Abstract: Apparatus for use with fluid-processing plant configured to generate and store pressurized fluid. Fluid-processing plant is spaced apart from body of water. Apparatus includes variable-buoyancy assembly positioned in body of water in such way that buoyancy force urges variable-buoyancy assembly to move toward surface of body of water. Apparatus also includes non-collapsible fluid-line assembly positionally anchored, at least in part, underground in such way that non-collapsible fluid-line assembly extends, at least in part, into body of water. Non-collapsible fluid-line assembly fluidly connects fluid-processing plant and variable-buoyancy assembly together in such way that non-collapsible fluid-line assembly conveys pressurized fluid between fluid-processing plant and variable-buoyancy assembly.

Abstract: A longitudinally yieldable support for underground roof support includes first and second outer shell portions having a first wall thickness and a third outer shell portion having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The support is filled with a solid compressible filler material. At least one air ventilation tube extends between opposite sides of the third outer shell portion to allow a flow of air through the support as the first and second outer shell portions and filler material therein yield under load.

Abstract: A rotating flow head (RFH) has a housing having an internal bore with diameter substantially equal to that of a riser and at least one flow port proximate one longitudinal end thereof. First and second arrays of radially extensible and retractable locking elements are disposed circumferentially around the RFH housing. The RFH has a bearing assembly (BA) housing having an exterior diameter selected to fit within the internal bore of the RFH housing so as to provide an annular space therein. The BA housing engages one of the arrays of locking elements when extended. A mandrel is rotatably, sealingly supported within the BA housing. Another end of the BA housing and the other array of locking elements provide longitudinal force on the BA housing when the other array is extended. A seal element disposed in the annular space is energized by the longitudinal force applied to the BA housing.

Abstract: An arch-shaped corrugated chamber having corrugation peaks and valleys, with reinforcing ribs provided on the corrugation peaks. The ribs extend upwardly from a chamber base to a rib upper end, and have an arch-shaped cross-section with an outer surface extending outwardly from a corrugation peak and a fin extending inwardly from the corrugation peak, and optionally, a rib line provided on the rib outer surface centered on the rib arch-shaped cross-section. A channel formed by the inner surface of the rib is sized to receive a corresponding rib of a second chamber so that multiple similar chambers with ribs may be stacked together.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for drawing water from a water source into a flowing water body comprises a tubular member defined by a sidewall extending between an inlet and an outlet and a central passage therethrough and a drainage pipe having an internal passage therethrough. The drainage pipe passes through the sidewall of the tubular member and has an outlet located within the central passage. The drainage outlet is oriented in a direction towards the outlet of the tubular member and has an unobstructed continuous profile extending there through. The apparatus further comprises a frame adapted to support the tubular member within a body of flowing water at a height above a bottom of the body of flowing water below a top surface of the flowing water.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular trench shoring sheeting panel made primarily of polyethylene includes at least one pair of hand holes. In some embodiments, the sheeting panel includes a plurality of buttons protruding outwardly from one of the sheeting panel's surfaces. As compared to three-quarter inch FinnForm, the polyethylene sheeting panel typically has (i) equivalent or superior structural properties and (ii) a significantly lower useful-life cost.

Abstract: A system for the storage of a radioactive waste product, wherein the radioactive waste product is located in a container and where one or more containers are stored in a bore hole drilled beneath a surface and having a bottom, wherein following placement of the one or more containers in the bore hole closer to the bottom, a fluid is added to the bore hole to a height above the upper most container, and wherein an upper cover is located above the upper most container and above the fluid to seal in the one or more containers and a non-permeable material is placed above the upper cover, a container storage area being formed within the bore hole beneath the upper cover.

Abstract: An underwater base for handling plural underwater vehicles equipped with seismic sensors for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The underwater base including a storing part configured to store the plural underwater vehicles; an inlet part located above the storing part and configured to control access of the plural underwater vehicles to the storing part; a control part configured to acoustically guide the plural underwater vehicles to the inlet part; and a support part configured to support the control part, the storing part and the inlet part. The storing part is further configured to receive the plural underwater vehicles as the plural underwater vehicles fall from the inlet part into the storing part.

Abstract: A subterranean system including a tunnel network, a plurality of syntactic foam panels, and a wireless communications network is disclosed. The wireless communications network comprises a plurality of wireless transceivers positioned throughout the tunnel network. The wireless communication range defined by communicatively coupled transceivers is a function of signal strength attenuation in a wireless signal traveling between the communicatively coupled transceivers. The tunnel network comprises tunnel support structure that contributes to the signal strength attenuation and a plurality of support apertures formed in the tunnel support structure. The syntactic foam panels are secured to the tunnel support structure to cover at least some of the support apertures and the composition and configuration of the syntactic foam panels are such that the panels do not make a significant contribution to the signal strength attenuation between communicatively coupled transceivers.

