Patent Application
20240402233
Certain aspects of the present invention relate to interconnecting cables for renewable energy generation systems and other apparatus and the testing of such apparatus, and in particular, although not exclusively, to the testing of interconnecting apparatus for providing electrical, optical, and/or fluid connection between one piece of apparatus or equipment and another that may or may not be in a subsea environment.
Certain aspects relate to measurement apparatus for connection to cables, and operable underwater to perform measurements on the attached cables.
Certain aspects of the present invention relate in particular, although not exclusively, to a pulling head for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable, such as a cable for attaching to off-shore power generation apparatus, or a sub-sea umbilical.
Offshore infrastructure (for example wind generation turbines and associated structures, tidal power generation systems and/or wave power generation systems, and oil and gas production platforms and related components) typically requires interconnection, that interconnection being provided often in the form of a physical cable. Such infrastructure may be provided on the surface or underwater, or a combination of both, and/or may be installed into, or onto, the seabed or lake bottom. It may be secured from the seabed or lake bottom, or can be floating on the sea or lake surface. Underwater infrastructure may be termed “sub-sea”, which is a well-known term used to refer to equipment, methods and technology used at underwater locations, and particularly at locations on or close to the seabed for various applications. The ocean floor or seabed at which subsea equipment is used may be at a relatively shallow location (shallow in this context being at depths less than 300 m) or at a deep water location (generally meaning water depths in the range 300 to 3000 m, or deeper).
The interconnection required for the particular application can be between two elements, such as the infrastructure and a vessel (e.g. the vessel laying a cable), the infrastructure and the shore, or the infrastructure and another element of infrastructure. The interconnection cable may comprises some or all of the following: one or more electrical cores insulated from each other, for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; one or more optical fibres isolated from each other with suitable sheathing, for carrying optical signals; and one or more conduits, hoses, pipes, or tubes with bores for carrying fluids or gases.
A highly schematic cross section of an interconnection cable 1 suitable for use with embodiments of the invention is shown in
A term commonly used to refer to one type of such an interconnection cable is “umbilical”. Such an umbilical (or other such interconnection cable) may be conveyed to an underwater (sub-sea) location, (which is termed “deploying”), and then connected to infrastructure, or may be required to remain at that location for some time before it is installed (i.e. connected to another piece of subsea or surface equipment). In general, the interconnection cable is deployed in a process that places one end at a first point, at or near the first element (such as a first infrastructure, the vessel, or shore), and the cable is then progressively deployed from that first point to a second point, at or near the second element (such as a second infrastructure, a vessel, or shore). The interconnection cable is generally deployed from a cable lay vessel which may contain/carry one or more lengths of the interconnection cable. The cable lay vessel may carry a single pre-cut length of cable for a particular application (e.g. for a long interconnection, such as from infrastructure to shore), a long continuous length of cable from which a suitable length is cut as it is deployed into position, or several individual lengths pre-cut to suit an intended sequence of deployments. The cable may be spooled onto the vessel at or near to the cable manufacturing plant, or may be supplied pre-spooled. Before deployment, the cut ends of the cable are typically installed into an arrangement that protects the end of the cable from seawater and also incorporates a means to assist the handling of the cable during deployment and subsequently. This arrangement is commonly called a pulling head, pull-in head, or pull head. Once the cut ends are encapsulated in this way (in a pulling head, or other encapsulation), access to the internal components of the cable is no longer possible; in other words, it is not possible to perform test measurements on the conductors, optical fibres, or fluid-conveying bores.
Pulling heads are known in a variety of designs, typically dependent on the cable (line) being installed. For example, a pulling head for an oil flow line may be dramatically different to one pulling a 33 kV Interfield umbilical. A pulling head interface to the cable may be either rigid or flexible. One known pulling head 2, shown in highly schematic form in
The encapsulated ends of the cable are then typically pulled into the intended infrastructure by means of a cable or rope attached (coupled) to the interconnection cable via the pulling head (e.g. attached pulling eye) or similar. The cable or rope can then be used to pull in the interconnection cable by means of a winch or similar (or indeed any suitable apparatus able to provide the necessary pulling force).
During the above-described deployment process, the cable will typically be subject to external forces that are planned to be within the specification of the cable. However, in some circumstances the deployment forces could exceed the cable specification, which may result in damage. This damage may not cause symptoms or failure noticeable until sometime after deployment and/or the interconnection cable is put into use. Thus, it is possible that the cable could be subject to damage at any point between manufacture, spooling, un-spooling, storage (at any location, including sub-sea locations), deployment, and/or connection into the infrastructure. Furthermore, the cable may have a latent manufacturing defect that is not problematic until it is exposed to water/pressure.
A particular problem is that electrical cores may be damaged or degraded, especially those for high current/high power applications such as those for conveying wind or tidal-generated power between infrastructure elements, or from such elements to shore (where the lengths of cables involved are considerable, ranging from 100s to 1000s of metres), Local damage to the current carrying cores, such as damage resulting from locally high strain during the pulling/deployment process, often across potentially problematic uneven and/or debris-strewn sub-sea surfaces, may render the cable unusable, but in the past this would only have become apparent after the cable had been installed (i.e. with connections made to each end at the respective pieces of infrastructure), and after the cable-laying vessel had gone (e.g. to be deployed elsewhere).
Thus, a particular problem with cables for offshore power generation, which are typically long and required to carry high currents, is that any damage or reduction in performance or capability resulting from handling (especially, but not exclusively, the pulling of the cable prior to installation) of the cable may not be detected until the cable is installed and connected.
As further background, offshore wind farms are a well-known form of renewable energy system and are formed by a collection of one or more wind turbines that may be interconnected in some manner. The energy generated is typically conveyed to shore via a cable system. This also applies to other forms of renewable energy systems, such as wave or tidal powered systems. The wind turbines can be installed into the seabed bed or alternatively may be floating, tethered in place by lines. In larger installations the individual turbines (or smaller groups of turbines) may be connected to a central hub that converts the electrical energy generated to a higher voltage more suitable for transmitting longer distances. Consequently, there is typically a complex array of interconnection cables that must be installed and connected to the turbines and other apparatus in a way that ensures mechanical and electrical integrity is maintained. These cables may be configured to enable power transmission, and/or to enable data transmission, for example for control purposes. Thus, the cables may be related to power transmission, and/or to data transmission, for example for control.
There may be some period between the manufacture of the cable(s), transport to the site, deployment to the seabed, pull-in (recovery), and connection to the turbine(s) and/or apparatus and final connection. The present inventors have determined that, during some or all of this period, it would be advantageous to monitor the cable's mechanical and/or electrical integrity, and/or the conditions to which the cable is exposed so that any events that might cause failure in the short or longer term are detected.
Currently, cables are typically delivered to site wound as a continuous length on a large spool (drum or reel) and are then cut to the length required on site, sealed, and deployed with no monitoring. Recently however, there have been rising levels of cable failures that are expensive to resolve and/or replace. The present inventors' experience in the oil and gas industry suggests that in-field terminations have a high rate of failure compared to terminations made under ideal conditions within the suppliers' premises.
With this in mind, the present inventors have determined that it may be desirable to supply interconnection cables with factory installed terminations. These terminations may take the form of connectors that can withstand immersion in considerable water depth but which are mated in in the dry environment within the wind turbine (or other related apparatus).
Use of pre-installed dry-mate interconnections may provide the advantages of better reliability, faster installation, and less need for skilled personnel in a marine environment. The nature of a dry mate interconnection (or termination or connector) makes it easier to temporarily install monitoring equipment at any stage of the cable's journey from supplier to turbine. One aspect of the present invention provides monitoring equipment for attachment to the end of a cable with dry-mate connectors, and may take the form of a protective cap or dummy connector fitted to the end of the cable and may be removed at a suitable point (e.g. in a dry environment, prior to connecting the cable to other apparatus).
Certain embodiments of the invention aim to address one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.
It is an object of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a pulling head, having means to perform at least one measurement (i.e. testing) on the attached cable while it is being pulled, spooled, or un-spooled, or after a period of storage, such that faults, damage, and/or degradation can be identified early, and before the pulled end of the cable has been installed.
A first aspect of the invention provides a pulling head (2) for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable (1) (e.g. an umbilical, sub-sea umbilical, pipe, tube, rope, hawser, interconnector, or other such elongate member) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) (e.g. an electrical conductor/wire/cable or bunch of electrical conductors/wires/cables) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) (e.g. an optical fibre/cable or bundle of fibres/cables) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the pulling head comprising:
Advantageously, a pulling head in accordance with the present invention is able to perform at least one measurement on a conductive core, waveguide, or fluid carrying bore of the cable to which it is attached, thereby enabling at least one component of the attached cable to be monitored before, during, or after deployment, and before the pulling head needs to be disconnected and the previously encapsulated end of the cable is installed in its final position (i.e. connected to the desired piece of infrastructure). Faults resulting from handling in particular may be identified as soon as they occur, for example during the pulling process, and appropriate action taken, thereby enabling more efficient use of resources such as cable laying vessels and associated personnel, thereby saving costs.
In certain embodiments the connection means is adapted to provide a plurality of electrical connections to a respective plurality of electrically conductive cores of an attached said cable (e.g. the connection means may comprise a plurality of electrical connectors, each for connecting to a respective core, and each electrical connector may comprise a respective terminal, plug, or socket to which the respective core is attached, either directly or by means of a corresponding terminal, socket, or plug provided on/attached to the end of the respective core) to form the electrical connection).
In such embodiments, the measuring means may comprise a multiplexer (or multiplexing means, or switching means) operable to selectively connect to each electrical connector, for connecting the respective core to measurement circuitry of the measuring means.
