Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and using a drilling apparatus or a construction crane apparatus from a single moveable vessel is provided. Either a drilling apparatus or a construction crane apparatus is skidded onto the deck of a jack-up rig which is then floated to a remote location for use of the apparatus. The skidding of the construction crane apparatus is facilitated by a new and unique pony structure to raise the base of the construction crane apparatus above a skid on the jack-up rig.

Abstract: A skidbase 16 and a drilling structure 18 are adapted for transfer between a jack-up platform 12 and a fixed platform 14. The jack-up platform 12 is moved into position adjacent the fixed platform 14 and raised to a height aligned with the fixed platform 14. The skidbase 16 is then transferred onto the fixed platform 14 to provide a base on which the drilling structure 18 is next placed. The jack-up platform 12 is raised to a vertical height aligned with the skidbase 16. To ensure proper location of the top surface of the jack-up platform 12 relative to the skidbase 16, a connection means 47 automatically engages and aligns the jack-up platform 12 with the skidbase 16 so that skid rails 32, 44 located on the deck of the jack-up platform 12 and on a top surface of the skidbase 16 are positioned a precise distance apart and at the same vertical height. The drilling structure 18 is then skidded onto the skidbase 16 so that drilling operations may be performed from the fixed platform 14.

Abstract: A jack-up type of offshore oil-drilling platform is adapted for rocket launching, wherein the rocket is assembled on a mobile launch pad in a protected on-shore facility then loaded onto the floating jack-up barge for transport to a launch site miles offshore. The barge is jacked up to create a stable, sea-bottom supported structure; a particular feature is the used of a movable cantilever structure on which the rocket and its supporting pad are loaded while in the on-shore facility, then this structure is moved to a central location on the barge, the barge is floated, and the floating barge is towed to the launch site. At the launch site the structure is moved back to a cantilevered position for launch. In this manner the exhaust gasses from the rocket motors can be directed harmlessly into the sea.