Abstract: A method of coating a field joint of a pipeline to accelerate the cycle time comprises positioning a mould tool around the field joint to define a mould cavity and injecting plastics material into the mould cavity through a plurality of gates in the mould tool, spaced along the mould cavity. The material is injected through different gates at different times as the mould cavity is filled, specifically through at least one first gate to advance a melt front within the mould cavity, and subsequently through at least one second gate spaced from the first gate, preferably when the melt front passes the second gate. First and second mould tools may be positioned successively around the field joint to create inner and outer coatings on the field joint. An insert may be positioned in the mould cavity to be embedded in the injected plastics material.

Abstract: A floatable boat ramp is disclosed including a plurality of hollow planks arranged parallel to one another such that the upper surfaces thereof define a drivable surface. A plurality of flexible channels couple cavities defined by adjacent planks of the plurality of hollow planks to one another a first end plank defines one or more openings to allow inlet and outlet of air and water in order to cause the boat ramp to sink or float. The interior cavity of the planks may be divided into right and left hand portions. Left and right hand channels coupled the right and left hand portions, respectively, of adjacent planks to one another. A second end plank includes a continuous cavity and allows fluid communication between left and right hand portions of the other planks. The planks may be coupled together by cables extending through sleeves rotatably mounted to the ends thereof.

Abstract: A floating anchor curb system includes a floating cover for spreading over a body of water and one or more floating anchor curbs over which the floating cover is placed. Each of the floating anchor curbs includes one or more hollow chambers partially fillable with a ballast liquid to form a ballast.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and processing permafrost gases and for cooling permafrost are disclosed herein. A method for processing gas in a permafrost region includes obtaining a gas from a sacrificial area of a thawing permafrost region, dissociating the gas in a non-combustive chemical process, and circulating a constituent of the gas through a savable area of the thawing permafrost region to cool the savable area. This process can be used to cool selected areas of permafrost and/or create clean-burning fuels and/or other products from permafrost gases.

Abstract: A connector assembly, riser assembly and method of producing a connector assembly are disclosed. The connector assembly includes a body portion for locating over a flexible pipe and arranged to be connectable to or formed integrally with one or more buoyancy compensating element, and one or more protrusion extending from the body portion and arranged to reduce or interrupt vortex induced vibrations in water surrounding the flexible pipe in use.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible offshore pipeline for oil and gas transportation stabilized on seabed by anchorage piers. It comprises cable (1) and flexible pipe (2) for oil and gas transportation, anchorage pier assemblies (3) to prevent the cable from drifting, and constraining assemblies (4) to restrict the flexible pipe (2) are sequentially provided on the cable. The anchorage pier assembly (3) comprises a gravity block (31) and the first clamping tool (32), and the first clamping tool (32) connects with the cable (1). The invention uses the flexible pipe (2) to build up offshore pipeline for oil and gas transportation, and anchorage pier assembly (3) and constraining assembly (4) for constraining the flexible pipe (2) are sequentially provided on the cable (1), which can restrict the flexible pipe, achieve reliable oil and gas transportation and prevent the flexible pipe drifting on the seabed. The pipeline system can protect the flexible pipe, are strong and reliable and the cost of pipeline is low.

Abstract: A lifejacket which is designed to be worn with, alongside, in conjunction with, or integrated within a self contained breathing apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for preventing, reducing, or eliminating construction heave, expansion, distresses, and damage primarily caused by the formation of ettringite are disclosed including introducing fluoride ion releasing agent/salt(s), such as sodium fluoride, calcium fluoride, and potassium fluoride, to expansive soil layers or concrete structural elements and allowing the fluoride ion releasing agent/salt(s) at ambient temperature to react with formed ettringite and to prevent the formation of ettringite of the expansive soil layers or concrete structural elements. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for underwater compressed fluid energy storage include a compressed fluid storage system that comprises a fluid containment vessel positioned on a floor of a body of water, wherein the fluid containment vessel comprises sediment positioned therein to ballast the vessel on the floor.