In certain embodiments, the connection means is adapted to provide a plurality of waveguide connections to a respective plurality of waveguides of an attached said cable (e.g. the connection means may comprise a plurality of waveguide connectors, each for connecting to a respective waveguide of the cable, and each waveguide connector may comprise a respective terminal, plug, or socket to which the respective waveguide is attached, either directly or by means of a corresponding terminal, socket, or plug provided on/attached to the end of the respective waveguide) to form the waveguide connection). In such embodiments, the measuring means may comprise a multiplexer (or multiplexing means, or switching means) operable to selectively connect to each waveguide connector, for connecting the respective waveguide to measurement circuitry/components of the measuring means.
In certain embodiments, the connection means is adapted to provide a plurality of fluidic/hydraulic connections to a respective plurality of bores of an attached said cable (e.g. the connection means may comprise a plurality of fluid/hydraulic connectors, each for connecting to a respective bore of the cable, and each fluid connector may comprise a respective terminal, plug, or socket to which the respective bore is attached, either directly or by means of a corresponding terminal, socket, or plug provided on/attached to the end of the respective bore) to form the fluid/hydraulic connection). In such embodiments, the measuring means may comprise a multiplexer (or multiplexing means, or switching means) operable to selectively connect to each fluid/hydraulic connector, for connecting the respective bore to measurement circuitry/components of the measuring means.
Thus, a pulling head embodying the invention may be arranged to perform tests on one component, a plurality of components, or indeed all electrical, waveguide, and fluid carrying components of an attached cable, so as to provide comprehensive monitoring capability on the cable while it is being pulled and deployed. The pulling head may be an integrated battery powered measuring and datalogging system.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a respective pair of said cores.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a respective pair of said cores.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical inductance.
In certain embodiments, the pulling head comprises a terminal (electrode) arranged to make electrical connection to a fluid in which the pulling head may be immersed. In such embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a said core and said terminal.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a said core and said terminal.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring a continuity of at least one core, waveguide, or bore of an attached cable. Advantageously, breaks in one of these components may be identified while the cable is being pulled and appropriate action taken.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement on at least one core, waveguide, or bore of an attached cable.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring temperature at at least one position along an attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along said waveguide to interact with a respective temperature sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said position.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises measuring strain at at least one location along an attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along said waveguide to interact with a respective strain sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said location. Advantageously, strain measurements may be made in this way at a plurality of locations distributed along the cable, so that locally high strains may be identified and optionally further measurements may be made on the attached cable to cheque weather such locally high strains have resulted in damage of the electrical, waveguide, or fluid-conveying components.
In certain embodiments, the at least one measurement comprises applying a pressure via said hydraulic connection to a bore of an attached said cable and measuring pressure of fluid within said bore. Thus, the pressure of fluid within the bore may be measured as a function of time, and a decay in that pressure may be used as an indication of potential problems with the fluid carrying pipe or other such conduit.
In certain embodiments, the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one measurement on a connected said cable while said cable is being pulled via the pulling head.
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises a memory (data storage means) and the pulling head is further arranged to store results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, in the memory. In other words, the measurement data may be logged As the cable is being pulled, spooled, or unspooled.
In certain embodiments, the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, and generate an alert signal according to said results. The alert signal may be generated, for example, in response to one or more of the measurement results exceeding a predetermined threshold. The generation of the alert signal may. be in addition to, or an alternative to the logging of data
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises indicating means for indicating, at the pulling head, generation of said alert signal, and/or means for transmitting said alert signal to a remote location (e.g. by a wired connection to the pulling head, or wirelessly, e.g. acoustically, magnetically, capacitively, or by electromagnetic radiation). This, an operator of the apparatus providing the pulling force may be provided with an alert signal or warning when measurement results indicate potential damage to the cable being pulled, and/or the alert signal may be provided to personnel at a more remote location. Providing the alert signal in this way again enables appropriate action to be taken quickly, enabling efficient use of resources.
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises data transmission means (e.g. a transmitter) for transmitting results (e.g. while the cable is being pulled via the pulling head) of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, to a remote location (e.g. by a wired connection to the pulling head, or wirelessly, e.g. acoustically, magnetically, capacitively, or by electromagnetic radiation).
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises at least one strain sensor arranged to sense (monitor, detect) at least one of a strain resulting from a pulling force applied to the coupling means and a strain resulting from a bending of the pulling head, and wherein the measuring means is connected to the at least one strain sensor and is operable to perform at least one strain measurement of at least one of said strains. Thus, in addition to, or as an alternative to monitoring strain at one or more locations along the attached cable, the pulling head may be arranged to monitor tensile strain and/or or bending strain of the pulling head itself, thereby being able to monitor the total pulling force being applied to the cable at a particular point in time, and/or monitor bending of the pulling head as it is pulled along the deployment path, perhaps through tight bends, and so providing an early indication of potentially problematic bending strains to which the attached cable would subsequently be exposed.
In certain embodiments, the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one strain measurement while the pulling head is being pulled via the coupling means. Thus, the strain measurements may be performed in real time during the pulling process.
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises a memory (data storage means) and the pulling head is further arranged to store results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, in the memory. Thus, the pulling head may store strain measurements indicative of the strain history of the pulling head and/or attached cable, and that history may be correlated with measurement results on the other aspects and components of the attached cable, for example to identify when damaging events potentially occurred.
In certain embodiments, the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, and generate a strain alert signal according to said strain measurement results. Thus, the alert signal may indicate to an operator of the pulling apparatus when tensile strain or bending strain of the pulling head or cable has exceeded pre-set safe limits.
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises indicating means for indicating, at the pulling head, generation of said strain alert signal, and/or means for transmitting said strain alert signal to a remote location (e.g. by a wired connection to the pulling head, or wirelessly, e.g. acoustically, magnetically, capacitively, or by electromagnetic radiation).
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises data transmission means (e.g. a transmitter) for transmitting results (e.g. while the cable is being pulled via the pulling head) of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, to a remote location (e.g. by a wired connection to the pulling head, or wirelessly, e.g. acoustically, magnetically, capacitively, or by electromagnetic radiation).
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises a housing, the measuring means being housed inside said housing. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of said housing is flexible. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of said housing is rigid.
In certain embodiments, said housing comprises a plurality of housing sections (which may also be referred to as modules, portions, segments, components), the measuring means being housed inside at least one of said sections). In such embodiments, at least one said housing section may be flexible and/or at least one said housing section may be rigid. Additionally, or alternatively, the pulling head may further comprise at least one articulated connection connecting an adjacent pair of said housing sections.
In certain embodiments, the housing is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the pulling head is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
In certain embodiments comprising a plurality of housing sections, at least one of said housing sections is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the pulling head is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises sealing means arranged to form a seal to an attached said cable to prevent or inhibit ingress of water into at least one component of the attached cable (for example into an end of the attached cable) when submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
In certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises energy storage means (e.g. at least one battery, rechargeable battery, fuel cell) arranged to power the measuring means (and, for example) any other component requiring electrical power.
In certain embodiments, the measuring means comprising a programmable processor, the processor being operable to control said measurements.
in certain embodiments, the pulling head further comprises an input socket (wired interface) and/or a data receiver (wireless interface) for receiving data to program said processor.
In certain embodiments, the attachment means is arranged to grip a surface (e.g. an outer surface) of an end portion of the cable or of a component of said end portion. In such embodiments, the attachment means may comprise a woven tubular mesh for gripping said surface, and at least a portion of the connection means is arranged to extend axially, along a portion of a length of the woven tubular mesh, inside said woven tubular mesh.
Thus, in certain embodiments, the attachment means may comprise at least one pulling sock. Pulling socks, also known as towing socks (or stockings), Chinese Fingers, pulling stockings, and cable grips, are known for use in various applications that require a pulling load to be applied to a cable, pipe, tube, or similar object. Known pulling socks include arrangements comprising a wire mesh tube, with a collar and at least one eye at one end. They may be woven using high tensile wire (e.g. galvanised steel wire), and the woven arrangement is such that the harder the pulling force applied to the eye end, the tighter the gripping force applied to a cable inserted into the open end of the tubular mesh. Advantageously, they add little to the outside diameter of the object being pulled, and although they are typically used for pulling cables and other objects with generally cylindrical outer surfaces, they can also be used for pulling non-cylindrical objects (i.e. objects not necessarily having uniform circular cross sections/perimeters along at least an end length).
In certain embodiments, the attachment means is arranged to grip at least one internal component of the cable. In such embodiments, the attachment means may be arranged to grip at least a portion of a layer of armour of said cable.
Another aspect of the invention provides an assembly comprising a pulling head, in accordance with the above-mentioned aspect or any one of its embodiments, attached to a said cable.
Another aspect of the invention provides a pulling head assembly for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable (e.g. an umbilical, sub-sea umbilical, pipe, tube, rope, hawser, interconnector, or other such elongate member) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (e.g. an electrical conductor/wire/cable or bunch of electrical conductors/wires/cables) for carrying electrical current along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (e.g. an optical fibre/cable or bundle of fibres/cables) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore for conveying a fluid along the cable, the pulling head assembly comprising:
Another aspect of the invention provides a measurement module for a pulling head assembly in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of handling a cable (1) (e.g. an umbilical, sub-sea umbilical, pipe, tube, rope, hawser, interconnector, or other such elongate member) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) (e.g. an electrical conductor/wire/cable or bunch of electrical conductors/wires/cables) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) (e.g. an optical fibre/cable or bundle of fibres/cables) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the method comprising:
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of:
In a certain embodiments, the method further comprises:
In certain embodiments, said connection means and measuring means are components of a pulling head or a pulling head assembly in accordance with any one of the above described aspects and embodiments, and the method further comprises attaching the attachment means to said cable.
