Abstract: A device for locking and unlocking two concentric pipes, for example extending between an underwater oil well and a surface apparatus, comprising first and second locking means on one of said pipes and at least two stop means on the other of said pipes operative to limit relative movement of said pipes in the connection direction and to prevent relative movement of said pipes, when locked together, in the disconnection direction, wherein locking and unlocking is effected solely by relative axial movement of the pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connection of a central undersea station to a group of wells and outflow pipes is disclosed. The undersea station locks onto a platform which has a series of guides and locking devices to receive and lock the station relative to itself as well as to other locations for the installation of wellheads which are to be ultimately serviced by the station. The method essentially comprises that prior to the connection of the wells and the pipes a guide member is installed on the platform between the location of the station and each of the locations of the wells or pipes and then the central station is lowered and is provided a lateral connection device such that when the platform is locked into position, the lateral connection device is opposite the guide on the platform.

Abstract: A position control system, for use in positioning relative to a subsea well a subsea vehicle or a re-entry tool having thrusters, including a Doppler sonar system connected to the vehicle and operable for generating a Doppler pulse train signal having a pulse rate substantially proportional to the Doppler frequency produced by a change in the spatial position of the vehicle along a predetermined linear coordinate, whereby the occurrence of each pulse signal in the Doppler pulse train signal corresponds substantially to a predetermined linear distance, velocity measurement means coupled to the Doppler pulse train signal and operable for converting it into an equivalent velocity amplitude, a pulse generator operable for producing a predetermined number of pulse signals equivalent to a certain linear distance along the coordinate, up/down counter means operable for counting up from one signal and down from another signal, connection means operable for connecting the up/down counter means to the Doppler pulse tra

Abstract: In the connection of a relatively inflexible pipe to a submerged well head at a depth which may be greater than that to which divers can descend, a pipe placing structure is first locked onto the well head and the pipe is then lowered and automatically connected to the placing structure, a bell housing a sub-assembly including the master valve is next lowered onto the well head and locked thereon by a bearing structure to which the bell is attached. A crew is transferred to the bell to connect the sub-assembly to the well head and to a connector which is automatically connected to the pipe.

Abstract: In the connection of a flexible outflow pipe to a submerged well head situated at a depth greater than that which can be reached by a diver, the pipe is connected to a bearing structure for bearing on and connection to the well head and on which a diving bell bears, the bell being made fast to the bearing structure and housing a sub-assembly for connection to the well head, the assembly of bell, bearing structure and attached pipe is lowered onto the well head and automatically connected thereto, thereafter a crew is lowered in a crew carnes to the bell and the crew effects connection of the sub-assembly to the well head and the pipe connector to the sub-assembly while in the bell.

Abstract: A debris cap mechanism for use in connection with a housing to enclose and protect a re-entry hub of a subsea well features frame means adapted for engaging the housing, first sealing means adapted to be disposed between the frame means and the housing and operative to inhibit the passage of liquid therebetween, lid means movable between closed and opened positions respectively and connected to the frame means in such a manner that clear access to the re-entry hub is possible when the lid means is in its open position, and second sealing means adapted to be disposed between the frame means and the re-entry hub and operative to inhibit the passage of liquid therebetween, the frame means being movable and operative for moving the lid means between its closed and its open positions.

Abstract: A leak-tight connecting device for the connection of two pipes comprising a primary ball-and-socket joint traversed by a bore, a secondary connecting support for said ball-and-socket joint, said secondary support comprising first and second outer sealing joints and a common central sealing joint located between said first and second outer sealing joints, each said sealing joint being disposed between said ball and socket joint and said support to define with said support and said ball-and-socket joint two chambers, means for connecting said chambers to a source of an incompressible fluid under pressure, mechanical means externally connecting said ball-and-socket joint and said secondary support, said mechanical means being pivotally coupled to each said joint and said support and operable to transmit torque from one of said joint and support to the other for various relative angular dispositions of said joint and said support and means for biasing at least one of said outer sealing joints bounding said chambe

Abstract: A coupling for use in self-engaging and subsequently aligning two portions of a transmission for remote coupling of the portions even when the portions are not aligned.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for laying and connecting a flow line to a submerged base structure, wherein the end portion of the line for connection to the submerged base structure comprises an elbow portion and a connection at the end of the elbow portion, which connection is capable of pivoting about the axis of the elbow portion and forms part of a basic structure for vertical connection to the base structure, the basic structure is held fixed relative to the end portion of the line by operation of a locking apparatus rigidly connecting the elbow portion to the connection, the collector line is progressively submerged in alignment with the submerged base structure until the basic structure coincides with connecting means on the submerged base structure, and the locking apparatus is unlocked so that the elbow portion of the line can pivot freely about its axis relative to the basic structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for shielding subsea wellheads from shock loads due to accidental impact due to the landing of retrieval gear. The present invention shields the wellhead from vertical impact loads by means of a generally conical outer structure and utilizes a shock absorbing material between a portion of the outer structure and the wellhead to minimize lateral impact loads. The total structure comprising the present invention completely surrounds the wellhead extension and provides a flexible, energy absorbing structure to protect the wellhead from the impact loads. More specifically the present invention provides supporting guide structure which is rigidly mounted on the wellhead. The supporting guide structure provides means for transmitting the impact loads to the wellheads.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a load between a surface apparatus and a submerged base platform comprises at least two return pulleys mounted on the base platform, at least two cables passing over the pulleys, one run of each cable being connected to the surface apparatus by a winch and the other run acting as a guide for a load carrier, each run passing from the respective pulley to the respective winch separating from the respective guide run as it extends away from the respective pulley and the runs connected to the load carrier being orientated by the latter in the direction of the surface apparatus, and means for horizontally levelling the load carrier.