Abstract: The present invention is a mobile hyperbaric unit including a vehicle having a vehicle chassis with a front cabin and a rear bed. A partition can extend upwardly from the rear bed at a position next to the cabin. A pod can be removably attachable to the vehicle chassis, the pod can be sized and shaped to occupy and rest upon the rear bed. A detachable connection can enable attachment or detachment of the pod from the vehicle chassis. The partition can have a portion that extends at least partially over the pod top wall. A pod chassis enables the pod to be transported independently of the vehicle chassis. A control station that has ambient pressure can be located in between the partition and the pod. A desired pressure that is not ambient pressure can be maintained within the pod interior by support systems on the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved buoyancy compensation device having a lesser change in buoyancy with depth than conventional buoyancy compensation devices which use ambient pressure bladders is disclosed. The improved device comprises one or more elastic members that, throughout the working range of diving pressures and volumes, is always elastic and, when pressurized, maintains an internal air pressure that is always greater than the ambient pressure at any dive depth. The invention also relates to a method of providing a buoyancy compensation device with an elastic member having a lift versus depth characteristic that approaches the lift versus depth characteristic of a constant or fixed volume buoyancy compensation device.

Abstract: A method for carrying out operations on petroleum and gas fields is provided. The method involves using a platform which is located underwater when in working position at a depth where it is not subject to storm waves or under the lower surface of an ice field. The platform is made in the form of a structure which is water-tight and which includes an inner volume in which all the equipment, systems and structures are provided. The platform is directed from the surface using a surface complex which moves on the water or the ice field at the same speed as that of the current or the ice drift in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A mobile undersea habitat includes an elongated vessel having a hull providing an elongated recess opening downwardly to the sea, and a cooperatively dimensioned elongated column seated within the recess. The column includes an elongated structural member with a conduit extending along its length and an elongated panel providing a closure for the hull opening which also functions as a support member in the column. A support member pivotally mounts one end of the support member in the hull, and a pivot pivotally mounts one end of the structural member in the hull at a point spaced from the support member pivot. A habitat is provided at the other end of the column and it is pivotally mounted to the structural and support member so that it maintains a horizontal attitude at any angular portion of the column. The conduit provides a passage from the vessel to the habitat in which a transport capsule carries personnel and supplies.

Abstract: A method for carrying out work on an object which is present under water, in particular, a shipwreck, wherein persons make their way to the object under water and carry out the work in artificial light. A cover is provided over the object, which cover in the main abuts the bottom on which or in which the object is present in surrounding relationship with respect to the object. The cover encloses a space in which persons can work and it comprises an entrance for admitting persons to the space.

Abstract: A ship type floating oil production system for access to subsea wells through installation of surface wellheads on a ship type surface vessel on the sea comprises a cylindrical turret moored to a seabed is located within a moon pool formed in the ship type surface vessel such that the ship type surface vessel is freely rotatable about the cylindrical turret. A plurality of riser pipes have a rigid structure and extend downward to subsea wells through the cylindrical turret, and each riser pipe is provided at its top portion with a surface wellhead including valves of the riser pipe. Accordingly, workover operations can be facilitated as needed by running workover tools through the surface wellhead of the corresponding riser pipe through use of a work-over-rig installed on the ship type surface vessel.

Abstract: A water profiling apparatus having a streamlined body with a traction drive capable of repeatedly profiling along a moored or suspended cable or wire, for transporting sensing and sampling equipment through a body of water, such as an ocean, lake or river. The water profiling apparatus is able to operate unattended on a pre-programmed schedule over long periods of time, profiling to full ocean depth, with the option of changing its schedule depending on the observations it makes or operating situations encountered.

Abstract: A system for recovering petroleum products such as oil from a sunken oil transportation vessel. The system includes first and second flexible conduits communicating with the oil-containing compartments. The conduits are released upon the vessel becoming submerged. The free ends of the conduits are connected respectively to a pump for pumping sea water into the compartment to displace the oil. The second conduit is connected to a recovery container on the surface. The displaced oil is forced through the second conduit to the recovery container. The recovery container is, in the preferred embodiment, provided on a fleet or network of recovery vessels which then transport the recovered oil to port for off-loading. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible conduits are associated with a float which releases or carries the conduits to the surface so that underwater recovery operations are minimized.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pipeline repair habitat are disclosed which may be used to facilitate the repair of vertical underwater pipelines or risers. Two hollow, half-cylindrical shells are provided which form a stable, rigid shell around the section of pipe to be repaired. Structure is provided for introducing an atmosphere into the habitat which is breathable while most repairs are accomplished. Under certain conditions a non explosive atmosphere which is not breathable is introduced into the habitat so that welding may be safely performed. Various useful accessories are provided including an elevator by which a person accomplishing repairs may move up and down within the pipeline repair habitat.

Abstract: A method and a device for letting out gas from a life jacket for divers, the device being adapted to be in gas flow communication with an interior of the life jacket. Gas is drawn into the device from the interior of the life jacket, compressed in the device, and discharged from the device to a medium surrounding the device.

Abstract: A mono-atmospheric chamber module for placing on the top of a Christmas tree (1) in a well-head, to keep equipment and personnel at surface conditions during the execution of varied well operations. The chamber module comprises a mainly oblong cylindrical mantle (4) with associated base-ends. An opening (7) for tight engagement with the top of the Christmas tree (1) is arranged in the lower base-end (5). The upper base-end (6) is detachable. Inside the module, a pressure resistant personnel chamber (14) is arranged with direct connection to an access opening (19) placed in the cylinder mantle (4).

