Abstract: A telemetry system for bi-directional communication of data between a well point and a terminal unit situated on a surface, which can be used inside drilling or production strings. The system includes data transmission and optional reception devices. An active vehicle, which can be equipped with plural automation levels, ranging from purely tele-operated to completely autonomous, is provided for unwinding and pulling a connection line, capable of moving inside a drilling or production string, or a passive vehicle, moved by a deploying cable and a suitable winding/unwinding device, in particular a winch. A connection line, containing electric conductors and/or one or more optical fibers of the transmission and optional reception devices is provided between a well point and its corresponding point situated inside the vehicle or on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric arc automatic orbital welding machine (3) for carrying out butting welding between pipes of a bundle (2) and a cylindrical body (1) in heat exchangers, in which a cam mechanism (5) receives a circular motion around an axis (9) therefrom and generates an axial reciprocating motion along the same axis (9) and orthogonal to the plane of rotation so that the torch (7) describes the same spatial path which coincides with the intersection line between the pipe segment (2) and the cylindrical body (1).

Abstract: A single point mooring method, wherein a fixed structure is anchored to sea bed. A first member is connected to the fixed structure rotatably around a first axis and a second member is connected to the first member rotatably around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The tanker mooring line is connected to the second member rotatably, and a flexible pipeline for transferring fluid to or from the tanker is rotatably connected to the second member so as to compensate stress in the tanker mooring line caused by translational and rotational movements of the tanker.

Abstract: This invention provides a seismic joint for an underwater floating tunnel having: (a) a joint portion (i) having a transverse section essentially the same as that of the tunnel, (ii) being rigidly fastened to land at one end (A) thereof, and (iii) being elastically constrained to the tunnel at its other end (B) via a plurality of operably affixed means which performs an elastic function and a damping function; (b) a collar welded onto the external surface of the tunnel facing end (B) of the portion, said collar being capable of sliding on and along the external surface of the joint portion; and (c) a means for providing a water-tight seal between the internal surface of the collar and the external surface of the joint portion.

Abstract: Flexible column for offshore applications made from a composite material consisting or consisting essentially of a thermosetting resin reinforced with natural, artificial or synthetic fibers.

Abstract: A modular multi-passage rotary coupling for transferring fluids in which pipes are rigidly connected with the inner fixed rings of the relevant modules by sleeves. The sleeves, after being coaxially butt-fastened at their bottom end with the pipes, enter proper bores specifically provided in the relevant fixed rings, inside which each of them is fastened under pressure by means of a closure and tight-sealing screw-threaded cap which is screwed down on a corresponding inner threading provided at the upper end of the relevant sleeve and urging, with the crown of its head, against the upper edge of the bore and also by a shoulder step jutting out at the bottom end of the sleeve and cooperating with the lower edge of the bore of the fixed ring.

Abstract: A system for the cryogenic processing and storing the combustion product of a heat engine, in which the cooled and compressed anhydrous gases are fed through a liquefying/superheating heat exchanger to a cryogenic condensation/collection vessel for the carbon dioxide which is liquefied therein by the combustion oxygen which is stored in the liquid state in a cryogenic oxygen tank and traverses said cryogenic condensation/collection vessel through a coil, said liquid oxygen of the cryogenic oxygen tank being superheated while simultaneously partially liquefying the carbon dioxide in said liquefying/superheating heat exchanger while the oxygen and inert gases present in said cryogenic condensation/collection vessel are recovered. Modifications are also provided.

Abstract: Process for making a modular, underwater, connection of water stretches, wherein the prefabricated modules from different manufacturing yards, freely floating in the water area in front of a floodable basin, are introduced, one at a time, into the basin, through an upper door and, after the basin is emptied, are laid on support saddles. The modules are then aligned and connected with the end of an already installed length, and, after flooding the basin again, are launched by being butt-pushed by means of a driving system, guided by means of thrust roller units.

Abstract: A trestlework structure provided with four main, legs forming an obelisk-shaped structure, wherein said main legs are positioned parallel to each another in correspondence of two mutually opposite faces of the obelisk and are reinforced at their base by jutting-out trestlework appendices lying on the planes of said faces.Furthermore, variants are provided by the invention, according to which said legs are not positioned parallel to each other in correspondence of the top end of the structure, and said mutually-opposite faces of the obelisk are contained in two or more adjacent inclined planes.

