Abstract: A device for mounting a flexible line including a curvature limiter. The device for mounting a flexible line on a structure, including a hollow rigid member forming part of the structure or fixed to the structure, and which the flexible line passes through after having been pulled with the aid of a pull cable fixed to one end of the flexible line, in particular on the end fitting mounted on the latter for connecting it to the structure, and a curvature limiter engaged on the flexible line and secured to fixing means able to interact with fixing means secured to the hollow rigid member for fastening the curvature limiter to the structure.

Abstract: A tubular conduit for the transport of fluids under pressure includes a flexible outer tubular sheath, a group of stiffening reinforcements, a flexible inner tubular sheath or tube, and if applicable at least one intermediate flexible tubular sheath, and a heater in the form of electrically conductive wires, connected to an electric power source and releasing heat by Joule effect, said wires being arranged on the length of the conduit. Also a plurality of electrically conductive wires are arranged in at least one layer in which the wires are parallel to one another and spirally wound around the axis of the conduit, the layers of conductive wires being placed between two flexible tubular sheaths of the conduit, the conductive wires being noncontiguous to one another and each resting by surface contact on the underlying tubular sheath.

Abstract: A device for laying flexible tubular conduits from a floating support is provided. The flexible tubular conduit has insulating sheaths and reinforcements where the conduit includes a recoverable flexible tubular handling conduit connected to the flexible tubular conduit. The flexible tubular handling conduit has sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the combined action of the highest internal pressure and the axial tensile force corresponding to the apparent weight in water of the length of tubular handling conduit which is suspended between the floating support and the floor, and on the other hand, the isolated action of the axial tensile force corresponding to the apparent weight in water of the length of flexible tubular conduit when the latter is suspended between the floating support and the floor by the flexible tubular handling conduit.

Abstract: A method for laying a pipeline formed of joined rigid and flexible tubular conduits on an underwater surface, particularly an ocean bed, by using a floating support. The method includes the steps of: loading onto the floating support a length of flexible tubular conduit; laying from the support a length of rigid tubular conduit; connecting the ends of the two conduits together; lowering the conduits; and halting the lowering when the rigid conduit hits bottom, while the other end of the flexible conduit is still in the floating support.

Abstract: A device for temporarily holding a load on a vertical holding line including two articulated elements forming a pincer, each element having a jaw and an arm, one of the two arms including a connection for fastening to a holding line, the device being able to assume two positions, a first closed position for gripping the held load and a second open position enabling the load to be released; the arm having the ability to intensify the gripping force f which is exerted between the two arms near their end, in order to keep the jaws closed when the load is being gripped. The device further includes a feature for limiting the separation connecting the arms by exerting the gripping force f necessary for maintaining the first closed position of the jaws, the arms having a configuration such that the cable, or the like, for limiting the separation of the lever arms is placed laterally at a distance greater than 3.0 meters relative to the axis of the holding line.

Abstract: For the transportation of a fluid such as a methanol or glycol there is provided a multi-conduit umbilical (20) having a conduit which comprises a hose (10,21,22) having a lining layer (11) of polyethylene, for example cross-linked polyethylene, arranged to restrain permeation of fluid from the bore of the hose (10,21,22).

Abstract: A device for laying flexible tubular conduits from a floating support comprises rigid accessories the outer diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of the conduit. It comprises main, linear winch-type tensioning means (6) for normal lowering of the flexible conduit (3) to be laid. The linear winch has an essentially vertical axis and comprises the last means for guiding the flexible conduit at the level of the floating support (1) and auxiliary holding means (19) which hold the flexible conduit by means of an accessory (21) mounted on the flexible conduit, such as an end fitting or an auxiliary accessory, and enable the main tensioning means (6) to clear a section of flexible conduit on which the accessory (21) is mounted.

Abstract: A process for laying flexible conduits on an ocean floor by continuous unrolling of the conduit at a laying site from at least one supply ship to a laying ship, wherein the flexible conduit is gradually transferred from the supply ship to a storage means located on the laying ship.

