Abstract: A method for accelerating construction of a load bearing ice island, formed by either sea water spraying or flooding techniques, of higher quality or in a shorter time or both than would otherwise be possible. The method involves forced refreezing of spray ice by application of a vertical stream of cold ambient air, as produced by a fan or other devices described, directly downward on the ice surface or by application of the downwardly directed air stream to an impounded mass of sea water. The specific application for the process is construction of improved load bearing structures as used in Arctic regions in support of offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an improved method for the in situ mining of low to impermeable minerals to sweep out sections of deposits beneath the surface of the earth.

Abstract: The present invention in a rotary coupling or swivel is arranged for maintaining together, respectively, stationary and rotating pipes wherethrough a fluid under pressure is passed and involves an outer stationary body with an inner body journaled therein. The two bodies are held together by positioning a number of hardened balls within complimentary grooves formed, respectively, around the stationary body inner circumference and around the inner body outer circumference, the aligned grooves forming a track or race wherein the hardened balls roll freely. The hardened balls are dropped into the grooves through a port formed through the stationary body, holding the bodies together and functioning as a roller bearing to carry high thrust loads beyond the pressure loading.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an active drill stabilizer assembly for arrangement in a drill string directly behind a conventional or modified drill bit that utilizes drilling fluid as a sensing and working deviation/correction energy source. In a sensing loop of the present invention, the drilling fluid passes through groups of pitch and yaw sensor outlet ports and orifices that direct the fluid against the bore-hold side wall. The flow through the orifices is proportional to the gaps between the outlet ports and the well bore side wall and grouping of the sensors provides for an "averaging effect" to the fluid flow that ignores local side wall surface irregularities and produces an instantaneous venturi throat pressure for each axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulic prestressing nuts for setting a tensile stress in a bolt whereon the nut of the present invention is turned. The invention involves a nut body wherein an annular piston is arranged to be hydraulically extended from a bottom face thereof against a plate, head, platen, or the like, elevating the nut and extending the bolt therewith. A concentric loading ring is arranged with the nut body for turning into engagement with the place, such that when the loading ring is so extended, it provides a rigid columnar support to the annular piston. Tensile stress on the bolt is maintained by the loading ring. The nut of the present invention further involves a failsafe arrangement for providing a backup repressurization capability consisting of a second piston arrangement that can be independently pressurized at a primary seal failure, extending the primary piston therewith.