Abstract: A mooring connector or pipeline recovery tool comprising a mandrel (10) around which is concentrically disposed a ball cage (11) having balls (12) protruding therefrom so that relative longitudinal movement of the mandrel (10) and ball cage (11) causes the balls to ascend ramped surfaces of the mandrel (10) thus to protrude outwardly through the ball cage (11). The conventional arrangement of balls in regular rows and columns is replaced by helical rows or random arrays of the balls thus to avoid excessive grooving and deformation of the wall of a receptor into which the connector is inserted.

Abstract: A device for gripping the external wall surface of a pipe or bar. The device includes a tubular body having at least one end open for insertion of a pipe or bar, and a cage with balls or rollers cooperating with a first tapered internal wall part of the body. A resilient mechanism pushes the cage in an axial direction to cause the balls or rollers to grip the external wall of an inserted pipe or bar. The device also has a compressible member located within the body and cooperating with a second tapered inner wall part of the body and movable relative thereto when increased fluid pressure is present within the body. Under increased pressure it also grips the external wall of the inserted pipe or bar.

Abstract: To obviate the need for hydraulic lines, from the surface, external water pressure is used to compress a seal member and form a seal with a surrounding pip. Valve is opened at depth to allow water to act on a piston, moving it within a chamber so as to compress the seal member. A second valve may be opened so that water acts on the opposite end of the piston to release the seal member.