Abstract: The air flow rate through a rock drill bit is measured while the drill bit is connected to a drill string. A tube of a manometer is inserted into a channel of the drill bit while an air flow is conducted through the drill string and channel, whereby the manometer measures a pressure of the air flow in the channel. From that measurement, a nominal air flow rate is calculated. The nominal air flow rate is corrected as a function of at least one parameter selected from: a difference between a temperature of air entering the drill bit and a temperature of air ambient to the drill bit, and a height of the drill bit above sea level.

Abstract: An trench shoring transport device having a trench box depending from a frame, the frame including a pair of side frame subassemblies which are slideably and adjustably engaged to each other allowing the width of the frame and hence the width of the device's wheelbase to be widened or narrowed as required. The frame is supported by a number of wheel assemblies which allow the device to be rolled along the ground. A trench box or a series of trench boxes depend below the frame from a pair of hydraulic vertical support members. The device is configured to allow the trench box to be raised between the pair of side frame subassemblies and substantially above the elevation of the frame. In addition the trench shoring transport device may include a feature which allows a pair of trench boxes to be split during operations to allow for passage of an obstruction encountered during excavation to pass through the pair of trench boxes.

Abstract: A tunneling machine intended to stably carry out gripper replacement by restricting the load imposed on gripper jacks for the main gripper as much as possible during excavation of an inclined shaft. Such a tunneling machine comprises (1) a main beam that extends along a tunnel wall, (2) a nose gripper disposed in front of the main beam for gripping the main beam against the wall of a pilot shaft and a main gripper disposed behind the main beam for gripping the main beam against the wall of a reamed shaft, (3) a main frame supported by the main beam so as to be slidable back and forth and supporting a cutter head at the front portion thereof, (4) a holding gripper (composed of a roof support, side support, vertical support) for gripping the main frame against the wall of the reamed shaft, (5) thrust jacks coupling the main frame to gripper shoes for the main gripper, and (6) retaining jacks coupling the main frame to a carrier.

Abstract: In order to form an air-mixed zone containing tiny air bubbles in the ground with feeble cohesion or the cohesionless ground, an air-tight cover 1 covering the air-mixed zone is placed on the ground surface, along the outside periphery of the cover 1 an air-tight cut-off wall 2 extending down to the depth of ground water table is installed, the pipes 4 for blowing air are pushed from the ground surface penetrating through the air-tight cover 1 down into the ground, by blowing compressed air from the tip portion of the pipes 4 and collect the blown air through the pipes 5 for collecting air which are spaced at suitable distance from the pipes for blowing air and pushed into the ground in a simultaneous cycle of work with the pipes 4 for blowing air in repeated cycles so that the blown in air circulates and spreads uniformly in the air-mixed zone and splits into tiny air bubbles.

Abstract: A method for and inserting a ground anchor into the ground, comprising the step of screwing an elongated anchor body into the ground by means of an extension tube that is to be connected to the proximal end of the anchor body. The distal end of a tension line is connected to the anchor body above the screw blade turns. A pipe sleeve is slid onto the extension tube, while guiding the tension line via an eyelet at the pipe sleeve adjacent to the distal end of the pipe sleeve, from the anchor body along the pipe sleeve. The anchor body is then screwed downwardly by turning the extension tube and the pipe sleeve jointly to a predetermined depth. Finally, the pipe sleeve together with the line extending there along are rotated around the stationary anchor body/extension tube assembly.

Abstract: A fastener for a cellular confinement system provides a tendon-retaining protrusion for receiving and retaining a reinforcing tendon passing through the cellular walls of the cellular confinement system or over the tops of the cellular walls of the cellular confinement system. The fastener includes a body with an opening configured to be attached to the end of a reinforcing bar for securing the tendon to the ground. Alternatively, the fastener is secured to the tendon so as to transfer forces from the cell wall of the cellular confinement system to the tendon.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing the scouring of sand from the area adjacent to the beachward (shoreward) side of a breakwater. The device is made from flexible, non-corrosive, marine resistant material having a cavity filled with a non-buoyant material. The device is placed on the seabed adjacent to the beachward (shoreward) side of the breakwater and is coupled to the beachward (shoreward) bottom edge of the breakwater. Filter material may be placed between the device and the seabed to further prevent scouring of sand between the non-buoyant material.