Abstract: A molded plastic arch shape cross section stormwater chamber having a corrugated wall comprises separately molded half chambers which are connected by coupling features at a joint at the top of the chamber. Preferably, the half chambers are substantially identical and are made in the same mold. The half chambers may be compactly stored and transported. Near the point of use, the chambers may be assembled.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water containment barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. An external support system may be connected to the front wall of the hollow body. The external support system may include an upper cross member, a lower cross member, a first side member generally extending between the upper and lower cross members, and a second side member generally opposite the first side member. The external support system may be configured to at least partially reinforce the front wall against internal forces and/or external forces exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for lowering and/or raising a load or structure to or from the bed of a body of water. The apparatus comprises a buoyancy apparatus configured to be coupled to a load, and having positive buoyancy sufficient to lift the load. At least one receptacle is provided on the apparatus for receiving a control weight lowered from a vessel to lower or raise the assembly. The lowering method includes forming an assembly from a buoyancy apparatus and a load and submerging the assembly to a position at a first height above the bed. In a preferred embodiment the assembly is submerged by a clump weight tow system. A control weight is deployed from a vessel to the assembly to overcome the positive buoyancy of the assembly and thereby lower the load from the first height to the bed. The raising method reverses the steps of the lowering method.

Abstract: An irrigation device comprising a moisture responsive barrier is provided. At least a portion of the barrier has perforations, at least some of the perforations are associated with a water swellable material. The perforations are configured to open as the water swellable material loses moisture and dries out and are configured to close as said water swellable material is exposed to and absorbs water, such as during a watering step.

Abstract: A moisture responsive device is described having a moisture responsive element comprising at least a moisture responsive formation of a first material in association with a less moisture responsive formation of a second material, in that the first material has a greater tendency to absorb moisture and to increase in volume as a result than the second material, the two formations being so mechanically arranged together that such swelling tends to cause mechanical deformation of the moisture responsive element; and an actuation member optionally of flexibly resilient material in mechanical association with the moisture responsive element so that distortion of the moisture responsive element in the presence of moisture tends to mechanically distort the actuation member and thereby cause the actuation member to change between at least a first functional state and a second functional state. A method of use, especially in irrigation control, is also described.

Abstract: A watercraft bumper for a watercraft may include a sleeve to connect to a piling, the sleeve being detachably connected to the piling, the sleeve having a slit to open and close to detachably connect to the piling, the slit being in communication with a central aperture to cooperate with the piling, and the sleeve including a biasing device to open and close the slit.

Abstract: A tubbing lining for a tunnel or shaft is formed from tubbing rings having annular end surfaces, with successively tubbing rings are aligned with each other at annular end surfaces forming an annular joint. Each tubbing ring is composed of successive circumferentially arranged tubbing segments which are butt-joined. A deformable flexible element having an outer cross-sectional contour is arranged in at least one butt joint, with the cross-sectional contour parallel to the butt joint matching outer contours of the end faces such that the flexible element completely covers at least one abutting end face. The tubbing segments in conjunction with the flexible element form a prefabricated element formed of a steel reinforcing framework encased in concrete to which the flexible element is connected in a force-locked manner.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a ground surface treatment system can include a flexible roller system having one or more of rollers arranged in a side-by-side position and include a flexible axle member extending through each row of rollers.

Abstract: A tamping device for soil compaction having an upper mass with a drive and a lower mass that can be moved relative to the upper mass with a soil contacting element. In order to cause a working movement of the soil contacting element, a vibration generating device is provided. In addition to the vibration generating device, a manipulating device, for example in the form of a damping body, is provided in an operatively connected manner between the upper mass and the lower mass. The damping properties of the damping body can be modifiable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a system for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, or embankment. The comprises first and second opposing sides, the second side being adjacent the sloped structure; a bottom side adjoining bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides; fill material disposed within the cavity; an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material; and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material.

Abstract: An ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.