Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

A gas storage system for storing compressed gas, and method for constructing the system, are described. The system includes a borehole having a first borehole portion and a second borehole portion. An inflatable balloon is arranged within the second borehole portion. An upper support member, mounted on top of the inflatable balloon, is configured for anchoring the inflatable balloon to a sealing material filling the first borehole portion. A lower support member is arranged at the bottom of the inflatable balloon. The system includes an inlet gas pipe for filling the inflatable balloon from the gas compressing system and an outlet gas pipe for releasing the compressed gas. A compacted filling material is placed within a gap formed between the inflatable balloon, the upper support member, the lower support member, and an inner surface of the second borehole portion. One or more filling material pipes extend along the borehole to the gap for providing a filling material thereto.

A gas storage system for storing compressed gas, and method for constructing the system, are described. The system includes a borehole having a first borehole portion and a second borehole portion. An inflatable balloon is arranged within the second borehole portion. An upper support member, mounted on top of the inflatable balloon, is configured for anchoring the inflatable balloon to a sealing material filling the first borehole portion. A lower support member is arranged at the bottom of the inflatable balloon. The system includes an inlet gas pipe for filling the inflatable balloon from the gas compressing system and an outlet gas pipe for releasing the compressed gas. A compacted filling material is placed within a gap formed between the inflatable balloon, the upper support member, the lower support member, and an inner surface of the second borehole portion. One or more filling material pipes extend along the borehole to the gap for providing a filling material thereto.

Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

A cooling apparatus for an underwater platform comprising: an evaporator block fabricated from a thermally conductive material and having a first surface that is shaped so as to releasably mate to an exterior surface contour of the underwater platform; a heat pipe having a working fluid sealed therein, wherein the heat pipe has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is in thermal communication with the evaporator block; a condenser block in thermal communication with the second end of the heat pipe; and a plurality of spring clamps mounted to the evaporator block and configured to bias the first surface of the evaporator block against the exterior surface of the underwater platform such that heat from the exterior surface of the underwater platform is transferred to the ambient water via the evaporator block, heat pipe, and condenser block.

A cooling apparatus for an underwater platform comprising: an evaporator block fabricated from a thermally conductive material and having a first surface that is shaped so as to releasably mate to an exterior surface contour of the underwater platform; a heat pipe having a working fluid sealed therein, wherein the heat pipe has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is in thermal communication with the evaporator block; a condenser block in thermal communication with the second end of the heat pipe; and a plurality of spring clamps mounted to the evaporator block and configured to bias the first surface of the evaporator block against the exterior surface of the underwater platform such that heat from the exterior surface of the underwater platform is transferred to the ambient water via the evaporator block, heat pipe, and condenser block.

A cooling apparatus for an underwater platform comprising: an evaporator block fabricated from a thermally conductive material and having a first surface that is shaped so as to releasably mate to an exterior surface contour of the underwater platform; a heat pipe having a working fluid sealed therein, wherein the heat pipe has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is in thermal communication with the evaporator block; a condenser block in thermal communication with the second end of the heat pipe; and a plurality of spring clamps mounted to the evaporator block and configured to bias the first surface of the evaporator block against the exterior surface of the underwater platform such that heat from the exterior surface of the underwater platform is transferred to the ambient water via the evaporator block, heat pipe, and condenser block.

A cooling apparatus for an underwater platform comprising: an evaporator block fabricated from a thermally conductive material and having a first surface that is shaped so as to releasably mate to an exterior surface contour of the underwater platform; a heat pipe having a working fluid sealed therein, wherein the heat pipe has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is in thermal communication with the evaporator block; a condenser block in thermal communication with the second end of the heat pipe; and a plurality of spring clamps mounted to the evaporator block and configured to bias the first surface of the evaporator block against the exterior surface of the underwater platform such that heat from the exterior surface of the underwater platform is transferred to the ambient water via the evaporator block, heat pipe, and condenser block.

A cast-in-place gasket construction for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second gasket portions of the construction extend in different directions and are connected to each other at a first joint. The gasket portions are made of an elastomeric material having a first durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. The joint comprises an elastomeric material having a second and lesser durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. A method for replacing a damaged frame-like gasket construction is also disclosed.