Patents Assigned to AKER SOLUTIONS AS
  • Publication number: 20190123674
    Abstract: Subsea power supply assembly supplying electric power to a motor at a second location from a first location. The subseas power supply assembly includes a variable speed drive (VSD) and a step-up transformer connected to it. At a subsea location the assembly includes a first step-down transformer with input and output and an uninterruptible power supply having an input. A step-out cable supplies power from the step-up transformer to the motor. The cable connects to the first step-down transformer. The speed of the electric motor is proportional to the output frequency of the VSD. The power receiving input of the uninterruptible power supply connects to the output of the first stepdown transformer, thereby receiving electrical power with frequency equal to the output frequency of the VSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventor: Truls NORMANN
  • Patent number: 10250682
    Abstract: A method of sharing data in a subsea network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of data connections arranged to carry data to and from equipment in subsea installations, the method includes: storing data in a mass subsea data store provided across one or more nodes in the subsea network configured to act as a subsea data server; and on receiving, at the subsea data server, a request for access to data stored in the mass subsea data store, the subsea data server retrieving the requested data from the data store and causing the requested data to be sent over the subsea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Erik Haugseth, Harald Nordgard-Hansen
  • Publication number: 20190059339
    Abstract: Semi-submersible fish-farming system, such as a fish pen (1), which can be located in at least two different semi-submerged positions, a first position (15) and a second position (16), by ballasting and deballasting, the system comprises a floating collar (2) comprising a ring-shaped or polygonal lower buoyancy member (7), a ring-shaped or polygonal upper buoyancy member (9), a plurality of pillars (8) connecting the buoyancy members (7, 9), a net cage (3) suspended from the floating collar (2) and a net roof (5) closing off the top of the net cage (3), wherein —the net cage (3) is suspended from the lower buoyancy member (7) or the pillars (8); —in the first position (15), the system is floating on the lower buoyancy member (7) and the pillars (8) and upper buoyancy member (9) is above the water surface; —in the second position (16), the lower buoyancy member (7) and the major parts or all the extension of the pillars (8) is below the water surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Kristoffer Kjellså JAKOBSEN, Per Kristian BRUUN, Svein ERSDAL, Inge Bertin ALMELAND
  • Patent number: 10199975
    Abstract: Subsea power supply assembly (10, 20) supplying electric power to a motor (11) at a second location (90) from a first location (80), comprising a variable speed drive (13) (VSD) and a step-up transformer (15) connected to it. At a subsea location the assembly comprises a first step-down transformer (17) with input (17a) and output (17b) and an uninterruptable power supply (25) having an input (25a). A step-out cable (19) supplies power from the step-up transformer (15) to the motor (11). The cable (19) connects to the first step-down transformer (17). The speed of the electric motor (11) is proportional to the output frequency of the VSD (13). The power receiving input (25a) of the uninterruptable power supply (25) connects to the output (17b) of the first step-down transformer (17), thereby receiving electrical power with frequency equal to the output frequency of the VSD (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventor: Truls Normann
  • Patent number: 10170219
    Abstract: A load carrying bundle of elongate elements combined with a fiber optic cable for integration with an elongated structure to perform global strain monitoring using fiber optic strain sensors is described. The load carrying bundle is made up by a number of individual elongated strength elements, which individual elongated strength elements are laid in a helix around the, in the bundle, centrally located fiber optic cable sensor. The elongated strength elements are laid adjacent to each other enabling to perform both a protective enclosure of the fiber optic cable sensor and to provide frictional bonding between the fiber optic cable sensor and the elongated strength elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventor: Peter M. Willemoës
  • Patent number: 10160528
    Abstract: A handling device (1) for an installable and retrievable subsea apparatus (2) to engage a docking device (3) on a subsea installation, the docking device (3) having a pair of engagement members (4, 5). The device (1) is provided with a top member (6) and a pair of engagement arms (7, 8) depending therefrom to extend along the outside of the apparatus (2). Each of the arms (7, 8) at a free end thereof is provided with a hook (7?, 8?) configured to engage in releasable way the engagement members (4; 5). A rotatable handle (9) is located above the top member (6) and has an integral or linked stem (10) which extends through the top member (6) and is pivotally linked to a top region of the apparatus (2). The handle (9) is able to operate the engagement arms (7, 8) relative to the engagement members (4,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Michal Sebastian Lamentowicz, Viggo Lauritz Norum, Roald Pedersen, Lars Lein, Jan Øyen, Odd Harald Brøndbo, Devraj Sonavane, Einar Winther-Larssen
  • Publication number: 20180298702
