Abstract: An apparatus for guiding camera systems and the like subsea from a platform has a running tool and a guideline holder. These components are detachably assembled and the first runs and retrieves the second which connects guidelines to some fixed subsea point.

Abstract: A field breaking or tilling implement. The implement is mounted or located at a lower end of a shank which is adapted to be drawn behind a tractor. At the lower forward end of the shank is located a chisel point adapted to be pulled through the soil at a position just below a sub-surface hard pan soil layer. Extending rearwardly from the shank is a plow extension which mounts a plow member in spaced relation from the shank. The plow member is located directly behind the chisel, and serves to lift and break the soil. A method of tilling is also disclosed in which a plow member is pulled through the soil directly behind a chisel member.

Abstract: The invention provides a liner sheet, liner panel system, and method for making same that employ a substantially continuous passage that enhances leak detection and thermal insulation in fluid-containment structures, e.g., double-wall tanks.

Abstract: A process for producing a landfill from a specified landfill site is disclosed.In the first step of this process, leachate from the landfill site is collected. Thereafter a specified shredded material is contacted with the leachate to age it, the horizontal permeability of the aged shredded material is then tested with a specified permeability tester; if the test is successful, the shredded material is used in the landfill and covered with waste material.

Abstract: A slurry wall lining system comprises a liner and a liner dispenser having a guide, an anchor, a support line, weights and fasteners. The liner dispenser preferably holds a liner in a rolled up position above the trench on rollers for insertion into the trench. The guide is preferably attached to the dispenser and can be angled to extend down into the trench. The liner is unrolled initially in a vertical direction down into the trench at a rate about equal to the movement of the dispenser along the trench. The liner then passes around the guide into a horizontal orientation in the trench. In the preferred embodiment, the weights pull the liner downward about the guide and secure one edge of the liner near the bottom of the trench. The fasteners, support line and anchor to hold the other edge of the liner along the top of the trench.

Abstract: A submerged breakwater and barrier reef module, the reef being placed upon the seabed for protecting shorelines from the deleterious effects of wave energy including beach erosion.The module is comprised of a base, having a bottom surface and securing the module to the seabed. The base supports a seaward face for initially receiving an oncoming wave and partially dissipating the wave energy. The seaward face includes a plurality of depressions, and these depressions control scouring about the module.

Abstract: An expansion assembly for use with resin on a mine roof bolt includes an expandable shell and a camming plug having a first end wall spaced from a second end wall by a tapered body portion. Four equidistantly spaced grooves extend longitudinally in the tapered body portion. Pairs of grooves are connected across the second end wall by transverse grooves that form resin flow channels. A rib formation extends outwardly from the side wall adjacent to and removed from a groove. The rib formation defines the edge of the groove and abuts an edge of one of the fingers of the expandable shell to align the grooves of the plug with the respective slots formed between the shell fingers. This alignment assures unobstructed flow of the mixed resin downwardly through the plug grooves and shell slots into surrounding relation with the expansion assembly for secure bonding of the assembly with the walls of a bore hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved mobile apparatus for removing contaminants from a site containing granular material with the contaminants being affixed thereto. The mobile apparatus comprises a processor which extracts the granular material containing the contaminants from the site. The processor containing a liquid agent separates the contaminants from the granular material and creates a slurry comprising the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants. A conduit conducts the slurry from the processor to a mobile reservoir. A separator extending angularly relative to the mobile reservoir conveys the granular material, the liquid agent and the contaminants away from the mobile reservoir and separates the granular material from the liquid agent containing the contaminants.

Abstract: A process for treating wastes contaminated by toxic metals and/or organic materials is disclosed. The process involves heating the metal-contaminated wastes to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the metals. This temperature is also high enough to destroy or volatilize organic contaminants. The metal vapors are contacted with a sorbent which is reactive with the metals and sequesters them, thereby forming a non-leachable complex which can be disposed as non-hazardous conventional waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a tractor's three point hitch system to a ground working implement comprises a U-shaped frame mountable at one end to the hitch system and having rearwardly open grooves formed in its other end. An automatically locking and quick release latch assembly is mounted between the walls of the frame and responds automatically to movement of an implement's latch pins into the grooves to capture and lock the latch pins in place so that the implement can be pulled by the tractor. For release of the implement, a simple tug on a cord attached to the latch assembly releases the latch pins of the implement so that the tractor can simply pull away from the decoupled implement.

Abstract: An in-situ soil heating/treatment system consists of a frame to which are attached a plurality of heater spikes and a plurality of tubular, perforated vapor extraction spikes. An insulated shield covers the frame and internal components. The spikes, which are 1-2 feet in length, are driven into the ground and heated to temperatures in excess of 1000.degree. C. The heat generated at the heater spikes is conducted and convected into the soil. As the soil temperature rises and approaches the boiling point of the contaminants, the contaminants volatilize and flow to the vapor collection spikes. A vacuum system connected to the vapor extraction spikes withdraws the contaminant vapors through the perforated, tubular spikes and treats them.

