Inventors: David Wesley Weaver; Thomas Knight Tolman

RELATIONSHIP TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/266,267 filed on December 11, 2016.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Underwater vehicles can collect large amounts of data during the time they are deployed. Download this data typically requires plugging in an external connector or the data recorder has to be removed and the data downloaded elsewhere. Either approach can take a long time and negatively impacts the available operational time. Further, wet mate underwater connectors are expensive and prone to failure.

[0003] Moreover, underwater sensors that are not connected to a surface recorder or collector need to have their data downloaded. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or autonomously operated vehicle (AUV) can be used, but depending on the volume of data to be downloaded, it may take an inordinate amount of time. While a ROV is not powered limited, the AUV is battery powered and spending a long period of time downloading data has an impact on its operational time.

FIGURES

[0004] The various drawings supplied herein describe and are representative exemplary embodiments of the invention and are described as follows:

[0005] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary connector;

[0006] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system;

[0007] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a first exemplary slip ring system; and

[0008] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a second exemplary slip ring system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring now to Fig. 1, in a first embodiment pinless connector 1 for subsea data communications comprises contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 and contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20 which can allow for rapid collection and/or download data from subsea vehicles or sensors without having to plug in an external connector or physically remove the data recorder from the unit.

[0010] Contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 typically comprises first environmentally sealed housing 11 which has no exposed metal. First solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14, which may be a transceiver, is typically at least partially disposed within first environmentally sealed housing 11. Typically, first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 is configured to be operative at a low power level, e.g. less than or around 50 milliwatts, at an extremely high data transfer rate.

[0011] Contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20 typically comprises second environmentally sealed housing 21 which has no exposed metal. First solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24, which may be a transceiver, is disposed at least partially within second environmentally sealed housing 21 and is typically configured to be operative at the low power level and at the extremely high data transfer rate when the first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter is disposed proximate the first housing, typically at a distance of no more than around 1 meter from the first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter. Typically, however, first environmentally sealed housing 11 and second environmentally sealed housing 21 are in contact, although first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24 need not be.

[0012] First environmentally sealed housing 11 and second environmentally sealed housing 21 are configured for use subsea, which can include being configured for use at depths of up to around 12000 feet or at full ocean depth, and each typically comprises a material suitable for use subsea, e.g. first environmentally sealed housing 11 comprises a first material and second environmentally sealed housing 21 comprises a second material which may be the same as the first material. The first and second materials suitable for use subsea may comprise a plastic, rubber, ceramic, glass, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In certain embodiments, first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter

14 and first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24 are adapted to exchange data using a point to point data communications pathway. Keyssa, Inc. of Campbell, Caifornia makes exemplary solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters and solid state contactless connectivity data receivers. In most configurations, first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24 are adapted to exchange data without requiring critical alignment of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 with the first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24.

[0014] As used herein, the extremely high data transfer rate may be around

5Gbits/second.

[0015] In certain embodiments, first environmentally sealed housing 11 and second environmentally sealed housing 21 are configured to mate cooperatively but do not have mate at all, i.e., in various embodiments first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24 are operative to transfer data without being in physical contact with each other. However, in other contemplated embodiments first environmentally sealed housing 11 and second environmentally sealed housing 21 are configured to allow the first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 and the first solid state contactless connectivity data receiver 24 to come into physical contact with each other. [0016] Referring additionally to Fig. 2, in certain embodiments, first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 may comprise a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b and/or first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24 may comprise a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b. Typically, the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b are operatively coupled to corresponding first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b of the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters and do not required critical alignment between the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b and the first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b. Use of a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b and a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b can allow data to be downloaded quicker by using multiple transmit/receive devices at the same time, either independently or cooperatively.

[0017] Referring still to Fig. 2, in a further embodiment a subsea system comprises first subsea device 100 and second subsea device 200. These devices can include structures such as blowout preventers, manifolds, Christmas trees, remotely operated vehicles, autonomously operated vehicles, or the like, or a combination thereof. Current subsea connectors are expensive due to the high tolerance required to ensure a watertight seal and are also the primary source of equipment failure due to water intrusion, misalignment, and the like.

[0018] First subsea device 100 comprises one or more first data collectors 12 and contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10, which is as described above.

