Abstract: An offshore system for petroleum production has a buoyant platform. A tendon assembly secures to the platform and extends down to a counterweight located near the lower end. A piling is embedded in the sea floor. A socket at the counterweight telescopingly slides over the upper end of the piling to prevent lateral movement of the platform. A dampening chamber is located between the socket and the piling. Ports for the chamber are arranged to allow a faster downward movement of the piling than upward movement.

Abstract: An apparatus controls the evacuation of volcanic magma to prevent explosions. Magma evacuation is through a single evacuation tube that heats the magma flow within the tube to prevent stickiness of the magma in the tube. The heating may use small combustion chambers to heat steam, which in turn heats and stabilizes the magma flow. Stability is aided by central cooling, where needed, using water jets from nozzles located at the wall of the tube.

Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen formation is provided by embedding planar soil reinforcing mats in the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face mats between the soil reinforcing mats. The face mats include fingers extending distally from the edges thereof for engagement with opposite sides of a complimental face mat, whereby the mats are held in general vertical alignment. Certain of the fingers are of a gently curved configuration to frictionally hold edge portions of the face mats in spaced relationship for compression toward one another to accommodate settlement of the earthen formation, without bulging of the face mats. An L-shaped starter mat is engaged within a recess formed at the foot of the formation to provide an upstanding portion engaged with the lowermost is face mat to hold the mat in a generally vertical orientation. A tail is provided on the uppermost face mat for embedment within the backfill to cap the wall.

Abstract: A device and a method for raising and supporting the foundation of a building, using a mobile assembly comprising facing jaws and an arm pivotable between a first position where an area between the facing jaws is open and a second position where this area is closed, actuating means adapted to draw the mobile assembly driving a pile secured between the facing jaws when the arm is in the second position, downwardly in the ground, the pile being made of a series of pile sections that are connected together. A pile section that needs to be added to the pile is front-loaded into position atop the pile and between the facing jaws when the arm is in the first position.

Abstract: Systems for leaching liquid waste, particularly waste water. More particularly, a cylindrical conduit or pipe for use in leaching systems. Even more particularly, a cylindrical conduit which has apertures/skimmer tabs created either during the manufacture/forming/extrusion of the conduit or by punching after the forming of the conduit. Most particularly, is an apparatus and method for perforating corrugated plastic pipe or smooth walled plastic pipe while the pipe is in the process of extrusion.

Abstract: A diving apparatus includes a pump that is actuated by muscular force. Diving weights are fastened to a fresh-air tank by surface zip fasteners. A traction element lies between the pump and the diver's limbs and to which it is attached a quick-release device. A float is surrounded by a net, the float having a seat located below the surface of the water and each of the straps, which are used to fasten the fresh-air tank to the diver, has at least one quick fastener which can be opened by the diver.

Abstract: A gas storage well with a tubing string that is disposed within a wellbore communicating an underground storage cavern with the surface. A surface controlled subsurface safety and flow control system is provided within the wellbore so that all flow into or out of the well can be shut down rapidly in the event of an emergency. The safety and flow control system features a dual opening-style packer element that provides an annulus seal between the surrounding casing and the tubing string and between the casing and a pup joint that is located within the annulus. Both the tubing string and the pup joint contain surface controlled subsurface safety valves that are capable of quickly shutting off flow through both the flowbore and the annulus. Each valve can be opened or closed independently of the other.

Abstract: A cushioning device as in a pillow that has a main-body foam which a plurality of projections extend off a surface of the main-body. The projections are arranged in different support characteristic groupings such as rows of different volume or sized projections (e.g., cylindrical, cubical, prismatic, etc.) spaced out over a surface (e.g., convex surface) of the pillow (one or more surface sections as in upper surface sections and front edge surface section). There is also preferably provided a neck support ridge extension. The cylindrical projections are arranged such that a greater number of smaller volume, width or diameter, etc. rows of projections are centrally positioned on the surface and with the larger volume, width, or diameter, etc. projections laterally outward of the more centrally positioned projections, and with the ridge extension preferably extending along a front edge (e.g.

Abstract: A method for deploying a floating platform includes storing buoys on a hull of the platform. Tension devices are mounted to the hull, each being connected by a line to one of the buoys. The operator tows the hull to a ballast down site while the buoys are stored on the hull. While adding ballast to the hull, the operator feeds out the lines from the tension devices at a selected tension. The hull moves downward in the water while the buoys float at the surface to maintain stability during the ballasting. The buoys are detached from the lines after the hull is ballasted to a desired depth.

