Abstract: An internal flash removal unit which radially cuts flash while it is still hot and relatively soft. A drive motor and reduction gearbox mounted in a housing drive a tooling plate rotatably mounted on the housing. A cutting assembly is mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on the tooling plate. A hydraulic actuator causes the arm to move outward and place the cutting assembly into cutting position as rotation of the tooling plate begins.

Abstract: A fixed pile guide having a removable ring gate which restrains a pile within the pile guide. When in the closed position, the ring gate is secured to the guide by means of a pivotable arm. To release the pile and/or to convert the guide to an open pile guide, a cable secured to the arm is pulled which pivots the arm thereby releasing the gate from the fixed guide as well as releasing restraint on the pile.

Abstract: A convertible barge having self-contained modules positioned thereon containing pipeline processing equipment. The modules are removably attached to the deck of the barge and are provided with a closable opening on at least one end thereof for passing a pipeline portion therethrough to another module. Spacer modules may be positioned between the modules housing processing equipment so that modules of standardized dimensions may be used.

Abstract: A crane block (FIG. 2) is provided for traveling along a central main fall symmetry line (78) defining vertical travel during movement of a hoist within a barge mounted crane. The crown block (50) is mounted to a crane boom (12) and includes a first row of relatively large diameter sheaves (54) in tandem with a second row of relatively small diameter sheaves (58). A movable block (76) is provided between the traveling block (74) and the crown block (50) and includes a third row of relatively small diameter sheaves (60) which are reeved together with the second row of sheaves. A traveling block (74) is provided with a fourth row of relatively large diameter sheaves (56) which are reeved together with the first row of sheaves (54). Sheaves in either the second (58) or third (60) rows are horizontally canted with respect to the main fall symmetry line (78) for vertical travel of the rope which is reeved between the rows.

Abstract: A docking head and plate assembly suitable for supplying services to pipeline laying equipment. A docking head which supplies services to welding and other equipment inside the pipeline has service connections attached to a bushing plate assembly which causes the service connections to engage or disengage with corresponding connections in a docking plate which is aligned adjacent the docking head and locked in position while the service connections are engaged. A drive assembly in the docking plate engages the bushing plate assembly to cause movement of the bushing plate assembly and service connections.

Abstract: A deep water offshore drilling platform having a jacket secured to driven skirt piles at an elevation above the sea floor of at least 100 feet and upwards of 300 feet. A series of connecting plates transfer the structural forces of the platform from the jacket to the skirt piles at these elevated connections. Due to the transfer of these forces, the size and weight of the jacket below this elevation may be significantly reduced to lower the cost of the platform. Additionally, the well casing is an integral component of the supporting members of the platform and the upper region of this well casing is expanded and oriented vertically to provide spacing for the well head and to eliminate the need for more costly slant-well drilling.

Abstract: A welding conductor having a curved stack of flexible copper leaves which have an inside curved surface. Resilient metal shims bear against the inside surface to urge opposite ends of the stack outwardly. The outer end of the stack is connected, for example, by welding, to an outer plate which carries an outer copper shoe. The inner end of the stack is welded to an inner plate. A fire-resistant ceramic cloth surrounds the stack to protect the metal leaves.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus and method for effecting movement of loads. At least two double-acting hydraulic cylinders including a first and a second cylinder arranged in tandem provide increased force for a power stroke of the apparatus. Hydraulic fluid pressure is provided at a predetermined flow rate to the group of hydraulic cylinders. Substantially all of the predetermined flow rate of hydraulic fluid is routed to the first hydraulic cylinder to provide increased speed for a repositioning stroke of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing flow of water from a first underwater pipeline portion forward of the apparatus to a second underwater pipeline portion rearward of the apparatus. At least one wedge-shaped member is mounted on a carriage of the apparatus for grippingly engaging the internal wall of a pipeline for preventing movement of the apparatus in a rearwardly direction upon application of force to the carriage urging the carriage in a rearwardly direction in the pipeline. In order to provide frictional contact with the pipeline wall so that gripping engagement thereof may be effected, the member is continually urged into sliding engagement with the pipeline wall during movement of the apparatus through the pipeline in a forwardly direction.

Abstract: An offshore structure and a method of sinking it to the sea bed. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the structure is sunk asymmetrically by first sinking a first end portion thereof and then sinking the other end portion. The first end portion is sunk by ballasting it while the other end portion is closed to ballast. The structure is provided with sufficient water plane area while sinking each end portion to maintain stability during the sinking process. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, at least two spaced-apart piles are provided at the end corresponding to the first end portion to absorb the force of impact with the sea bed and to maintain a skirt on the structure out of contact with the sea bed until both ends of the structure have been sunk to the sea bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing covering material from underwater pipelines. A frame of the apparatus is clampingly engaged to the pipeline. A plurality of pipeline material cutters are cantileverly supported beyond the clamp to provide a plurality of cutting passes simultaneously and away from the points of attachment of the apparatus to a pipeline.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus for application of force to at least two anchor points for movement of a load. The force is transmitted through fluid in at least two equalizing cylinders after which it is transmitted to the anchor points. The fluid pressure in each of the equalizing cylinders is limited to a predetermined value to provide equal distribution of the load between all of the anchor points to which the jacking apparatus is or should be engaged.

Abstract: A rotary load handling device including a frame structure having an arcuate roller rail mounted on the upper surface, a roller ring having a set of concentric ring members and a plurality of double flanged wheels connected therebetween disposed on the arcuate roller rail, and an upper arcuate roller rail secured to the underside of a plate having a load handling unit mounted on the upperside of the plate whereby the upper arcuate roller rail is disposed on the roller ring and rotatable relative to the frame structure.

Abstract: A method of installing a cold water conduit for use with Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), fossil or nuclear power plants. The method is comprised of installing a marine railway system on the ocean floor and subsequently using the railway system as an aid to the installation of the cold water conduit and as a support structure for the conduit.

Abstract: A method of creating a cold water conduit for use with an ocean thermal energy conversion plant by drilling and blasting at least one passageway completely through an underwater land formation.

Abstract: An improved removable closure plate arrangement providing a liquid-tight seal in an elongated floatable offshore hollow tubular column structure. The closure plate being adapted for easy removal and including a centrally located pull member removably connected to the upper and fixedly connected to the lower portion of the closure plate with the closure plate being removably connected about its periphery to the inside surface of the column.

Abstract: A mudmat and mudmat removal procedure used in combination with an offshore marine structure for supporting said structure on a soft, unconsolidated seafloor during installation of said structure to the seafloor.

Abstract: A pair of pin assemblies located at the stern of a marine vessel for guiding and controlling cables involved in anchor handling procedures, the pins assuming a vertical position when in use and a horizontal position when not in use, the top of the pin assemblies being flush with the vessel's deck when the pins are not in use.