Abstract: A floating substructure made of a steel structure with ballast tanks provides buoyancy and stability to support a wind turbine generator in deep waters. Mooring lines directly attach to the substructure to provide stability. These mooring lines can also be directly anchored to the bed of a body of water, such as a seabed, to control movements. Different types of anchors can be used depending on the soil characteristic of the bed of the body of water.

Abstract: A rigid structure propellant management device (PMD) liquid storage tank includes an outer shell and internal structures inside the outer shell that include a plurality of vertical columns each made up of a stack of individual storage cells. Each of the storage cells has solid vertical sidewalls and top and bottom capillary windows that allow vertical liquid transfer between adjacent cells in a vertical column. The top and bottom capillary windows in each of the storage cells have permeabilities that result in a selected direction of liquid flow in each column. A piping and valve system may be connected to the top capillary window of a top storage cell and to the bottom capillary window of a bottom storage cell of each vertical column, configured to allow controlled liquid transfer between adjacent vertical columns so that locations of empty cells in the tank as liquid is drawn from the tank achieves a selected column by column drainage sequence and controls a center of mass of the tank.

Abstract: A metallic positive expulsion fuel tank with stress free weld seams may include a first hemispherical shell with a first edge; and a hemispherical rolling metal diaphragm with a first edge attached to the first hemispherical shell along matching first edges. A second hemispherical shell with a first edge may be attached to the first edge of the first hemispherical shell by a first weld seam thereby forming two interior chambers separated by the hemispherical rolling metal diaphragm. A pressurized gas inlet may be attached to the first hemispherical dome; and a fuel outlet fixture may be attached to the second hemispherical dome. The first weld seam may have been stress relieved by a localized post-weld heat treatment confined to an immediate vicinity of the first weld seam.

Abstract: A metallic positive expulsion fuel tank with stress free weld seams may include a first hemispherical shell with a first edge; a pressurized gas inlet attached to the first hemispherical shell; and a metallic cylinder with first and second edges attached to the first hemispherical shell along matching first edges by a first weld seam. The tank may also include a second hemispherical shell with a first edge attached to a fuel outlet fixture. An elastomeric diaphragm may be attached to the fuel outlet fixture on the second hemispherical shell. The second hemispherical shell may be attached to the second edge of the metallic cylinder along matching edges by a second weld seam thereby forming a positive expulsion fuel tank with two interior chambers separated by the elastomeric diaphragm. The first and second weld seams may be subjected to a localized post-weld stress relief heat treatment in which heating of the tank is confined to a distance of 2 inches (5.

Abstract: A method of forming a thick wall section on a specific region of a thin wall spinformed metallic tank shell includes forming a thin wall metallic tank shell blank by spinforming a metal sheet over a mandrel and removing the tank shell blank from the mandrel. The method further includes mounting the blank in an additive manufacturing system and adding metallic structural features to the tank shell according to a 3D model stored in memory in the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A method of performing a localized post weld heat treatment on a weld seam in a thin wall metallic body may include attaching thermocouples to the outside surface of the weld seam and covering the weld seam with a thermal insulating blanket. Cooling bands are attached to the outside of the body on both sides of the weld seam. An inert atmosphere enclosure with inlet and exhaust ports is fitted over the weld seam, thermal insulating blanket, and cooling bands. A power supply and control system for an induction coil or coils situated in close proximity to the weld seam are actuated and the weld seam is subjected to a heat treatment without thermally affecting regions of the metallic body adjacent to the weld seam and external to the cooling bands.

Abstract: A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

Abstract: A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

Abstract: A grouted cylindrical connection utilizing bearing surfaces can be used with conventional transition-monopile foundations to connect the large diameter cylindrical shaped monopile to the larger diameter cylindrical shaped transition section which includes appurtances. The grouted cylindrical connection includes a cylindrical shaped monopile, a cylindrical shaped transition section receiving the monopile, an annulus being formed between the monopile and the transition section, and first and second bearing elements disposed in the annulus. The first bearing element is attached to the transition section and the second bearing element is attached to the monopile. The annulus is filled with grout to transmit force and moment between the transition section and the monopile through grout between the first and second bearing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for use on a portion of a milling or mining drum may include a base portion and a cutter bit. The cutter bit may include a tip region, a flange having a nut-like gripping surface, and a shank portion. At least a distal end of the shank portion may include a threaded portion. The shank portion may be received in an opening of the base portion. The opening of the base portion may be internally threaded to engage the threaded portion of the shank portion of the cutter bit. The base portion may include a lower region having a second threaded portion of smaller diameter than the threaded portion engaging the shank portion of the cutter bit. A retainer may be internally threaded into the opening of the base portion and threadably engaged in the second threaded portion.

