Abstract: A robot and a collecting method for collecting polymetallic nodules in deep-sea are provided. The robot includes an underwater moving carrier and a collecting module, and the collecting module is fixedly mounted on the underwater moving carrier. The collecting module includes a collecting frame, a collecting pump, a rack and a collecting tube, the collecting frame is installed at the bottom of the rack, and the collecting pump is a piston pump, which includes a piston and a cylinder with open lower-end. The upper part of the cylinder is a collecting area, the lower part is a piston stroke area, the collecting tube is connected to the cylinder of the collecting area, and a check valve is arranged in the middle of the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digging and removing excavated material provides a mobile device, having a movable or self-propelled chassis, and an elongated, preferably articulated boom with a free end portion having an excavating implement (e.g., digging, excavating or jetting tool). The boom has at least three sections that are foldable to a storage position on the chassis wherein one boom section stacks upon or is aligned with another boom section. The vacuum line is supported upon the boom, extending along the boom and above the earth's surface, wherein the vacuum line extends between the free end portion of the boom and the chassis. The boom attaches to the chassis at a base. The excavated material is vacuumed with the vacuum line into a collection vessel or tank that can be a part of a wheeled vehicle. A separate vacuum truck can provide a vacuum to a selected collection tank.

Abstract: A pipeline bundle for a riser tower or tie-back is manufactured offshore by suspending the bundle from an installation vessel, adding structural core sections successively to an upper end of the suspended bundle, lowering the bundle after adding each successive core section, and feeding one or more lengths of flowline pipe beside the core sections for incorporation into the bundle. The flowline pipe is coiled on a reel or carousel as a full-length piece before being uncoiled progressively as core sections are added to the lengthening bundle. The flowline pipe is then engaged with guide frames and/or buoyancy blocks supported by the core sections, by movement in a radially-inward direction through a radially-outer opening in a retainer formation. The opening is then closed to hold the flowline pipe in the retainer formation.

Abstract: A universal row clearing bracket including a mounting bracket configured to engage a toolbar of a tractor, wherein the mounting bracket may have a yoke engaged therewith. The yoke may connect to a first and second pivoting arm. One end of the pivoting arms configured to engage the yoke such that the yoke prevents the pivoting arms from moving with respect to the receiver past a certain point in at least one direction. The opposite end of the pivoting arms connecting to an interchangeable shoe, the interchangeable shoe configured to pivotally engage at least one engaging wheel and be replaced for other shoes to support different size engaging wheels.

Abstract: A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for an agricultural implement having inner and outer wing frame sections has an inner pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the inner wing frame section at a fold pivot location, and an outer pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the outer wing frame section at a flex pivot location and coupled to the inner pivot bracket. An inner pivot link pivotally couples to the inner pivot bracket and the outer pivot bracket, and an outer pivot link pivotally couples to the outer pivot bracket and the outer wing frame section. The inner and outer pivot brackets pivot relative to each other at the fold pivot location between a working state and a folded state, and the flex pivot location moves relative to the fold pivot location during the relative pivoting. When in the working state, the fold pivot location is higher than a top side of the inner wing frame section and the flex pivot location is lower than a bottom side of the inner wing frame section.

Abstract: A down pressure plow system with a float function is disclosed for use in a vehicle. The plow system includes a plow frame assembly and a plow blade carried by the plow blade assembly. An actuator is configured to move the plow blade up and down. A down pressure linkage is coupled to the plow frame assembly. The down pressure linkage applies a downward force to the plow blade upon actuating the actuator to move the plow blade and simultaneously allows the plow blade to move upward upon an upward force being applied to the plow blade.

Abstract: A system for controlling an implement during a tillage operation may include a frame and a ground-engaging tool pivotally coupled to the frame and movable relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator may be configured to bias the ground-engaging tool towards the extended position during the tillage operation. An adjustable valve may be configured to permit flow out of the actuator when a fluid pressure of the actuator exceeds a reset pressure such that the actuator allows the ground-engaging tool to pivot towards the retracted position. A controller may be configured to determine at least one of an actuator position or a load value indicative of a force applied by the ground-engaging tool against the soil during the tillage operation and adjust the reset pressure based on the at least one of the actuator position or the load value.

Abstract: A multi-stage seafloor mining system that has at least concentration stage, a reclamation stage, and a haulage stage. The system includes a concentrating system (50) that processes seafloor materials, a reclaimer machine (300) that collects the processed seafloor materials, and a mechanical haulage system (40) that receives the processed seafloor materials collected by the reclaimer machine (300) and conveys discrete parcels of the processed seafloor materials to a surface vessel (100).

