The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 19, 2010
Andrew Jaffrey, Aberdeenshire, GB;
Brendan Hyland, Edinburgh, GB;
Andrew Jaffrey, Aberdeenshire, GB;
Brendan Hyland, Edinburgh, GB;
WFS Technologies Ltd., Edinburgh, GB;
Abstract
The present invention provides a wireless auxiliary system for monitoring and control of an underwater installation. The auxiliary system of the present invention sends data and control signals between an underwater installation—for example, a lower stackin a hydrocarbon drilling or production facility—and an associated riser assembly. Data is collected by sensor networkA,B and is transmitted from a first transceiverto a second transceiverby electromagnetic signals. First transceiveris powered by a local power supply. To conserve power consumption, the first transceiver is designed to become active for a short time and then to switch to an inactive mode. For example, wireless data transfer may occur after the detachment or just prior to the reattachment of riser assemblyto the underwater installation. Wireless data transfer may also occur on receipt of a handshaking signal from second transceiver. Thus, the system of the present invention is capable of providing soft shut-down mode for the underwater installation on detachment of riser assemblyand can also safeguard potential risks of reattaching riserwhen the underwater installation in an unknown state.