Abstract: A hollow generally circular horizontal float body is provided. The body tapers in thickness from its central portion of its outer periphery and includes upper and lower walls which are inclined downwardly and upwardly, respectively, from the central portion to the outer periphery of the body. A horizontal work platform is spaced above the body and supported therefrom by upstanding supports extending and secured between the body and the platform at points spaced about the central portion of the body. The body includes a central vertical passage therethrough and the interior of the body spaced outwardly of and about the central portion includes structure defining ballast tanks which may be selectively flooded and evacuated of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching by remote control a riser pipe to an offshore structure. The method includes installing one or more remotely operable pre-aligned jawed clamps upon the structure, suspending the riser pipe vertically over the side of the structure, guiding the pipe to a position between the open jaws of the clamps, and remotely closing the jaws about the riser pipe. The apparatus includes an arcuate seat rigidly attachable to the structure, a pair of arcuate jaws hingedly attached to the seat, and remotely controlled hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies to move the jaws between an open position to receive the pipe and a closed position to hold the pipe.

Abstract: A method of excavating tunnels comprises digging an excavation to form a tunnel, gradually pushing a casing inwardly of the excavation as the excavation proceeds, the cross-sectional area of the excavation being larger than the outer cross-sectional area of the casing in order to provide a hollow annular chamber between the same; arranging at least a seal at the inner end of the casing to seal the annular section between said casing and the excavation; arranging a seal at the entrance of the excavation to seal the annular section between the casing and the entrance to the excavation; and injecting under pressure a drilling mud to completely fill the annular space between the casing and the excavation as the excavation front advances, in order to provide a fluid support for the walls of the excavation and to float the casing within the excavation, whereby friction contact between said casing and the excavation is prevented as the casing is pushed inwardly of the excavation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for manipulating a gutter to facilitate the dumping of debris from the gutter. Mounting structure supports the gutter for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the gutter, the longitudinal axis being located within the gutter between its upper edge and its bottom whereby the radius of rotary motion of the gutter is less than its depth. A drive apparatus is connected to rotate the gutter in response to the application of power thereto. A crank assembly is connected to the drive apparatus to transmit power to the drive apparatus for rotating the gutter. The drive apparatus responds to the application of power to the crank assembly in a continuous uniform fashion to rotate the gutter over a reciprocatory rotational excursion. Detent structure indicates when the gutter is in a substantially upright position. Structure is disclosed for providing for fluid communication between two gutters rotatable relative to one another, without inhibiting their relative rotatability.

Abstract: A barrier device comprising a plurality of gated structures extending between opposite shores of a tidal estuary provides a means of preventing intrusion of heavier, colder sea water with each incoming tide and to then be the means for ejecting large volumes of collected sea water together with mud, sand and sewage pollutants. The eventual effect will be to create a body of fresh water of previously unattainable purity. This purity is renewable with the discharge of any excess water available. During periods of heavy withdrawal from the upstream pool all gates can be locked closed. After danger of flooding has ended the upstream pool can then store a very large volume of fresh water. Flood water is ejected as fast as it flows into the pool. Tidal power can be used to force flood water into the sea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for burying a conduit at the bottom of a body of water.

Abstract: A tape laying, trenching apparatus adapted to be drawn behind a vehicle for the purpose of depositing a tape beneath the surface of the earth. The tape is an identification tape and serves as an underground installation identification means. The trenching apparatus includes a wheel-mounted drawbar and a vertically adjustable trenching tool. The trenching tool includes a hollow column and a trenching blade at the foot of the column. A tape dispenser is attached to the upper end of the column and accomodates feeding the tape downwardly through the column to a position behind the trenching blade. The trenching tool is releasably attachable to the drawbar at a plurality of lower, trenching positions and at an upper, traveling position. A strut is interconnectable between the drawbar and the column to support the trenching tool in both the trenching and the traveling positions. The trenching apparatus also includes a tool box mounted on the framework and a drag for backfilling the trench as the tape is being laid.

Abstract: A rain water roof outlet comprising a vertical pipe and a trough fixed to the upper end of said pipe. A lid is fastened in the trough above the inlet end of said pipe. The lid is larger than the inlet end of the pipe to cause water to flow radially in the trough to said inlet end and to prevent suction of air into the pipe when the water level in the trough is above said lid. The lid is closed except for a number of small holes extending through the lid. The total area of said holes is at the most 15% of the cross-sectional area of the vertical pipe so that the formation of an air whirl in the vertical pipe is prevented in spite of the air entering the inlet end of the pipe through said holes.

Abstract: The sea sled includes a pair of pontoons mounting depending rollers for straddling a pipeline disposed on the sea bottom. Water jets fluidize the sea bottom to form a trench in which the pipeline settles. The slurry formed by the water jets is removed from the trench by the eductor system which includes a pair of conduits each having a suction inlet at its lower end for location within the trench, a discharge at its upper end, a pair of pump nozzles each having an inlet external to the associated conduit and an outlet within the conduit directed toward the corresponding discharge, and a pair of primary nozzles, the outlet ends of which respectively project into the inlet ends of the pump nozzles. A high pressure, low volume, fluid is pumped from the surface through the jet nozzles. Ambient fluid is entrained with the high pressure, low volume fluid emanating from the jet nozzles in the respective pump nozzles to deliver low pressure, high volume fluid to their corresponding discharges.

