Abstract: A joint seal comprises two elastomeric elements, configured to fit as a nested assembly within the gap between adjacent slabs. The outer element (the "outer seal") is a generally U-shaped channel (with sides and a bottom), and performs the actual sealing function. The outer surfaces of the channel sides are formed with a series of longitudinally-extending fins, which frictionally engage the slab edges. The inner element ("the core") is formed as a generally rectangular tube that provides a structural strength for the seal assembly. It includes a tubular outer wall and an internal truss-type framework consisting of a number of interconnected webs. The seal assembly is installed under compression.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly in which a number of spaced, metallic plate-like elements are coupled together by end blocks and spacers clamped together so that the elements are generally parallel with each other and are cantilevered from the upper ends thereof. In one embodiment, the upper ends of the elements are rigidly coupled to a floor beam and the cantilevered ends are coupled by a plate-like strut to an adjacent column to which the floor beam is pivotally mounted. A number of rollers permit free movement of the lower ends of the plates relative to the upper ends thereof. In a second embodiment, the assembly has elements which are bow tie-shaped plates, and the upper ends of the elements are rigidly secured to a horizontal floor beam. Diagonal braces are secured at opposed lower ends of the elements, and the lower ends of the braces extend downwardly and away from each other and are secured to the next floor beam therebelow.

Abstract: A jacket adapted to be mounted in an upright position in water depths in the range of 1000 to 1500 feet or more. The jacket has a number of spaced, generally parallel legs coupled together by braces, each leg being tubular to contain a plurality of sleeves and/or guides rigidly secured to the inner surface of the leg. Each sleeve has a tubular pile therewithin, the upper end of each pile being rigidly connected to the upper end of the sleeve, the piles extending downwardly through respective sleeves and into the sea bottom to provide a foundation for the jacket. Each pile serves as a compression spring to present tension-compression couples to withstand lateral forces during rocking motion of the upper end of the jacket relative to the lower end thereof. Each pile is further adapted to house a well for transfer of hydrocarbon or mineral products from the sea bottom to the platform on the upper end of the jacket.

Abstract: A subsea connection assembly including a connection box having an open top and provided with a plurality of pipe segments coupled thereto, each pipe segment having an outlet end near the open top of the connection box. The pipe segments have their inlet ends coupled to a manifold assembly having connections to subsea wells. Guide wires are attached to the connection box for guiding a frame downwardly from a floating vessel or platform on the surface of the sea, the frame being operable to carry the lower ends of a plurality of fluid conductors downwardly to the connection box so that such lower ends can become connected to the outlet ends of the pipe segments.

Abstract: A nonswiveling rotatable link formed from flexible conduits extending between two parallel planes of which one is rotatable relative to the other is stabilized without the use of a gear wheel mated to teeth on each of the two planes. The link instead includes two flexible conduits which together form two loops or circles, one on each plane. Each conduit also forms an arc traversing the gap between the planes, through which the conduit passes and reverses direction while transferring from one plane to the other as one plane rotates, the two arcs curving in opposite directions and overlapping to form a closed crossover loop. Tension within the crossover loop and thus proper alignment of the conduits is provided by pairs of idlers forced apart laterally inside the loop by a spring or cylinder mounting which maintains expansive pressure as conditions in the conduits cause the loop to expand or contract.

