Abstract: An oil boom has a longitudinal hose-shaped floating body of cloth or fabric material, and a skirt, also of cloth or fabric material, extending from the floating body and equipped with sinkers. The floating body has internal inflatable hoses serving as distension elements. The inflatable hoses are fixed to the floating body and, in their inflated state, they are ring-shaped and they lie substantially in planes which are perpendicular to the axis of the floating body to distend it into hose shape. The inflatable hoses have an air-proofing layer of elastomeric material and a reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure includes a tensile-stress-absorbing inner reinforcing layer and a hose-expansion-limiting outer reinforcing layer. The inner reinforcing layer is formed of substantially parallel reinforcing threads extending in the longitudinal direction of the hose.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wheeled floatable conduit apparatus attachable to a pump device to suck water into the conduit apparatus and force water through the conduit apparatus. The conduit apparatus comprises an elongate tube through which water or other like fluids can be passed, a hydraulically-powered retractable wheeled means, a hitch means to mount to a vehicle to transport the conduit apparatus, and a self-leveling floatation assembly mounted at the rear end of the transport tube to maintain the transport tube and a pump device in a generally horizontal relationship for effective, generally strain-free operation of the pump device to pump water through the conduit apparatus. The wheeled means are lockable in either a retractable or transport position.

Abstract: In order to change defective buoys on the net line of a fishing net and to change the spacing between the buoys threaded onto the net line, it has hitherto been necessary to release the net line from the net and to re-secure it to the net after re-arranging the buoys, thus to re-tie it. This is a very time-consuming task, which can now be avoided by use of the novel buoy. This novel buoy consists of two identical portions, thus of two halves, which engage against the net line and which can be assembled together effortlessly at the desired location for the complete buoy. To connect the halves, a clamping member disposed to surround the barrel-shaped buoy in a groove can be used.

Abstract: A mooring line flotation device for maintaining a mooring line extending from an offshore structure above the surface of a body of water when the mooring line is not in use. The flotation device is a raft-like float having an open center. A buoyant bordering member is provided around the center and a perforated platform member extends across the center above the surface of the body of water when the float is afloat. A coupling device is affixed to the float for releasably affixing the float to the offshore structure in close proximity therewith, whereby a mooring line extending from the structure is supported, when not in use, by the platform member in essentially unfouled, clean, dry and readily available condition for use when desired.

Abstract: A swimming lane marker system employs an anchor clip connected at each end of a lane marker cable, the clip having a pin for insertion in an aperture on the gutter-facing side of a gutter lip or similar structure at water level.

Abstract: A wave suppression device, for use suppressing waves and for use in the demarcation of swimming pool lanes, comprised of a cylindrical core having a plurality of fins radially extending from its outer surface. The fins are positioned substantially coextensively along the length of the core. At least one spacer is circumferentially positioned about and connected to the core member and fins. A flotation assembly is axially positioned within the core member and compression fit against the inner surface thereof. The flotation assembly includes a central axial opening for receiving a cable or like device for stringing a plurality of wave suppression devices together to form a lane demarcation.

Abstract: A floatable heavy duty hose assembly for conveying fluid entrained materials during dredging and related operations which includes a flexible cylindrical conduit which is reinforced at spaced intervals and wherein a plurality of floats are mounted in surrounding relationship with the conduit at the areas of reinforcement to thereby provide evenly distributed areas of flotation intermediate spaced areas of flexibility with the overall structure permitting the hose assembly to be handled and maneuvered in a uniform manner without undue interference by the floats.

Abstract: A long strut between a sea-platform and the ocean bed needs to have its weight supported. Otherwise, much of its strength is used merely in supporting itself. The strut disclosed is made in sections, joined typically by screw threads. The joints need to be inspected periodically. The hollow sections of the strut have their buoyancy disposed internally, yet with the joints exposed internally for inspection by a probe that passes down inside along the length of the strut. The vulnerable joint area is made accessible to the probe. When the joint area includes welds, they too are vulnerable and need to be inspected; the fact that the buoyancy forces also have to be fed into the strut at the joint areas makes for even greater difficulty in providing access for the probe to all the places that need to be inspected. This access is provided in the various manners as shown.

Abstract: A pipe flotation assembly, packageable in kit form, includes interfitting interconnected frame members having flotation devices secured to the bottom thereof and an adjustable clamping assembly for securing a wide variety of pipe sizes.