In certain embodiments, said pulling, spooling, or un-spooling of said cable comprises applying a pulling force to said coupling means.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of handling a cable (1) (e.g. an umbilical, sub-sea umbilical, pipe, tube, rope, hawser, interconnector, or other such elongate member) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) (e.g. an electrical conductor/wire/cable or bunch of electrical conductors/wires/cables) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) (e.g. an optical fibre/cable or bundle of fibres/cables) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the method comprising:
In certain embodiments, said performing of at least one measurement comprises performing, while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable, a plurality of said measurements (e.g. at regular intervals).
in certain embodiments, said plurality of measurements comprise a first plurality of measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable.
In certain embodiments, said plurality of measurements comprise a second plurality of measurements, said second plurality of measurements being on parameters/characteristics other than strain or bending.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises performing, while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable, measurements of strain and/or bending of the pulling head or pulling head assembly.
In certain embodiments, the method further comprises increasing a frequency of said plurality of measurements according to the results of said measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable and/or of the pulling head or pulling head assembly. Thus, measurements may be concentrated around situations in time where tensile strain and or bending strain become dangerously high.
For example, cables for conveying power from offshore power generation apparatus (e.g. offshore wind farms) are typically pulled-in via a J tube and have conventional hardwire connections above the water line. It may be desirable to perform a concentrated plurality of measurements (i.e. at small time intervals) while the pulling head, and then a leading portion of the attached cable, is pulled through the J-tube.
Another aspect provides a method of handling a cable (1) (e.g. a cable for subsea transmission of electrical power) having at least one of: at least one electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; at least one electromagnetic waveguide (12) (e.g. one or more optical fibres; one or more optical cables or optical sub-cables, i.e. optical cable components of the overall cable) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and at least one bore (13) for conveying a fluid (i.e. a gas or a liquid, e.g. gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, or other liquid or gaseous product of an energy generation system) along the cable, the method comprising:
Another aspect provides measurement (e.g. monitoring) apparatus for connection to an end of a cable (1) (e.g. to an unterminated end, or to an already-terminated end (e.g. terminated by a termination assembly or structure, and/or at least one connector), of a cable for subsea transmission of electrical power) having at least one of: at least one electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; at least one electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and at least one bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the measurement apparatus comprising:
The measurement apparatus may be a smart pulling head, incorporating coupling means for coupling to a source of pulling force, and/or may be a smart protection cap, providing a degree of protection to the end of the cable, as well as measurement/monitoring capabilities.
A Smart Protection Cap embodying the invention may contain electronic monitoring systems.
It may be in the form of a water tight cap that fits over the end of a cable/umbilical destined to be installed under water or in other hostile environments.
The Smart Protection Cap may form an environmental seal between the surrounding environment and the functional components within the cable that may (or may not) be exposed to the environment.
In addition to an environmental seal, the Smart Protection Cap may have a physical restraint system that interfaces to the cable such that the cap cannot be accidentally removed during normal use.
The Smart Protection Cap may directly interface to a connector system previously installed onto the cable. The connector may be dry mate or wet mate.
The Smart Protection Cap may fit directly to a preinstalled connector termination with no other interface to the cable.
The Smart Protection Cap may be in the form of a mating connector or it may interface to the pre-installed connector functional connections-electro/optical/hydraulic etc.—via a method other than the normal design of a mating connector, i.e. it may be a simple cap with connection means to the cable or pre-installed connector.
The Smart Protection Cap may be equally functional above water where it might lay on the ground or be buried beneath it.
The Smart Protection Cap may be equally functional suspended in the air.
The Smart Protection Cap may fit to a cable without any form of mating connector.
The Smart Protection Cap may fit to a cable that has been simply cut from a longer length.
The Smart Protection Cap may interface to a cable that has been pre-prepared for final connection in some manner (such as being provided with termination eyes)
The Smart Protection Cap may comprise a restraint system that may grip the outer sheath of the cable and/or internal strength members.
The restraint system may fit to a pre-installed connector.
The Smart Protection Cap may comprise/contain a measuring means connected to the functional cores of the cable via a connector or some other means to provide at least one of electrical, optical, and fluid connection between the two.
The measurement apparatus may be a smart monitoring cap, adapted to be connected to the cable to be monitored so as to provide at least one of electrical, optical, and fluid connection between the smart monitoring cap and the cable under test, the smart monitoring cap being deployable with the cable to a subsea location and perform a measurement at the subsea location on the cable and provide an indication of a result of the measurement from the subsea location to an underwater vehicle or diver, and/or transmit the measurement result(s) for remote reception, and/or log (i.e. store) the measurement result(s) (e.g. for transmission, export, interrogation at a later time).
The smart monitoring cap may have a connector system that allows the attachment of a removeable measuring means that can be easily swapped between smart monitoring caps (or Smart Protection Caps).
The connector system may be ‘wet-mate’ in that the measuring means can be connected/disconnected underwater, and/or “dry mate”.
Further features of aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be appreciated from the following detailed description. It will be appreciated that any feature, or any combination of features, of one aspect or embodiment may be incorporated in any other aspect or embodiment, and will provide corresponding advantage(s).
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Referring now to
The pulling head further comprises measurement means 5 arranged inside the housing 20 and coupled to the housing 20 by means of support means 205, which maybe rigid or flexible. The pulling head also comprises connection means 4 comprising an electrical connector 41 connecting the measurement means 5 to the conductive core 11, a waveguide connector 42 connecting the measurement means 5 to the optical fibre 12, and a fluid connector 43 connecting the measurement means 5 to the bore 13. In use, the measurement means 5 is operable to perform measurements on the core 11, optical fibre 12, and bore 13 of the attached cable via the connection means 4. The pulling head further comprises coupling means 6 in the form of a strong, rigid coupling member 61 in which (or through which) a coupling eye 62 is provided. A pulling rope, cable, or wire, or a suitable fitting at the end of such a pulling member can be coupled to the coupling means 6 through the eye 62 and then used to apply a pulling force, indicated generally by the arrow labelled PF in the figure, to the pulling head 2 and thus to the attached cable 1 as a result of the mechanical attachment or grip provided between the pulling head 2 and cable 1 by the attachment means 3.
In this example the measurement means 5 is operable to perform measurements on the attached cable (or, more specifically on components, i.e. the core(s), waveguide(s), and/or bore(s), of the attached cable) while the cable is being pulled via the pulling head 2.
Referring to
The optical measurement module 52 similarly comprises a multiplexer 521 for making selected connections to one or more of three optical connectors 42a-c, each terminated by a respective optical terminal, plug, or socket 402a-c. The optical module 52 comprises an optical TDR module 522 for making TDR measurements on optical fibres of an attached cable via the connectors 42. The module 52 further comprises a temperature measurement module 523 arranged to perform measurements of temperature at a plurality of locations along an attached cable by means of interrogating optical temperature sensors provided at a plurality of locations distributed along that cable and provided within the optical fibres. Similarly, the optical module 52 also incorporates a strain measurement module 524 operable to perform strain measurements at a plurality of locations along the attached cable, again by suitably arranged optical strain sensors provided within the optical waveguides of the attached cable. Finally, a further module 525 is operable to make further optical measurements on the optical components of an attached cable.
The hydraulic module 53 again comprises a multiplexer 531 controllable to make selected connections to one or more of a plurality of bores in the attached cable by means of fluid connectors 43a and 43b, again each provided with a respective terminal, plug, or socket 403a-b. The hydraulic module 53 also includes a TDR module 532 for performing TDR measurements on bores of the attached cable by means of sending pressure pulses along the attached bores and monitoring reflections. The hydraulic module 53 also comprises a pressure measurement module 533 operable to pressurise a fluid inside a bore of an attached cable and/or monitor pressure within such a bore, for example as that pressure changes as a function of time. Although this embodiment includes a hydraulic/fluidic multiplexer, certain alternative embodiments comprise no such multiplexer and instead provided a separate pressure sensor for direct connection to each bore. Yet further embodiments comprise a hydraulic multiplexer and at least one such separate pressure sensor.
In this example, the measuring means 5 further comprises a temperature sensor 571 arranged inside a housing 52 of the measuring means, and a temperature sensor 572 arranged outside that housing 50. These temperature sensors may be interrogated by the controller 54 so as to provide an indication of temperature at a plurality of locations inside and outside the pulling head during use. The measuring means also includes a strain sensor 581 arranged inside the housing 50 and a strain sensor 582 arranged outside the housing 50. In use, the controller 54 may interrogate these strain sensors appropriately, for example to determine tensile strain or bending strain of the pulling head or pulling head assembly, or of its components, during operation. The measuring means further comprises an electrical contact 591 for providing electrical contact to a fluid or other medium in which the housing 50 is immersed, and a further contact 592 arranged at a location outside the housing 50. It will be appreciated that such contacts may be suitably arranged to enable the measuring means to perform electrical measurements in particular between respective cores or other components of an attached cable and an environment in which the pulling head is situated or immersed. The measuring means 5 further comprises a rechargeable battery 55 operable to power the controller and other electrical components of the measuring means. It also includes a power supply unit 552 arranged to receive power from an external source via a power connector 553. The power supply unit 552 is operable to power the measuring means when connected to an external power source and to charge the battery 55 via charging circuitry 551. Thus, when the pulling head is at a suitable location, power may be supplied to it from an external source, but during use, particularly when submerged, the battery or other suitable energy storage means may power all of its measurement operations.
