Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems involving wastewater treatment systems are provided. Plastic grids, with first and second legs are provided. These first and second legs have distal ends separated from each other. Flat pipes are also provided for wastewater treatment systems.

Abstract: A boring method is provided and can include directing a laser beam at an exposed face of a bulk target in a longitudinal direction. The laser beam can be configured to liquefy and/or gasify the target within the laser beam. The method can also include removing, by the laser beam, a channel of predetermined length and width within the target. The method can further include moving the laser beam in a closed loop of predetermined diameter to define a cut portion of the target laterally bounded by the closed loop. A ligament of the cut portion can remain attached to the target. The method can additionally include separating the ligament from the target. The method can also include removing the cut portion from the target after separating the ligament to form a bore.

Abstract: A protective subsea housing for protecting an equipment space enclosed by the housing has an access opening in a wall of the housing for providing access to the equipment space by an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). The housing has a closure that is movable by translation, or by rotation relative to an axis transverse to or extending through the wall, to open and close the access opening, and an operating member, such as a rotary coupling, that is positioned outside the equipment space and is engageable and movable by the UUV to move the closure.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably offshore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile. The assembly further includes actuating means, wherein actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element, such that the chamber moves away from the pile, and wherein the actuating means is configured to release the chamber for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint arrangement for joining first and second longitudinally aligned members, said joint arrangement comprising at least one strut arranged to project from at least one of said first and second longitudinally aligned members, said at least one strut comprising a proximal end attached to the member from which it projects and a remote (distal) end arranged to be displaced away from said member, said distal end arranged to abut a complementary stop in/on the other member when said second member penetrates said first member, wherein said at least one strut is a compression strut which acts to resist withdrawal of the second member via compression in the strut.

Abstract: A French drain drainpipe with built-in means for flushing iron ocher out of the drainpipe, out of the perforations, and out of the gravel surrounding the drainpipe. Said means may include chambers for receiving pressurized washing fluids and exit orifices from the chambers. Fittings are provided for connecting the chambers to a pressurized source of washing fluids, such as hose fittings for connecting to a normal household water supply.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a rock bolt, wherein the rock bolt includes a central rod, a split tube and a wedge anchor assembly fitted around the central rod, a rock plate, and a nut for attachment to an outer end of the central rod. The sensor assembly includes a distance sensor, a bracket for attaching the distance sensor to an outer portion of the split tube, an elongate spacing member configured to be fitted around the split tube between the nut and the rock plate to keep the nut and the rock plate spaced apart. The spacing member has an opening extending along at least a portion of the length thereof, the opening being sized large enough to allow movement of the bracket along a portion of the length of the spacing member with the distance sensor attached to the outer portion of the split tube by the bracket.

Abstract: A downhole tool (1) comprises a power control module (20), which includes a battery pack (22) for supplying power to components of the tool, and an electronic control circuit (24) for controlling the supply of power by the battery pack. The electronic control circuit (24) and battery pack (22) are contained within a housing (26) that allows their insertion and removal as a single unit. The tool (1) also comprises an electric motor (104) for powering a gear assembly (210), and a braking system comprising an electrical and a magnetic brake for braking the motor (104) when required.

Abstract: A cover for an underground enclosure may include an upper surface comprising a pattern of bosses, a first slot and a second slot disposed on the upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface. A first reinforcement member may be coupled to the lower surface. The first slot may extend into the first reinforcement member, and a second reinforcement member may be coupled to the lower surface and aligned with the first reinforcement member. The second slot may extend into the second reinforcement member. The cover may be configured to be lifted by the first slot and the second slot.

Abstract: A system for levelling and gripping a jacket leg into a hollow foundation pile has a levelling assembly for adjusting the longitudinal axis of a jacket leg partially inserted in a hollow foundation pile with an actuation group arranged about the jacket leg and configured to exert a force parallel to the longitudinal axis between the upper edge of the hollow foundation pile and the jacket leg and selectively attachable to the jacket leg and recoverable for further use in another levelling assembly; and a gripping assembly for locking the jacket leg in a designated position with respect to the hollow foundation pile once leveled.

Abstract: An efficient blasting method for similar cutting in a rock tunnel is provided, which relates to the technical field of rock tunneling. The method includes the following steps: drilling: drilling central holes, lower cutting holes, upper cutting holes, auxiliary holes and peripheral holes in a cross section area for tunnel construction; filling explosives: filling explosives into the central holes, the lower cutting holes, the upper cutting holes, the auxiliary holes and the peripheral holes; and blasting: blasting following blast holes in turn to complete full-face one-time blasting in a millisecond delay blasting mode. The method is applicable for construction scenes of drilling and blasting methods.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground, preferably offshore, and a method of driving a pile into the ground using the pile-driver assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to house a fluid. The assembly further includes a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile, wherein at least a portion of the positioning element is positioned between the chamber and the pile. The assembly further includes actuating means, wherein actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element, such that the chamber moves away from the pile, and wherein the actuating means is configured to release the chamber for displacement towards the pile such that a force is exerted by the chamber on the positioning member, to controllably drive the pile into the ground.

