Abstract: The present invention provides an epoxy-less optical fiber termination. More specifically, the present invention provides an epoxy-less optical fiber termination comprising a waveguide termination having an optical fiber spliced to a stub protruding from the waveguide termination and having a strain relief disposed about the stub and the optical fiber. Additionally, the strain relief may be filled with an epoxy fill to provide additional support to the optical fiber. The present invention may be used to terminate an optical fiber joining devices in an optical communications network.

Abstract: A subsea data collection and communication system is installed at a subsea interconnect point or subsea connector used for communication between subsea electrical, optical or hybrid electro-optical cables. The data collection and communication system is configured to collect system performance data such as voltage, current, optical pressure and the like from signals carried by the wires or fibers in cables connected to the connector unit, and may also collect data on environmental conditions from sensors installed in or on the connector unit, such as temperature, pressure, or sea water salinity sensors, and the like. The collected data is transmitted to a remote monitoring station or local hub for further processing to detect potential faults or performance degradation either at periodic intervals or on demand, using bi-directional Ethernet, CANBUS, a carrier frequency system over the cable power lines, optical signal over optical fiber, or wireless communication links over short distances.

Abstract: A penetrator device has an outer housing of non-conductive, insulating material having a through bore, at least one conductive pin formed in one or two parts extending through the housing and having a first end portion and a second end portion extending out of the respective first and second ends of the housing, a first cladding layer bonded over the first end portion of the pin to form a first bonded assembly, a second cladding layer bonded over the second end portion of the pin to form a second bonded assembly, and the material of the first and second cladding layer comprising a corrosion resistant conductive material different from the pin material.

Abstract: An automatic filter changer that automatically inserts and removes a filter from a fluidic path. Filters are introduced into the automatic filter changer in stacks. The lead filter and each stack is removed from its respective stack one by one by a filter separator. The separated filters are deposited onto a shuttle plate which moves the filters into their respective fluidic paths. Fluid couplers connect to each filter to complete their respective fluidic paths and allow fluids to be filtered before sampling. Once collection of the samples is complete, the filters are removed from the fluidic path and discarded or saved for reuse. The shuttle path is returned to its original position to receive new filters to repeat the process again. A graphic user interface is provided to allow the user to program a specific set of instructions to automate the entire process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fire-resistant electrical feedthrough system for use in offshore and top-side electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) installations. The fire-resistant electrical feedthrough system includes a minimum of two, redundant pressure barriers, in order to provide for safe operation and increased system reliability. The primary barrier is typically embedded within the wellhead equipment structure, while the secondary barrier is typically externally mounted.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for subsea optical to electrical distribution. The present invention comprises one or more routing units adapted to convert optical signals to electrical signals and route the converted electrical signals to an appropriate end device. The routing unit is a compact device that may be installed without the use of heavy equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ruggedized heavy duty source connector adapted for use on large air guns. The source connector comprises reinforcing fibers in the cable jacket that are anchored to the connector front shell, an external blast shield in place of a rear shell, and a fatigue resistant strain relief overmold.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining one or more wave characteristics from a moving platform are disclosed. A sonar system, such as an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, can profile the water motion relative to the platform, and an earth reference can determine a measure of the platform motion relative to a fixed earth reference. Both water profile and earth reference measurements can be synergistically employed to compensate for motion of the platform. Directional wave spectra and non-directional wave spectrum can be computed and translated via linear wave theory to surface height spectra and used to calculate characteristics, such as significant wave height, peak period, and peak direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing a seal for an electrical penetrator in a subsea environment. More specifically, the present invention provides for a system for creating a seal about an electrical penetrator without using o-rings or independent seals. The present invention provides for a set of supporting apparatuses to be placed in compression about a central ceramic penetrator element. The geometry of the central ceramic penetrator element and the interior of the supporting apparatuses forms a hermetic seal when under a constant radial and axial, or axial compressive force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular electrical feedthrough system for use in offshore and top-side electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) installations. A modular electrical connection system includes a stab receptacle assembly for mating with a stab plug assembly and a compliance mount. The stab plug assembly includes stab plugs and guide funnels adapted to guide the stab receptacles into a mating position with the stab plugs. The compliance mount compensates for physical misalignment between stab receptacles and stab plugs. A tubing hanger assembly forms a pressure barrier at a production bore by use of a tubing hanger penetrator assembly including a set of seals to isolate the electrical penetrator from the production bore. A secondary penetrator assembly provides a redundant pressure barrier for increased safety and system reliability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fire-resistant electrical feedthrough system for use in offshore and top-side electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) installations. The fire-resistant electrical feedthrough system includes a minimum of two, redundant pressure barriers, in order to provide for safe operation and increased system reliability. The primary barrier is typically embedded within the wellhead equipment structure, while the secondary barrier is typically externally mounted.

