Means of preventing marine fouling of subsea connectors

• US 8,091,647 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Nicholson, Joseph A., Eccles, Gareth B., Love, Daryl H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUCK, MATTHEW R
• Application Number:
  US12/195,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20090056950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 166/338, 166/339, 166/368, 166/341, 166/344, 166/356, 166/378, 166/381, 166/385, 166/386, 405/211.1, 405/216
• US Class Current: 166/368
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2650/40 containing ketone groups, e.g. polyarylethylketones, PEEK or PEK
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/015 Biocides macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/24 Acids; Salts thereof C08K3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 59/00 Compositions of polyacetals; Compositions of derivatives of polyacetals of polyvinyl acetals C08L29/14
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 71/00 Compositions of polyethers obtained by reactions forming an ether link in the main chain of polyacetals C08L59/00; of epoxy resins C08L63/00; of polythioether-ethers C08L81/02; of polyether-sulfones C08L81/06; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 81/00 Compositions of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming in the main chain of the macromolecule a linkage containing sulfur with or without nitrogen, oxygen or carbon only; Compositions of polysulfones; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 81/02 Polythioethers; Polythioether-ethers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/028 Electrical or electro-magnetic connections

Abstract

The present embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for using components in a subsea assembly formed from a raw polymer material combined with a marine growth inhibitor material.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a subsea location comprising:

a component of a subsea assembly being formed from a raw polymer material combined with a marine growth inhibitor material and a reinforcement material;

wherein the raw polymer material comprises a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of;

a semi-crystalline polyphenylene sulphide;

a polyoxymethylene; and

a polyetheretherketone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement material is one selected from the group consisting of:

glass fiber;

para-aramid synthetic fiber;

carbon fiber; and

stainless steel strands.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the marine growth inhibitor material is one selected from a group consisting of:

a chemical salt based compound;

a metallic salt based compound; and

an inorganic salt complex based compound.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subsea assembly is one selected from the group consisting of:

a subsea electrical connector;

a subsea fiber optic connector;

a hydraulic communication connector; and

a remotely operated vehicle intervention panel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subsea assembly is a plug assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the component of the plug assembly is one selected from the group consisting of:

a plug body assembly;

a plug latch release ring; and

a cable termination.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subsea assembly is a receptacle connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the component of the receptacle connector is one selected from the group consisting of:

a receptacle latch;

a receptacle liner sleeve; and

a receptacle body assembly.

9. A method of manufacturing a component of a subsea assembly for use in a subsea location comprising the steps of:

combining a raw polymer material with a marine growth inhibitor material and a reinforcement material;

wherein the raw polymer material comprises a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of;

a semi-crystalline polyphenylene sulphide;

a polyoxymethylene; and

a polyetheretherketone; and

molding said combination of materials into a component.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reinforcement material is one selected from the group consisting of:

glass fiber;

para-aramid synthetic fiber;

carbon fiber; and

stainless steel strands.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the marine growth inhibitor material is one selected from the group consisting of:

a chemical salt based compound;

a metallic salt based compound; and

an inorganic salt complex based compound.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the subsea assembly is one selected from the group consisting of:

a subsea electrical connector;

a subsea fiber optic connector;

a hydraulic communication connector; and

a remotely operated vehicle intervention panel.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the subsea assembly is a plug assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the component of the plug assembly is one selected from the group consisting of:

a plug body assembly;

a plug latch release ring; and

a cable termination.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the subsea assembly is a receptacle connector.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the component of the receptacle connector is one selected from the group consisting of:

a receptacle latch;

a receptacle liner sleeve; and

a receptacle body assembly.