Cable connection

• US 7,585,179 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Oil & Gas (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Roberts, Paul Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Truc T
• Application Number:
  US11/173,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20060003626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 439450-451, 439/455, 439/476.1, 439/477
• US Class Current: 439/451
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/201 Constructional details of seismic cables, e.g. streamers integrated optoseismic systems G01V1/226; line connectors in general H01R, transducer mountings in general G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/523 for use under water
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/58 Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip , for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable for flat or ribbon cables H01R12/771
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/10 in or under water
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/00 Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water

Abstract

A cable connection for connecting a cable 9 to an underwater installation 7 comprises a connector (2, see FIG. 2) for connection to an end of the cable 9, the connector having at a first end engagement means for engaging with the installation 7, a tether (4, see FIG. 2) which in use has a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to the cable at a distance from said end of the cable and guide means (12, 13, 14) located proximate a section of the cable adjacent said end of the cable so that in use said section is substantially restrained by said guide means at a predetermined angle with respect to the engagement means.

Claims

1. A cable connection comprising:

a connector for connection to an end of a cable, the connector having a longitudinal axis and a first end for engagement with an installation; and

a tether which in use has a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to the cable at a distance from said end of the cable, wherein the cable enters the connector at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and wherein a disengaging force can be applied to the connector along the longitudinal axis via the tether such that the connector disengages from the installation.

2. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a handle at a second end of the connector.

3. The connection according to claim 2, wherein the handle is adapted to be manipulable by a remote operated vehicle.

4. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the cable is connected to the connector in a region between first and second ends of the connector.

5. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the tether comprises a wire.

6. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the tether is attached to the handle.

7. A cable connection comprising:

a connector for connection to an end of a cable, the connector having a longitudinal axis and a first end for engagement with an underwater installation;

a tether which in use has a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to the cable at a distance from said end of the cable, wherein the cable enters the connector at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and wherein a disengaging force can be applied to the connector along the longitudinal axis via the tether such that the connector disengages from the underwater installation; and

a guide device located proximate a section of the cable adjacent said end of the cable so that in use said section is substantially restrained by said guide device at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

8. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the connector comprises a handle at a second end of the connector.

9. The connection according to claim 8, wherein the handle is adapted to be manipulable by a remote operated vehicle.

10. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the cable is connected to the connector in a region between first and second ends of the connector.

11. The connection according to claim 7 wherein the tether comprises a wire.

12. The connection according to claim 7 wherein the first end of the tether is attached to the handle.

13. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the guide device comprises at least one pulley arranged at the distal end of the section.

14. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the guide device comprises at least one guide pin.

15. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the guide device comprises a restraining bar.

16. The connection according to claim 7, wherein the guide device is mounted on a base.

17. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the base is adapted to support the underwater installation.

18. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the base is adapted to assist moving of the underwater installation into an operational position prior to use.

19. A cable connection comprising:

a connector for connection to an end of a cable, the connector having a longitudinal axis and a first end for engagement with an underwater installation, and a second end, wherein the second end comprises a handle that is capable of manipulation by a remote operated vehicle; and

a guide device located proximate a section of the cable adjacent said end of the cable so that in use said section is substantially restrained by the guide device at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

20. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the cable is connected to the connector in a region between first and second ends of the connector.

21. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the guide device comprises at least one pulley arranged at the distal end of the section.

22. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the guide device comprises at least one guide pin.

23. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the guide device comprises a restraining bar.

24. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the guide device is mounted on a base.

25. The connection according to claim 24, wherein the base is adapted to support the underwater installation.

26. The connection according to claim 24, wherein the base is adapted to assist moving of the underwater installation into an operational position prior to use.