Abstract: An equilateral tetrahedral frame, comprising six concrete beams inserted through the center of a number of automotive tires. The ends of the concrete beams are fastened together at four points. These four points are covered by a cap of concrete to seal the fastening points. The reef device may be of any size. The design permits ease of transport due to its ability to stack one upon another uniqueness of this reef is in the design. Once the reef is transported to its desired location, it can lowered or dropped to the sea floor.

Abstract: A conveyor unit for a high wall mining system; a mining system employing a train of such units. The conveyor units are pushed in tandem into the mine. The system contemplates a motor mounted on a cutter at the head of the train; through a series of shafts and clutches, serially through the train of conveyor units, rotation power is transferred mechanically from the motor to turn the conveyor belts of the individual units. The mining system includes a preferred coupling/clutch apparatus and a launch vehicle for adding conveyor units to the train which has the ability to start the rotation of the conveyor belt on the new unit as it is added.

Abstract: A barrier forming a temporary dam that may be erected quickly alongside a river in spate to protect a flood-prone area. The barrier (11) mainly consists of extractable piles (15) fitted in holes in the ground, and removable water-tight members (20) that may be mounted between the piles once they have been drawn out of the respective holes. The water-tight members may be made of a stack of metal beams and thick bars.

Abstract: A waste processing system transports waste by rail to a processing location near a landfill site where it is pulverized and mixed to form a slurry. This slurry is delivered to the landfill with an auger device. The landfill is first prepared by placing a layer of compacted coal at the bottom of a clay lined pit, covering that layer with a layer of granular coal, and then providing a layer of lye over the coal. The waste slurry is then distributed over these processing layers. A conduit is used to return leachate from the area between the coal layers to the mixing stage; and gas emanating from the process is recovered.

Abstract: A method to produce an expansion joint for adjacent roadway slabs having an expansion gap therebetween. A recess is cut or formed into the surface of each adjacent roadway slab to create a pair of recesses parallel to and adjacent the expansion gap. The recesses are cleaned to a sound, dust-free and rust-free surface. A temporary form is inserted in the expansion gap between the adjacent roadway slabs. A mortar mixture of a slightly resilient polymer and aggregate is installed in each recess to form a pair of parallel nosings adjacent the expansion gap. High-strength filler blocks are encapsulated within the mortar mixture to reduce the volume of the mortar mixture and to thereby reduce the cost of the nosings. A temporary backing is inserted in the expansion gap between the nosings. An initially liquid sealant is installed between the nosings and on top of the temporary backing which will cure to form a flexible seal.

Abstract: A Hookes universal joint assembly which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises two series connected universal joints to produce an angle change of 60.degree. to 70.degree.. A rigid housing confines input and output rotating drive shafts. In a preferred embodiment the yokes and cross members are formed as flat steel plates with tab-into-notch engagements. A method to retain an input shank and an end linkage to a drive shaft is disclosed. End linkages have parallel extending legs where the legs have protruding bumps at a distal end to engage exterior notched slots of input and output drive shafts. The drive shafts are identical in structure. An input shank is permanently held in a recess of the input drive shaft by engagement of a rib of the housing into a groove around the input shank.

Abstract: This invention uses a combination of drilling, dissolving, and sinking to emplace a closed end well pipe into a salt formation. The well which results can be used to produce geothermal power or for such other purposes for which it may offer an advantage. This method uses the following combination of properties of salt to achieve the desired result: solubility in water, plasticity at relatively low temperatures, and occurrence in large, deeply penetrating structures.

Abstract: A dockboard, such as a pit type comprising a frame, a deck attached to the frame at one end thereof, a lip hinged to another end of the deck for movement between a pendant position and an outward extended position. A maintenance assembly for the dockboard has a pivotable prop mounted to the underside of the deck for movement between a stored position generally parallel to the deck and a downward extended position supporting the deck. A locking member secures the prop in both the stored and the extended position. The lip may be supported by the maintenance assembly using a spring member to support the lip support bar, or move a member into engagement thereby preventing the lip from falling.

Abstract: A surface seeded exposed particulate concrete method of use includes use of small particulates, the particulates not necessarily chemically inert in the concrete mixture. The particulates are broadcast over the upper surface of the concrete, and mixed into the cement paste derived from the concrete matrix by floats and finished by hand sponging. A surface retarder and vapor barrier are applied, and washing and curing operations follow. The present invention adds a chemical treatment of hydrolyzed alkali silica solution, preferably lithium quartz, penetrating the upper surface of the concrete mixture with minerals and silicates within the concrete mix. The resultant exposed particulate concrete has extreme flatness and high wear resistance suitable for high-traffic flooring applications, aesthetics resembling terrazzo or ceramic tile at a fraction of the price, and the strength and resistance to corrosion expected of concrete surfaces.

