Patents Examined by David H. Corbin
  • Perforated piling for soil remediation
    Patent number: 5403119
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovering VOC contaminants from a surface or subsurface release. In one embodiment, the invention includes at least one vertical extraction piling having an interior void space and at least one perforated surface on the exterior of the piling. The upper end of the vertical piling is attached to a vacuum pump by means of conventional piping. The surface area over the piling is sealed to minimize infiltration of surface air or water. A suitable vacuum is applied and the VOC contaminates migrate through a perforated exterior section of the piling then into the interior void space. The contaminates are then transported by a conventional piping system to the vacuum source. Finally the contaminates are adsorbed, condensed, oxidized, or directly discharged into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Four Seasons Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Hoyle
  • Method of installing a substantially rigid thermoplastic pipe in existing main and lateral conduits
    Patent number: 5403120
    Abstract: A substantially rigid thermoplastic pipe for repairing a pipeline by installing the thermoplastic pipe in an existing underground pipeline, such as a service lateral, having access from only one end and a bend along its length is provided. The thermoplastic pipe may be manufactured in reduced form so as to have a memory for the reduced form, is heated to make it pliable for installation, and is pulled into the lateral from the access opening using a cable-and-pulley arrangement anchored temporarily at the intersection of lateral and main pipelines. When installed in a lateral, it is rounded and cooled in its rounded shape by passing steam under pressure through passages along the folds of the pipe while its leading end is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: NuPipe, Inc.
    Inventor: Campbell H. Stekette, Jr.
  • Control device for mine-roof support
    Patent number: 5401123
    Abstract: The control device is adapted to be inserted between the control valves of a pilot device and the pressure-medium consumers (hydraulic prop and hydraulic working cylinder) in an hydraulic self-advancing mine-roof support and is connected to a pressure-medium line and to a return line. The control device comprises a valve block with continuous longitudinal bores for connection to a multiple tubing line leading to the pilot device, the valve block having bores for receiving piloted 3/2-way valves and bores for connection to the directly-controlled working cylinders of the mine-roof support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hermann Hemscheidt Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kobow, Werner Reinelt
  • Method of capping exposed land areas and particulate materials deposited thereon
    Patent number: 5399048
    Abstract: A method and formulation are shown for capping the exposed surface of an aggregate of materials, such as exposed land areas with fine particulate mining wastes. A mineral formulation is prepared by mixing together lime, a pozzolanic component, a sulfate component, a cellulosic component and water. The mineral formulation is applied to the exposed aggregate and is allowed to harden to form a surface coating thereon. A seed component or a coloring additive can be incorporated within the slurry for revegetating land areas and to enhance the esthetic appearance of the hardened cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Chemical Lime Company
    Inventor: Daniel D. Walker, Jr.
  • Device and method to level and repair a failed concrete foundation
    Patent number: 5399055
    Abstract: A means of leveling and repairing an existing concrete foundation that has failed due to differential settlement, subsidence, soil shifting, surface faults or trees. A series of cylindrical pile segments are jacked into the soil while water jetting to a predetermined depth wherein sufficient skin friction is attained. Reinforcing steel is inserted into the stacked column of cylindrical pile segments and grout is further pumped into the cylindrical pile segments to suitably fix the reinforcing steel to the inside of the cylindrical pile segments, forming a single shaft pile further eliminating or reducing pile deflection and shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Elmer T. Dutton, Jr.
