Abstract: A submersible aerator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses injected air to create both aeration and mixing of a liquid. The apparatus is submersible and may be lowered into a container holding a liquid with suspended and coagulated solids, such as fats, oil, and grease (FOG). Air supplied to the apparatus is injected into the liquid through a hose, which results in an upward flow of large air bubbles and entrained liquid. The upwardly moving large air bubbles are cleaved (i.e., broken apart) by a series of baffle plates that are generally perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air bubbles. This action mixes and aerates the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diffusor for adding of gases into water, said diffusor comprising a perforated tube (1) and at least one supply tube (2), said the at least one supply tube (2) is at one end coupled to a source for supplying gas and at the other end in fluid communication with the perforated tube (1), the gas is supplied to the perforated tube (1) through at least one inner supply tube (4; 5; 15) extending from the supply tube (2) to the perforated tube (1). The invention is distinctive in that at the least one inner supply tube (4; 5; 15) is a non-perforating tube and has at least one outlet (4a, 5a, 15a) situated at a free end of the at least one inner supply tube (4, 5, 15), said gas is adapted to be distributed into the perforated tube (1) through the at least one outlet (4a, 5a, 15a).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a novel and non-obvious design for wind fan or wind turbine that 1) can adjust to changes in wind direction and 2) is collapsible or retractable when desired. Further, the invention relates to a novel and non-obvious design for a fan blade assembly that allows for the ability of the wind turbine to adjust to changes in wind direction and allows for the wind turbine to collapse or retract into a housing when not in use.

Abstract: A wave break structure having a body with a bulkhead and a first pontoon and a second pontoon. The first pontoon is positioned on one side of the bulkhead and the second pontoon is positioned on the opposite side of the bulkhead. The bulkhead extends substantially above the first and second pontoons. The bulkhead and the pontoons are integrally formed together of a metallic material. The bulkhead having a first wall extending at least 45° with respect to a second wall of said bulkhead so as to have an inverted V-shaped configuration. A crushed stone coating is applied to a surface of the bulkhead.

Abstract: An attenuating element includes a head part, neck part and base part. The neck part is narrower compared to the head part and neck parts of adjacent attenuating elements form a continuous channel. Via the head parts, this channel is connected so that the cross-sectional area of the head parts is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the base parts. In this way, a water-control structure, sound-attenuating wall and the like can be provided. Such attenuating elements can be produced in a very simple manner by dividing them vertically and producing each of the vertical parts from concrete in a mould.

Abstract: A wave break structure having a body with a bulkhead and a first pontoon and a second pontoon. The first pontoon is positioned on one side of the bulkhead and the second pontoon is positioned on the opposite side of the bulkhead. The bulkhead extends substantially above the first and second pontoons. The bulkhead and the pontoons are integrally formed together of a metallic material. The body has a first tow bar and a second tow bar affixed at an end thereof. A plurality of ports extends through a thickness of bulkhead. The bulkhead and the pontoons have angled surfaces so that one body can nest within an adjacent body.

Abstract: A wave-dissipating block has a body and a turbine generator assembly. The body has an airway and an overhang. The airway is formed in the body, is substantially J-shape and has an opening communicating with a front of the body and substantially facing upward. The overhang hangs over the airway and has an air window formed in the overhang and communicating with the airway. The turbine generator assembly has a housing mounted on the overhang and has an air channel communicating with the air window, a turbine fan mounted in the air channel and a generator connected to the turbinate fan. Waves can directly pour into the airway with minimized loss of kinetic energy and forms a water column in the airway to effectively suck or push air to passing through the air channel to rotate the turbinate fan to drive the generator to efficiently generate electric power.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of stabilizing a beach which includes the steps of producing an engineering design for placement of one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach to produce a groin field; and implementing the engineering design to place the one or more sand filled, low profile geotextile tubes in proximity to the beach in accordance with the engineering design to produce the groin field. The method includes an iterative process using multiple model executions to produce an engineering design of a discrete, porous, geotextile groin field for engineering site adaptation and implementation at a specific beach site. The solution may further include post-installation monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the solution and to modify the solution for future erosion mitigation efforts.

Abstract: A wave diffuser apparatus and method includes, according to one embodiment, a receiver base and a wave disrupter conformed to attach to the receiver base. A load collar is attached to the wave disrupter and a load applicator is attached to the load collar.

Abstract: A shore protective barrier system for protecting an existing seawall in the face of heavy storms including a plurality of used automotive tires aligned upright in a row substantially side-by-side with one another, filled with concrete to form a single integrated unit sunk horizontally into the ground as a break wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for absorbing impacting shock loads from waves on marine hulls by using a diffuser to provide a reduced impact zone forward of the hull and to divide the wave and cause the non-compressible liquid of the wave to mix with air in the diffuser channels to form a compressible fluid to further absorb impacting shock loads. This system was invented to provide for wave shock absorption of wide bow flat-bottomed marine hulls. These hulls being more buoyant and stable, provided more usable space, while possessing very efficient planning hulls that are easier to manufacture than three dimensional pointed bow hulls.

