Abstract: A method of deploying a containment boom is provided whereby an elongated material, such as a sheet, yarn, or yarn bundle, is formed into a roll and the material is pulled from the interior of the roll to create a helical structure. A pull rope is threaded through the interior of the roll and is deployed along with the material, such that the material is wrapped around the pull rope. The pull rope prevents the boom from stretching and distorting the helical structure formed by the material, as well as preventing the material from self-wringing. Multiple rolls of material may be provided in a single boom package arranged in coaxial alignment. When the materials are connected in parallel, they are integrated into a single boom having concentrically wrapped materials, thereby providing for greater stability and functionality.

Abstract: A vibratory compaction plate utilizes pairs of front and rear shock absorbing mounts, each pair of which is set at a different angle with respect to the horizontal plate to optimize the respective shear and compression capabilities and optimize performance. A front mounted vibratory exciter and a rear mounted engine provide different performance capabilities that are optimized by the mounting angles. A flat sheet metal plate and sheet metal frame permit the angles at which the shock mounts are oriented to be adjusted along laterally extending end lines to fine tune performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for unearthing, retrieving, and processing subsea tubulars can include engaging a cable to an end of a subsea tubular and a vessel, moving the vessel in a direction parallel to the axis of the tubular, and unearthing the tubular using the thrust of the vessel. Unearthed tubulars can be dragged to a remote location, retrieved to the surface for transport or processing. On-site processing can be performed using a tensioning device to continuously move a tubular into association with a cutting device, which severs a first portion of the tubular while a second portion remains engaged with the tensioning device.

Abstract: A system for pumping a fluids from a subsea formation has a pipe extending into the formation, a first blowout preventer affixed to the pipe so as to be in fluid communication with the pipe, a flow diverter affixed to the first blowout preventer so as to have a diverter line in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the first blowout preventer, a pump module having a flow line affixed to the diverter line of the flow diverter so as to create a positive pressure to the fluid in the flow line, and an outline interconnected to the flow line of the pump module. The pump module is suitable for passing fluid from the flow line of the pump module through the outlet line. The pump produces a pressure to the fluid greater than the pressure of the formation. A second blowout preventer is affixed to the flow diverter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the installation of pipe pilings into the ground for use as structural building foundations, geothermal piles, or both, are disclosed. In addition to specialized fittings for pipe pile assemblies, the inventions include specialized drive mechanisms used in conjunction with rotary or vibratory motors. Methods of installing pipe pilings are further improved with the disclosure of methods of adding grout or similar materials during or after installation of the piles.

Abstract: Examples of a wave simulator for board sports and other uses are disclosed. An example wave simulator includes means for forming a wave, the means having at least one inclined side wall and a bottom corresponding to a desired wave shape. The wave simulator includes means for flowing water along at least partially along the inclined side wall and bottom of the flume to form a simulated wave. The wave simulator includes means for restraining a board rider in the means for forming a wave. Streamlines of the simulated wave are substantially parallel to a crest line of the simulated wave, and an inclined water flow ends in a downward arc.

Abstract: Improved breakwater construction blocks and interlocking shear key blocks for use in constructing diverse systems and works, in broad fields of use including, but not limited to, coastal engineering: river, stream and torrent control, bulkhead designed projects, scour control, check dams, permeable and impermeable groins-both river and ocean structures and other hydraulic works including marinas.

Abstract: A jackable building foundation includes a steel beam support frame platform to which one or more hydraulic jacks are attached. Vertical movement of the platform in response to jacking is constrained by cuboidal column guides at the four corners. Each of the column guides comprises two tiers of square roller frames, within each of which is an I-beam engaged between the flanges on either side by two rollers supported on horizontal axes. The orientations of the I-beams and rollers alternate orthogonally at each corner of the platform, so that torques generated by uneven jacking are suppressed and do not result in jamming of the platform as it rises.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the installation of pipe pilings into the ground for use as structural building foundations, geothermal piles, or both, are disclosed. In addition to specialized fittings for pipe pile assemblies, the inventions include specialized drive mechanisms used in conjunction with rotary or vibratory motors. Methods of installing pipe pilings are further improved with the disclosure of methods of adding grout or similar materials during or after installation of the piles.