  • Wall assembly for offshore use
    Patent number: 5397201
    Abstract: A wall assembly suitable for use on ships and offshore drilling platforms and in similar applications requiring fire resistance, low weight, and strength. The wall assembly includes a light weight principal panel having first and second fiber reinforced polymer skin layers joined to a core, and a metal frame adhered to the skin layers without any through fasteners. The frame preferably includes a first metal plate adhered to the first skin layer and a second metal plate adhered to the second skin layer and welded to the first metal plate. The frame is preferably welded to a metal support structure. The wall assembly may be used as a deck, floor, roof, vertical wall, gate or door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Miloslav Novak, R. Rao Valisetty, Jan L. Teply, Andrew P. Antoninka, John T. Siemon, Ross E. Grimm, Claire A. Byars, Martin F. Fitzgerald, Arun R. Mehta, Lawrence M. Ruckdeschel
  • Plastics rainwater guttering systems
    Patent number: 5394656
    Abstract: The invention provides a rainwater guttering system comprising plastic trough shaped gutter lengths (1) in which one side wall (2) of each length is extended upwardly and reversed back on itself to form an inverted U-shaped clip (3) which fits over the upper edge (4) of a fascia board (5) which provides a continuous support. Adjacent gutter lengths are directly fixed together and supported at selected spaced points, the arrangement being such that any changes in length dimensions of the system due to temperature changes are accommodated by local buckling of the gutter lengths. Preferably, the system includes a fascia board (5) especially formed to present a continuous free upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Caradon Terrain Limited
    Inventor: Robert W. Parker
  • Structure load transfer systems
    Patent number: 5395184
    Abstract: Low environmental impact, surface installed, load transfer systems providing stable connection between above ground structures and the earth, having a plurality of offset driving holes in an integral structure member, or in a bracket or brackets attachable to such a structure, through which piles may be driven into the surrounding soil to create, in differing configurations, the necessary resistances to any combination or relative proportions of the bearing, uplift and lateral loads associated with such structures. The piles are driven at predetermined angles relative to the supported structure, and consistent with its loading characteristics, and bind under load against the offset driving holes through which they pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Gagliano
  • Shield tunneling machine
    Patent number: 5393172
    Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a shield body having a soil chamber, an inside chamber and a partition wall. The soil chamber has a conical peripheral surface converging gradually rearward. A crankshaft having an eccentric portion is rotatably supported by the partition wall at the center of the partition wall corresponding to the axis of the shield body. A cutter disc with roller bits is secured to a front end of the crankshaft, and a conical rotor is rotatably mounted on the eccentric portion of the crankshaft behind the cutter disc. Since the cutter disc is rotated at an increased rotary velocity by five to ten times as many as that of a cutter disc in a conventional shield tunneling machine, crushing of gravel can be efficiently carried out by the cutter disc with roller bits in cooperation with the conical rotor mounted on the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Iseki Kaihatsu Koki
    Inventor: Toshio Akesaka
  • Method for removing a substance from a medium
    Patent number: 5391020
    Abstract: A method for removing a substance from a medium including the steps of growing plant life in the medium to absorb the substance into the plant life, removing the plant life from the medium and thereby the substance from the medium and repeating the growing and removing steps as many times as necessary to reduce the remaining quantity of the substance in the medium to the level desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: SDVC, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Williamson
  • Immobilization agent for industrial waste
    Patent number: 5387740
    Abstract: The immobilization agent for industrial waste according to the present invention is characterized by that it contains cement, ferrous chloride, iron oxalate and amorphous aluminium silicate, and it is preferred said ferrous chloride, iron oxalate and amorphous aluminium silicate are contained in it by mixing ferrous chloride and iron oxalate with amorphous aluminium silicate and granulating and heating the mixture in an inert gas stream. Further, according to the present invention, it may also contain at least one selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, cobalt chloride, aluminium sulfate, citric acid, calcium chloride and sodium sulfate in addition to the compounds mentioned above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: En-Tech Research Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Taiichiro Sasae, Tomio Nishida
  • Synthetic cover for waste
    Patent number: 5385429
    Abstract: A synthetic cover for waste piles may be formed from a mixture of liquid, binder, and fibers. These constituents may be mixed and applied to cover a waste pile. The cover will harden to minimize odor and affinity to birds, flies and other insects. The liquid may include water; the binder may include cement kiln dust with or without bentonite, or portland cement with flyash or stone dust. The fibers may comprise shredded paper or wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Landfill Service Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Hansen
  • Pipeline ballasting device
    Patent number: 5385430
    Abstract: A conduit weighting device comprising containment device adapted to supportingly receive a superposed charge of ballast material, in contained relation within an at least one enclosure circumscribed on all sides by upwardly extending containment device walls adapted to retainingly confine the charge between the walls. The device is adapted to be positioned in straddling, superposed relation over a conduit, to thereby at least partly counter displacement forces effecting the conduit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Geoff W. Connors
  • Weeding tool
    Patent number: 5383523
    Abstract: A hand held weeding tool exhibits exceptional weed extraction capabilities due to its combination of elements. The weeding tool includes a straight handle, an elliptically curved body portion and a weeding head. The handle is cylindrical and is readily adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user and may be extended with an auxiliary handle. The body is configured to provide maximum mechanical advantage and removal force at the beginning of the extraction operation. The weeding head includes a plurality of parallel, closely spaced tines or spikes which readily engage the weed or plant and lifts it from the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Jerry R. Stamp
  • Offshore structure and installation method
    Patent number: 5383748
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved structure for standing offshore, particularly in arctic environments, and a method for installing this structure. The structure comprises a shield portion which rests on a seabed and primarily resists environmental loads, such as from ice, and a separate support portion which comprises a plurality of piles driven into the seabed to support a deck payload. The method for installing the structure comprises moving a shield portion of the structure to its intended location with piles pre-installed therein, setting the structure on the seabed, driving the piles into the seabed, and then severing any connection between the piles and the shield portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kvaerner Earl and Wright (a division of Kvaerner H&G Offshore Ltd.)