Abstract: A drive shield for use in tunnelling operations includes a generally cylindrical cutting edge supported by a frame. A knife shield is telescoped together with the cutting edge, the knife shield having a plurality of elongate members (or planks). Each of the planks is extensible relative to the cutting edge in the direction of tunnel advance. In use, all the planks are advanced relative to the cutting edge which is then advanced in a follow-up sequence.

Abstract: A mine roof support plate having a rigid sheet steel body of uniform thickness wherein a ribbed domed section reinforces the plate against distortion. The domed section is of generally frusto-conical configuration and defines a central section having an opening therein surrounded by a generally planar surface. The periphery of the plate is of planar rectangular configuration and disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the central section. Reinforcing ribs are formed in and extend radially across the domed section to merging intersection with the planar periphery of the plate.

Abstract: A method for forming domes from subterranian diapiric material, especially salt to facilitate the genesis and extraction of oil therefrom, and therearound, characterized by the following process. First, a series of continuous wellbores having vertical first section in the area in which is desired to create the dome, penetrating the overburden layer to near the layer of diapiric material is drilled and a second section thereof contained in the salt formation and a third section thereof rising vertically from the distal end of the second section to the ground surface, is formed. Each of the wellbores is arranged with respect to the others so that the second sections emanate from the desired dome area in a radial-like pattern. Next, a steel well casing sealed at all joints and connections when complete, is inserted into each of the wellbores extending the entire length thereof.

Abstract: A piling which can be embedded into a sand or mud bedding beneath a body of water and which includes a cylindrical body portion having a smooth exterior surface; the body portion being made of a synthetic material, preferably a polyvinyl chloride material. A longitudinal bore extends through the body portion to permit introduction of a fluid under pressure thereby facilitating the sinking of the piling into the bedding. After the piling is embedded, the bore is covered, thereby providing a space for resisting the forming of a vacuum in order to prevent loosening and releasing of the piling from the bedding.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving piles into the sea-bottom for the support of a substructure resting on the sea-bottom of a working island to be installed comprises a plurality of support constructions attached to a column. Each support construction is provided with guide passage openings for the piles and the followers. The uppermost support construction consists of an arm which extends transversely of the column, and two semi-circular claw segments secured to the free end of the arm. One of the claw segments is pivotally mounted so that the claw segments can be brought into a closed position in which they define a guide passage opening for the pile or follower.

Abstract: Pipe sections or tubing is prepared by enveloping in flexible, rather wide hose, and just prior to submarine installation the space between hose and tubing is filled step-wise with wet or dry cement which will set after the tubing has been laid on the sea or lake floor. Anchoring wires with spacers are provided in that space before filling with concrete and the filled hose is armored with ropes or cables to divide the concrete in a quilt-like manner.

Abstract: A novel guide member and guide member support arrangement for guiding a drill conductor from a deck portion of an offshore platform into the bottom of a body of water is disclosed. The guide member is snugly nestled against and positioned within the guide member support which directly provides lateral and vertical support for the guide member. The guide member has an upper funnel-shaped portion and a lower cylindrical portion. The guide member support comprises the plurality of connected structural members arranged in a plane for defining a support opening for the guide member. The guide member is connected to the guide member support at at least three positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning anchor lines connecting a marine structure to the ocean floor. The apparatus includes a platform movable in relation to the structure, and suspended from the structure by a pulley system with a cable having a free end connected to a vessel. The cable is pulled either by moving the vessel along a rectilinear path passing essentially through the center of the structure, or by a pulling system on the vessel. Diametrically opposed pairs of anchor lines are hooked under the said movable platform, each line passing through the groove of a pulley and then through a stopper device fixed to the marine structure. The method and apparatus are particularly adapted for anchoring an emerging structure built on a jointed column.

Abstract: A platform is arranged on one or more separate frameworks. Each of the frameworks is provided with a plurality of downwardly extending hollow legs. Each of the legs has a lower end and its interior is accessible from the platform at its upper end. A plurality of ballastable floats together at least furnish a part of the buoyancy required to maintain the framework structure afloat preliminary to its anchoring on the ocean bottom; each of the floats is mounted at one of the lower ends of the legs and has a bottom wall and a deformable skirt surrounding the bottom wall and depending downwardly beyond the same. A spider-like unit is provided at each of the floats and adapted to discharge pressure medium against the ocean bottom beneath the float when the latter is proximal to or rests upon the ocean bottom.

Abstract: A rain water outlet for a roof of a building comprising a vertical pipe and a trough fixed to the upper end of said pipe. A lid is fastened in the trough above the inlet end of said pipe. The lid forms a closed surface larger than the inlet end to cause water to flow radially in the trough to said inlet end and to prevent axial suction of air into the pipe. A sieve is positioned between the lid and the bottom of the trough to surround said inlet end. The sieve is provided with perforations through which water flows from the trough into said inlet end. The relation between the total area of the perforations of the sieve and the cross-sectional area of the outlet pipe is between 2.5 and 3.5.

Abstract: A method of sinking a shaft, particularly in unstable ground, comprises driving an annular shield into the ground and controlling the sinking speed of the driving shield by varying the cross-sectional area of the shield, and lining the excavated shaft behind the shield as it is advanced. An excavating device for forming the vertical shaft comprises an annular driving shield which is displaceable relative to an annular platform by fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder jacks connected therebetween. The structure includes an annular shield tail which is connected to the shield and extends rearwardly of the shield and the platform and the shield itself is provided with an inwardly directed taper and has prop means associated therewith for varying the affective taper and the affective cross-sectional area of the shield. The excavated shaft is lined behind the shield and the tail portion thereof as the shield is advanced.