Abstract: A turf reinforcement mat (TRM) comprises a lofty polymer grid having integrally attached thereto a fibrous mat. The turf reinforcement mat is preferably produced by needle punching a fibrous mat containing low melt temperature thermoplastic fibers and a lofty polymer grid followed by heating to an elevated temperature to fuse fibers of the fibrous mat to strands of the lofty polymer grid. The integral TRM does not necessitate stitching to hold the various layers together in the integral product.

Abstract: A testable sump apparatus comprises a body wall including a first wall with a first wall portion and a second wall with a second wall portion. The first wall portion is spaced from the second wall portion to at least partially define a body wall interstitial space therebetween. The testable sump apparatus can optionally include at least one spacer located in the body wall interstitial space between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The sump apparatus can also include an optional test port and an optional fitting mounted to the body wall adjacent the through hole. The fitting, if provided, can at least partially define a fitting interstitial space, wherein the fitting interstitial space may be in fluid communication with the body wall interstitial space.

Abstract: A crib platform device, kit and associated method of using for building a temporary buttress underneath an overhanging obstruction. The crib employs a two platforms, and a lock bar for reversibly locking together the platforms. Alternatively, the platforms may be mated by connecting blocks of one platform unit to beams of the other platform, and locked together with a lock beam traversing through the mated blocks and beams of the platforms. The unassembled components of the device form a kit. The method of using comprises the steps of adjusting, aligning, carrying, crawling, dropping, grabbing, mating, obtaining, positioning, placing, pulling, putting, reposing, sliding, taking, and wearing.

Abstract: A Jack Up drilling rig having a deck capable of being used offshore made of a cantilever which is mounted so as to be moveable in a first direction and a second direction, a Multi Purpose Tower fixably mounted on the cantilever, a supporting cart disposed between the cantilever and the deck of the Jack Up drilling rig, and at least four friction reducing devices, wherein the Jack-Up drilling rig is also used in methods for installing and decommissioning drilling equipment on a sub-sea well.

Abstract: A modular drain for receiving drainage liquid with a polygonal upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a substantially lateral surface, a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface that define an upper cavity, the substantially lateral surface having a plurality of openings thereon. The lower portion is joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including a substantially semi-circular surface sized to receive a tube section of a connector therein. In one embodiment, at least one of the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface includes a retention mechanism that is sized and positioned to retain the tube section in the lower portion. In another embodiment, the vertical surfaces are provided with interlocking interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wave simulating device comprising a surface which substantially conforms to the shape that a face of a predetermined natural ocean wave has at a predetermined instant, and fluid projecting means for projecting fluid from a position which either lies in the plane of the surface or beneath said plane, wherein the fluid projecting means is arranged to project fluid out of the surface to enable a person to surf over the surface. The present invention also provides a method of simulating a predetermined natural ocean wave comprising the steps of: a) providing a surface which substantially conforms to the shape that a face of a predetermined natural ocean wave has at a predetermined instant; and b) projecting fluid from a position which either lies in the plane of the surface or beneath said plane to project fluid out of the surface to enable a person to surf over the surface.

Abstract: A retractable radome strake is provided that includes an assembly of finger elements. The assembly of finger elements, when coupled to a radome, deflect at wind speeds greater than approximately twenty mph or wind pressures greater than approximately one psf. Accordingly, the retractable radome strake does not unnecessarily contribute to the wind load of a radome enclosed antenna structure when the strakes are not needed.

Abstract: A beach blanket includes a panel member that has an upper surface and lower surface. The lower surface is for resting on a beach. The upper surface is for supporting a user when the user lies on the upper surface such that the panel member is positioned between the user and the beach. The panel member has a plurality of anchor pockets. Each of the anchor pockets are positioned proximate a perimeter edge of the panel member. Each of the anchor pockets is for receiving some of the sand from the beach such that the anchor pockets anchor the panel member to the beach when the anchor pockets have some of the sand within the anchor pockets.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the moisture content of the soil in order to enable pF value based control of irrigation in cultivation on the soil, as well as a method and an apparatus which use the first-mentioned method and apparatus to enable pF value based control of irrigation. To attain these objects, the invention provides a method for measuring the pF value (soil moisture tension) of the soil, comprising the steps of (a) preliminarily determining the correlation between pF value and volumetric water content of the soil to be measured, (b) measuring the volumetric water content of the soil, and (c) converting the value of the volumetric soil water content of the soil measured in the above step (b) to the corresponding pF value on the basis of the correlation between pF value and volumetric water content predetermined in the above step (a). Also a method and an apparatus for controlling the irrigation of the soil based on the measurement of the pF value by the method.

Abstract: A method of mooring a vessel to a subsea anchoring element (1) connected to the seabed, and comprising a chain section (3) which is not longer than half the water depth, and which is at or near its free end provided with a coupling member (4), is characterised by the steps of: lowering a multi-strand anchor line (9) from a vessel (8), the multi-strand anchor line (9) being at its free end attached to a connector (10), and attaching the connector (10) to the coupling member (4). The present disclosure also provides an anchor line repair or exchange method comprising the steps of: disconnecting the first multi-strand anchor line (16) from the chain section, lowering a second multi-strand anchor line (9) from a vessel (8), the second multi-strand line (9) being at its free end attached to connector (10), and attaching the connector (10) of the second multi-strand line (9) to the coupling member (4).

