Submerging, Raising, Or Manipulating Line Of Pipe Or Cable In Or From Marine Environment Patents (Class 405/158)
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Patent number: 11988303Abstract: A method and a system for installing a non-metallic pipeline assembly, the method comprising the steps of: forming a pipe assembly by coupling a load bearing member and counter weight to a non-metallic pipe; floating the pipe assembly proximate to the water surface until in position, then; permitting the pipe assembly to sink to the sea bed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)Inventors: I Wayan Eka Putra, Mohd Fauzi Bin Badaruddin
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Patent number: 11872608Abstract: A method of removing sludge from a drain pipe used for cleaning a drain pipe comprises a piling step, a platform setting step, a drilling path planning step, a coil deploying step, a conveying bracket lifting step, a guiding step, a drilling step, and a cleaning step. In the piling step, a plurality of supporting columns are provided around the opening of the drain pipe. In the platform setting step, a work platform is provided on the plurality of supporting columns. In the drilling path planning step, a drilling path is planned. In the coil deploying step, an induction coil group is placed above the drain pipe. In the conveying bracket lifting step, a conveying bracket is hung by lifting equipment so that the conveying bracket is aligned with the opening of the drain pipe. In the guiding step, the drill bit is guided to the opening of the drain pipe using the conveying bracket. In the drilling step, the drill bit is controlled to drill into the clogged bulk in the drain pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Inventors: Kuo-Chung Cheng, Mei-Liang Cheng
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Patent number: 11492772Abstract: Described is a device for providing a sizeable, slender object having a longitudinal direction into an underwater bottom from a deck of a vessel. The device includes a lifting means configured to take up the object at a lifting point thereof and position it on the underwater bottom; an upending tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a first circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means and provide a pivot around which the object can be upended; and a gripping tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a second circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means, whereby the first and second circumferential parts are optionally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the object. The gripping tool includes an actuator system configured to act on at least one of the upending tool and the gripping tool and control movements of at least one of the first and the second circumferential parts, relative to the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: DEME Offshore BE NVInventors: Dieter Wim Rabaut, Kenneth Gerard Vannieuwenhuyse, Sven André Christiane De Bock
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Patent number: 11215166Abstract: An assembly assisting device for assisting an assembling of at least two wind turbine components of a wind turbine is provided. The assembly assisting device includes at least one bolt magazine with at least one bolt magazine store unit for storing bolts for the assembling and at least one bolt magazine attaching unit for attaching the bolt magazine to at least one attaching structure of at least one of the wind turbine components. In addition, a method for assembling at least two wind turbine components of the wind turbine with following steps is provided: a) providing of the wind turbine components and providing of at least one assembly assisting device including bolts and b) assembling of the wind turbine components with the aid of the bolts of the bolt magazine store unit of the assembly assisting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Inventors: Joergen Klitgaard, Christian Nielsen
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Patent number: 11204108Abstract: A portion of a line from a line laying vessel to a touchdown support point on or near to the seabed is imaged with a 3 dimensional sonar imaging system to produce coordinates of a series of touchdown points using a time sequence of sonar images, and the time series of touchdown points is recorded.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: CODA OCTOPUS GROUP INC.Inventors: Alam Abbas Syed, Blair Cunningham
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Patent number: 11108532Abstract: In a method of wireless communication, a UE receives a configuration to receive a CIF for a serving cell of a plurality of serving cells. In addition, the UE monitors a PDCCH on a primary cell of the plurality of serving cells. Said primary cell is different than said serving cell. Furthermore, the UE assumes information received in the PDCCH is for said primary cell when the received information has a common payload size and is in a common search space with a first CCE index in the common search space being equal to a first CCE index in a UE specific search space.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Tao Luo, Wanshi Chen, Juan Montojo
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Patent number: 11061136Abstract: Reflected sonar signals arising from one or more possible unknown objects are distinguished according to a first criterion, and possible shapes each having a defined unique associated point are assigned each of the possible unknown objects. Then the three dimensional points are tracked by the sonar system.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: CODA OCTOPUS GROUP INC.Inventors: Syed Abbas, Blair Cunningham
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Patent number: 10908310Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data. The system can include a propulsion system to receive an instruction and, responsive to the instruction, facilitate movement of the case.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc
