Abstract: A storage system and method for storing a valuable liquid in a subterranean cavity with a displacing liquid such as brine. The valuable liquid, which normally has a density above or about that of the displacing liquid, is modified by dissolving therein small amounts of a light fluid such as alkanes and alkenes of up to 4 carbon atoms, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide or combinations thereof. The amount of the light fluid dissolved in the stored liquid is sufficient to maintain the density of this phase below that of the displacing liquid so that the valuable liquid is stored over the displacing liquid.

Abstract: An elongated water distributing hose capable of effectively watering large areas with readily available water pressures and in a matter whereby an essential uniform watering is achieved. This desired uniform watering results notwithstanding sloping ground conditions and the like. The pressure is substantially maintained throughout the length of the hose though a particular arrangement of first, second, and third fluid passages, which enable a maintaining of the relatively high pressure throughout the length of the hose and the reduction of this pressure directly at the point of the passing of the water from the high pressure first fluid passage through a series of first fluid-passing openings to the much smaller second fluid passage, and a further pressure reduction as the water passes within the third fluid passage between a series of second fluid-passing openings and a series of discharge fluid-passing openings.

Abstract: Method for thrusting a shield for use in tunneling includes the steps of causing a rotary head, provided at the front portion of a shield body, an eccentric motion so that earth, soil or sand covering the front of the shield is pressed away radially of the shield, and exerting a thrust on the shield body during the eccentric motion of said rotary head. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a driven crank shaft or a driven eccentric straight shaft, a conical or frustoconical rotary head supported rotatably by the crank or eccentric straight shaft, conveyor for discharging mined material backwardly, and hydraulic jacks for imparting a thrust to the shield body.

Abstract: A method and means for storing a marine riser is disclosed for relocating an offshore mobile unit from a drilling or production site. The riser is disconnected from a subsea port and lowered into an auxiliary borehole. Means are provided for the lowering and raising of the marine riser and positioning of same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for moving a large mass of ice by anchoring a two line thereto. The tow line is connected to a marine vessel which tows the ice mass to a remote location distant from threatened equipment and personnel.

Abstract: In association with a subsurface drainage/irrigation tile system, a head control stand is provided to selectively control the flow of water through a drainage/irrigation tile system and in turn control the depth of the water table. An actuating unit which includes a water level sensor floating on the surface of the water table is disposed within a riser pipe which extends upward from a subsurface drainage tile. A valve disposed within the drainage tile is connected to the water level sensor and opens upon the sensor raising in response to a raising in the water table which allows water to flow through the valve and subsequently closes the valve upon lowering of the water table.

Abstract: Discharge water from a building, e.g., rainwater discharged from downspouts or groundwater discharged from sump pumps, is carried away from the building in an underground pipe to an aboveground discharge outlet, said discharge operating only when the pipes are full of water and under pressure from the inlet. The underground pipe extends for a substantial distance away from the building and either turns upwardly to the aboveground discharge outlet; or empties into an underground tank which bleeds water downward into the surrounding earth through a porous bottom surface, and communicates water upward through its upper surface with the aboveground outlet.

Abstract: A rock bolt assembly incorporating a friction reducing washer of plastics material between the nut and the plate washer to give an increased tension in the bolt for a given torque.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and apparatus for severing a tubular member at a desired level beneath the ocean floor or other underwater surface from which the tubular member extends. The apparatus includes an assembly which is disposable about the tubular member at the underwater surface, and which includes means by which fluid may be jetted for scouring the underwater surface about the tubular member in order that the assembly may move downwardly under its own weight. The tubular member is severed by means of a shaped charge carried by the assembly and adapted to be detonated when lowered with the assembly to the desired level.

Abstract: There is described a prefabricated floating raft of low density modules, which are trucked into the polluted land site, and lifted into place over the polluted land area. The surface is sealed with an impervious plastic cover, and a thin layer of gravel and top soil is placed on top, with grass or other suitable vegetation. The center to edge is arranged at a small slope to provide rain runoff. The perimeter of the area is surrounded by a deep concrete wall and gravel-filled moat to catch the runoff water. The runoff water forms a perimeter seal that provides clean ground water to the radial area surrounding the covered area, and seals in the pollution below it.

Abstract: The platform comprises an annular truncated cone of concrete which constitutes the main resistant element of the platform and is designed to take the thrust of ice, and a cylindrical steel part housed inside the annular truncated cone. Watertight passages parallel to the generatrices of the cylindrical wall are provided to house piles in the peripheral ring, close to the wall. A watertight passage well is provided in the cylindrical steel part for the passage of the drill pipes. A circular running track is provided for gantry cranes used for piles handling. The platform has two drilling rigs placed on one half of the platform and able to work simultaneously.

