Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and to a method for storing energy in form of compressed air, having an assembly of connected tubes forming a storage volume, which are confined in a pressure-resistant thermally-insulating tank. The storage system according to the invention comprises a system for storing and releasing the heat of the compressed air to increase the storage system efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a nacelle (1) installed on a tower (2) supported by a floating support. The nacelle is articulated with respect to the tower in a vertical plane, and it comprises means (12, 16) for correcting the nacelle tilt, means for automatically adjusting the correction means in accordance with sensors detecting the correction values, the adjustment means being synchronous with the movements of the floating support. Figure 4 to be published.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and to a method for storing energy in form of compressed air, consisting of an assembly of connected tubes forming a storage volume, the assembly being confined in a pressure-resistant thermally-insulating tank. The storage system according to the invention comprises means for storing and releasing the heat of the compressed air so as to increase the storage system efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for storing energy in the form of compressed air, characterized in that it is made up of a set of straight or wound steel tubes (1) assembled to form a storage volume arranged at the surface, or in a subsurface, the assembly being enclosed in a thermally insulating envelope (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a nacelle (1) installed on a tower (2) supported by a floating support. The nacelle is articulated with respect to the tower in a vertical plane, and it comprises means (12, 16) for correcting the nacelle tilt, means for automatically adjusting the correction means in accordance with sensors detecting the correction values, the adjustment means being synchronous with the movements of the floating support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing device for optical fiber, comprising in combination a plurality of conical jaws (4) with which optical fiber (1) is in line, a body including a corresponding female cone (3) intended to receive the jaws, a nut (6) screwed on the body so as to compress the jaws, a casing (10) linked to the body and covering the nut so as to form around it an at least partly confined volume, a filling material (9) intended to fill at least part of the volume, and wherein the material comprises solid fillers favouring sealing between the body, the jaws and the fiber.

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling method and system includes a drill bit, a drill string having drill rods, and a rotary table or power swivel for bringing the drill bit into rotation by means of the rods. The system includes a positive-displacement pump made up of a stator and of a rotor, the stator being inserted in the drill rods, and the rotor being assembled to operating rods arranged within the drill rods.

Abstract: An effluent pumping method and system include a pump having a rotor and a stator, the rotor being fastened by a first end to a tubular driving string; a device for driving the string into rotation; and a riser having at least one orifice. The riser is fastened to the rotor at the second end thereof, and the rotor includes a line which communicates the inner space of the driving string with the inner space of the riser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature-compensated optical fiber pressure detector for detecting pressure variations in at least one medium in relation to a reference medium such as the atmosphere or a medium where a back pressure prevails. The detector essentially comprises a deformable element (2) such as a bellows (5) exposed on one side to the reference medium and on the opposite side to the pressure to be measured, an optical fiber portion (F1) including at least one optical grating such as a Bragg grating (B1), which is connected on one side to deformable element (2) and on the opposite side to a fixed point. The optical fiber portion is subjected to a prestress by a device (6, 15, 20, 21) and its elongation varies with the displacements of the deformable element. The device applies the prestress to optical fiber portion (F1) between deformable element (2) and another fixed element (15) isolated from the medium by a rigid housing (1).

