Abstract: There is provided subsea repair apparatus for performing repair of a subsea cable located beneath the sea, said apparatus comprising: an environment capsule capable of providing a substantially water-free environment within the capsule; and repair equipment located within the environment capsule arranged to repair said subsea cable without the need for a person to be located within the environment capsule.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2011
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2015
Assignee:
STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
Inventors:
Carl Henrik Ahlen, Atle Børnes, Even Tjåland, Kai Arne Kristiansen
Abstract: A pile driver assembly consisting of a plurality of pile driver units interconnected together to a rigid base frame that uses the push and pull method to drive a group of raked piles. The pile driver units progressively push one pile at a time for a short distance into the ground while being pull down by the rest of the stationary driven piles in a repeated cyclical driving sequence until the required pile driving force is reached for every pile in the group. The pile driver assembly consists a plurality of interconnected pile driver units, a pile driver base adaptor, a pile clamping system and strong base frame to drive the piles in a two dimensional array of variously raked pile group from 1V:1H to true vertical in the z-axis and rotated to any angle in the x-y plane at a minimum pile's spacing of three times the pile's diameter.
Abstract: A system including a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex-induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 5, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2015
Assignee:
VIV Solutions LLC
Inventors:
William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
Abstract: An anchoring apparatus for an irrigation system is disclosed. The anchoring apparatus includes a support base for securing to an axle of a support tower of the irrigation system. A threaded sleeve is secured to the support base and holds a shaft. The shaft has a threaded portion and an anchor portion. A motor secured to the support base is configured to rotate the shaft in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the shaft to move the shaft along the longitudinal axis towards an anchoring position to secure and protect the system against wind and severe weather. The motor is also configured to rotate the shaft in a second direction about the longitudinal axis of the shaft to move the shaft along the longitudinal axis towards a disengaging position to lift the anchor portion of the shaft off of the ground.
Abstract: A composite material made up of fluid permeable layer and a core having drainage voids between projections thereon. The core has a number of relatively large openings defined therein so that in use the fluid permeable layer may extend through the openings in response to a working load applied thereto.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2011
Date of Patent:
September 29, 2015
Assignee:
A.B.G. LIMITED
Inventors:
Jim Herbert, Paul Slater, Alan Bamforth
Abstract: A method is provided for removing an abandoned marine platform from a seabed. The platform extends below the seabed mud line. In order to remove the platform, a frame is provided having a perimeter that surrounds an open center. The frame is lowered over the platform wherein the platform occupies the open center portion. A movable cutter cable is fitted to the frame. At least a part of the cutter cable is positioned below the mud line. The cutter is moved relative to the frame to cut the platform below the mud line. Such movement can be a back and forth movement wherein the cutter cable moves in a first direction, stops and then moves in a second direction that is generally opposite the first direction. A lifting device can employ two vessels and two frames, each frame bridging from one vessel to the other. Winches on the vessel can be used to provide movement to the cutter cable. These same winches can take up cable slack as cutting moves from one platform member (e.g.
Abstract: A coupler apparatus for installing a pipe and a protective cover into a borehole includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half. Both halves include a leading edge and at least one slot disposed in an outer surface configured to allow a fluid to pass by the coupler apparatus as the coupler apparatus is pulled through the borehole. A fastening means joins the first coupler half to the second coupler half about the pipe and the protective cover. The coupler apparatus formed by the first coupler half joined to the second coupler is configured to capture the protective cover at a location on the pipe for the installation of the pipe with the protective cover into the borehole. A method is also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 6, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2015
Assignee:
UPSCO, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel E. Pajak, Andrew P. Boos, Christian D. Kane
Abstract: A method for forming a barrier in a subterranean formation is described comprising connecting two pipes to each other by a tensile member, cutting a continuous path through the subterranean formation with the pipes and tensile member, and providing grout into the path. An apparatus for forming such a barrier is described comprising a tensile member, at least two pipes wherein the pipes are connected to the tensile member wherein the pipes are configured to deliver grout to the subterranean formation, and at least one drilling apparatus wherein the drilling apparatus, pipes, and cable are configured to cut a path through the subterranean formation.
Abstract: A method for sealing piles in foundations in the construction field, wherein a hollow-body formwork element is used. The method includes: 1) applying a barrier layer to the foundation; 2) introducing a pile into the foundation, the pile being arranged so as to penetrate the barrier layer; 3) applying a hollow-body formwork element along the central longitudinal axis of the pile, the hollow-body formwork element surrounding the pile; 4) introducing mineral binding agents into the intermediate space between the pile and the hollow-body formwork element; 5) connecting the barrier layer and the hollow-body formwork element. The hollow-body formwork element has on the side facing the pile a contact layer, which includes a composite layer of a porous material and/or a sealant. The hollow-body formwork element can remain as a part of the structure and thus can perform a sealing function.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 14, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2015
Assignee:
SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
Inventors:
Magnus Kloster, Klaus Meyer, Ulrich K. Weber
Abstract: A drill assembly for forming in ground granular columns without the need for vibratory compaction, the drill assembly includes a first drill (10) and a second drill (11), where the first drill is a tube (7), and the second drill includes a drill flight (26), wherein the first and second drills are concentric, and the second drill (11) is configured to lie at least partially within the first drill (10); such that the drill assembly is configured to form the granular column with primarily vertical compaction; when the drill assembly arrives at the required depth, the second drill (11) is used to feed an aggregate to a lower terminal end of the drill assembly, thus forming the granular column as the drill assembly is withdrawn.