Abstract: A maritime unit and a method for operating a maritime unit. The maritime unit includes a frame structure. The maritime unit includes at least three legs moveable between a standby position and an extended position. A jack mechanism moves the legs between the standby position and the extended position. The maritime unit has at least its legs operated on a disk brake principle for enabling a substantially stepless drive therefor, whereby the maritime unit has each of its legs provided with a brake system, including one or more brake flanges extending longitudinally of the leg. The maritime unit has its frame structure provided with a brake system including one or more brake shoe elements operable in a vertical direction with the jack mechanism.

Abstract: A modular pier includes a plurality of modular pier sections. The plurality of modular pier sections includes at least a first pier section and a second pier section wherein the pier sections include a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The pier sections include a catch bar running transversely across the second end of the frame of the pier sections. The modular pier also includes latch assemblies located on the second end of the frame of the pier sections. The latch assembly of the second pier section is operable to engage the catch bar of the first pier section to connect the first pier section to the second pier section.

Abstract: A running tool for deployment from a base such as a vessel for installing a component at an underwater facility such as a hydrocarbon extraction well includes a carriage which is lowered from the base. The carriage releasably retains the component. A compensator is located between the carriage and the base for compensating for relative motion between the underwater facility and the base.

Abstract: A detachable end cap for a molded plastic storm water chamber has an integrally welded pipe stub. The stub cantilevers outwardly from the exterior surface of the end cap, which is preferably dome shaped, to enable connection to a line which carries water to or from the chamber. A polyethylene cap with stub and is used in combination with a polypropylene chamber.

Abstract: A soil infiltration irrigation system includes a plurality of water-permeable containers and a water-feeding pipeline communicating with each of the containers. The containers are provided with connectors for connecting to the water-feeding pipeline and are also provided with an air-relieving pipe connected to the container. The water-feeding pipeline supplies water from a water supply reservoir which can feed the water-feeding pipeline either by gravity or by a booster pump in the pipeline. The air-relieving pipe has an air outlet installed at an elevation that maintains a water level in each container. The containers may be double-layered, with the air pipe communicating with an inner layer and the outer layer communicating with the water-feeding pipeline.

Abstract: An automatically openable and closeable gate system that will find primary use with the street curb opening to a catch basin or vault of a storm drain system, and for other similar openings, the system having a gate which during dry and low-flow water drainage situations will be in a closed position such that items of trash, debris, litter, leaves and the like will be prevented from entering the basin, vault or system, yet in periods of heavy rainfall or other heavy water run-off situations will automatically open to allow free flow of water into the basis or vault to alleviate water accumulation in the adjacent street and other surrounding areas.

Abstract: A double walled riser sump has an annular space between the two walls. The provision of the annular space provides for monitoring the integrity of the two walls of the sump. The two walls of the sump are preferably separated by a thin film or a distance fabric that allows the passage of fluids, and preferably liquids. The annular space may be in fluid communication with a reservoir holding a monitoring fluid and positioned near the top of the sump to be easily accessible. In some embodiments, a top of the riser sump is also double walled and the top annular space is in fluid communication with the annular space between the vertical walls. If a leak develops in either wall of the sump, a corresponding drop in the fluid level of the reservoir will occur.

Abstract: A system for collecting the flow of sand or sediment in a current comprising a catch basin, comprising a base structure having a bottom and a plurality of angled side walls, said bottom having at least one aperture, an external pipe affixed at a first end to the at least one aperture, at least two guides affixed to one or more ends of the catch basin to direct sand and sediment into the catch basin, each of said guides comprising a chute with curved sidewalls extending substantially parallel to the flow of current and a pumping system affixed to the second end of the external pipe to remove the sediment or sand from the basin.

Abstract: A subsurface support includes a protective outer member that encases an interior support member. The inner support member may typically be a steel or iron rod which is held within the outer tube as by grout or cement. The outer tube is preferably emplaced by forcing the outer tube into the ground by use of a launching device. The distal end of the outer tube is pointed thus allowing easier penetration of the outer tube into the ground. The subsurface support may be used in numerous functional ways to provide support for an overlying man made structure, or to stabilize surrounding rock and soil. The support can be used in compression, tension, bending, and/or shear.

Abstract: A lightweight and compact super-insulation system that is also capable of supporting a high level of compressive load. The system utilizes spacers to provide structural support and utilize controlled buckling of a thin protective outer skin supported by spacers to form strong catenary surfaces to protect insulation material underneath. The spacers may comprise an aerogel, or an aerogel may provide insulation separate from the spacer yet contained within the thin outer skin.

Abstract: A mattress, foundation, or other upholstered sleep product or article includes a core and barrier material surrounding the core. The barrier material includes flame and heat-resistant material that is configured to prevent combustion of the core when the upholstered article is impinged with a gas flame according to California Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The barrier material may include an intumescent material that is configured to swell and char in the presence of a flame so as to form a barrier to the flame and to heat generated by the flame.