The measuring means also comprises input means 561 for providing input signals or commands to the controller 54, and an output unit 562 for outputting data. The input and output modules 561 and 562 may be incorporated in a single input/output module 5612, connected to connector 5621 via which the controller may be programmed and/or its measurement results may be accessed (for example after recovery from a subsea location).
The measuring means 5 further comprises a memory 540 for storing results of measurements performed on an attached cable, and indeed other measurements performed by the measuring means during use, and also for storing Instructions for operating the controller and other components. In other words, the measuring means 5 may be programmed, and the programming code for operating the measuring means may be stored in the memory 540. The apparatus further comprises a display 565, controlled by the controller 54, and operable to display measurement data and any other data useful/necessary for operation of the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises an alert signal generating module 564, again under the control of the controller 54, for emitting an alert signal in response to results of one or more measurements exceeding predetermined criteria. Lastly, the apparatus further comprises a transmitter/receiver module 563 (or transceiver) for transmitting data, such as measurement data, for reception at a remote location via an antenna 5631 and or an acoustic transducer 5632. The antenna and transducer may each be arranged also to receive wireless signals from a remote source, for example for controlling or programming the operations of the measuring means 5. Although an electrical antenna and ultrasonic transducer are shown in the figure, it will be appreciated that the transmitting/receiving unit 563 may be arranged to transmit and/or receive data and/or instructions via any other suitable wireless means in alternative embodiments of the invention.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It will be appreciated that in certain alternative embodiments of the invention, the method may omit some of the steps described above, or may include additional steps, based on the functionality of the pulling head or pulling head assemblies described elsewhere in this specification.
Returning again to
Referring again to
The pulling head 2 in certain embodiments is dry-mateable to the cable 1, by means of an attachment arrangement such as illustrated in
The pulling head 2 comprises a main body, or housing 20. In certain embodiments, such as that of
In the example of
In certain embodiments, the termination (connection to the cable components) may be done outside of a housing using probes protruding from the measurement housing and sealing elements that create a water barrier between the electrical cores (or similar) and the probes. Ends of electrical components of the cable may, in certain embodiments, be isolated from water by applying a sealing cap over the end of the conductive core(s). Certain embodiments employ electrical connectors in the form of a cap that has an integrated probe (for making electrical connection to the core) that is wired to the measurement housing/measurement means.
The body portion, or housing, 20 of the pulling head 2 in certain embodiments is rigid, and may comprise the form of a metal tube or similar. In such embodiments, the attachment arrangement is any such mechanical arrangement capable to secure, attach, or lock the cable 1 into the tube, so that the space within the rigid arrangement can be utilised to protect the end of the cable 1 (e.g. by the stabilization means). In further embodiments, the housing 20 may be articulated, wherein it is formed of a number of rigid parts, or articulated units, forming an interconnected caterpillar arrangement. Alternatively, in certain embodiments the housing 20 of the pulling head 2 is flexible, or comprises flexible portions, wherein the flexible housing may be in the form of a flexible tube or similar. Similarly, the space within the flexible tube can be used to protect the end of the cable 1.
The cable end portion 100 in
The at least one core 11, 12 of the cable portion 100 comprises at least one electrically conductive core 11 for carrying electrical current along the cable 1, wherein the electrically conductive core may be an electrical conductor, a wire, cable, or a plurality of conductors, cables, wires, or similar feature that is able to carry electrical current. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one core 11, 12 of the cable may comprise an electromagnetic waveguide 12 such as an optical fibre, a cable, or a plurality (bunch) of optical fibres or cables, for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable 1.
The pulling head 2 comprises connection means 4, or joining means, for connection of the measurement module 5 to the respective cores 11, 12 and/or bores 13 of the cable 1. A first portion of the connection means 4 is positioned within the first housing portion defining volume 201, and provides at least one of electrical, optical or fluid connection to the cable end portion 100. A second portion of the connection means 4 passes through a sealing member 400 and transverse wall 203 into the forward volume 202, where it connects to the measuring means.
The measurement module 5, provides measurement, or monitoring, means, and may be comprised within a volume 202 defined by a second housing portion, as is illustrated in
The pulling head 2 of
The pulling head 2 comprises coupling means 6 attached to, or integral to the housing (e.g. attached to an outside of the housing 20). Such coupling means 6 may comprise a pulling eye, for coupling to (i.e. attaching to) pulling means by which a pulling force may be applied to pull (deploy) the pulling head 2 with attached cable 1. Such pulling means may comprise a hook for coupling (attachment) to the pulling eye, enabling deployment (pulling) of the pulling head 2 and attached cable.
Referring again to
The pulling head 2 comprises connection means 4 connected to at least two components 11, 12, 13 of the cable at connection terminals, plugs, or sockets 401, 402, 403. The connection means 4 passes from volume 201 to volume 60 through a base wall 61 of the coupling means and through a sealing member 400 (which may also be referred to as a feedthrough 400 (waterblock/penetrator). The measurement module 5 is operable to perform a plurality of measurements (tests) on the at least one cable components 11, 12, 13 via the connection means 4.
Specifically, and alternatively to
Referring again to
The pulling head 2 illustrated in
The pulling head body 20a encloses, in a volume 201, connections 401, 402, 403 to at least one core, waveguide, and core (i.e. component) of the cable 1. The connected components are further connected to the measurement body 2b, via extension outward of connection means 4 through a second end of the pulling head housing 20a, and connection to the measurement body, e.g. via feedthrough 400, as illustrated.
An end 100 of the cable 1, as received (attached) within the pulling head 2a, is enclosed by a pulling grip arrangement 33. In certain embodiments, as illustrated, the pulling grip arrangement 33 may be a Kellems Grip, or any suitable arrangement. The pulling grip arrangement 33 encloses the inserted cable end portion and the connections 401, 402, 402 to the cable components. A pulling eye (or similar) 332 of the cable grip 33 extends outwardly from the pulling head 2a and attaches, via a coupling arrangement 334, to the measurement body 2b. The coupling arrangement 320, may comprise a receiving arrangement positioned to interlock (link) to the pulling eye of the cable grip. However, in certain embodiments, alternative mechanical arrangements to couple the measurement body 2b to the pulling head module 2a may be employed. The measurement module 5, comprised within measurement body 2b, is operable to perform at least one measurement (i.e. at least one test) on the attached cable 1 via the connection means 4.
Referring again to
In other embodiments, such as shown in
In a first example, a measurement may comprise determining a pulling tension (i.e. a strain) between the cable 1 and the pulling or deployment means attached (arranged) via the coupling means. The measurement may comprise a measurement of bending, or twisting force, between the cable and the pulling means. The strain measurement may be performed by a strain sensor comprised within, or connected to, the measurement module 5. For example, as illustrated in
In a further example, measurement data may additionally, or alternatively, comprise a measurement of electrical resistance, capacitance, and/or inductance between (or of) a plurality of electrically conductive cores of the attached cable 1. The measurement data may further comprise a measurement of electrical resistance/capacitance/inductance between at least one electrically conductive core of the cable 1 and a terminal (electrode) provided on the pulling head, and arranged to make electrical connection to a fluid (i.e. seawater) to which the pulling head may be immersed.
In further examples, the measurement data may additionally, or alternatively comprise measuring a continuity of at least one core, waveguide, or bore, of the attached cable. In further examples, the measurement data may additionally or alternatively comprise a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement on at least one core, waveguide, or bore of an attached cable.
The measurement may comprise obtaining data on temperature, strain, and/or another parameter at at least one position along the attached cable by means of a temperature, strain, or other sensor. In further embodiments, the temperature/strain/other measurements may be obtained by means of sending an electromagnetic signal along a waveguide to interact with a respective sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at the position.
The measurement(s) may also include at least one a pressure measurement, for example wherein pressure is applied via the hydraulic connection to a bore of an attached cable, and measuring the fluid pressure within the bore. Alternatively/additionally, pressure ‘locked’ or sealed within a bore from an earlier process/test may be measured.
Such measurements (as described above) may be performed on either a permanent (i.e. recurring) basis, on a transient basis, and/or when receiving an instruction (trigger) to perform the measurement. The above-described measurements may be performed (i.e. measurement data may be obtained) on the connected cable during deployment (i.e. when the attached cable is being pulled via the pulling means coupled to the pulling head), before deployment, after deployment, and/or during storage.
Inside the housing of the pulling head, in certain embodiments, there is further provided a power source, or energy storage means, such as e. a battery, rechargeable battery, fuel cell, connected to, and providing power to, the measurement module 5. The power source may be comprised within the same housing portion as the measurement module, within the measurement module itself, and/or may be provided at some other location within the pulling head or pulling head assembly. For example, the power source may be provided separately, and connected to the measurement module.
In embodiments consistent with the above-detailed aspects of the invention, the measurement means (i.e. measurement module 5) is connected to a display, and transmits measurement data to be displayed to an external user. The display may be provided on the pulling head and visible to an external user, diver, or ROV camera. Alternatively, the measurement module 5 may comprise data transmission means for transmitting measurement data (i.e. wirelessly, via radio link, capacitive link, magnetic link, optical link, inductive link, and/or acoustic link), wherein such measurement data may be arranged, when received, to be displayed on a separate unit such as PC or laptop. The measurement means may comprise, or be connected to, a storage unit, or memory unit, for storing measurement data. The storage unit (or memory) may be integral to (i.e comprised within) the pulling head in accordance with any of the above-detailed embodiments.
