9946results about "Artificial islands" patented technology

A wind energy conversion system optimized for offshore application. Each wind turbine includes a semi-submersible hull with ballast weight that is moveable to increase the system's stability. Each wind turbine has an array of rotors distributed on a tower to distribute weight and loads and to improve power production performance where windshear is high. As much of the equipment associated with each rotor as possible is located at the base of the tower to lower the metacentric height. The equipment that may be emplaced at the bottom of the tower could include a power electronic converter, a DC to AC converter, or the entire generator with a mechanical linkage transmitting power from each rotor to the base of the tower. Rather than transmitting electrical power back to shore, it is contemplated to create energy intensive hydrogen-based products at the base of the wind turbine. Alternatively, there could be a central factory ship that utilizes the power produced by a plurality of wind turbines to create a hydrogen-based fuel. The hydrogen based fuel is transported to land and sold into existing markets as a value-added “green” product.

A manhole comprised of four parts is provided. The manhole is comprised of an outer-manhole pipe, an inner-manhole pipe, a manhole cover, and a support pipe. Pluralities of concave arc band shape blades are horizontally developed along the inner surface of the outer manhole pipe. Same number of convex arc band shape blades is horizontally developed along the outer surface of the inner manhole pipe. The inner-manhole pipe is inserted into the outer-manhole pipe vertically when the two kinds of arc shape blades aligned to make pass way for each other. When a desired height is reached, workers rotate the inner-manhole pipe 60 degrees horizontally and put down the inner-manhole pipe. Then the two kinds of blades are overlapped and fix the height of the manhole cover. A support pipe, comprised of two pieces of equal hemi-pipe connected one end, is engaged between the top flange of the inner-manhole pipe and top end of the outer manhole pipe to hold and support the distance between them.

The present invention relates to wind generators installed off-shore, in particular at sea, to support structures forming a part of such wind generators, and to methods of making and installing such wind generators. The technical field of the invention is that of making, transporting, and installing wind generators for producing electricity, more particularly off-shore, and in large numbers, so as to form wind "farms". The wind generator of the invention comprises a wind turbine and a deployable telescopic pylon or support supporting the turbine, and a gravity base supporting the pylon or support.

A floating wind turbine platform includes a floatation frame (105) that includes three columns (102, 103) that are coupled to each other with horizontal main beams (115). A wind turbine tower (111) is mounted above a tower support column (102) to simplify the system construction and improve the structural strength. The turbine blades (101) are coupled to a nacelle (125) that rotates on top of the tower (111). The turbine's gearbox generator and other electrical gear can be mounted either traditionally in the nacelle, or lower in the tower (111) or in the top of the tower-supporting column (102). The floatation frame (105) includes a water ballasting system that pumps water between the columns (102, 103) to keep the tower (111) in a 10 vertical alignment regardless of the wind speed. Water-entrapment plates (107) are mounted to the bottoms of the columns (102, 103) to minimize the rotational movement of the floatation frame (105) due to waves.

PCT No. PCT/IE97/00002 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 10, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 10, 1998 PCT Filed Jan. 10, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/25483 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 17, 1997An ice composite body has an inner ice core covered by a protective outer armor layer. Thermal insulation is provided between the inner core and the outer armor layer. Refrigeration is accomplished by a system of conduits for refrigerant are located within the body. The insulation and the refrigeration are adapted to maintain the ice core in a frozen condition relative to the ambient temperature. The base of the body cavity can be in direct contact with the water bed such that the ice core is freeze bonded to an advancing ice front in the water bed. The ice composite body provides structures of equal or greater strength than equivalent structures using conventional materials.

Measurements made by a rotating sensor on a bottomhole assembly are used to determine the toolface angle of the BHA. The method includes using a phase locked loop (PLL) to determine a phase difference between the sensor output and a reference signal.

An embodiment of an apparatus useful for up-righting a wind turbine pillar at an offshore installation location includes a barge having first and second towers and an open area therebetween and which extends downwardly to the offshore installation location. At least two pulling lines extend from the towers to the pillar and are useful to assist in moving the pillar into a generally up-right orientation between the towers and lowering the pillar downwardly through the open area to the offshore installation location.

