Abstract: A system for providing alternating current to at least one inductive load, the system including at least one switching means for switching power to the load on and off, controller adapted for controlling the at least one switching means and a pre-magnetization device, wherein the pre-magnetization device is configured to generate pulses which cause the switching means to pre-magnetize the inductive load.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting electrical power and data between a first end of a transmission line and a second end of the transmission line comprises, at the first end: a DC supply means for supplying direct current to the transmission line; first switching means for switching the DC supply means; and a first modulator for operating the first switching means. At the second end, the system comprises an energy storage means for storing and supplying DC power; second switching means for switching power from the energy storage means; and a second modulator for operating the second switching means.

Abstract: A wet mate optical connector in combination with a wave division multiplexer, there being a plurality of input fiber optic cables on an input side of the multiplexer and a fiber optic cable on an output side of the multiplexer connected for providing multiplexed optical signals from the input cables to the wet mate connector.

Abstract: An optical amplifier comprising: an optical coupler configured to receive a communication signal and couple said communication signal to an optical connector of a doped optical fibre; and at least one electrical to optical data converter connected to the optical coupler to provide pump radiation thereto.

Abstract: A method of performing line insulation monitoring of a pair of conductor lines at least partially located in a cable is provided, comprising the steps of providing a first power switch in a first conductor line of the pair and a second power switch in a second conductor line of the pair, providing a line insulation monitor at a first end of the pair of conductor lines, electrically connected to the pair of conductor lines, at the second end of the pair of conductor lines, electrically connecting the first and second conductor lines, placing the first and second power switches into a monitoring configuration wherein the first power switch is closed while the second power switch is open, and using the line insulation monitor to monitor the insulation of the conductor lines.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting electrical power and data between a first end of a transmission line and a second end of the transmission line comprises, at the first end: a DC supply means for supplying direct current to the transmission line; first switching means for switching the DC supply means; and a first modulator for operating the first switching means. At the second end, the system comprises an energy storage means for storing and supplying DC power; second switching means for switching power from the energy storage means; and a second modulator for operating the second switching means.

Abstract: A power and data supply system that includes circuitry for supplying power and data to an output via a common transmission line is provided. The circuitry comprises a DC power source, a data signal source, a modulator configured to generate a modulated signal in dependence on the data signal, and an inverter, wherein the inverter is controlled by the modulated signal, such that the inverter generates an AC signal for output to the transmission line.

Abstract: A system for transmitting alternating current power and communication signals between a first location and a second location through a communication path which includes at least one inductive load and at least one switch configured to switch power to the at least one inductive load on and off is disclosed herein. The system comprises a control configured to control the at least one switch so that, if the power is switched on during a particular phase of the power, is the power is switched off during the opposite phase of the power, and if the power is switched off during a particular phase of the power, the power is switched on during the opposite phase of the power.

Abstract: A communication arrangement for a subsea well control system, comprising an umbilical between a topside location and a subsea location, an electrical conductor in said umbilical, and a data transmission system configured to transmit and receive data between said locations via said conductor, wherein a return path for said data comprises the sea.

Abstract: A system for transmitting alternating current power and communication signals between a first location and a second location via a communication path which includes at least one inductive load and at least one switching means for switching power to said at least one load on and off, the system including control means adapted for controlling said at least one switching means so that, in response to switching off said power, a direct current is applied to said at least one inductive load and, in response to actuation of said at least one switching means to switch said power on, said power is switched on during a phase of the power which results in a magnetization of said at least one inductive load opposite to that resulting from said direct current.

Abstract: A system for providing alternating current to at least one inductive load, the system including at least one switching means for switching power to the load on and off, controller adapted for controlling the at least one switching means and a pre-magnetization device, wherein the pre-magnetization device is configured to generate pulses which cause the switching means to pre-magnetize the inductive load.

Abstract: A method of testing a transformer prior to installation in a high-pressure environment wherein the transformer comprises a transformer core comprising a stack of a plurality laminations, is provided. The method comprises applying a mechanical compression force to the stack, the force being at least equivalent to the ambient pressure of the high-pressure environment; and testing the electrical efficiency of the transformer.

Abstract: A power and data supply system that includes circuitry for supplying power and data to an output via a common transmission line is provided. The circuitry comprises a DC power source, a data signal source, a modulator configured to generate a modulated signal in dependence on the data signal, and an inverter, wherein the inverter is controlled by the modulated signal, such that the inverter generates an AC signal for output to the transmission line.

Abstract: A method of simulating an umbilical for use with a subsea fluid extraction well is provided. The method comprises using a programmed processing unit to condition an input electrical signal for producing an output signal characteristic of a signal which has passed through such an umbilical.

Abstract: A transformer is provided. The transformer includes a core formed from a plurality of planar laminations stacked together adjacent one another to lie substantially parallel. The transformer also includes electrically insulating spacing means provided between each of the laminations and a lamination adjacent thereto to separate them so as to provide a plurality of voids in the core, each of which is between a lamination and a lamination adjacent thereto. The transformer further includes an electrically insulating fluid located within and filling said voids.

Abstract: A method of testing a transformer prior to installation in a high-pressure environment wherein the transformer comprises a transformer core comprising a stack of a plurality laminations, is provided. The method comprises applying a mechanical compression force to the stack, the force being at least equivalent to the ambient pressure of the high-pressure environment; and testing the electrical efficiency of the transformer.

Abstract: A battery signalling system is provided which can be used to monitor and/or control a battery (1) having a number of series connected battery cells (Ci). When used to monitor the battery cells, the battery signalling system can comprise a central battery monitoring system (3) for monitoring the industrial battery (1) as a whole, a number of cell monitoring devices (CMi) for monitoring one or more battery cells (Ci) and a communication link (9) for connecting the cell monitoring devices (CMi) in series in a daisy chain configuration to the central battery monitoring system (3). In operation, the central battery monitoring system (3) can poll each of the cell monitoring devices (Cmi) in turn and analyze the data received from a polled cell monitoring device (CMi) to detect malfunctions and/or underperforming cells.

Abstract: A battery signalling system is provided which can be used to monitor and/or control a battery (1) having a number of series connected battery cells (C.sub.i) . When used to monitor the battery cells, the battery signalling system can comprise a central battery monitoring system (3) for monitoring the industrial battery (1) as a whole, a number of cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) for monitoring one or more battery cells (C.sub.i) and a communication link (9) for connecting the cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) in series in a daisy chain configuration to the central battery monitoring system (3). In operation, the central battery monitoring system (3) can poll each of the cell monitoring devices (.sub.Cmi) in turn and analyze the data received from a polled cell monitoring device (CM.sub.i) to detect malfunctions and/or underperforming cells.