Abstract: A sensing valve includes a flow control member and a sensor element responsive to the presence of a substance in a flow of fluid for actuating the flow control member for stopping the flow of fluid when the substance is present in the flow of fluid. The sensing valve has a housing defining an upper region having a generally horizontal flow channel from an inlet port and a lower region having a generally vertical flow channel to an outlet port. The sensor element is disposed in the horizontal flow channel, and the flow control member is disposed in the vertical flow channel. In a preferred construction, the flow control member has a conical surface engaging with a complementary conical surface of a seat, the sensor element is seated on an internal end portion of an inlet pipe, and the sensor element and the flow control member are coupled by a shaft which protrudes from the housing through a gland threaded into the housing. The extent of protrusion of the shaft indicates whether the valve is open or closed.

Abstract: A pile gripper which uniformly engages a plurality of gripper teeth against a pile during engagement and uniformly retracts those same gripper teeth during disengagement is described. In one embodiment, the pile gripper is comprised of a an elastomeric bag, a plurality of segments arranged circumferentially on the pile-side of the gripper's structure, and a plurality of segment retraction elements. Each segment has a plurality of teeth which are used to "grip" an anchor pile. Segment teeth direction may alternate from segment to segment or segment group to segment group. Each segment group comprises a plurality of N segments, and each segment in a segment group is operatively coupled via grouping bars to the other segments in the segment group.

Abstract: A ball sealer for use in flow equalization during fluid injection into oil wells is described which has a layer of thermosetting filament wrapped around its core. After curing, the wrapping layer provides the major part of the ball's strength.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing joint absorbs shock forces by distortion of elastomeric material under torque. One form of the shock-absorbing joint has an inner cylinder fitting within an outer cylinder so as to extend longitudinally beyond each end of the outer cylinder and provide an annular space between the cylinders. A body of elastomeric material, such as rubber, fills the annular space and is affixed to the inside surface of the outer cylinder and the outside surface of the inner cylinder. Inner and outer cylinder pivot members are affixed to the inner and outer cylinder, respectively, and are perpendicular to the common pivot axis of the cylinders. Two or three of such shock-absorbing joints may be used to form a shock-absorbing assembly that is particularly useful in protecting marine platforms.

Abstract: An offshore marine combination reach rod and grouting system wherein a reach rod extended from the upper end of an offshore platform leg or piling and piling sleeve to a flood valve connected to the lower end of a leg annulus passes through one or more tee connections as part of a grout feeding system to the leg annulus. The reach rod in the form of a hollow pipe is connected through flexible lines to flush water and grout feeding sources that permit twisting of the reach rod pipe to open and close the flood valve.

Abstract: A diaphragm seal assembly for large tubes such as used as supporting legs in offshore platforms and pile drivers in underwater environments, with the diaphragm seal closure constructed to resist loads retained in such manner as to be nearly completely removed by upward tension pull on a pull-out cable. The diaphragm seal assembly is retained between rings welded inside a tubular member by a split ring forced apart to a retaining diameter by a removable key. Pull on a cable removes the key allowing the split ring to return to its initial smaller diameter size small enough to be removed up out of the tube along with the diaphragm closure member.