Abstract: A floating platform for use in a body of water comprises an uppermost buoyant and ballastable hull partially submerged in the water without contacting the floor of the body of water and usually without being moored to the floor of the body of water. The bottom of the uppermost hull is attached to the top of a lower buoyant and ballastable hull after the lower hull has been completely submerged in the water and anchored to the floor of the body of water with flexible moorings.

Abstract: A buoyancy control device includes a buoyancy compensator to be worn by a scuba diver, a compressed air tank, a depth or pressure gauge and a valve connecting the buoyancy compensator and compressed air tank for releasing air into and out of the buoyancy compensator. A microprocessor is connected to the depth gauge and the valve for controlling the amount of air in the buoyancy compensator in response to the depth of the diver. In addition, the microprocessor is programed for automatically controlling the rate of ascent of a diver under normal conditions and for a faster rate of ascent under emergency conditions. The device also includes an override function which allows a second diver to override the normal rate of ascent and to initiate the faster rate of ascent in an emergency.

Abstract: A process for producing a pile in the earth with a pipe is provided. The pipe is provided internally with a conduit, which emerges on the bottom side of the pipe, for feeding pile-forming, hardening material into the earth. The pipe is introduced into the earth, and the pipe is removed from the earth while a space created by the removal of the pipe is simultaneously filled with the pipe-forming, hardening material.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is a valveless, high pressure, positive displacement, axial drive system including a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a hydraulic enclosure in an actuator housing with a bi-directional pump assembly driven by an electric motor and a piston assembly disposed within the hydraulic enclosure. The bi-directional pump accurately displacing the piston a given distance to exert a large drive or actuation force and to maximize that actuation force given a limited electrical current transmitted to the motor. Because the pump is bi-directional, the piston can be repositioned after actuation by reversing the direction of flow through the pump without using valves to direct the hydraulic fluid flow. The actuator assembly may also include a piston repositioning assembly connected to the hydraulic enclosure.

Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) jacking system includes a plurality of hydraulic continuous linear motion motors, preferably comprising a plurality of phased hydraulic piston/cylinder units, that are engaged with a plurality of MODU supporting legs to provide continuous relative motion between the MODU platform and its supporting legs, and to also maintain the MODU platform and MODU supporting legs locked in a stationary relationship. In the preferred jack-up system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be combined to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: A method and system allowing fish to migrate upstream and downstream, bypassing dams, obstructions, either man-made or natural, safely, freely and in a natural manner. The system consists of a meandering “nature-like” channel constructed of pneumatically placed concrete, shotcrete or gunite that simulates a waterway bed condition. The construction of riffles, ledges, undercut banks and other natural-like features to provide a foundation for the placement of fish habitat, such as gravel beds, boulders, logs, and the like. The placement of sand, gravel, cobbles and such to create and provide an aquatic environment to sustain plant and aquatic life. The introduction of plants and other aquatic life to provide forage, cover and a year around natural-like environment within a river or stream-like migratory bypass channel.

Abstract: A portable flotation platform is disclosed for use in supporting a load of equipment or hunting dogs above the level of a shallow body of water. The platform includes a deck constructed to be of an overall density less than that of water and sized so as to support the load above the level of the water. An anchor extends down to the bottom of the water and up to the deck to hold the deck on station in the water. The deck is provided with a carrying attachment to facilitate the user carrying the deck to the point of deployment on the water.

Abstract: Methods for inducing the precipitation of substantially water insoluble mineral carbonates in pores, spaces and fractures by conveying a carbon-dioxide (ie. CO2) bearing gaseous phase or an oxidised-carbon-bearing aqueous phase into spaces where reaction with an existing or introduced fluid phase of appropriate composition occurs, or by conveying a fluid of appropriate composition into spaces where reaction of the fluid components with a fluid delivery medium occurs, or by conveying a fluid of appropriate composition into spaces under controlled physical conditions such that unassisted reaction of the fluid components occurs.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit is provided that has gage inserts on the first row from the bit axis to cut to full gage diameter that have a cutting portion enhanced with a layer of super abrasive material. The gage cutting surface has a center axis that is canted to be more normal to the gage curve such that its point of contact at gage is away from the thinner portion of the layer of super abrasive material.

Abstract: An elongated pilot member is forced into the ground and an auger with a hollow stem is positioned around the pilot member and rotated to move the auger into the ground. A second elongated member is coupled to the pilot member and an upward force is applied to the auger stem or to an extension thereof to enable a downward force to be applied to the second elongated member to force the second elongated member and the pilot member into the ground. The second elongated member and the auger stem then are attached together and to a foundation support member for providing support for a foundation.

