Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has a body and an annular elastomeric flexible element flexibly coupling an extension pipe to the body for pivoting of the extension pipe with respect to the body. The flexible pipe joint also has an annular flexible boot for thermally or chemically insulating the annular elastomeric flexible element from the fluid flowing through a lumen of the flexible pipe joint. The annular flexible boot encircles the lumen, and the annular flexible boot has a first annular end attached to the extension pipe and a second annular end mounted so that pivoting of the extension pipe with respect to the body causes a flexing of the annular flexible boot, and a majority of the annular flexible boot has a shape conforming to shape of neighboring components of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: An adjustment tool for a multiport valve including an elongate frame having a fitted end with an exit aperture, a pressure chamber in fluidic communication with the exit aperture, the fitting end sealingly couplable with the multiport valve to form sealed fluidic communication between the multiport valve and the pressure chamber through the exit aperture, a pressure valve actuable to open and close fluid flow from the pressure chamber to outside the frame, a bore. An elongate stabbing body is slidable and rotatable within the bore and having an adjustment end, the elongate stabbing body slidable within the bore from a first unactuated configuration where the adjustment end and is contained within the pressure chamber through the exit aperture to a second projected configuration wherein the adjustment end is extended outside the elongate frame and into the multiport valve when the fitted end is coupled with the multiport valve.

Abstract: A crane includes a base, an upperstructure rotationally mounted on the base, a boom pivotally mounted to the upperstructure at a front attachment location and having a distal end supporting a load line for raising a payload, and a gantry mounted on the upperstructure and supporting a boom line coupled to the distal end of the boom. The gantry includes at least one front leg mechanically coupled to the front attachment location and inclined in a direction away from the boom to apply, to the front attachment location, a horizontal force component towards the boom that is opposed by a horizontal force component applied by the boom towards the front leg. The upperstructure includes a circular turret, and the front attachment location is aligned over a circle of the turret.

Abstract: An improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool is described, which can be actuated and removed by a remote operated vehicle (“ROV”), the tool having pivot arms that can be rotated from a closed position to an open position. Rotation inward to the closed position results in the compression of the elastomeric component in an offshore flexible joint. Rotation outward to the open position results in the de-compression of the elastomeric component in an offshore flexible joint. Rotation of the arms can be accomplished using mechanical, hydraulic or other mechanisms that can be operated by an ROV.

Abstract: An extension member for coupling a tapered stress joint to a basket coupled to a porch extending from an offshore platform is disclosed. In an embodiment, the extension member includes a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the extension member includes a radially inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The inner surface includes a first mating profile proximate the first end that is configured to engage a radially outer surface of the tapered stress joint. Further, the extension member includes a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The outer surface includes a second mating profile proximate the second end that is configured to slidingly engage a mating profile within the basket.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: A security gate including an outer gate and an inner gate for selective passage of people and/or pets therethrough. In one example, the security gate includes: an outer frame; an outer gate at least partially disposed within the outer frame; an inner gate disposed within the outer gate, the inner gate comprising an inner frame having at least one recess; a door at least partially disposed within the inner frame; and at least one projection extending from the outer gate and engaging the at least one recess for supporting the inner gate within the outer gate.

Abstract: An extension member for coupling a tapered stress joint to a basket coupled to a porch extending from an offshore platform is disclosed. In an embodiment, the extension member includes a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the extension member includes a radially inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The inner surface includes a first mating profile proximate the first end that is configured to engage a radially outer surface of the tapered stress joint. Further, the extension member includes a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The outer surface includes a second mating profile proximate the second end that is configured to slidingly engage a mating profile within the basket.

Abstract: In view of the above, there has been described a load compensator including one or more tension spring assemblies that are contained within a tubular housing when tension from a load is applied to the tension spring assemblies. When the load compensator includes more than one tension spring assembly, the tension spring assemblies are mechanically connected to each other in series and stacked in-line with each other in the housing. In a preferred construction, each of the tension spring assemblies includes elastomeric tension elements mounted between two disks, and the tubular housing includes a tube having threaded ends and caps that screw onto the tube.

