Abstract: A method is described to utilize used open-cast lignite mines by installing greenhouses with technological products attaining water economy of 7-8 times, unlimited nutritional capacity by enclosing pesticides and nutrients in a system of resins so as to release elements gradually, and with addition of calcium carbonate so as to limit the creation of sulfuric acid by the action of ground bacteria without pollution of the soil. This limits the need to move the greenhouses, and constitutes an original solution of agricultural utilization of these otherwise toxic and infertile soils.

Abstract: An earth structure includes a plurality of elongated stabilizing elements in an earth mass behind a facing made up of facing panels. A plurality of connectors behind the facing connects the facing to the stabilizing elements. Each connector has a rear attachment portion attached to a respective stabilizing element, and each connector also has at least two spaced apart front attachment portions attached to a facing panel. The earth mass includes a first region of soil suitable for plant growth which also defines the region in which the connectors are located. A second region of structural back fill is provided which includes the stabilizing elements.

Abstract: A hollow, centrifugally cast, utility pole having tapered external linear dimensions is disclosed. The pole is formed utilizing conventional centrifugal casting methods wherein a tapered mold is used to impart a tapered shape to the pole. The use of the tapered mold during the casting operation also provides for a gradually increasing pole wall thickness along the entire length of the pole from the top of the pole to its butt. The pole can also be cast to provide for a press-fit, slip joint at the butt of the pole which allows the pole to be interconnected with other similarly cast poles for extended height.

Abstract: A placement and support system for installing long lengths of connected pipe sections and method of using the same are provided having a series of pairs of spaced apart piles that are installed at predetermined sites by pile-driving into the floor of an expanse and, in particular, a body of water. Each pile has a bent seat at lower end and the piles are driven until the seats are positioned at the desired distance above the floor. The sections of pipe are preconnected on land or on a barge to a desired length. A prefabricated pipe saddle assembly is installed between each pair of piles and positioned above the water line by wedging or a hydraulic jack to form a series of pipe saddle assemblies. Each pipe saddle assembly has a transverse support beam. There is a pipe sleeve at each end of the support beam dimensioned to slide over the piles. A generally U-shaped pipe saddle is affixed to the transverse beam.

Abstract: A ground anchoring system that prevents lateral movement of an anchoring post. The system is characterized by an anchor plate removably mounted upon a cylindrical anchoring post. Opposing channels are formed on the post and extend along the longitudinal axis of the post to a stop located within each of the respective channels. The anchor plate includes first, a second, and a third portion. The first and third portions project from the plate in a direction opposite to the second portion to form two generally diamond shaped apertures in the anchor plate when viewed along its longitudinal axis. The diamond shaped apertures are sized to allow the post to pass through when the longitudinal axis of the post is in line with the longitudinal axis of the plate. The second and third portions of the plate include tabs to fit within the channels and engage the stops of the post.

Abstract: An earth drain comprising a core consisting of an elongated flexible web having on at least one surface thereof, and preferably on both surfaces, an array of discreet projections spaced transversely across the width of the web, and longitudinally in the lengthwise orientation of the web. The array of projections is interrupted by a plurality of elongated projection-free zones extending in the longitudinal direction of the web, and spaced transversely across the width of the web. A filter of sheet-like water permeable material encases the core, and is adapted to be maintained in spaced relationship to the web by the free ends of the projections thereon.

Abstract: An injection bore anchor for use with rock having particularly low cohesive properties has at least two injection valves arranged in the front region of the injection bore anchor and formed as non-return valves so that it is possible for the grout suspension issuing from a longitudinal channel running through the injection bore anchor to flow out but not the reverse. In order to place the injection bore anchor, the injection bore anchor is initially used as a bore rod, wherein a flushing fluid is guided through a longitudinal channel and the bores in the region of a bore-crown. Subsequently, a grout suspension is introduced through the longitudinal channel into the bore hole for filling the bore hole, wherein subsequently the residual grout suspension located within the channel is displaced as far as the region of the bore-crown by a displacement body introduced into the channel.

Abstract: A flotation system for a building is disclosed including a watertight basement having a unitary piece of concrete forming the floor and walls of the watertight basement. Rollers are attached to the watertight basement. As floodwater rises or recedes, the rollers roll along guide posts located near corners of the watertight basement. Attached to the guide posts are a ratchet system for moving the watertight basement along the guide posts and maintaining it at a desired height.

Abstract: A spillway gate system for use as a navigation dam in which individual spillway gates may be serviced. The spillway gate system comprising a spillway including abutments at opposite ends thereof; wherein at least one of the abutments includes a cavity therein having a bottom surface; a removable bulkhead covering the cavity in the abutment; a plurality of water control gates hinged to the spillway; a service crane movable along the spillway and including a dewatering caisson; and a seal for sealing the caisson to the gates and to the bottom surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A secondary containment reservoir device having a bottom and side walls forming a reservoir, and communicating with the reservoir an expandable retention bladder which automatically expands to receive liquid from the reservoir, allowing the total capacity of the device to greatly exceed the capacity of the reservoir alone. The device can be adapted to receive or support any type of primary liquid container above the reservoir, including drums, barrels, tanks, IBC's, tanker vehicles, tanker trailers or railroad tankers. In one embodiment, the reservoir is formed within a pallet having a support deck to receive drums or barrels of liquid. A single bladder or multiple bladders may be used, and the bladders may be mounted internally or externally.

