Abstract: The disclosure includes methods and apparatus for deadening the effects of vibrations in wind-driven electric generator supporting structures, and improving the ability of structures supporting wind-driven electric generators to operate in the presence of vibration-creating conditions. One or more various vibration-deadening structural element interconnecting or coupling apparatus can be included in the supporting structure for wind-driven generators for deadening the transmission of vibration between the structural elements to which they are connected.

Abstract: A wind-driven source of electricity can be located and oriented to take advantage of winds traveling over water. A structure is provided that can be transported over water and carry one or more wind-driven sources of electricity and structure-supporting means for engaging the earth's surface under water. The structure is transported to an advantageous location for operation of the wind-driven sources of electricity; the structure supporting means is engaged with the earth's surface under water at the advantageous location; and the one or more wind-driven sources of electricity can be elevated to take advantage of the winds traveling over the water.

Abstract: A jacking method and apparatus for a heavily loaded platform includes hydraulic continuous linear motion motors, preferably comprising a plurality of phased hydraulic piston/cylinder units, that are engaged to drive the heavily loaded platform to provide relative motion of the platform with respect to a platform support, and to also hold the platform in a selected stationary position. In the preferred jack-up system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be combined to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: In a jacking system for a marine platform, a plurality of hydraulic continuous linear motion motors are engageable with a plurality of marine platform supporting logs to provide relative motion between the platform and its supporting legs, and to also maintain the platform and its supporting legs locked in a stationary relationship. In the jacking system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be selected to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: A new MODU jacking system can reliably handle loads several times greater than can be currently handled, can be inexpensively designed and readily scaled for different jack-up loads, and can save millions of dollars in the manufacture of a single jack-up MODU. In the new MODU jacking system, a plurality of hydraulic continuous linear motion motors are engaged with a plurality of MODU supporting legs to provide relative motion between the MODU platform and its supporting legs, and to also maintain the MODU platform and MODU supporting legs locked in a stationary relationship. In the new jack-up system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be selected to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) jacking system includes a plurality of hydraulic continuous linear motion motors, preferably comprising a plurality of phased hydraulic piston/cylinder units, that are engaged with a plurality of MODU supporting legs to provide continuous relative motion between the MODU platform and its supporting legs, and to also maintain the MODU platform and MODU supporting legs locked in a stationary relationship. In the preferred jack-up system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be combined to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: A new MODU jacking system can reliably handle loads several times greater than can be currently handled, can be inexpensively designed and readily scaled for different jack-up loads, and can save millions of dollars in the manufacture of a single jack-up MODU. In the new MODU jacking system, a plurality of hydraulic continuous linear motion motors are engaged with a plurality of MODU supporting legs to provide relative motion between the MODU platform and its supporting legs, and to also maintain the MODU platform and MODU supporting legs locked in a stationary relationship. In the new jack-up system, the number of hydraulic piston/cylinder units and the number and design of the teeth that are engaged in providing relative motion may be selected to substantially reduce material stresses on the system.

Abstract: A system for aligning a drilling module on a jack-up rig with a drilling module support surface on a fixed rig wherein the angular disposition of the drilling module is varied by moving a portion of the jack-up rig on at least one of the legs of the jack-up rig to bring the angular disposition of the drilling module into alignment with the angular disposition of the drilling module support surface on the fixed rig prior to transferring the drilling module from the jack-up rig to the fixed rig. The system also includes a position assembly for positioning the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in a predetermined aligned position.

Abstract: A system for aligning a drilling module on a jack-up rig with a drilling module support surface on a fixed rig wherein the angular disposition of the drilling module is varied by moving a portion of the jack-up rig on at least one of the legs of the jack-up rig to bring the angular disposition of the drilling module into alignment with the angular disposition of the drilling module support surface on the fixed rig prior to transferring the drilling module from the jack-up rig to the fixed rig. The system also includes a position assembly for positioning the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in a predetermined aligned position.

Abstract: A jack-up rig includes a cantilever beam assembly and a drilling module is mounted on the cantilever beam assembly. The jack-up rig also includes means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from the storage position to extended positions wherein a rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended from the jack-up rig. The fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure having a drilling module support surface and a beam opening. The jack-up rig is positioned near the fixed platform with the cantilever beam assembly generally aligned with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is extended through a portion of the beam opening to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported on the cantilever beam assembly a distance generally above the drilling module support surface. The jack-up rig then is lowered to a position wherein the drilling module is supported on the fixed platform support structure.

Abstract: A jack-up rig includes a cantilever beam assembly and a drilling module is mounted on the cantilever beam assembly. The jack-up rig also includes means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from the storage position to extended positions wherein a rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended from the jack-up rig. The fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure having a drilling module support surface and a beam opening. The jack-up rig is positioned near the fixed platform with the cantilever beam assembly generally aligned with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is extended through a portion of the beam opening to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported on the cantilever beam assembly a distance generally above the drilling module support surface. The jack-up rig then is lowered to a position wherein the drilling module is supported on the fixed platform support structure.

Abstract: A mining apparatus for excavating material from an earth formation having a miner which is removably connectable to a carrier by a coupling assembly, the mining apparatus including other carriers which are interconnected by the coupling assembly of the present invention. The coupling assembly includes a male connector and a female connector, the male connector being disposable in a portion of the female connector in an insert position and the male connector being movable from the insert position to a connected position for interconnecting the male and the female connectors.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for detecting an interface between a mineral seam and the surrounding earth formation utilizing a radiation source and a radiation receiver mounted on a miner having a positionable cutter assembly. As the miner is moved into the coal seam, a first distance is continuously sensed between one surface formed in the mineral seam by the miner cutter assembly and the surrounding earth formation and the miner cutter assembly is positioned in response to the sensed first distance. As the miner is withdrawn from the coal seam, a second distance is continuously sensed between one surface formed in the mineral seam by the miner cutter assembly and the surrounding earth formation and the miner cutter assembly is positioned in response to the sensed second distance.

Abstract: An improved mining apparatus for excavating material, such as coal, for example, from an earth formation, such as a coal seam, for example, wherein a miner, having a forward and a rearward cutter, is guided through the coal seam and excavates a borehole therein, the borehole being filled with a working fluid during the operation of the miner, the working fluid facilitating the operation of the miner and providing a vehicle for removing the mined material. Substantially all of the operations of the miner are controlled from the earth's surface thereby eliminating the necessity and accompanying hazards and costs involved in utilizing personnel underground during the mining operations.

Abstract: An improved mining apparatus for excavating material, such as coal, for example, from an earth formation, such as a coal seam, for example, wherein a miner, having a forward and a rearward cutter, is guided through the coal seam and excavates a borehole therein, the borehole being filled with a working fluid during the operation of the miner, the working fluid facilitating the operation of the miner and providing a vehicle for removing the mined material. Substantially all of the operations of the miner are controlled from the earth's surface thereby eliminating the necessity and accompanying hazards and costs involved in utilizing personnel underground during the mining operations.