Abstract: An apparatus for locating an elongate object in the seabed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body and a pair of jetting swords arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object to form a trench in the seabed. Chain cutters arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object cut respective parts of a trench in the seabed and are moveable relative to the body between a stowed position and a deployed position, independently of the jetting swords.

Abstract: A dual mode user terminal for a calling party can make calls over both a conventional cellular network and a packet data network using VoIP protocols. If the called party is not available to receive a VoIP call over the packet data network, the user terminal for the calling party can request a third party user terminal available on the packet data network to relay the call between the calling party and the called party.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from solid media such as drill cuttings, tank bottoms or contaminated soils. The process is conducted in at least one thermal screw conveyor which provides two or more separate temperature zones which can be operated as one or more of low temperature thermal desorption, high temperature thermal desorption and pyrolysis. Preferably the process is conducted in three interconnected thermal screw conveyors which each provide a separate temperature zone. The process is conducted such that the solid media in each of the temperature zones is held under a vacuum. Direct and indirect heating of the solid media in each of the temperature zones is provided. In the pyrolysis zone, an organic binder may be added to encapsulate inorganic contaminants such as metals.

Abstract: A scraper, the scraper adapted to be pulled by a tractor. The scraper includes a bowl, with a cutting blade attached to the lower front of the open bowl. An elevator is present across the front of the open bowl, the elevator including a multiplicity of flights on an endless conveyor. The conveyor will scoop up dirt it accumulates at the front of the bowl and lift it up for dumping into the bowl. Applicants provide a block for adjustably setting the position of the frame of the elevator so that it is adjacent to cutting blade.

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator includes an excavating auger rotatably mounted on a chassis in a centrally-disposed excavation work area defined by forward and rear portions. Two driving elements are rotatably-mounted in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other on the chassis. The auger is moved laterally between the first and second driving elements to permit adjustment of the position of the auger in relation to the first and second driving elements. In another embodiment, the auger is carried by an arm rotatably mounted to the chassis. In yet another embodiment, the excavator includes a plurality of excavating augers independently raised and lowered to vary the width of the ditch.

Abstract: A method of operation to effectively excavate an underdrain in the field ground having a long service life and ensuring that the underdrain will not be closed after a long period of time and a device for such operation. The method includes attaching a plurality of buckets to an endless chain, driving the endless chain to excavate a slit in the field ground, reforming inner side walls of the slit by a reformer, pressing soil from both sides of the slit later ally inwardly by a pressing member attached to the reformer to form a block to separate the slit into an upper space and a Iover space, and charging the upper space with discarded dirt.

Abstract: The open cast mining apparatus comprises two sets of running gear between which a cutting drum is provided on a chassis. The conveyor tract is formed by an axial discharge conveyor inside the cutting drum, a vertical worm conveyor and a conveyor in the discharge jib or in the connecting bridge. The latter is supported on a loading carriage travelling parallel to a working face belt. The cutting drum is so designed that the mining machine can excavate and pick up material to be conveyed in both travelling directions.

Abstract: A vertical trencher having a cutter body with cutting teeth arranged in a spiral configuration on its circumference with an increasing rise angle, for excavating various size trenches, which is operable at high speed and efficiency, and suitable for use on hard and rocky ground. The cutter body is formed with a spiral-shaped concave channel, with grinding teeth attached to its outer edge. The grinding teeth cut soil and rock loose, so that pieces are scooped into the concave channel. The rise angle of the concave channel to the horizontal increases along the length of the cutter body. Thus, loose pieces of soil are transported upwardly along the concave channel at an increasing axial speed. The cutter body is connected at its upper end to a hydraulic engine mounted on the housing, which provides rotational power.

Abstract: In a machine for digging a trench, in which the digging apparatus comprises an elongated boom having a movable chain around its periphery and which is lowered into the ground, the problem of dislodged boulders which heretofore would be excavated into the machine where they often damaged the conveyor belt system or became stuck, is prevented by an elongate bar or drum which is attached to the frame of the machine in close proximity to the operating chain and immediately before the boulder would otherwise enter the machine. The boulder is held there until it either breaks apart or its abraded by further action of the chain to a sufficiently small size that it can safely navigate through the machine and be expelled in the normal course.

Abstract: A separator is provided for use with a ditching machine to segregate rocks and coarse aggregates from the material excavated by the ditching machine s that the excavated material may be used as padding to protect the pipeline or other item positioned within the excavated trench. The separator comprises a plurality of rows of blades mounted on a rotatable drum. The spacing between adjacent blades within a row allows passage of the fine excavated material between the blades but prevents passage of the rocks and coarse aggregates. The rotating blades then deposit the rocks and coarse aggregates in a row beyond the row of fine material deposited along the trench.