Control system for a subsea installation

• US 8,806,092 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As (TechnipFMC, plc)
• Original Assignee: Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As (TechnipFMC, plc)
• Inventors: Johansen, John A., Sten-Halvorsen, Vidar
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, CHUN KUAN
• Application Number:
  US10/590,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20070173957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,463 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0355 Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25004 Power and data bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25017 ASI actuator sensor interface, bus, network
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25032 CAN, canbus, controller area network bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31136 Name of bus, canbus, controller area network
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31154 Actuator sensor bus, asi, intelligent actuator, motor, sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for a subsea installation based on CAN bus technology. A single cable forms a backbone for transmitting signals and/or power from a central control unit to a number of devices or sensors on the installation. Terminals are attached to the cable at intervals, allowing devices to be plugged in while the system is operable. A termination may also include repeaters or amplifiers for transmitting signals over longer distances.

Claims

1. A control system for a subsea installation which comprises:

a control module;

a common bus which is connected to the control module and which comprises at least one cable unit; and

a plurality of devices which are each removably connectable to the cable unit;

wherein each one of the devices comprises a bus controller having a unique address;

wherein the control module comprises means for communicating with each one of the devices over the common bus;

wherein said cable unit comprises a junction and a plurality of branch cables, each of the plurality of branch cables comprising a first end which is connected to the junction, a second end which is connected to a corresponding electrical connector that in turn is removably connectable to one of the devices, and at least two control signal supply cables which each extend between said first and second ends and are connected to said junction and said corresponding electrical connector; and

wherein said control signal supply cables are directly electrically connected to each other at said corresponding electrical connector.

2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein each of said branch cables further comprises at least two control signal return cables which extend between said first and second ends and are connected to said junction and said corresponding electrical connector.