Abstract: Interface arrangement for components such as valves and control units incorporated in subsea stations particularly for hydrocarbon production, in which the components during operation are mounted in fixed positions on the subsea station and are adapted to be retrieved therefrom by means of a remotely operated tool unit unit (ROT) havign a mating interface arrangement to cooperate with that of the components. The upper part of the component, which is mounted for retrieval in a substantially vertical direction from its fixed position on the subsea station, is provided with central handling means and one or more coupling members. The handling means and the coupling members are adapted to cooperated with respective mating means and members provided on the ROT. Moreover, the handling means is dimensioned for lifting and transporting the component suspended from the ROT.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a fluid swivel joint such as is commonly used on offshore loading terminals for tankers. The sealed fluid joint includes first and second adjacent joint rings which are rotatable relative to each other about a common central longitudinal axis. The joint rings have a small annular, ring-shaped clearance gap therebetween to allow relative rotational movement, and one of the rings includes an annular seal housing groove facing the clearance gap. An annular seal is positioned in the seal housing groove, and its componets include a pliant annular, sealing member and an adjacent free-floating anti-extrusion ring to prevent the pliant sealing member from being deformed into the clearance gap by a relatively high fluid pressure differential existing across the seal.

Abstract: Face and radial sealing arrangements for a fluid swivel joint such as is commonly used on offshore loading terminals for tankers. The sealed fluid joint includes first and second adjacent joint rings which are rotatable relative to each other about a common central longitudinal axis. The joint rings have a small annular, ring-shaped clearance gap therebetween to allow relative rotational movement, and one of the rings defines an annular seal housing groove adjacent to the clearance gap. An annular seal is positioned in the seal housing groove, and its components include an annular, sealing member and an adjacent antiextrusion ring to prevent the pliant sealing member from being deformed into the clearance gap by the relatively high fluid pressure differential existing across the seal.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed of a vertical type of flowline connector for providing a fluid connection between a horizontal flowline and an additional subsea facility. The upper and lower portions of the connector can be properly positioned relative to each other by simply lowering an upper female portion of the connector onto a lower male portion thereof. The lower portion of the connector at the subsea facility is provided with at least two vertically positioned, upwardly facing male mandrel connectors. The upper portion of the connector assembly includes at least two vertically positioned, downwardly facing corresponding female connectors designed to be lowered onto the corresponding male mandrel connectors. At least one of the female connectors is mounted on the connector assembly by a free floating mounting.

Abstract: A pipe joint adapted to be utilized in flow lines or well casings in which clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation is imparted to the pipe joint in order to provide for the remote subsea make and break connections between a floating vessel and a subsea well or subsea production riser base. More particularly, the invention resides in a pipe joint incorporating a locking connection enabling the pipe joint between the floating vessel and the remote subsea make and break connection to be able to transmit torque, without in any manner affecting the mechanical and pressure integrity of the pipe joint.

Abstract: An over-the-center toggle mechanism for actuating locking dogs for connecting and disconnecting two underwater members. The first member includes a locking notch and the second member slideably carries locking dogs for transverse movement for engagement and disengagement with the locking notch. A toggle linkage includes a first pivot connection connected to the dogs and a second pivot connection longitudinally actuated by a piston whereby longitudinal movement of the second pivot connections transversely moves the locking dogs. A resilient load spring acts against the second pivot connections and towards said first pivot connections for locking the second pivot connections in a past dead center position relative to the first pivot connections. The second member includes a tubular body having an annular cavity with a longitudinally reciprocal carriage mounted in the cavity and actuated by the piston.

Abstract: A well casing hanger assembly for releasably connecting a first well casing to and from a second member by a resiliently self-expandable and contractible C-shaped spring support ring. The ring is positioned in a recess in the hanger body between stop shoulders for axially slideable movement thereon and is engageable with a locking means for locking the spring support in an expanded position. Coacting engagement between the hanger body and the support ring allows longitudinal movement of the support ring relative to the body but prevents rotational movement of the support ring relative to the body. A fluid flow slot is positioned in the periphery of the hanger body and is aligned with the split in the C-shaped spring support ring for providing a larger bearing area between the support spring and the hanger body without a loss in fluid flow area.

Abstract: An over-the-center toggle mechanism for actuating locking dogs for connecting and disconnecting two underwater members. The first member includes a locking notch and the second member slideably carries locking dogs for transverse movement for engagement and disengagement with the locking notch. A toggle linkage includes a first pivot connection connected to the dogs and a second pivot connection longitudinally actuated by a piston whereby longitudinal movement of the second pivot connections transversely moves the locking dogs. A resilient load spring acts against the second pivot connections and towards said first pivot connections for locking the second pivot connections in a past dead center position relative to the first pivot connections. The second member includes a tubular body having an annular cavity with a longitudinally reciprocal carriage mounted in the cavity and actuated by the piston.