Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical connection device designed for the detachable mechanical connection of the free ends of two offshore lines, advantageously a mooring line and a messenger line. The mechanical connection device includes two modules that are attached to a free end of the offshore lines. The mechanical connection device includes a locking unit that includes an operating member, to operate the locking unit from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. The operating member is movable between two positions with a translational degree of freedom parallel to the longitudinal axis of the modules in the assembled state, preferably in a downstream to upstream direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fairlead intended to engage with an anchor chain, for a system for anchoring a floating installation to the ground. The fairlead includes two structures assembled by pivot connection of axis, one upstream, for rigidly connecting the fairlead to the floating installation, and the other downstream, including—a unit for blocking the translational movement of the anchor chain, and—a guide, for guiding a change in direction of the anchor chain. Furthermore, the downstream structure includes two lateral plates delimiting the passage of the chain, the upstream end of each of the plates including a U-shaped bearing receiving an additional arm of the upstream structure and engaging together via a journal, the guide extending between the internal branches of the two bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a demountable link, suitable in particular for interconnecting two chains for anchoring floating equipment to the ground. This demountable link, shaped like an oblong ring, includes two straight sections connected by two curved sections, and includes: —two side parts each forming one of the curved sections, and—two connecting parts, each forming at least one portion of one of the straight sections, the side parts being assembled with the connecting parts, through removable fastening unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a demountable link, suitable in particular for interconnecting two chains for anchoring floating equipment to the ground. This demountable link, shaped like an oblong ring, includes two straight sections connected by two curved sections, and includes: —two side parts each forming one of the curved sections, and —two connecting parts, each forming at least one portion of one of the straight sections, the side parts being assembled with the connecting parts, through removable fastening unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the stable storage of sensitive biological or chemical target substance, in a bound form on certain capture media. The method comprised providing a sample containing the target substance in a suitable buffer; combining the sample with a capture media to effect reversible binding of the target substance to the capture media; and storing the capture media with the target substance at between about ?20 and 20° C.; and recovering the target substance from the capture media. The target substance recovered maintains the desired activity. Also provides are methods for reducing aggregates in the sensitive biological or chemical target substance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fairlead intended to engage with an anchor chain, for a system for anchoring a floating installation to the ground. The fairlead includes two structures assembled by pivot connection of axis, one upstream, for rigidly connecting the fairlead to the floating installation, and the other downstream, including—a unit for blocking the translational movement of the anchor chain, and—a guide, for guiding a change in direction of the anchor chain. Furthermore, the downstream structure includes two lateral plates delimiting the passage of the chain, the upstream end of each of the plates including a U-shaped bearing receiving an additional arm of the upstream structure and engaging together via a journal, the guide extending between the internal branches of the two bearings.

Abstract: A fairlead for guiding an anchor chain, intended to equip a ground anchor system for a floating platform, includes a bending structure for guiding a direction change of the associated anchor chain, and a locking structure that includes a grip jaw consisting of two jaws associated with operating elements for rotatably moving the jaws in opposite directions. The operating elements include: (a) an inert mass, referred to as “counterweight”, which is movably coupled to the jaws and which is height-adjustable between a low position and a high position corresponding to an active position and an inactive position of the jaws, respectively, so as to operate and tend to maintain the jaws in the active position, and (b) an actuator driven by control elements, for operating the jaws from the active position to the inactive position and for operating the counterweight from the low position to the high position.

Abstract: A system for anchoring to the ground, via chains, a floating platform, whose operating station includes: activatable/deactivatable stopper elements for each of the anchor chains, for locking in position the associated chain that ends by an upstream free strand including an end connection chain link, wherein the stopper elements are arranged side by side, along a same line, and are each associated with one housing-reservoir for storing the upstream free strand of the associated chain; and tensioning elements common to the different chains, and including a single tensioning winch, movably mounted above the stopper elements, wherein the tensioning winch includes a master chain strand, whose downstream end includes a downstream chain link adapted to be removably attached to the connection chain link of the upstream free strand of the anchor chains, and whose upstream end is stored in a container-reservoir.

Abstract: A fairlead for guiding an anchor chain, intended to equip a ground anchor system for a floating platform, includes a bending structure for guiding a direction change of the associated anchor chain, and a locking structure that includes a grip jaw consisting of two jaws associated with operating elements for rotatably moving the jaws in opposite directions. The operating elements include: (a) an inert mass, referred to as “counterweight”, which is movably coupled to the jaws and which is height-adjustable between a low position and a high position corresponding to an active position and an inactive position of the jaws, respectively, so as to operate and tend to maintain the jaws in the active position, and (b) an actuator driven by control elements, for operating the jaws from the active position to the inactive position and for operating the counterweight from the low position to the high position.

