Abstract: A deployment and retrieval apparatus for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the apparatus being a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto and carrying a plurality of receivers. The carrier includes a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing the receivers. The structure includes one or more movable conveyors disposed to move receivers along a linear path relative to the frame in order to discharge and retrieve ocean bottom seismic receivers.

Abstract: A deployment and retrieval apparatus for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the apparatus being a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto and carrying a plurality of receivers. The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. The structure includes a discharge port on said frame and a discharge mechanism for removing and retrieving said receivers. A method for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed.

Abstract: A method for building and renovating golf course sand bunkers to improve infiltration of water through a drainage system reduces the chance of contamination of the sand and to reduce erosion and maintenance and provide consistent playable sand for golf. The bunker is built to slopes based on the sand selected for use. A drainage system and a layer of fine pea gravel is installed over the entire floor of the bunker. A pre-polymer is sprayed onto the layer of pea gravel to secure it in place. The polymer sprayed bunker is permitted to cure for approximately 24 hours. A sufficient amount of bunker sand is added and compacted so the entire bunker is covered. Washed sod is placed around the bunker to stabilize the edge of the bunker.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armor unit to construct armor layers of mound breakwaters, revetments and groins for shore protection or hydraulic and maritime structures featuring a cubic or parallelepiped shape (2) and having one or more protrusions (1) on its faces to prevent coupling between the different armor units and to increase interlocking with the underlayer (3) of the armor layer.

Abstract: Temporary platforms and methods of securing such platforms to an offshore structure include a plurality of clamps secured to an existing portion of the offshore structure at a selected height. A receiver member can be secured to the clamps at a selected horizontal position, and a temporary platform structure can be secured to the receiver member, thereby providing a temporary platform that can be installed, removed, and repositioned, as needed, for a variety of purposes. Such platforms are usable in place of elevating boats and similar vessels, enabling operations to be conducted independent of the depth of the water.

Abstract: A mobile, year-round drilling system (MYADS) for drilling offshore wells and/or performing other offshore activities at multiple, successive locations in an arctic or sub-arctic environment is provided. The present invention combines the ability to move to different locations and the strength to resist ice loading when on location and when ice-covering is present in the arctic or sub-arctic environment. The MYADS applies a multiple leg “jack-up” concept in which supporting legs are lowered through a hull to touch down on the seabed and elevate the hull out of the water.

Abstract: The method of installing telescopic fairings system on a vertical pipe such as an oil or gas drilling riser to reduce the flow drag associated the vertical pipe in the currents in an ocean, including providing a rotatable interconnection between fairing sections and supporting the interconnected fairing sections independently from the vertical pipe such that the vertical pipe can be partially removed from the ocean without removing the fairings.

Abstract: The bulkhead anchoring system includes a plurality of concrete slabs which are sufficiently heavy to remain in place on a bottom surface of a waterway, due to high suction produced by the bottom of the waterway on the slabs. The slabs are positioned close to or adjacent the bulkhead. Risers extend vertically upwardly from the concrete slabs, at the rear corners thereof, positioned such that the risers are in contact with the bulkhead. The risers are concrete if the waterway is saltwater or can be galvanized steel if the waterway is fresh water.

Abstract: A method of joining pipes to produce an underwater pipeline on a firing line includes supplying the firing line with pipes having previously roughened end portions; welding the end portions of adjacent pipes to form cutbacks, each of which is defined by two end portions, and by an annular weld bead between the two end portions; cleaning, by cryogenic blasting, the outer surface of each cutback; and forming a protective joint coating about each cutback.

Abstract: The invention discloses a debris-flow prevention method by controlling debris-flow magnitude and avoiding to block main river. This method first adopts the drainage works for delivering debris flow in corporation with the transport of the main river; if the drained sediment cannot be transported by the main river, the blocking works are adopted; and if the sediment still exceeds the delivering capacity, the deposit stopping works are adopted. Compared with the prior art, this invention makes full use of the main river's transport capacity, gives priority to dredging and also reasonably distributes the sediment and deploys the engineering system, so as to realize the safe discharge of debris flow, and avoid the secondary disaster of “barrier lake” caused by the blocking of main river due to excessive discharge of debris flow and fully guarantee the safety of mountain towns, major projects and infrastructure located at the mouth of debris flow gully.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for environmentally friendly ramming under water. To reduce the noise input under water, the machine and the material that is to be rammed are surrounded by a fixed flooded sleeve. The sleeve advantageously has a sandwich-like structure.

