Abstract: A cladding (10) for an elongate member to be deployed underwater includes multiple cladding sections (12, 26) each being configured to receive the elongate member and each having proximal and distal ends configured to engage with longitudinally neighbouring cladding sections (12, 26) enabling a continuous length of the cladding to be constructed from multiple cladding sections. At least one of the cladding sections is provided with a sensor module dock (28) configured to receive and releasably mount a sensor module (30) to the cladding.

Abstract: A device (10) for monitoring strain of an elongate member (12) is deployed underwater. The device (10) comprises a first clamp (14) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member (12) at a first axial location, a second clamp (16) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.

Abstract: A buoyancy module (10, 12, 14) configured for mounting on an elongate underwater member (16) and provided with a sensor module dock (32) for receiving and releasably retaining a sensor module (30).

Abstract: The invention concerns a bend stiffener (10, 32) for locally protecting an elongate flexible member (14) from excessive curvature when the elongate flexible member is deployed in water. The bend stiffener comprises an elongate stiffener body (34) which has a root end, a free end, and a passage (36) extending through the stiffener body from the root end to the free end for receiving and embracing the flexible member. A coupling (16) at or toward the root end of the stiffener body serves to mount the stiffener body. The stiffener body is sufficiently flexible to curve somewhat along with the flexible member when the flexible member suffers a bending load and carries a sensor module which is located proximate the free end of the bend stiffener and is configured to sense inclination and/or orientation and/or movement of the free end of the bend stiffener.

Abstract: A protection assembly for mounting in an underwater support structure includes at least one bend protection device coupled to a retaining device so that together they provide a through-going passage for receiving an elongate member which is to be protected. The elongate member passes through a support structure opening, and the retaining device is configured to be received in the support structure opening and to engage with the support structure to resist subsequent withdrawal from it. Installation of the protection assembly includes grasping the protection assembly with a releasable clamp, arranging a pulling line to pass through the support structure opening to the mechanical clamp and securing the pulling line to the mechanical clamp, drawing the retaining device of the protection assembly into the support structure opening using the pulling line and engaging the retaining device with the support structure, and releasing the clamp from the protection assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bend stiffener (10, 32) for locally protecting an elongate flexible member (14) from excessive curvature when the elongate flexible member is deployed in water. The bend stiffener comprises an elongate stiffener body (34) which has a root end, a free end, and a passage (36) extending through the stiffener body from the root end to the free end for receiving and embracing the flexible member. A coupling (16) at or toward the root end of the stiffener body serves to mount the stiffener body. The stiffener body is sufficiently flexible to curve somewhat along with the flexible member when the flexible member suffers a bending load and carries a sensor module which is located proximate the free end of the bend stiffener and is configured to sense inclination and/or orientation and/or movement of the free end of the bend stiffener.

Abstract: An assembly (10) protects an elongate member (e.g., an electrical cable) extending through an opening in a support structure (e.g., a wind turbine leg (12) and passes through at least one bend protector, e.g., a bend stiffener (20a, 20b), and a retaining device (18). The retaining device (18) has a body configured to lock itself to the opening. The body carries an abutment (78) and locking members (84), which are movable between retracted and extended positions. A movable member (86) is carried by the body (82), moveable axially with respect to it, and attachable to a pulling line. As the assembly (10) is pulled into the opening by the pulling line, the abutment (78) engages the support structure and arrests inward movement. The movable member (86) is moved in the inward direction with respect to the body (82), and the locking members (84) move to their extended positions to lock the retaining device in place.

Abstract: A bend stiffener (50) includes an elongate stiffener body (52) having polymer material and two ends. A passage (58) extends through the stiffener body from end to end for receiving and embracing a flexible member (60). The stiffener body includes a coupling (66) for mounting the stiffener body in cantilever fashion. The stiffener body is sufficiently flexible to curve somewhat along with the flexible member under a bending load but is sufficiently stiff to resist excessive curvature which could damage the flexible member, and sufficiently resilient to recover its original shape afterwards. The stiffener body includes at least two stiffener body parts (64a, 64b) defining the passage. Each stiffener body part includes a respective interface member (68, 70) having material stiffer than the polymer material of the stiffener body. A securing arrangement (80, 83) secures the interface members of different stiffener body parts together around the elongate flexible member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a buoyancy module (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 700) which comprises multiple buoyancy elements (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704) coupled to one another. Each of the buoyancy elements has a recess (110, 210) and the buoyancy elements are laterally juxtaposed with their recesses aligned with one another to encircle the elongate member in use. Multiple buoyancy elements are stacked one upon another along a direction which is axial with respect to the elongate member in use, to form a buoyancy module of a predetermined axial depth. The recesses of the buoyancy modules together form an axially extending passage through which the elongate member passes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller (10) which is to be mounted upon a conduit (12) to be deployed on the seabed. The roller facilitates lateral movement of the conduit. It is able to rotate relative to the conduit when mounted. The roller has an outer face (36) which contacts and rolls upon the seabed in use. The outer face is shaped to provide treads (38).

