Abstract: A non-plugging nozzle and self-cleaning drilling tool incorporating the nozzle is provided. The nozzle has a body that defines a central passageway extending axially from the top to the bottom of the body. The central passageway defines an inlet orifice at the top and an exit orifice at the bottom. A side passageway extends through the side wall of the nozzle and communicates with a cylindrical portion of the central passageway, the intersection of which defines a side inlet orifice that is substantially square. Because the intersection is substantially square, particles may not become trapped within the nozzle and plug the side passageway. When incorporated into a drilling tool, particularly a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit, the drilling tool becomes self cleaning. The side passageway of the nozzle is directed at the voids formed in the cutting face of the drilling tool creating a cross flow through the voids and preventing accumulation and balling therein.

Abstract: A waste containment system utilizing a manufactured soil useful for the remediation of waste disposal sites for municipal and industrial waste products. To form the manufactured soil, conditioned clay materials, in particular bentonite clay, are mixed with sand and water to form a colloidal suspension. The mixture can be either placed into trenches, as a slurry, to form vertical barriers or allowed to de-water and then spread and compacted to create surface caps and/or sub-surface liners. Normally, the a containment system includes an imbedded sand drainage layer so as to make the composite system impervious to air and water penetration. The percentage of clay in the manufactured soil is varied depending on installation site characteristics and desired performance standards. Manufactured soil with as little as approximately 1% to 3% clay (dry wt.) can be made to achieve and maintain hydraulic conductivities as low as 1.7.times.10.sup.-9 cm/sec.

Abstract: An underdrain pipe has a pipe wall in which wall portions rectangular in section and wall portions circular in section are disposed alternately in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, in which a number of water collecting small holes are formed in portions of the pipe wall, and in which the whole of the pipe wall is formed of material of synthetic resin or rubber.

Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.

Abstract: A block for use in a revetment system comprising a plurality of blocks arranged to form a mat. The block has a top surface, a bottom surface and first and second opposed side surfaces that extend between the top and bottom surfaces, and third and fourth opposed side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces and the first and second side surfaces. The first and second opposing side surfaces have a mating recess and projection, such that a recess on a first side surface mates with a projection on a second side surface of an adjacent block in a revetment system. On each of the third and fourth sides is a channel and two interlocking tips disposed on either side of the channel. The interlocking tips of a third or fourth side of one block are adapted to fit into the channel of the third or fourth side of another block. The channel is configured so that there is the possibility of lateral movement when the blocks are configured into a mat.

Abstract: A system and methods for diverless replacement of a functional component installed on a service unit on a sea bottom-based installation is provided. The component is fitted releasably into the service unit as an insert with an externally extending maneuverable part. The replacement is carried out by a tool mounted on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The invention utilizes ROV supported weight compensation means for compensating the weight of the component in order to maintain the ROV in a substantially neutral buoyancy state during operations. The weight compensating means comprises a separate adapter element having the same weight as the component to be replaced. The adapter element or adapter are equipped to be releasably supported by the ROV tool. The adapter has an upper end and a lower end and a central axis extending therethrough, and a centrally extending throughgoing opening having transverse dimensions larger than the largest transverse dimension of the component.

Abstract: A drag-type drill bit for drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having an end face and a shank for connection to a drill string, a number of blades upstanding from the end face of the bit body and extending outwardly away from the central axis of rotation of the bit, a number of cutters mounted on each blade, and a number of nozzles in the bit body for delivering drilling fluid for cooling and cleaning the cutters. The blades include primary blades which, at their outer ends, are spaced apart around aperipheral gauge portion of the bit, and secondary blades which are spaced circumferentially between adjacent primary blades, each secondary blade having an outer end which terminates at a location inwardly of the gauge portion of the bit.

Abstract: A system for use in preventing a flow of gas from a gas-containing region (20) to an adjacent region (22) and/or for collecting or dispersing gas at the interface between the regions, comprising a composite barrier (10) installed so as to separate the two regions (20, 22), the barrier (10) comprising a gas-impermeable layer (11) and a gas-permeable membrane (12) interconnected so as to define an interspace (16) between them and arranged with the permeable layer (12) facing the region containing gas (20) to be dispersed or collected. A method is also described comprising the steps of connecting an aperture (36) or aperture of the barrier communicating with the interspace (16) thereof to pumping means (37) which, in operation, act to pump gas into or out from the interspace (16) by creating a pressure differential across the permeable membrane such as to cause gas to flow therethrough across a major proportion of its surface area.

Abstract: A novel piling comprises a tubular member containing a plurality of passages therein. The piling includes a first rod longitudinally placed within the inner diameter of the tubular member, with the first rod having a first plurality of blades attached thereon. The first plurality of blades will be aligned with the plurality of passages. The piling also includes a gripping member adapted for rotating the blades from the inner diameter of the tubular member to an extended position protruding through the passages. The gripping member consist of a first gripping surface formed on the first end of the first rod and a rod holder, operatively attached to the second end of the tubular member. The rod holder will contain the second end of the rod so that the first rod may be rotated by a turning of the first gripping surface. The novel piling may also include a second plurality of passages therein, along with a second rod longitudinally placed within the inner diameter of the tubular member and adjacent the first rod.

Abstract: A riser arrangement increases the stability and/or decreases sensitivity to vortex induced vibration of risers of a riser system including steel tubular lines, SCRIBS and flexible hose risers leading to a floating storage/production vessel. A cross-link is placed between two or more steel tubular lines in order to enhance the stability of the riser system. Devices are coupled to the steel tubular lines for increasing their tension in order to increase the natural frequency of vibration in order to reduce sensitivity to vortex induced vibration.