Abstract: An island adapted to be put into place in arctic regions in a body of water having a soil layer below water level and above a permafrost line. In one form of the island, an island body is placed on the soil layer, the island body comprising a number of vertically stacked layers of freezable material, the bottom of each layer having a freeze panel adjacent thereto in heat exchange relationship therewith. A coolant flowing through the panels causes the soil layer and the freezable layers to freeze, the coolant source being on the island body at any suitable location. The island body surrounds a recess which also contains several layers of freezable material separated by freeze panels adapted to receive a coolant for flow in heat exchange relationship to the freezable layers. By freezing the freezable layers, the island body is provided with a monolithic construction and the island body is bonded to the soil layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the efficient and economic removal of sulfur dioxide from gases, in which the gas is contacted with neutralizing values obtained from presure hydrated lime or pressure hydrated dolomitic lime, i.e. calcined limestone or dolomite and slaked with water under elevated temperature and pressure. The pressure hydrated lime or dolomitic lime may be used in conjunction with a wet scrubber, in a spray dryer or dry scrubber, or directly introduced into the gas passages of a boiler, upstream or downstream of the air preheater, or in the boiler output ducting or the inlet of an electrostatic precipitator. The use of pressure hydrated lime or pressure hydrated dolomitic lime greatly enhances the efficiency of sulfur dioxide removal, thereby providing for enhanced use of base values and a more rapid rate of reaction. The confined zone dispersion scheme permits a partial SO.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for absorbing the energy associated with the displacements of pipes and other structural elements due to seismic and other dynamic forces. The apparatus includes a base on which a number of energy absorbing, plate-like members are mounted in cantilever fashion. The outer, free ends of the members are coupled to an arm which extends outwardly from the members and has an outer end connected to a pipe or other structural element whose displacement is to be controlled. Each member has convergent side edges on each side, respectively, of a narrowed central part, and the central parts of the adjacent members are substantially aligned with each other and with the outer end of the arm. Thus, when the pipe or structural element to which the arm is connected is displaced, the energy absorbing members bend, and uniformly yield, as the outer free end of the members remain in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the fixed ends of the members.

Abstract: A system for converting a coal slurry flowable through a pipeline to a coal water mixture capable of being rendered suitable for direct combustion in a boiler. The system includes a pipeline extending from a region adjacent to a mine or source of coal to a region adjacent to a boiler or furnace at which combustion is to take place. In the furnace region, the slurry from the pipeline is directed into a holding space, such as a pond, from which it is directed to a grinding apparatus. On the way to the grinding apparatus from the pond, a side stream of the slurry is directed through a dewatering apparatus where the concentration of the side stream is increased from 50-55 weight percent of solids to about 70-80 weight percent of solids. The outlet of the dewatering apparatus is directed back to the main flow of slurry from the pond, and the main flow enters the grinding apparatus where the slurry is ground to a particle size suitable for combustion, such as 70-80% weight percent of solids at -200 mesh.