    Abstract: An offshore methane hydrate production assembly (1), having a tubing (41) extending into a subsea well (5) that extends down to a methane hydrate formation (7) below the seabed (3). A submersible pump (45) is arranged in the tubing (41). A methane conduit (35,35) extends down from a surface installation (49). A well control package (15) landed on a wellhead (13) is positioned at the upper end of the subsea well (5). Moreover, an emergency disconnection package (25) is arranged between the methane conduit (35,135) and the well control package (15). The tubing (41) is suspended from the well control package (15). Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Anders BILLINGTON, Neil RYAN, Alexander Paul LAZELL, Jan HERLAND, Edin PITA
  • Publication number: 20180283163
    Abstract: A subsea pump system includes a subsea pump, a fluid conditioner tank arranged upstream of the subsea pump, a liquid conservation tank arranged downstream of the subsea pump, a line arranged to recirculate a liquid from the liquid conservation tank to upstream of the subsea pump, an umbilical which provides power, a monitoring and a control, a first buoyancy element suspended in the fluid conditioner tank, a second buoyancy element suspended in the liquid conservation tank, optical fiber sensors which are arranged at least to a suspension of the first buoyancy element in the fluid conditioner tank and to a suspension of the second buoyancy element in the liquid conservation tank, and electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: AKER SOLUTIONS INC., BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: ROBIN SLATER, WILLIAM JOHNSTON, IAN MITCHELL, ALEXANDER BARRY
  • Patent number: 10077861
    Abstract: Subsea heating assembly, comprising a component interface cable (9) in association with a subsea component (7?) to be heated. The component interface cable receives power from an electric power source. The power source comprises an induction coupler (100) with core rings which surround an alternating current carrying source cable (5), and a winding cable (107) wound around the core ring The winding cable connects to the component interface cable. The induction coupler comprises an upper section (100a) with first core parts (101a) and a lower section (100b) with second core parts (101b). The winding cable is arranged in the upper section. The first core parts are aligned with second core parts when the upper section is landed on the lower section. The upper section is removable from the lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Ole A. Heggdal, Ole Johan Bjerknes, Hjalmar Nystrøm
  • Publication number: 20180231005
    Abstract: The invention provides an autonomous subsea barrier fluid system for a subsea pressure booster, the subsea pressure booster comprising a process fluid compartment, a motor compartment and a rotor assembly extending from the motor compartment into the process fluid compartment with one or several shaft seals separating the process fluid from the barrier fluid in the motor compartment. The subsea barrier fluid system is distinguished in that it comprises: a subsea barrier fluid pump, a barrier fluid delivery line, arranged between the barrier fluid pump and the motor compartment, a pressure controlled regulator, operatively arranged to at least one of the barrier fluid delivery line and the subsea barrier fluid pump, a subsea barrier fluid storage, and a barrier fluid suction line arranged from the subsea barrier fluid storage to the subsea barrier fluid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Dag ELVEBAKKEN, Tarjei Thorrud LARSEN
  • Patent number: 10041618
    Abstract: Connection assembly (1) for connecting a first and second pipe end (201, 301) of pipes (200, 300). The pipe ends exhibit outwardly facing pipe locking profiles (203, 303). Locking segments (101) are distributed about the second pipe end (301) and have a connected (103) and a movable portion (105) with segment locking profiles (103a, 105a). The movable portion (105) is pivotable between an inward locking position and an outward free position. Among the pairs of facing locking profiles, comprising a first pair including the segment locking profile (103a) and facing pipe locking profile (303) of the second pipe end, and a second pair, at least one pair exhibits an inclined face (S1, S2, S3) which is misaligned a misalignment distance (M1, M2, M3) with respect to the facing inclined face (P1, P2, P3) of the profile with which it engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Hy Nguyen, Kent Häll, Øystein Waerstad
  • Patent number: 10030463
    Abstract: An apparatus for use subsea includes a container having at least one aperture; a lid securable to the container to cover the at least one aperture, suitable to isolate the inside of the container from the outside of the container when fluid pressure outside the container is at least 5000 kPa. The lid has one or more electrical connections providing electrical communication from a first side of the lid to a second side of the lid. The apparatus further includes one or more wires for providing electrical communication between one or more electrical components in the container and the one or more electrical connections in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenneth Hood, Stuart Reid, Daniel Ahrens
  • Patent number: 10034412
    Abstract: A subsea electronic device includes a housing, a chassis within the housing to which one or more electronic cards are mounted and heat transfer sections in thermal contact with the electronic cards. The heat transfer sections are in interference fit with an inner surface of the housing thereby to transfer, in use, heat from the electronic cards through the heat transfer sections to the housing. There is also a subsea electronic device housing and a method of assembling a subsea electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stuart Reid, Daniel Ahrens, Kenneth Hood