Abstract: A well treatment tool is installed along the sucker rod string of a well, within the surrounding production tube string. The tool provides for the distribution of a treatment fluid (solvent, etc.) within the fluid being pumped or flowing from the well. The tool receives treatment fluid through the hollow sucker rod string, and distributes the fluid through a valve which is set at a predetermined pressure. When the treatment fluid pumped down the sucker rod string from the surface exceeds the predetermined opening pressure of the valve, the treatment fluid is distributed into the production tube string through one or more passages in the tool. The present tool may be used simultaneously with well production, with fluid (oil, etc.) rising up the production tube string, carrying the treatment fluid therewith. The treatment fluid is thus distributed throughout the local fluid processing system, including pipelines from the well, any initial treatment operations, and any storage tanks.

Abstract: A retaining wall secured to a portion of earth, comprising a plurality of blocks stacked in longitudinally extending, vertically spaced tiers to define a retaining wall, each of the blocks defining a laterally oriented passageway extending between a pair of opposing sides thereof and having an exterior face orientated outwardly of the portion of the earth, the passageways being substantially aligned in each tier to define a channel within the tier of the retaining wall at least one tieback rod for being embedded at one end in a portion of earth to be covered by the retaining wall and having a protruding end extending therefrom towards the retaining wall at least one elongate member disposed within a portion of one of the channels in the tiers of blocks, the elongate member defining a slot through which the protruding end of the tieback rod extends and a mechanism for connecting the tieback rod to the elongate member to secure the retaining wall to the portion of earth.

Abstract: An automatic pipe wiping system using a circular air manifold with jets which is automatically triggered to flow air at the pipe. The pipe is wiped, even when moving laterally with crooked pipe. The pipe is air blown to wipe the mud down. The air jets have a pneumatic logic circuit connected to sense upward pipe movement and start air flow to a manifold around the pipe.

Abstract: A method for rejuvenating bridge hinges and bridge abutments for replacement of worn bridge bearing pads. The method can be applied to the insertion of heavy duty pipes for seismic retrofitting of joints in elevated roadways. Throughbores are drilled in the concrete span or abutment for placement of small hydraulic jacks and bearing plates. More than one jack can be used in one throughbore. A jack can be positioned in a throughbore at an angle ranging from the vertical to 45.degree. on either side of vertical for shifting the bridge hinge. The worn bridge bearing pads can either be replaced or left in place, with new bearing pads being added. The throughbores are either left unfilled or filled with concrete or steel pipes.

Abstract: A ditch check for controlling erosion or sediment run-off in a ditch or swale is configured as a generally planar panel. The panel has suitable water-conducting passages to permit and is given holes to insert anchor stakes to anchor the panel to the ground. The panel is preferably made substantially of a polymer or resinous moldable material. The panel is given such formed side edges that adjacent panels can overlap or enmesh one another where they meet to close a gap therebetween. It is optional that the panel be stackable with other like panels, for greater convenience during non-use periods, as while being transported and/or during storage. Given the foregoing, the panel is meant to replace straw bales as ditch checks because the panel is very much lighter, is non-absorbent and inexpensive, and is indefinitely reusable.

Abstract: A subsurface fluid distribution system for sewage effluent and irrigation water utilizes one or more arrays of serially connected leaching chambers. Each leaching chamber is a double-walled construction of arch-shaped cross section with an open bottom and closed ends. A plurality of vertically off-set openings are formed in the inner and outer walls, with the inner openings located at a higher liquid level than the outer openings to prevent clogging of the leaching chambers by either sand or root growth. The leaching chambers are connected to one another to permit fluid communication between adjacent chambers, and are installed below ground in shallow trenches that are backfilled with sand and then topped with top soil. The sewage effluent or irrigation water flows through the array of leaching chambers in an unpressurized flow.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure comprising at least one locking bar and at least one structural member, at least one flange of the structural member being formed with alternating first and second flange portions. The first flange portions are deformed out of the plane of the flange. The locking bar has arms which between them define a slot configured to receive the flange of the structural member. The method includes deforming one arm of the locking bar into at least some of the gaps between the said first flange portions.