Abstract: A retaining wall block system is described. The block system includes blocks of different sizes that are configured to be compatible with each other in the construction of a retaining wall or free-standing wall. Each block has at least three faces which are textured to produce the appearance of natural stone. The faces have varying sizes based on variations in width.

Abstract: A riser pipe construction for a drilling connection from a drilling vessel to a valve previously provided on a sea floor comprises a riser pipe through which drilling means can be passed by means of which an oil well can be drilled as well as pressure pipes extending along the riser pipe to operate the valve, and floating elements disposed around the riser pipe and the pressure pipes to limit the load on the drilling vessel. The riser pipe and the pressure pipes are built up from modules capable of being coupled together, the floating elements are formed by steel tubular chambers closed so as to be gastight, disposed around the relevant modules and firmly connected thereto. The invention also relates to a riser pipe module.

Abstract: There is described a method and a liner for in situ renovation of a sewer manhole, e.g., a transition well, where inside the well there is inserted a prefabricated liner in the shape of a glass fiber reinforced stocking of thermosetting polyester or epoxy formed by winding, weaving or braiding externally of a unilaterally suspended mold with a diameter allowing the mold to be lowered through a manhole curb or cone, the rubber coating consisting of a detachable rubber bag that is fastened to a flange to be displaced externally on the mold, the polyester or epoxy liner being wound, woven or braided in such a way that the length/diameter ratio of the liner may subsequently be changed by changing the length/diameter ratio of the liner as the polyester or epoxy impregnated glass fibers are connected with the flange by the winding, weaving or braiding.

Abstract: A flexible form assembly for forming concrete structures during setting of the concrete is provided. The flexible form assembly includes an elongated form having a front side for engaging the concrete and a rear side. The rear side includes a back wall disposed between two rearwardly extending top and bottom walls which, in turn, are connected to downwardly and upwardly protruding lips respectively to form a C-shaped pocket for receiving a stake holder. The stake holder includes right and left flanges that abuttingly engage the back wall and that fit between the top and bottom walls and that are partially disposed between the upper and lower lips and the back wall. The stake holder further comprises a pocket portion that is connected to and disposed between right and left flanges. The pocket portion extends outwardly to define an apex which provides a looped pocket for receiving a stake.

Abstract: A variety of types of wood matter may be used as a starter material. The starter material is processed into wood pieces in the range of about twenty mesh to six inches to form a base product. The base product is installed in windrows along the beach. A fence may be installed between the windrow(s) and the water.

Abstract: A rain-water storing permeation structure can be applied to facilities, such as architectures like buildings, roads, water channels, parks and play grounds, factory sites and domestic sites, as well as water storing blocks used for such a structure and a connecting member for connecting the water storing blocks to each other. The rain-water storing permeation structure of the present invention is provided with a water-shielding layer placed in a recessed section in the ground, a water-storing layer that is constituted by water-storing blocks made of a hard resin foam member having an inner space, and that is placed inside the water-shielding layer, and a lid layer.

Abstract: A bed siderail for a bed having a frame includes a flexible section to allow a portion of the siderail to flex upward.

Abstract: A method of installing a formed-in-situ repair in a pipe 40 comprising locating a sleeve of reinforcement material impregnated with a settable resin within a tube 36 of soft, impervious sheet material; everting the tube into said pipe such that the sleeve is carried into a desired zone and brought into intimate contact with its inner surface; guiding the point of eversion 43 of said tube through directional changes in the pipe with guiding means 21; maintaining the inflation of the everted tube while passing a heated fluid medium through its interior to accelerate curing of the settable resin; and, when the settable resin is cured, de-everting the tube with withdrawal means 19 and withdrawing it from the pipe, leaving the sleeve of reinforcement material in place within it.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a drain water system having a main drain conduit which is designed as a closed ring conduit (19), and pump members (17, 18) are arranged to pump drain media emanating from different buildings (6) to and into the ring conduit for transport therein through pumping action. Devices (27-31) for taking care of drain media are connected to the ring conduit through a branch (12, 13) each. Valve members (24, 25, 32) are arranged in each connection to the ring conduit and optionally controllable so as to either open in the case of a feed connection and allow pumping of drain media into the ring conduit and in the case of a device connection allow drainage of drain media from the ring conduit, or close to stop drain media from flowing into or out of the ring conduit.

Abstract: A device (6) for attachment to a pipe (7) to be installed in the ground has load cells (17) for detecting a pulling force applied to the pipe (7), as the latter is pulled through the ground, an inclinometer (18), for detecting the inclination of the device (6), and a pressure transducer (20) for detecting the pressure surrounding the device. Data representative of the pulling force, inclination and pressure is stored in the device (6) and protected against unauthorised access by a security code or procedure, so that a verifiable record of the pipe installation process is available.