Abstract: A device for enabling two elements connected by a knuckle to take a disalignment angle with respect to one another in a single displacement plane. One of the elements is a lower element extending beyond the knuckle and is shaped as a lever arm located in the second element which forms the upper element. The knuckle is fashioned as a ball joint, with a guiding arrangement being provided for holding the displacement of the drill elements in the displacement plane. The guiding means are integrated into the upper element and, in the upper element, a control arrangement is provided for controlling the disalignment angle with the controlling arrangement including an eccentric having the positioned determined by the disalignment angle.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tool or instrument in a duct and recovering the tool or instrument therefrom by causing a vector fluid to flow through the device. The device includes a tubular element adapted to be connected to the tool or instrument and an annular sealing arrangement mounted on the tubular element for sealing the tubular element in the duct. The tubular element includes an arrangement for selecting a direction of movement of the tool or instrument which includes a closing device for cooperating with a resilient conjugate piece and a device for reversing a direction of movement of the closing device. The cooperation of the closing device with the resilient conjugate piece occurs in at least three states. In the first state, the fluid flows through the tubular element in a first direction; in the second state, the fluid flow is stopped in a direction opposite to the first direction of fluid flow; and, in the third state, the fluid is stopped in the first direction.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for determining, from a well, the orientation of fractures in a geological formation having a fracture zone. The device includes a tubular element connected to a hydraulic fluid source and having at least one flow orifice through which the fluid may escape. This device further includes:(a) at least one chamber through which the fluid may flow from the tubular element towards the fracture, this chamber being in communication with the flow orifice,(b) at least one mobile orientation element situated substantially at the same depth as the fracture zone, this element being articulated about the tubular element and being adapted for moving by rotation towards a final position following discharge of the fluid from the chamber towards the fracture zone, and(c) an arrangement for locating the final position of said orientation element, this position being in relation with the orientation of the fracture.

Abstract: An articulated jet pump is provided usable more particularly in TFL techniques for activating hydrocarbon or water-producing wells. The pump of the invention may be positioned in production tubing by travelling through this tubing as far as the chosen position and comprises a nozzle adapted for being fed with drive fluid, the nozzle having an outlet orifice which cooperates with a mixer-diffuser assembly placed in an extension of the nozzle. The pump is formed from at least two elements articulated together at the level of the mixer.

Abstract: A device for generating acoustic waves in the earth by striking a mass, housed in a guiding tube, against a target member secured to the lower end of this tube and coupled to the earth in operating conditions, including means, such as an electromagnet, for holding said mass at the upper end of said tube and releasing it at will, and means to turn the tube upside down after each operation so as to reset the mass in position for a new operation.