Abstract: A pipeline or other subterranean structure is protected by burying above it a signaling material in the form of a continuous support of a material having low resistance to rupture by carrying at least one row of spaced apart strip sections of a high resistance to rupture. Because the strip sections form a discontinuous band, when encountered by the excavator, the support ruptures and the strip sections can only be pulled and remain unsevered so that free ends of the sections are readily visible to the excavator operator.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving frost-heaving stresses in a pipeline for ransporting a product at a temperature less than 32.degree. F. where said pipeline passes through frost-susceptible ground in a trench beneath the ground surface. Bedding supports the pipeline in the trench with its top substantially below the surface of the ground. A pair of relatively thin, elongated soil separators are installed in the trench, one along each side of the pipeline in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. Each separator has a transverse width extending vertically upward substantially beyond the top of the pipeline and into backfill soil above the pipeline. Padding supports a lower edge of the shear separators adjacent to the pipeline and the separators each have an upper edge located substantially beyond this padding and beyond the top of the pipeline.

Abstract: A continuous concrete encased conduit laying apparatus is attached to the rear of a tractor in a cantilevered fashion and can be raised and lowered into the ground by the tractor. The apparatus has two sections which are pivotally attached to each other. The forward section is the gouger, and it has a vertical bar having a sharp leading ripper edge. At the base of the bar are attached a wedge and a cone-shaped expander for creating a cavity in the ground as the apparatus is being pulled through the ground.The rear section which is the conduit layer, has a vertical guide tube, a concrete chute attached behind it, and a second expander forming the base of the layer. There is a hopper for holding the fresh concrete at the top of the chute. A quantity of conduit is fed through the guide tube as the apparatus is in operation. The cavity created by the two expanders is filled with fresh concrete as the conduit is laid in the cavity.

Abstract: Locating underground utility lines or elements of construction with a frangible body or tape. The tape includes printing indicia identifying the type of underground facility with the printing indicia protected from the environment. The tape is color coded to the type of underground facility and has soil contrasting reflective stripes to aid in tape detection.

Abstract: A machine for depositing pipeline padding material in a pipeline ditch in the form of an attachment for a bulldozer blade which is driven from the hydraulic system of the bulldozer and includes an endless conveyor belt forming the bottom of a horizontally oriented chute or trough which receives padding dirt from a dump truck body or the like and distributes it evenly in the pipeline ditch as the bulldozer with the padding machine mounted thereon moves alongside of the ditch.

Abstract: An arch-culvert structure for use in the construction of culverts or the like, includes a corrugated metal conduit and corrugated metal or concrete wings extending outwardly from the top sides of the conduit for distributing the soil or live load. Such structure is relatively inexpensive and increases the resistance to failure in the roof portion of the structure, in the wall area and in the soil or backfill materials adjacent to the structure.

Abstract: To assist in locating an underground or otherwise hidden non-electrically-conducting plastic pipe carrying a fluid such as heating gas a tool is provided which comprises a reel of relatively stiff but flexible locator wire, a hermetically-sealing first bushing through which the locator wire passes and a coupler for engaging a pipe exposed to view but coupled to and communicating for fluid flow with the pipe to be located, such coupler being adapted to receive, in snug fashion, said first bushing and including a packing membrane through which said locator wire passes to further assure no loss of fluid from the pipe being located, said locator terminating at its extremity remote from the reel in a guide member having a shape which may be described as suggestive of an oblate spheroid; i.e.

Abstract: An arch-beam structure for use in combination with a culvert or the like includes a panel, which is cast or placed on the usual metal culvert conduit, the panel covering the top of the conduit, and having arms extending horizontally outwardly beyond the sides of the conduit for the purpose of transferring loads occurring on the panel-conduit system to the soil at the sides thereof, confining and thus increasing resistance to failure in the area of the soil or backfill materials adjacent to the structure.

Abstract: A method for installing a guide path for an automatic guided vehicle system in a wood block floor includes the step of cutting a slot in the floor corresponding to the system layout, inserting a guide bar in the slot, fastening the guide bar to the sub-floor, inserting one or more signal wires in a slot within the guide bar, applying a mechanical seal in the guide bar slot above the signal wires to enclose the signal wires in "free floating" fashion, and covering the mechanically sealed guide bar containing the signal wires with a filler and sealer so as to be flush with the remainder of the wood block floor. The signal wires are retained in the desired pattern without being completely embedded within the floor and stresses caused by shifting of the wood block floor are not transmitted to the wires.

