Abstract: A pump housing comprises a circumferential wall forming an outer wall of the pump housing; a pump casing which connects to the circumferential wall on a first outer side to form a first chamber, the pump casing comprising a central opening to form an axial supply of the pump housing for material to be pumped; and pressurizing means to pressurize the first chamber.

Abstract: A cutter head arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation for removing material from a water bed comprises a base ring positioned respect to the axis of rotation; a hub positioned with respect to the axis of rotation; a plurality of arms extending between the base ring and the hub, the arms comprising a plurality of cutting tools; and a plurality of skirts, each skirt extending from one of the plurality of arms to the hub to form a closed surface between the arm and the hub from a distal end of the cutter head toward the base ring and ending with a side configured to be parallel to a backplate, leaving an open channel between the skirt and the backplate.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber configured to house a fluid; a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile; and actuating means. Actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element such that the chamber moves away from the pile to an elevated position. The actuating means is configured to release the chamber from the elevated position for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground. The assembly further includes buffering means, the buffering means being configured to controllably buffer the force exerted by the chamber on the pile as the pile is driven into the ground. The buffering means is configured to rebound the chamber to a rebound position.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably offshore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile. The assembly further includes actuating means, wherein actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element, such that the chamber moves away from the pile, and wherein the actuating means is configured to release the chamber for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably off- shore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is dis- closed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid, the chamber comprising a channel extending at least partially therethrough. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile, wherein the positioning element comprises a guide element, configured to extend at least partially through the channel of the chamber.

Abstract: A lifting device for lifting a tubular pile comprises a hoisting member including a centreline, a plurality of engagement elements which are moveably mounted to the hoisting member at angular distance with respect to each other about the centreline and actuators for moving the respective engagement elements with respect to the hoisting member. The engagement elements are moveable in longitudinal direction of the centreline along respective guides of the hoisting member. The guides are inclined with respect to the centreline such that the engagement elements move in radial direction of the centreline when being moved in longitudinal direction of the centreline. The actuators are functionally interconnected such that under operating conditions the actuators move the engagements elements simultaneously until a first one of the actuators reaches a counterforce which is higher than a counterforce of a second one of the actuators, after which the second one of the actuators is moved further.

Abstract: A template for installing piles underwater includes a template frame and pile guides having parallel pile guide centerlines and being fixed to the template frame. Each pile guide has a pile guide frame that surrounds a passageway configured for passing a pile therethrough. Each pile guide frame includes upper and lower ends. Each pile guide includes a spacer fixed to the pile guide frame and protruding into the passageway. The spacer has a pile contact surface for guiding a pile. The pile contact surface encloses an imaginary cylinder including a centerline which coincides with the pile guide centerline. In a circumferential direction about the pile guide centerline, the location of the pile contact surface shifts with respect to the corresponding pile guide frame in a direction from the lower end to the upper end thereof as seen in a direction from the template center to the pile guide centerline.

Abstract: A pump housing comprises a circumferential wall forming an outer wall of the pump housing; a pump casing which connects to the circumferential wall on a first outer side to form a first chamber, the pump casing comprising a central opening to form an axial supply of the pump housing for material to be pumped; and pressurizing means to pressurize the first chamber.

Abstract: A method of installing foundation elements, in particular (mono)piles having a diameter of five meters or more, in an underwater ground formation includes lowering a leader from a surface vessel with at least the tip of the leader into the water, and lowering a foundation element and/or a noise mitigation screen along the leader.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for centring a first elongate tubular element and a second elongate tubular element, such as an underwater pile accommodated within a noise mitigation screen, at a common central longitudinal axis along which axis both the first and second element extend, and wherein the centre system is provided with first coupling element for fixedly coupling the centre system with one of the first and second tubular elements, and second coupling element for engaging the other tubular element for centring the other tubular element at the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vessel comprising an excavator for dredging or shifting soil for cleaning watercourses, the excavator comprising; a weight balanced boom hingeably supported around a boom hinge axis, a bucket-arm hingeably connected to the boom, and provided with a bucket and/or digging tool at a free end of the bucket-arm, wherein a counterweight is connected to the boom and wherein the counterweight is positioned with respect to the boom such that a centre of gravity of the counterweight is above and about vertically aligned with the boom hinge axis when the bucket and/or digging tool is at a lowest digging position.

Abstract: A device, such as a gangway, for transferring personnel and/or goods from a surface vessel to a fixed or floating structure, e.g. an offshore structure, such as a wind turbine, or to another vessel, the device comprising first and second telescoping elements and an intermediate platform for bridging the transition between the first and second telescoping elements, which platform is movable relative to both telescoping elements.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a first plate with a first opening; a second plate with a second opening positioned opposite the first plate such that the first opening is aligned with the second opening; a gate with a gate opening positioned between the first plate and second plate and movable from a close position where the gate blocks flow through the first opening and the second opening and an open position where the gate opening aligns with the first opening and the second opening to allow flow through the valve; and a wear ring lining the gate opening.

Abstract: A tower for a pipe laying system comprises a frame with a leg to support the frame, and a winch support integrally formed with the leg. The winch support is able to receive and support a winch and/or winch components. The winch support can be formed in a lower portion of the tower leg.

Abstract: A cutter head arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation for removing material from a water bed comprises a base ring positioned respect to the axis of rotation; a hub positioned with respect to the axis of rotation; a plurality of arms extending between the base ring and the hub, the arms comprising a plurality of cutting tools; and a plurality of skirts, each skirt extending from one of the plurality of arms to the hub to form a closed surface between the arm and the hub from a distal end of the cutter head toward the base ring and ending with a side configured to be parallel to a backplate, leaving an open channel between the skirt and the backplate.

Abstract: A pile installing system for a pile including a cylindrical wall surrounding a hollow space, the system having a central cutter which is locatable at a lower end of the pile for loosening soil below the hollow space upon installing the pile into the ground and which is displaceable within the pile in longitudinal direction thereof so as to remove the central cutter from the pile after installing the pile in the ground, a peripheral cutter locatable at the lower end of the pile for loosening soil below the cylindrical wall, a soil passage for guiding loosened soil from below the cutters to the hollow space, and a soil conveying member for transporting loosened soil upwardly through the hollow space. The soil passage is located at at least one of the central and peripheral cutter at a radial distance from the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A tooth for a cutter head includes a tooth body portion for connecting to an adapter; and a pick point portion comprising an end portion with a substantially planar surface, sides extending in an outward direction from the end portion to the tooth body, and a front and/or back with curvature which expands in thickness from the end portion to the tooth body portion. The tooth body portion and the pick point portion have a rounded cross-section comprising a central beam with a bottom base extending perpendicular from the beam at a lower end of the beam and a top shoulder on an upper end of the beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a structure includes a) excavating a material; b) homogenizing the material; c) ensuring aluminosilicate levels in the material; d) increasing alkaline levels of the material; e) foaming the material; and f) injecting the material onto a surface, wherein the material forms into a foam-like structure when injected.

Abstract: A coupling system for temporarily coupling a jacket with a foundation pile includes a first flange for mounting with the jacket, a second flange for contacting the foundation pile, and an inflatable spacing member arranged between the first flange and second flange. The inflatable spacing member contacts both the first flange and second flange for supporting the jacket through the spacing member.

Abstract: A method of and a noise mitigation system for installing a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, includes a screen to be placed about a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, during driving of the foundation element in an underwater ground formation, to reduce noise input resulting from the driving into the surrounding water, e.g. a river or sea. The method and system comprise a further screen to be deployed about the (first) screen.