Abstract: A movable joint device for coupling a column to a base resting on the sea bed and comprising a male member and a female member each including associated assembling means allowing the joint to be obtained by assembling both members in fitting relationship with positive unilateral connection, the said members being maintained in the assembled position by means for ballasting the column to ensure a constantly downwardly directed load, whereas the said members are disassembled by merely modifying the ballasting means so as to reverse the load and impart it in an upward direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for mooring a floating contrivance such as a ship, the system comprises at least one lever arm pivotally connected to the ship on the one hand and to a mooring device on the other hand, and a counterweight directly secured to the lever arm at a portion thereof located outside of the ship and always submerged in the sea water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pivotal connecting device of the kind forming a universal Cardan joint coupling in particular for a compliant or articulated column of a sea-bed working structure, said column being pivotally connected to a base member, wherein said universal Cardan joint coupling is associated with one or more rigid connecting ducts for conveying the flow of at least one fluid between said base member and said column.

Abstract: This invention relates to an universal movable-joint device for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base arranged on the sea floor. This device is essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to the said foot and base, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates in improvement in or relating to a stand-by service structure for casual off-shore attendance. The service structure comprises an emergent articulated column pivotally connected with its submerged bottom end to a base member resting on the sea-bed. Said column is fitted with a base member module such as a base member with a workshop caisson comprising at least one opening giving access to the sea-bed and adapted to be closed in fluid-tight relationship. Furthermore, said workshop caisson is adapted to directly communicate at least temporarily with the outer atmosphere at the water surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rotary joint device with multiple piping passages and piping 3,4 eccentric to the axis of rotation X--X of the rotary joint, comprising stationary 1 and rotary 2 portions as well as a coaxial rotary member 7 interposed between the stationary 1 and rotary 2 portions and traversed by conduits 8,9 communicating permanently with the stationary conduits 3a, 4a of pipings 3,4 and with the rotary conduits 3b, 4b of pipings 3,4 through a connecting path 10,11.

Abstract: A method of handling appliances on a sea bottom for the operation and maintenance of well heads in off-shore oil field or other working plants making use of an articulated column resting on the sea bed substantially about the site of said appliances or well heads, wherein the improvement consists in the use of at least one tubular elongated structure extending along said column in parallel relation to the axis thereof, the inside of said structure serving the purpose of guiding said appliances and related means cooperating therewith and also of forming a passage-way for the remote control cables and other transmission or connecting means in particular for operating the well heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for sea-bed exploitation allowing the various functions inherent in such exploitation to be performed, such as for example production, reconditioning and maintenance of underwater well-heads, wherein said structure comprises at least one articulated column performing one or several said functions. In particular, each well-head is accessible through servicing means, such as a movable tool secured to and jointly movable with a support pivotally connected to a carriage movable along guide-rails mounted either within or outside the horizontal apparent contour of the body of the column.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an auxiliary off-shore column located near a working column or platform for sea-bed exploitation. Said auxiliary column is fitted up at least in part between its top and the main float with dwelling rooms, living quarters or like accommodation facilities for the staff on duty on the working column or platform. Said auxiliary column also comprises means for providing on at least temporary communication between both columns with a view to transferring said staff.

Abstract: An off-shore device for mooring a large-sized floating body to an anchoring system anchored to the sea bed, comprising a mooring head located above water level and connected to said anchoring system by a connecting arrangement capable of withstanding tractive force and tiltable in any direction as well as a possibly adjustable tractive force generator providing a vertically upwardly directed force component and adapted to act upon said mooring head while bearing upon said floating body.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a tanker to a marine tower comprising apparatus for mooring the tanker to the tower and apparatus for connecting a supply conduit on the tower to a receiver conduit on the tanker. A hose-pipe section is normally stored on the tanker at least in part on a rotary pulley located on the tanker in a manner such that one of the ends of the hose-pipe has connected to it a first connecting element which opens upwardly on the tanker deck. A boom on the tower capable of freely pivoting about the axis of the latter has attached to its free end a second connecting element adapted to cooperate with the first connecting element. A rope passes vertically through the second connecting element whose free end is attachable to the first connecting element to move the first connecting element towards or away from said second connecting element which remains substantially stationary.