Abstract: A seawall is provided by embedding perforate polymer mats within an earthen formation and securing the mats to stacked preformed concrete panels at the face of the formation. The mats are wrapped around rods and secured to the panels by capturing the rods between opposed surfaces on the panels. Seals and filter closures are disposed between the panels to shield the formation from sloughing and the intrusion of water.

Abstract: A machine for depositing pipeline padding material in a pipeline ditch in the form of an attachment for a bulldozer blade which is driven from the hydraulic system of the bulldozer and includes an endless conveyor belt forming the bottom of a horizontally oriented chute or trough which receives padding dirt from a dump truck body or the like and distributes it evenly in the pipeline ditch as the bulldozer with the padding machine mounted thereon moves alongside of the ditch.

Abstract: A support structure, especially for under-water work, comprises a hollow pillar, which downwardly merges into a reversed funnel structure, having a base area selected with respect to the expected load and to local ground conditions and macadam, or other material with internal friction, filling the funnel structure and at least part of the pillar, the base angle of the funnel structure being slightly greater than the natural angle of repose of the fraction of friction material used. After a possible vibration of the macadam the funnel structure will be completely filled, whereby the load on the pillar will be transferred to the cone of macadam and be distributed over the bottom surface, below the funnel structure, which may along its lower edge be provided with a dented skirt suited to enter into a soft bottom surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic control arrangement comprises a first hydraulic ram, a second hydraulic ram, and a hydraulic control circuit associated with the first and second hydraulic rams. Each of the hydraulic rams has a cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the cylinder, and a piston rod fixed to the piston. Each of the hydraulic rams has a cylindrical working chamber and an annular working chamber positioned on opposite sides of its piston. The piston rod of each hydraulic ram constitutes the cylinder of a respective metering ram, a respective metering piston being reciprocable within the cylinder of each metering ram to define a metering chamber therewithin. The hydraulic control circuit includes a line, which interconnects the two metering chambers, and a hydraulic valve positioned in a hydraulic fluid supply line leading to the cylindrical working chamber of the second hydraulic ram.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for anchoring a bolt in a bore hole in a rock formation is disclosed. A tensioning assembly, which comprises a tensioning plug and expandable sheath, is threadedly engaged to the end of an elongated bolt. A ring is securely affixed to the inner wall of the plug at a predetermined point adjacent the plug's threaded portion. The end of the bolt abuts the ring upon assembly, thereby causing the bolt and the tensioning assembly to rotate together upon application of a torque to the bolt. This rotational movement effects mixing of bonding material which is placed in the bore hole ahead of the tensioning assembly. As the mixed bonding material begins to harden, rotation of the tensioning assembly is resisted.

Abstract: A hybrid offshore structure for conducting petroleum drilling and producing operations in very deep waters is disclosed. The structure consists primarily of a substantially rigid lower section extending upwardly from the bottom of the body of water to a pivot point located intermediate the bottom and the surface of the body of water, a compliant upper section extending upwardly from the pivot point to a deck located above the water surface, pivot means located proximate the pivot point and adapted to permit the compliant upper section to pivot laterally in response to environmental loads, and torsion means adapted to transmit torsional loads from the compliant upper section to the substantially rigid lower section. The lower section may comprise either a conventional trussed steel frame fixed to the bottom of the body of water by a plurality of piles or a concrete or steel gravity base. The compliant upper section may optionally be either a guyed tower or a buoyant tower.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling a self-contained submersible module including a length of conduit for connection to a collector to be repetitively put into place and removed. The collector (3) is located on the sea bed, and said length of conduit (14) and said collector (3) have mating ends fitted with a releasable connector suitable for establishing said connection when the ends to be connected come into end-to-end engagement. The length of conduit (14) is mounted in the module (2) on a carriage (7) to enable said length of conduit to be moved out from said module to bring one of its ends (13) into contact with the end (5) of the collector. Once the length of conduit has made connection with the end of the collector, the carriage also enables said length of conduit to be moved in the opposite direction pulling said collector with it in order to connect the other end of the conduit to a well head (1).

Abstract: A roof support, suitable for use in mines, includes a roof-engageable canopy which comprises a main portion and an extension portion having a pivotal connection to the main portion. Actuator means is carried by the main portion. A wedge member, which is operable by the actuator means, is disposed between, and is engageable with, the main portion and a part of the extension portion projecting substantially beyond the said pivotal connection towards the actuator means. The wedge member is adapted arcuately to be movable by the actuator means and such arcuate movement effects tilting of the extension portion with respect to said main portion.

Abstract: An anode pod system for cathodically protecting offshore structures and method of installing the system in which a set of anode pod units are individually placed on the ocean floor adjacent an offshore structure. Each anode pod unit comprises a plurality of anodes attached to a top tubular ring and a base tubular ring larger than the top tubular ring to form a conically-shaped unit. An electrical conductor cable connects each anode pod unit to the offshore structure.