[0019] Second subsea device 200 comprises contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20 which is as described above and which may be operatively in communication with second data collector 22. As used herein, a data collector may comprise a sensor, a data logger, other electrical and/or optic devices, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0020] In certain embodiments, first electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter 15, which may be a resonant electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter, may be disposed at least partially within contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 and a complimentary first electromagnetic inductive signal receiver 25, which may be a resonant electromagnetic inductive signal receiver, may be disposed at least partially within contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20. First electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter 15 and first electromagnetic inductive signal receiver 25 are typically operative to unidirectionally or bidirectionally transmit a signal such as a power signal when contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 is disposed proximate contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20. It will be understood by one or ordinary skill in electromechanical arts that bidirectional transmission requires first electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter 15 and first electromagnetic inductive signal receiver 25 to effectively be electromagnetic inductive signal transceivers.

[0021] Referring still to Fig. 2, current subsea fiber optic connectors are very expensive due to the high tolerance required to ensure alignment of the fibers. Alignment of fibers is critical and any misalignment can cause failure or significantly lower the operating capacity of the connector. These connectors have a limited number of mate and de-mate cycles. In addition, current cables used in subsea applications can be molded or pressure balanced oil filled (PBOF). Making each cable can be time consuming and expensive to ensure there is no water intrusion when submerged. Cables can deteriorate due to age, exceeding the bend radius, etc. causing equipment failures and requiring replacement which can be costly.

[0022] In a further embodiment, in addition to first subsea device 100 and second subsea device 200, which are as described above, the subsea system may comprise one or more physical data pathways 30 which are operatively disposed intermediate first solid state data transmitter 14 and first solid state data receiver 24 where the one or more physical data pathways 30 are configured to provide a data communication path between first solid state data transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24 at the extremely high data rate at a distance of no more than around one meter subsea.

[0023] Each physical data pathway 30 may comprise a subsea fiber optic pathway, a subsea copper pathway, a plastic cable configured to act as a wave guide for a high frequency radio frequency signal, or the like, or a combination thereof. Typically, cable 30, including plastic cable 30, acts as a wave guide for the high frequency RF signals being transmitted and may only need to be jacketed to prevent the RF signal from leaking off or being interfered with by the environment.

[0024] If plastic cable 30 is used to transmit data signals, plastic cable 30 may be used with one or more plastic connectors to provide a low cost method for providing high speed data transmission from point to point. Plastic cable 30 may also be used to replace the fiber optic cable used in umbilicals/tethers on subsea vehicles. If a plastic cable is used, it typically comprises a jacket configured to prevent a radio frequency data signal from leaking off or being interfered with by the subsea environment.

[0025] In embodiments, physical data pathway 30 is configured to provide a data communication path between first solid state data transmitter 14a, 14b and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24a,24b without requiring physical contact between physical data pathway 30 and at least one of first solid state data transmitter 14a, 14b and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24a,24b. It is understood that first solid state data transmitter 14a, 14b may be one or more first solid state data transmitters 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24a,24b may be one or more first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24 as described herein.

[0026] In embodiments, fiber optic connectors may be replaced with similar connectors having the same advantages as copper based signal connector. These can further operate to eliminate fiber optic connections and loss issues. Additionally, 100% plastic wet cabling and connectors may be for communications, e.g. plastic core cable used as waveguide to carry signal. Use of this technology and the connectors can allow use of extremely fast data ports and provide for rapid downloading of data to or from AUVs and remote sensors.

[0027] Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, in a further embodiment slip ring system 300 comprises one or more first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 214 mounted to or on one or more rotatable rings 322 and one or more non-contact stationary sensors, e.g. first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 324. Slip rings, which are widely used in numerous applications winches, cable reels, alternators, and the like, are an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals from a stationary structure to which a stationary non-contact sensor may be fixed, to a rotating structure. A slip ring typically consists of a stationary contact point that rubs against the outside diameter of a rotating metal ring. Also known as rotary joints, slip rings are used in any electromechanical system that needs to rotate while transmitting power or signals.

