Abstract: A pressure balanced tether buoyancy system 12 useful for reducing the load imposed on a tension leg offshore platform 24 by the tethers 10 securing it to the ocean bottom. The tether 10 has tubular tether walls 11 defining a central cavity 15 isolated from the surrounding seawater. A series of bulkheads 25 extend laterally across the interior of the tether 10, dividing it into a series of individual buoyancy cells 31. Each bulkhead 25 is provided with a differential pressure valve 34 establishing selective fluid communication between the two buoyancy cells 31 separated by the bulkhead 25. Preferably, each differential pressure valve 34 is adapted to open in response to a differential pressure across the bulkhead 25 exceeding the differential hydrostatic existing across the vertical distance separating adjacent bulkheads 25. This permits a pressure gradient to be established interior to the tether 10 approximating that of the seawater in which the tether 10 is located.

Abstract: A mounting support for releasably connecting a transaxle or differential housing (10) to a vehicle frame (12) has a support sleeve (13) telescopically connected to both a cylindrical portion (16) of a support member (14) connected to the frame (12) and a cylindrical protrusion (19) of the housing (10). Axial movement of the support sleeve (13) is selectively limited by a snap ring retainer (31) seated in an annular groove (24) in the annular protrusion (19). The support sleeve (13) is cylindrical so that only a minimal amount of clearance between it and adjacent components is required.