Subsea 7 Limited

Graham Gibbons

James Andrew Jamieson

Lee Wilson

Robert Ian Taylor

A hydraulically-powered subsea tool system has a tool () and a tool power unit (). The tool () communicates with a first connector element () on a hydraulic drive circuit (). The tool power unit () has a hydraulic supply circuit () communicating with a second connector element (). The connector elements are wet-mated with each other to connect the circuits for powering the tool. The circuits are pressure-compensated by respective compensators (). When the circuits are connected, a valve () is operable to transfer pressure compensation of one of the circuits from the compensator () of that circuit to the compensator () of the other circuit. The valve () suitably transfers pressure compensation of the drive circuit from a drive circuit compensator to a supply circuit compensator.

Connection and disconnection of hydraulic equipment in hyperbaric environments

A subsea payload such as an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) or an AUV garage is lifted from an underwater location by flying a latch unit through the water to the payload. The latch unit carries a lift line toward the payload. The latch unit is then attached to the payload and the payload is lifted using tension applied through the lift line via the latch unit. The latch unit can also be used on a lift line to lower a payload and then to release the payload at an underwater location. The lift line is supported by a heave-compensating winch on a surface vessel that effects z-axis movement of the latch unit. The winch maintains tension on the lift line to prevent the lift line falling on the payload. Movement of the latch unit on x- and y-axes is effected by on-board thrusters.

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Graham Gibbons