Abstract: The invention concerns a so-called capstan winch (1) comprising drums (2, 3) driving a cable (C) and provided with a peripheral wall (22, 32) around which are strung independent peripheral rings (40–45, 50–55). Said rings are provided with a peripheral groove designed to receive the cable (C) and are made of an elastic material so as to allow both the cable (C) to be driven and a relative sliding movement between the peripheral rings (40–45, 50–55) and the peripheral wall (22, 32), the relative sliding movement being of amplitude substantially equal to longitudinal deformation of the cable (C), when it is subjected to tension stresses. The two drums (2, 3) can be axially offset relative to each other (p/2) and their axes of rotation (?1, ?2), may form a non-null angle of inclination. The invention is particular applicable to deep sea oil exploration.

Abstract: Driving apparatus operating in successive steps, comprising two clamping assemblies each having a set of clamping members for clamping a set of cables in alternate succession, and at least one hydraulic jack connected to at least one of the two clamping assemblies in order to cause axial displacement thereof, each clamping assembly comprising an auxiliary jack having a piston rod and a cylinder which is attached coaxially to one end of a tubular body of the corresponding clamping assembly and provided with longitudinal passageways for the cables, and coupling members for coupling the piston rod of the auxiliary jack to the set of clamping members of the corresponding clamping assembly, the coupling members being so constructed that all the clamping members of the set are free to move radially, but are caused by the piston rod to move simultaneously over the same distance of travel in the axial direction when the auxiliary jack is actuated.

Abstract: A device is provided for connecting two cables together, comprising a short linking rod having a partially spherical member at each end thereof, a first pair of sockets, each socket of said first pair receiving a respective one of said spherical members and forming a ball and socket joint therewith, and a second pair of sockets, each socket of said second pair being detachably connected to a respective one of the sockets of said first pair and having an axial passage receiving one end portion of one of the two cables to be connected, wherein each socket of the second pair has a generally cylindrical outer shape and its axial passage is also cylindrical with a diameter corresponding to that of the end portion of the cable received therein, and each socket of the second pair is secured to the end portion of the corresponding cable by constricting said socket of said second pair through a constricting die.

Abstract: A screwing-unscrewing apparatus is provided, more especially for screwing-unscrewing the stud-bolts securing the lid of the reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor, comprising a frame, at least one traction assembly, at least one screwing-unscrewing assembly and at least one support assembly for a stud-bolt. The piston rod of the traction cylinder and the traction head of the traction assembly are hollow. The screwing-unscrewing assembly comprises a hollow rod which passes through the piston rod and through the traction head, is provided at its lower end with a male drive member and is connected kinematically at its upper end to a rotational drive mechanism, which is situated above said traction cylinder. Said support assembly comprises another rod, which is mounted for rotation, while being prevented from axial movement, inside said hollow rod and which is threaded at its lower end, and another rotational drive mechanism which is connected kinematically to the upper end of said other rod.

Abstract: A traction block is provided comprising an elongate frame with U shaped cross section having a flat web and two spaced apart lateral flanges perpendicular to the web, two clamping blocks of elongate shape which are mounted for movement between the lateral flanges of the frame so that a relative longitudinal movement between each movable clamping block and the adjacent flange of the frame causes a transverse movement of the respective movable clamping block, and a flat cover plate parallel to the web of the frame and detachably fixed thereto, said lateral flanges of the frame being provided with tenons which project from their end faces facing towards the cover plate and which are tightly fitted in corresponding cavities in the cover plate.

Abstract: A linear hydraulic winch is provided comprising a frame to which are fixed symmetrically two hydraulic double-acting jacks, enclosing two self-clamping jaws for alternately clamping the axial cable to the end of which the load is fixed, aligned along the axis of symmetry of said winch, one of them being interlocked in translation, along said axis, with the cylinders of these jacks and the other with the pistons thereof. These self-clamping jaws are formed by wedges comprising cylinders inserted between the corresponding oblique faces of their outer and inner elements, said cylinders being truncated through two parallel planes, symmetrical with respect to their axes, and perpendicular to said oblique faces.