Abstract: A method for installing an automatic guided vehicle system guide path in the form of an inductive loop disposed beneath the floor of a factory or other facilities includes the steps of establishing a desired floor layout to meet the needs of the facility wherein the system is to be installed, cutting a trough or slot in the floor following the layout with a saw, placing the signal wires into the slot, installing a mechanical seal in the floor slot flush with the floor surface, setting the mechanical seal to a final depth, and applying a primer and final seal over the slots including the mechanical seal. The signal wires are thus retained "free floating" within the slot rather than being solidly embedded in the floor, and are relatively easily accessible by removing the mechanical seal and final seal for access for repair and maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for constructing pipelines in Arctic offshore waters by a directional drilling technique, thereby minimizing exposure to ice gouging and eliminating the hazards associated with unstable permafrost. A special drilling-pipeline construction vessel is also provided which has a conical shape with reinforced outer walls to resist ice forces, which vessel includes means to install deep underground pipeline segments and means to connect and protect the pipe ends.

Abstract: An underwater electric power cable which has a minimum radius of curvature to which it can be bent without damage and which can be suspended between underwater suspension points in no greater than a predetermined length for a desired service life is layed by first laying a flexible steel rope along the desired underwater course and adjusting the rope position and length so that there are no curvatures thereof less than the minimum radius and no lengths thereof greater than the predetermined length, and then, the cable is layed alongside the rope so as to follow the configuration of the rope.

Abstract: A trench is dug under the pipe. A collapsible means formed by a supple and deformable envelope is conveyed into the trench as it is dug in a state folded or coiled upon itself. The envelope is filled with water by a pump assembly and unfolded in a diverging cone, and progressively substituted for materials extracted as the trench is dug. The pipe is then lowered into and positioned in the trench by the escape of water out of the envelope through orifices or valves.

Abstract: A method for reducing the risk of freezing of surface-water pipe-line systems of the kind comprising a plurality of drains and other inlets, such as rain-water drains, manholes and inlets from terrace and roof guttering, etc. Means are provided which prevent or reduce air currents in at least one of the drains and other inlets through which the flow of air would otherwise be excessive. The means is designed to permit water to flow therethrough without appreciable gathering of water therein.

Abstract: A backfilling material and method of preparation for use with buried electrical cables. The material comprises a mixture of soil and wax in a proportion which achieves relatively low thermal resistivity to dissipate heat from the buried cable. In one embodiment the material is formed by mixing melted wax with soil. In another embodiment the material is formed by mixing soil with an emulsion of wax dispersed in an emulsifier. In another embodiment the material is formed by mixing soil with wax powdered to small particles. The mixture of soil and powdered wax is backfilled about the cable, heat from which causes self-curing as the wax melts in situ.

Abstract: An apparatus (2 or 3) for jumping a moving object (10) from one place to another. Fields of application include protection of submarine installations such as pipelines (1) and cables, from damage due to dragging anchors (10) and fishing gear. The apparatus comprises a plate-like device (2 or 3) that is unstable with regard to a horizontal force over a certain strength. The deformation of the device (2 or 3) caused by such horizontal force results in a steeper direction of the resultant (14) acting on the edge (6). The frictional resistance combined with the passive soil pressure (7) thereby become able to withstand the horizontal force from the moving object (10). Subsequently the device (2 or 3) carrying the object (10) will turn around the edge (6) and thereby lift the object (10) over the installation (1). Several alternative designs of the device (2 or 3) and a method of installing it are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of protecting underground pipe from corrosion in a region in which it extends through a casing and is subject to the deleterious action of water accumulated in the casing. The ends of the casing are sealed to provide a closed chamber around the pipe. A treatment substance capable of mixing with the water and reducing or neutralizing its deleterious effect is introduced to the chamber. Thereafter a corrosion-resistant compound is pumped into the chamber to substantially fill the chamber with the compound and displace all or much of the water from the chamber.

Abstract: A chilled-gas carrying pipeline installation in soil or rock zones with different heave properties is disclosed which includes an earth-covered buried steel pipe with insulation formed of high strength urethane or other material covering substantially the upper 300 peripheral degrees of the buried pipe; the bottom of the pipe is bare of insulation so that the insulation means provides sufficient resistance to heat flow from the earth above the pipe into the pipe to permit the earth above the pipe to thaw from the surface down to about the horizontal diameter of the pipe during the warm season. The buried pipe is consequently substantially unrestrained against upward movement caused by freezing of the soil in active areas beneath the pipe so that the pipe is subjected to minimum strain or relieves substantially any strain accumulated during the previous cold season.

Abstract: A system for laying a pipeline receiving stone bed in the bottom of a trench into which water may have seeped and there is accordingly some erosion of the trench side walls comprising:moving a stone-filled box along the trench in increments as the trench is dug out ahead of the box while moving earth which has collapsed into the trench forwardly along the trench; and simultaneously dispensing stone out the rear end of the box to form a bed which shores up the sides of the trench and pumping water out of the next section of the trench to receive the bed.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting an underground continuous length item includes an electrically conductive wire constituted by covering a flexible metallic core wire with an outer coating layer made of a flexible and electrically conductive high polymeric organic material. The electrically conductive wire is positioned under the ground along the underground continuous length item and is supplied with a high frequency current. Electromagnetic waves are emitted from the wire therefrom for detecting the location of the underground continuous length item located underground. Since electric current is propagated through the ground via the coating layer of the wire upon supply of high frequency power to the wire, whereby it becomes possible to detect from the ground surface the location of the continuous length item located underground in the case where the wire is cut.

