Abstract: Storage vessel, system and method for storing compressed gas are provided. A storage vessel for storing compressed gas comprises a wellbore provided in the subsurface; a casing placed within the wellbore and cemented to the formation, the casing defining a volumetric space within the wellbore for storing the compressed gas; and at least one flow regulator sealed at a top end of the casing for selectively injecting the compressed gas into the space or discharging the compressed gas from the space, wherein the wellbore has a volumetric capacity of at least 20 m3, and wherein the compressed gas has a pressure of at least 5 MPa.

Abstract: A reamer for increasing the diameter of a wellbore includes an eccentric reamer lobe having at least one cutting blade and a roller, wherein the roller encompasses the circumference of the reamer.

Abstract: An improved flood protection system for a home or other building. The flood protection system includes a waterproof membrane that is positioned on the exterior of the building. The membrane has first and second horizontal edges. A sealant is applied to the foundation between the first horizontal edge of the membrane and the foundation of the building. A termination bar mechanically attaches to the foundation, pressing the first horizontal edge of the membrane and the sealant toward the foundation to create a watertight seal.

Abstract: A retaining wall block includes a block body having: a top and a bottom spaced from the top by a height H; a front and a rear spaced from the front by a depth D; and a first side and a second side spaced from the first side by a length L; a vertical interlock system comprising: a female component comprising a groove in the bottom of the block body, the groove being spaced from the front by a depth FB and having a depth G, the groove extending from a distance F from the first side through to the second side, wherein F<FB and FB+G<D; and a male component extending across the top of the block body between the first side and the second side, the male component being spaced from the front by at least a depth of FB and having a depth no greater than G, wherein a plurality of gaps in the male component comprise: a first gap extending from the first side and having a first gap length of at least FB; a second gap spaced from the first gap by no more than G and having a second gap length of at least D?FB?G+F, the

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a main body, a mast to mount a drilling tool, a kinematic mechanism movably constraining the mast to the main body while allowing mutual rotation. The kinematic mechanism includes an elongated component hinged at two ends. When the drilling machine is in a drilling configuration, the elongated component performs a structural function to constrain the mast to the main body. An assembling and moving equipment includes a moving element movably mounted to the drilling machine and supporting the elongated component. A moving actuator controls the relative position between the moving element and a mounting portion of the drilling machine. When the drilling machine is in an assembling configuration, one end of the elongated component is released and the moving element acts upon the elongated component. Moving the moving element relative to the mounting portion of the drilling machine causes rotation of the elongated component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free-sliding seabed mudmat foundation, which belongs to the fields of offshore and ocean engineering. The mudmat comprises a base foundation, an upper foundation, and a cover plate. The base foundation sits on the seabed to support dead weights of the mudmat itself and the subsea production system fixed on the mudmat. The upper foundation, with a plurality of universal rolling ball bearing being attached to the bottom, can slide on the base foundation when it is subjected to a horizontal push force generated by the pipeline during operation. Therefore, the axial load on the pipeline during operation due to heating and pressurization is released and the buckling failure risk is then reduced. The mudmat disclosed has smaller size and lighter weight, which is beneficial in reducing fabrication costs and reducing requirements for cranes on the pipeline laying vessel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a polycrystalline diamond compact including a cemented carbide substrate and a diamond layer, with the diamond layer disposed at the top face of cemented carbide substrate, there are at least two continuous varying cambered convex ridges at the end face of the diamond layer, each cambered convex ridge extending from the edge of the end face to the center of end face, with the width of each continuous varying cambered convex ridge increasing gradually from the edge of the end face to the center of the end face. Both ploughing effect and the fracture drilling property of the PDC cutting face with each continuous varying cambered convex ridge are improved, the cutting resistance during drilling is reduced and thus the rate of penetration of the PDC bit is increased. A drilling bit with the polycrystalline diamond compact disposed at the end thereof is provided in the disclosure.

Abstract: Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.

Abstract: A scarifier system for cutting channels into a ground surface according to a chosen design pattern, comprising a scarifier machine, and a guide system for guiding the scarifier machine on a tracked trail. The guide system for guiding the scarifier machine on a tracked trail can be, for instance, a sliding bracket clasping a guide rail or a rolling carriage having one or more pairs of wheels gripping a guide rail. A method of remodeling a ground surface using the scarifier system comprises the steps of planning a design pattern to remodel the ground surface and to mark the ground surface according to the chosen design pattern. The guide rail is installed on the ground surface according to the chosen design pattern and the scarifier machine is placed on the guide rail in a manner that the scarifier machine can slide along the guide rail to cut a channel into the ground surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems including processing dredge spoils to reclaim soil therefrom. The techniques may include a feed system for receiving dredge spoils, a dewatering system for removing water from the dredge spoils, and a grinder/mixer for grinding the dredge spoils from the dewatering system while mixing the dredge spoils with one or more additional materials.