Abstract: An energy dissipator for interposition between parts of a structure, for example, between a support structure and a deck of a viaduct, protecting the structure in the event of an earthquake in an effective and consistent manner which conforms to expectations even a very long time after installation and also in the event of repeated operation, comprises an electrical generator interposed between the parts and operated by relative movement between the parts as a result of the earthquake.

Abstract: A ground anchor device for securing a building foundation and other structures to a ground surface using the subject anchor device. The anchor device is designed to be self advancing when rotated into the ground surface to depths of 10 to 30 feet and greater and to engage and penetrate an underground rock formation for providing greater anchor stability. The device includes a plurality of external hollow pipe sections and a plurality of internal pipe sections. The external pipe sections are joined together with helix couplings. Each helix coupling includes a helix around the exterior surface of the helix coupling. The helice are used for driving the external pipe sections into the ground. The internal pipe sections are coupled together and have a hollow cross section with a lower end of one of the internal pipe sections attached to a rock bit.

Abstract: A hydraulic boat lift is mounted in a body of water by adjustable legs which penetrate the bottom for lateral stability. Each leg has a vertically adjustable foot to engage the bottom for maintaining a base frame horizontal. A pair of boat supporting elements are swingably mounted to the frame by pivoting rigid arms. Diagonally mounted hydraulic cylinder or cylinders driven by water pressure from a pump or municipal supply swing the support elements and a boat thereon up out of the water. A pawl on the cylinder engages recesses in the shaft of the piston to lock the elevated position. The only way to unlock is to advance the piston which forces the pawl out. The pawl must be held out while the piston is retracted. A water aspirator withdraws water from the cylinder to lower the support elements for low tide lifting.

Abstract: A method for reducing water leakage through sandbag dikes is disclosed, wherein a bentonite or other clay mud slurry is applied to the sandbags. The mud slurry may further include a water loss reducing chemical and/or a water blocking material. The mud slurry may be applied to the river side of the sandbags and may be covered with a plastic sheeting before the river level reaches the sandbags. The mud slurry, and any included chemicals and/or water blocking materials(s), form a coating on both woven plastic fabric and cloth sandbags as well as sandbags of non-porous plastic for reducing water flow through and between the sandbags. The plastic sheeting also makes it feasible to repair the dikes after the sandbags have become submerged by the rising water. That is, hoses can be inserted between the sandbags and the plastic sheeting for injecting the mud slurry at points having excessive leakage.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is disclosed for use on the legs of a jack-up offshore platform. Each chord of the legs includes a rack for cooperation with pinions used in raising and lowering the legs. The locking mechanism of the invention includes a rigid frame attached to the hull of the platform and housing a plurality of vertically aligned toothed chock segments adapted to engage the teeth of the rack on a leg. The chock segments have upper and lower inclined surfaces which cooperate with upper and lower movable wedges for supporting the chock segments. The design makes the chock segments sufficiently adjustable for independent alignment and engagement of the teeth of each chock segment with the corresponding teeth of the rack. Dimensional variances in the rack teeth spacing, resulting from manufacturing tolerances, thereby are accommodated and force concentrations between the rack teeth and chock teeth are minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping formation liquids provides a reciprocating down hole pump on the end of a coiled tubing string. In one embodiment, one fluid flow path is provided through the inside of the coiled tubing and another flow path is provided in an annulus between the coiled tubing and a, production string. In one embodiment, pressure delivered down the annulus to the pump moves a piston in a direction to move formation liquids upwardly to the surface. When pressure in the annulus is reduced, the hydrostatic weight of the pumped liquid moves the piston in a retracting direction to prepare for the next stroke. In other embodiments, the piston is moved downwardly, in retracting direction, by fluid pressure applied from the surface.