Abstract: The procedure for manufacturing thin profiled strips, made up of continuous unidirectional fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin, consists of impregnating a lap (1) of parallel fibers with resin particles, achieving resin fusion, forming the profiled strip and of cooling the latter.The lap (1) of fibers is dipped into a bath (26) of resin particles, mechanically impregnated with the particles, by feeding it for instance around rollers (15, 16, 17) immersed in the resin particles and the excess particles are removed to obtain the desired resin to fiber content ratio.Use of profiled strips obtained, in particular for outwardly reinforcing tubes or for producing moulded items.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a continuous tubular structure of helically wound interlocked metal strip. The metal strip is fed to forming rollers, from a reel of the strip and which are mounted on the same side of a circular plate which is rotated about a horizontal axis to wind the strip, which is shaped by the rollers, prior to winding, around a mandrel. A plurality of pressure rollers positioned around the mandrel interlock and compress the profiled strip. The mandrel is driven in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the plate. A rotatable support assembly downstream of the mandrel tightens and clamps the windings. A longitudinal extraction mechanism downstream from the support assembly restrains the tubular structure from rotating and feeds the formed structure to a receiving reel.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a device for the manufacture of flexible tubular bodies in which one or more profiled strands are deformed spirally in a permanent manner before proceeding to winding it or them spirally in order to form a cylindrical carcass, by making the profiled strand pass over two pulleys in succession.The profiled strand is wound on the flat round each of the pulleys, the axes of the two pulleys being angularly offset so as to cause a permanent twist in the length of profiled strand situated between the said two pulleys.

Abstract: A remotely controlled undersea vehicle has a manipulator arm articulated to a mast which is articulated on the vehicle. Jaws at the end of the arm are arranged to close around a collar of a conduit having an automatic connector end, and to connect control fluid passages of the jaws to passages in the collar which communicate the control fluid to the automatic connector end.

Abstract: A system of liason between an underwater wellhead for the production of hydrocarbons from underwater formations to a surface support. The system includes at least one flexible conduit (4) connected between the wellhead (2) and the surface support (1). Each flexible conduit is equipped at its lower end with means to limit the radius of bending or deflection and is connected vertically to the wellhead. Each conduit can be pulled or led into at least a first configuration (4a, 4'a, 4"a) in which the conduit is generally relaxed and non-tensioned, for the flow of hydrocarbons to the surface support, and at least a second configuration (4b), in which the conduit is at least partly tensioned, and sufficiently straight and upright that tools can be lowered to descend by gravity from the support surface to the well, for working of the well.

Abstract: According to the method of the invention there is wound, around a hollow body (1) and in substantially contiguous turns, a flexible strip (2), the latter strip being fixed onto the hollow body. The strip is of a material, the tensile limit of which is in excess of that of the material of which the hollow body (1) is made, and when wound around the hollow body, a tension is applied thereto which is sufficient for the stresses which may develop within the body and the winding of the strip (2) to reach their permissible maximum limits at substantially the same time, when the hollow body is used under pressure.

Abstract: A drain pipe arrangement for draining water from a floating roof of a storage reservoir includes a flexible drain pipe connected to the roof, and a flexible heating element within the drain pipe. The flexible heating element takes the form of two rigid metal tubes twisted on each other and having their upper ends connected together. A pump and heater provide for circulating heated fluid through the tubes to prevent drain water from freezing in the drain pipe.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon loading buoy has a connection element rotatable in a bearing supported by the buoy. When a riser pipe or conduit is connected to the connection element the pipe and element can rotate or swivel relative to the buoy. A lock mechanism on the buoy is operable to lock the connection element to the buoy so that the connection element is supported independently of the bearing. With the connection element locked the bearing can be serviced, or removed, while the buoy is in operation. In a preferred form, the lock mechanism includes wedges which move radially and engage a sloping surface of the connection element to move it axially into clamping engagement with the buoy.

Abstract: A flexible buoyant conduit which includes a thermoplastic pressure-resistant stratum. The pressure resistant stratum is formed by spirally winding, and overlapping, a belt or band the cross-section of which is in the form of an elongated S-shape having a groove in the bottom wall of each channel.

Abstract: A flexible conduit with a quadrangular hollow casing-shaped wire in the side wall of the conduit and extending the length of the conduit. The casing-shaped wire has at one side bent unjoined and overlapping extremities of the metal strip from which the wire is formed and is capable of receiving a hydraulic or electrical control line therein.

Abstract: A flexible conduit has an undulating liquid tight inner tube portion and layers of metal reinforcing wound around the tube. The layers include a burst resisting layer adjacent the tube, then traction and pressure resisting layers, and an outer sheath. The undulations in the interior of the tube can be filled with packing or the tube can be lined with a spiral strip to lessen resistance to fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A piping or conduit system in which conduits to receive flow lines or flexible pipe can be connected end to end to form a riser assembly, and thereafter, the flow lines can be inserted through individual conduits of the assembly. The section contains a low density foam to impart essentially zero negative and positive buoyancy, and the foam is filled into areas surrounding the individual conduits of the sections. Suitable reinforcing and tension stress resisting elements are provided so that each section is essentially self sustaining.

Abstract: A system for winding or unwinding lengths of an elongated article such as an underwater conduit or cable, in succession, from a plurality of spools. The system includes two spaced apart spindles which can be moved vertically, horizontally in the direction of unwinding of the article, and toward each other, so that the spindles can be used to handle the spools when the spools are supported with their axes perpendicular to the direction of unwinding of the article. By this arrangement, one spool can be unwound, deposited on the deck of a ship, and the spindles can be moved to the second spool to pick up the spool for unwinding. The system can be used to unwind lengths of underwater conduit, during the laying of the conduit in a marine environment.

Abstract: A composite flexible tube is disclosed. The central portion of the core of the tube is formed of a plurality of hollow elements dipsosed concentrically about the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: Pipe system for collecting petroleum from off-shore wells located at great depths comprises flexible pipes connecting well head to a float comprising an at least partially submerged caisson which contains air so as to maintain the flexible pipes under tension. Rigid pipes within the caisson lead from the flexible pipes to a discharge opening in a superstructure which projects above the surface of the sea.

Abstract: A hollow flexible tubular body which comprises at least one tubular layer. The layer is formed by adjacent helical windings having hooked edges and substantially flat sections. The turns of the helix do not show any spontaneous tendency to increase in diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting at least one pipe-line situated on a sea-bed to a floating or semi-submersible platform which includes a vertical pipe-line section consisting of at least one flexible pipe arranged between a sinker resting on the sea-floor and an air-tank submerged at a sufficient depth to be protected from the action of the swell, the buoyancy of the air-tank being such that it maintains the flexible pipe section vertically under tension, the lower portion of the pipe-line of the section being connected to the pipe-line or lines situated on the sea-bed, while the upper end pipe-line of the section is connected to the submerged body of the platform by at least one additional pipe-line which is flexible along at least certain of its portions.