Abstract: A system measures the roughness of the ground surface over which an agricultural implement passes as measured in the direction of travel. The system includes at least one ground sensor attached to the agricultural implement that provides measurement of the distance to the ground. A controller is connected to the at least one ground sensor, and controls at least one adjustment of the agricultural implement. The at least one ground sensor provides instantaneous output based on the distance to the ground to the controller. The controller then calculates at least one statistical parameter from the instantaneous output. The at least one statistical parameter is calculated from variations in the distance to the ground in the direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A modular assembly is provided for managing the flow of fluid beneath a ground surface. The assembly can feature a plurality of modules, each having a deck portion and opposing sidewalls extending downward therefrom. The opposing sidewalls can slope outward and away from one another as they extend downward from the deck portion. The modules further comprise a shoulder for supporting a link slab, and to support and separate modules that are stacked during transportation or storage. The sidewalls can define an interior fluid passageway having a flared configuration from top to bottom. The link slab and sidewalls of adjacent modules can define an exterior fluid passageway in fluid communication with a lateral fluid channel. A method is also provided for making a precast concrete module for use in the modular assembly.

Abstract: A method for managing the flow of water beneath a ground surface uses modules. Assemblies of such modules are disclosed. The modules include supports and a deck portion, and the supports are spaced apart and form multiple channels with a main section of the deck portion. The deck portion also includes at least one section extending from a main section.

Abstract: The frost-resistant assembled initial support structure of the tunnel for supporting a surrounding rock includes a bearing layer, an elastic compressible structure and an inflatable airbag. A gap space is formed between the bearing layer and the surrounding rock, and the inflatable airbag and the elastic compressible structure are provided in the gap space; and the inflatable airbag after being inflated and the elastic compressible structure jointly fill up the gap space. A construction method includes providing the bearing layer in the tunnel, and forming the gap space between the bearing layer and the surrounding rock; providing the inflatable airbag and the elastic compressible structure in the gap space; and inflating the inflatable airbag and filling up the gap space with the inflatable airbag and the elastic compressible structure.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a pipe transport system. The pipe transport system includes a tow vehicle that moves a pipe trailer on which a pipe segment is loaded, in which the pipe segment includes tubing that defines a pipe bore and a fluid conduit implemented in an annulus of the tubing, and the tow vehicle includes a ripper assembly having a ripper shank. Additionally, the pipe transport system includes a hitch assembly to be secured to the ripper shank of the tow vehicle to enable the tow vehicle to be coupled to a trailer coupler of a tongue assembly implemented on the pipe trailer.

Abstract: In a machine for driving screw anchors and other foundation components, a desired embedment depth is calculated based on a minimum required embedment depth, work point height and length of available upper leg sections. Once calculated, the machine automatically drives the screw anchor to the depth so that one of the available upper leg lengths will fit between the driven screw anchor and apex truss hardware. If uplift is detected during driving, the machine will add additional embedment depth. In-situ validation of driven screw anchors may be performed after the embedment depth is reached.

Abstract: A flood barrier to protect an area of land from floodwaters, the flood barrier having a waterside to be placed adjacent a body of water and a protected side opposing the waterside, the flood barrier comprising a plurality of supports spaced apart from one another; at least one intermediate barrier section supported to extend between a pair of neighbouring supports when assembled, the intermediate barrier section comprising at least a first beam arrangeable such that it is supported to extend between the corresponding pair of neighbouring supports and a water impermeable membrane sheet attachable to said first beam via a mechanical connection to form a skirt extending from said first beam, outwardly from the waterside of the flood barrier onto the ground.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an anchoring apparatus and an operation method thereof. The anchoring apparatus includes: a movable framework (1); a folding-type working platform (2) that includes a working platform frame (203), a longitudinal guide (204), a transverse guide (205) and a central turntable (206), the longitudinal guide (204) being movable along the transverse guide (205), and the central turntable (206) driving the longitudinal guide (204) and the transverse guide (205) to rotate relative to the working platform frame (203); a drilling machine (3); a workpiece supply system (4); and a power control system (5) that drives the movable framework (1) to move. With the anchoring apparatus, the mechanical and automatic anchoring with anchor bolts and anchor cables can be implemented in anchoring, the labor intensity in anchoring can be greatly reduced, the efficiency of anchoring can be improved, and the safety in the entire process can be enhanced.

Abstract: A handheld aeration implement comprising an elongated shaft and handle cantilevering laterally from a top end of the elongated shaft, the aeration implement comprising a base assembly having an arcuate stabilizer, baseplate, and plurality of spikes adapted to punch holes in a ground surface.

Abstract: A pipeline is assembled traversing steep terrain by digging a trench down an incline, assembling pipe joints together in proximity to the incline, and then using equipment to push and/or pull the assembled pipe joints down the incline and through the trench while the pipeline is suspended above the bottom of the trench. A series of connected sleds are used to partially carry the load of the assembled pipeline, keep it off the bottom of the trench until it is in place, and permit the installation of supports under it prior to backfilling.

Abstract: A system for fumigating soil includes applying a fumigant film component and an underlying drip tape element to the soil to be treated. A non-tarp method can also be used through permanently buried drip tape (SDI) that is at least 8 inches deep and utilizes the soil above as the barrier to prevent the fumigant from escaping. The drip tape element is communicably connected through a throttle valve to a pressurized liquid supply of fumigant having a low boiling point and a high vapor pressure. The valve is opened to dispense vaporized fumigant into the soil and dissipation of the fumigant is controlled so that more effective soil fumigation is achieved.