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Patent number: 10663086Abstract: A system and method for moving an elongate element from a first position towards a second position against an upright structure on a vessel are disclosed. The system includes a holding element for holding the elongate element in the first position; a first sliding member pivotally connected to an end region of the holding element, and moveable along a base, ground or deck surface; a further sliding member pivotally connected to a further end region of the holding element, and moveable along the upright structure; and a hoist system operably engaged with the upright structure, the end region of the holding element and the further end region of the holding element, for drawing the holding element towards the upright structure such that the elongate element is moved towards the second position, wherein the hoist system comprises a first portion and a further portion, the first portion arranged to exert a force in a first direction and the further portion arranged to exert a force in a further direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Royal IHC LimitedInventor: Michael James Smith
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Patent number: 10648590Abstract: A marine pipelaying friction clamp device for frictionally retaining an offshore subsea pipeline to be launched into the sea includes a frame which includes a main frame structure that is adapted to be supported by the pipelaying vessel. The frame supports multiple annular arrays of clamping units adapted to simultaneously engage separate portions of the pipeline. The frame further includes one or more mobile subframes for one or more of said annular arrays of clamping units. Each of said one or more mobile subframes is movably supported by the main frame structure so as to be mobile relative to said main frame structure in said longitudinal direction of the clamp device, and each of said one or more mobile subframes is supported by a spring assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Jeroen Adrianus Joseph Donkers, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Stefan Cornells Van Ruyven, Joop Roodenburg, Wouter Johannes Slob
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Patent number: 10451196Abstract: The invention provides a method of emptying an undersea fluid transport pipe (2) that is submerged and full of water, the method comprising pumping out at least a portion of the water present inside the submerged pipe by means of a submersible pump unit (6) connected to a point of the pipe, the volume of water pumped out from the inside of the pipe being compensated by a gas injected under pressure into the submerged pipe from a point (18) thereof that is situated higher than the connection point (12; 14) to the submersible pump unit. The invention also provides an installation for performing such a method.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Saipem S.A.Inventor: Alexandre Bailey
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Patent number: 10443764Abstract: A transfer mechanism (28) for providing linear vertical displacement of a fitting (46) on a flexible tubular conduit (48). The transfer mechanism includes a clamping mechanism (34) adapted to connect and secure a fitting (46) on a flexible tubular conduit (48) to the transfer mechanism (28); and a conveyor system (30) configured to linearly displace the clamping mechanism (34) from a first position towards a second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCEInventors: Andy Green, Cedric Mouchel
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Patent number: 10435865Abstract: A trenching assembly lays a continuous pipeline in a trench dug in a bed with uneven bathymetry, the trenching assembly including a trench digging device having a main body; at least four ground contact units, each unit having a height adjustment device, to position each ground contact unit with respect to the main body independently. A trench cutting tool digs in the bed includes a cutting depth adjustment device, for positioning the cutting tool with respect to the main body. A detection device detects bed bathymetry. A control device simultaneously allows cooperation between the detection device, the height adjustment device of each ground contact unit, and the cutting depth adjustment device. A command device cooperates with the control device to adjustment each ground contact unit and the cutting depth adjustment device, to obtain a trench having a height difference lower than a predefined tolerance and a predetermined burial depth.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.Inventors: Paolo Bonel, Diego Lazzarin, Alberto Serena
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Patent number: 10345462Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for data and/or power transfer to and from an ocean bottom seismic node are described. In an embodiment, an autonomous seismic node is configured with a bulkhead connector assembly that may be coupled to a plug assembly for data and/or power transfer and a pressure cap assembly when utilized subsea. A plurality of pins may be located on the bulkhead assembly in a substantially flat contact surface to obtain an external electrical connection to the node. The pins on the bulkhead assembly may form a flat circuit with an external device, such as a plug assembly or pressure cap assembly. One or more external devices may be coupled to the pressure cap assembly and/or bulkhead connector for increased functionality to the node. A quick release assembly and/or locking ring may be utilized to fasten any external device to the bulkhead connector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions B.V.Inventors: Arne Henning Rokkan, Richard Edward Henman