Abstract: A device for coupling and uncoupling an emerging articulated column to or from its base installed on the bottom of a body of water, the said column and the said base being provided with piping portions, wherein quick operated connecting-disconnecting means are provided for rapidly interconnecting corresponding portions of the said base pipings and column pipings, respectively, connectable and disconnectable concomitantly with the use or operation of the means of connection and disconnection of the said column to or from the said base.According to one aspect of the invention, the column is provided with a connecting pedestal substantially cylindrical in shape and adapted to be fitted into an annular socket of the pedestal, and the bundle of pipes pertaining to the column can be connected by screwing to corresponding piping portions converging towards the center of the socket.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a petroleum-oil supply line mounted on a marine column to a receiver conduit mounted on an oil-tanker, said column a head being mounted pivotally about the axis of said column at its upper end and including a rotary turret with a boom extending radially therefrom, wherein the improvement comprises a single-turn rotary pulley mounted on the head of the column and adapted to receive the upstream length of a hose-pipe, apparatus for permanently connecting the upstream end of said hose-pipe to the downstream end of the oil-supply line of said column, and apparatus for supporting and guiding the downstream length of the hose-pipe from the pulley to the end of said boom in such a manner that a connecting member provided at the downstream end of the downstream length has its outlet opening constantly directed downwards at the end of the said boom.

Abstract: A system for mooring a ship or like floating vessel to an offshore structure and for transferring a fluid between duct means provided on said ship and structure, respectively, comprising at least one hawser and at least one fluid transferring hose pipe connected with one end thereof to duct means on one of the ship and the structure and with its opposite free end to one end of said hawser, wherein the improvement consists in that said hose pipe end is provided with connecting means which, in the stowage position, is normally connected to one of the ship and the structure, said means being adapted to be detached from said one of the ship and the structure, in order to be attached to the other one of said ship and structure whereas a tow-line is provided for at the same time drawings along the hawser towards its operative position, said hose pipe end being provided with pipe fittings for removable connection to duct means on the other one of said ship and structure.

Abstract: A universal Cardan joint coupling device for pivotally connecting an off-shore oil-field working articulated column to a base member resting or anchored on the sea bed, wherein the improvement consists in that at least one of the pivot axes of said joint is connected to two supports rigidly connected to said base member and provided on either side of said joint, by means of two lock-bolt means aligned and displaceable along said axis and adapted to cooperate with bolt-clasps or keepers provided in said supports.

Abstract: A cassette loaded with a resilient packing is used to connect a pipe on the sea bed to one end of a hollow shaft forming part of the crosspiece of a cardan joint at the base of an articulated column mounted on the sea bed. The resilient packing comprises a stack of rubber rings and metallic washers disposed between end rings and capable of being deformed in torsion, the packing in use being compressed between an abutment on the end of the hollow shaft in the cardan joint and an abutment on the adjacent end of the pipe. The cassette comprises a tubular body which can be fitted in or removed from a housing for a bearing of the cardan joint, the end rings of the packing projecting through the opposite ends of the tubular body of the cassette.

Abstract: Equipment for removing and refitting resilient packing in a cardan joint at the base of a platform or column mounted on the sea bed, the cardan joint connected a pipe in the sea bed with a pipe leading up the column, said packing comprising a stack of rubber rings and metallic washers disposed between end plates and capable of being deformed in torsion and said packing being compressed between an abutment on the end of a hollow shaft in the cardan joint and an abutment on the adjacent end of a pipe.

Abstract: The invention concerns the handling of appliances on the seabed, particularly for handling and maintaining well-heads and corresponding installations. For handling the well-heads, trolleys are mounted for travel along a column which is articulated to a base constructed on the seabed over a number of drilling wells. The trolleys are movable between the upper structure of the columns and the lower body part of the column coupled to the base, and carry well-heads or other devices between the upper structure and the base and release the same upon reaching the lower part of the column at a position above corresponding well orifices. Elongate vertical members or posts of the column have lateral walls constituting guide rails for the trolleys.

Abstract: Mooring apparatus for ships, particularly tankers comprises a cable which is retractable into a column which is pivotally connected to a base anchored to the sea bed. The cable is retracted by a counterweight or similar device, is withdrawn from the column by traction exerted by the ship being moored, and is arrested by engagement of the counterweight against an upper stop associated with the column.