Abstract: A device for positioning and applying tension to a set of rods (5) for holding a partially submerged platform wherein the device includes a metal frame, (12, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 14), means for vertically moving said frame relative to the platform, at least one jack (21 22) of a first type which has a cylinder and a rod, at least one jack (31,32) of a second type which has a cylinder and a rod, the cylinders of the rods being fast to said frame and being disposed in such a way that the rods move vertically, the rod of the jack of the first type being fast to a plate (25) which is provided firstly with an orifice for the rod of the second type of jack to pass through and secondly with means of fixing to the end of the set of rods, the rod of the second type of jack having a stop (31, 32) at its end, the rods of the jacks of both types being of unequal length and being chosen in such a way that the jack of the second type drives the plate only in the platform immersion step. Application to oil well drilling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rigid device for supporting a reactor vessel and steam generators associated therewith. The device consists of a metallic structure comprising, on the one hand, a lower portion serving as a support for the vessel and its associated generators through the medium of square journals fitted in fixed ball-joint bearings with a corresponding square bore and on the other hand, an upper portion 6 which comprises on either side two lateral portions surrounding and holding the generators.

Abstract: A load transfer apparatus for jackup barges provides a barge and at least three legs movably attached to the barge with a jacking mechanism associated respectively with each of the legs for vertically moving the legs with respect to the barge. A hydraulic pad is associated with each of the jacking mechanism and is placed between the jacking mechanism and the barge, forming a load transfer and load monitoring interface between the jacking mechanism and the barge. The pad includes preferably a hollow inflatable steel reinforced rubber pad which is pressurized during operation using suitable hydraulic fluid. The apparatus reduces impact load on the platform structure when the legs first touch bottom and might also be used to pre-load the legs using the hydraulic pads instead of ballast. The apparatus can be additionally used to monitor the load carried by each leg and to balance the loads among the legs, as well as to dampen vibrations.

Abstract: An improved barge and tug connection apparatus comprises a barge having a V-notched portion for receiving a tug into the V-notch. A tug for pushing the barge is disposed during operation within the notch allowing the tug to pitch and heave in the notch relative to the barge responsive to wave action. An articulated bow fender attached normally to the bow of the tug and disposed during operation between the bow of the tug and a portion of the notch of the barge longitudinally spaces the barge from the bow of the tug. The articulated bow fender maintains a substantially constant horizontal spacing of the barge with respect to the tug in a longitudinal direction while allowing both the tug along its entire length to pitch and heave with respect to the barge responsive to wave action.

Abstract: A device for positioning an off-shore platform (1) on a previously-installed support structure. Said platform has support piles (6) designed to rest on legs (4) of the support structure.The device includes means for bringing said support piles towards said legs which are provided with centering cones (5). Each pile is constituted by a tube containing a rod (13) associated with a damping unit (8). The lower portion of the rod (13) has a centering pin (16) and extends below the lower end of the pile in the damping unit rest position.

Abstract: An off-shore platform (1) is floated on a barge (2). A support structure is fixed to the sea bed and including a plurality of upstanding piles with at least two of said piles (4) having platform-receiving guide means (5) at their upper ends. The platform includes a plurality of legs for fixing to corresponding ones of the piles with at least two of the legs (6) being hollow and being provided with respective plungers (8) slideably mounted therein for co-operating with said platform-receiving guide means. Each plunger is associated with a releasable fastening (10, 11) capable of holding the plunger fixed in its leg, and of releasing it suddenly on command to drop into engagement with said platform-receiving guide means. The releasable fastenings of at least two of the plungers are arranged to release simultaneously on a common command.

Abstract: A device for damping impacts between a load (1) and a floating support (70) while the load is being removed from said support which includes at least one housing (10) on which the load rests. The device includes means (11, 15, 18) for automatically and irreversibly inserting a damping unit (14) between the load and its bearing point on the floating support as soon as the weight of the load is removed from the bearing point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an assembly for a equipping vessel propelled by nuclear power. In accordance with the invention, a vessel is made in two prefabricated parts (2,3) and a chamber (5) is provided in the part (2). A nuclear reactor block (6) is placed in said chamber before assembling the two parts. The invention applies to building diverse nuclear powered vessels such as ice-breakers for example.

Abstract: A remote manipulator arm interconnects a manipulator tool (13) to a support (1). The arm comprises three independent motorized arm components (7,17 and 11). Conventional arm components are arranged for end-to-end coupling with a fixed end coupling at one end and articulated coupling disposed in a fork (10) at the other end. The present invention provides at least one intermediate component (17) which further includes at least one fixed coupling (21) arranged at 90.degree. to its end coupling. Such a right-angled component provides greater flexibility in the design of a remote manipulator arm assembled from such components.