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Patent number: 10295083Abstract: A real-time analysis system for operation of working ship based on ship attitude measurement includes: a central processing unit (10); a position monitoring unit (20) for detecting and providing position-attitude information and heading information of the working ship at a predetermined time, and the position-attitude information and heading information of the working ship at a predetermined time is provided to the central processing unit (10); a manual data input unit (30) connected to the central processing unit (10) and capable of providing the pipeline model data to the central processing unit (10) in a manual input method; and a display unit (40) connected to the central processing unit (10) which displays the dynamic response data of the pipeline according to the processed data provided by the central processing unit (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignees: CHINA NATIONAL OFFSHORE OIL CORPORATION, OFFSHORE OIL ENGINEERING CO., LTD., COTEC, INCInventors: Facheng Wang, Shuang Gao, Ke Tang, Zhigang Li, Yigong Zhang, Yong Luo, Jin Wang, Jun Wang, Weiwei Liu, Xiaohuan Zhu, Yang Li, Jiannan Li, Xiangwei Meng
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Patent number: 10232919Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with a subsea equipment package mounted thereon. The structure is used for installation and recovery in a subsea environment by changing the buoyancy of the structure or ballasting the structure to effect a controlled sinking motion.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Safe Marine Transfer, LLCInventors: James E. Chitwood, Art J. Schroeder, Jr., Jason C. Mailand, Timothy T. Krasin
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Patent number: 10215341Abstract: Methods of remotely facilitating the transition between flooding and hydrotesting a subsea pipeline include a control unit of a subsea valve actuation system closing off fluid flow out of the pipeline at the receiving end thereof based at least partially upon one or more signals emitted by at least one intelligent pig that has passed through the pipeline during flooding and without the involvement of an external source at the surface, or a UV, at the pig receiving end of the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Andrew J. Barden, Luis Russo, Peter Dixon, Alastair Goodall
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Patent number: 10125895Abstract: A marine pipeline installation vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel at least being adapted to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the vessel includes at least a first and a second storage reel for storage of the pipeline to be laid, which storage reels are positioned in or onto the vessel; a pipeline launch tower mounted to the vessel, which pipeline launch tower is adapted to launch the pipeline in a firing line along the tower; a pipeline guide which is mounted at an elevated position to the pipeline launch tower, which pipeline guide has a pipeline guide surface member providing an essentially circular or semi-circular pipeline guide surface, which pipeline guide is adapted to—in a primary pipelaying position thereof relative to the tower—guide a pipeline from a first storage reel over the pipeline guide into the firing line, the pipeline contacts the pipeline guide surface at a first contact point fore of the firing line and departs the surface at a first departure point into the firiType: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Stefan Cornelis Van Ruyven
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Patent number: 10048397Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data. The system can include a propulsion system to receive an instruction and, responsive to the instruction, facilitate movement of the case.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Roger L. Fyffe, Etienne Marc
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Patent number: 10017232Abstract: An underwater base handles an autonomous underwater vehicle. The underwater a support structure to be hooked to a cable, a storing part configured to store the AUVs, an inlet part located above the storing part and configured to control access of the plural AUVs to the storing part, and a control part configured to control a movement of the inlet part relative to the support structure. The control part is further configured to wirelessly guide the AUVs while approaching the inlet part.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: CGG SERVICES SASInventors: Antoine Lelaurin, Thierry Brizard
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Patent number: 10012328Abstract: A pipeline including an accessory such as a flowline end termination or an in-line tee is lowered to the seabed and a mudmat foundation is subsequently lowered toward the seabed for subsea docking with the accessory to provide a permanent foundation support for the accessory. Once docked and with a mudmat of the foundation landed on the seabed, weight loads of the accessory structure and the attached pipe are transferred to the mudmat to provide a permanent foundation for the accessory structure. Before and during installation of the mudmat foundation, the pipe may be allowed to become embedded in the seabed. Temporary interim support such as buoyancy may be provided to the accessory to limit embedment into the seabed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Acergy France SASInventors: Leire Ayestaran Basagoitia, Brice Viellard, Florent Menet
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Patent number: 9874295Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, the vessel including a welding station for joining a new pipestring to an end of the pipeline held by the tower, a clamp assembly on the tower for engaging a pipestring with a lower end adjacent to the end of the pipeline held by the tower and with the pipestring extending upwardly from its lower end alongside the tower, wherein the clamp assembly includes a pipestring clamp that serves both the function of a transfer clamp for transferring the pipestring from a position alongside the tower but displaced from the pipe-laying path to a position approximately aligned with the pipe-laying path, and the function of a line-up clamp for lining up the pipestring with the end of the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.Inventors: Michel Pierre Armand Baylot, Yann Hajeri, Kimon Tullio Ardavanis, Stefano Bianchi