Abstract: A salmon migration lift device including a lift cable loop between two bullwheel terminals and a plurality of gondola buckets suspended from the lift cable loop which are filled with water and fish at a loading station on a downstream side of a waterway obstacle and which are emptied at an unloading station into a fish exit chute connected to the upstream side of the waterway obstacle.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed for connecting components of a subsea conduit system extending between a wellhead and a surface structure, for example, a riser system. Male and female components are provided, and a latching device to releasably latch the male and female components together when the two are engaged. The male and female components incorporate a main sealing device to seal the male and female components together to contain the high pressure wellbore fluids passing between them when the male and female components are engaged. The latching device also incorporates a second sealing device configured to contain fluids when the male and the female components are disengaged, so that during disconnection, any fluids escaping the inner conduit are contained.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the installation of pipe pilings into the ground for use as structural building foundations, geothermal piles, or both, are disclosed. In addition to specialized fittings for pipe pile assemblies, the inventions include specialized drive mechanisms used in conjunction with rotary or vibratory motors. Methods of installing pipe pilings are further improved with the disclosure of methods of adding grout or similar materials during or after installation of the piles.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a lip seal having an outer diameter portion including an outer protrusion configured to contact a first seal interface, wherein the protrusion has a curved surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting fluids into a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is floating on a body of water and has an opening in the bottom of the reservoir through which the fluids, such as petro-based products, arrive flowing upward from a submersible structure, such as a riser from a fluid source. The reservoir has a canopy and mechanism connected to the rim of the side walls of the reservoir allowing the canopy to pivot. The pivoting canopy and mechanism attached along the rim of the reservoir restrains the fluids contained inside from spilling over the rim into the body of water, say an ocean, and also restrains the ocean waters from spilling over into the reservoir containing the fluids. The reservoir can be used as a temporary holding vessel for the fluids, whereby the fluids can then be vacuumed into a drillship.

Abstract: A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The bottom-most pipe segment being a bottom pile segment that may have a body with a central axis, an exterior surface an upper end connectable to the pipe pile assembly, and a bottom end, the bottom end inhibiting grout from passing through the bottom end, helical flights extending from the exterior surface of the body substantially perpendicular to the central axis, and grout ports through which the grout is emittable. The bottom pipe segment is designed to receive grout introduced through the pipe assembly so that the grout can be emitted the grout ports during the driving of the pile assembly into soil. The emitted grout forms a grout/soil mixture jacket within the disturbed soil along an exterior of the pipe pile assembly which adds appreciably to the overall stability, and particularly the lateral stability, of the pipe pile column created.

Abstract: A rock drilling and bolting system includes a frame, a drill feed rail rotationally supported on the frame, the drill feed rail having a drill feed slidable on the drill feed rail and a bolter feed rail rotationally supported on the frame, the bolter feed rail having a bolter feed slidable on the bolter feed rail. The system further includes a rotary mechanism comprising a first pivot arm and a parallel second pivot arm that rotationally couples the bolter feed rail to the drill feed rail and an actuator mounted to the frame and the rotary mechanism for simultaneously rotating the drill feed rail and the bolter feed rail between a drilling position for drilling and a bolting position for bolting.

Abstract: A modular storage and holder device for a plurality of flexible lines having a circular turntable arranged on a plane such as the deck of a ship and having reversibly attached thereto a central cylinder around which at least a first line is wound in carousel mode with a plurality of coaxial layers of helically superposed touching turns, internal posts serving as a winding support for at least one second flexible line itself retained by a series of second intermediate posts around which it is possible to wind at least one third flexible line, itself retained by peripheral retaining posts at the periphery of the turntable, the second and third lines being wound in rotary basket type mode having superposed pluralities of layers of juxtaposed concentric touching turns resting on a common plane.

Abstract: A wellhead system for supporting at least one section of a casing in a borehole for use with a conductor pipe and a method for installing a wellhead system upon a conductor pipe are disclosed. The wellhead system may include a wellhead housing having a central interior bore with a diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of the conductor pipe and a blowout preventer having an interior bore having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the conductor pipe. The method may include securing a wellhead housing having a central interior bore with a diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of the conductor pipe and associating with the wellhead housing a blowout preventer having a central interior bore with a diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of the conductor pipe.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an inlet of an underground reservoir having a multiple-stage structure includes: a flow portion, wherein water flowing in the flow portions; a drop portion transporting the water to a underground reservoir from the flow portion; and an inlet portion having a multiple-stage structure to generate a vortex in the water to be transported to the drop portion.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body dimensioned to surround a structure capable of experiencing a VIV, the body having a first section and a second section capable of being separated and positioned around the structure. The apparatus further including a blade member extending from the body, the blade member dimensioned to suppress the VIV of the structure when the body is positioned around the structure. A method of suppressing VIV about a structure by positioning a plurality of VIV suppression devices around the structure and wherein the plurality of VIV suppression devices cover less than 70% of a section of the structure.