Abstract: Provided is an underwater elevating apparatus, wherein the cable is not paid out unexpectedly by self-buoyancy while waiting underwater, excessive paying out of the cable may be prevented by a latch unit having simple mechanisms, and electric power does not be used needlessly.
Abstract: The present invention provides a support structure article having a frame with a top side, bottom side, back side and front side. The front side may include both a straight front side and slanted front side between the top side and the straight front side. The top side and bottom side of the frame may be parallel, and the back side and straight front side of the frame may be parallel. The top side and bottom side of the frame may each be perpendicular to the back side and straight front side of the frame. The article may also have a first set and a second set of crossing members inside the frame that intersect. A bag is also provided having walls that correspond in shape to the sides of the frame. Methods of making and using the bags and/or support structures of the present invention are also provided.
Abstract: Submarines are provided with bluff-shaped surfaces and/or fins used for modification of tropical storms or hurricanes by mixing the upper layer of a section of a body of water with water from a lower section of the body of water. By coordinating a number of submarines to traverse a region of a tropical storm or ahead of a hurricane the cooled water reduces the amount of heat energy available to fuel the intensity and movement of storms. A perforated plate of approximately 100 m×100 m is used, with or without fins, to mix layers of water by creating sufficient turbulence to create eddies up to 50 m. Submarines are used to entrain fluid motion to induce anti-cyclonic vorticity in the body of water.
Abstract: A reinforced soil structure comprising:—a fill (1);—a facing (3) placed along a front face of the structure;—at least one main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26) connected to the facing and extending through a first reinforced zone (Z1) of the fill situated behind said front face; and—at least one secondary reinforcement member (6) disconnected from to the facing and extending in a second reinforced zone (Z2) of the fill which has, with said first reinforced zone (Z1), a common part (Z?), wherein the secondary reinforcement member (6) extends into the fill (1) up to a distance substantially shorter than the main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26), with respect to the front face and wherein the stiffness of the secondary reinforcement member (6) is greater or equal to the stiffness of the main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26).
Abstract: A method of maintaining structural integrity of a subsiding earthen fluid containment structure is disclosed and comprises forming a lined containment infrastructure (100) including a convex bulged crown portion (120), floor portion (110) and sidewall portions (115) which enclose a comminuted earthen material (126) within an enclosed volume (125) such that fluid flow from the lined containment compound is restricted. The bulged crown flattens, thickens and diminishes in surface area during subsidence of the comminuted earthen material as fluid is removed. The bulged crown is shaped to avoid tensile stresses which may otherwise result in breach or failure of lined containment during subsidence. Further, the lined containment structure can include an inner insulative layer and an outer impermeable seal layer having unique contributions as described in more detail herein.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to cable trailer that can carry a cable drum having a weight up to 10 ton. The cable trailer is designed to carry and unwind cable from the cable drum and direct and lay the cable in or along a trench. The cable trailer has a trailer chassis with an internal aperture enclosed by a tail gate. The tail gate can open or be removed to provide access to the space of the internal aperture for the cable drum. The cable trailer has two mounting arms to mount the cable drum. The cable trailer has a bridge with a cable director to facilitate removing cable from the cable drum and at least one cable support arm extendable from a side of the chassis for directing and laying of the cable.
Abstract: A collapsible aquatic enclosure apparatus is described for use in capturing, isolating and removing contaminants and otherwise easily dispersed aquatic sediments and detritus in water bodies. The collapsible aquatic enclosure can also be used for removal and control of targeted aquatic fauna and flora. Once deployed, the collapsible enclosure creates an isolated volume of water above the target aquatic area. Internal plunger and pipe intake structure within the enclosure provide agitation to remove contaminants, sediments and detritus and targeted fauna and flora residues inside the collapsible apparatus. Methods for using the collapsible aquatic enclosure apparatus are also described.
Abstract: A riser tensioner for maintaining a tensile force on a riser extending through an opening in a deck of a floating platform includes a frame assembly that may be quickly bolted together in the field. The frame assembly includes a plurality of tensioner legs that may be installed on an un-level deck yet still provide a level support of the riser. Lower leg mounting assemblies include a slip ring for mounting directly to the deck and a deck mounting member received in the slip ring at a variable angle and having an upwardly extending shaft passing into a bore in a lower end of a tensioner leg.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2015
Assignee:
The Technologies Alliance, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul C. Berner, Jr., Edward M. Galle, Jr.
Abstract: A device for compaction is provided that includes a compaction tool and a vibration device. The compaction tool is adapted to be lowered vertically into a soil area to be compacted. The vibration device being configured to be placed at an upper end on the compaction tool. The compaction tool being moveable only in the vertical direction by the vibration device. The compaction tool at its bottom end has a tool head on which at least one ripping tool is arranged, which is pivotable around a horizontal pivot axis into a first position and into a second position. In the first position, the at least one ripping tool is oriented substantially parallel to the compaction tool and in the second position is oriented substantially radially to the compaction tool and radially projects beyond a diameter of the tool head.
Abstract: A dock connector for the connection of dock members with receiving sockets includes a pair of end members configured to be received in respective receiving sockets of the dock member. Each end member has a pliable expansion member at a bottom thereof adapted for movement between a contracted/relaxed position and an expanded position. The end members are connected by a brace. A wedge is operatively mounted to the end member for axial translational motion relative to the end member. The wedge operates as an actuator to move the expansion member from its relaxed position to its expanded position.