A flexible lance drive device has at least one drive motor in a first portion of a housing and a drive axle projecting across a second portion of the housing carrying a cylindrical spline drive roller. A plurality of cylindrical guide rollers on fixed axles span across the second portion of the housing aligned parallel to the spline drive roller. An endless belt wrapped around the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers has a generally smooth outer surface and a transverse splined inner surface having splines shaped complementary to splines on the spline drive roller. A bias member supports a plurality of follower rollers each aligned vertically above one of the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers operable to press each follower roller toward one of rollers to frictionally grip a flexible lance hose when sandwiched between the follower rollers and the endless belt.

A flexible lance drive device has at least one drive motor in a first portion of a housing and a drive axle projecting across a second portion of the housing carrying a cylindrical spline drive roller. A plurality of cylindrical guide rollers on fixed axles span across the second portion of the housing aligned parallel to the spline drive roller. An endless belt wrapped around the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers has a generally smooth outer surface and a transverse splined inner surface having splines shaped complementary to splines on the spline drive roller. A bias member supports a plurality of follower rollers each aligned vertically above one of the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers operable to press each follower roller toward one of rollers to frictionally grip a flexible lance hose when sandwiched between the follower rollers and the endless belt.

A flexible lance drive device has at least one drive motor in a first portion of a housing and a drive axle projecting across a second portion of the housing carrying a cylindrical spline drive roller. A plurality of cylindrical guide rollers on fixed axles span across the second portion of the housing aligned parallel to the spline drive roller. An endless belt wrapped around the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers has a generally smooth outer surface and a transverse splined inner surface having splines shaped complementary to splines on the spline drive roller. A bias member supports a plurality of follower rollers each aligned vertically above one of the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers operable to press each follower roller toward one of rollers to frictionally grip a flexible lance hose when sandwiched between the follower rollers and the endless belt.

A flexible lance drive device has at least one drive motor in a first portion of a housing and a drive axle projecting across a second portion of the housing carrying a cylindrical spline drive roller. A plurality of cylindrical guide rollers on fixed axles span across the second portion of the housing aligned parallel to the spline drive roller. An endless belt wrapped around the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers has a generally smooth outer surface and a transverse splined inner surface having splines shaped complementary to splines on the spline drive roller. A bias member supports a plurality of follower rollers each aligned vertically above one of the at least one spline drive roller and guide rollers operable to press each follower roller toward one of rollers to frictionally grip a flexible lance hose when sandwiched between the follower rollers and the endless belt.

A rope replacement apparatus includes: a rope conveying mechanism, used for driving a first rope to move along a moving path of a second rope, so as to replace the second rope; a first detection part, used for detecting a first moving speed V.sub.1 of the first rope output by the rope conveying mechanism; the first detection part being installed on the rope conveying mechanism; a second detection part, used for detecting a second moving speed V.sub.2 of the second rope outside the rope conveying mechanism; the second detection part being installed on the moving path of the second rope; a control part, used for adjusting V.sub.1 according to the difference between V.sub.1 and V.sub.2; the first detection part and the second detection part being both in communication connection with the control part. The rope replacement apparatus improves rope replacement efficiency and slipping can be reduced.

A rope replacement apparatus includes: a rope conveying mechanism, used for driving a first rope to move along a moving path of a second rope, so as to replace the second rope; a first detection part, used for detecting a first moving speed V.sub.1 of the first rope output by the rope conveying mechanism; the first detection part being installed on the rope conveying mechanism; a second detection part, used for detecting a second moving speed V.sub.2 of the second rope outside the rope conveying mechanism; the second detection part being installed on the moving path of the second rope; a control part, used for adjusting V.sub.1 according to the difference between V.sub.1 and V.sub.2; the first detection part and the second detection part being both in communication connection with the control part. The rope replacement apparatus improves rope replacement efficiency and slipping can be reduced.

A device for towing very long tubular objects, comprises: pulling means capable of driving, by friction, the object in a towing direction, gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means to keep the pulling means and the towed object in continuous contact; the gripping means being driven by a relative movement relative to the towed object in a direction opposite to the towing direction, driving means, capable of driving the pulling means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform pulling of the object, further comprising setting means, capable of adjusting the load exerted on the pulling means.

A device for towing very long tubular objects, comprises: pulling means capable of driving, by friction, the object in a towing direction, gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means to keep the pulling means and the towed object in continuous contact; the gripping means being driven by a relative movement relative to the towed object in a direction opposite to the towing direction, driving means, capable of driving the pulling means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform pulling of the object, further comprising setting means, capable of adjusting the load exerted on the pulling means.

Linear pipe recovery/lay tensioners can include one or more pivot assemblies for rotatably moving an upper track away from a lower track to facilitate placement of a pipe segment between the two tracks. In addition, or alternatively, the tensioners can include one or more hydraulic cylinders that provide flexible suspension to the upper and lower tracks so the tracks can move and rotate as necessary due to differing pipe segment shapes. In addition, or alternatively, the upper and lower tracks include one or more gripping pads having one or more gripping members that can be sheathed by a compliant member until such time as the pipe segment compresses the compliant member causing the gripping member(s) to protrude from the compliant member and engage the pipe segment. Rotation of the tracks is controlled by a hydraulic pump capable of rotating the tracks at the same rate or at different rates.

Linear pipe recovery/lay tensioners can include one or more pivot assemblies for rotatably moving an upper track away from a lower track to facilitate placement of a pipe segment between the two tracks. In addition, or alternatively, the tensioners can include one or more hydraulic cylinders that provide flexible suspension to the upper and lower tracks so the tracks can move and rotate as necessary due to differing pipe segment shapes. In addition, or alternatively, the upper and lower tracks include one or more gripping pads having one or more gripping members that can be sheathed by a compliant member until such time as the pipe segment compresses the compliant member causing the gripping member(s) to protrude from the compliant member and engage the pipe segment. Rotation of the tracks is controlled by a hydraulic pump capable of rotating the tracks at the same rate or at different rates.