A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

A device for installing and handling a module of a subsea processing station, comprises a frame, and a hydraulic system comprising hydraulic cylinders each comprising a cylinder body, and a piston intended to be put into contact with a foot and movable inside the cylinder body between a first mechanical abutment corresponding to a deployed position of the piston and a second mechanical abutment corresponding to a retracted position of the piston. The piston divides the internal volume of the cylinder body into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is supplied with hydraulic fluid by two independent hydraulic circuits comprising a shock-absorbing circuit able to move the piston between the deployed and intermediate positions located between the deployed position and the retracted position defined by a hydraulic abutment, and a controlled-lowering circuit able to move the piston between the intermediate position and its retracted position.

A device for installing and handling a module of a subsea processing station, comprises a frame, and a hydraulic system comprising hydraulic cylinders each comprising a cylinder body, and a piston intended to be put into contact with a foot and movable inside the cylinder body between a first mechanical abutment corresponding to a deployed position of the piston and a second mechanical abutment corresponding to a retracted position of the piston. The piston divides the internal volume of the cylinder body into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is supplied with hydraulic fluid by two independent hydraulic circuits comprising a shock-absorbing circuit able to move the piston between the deployed and intermediate positions located between the deployed position and the retracted position defined by a hydraulic abutment, and a controlled-lowering circuit able to move the piston between the intermediate position and its retracted position.

A pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.

A pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.

The present disclosure concerns a ship provided with an installation for launching and recovering floating or submersible vehicles, that includes a lifting device having a set of cables that holds a basket configured to support the vehicle during launching and recovering operations, the cables being movable vertically between two positions, a high and a low position respectively. The basket includes an upper face that bears against a surface, referred to as a “contact surface”, of the lifting device, only when the cables are in the high position.

A system for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device (AUD) using a surface carrier ship, includes, in addition to the carrier ship, a subaquatic vehicle (SV) guided by a connection wire connected to the carrier ship, the SV able to be positioned in a storage configuration wherein the SV is fixedly but removably joined to the carrier ship in a storage zone, or in a configuration for use, in which the SV, separated from the carrier ship, is in the water and at a distance from the carrier ship while remaining connected by the connection wire, the SV including propulsion, guiding and stabilizing systems and a station for receiving the AUD allowing it to be removably attached to the SV, the receiving station and the AUD including a complementary automated docking unit allowing the AUD to automatically dock with the receiving station during recovery and attach itself thereto.

Boat transfer system (10;110) on a floating vessel (30), comprising at least one deployment frame (14;114) for deployment of a cradle (12), wherein said deployment frame (14;114) is movable in a mainly horizontal direction and the deployment frame (14;114) is equipped with upright guides (18;118) for vertical movement of the cradle (12), and said cradle (12) is connected to a guide system (22;130,132,134) for controlled movement of the cradle (12) in the upright guides (18;118).

Boat transfer system (10;110) on a floating vessel (30), comprising at least one deployment frame (14;114) for deployment of a cradle (12), wherein said deployment frame (14;114) is movable in a mainly horizontal direction and the deployment frame (14;114) is equipped with upright guides (18;118) for vertical movement of the cradle (12), and said cradle (12) is connected to a guide system (22;130,132,134) for controlled movement of the cradle (12) in the upright guides (18;118).

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a launch vehicle fairing recovery system and method using inflatable bags and fairing repositioning mechanisms. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to providing a system or mechanism to flip the fairing into the proper floating position. In some embodiments, the fairing has an inner surface and an outer surface, where the outer surface is exposed to the atmosphere when the fairing is interconnected to a spacecraft, and one or more inflatable bags interconnected to the outer surface of the fairing, where when the fairing is interconnected to the spacecraft the one or more inflatable bags is empty, and after the fairing separates from the spacecraft the one or more airbags are filled with pressurized gas and/or hydraulic liquids.