Abstract: A device for releasing of a frozen screw pressed against a contact surface uses a compression disc pre-loaded to an anticipated amount of deflection prior to mounting between the contact surface and the screw. The disc has an insert formed from a granulated material mixed with a water soluble binder, allowing to wash out the insert and cause collapse of the disc, so as to break the connection between the contact surface and the screw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jack-up rig unit for offshore use which has a floatable hull supportable by one or more legs above a water line, a jack-up unit for elevating the hull and a rack chock assembly for rigidly locking the legs to the hull without introducing substantial bending moments in the legs. The rack chock assembly is laterally movable into and out of engagement with respect to the legs and, in case of a lock-up between the leg and the rack chock assembly, the invention provides for the use of a wedge member incorporated into a rack chock assembly, with a wedge member adapted for a limited sliding movement in relation to a longitudinal axis of the leg, so as to break locked engagement between the teeth of the rack chock assembly and the leg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for allowing securing of a collision guard to a side of a vessel. A vertically oriented post is fixedly attached to and extends upwardly from the collision guard and has an upper part which is received in a gap formed between a pair of vertically spaced-apart horizontally extending retainer plates. An enclosure formed between the retainer plates surrounds the posts on those sides which do not face the hull of the vessel. Adjustable screw jacks extend through the openings formed in the enclosure side walls to selectively adjustably contact the side walls of the post to thereby secure the retainer plates to the post. An attachment bolster mounted on a top deck of the vessel allows fixed attachment of the retainer plates to the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to marine vessels equipped with collision guards made in the form of a fender module secured to the exterior surface of the hull and supported thereby. The module, which can be one or more in number, is filled with lightweight buoyant material and protects the hull proper from collision damage, or it can be made in the form of a hollow shell divided into a plurality of watertight compartments.

Abstract: A construction system for ships utilizing three basic units which are attached together to form an integrated streamlined hull design suitable for navigation. The hull unit has an open area or slot in the stern portion with two side arms or wings into which the propulsion unit is placed and to which the propulsion unit is securedly attached. The accommodation/navigation unit is fixedly attached to the deck of the propulsion unit and secured by self hardening material, such as concrete, polyurethane and the like. The basic three units are originally constructed as independent units and are integrated in accordance with ship's specifications to be used as cargo vessels or passenger vessels.

Abstract: A floating drilling and production unit comprising two independently floating bodies: (1) an outer, larger, substantially cylindrical buoyant caisson with an enlarged skirt around its lower perimeter to dampen sea-induced motions and (2) a wellhead buoy captured within the central well of the outer caisson. The outer caisson supports the weight of the drilling platform, machinery, storage and living quarters and is ballasted and anchored in a manner similar to a conventional semisubmersible vessel. The constant tension buoy supports the wellheads of completed wells and is held in a constant position relative to the ocean floor much like a tension leg platform by the production risers of completed wells, tendons, or a combination of tendons and risers. Production risers are kept taut by the buoyancy of the constant tension buoy. The constant tension buoy has a tapered shape that minimizes contact and interaction between the wellhead buoy and the caisson.

Abstract: A new and improved shock absorber mechanism and method for use on the leg structure of a jack-up offshore drilling rig is disclosed. The shock absorbing mechanism is designed to be mounted on the bottom of each existing leg of a drilling rig and comprises a pointed piston member which is positioned on the bottom of the leg structure, wherein the piston member projects downward through the can/footing of the rig leg and is held in place by a resilient tension member which is designed to absorb shock forces during vertical/axial impact of the leg structure when contact is made with the ocean floor.

Abstract: A floating drilling and production unit comprising two independently floating bodies: (1) an outer, larger, substantially cylindrical buoyant caisson with an enlarged skirt wellhead buoy captured within the central well of the outer caisson. The outer caison supports the weight of the drilling platform, machinery, storage and living quarters and is ballasted and anchored in a manner similar to a conventional semisubmersible vessel. The constant tension buoy supports the wellheads of completed wells and is held in a constant position relative to the ocean floor much like a tension leg platform by the production risers of completed wells, tendons, or a combination of tendons and risers. Production risers are kept taut by the buoyancy of the constant tension buoy. The constant tension buoy has a tapered shape that minimizes contact and interaction between the wellhead buoy and the caisson. Thus, the wellhead buoy is substantially unaffected by sea-induced motions of the bouyant caisson.

Abstract: A system for making a "jack-up" rig with its jacked-up legs and hull rigid and fixed together by the use of "rack chock" elements which are designed to absorb the maximum axial chord loadings on the legs and transmit them directly into the hull. The "rack chock" elements are configured preferrably with a number of matching teeth for exact, in-line engagement with the legs' rack teeth, and are capable of being adjusted for vertical alignment and horizontal positioning to mate with the rack teeth position. By a series of screw jacks and/or secondary chocks, the "rack chock" elements provide rigid contact with both the legs and the hull structure and eliminate the requirement for the jack pinions to take the load (as is done in the prior art) in either jacked-up or ocean-tow dispositions.

Abstract: A new and improved shock absorbing structure and method for use on a jack-up off-shore drilling rig is disclosed. The shock absorbing structure is designed for mounting on the bottom of each existing leg of the drilling rig and comprises a novel bottom member fixedly attached to each leg with the bottom member having a piston member positioned in the central portion thereof. The piston member is associated with at least one compression member formed around the piston member with the compression member being designed to absorb shock during a shock absorbing condition on the drilling rig leg. The compression member is fixedly attached to the bottom member by retaining means thereby making the structure self contained.Also disclosed is a new and novel method utilizing the shock absorbing structure on a jack-up off-shore drilling rig.

Abstract: A system for making a "jack-up" rig with its jacked-up legs and hull rigid and fixed together by the use of "rack chock" elements which are designed to absorb the maximum axial chord loading on the legs and transmit them directly into the hull. The "rack chock" elements are configured preferrably with a number of matching teeth for exact, in-line engagement with the legs' rack teeth, and are capable of being adjusted for vertical alignment and horizontal positioning to mate with the rack teeth position. By a series of screw jacks and/or secondary chocks, the "rack chock" elements provide rigid contact with both the legs and the hull structure and eliminate the requirement for the jack pinions to take the load (as is done in the prior art) in either jacked-up or ocean-tow dispositions.