In further embodiments, the measurement means in accordance with the above-detailed aspects of the invention is further arranged to monitor results of the at least one measurement as obtained, or stored in the memory. In other embodiments, the stored data could be recovered in real time during the process of pulling in the cable to enable improved operational efficiency or warn of conditions within, or forces applied to, the umbilical cable that could result in premature failure of the cable. The data from the monitoring means could be stored for later recovery. Recovery of the data could be after the pull-in operation but prior to connection in order to ascertain umbilical cable condition in a timely manner prior to further procedures on the cable.
Alternatively, or additionally, the measurement data could be stored for later recovery. Recovery of the data could be during a wet storage phase such that umbilical cable condition could be monitored prior to a subsequent pull-in operation. This would prevent resources being expended on an umbilical that exhibited signs of failure.
The measurement means may be further arranged to generate an alert signal according to the measurement data obtained. For example, should the strain measurement module may measure at least one strain measurement which exceeds a pre-defined threshold data for generating a strain alert signal. The strain alert signal may be indicated by means of an indication provided at the pulling head (i.e. a visual indication on the display) and/or may be transmitted (via data transmission means) to a remote location. The transmitted (or indicated) alert signal may, optionally, comprise the results of the measurement data obtained. Whilst an alert signal is thus described with reference to a strain alert, it will be appreciated that an alert signal may be similarly generated (transmitted, displayed) with reference to any such measurement described above.
In further embodiments consistent with the above-detailed aspects of the invention, the measurement means (i.e. measurement module 30) is connected to, and controllable via, a user interface. Such a user interface may be provided on the display described above (i.e. as part of the pulling head or remotely). The user interface may incorporate settings for controlling (triggering, initiating) the monitoring means (i.e. in order to perform a test, or measurement), for adjusting measurement types and parameters, and/or settings for collecting (retrieving, recovering) stored measurement data.
When cable 1 is attached to the pulling head, as detailed in any of the above-detailed embodiments, the measurement means (measurement module) may be operated to perform a measurement on the attached cable before spooling (i.e. onto the cable lay vessel for positioning). Additionally, or alternatively, the measurement module may be operated to perform a measurement (or test) during spooling. In such cases, the data could be obtained and recovered during the spooling process to ensure (or test) that the cable remained in as manufactured condition prior to transit to the installation site, If the monitoring means was installed after the manufacture of the umbilical cable but prior to the cable lay vessel transit to the lay point then data could be obtained and recovered during the transit voyage to ensure that the umbilical cable remained in as manufactured condition prior to overboarding and deployment subsea.
Alternatively, the pulling head and cable may be attached (connected) after the cable is spooled (i.e. the spooled cable on the cable lay vessel or other infrastructure). In such cases, the measurement module 5 may perform testing before un-spooling (or pulling), during un-spooling (or pulling). Additionally (or alternatively), the measurement (or testing) may be performed after un-spooling, and before disconnecting (removing) the pulling head and connecting to the offshore infrastructure.
In further examples, the measurement(s) may performed after a cable is left (stored), for example in an underwater (subsea) position, for an extended time period, for example after a wet storage phase.
The monitoring means may be arranged to interact with other monitoring systems of a similar or different type to create a measurement system array.
It will be appreciated that cables maybe terminated with one or more connectors prior to connection to a smart pulling head, smart protection cap, or measurement apparatus embodying the invention in order to facilitate that connection. This termination will typically comprise providing one or more of a mechanical termination or connector, an electrical termination or connector, a waveguide terminal or connector, and a hydraulic or fluidic terminal or connector.
With regard to cables for carrying hydrogen, they may be adapted to carry hydrogen in its gaseous state, as mentioned above. Alternatively, or additionally, cables may be adapted to carry liquid hydrogen. The cables may, for example, be highly insulated (and may include vacuum insulation) to enable liquids at very low temperatures to be carried, and/or may include heating means (e.g. heating traces) operable to inhibit or prevent conveyed liquids and/or gases from solidifying/freezing and blocking the cable. In certain embodiments, the cables may comprise at least one bore (or pipe or tube) for carrying ammonia, for example in liquid form.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
It will be appreciated that the measurement apparatus 5 illustrated and described with reference to any of
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The termination head may also be described as a termination assembly. Termination Assembly and Termination Head are names used in the subsea oil and gas industry (e.g. ‘umbilical termination assembly/head’, commonly abbreviated to UTA or UTH).
Thus, in certain embodiments the cable is be pre-terminated, and the termination head 70 comprises one or more sockets and/or one or more plugs. Monitoring/measurement apparatus in the form of small plug-in/plug-on module (device) for each plug/socket may be used. Each device may be adapted to log test measurements, and although certain embodiments are adapted to provide an indication of results while sub-sea, other embodiments may not be, and instead may be adapted to be interrogated (to recover data from the measurements) when recovered to the surface, for example. These individual, self-contained, and self-powered (e.g. by battery) modules or devices in certain embodiments are arranged also to communicate with each other. Providing measurement results by a display to divers/ROVs is an optional feature. Another optional feature is that the devices may be adapted for communication to divers/ROVs, or other sub-sea apparatus via acoustic, optical or subsea radio signals, for example for subsequent transmission to the surface.
In examples where the cables are umbilicals (e.g. for applications <1 kV), the connectors may have a plurality of cores (e.g. 2 cores, between 3 and 12 cores, or more), and the measurement apparatus may be configured to test between the cores (e.g. measure resistance and/or capacitance between them) and also from each to seawater. For high power cables (e.g. for renewable energy generation applications) it might be necessary for the cable (or its termination head) to have one connector per core to handle the power, so three high power connectors for a three phase system. However, in alternative examples these three phases/connectors may be grouped together into a single unit. If separate connectors are used for each power core, an individual measurement module/device/unit may be provided for each connector, and may only be able to perform electrical tests from its respective core to earth (not from core-to-core). To test core to core the measurement apparatus may comprise one test unit with a plurality (e.g. three) connectors, or may comprise a plurality of (e.g. three) test units which may be connected together and cooperate. Again, a built-in display in an optional feature of certain embodiments, and the test units may be able to export data wirelessly and/or via a physical connector (e.g. plug/socket), so that they can be interrogated after recovery.
It will be appreciated that a plug/socket in a termination head may be a connector for just one cable component (e.g. conductor core), or alternatively may be a connector to a plurality of components. For high power cables, a single (i.e. dedicated) plug/socket may be provided for each power core. Each cable could, for example, be a single-core cable with considerable cross sectional area, but in alternative examples the cable could be multi-core. Some inter-array cables are three phase cables. For high voltage operation, the cores may be split out to individual connectors due to the power transmission (and heat) requirements. Thus, a three-phase cable may have three connectors, one for each power core. One known cable (rated for 8 kV) has all three phases in one connector, whereas others (rated for 10 kV and 45 kV) have single connectors per core. The fibre-optic components of certain embodiments may have separate connectors for each waveguide, or may have a plurality of waveguides/channels coming through a single connector (or a pair of connectors for redundancy), as there are not the same power/heating factors/problems as with high electrical power transmission.
In examples where each power core has its own plug/socket and its own plug-in/plug-on measurement apparatus, each measurement apparatus may be configured to test resistance of its respective connected core, capacitance to sea water, and/or make TDR measurements on that core. However, in alternative examples, individual measurement modules/devices may be interconnected to other cores and apparatus via interconnections using data cables or other forms of data interconnections (ultrasonic, optical, or subsea radio/wireless, for example). If individual test modules, connected to just one respective core, are used to measure individual core properties, they may not be able to test insulation between cores, or continuity around the loop (depending on if open-circuit or short-circuit at the far end). This could be overcome, however, by a physical interconnection between the modules/units (and may need a common potential as a reference to allow measurement).
Features of various aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be summarised. It will be appreciated that any feature and/or any combination of features of any aspect (or embodiment thereof) may be incorporated in any other aspect (or embodiment thereof), and provide corresponding advantage(s).
It will be appreciated that a first aspect of the invention provides subject matter in accordance with the following numbered paragraphs:
Paragraph 1. A pulling head (2) for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable (1) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the pulling head comprising:
Paragraph 2. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 1, wherein the connection means is adapted to provide a plurality of electrical connections to a respective plurality of electrically conductive cores of an attached said cable.
Paragraph 3. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 2, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 4. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 3, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 5. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, comprising a terminal (electrode) arranged to make electric connection to a fluid in which the pulling head may be immersed.
Paragraph 6. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 5, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 7. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 5 or Paragraph 6, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 8. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring a continuity of at least one core, waveguide, or bore of an attached cable.
Paragraph 9. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement on at least one core, waveguide, or bore of an attached cable.
Paragraph 10. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring temperature at least one position along an attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along said waveguide to interact with a respective temperature sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said position.
Paragraph 11. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring strain at least one location along an attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along said waveguide to interact with a respective strain sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said location.
Paragraph 12. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises applying a pressure via said hydraulic connection to a bore of an attached said cable and measuring pressure of fluid within said bore.
Paragraph 13. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one measurement on a connected said cable while said cable is being pulled via the pulling head.
Paragraph 14. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the pulling head further comprises a memory and the pulling head is further arranged to store results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, in the memory.
Paragraph 15. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, and generate an alert signal according to said results.
Paragraph 16. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 15, further comprising indicating means for indicating, at the pulling head, generation of said alert signal, and/or means for transmitting said alert signal to a remote location.
Paragraph 17. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, to a remote location.
Paragraph 18. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising at least one strain sensor arranged to sense at least one of a strain resulting from a pulling force applied to the coupling means and a strain resulting from a bending of the pulling head, and wherein the measuring means is connected to the at least one strain sensor and is operable to perform at least one strain measurement of at least one of said strains.