Abstract: A method of generating electrical and magnetic fields in salt water marine environments using an elongated dimensionally stable flexible electrode (30) having a current carrying inner portion (31) in an outer protective and electrically conductive sheath (33) formed of ruthenium dioxide or iridium oxide. A layer of titanium cladding (33) may be provided on the inner current carrying portion (31) for carrying the outer sheath (33). The anode electrode is utilized for generating electrical current, such as for use in developing magnetic fields in salt water marine environments, preferably as an element of a sweep cable device having a floatation means around which one or more electrodes are helically wound.

Abstract: A device (15, 18) for use in a body of water (10) as one of a plurality of such devices assembled in axial alignment with one another along a restraining element (16) to suppress incident wave turbulence, the devices having a hub (19, 119) adapted to receive the restraining element, a plurality of planar vanes (23, 123) for directing incident water extending generally radially and axially of the hub, an annular baffle (21, 121) disposed proximate the radial extremity of the vanes, a web (20, 120) for suppressing turbulence extending radially of the hub and oriented substantially perpendicular to the vanes, and elements (30, 130) on the hub precluding relative rotation between adjacent of such devices assembled along the restraining element.

Abstract: A device is provided for lightening an undersea production riser having a central tube surrounded by peripheral stringers. Foamed resin collars are stacked on the central tube. They have a central opening for passing the central tube therethrough and channels disposed concentrically for passing the peripheral lines therethrough. The wall of the central channel is lined with a reinforced material and it has a conical shape for fitting the part of the lining projecting from the end of the collar into the central channel of the adjacent collar. Centering of the collars is provided by two half shells made from metal sheet bearing on the central tube and on the wall of the central channel.

Abstract: A float element for hawser lines, such as used on a single point mooring. The element has a fixed, finite length and is adapted for attachment to the hawser line in a manner to permit elongation of the line under load with the float element in place. The float element has a male end portion and an opposed female end portion, the element being adapted to be attached with the male end portion of a first element adjacent the female end portion of a second element. The male end portion of the first element installed about the line has an outside diameter significantly less than the inside diameter of female end portion of second element. For substantial loads applied to the hawser line, the female end portion of one element is adapted to enclose the male end portion of the adjacent element, whereby the hawser line is continuously enclosed by adjacent elements substantially over their combined length. A flotation system for a hawser line comprising a multiplicity of float elements is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method and a device for guiding the cable burying device along the cable effectively as well as accurately even if the cable should be reburied after repairment. The present invention is mainly characterized in that an ultrasonic command signal transmitted from an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver mounted upon the cable burying device is received by an ultrasonic, transponder which has been mounted on the cable. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted in turn from said ultrasonic transponder to be received by said ultrasonic transmitter/receiver so that the position of said ultrasonic transponder on the cable is detected by processing such signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably attaching a buoyant module to a submerged pipeline and for releasing the module therefrom is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a strap wrapped over the top of the module and around the underside of the pipeline and a link connected between the opposing ends of the strap. The link is breakable upon application thereto of a design tension greater than that exerted thereon by the positive buoyancy force of the module. The apparatus also comprises a sled slideably mounted on the upper surface of the pipeline, means for engaging the sled to a source of propulsion and a wedge attached to the leading end of the sled which has an inclined surface sloping downwardly from the top of the sled to the pipeline and pryably engageable with the module.

Abstract: A buoyancy system for large scale underwater risers is provided, comprising a plurality of canisters. Each of the canisters extends partially around the circumference of a riser--usually, two canisters and the support structure surround a riser--and a plurality of canisters is associated with each riser section. Air is injected into the lowermost canister or canisters, at a pressure sufficient to displace the contained water within the canister; and when the water level within a canister is lowered sufficiently that a port in a cross connected tube is uncovered, the compressed air enters the tube and travels upwardly to the next canister above, where the unwatering sequence is repeated. Because very great depth can be accommodated--3,000 meters or more--provision is made for reflooding the canisters in the event of an emergency. Additionally, because of pneumatic considerations, different configurations of cross tube are provided for installation in the canisters at varying depths.

Abstract: A float for loading hoses composed of a pair of semi-annular hard floating bodies hinged at one end portion thereof and provided at the other end portions with opposed rectangular notches, a female screw threaded member and hook-shaped member snugly fitted in said notches, respectively, and engaged with pins, respectively, extending through the members, and a bolt having oppositely inclined screw threads at its front and rear end portions and threadedly engaged with said female screw threaded member and hook-shaped member, respectively, whereby when the bolt is fastened so as to fit the float around the loading hose the front and rear end portions of the bolt make contact with the pins extending through the female screw threaded member and hook-shaped member, respectively.