Abstract: A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for underground water seeping prevention system comprising: a vertical cutting subsystem; a horizontal cutting subsystem; a sheet deployment subsystem; and a control subsystem comprising at least one computing device executing dedicated software.

Abstract: An excavator machine with a side mounted silt fence installing tool mounted below the swivel. The excavator has a swiveling and articulating tool and an operator's seat above the swivel. An articulating arm is attached above the swivel so the operator may operate swiveling and articulating tool in a coordinated way with the silt fence installer to accomplish a job more efficiently than it could be accomplished using tools separately mounted one at a time.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, more specifically a subsoiling device for treating soils with low moisture retention. The subsoiling device solves the problem of soil moisture retention by providing a layer endowed with permeability control without necessarily modifying the characteristics of the subsoil and conservation. The subsoiling device is capable of introducing, in a single operation, a foil or open sheet below the surface in a single operation, without removing the overlaying soil.

Abstract: A system for burying fabric cloth in marine sediment includes a sled having first and second ends and a partially open bottom surface proximate to the second end. A fabric deployer is coupled to and extended from the sled adjacent to the second end. A sediment disruption device resides opposite the fabric deployer and faces the first end. The fabric deployer is a tubular structure having a slot therein extending lengthwise along the tubular structure facing away from the first end. A fabric cloth is disposed on an axle within the tubular structure so a distal end of the cloth protrudes from the slot. An electronics package is releaseably secured adjacent to the second end by a release mechanism and to the end of the cloth by a tether. A cathode may be connected to the electronics package, forming, with a buried fabric cloth anode, a microbial fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of forming a line on a ground surface is described. It comprises the steps of: forming one or more slits in the ground surface; inserting a line of material in the or each slit such that part of the material is visible above the ground surface. Also described is a material suitable for use in forming a line on a ground surface. The ground surface is generally grassed earth, and the material can be a geotextile such as polypropylene. The present invention provides a simple but effective means of providing marked lines e.g. for playing surfaces such as football, rugby pitches and the like. The lines will remain, and need no further repair or maintenance for a number of years, while still providing the same visual effect as painted line.

Abstract: A machine for bedding out seed or plant tapes includes a frame and a carrying pole to be connected to a front of a tractor frame. At least one bedding out unit is provided with a plough member mounted on the frame. The plough member is associated with a conveyor including at least one continuous belt. The bedding out unit is provided with a supporting plate for supporting at least one supply container for the seed or plant tape to be bedded out in a furrow produced by the plough member. The bedding out unit includes a plough member of a substantially U-shaped cross section. Top webs of the U are substantially horizontally projecting stabilizing webs. The plough member is of a length (L) of at least approximately 30 cm and a width (b) measured across the U of 15 to 50 mm. The conveyor of the plough member is formed by an inclined main conveyor with two continuous conveyor belts arranged adjacent, but with a distance (a) to one another.

Abstract: Method for installing a duct where an existing longitudinal member is present along a section over which the duct is to be installed. The longitudinal member is utilized as a guide for the duct. The tape-shaped element is closed around the longitudinal element through mating of complementary coupling devices longitudinally situated along the tape-shaped member so as to form a duct, with the coupled tape-shaped element then being propelled along the longitudinal element to extend the duct. The tape-shaped element can house an optical fiber cable. Through use of such a tape-shaped element, the duct, illustratively housing an optical fiber cable, can be formed around an existing (e.g. copper) telecommunications cable with any need to interrupt or remove that cable.

Abstract: A tractor carries a vertically adjustable frame supporting a horizontal shaft for a supply roll of silt fence fabric. A vertical plow blade is mounted on the frame, and a vertical fin is supported directly behind the plow blade by a horizontal fabric guide bar attached to the frame. The fin receives an intermediate portion of the fabric directed around the guide bar for folding an edge portion of the fabric into a slot formed within the ground by the plow blade. The frame also supports a hydraulically actuated stake driver rearwardly of the supply roll and directly above the folded edge portion of the fabric. In one form, the stake driver comprises a vertically sliding ram having wide steps for receiving different length stakes. In another form, the stake driver comprises an impact hammer attached to a vertically and horizontally adjustable boom carried by the frame.

Abstract: A longitudinal plastically deformable wedge is used to secure a fiber optic cable or other elongate member in a groove or channel cut in a paved roadway or similar solid surface. The wedge is extruded and has arms extending upwardly from a base forming an upwardly facing slot into which a fiber optic cable or other elongate member can be inserted after the wedge is positioned in the groove. The subsequently inserted, elongate member causes outward plastic deformation of the wedge. Ribs or barbs are provided along the sides of the arms to also grip the groove walls and provide additional retention. Longitudinally extending ducts can either contain fiber optic cable when the device is first inserted into the groove or cables can be subsequently inserted into these ducts.