  • Publication number: 20180187513
    Abstract: An annulus isolation valve assembly (1) being part of a tubing hanger assembly (100), with a valve bore (5) having a fluid mouth (9), and a sliding sleeve (11) which is arranged in the valve bore (5) and which has an axially extending sleeve bore (13). The sliding sleeve (11) has a radially facing sleeve port (17). A hydraulic piston (21) is functionally connected to the sliding sleeve (11). The sliding sleeve (11) comprises an axially facing fluid port (47) which is in fluid communication with the radially facing sleeve port (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Lars Timberlid LUNDHEIM, Christer BOLANDER, Kris OLIARO, Greig PETRIE
  • Patent number: 9970559
    Abstract: Pressure volume regulator (20) for control of supply and pressure of barrier fluid for pumps and compressors subsea, comprising an inlet (18) for barrier fluid at an inlet pressure, a first outlet (19) and a second outlet (15), the inlet pressure is higher than the first outlet pressure that is higher than the second outlet pressure. The pressure volume regulator is distinctive in that the inlet and the second outlet are interlocked between a movable longitudinal interlock member (5) with valve elements operatively arranged at either end, the length of the interlock member plus said valve elements is shorter than the distance between an open-close valve mechanism of the inlet and an open-close valve mechanism of the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventor: Nils T. Ottestad
  • Patent number: 9964249
    Abstract: A subsea direct electrical heating assembly adapted to heat a hydrocarbon conducting steel pipeline (1) arranged subsea. The assembly comprises a direct electrical heating cable (3) extending along and being connected to the steel pipeline (1) and a power transmission cable (7) receiving electric power from a power supply (5) which is arranged onshore or at surface offshore, and which feeds the direct electrical heating cable (3). The subsea direct electrical heating assembly comprises a power conditioning arrangement (100) arranged at a subsea location, in a position between the power transmission cable (7) and the direct electrical heating cable (3). The power transmission cable (7) extends from the offshore or onshore power supply (5) and down to the power conditioning arrangement (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Ole Johan Bjerknes, Ole A. Heggdal
  • Publication number: 20180112484
    Abstract: A wellhead based well control arrangement including a pressure control head having a gripping element configured to grip an outside surface of a well head and a seal element configured to seal against an inside surface of the same well head, a perforating, packer, and circulation mandrel extending from the pressure control head. A method for controlling a well at a well head for plugging and abandonment operations including running an arrangement as above into engagement with a well head, engaging the gripping element to an outside surface of the wellhead, sealing the seal element to an inside surface of the well head, and setting a packer of the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicants: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Aker Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Bussear, Lars Bay
  • Publication number: 20180100588
    Abstract: The invention relates to agate valve hydraulic actuator, said actuator comprising a cup shaped sleeve (9) which is operably coupled to an opening or closing element (5) of the gate valve (2), the actuator further comprising a movable primary piston (13) arranged within a primary cylinder (12) arranged at the inside of the cup-shaped sleeve (9), said primary piston (13) being con figured to move the sleeve (9) and hence said opening and closing element (5) towards an open or closed position of the gate valve (2) by a force applied to the primary piston (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Victor Rodriguez FERREIRA, Nicholas NEWLANDS
  • Patent number: 9920851
    Abstract: A subsea electric actuator includes an electric motor and a telescopic drive connection from the motor to a drive unit that can be moved to and fro and converts rotary motion of the connection to linear motion of an actuating stem. A return spring is operable on the drive unit to urge the actuating stem towards a datum state. An electromagnetic latch is operative when set to maintain the drive unit in a predetermined position so as to decouple the action of the return spring whereby the stem can be advanced and retracted relative to the drive unit free from the action of the return spring. De-energization of the latch allows the return spring to operate on the drive unit to return the actuating stem to the datum state. Various forms of electromagnetic latches are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Walter Oswald
  • Patent number: 9920597
    Abstract: A system for subsea pumping or compressing includes an ESP (electrical submersible pump), a flowline jumper, a connector part in either end of the flowline jumper, and a truss structure or longitudinal rib-arrangement that acts as a stiffening arrangement. The ESP may be arranged in the flowline jumper which may be orientated in a substantially horizontal direction. The stiffening arrangement may function to ensure that the ESP shaft is straight at all times during lifting, installation and operation. The system may also include a load limiting arrangement for limiting or eliminating the load on structure and seabed supporting the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Gunder Homstvedt, Martin Pedersen, Rikhard Bjørgum