Abstract: An end terminal is provided for an underwater electrical cable and has a booted seal and a foam-filled area between the seal and the outer structural boot.

Abstract: A bell-lock mechanical pipeline connector is provided wherein a seal of soft material is wedged into a sealing mode by collet wedge lock fingers which in turn are actuated by a wedging means which is functional upon shearing of a pin.

Abstract: An eccentric hinge is provided for laying submarine pipelines which facilitates joining long segments of the pipeline by raising adjacent ends of the segments, attaching the hinge thereto, and lowering the segments and hinge to the sea-floor while remotely applying tension to one of the segments.

Abstract: A connector for joining pipe ends is provided having two memory metal lock rings which are heat-shrinkable about a pipe end and a memory metal rod/wedge ring, heat-shrinkable at a higher temperature or in a delayed mode, to secure the lock rings.

Abstract: A flexible length of pipe is formed from at least two pipe sections joined by a flexible element such as a closed toroidal shell or open convoluted forms.

Abstract: A stroking mechanism in accordance with the invention includes a partially buckled, hollow chamber susceptible to further buckling at preselected pressure and a plunger within the chamber. The plunger is at least partly expelled from the chamber upon further buckling of the chamber by pressure.

Abstract: A flexible length of pipe is formed from at least two pipe sections joined by a flexible element such as a closed toroidal shell or open convoluted forms.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated release mechanism is assembled using a prebuckled pipe segment as a pressure-triggering mechanism. The trigger mechanism is employed to attach buoys to an offshore structure or pipeline under construction. The attached buoys move with the structure or newly added pipe string toward the sea bottom, easing the descent. As a preselected external pressure is sensed, the buckle in the pipe segment propagates and the trigger mechanism actuates, releasing buoys from the structure or pipeline as each buoy in turn reaches the same depth or pressure.

Abstract: A stable offshore platform for surface or undersea work is provided by connecting a semi-submersible trailer unit with a workboat. Preferably, two columns of the trailer are joined by a beam member or truss, and this assembly is linked to the workboat via a truss-like trailer tongue with a ball swivel joint. When in transit, the semi-submersible unit is deballasted to a shallow draft condition and towed by the workboat.

Abstract: A kit for collecting spilled oil is provided in a single, easily transportable container of components including a flattened floating sock skimmer postionable in the water with a partially submerged open front and an open rear downwardly facing into the water, a crane to facilitate assembly and deployment of the skimmer, a power unit, and towable bags for use in containing oil collected by the skimmer; the container not only provides storage for the components but also functions as a means for separating oil and water removed by the skimmer.

Abstract: A jackup platform trailer for surface or undersea work is formed from a deck structure supported by a submersible flotation means. In a transport mode, the deck structure is linked via a gooseneck arm and swivel joint to a workboat. In an operational mode, the submersible flotation means is fully submersed to support the deck structure from the ocean floor, without need for an attached workboat.

Abstract: A tension spring finger connector is provided for offshore pipelines. The connector makes use of a metal seal which is reusable and does not require a diver for subsea connection operations. The holding components of the connector are colleted spring fingers and a combination drivelock ring. Sealing is accomplished with a combination of a seal ring and a flexible cantilevered support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from the surface of water by means of one or a multiplicity of discs which are provided with either or a combination of oil-absorbent bristles and oil-absorbent materials disposed on the flat surfaces of the disc, the disc being disposed partially in the oil and partially in a vapor space thereabove, rotating the discs to cycle the bristles and/or oil-absorbent material alternately from the oil on the water to the vapor space thereabove, allowing the oil to adhere or absorb into the bristles or absorbent material and then removing the oil from the bristles and/or oil-absorbent material while the bristles and/or oil-absorbent material are in the vapor space.

Abstract: Skimmer for removing oil from the surface of a body of water which is articulated from front to rear to be wave conformable and/or has a quiescent collection zone formed by bottom and/or forward baffles. Flexible skimming head for use with or independently of the above skimmer composed of a foraminous sheet having an integral chevron flow pattern on its upper surface; floating skimming head for use similar to the preceeding head with a central, axially vertically movable cone or other configuration forming a suction mouth. Boom for use with or independently of the above skimmer which is composed of converging double booms. Storage capacity for oil collected by the above skimmer or otherwise composed of onboard and/or offboard membranes.

Abstract: Skimmer for removing oil from the surface of a body of water which is articulated from front to rear to be wave comformable and/or has a quiescent collection zone formed by bottom and/or forward baffles. Flexible skimming head for use with or independently of the above skimmer composed of a foraminous sheet having an integral chevron flow pattern on its upper surface; floating skimming head for use similar to the preceding head with a central, axially vertically movable cone or other configuration forming a suction mouth. Boom for use with or independently of the above skimmer which is composed of converging double booms. Storage capacity for oil collected by the above skimmer or otherwise composed of onboard and/or offboard membranes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water with a skimmer; the apparatus including a skimmer with baffled entry ports arranged on a plane inclined to the direction of current flow or about the periphery of a drum so that oil enters through the baffles into a chamber which is beneath an inverted funnel or within the axle of the drum; the method involving providing a skimmer having submerged baffle entry ports inclined to the direction of current flow, allowing the oil to enter the skimmer, and returning the skimmer to a horizontal position for removal of the oil therefrom through an inverted funnel suspended over the confined oil.