Abstract: A device for depositing and recovering a heavy load on the ocean floor including a first part which can be attached mechanically to a handling and recovery cable and a second part which can be attached mechanically to the load to be deposited. The second part is buoyant and includes means for attaching it flexibly to the load. Each of the two parts include a cylindrical joining element, one of which fits inside the other. The device also includes means for locking and unlocking the cylindrical joining elements.

Abstract: A flexible pipe with improved thermal protection in which a fluid is liable to flow under pressure and comprising at least one tightness sheath or tube of polymeric material, at least one reinforcement therein further comprises as thermal protection, a sheath of composite material comprising cork granules and a flexible metal tube which is disposed outside said sheath of composite material. Application notably to flexible pipes for oil installations.

Abstract: A reinforced hose including at least one of a pressure-resistant reinforcement, a tensile-strength reinforcement and/or an inner carcass. At least one of the pressure-resistant reinforcement, the tensile-strength reinforcement and the inner carcass have at least one elongated element formed as one of a profile, a cable, an interlockable wire, and a strip with the at least one elongated element being composed of an aluminum-based alloy.

Abstract: A method of producing steel wires intended for the manufacture of flexible conduits, steel wires obtained by this method, and flexible conduits reinforced by such wires is characterized by the fact that, for a given strain-hardening rate of the initial wire, a heat treatment is carried out under conditions of time and temperature such that the steel wire obtained after treatment has a mechanical rupture strength (Rm) greater than 850 MPa and a structure containing little free ferrite.

Abstract: A device for braking the advance of an elongated element such as a hose or cable, comprising at least an element (13) such as a cable able to be wound spirally around the element (12) to be braked, and having its ends mounted each on a support frame (4,11), and a drive (10) to cause the respective separation of the two frames in a direction parallel to the advance.

Abstract: A hose having stable length under pressure comprises an internal leak tightness sheath, and armoring consisting of at least two pairs of layers of helically wound wires, the two layers of the same pair being made of identical wires laid at the same sheathing angle but in the opposite direction, and an external protective sheath. All the wires are laid at one of two sheathing angles, one less than 55.degree. the other greater than 55.degree.; the wires of at least one pair of layers exhibit one sheathing angle between 40.degree. and 53.degree., and the wires of at least one other pair of layers exhibit a second sheathing angle between 57.degree. and 70.degree..

Abstract: A flexible, thermally insulated conduit has a central pipe and a coaxial casing spaced therefrom by annular spacers, defining a series of seated chambers. The chambers are filled with a foam material.

Abstract: A lower portion of a subsea oil delivery hose is held taut between bouyant devices installed on the hose and a stationary point on the subsea floor. A portion of the lower part of the hose, connected to the stationary point, has a curved portion that is concave in the direction of a wellhead to which the hose is connected.

Abstract: Connector for quick release under load, particularly for pipes for transporting fluids such as hydrocarbons, characterized by the fact that it comprises, between two opposite structural elements (1, 2) or between two parts of an element connecting the two structural elements, at least a connecting device comprises an internally shaped annular ring (7) consisting of at least two segments of complementary shape, a rod (4) equipped with an outside shaping corresponding to the inside of the ring, engaged internally in said ring and extending over at least a part of its height and an annular sleeve (6) engaged on said nut and able to be moved axially in relation to it under the effect of an actuating element, such as a cylinder (12) acting directly or indirectly on said sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular structure is provided including an internal tube and an external tube which is formed from at least a straight strip bent or undulated, whose width is disposed substantially along at least a line normal to said tubes which it separates. It may be used, for example filled with an insulating lagging, by surrounding a pipe line or being adapted to the pipe line which then forms the internal tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for covering of submarine elements of elongated shape, in particular conduits laid on the ocean floor.It comprises at least one closed flattened tubular element (1), the element or each of the elements comprising at least one orifice (4) for injection of a hardenable material, particularly cement.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a swivelless connection of first and second fixed positions on respective first and second structures. The structures are relatively rotatable about a common axis, through a length of flexible conduit defined by first and second space portions thereof respectively connected to the first and second fixed positions and predetermined in accordance with the extent of relative rotation to be accommodated while continuously maintaining the connection.