    Inventor: John W. Waddell
  • Hazardous materials catch basin
    Patent number: 5383745
    Abstract: A catch basin for collecting hazardous materials in a drain comprises a container having a drain hole, an annular flange extending from the upper edge of the container for supporting the container in a drain, a cover member having a plurality of through-holes and a drain plug which is threadably inserted in a drain hole provided therefore in the bottom of the container for use in plugging the container to contain hazardous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: John P. Deming
    Inventor: John A. Shannon
  • Apparatus intended to be buried in ground beneath water
    Patent number: 5382115
    Abstract: Apparatus such as a cofferdam 1, intended to be partially buried in ground beneath water comprises a hollow structural framework. The framework includes chambers 12 which have inlets 29 via which pressurized water can be supplied to the chambers. Each chamber 12 communicates with a plurality of nozzles 36 from which jets of the pressurized fluid issue to break up the ground below. Each chamber 12 also communicates with a plurality of water operated pumps 25 via inlets 24. The pumps 25 are operated by the pressurized water to draw or suck water-suspended solids from below through the pumps via the inlets 32 and discharged from the pumps via outlets 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: British Gas plc
    Inventors: Brian A. Jones, Derek W. Clarke
  • Fluid extraction device
    Patent number: 5380125
    Abstract: A fluid extraction device to remove fluid contaminants from the vadose zone of unsaturated subsurface area by selectively evacuating liquid and gas therefrom comprising a lower well screen assembly coupled to a vacuum source through an upper fluid conduit structure including a fluid flow control to separately extract liquid and vapor from the vadose zone and a fluid flow indicator to separately monitor the flow of liquid and vapor through the upper fluid conduit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Richard L. Croy
  • Methods of, coatings and linings for water intake system components and other equipment exposed to a marine environment
    Patent number: 5380128
    Abstract: A method and material for the manufacturing or retrofitting of fluid transport systems. The material chosen for the lining, or the pipe itself, will be selected based on physical properties such as a high impact strength and a low coefficient of friction. The low coefficient of friction will be essential to prevent the initial adhesion of foreign substances to the inner surface of pipes. In particular, an improved pipe composite will be useful in the lining or construction of water intake pipes where there is a well-recognized problem of the buildup of foreign substances including algae and other marine microorganisms. Therefore, by preventing buildup, the present invention will provide a more economical and efficient method to maintain the overall piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Clois D. Fears
  • Beach stabilizer having pile guides
    Patent number: 5380124
    Abstract: A beach stabilizer for minimizing erosion of sand and soil is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of elements having first and second spaced apart surfaces on opposite sides of a center plane extending therethrough. The elements are interconnected to form at least one string and are arranged on a surface defined by the sand so that the center planes of adjacent elements are disposed in transverse relation to each other. At least one vertical pile is partially submerged in the sand and is associated with the at least one string so as to permit vertical adjustment while maintaining the location of the at least one string on the sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Sand & Sea Corporation
    Inventors: Frank G. Cacossa, Kenneth F. Cacossa