of the void in a locking position, in use. An actuating member connects to the link and is accessible via the top side. The actuating member displaces the link relative to the mounting arrangement to cause the locking member to frictionally disengage from the side wall of the void to a disengaged position.

Abstract: The invention is a kit for attaching to a truck cap to enable the cap to be lifted off of and lowered onto a truck by lines from above. The kit includes: a first rail and a second rail, each configured to attach to the truck cap; a first pair of sliding masts for releasably attaching to the first rail and a second pair of sliding masts for releasably attaching to the second rail. Each of the sliding mast includes: a sled which is captured by the rail, and is slidable along the rail, and is adapted to be secured at various points along the rail; and a brace with one end attached to the sled and the other end adapted to receive one of the lines. In another aspect, the kit includes multiple lifting devices.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a system that includes a drilling tool, a processor, and a non-transitory memory device that includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving input data that corresponds to characteristics of at least one of drilling fluid, a drillstring, or a wellbore. The operations also include calculating at least one dynamic sideforce and at least one dynamic, hydraulic force based at least in part on the input data. The operations also include determining an equilibrium solution for an output value using the at least one dynamic sideforce and at least one dynamic, hydraulic force. The operations also include applying the output value to the drilling tool for controlling operation of the drilling tool.

Abstract: Hydro Turbine unit producing 880 MW-h energy daily in offshore oceans creating average high-pressure compressed air transferable energy stored in air tanks and using generators to transform into local electrical energy. The harvesting of renewable offshore water energy of ocean wave, tidal and stream energy, converting it to accumulated water head potential energy in a large isolated water trapping pool structurally supported laterally by six tall towers extended to ocean maximum depth of 100 meter deep with arrow shape plungers pneumatic reciprocating hammering into seabed in slanted angle relative to seabed. The energized ocean water enters the trap pool through thousands of one-way check valves in the trap pool floor and surrounding walls. Large flow openings into 6 Hydro turbine manifolds direct swirling water through radial guiding vanes and conical converging top vertically downward through 8 turbine blades applying torque to turbine outlet shaft and flowing down to ocean level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure communication within a hydro-pneumatic cylinder are provided. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder generally includes a rod, a barrel coaxial to the rod, and a piston assembly disposed within the barrel and connected to the rod. The barrel is hollow to define a chamber, and the piston assembly is axially movable within the chamber to stroke the rod relative to the barrel. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder includes: a flow path formed axially through the rod of the cylinder. This flow path may allow for pressure communication between a low-pressure side of the cylinder and a pressure energized lower pin located at a distal end of the rod. The lower pin may be actuated, via this pressure communication to secure the end of the cylinder to a tension ring on a riser.

Abstract: An expanding anchor and/or pile system wherein an outer shell of the pile/anchor is split lengthwise into at least two pieces and can be placed or driven into a hole in the earth in a retracted state and can subsequently be expanded such that the two or more pieces are forced outwardly—away from one another, thus causing them to exert a lateral force against the sides of the hole and thereby resulting in greater axial load carrying capacity in tension or compression of the anchor/pile.

Abstract: A pile guide has a collar with a void therein. A planar flange extends from a side of the collar. A first guide and a second guide form opposing guides constructed and arranged for receiving the planar flange of the pile guide therein. The planar flange is in a slidable relationship within the opposing guides, and the bracket is constructed and arranged for mounting to a dock. The opposing guides pivot relative to the dock during installation and allow pivoting of the pile guide relative to the dock or other mounting. The distance and angle of the collar relative to the dock or other mounting can be adjusted to accommodate for positioning of pile guides due to positioning of piles relative to a dock or other structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for tracking, monitoring and evaluating ecological impacts of a channel project based on long-term time series satellite remote sensing data, belonging to the field of ecological environment protection. Created in view of limitations and deficiencies of existing monitoring and evaluation methods, the method includes: a process for long-term time series satellite remote sensing analysis of an ecological impact of a channel project, an analysis method for respectively evaluating erosion and deposition, shoreline and water area morphological changes at different research scales based on water body information extraction, and an analysis method for respectively tracking and monitoring engineering construction details, comparing engineering impact scope consistency and evaluating engineering implementation effects based on channel project identification.

