Abstract: Disclosed is a method of correcting the height level of a concrete foundation or the like which is supported on a loose soil material. The bearing capacity of the soil material has been locally increased under the foundation by means of an oblong casing which is open at its opposite ends and has been driven down into the ground in order to isolate with respect to lateral movements in the soil masses a predetermined soil volume from the surrounding soil. The correction of the height level is carried out by injecting a moveable material mass beneath the foundation in the isolated soil at such a pressure that the foundation is raised.

Abstract: A trench shoring machine comprises front and rear frameworks movable forwardly relative to each other and a series of longitudinally extending piles arranged along each side of the frameworks and movable longitudinally and independently of the frameworks. The piles are provided with rearward extensions which are laterally spaced from side elements of the rear frameworks so that lining members may be located between said rearward extensions and said elements to shore the trench sides after advance of the piles.

Abstract: A method which contemplates the application of a porous, fabric-like cover over bird-nesting areas at airports, to serve as a physical barrier preventing the natural use by the birds of any nominal vegetation which might grow beneath same, so as to effectively inhibit continued use of these areas for said bird-nesting activities. This, in turn, minimizes the hazards posed by birds to jet planes using the airport.

Abstract: System and equipment for operating self-advancing supports comprising electromagnetic valves being provided in each of the self-advancing supports which support the roof of a long-walled pit face in a coal mine and rendering operative the hydraulic cylinders for causing the roof plates of the supports to be lowered and lifted and for causing the supports to move toward the pit face, and operating devices being connected to the electromagnetic valves through a cable wherein the electromagnetic valves can be opened and closed through the operating devices from a desired position remote from the supports so as to operate the supports.

Abstract: A junction housing, which is removably positionable on the subsea floor, includes coupling halves for connection to complementary coupling halves of Christmas trees on subsea hydrocarbon wells, the coupling halves being connected by pipes and cables to separate coupling halves which are connectable to complementary coupling halves on a suitable riser.

Abstract: Equipment for remotely operating by transmitted signals self-advancing supports which are used with a shearer at a long-walled pit face in a coal mine comprises electromagnetic valves, one of which is connected to a hydraulic cylinder for lowering the roof plate of a self-advancing support and moving the support toward the pit face and the other of which is connected to another hydraulic cylinder for lifting the roof plate of the support, a signal converter and a receiver are connected through a cable to the electromagnetic valves including those of the other self-advancing supports in such a manner that each of the electromagnetic valves is specified through the matrix circuit system; and a portable transmitter is provided for transmitting operation signals to the receiver through the radio system.

Abstract: Consolidation construction for soft, unstable foundation for improving the bearing strength in order to fill earth thereon as in land reclaiming or to build structural construction thereon including dikes and roads. Examples of such unstable foundation requiring consolidation are: sea bottom with soft unsolid sedimentation heap as often referred to recently in Japan as HEDORO, muddy swamp land, layer of slimy industrial waste sludge of much water content and the like. Consolidation is effected on the spot by admixing hardening agent, such for instance as cement, with the slimy mud heap constituting the soft, unstable foundation.

Abstract: A canopy and shield structure for supporting a shield adjacent a working face in a seam-like mine deposit, comprises a floor skid which is connected through an extensible and retractable prop at the working face end to the working face, and of a canopy, which is adapted to be positioned in parallel relation to the roof strata. The working space is covered at the waste removal end by a shield which includes a lower portion pivotal on the floor skid, and an upper portion which is rigidly connected to the canopy at the opposite end of the canopy from the working face end. The shield is connectable to an extensible and retractable prop and a lemniscate guidance mechanism, so that the upper part of the shield may be moved upwardly and downwardly along its longitudinal axis. The upper part also carries an opening for the passage of a blast pipe which is supported on roller means carried by the canopy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety submarine spherical air chamber made of a flexible material wherein persons are able to observe the undersea condition and the seabed from the scientific or recreational point of view by maintaining the atmospheric pressure of the above spherically expanded chamber approximately equivalent to the sea water pressure therearound, and then by floating therein a floating base on which they can stay.

Abstract: A boat dock of improved stability and ease of assembly and disassembly, which comprises a dock frame, a pair of dock legs for detachable securement to the opposing sides of the dock frame, and for each dock leg, a releasable leg holding bracket which has means for detachable securement of the bracket to the dock frame in order to prevent significant sidesway of the dock frame. The bracket is slidably received upon the dock legs and capable of upward sliding movement but has stop means to prevent downward sliding movement. The dock, because of its means of construction, prevents lateral swaying movement. Upward pulling motion caused by high waves may move the dock upward on the leg posts and as it comes down, this motion is used to further drive the leg posts into the lake bottom for increased stability.

Abstract: A lifting platform of a drydock has plural sections along its length pivoted together at transverse support beams supported at each end by winch cables; flotation chambers in other embodiments contain air or foamed resin and are always below the lowest water level to offset 75% to 90% of the platform weight and reduce cable load.