Abstract: A device for ground burial with an underground utility line or element and useful for early detection of the underground utility line or element during the excavation. The device has at least one sheet of non-conductive material, indicia on the sheet forming a cautionary message indicating the presence of an underground utility line or element, and at least one support element for vertically positioning the device in the ground. Further, a method for early detection of a underground utility line or element during excavation. The method includes burying at least one of the above-described devices in the ground along a side of an underground utility line or element so that the device is positioned vertically in the ground and extends up toward the surface of the ground from the underground level of the underground utility line or element.

Abstract: A method of installing a groundwater containment system is provided utilizing a powered trenching apparatus. The apparatus includes a boom at an end thereof; a trenching tool coupled to the boom; and frame structure mounted with respect to the boom. The frame structure is separated into at least first and second adjacent compartments. Each compartment has an inlet opening and an exit opening. The method includes advancing the trenching apparatus to create a single trench with the frame structure being disposed within the trench. Filter material is fed through the inlet opening of the second compartment. A first, impermeable wall panel is inserted through the inlet opening of the first compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering liner material into a trench prevents sidewall collapse in a subsurface water saturated zone, provides for inspection of vertical joints, avoids the necessity for dewatering of an area to be trenched, and provides continuous rolls of liner material which are joined by vertical and horizontal seams to accommodate any length or configuration of placement. To initiate unrolling of a length of liner material, a roll of material is dropped into the installation apparatus which trenches into the subsurface. One end of the liner material is held in place by restraints and hydraulic presses. The roll is then unrolled by trenching backwards, cutting a trench and unfurling the roll in the formed trench.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shallow ditch in wood shavings on the floor of a chicken house and laying a web of paper over the ditch while forcibly pushing the central portion of the web into the ditch with the remainder of the paper disposed at the shoulders of the ditch. The apparatus includes a plow depending downwardly from a frame and a beam pivoted to the frame which supports a wheel behind the plow. A roll of paper may be carried by spindles on the frame between the plow and the wheel. The wheel, in operation, is positioned on the upper surface of a web of paper unwound from the roll to permit the roll to unwind while simultaneously pushing the paper into the ditch.

Abstract: A slurry wall lining system comprises a liner and a liner dispenser having a guide, an anchor, a support line, weights and fasteners. The liner dispenser preferably holds a liner in a rolled up position above the trench on rollers for insertion into the trench. The guide is preferably attached to the dispenser and can be angled to extend down into the trench. The liner is unrolled initially in a vertical direction down into the trench at a rate about equal to the movement of the dispenser along the trench. The liner then passes around the guide into a horizontal orientation in the trench. In the preferred embodiment, the weights pull the liner downward about the guide and secure one edge of the liner near the bottom of the trench. The fasteners, support line and anchor to hold the other edge of the liner along the top of the trench.

Abstract: A trenching tool which digs a trench to depths of six to thirty feet. A liner carrier case is conveyed to the trench bottom from which is withdrawn an impermeable barrier liner; extended from the bottom to the top of the excavated trench. The liner casing is positioned at the trench bottom and forms a bottom seal for a vertical liner. The impermeable liner is deployed simultaneously with the trenching operation. The trenching, liner and bottom seal positioning of the liner casing, and backfilling, is all part of a coordinated operation.

Abstract: A conduit and method of installing water conduits, electrical conduits or drainage conduits in soil. The conduit has a hollow body with a flat top, an integral upper flange and a wedge-shaped integral lower flange, adapted to be received or forced into the soil to provide a watering system or the like with the flange flush with the top of the soil.

Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a subterranean fluid permeation control layer in an area of ground. The method comprises the steps of forming a first portion of a trench of a predetermined depth from the surface of the ground and sequentially widening the trench along one side of the previously formed trench while selectively, simultaneously applying a fluid permeation layer substantially along the bottom surface of the previously formed trench and while at least partly covering the layer with earth removed from the widened portion of the trench being formed until the entire area of the ground is covered. The invention also provides a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously laying plastic tape and plastic pipe in an underground widened slit, wherein an earth slitting tool and wing type hollow laying head are attached to a frame for providing and underground widening a slit in the ground, means for dispensing plastic tape and plastic pipe, means for folding the plastic tape, and means for unfolding the plastic tape in the underground widened slit.

Abstract: An apparatus for transplanting the tape comprises a share (1) for providing a slot opening in the soil, a holding device (24, 25) for one or several packages (26) of tape (27), and elevationally adjusting members, leading members and guide members (33, 34) for the tape, as well as members (15, 16) for pushing together and pressing down the soil around the tape. The share (1) is substantially V-shaped, open to the rear and preferably elevationally adjustable. The guide member (33) is an obliquely forwardly turned guide rod (33) rising from the share (1) or one or several inclined rollers. The holding device (24, 25) comprises a plate-shaped substratum (25) for the package. The elevationally adjusting members are members for adjusting the course of the tape, in particular its angle position, in relation to the guide member (33). The leading means leads the tape from the package to its contact with the guide member (33).