Paragraph 19. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 18, wherein the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one strain measurement while the pulling head is being pulled via the coupling means.
Paragraph 20. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 18 or Paragraph 19, wherein the pulling head further comprises a memory and the pulling head is further arranged to store results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, in the memory.
Paragraph 21. A pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 18 to 20, wherein the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, and generate a strain alert signal according to said strain measurement results.
Paragraph 22. A pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 18 to 21, further comprising indicating means for indicating, at the pulling head, generation of said strain alert signal, and/or means for transmitting said strain alert signal to a remote location.
Paragraph 23. A pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 18 to 22, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, to a remote.
Paragraph 24. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising a housing, the measuring means being housed inside said housing.
Paragraph 25. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 24, wherein at least a portion of said housing is flexible.
Paragraph 26. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 24 or Paragraph 25, wherein at least a portion of said housing is rigid.
Paragraph 27. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 24, wherein said housing comprises a plurality of housing sections, the measuring means being housed inside at least one of said sections.
Paragraph 28. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 27, wherein at least one said housing section is flexible.
Paragraph 29. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 27 or Paragraph 28, wherein at least one said housing section is rigid.
Paragraph 30. A pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 29, further comprising at least one articulated connection connecting an adjacent pair of said housing sections.
Paragraph 31. pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 24 to 26, wherein said housing is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the pulling head is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 32. A pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 30, wherein at least one of said housing sections is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the pulling head is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 33. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising sealing means arranged to form a seal to an attached said cable to prevent or inhibit ingress of water into at least one component of an attached cable (for example into an end of the attached cable) when submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 34. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising energy storage means (e.g. at least one battery, rechargeable battery, fuel cell) arranged to power the measuring means).
Paragraph 35. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means comprising a programmable processor, the processor being operable to control said measurements.
Paragraph 36. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 30, further comprising an input socket (wired interface) and/or a data receiver (wireless interface) for receiving data to program said processor.
Paragraph 37. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the attachment means is arranged to grip a surface (e.g. an outer surface) of an end portion of the cable or of a component of said end portion.
Paragraph 38. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 37, wherein the attachment means comprises a woven tubular mesh for gripping said surface, and at least a portion of the connection means is arranged to extend axially, along a portion of a length of the woven tubular mesh, inside said woven tubular mesh.
Paragraph 39. A pulling head in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the attachment means is arranged to grip at least one internal component of the cable.
Paragraph 40. A pulling head in accordance with Paragraph 39, wherein the attachment means is arranged to grip at least a portion of a layer of armour of said cable.
Paragraph 41. An assembly comprising a pulling head, in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, attached to a said cable.
Paragraph 42. A pulling head assembly for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable having at least one of: an electrically conductive core for carrying electrical current along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore for conveying a fluid along the cable, the pulling head assembly comprising:
Paragraph 43. A measurement module for a pulling head assembly in accordance with Paragraph 42.
Paragraph 44. A method of handling a cable (1) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the method comprising:
Paragraph 45. A method in accordance with Paragraph 44, further comprising at least one of: storing results of said at least one measurement in memory means of the measuring means;
Paragraph 46. A method in accordance with Paragraph 44 or Paragraph 45, further comprising:
Paragraph 47. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 44 to 46, wherein said connection means and measuring means are components of a pulling head in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 1 to 40 or a pulling head assembly in accordance with Paragraph 42, the method further comprising attaching the attachment means to said cable.
Paragraph 48. A method in accordance with Paragraph 47, wherein said pulling, spooling, or un-spooling of said cable comprises applying a pulling force to said coupling means.
Paragraph 49. A method of handling a cable (1) having at least one of: an electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; an electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and a bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the method comprising:
Paragraph 50. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 44 to 49, wherein said performing of at least one measurement comprises performing, while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable, a plurality of said measurements (e.g. at regular intervals).
Paragraph 51. A method in accordance with Paragraph 50, wherein said plurality of measurements comprise a first plurality of measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable.
Paragraph 52. A method in accordance with Paragraph 51, wherein said plurality of measurements comprise a second plurality of measurements, said second plurality of measurements being on parameters/characteristics other than strain or bending.
Paragraph 53. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 44 to 52, further comprising performing, while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable, measurements of strain and/or bending of the pulling head or pulling head assembly.
Paragraph 54. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 51 to 53, further comprising increasing a frequency of said plurality of measurements according to the results of said measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable and/or of the pulling head or pulling head assembly.
It will be appreciated that a second aspect of the invention provides subject matter in accordance with the following numbered paragraphs:
Paragraph 1. A method of handling a cable (1) (e.g. a cable for subsea transmission of electrical power) having at least one of: at least one electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; at least one electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and at least one bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the method comprising:
Paragraph 2. A method in accordance with Paragraph 1, wherein said providing comprises providing said cable at least partly on a reel (or spool).
Paragraph 3. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, and further comprising, before said attaching of the measurement apparatus, terminating said end with at least one of: at least one mechanical connector; at least one respective electrical connector attached to at least one said core; at least one respective waveguide connector attached to at least one said waveguide; and at least one respective fluid or hydraulic connector attached to at least one said bore, wherein attaching the measurement apparatus comprises connecting at least one of said connectors to a corresponding connector of the measurement apparatus (e.g. if the cable comprises a plurality of cores, said terminating may comprise terminating one or more cores, or each core, with a respective electrical connector; if the cable comprises a plurality of waveguides, said terminating may comprise terminating one or more waveguides, or each waveguide, with a respective waveguide connector; and if the cable comprises a plurality of bores, said terminating may comprise terminating one or more bores, or each bore, with a respective fluid or hydraulic connector).
Paragraph 4. A method in accordance with Paragraph 3, wherein said terminating is performed in an above-water or out-of-water (e.g. dry) environment.
Paragraph 5. A method in accordance with Paragraph 3 or Paragraph 4, wherein said terminating comprises terminating said end with a mechanical connector, the measurement apparatus comprises a housing having a corresponding mechanical connector, and said attaching comprises connecting the mechanical connector of the cable to the mechanical connector of the housing.
Paragraph 6. A method in accordance with Paragraph 5, wherein the housing further comprises coupling means (6) for coupling to a means for providing a pulling force, and at least one of said deploying and said recovering comprises applying a pulling force to said coupling means.
Paragraph 7. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein said attaching comprises clamping or gripping at least one of: the cable end; a portion of the cable; an end portion of the cable (e.g. at, or proximate said end); and at least one component of the cable (e.g. clamping or gripping with at least one component of the measurement apparatus).
Paragraph 8. A method in accordance with Paragraph 7, wherein the measurement apparatus further comprises coupling means (6) for coupling to a means for providing a pulling force, and at least one of said deploying and said recovering comprises applying a pulling force to said coupling means.
Paragraph 9. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said attaching comprises forming a seal between the measurement apparatus and said cable to inhibit ingress of water to at least one of: at least one said core (11); at least one said waveguide (12); and at least one said bore.
Paragraph 10. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said deploying comprises at least one of: unspooling; laying a length of said cable (e.g. underwater, such as on a sea bed); leaving or storing a length of said cable at a subsea location for a length of time; and pulling said cable.
Paragraph 11. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said recovering comprises at least one of: pulling; lifting said end from a sub-sea location; pulling said end through a guide hole, guide element, or guide structure (e.g. a J-tube); and pulling said end onto a floating, anchored, fixed, or above-water vessel, structure or part thereof (e.g. for connection to other apparatus in a dry environment).
Paragraph 12. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said operating comprises
Paragraph 13. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said operating comprises operating the measurement apparatus at at least one sub-sea location to perform at least one said measurement on the attached cable.
Paragraph 14. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the cable comprises a plurality of said cores, and said attaching is arranged such that the measurement apparatus makes a respective electrical connection to each said core (e.g. by means of a plurality of electrical connectors, each arranged to connect to a respective electrical connector terminating a respective core of the cable).
Paragraph 15. A method in accordance with Paragraph 14, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 16. A method in accordance with Paragraph 14 or Paragraph 15, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 17. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measurement apparatus comprises a terminal (electrode) arranged to make electric connection to water when the measurement apparatus is submerged.
Paragraph 18. A method in accordance with Paragraph 17, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 19. A method in accordance with Paragraph 17 or Paragraph 18, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 20. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring a continuity of at least one core, waveguide, or bore of the attached cable.
Paragraph 21. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement on at least one core, waveguide, or bore of the attached cable.
Paragraph 22. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring temperature at least one position along the attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along a said waveguide to interact with a respective temperature sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said position.
Paragraph 23. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring strain at least one location along the attached cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along a said waveguide to interact with a respective strain sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said location.
Paragraph 24. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises applying a pressure via a fluid or hydraulic connection to a bore of the attached said cable and measuring pressure of fluid within said bore.
Paragraph 25. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, comprising operating the measurement apparatus to perform said at least one measurement on the attached cable while said cable is being pulled (e.g. via the coupling means).
Paragraph 26. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measurement apparatus comprises a memory, and the method further comprises storing results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, in the memory.
Paragraph 27. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising operating the measurement apparatus to monitor results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, and generating an alert signal according to said results.
Paragraph 28. A method in accordance with Paragraph 27, further comprising indicating, by the measurement apparatus, generation of said alert signal, and/or transmitting said alert signal to a remote location.
Paragraph 29. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising transmitting results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, to a remote location.
Paragraph 30. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising operating the measurement apparatus to measure at least one strain of the attached cable and/or at least one strain of the measurement apparatus during at least one of said deploying and said recovering.
