Abstract: A marine connector having a central core, a first shoulder disposed around at least part of the central core, a second shoulder disposed around at least part of the central core and spaced from the first shoulder and an expandable clamping member disposed around at least part of the central core and between the first and second shoulders. The first and second shoulders are relatively movable from a first distance apart, wherein the clamping member is at a first or rest width, to a second distance apart, wherein the shoulders act upon the clamping member to expand it outwardly from the central core to a second or expanded width. In use the connector may be received into a complementary female receptacle or into a length of pipe, to act as a pipeline recovery tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for the sealing of pipes. The apparatus includes a seal, the seal being a toroidal seal. The seal may be formed from a pipe to be sealed by cutting a portion of the pipe to form such a seal. The seal may be machined with generally convex edges. The disclosure also relates to a method of sealing a pipe using such a seal and a method of manufacturing a seal from a pipe to be sealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping elongate pieces, such as pipes, bars, beams, etc., are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body, the body having an inner cavity for receiving a piece to be gripped, the inner cavity having a sidewall, a recess provided around at least a portion of the sidewall, a clamping member disposed within the recess, wherein the recess is adjustable from a first dimension, where the clamping member is located substantially within the recess, to a second dimension where the clamping member is urged out of the recess and into the inner cavity. The gripping method comprises the steps of locating a clamping member around a piece to be gripped, locating two clamping shoulders such that they flank the clamping member, compressing the clamping member by urging the clamping shoulders together, the clamping member being arranged such that axial compression of it translates to radial compression.

Abstract: A coupling for joining and maintaining in close relationship two aligned rods or pipes and to prevent them from separating but which is of reduced outer diameter and weight when compared with conventional couplings, comprising a pair of annular sleeves to be located respectively round a pair of aligned pipe end regions and movable relatively along the latter, ball ramp arrangements for gripping the outer circumferential surface of the respective pipe end regions, a split sleeve adapted to surround the annular sleeves while being anchored to one sleeve and threadedly engaged on the other sleeve thus, by rotation, to draw the sleeves together to grip the pipe ends. Temporary clamping means comprising split flanges and draw bolts with nuts, are provided initially to draw the coupling together, but are removable after the split sleeve has been placed in axial tension.

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: A device for gripping the external wall surface of a pipe or bar. The devices 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 to push 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: A retaining device to prevent linear movement of an elongate member (10) in the downwards direction comprising a plurality of segmental ball slips (14) surrounding the member (10) and removably introduced into a tapered opening in a supported bushing (13), each ball slip (14) including a ball cage (18) having balls (20) and ramps (21) and a spring (19) urging the ball cage downwardly and thus the balls inwardly to grip the elongate member with a smooth rolling action preventing surface damage to the elongate member. The ball slips (14) may be hinged together around the elongate member (10) and may removed manually or by power operated means at (22).

Abstract: A clamp comprises a tubular support having a number of axially spaced sets of angularly spaced apertures for receiving spheres engageable with the exterior of a pipe and with tapered surfaces on a clamp body. A spring urges the support down in relation to the body to cause the spheres to grip the pipe. Rams can raise the support to release the clamp, whereupon the spheres can enter recesses in the body. The apertures may be axially elongated to accommodate a degree of pipe ovality and have diverging walls for the same purpose. A form of the clamp for gripping a pipe interior is also described. The clamp may have one or more seals for sealing against the pipe and two oppositely acting clamps may form a connector for two pipes.

Abstract: A connector for pipes has two tubular parts each with three angularly spaced inclined bores intersecting the inner surface of the parts and containing balls engaging inclined wedge surfaces and biassed axially by respective springs. In use the parts are drawn together by rotating nuts on studs and the balls grip the pipes and compress a seal, the balls gouging into the pipes. The recesses could be on the outer side of the parts for engaging an external pipe. The balls can move axially and radially in the recesses for accommodating local ovality and engage surfaces over an arc of circumference of the balls. The parts need not be tubular and one part could be closed off to provide an end cap for the pipe in the other to form a clamp.