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Patent number: 9701523Abstract: A damaged portion of a pipeline buried in a trench is gradually lifted from the trench to expose the damaged portion above water and provide easy access to the damaged portion. Inflatable roller bags are placed under the pipeline adjacent the damaged portion; the roller bags are then inflated in a controlled manner using a computer-based control unit. A control manifold is connected to the control unit and each of the roller bags by a separate air conduit allowing controlled bag-inflation and bag-deflation process for each roller bag. Once the pipeline is repaired, the roller bags are deflated, lowering the pipeline back to its original position in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Inventor: James Pirtle
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Patent number: 9645271Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a deck having a plurality of seismic sensor devices stored thereon, two remotely operated vehicles, each comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment, and a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container for transfer of one or more of the seismic sensor devices from the vessel to the sensor storage compartment of at least one of the two remotely operated vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES INCORPORATEDInventors: Reagan Neil Woodward, Jr., James N. Thompson
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Patent number: 9631742Abstract: A marine pipeline installation vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel at least being adapted to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the vessel includes at least a first and a second storage reel for storage of the pipeline to be laid, which storage reels are positioned in or onto the vessel; a pipeline launch tower mounted to the vessel, which pipeline launch tower is adapted to launch the pipeline in a firing line along said tower; a pipeline guide which is mounted at an elevated position to the pipeline launch tower, which pipeline guide has a pipeline guide surface member providing an essentially circular or semi-circular pipeline guide surface, which pipeline guide is adapted to—in a primary pipelaying position thereof relative to the tower guide a pipeline from a first storage reel over the pipeline guide into the firing line, wherein the pipeline contacts the pipeline guide surface at a first contact point fore of the firing line and departs the surface at a first departure point intoType: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Stefan Cornelis Van Ruyven
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Patent number: 9625057Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel has a bow, a stern and a weather deck therebetween, with a moonpool passing through the weather deck. The vessel includes an S-lay pipe deployment facility located below the weather deck, having a main firing line extending along a centerline of the vessel and a pipe assembly factory for assembling single lengths of pipe to form pipe assemblies and introduce them into the firing line for deployment from the vessel. The vessel further includes a J-lay pipe deployment facility for deploying pipe through the moonpool, the J-lay pipe deployment facility including a tower located above the moon pool and pipe handling equipment for delivering pipe assemblies from the firing line to the tower. The moonpool is located to one side of the firing line. By virtue of this configuration a relatively compact structure can be achieved whereby minimal length and width dimensions for the vessel are achievable.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Petrofac Ltd.Inventor: Yves Pierre Raymond Inbona
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Patent number: 9581259Abstract: A method of installing an Emergency Flow Restrictor Device (EFRD) on a pipeline without stopping the flow of fluid through the pipeline includes the steps of: assembling first and second face plates on a pipeline such that the first and second sealing face are in face to face, spaced relation; assembling a cutting device between the first face plate and the second face plate; assembling a valve body that has an access opening on a length of pipeline such that the valve body encloses the first and second face plates and the cutting device; installing an access valve on the access opening; operating the cutting device to sever the pipeline between the first and second sealing faces; retracting the cutting device and severed section of pipeline; and attaching a valve gate member of the EFRD to the access opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Maverick Supervision Inc.Inventor: William Baker
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Patent number: 9518366Abstract: An erosion control mat provides a plurality of concrete blocks. Each block has an upper portion with a plurality of upper inclined side walls. Each block has a lower portion with a plurality of inclined lower side walls. The block has an upper surface and a lower surface and a block periphery in the form of an edge where the upper and lower side walls meet. Cables or ropes connect the blocks together to form a block matrix and the erosion control mat. Each block has a boot affixed to the block lower portion, the boot having a plurality of inclined side panels. Each boot side panel has an upper edge. The boot has a lower panel, a boot interior surface and an interior that is receptive of at least part of the block lower portion. The boot inclined side panels engage the block inclined lower side walls. The boot lower panel engages the block lower surface. A plurality of anchor posts are attached to the interior surface of the boot.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: WASKEY BRIDGES, INC.Inventor: Stephen G. Benton, Jr.