Abstract: A water structure formed from at least a pair of sleeves from a puncture resistant flexible material joined along common longitudinal surfaces, as by sewing, and include sleeve ends that are formed into closed to maintain closed-off ends of water filled tubes, and including an arrangement, such as an outer sleeve, for maintaining the pair of sleeves in side by side relationship and/or may includes at least one ground sheet for anchoring the water structure.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable breakwater is disclosed having a primary barrier containing liquid under pressure, and one or more overtopping barriers. The primary barrier floats at, and extends substantially below, the surface of the water, while the overtopping barriers are positioned on the primary barrier and extend substantially above the surface of the water, the combination being adapted to attenuate wave action in open water. The liquid in the primary barrier is pressurized to a level substantially greater than the pressure of the surrounding water, and such pressure may be maintained or varied during the period of deployment of the breakwater.

Abstract: A barrier dissipates energy from wakes from high speed vessels. Pilings embedded in the seabed slidably extend through openings in a flotation section below the surface of the water and through apertures in a gate section above the surface of the water. Struts on the flotation section extend through the surface of the water to hold the gate section a predetermined height above the surface. An inclined ramp extends from the flotation section below the surface and progressively reduces the depth of the water above the ramp portion as the distance to the flotation section becomes less. The progressively reduced depth builds-up the incoming wake, and the gate section cuts off the crest of the built-up wake to dissipate energy. Systems of barriers may be located in various patterns of spaced apart arrangements along waterways to intercept and reduce the effects of wakes produced by numerous high speed vessels.

Abstract: A sea wall able to diffuse sheets of wind borne water being blown over the sea wall by a strong wind. The sea wall has a vertically extending barrier, preferably topped by a cap, and wind diverting member mounted above the uppermost surface of the barrier, or cap, if the cap is provided and is disposed above the barrier. The wind diverting member has curved internal air passages gathering air from the water side of the sea wall and discharging air upwardly. The air passages optionally accelerate gathered air by causing the air outlets to be of smaller cross sectional area than that of the air inlets. The sea wall includes drains for disposing of water gathering on the sea wall and the wind diverting member.

Abstract: A dynamic reef is provided in accordance with the invention. The dynamic reef includes anchoring means for anchoring the reef in a substantially fixed position with respect to a shoreline, an elastic rubber tubing secured to the anchoring means, and at least one flotation collar positioned so as to be rotatable about the rubber tubing for the purpose of dissipating wave energy. A solar strobe unit may be positioned on the rubber tubing at the end opposite the anchoring means and functions as a warning device. A method for preventing shoreline erosion and a system for reducing the effects of waves on a shoreline are also provided in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a stream in a body of water has at least one cylinder installed under water, and a water-jet pump housed in the cylinder. The pump draws water in through one end of the cylinder and produces a stream of water accelerated by a driving fluid supplied from an external source. The stream is discharged through another end of the cylinder to promote a flow in the body of water.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used in shallow water areas having a depth of about two meters or less for producing a total water circulating flow from the bottom toward the top and then from the top toward the bottom, to thereby improve the quality of the total water. The method consists essentially of providing an upward jet of fluid under pressure acting upon a water flow rising from the bottom toward the top through a tubular passage of vertically disposed tubular construction so that the water flow can rise with an increased speed. At the top end of the tubular passage, the water flow is jetted out, forcing a circulating flow with circular motions. The apparatus comprises a vertically disposed tubular construction having a tubular passage through which the water flows and rises, including a member for producing an upward jet of fluid under pressure disposed inside the tubular passage and exposed to the water in the tubular passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing sedimentation buildup in waterways having a current, the apparatus being submergible at a location proximate the edge of the waterway and adapted to produce a scour pattern of predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes an elongated, substantially vertical tubular member having an inlet assembly connected proximate the upper end of the tubular member; a turbine fan unit mounted interiorly of the inlet assembly for controllably drawing water into the apparatus; and a discharge assembly connected to the tubular member proximate its lower end for directing the flow of water outwardly from the tubular member in generally horizontal direction at an optimum flow rate.