Abstract: An encasing method and apparatus in which an external casing, has an insulating, tubular liner therewithin, and one or more pipes or electrical cable are located within the liner. The liner and pipe or cable are floated into the casing after the casing has been flooded with water or other flotation liquid, following the laying of the casing on a support surface, such as the ground or a seabed. After installation of the liner and pipe or cable, water continuously flows through the casing and through the liner, whereby dissipation of waste heat can be controlled by controlling the velocity of flow of the water through the casing. The pipe or cable can be floated out of the liner for repair or replacement without removing or modifying the casing or the liner. Moreover, leaks in the pipe or cable can be monitored on a continuous basis, such as by using a gas chromatograph.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past an internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: A tower adapted to be mounted in an upright position in water depths in the range of 1200 to 2500 feet. The tower has a plurality of guy lines which extend outwardly and downwardly from the upper end of the tower to anchors in the sea bottom. The tower has a number of spaced, generally parallel legs coupled together by braces, each leg being tubular to contain a plurality of sleeves and guides rigidly secured to the inner surface of the leg. Each sleeve has a tubular pile therewithin, the upper end of each pile being rigidly connected to the upper end of the sleeve, the piles extending downwardly through respective sleeves and guides and into the sea bottom to provide a foundation for the tower. Each pile serves as a compression spring to present tension-compression couples to withstand lateral forces during rocking motion of the upper end of the tower relative to the lower end thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for separating gases and vapors from a geopressure or hydropressured brine without allowing precipitation of scale deposits on the walls of vessels and pipes. The apparatus includes a reactor having an inlet pipe provided with a Venturi throat and an expansion nozzle coupled with the throat to depressurize the brine to cause separation of the gases and vapors from the liquid and solid fractions of the brine. The gases and vapors travel out of the reactor through a central pipe extending downwardly and through the reactor. The brine in the form of a slurry gravitates in the reactor toward a first outlet pipe while clarified brine rises past in internal baffle and leaves the reactor through a second outlet pipe.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling a fixed unit, such as a fluid riser or electrical cable rising from a sea bed and fixed in space, with a movable unit, such as a production vessel floating on the prevailing sea. The apparatus includes a pair of vertically spaced, coaxial, relatively shiftable disks, the lower disk being coupled with the riser or cable, and the upper disk being coupled with the vessel. A conduit extends between and can be moved onto and off the members as a function of the rotation of the vessel due to the wave action. The upper and lower members move in a manner to allow the conduit to move onto the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of one member and off the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of the other member as a function of the rotation of the vessel through at least two revolutions in one direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for removal of acid gases from a first gas rich in carbon dioxide and for desulfurizing a second gas lean in carbon dioxide but containing sulfur compounds as impurities. The method includes contacting the first gas with a solvent capable of extracting carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds from the first gas. Then, the solvent containing carbon dioxide is separated from the solvent containing sulfur compounds. The second gas is then contacted with said solvent containing carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to cause said solvent containing carbon dioxide to extract sulfur compounds from said second gas and to release carbon dioxide. The desulfurized second gas is thereafter separated from the solvent containing sulfur compounds from the second gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for removal of acid gases from a first gas rich in carbon dioxide and for desulfurizing a second gas lean in carbon dioxide but containing sulfur compounds as impurities. The method includes contacting the first gas with a solvent capable of extracting carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds from the first gas. Then, the solvent containing carbon dioxide is separated from the solvent containing sulfur compounds. The second gas is then contacted with said solvent containing carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to cause said solvent containing carbon dioxide to extract sulfur compounds from said second gas and to release carbon dioxide. The desulfurized second gas is thereafter separated from the solvent containing sulfur compounds from the second gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling a slurry contained in a tank having a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet. The tank has an open top, and a framework on which a plurality of buckets are mounted is located in the tank for rotation about a central axis through a shaft mounted on the upper margins of the tank. The buckets move along a circular path and into the tank to scoop settled particles on the bottom of the tank and then to lift the particles out of the slurry. In one form of the apparatus, the particles are dropped back into the slurry in the tank to thereby eliminate the growth of settled particles on the bottom of the tank to achieve uniform particle concentrations in the slurry. In another embodiment, the apparatus operates as a thickener in which the particles are unloaded from the buckets exteriorly of one side of the tank and carried away by a launder while the liquid in the tank overflows the tank at the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: A weld gauge for measuring the dimensions of welds between a base member and a workpiece extending outwardly from the base member at an angle, such as an acute angle or an obtuse angle. The gauge includes aplate having an arm pivotally mounted thereon for movement past a scale on the plate, the arm frictionally engaging the plate so that it can be adjustably put into any one of number of fixed positions along the scale for measurement purposes. The plate of the gauge has an upper margin which extends at an acute angle relative to the horizontal so that the gauge can be placed in the limited space formed by the workpiece extending at an acute angle relative to the base member. The scale is on one face of the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling geothermal brine containing high non-condensible gas concentrations. The brine is directed into a pre-flash chamber where a vapor fraction is separated from a liquid fraction, the vapor fraction including steam and a non-condensible gas. The vapor fraction is directed into and through a reboiler in countercurrent flow relationship to a condensate. This action causes the steam of the vapor fraction to be stripped from the non-condensible gas and also causes the condensate to be heated by the steam. The non-condensible gas flows out of the reboiler to a gas expander collection station, or to the atmosphere while the condensate flows to a flash chamber where it flashes to obtain clean steam for driving a work producing apparatus, such as a turbine. The condensate from the flash chamber is returned by a pump to the condensate inlet of the reboiler to form a closed system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transporting a slurry along a pipeline having a number of downstream delivery points along its length and a plant at each delivery point for burning or otherwise using a part of the solids, such as coal, obtained from the slurry. In the practice of the method, the pipeline is filled with a carrier fluid, such as water, and batches of slurry are introduced between batches of the carrier fluid for movement along the pipeline. Each batch of slurry is separated from the batches of carrier fluid by a cap and a tail, the cap and tail being formed from a liquid suspension of fine solids. At each downstream delivery point, each batch of slurry and its cap and tail are directed out of the pipeline into a holding tank. A portion of the contents of the holding tank is removed from the holding tank and dewatered to produce a large mesh solids cake and a centrate defined as a liquid suspension of fines.