Flintstone Technology Limited

Wyman-gordon Company

Andrew Clayson

Richard Taylor

David Smith

Robert G Wilkie

The invention relates to a connector, such as a subsea connector (), for connecting a line or lines such as mooring lines (), to a subsea structure (), such as a submerged turret loading or a submerged turret production buoy. The invention also relates to associated apparatus, structures and methods. The subsea connector () comprises a first portion () and a second portion () and means () for connecting the first () and second portions (). The means () for connecting comprise at least part of a through-passage () in the second portion (). The first portion may comprise means () for connection to one or more lines (), such as mooring lines, allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the first portion () with respect to the line (). The second portion () may comprise means () for connection to a subsea structure () allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the second portion () with respect to the subsea structure (). In some examples, the transverse axis of the first portion () may be substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion ().

Connector

A device for connecting a chain or line, such as a portion of a chain or line, to a structure, the device comprising a first portion comprising a first axis, the first portion being configured to connect or be connectable to a structure so as to be movable relative to the structure; a first guide element, the first guide element being arranged on or relative to the first portion to be movable around or about the first axis of the first portion; and a second guide element, the second guide element being configured to align at least a portion of a chain relative to the first guide element.

Chain stopper

A connector or connector assembly (), such as a subsea or underwater connector or assembly including a first member () movably connected or connectable to a second member () and a first inductive element () provided on the first member (), the first inductive element () being arranged for inductive transmission and/or reception with a second inductive element () of the second member (). The first member () may rotatably or pivotably connected or connectable to the second member (). The first inductive element () may be arranged on the first member () to maintain inductive transmission with the second inductive element () of the second member () throughout movement of the first member () relative to a second member ().

Subsea connection assembly provided with inductive elements for data transmissions

A coupling assembly for leak proof connection of the ends of two lengths of pipe or tubing. One end of a first pipe is coupled to a coupling box which is connected to or integrally formed on the end of a second pipe. The coupling box has threads for engaging a nut for securing the coupling. The coupling box has a bore for receiving the end of the first pipe. The end of the first pipe has an outer tapered surface for engaging an inner tapered surface of the coupling box to form a metal to metal seal between the first pipe and the coupling box. The bore also contains an engager for coupling the nut to the first pipe. The engager includes a split ring which has a longitudinal slot. The split ring has internal circumferential projections or gripping teeth which are aligned with external circumferential projections or gripping teeth on the end of the first pipe. As the nut is tightened, the split ring is compressed so that the gripping teeth of the split ring are brought into engagement with the gripping teeth or the first pipe. The split ring and the first pipe are then moved relative to the coupling box so that the outer tapered surface at the end of the pipe is forced into metal to metal sealing contact with the inner tapered surface within the bore of the coupling box.

Growing community of inventors

Dundee, United Kingdom

Andrew Clayson