Abstract: A pump driven by air only is disclosed for providing simultaneous aeration and flow at right angles to the rising air. The pump produces in a shallow tank particle-suspending turbulence which is particularly useful for growth of marine organisms in a sun-exposed tank confined shallow brine solution. The pump is preferably installed in a rectangular tank divided by a baffle between the two tank side walls. The baffle extends parallel to the major axes of the rectangle and stops short of both tank end walls. The fluid is pumped around this baffle in an oval flow pattern. On the shallow bottom of the tank on both sides of the baffle, there is a repeating foil shaped bottom with a manifold for discharging air. The foils of the bottom are generated at right angles to the baffle and oriented from leading edge to trailing edge in the direction of intended fluid rotation around the baffle in the tank. Air is pumped and discharged from the manifold in a rising curtain.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stabilizing an upright structure such as a pile against transverse oscillation due to the relative horizontal motion of the sea past it. Gas is discharged from orifices formed either in a ring duct surrounding the pile, or in the wall of the pile itself. The bubbles tend to rise within the region of low-pressure which forms closely downstream of the pile, so breaking the synchronism of the known vortex-shedding mechanism that can promote the transverse oscillation. A perforated shroud may surround the structure and the bubbles may rise within the gap between structure and shroud. Such a shroud may itself have some stabilizing property even when the gas supply is turned off.

Abstract: A method for treating a body of water forming a solar pond includes applying oil to the surface of the pond from at least one predetermined area of the surface, collecting oil from the surface, purifying the collected oil, and then recirculating the purified oil to said at least one predetermined area. Apparatus is provided for performing the method and includes wind-activated nozzles for applying the oil at an upwind peripheral location, a trough for collecting the oil at a downwind peripheral location, a filter for purifying the collected oil, color and spreadability sensors for examining the collected oil, and a quality improvement device for controlling the quality of the collected oil in accordance with the sensor output. A pump and pipe recirculate the treated oil from the trough to the nozzles.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic erosion control unit comprises a hollow submersible body the buoyancy of which can be regulated. Arms projecting radially from the body carry paddle-like blades in at least some of which there are openings provided with flapper valves for permitting water to flow through the openings in one direction but not in the other. The unit is submerged in the water and rotatable about a vertical axis. When water flows past the unit, it exerts greater force on blades at one side where the valves are closed than on blades at the other side where the valves open, thereby causing the unit to rotate. The units can be used to protect a shoreline from erosion by creating turbulence which dissipates wave and current action and on the other hand can be used to effect local erosion below the units to protect waterways, harbors and moorings from silting-up.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing foreign objects, such as ice floes, from entering into the docking basin of barge supporting floater-type vessels, floating docks, basin docks, canal sluices or the like, include nozzle apparatus provided at the regions of respective sides of the inlet to the docking basin for directing first and second strong, relatively narrow surface currents to create a flow field in the region of the basin inlet which prevents the foreign objects from entering into the docking basin. One of the surface currents is directed outwardly with respect to the docking basin so as to define an angle in the range of about 15.degree. to 35.degree. with respect to the transverse plane which passes through the inlet sides. The other surface current is directed outwardly with respect to the docking basin in a direction substantially normal to the transverse plane passing through the inlet sides.

Abstract: The surface activity (more especially waves) of a body of water is reduced by providing a succession of booms at least partially surrounding said body of water (preferably moored so as to be substantially stationary) so that the surface of said body of water (preferably a major proportion or all of said surface) is substantially isolated by the presence of said booms in relation to the surface of water peripherally external with respect to said booms and the surface activity of said body of water is reduced by the distribution on the surface of said body of water as thus isolated by said succession of booms of a material at a cryothermal temperature at or below the freezing point of the water that preferably is in the form of a cascade of ice particles. Preferably surfaces of succession booms that face the so isolated body of water present material at a cryothermal temperature that is in contact with the water surface.

Abstract: A low cost method for transporting an iceberg from one location to another in a body of water without the need of boarding, or physical pushing or pulling contact therewith. The method involves the releasing of a large volume of air bubbles underwater in specific proximity to a portion of the floating iceberg. The bubbles are formed by allowing air to escape from openings in a submerged tube structure to form a shroud or wall of many bubbles. The bubbles are released in such areas as to provide bubble envelopment of a portion of the subsurface of the iceberg. Primarily, this raises the water surface of a peripheral portion of the iceberg to result in an increase in pressure and movement of the iceberg away from the bubble-enveloped side of the iceberg.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical member which can be used to circulate subsurface water upwardly to mix with the surface water, the surface water being colder than the subsurface water due to its being exposed to the cold air thereabove, the member including an elongated hollow lower portion and an enlarged, partially hollowed out head portion, the enlarged head portion including equally axially spaced apart radial channels extending between the hollowed out interior and the periphery thereof. When the device is submerged sufficiently that the channel outlets will be just below the water's surface, and then the device is rotated by a vertically extending shaft, water will be centrifugally ejected through the channels from the interior of the enlarged head portion to mix with the cold water at the water's surface. At the same time, warmer subsurface water will be sucked into and through the hollow lower portion, thereby creating a flow of warmer subsurface water through the device and to the surface.