Abstract: This invention contemplates method and apparatus for laying rodent-protected cable from a moving vehicle, using unprotected cable to which sheathed cementitious material is applied prior to subterrain burial. The sheathing serves only to retain shape of fresh, unset cementitious material around the cable in the course of handling and transport within and from the vehicle structure, to the buried position of the cable. The sheathing being degradable (in the course of time) and no longer needed once the sheathed cementitious material has set, after burial.

Abstract: A radially compliant acoustic line array hose with improved toughness and wear resistance, suitable for use in towed acoustical line array sonars. The hose comprises a long extruded cylindrical tubing of a soft flexible grade of geophysical, plasticized polyvinyl chloride material with longitudinal ribs of a stiffer, harder grade of geophysical plasticized polyvinyl chloride material located at or near the tubing surface, and spaced uniformly around the circumference of the tubing. The ribs are melt-bonded to the softer thermoplastic material while each is in their respective melt stages during the extrusion process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of producing and laying on the ground a ballasted mat defined by two layers of sheet material joined together along parallel lines and enclosing particulate ballast material by providing two sources of sheet material and continuously drawing the sheet material from the sources under the influence of the ballasted mat, continuously leading the sheet material to meet in generally overlapped relationship, seaming the sheet material to enclose at least two parallel compartments, continuously filling the two parallel compartments with particulate ballast material, continuously advancing the sources of sheet material over the ground adapted to be covered by the ballasted mat, continuously lowering the ballasted mat to the ground during the formation thereof and during the advancing of the sources of sheet material in timed relationship to the drawing of the sheet material from the two sheet material sources, and seaming cross-wise the end of each ballasted mat and the adjacent end

Abstract: In order to prevent a conduit for heat absorption from a sea bottom or the like to float up in wintertime from the bottom due to icing, it is proposed according to the invention that the flow cross-section of the conduit is heat insulated from the surrounding water. Such insulation is obtained according to one embodiment of the invention, in that a work fluid is imparted with a laminar flow in the upper cross-section (15) of the conduit by means of a constricting inner pipe (12) located upwardly in the conduit, while the work fluid in the remaining cross-section (16) is permitted to have a turbulent flow.

Abstract: A gel plug of mineral oil, organo-modified smectite, and a particulate filler such as powdered coal, or a gel plug of mineral oil and organo-modified smectite is employed during construction of an off-shore pipeline to separate a gas-filled portion of the pipeline from a water-flooded portion, and to facilitate control and movement of a gas/gel plug/water interface as desired to assist in construction operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating or eliminating the frost heave of refrigerated pipelines buried in frost-susceptible soil are provided. A blanket of heat absorbent material is placed over the pipeline on the surface of the soil to increase the flow of heat into the region surrounding the pipeline. This technique may be used in combination with other frost heave mitigation techniques, such as insulating the pipeline and supporting the pipeline with a heave resistant bedding material.

Abstract: System and method for the restrained and flame-retardant laying of one or more electric cables in a duct with a flat bottom. The ductway comprises a series of rigid and non-flammable elongated elements, each with a U-shape cross section, which are individually anchored to a flat floor and are arranged so that there is a space between contiguous elements. This space is sealed along its outer perimeter with a flexible and non-flammable material thereby forming a longitudinally sealed duct. One or more electric cables are laid inside the duct and the cable ends are fastened in fixed positions. The duct is filled with sandy materials and is completed with a slab attached to the top of each elongated element and arranged so that there is a space between contiguous slabs. This latter space is sealed along its outer perimeter with a flexible and non-flammable material. The duct and the sandy materials constitute protection against fire.

Abstract: Method and installation for depositing materials on an ocean bed in accordance with a given line in which the autonomous vehicle is displaced on the ocean bed by accurately following said line whereby the vehicle is provided with a hopper, a ship is moved on the surface of the ocean roughly in accordance with said line, the materials are discharged from this ship towards the hopper and are guided by means of a pipe suspended beneath the ship and whose lower end is not integral with the hopper, wherein the propulsion means of the pipe disposed at the lower end thereof are operated so that the lower end of the pipe is forced to remain above the hopper.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for covering a pipeline wherein a fluid-solid fill mixture is continuously deposited over the pipeline and at least a portion of the fluid is continuously removed from the mixture while simultaneously and continuously forming the solid fill in a predetermined contour over the pipeline. In another aspect, an improved method and apparatus is provided in which the tendencies of erosional forces to uncover a pipeline are reduced by forming a consolidated layer over the exposed surface of the said fill.