Building materials of modules of at least one mortise and tenon and either a curvilinear side face or joinder of the modules at angles other than zero and ninety degrees. Lateral ends of the modules are flush with lateral ends of adjacent modules. Preferably, the modules are: (1) of a low density aggregate cementitious mix; and/or (2) have a hollow space extending from the mortise to the tenon and include a structural support member passing through the hollow space and a compression retainer securing the structural support member to the modules; and/or (3) have grooves circumscribing the modules and which are proximate corresponding grooves on modules placed on top or below. The modules are preferably sealed to one another with sealant placed in the grooves.

A deepwater windpower plant (DWP) has a tension leg-type floating platform with an evacuable base for adjusting its buoyancy for installation at ocean depths ranging from 40 meters up to 1.5 kilometers and more. The DWP has a typical offshore wind turbine assembled close to shore which is then towed to a desired installation site on the ocean, and held in place by a gravity anchoring base (GAB), to which an evacuable portion or space of the DWP platform is anchored. The GAB has upwardly extending mooring tethers and a power cable which are brought to the ocean surface by attached buoys. The GAB is sunk to the ocean floor at the installation site under controlled conditions so that the GAB lands flat on the ocean floor. As the GAB sinks to the ocean floor, the mooring tethers and power cable are pulled to the surface by their respective buoys. The GAB is loaded with heavy ballast material that can be dropped from barges on the ocean surface into the upwardly open GAB below the barges.

A retaining wall block (1) has parallel top and bottom faces (2, 3), a front face (4), a rear face (5), first and second side wall faces (6, 7) and a vertical plane of symmetry (S) extending between the front and rear faces (4, 5). The block (1) is formed as a body portion (8) including the front face (4), a head portion (9) including the rear face (5) and a neck portion (10) connecting the body portion (8) and the head portion (9). The body, head and neck portions (8, 9, 10) each extend between the top and bottom faces (2, 3) and between the first and second side wall faces (6, 7). An opening (13)′ extends through the neck portion (10) from the top face (2) to the bottom face (3), dividing the neck portion (10) into first and second neck wall members (14, 15) extending rearwardly from the body portion (8) to the head portion (9). First and second pin holes (16 and 17) are each disposed in the body portion (8) and open onto the top face (2) for receiving a pin (50, 51) with a free end of the pin protruding beyond the top face. First and second pin receiving cavities (18, 19) are each disposed in the body portion (8) and open onto the bottom face (3) for receiving the free end of a pin (50, 51) received in a pin hole (16 and 17) of an adjacent block (1) disposed therebeneath so as to interlock the blocks (1) with a predetermined setback. The neck wall members (14, 15), pin holes (16 and 17) and pin receiving cavities (18, 19) are positioned such that a first plane (P1) extending parallel to the plane of symmetry (5) passes through the first pin receiving cavity (18), first pin hole (16) and first neck wall member (14) and a second plane (P2) extending parallel to the plane of symmetry (5) passes through the second pin receiving cavity (19), second pin hole (17) and second neck wall member (15).

A retaining wall block system having multiple sizes and shapes of blocks with differently dimensioned, interchangeable front and back faces. The blocks are used to construct an irregularly textured wall having a weathered, natural appearance. Multiple channels in the lower face of the block are used to engage pins in pin-receiving apertures to form an attachment system. Horizontal reinforcing members are also used in the channels and vertical reinforcing members are used in cores of adjacent blocks for reinforcing a wall. Reinforcing geosynthetic materials can also be firmly held in a wall by means of the pins or by connectors adapted to fit in the block channels.

A wall block having a block body having opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side walls, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom faces, one or more pin holes that open onto the top face of the block, and one or more lugs that extend from the bottom face, each lug having a back surface that extends contiguously from the rear face of the block. A corner block for use with the wall block. A retaining wall comprising a plurality of wall blocks including at least one lower course and at least one upper course.