Abstract: Access apparatus between a first and second chamber (1, 2) located at greater water depths, which chambers have equal pressure, lower than the water pressure, particularly an access apparatus (4) between an underwater vessel (1) and a chamber (2) at an installation on the seabed. The invention is characterized in that it comprises first and second concentric tubular elements (7, 5) designed for engagement as a telescopic cylinder, a hydraulic system for controlled actuation of the telescopic cylinder and at least on the free end of the first tubular element (7), a spherical mounted mating flange (12).

Abstract: This fluid lock permits transiting an object between different fluid pressure through a transiting hole in a wall separating a higher fluid pressure side from a lower fluid pressure side on opposite sides of the wall; has higher and lower fluid pressure doors, each hinged for pivotal movement between an open position for permitting transiting through the hole from one to the other pressure side and a closed position for sealing the opening; and has a transiting container formed between the doors in closed position, and closely form fitting the transiting object, for minimizing the loss of fluid between the sides during transiting the object through the hole.

Abstract: A submersible bell having a diver's compartment in the upper region thereof, a depending conduit from the diver's compartment to provide a passage for the diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment within the bell and a spiral wall between the bell and depending conduit to provide a winding passage for purging air from the diver's compartment to the water and/or for the diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment within the bell.A submersed bell having a conduit connecting a diver's compartment with the bell and a spiral passage between the bell and the conduit, the conduit and spiral passage permitting a diver to enter and leave the diver's compartment and also purging air from the diver's compartment.

Abstract: An improved transfer chamber for a space vehicle has an enclosure mounted on the hull of a spacecraft, and is provided with inner and outer doors. Two bladders are placed within this transfer chamber, and are selectively movable toward and away from one another. Conduits communicate these bladders with an outer reservoir exposed to space pressure, and with an inner reservoir exposed to cabin pressure. The conduits, bladders and reservoirs are all filled with liquid. When it is desired to egress an object from the cabin to space, liquid is pumped into the bladders, which move toward one another and deform about the object. This reduces the volume of air which is lost to space when the outer door is opened.

Abstract: A method of providing a habitable dry work chamber for conducting work on an underwater work surface when the nature of the work is such that dangerous fumes and gases are produced. An underwater gas pocket work unit is attached to the underwater work surface to define a work chamber that may be entered from beneath through the water. The work unit includes a structure consisting of walls defining a work opening, which, when positioned with the work opening at the work surface, defines a work chamber that is accessible only from beneath. The structure is sealed at the work opening to the work surface to define the work chamber, wherein the work chamber is defined solely by the structure and the work surface. A habitable gas that is heavier than the dangerous fumes and gases is caused to flow continuously into the work chamber through a valve in the structure to provide a gaseous pocket in the upper portion of the work chamber when the structure is sealed to the underwater work surface.

Abstract: Underwater pipelines connected to at least one point on a coastline are constructed by means of a pipelaying vessel associated with an independent underwater vehicle mounted on caterpillar-tracks and capable of traveling along the sea bed. From within the vehicle, pipe sections can be assembled and rejected as the vehicle moves forward. The pipe sections pass through a wall of the vehicle and into the sea, through a port which is provided with a plurality of inflatable annular sealing rings that selectively sealingly bear against the exterior of the pipeline. One of these sealing rings is associated with an annular piston, and a jack acts between this piston and the vehicle to provide the propulsive force for ejecting the pipe sections from the vehicle. Potential applications include mining operations, off-shore installations and intercontinental tunnels.

Abstract: A submersible watercraft has at least one watertight hull and a diver-exit vessel adapted to accommodate a diver is detachably connected to the watercraft by a sealable diver-exit port which enables divers to pass between the diver-exit vessel and the watercraft. The diver-exit vessel has a buoyancy and hauling apparatus such as a pair of ropes link the diver-exit vessel to the watercraft when the diver-exit vessel is not docked at the diver-exit port.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for supporting the lowermost roof support unit of a series of roof support units positioned side-by-side in an inclined longwall working. The support apparatus comprises a beam mounted for pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the floor of the working. The beam can be held in any given angular position. A support plate is provided for engagement with the side of the lowermost roof support unit. The support plate is movable towards, and away from, the beam by means of hydraulic rams, which also constitute means for holding the support plate and the beam at any given spacing within a predetermined range of spacings.

Abstract: The ambient pressure of the environment of an individual within a vessel is varied between an upper and lower pressure value by providing the vessel with a mass of gas sufficient to fill at least a substantial part of the vessel, and varying the quantity of liquid, primarily water, in the vessel in order to cause the pressure therein to vary correspondingly between the upper and lower values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the safety and productivity of tunnel workers active in high pressure environments is disclosed. The workers are housed at an intermediate pressure over a "work week" of at least several days and are transported between the tunnel face and the life support chamber in which the workers are housed in a pressurized personnel transport chamber. The housing contains sanitary, sleeping, decompression, storage and dining facilities and is generally located at the tunnel entrance. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate pressure is about half of the tunnel working pressure but not more than about 20 psig and preferably less than 17 psig. It is expected that a decreased incidence of bone related diseases and bends will result due to the reduced number of full decompressions from the tunnel work environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the safety and productivity of tunnel workers active in high pressure environments is disclosed. The workers are housed at an intermediate pressure over a "work week" of at least several days and are transported between the tunnel face and the life support chamber in which the workers are housed in a pressurized personnel transport chamber. The housing contains sanitary, sleeping, decompression, storage and dining facilities and is generally located at the tunnel entrance. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate pressure is about half of the tunnel working pressure but not more than about 20 psig and preferably less than 17 psig. It is expected that a decreased incidence of bone related diseases and bends will result due to the reduced number of full decompressions from the tunnel work environment.