Abstract: A drainage unit has a plurality of modules defining channels with arced or flared surfaces longitudinally spaced from one another for installation into a ground excavation. The spaced modules may be aligned on a longitudinally support pipe that may provide a fluid connection between the channels. The adjacent surfaces of successive modules are spaced from each other a non-constant distance across the laterally transverse thickness or height. Filtration fabric that allows fluid flow therethrough while substantially filtering surrounding soil or other back fill is wrapped around each of modules. The flared and/or arced configuration of the modules defining channels allows for increased surface area interfacing between the channels and soil and a corresponding reduction in laterally transverse footprint.

Abstract: A pipe replacement system and cable guide frame are shown. Configurations are shown that include plurality of guide pulleys attached to the cable guide frame to define a curved path between a pipe to be replaced and a cable pulling system. Configurations are shown where a pipe breaking tool is pulled over the plurality of guide pulleys for ease of removal after a replacement operation. Configurations are also shown that include a stationary splitter adjacent to the cable pulling system to prevent jamming of the cable pulling system.

Abstract: Containerized handling, deployment, and retrieval systems for deploying and retrieving a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes from the back deck of a marine vessel are presented. The handling system may comprise a deployment system and a node storage and service system fully contained within a plurality of CSC approved ISO containers. Each of the components of the handling system may be located in a CSC approved ISO container for storage, operation, and transport. In one embodiment, the node deployment system is configured to retrieve and deploy autonomous seismic nodes from the back deck of a vessel. In one embodiment, the node storage and service system is configured to transfer nodes to and from the node deployment system for storage and servicing.

Abstract: Method is for operating fluid-processing plant configured to generate and store pressurized fluid, and spaced apart from body of water.

Abstract: A polymer composite grouting method for blocking leaking and sand inrush of underground pipeline includes steps of: (1) determining a leaking and sand inrush position of an underground pipeline; (2) drilling a plurality of grouting holes in a ground surface; (3) placing two grouting pipes into each of the grouting holes, binding a film bag at a bottom of one of the grouting pipes; (4) injecting a polymer grouting material via one of the grouting pipes to form a polymer sand stabilizing body; (5) extruding water to accumulated in the pipeline; (6) installing a plurality of geotextile bags at the pipeline section displacement; (7) injecting the polymer material into the geotextile bags for blocking the leakage; and (8) filling the pumping area out of the pipeline. The present invention provides a practical technical measure to treat the leaking and sand inrush of the underground pipeline under complicated geological condition.

Abstract: An arch-shaped corrugated chamber having corrugation peaks and valleys, with reinforcing ribs provided on the corrugation peaks. The ribs extend upwardly from a chamber base to a rib upper end, and have an arch-shaped cross-section with an outer surface extending outwardly from a corrugation peak and a fin extending inwardly from the corrugation peak, and optionally, a rib line provided on the rib outer surface centered on the rib arch-shaped cross-section. A channel formed by the inner surface of the rib is sized to receive a corresponding rib of a second chamber so that multiple similar chambers with ribs may be stacked together.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymeric seal 10 includes a sealing surface 21 and an adjacent fluid repelling surface 20. The fluid repelling surface 20 is hydrophobic or superhydrophobic and is of substantially greater surface area than sealing surface 21. During manufacture of a silicone wafer 27, sealing surface 21 engages the wafer 27 to seal against leakage of electroplate solution fluid. The repelling surface 20 directs the electroplate solution fluid away from the sealing surface 21 during and after electroplating. The hydrophobic or superhydrophobic repelling surface includes a pattern of micro-pillars 51 and micro-channels between the pillars. The pillars are formed in the base material of the seal by laser ablation of the base material or by molding. Other seals 30 and 90 include a sealing surface and an adjacent hydrophobic or superhydrophobic repelling or stiction reduction surface. A fluidic device 95 includes plates 96 and 97 with micro-channels and micro-pillars.

Abstract: Machinery and methods are described whereby a free flying, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can safely capture and take on board lightly managed seismic sensor devices (payload) while they are in-transit via a surface vessel in a (deep) water column. ROV payload can be replenished without the need for the ROV to return to the surface vessel to receive additional payload and to do so without the need for heavy launch and recovery machinery. The reverse process of returning payload from the ROV to the surface vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention describes a system for creating portable, porous structures for restoring coastline. The invention provides for a bag with multiple longitudinal pockets. The bag is made of porous natural or synthetic mesh material and the pockets are filled with lightweight, porous manufactured aggregate. In a preferred embodiment, the lightweight aggregate used in this invention is produced by thermal fusion of silicate clays in a rotary kiln. In another preferred embodiment, multiple bags are encased in a flexible grid material to form a mat. In another embodiment, the mat can be rolled into a log. The bags, mats, and logs can be placed on shorelines and other locations to restore coastline.

Abstract: A system for joining two separate spun piles by interlocking together a top end plate located at a bottom end of a first spun pile to a bottom end plate located at a top end of a second spun pile, wherein the end plates each have a plurality of segments comprising an equal number of segmental protrusions and segmental recesses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method and system for the installation of a fixative in a drill-hole, such as to secure rock bolts. The device comprises (a) a chamber adapted to hold the fixative, and (b) a thrust member, wherein the fixative is displaced from the chamber into the drill-hole following application of force to the thrust member.