Abstract: A support structure for an offshore device and a method of assembling and installing the support structure, is provided including a vertical guide sleeve having, three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a convex portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. The transition joint may include a strengthening material in contact with an inner surface. The vertical sleeve, elongated sleeves, braces, and transition joint can be assembled onshore with lower piles installed in the elongated sleeves, this guide portion of the structure transported to the offshore location, and then piles driven to secure the structure to the floor of a body of water.

Abstract: A grouted cylindrical connection utilizing bearing surfaces can be used with conventional transition-monopile foundations to connect the large diameter cylindrical shaped monopile to the larger diameter cylindrical shaped transition section which includes appurtances. The grouted cylindrical connection includes a cylindrical shaped monopile, a cylindrical shaped transition section receiving the monopile, an annulus being formed between the monopile and the transition section, and first and second bearing elements disposed in the annulus. The first bearing element is attached to the transition section and the second bearing element is attached to the monopile. The annulus is filled with grout to transmit force and moment between the transition section and the monopile through grout between the first and second bearing elements.

Abstract: The grouted pile splice for pipe piles includes a lower pile section, and an upper pile section including an integral driving portion adapted to apply a driving force to the lower pile section. The upper pile section includes a stabbing portion sized to extend through a proximal end opening and into an inner bore of the lower pile section to form an annulus space between the upper pile section and the lower pile section to receive grout. The driving portion may include a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the stabbing portion, and an annular land positioned to contact a proximal end of the lower pile section. A grout distributor assembly may be mounted in the upper pile section to receive grout. A grout line assembly is inserted into the upper pile section and mated with the distributor assembly to supply pumped grout to the annulus space.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a base mounted to a mining drum. The base can include an opening including a seat. The apparatus also can include an insert including a bore and an exterior surface. The apparatus also can include a cutter bit including a cutting tip and a shank extending from the cutting tip. The shank can include a threaded portion and a transition positioned between the cutting tip and the threaded portion. The apparatus also can include a retainer including a threaded portion. A portion of the exterior surface of the insert facing the base can be dimensioned to engage the seat of the base. A region of the bore of the insert can be dimensioned to engage the transition of the cutter bit. The threaded portion of the retainer can be configured to engage the threaded portion of the cutter bit.

Abstract: A system and method to remove quickly an insert, especially an insert with a damaged gripping portion, from a base portion of a mining and/or milling drum. The insert can have a threaded portion engageable with the base portion opening. The insert can define an interior bore configured to receive a cutter bit, and an opening configured to receive an apparatus engageable with the insert opening to facilitate the removal of the insert from the base portion. The insert opening may be polygonal or may include at least one planar surface and/or a rounded corner. An apparatus can engage with the polygonal opening and/or a fastener can engage with the shafted fastener. In both cases, the apparatus and/or fastener is rotated with a force to disengage the threaded portion of the insert from the opening of the base portion.

Abstract: A support structure for an offshore device and a method of assembling and installing the support structure, is provided including a vertical guide sleeve having, three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a convex portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. The transition joint may include a strengthening material in contact with an inner surface. The vertical sleeve, elongated sleeves, braces, and transition joint can be assembled onshore with lower piles installed in the elongated sleeves, this guide portion of the structure transported to the offshore location, and then piles driven to secure the structure to the floor of a body of water.

Abstract: The grouted pile splice for pipe piles includes a lower pile section, and an upper pile section including an integral driving portion adapted to apply a driving force to the lower pile section. The upper pile section includes a stabbing portion sized to extend through a proximal end opening and into an inner bore of the lower pile section to form an annulus space between the upper pile section and the lower pile section to receive grout. The driving portion may include a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the stabbing portion, and an annular land positioned to contact a proximal end of the lower pile section. A grout distributor assembly may be mounted in the upper pile section to receive grout. A grout line assembly is inserted into the upper pile section and mated with the distributor assembly to supply pumped grout to the annulus space. A method and upper pile section are also provided.

Abstract: A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs. These legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore drilling platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.

Abstract: An endless chain for cutting and removing spoil from a trench includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled together. A plurality of flight plates are secured to the plurality of links. A pattern of openings extends through each flight plate between the under surface and the outer surface. A plurality of wear plates is positioned over the outer surface of the plurality of flight plates. A plurality of fasteners pass from the under surface of the flight plate through at least some of the pattern of openings in the flight plate and into the wear plate to secure the wear plate to the flight plate. The fasteners securing the wear plates to the flight plates can have outer ends that terminate short of the outer surface of the wear plates in openings in the under surface of the wear plate. Sockets, which include bores receiving cutting elements, can be fixed to the wear plates with a bottom surface of the socket either angled with respect to or flush with the wear plate outer surface.

Abstract: A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs. These legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore drilling platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.