Abstract: Offshore platform leg jacket and piling sets having inflatable grout seals with inflation lines extended to the outside of respective jackets and upward to the top of the jackets each equipped with a premature inflation prevention structure low in the inflation line preventing fluid hydrostatic pressure from causing premature grout seal inflation. The structure inserted low in each inflation line is in the form of a rupture disc or, alternately, a pressure controlled relief valve so selected and/or set that the hydrostatic fluid pressure required to burst the rupture disc or to open activate the relief valve is always higher than the maximum hydrostatic pressures the respective grout seals are exposed to.

Abstract: An improved flange connector construction for remote actuation to connect flanges on prefabricated sections of an offshore drilling platform support structure. A flange on the end of a first prefabricated section has a downwardly extending annular skirt which supports a plurality of clamp dogs spaced about the inner circumference of the skirt. Each clamp dog is moveable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the annular skirt and is rotatable between a first retracted position generally tangent to the skirt and a second extended position generally radial of the skirt. The first prefabricated section is moveable to telescopically receive a flange on a second prefabricated section in the annular skirt on the first prefabricated section.

Abstract: A method for gravity grouting the annulus between a piling and a piling sleeve wherein air pressure is used to expel water and foreign matter from the annulus. Air pressure is then reduced in the annulus that is sealed at the top and has a seal at the bottom capable of holding a differential pressure between water pressure at depth and atmospheric air pressure within the annulus. Grouting material is then fed to the annulus between the piling and the sleeve and permitted to set.

Abstract: A seal assembly for tubular structures such as piling guides and the like, with a plurality of stacked diaphragm members forming enclosed chambers therebetween at the tube ends. The chambers are filled with plastic or elastomer for differential pressure sharing between the diaphragms to avoid overloading and rupture thereof.

Abstract: A shock load absorbing load cell with relatively longitudinally movable structural members interconnected by a plurality of shear load elastomeric segments, each having spaced plates bonded to opposite surfaces of an intervening flexible molded block of elastomeric material. Molded shape memory of the elastomeric material blocks resiliently urges the spaced plates back to their original position after they have been displaced in absorbing a shock load.

Abstract: A split nut structure provides the holding power of an ordinary nut on a bolt while allowing for quick release through removal of a retaining sleeve from containment alignment around the segments of the split nut. What could be in many respects like an ordinary hex nut is in three segments, with cuts in three faces of the hex nut to the center, put around a bolt in the same manner as though they were connected and retained in this state by a hexagonal sleeve, the hex inside of which snuggly fits the nut itself. The outside hexagon of the sleeve provides for a wrenching surface by which the nut may be adjusted and tightened much the same as any ordinary hex nut -- however, for quick release the sleeve is merely pulled straight up along the axis of the nut and the bolt.

Abstract: An offshore deep water marine platform system having pressure feed lines extended from the platform deck to inflatable piling sleeve packers run inside grout supply lines.

Abstract: A shock absorbing interconnect assembly employing a hydraulic cushioning device of relatively short stroke, mounted in a scissors-like system of levers having respective length ratios which effect an amplified stroke as concerns the interconnect assembly. The ends of the hydraulic cushioning device are pivotably mounted to respective ones of a pair of arm members that, themselves, are pivoted about a common pivot axis. Stroke amplification is realized between mounting plates pivotably mounted to respective ones of the arm members at points longitudinally displaced from the common arm pivot axis. Limited motion between relatively movable members permits bonded seals at all otherwise environmentally exposed points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dissipating the energy of random dynamic forces exerted against a pier. The dynamic forces are received by a bumper connected to the side of a pier. The normal components of the forces exerted against the bumper are cushioned and the energy of these forces dissipated by means of reactive forces developed incident to compression of a plurality of compressible, self-restoring cushions connecting and extending orthogonally between the bumper and the pier. Lateral displacement of the bumper relative to the pier in response to components of the dynamic forces acting parallel to the bumper is rigidly restrained by restraining members connecting the bumper and the pier. Once the normal components of the dynamic forces are dissipated, the cushions restore themselves to uncompressed, fully extended conditions and the fender is prepared to receive subsequent loads.