Abstract: A robotics-assisted foundation installation system is provided in which data reporting the X, Y, and Z positions of foundation column tops are sent from a total surveying station to a grid control system. The grid control system receives the data and associates specific data with specific columns in an array—the “grid.” The grid control system compares the actual positions of the columns in the grid to target positions that were determined based on the requirements of the structure to be supported. After determining differences between the actual positions and the target positions, the grid control system sends instructions to column positioning tools associated with the individual columns. Actuators in a column positioning tool are directed by the grid control system to adjust the position of the associated column. Once the live streamed data confirms that each column is in the proper position, the columns are fixed in place.

Abstract: A substantially polygonal drainage channel system is provided. The drainage channel can include a substantially polygonal cross-section that can have rounded corners or edges. More specifically, the cross-section of the drainage channel can be formed to resemble an “upside-down pear.” The drainage channel can have a cross-sectional shape that can be created by first placing two circles of different diameters on top of one another. The “top” circle can be larger than the “bottom” circle. The two circles can then be connected with two tangential lines, one on each side, resulting in a shape in which a top of the drainage channel tapers down toward a bottom of the drainage channel. The drainage channel can also include ribs, drainage slots, and a connector-check valve. A method for installing a drainage channel is also provided.

Abstract: A fish pass system includes a helical blade having an outside diameter and an inside diameter extending between a first side of the helical blade and a second side of the helical blade. The inside diameter controls a flow of water flowing in a direction from the first side to the second side, and the inside diameter defines an open center of the fish pass system. Fish traveling in an opposite direction to the direction of the flow of the water pass through the fish pass system by riding in a space between helical blades as the helical blades are rotating, and fish traveling in the direction of the flow of the water pass through the open center of the fish pass system by swimming or moving over the inside diameter of the helical blades.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipe handling system that includes an inboard bore plug assembly and an outboard bore plug assembly, which facilitate plugging a pipe bore in a flexible pipe. The inboard bore plug assembly includes a first inflatable plug having a first inflatable bladder that defines a first fluid cavity and a first inflation port opening and a first inflation fluid port secured within the first inflation port opening. The outboard bore plug assembly includes a second inflatable plug having a second inflatable bladder that defines a second fluid cavity, a second inflation port opening, and a bore port opening, a second inflation fluid port secured within the second inflation port opening, and a bore fluid port secured in the bore port opening to enable the pipe bore in the flexible pipe to be pressurized to an elevated fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method of installing a tubular heat exchanger into soil includes providing the tubular heat exchanger and screwing the tubular heat exchanger into the soil with an installation apparatus. The installation apparatus may be removed from the soil without removing the tubular heat exchanger from the soil.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating surfable waves in a pool. Waves are generated by removing support, at a progression of areas at the bottom of the pool, for the water in the pool and causing rapid downflow at a progression of areas at the bottom of the pool.

Abstract: A mooring ball system comprising: a mooring ball; a collar attached to the top of the mooring ball; an extendible, retractable, and lockable mast attached to the collar, and extending from the top of the mooring ball; a hook attached near or at the top of the mast; a chain attached to the mooring ball; a mooring line attached to the chain; a loop located at one end of the mooring line; and where the loop is configured to removeably attach to the hook, and where the loop is further configured to be removed from the hook and attached to a watercraft. A mooring apparatus comprising: a collar configured to attach to the top of a mooring ball; an extendible, retractable, and lockable mast configured to attach to the collar, and configured to extend from the top of the mooring ball; and a hook attached near or at the top of the mast.

Abstract: A robotics-assisted foundation installation system is provided in which data reporting the X, Y, and Z positions of foundation column tops are sent from a total surveying station to a grid control system. The grid control system receives the data and associates specific data with specific columns in an array—the “grid.” The grid control system compares the actual positions of the columns in the grid to target positions that were determined based on the requirements of the structure to be supported. After determining differences between the actual positions and the target positions, the grid control system sends instructions to column positioning tools associated with the individual columns. Actuators in a column positioning tool are directed by the grid control system to adjust the position of the associated column. Once the live streamed data confirms that each column is in the proper position, the columns are fixed in place.