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Laying vessel for laying pipelines on the bed of a body of water, and laying vessel operating method
Patent number: 9482367Abstract: A laying vessel configured to lay pipelines on the bed of a body of water has a floating structure; a laying tower hinged to the floating structure and configured to assemble and lay a pipeline on the bed of the body of water; and an A&R system configured to abandon and recover the pipeline; and wherein the A&R system has a haul line; and a sheave assembly configured to guide the haul line, and which is fitted to the floating structure to move between a work position at the laying tower, and a position away from the laying tower.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.Inventors: Emmanuel Huot, Carlo Chiodini -
Patent number: 9151794Abstract: A fault detection system for subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables is provided. The fault detection system includes a first ammeter for measuring a first phase current, a second ammeter for measuring a second phase current, and a third ammeter for measuring a third phase current. The fault detection system also includes a first calculation unit for calculating a negative sequence current from the first phase current, the second phase current, and the third phase current, and a first detection unit for detecting a change in the negative sequence current.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Damir Radan
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Patent number: 9138130Abstract: An assist assembly for propulsion of a tip device of an endoscope in a body cavity includes an attachment sleeve and a support sleeve. A deformable circulation device is disposed to extend over inner and outer surfaces of the support sleeve, for endlessly moving in an axial direction of the tip device. Plural rollers are disposed on the support sleeve in a rotatable manner, for pressing an inner surface of the circulation device. An alignment projection is formed on the inner surface of the circulation device to project at a height L1. A location offset prevention groove is formed in the rollers at a depth L2, for receiving the alignment projection, and satisfying a condition L1?L2, to prevent location offset of the circulation device from the rollers. Drive wheels tension the circulation device in cooperation with the rollers by deforming the alignment projection in the location offset prevention groove.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Takayuki Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Ashida, Yasunori Ohta, Shinichi Yamakawa, Charles Alan Brantingham
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Patent number: 9102390Abstract: Provided is an underwater elevating apparatus, wherein the cable is not paid out unexpectedly by self-buoyancy while waiting underwater, excessive paying out of the cable may be prevented by a latch unit having simple mechanisms, and electric power does not be used needlessly.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: NiGK CORPORATIONInventors: Hisayoshi Kawahara, Tetsuya Nakamura, Jungo Ohta
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Publication number: 20150139735Abstract: A packer apparatus includes an actuator disk in axial moveable relation with a mandrel, an elastomeric expansion boot arranged between the actuator disk and the mandrel, and a brake pivotally connected to the mandrel. The actuator disk is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure within a pipeline to move axially toward the mandrel from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the actuator disk is configured to cause the expansion boot to be compressed axially between the actuator disk and the mandrel and to be radially expanded into engagement with an inner surface of the pipeline, and the brake to pivot relative to the mandrel, which causes the brake to move radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Steven Ray Lovett, Aimee Kathleen Greening
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Patent number: 9004813Abstract: A containment apparatus can be used to contain fluids leaking through a tubular wall of the pipe from an interior of the pipe to an environment surrounding the pipe. The containment apparatus can include a fluid container that can be positioned on an exterior surface of the pipe. The containment apparatus includes a seal for sealingly engaging the diameter of the pipe. In embodiments, the seal can be inflated with a pressure media to form a tighter seal between the containment apparatus and the pipe. For subsea pipeline applications, the containment apparatus can include a riser extending to the surface of the sea, from which the leaking fluid can be collected. In embodiments, the containment apparatus can include a valve that can selectively permit leaking fluid to flow toward a collection receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Khaled A. Al-Buraik
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Patent number: 8998535Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey sensor streamers. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including attaching a retriever system to a sensor streamer by: wrapping a lifting bag assembly at least partially around the sensor streamer, the lifting bag assembly comprising a deflated lifting bag, a gas cylinder, and a depth trigger mechanism; and covering the lifting bag assembly with an outer cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: PGS Geophysical ASInventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu, Troy L. McKey, III