The invention provides a water discharging manhole cover capable of automatically hoisting. The water discharging manhole cover comprises a manhole cover, a manhole cover base, two spring hinging mechanisms, a manhole cover floating cabin, a rainwater collector and an alarming device, wherein the manhole cover base is fixedly arranged on a well opening of a water discharging well; the manhole cover is placed on the manhole cover base; the two spring hinging mechanisms are connected between the manhole cover and the manhole cover base; the rainwater collector is located below the manhole cover floating cabin; and the alarming device is arranged in a central hole of the manhole cover and a manhole cover floating cabin through hole in a penetrating manner. The manhole cover of the water discharging manhole cover is made of a high-strength and light-mass material and can be automatically opened and closed by the manhole cover floating cabin according to the water depositing amount above the manhole cover, namely the water discharging manhole cover has a function of automatically and vertically hoisting, so that the discharging capability of water deposited at a road surface is enhanced. Furthermore, the manhole cover is connected with the manhole cover base through the spring hinging mechanisms so that the manhole cover is prevented from being washed away by the water; and the alarming device is used for providing alarms to pedestrians and vehicles so that the safety is good. Furthermore, the water discharging manhole cover also has the advantages of reasonable and simple structural design, complete functions, convenience for maintenance and the like.

The security manhole insert cover relates to a locking manhole insert to prevent ingress or egress to a manhole from above or below the manhole to prevent access to underground utilities, tunnels and underneath buildings and metropolitan areas to eliminate security intrusions and terrorist attacks by underground access, which would otherwise go undetected if access to the underground utility passages were not secured. The manhole insert cover has a cylindrical locking insert barring access to the engaging and disengaging mechanism required to remove the manhole insert cover and an integrated lower cover to prevent access to the engaging and disengaging mechanism from below, the insert cover adapted to fit within a manhole without required modification of the manhole and without detection of the insert cover having been installed from above ground levels.

A steerable bottom hole assembly may be used for drilling both a curved section and straight section of the borehole, with the bottom hole assembly including a reamer beneath the downhole motor 12. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit 30 having a bit face defining a bit diameter, and a gauge section 32 having a substantially uniform diameter cylindrical surface approximating the bit diameter and having an axially length of at least 75% of the bit diameter. The motor is preferably run slick without stabilizers for engaging the wall of the borehole.

A manhole cover assembly includes a frame defining an access opening, first and second mounting posts extending from the frame, and a cover for covering the access opening. The cover includes first and second mounting recesses that pivotally receive the first and second mounting posts respectively, such that said cover is movable between an open position and a closed position by rotating the recesses about the posts. At least one of the recesses includes a locking groove that aligns with the post when the cover is moved to an open position to lock the cover in the open position.

The invention relates to a wind turbine and a method for operating the wind turbine planted in the floor of a body of water. The wind turbine includes a support structure and a rotor, which is arranged on the support structure. The rotor has a rotor blade. The wind turbine operates in a trundle mode in order to reduce the oscillations in the support structure created through mechanical impacts on the support structure.

A system for producing hydrogen from water, making use of a stream of water such as a gulf stream or tidal stream, includes a number of submerged modules, each having a turbine that can be driven by the stream of water. The turbine is coupled to a generator for generating electrical energy. Each module may have submerged decomposition means for decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen using the electrical energy generated. The modules are provided with means to control the depth of the modules below water level, and furthermore with means for automatically orienting the front of the modules—viewed in the longitudinal direction of the turbines—to the direction of flow of the water or an angular position deviating therefrom.

Sensors, including fiber optic sensors and their umbilicals, are mounted on support structures designed to be retro-fitted to in-place structures, including subsea structures. The sensor support structures are designed to monitor structure conditions, including strain, temperature, and in the instance of pipelines, the existence of production slugs. Moreover the support structures are designed for installation in harsh environments, such as deep water conditions using remotely operated vehicles.