Abstract: A variable length light weight drive shaft for a rolling mill roll including: a driven first end including a universal joint connecting with an end of a male splined shaft having an axial bore and counter bore and a driving second end including a universal joint connecting with a torque tube and a female spline shaft which engages over the male splined shaft for axial movement. A gas cylinder is mounted in the counter bore adjacent to the second end of the male splined shaft. A cylinder rod extends from the cylinder and is connected to with the universal joint at the driving end. The piston rod includes a self aligning coupler. The gas cylinder and cylinder rod exert continuous outward pressure against the driven and driving ends which maintains them in pressure contact with the driving and driven members while allowing axial movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The drilling apparatus includes a wire line core barrel having a head assembly and a drilling tool connected to the head assembly. The head assembly includes a latch body with a landing shoulder seatable on the drill string landing ring, latches seatable in a drill string latch seat and a fluid bypass channel for bypassing from one axial side of the landing shoulder to the other, a bushing in the bypass channel, a valve member movable in the channel from an axial outer bypass channel open position and an axial inner second position extending into the bushing for one of blocking axial inward fluid flow through the bushing and restricting inward flow through the bushing. A spring is provided in the bore inwardly of the bushing for abutting against the valve member in its second position to urge the valve member axially outwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved drilling rig of jack-up type is provided. The drilling rig has a frame part comprising a working deck and an essentially plane-shaped bottom. Three feet are provided in the frame and are operated by lifting devices. The feet support the frame on the sea bottom during a drilling operation and are lifted off the sea bottom when the drilling rig is transported. A drilling unit is movably arranged on the frame part and can be moved substantially outside the frame during a drilling operation. A residence unit is also provided on the frame and is movable in a direction opposite that of the drilling unit at least during the drilling operation. An air bed is blown into an airspace which is arranged below the frame part of the drilling rig. The air bed is dischargeable for transportation of the drilling rig.

Abstract: A method of removing ceramic tile wherein the tiles are heated using a gas burner by passing the flame of the burner over the surface of the ceramic tile where it is secured to a supporting surface by grout or other cementitious material. The ceramic tile is thus exposed to the burner flame for a period of time sufficient to fracture the ceramic tile from its secured position surrounded by the grout or other cementitious material. The apparatus upon which the burner is mounted includes a fuel supply, a burner assembly having at least one gas burner with a flame of at least 200,000 BTU. The fuel supply and burner assembly are interconnected to supply fuel to the burner assembly, and are mounted on a wheeled cart. The burner assembly is further positioned on the cart such that the burner is at least 3-5 inches above the ceramic tile being removed, such that the flame is provided from the burner in a circle having a diameter of approximately 6 inches over the ceramic tile being removed.

Abstract: Adjustable connections are provided to enable facing to be secured to anchor elements embedded in an earthen formation, without requiring precise alignment of the anchor elements with connectors on the facing. In one embodiment specially configured bars engage and span the connectors on the facing for rotation relative to the connectors and slotted plates are carried by the bars for connection to the anchor elements. In another embodiment a channel structure is secured to and extends across the facing and a plate assembly having a slot therein for receipt of the anchor elements is slidably received within the channel structure. The anchor elements may comprise bolts secured to a cross-member extending behind soil reinforcing mats embedded within the earthen formation being retained.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a wellbore penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a hydrajet in an uncased portion of the wellbore penetrating the formation; perforating the formation with the hydrajet; and producing carbonaceous fluids and particulates from the formation through the wellbore and, thereby, forming a cavity in the formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: A double Cardan type constant velocity joint has a crank type angle adjusting member rotatably supported in a central portion of a support plate that is provided inwardly of an intermediate housing. First and second engagement protrusions provided at front end portions of first and second yokes engage in an oscillatable manner with first and second engagement holes formed in the angle adjusting member. The angle adjusting member does not displace in a diametrical direction even when rotated.

Abstract: A new oil slick barrier device for preventing an oil slick on the surface of a body of water from spreading. The inventive device includes a pair of attachment members and a barrier member. Each attachment member is adapted for attachment to a surface. The elongate barrier member has a pair of opposite ends with one of the ends of the barrier member detachably attached to one of the attachment members and the other end of the barrier member detachable attached to the other attachment member. The barrier member is adapted for floating on the surface of a body of water to prevent oil on the surface of the body of water from passing through the barrier member.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling.

Abstract: The hub of a wheel of a motor vehicle, defined by a flanged ring of a rolling element bearing, is joined to a corresponding constant velocity universal joint by a coupling capable of transmitting torque even in the most extreme operating conditions; an intermediate ring is interposed between the hub and the joint, mounted with slight interference or with some play on a suitable smooth cylindrical centring seat of the hub and then locked axially to the hub by means of the plastic deformation of an edge at the end of the hub; the intermediate ring is provided with two opposite splined couplings defined, for example, by sets of axial teeth, one internal and the other external, disposed at one end of the ring itself, and capable of interlocking respectively with corresponding teeth for a splined coupling of the joint and the hub; alternatively, the two teeth are both formed within the intermediate ring and the teeth coupled with the hub are disposed between the races of the rolling element bearing; the intermedia

Abstract: A device for removing and inserting drill bit retaining clips. The device having a casing rigidly connected to a base plate, the casing containing a piston, one end of the piston contacting a spring against the base plate, the other end of the piston having a nib, the piston also includes a handle, wherein the piston may be pressed toward the base plate allowing the nip to grip a retaining clip against the casing, so that the retaining clip can be removed or inserted while being held.