Abstract: The present invention provides improved soil-cement compositions and methods of forming subterranean cementitious masses using the compositions. The soil-cement compositions are basically comprised of hydraulic cement, water present in the compositions in amounts sufficient to form slurries of the solids therein, a dispersant comprised of a mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, ferrous lignosulfonate, ferrous sulfate and tannic acid and soil present in an amount whereby the volume ratio of cement, water and dispersant to soil in the compositions is in the range of from about 0.3:1 to about 2.1:1.

Abstract: A method and system for in-situ remediation of contaminated groundwater and soil where the contaminants, such as toxic metals, are carried in a subsurface plume. The method comprises selection and injection into the soil of a fluid that will cause the contaminants to form stable, non-toxic compounds either directly by combining with the contaminants or indirectly by creating conditions in the soil or changing the conditions of the soil so that the formation of stable, non-toxic compounds between the contaminants and existing substances in the soil are more favorable. In the case of non-toxic metal contaminants, sulfides or sulfates are injected so that metal sulfides or sulfates are formed. Alternatively, an inert gas may be injected to stimulate microorganisms in the soil to produce sulfides which, in turn, react with the metal contaminants. Preferably, two wells are used, one to inject the fluid and one to extract the unused portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A technique for in situ decontamination of an earth formation. High gas temperatures can be achieved at subsurface formations by supplying a fuel at a subsurface location, such as at the bottom of a wellbore. Pressurized air or gas preheated to a temperature of about 700.degree. F.-1200.degree. F. is supplied to the wellbore to ignite the fuel. The combustion heat produced by the fuel further heats the preheated gas to temperatures in the range of 1200.degree. F.-4500.degree., which heated gases are forced out of the borehole into the contaminated formation. Contaminants are thereby volatilized or oxidized and removed from the formation to the surface.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon contaminated soil from the excavation of a leaking underground storage tank is physically and chemically stabilized by combining the soil with a lime substance which is hydrated to form a flowable mixture. This mixture can then be used to fill the excavation and, if applicable, can be flowed around a replaced storage tank creating a low permeable liner. This monolithic mass prohibits hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the soil from leaching into the vicinity groundwater and prohibits leaking from possible future tank ruptures.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pipeline having a deliberate weak link to relieve a large tension load, said weak link being a pipe loop in said pipeline of sufficient weakness to fail prior to reaching said large tension load.

Abstract: A mechanically stabilized earth wall system, including an upright retaining wall of modular facing panels and a number of horizontal reinforcement units or anchors, including a novel connector to simply and quickly connect the horizontal reinforcement anchors to the modular facing panels.

Abstract: A system for laying a trench bed layer consisting of fine grained material derived from unclassified fill material. The system includes a main frame that is pivotally supported by a hitch carried by a front end loader. The hitch includes a support bar that extends in the direction of travel of the front end loader whereby the main frame is securable to the support bar so as to extend transverse to the travel direction of the front end loader. Hydraulic cylinders normally used for manipulating the arms of the front end loader vary the attitude or angle of attack of the main frame in accordance with ground slope. The hitch also carries means for pivoting the main frame about a pin connection joining the main frame and the support bar. The system further includes a hopper carried by the main frame into which unclassified backfill material is loaded. A first conveyor transports the fill material from the bottom of the hopper to a vibrating screen.

Abstract: The present invention features a dual-purpose sediment mat for trapping loose sediments that have been disturbed upstream in a riverbed. The mat is generally rectangular in shape and laid horizontally on the riverbed. The low horizontal profile provides a mechanism by which the sediments can be entrapped without unduly disturbing the flow of the river. The sediment mat has a highly porous top surface and a tightly woven bottom surface to entrap the sediments settling thereupon. The mat itself is a loose arrangement of excelsior, straw or other sediment-absorbing material. Wooden stays define modular portions of the sediment mat, maintain its configuration and provide handles for moving the mat. Eyelets disposed at the corners and along the sides of the mat provide a mechanism for staking the mat to the riverbed. Thereafter, the sediment-rich mat can be anchored to the sides of the riverbank. There, it can be seeded to grow vegetation that beautifies and stabilizes the berm.

Abstract: System including method and apparatus for treating contaminated underwater sediment by lowering a cylindrical casing to an underbed, lowering a power driven Kelly bar with plural blade injecting and mixing tool fed with treatment material such as solidifying cement and flyash, providing a top circular cover for confining the sediment to be treated within the casing, injecting and mixing the treatment material through the Kelly bar and sequentially moving the casing with Kelly bar and top cover to adjacent treatment locations having full coverage provided with minimum overlap.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming consolidated earth columns of cement grout or mortar, with reinforcement bars if required, e.g., for use in building foundations or in earth consolidation works in anchoring structures of excavation barriers, which significantly reduces the time taken to form the columns and improves productivity. The method includes the steps of injecting a consolidating grout when drilling into the earth. The drill may be left inside the column if a column with reinforcement bar is required. The plant to put the method into effect has a rotating joint manifold (6) at the upper end of the boring drill (11), equipped with tangentially arranged inlets which may be selectively inclined; and a group distributor body (15) placed at the lower end of the boring drill (11) above the boring tool that is equipped with grout flow devices.

