Abstract: A counterbalancing hydraulic system for exerting a torque on a member such as a spud pile by means of at least two substantially identical hydraulic cylinders, piston rods of which engage the pile at a distance from one another, the pistons being subjected to pressure in opposite senses, while the portion of each cylinder remote from the piston rod communicates through a main displacer pump motor each with the portion of the other cylinder located on the side of the piston rod and the portion of each cylinder remote from the piston rod communicates through an auxiliary displacer pump motor with a medium reservoir.

Abstract: A device for lowering a load for example a diving bell from a vessel from a spot above the water line to a spot beneath the water line, comprising a winch and a cable connected with the load and moved by said winch along at least one cable pulley rotatable about a shaft. In order to prevent that the cable becomes alternately slack and taut during contact of the load with the water, it is proposed to constantly maintain the taut state of the cable by placing the shaft of the pulley parallel to itself and connecting it with the plunger rod of a plunger cylinder provided with an accumulator.