Abstract: A pouch (18), made of a water absorbent polymer that expands and becomes a gel in consistency upon absorbing water and that is biodegradable, is placed in each bag (10) of lesser volume. An opening (12) in each bag (10) is unsealed to drain the bags (10) of the biodegradable gel, as by squeezing the bag (10) to force the gel from the bag (10). The collapsed bags (10) can be re-stored for future use and the gel biodegraded as by disposition the conventional sewage system.

Abstract: An irrigation system comprising a closed-loop piping system, a portion of which is a condensing section extending on or below ground surface, and at least another portion of which is a cool-collecting section buried under ground at a cool ground zone. The closed-loop piping holds a liquid which is propelled by a circulating system through the piping system. The liquid is chilled by heat exchanging at the cool ground zone and then flows to the condensing section where moisture from the vicinity is extracted by condensation over the condensing section. The moisture is readily available for consumption by agriculture growth.

Abstract: A fluid containment basin having ridges located in the bottom of the basin and furrows adjacent to the ridges to facilitate maintenance of the basin using the naturally occurring forces of gravity, wave action and fluid currents. The ridges can be formed from material taken from the furrows into shapes that facilitate wave action against the sides of the ridges. While the fluid level is above the ridges, sediment settles on the ridges and furrows, reducing the permeability of the ridges and furrows and, therefore, the drainage from the basin. Wave action against the sides of the ridges as the fluid level is lowered washes the sediments off the ridges into the furrows, thereby restoring the permeability of the ridges. The wave action can be wind generated or induced by a wave mechanism. The furrows can be allowed to become impermeable or be lined to prevent contaminates from migrating.

Abstract: A foundation comprising one or more layers or mattresses of tires, and a fill material provided within and/or between tires of each of the mattresses. The fill material is preferably a relatively coarse aggregate and provides a porous bed having relatively high drainage capacity. The lowermost mattress is typically wrapped in a porous sheet such as a geofabric cloth which is designed to allow the passage of water across the lowermost mattress whilst preventing the ingress of relatively finer material into the fill material and which can otherwise lead to degeneration of the foundation. At least some of the tires typically also have an upper sidewall removed therefrom.

Abstract: A paving material for footways, possessing high strength and lightweight property. The paving material for footways, comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer is made of rubber chips (A1) and a synthetic resin (A2) for binding the rubber chips (A1), and the lower layer is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic (B).

Abstract: A leaching chamber is configured to be coupled in series to another such leaching chamber located forward of the chamber and to yet another such leaching chamber located rearward of said leaching chamber. The leaching chamber comprises a conduit extending about an axis to define an axially extending cavity. The conduit includes an axially front section having an overlying wall and a rear section having an underlying wall. The overlying wall is configured to overlie the underlying wall of the forward chamber when the chambers are coupled together. The underlying wall is configured to underlie an overlying wall of the rearward chamber when said chambers are coupled together. A projection extends from the front section of the conduit. A pocket is located at the rear section of the conduit. The projection is configured to be received by the pocket of the front chamber, and the pocket is configured to receive the projection of the rear chamber.

Abstract: A rock stabilizing apparatus and method for use with adhesion materials has a tensionable reinforcing member having a threaded portion at one end and an opposite end. The member-threaded portion threadably receives a nut and a bearing plate is retained on the member-threaded portion by the nut. A shearing element is provided for temporarily fixing the nut in a first operating position. At a predetermined torque, the shearing element fails and the nut is freed to advance on the threaded member portion from the first temporary operating position to a second permanent operating position. The first fixed operating position is located at the top end of the member-threaded portion. The second operation position is located at the bottom end of the member-threaded portion so that the bearing plate is in abutting contact with the face of the rock formation. In its first operating position the nut and reinforcing member may be rotated together for mixing the adhesion materials located within the drill hole.

Abstract: A hand tool for subsurface placement of wires, cables and other elongated strand-like elements into soil and like materials wherein the tool includes a body having a front tapered penetration end. The tool is generally hollow having a channel which extends from a rear portion of the body to a discharge opening adjacent the penetration end. The tool may include an elongated tortuous slot formed in a side wall of the body through which the wires and cables may be laterally inserted into the channel.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift device for in-water boat hoists. A hydraulic cylinder is utilized to extend and retract a cylindrical rod with a vertical cross member at its end. Lift cables are attached to the cross member on opposite sides and extend rearwardly toward the hydraulic cylinder. One cable is horizontally reversed, 180° by a pulley, with both cables then directed 90° downward over respective pulleys and affixed to opposite ends of the cradle of the hoist, equalizing end to end lift. Side to side lift may be equalized by a second parallel device or by levelings cables. Primary components are contained within an attached enclosure, above water level. Remote operation and solar power may be provided.

Abstract: A float boom for confining material floatable on a liquid surface during high temperature conditions, comprising: an elongated floatable tube formed of fluid impervious material; a source of fluid under pressure for cooling the boom during high temperature conditions; piping connected to the source of cooling fluid for distributing the cooling fluid over the length of the boom; and, a protective cover, of a fluid-absorbing material, mounted over the tube, the cover having peripheral edges adapted to engage the boom to encase the tube therein, the piping distributing the cooling fluid over the tube and under the cover to soak the cover over its length.