Abstract: A trackless vehicle may be dispatched in a ride path comprising a predefined path and a set of optional predefined paths by receiving, such as by an on-board trackless vehicle controller, a rider identifier associated with a rider who is associated with the trackless vehicle, either a rider about to board the trackless vehicle or a rider who has boarded the trackless vehicle. Upon receipt, identification, and validation of the rider identifier, a predetermined set of optional predefined paths available to and associated with the validated rider identifier are identified and one or more of the predefined paths are selected, with the trackless vehicle being commanded to proceed onto the selected predefined path.

Abstract: Dynamic/static sealing of coiled tubing subsea for pipeline and well access with hydrostatic conditions up to 10,000 feet water depth while maintaining wellbore or pipeline pressures up to 10,000 psi may be achieved using a system comprising a subsea fluid source which utilizes a riserless open water coiled tubing system and an open water coiled tubing sealer to control hydrostatic pressure and wellbore/pipeline pressures.

Abstract: Regeneration of a fluid medium can be accomplished using a continuously regenerable scrubber, which, in its various embodiments, combines valve functions and sorbent material, such as amine beds, into one component, dramatically reducing size and mass of scrubber. Sorbent material beds rotate continuously past breathing gas vent loop ports for scrubbing CO2/H2O and then past vacuum ports for regenerating the sorbent material. Typically, a first fluid output is connected to a lower header fluid output and a second, sweeping fluid source connected to a lower header fluid input. A motor spins the substantially circular bed assembly at a predetermined speed which allows adsorption or absorption as well as desorption of materials flowing through the sorbent material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.

Abstract: In general, a connector designed to slip on a tubular, or an extension thereof, may be locked onto the tubular and a seal created around the tubular to keep pressure trapped inside the tubular. Generally, the connector is slipped over and makes contact with the tubular via a sliding sleeve seal cover. In certain embodiments, when sufficient force is placed on the connector, one or more shear pins, which are holding the sleeve, are sheared, allowing the connector to be lowered onto the tubular and the seal to make contact with the tubular. The connector may be locked onto the tubular by means of a one piece slip energized by a cam typically held in place mechanically by one or more ratchets.

Abstract: A predetermined set of connector maintenance functions may be accomplished subsea using a connector maintenance panel which comprises a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel. The connector maintenance panel subsea may be deployed and powered subsea, such as from an external source, and a predetermined set of connector related functions performed in a sequence by sequentially using the connector interface operable to perform a connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A pinless connector for subsea data communications comprises contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler, comprising one or more first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters, and contactless connectivity data receiver coupler, comprising one or more first solid state contactless connectivity data receivers, which can allow for rapid collection and/or download data from subsea vehicles or sensors without having to plug in an external connector or physically remove the data recorder from the unit. Typically, these are operative at a low power level, e.g. less than or around 50 milliwatts, at an extremely high data transfer rate or around 5 GBits/second. The connectors may be incorporated into a subsea system comprising two subsea devices. A slip ring system may similarly comprise one or more first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters and one or more first solid state contactless connectivity data receivers.

Abstract: The disclosed subsea clamp tensioning system includes predictability of gasket pre-load to input closure and allows a subsea clamp tensioning system to be closed and made-up without the hindrance of frictional loads that will cause a loss of tension in a drive screw. In an embodiment, the subsea clamp tensioning system tensions the drive screw by applying a set torque load into an API class torque bucket which translates into an applied tension at the drive screw. The tension load on the drive screw applies the gasket pre-load required to create a metal-to-metal seal between the two clamp hubs. Once complete and tested, the subsea clamp tensioning system may be removed and mounted onto a connector tool for retrieval to the surface.

Abstract: A retrievable module assembly can be used to install and/or de-install a blowout preventer (BOP) module from a BOP subsea where the BOP comprises one or more corresponding BOP module receivers. The retrievable module assembly typically comprises a frame configured to house and support the subsea BOP module; and a modular storage unit disposed at least partially within the frame. The modular storage unit further comprises a storage area configured to removably accept the subsea BOP module; a rotator configured to attach to and rotate the subsea BOP module, the rotator disposed at least partially within the frame; a rotator mover, slidably mounted in the frame and operatively in communication with the rotator; and a power connector operatively connected to the rotator and rotator mover and configured to interface with a power source.