A method and system for transporting an offshore structure such as a wind turbine generator includes a supporting frame in which the offshore structure is assembled on land in an upright configuration. The frame is used for lifting the structure onto a transport vessel, on which it is retained in the upright configuration. At its location of use, the offshore structure is transferred to a pre-prepared foundation. The foundation is provided with a frame which cooperates with the supporting frame. The supporting frame includes a plurality of legs having hydraulically controlled feet. The frame of the foundation includes an equal number of supporting formations on which the feet ultimately rest. The feet are moveable in response to the hydraulic control along a nominally vertical line of action and provide a damping arrangement for the mounting of the offshore structure.

A floating foundation for wind turbines is disclosed, where the foundation essentially comprises at least three submerged buoyancy bodies connected to the lower end of the tower of the wind turbine at a common node member situated well above the surface of the sea. The buoyancy bodies are connected to the node member by means of relatively thin leg sections, whereby wave load on the foundation is reduced. By applying the foundation according to the present invention, stress concentrations and torques in the node member are reduced, whereby it becomes possible to apply a relatively lightweight and hence cheap node member. The overall weight of the construction is thereby reduced and hence the volume of the buoyancy bodies necessary to counteract the overall weight of the construction.

The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for recovering energy from water waves. An embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy, a shaft, and an electric power generating device. The shaft is coupled to the buoy such that when the buoy moves vertically in response to a passing wave, the shaft rotates. The shaft is coupled to the electric power generating device such that when the shaft rotates, the generating device produces electric power. Once electric power is generated, it is delivered to shore, where it is stored, used to power a device, or delivered to a power distribution grid.

An insulated attic access cover which is easily installed from below the attic access opening and includes a flat panel with a central insulation portion, flanges which carry a seal and attachment points to secure the cover to the ceiling.

The invention relates to a method for constructing a drilled shaft of a surge chamber in a hydropower station under the condition of weak rock geology; the excavation diameter of the drilled shaft is more than or equal to 20 meters; and the depth of the drilled shaft is more than or equal to 50 meters. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, a safe prestress reinforcing measure is adopted; a prestress anchor rope is arranged in a side slope of the drilled shaft; the deep rock holes in the periphery of the drilled shaft are subjected to consolidation and grouting; the periphery of the drilled shaft is cast with reinforced concrete for locking a mouth, etc; the construction sequence of excavating the drilled shaft comprises that: a raise-boring machine drills a guide hole of phi 216 millimeters from top to bottom; the raise-boring machine enlarges and excavates a small guide well of phi 1, 400 millimeters; a slag slipping guide well of phi 2, 500 millimeters is enlarged and excavated manually from bottom to top; and the slag slipping guide well is enlarged and excavated from top to bottom. The slag slipping guide well is excavated by manual drilling and blasting; slag is naturally slipped and mechanically loaded in the bottom of the well; a large well is enlarged and excavated through drilling and blasting by a manual air drill; and the skimmed slag in a hydraulic backhoe well slips to the bottom of a passage through the slag slipping guide well and is mechanically loaded in the bottom of the well. The construction method has the characteristics of having reasonable construction arrangement, alternately and simultaneously carrying out a plurality of construction types and saving the construction period.

The invention relates to an anchor device, for stabilizing an excavation wall and to be inserted into a hole, bored in an excavation wall. Said anchor device comprises a rigid elongated rod which defines a distal end, to be inserted into the bored hole and a proximal end, opposed to the distal end, a support member, mounted on the rod in the vicinity of the proximal end thereof and provided for resting against an outer surface of the wall of rock and an anchor head, mounted on the rod and to be inserted into the hole, bored in the excavation wall. Said anchor head comprises a flexible expandable member, mounted on the rod, made of plastic and capable of radially expanding and stretching and an activating member, movably mounted on the rod, said activating member being capable of moving relative to the rigid rod and to the expandable member and capable of contacting the same in order to exert a pressure. For anchoring the anchor head into the excavation wall at the bored hole, the activating member and the expandable member are displaced relative to one another, such as to contact each other and to allow the activating member to exert a pressure upon the expandable member, in order to cause the radial expansion of at least one portion thereof, so that said portion of the expandable member makes frictional contact on a part of the inner surface, defining the hole bored in the excavation wall.