Abstract: Among all natural disasters, flood is the most frequent and devastating. It can be caused by variety of natural and man-made reasons at any time. Therefore, there is a need for permanent protection of commercial and residential buildings, and infrastructures, against flood. Typical permanent flood protection constructions, e.g., levees, embankments and concrete dams, cannot be used for this purpose because they are expensive and inconvenient for protection of a specific building. Once installed, they permanently block access to the area being protected. The claimed invention is aimed at solving this problem. It offers a reliable flood protection system that is 1) concealed, i.e., appears only when water is present and invisible otherwise, 2) adaptive, i.e., adjusts its height to match the approaching water level, 3) autonomous, i.e., does not require any human actions to enable the protection, and 4) can operate without any power source, such as electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipeline guide assembly for a pipeline laying vessel, the pipeline guide assembly comprising:—a plurality of segments (20) pivotably interconnected via hinges (38) in an end-to-end relationship, each segment comprising at least one pipeline support (34) constructed to support a pipeline, wherein the pipeline supports provide a firing line (24) along which a pipeline can be launched,—a curvature mechanism (32) comprising at least one actuator (68, 68a, 68b, 68c, 68d), the curvature mechanism constructed for pivoting each segment relative to the next segment such that in use the segments provide a curved firing line, wherein the pipeline supports limit the curvature of the pipeline as it is launched along said curved firing line. The present invention also relates to a vessel comprising the stinger. The present invention also relates to a method of laying a pipeline utilizing the stinger of the invention.

Abstract: A two-stage MSE system for securing a facing to an earthen formation is disclosed. The system includes a wire grid laterally-offset from the facing and a formation anchor coupled to the wire grid. The formation anchor includes a face plate, a wave plate, and an eyebolt extensible through the face plate and wave plate to secure the plates on opposing sides of the wire grid. The wave plate has transverse protrusions that align with and seat adjacent vertical wires of the facing. A facing anchor is coupled to the facing and a turnbuckle assembly secures the facing to the wire grid by coupling to the facing anchor and the formation anchor. A soil reinforcing element may also be attached to the formation anchor.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to move through substrates.

Abstract: There is disclosed a floating system positioned in a body of water having a water bottom, the system comprising a host member floating on a surface of the water; a flotation module floating under the surface of the water; a flexible hose connecting the host member to the flotation module; and an elongated underwater line structure, comprising a top portion connected to the flotation module; a bottom portion extending to the water bottom and adapted to connect to a flowline lying on the water bottom; and at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a catenary configuration.

Abstract: A drainage apparatus comprises a support device including a support segment defining a clamp path, a first clamp member and a second clamp member. At least the second clamp member is configured to be coupled to the support segment while being free to translate along the clamp path. The drainage apparatus further includes a wedge including a drive axis, a first edge and a second edge. The wedge is tapered along the drive axis between the first edge and the second edge, and the wedge is configured to be driven in a direction of the drive axis into a locked orientation of the support device.

Abstract: Spring loaded J-Bar T Handle was created to eliminate time and effort spent loading and unloading material in the Vibratory Plow Blade. Spring mounted J-Bar T handle increases productivity and eliminates need for wrenches and other tools such as wing nuts etc. Invention also eliminates the need of a separate cable guide device allowing material to be fed directly into the chute from larger spools of material thus eliminating kinked and severed wiring and cabling.

Abstract: A supporting ring is clamped about a pile and a cleaning ring is supported below the clamping ring by a cable threaded through a number of pulleys, allowing the washing ring assembly to be raised or lowered along a pile. A washing ring carries a four high-pressure water jets that spray water against the pile while the washing ring oscillates through 110-120 degrees of arc, driven by a hydraulic motor through a gear ring. A stabilizing ring fits into a C-shaped channel formed by the washing ring, supporting the cable pulleys. Both the washing ring and the stabilizer ring can be broken down into two semi-circular sections, required for installation and removal in most applications, and are fastened together by a number of over-center clamps.

Abstract: A seamless, double-walled sump is disclosed for collecting run-off materials and waste products. The sump includes a primary containment vessel and a secondary vessel, integrally molded into a single seamless unit. The sump includes a plurality of ribs that cooperate with surrounding concrete or other enclosing material to anchor the sump and prevent floating. The sump may also include a fabric outer layer that serves as an interface between the concrete and the sump to prevent corrosion.