Abstract: A flexible structure of controlled yieldability for use as a hydrocarbon drilling and production platform in deep seas, or as a mooring point for oil tankers, constituted by a foundation base assembly, a vertical cylindrical tubular element placed under tension by a buoyancy chamber disposed at its top in proximity to the water surface, and an overlying lattice which at its top supports the plant platform.The tubular element is connected at its lower end to the base and at its upper end to the buoyancy chamber by means of suitable profiled tapered terminal elements able to withstand the bending loads which are generated at said connections.The entire structure is constituted by four separate pieces, namely the foundation base assembly with the lower terminal element, the lower half of the cylindrical tubular element, the upper half thereof, and the upper buoyancy chamber which is connected at one end to the upper terminal connection element and at the other end to the top lattice.

Abstract: A system for mooring tankers to an emergent fixed structure, constituted by an articulated connection structure using an equalizer hinged to the tanker deck by hinges able to isolate said articulated structure from the tanker rolling motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing environmental forces on a mooring system for tanker ships, wherein a fixed structure comprising a hinged arm rotatably movable with respect to the mooring system is provided with a rocker assembly which is pivotally connected to said arm and universally connected via lateral connecting ties to ballast chambers.

Abstract: A method for the construction, transportation and site installation of a gravity-supported deep-sea lattice structure, characterized by using a dry dock only for constructing the base of the structure, this latter then being completed in protected deep water by successively welding leg portions prefabricated in different construction yards, the welding being done using floating docks, one for each leg, which are provided with lifting and welding equipment and also with automatic raising and liquid ballasting systems, and are connected to said legs in a manner releasable from and slidable along them, to enable the structure under construction to be lowered in a controlled manner after each welding operation, so as to always return it to its initial state and thus make the joining of the leg portions by welding a repetitive operation, the floating docks also being used as pontoons for supporting the structure when, having been made to re-emerge to approximately half its height by means of their said automatic r

Abstract: A floating platform used in exploiting subsea oil shoals and a method for installing the platform which comprises a platform structure and an array of vertical tubular anchoring lines connected to the uprights of the platform and to anchoring blocks lying on the sea bottom, the tube sections which form the anchoring lines being connected together in sequential order by welding to make up a solid entity.

Abstract: A mooring buoy structure for tanker ships is disclosed which comprises an anchoring block secured to the sea bottom, a vertical structure for supporting piping which conveys crude petroleum and like fluids from and to the ship, and a swinging arm installed above the anchoring block and fastened to a structure capable of being rotated about the buoy axis to orient the mooring arm, the latter also being capable of limited vertical rotation in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A control system for subsea oil wells, more particularly well heads, is disclosed, which comprises, in combination, an electronic command and control unit, a valve actuating hydraulic electric unit, a power generator unit, and interconnection devices for interconnecting the hydraulic lines for controlling the whole system from the surface with the hydraulic units for commanding the electric-hydraulic unit.

Abstract: For conveying very large volumes of sea water from sea bottom to the surface in order to exploit the temperature differential between the surface layers and the bottom layer and thus produce power, a flexible conduit is provided which is composed by cylindrical sections of a resilient reinforced material connected by hoops of a rigid material, an array of cables extending longitudinally of the conduit being secured to said hoops. The conduit can be assembled or disassembled by a stepwise operational sequence.

Abstract: In a self-propelled, remotely controlled vehicle adapted to operate on the sea bottom for extracting ores therefrom, a V-shaped tubular structure has at its apexes a system of crawlers for moving the structure on the sea bottom. Underneath each side of the V-shaped structure, a scraping system is operative and its long axis is perpendicular to the corresponding side of the V-shaped structure. Tubular conveying systems for elevating the ore to the surface are provided. The V-shaped structure is collapsible by means of hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A system is provided for buoyantly supporting an offshore structure so that it may be floated to a location in a body of water and then permitted to sink to the bottom, which consists of self-stabilizing apparatus comprised of a set of floodable chambers disposed around a central axis and a generally horizontal distributor, located above the floodable chambers to supply water thereto, whose axis is parallel to the axis of the floodable chambers. The distributor consists of an inner chamber which is connected to a water supply, an outer chamber which is partitioned into a set of compartments that complement the floodable chambers and an annular wall between the inner chamber and the compartments permitting an overflow of water from the inner chamber to the respective compartments, and each compartment is connected to its diagonally opposite floodable chamber so that water flows from it to that floodable chamber.

Abstract: A submersible oil-storage tank is constructed from a foundation plate which has a flat lower face and a concave upper face and contains a series of hollow cells, a cupola mounted on the foundation plate to form a spheroidal chamber, and extensible-retractable tie members connecting the cupola with the foundation plate. An expansible separating wall extends across the chamber and divides it into a lower sub-chamber and an upper sub-chamber. Each sub-chamber is provided with a valved duct so that water may be permitted to flow into or out of the lower sub-chamber and oil may be permitted to flow into or out of the upper sub-chamber.