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Patent number: 8998534Abstract: The invention is directed to a marine tensioner (1) for handling an elongated article from an offshore vessel. The tensioner comprises a tensioner frame (11), multiple track units (20), wherein each track unit comprises an elongated chassis (30) and an endless track supported by said chassis, wherein between the chassis of each track unit and the tensioner frame a connecting structure (40,140) is provided that at least allows for lateral motion of the track unit with respect to the passage axis (26) so as to adapt the position of the track unit. For each track unit a group of hydraulic squeeze cylinders (50a, 50b, 50c) is provided between the tensioner frame and the chassis of the track unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Itrec B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens
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Patent number: 8998533Abstract: A method of laying pipeline from a vessel (10) is disclosed. The vessel (10) includes many pipe processing stations (36, 42), arranged across the width of the vessel. In one embodiment, there are two pipe processing areas (38, 40) separated along the length of the vessel. The pipe processing stations (36, 42) may be operable in two modes of operation, for example, a first mode of operation where the vessel produces triple joint pipe strings (from three lengths of pipe section welded together) and a second mode of operation where double joint pipe strings are produced, for example, from two single length pipe sections having a significantly greater length than the single length pipe sections used in the first mode of operation. In one embodiment, a triple joint pipe section is part welded in one pipe processing area (38), then moved along the length of the vessel (10) to a different pipe processing area, where further welding operations are performed on the triple joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.Inventors: Cristian Scaini, Davide Rossin
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Patent number: 8985904Abstract: A system and method of operating a sonar system is provided. The sonar system comprises a towed body, such as a depressor body, with a towed line array attached thereto configured to be towed behind a host vessel. A line feed mechanism is operative to recover and/or deploy the towed line array from the vessel while the towed line array remains attached to the towed body.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Thomas M. Canavan
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Patent number: 8974148Abstract: A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
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Publication number: 20150063915Abstract: A packer apparatus is configured to be arranged within and arrest a failure of a submerged pipeline. In one example, the packer apparatus includes first and second mandrels in axially moveable relation to one another, a brake connected to the second mandrel, and an elastomeric expansion boot circumferentially disposed around a portion of the first and second mandrels. The first mandrel is configured to move axially toward the second mandrel from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the first mandrel is configured to cause the expansion boot to be compressed axially between the first and second mandrels and expanded radially into engagement with an inner surface of the pipeline, and to cause the brake to move radially outward to engage the inner surface of the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Steven Ray Lovett, Aimee Kathleen Greening
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Publication number: 20150063914Abstract: A packer apparatus includes a spindle including a pressure plate disposed adjacent a first end of the packer apparatus, a first end cap defining the second end of the packer apparatus; a seal plate disposed between the pressure plate and the first end cap; a mandrel and a brake disposed between the pressure and seal plates, and an elastomeric expansion boot disposed between the seal plate and the first end cap. The mandrel includes a tapered outer surface and the brake includes a tapered inner surface abutting the tapered inner surface of the mandrel. The pressure plate is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure within the pipeline to move the spindle axially toward the first end cap from a first position to a second position to cause the expansion boot and the brake to engage an inner surface of the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, IncInventors: Steven Ray Lovett, Aimee Kathleen Greening
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Publication number: 20150063910Abstract: The invention relates to a mooring device that is suitable for use in water. The mooring device includes a pile configured to be embedded in a floor supporting the body of water, at least one arm configured to engage at least one entity; a joint configured to couple the pile and the at least one arm and permit rotation of the at least one arm relative to the pile, and joint locking means configured to lock the joint. The invention may further relate to a method of mounting the mooring device in water, a mooring system including multiple mooring devices and a system including the mooring devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Gennady Meltsov, David West