Abstract: A vertical drainage element is constructed and laid in position while at the same time forming a narrow vertical channel in the ground by means of an excavating machine or trencher by performing the following successive operations:a strip of filtering material is unwound from a rotating roll of strip behind the trencher;the strip is introdued within the channel formed in the ground while being shaped in the form of a trough, the bottom of the trough being placed at the bottom of the channel while the side walls of the trough are placed against the channel walls;the top edges of the trough are held in position one against the other while filling the trough with bulk material in granular form which subsequently constitutes a vertical filtration block;the top edges of the trough of filtering material are closed on top of the completed block and are fastened together so as to form a closed jacket around the block.

Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

Abstract: A sheet of material is laid in the ground by digging a trench in the ground by means of a trench digger and unwinding the sheet of material from a stock roll above ground level, passing it into the trench in a downward direction and diverting it in a direction essentially parallel to ground level. In order for the protective housing which is attached downstream of the trench digger and has to keep the trench open over its length not to be designed too long the sheet of material is passed into the trench folded double and is unfolded via three return rollers or rods or flanges, and passed in the unfolded state in an approximately vertical plane in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: There is provided a method for subterranean insulation of an area of the ground against water seepage therethrough. The method comprises the steps of forming a first trench of a predetermined depth from the surface of the ground and widening the trench by sequentially forming additional trenches along one side of the previously formed trench while simultaneously applying a water repellent layer substantially along the bottom surface of the previous formed trench and while at least partly covering the layer with earth removed from the additional trench being formed until the entire area of the ground is insulated. The invention also provided a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Fluid leakage through soil in a region thereof is controlled by sequentially passing over the region to dig a plurality of parallel, laterally displaced grooves in the surface. Soil dug from each groove is temporarily stored, and a strip of sheet material is laid over a groove as it is created during each pass, the width of the strip being greater than the width of the groove. Thereafter, the temporarily stored soil is deposited on the strip such that it is covered with soil except along one edge, the other edge of the strip overlying the uncovered edge of an adjacent strip laid down during a previous pass over the region. As a consequence, a first layer of overlapping strips of sheet material covered with soil is installed over the region.

Abstract: In the illustrated applicators, one of a series of pavement markers is individually dispensed from a carrier web by stripping the web back from the marker while moving the marker into wedging contact between a spring-loaded roller and the pavement. While doing so, the carrier web is kept taut between a brake shoe where it exits a magazine and an overdriven takeup roll which is locked against rotation while the marker is being moved into the wedging contact. Each pavement marker has a flat base which preferably bears a pressure-sensitive adhesive that releasably adheres the marker to the carrier web and bonds the marker to the pavement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inserting an elongated bendable drainage mat having a rectangular cross section below the surface of the ground in a vertical orientation in an advancing trench segment.

Abstract: A manually operable device which is for forming contraction joints in wet concrete and which includes a quantity of ribbon held within an enclosed housing. The ribbon is fed through a channel part in the device housing and into the wet concrete.

Abstract: Improved method and means for laying a strip of film beneath the surface of the soil can include any one or more of the following: (1) method and means for starting the film; (2) method and means for centering the film in a film inlet of a plow; (4) method and means for guiding the film in a feed housing of a plow; (5) method and means for centering the film in a film distribution housing of a plow; and/or (6) method and means for supporting the film while earth is being laid down thereon.

Abstract: A device for preparing a trench or dam for the recharging of an aquifer or similar use and for cleaning the recharging means. The aquifer recharging means is shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,272. The trench preparing device includes a protective frame surrounding one or more rolls of membrane adapted to be played out as the frame is pulled through the trench to line the trench. A gate-type mechanism is provided to prevent dirt or gravel from entering the frame as the membrane is pulled out.

Abstract: A tape laying, trenching apparatus adapted to be drawn behind a vehicle for the purpose of depositing a tape beneath the surface of the earth. The tape is an identification tape and serves as an underground installation identification means. The trenching apparatus includes a wheel-mounted drawbar and a vertically adjustable trenching tool. The trenching tool includes a hollow column and a trenching blade at the foot of the column. A tape dispenser is attached to the upper end of the column and accomodates feeding the tape downwardly through the column to a position behind the trenching blade. The trenching tool is releasably attachable to the drawbar at a plurality of lower, trenching positions and at an upper, traveling position. A strut is interconnectable between the drawbar and the column to support the trenching tool in both the trenching and the traveling positions. The trenching apparatus also includes a tool box mounted on the framework and a drag for backfilling the trench as the tape is being laid.