Abstract: A landscaping barrier comprising an upper body, spine, and wedge attached to the spine opposite the upper body. The upper body incorporates a guide whereby a weedeater line may be guided, and which serves as a grass height cut reference to a gardener trimming grass adjacent said landscaping barrier. The wedge further incorporates a lip which serves to retain the landscaping barrier in the ground. A straight connector and a right angle connector are disclosed, which serve to connect landscaping barriers end-to-end and at a right angle respectively.

Abstract: A shoreline erosion-reversing system and method provides seawards and landwards "quiet" zones which cooperate to promote landwards soil deposition and to mitigate seawards soil scouring. In accord therewith, a series of one or more upstanding, vertically-movable and negatively-buoyant apertured sections are arrayed on a shoreline to be protected. Each section is comprised by a hydrodynamic fence subassembly having a lattice of slats fastened in spaced-apart relation to top and bottom horizontal support members and by a pile subassembly having at least one pile member, which subassemblies cooperate to allow the hydrodynamic fence subassembly to move in a binding-free manner relative to the pile subassembly. The top and bottom horizontal members may be singly and/or doubly arranged and may be implemented with either flexible or rigid members. The slats of the lattice of slats may be singly, doubly and/or triply arranged. End assemblies are disclosed for terminating flexible horizontal support members.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator assembly includes an inflatable bladder for supporting on a diver's back. Inflation of the bladder and venting of the bladder are controlled from a control unit carried at the front of the diver. The bladder has a passageway extending under a portion of the bladder for guiding hoses from the outside of the bladder at the rear of the diver towards the control unit at the front of the diver. A guide sleeve extends from the bladder over the diver's shoulder for holding hoses close to the diver's body.

Abstract: The process provides for disposal of waste materials, including municipal waste such as garbage, industrial wastes, waste materials including rubber and plastics based materials, and ash waste from municipal waste incinerators and toxic waste incinerators. The waste is charged to a reactor, of a top-submerged lancing injector reactor system, containing a molten slag bath maintained in a turbulent condition, during charging of the waste, by top-submerged injection therein of a free-oxygen containing gas, using at least one top-submerged lance of the system. The waste is taken into the molten bath and is caused to circulate therein to a combustion/oxidation zone generated by the top-submerged injection. Constituents of the waste are subjected to free-oxygen of the injected gas in that zone and to heat energy of the slag, and thereby combusted/oxidised and/or decomposed.

Abstract: A pipeline weight includes a primary body and a pair of secondary bodies pivotally connected in opposed wing-like fashion to the primary body. The secondary bodies are then secured together by bolts.

Abstract: An interlocking joint for linking sheets attached to or incorporating the joint together in a sealed manner to form a screen, the joint comprising a hook portion extending substantially along the length of a free edge of the joint, a rib portion extending substantially along the length of the joint adjacent the hooked portion and a hook receiving portion, the hooked portion and the ribbed portion defining a first space therebetween and the hook receiving portion and the rib portion defining a second space therebetween, wherein the shape of the first space substantially corresponds to the shape of the ribbed portion and the shape of the second space substantially corresponds to the shape of the hooked portion such that the interlocking joint can slidably receive a substantially identical interlocking joint.

Abstract: An offshore production system of the type that includes a TLP (tension leg platform) (12) and a derrick vessel (14) which moves to the TLP platform (16) whenever the derrick is required. The vessel carries fastener assemblies (131) that rigidly fix the vessel to the platform so they move vertically and horizontally as a single unit, which avoids any need to separately anchor the vessel and which facilitates operation of the derrick in more adverse weather. The vessel preferably has thruster equipment (88) which not only allows it to self-propel itself to the platform, but which also allows the vessel to propel itself and the platform sidewardly, to avoid drift of the platform during drilling. The vessel includes a vessel deck (70) which lies above the platform and a pair of vessel sides (72, 74) with pontoons (76, 78), that lie on opposite sides of the platform.

Abstract: A wave-damping underwater truss structure for simultaneously resolving all problems such as the damping of undulation including sluggish waves and the reduction of weight and cost of members. That truss has a number of brims, each having a plurality of openings with rugged rim or rims. The opening is circularly or rectangularly formed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for cleaning the field lines of a septic tank system. The field lines are outflow pipe fluidly connected to the septic tank. To the field line, there is connected a first pipe and a second pipe or a flush pipe and a vacuum pipe. One of the pipes directs cleaning fluid, usually water, into the field line while the other removes the cleaning fluid and other material from the field line through the field line. A third or valve pipe is added between the first and second pipes and the septic tank. A valve can be placed into the third or valve pipe which is used to close the flow of fluid between the septic tank and the first and second pipes.

Abstract: For providing an in-ground system for treating contaminated groundwater, of the funnel-and-gate type, a cylindrical caisson is driven into the ground. The native soil is augered out of the caisson, and porous treatment material substituted. The caisson is then withdrawn, leaving a prism of porous treatment material in the ground. A sheet metal barrier element is inserted into the ground, one portion of the element extending into the prism and the other portion into the surrounding soil. More prisms are provided as further treatment gates, and more barrier elements are arranged to funnel the groundwater through the gates.