On 06/03/2010 09:31 PM, Jed Rothwell wrote: > Mauro Lacy <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > > I think that if they can cut it, they can certainly crunch it, and > keep > it pressed afterwards. But they should know better, isn't? > > > They should, and experts generally do, but you never know. > > > > The vice can be left in place until a better way to solve the issue > (like cementing all the zone around the pipe, or putting a metalic > cap), > is finally implemented. Afterwards, you can cement everything, > including > your expensive vice. Everything will be cheaper than the enviromental > disaster they are now causing. > > > That does sound sensible. After all, they close these pipes with > gigantic valves. I expect they thought of this and there is a reason > why it would not work, but as I said, you never know.
Some logical improvements(although as more improvements are done, more time would be needed to build a first prototype): - The stabilization and suspension can be achieved with regulable flotation tanks. No need for suspension cables from surface ships, then. - The position and movement can be achieved with small helices and motors, a la mini submarine. - The "jaws" of the mechanical vice can be made demountable, so after being closed, and when properly fixated in its place using accessory screws, the rest of the machine can be recovered. This dispenses also with the need of cementing everything, as the jaws will be kept in its place by the pipe itself. Think "externally adapted emergency valve". The machine itself can have a mechanism to fix the accessory screws between the jaws, and detach from them afterwards. Think "submarine robotic mechanical vice with demountable jaws". A bunch of dedicated engineers with plenty of resources can probably be able to build a machine like that in a couple of weeks, using and combining already existing machines and designs. I suppose I should fill a patent application :-) > One of the many lessons of cold fusion is that sometimes people you > think are vaunted experts turn out to be nitwits who have no clue what > they are doing. > > Quoting Leonard Pitts today: > > . . . one other consequence becomes jarringly apparent: the Myth of > Competence has died. > > Meaning the belief that people who engage in high-risk activities — in > this case, the ones who drill for oil 5,000 feet under the sea — know > what they're doing, that they have every contingency covered, that > even their backup plans have backup plans. Surely this is what Sarah > Palin was thinking when she chirped, "Drill, baby, drill!" Surely this > is what President Barack Obama relied upon when he recently proposed > to open new waters to oil exploration. > > Anticipating protests from environmentalists, he even promised that, > "we'll employ new technologies that reduce the impact of oil > exploration. We'll protect areas that are vital to tourism, the > environment, and our national security." > > Three weeks later, the oil rig exploded. So far, that protection he > promised has been nonexistent. That faith in new technologies he > mentioned has proved misplaced. . . . > > We have been disabused of the Myth of Competence, shorn of the belief > that the people in charge are capable of handling any eventuality. > > . . . We have seen strategy after strategy announced in great hope, > abandoned in grim resignation. We have seen days turn to weeks and > weeks to months and now, apparently, months will turn to seasons. And > still the oil flows. . . ." > > I doubt this surprises anyone familiar with technology. I am glad that > the rest of society is learning this. It is good medicine. Not much > good comes out of a disaster but let us hope for a new birth of > vigilance and less blind trust in technology. Also, as long as we are > hoping, let us hope that someone will take a moment to look at cold > fusion as a possible way to get rid of wretched, 19th century oil > technology. It is long overdue for replacement. > Indeed. Mauro
