Abstract: The underwater electricity production module according to the invention includes means in the form of an elongated cylindrical box (12) in which means are integrated forming an electricity production unit including means forming a nuclear boiler (30), associated with electricity production means (37) connected to an external electricity distribution station (7) by electrical cables (6), is characterized in that the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) include a secondary circuit (36) associated with the electricity production means (37) and a secondary backup circuit (60) in parallel on that secondary circuit and including at least one secondary passive heat exchanger (61) placed outside the underwater module (12) in the marine environment.

Abstract: The underwater electricity production module according to the invention includes means in the form of an elongated cylindrical box (12) in which means are integrated forming an electricity production unit including means forming a nuclear boiler (30), associated with electricity production means (37) connected to an external electricity distribution station by electrical cables, is characterized in that the nuclear boiler-forming means (30) are placed in a dry chamber (19) of the reactor compartment (18) associated with the chamber forming a safety water storage reservoir (20) of the reactor whereof at least the radial wall (53) is in a heat exchange relationship with the marine environment and in that the dry compartment (19) of the reactor container (18) is connected to the safety water storage reservoir chamber (20) of the reactor by depressurizing means (70) including means (71) forming a depressurizing valve placed in the upper portion of the dry chamber (19) and connected to one of the bubbler-forming m

Abstract: An underwater electricity production module includes an elongated cylindrical box, which includes a reactor compartment and an electricity generator compartment. The reactor compartment includes a reservoir chamber and a dry chamber. A nuclear reactor is located in the dry chamber. The reservoir chamber forms a safety water storage reservoir. At least a radial wall of the reservoir chamber is in a direct heat exchange relationship with a marine environment that surrounds the cylindrical box. The reservoir chamber and the dry chamber can be placed in fluid connection. A seawater inlet is formed in a radial wall of the receiving compartment. A duct connects the seawater inlet to the dry chamber. A quenching valve is in the duct. Opening of the quenching valve allows the dry chamber, and thus the nuclear reactor, to be quenched with seawater.

Abstract: An underwater electricity production module includes an elongated cylindrical box, which includes a reactor compartment, which further includes a reservoir chamber and a dry chamber; an electricity production unit including a reactor container, the reactor container being placed in the dry chamber in a reactor pit having a first lower portion; and a circumferential wall including a first part delimiting the reservoir chamber, the first part being in a direct heat exchange relationship with water of the marine environment surrounding the elongated cylindrical box. The reservoir chamber has a second lower portion connected to the first lower portion through a water inlet duct placed along the circumferential wall. The reactor pit has a first upper portion connected to a corresponding portion of the reservoir chamber through a water return duct.

Abstract: Disclosed is an underwater craft having an electrochemical battery activated by an electrolyte, including: an electrochemical cell; a tank (13) intended to contain the electrolyte; a seawater flow rate regulator (37) arranged upstream of the tank (13). The flow rate regulator includes: a fixed housing (60) including first ports (64); a slide (62) including second ports (66); the slide (62) being movable, in relation to the fixed housing (60), under the effect of the pressure of the seawater entering the regulator (37), to a balanced position in which the first and second ports (64, 66) define outlet openings (70) for seawater to flow to the tank (13), the slide (62) being movable between a maximum opening position, in which the area of the openings is at a maximum, and a maximum restriction position, in which the area of the openings (70) is at a minimum.

Abstract: The harpoon comprises a bistable actuator (34) having a rod (56) for actuating the finger (32) the rod being movable between a retracted resting position and an extended position of deployment of the finger (32). The bistable actuator (34) comprises a tappet (52) that is movable during a first impulse comprising a stroke (34) in a first direction and then a stroke in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its retracted position to its extended position. The tappet (52) is movable during a second impulse comprising a stroke in the first direction and then a stroke in the second direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its extended position to its retracted position. The actuator (34) is configured so as to allow the return of the rod (56) to its retracted position when the tappet (52) moves along the first stroke in the first direction during the second impulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy system (1) that includes at least one exchanger module (100, 200, 300) that includes at least one heat exchanger (110a, 110b, 210a, 210b, 310a, 310b), in particular two heat exchangers, each module including at least a first circuit (140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b) for a first fluid traversing, in a regular mode of operation, through the heat exchanger in a main flow direction, a second circuit for a second fluid for exchanging thermal energy between the first fluid and the second fluid, and at least one pump (160, 260, 360) including a fluid drive device (162, 262, 362) for driving the first fluid in the main flow direction, characterised in that the drive device is arranged, along the main flow direction, upstream of the heat exchanger. In addition, the invention relates to the application of such a system in ocean thermal energy conversion systems.

Abstract: A pipe for drawing up cold water for a marine thermal energy plant is produced from a composite material including glass fiber reinforcements and a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a float for an offshore structure such as in particular a wind turbine, characterized in that it comprises means in the form of a support beam (1) the exterior surface of which comprises means (2) of attachment for individual buoyancy tanks (3).

Abstract: Vessel of the type comprising at least one shaft for receiving at least one missile-launching container (1), characterized in that the launching container (1) is received in the shaft with controlled lateral and axial clearance; the upper portion of the side wall of the container is provided with means for centring/guiding same in the shaft; and the lower end includes a container-bearing base (8) associated with a supporting base (9) of the vessel by means of shock-filtering set-point damping means (10).

