Abstract: A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing levee-shaped structure consisting essentially of a resistant structure formed of reinforced embankment, the impact-absorbing levee-shaped structure includes: a continuous buffer wall of a flexible structure disposed on an impact-receiving surface of the resistant structure; and an anchor unit configured to support the continuous buffer wall, in such a manner that the continuous buffer wall cannot be separated from the resistant structure, thereby capable of preventing the continuous buffer wall from floating from the impact-receiving surface of the resistant structure upon application of impact.

Abstract: A multi-piece oil ring includes an oil ring main member in which two rails are connected together by a columnar part and which has a roughly I-shaped cross section; and a coil expander disposed in an inner circumferential groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the columnar. Each rail in the oil ring main member possesses a sliding section protuberance whose tip possesses a jutting portion. The axial length of the jutting portion is 0.02-0.18 mm. The change rate of the axial length of the individual jutting portion is in the range of 0 to 80% at least in a region of from its sliding surface to be faced to a cylinder, which is positioned at the tip of the jutting portion, to a position of 0.03 mm away from the aforementioned sliding surface in the radial direction of the oil ring main member.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of splicing two sealing strips and a sealing strip formed by the method. The sealing strip is placed at longitudinal edges of a packaging material web, used for packaging containers for liquid foods. The sealing strips to be spliced are cut each forming an oblique edge of about 45°, as seen in plan view. The oblique edges are then placed one on top of the other forming an overlapping area. The overlapping area is in the form of an oblique band having a length of about 3 mm. The ends of the sealing strips are then fused together by heating both from one side at the overlapping area.

Abstract: A manhole liner and a method of using the same are provided. The manhole liner is sized substantially equally to the largest diameter of the manhole, so that the liner does not have to stretch to be pressed against the manhole wall. Additionally, the liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. A bladder, preferably stretchable circumferentially and having a diameter less than the smallest diameter of the manhole, is inserted into the liner. The bladder is expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole to dispense resinous material from the liner, while the liner is able to fold over itself in areas having a diameter less than the original diameter of the liner. Because the bladder stretches to produce a smooth outside surface, the resinous material will migrate to areas in the folds and will cure with a smooth interior surface.

Abstract: A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential Si(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential Si(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

Abstract: A method of moving a component or a material to and within a level of a shaft boring system. The shaft boring system is positioned within a shaft and the method comprises lowering the component or the material inside a cage into the shaft and to a level of the shaft boring system. The method further comprises suspending the component or the material from a transport system within the level of the shaft boring system. In addition, the method comprises moving the component or the material within the level of the shaft boring system using the transport system. The component is a component of the shaft boring system and the material is a material for forming the shaft boring system.

Abstract: A pipeline including an accessory such as a flowline end termination or an in-line tee is lowered to the seabed and a mudmat foundation is subsequently lowered toward the seabed for subsea docking with the accessory to provide a permanent foundation support for the accessory. Once docked and with a mudmat of the foundation landed on the seabed, weight loads of the accessory structure and the attached pipe are transferred to the mudmat to provide a permanent foundation for the accessory structure. Before and during installation of the mudmat foundation, the pipe may be allowed to become embedded in the seabed. Temporary interim support such as buoyancy may be provided to the accessory to limit embedment into the seabed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a steel pipe pile with spiral blades which is capable of effectively improving comparatively soft ground in which a clay layer and the like are present at deep positions of several ten meters beneath the surface of the ground. A steel pipe pile 1 with spiral blades comprises a steel pipe pile main body 10 and one or more spiral blades 20 attached to the steel pipe pile main body 10, and a diameter D of the spiral blade 20 is set to three times or more as large as a diameter d of the steel pipe pile main body 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermal engineering construction, particularly to individual seasonal cooling devices, or temperature stabilizers of soils. The solution is aimed to expand temperature ranges at which temperature stabilizers can be installed and to prevent debris from sealing materials from entering into the well cavity having a coolant. The device contains a temperature stabilizer that functions as a two-phase thermal siphon and includes an aboveground condensing part and underground transporting and vaporizing parts. The temperature stabilizer is placed into the well along with coolant. The well is a hollow cylindrical body with a bottom and a capping element at a top end. The capping element includes a hole for receiving of the temperature stabilizer. The capping element is a detachable stuffing-box seal that includes a support ring installed on a round step in the well, a pressure ring, and thermally expanded graphite rings pressed therebetween.

Abstract: A method for desalinating and recycling the brine exiting a salt cavern. This method reduces the overall make-up water demand to wash a salt cavern, eliminates the brine disposal well and controls the cavern growth rate during disposal operations. The method includes the steps of: a) desalinating brine emerging from the salt cavern, and creating a stream of saline water, a stream of non-saline water and a stream of salt; b) recycling the stream volumes and combining the stream of non-saline and saline water with make-up water, thereby reducing demand for make-up water, c) pumping the salinated water into the salt cavern, and controlling the rate of growth of the salt cavern while disposing of wastes in the cavern, and repeating steps a) and b) substituting the make-up water with a waste mixture.