Abstract: In various embodiments, fluid conduits such as high pressure hoses deployed in-between two sea-fairing vessels may be released during an emergency by using a rapid release emergency disconnect system as described herein, where the rapid release emergency disconnect system may engage with a hanger such as an industry standard frac hanger and be used in-line with fluid conduits such as high-pressure lines. Various skid embodiments are described which can be configured to interface with one or more of the described rapid release emergency disconnect systems.

Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.

Abstract: A storage system comprises one or more automated guided vehicles, one or more centralized supervisory systems, one or more parts container storage spaces disposed within a defined two dimensional space comprising one or more addressable parts container spaces and parts bins which comprise a part identifier and which are configured to fit at least partially within the parts container storage space. The automated guided vehicles comprise a controllable autonomous parts container base and one or more position sensors operatively in communication with a controller and operative to determine a coordinate location of the automated guided vehicle within a defined two dimensional space in real time without relying on a map stored in the controller.

Abstract: In general, a conductor removal system 1 comprises a conductor sectioning tower which can be used to automate lifting and landing of various conductor sections. In most embodiments, the conductor sectioning tower can selectively and controllably go between an initially compact position to a raised, substantially vertical position with respect to the conductor removal system's transport frame. Conductors are cut creating a severed conductor section which can be positioned onto a conductor landing cart for further removal processing.

Abstract: A subsea fluid distributor comprises a support framework removably mountable and hydraulically connectable to a subsea structure intermediate the subsea structure and an incoming flying lead's terminator; a plate attached to an upper section of the support framework; a fixed bucket and a valve attached to the support framework; a lower framework attached to a lower portion of the support framework; a first hydraulic tube, in fluid communication with the valve, attached to the lower framework; a flying lead junction plate support framework attached to the lower portion of the support framework; a second hydraulic tube, in fluid communication with various subsea equipment, disposed at least partially within the flying lead junction plate support framework; a first remotely operated vehicle (ROV) torque bucket attached to an upper portion of the flying lead junction plate support framework; and a second ROV torque bucket attached to the upper section of the support framework.

Abstract: A system to remove scale prior to well completion is inserted into a marine riser section, the system comprising a robotic crawler comprising a motive assembly sized to fit within an interior of the marine riser section and a predetermined set of attachments, operatively connected to the motive assembly, which are useful for conducting a predetermined set of marine riser interior cleaning and inspection operations while deployed within the marine riser. A first attachment of the predetermined set of attachments is used to clean an interior of the marine riser; at a first predetermined time, a second attachment of the predetermined set of attachments is used to perform a predetermined set of inspections of the interior of the marine riser section. At a second predetermined time, effluent resulting from the cleaning may be removed.

Abstract: A scanning carriage, useful to perform simultaneous or concurrent subsea Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD) and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) of a subsea structure, comprises a housing machined to provide an incident angle for producing a predetermined set of desired refraction angles to help provide volumetric coverage of a weld in a one pass inspection; a Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD) tool disposed proximate the housing and comprising a ToFD probe; a phased array ultrasonic testing tool, disposed proximate the ToFD tool, comprising a phased array ultrasonic probe and configured to produce multiple refracted angles with one probe placement; and a data communication link configured to interface with a data collection tool and operatively connected to the ToFD tool and the phased array ultrasonic testing tool.

Abstract: A system may be used to survey subsea sites using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), an autonomous surface vessel (ASV) configured to serve as a communications link to subsea assets and relay data from the control station to the subsea assets where the ASV may house an autonomous or teleoperated ROV and transport that asset to an inspection site and an autonomously operative vehicle (AUV) comprising a survey system and electronics for the detection of subsea seeps or other formations and/or objects.

Abstract: A tendon actuator unit comprises a housing; a pulley disposed within the housing, the pulley comprising a screw-like groove about a predetermined portion of an outer surface of the pulley configured to accept a predetermined length of a cable; a motor disposed in or proximate to the housing and operatively in communication with the pulley; one or more online cable sensors; one or more sensor rollers; and one or more conduit force sensors.

Abstract: The snubbing unit inserts a tubular member into a well without a riser. The snubbing unit includes a set of stationary slips in a first base plate, a first set of traveling slips in a second base plate, a second set of traveling slips in a third base plate, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders connecting the base plates. Each set of slips has an engaged position and a released position relative to the hydraulic cylinders. The base plates are cooperative with a pipe guide so that movement of the tubular member between the base plates corresponds to consistent support of the tubular member to preventing buckling. The snubbing unit increases safety and support for inserting into the well without a riser.