Abstract: A connection device for optical fiber includes a fastener for fastening two optical fiber ends (13, 25), a centering and guide element for centering and contacting the two ends, and a chamber filled with a cleaning product for cleaning the contact faces of the two ends of the optical fibers. The fastener includes, for each fiber end to be connected, a set of conical jaws (14, 21) suited to hold and to center an end, each set comprises has a face (19, 20) suited to be in contact with the other face so as to allow the two ends of the fibers to coincide along the same axis. At least one of the faces has at least one orifice communicating with a first chamber which contains a cleaning fluid, the chamber including a displaceable bushing (31) for emptying the chamber, the bushing being activated as the faces approach one another for contacting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing device for optical fiber, comprising in combination a plurality of conical jaws (4) with which optical fiber (1) is in line, a body including a corresponding female cone (3) intended to receive the jaws, a nut (6) screwed on the body so as to compress the jaws, a casing (10) linked to the body and covering the nut so as to form around it an at least partly confined volume, a filling material (9) intended to fill at least part of the volume, and wherein the material comprises solid fillers favouring sealing between the body, the jaws and the fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled-pressure drop liner device comprising a circumscribed filter element (9) centred on a base tube (1) by longitudinal braces in relation to the axis of the tube and arranged according to the diameter of the tube so as to divide the annular space defined by the filter element and the tube into sectors delimited by the braces, and in which collecting tubes (5) are arranged and open into the sectors by one end. The invention applies to tubings intended for drainage or injection in a geologic formation, a hydrocarbon reservoir for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature-compensated optical fiber pressure detector for detecting pressure variations in at least one medium in relation to a reference medium such as the atmosphere or a medium where a back pressure prevails. The detector essentially comprises a deformable element (2) such as a bellows (5) exposed on one side to the reference medium and on the opposite side to the pressure to be measured, an optical fiber portion (F1) including at least one optical grating such as a Bragg grating (B1), which is connected on one side to deformable element (2) and on the opposite side to a fixed point. The optical fiber portion is subjected to a prestress by a device (6, 15, 20, 21) and its elongation varies with the displacements of the deformable element. The device applies the prestress to optical fiber portion (F1) between deformable element (2) and another fixed element (15) isolated from the medium by a rigid housing (1).

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling method and system includes a drill bit, a drill string comprising drill rods, means for bringing the drill bit into rotation by means of the rods. The system includes a positive-displacement pump made up of a stator and of a rotor, the stator being inserted in said drill rods, the rotor being assembled to operating rods arranged within the drill rods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection device for optical fiber comprising means for fastening two optical fiber ends (13, 25), means for centering and contacting the two ends, means for cleaning the contact faces of the two ends of the optical fibers. The fastening means comprise, for each fiber end to be connected, a set of conical jaws (14, 21) suited to hold and to center an end, each set comprising a face (19, 20) suited to be in contact with the other face so as to allow the two ends of the fibers to coincide along the same axis. At least one of the faces comprises at least one orifice communicating with a first chamber which contains a cleaning fluid, the chamber including emptying means (31) activated as the faces approach one another for contacting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an effluent pumping method and system comprising: pumping means comprising a rotor (21) and a stator; the rotor being fastened by a first end to a tubular driving string; means for driving the string into rotation; a riser (20) comprising at least one orifice (23) is fastened to the rotor at the second end thereof, the rotor comprising a line (22) which communicates the inner space of the driving string with the inner space of the riser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled-pressure drop liner device comprising a circumscribed filter element (9) centred on a base tube (1) by longitudinal braces in relation to the axis of the tube and arranged according to the diameter of the tube so as to divide the annular space defined by the filter element and the tube into sectors delimited by the braces, and in which collecting tubes (5) are arranged and open into the sectors by one end.

Abstract: A jet pumping device includes an injection nozzle (1) intended for injection of a working fluid, placed in a line (3) including from upstream to downstream, a substantially cylindrical barrel (4), a convergent neck (5), a mixing channel (6) and a diffuser (7). The nozzle is placed at the end of a nozzle holder (9) on the longitudinal axis of the line, the pumped fluid circulates in an annular space (3) contained between the barrel (4) and the outside of the nozzle and of the nozzle holder, and the orifice of the nozzle has the longitudinal axis as the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A system for displacing instruments in a pipe including a portion that is greatly inclined to the vertical. The system includes a set of instruments mechanically linked, by means of an extension, to a first end of electrically-powered displacement device. The extension is a section of a composite, semi-rigid rod that can be wound around a drum and comprises at least one electric conductor. The present invention also relates to a method for implementing the system. Application is to greatly inclined oil wells and to lateral holes.

Abstract: A system and method for displacing instruments in a pipe having a portion thereof which is greatly inclined to the vertical. The system comprises in combination: a set of instruments mechanically linked to a first end of an electrically-powered displacement device, a semi-rigid composite rod that can be wound round a drum and at least one electric conductor. The method includes advancing the displacement device using the rod uncoiling from the drum. The system and method is of special use in inclined oil wells.