[0028] In embodiments fiber-optic slip rings may be replaced with slip ring 300 which can provide a non-contact method to transmit data between stationary part 310 and moving part 320. By not having to use any direct contact method there are no parts to wear out which will greatly improve the reliability and overall performance of the slip ring. [0029] Typically, slip ring 322 is fabricated without any contact parts to fail or wear out as well as the ability to rapidly transfer gigabyte amounts of data from an AUV or remote sensor in just seconds.

[0030] Each rotatable ring 320 typically comprises one or more sensor triggers and first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 324, which can be transceivers, operatively coupled to one or more sensor triggers and configured to be operative at an extremely high data transfer rate.

[0031] Each non-contact stationary sensor can comprise one or more first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 324 which are typically responsive to one or more sensor triggers 312 and disposed at a predetermined position proximate an outside diameter of rotatable ring 320. A non-contact stationary sensor comprises one or more first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 324 configured to exchange data, either uni- or bidirectionally, with one or more first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 314 at a low power level, typically less than or around 50 milliwatts, at the extremely high data transfer rate when disposed proximate to first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 314 without the first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter having to physically contact the first solid state contactless connectivity receiver. As illustrated in Fig. 4, a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 314 may be disposed about shaft 320 and associated with one or more stationary mounted first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 324.

[0032] In the operation of exemplary embodiments, referring generally to Fig. 2, data may be obtained from one or more subsea data collector by disposing first subsea device 100 and second subsea device 200 subsea, where each is as described above. First subsea device 100 and second subsea device 200 are maneuvered into a position closely proximate each other subsea and contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 positioned proximate contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20 at a separation distance of not more than around one meter subsea. When positioned, first environmentally sealed housing 1 1 may be selectively and cooperatively mated with second environmentally sealed housing 21, but need not be. Typically, data may be exchanged between first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24 without requiring physical contact between first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24. However, in contemplated embodiments first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 24 may be placed into physical contact.

[0033] Once positioned, first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 14 are used to communicate data at the extremely high data transfer rate, such as by using a point to point data communication pathway which can include a physical pathway such as physical data pathway 30.

[0034] As described above, first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitter 14 may comprise a plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b (Fig. 2) and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver may comprise a plurality of solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b (Fig. 2). In these embodiments, once positioned the plurality of solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b may be operatively coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b. The plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b and the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b may be used to unidirectionally or bidirectionally exchange data, whether synchronously or concurrently or independently, without a need for critically aligning the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity data transmitters 14a, 14b and the plurality of first solid state contactless connectivity receivers 24a,24b. Data communication may comprise using an industry standard data exchange protocol such as at an extremely high frequency data rate of around 5Gbits/second.

[0035] In certain embodiments, first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 14 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 34 are configured to connect automatically when they are in close proximity to one another and to and disconnect when the separation distance exceeds a maximum separation distance, e.g. more than around one meter.

[0036] Where first electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter 15 and first electromagnetic inductive signal receiver 25 are present, a signal such as a power signal may be exchanged between first electromagnetic inductive signal transmitter 15 and first electromagnetic inductive signal receiver 25, either uni- or bi-directionally, when contactless connectivity data transmitter coupler 10 is disposed proximate contactless connectivity data receiver coupler 20 at a separation distance of not more than around one meter subsea.

[0037] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a signal may be transmitted from a relatively stationary device, e.g. housing 310, to a rotating ring such as slip ring 320, by disposing a rotatable ring, e.g. one or more first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 314, on rotatable member 320 such that rotation of rotatable member 320 creates a corresponding rotation of first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 324 operatively coupled to one or more sensor triggers 312 and operative at an extremely high data transfer rate. Sensor trigger 312 is as described herein and comprises one or more first solid state contactless connectivity transmitters 324 at a predetermined relatively stationary position proximate an outside diameter of rotatable shaft 320. First solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 314 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 324 are used to transmit a signal such as a data signal between the non- contact sensor and rotatable ring using a point-to-point connection at the extremely high data transfer rate, e.g. around 5 GBits per second, without first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 314 having to physically contact first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 324. Transmission of the signal may comprise using an industry standard data exchange protocol.

[0038] In embodiments, first solid state contactless connectivity transmitter 314 and first solid state contactless connectivity receiver 324 connect and disconnect automatically when they are in close proximity to one another.

[0039] It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.