Abstract: The method of ditching over a buried line involves making a hole, in advance of ditching, down to a level near a section of the buried line lying at the intersection with a proposed trench, spanning the line section with a line protector, and driving a ditching machine so that its excavating member makes the trench and in so doing rides in the trench over the protector and above the line section.

Abstract: Heat pipes are installed in the soil directly beneath a buried refrigerated gas pipeline and operate continuously in conjunction with operation of the pipeline to beneficially alter the heat and water flow patterns thereby substantially preventing frost heaving without regard to the season.

Abstract: A means and a method for protecting a sea bottom surface or an installation positioned on same, for instance a pipeline, which means comprises a plurality of pliable concrete plate elements which are flexibly interconnected one after the other and thereby forming a chain-like unit, which chain-like unit is positioned along the sea bottom surface, its flexible characteristics both longitudinally and transversally enabling the unit to adapt itself to transverse and to longitudinal level variations in the course of the laying.

Abstract: In order to prevent damage due to frost heaving of a refrigerated gas pipeline which traverses frost-susceptible soil resulting from horizontal ice lense formation beneath the pipeline, heat pipes are located in diametrically opposed pairs, one on either side of the pipeline. Frost bulbs are formed in the soil around each heat pipe adjacent to the pipeline, causing the horizontal ice lenses to be formed further below the pipeline. Heaving rate is reduced due to the lower temperature gradient in the vertical direction, a greater overburden above the horizontal ice lenses and a reduced water supply directly beneath the pipeline. Also, lateral expansion of the frost bulbs provides opposing horizontal forces to counteract the upward force of the horizontal ice lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for depositing and protecting sediments on the floor of a body of water by utilizing a pair of rigid cast sheets of heavy material which are hinged together to form an arch-shaped device with the weight thereof being utilized to maintain the device in bridging relationship to a pipe or like installation resting on the floor of the body of water. The arch-shaped device has a generally central apex portion and opposite leg portions with respective upper convex and lower concave surfaces which diverge away from each other in a direction away from the apex portion.

Abstract: An electric cable assembly and method for protecting an electric cable assembly for rendering the cable repellent to rodent attacks. A non-lethal toxic chemical, such as lithium chloride, which produces lithium ions when dissolved in the saliva of an animal, is incorporated in an electric cable as either a layer within the electric cable assembly around the circumference and along the length of the cable assembly or by providing a coating on the surface of the electric cable assembly by spraying or painting thereon a mixture containing, for example, lithium chloride. A protective layer or coating may be provided around the layer or coating of the lithium ion producing chemical to protect it against moisture or other environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting pipe employing a plurality of spaced pipe carriers driven into the ground. Each pipe carrier includes a straight rigid body formed from rod stock of rectangular, i.e., square, cross-section. The lower portion of the body is provided with opposed, rigid upwardly diverging barbs, also of rectangular, i.e., square, cross-section. The upper end portion of the body carries a rigid pipe cradle. In one embodiment, the cradle is formed by spaced, laterally projecting, brackets. In other embodiments, the cradle is curvilinear, opening upwardly or downwardly. In still other embodiments, the cradle is an annulus. The cradles and barbs are formed of the same rectangular, i.e., square, rod stock as the body. The opposed surfaces of each cradle is in the same common plane with the opposed surfaces of the body and these planes are perpendicular to the surfaces of the barbs. The cradles, radially, partially or completely circumscribe the periphery of the pipe.

Abstract: The forward movement of a pipe-laying vessel when laying pipe offshore is controlled to maintain the position of the pipe as laid on the sea bed as close as possible to the desired track. The position of the touch down point on the sea bed of the pipeline suspended from the vessel is measured at periodic intervals by driving a survey vessel fitted with an echo location device along the already laid line. The measured position of a touch down point is compared with the desired track and any deviation is computed. Further movements of the pipe-laying vessel are adapted to minimize this deviation.

Abstract: A long-distance heating conduit comprising one or more tubes conveying the heating medium, which tubes are supported in the conduit by support means consisting of an insulating material resistant to compression and surrounded by a heat-insulating material also resistant to compression and enclosed by cover foils having holes, the size and shape of which are dimensioned in such a manner that water substantially cannot penetrate, but that they are permeable to gases and vapors.

Abstract: Pipe sections or tubing is prepared by enveloping in flexible, rather wide hose, and just prior to submarine installation the space between hose and tubing is filled step-wise with wet or dry cement which will set after the tubing has been laid on the sea or lake floor. Anchoring wires with spacers are provided in that space before filling with concrete and the filled hose is armored with ropes or cables to divide the concrete in a quilt-like manner.