Abstract: A plant for manufacturing a rigid pipe for drawing up deep water within an offshore platform includes a floating platform on which a continuous production device is installed in the vertical axis of the pipe, and including: a first stage of winding webs of fibers impregnated with resin around a winding roll for the partial crosslinking thereof, a second stage of complete crosslinking of the resin, a third stage of mounting functional members on the pipe, a fourth stage of inspecting the pipe thus manufactured, and a fifth stage of guiding the pipe.

Abstract: The harpoon comprises a bistable actuator (34) having a rod (56) for actuating the finger (32) the rod being movable between a retracted resting position and an extended position of deployment of the finger (32). The bistable actuator (34) comprises a tappet (52) that is movable during a first impulse comprising a stroke (34) in a first direction and then a stroke in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its retracted position to its extended position. The tappet (52) is movable during a second impulse comprising a stroke in the first direction and then a stroke in the second direction in order to cause the switch of the rod (56) from its extended position to its retracted position. The actuator (34) is configured so as to allow the return of the rod (56) to its retracted position when the tappet (52) moves along the first stroke in the first direction during the second impulse.

Abstract: This system for attaching a thermal battery to a flange of a power supply section of an underwater craft such as a torpedo of the type comprising a fixing sleeve (10) arranged around and fixed to the battery and provided with fixing lugs (11, 12, 13) comprising holes (14, 15, 16) for the passage of screws for attachment to the flange, is characterized in that the sleeve (10) is in the overall shape of a C, of which the intermediate part and the ends of the branches comprise the fixing lugs for fixing this sleeve to the flange.

Abstract: This plant for manufacturing a rigid pipe for drawing up deep water for a marine thermal energy plant is characterized in that it comprises a floating platform on which there is installed a continuous production device in the vertical axis of the pipe, including a first stage of winding webs of fibers impregnated with resin about a winding roll for the partial crosslinking thereof, said wall being formed by modular elements in the form of plates, which are connected together so as to form a strip that moves in a spiral and repeating in the upper part of the roll so as to form a winding surface for the webs.

Abstract: The invention concerns an underwater vehicle equipped with electrochemical means of electrical power generation, characterised in that it comprises a data processing unit (2) with inputs connected to sensors (4) of a parameter selected from amongst temperature, pressure, and hydrogen concentration, water in the area of the vehicle, and the electrochemical means of the engine, and with outputs connected to means (5) of transmitting signals to transmit signals authorising (or not authorising) an operator to approach the vehicle, depending on whether the sensed value of the parameter of the electrochemical means is in a predetermined range around the value of the parameter corresponding to water in the area of the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing assemblies, fuel cell systems including the same, methods of producing hydrogen gas, and methods of powering an energy-consuming device. Hydrogen-producing assemblies may include a monolithic body that defines at least a reforming conduit, and in some embodiments a plurality of reforming conduits, in which a feed stream is catalyzed into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen gas, and a burner conduit, in which a fuel-air stream is combusted. The monolithic body is constructed to conduct heat generated by the exothermic reaction of the combustion from the burner conduit to the reformer conduit. In some hydrogen-producing assemblies, the monolithic body further defines a vaporizing conduit, in which liquid portions of the feed stream are vaporized prior to being delivered to the reformer conduit, and the monolithic body may be constructed to conduct heat from the burner conduit to the vaporizing conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring harpoon intended in particular for an aircraft, capable of cooperating with an anchoring grate (2) of a platform, comprising jack means (3) including cylinder means (4) containing mobile piston means (5) provided with a rod (6) that extends beyond the cylinder means, the free end of which includes a harpoon head (7) that is hooked in the grate (2) and comprises retaining fingers (8, 13, 14) that can be moved between a retracted position and an active position by control means (9). The invention is characterised in that the cylinder means (4) include at least two telescopic cylinder portions (10, 11) which can move between a position in which one portion is retracted inside the other and an active position in which one portion projects out from the other.

Abstract: This offshore installation for producing electrical energy from thermal energy of the oceans includes a floating platform supporting a generator for producing electrical energy from the temperature difference of the water at the surface and at a depth and associated with a pipe for drawing up water from a depth, is characterized in that the pipe for drawing up water from a depth include three portions, including a first formed with a rigid pipe, the lower end of which is immersed at a great depth and the upper end of which is immersed in midwater at a reduced depth, a second portion formed with flexible pipes for connecting the upper end of this rigid suction pipe to a third portion forming a suction pipe, formed with rigid pumping pipes structuring a lattice of pipes attached under the platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating fuel cell air flow, such as during low loads and/or cold temperature operation. These systems and methods may include providing a thermal management fluid, such as air, to the fuel cell stack, transferring thermal energy between the thermal management fluid and the fuel cell stack, and varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid that comes into contact with the fuel cell stack to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell stack within an acceptable temperature range. Varying the flow rate of the thermal management fluid may include varying the overall supply rate of the thermal management fluid within the fuel cell system and/or providing an alternative flow path for the thermal management fluid such that a portion of the thermal management fluid supplied by the fuel cell system does not come into contact with the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method for helping to position a component on the wall of a structural element, including the steps: elaborating an image to be projected on the wall, from a virtual model of the structure and from the positioning of a projector with respect to the structure, and an additional motif providing positioning information of the piece with respect to the direction normal to the wall, projecting the image on the structural element by means of the projector; placing the base of the piece inside an outline of the image projected on the wall; and, while keeping contact between the piece and the structural element, modifying the positioning of the piece with respect to the direction normal to the wall, until the predefined set of points of the piece coincides with the motif.