Abstract: A soil surface remediation apparatus useful for decontamination of oil or chemical spill sites and toxic waste containing sites comprises a soil treatment apparatus mounted on a mobile trenching machine tractor which excavates trenches in a contaminated site to remove contaminated soil to the surface apparatus where the soil is decontaminated and is immediately replaced into the excavated trench in a continuous operation. Hydrocarbons or other useful by-products such as precious metals may be recovered from the soil. Both deep trenching and shallow trenching embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A floating breakwater device for attenuating waves includes an elongated frame extending vertically between an upper end and a lower end. A buoyant member is attached to the frame to support the top end of the frame above the water surface. A barrier is attached to the frame which extends downwardly from the top end of the frame and below the water surface to a position adjacent the bottom end of the frame. The barrier is adapted to intercept and reflect a portion of the kinetic energy of an attacking wave. A first platform and a second platform are attached to the bottom end of the frame on opposite sides. The platforms extend outwardly from the frame to provide stability and resistance to unwanted movement of the breakwater device.

Abstract: An aquatic control sleeve apparatus for enabling application of chemical agents to underwater aquatic vegetation accumulating in a body of flowing water and a method for enabling application of the same. The aquatic control sleeve apparatus has an aquatic control sleeve placeable within a body of flowing water substantially parallel to its normal flow path. A first collar attached to the upstream end of the aquatic control sleeve funnels the entire flow of water into the aquatic control sleeve. The water surrounding the aquatic control sleeve is stilled or pacified by the funnelling of the moving water into the aquatic control sleeve, thus permitting the application of chemical agents to the stilled water to treat underwater vegetation without the fear of the chemical agents being swept away by the water current. A second collar is provided at the downstream end of the aquatic control sleeve and discharges the water funnelled through the aquatic control sleeve.

Abstract: A boat lift that is collapsible into a plurality of segments for quick and convenient transportation and storage during the off-season. The boat lift comprises a frame and a boat-engaging carriage that is movable on the frame between an elevated position and a lowered position. The frame forms an inclined track upon which the carriage traverses and comprises two spaced siderails, and a front and rear brace member. The front brace member comprises two segments that are each pivotally attached to a respective siderail. The segments are selectively removable from one another to permit the segments to be folded back adjacent their respective siderails. The rear brace member is selectively removable from the siderails so that the frame member may be collapsed into three separate segments. The carriage is removable from the frame and may be collapsed in a similar manner.

Abstract: Magnetic field producers are disposed either at the leading portion of an underground excavator or at a reference position in front of the underground excavator. The magnetic field producers can be constituted by a plurality of rectangular loops disposed to run parallel to one another and to overlap one another. The rectangular loops can be individually excited sequentially or they can be simultaneously excited at different frequencies. The magnetic field produced by a magnetic field producer can be detected by a first magnetic field detector and by a second magnetic field detector disposed to the rear of the first magnetic field detector so that the inclination angle of the underground excavator can be obtained from the difference between the positions of the two detectors. A loop of a magnetic field producing cable can be covered by a non-magnetic metal member so that wear and disconnection are prevented.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic cable deployment system suitable for deploying cable from a oil on a moving underwater vessel is disclosed. The present invention provides hydrodynamic assist means for cooperation with a system for the deployment of a cable tether used for communication between a marine vessel and an expendable or non-expendable device launched therefrom by providing means for generating hydrodynamic pressure to produce a current in the direction of cable deployment, assisting in the process of stripping the cable from the coil. The means for generating hydrodynamic pressure can be implemented via a pump, or via a water intake scoop which utilizes the forward movement of the marine vessel to force water therethrough. Additional pressure can be induced and concentrated in a predetermined direction through directional nozzles.

Abstract: A grabbing device (14) of a type to be connected to an arm or boom of an excavating machine of the like is arranged as separate unit having coupling means for optional coupling thereof to the bucket or the like tool (33) arranged adjacent to or beyond the grabbing device. The grabbing device may be used both with the bucket attached and without same and the bucket or the like unit may be used coupled beyond the grabbing device or directly to coupling means of the arm or boom (1). Between the grabbing device and the coupling means of the arm or boom there is interconnected a rotation tilting apparatus (6) allowing swinging and tilting of the grabbing device (14) relative to the arm or boom (1) and its coupling means.

Abstract: A breakwater that is formed from a plurality of modules, with each module including a base suitable for supporting the module on the seabed, a gently sloping seaward face extending above the base from one end, and a sloping beachward face extending above the base from the opposite end. The tops of the seaward and backward face meet to form a top section and at the top portion of the beachward face at the top section there is a transversely disposed concave cutout that extends across the beachward face. The cutout causes backwash water to swirl in it which removes a significant amount of the nourishment sand that is in backwash water. The cutout has two spaced apart vertically extending concave channels that connect to respective openings in the top of the module.

Abstract: Floating oil are containment boom sections are provided with one or a plurality of collapsible and inflatable bladders or buoyancy chambers, extending along the upper edge of the boom section's skirt, and enclosed inside an elongated gas-impervious sleeve which is also collapsible and independently inflatable through its own inflation/deflation valve, producing dual chamber inflated buoyant flotation forming the upper edge of the boom. ASTM scarf-joint connectors join adjacent boom sections, which are ballasted along their lower skirt edges and provided with tension-carrying reinforcing cable, chain or webbing.