Abstract: A method for underpinning a building comprises arranging at least one elongated supporting element below and substantially parallel to the foundation of the building. A whole side wall of the building may thus be underpinned in a single operation without unnecessarily weakening the existing underground. By coupling a plurality of elongated supporting elements, a kind of large-surface foundation that securely supports the building can be created. The architectonic substance of very old buildings may thus be preserved in a non-aggressive manner. In addition, the underpinning method can be carried out very quickly and at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: A retraction system allows disengagement of retrieval latch dogs of a down hole running tool from a bit locking sleeve. The locking sleeve is slidably retained within a drive sub and includes a pair of slots which are engaged by the retrieval latch dogs when the tool is used to retrieve bit segments from the drive sub. The retraction system includes a sleeve which is slidably mounted on a main body of the tool and spring which is biased to push the sleeve over the retrieval latch dogs. The sleeve has a pair of diametrically opposed slots through which the retrieval latch dogs can extend for contacting the inner surface of the drive sub. The retraction system also includes a length of the inner surface of the drive sub which is made of progressively reducing diameter in the direction of retraction of the tool from the drive sub. The upper end of each slot is provided with a bevel for directing the retrieval latch dogs in the inward direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a bulkhead forming system and method for forming a bulkhead. The bulkhead forming system comprises a number of individual forming members which are coupled together end to end and opposing each other to provide a gap therebetween on which the concrete is poured. The individual forming members consists of straight side forming members, 90.degree. internal angles, 90.degree. external angles, and other angled matched pair forming members, each of the said forming member having a substantially deep continuously concave indentation extending horizontally through the forming member, resulting in a substantially sideways U-shaped cross-section. Each surface of the bulkhead forming member is provided at an angle at which the frame can be easily released from the bulkhead once cured. The resulting freestanding bulkhead provides a useful walkway or work surface. Pilings may be driven into soil and placed between the opposing frames to provide additional stability or to create a boat lift.

Abstract: The impact absorption system uniquely features arrangement of composite structures which include fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. According to many embodiments, a gravitationally or buoyantly suspended hollow fiber-reinforced urethane reaction bumper is closely and anteriorly situated with respect to fiber-reinforced urethane tension tubes which are secured at the ends and disposed in an approximately vertical plane. In operation, an incoming marine vessel impacts the bumper which in turn impacts the tubes. The invention takes advantage of the great deformability, high energy absorbency and other beneficial properties of fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. Moreover, applicability/adaptability of individual bumper systems to varieties of marine vessels is made possible through analysis and arrangement/rearrangement/exchange/interchange of structural components.

Abstract: An improved method for constructing filter underdrain systems may be provided which uses prefabricated underdrain cells. The prefabricated underdrain cells may have a one piece construction having side walls and a bottom. The side walls may include a porous plate support ledge with a ridge at the center of the ledge. The ridge helps ensure that the sealant forms a uniform and effective gasket when the porous plates are installed.

Abstract: A passive absorptive device covered with a layer of DNAPL-philic hydrophobic material, is disposed within a groundwater remediation well to soak up DNAPL (ie., dense non-aqueous phase liquid) seepage at the wall of the groundwater remediation well so that, after retrieval of the passive absorptive device from the well, the DNAPL soaked in the DNAPL-philic hydrophobic layer can be safely disposed of.

Abstract: A system for inserting elongate members into and removing elongate members from the ground. The system is a bottom drive system that is capable of applying crowding or extraction forces to the elongate member while at the same time vibrating the elongate member along its axis. A vibratory assembly is mounted by a shock absorbing assembly to a support base. A gear or other type of drive assembly is mounted on the vibratory assembly. Vibratory forces generated by the vibratory assembly are applied to the elongate member through the drive assembly, causing the drive assembly to vibrate with the elongate member. The elongate member extends through the center of the vibratory assembly such that the vibratory forces have a vibratory axis that is aligned with the lengthwise axis of the elongate member to prevent torsional or twisting forces from being applied to the elongate member.

Abstract: A retaining wall system to align panels into a plurality of horizontally adjacent vertical assemblies of stacked cells to retain soil placed between the cells.

Abstract: Method for suppressing borer attack and accompanying erosion in a marine structure such as a pier or dock, and a borer-immune structure resulting from application of the method. The method features steps for encasing the exposed surfaces of a wooden marine structure with a plurality of rigid plates sized to the surfaces to be encased. Steps are provided for supplying a water-resistant sealant at predetermined regions on the plates such that the sealant may be spread over predetermined portions of the structure surface and the plates by clamping the plates and sealant to the marine structure with a corrosive resistant fastener. The method also preferably includes steps for providing the encasing plates with sealant-locating furrows at the plate faces that mate with the marine structure to be encased, the locating furrows being provided for receiving the sealant at a prescribed location relative to plate borders and for pre-measuring the amount of sealant to be applied.

Abstract: Drilling tool with a drill head with an end face pointing in the feed direction and which has a main bit, which forms a drill point located in the drill axis and the bit is inclined on either side in a substantially roof-shaped manner and the tool has drilling dust grooves. The main bit has a primary cutting edge, which extends radially over at least one side of the main bit, and a secondary cutting edge, which extends radially over substantially the remaining length of the main bit and is axially set back with respect to the primary cutting edge counter to the feed direction by at least the amount of feed in millimeters per revolution.