Abstract: There is described a method of determining a reactive torque factor for use in controlling a toolface of a downhole tool. For each of one or more sliding operations, a change in a top drive position of a drive unit operable to rotate a drill string connected to the downhole tool is determined, a change in a toolface of the downhole tool is determined, and a change in a differential pressure is determined. Based on the change in the top drive position, the change in the toolface, and the change in the differential pressure, a reactive torque factor is determined.

Abstract: A drilling device for surveying front rock-mass intactness of a tunnel face for a tunnel constructed by a TBM and a method using the same are provided. The drilling device includes a drilling assembly, a drill-attitude control assembly, a data monitoring assembly and a TBM-platform fixing seat. The drilling assembly is connected to a TBM hydraulic system to obtain power, to drill the rock mass by an alloy bit through rotation and translation thereof. The drill-attitude control assembly controls an angle, a direction and a position of a drill rod and maintains drilling accuracy and stability. The data monitoring assembly acquires and stores a drilling dynamic-response signal by a high-accuracy sensor and a data recorder, to analyze an intactness characteristic of the rock mass. The TBM-platform fixing seat mounts the drilling device on the TBM.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-functional dive tool designed for use by underwater or scuba divers, in particular divers that do so in rivers. The tool is a handheld metal spike designed to be utilized as a personal anchor or stabilizer when diving in water subject to strong currents. The tool has a pointed end to assist in pushing the spike into the river, ocean or lake bed. Unlike the prior art, the dive spike is constructed of materials with sufficient strength and weight that it can anchor the diver. The tool may also be used for a stand for cameras or lights, an anchor or pivot point for search lines, or an animal deterrent among other uses.

Abstract: A method of installing an upright elongate hollow subsea foundation that is higher than it is wide, such as a suction pile. The foundation is at least partially embedded in seabed soil. A partition layer is placed within the foundation, for example by injecting a grout, supported by a plug of soil that is surrounded by the foundation. The partition layer is placed on the plug of soil at a level that is spaced from the top of the foundation by at least 20% of the height of the foundation. Above the partition layer, the interior of the foundation may be filled with water and/or a rigid body, such as a solid mass or a hollow liquid-filled tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly platform of a large tidal current energy generating device. The assembly platform is internally provided with at least one horizontal axis hydro-generator. The assembly platform includes supports, at least four fixed piles, at least two sleeving members and at least two force-bearing supports. The fixed piles are connected through the supports to form an installation space. The hydro-generator is installed inside the installation space, one end of each fixed pile is driven to be fixed to a seabed and the other end extends to be above a water surface. Ends of the at least two force-bearing supports are respectively mounted on the left and right sides of the horizontal axis hydro-generator along the water flow direction and the other ends are respectively provided with corresponding sleeving members so as to resist an impact force of a water flow on the horizontal axis hydro-generator.

Abstract: A formwork element for a molded wall panel end, comprising: a sole plate having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an outer face, an inner face bearing a caisson, said caisson leaving free, on the inner face of the sole plate, a first lateral zone, defined between the first lateral edge and the caisson, and a second lateral zone, defined between the second lateral edge and the caisson; a form stripping assistance device cooperating with the sole plate. The form stripping assistance device includes at least one first sacrificial section comprising a first portion disposed on the first lateral zone of the inner face of the sole plate.

Abstract: A method of constructing multiple conduits in building foundations that eliminates the process of core drilling after the foundation has been poured and set. This method creates optional openings for possible future connections. The process uses removable conduit molds installed before the foundation is poured. Once the foundation has set, conduit molds are removed to explose conduits in the foundation as needed.