Paragraph 31. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising at least one of:
Paragraph 32. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said deploying comprises:
Paragraph 33. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said performing of at least one measurement comprises performing (e.g. at at least one time before, during, and/or after said deploying, and/or before, during, and/or after said recovering, such as while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable) a plurality of said measurements (e.g. at regular intervals).
Paragraph 34. A method in accordance with Paragraph 33, wherein said plurality of measurements comprise a first plurality of measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable.
Paragraph 35. A method in accordance with Paragraph 34, wherein said plurality of measurements comprise a second plurality of measurements, said second plurality of measurements being on parameters/characteristics other than strain or bending.
Paragraph 36. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising performing (e.g. at at least one time before, during, and/or after said deploying, and/or before, during, and/or after said recovering, such as while pulling, spooling, or un-spooling said cable) measurements of strain and/or bending of the measurement apparatus.
Paragraph 37. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 33 to 36, further comprising increasing a frequency of said plurality of measurements according to the results of said measurements of strain and/or bending of the cable and/or of the measurement apparatus.
Paragraph 38. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising using the results of said measurements to determine whether or not to disconnect the measurement apparatus from said end and connect said end to further apparatus.
Paragraph 39. A method in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measurement apparatus is a smart pulling head or a smart protective end cap.
Paragraph 40. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 1 to 39, further comprising attaching a pulling head to the cable.
Paragraph 41. A method in accordance with Paragraph 40, further comprising housing said measurement apparatus inside (e.g. inside a housing of) said pulling head.
Paragraph 42. A method in accordance with Paragraph 40 or Paragraph 41, further comprising attaching said pulling head to said measurement apparatus.
It will be appreciated that a third aspect of the invention provides subject matter in accordance with the following numbered paragraphs:
Paragraph 1. Measurement (e.g. monitoring) apparatus for connection to an end of a cable (1) (e.g. to an unterminated end, or to an already-terminated end (e.g. terminated by a termination assembly or structure, and/or at least one connector), of a cable for subsea transmission of electrical power) having at least one of: at least one electrically conductive core (11) for carrying electrical current and/or electrical signals along the cable; at least one electromagnetic waveguide (12) for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and at least one bore (13) for conveying a fluid along the cable, the measurement apparatus comprising:
Paragraph 2. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 1, wherein the connection means comprises at least one electrical connector for connection to a corresponding electrical connector terminating a said core (i.e. at the end of the cable).
Paragraph 3. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 2, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of electrical connectors, each for connection to a corresponding connector terminating a respective said core.
Paragraph 4. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the connection means comprises at least one waveguide connector for connection to a corresponding waveguide connector terminating a said waveguide (i.e. at the end of the cable).
Paragraph 5. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 4, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of waveguide connectors, each for connection to a corresponding waveguide connector terminating a respective said waveguide.
Paragraph 6. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the connection means comprises at least one fluid or hydraulic connector for connection to a corresponding fluid or hydraulic connector terminating a said bore (i.e. at the end of the cable).
Paragraph 7. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 6, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of fluid or hydraulic connectors, each for connection to a corresponding fluid or hydraulic connector terminating a respective said bore.
Paragraph 8. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising attachment means (3) for mechanically attaching the measurement apparatus to the cable end.
Paragraph 9. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 8, wherein the attachment means comprises locking means for inhibiting mechanical detachment of the measurement apparatus from the cable end.
Paragraph 10. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 8 or Paragraph 9, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one mechanical connector for connection to a corresponding mechanical connector provided at, or proximate, said cable end.
Paragraph 11. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 8 to 10, wherein the attachment means comprises means for clamping or gripping at least one of: the cable end; a portion of the cable; an end portion of the cable (e.g. at, or proximate said end); and at least one component of the cable. (The attachment means may be arranged to grip a surface (e.g. an outer surface) of an end portion of the cable or of a component of said end portion)
Paragraph 12. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 8 to 11, further comprising coupling means (6) for coupling to a means for providing a pulling force to enable a pulling force to be applied, via the measurement apparatus, to a said cable mechanically attached to the measurement apparatus (the coupling means may, for example, be a pulling eye, or other coupling, attached to, or provided by, a housing of the measurement apparatus).
Paragraph 13. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising sealing means arranged to form a seal between the measurement apparatus and said cable to inhibit ingress of water to at least one of: at least one said core (11); at least one said waveguide (12); and at least one said bore of a said cable having an end connected to the measurement apparatus. (Alternatively, or additionally, the measurement apparatus may comprise protection means or shielding means, arranged to provide mechanical protection of the cable end (e.g. protection of at least one component therein). Thus, the measurement apparatus may be a smart protection cap, or smart terminal/termination)
Paragraph 14. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the connection means is adapted to provide a plurality of electrical connections to a respective plurality of electrically conductive cores of a connected said cable.
Paragraph 15. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 14, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 16. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 14 or Paragraph 15, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a respective pair of said cores.
Paragraph 17. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, comprising a terminal (electrode) arranged to make electric connection to a fluid in which the measurement apparatus is immersed.
Paragraph 18. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 17, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical resistance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 19. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 17 or Paragraph 18, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring an electrical capacitance between a said core and said terminal.
Paragraph 20. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring a continuity of at least one core, waveguide, or bore of a connected cable.
Paragraph 21. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurement on at least one core, waveguide, or bore of a connected cable.
Paragraph 22. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring temperature at least one position along a connected cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along a said waveguide to interact with a respective temperature sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said position.
Paragraph 23. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises measuring strain at least one location along a connected cable by means of a sending an electromagnetic signal along a said waveguide to interact with a respective strain sensor (e.g. Bragg grating) at each said location.
Paragraph 24. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein said at least one measurement comprises applying a pressure via a said fluid or hydraulic connection to a bore of a connected cable and measuring pressure of fluid within said bore.
Paragraph 25. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one measurement on a connected said cable while said cable is being pulled (e.g. via the measurement apparatus itself, if the apparatus is a smart pulling head, or by a pulling head, if the measurement apparatus is separate from the pulling head, housed within a pulling head, and/or attached to a pulling head).
Paragraph 26. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising a memory, and the measurement apparatus is further arranged to store results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, in the memory.
Paragraph 27. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, and generate an alert signal according to said results.
Paragraph 28. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 27, further comprising indicating means for indicating, at the measurement apparatus, generation of said alert signal, and/or further comprising means for transmitting (e.g. at least one transmitter, or transceiver) said alert signal to a remote location.
Paragraph 29. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting results of at least one said measurement, and optionally results of each said measurement, to a remote location.
Paragraph 30. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising coupling means for coupling to a means for providing a pulling force to enable a pulling force to be applied, via the measurement apparatus, to a said cable connected to the measurement apparatus, the measurement apparatus further comprising at least one strain sensor arranged to sense at least one of a strain resulting from a pulling force applied to the coupling means and a strain resulting from a bending of the measurement apparatus or at least one component thereof (e.g. of a housing of the measurement apparatus), and wherein the measuring means is connected to the at least one strain sensor and is operable to perform at least one strain measurement of at least one of said strains.
Paragraph 31. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 30, wherein the measuring means is operable to perform said at least one strain measurement while the measurement apparatus is being pulled via the coupling means.
Paragraph 32. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 30 or Paragraph 31, further comprising a memory and the measurement apparatus is further arranged to store results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, in the memory.
Paragraph 33. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 30 to 32, wherein the measuring means is arranged to monitor results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, and generate a strain alert signal according to said strain measurement results.
Paragraph 34. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 30 to 33, further comprising indicating means for indicating, at the measurement apparatus, generation of said strain alert signal, and/or further comprising means for transmitting said strain alert signal to a remote location.
Paragraph 35. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 30 to 34, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting results of at least one said strain measurement, and optionally results of each said strain measurement, to a remote location.
Paragraph 36. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising a housing, the measuring means being housed inside said housing.
Paragraph 37. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 36, wherein at least a portion of said housing is flexible.
Paragraph 38. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 36 or Paragraph 37, wherein at least a portion of said housing is rigid.
Paragraph 39. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 36, wherein said housing comprises a plurality of housing sections, the measuring means being housed inside at least one of said sections.
Paragraph 40. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 39, wherein at least one said housing section is flexible.
Paragraph 41. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 39 or Paragraph 40, wherein at least one said housing section is rigid.
Paragraph 42. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 39 to 41, further comprising at least one articulated connection connecting an adjacent pair of said housing sections.
Paragraph 43. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 36 to 38, wherein said housing is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the measurement apparatus is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 44. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 39 to 42, wherein at least one of said housing sections is waterproof, arranged to prevent water contacting the measuring means when the measurement apparatus is submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 45. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 36 to 44, further comprising coupling means (e.g. at least one coupling) for coupling to a means for providing a pulling force to enable a pulling force to be applied, via the measurement apparatus, to a said cable connected to the measurement apparatus, wherein the coupling means is attached to said housing or said housing comprises the coupling means (e.g. the coupling may be an integral part of the housing; the housing may provide the coupling).
Paragraph 46. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising sealing means arranged to form a seal to a connected said cable to prevent or inhibit ingress of water into at least one component of a connected cable (for example into an end of the attached cable) when submerged (for example at a depth of 10 m, 100 m, 1000 m or more).
Paragraph 47. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, further comprising energy storage means (e.g. at least one battery, rechargeable battery, fuel cell etc.) arranged to power the measuring means. (The energy storage means may be housed in a housing of the measurement apparatus, and/or may provide all of the power needed for operation of the apparatus to perform measurements, store results, process results, transmit results, and/or receive and process instructions/code from a remote location; the measurement apparatus my thus be power self-sufficient, needing, and having, no external power supply).
