Abstract: A trenchless collector system is configured to intercept and direct surface and/or subsurface fluids to a designated reception location to control groundwater elevations. A target collection and drainage area is identified and a gravity drainage pipe is accessed or trenchlessly installed at the target collection and drainage area. The gravity drainage pipe can be accessed at one or more drawdown points. One end of a collection pipe can be connected to the gravity drainage pipe. Surface and subsurface water is hydrostatically drawn into the collection pipe from the target collection and drainage area through venting at the one end of the collection pipe connected to the gravity drainage pipe. The surface and subsurface water can be passively drained from the collection pipe into the gravity drainage pipe and onto the designated reception location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sampling while drilling tool includes a drill collar having a first end, a second end, an outer wall extending between the first and second ends, and at least one opening extending through the outer wall to a cavity within the drill collar. The sampling while drilling tool also includes a sample chamber positionable in the cavity through the opening in the outer wall and a passage for conducting a drilling fluid through the drill collar.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a structural steel inner support system in a foundation pit which ensures the support density of the structural steel inner support beam of the inner support system for foundation pits and improves structural stability and reliability of inner support of foundation pits. The system includes a purlin assembly, a plurality of vertical force-guiding connecting members including support members, upper force-guiding connecting beams and lower force-guiding connecting beams in the foundation pit; and a structural steel inner support beam and a prestress-pressing member in the foundation pit.

Abstract: In an assembly of an instrument panel and an anti-fouling system, the instrument panel is designed for arrangement on a subsea structure that includes at least one instrument which is to be inspected and/or manipulated underwater, by a remotely operated underwater vehicle. The anti-fouling system includes at least one anti-fouling appliance for performing an anti-fouling action on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the instrument panel. The anti-fouling appliance may have at least one of various possible arrangements with respect to the instrument panel, including an exterior arrangement and an interior arrangement, and an arrangement on the exterior surface of the instrument panel. The anti-fouling appliance includes an ultraviolet light source. A light guide may be provided to guide light from the light source to desired destinations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for constructing retaining wall structure and well point in granular soils under groundwater level. The system is configured to drain the excavated zone and stabilizes the soil slope wall especially in urban lands with granular soils and high groundwater level during construction process. The system is configured to enable installation of vertical beams and polyethylene grooved drainage pipes wrapped by geotextile for drainage in the boundaries of the desired land by using a hammering casing pipe system. The hammering casing pipe system comprises a casing to receive the vertical beam and the drainage pipe, a mandrel for inserting the casing to the target location without removal of soil in the casing, a hammer element for hammering the mandrel into the target location, and a steel shaft or an impact transmission shaft configured to transfer impact from the hammer element to the mandrel.

Abstract: A system and method to provide water and sediment flow through a dam or rock jetty, including a plurality of flow pipes positioned through the dam or jetty to receive water carrying sediment and a principal flow pipe to receive flow from the plurality of flow pipes and to deposit water and sediment a predetermined distance to the rear of the dam or jetty. A continuous trough may be mounted on the jetty forward face to efficiently capture water and sediment at entrances of the plurality of flow pipes. A system and method is also provided to suppress wave action against a shoreline and to collect sediment to build up the shoreline, comprising shelves extending out from a front wall of each body section, below a plurality of flow pipes, the shelves for shearing a wave and dispersing and using wave energy to direct sediment through the flow pipes.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for handling contaminants in a wellbore or riser. A washpipe debris trap (WPDT) traps contaminants traveling up a wellbore from a downhole location, and the WPDT may serve as an indicator for a breached screen in a downhole location. A marine riser reversing tool (MRRT) may reverse the flow of fluid between a workstring conduit and an annulus between the workstring and the wellbore such that fluid rises to the wellhead with greater velocity. A bi-directional chamber trap (BDCT) may be utilized in a wellbore operation to remove contaminants from a fluid.

Abstract: An automated water control device comprises a rotatable housing that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper or weir edge of the housing. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The housing is selectively rotated to raise and lower the height of the weir edge to a target gate height. Automatic control is provided for operation of the device by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes one or more water control devices and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated water control device. Manual or semi-automated embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a positioner for reinforcing steel bars of tunnel side wall. At least two groups of reinforcing steel bar positioning arm mechanisms are provided on the same side of an inverted trestle (4). The reinforcing steel bar positioning arm mechanism comprises a large arm (1), a medium arm (2) and a small arm (3). The large arm (1) is driven by a first telescopic cylinder (7) to rotate around a hinge point, such that the large arm (1) implements rotation in the horizontal direction. The medium arm (2) is composed of three second telescopic cylinders (8) in a Z-shaped arrangement in the vertical plane, such that the small arm (3) implements rotation or expansion in the vertical plane. Two arm rods of the small arm (3) are each provided with a third telescopic cylinder (9) to implement the expansion of the arm rod.

