Abstract: An improved hydro-vac excavation apparatus is presented with the blower located on a recessed portion of the mud tank, saving space and eliminating piping. The blower and silencers are oriented so that airflow through the blower and out through the silencers is in a downward direction, eliminating low spots that could trap liquid.

Abstract: An excavation apparatus is provided having a loader, a tank, a vacuum pump and a vacuum hose. The loader has an engine and is mounted on either tracks or wheels, with the tank attached on the loader. Both of the vacuum pump and vacuum hose are in fluid connection with the tank. The vacuum hose draws excavated material into the tank, which draws its suction from the vacuum pump. The tank can easily dump its contents when full, and resume drawing in excavated material. The excavation apparatus can be easily transported to the job site using transport equipment the operation of which requires only basic licenses. The loader may be a bobcat. This system may be used in tandem with a hydro excavation system.

Abstract: A breather valve comprises a valve body having a valve fluid passageway terminating in a valve seat. The valve body includes a pressure pallet guide and the valve seat has double lips. A pressure pallet having a size commensurate with the valve seat is mounted on the pressure pallet guide for limited motion towards and away from the valve seat. The pressure pallet has a sealing side oriented to face the valve seat. A flexible diaphragm extending inside the valve seat is secured to the sealing side of the pressure pallet outside the valve seat. A gap lies between the double lips of the valve seat. A liquid source is in fluid communication with the gap lying between the double lips of the valve seat. A liquid seal provides protection against freezing, gumming and leaking of the seal.

Abstract: A Coanda flare is described that provides improved operation of a flare stack. A Coanda flare comprises a gas flue having a flare end, a Coanda body disposed adjacent the flare end to form an annular gap between the Coanda body and the flare end of the gas flue, such that gas emitted from the flare end passes through the annular gap and around the Coanda body, and a gas flow adjustor for adjusting pressure on gas flowing through the annular gap. The gas flow adjustor may be provided by a dual acting piston, which may for example be sensitive on one side to waste gas pressure, and on the other side to a control pressure.

Abstract: A gas powered heat delivery system, comprising a fuel gas supply, a catalytic heater connected to the fuel gas supply; a tank containing fluid, the tank being disposed to receive heat from the catalytic heater; a one way conduit having an inlet for receiving fluid from the tank, an outlet for delivering fluid to the tank, and a heat delivery section; a rolling diaphragm pump connected to the one way conduit for pumping heated fluid through the one way conduit from inlet to outlet, the rolling diaphragm pump being connected to the fuel gas supply to operate the rolling diaphragm pump; and a switch for switching the fuel gas supply between the rolling diaphragm pump and the catalytic heater, the switch being operated by the rolling diaphragm pump. Propane may be used as the fuel gas. Glycol may be used as the heating fluid. The gas powered heat delivery system may be used to heat oilfield equipment, for example at a well site, or items in other environments, particularly where vapors pose an explosion hazard.

Abstract: A flare stack operating on the Coanda principle in which provision is made for cooling of a Coanda body terminating the gas flue by a flow of cooling fluid within the Coanda body. The pressure in the flare stack is held constant by a mechanism disposed outside of the main flue of the flare stack.

Abstract: A utility pole installation system, comprising a hydrovac unit having a chassis and a utility pole positioner mounted on the chassis. The hydrovac unit has an internal combustion engine mounted on the chassis, and a hydrovac boom mounted on the chassis. A hydraulic power supply mounted on the chassis is powered by the internal combustion engine and used to power both the hydrovac boom and the utility pole positioner.

Abstract: An injector injects fluids, such as hydrate inhibitors into a pipeline such as a natural gas pipeline. The injector is comprised of two motor valves with different force constants such that they open and close in a sequence that injects fluid into the pipeline. The motor valves are controlled by pressure in a control line, where the pressure in the control line is controlled by a latching solenoid valve that pressurizes and vents the control line, according to the signals received from a control panel. When used with a natural gas pipeline, the displaced natural gas captured by the overhead storage tank can be used to fuel a natural gas heater.

Abstract: A flare stack operating on the Coanda principle in which provision is made for cooling of a Coanda body terminating the gas flue by a flow of cooling fluid within the Coanda body. The pressure in the flare stack is held constant by a mechanism disposed outside of the main flue of the flare stack.

Abstract: A method of removing vegetation by running a blaster unit along a utility cut line on which vegetation is growing; and directing a jet of fluidised material at the vegetation at a sufficiently high rate and for a sufficiently long time to kill the vegetation. In one embodiment, the blaster unit is a water blaster unit and the jet of fluidised material is water. In another embodiment, the blaster unit is a sand blaster unit and the jet of fluidised material is sand carried by an air stream.

Abstract: Electrical power is generated at a well site by using the drive train of a vehicle to power an electrical generator. The electrical generator feeds a transmission line of a public utility.

Abstract: A utility pole installation system, comprising a hydrovac unit having an articulated chassis and a utility pole positioner mounted on the chassis. The hydrovac unit has an internal combustion engine mounted on the chassis, and a hydrovac boom mounted on the chassis. A hydraulic power supply mounted on the chassis is powered by the internal combustion engine and used to power both the hydrovac boom and the utility pole positioner.