Abstract: An underwater self-propelled buoyant trenching apparatus for burying a pipeline or cable on the bottom of a body of water. Water jets on a frame cut the trench, and a venturi operated eductor means sucks up and discharges the cuttings. The apparatus is motivated by a drive roller that is resiliently urged against the pipeline. Forward guide rollers sense the pipeline direction and act to torque the apparatus onto the centerline of the pipeline. The arrangement of the jet nozzle minimize the rearward thrust. Buoyant outrigger tanks adjust the attitude of the apparatus over the pipeline. The hose bundle is buoyant due to the oversize air hose.

Abstract: An improved method and system for generating power, more particularly, electrical power, from the wave motion of a large body of water. A central tower, closed at the top, which supports a substantial head of water above the mean water level of the large body of water, has at least one, and preferably a large number of, conduits connected between the top of the tower and a level between the high and mean liquid level of the body of water. Periodic wave motion washing over their lower ends builds up water pressure in the conduits, causing flow to the top of the tower, which causes a constant flow down through the tower. A turbine mounted in a Venturi constriction at an intermediate level in the tower is driven to rotate by the downward flow of water, causing a generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the primary tower is based on shore with an outlet to the sea.

Abstract: A drip irrigation system is disclosed wherein individual drip irrigation tubes are fed from a header by means of a flow controller which feeds water to the irrigation tube at an essentially uniform rate over a wide variety of pressures in the header. Generally the flow controller will be capable of maintaining the flow therethrough within .+-. 15% of a predetermined value within a pressure variation of from 3 to 60 psi.

Abstract: This apparatus is for use in the launching of battered leg jackets for offshore platforms. The jacket is transported on at least one barge resting on its lower battered legs and, during launching, the apparatus guides the jacket by its lower battered legs to maintain the center line of the jacket on the launching center line. The apparatus uses a pair of dollies on a beam, and at least two beams on a barge. The beams are mounted transverse to the launching center line. The dollies can move along the transverse beam and position coordinating means are used to control the relative positions of the dollies on each beam such that the two dollies are maintained essentially the same distance from the launching center line with one dolly on either side of the launching center line. When either dolly is moved, the other dolly on the same beam will move the same distance in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A subsea connection unit for remotely connecting a first flowline to a complementary second flowline at a submerged location. The unit is comprised of a connector assembly which is attached to the end of the first flowline and a base structure adapted to be positioned on the marine bottom and to hold the end of the second flowline. A pulldown line is attached to the connector assembly and extends downward through the base structure and back to the surface. As the first flowline is pulled downward to the marine bottom, a guide cone on the connector assembly is pulled into a cone receiver on the base structure to properly align the two flowlines. A special guide assembly on the base structure insures that the guide cone will enter the cone receiver.

Abstract: A plurality of agitation spindles are disposed, and an agitation vane is attached to the lower portion of each agitation spindle. A mixing and kneading zone for mixing and kneading soft soil with a hardener is formed so that the hardener is supplied near these agitation vanes. The agitation spindles are supported by reinforcing members and connecting members to construct a multiple spindle kneading apparatus for improving ground. In one embodiment, blade-like excavating cutters are mounted on the agitation spindles. In another embodiment, hollow agitation spindles are used and the hollow portions are used as hardener passages. In still another embodiment, a tube for injecting the hardener into the mixing and kneading zone is disposed so that it can be moved up and down. A method for hardening soft ground by using this multiple spindle kneading apparatus in which the hardener feed position can be changed is provided.

Abstract: Oil fence especially adapted for the defining of impurities on a water surface and made of a web of cloth shaped material. The web exhibits alternating connected portions and multiple layer portions made in such a manner that between the layers of the multiple layer portions pockets and/or channels are formed, which are defined by the single layer portions, in order to receive for one thing float bodies for the support of the oil fence in water, and for another thing sinking weights in order to give the oil fence the intended upright position in the water. The present cloth shaped web comprises a preferably impregnated and/or coated textile material, which is woven with alternating single layer portions forming said connected portions and portions with at least two layers, between which said pockets and/or channels are formed.

Abstract: A drive shield of a tunnelling apparatus has elongate drive members supported and guided for longitudinal movement in a manner known per se. The drive members are connected to rear members or tails forming a rear shield and fluid concrete is introduced into a reception space within the rear shield to create a permanent lining for the tunnel. The rear members are shaped or profiled to provide recesses which are closed-off over a certain zone with the aid of covers. Reinforcing bars or the like can be inserted into the recesses to become cast into the concrete lining and means for delimiting the front end of the concrete reception space, such as a ring component, engages on the covers which form a smooth continuous bearing surface therefor.

Abstract: The offshore apparatus in preferred form comprises a structure mounted on the ocean floor and terminating in a platform located beneath the surface of the water to carry loads extending above the surface. A plurality of legs extend generally vertically through a template base resting on the ocean floor and are anchored in the ocean bed below the base. A load platform is connected to the upper portions of the legs and is buoyant enough to maintain the legs in tension and to support the load which it carries. A stabilizer member is connected to the legs intermediate their length and is also buoyant to apply additional tension to the legs, and a series of mooring members are connected to the stabilizer member to minimize side sway in response to ocean currents. In the preferred method of installation, all three components are buoyant and are towed to the site of operations as a unit, and lowered to the ocean floor by ballasting them with sea water.