Abstract: The present invention is a device for the remote actuation of equipment (3) associated with a drill string (1) through a hydraulic displacement mechanism (10;53,58) co-operating with a distributor (7;25,26,27;47) associated with the drilling fluid. The displacement mechanism directly converts the hydraulic energy of the drilling fluid into actuating mechanical energy with the co-operation of no other fluid than the drilling fluid. The invention further relates to an actuating method using the device and has an application of directional drilling in the petroleum field.

Abstract: An actuator for an appliance associated with a ducted body, through the duct of which flows an incompressible fluid, includes a differential piston axially moveable within the duct and operatively connected to the appliance. The piston has a tubular shape and a central bore which includes a first profiled throttling portion the minimum internal diameter of which is smaller than the internal diameter of the duct. A protruding profiled element secured in the duct body is disposed coaxially with the piston and cooperates therewith for selectively increasing the loss of head of the incompressible fluid as it flows in the direction of circulation. A spring is arranged between the piston and part of the drill-string for biasing the piston in a direction of movement opposite the direction of circulation of the incompressible fluid. A measurement device is provided for measuring the pressure of the incompressible fluid at the first end of the drill-string.

Abstract: An actuator for an appliance associated with a ducted body, through the duct of which flows an incompressible fluid, includes a differential piston axially moveable within the duct and operatively connected to the appliance. The piston has a tubular shape and a central bore which includes a first profiled throttling portion the minimum internal diameter of which is smaller than the internal diameter of the duct. A protruding profiled element secured in the duct body is disposed coaxially with the piston and cooperates therewith for selectively increasing the loss of head of the incompressible fluid as it flows in the direction of circulation. A spring is arranged between the piston and part of the drill string for biasing the piston in a direction of movement opposite the direction of circulation of the incompressible fluid. A measurement is provided for measuring the pressure of the incompressible fluid at the first end of the drill string.

Abstract: An anchorage line comprising a large number of successive elements interconnected in an articulated way and each including a closed watertight tube delimitating an interior volume full of air. The anchorage line comprises a shallow depth extremity providing the link with a floating vehicle and a very deep anchorage extremity providing anchorage on an ocean bottom. The floatability of the anchorage line varies according to its length. The tubular essential parts of the anchorage line have a wall thickness related to their diameter and which is thicker the nearer these parts are to the anchorage extremity of the line. The anchorage line may be assembled on site and put in place by a suitable device.

Abstract: The set of rods comprises at least two stabilizers (5,6) spaced apart along the length of the set of rods (1) and each comprising a body (10), at least one bearing plate (9) and means (21, 23) for actuating the bearing plate (9). The actuating means (21, 23, 21', 23') of each of the stabilizers (5, 6) are controlled independently so as to place the bearing plates (9) of the stabilizers (5, 6) in given positions constituting a combination of positions of extraction of the bearing plates (9) ensuring a desired adjustment of the direction of the set of rods (1).

Abstract: The drilling device comprises at least two stabilizers (7a, 7b, 7c) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the set of rods. The pistons (17a, 17b, 17c) of these stabilizers are interconnected and include common members (35, 37) for creating a pressure drop in the drilling fluid. Actuating surfaces (19a, 19b, 19c) including ramps (40) and complementary parts interconnecting the ramps cooperate with finger members (20) for effecting the extension of the bearing plates (21). The ramps (40) and the complementary parts of the actuating surfaces of the stabilizers (7a, 7b, 7c) are aligned in the longitudinal direction and are such that for each stable successive position of the pistons (17a, 17b, 17c), the bearing plates (21) are in positions of extension constituting a combination different from the preceding one.

Abstract: The device has, inside a duct (11) through which flows an incompressible fluid, a first profiled throttling element (17), a differential piston (10) subjected on one side to the pressure upstream of the profiled element (17) and on the other side to the pressure reduced by the element (17), a profiled surface (18) on the piston on the side subjected to the reduced pressure and a second profiled element (16) which are intended to interact to reduce the passage of fluid as a result of the movement of the piston in a first direction and increase the loss of head substantially, and a spring (15) returning the piston (10) in its second direction of movement. The device can serve particularly for actuating a stabilizer of a set of drill rods. In this case, the differential piston has inclined slopes.

Abstract: An auxiliary locking device for a crank connector of the type including two tubular members interconnected by a shaft having an axis of rotation different from the axes of rotation of the two tubular members. The shaft being rotatably secured to one of the two tubular members, and capable of moving between a first rotatably secured position and a second rotatably disengaged position with respect to the other of said two tubular members for causing the other of the two tubular members to rotate about the axis of rotation of the shaft. The rotation about the axis of the shaft defines acute angles between the axes of rotation of the tubular members and the axis of rotation of the shaft at a point where all three axes intersect. An auxiliary locking means includes at least one retractable finger located in a housing in either one of the shaft and the tubular member disengageable from the shaft, and corresponding grooves located in the other of the shaft and tubular member disengageable from the shaft.

Abstract: This connector comprises two tubular members connected to each other, one of which can pivot about a rotation axis which forms an acute angle with the axis of the two members. This axis of rotation and the axes of the two members converge to the same point.Remote control means are operative to vary at will the relative angular position of the tubular members and means are adapted to lock said two members against relative rotation in a selected angular position.