Paragraph 48. Measurement apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the measuring means comprising a programmable processor, the processor being operable to control said measurements.
Paragraph 49. Measurement apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 48, further comprising an input socket (wired interface) and/or a data receiver (wireless interface) for receiving data to program said processor.
Paragraph 50. An assembly comprising measurement apparatus, in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, attached to a said cable.
Paragraph 51. A pulling head assembly for attachment to, and pulling of, a cable having at least one of: at least one electrically conductive core for carrying electrical current along the cable; at least one electromagnetic waveguide for carrying electromagnetic signals along the cable; and at least one bore for conveying a fluid along the cable, the pulling head assembly comprising:
Paragraph 52. A pulling head assembly in accordance with Paragraph 51, wherein the pulling module comprises a housing, and the measurement apparatus is at least partly housed within the pulling module housing and/or is attached to the pulling head housing.
It will be appreciated that a fourth aspect of the invention provides subject matter in accordance with the following numbered paragraphs:
Paragraph 1. An assembly comprising:
Paragraph 2. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 1, wherein the test apparatus further comprises triggering means for triggering the measuring means to operate in said measurement mode, whereby the assembly may be provided at said subsea location, the measuring means may be triggered at said location to perform at least one measurement on the connected apparatus.
Paragraph 3. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the indicating means is arranged to provide said indication only when the measuring means is in said measurement mode.
Paragraph 8. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the subsea apparatus comprises an electrical conductor, and the mated connectors provide an electrical connection between the measuring means and the electrical conductor.
Paragraph 9. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 8, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to measure an electrical impedance between said electrical conductor and seawater.
Paragraph 10. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 8, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to transmit an electrical impulse along the electrical conductor and to monitor any reflected or returned signal.
Paragraph 11. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the subsea apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, the mated connectors provide a respective electrical connection between the measuring means and each of the plurality of electrical conductors, and the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to measure an electrical impedance between one of said plurality of electrical conductors and another one of said plurality of electrical conductors.
Paragraph 12. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 11, wherein said plurality of electrical conductors comprises at least three electrical conductors, and the measuring means is arranged, in said measurement mode, to measure an electrical impedance between at least one selected pair of the at least three conductors.
Paragraph 13. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 12, wherein the measuring means comprises means for selecting a pair of the at least three conductors, means for applying a test voltage between the selected pair, and means for determining a current flowing between the selected pair.
Paragraph 14. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 13, wherein the means for selecting comprises controllable switch means.
Paragraph 15. An assembly in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 8 to 14, wherein the measuring means comprises switch means controllable to electrically isolate the test apparatus's connector from the power supply.
Paragraph 16. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the subsea apparatus comprises an optical waveguide, and the mated connectors provide an optical connection between the measuring means and the optical waveguide.
Paragraph 17. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 16, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to transmit an optical pulse along said optical waveguide via the mated connectors and to monitor any reflected or returned optical signal.
Paragraph 18. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the subsea apparatus comprises a fluid conduit, and the mated connectors provide fluid connection between the conduit and the measuring means.
Paragraph 19. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 18, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to apply pressure to fluid contained in the conduit, via the mated connectors.
Paragraph 20. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the mated connectors comprise at least one pair of mated electrical contacts and sealing means arranged to prevent contact between sea water and the mated electrical contacts.
Paragraph 23. An assembly in accordance with Paragraph 2 or any one of Paragraphs 3 to 20 as depending from Paragraph 2, wherein said triggering means comprises a light detector and is arranged to trigger the measuring means to operate in said measurement mode in response to detection of light by the light detector.
Paragraph 24. An assembly in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the indicating means comprises a visual display.
Paragraph 27. Subsea test apparatus for deployment at a subsea location to perform a measurement at the subsea location on subsea apparatus and provide an indication of a result of the measurement from the subsea location to an underwater vehicle or diver, the subsea test apparatus comprising:
Paragraph 28. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 27, further comprising triggering means for triggering the measuring means to operate in said measurement mode.
Paragraph 29. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 or 28, wherein the indicating means is arranged to provide said indication only when the measuring means is in said measurement mode.
Paragraph 32. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 29, wherein the test apparatus's connector comprises at least one electrical contact for forming an electrical connection to a corresponding electrical contact of a corresponding connector, the electrical contact being connected to the measuring means.
Paragraph 33. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 32, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to measure an electrical impedance between said electrical contact and seawater.
Paragraph 34. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 32, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to apply a voltage pulse to the electrical contact and to monitor a voltage of the electrical contact following the pulse.
Paragraph 35. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 34, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, each for forming an electrical connection to a corresponding electrical contact of a corresponding connector, and each being connected to the measuring means, and wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to measure an electrical impedance between one of said plurality of electrical contacts and another one of said plurality of electrical contacts.
Paragraph 36. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 35, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts comprises at least three electrical contacts, and the measuring means is arranged, in said measurement mode, to measure an electrical impedance between at least one selected pair of the at least three contacts.
Paragraph 37. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 36, wherein the measuring means comprises means for selecting a pair of the at least three contacts, means for applying a test voltage between the selected pair, and means for determining a current flowing between the selected pair. (Alternatively, some high-power dry-mate connectors may have only a single contact so measurement may be between the single contact (e.g. single pin) and seawater)
Paragraph 38. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 37, wherein the means for selecting comprises controllable switch means.
Paragraph 39. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 32 to 38, wherein the measuring means comprises switch means controllable to electrically isolate the or each electrical contact from the power supply.
Paragraph 40. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 32 to 39, wherein the test apparatus comprises switch means controllable to electrically isolate the or each electrical contact from the measuring means.
Paragraph 41. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 40, wherein the connector comprises an optical element for forming an optical connection to a corresponding optical element of a corresponding connector, the optical element being connected to the measuring means.
Paragraph 42. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 41, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to transmit an optical pulse from said optical element.
Paragraph 43. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 42, wherein the connector comprises a fluid connector for forming a fluid connection to a corresponding fluid connector of a corresponding connector, the fluid connector being connected to the measuring means.
Paragraph 44. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 43, wherein the measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to apply pressure to fluid contained in the fluid connector.
Paragraph 47. Apparatus in accordance with Paragraph 28, or with any one of Paragraphs 29 to 44 as depending from Paragraph 28, wherein said triggering means comprises a light detector and is arranged to trigger the measuring means to operate in said measurement mode in response to detection of light by the light detector.
Paragraph 48. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 47, wherein the indicating means comprises a visual display.
Paragraph 50. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 27 to 48, comprising a rigid housing, the connector being rigidly coupled to said housing, and the measuring means being contained within said housing.
Paragraph 51. An assembly or subsea test apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the indicating means is arranged to provide said indication by means of at least one of: a visual display; optical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic or other physical signals; and a subsea mateable data connector.
Paragraph 52. A method of handling subsea apparatus having a connector for mating in a sea-water environment with a corresponding connector of other subsea apparatus to provide at least one of electrical, optical, and fluid connection between the two, the method comprising:
Paragraph 53. A method in accordance with Paragraph 52, further comprising triggering, at said subsea location, the measuring means to perform said at least one measurement.
Paragraph 58. A method in accordance with Paragraph 53, wherein said triggering comprises triggering the measuring means using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or diver.
Paragraph 59. A method in accordance with Paragraph 58, wherein said triggering comprises emitting light from a light source, and detecting the emitted light with a light detector provided on the test apparatus.
Paragraph 60. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 59, wherein providing said indication comprises providing a visible indication using a visual display.
Paragraph 61. A method in accordance with Paragraph 60, further comprising viewing said visible indication using a camera of an ROV.
Paragraph 62. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 61, wherein said disconnecting comprises pulling handle means (e.g. using an ROV).
Paragraph 63. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 62, wherein said at least one measurement comprises an electrical impedance measurement.
Paragraph 64. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 63, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a time domain reflectometry measurement.
Paragraph 65. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 64, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a measurement of an attenuation of an electrical or optical signal.
Paragraph 66. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 65, wherein said at least one measurement comprises a pressure measurement.
Paragraph 67. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 66, comprising operating the connected test apparatus in a dormant mode until operating the measuring means to perform said at least one measurement, the dormant mode being a mode in which the measuring means is not performing any measurement on the attached apparatus.
Paragraph 68. A method in accordance with Paragraph 67, wherein said dormant mode further comprises isolating electrical contacts of the test apparatus connector from the test apparatus power supply.
Paragraph 69. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 68, wherein said connecting by mating comprises forming at least one seal between the connector of the test apparatus and the connector of the subsea apparatus, the at least one seal preventing seawater from contacting at least one of an electrical connection, an optical connection, or a fluid connection between the connectors.
Paragraph 70. A method in accordance with any one of Paragraphs 52 to 69, wherein providing said indication comprises providing said indication by means of at least one of: a visual display; optical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic or other physical signals; and a subsea mateable data connector.
Paragraph 71. An assembly or subsea test apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the test or sequence of tests is automated in a pre-determined fashion. This automation is predetermined by a sequence of instructions stored within the apparatus.
Paragraph 72. An assembly or subsea test apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein the results of any or all tests are stored within the apparatus for recall at a later time (e.g. later date).
Paragraph 73. An assembly or subsea test apparatus in accordance with any preceding Paragraph, wherein data regarding errors and/or influencing factors are stored along with the results of any tests to inform a later user as to the possible validity or corrections required of the test results.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2113129.7 | Sep 2021 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2022/052311 | 9/13/2022 | WO |