Abstract: A reactor unit and a nuclear installation which uses said reactor unit and method of fitting up such an installation. Said installation includes mainly a reactor unit (2) which constitutes a shiftable module formed by a casing (7) and a stand (8), by a container unit (1) designed to accommodate the reactor unit (2) and by a module (3) for closing the container unit (1) and forming, for example, a swimming bath type storing unit for the used nuclear fuel. The installation of the invention may constitute a nuclear boiler which can be transported to the operation site in the form of an integral assembly or in separate components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removal and deposition of loads between two supports in repeated relative vertical movement. The device consists essentially of a crane close to the high point of the support on which said load rests in its rising movement for lifting the load. To do this, the lifting device suspended from the hook of the lifting crane comprises a structure supporting a winch, a detection device for the winding in or out of the cable wound by said winch and brakes adapted to block the paying out of said cable when its winding ceases momentarily, that is to say when the speed of lifting of the crane is equal to the decreasing speed of heaving of the support. The device is applicable to the unloading of ships supplying off-shore platforms.

Abstract: An assembly for revaporizing liquefied gases. The arrangement is of the running water type and includes a nest of tubes (1) preferably grouped to form panels and connected to inlet and outlet manifolds and over which water is caused to flow. To withstand the corrosion of salt water, an A-G4MC alloy is used and the cross-section of each tube 1 includes two diametrally opposite outer fins 2,3 and inner fins 5. Said tube is produced preferably by extrusion.Application to vaporization of natural gas.

Abstract: A method of welding the ends of submerged pipes in a gaseous atmosphere at any depth comprises isolating the ends of the pipes by introducing obturators therein and then introducing the pipe ends into an open topped receptacle which is capped with an underwater personal carrying intervention unit. The closed receptacle is filled with gas and then a sleeve is positioned between the ends of the pipes and welded to the pipes.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/FR78/00005 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 28, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 26, 1979 PCT Filed June 28, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00016 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 11, 1979The invention relates to a method for positioning a support structure for installations outside a petroleum platform and to said support structure.The structure comprises a biped tower (2) supporting a bridge (1) which supports a flare (3) at one of its ends. The structure, in folded towing position, floating by means of floats (26) and dead men (10), is towed to the site, the tail of the structure is supported by the platform (40), and the dead men (10) and then the floats (26) are ballasted when the tower (2) is in vertical position. When the feet of the tower rest on the ocean bed (11) the tail is hoisted onto the platform (40) in order to anchor it to the latter and the floats (26) are recovered.The invention is applied to a flare support for a marine platform.

Abstract: In a method of welding together two submerged pipe ends, the pipe ends are spaced apart and introduced through orifices into a receptacle by which they can be isolated from the surrounding medium. The spaced pipe ends are connected by a connection sleeve and after isolation are welded to the connection sleeve.

Abstract: Butt-welding apparatus for welding two pipes, e.g. for the shipboard welding of a laid pipe and a towed pipe, comprises a frame for receiving the pipe ends, means for securing the pipe ends relative to the frame and compensation means for causing movement of one pipe relative to the other to compensate for any shrinkage caused by the welding operation and by preheating the pipe ends to be welded.

Abstract: A compact telemanipulator arm assembly with a rotatable gripping tool is disclosed that is watertight and has a sleek profile suitable for penetrating into narrow underwater passages of nuclear reactors. The assembly has a plurality of elongated arm elements jointed together end-to-end in series relationship. Bending of adjacent elements is achieved by an axially aligned motor housed within one of the adjacent elements, a screw-nut system that converts the motor shaft rotation to axial movement of a slider, and mechanical linkage that converts the slider movement to relative pivoting of the elements. The gripping tool is mounted on a tool support on an end element. Tool gripping members are operated by a first axially aligned motor housed within the end element and a screw-nut system that converts the first motor shaft rotation to axial movement of a slider.

Abstract: A system for welding the ends of submerged pipes in a gaseous atmosphere at any depth comprises isolating the ends of the pipes by introducing obturators therein and then introducing the pipe ends into an open topped receptacle which is capped with an underwater personal carrying intervention unit. The closed receptacle is filled with gas and then a sleeve is positioned between the ends of the pipes and welded to the pipes.

Abstract: In a method of welding together two submerged pipe ends, the pipe ends are spaced apart and introduced through orifices into a receptacle by which they can be isolated from the surrounding medium. The spaced pipe ends are connected by a connection sleeve and after isolation are welded to the connection sleeve.

Abstract: The ends of submerged pipes are connected using a receiver provided with two apertures through which the pipe ends extend, the receiver being adapted to form a watertight enclosure with an intervention unit and housing means for closing the ends of the pipes comprising two stoppers bearing seal means to be applied against the inner walls of the pipe ends and being maintained spaced apart by a first boom, the receiver including means for supporting a sleeve to be connected to the ends of the pipes and a replacement boom located in the sleeve, the connection being performed by introducing the ends of the pipes to be connected into the receiver through the apertures, at least one of the pipe ends being introduced by movement of the receiver relative thereto, closing the ends of the pipes with the stoppers, causing an intervention unit to descend on to the receiver, providing a watertight enclosure therewith, removing the water from the enclosure and placing it under atmospheric pressure, placing the receiver und