Abstract: An illuminated guide pole for a watercraft-supporting structure includes an elongate LED light source enclosed within a waterproof housing mounted to the supporting structure. The housing includes a transparent pipe for surrounding the LED light source. The light source is electrically connected to a source of power and may include an LED whip light device.

Abstract: An underground water storage system has a system for preventing water invasion into the near surface soil layers, thereby preventing water intrusion which may be detrimental to desired surface uses for the land, such as agricultural, recreational, residential or commercial uses.

Abstract: An on-site heavy metal contaminated soil treatment apparatus, comprising a sampling system, a molding system, a heat processing system and a tail gas processing system disposed in sequence. The sampling system includes a bucket elevator and a planetary stirring device which are connected in sequence and are disposed on a mobile platform of the sampling system. The apparatus is easy to move and assemble, has a small floor area, and can be built on a target contaminated site, reducing transportation costs and the risk of secondary contamination. The entire process performed by the apparatus proceeds automatically, reducing labor costs. The planetary stirring sampling method and automatic brick blank extrusion molding process of the apparatus are applicable to various types of heavy metal contaminated soil providing high processing efficiency and good molding effect. Combined microwave heating and high-temperature steam heating provide rapid heating, small thermal inertia, and easy temperature control.

Abstract: A masonry block has a front, a back, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The front has a front-top edge and a front-bottom edge. A number of steps (e.g. two steps) that rise above the top surface are setback from the front-top edge by a first setback distance. An equal number of notches are formed/cut into the bottom surface. A first notch of the notches is setback from the front-bottom edge by a second setback distance. When stacked to form a wall, the steps of a lower masonry block interface with the notches of a next higher masonry block and the first setback distance is greater than the second setback distance resulting in an overall setback as defined by a difference between the first setback distance minus the second setback distance.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a pick tool with a PCD impact tip. The impact tip is joined to a support body at a non-planar first interface. The non-planar first interface comprises two co-axial and annular interface surfaces of differing radial widths.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for underground cable installation are provided. A system includes a compressor and a boring attachment. The boring attachment may be operatively coupled to the compressor and further coupled to an outer sheath of a buried cable. The boring attachment may be configured to be actuated by the compressor. In response to being actuated by the compressor, the boring attachment may be configured to displace at least some ground material, in contact with the buried cable, in which the buried cable is buried, and advance in at least one direction along a longitudinal axis of the buried cable.

Abstract: A ground improvement apparatus includes: an inner shaft arranged inside an outer pipe and including a mechanism for rotating a crank at a rotation speed four times as fast as that of the outer pipe; agitation blades supported by the outer pipe so as to reciprocate in a radial direction of the outer pipe and including discharge outlets; and a slider crank mechanism for converting a rotation movement of the crank to a reciprocating movement of the agitation blades. A ground at a location where the outer pipe is penetrated and a solidifying material discharged from the discharge outlets are agitated and mixed with each other to form an improved body having a substantially rectangular cross section by rotating the agitation blades while advancing and retreating the agitation blades relative to each other via the slider crank mechanism by rotation of the crank.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a jetting, expansion and extrusion combined pile, a construction method thereof and a spiral jetting, expansion and extrusion drilling rig used in the method. A pile of the combined pile comprises a pile body (101), an expanded body (103) and a pile end (106). At least one double-frustum-shaped expanded body (103), which is integrally formed with the pile body (101), is arranged on the pile body (101). The expanded body (103) is located in a vertical soil layer position, which has higher deformation modulus and shear strength, of the pile body (101), and at least two wing plates (102) which are uniformly distributed in the circumference direction and basically perpendicular to the axis of the pile are arranged on the pile body (101). The diameter of the pile above the expanded body (103) is larger than or equal to that of the pile below the expanded body (103).

Abstract: The present invention is a system for treating land, either to reclaim or optimize the land. Embedded subsurface pipes deliver water to the land. The water may be loaded with soil-treating additives. As water streams from the pipes, it treats the land before passing into a drainage ditch around the periphery of the land. The water is removed from the ditch and recycled, removing contaminants (in reclamation operations) or adding more additives (in optimization operations), before returning to the pipes for another round of treatment, if necessary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.