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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A fluid current producing apparatus assembly for use in a body of water includes at least one receptacle 2, current producing apparatus 3 and inflation and deflation apparatus 22c. Each receptacle 2 includes a body forming at least one enclosed inside space which further contains at least one independently inflatable and deflatable compartment 19 therein for receipt of a fluid to at least inflate at least a portion of the receptacle. Each receptacle includes a body having an inner surface 17b, outer surface 17a and at least one internal chamber 19 which is inflated by the inflation and deflation apparatus 22c which modifies the outward shape of receptacle 2.

Abstract: A rock excavating device includes a shaft and a cutting element. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion connected to an end of the first portion. The first portion is rotatable about a first axis. The second portion extends along a second axis that is oblique with respect to the first axis. The cutting element includes a cutting edge. The cutting element is supported on the second portion and rotatable about the second axis. Rotation of the first portion of the shaft about the first axis changes the orientation of the second axis and the cutting element.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a mining machine includes a central hub having at least one arm extending radially outwards from the central hub. The arm includes at least one cutting means carrier movably arranged for radial movement along the arm and a primary actuator configured to control the radial position of the cutting means carrier. The cutting assembly further includes a locking means movable between an unlocked and a locked position, wherein the locking means in its locked position locks the cutting means carrier to the arm such that radial movement of the cutting means carrier is prevented. The locking means includes at least one locking member provided on the arm such that the locking member is movable between an extended position and a withdrawn position. The locking member in the extended position extends to engage the cutting means carrier such that movement of the cutting means carrier is prevented.

Abstract: A docking assist assembly for assisted boat docking. The docking assist assembly may include: a mounting portion configured to be supported by an upper surface of a dock; an arm portion extending transverse to the mounting portion; and a bow retaining portion including a first side defining a first surface facing at least partially toward the second side and a second side defining a second surface at least partially facing toward the first side, said first side and said second side configured to receive a bow of a boat at least partially between the first side and the second side; wherein at least one of the arm portion and the bow retaining portion is movable relative to the mounting portion so as to at least partially absorb a docking impact force of a boat.

Abstract: Provided are a reinforcing member and a construction method capable of easily securing a side wall contact height even in the case where installed equipment is provided on a side wall. A reinforcing member according to the present invention is a reinforcing member which reinforces a manhole by being fixed to the manhole in a state in which at least part of the reinforcing member is in contact with a side wall inner surface of an inner surface of the manhole, an insertion hole into which an anchor bolt provided to protrude from the inner surface of the manhole can be inserted is formed, and the insertion hole is an elongated hole which allows the reinforcing member to move relative to the anchor bolt in an inserted state in which the anchor bolt is inserted into the insertion hole and an unfixed state in which the reinforcing member is not fixed to the manhole.

Abstract: A backrest for scuba diving comprising a support element, a first strap strapping the support element to the diver's body and a second strap strapping an air cylinder to the support element. The support element has first slots passing the first strap and second slots passing the second strap. The first slots delimit a right portion and respectively a left portion of the first strap, independently adjustable over the right shoulder and right side and respectively over the left shoulder and left side of the diver. The support element comprises a support plate, a right angular profile having a first and second right wing, a right bracket supported by the first right wing, a left angular profile having a first and second left wing, a left bracket supported by the first left wing.

Abstract: A pile-driver assembly for driving a pile into the ground is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing defining a chamber configured to house a fluid; a positioning element configured to position the casing at or on the pile; and actuating means. Actuation of the actuating means displaces the chamber relative to the positioning element such that the chamber moves away from the pile to an elevated position. The actuating means is configured to release the chamber from the elevated position 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. The assembly further includes buffering means, the buffering means being configured to controllably buffer the force exerted by the chamber on the pile as the pile is driven into the ground. The buffering means is configured to rebound the chamber to a rebound position.

Abstract: A subgrade with local deep excavation and backfilling structure and a rapid construction method thereof are provided. Supporting cast-in-place piles are laid at positions where an underground pipe gallery is located in a subgrade structure, and soil there between are longitudinally excavated to form a line-shaped foundation pit. A bottom of the line-shaped deep foundation pit is reinforced to support the underground pipe gallery, and lateral peripheral regions and top peripheral regions of the underground pipe gallery are backfilled with block geobag reinforced fillers. Geogrids are placed on the top of the underground pipe gallery, then backfilling compaction and reinforcing are performed, and the geogrids are fixedly assembled with anchor bolts. The construction method is simple and easy. By using compacted block geobag reinforced fillers and cement solidified slurry, an overall quality of the subgrade structure after backfilling can be ensured, and construction period and cost can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor is provided. The vibratory compactor may include at least one load bearing member coupled to a load bearing base and a frame coupled to a compactor plate with the load bearing base coupled to the frame. The frame and compactor plate are configured to vibrate. The vibratory compactor may also include a housing having an inner volume, the housing coupled to the frame by at least one isolator with the frame and the at least one load bearing member located within the inner volume. The housing may be coupled to an arm of an excavator. In response to force being applied to the housing by the excavator during compaction, the housing moves with respect to the frame until a top member of the housing contacts the at least one load bearing member and compacts soil more effectively than a vibratory compactor without the load bearing member.

Abstract: A poor foundation reinforcement system and a reinforcement method based on underground concealed arch structures are provided. The system and the method belong to the technical field of poor foundation treatment. The reinforcement system includes multiple columns of pile foundations arranged along a bridge direction. Multiple arch sheets are set in parallel between each two adjacent columns of pile foundations. Each arch sheet includes multiple high-pressure rotary jet piles arranged along the bridge. Each two adjacent arch sheets of the multiple arch sheets are connected by a micro-bending slab disposed on the two adjacent arch sheets, the multiple arch sheets are connected by the micro-bending slabs to together form an arch ring, and a construction joint is disposed between each two adjacent micro-bending slabs of the micro-bending slabs.

Abstract: A longwall mining shield base lift. The base lift includes a hydraulic cylinder having an apparatus for coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the longwall mining shield, a cylinder rod having a first end extending into the hydraulic cylinder and a second end for extending toward ground beneath the longwall mining shield, the second end being threaded axially, and a threaded wear pad threaded onto the cylinder rod. The wear pad includes a plurality of spanner holes for rotating the wear pad with a lever, at least one threaded retaining hole extending axially through the wear pad, and a retaining bolt threaded through the retaining hole until it contacts the cylinder rod.