A floating, semi-submerged, tethered device that supports a horizontal axis turbine and power generation equipment for extracting kinetic energy from a tidal stream or ocean current. A submerged body (1) is supported by surface piercing struts (2) of small water plane area (FIG. 6). The device is tethered to the seabed by a spread of mooring lines (12) that are deployed both into and away from the direction of the tidal current. A horizontal axis turbine (4) harnesses energy from the water flow and drives a generator housed within the body. A horizontal strut hydrofoil (24) corrects the trim of the device when subject to varying loads from the mooring system and can also be used to dampen pitch motion. Rudder flaps in the struts (25) can be used to counteract roll motion. Power is exported from the device to the seabed by an umbilical (17). A thrusters (22) can be used to constrain the rotation of the device about its mooring system to prevent excessive twist building up between the mooring lines and the power export umbilical.

The invention relates to a three-dimensional reinforced rigid-soft composite ecological retaining wall and a construction method. The retaining wall is characterized by comprising an upper portion soft ecological retaining wall body and a lower rigid retaining wall body, wherein the upper portion soft ecological retaining wall body and the lower rigid retaining wall body are connected through anchor bars. All layers of filling materials of the upper portion soft ecological retaining wall body are connected through connecting buckle parts, and water draining pipes, the connecting and fixing ends of horizontal ribbing bodies and inclined tie bars are evenly arranged on the lower rigid retaining wall body. A wall heel of a foundation of the retaining wall extends backwards to the edge of a stable soil body, vertical reinforcing piles are arranged at the bottom of the retaining wall, the horizontal ribbing bodies are laid in the filling materials behind the retaining wall, the wall toe of the retaining wall is filled back with a wall foot pressing soil body, and vertical ribbing bodies are vertically arranged at the connection position between the filling materials behind the retaining wall and an original soil body. The retaining wall structurally combines the advantages of a rigid retaining wall and the advantages of a soft retaining wall, achieves ecological slope protection, reduces pressure of soil behind the retaining wall, enhances structural integrity and has good technical and economical benefits.

Apparatus and methods are described for subsea pipeline servicing, including line-pack testing, physical integrity testing, recovery of damaged sections of pipelines, and product removal from subsea structures. In one embodiment of the invention, a subsea pipeline service skid is provided including at least one sample collection bladder affixed to the skid and in fluid communication with a skid mounted pump dimensioned to pull a sample from the subsea pipeline. In another embodiment, a product removal bladder is provided for removal of the hydrocarbons from a subsea structure.

A conventional land drilling rig is interconnected to the substructure for an oilfield pad location. The interconnected drilling rig is placed on top of matting. The matting has embedded rollers to facilitate movement of the drilling rig as a “convoy” across the mat from one wellhead to another wellhead. The buildings in the mud tank system may also be interconnected and move in a separate convoy but in tandem with the first convoy.

An access panel for providing access to cables, services or the like through an opening in a floor having a floor covering, is disclosed. The access panel includes a floor frame (10) located in the opening and a lid (100) supported on the frame (10). The frame (10) has a support flange (26) extending around its periphery which extends between the floor covering and the floor deck. The flange (26) provides a ramped edge tapered substantially uniformly over a distance of between 10 and 20 times the maximum thickness of the flange (26). The outermost part of the flange (26) is typically formed from a flexible polymeric material. A rib (20) extends around an aperture in the frame (10) and the height of the rib (20) is lower than the load bearing surface of the floor. The hinge (24, 120) is generally square and defines a pivot surface which extends parallel to and is spaced inwardly from an inner edge of the frame (10). A lid (100) for closing the aperture defines a bearing surface (120) which is adapted to slidably engage on the pivot surface (24) to allow the lid (100) to bear and pivot about the pivot surface (24). The lid (100) includes hatches (104, 106) which are moveable between an open position in which there is an aperture in the lid (100) through which cable services may extend and a closed position in which there is no aperture. Locking means (124, 126) are provided between the hatch (104, 106) and the frame (10) to lock the hatch (104, 106) in place in both the open and closed positions.