Abstract: Condensation mitigation devices and condensation prediction/detection techniques configured to prevent window condensation with reduced power consumption are disclosed. A condensation mitigation device is configured to predict and/or detect a window condensation event. The condensation mitigation device is powered on only during such an event, and the condensation mitigation device is powered off afterwards to conserve power.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a modular locking and retaining mechanical design solution to reliably secure immersed, unrestrained and un-powered objects in a fluid environment to a fixed support surface such as a mounting frame or panel, with a quick connect/disconnect engagement method by a diver (i.e. manual mate) or remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) mate, into a fixed mounting frame or panel installed at a subsea deployed platform for oil and gas offshore applications. The invention relates particularly to providing an isolation guide or means to prevent dissimilar materials, metals, of a compact retrievable, horizontal or vertical MCDU configuration and a frame from coming into direct contact to avoid corrosive effects, such as galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A wet-mateable connector unit for use in vertical or substantially vertical orientation in a subsea gas well has an outer shell and a movable wall inside the shell surrounding a pressure compensated chamber containing dielectric fluid. The chamber wall is exposed to ambient pressure outside the connector unit. At least one relief valve is mounted in the connector unit and has an inlet in communication with the upper end of the chamber and an outlet in communication with the external environment surrounding the connector unit. The relief valve opens to release gas from the upper end of the chamber when the differential pressure between the chamber and external environment exceeds a predetermined valve cracking pressure. A plurality of relief valves may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a modular locking and retaining mechanical design solution to reliably secure immersed, unrestrained and un-powered objects in a fluid environment to a fixed support surface such as a mounting frame or panel, with a quick connect/disconnect engagement method by a diver (i.e. manual mate) or remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) mate, into a fixed mounting frame or panel installed at a subsea deployed platform for oil and gas offshore applications.

Abstract: Underwater vehicles may fix their position from GPS at the surface of the water and use bottom track for dead reckoning once it has descended to within tracking range of the bottom of a body of water. This disclosure describes a method and system for navigation through the water through depths where GPS is not available using current profiles from sonar systems including acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP). This extrapolation of earth referenced current profiles can provide a way to estimate vehicle motion below the surface before the vehicle reaches the bottom. Once bottom track is achieved, the corrected reference for vehicle motion improves the vehicle position estimate. A Kalman filter updates vehicle position and current profile estimates during descent, and the bottom track when the bottom comes within range to enable navigation of underwater vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ruggedized heavy duty source connector adapted for use on large air guns. The source connector comprises reinforcing fibers in the cable jacket that are anchored to the connector front shell, an external blast shield in place of a rear shell, and a fatigue resistant strain relief overmold.

Abstract: A handheld current profiler (HCP) system and method for wading discharge measurement is disclosed. The disclosed HCP has dual capabilities. It serves as a single point current meter that can measure velocity in as little as 3 cm of water. It becomes a current profiler with an additional near surface velocity measurement cell in water about 15 cm or deeper. The HCP has a surface tracking acoustic beam that measures the water level. Thus, in most cases, no manual measurements for water depth and transducer depth are required because both depths may be measured acoustically. In addition, the disclosed HCP can have a very small transducer with a form factor which can lead to minimum flow disturbance.

Abstract: An isolated electrical connection assembly having first and second conductive terminals of different conductive materials with a non-metallic, annular spacer sandwiched between opposing inner end faces of the terminals. The first terminal having a bore extending inwards from its inner end face, and a pin projects from the opposing inner end face of the second terminal, through a central opening in the spacer, and into the bore. The pin is releasably secured in the bore to provide electrical connection between the terminals. The interfaces between the inner end faces of the terminals and opposing faces of the spacer are sealed to isolate the connection between the second terminal pin and the first terminal bore.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an inline pressure compensator that compensates for volumetric changes within Field-Assembled Cable Termination (FACT) structures when exposed to high pressures and extreme subsea depths by transferring a pressure compensating fluid into the internal cavity of the FACT. The present invention may comprise a flexible internal component and an outer shell-like component. The inner component may comprise two concentric rings of edge-welded bellows that are joined together and wrapped around inner components of the termination or of the inner portion of the outer component. The inner void in the bellows may be filled with pressure-compensating fluid. The pressure compensating fluid diffuses directly into the fluid-filled cavity of the termination assembly. The exterior component may comprise a housing adapted to protect the interior bellows component and provide for seawater to fill the space around the periphery of the bellows arrangement.