Abstract: A secondary containment structure for the safe storage of hazardous materials held in primary containers, such as drums, cans and bottles. In large sizes, the containment structure is adapted to function as a pallet or as the floor of a building or shelter for primary containers. The structure includes a core formed of an end-grain balsa wood base and a rectangular frame placed thereover formed of the same or similar material to define the bed and the side walls of a sump. The inner edges at the upper end of the frame are indented to create a ledge to accommodate a fiberglass grating. The containers to be stored are seated on the grating, whereby leakage or spillage from the containers are collected in and confined to the sump. Laminated to the exposed surfaces of the core is a layer of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic material, whereby the resultant laminate, though light in weight, is of exceptional strength.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having main and wing sections which are joined by a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism includes a first pivot connection for allowing generally horizontal pivoting movement of the wing section between a field working position and a folded position. In either position, the wing section remains in essentially the same plane as the main section. The folding mechanism further includes a second pivot connection whereat the sections are joined to each other and which allows independent vertical movement of the wing section relative to the main section. The folding mechanism further includes limit stops for limiting relative movement between the wing and main sections. Moreover, the agricultural implement can include a driver for effecting powered movement of the wing section relative to the main section.

Abstract: A boom includes a plurality of boom sections joined end to end. Each boom section includes two or more parallel inflatable chambers which are joined with a weighted curtain which is reinforced for strength. Boom sections are stored compactly on respective reels. A substantial number of reels are arranged compactly in the hold of a carrier vessel which is smaller in size and has greater speed and maneuverability than vessels carrying known oil spill containment systems. Boom sections are consecutively unwound from their respective reels and connected end-to-end as they are deployed to form a continuous boom. The boom sections unwind naturally from the reels as the carrier vessel moves through the water away from a tender vessel holding the first end of the boom. The boom's deployment is controlled by a brake on an idler roller and a hydraulic crane's drive wheel on the reel, thus limiting manual handling to lighter-weight tasks.

Abstract: A device for driving a stake into the ground, particularly a foundation stake of new or existing buildings. The device may also be used for stabilizing, raising and shoring foundations, or for any other similar application. The device has two hydraulic jacks on which are secured two rods, the hydraulic jacks and the rods being parallel to the driving axis of the stake. The device has also a driving member provided with a hammering head continuously in contact with the upper end of the stake during the power stroke of the hydraulic jacks Bores are provided in the hammering head in which the rods are inserted. Latches facing each other are provided in the hammering head to prevent segments of larger diameter on the rods from going through the bore during the return stroke but not during the power stroke, therefore allowing the stake to be driven by the hammering head during the return stroke.

Abstract: A natural bottom culvert and installation method that preserves the in-stream environment for fish to spawn, forage and migrate, while being able to withstand high-water levels. The culvert has an arch-shaped member that is placed over the stream in connection with elongate footings placed on terraces prepared on each stream bank. The footings have a plurality of apertures spaced along their elongate dimensions. Anchor posts are driven into the terraces through the apertures and affixed to the footings. Fill material is placed over this assembly and a road is constructed over the fill material.

Abstract: A "rod accumulator" riser tensioning cylinder assembly for use with off-shore production and exploratory drilling facilities. The tensioner is basically a hydro-pneumatic spring having a tubular cylinder equipped with a hollow rod containing sufficient volume to act as an accumulator. The rod is internally ported to the annulus of the cylinder. The cylinder exterior is coated with a material that will insulate the unit when exposed to high temperature and flame. A wear sleeve is supplied over the insulation material to provide a low friction surface for an outer, cylindrically shaped rod insulation jacket to slide over the cylinder when the rod is stroked into the cylinder. When the rod is stroked out, the jacket is also extended, protecting the rod from flame and high temperature due to its insulative properties. This is a low mass and low volume system, with low lateral area so that an increased number of such cylinder assemblies can be provided in a given horizontal area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved rearwardly folding combination harrow sprayer drawbar. A plurality of quick detach harrow arms are adapted to be quickly connected and disconnected to a plurality of harrow arm receivers. The implement can be used for spraying and harrowing at the same time, or once the harrows are detached and left in the field, the implement can be used for post-emergent spraying. A wet spray boom can be height adjusted by means of a plurality of manual spring loaded levers. The unit is equipped with hinged boom draws which can be pinned to be rigid such that it can be moved rearwardly in order to re-attach the harrows quickly and easily. The unit is also capable of lifting the harrows into a transport position and folding rearwardly into a narrow transport position in order to pass over roads or move through narrow entrance ways.

Abstract: A mine roof support employs a pair of floor skids carrying hydraulic props on which a roof-engaging structure is mounted. A goaf-shield is pivotably mounted to the roof-engaging structure and is connected with a lever system to the floor skids. A shifting and guide mechanism is disposed between the floor skids and takes the form of an hydraulic ram connected at the rear to a floor rail disposed beneath the ram. The ram is supported at the front end by a bridge member connecting the front ends of the skids together. An hydraulic lifting unit is mounted on the bridge member and when extended the unit bears on the floor rail to partially lift the skids as the shifting ram is operated. The lifting unit can be mounted to the bridge member in one of several alternative height positions.

Abstract: An enhanced pressure gradient remediation system (10) for decontaminating a contaminated volume of soil incorporates at least one extraction well (40) operated independently or in conjunction with at least one injection well (12). The injection well (12) is employed to inject steam, or ambient or heated air, into the soil, and extraction probe (40) extracts fluids, contaminants (30,32,34) and possibly groundwater (58) from the soil. The invention further contemplates injection and extraction by means of recoverable extraction and injection probes (14) which obviate the need for permanent wells. The enhanced pressure gradient results from employing extraction in possible conjunction with injection at higher vacuum and pressure than previously known in the art.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator includes a backpack assembly for holding a tank of compressed gas and an inflatable air cell which is removably attached to the backpack assembly. The backpack assembly includes a cummerbund and a shoulder harness so that the backpack assembly can be used to support a tank with or without the air cell. The cummerbund and shoulder harness support the entire weight of the tank, and the air cell is not required to support any of the load of the tank. The air cell is shaped to provide flotation in the lower back to buttocks area of the wearer and in the rib cage area.