Abstract: For load compensation, different kinds of elastomeric load compensators are placed at various locations on the crane for increased flexibility and for shock and vibration absorption. The elastomeric load compensators employ elastomeric tension elements, elastomeric torsion elements, or elastomeric shear elements. Elastomeric tension elements can be simply inserted in series with the main hoist rope. An elastomeric load compensator employing elastomeric torsion elements is mounted to the underside of the boom for receiving the live end of the main hoist rope. A single stack of elastomeric shear elements is suitable for mounting a hoist or winch or an idler sheave to the crane structure. For additional load compensation, the hoist, winch, and idler sheaves are mounted on rails for increased displacements under heave loads, and the increased displacements are compensated by elongated elastomeric tension elements or multiple elastomeric tension, torsion or shear elements in series.

Abstract: A pressure-mounted gate includes a first panel extending horizontally. A second panel is slidably coupled to the first panel. The second panel extends horizontally. A locking mechanism is coupled to the first panel and the second panel. The locking mechanism facilitates a widening of the gate by a ratcheting structure. The locking mechanism locks a position of the first panel and the second panel at a desired gate width.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric flexible element has an elastomer layer between rigid members. When subjected to loads, and as time goes by, the elastomer layer will undergo damage in the form of micro-voids and polymer chain scission. The time it takes the damage to reach a predetermined, but safe state is a known function of several parameters such as loading rate and load magnitude, time at load, temperature and frequency. The damage decreases the electrical permittivity of the elastomer and changes the electrical conductance of the elastomer if the elastomer is in the environment of an electrically conductive fluid or when the elastomer includes conductive filler. The health of the flexible element is monitored by measuring the electrical impedance of the elastomer layer, computing an indication of health from the electrical impedance and trend data for the elastomer layer, and reporting the indication of health to a human administrator.

Abstract: A play yard can include a plurality of side panels that are connected to one another and a gate panel connected to two of the side panels to create an enclosed space. The gate panel can include a panel frame that defines an opening and a gate that can be mounted to the panel frame in the opening to swing from a closed position to an open position. The gate panel can include a first locking mechanism on the gate to hold the gate in the closed position and a second locking mechanism on the gate to hold the gate in the closed position.

Abstract: A telescopic joint for a marine drilling riser has an outer barrel and an inner barrel defining a central lumen for passage of a drill pipe string. The inner barrel is received within the outer barrel, and there is a clearance fit between the barrels for sliding of the inner barrel with respect to the outer barrel while maintaining a coaxial relationship between the barrels. A tubular rolling elastomeric membrane is disposed within the outer barrel and has one end secured to an outer circumference of the inner barrel and another end secured to an inner circumference of the outer barrel for sealing drilling fluid within the central lumen. As the inner barrel slides with respect to the outer barrel, the elastomeric membrane rolls with respect to the inner barrel and the outer barrel so that wear of the seal due to abrasion is eliminated.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has two annular elastomeric flex elements stacked in a co-axial fashion at an inner radius from a common center of rotation, and at least one elastomeric flex element disposed at an outer radius from the common center of rotation. The flex elements at the inner radius are coupled mechanically in series between the extension pipe and the housing of the flexible pipe joint, and the flex element at the outer radius is coupled mechanically in parallel with the series combination of the inner flex elements. The inner flex elements isolate the flex element at the outer radius from transport fluid, and the flex element at the outer radius reduces the axial compression of the inner flex elements. Thus, the inner flex elements may have a reduced radius and a different composition to handle a higher loading of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A brake for a rotating member is disclosed. The brake is used with a liquid coolant, and includes a housing for containing the liquid, a stationary element disposed in the housing, a wear plate disposed on the stationary element, a friction element coupled to the rotating member for contacting the wear plate, and a removable heat transfer insert disposed adjacent the wear plate and in fluid communication with the coolant, the heat transfer insert consisting of a non-galvanic material.