Abstract: Features of relatively low pressure microporous (and preferably plant-responsive) irrigation tubes are combined with features of relatively high pressure drip emitter tubes to produce a hybrid irrigation tube. Methods for using and manufacturing the hybrid irrigation tube are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dock and boat protection system includes a flexible sheet, fasteners, and a plurality of colinearly aligned marine fenders. The sheet has an envelope portion sized to at-least-partially surround fenders when conformed there-around, and an edge portion extending from the envelope portion and configured to engage a dock, wherein the edge portion is secured to the dock by the fasteners.

Abstract: The disclosed water barrier systems may include a first mobile water barrier, and adjacent second mobile water barrier, and a translation mechanism for translating the first mobile water barrier and the second mobile water barrier toward each other. Lowering mechanisms may be configured to lower sidewalls of the mobile water barriers. The mobile water barriers may include sealing elements to form water seals between the adjacent mobile water barriers and between the sidewalls and a surface. Related methods of forming a water barrier assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a microtrench fill comprising concrete, a polymer, and a colorant. Also provided is a method of using the microtrench fill to fill a microtrench in a street or walkway.

Abstract: Cable pulling systems and methods of use are provided suitable for trenchless cable pulling applications, including bursting head applications for laying down replacement pipe underground. A chassis is provided that accommodates laterally disposed piston assemblies, both single cylinder and dual cylinder closed path piston assemblies. Also provided are quick release manifolds for cable holding grippers and cable pulling grippers for use with both single cylinder and dual cylinder piston assemblies. A chassis and cable pulling system also are provided for trenchless pipe extraction applications and which accommodate closed path piston assemblies. Small and large pipe diameter bursting head devices also are provided with integrated cable gripping and release assemblies. Also provided are methods for sealing cable ends.

Abstract: An underdrain apparatus and a method for manufacturing such apparatus are provided. The underdrain apparatus can be extruded in long sections as a unitary part. The underdrain apparatus may be extruded in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Further, the underdrain apparatus may include a passageway for transporting water to and from the filter media and/or air to the filter media. In some embodiments, apertures are formed in the underdrain apparatus during an extrusion process to provide a path between the passageway and the filter media.

Abstract: A pipe extraction machine can be used to remove a buried pipe from the ground. The machine has a carriage with jaws that grip the buried pipe. While gripped, the carriage moves relative to a support structure to pull the pipe out of the ground. Jaws are actuated by rotating clamp plates and maintained in opposition by static horizontal grooves. The jaws remain opposed and aligned during rotation of the clamp plates. A pipe shear may remove the pipe one piece at a time. A pipe puller can be used at the back end of the pipe being removed to simultaneously install a new pipe along the same path.

Abstract: A system (1) for operating a subsea sensor field (2), comprises an automated underwater vehicle—AUV (10) and a subsea service station (13). A sensor (11, 12) in the sensor field (2) comprises a permanently installed base unit (11) and a removable control unit (12). The AUV (10) moves control units (12) to the service station (13) for charging and updating, and then back to the base units.

Abstract: A system for shoring a trench, which is dug for receiving a pipeline and includes spaced apart sidewalls, includes at least two supporting units that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the trench and configured for absorbing transverse forces from the sidewalls. Disposed between the two supporting units is a plurality of shoring units, each configured for supporting the sidewalls of the trench. Together with the supporting units, the shoring units are configured to form a barrier-free lowering space within which the pipe can be lowered into the trench from outside the trench to the floor of the trench. A method for laying a pipe using the shoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct tie-in of pipelines are disclosed. An apparatus is attached to a portion of a pipeline, the apparatus including a tensioning member and a buoyancy element attached to the tensioning member such that, when submerged, the pipeline is deflected as a result of a buoyancy force tensioning the tensioning member, and on releasing the buoyancy element, direct tie-in of the pipeline is performed.

Abstract: Provided is a microtrencher having a utility avoidance system that detects objects buried under the roadway, identifies whether the buried object is a utility and determines whether the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel. If the buried utility is in the path of the cutting wheel, an alert is sent to the operator, the vehicle is stopped, and/or the cutting wheel is raised in relation to the roadway. Also provided is a method of using the microtrencher to cut a microtrench in a roadway and to avoid cutting a buried utility in the path of the cutting wheel.