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Patent number: 8961069Abstract: A subsea hanging device comprises a hanging frame 1 adapted to support an assembly (such as a gooseneck 3 and a subsea connector 4 being used to attach a heavy pipe 7 to a pipe hub 11 on the seabed), a hanging eye 8 which slides on said frame when a shaft 10 threaded through it is axially rotated, and a ROV drive bucket 12 attached to one end of the shaft. A guide funnel 13, 16 pivoted to the frame and adapted to fit over a guide post 17 on the seabed actuates a pointer 15 which indicates on a scale 14 whether the hanging angle needs adjustment to enable the connector 4 to be engaged with the hub 11.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: Nicholas Long
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Patent number: 8961071Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting subsea pipeline from damage caused by excessive stress or fatigue loading caused by geo-hazards, and environmental and operating loads. The systems and methods utilize lifting buoyancy modules capable of being attached to a section of subsea pipeline to lift the subsea pipeline off the seabed to a predetermined height over a predetermined length upon being activated by a planned or unplanned triggering event.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Hugh Miller Thompson, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Estela Gonzalez
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Patent number: 8950977Abstract: An elongate sling section is disclosed. The elongate sling is cooperable with like sling sections to form a sling for use in abandonment or recovery of a pipeline. The sling section includes end-pieces at five opposite ends and complementary connector formations associated with each respective end-piece. Each connector formation is cooperable, in use when forming a sling, with a complementary connector formation of a neighbouring sling section in the sling. The sling section further includes a tensile load-bearing sling element extending between the end-pieces and a sleeve around the sling element.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Subsea 7 Contracting (UK) LimitedInventor: John Duncan Cruickshank
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Patent number: 8944724Abstract: A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Gregory Restivo, Nikunj Patel, Kinton Lowell Lawler, Donald C. Nelson, Jason Ray Pollick
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Patent number: 8942059Abstract: Container systems used in storage, deployment or retrieval of a seismic cable array comprise a container, at least two coiling elements attached to a bottom side of the container, and storage means for allocating or accommodating, in an ordered arrangement, a number of seismic stations and/or a number of couplers/splices and/or other discontinuities which are being interconnected by sections of the seismic cable. Said storage means is arranged between said coiling elements and are attached to the bottom side of the container. The seismic cable is spooled or wound around said coiling elements. Corresponding methods of storing a seismic cable and deploying/retrieving the seismic cable are based on the use of at least two coiling elements and storage means for allocating or accommodating a number of seismic stations and/or a number of couplers/splices and/or a number of other discontinuities and arranged between said coiling elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Optoplan ASInventor: Roar Furuhaug
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Patent number: 8939678Abstract: A method of laying underwater pipelines in the bed of a body of water, the method including laying an underwater pipeline along a given path on the bed of the body of water; breaking up a ground mass along the path to a given depth in the bed; and fluidifying the broken ground mass beneath the underwater pipeline to sink the underwater pipeline into the fluidified ground mass.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Saipem S.p.A.Inventors: Diego Lazzarin, Massimo Fontolan
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Patent number: 8915676Abstract: A clamp connector emergency release tool designed for subsea operations, when normal release of a subsea clamp connector (14) is not possible, is shown and described. The tool is adapted to be handled and operated remotely by a work class ROV tool. The tool includes a clamp connector (14) adapter housing (7) arranged to engage with and connect to the clamp connector (14) body, a rotatable hole saw (11) mounted on the housing (7), a rotary motor (1) in driving connection with the hole saw (11) and a piston (3) and cylinder assembly (4,5). The piston (3) and cylinder assembly (4,5) enables advancing the rotatable hole saw (11) into the clamp connector (14) body around its jack screw, in order to separate the jack screw together with a threaded portion of said clam connector (14) in order to separate the jack screw from the clamp connector (14) body.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Aker Subsea ASInventor: Thomas Wäseby
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Publication number: 20140348590Abstract: In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The vessel includes a cable storage device disposed on a deck of the vessel, a workstation disposed on the vessel, a ramp at least partially disposed on the deck, and a node storage and handling system disposed on the vessel. The node storage and handling system comprises a cable handler disposed between the cable storage device and the ramp, the cable handler having a cable disposed thereon and the cable defining a cable path passing over the workstation during a node deployment or retrieval operation, a node storage rack positioned between a bow and a stern of the vessel, and at least one conveyor belt to transfer nodes between the workstation and the node storage rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: James N. THOMPSON, Jerry L. LAWS, Larry E. BERGES