Abstract: A bend stiffener for resisting excessive-bending of an elongate underwater member in a region where it meets a rigid structure, comprises: a sleeve (1) for receiving said elongate underwater member, said sleeve being capable of some degree of flexure; and a rigid interface mount (3) secured to said sleeve, said rigid interface mount being suitable for attachment to said rigid structure; wherein said rigid interface mount comprises one or more slots (4) or holes which are alignable with corresponding slots, holes or recesses on said rigid structure such that the rigid interface mount may be locked to the rigid structure by locking means (2), said locking means comprising projection(s) through the slots or holes of the rigid interface mount into the slots, holes or recesses of the rigid structure. The bend stiffener is particular suited to mid-line applications, amongst other applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection assembly for mounting in an underwater support structure, and to a method of installing such an assembly. According to one aspect of the invention, the protection assembly comprises at least one bend protection device (20a, 20b) coupled to a retaining device (18). The bend protection device (20a, 20b, 26) and the retaining device (18) together provide a through-going passage (32) for receiving an elongate member which is to be protected. The support structure (12) has an opening (16) through which the elongate member is passed, and the retaining device (18) is configured to be received in the opening (16) in the support structure and to engage with the support structure to resist subsequent withdrawal from it.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bend stiffener (50) for locally protecting an elongate flexible member (60) from excessive curvature under bending loads. The bend stiffener comprises an elongate stiffener body (52) which comprises polymer material and which has a root end (54) and a free end (56). A passage (58) extends through the stiffener body from the root end to the free end for receiving and embracing the flexible member. A coupling (66) is provided at or toward the root end of the stiffener body for mounting the stiffener body in cantilever fashion. The stiffener body is sufficiently flexible to curve somewhat along with the flexible member when the flexible member suffers a bending load but is sufficiently stiff to resist excessive curvature which could otherwise damage the flexible member, and sufficiently resilient to recover its original shape upon relief of the bending load.

Abstract: A bend stiffener for resisting excessive-bending of an elongate underwater member in a region where it meets a rigid structure, comprises: a sleeve (1) for receiving said elongate underwater member, said sleeve being capable of some degree of flexure; and a rigid interface mount (3) secured to said sleeve, said rigid interface mount being suitable for attachment to said rigid structure; wherein said rigid interface mount comprises one or more slots (4) or holes which are alignable with corresponding slots, holes or recesses on said rigid structure such that the rigid interface mount may be locked to the rigid structure by locking means (2), said locking means comprising projection(s) through the slots or holes of the rigid interface mount into the slots, holes or recesses of the rigid structure. The bend stiffener is particular suited to mid-line applications, amongst other applications.

Abstract: A bend restrictor segment comprises a female end and a mate end, wherein the female end is suitable for locating around the male end of a further bend restrictor segment and the male end is suitable for locating inside the female end of a further bend restrictor segment. The bend restrictor segment is adapted to be suitable for coupling, in either orientation, to an interface unit.

Abstract: The present Invention concerns a clamp (20) for mounting upon an elongate member such as a riser (24) to be deployed underwater. The clamp may for example be intended to prevent movement of a buoyancy module along a riser. The clamp comprises a plurality of clamp bodies (22) to be placed at circumferential intervals about the elongate member. A strap (42) is provided which is to be placed around the clamp bodies and tensioned to urge the clamp bodies toward the elongate member, enabling the clamp to resist movement along it. The clamp bodies comprise respective spring elements (28) which are arranged, when the clamp is assembled and mounted, between the clamp bodies and the elongate member. The clamp bodies and the spring elements are shaped to permit them to be used in clamps having a range of different diameters and having a differing number of clamp bodies.

Abstract: A cladding section (100, 200) for mounting upon an elongate member to be deployed underwater is shaped to suppress vortex induced vibration of the elongate member when it is subject to a fluid flow, the cladding section comprising at least one cylindrical or part-cylindrical portion (130, 130?, 130?, 230) to seat upon the elongate member and at least one strake (114,114?, 114?, 214) upstanding from the part-cylindrical portion, the cladding section being characterised in that the strake is resilient, enabling it to be deformed when subject to load and to reform following removal of the load. The cladding section may be prepared by methods involving thermoforming or moulding.

Abstract: The present Invention concerns a clamp (20) for mounting upon an elongate member such as a riser (24) to be deployed underwater. The clamp may for example be intended to prevent movement of a buoyancy module along a riser. The clamp comprises a plurality of clamp bodies (22) to be placed at circumferential intervals about the elongate member. A strap (42) is provided which is to be placed around the clamp bodies and tensioned to urge the clamp bodies toward the elongate member, enabling the clamp to resist movement along it. The clamp bodies comprise respective spring elements (28) which are arranged, when the clamp is assembled and mounted, between the clamp bodies and the elongate member. The clamp bodies and the spring elements are shaped to permit them to be used in clamps having a range of different diameters and having a differing number of clamp bodies.