Abstract: An elongate connector for subsea connection of cables and the like to wind turbine generators has a plurality of locking elements arranged on ramp surfaces and held in a plurality of cages on the connector. The cages are moveable to move the locking elements along the ramp surfaces between an engaged position and a disengaged position and the plurality of cages are moveable independently of each other. A release collar is provided, which can move all the cages simultaneously to the disengaged position, in order to allow removal of the connector.

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 connector for use as a bend stiffener in a marine application comprising male and female connectors respectively provided with a downwardly dependent frusto-conical extension and a cylindrical extension. The female connector includes a hollow cylindrical body defining a through bore and surrounded by a spring loaded sleeve movable axially with respect to the body. Spring loaded latches extend through respective apertures to coact with grooves in the body. Hydraulic rams are disposed to push the sleeve against the spring loading which brings an internally wider diameter position of the sleeve adjacent locking balls extending through but retained by stepped apertures. The latches, rams and locking balls coact to lock the male and female connectors together or to enable their release and thus the locking together or release from that locking together of connected extensions. This in turn facilitates the operation of the connector in hazardous conditions.

Abstract: A subsea connector comprises a female element (1) defining a parallel bore (2) adapted to receive a male element (3). First releasable locking means are disposed between elements (2) and (3) and comprise a sprung cage (6) in which balls (5) are retained for movement in tapered grooves circumferentially spaced around element (3). As the cage moves relative to element (3) balls (5) protrude from the cage to a greater or lesser extent to lock the elements together. Second locking means prevent relative movement between elements (1) and (3) in a locking release direction of the first releasable locking means. These second locking means comprise lock balls retained in an apertured body disposed between elements (1) and (2).