Abstract: A method of waste disposal, for example disposal of paper, the method comprising the steps of providing a bin at a recyclable waste collection location, for example an office, for receiving recyclable waste, collecting the recyclable waste from the bin, delivering the recyclable waste to a recycling enterprise in return for a payment, and donating all or at least a portion of the payment to a charity. Indicia of the charity may be displayed at the recyclable waste collection location. Each bin may be associated with an account having a number and payments associated with the bin may be tracked using the account number. The account number may be marked on the bin. The charity may for example be devoted to the interest of children, and may be World Vision. The recyclable waste may be processed, for example by shredding in the case of paper, before delivery to the recycling enterprise.

Abstract: An in-line gas compression system, comprising a vehicle, preferably a truck, having a drive train, with a gas compressor mounted on the vehicle and driven by the drive train of the vehicle. The gas compressor is connected through a filter to a gas inlet and has a compressed gas outlet line. When a rotary screw gas compressor is used, an oil and gas separator is provided on the compressed gas outlet line, with the oil and gas separator being connected to return oil to the rotary screw gas compressor. The in-line gas compression system is typically connected into a gas pipeline system through the compressed gas outlet line, and is connected to a source of gas, for example a well at a well site.

Abstract: A mud tank cleaning system includes a debris collection sweep that drives debris towards a collection zone in a mud tank, whence the debris can easily be mechanically disposed of through an opening in the mud tank. Preferably, the collection zone is in a central depressed part of the mud tank to allow gravity to assist in moving debris towards the collection zone. Preferably, a pair of collection sweeps are used on opposed sides of the collection zone. The collection sweeps are preferably pivotally mounted to follow an arcuate path along the surface of a cylindrical confining wall of the mud tank. Sweep drive mechanisms operate the sweeps. The collection sweeps are preferably used in conjunction with a disposal sweep that sweeps debris collected in the collection zone by the collection sweeps out of the collection zone and through the opening in the mud tank, from where it may be readily disposed of. The mud tank is typically operated in conjunction with a hydrovac vehicle.

Abstract: A utility pole installation system, comprising a hydrovac unit having a chassis and a utility pole positioner mounted on the chassis. The hydrovac unit has an internal combustion engine mounted on the chassis, and a hydrovac boom mounted on the chassis. A hydraulic power supply mounted on the chassis is powered by the internal combustion engine and used to power both the hydrovac boom and the utility pole positioner.

Abstract: An in-line gas compression system, comprising a vehicle, preferably a truck, having a drive train, with a gas compressor mounted on the vehicle and driven by the drive train of the vehicle. The gas compressor is connected through a filter to a gas inlet and has a compressed gas outlet line. When a rotary screw gas compressor is used, an oil and gas separator is provided on the compressed gas outlet line, with the oil and gas separator being connected to return oil to the rotary screw gas compressor. The in-line gas compression system is typically connected into a gas pipeline system through the compressed gas outlet line, and is connected to a source of gas, for example a well at a well site.

Abstract: A mud tank cleaning system, is formed from a mud tank having confining walls. An opening is provided in the confining walls of the mud tank. A removable cover is mounted on the mud tank over the opening. A sweep is mounted in the mud tank and is operable to sweep mud in the mud tank towards the opening in the confining walls. A sweep drive mechanism is operably connected to the sweep for operating the sweep. A hydrovac vehicle is formed of a frame mounted on wheels, a mud tank mounted on the frame, a water tank mounted on the frame, a water pump mounted on the frame and hydraulically connected to the water tank to pump water from the water tank for use in hydrovac operations, a blower mounted on the frame and connected by lines to the mud tank for removing fluids from the mud tank; and a boom line mounted on the mud tank for conveying fluidized materials to the mud tank.

Abstract: A mud tank cleaning system includes a debris collection sweep that drives debris towards a collection zone in a mud tank, whence the debris can easily be mechanically disposed of through an opening in the mud tank. Preferably, the collection zone is in a central depressed part of the mud tank to allow gravity to assist in moving debris towards the collection zone. Preferably, a pair of collection sweeps are used on opposed sides of the collection zone. The collection sweeps are preferably pivotally mounted to follow an arcuate path along the surface of a cylindrical confining wall of the mud tank. Sweep drive mechanisms operate the sweeps. The collection sweeps are preferably used in conjunction with a disposal sweep that sweeps debris collected in the collection zone by the collection sweeps out of the collection zone and through the opening in the mud tank, from where it may be readily disposed of. The mud tank is typically operated in conjunction with a hydrovac vehicle.

Abstract: A hydrovac wand is provided with a crossfire nozzle arrangement that reduces thrust to the wand operator, and that has a spray pattern that eliminates spray back. A pair of jets erode a hole while two other jets push the debris back to a suction hose. Two high pressure swivels are provided at the end of the wand to allow the wand to rotate in all directions without binding. Boom controls are placed on the wand to maximize digging rates.