Abstract: A system for anchoring to the ground, via chains, a floating platform, whose operating station includes: activatable/deactivatable stopper elements for each of the anchor chains, for locking in position the associated chain that ends by an upstream free strand including an end connection chain link, wherein the stopper elements are arranged side by side, along a same line, and are each associated with one housing-reservoir for storing the upstream free strand of the associated chain; and tensioning elements common to the different chains, and including a single tensioning winch, movably mounted above the stopper elements, wherein the tensioning winch includes a master chain strand, whose downstream end includes a downstream chain link adapted to be removably attached to the connection chain link of the upstream free strand of the anchor chains, and whose upstream end is stored in a container-reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the stable storage of sensitive biological or chemical target substance, in a bound form on certain capture media. The method comprised providing a sample containing the target substance in a suitable buffer; combining the sample with a capture media to effect reversible binding of the target substance to the capture media; and storing the capture media with the target substance at between about ?20 and 20° C.; and recovering the target substance from the capture media. The target substance recovered maintains the desired activity. Also provides are methods for reducing aggregates in the sensitive biological or chemical target substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an insoluble separation matrix, which method comprises salt-treatment of a polysaccharide gel followed by cross-linking of the polysaccharide polymers. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an aqueous solution of a gelatable native polysaccharide; lowering the temperature of the polysaccharide solution to a value below its gelling point; salt-treatment by adding at least one salt to the resulting polysaccharide; and cross-linking the salt-treated polysaccharide. The polysaccharide may be prepared e.g. into particles, membranes or monoliths.

Abstract: The invention is a method of producing a cross-linked polymeric support having a multimodal pore structure, which comprises providing a degradable initiator molecule; providing an organic phase comprising said initiator molecule, radically polymerizable monomers and a porogen in a solvent; providing an aqueous phase comprising a transition metal catalyst; suspension polymerization of the organic phase by adding a ligand, co-ordinating to the transition metal in the aqueous phase to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a primary pore structure and comprising initiator molecule; and subjecting the support obtained to degrading conditions to remove the initiator molecule from within the support to produce a cross-linked polymeric support having a secondary pore structure in addition to the primary pore structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a polymeric monolithic article by radical polymerization, which method comprises providing a mold comprising a solution of radically polymerisable monomers; a transition metal catalyst and a complexing ligand in a solvent; adding an ATRP initiator and, optionally, flushing the mixture with an inert gas; carrying out radical polymerisation in the mold; optionally, removing the monolithic article obtained in from the mold; and washing the monolithic article obtained as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an insoluble separation matrix, which method comprises salt-treatment of a polysaccharide gel followed by cross-linking of the polysaccharide polymers. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an aqueous solution of a gelatable native polysaccharide; lowering the temperature of the polysaccharide solution to a value below its gelling point; salt-treatment by adding at least one salt to the resulting polysaccharide; and cross-linking the salt-treated polysaccharide. The polysaccharide may be prepared e.g. into particles, membranes or monoliths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesis of an acrylamide derivative, starting with dissolving a salt of a nucleophilic amine in water to form an aqueous solution and desalting said solution with a base, comprising the following steps: a) addition of dissolved activated acrylic acid derivative to said solution; b) acidification of aqueous phase; and c) extraction of said aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preparing a separation matrix, which method comprises providing unsaturated monomers comprising one or more chromatography functionalities; contacting said monomer(s) with initiator and catalyst; performing controlled radical polymerisation of said monomers; and coupling of the resulting polymers to a base matrix. The controlled polymerisation technique may e.g. be ATRP, RAFT or NMP. The method allows preparation of well characterised ligands useful e.g. for HIC or any other kind of chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesis of an acrylamide derivative, starting with dissolving a salt of a nucleophilic amine in water to form an aqueous solution and desalting said solution with a base, comprising the following steps: a) addition of dissolved activated acrylic acid derivative to said solution; b) acidification of aqueous phase; and c) extraction of said aqueous phase. In a preferred embodiment the acryl amide derivative is an immobiline, preferably acrylamido agmatine. The preferred use of the immobilines is for production of 2D gels.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a chromatographic separation matrix, wherein porous polymeric particles comprised of two layers with different properties are prepared in a two-phase system by (a) providing porous polymeric particles with reactive groups on their surfaces; (b) washing said particles with a first solvent and draining the particles to enclose a first phase; (c) wetting the outer layer of the particles by adding a second solvent, which is essentially insoluble in the first solvent; (d) reacting the reactive groups in the outer layer by adding a reagent, which is essentially non-reactive in the first solvent; and (e) coupling of chromatographic binding groups to the reactive groups in the inner layer. The invention also encompasses a porous polymer particle suitable for use as a chromatographic separation matrix and a process of separation, wherein a matrix according to the invention is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing one or more macroporous cross-linked polymer particles, which comprises polymerization and cross-linking of divinyl ether monomers in an inert solvent, in which method the polymerization is free radical initiated. The invention also relates to particles so produced, which are useful as separation medium e.g. in RPC or, after suitable derivatization, in other chromatographic methods.