# US 2023/0067262 A1 · Buoyancy module

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- Number: US 2023/0067262 A1
- Document ID: US20230067262A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/800,251
- Filed: 2021-02-17
- Published: 2023-03-02
- Earliest claimed: 2020-02-17
- Assignees: Advanced Innergy Ltd.
- Applicants: CRP Subsea Limited
- Inventors: Austin Harbison; Jonathan Fox
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230067262A1

## CPC

- E21B 17/01: Risers
- E21B 17/012: {with buoyancy elements (E21B17/015 takes precedence)}
- F16L 1/24: Floats; Weights
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A buoyancy module (10, 12, 14) configured for mounting on an elongate underwater member (16) and provided with a sensor module dock (32) for receiving and releasably retaining a sensor module (30).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A buoyancy module configured for mounting on an elongate underwater member and having a sensor module dock for receiving and releasably retaining a sensor module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module dock comprises a recess in the buoyancy module for receiving the sensor module.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoyancy module comprises a moulding and the sensor module dock is moulded in the buoyancy module.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor module dock is configured to mechanically engage with the sensor module to releasably retain the sensor module.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensor module dock comprises a collar disposed to receive the sensor module and configured to form a part turn lock.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the collar comprises a bayonet locking path.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buoyancy module has a longitudinal axis and in which the sensor module dock comprises a recess extending substantially axially to receive the sensor module along a substantially axial direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buoyancy module has a longitudinal axis and in which the sensor module dock comprises a recess extending substantially radially to receive the sensor module along a substantially radial direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two buoyancy module parts which abut along a split line and in which the sensor module dock comprises a recess which is open toward the split line.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buoyancy module has end faces and the sensor module dock is provided in one of the end faces.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buoyancy module includes a through-passage to receive the elongate underwater member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an ROV location feature comprising a grab bar or other shaped item configured to be grasped by an effector of an ROV to locate the ROV while it retrieves the sensor module.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 11 further comprising two or more buoyant parts configured to be secured to one another around the elongate underwater member.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A system comprising the buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a sensor module configured to be received by the sensor module dock, wherein the sensor module comprises a closed pressure vessel containing at least one sensor, a data logger for logging data from the sensor, an interface for outputting logged sensor data, and a battery arranged to power the sensor and the data logger.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor module is retainable frictionally in the sensor module dock.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor module is cylindrical and the sensor module dock is complementarily shaped.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor module has a handle or other graspable feature to be grasped by an effector of an ROV to facilitate retrieval of the sensor module from the buoyancy module.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The buoyancy module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module dock comprises a collar disposed to receive the sensor module and configured to form a part turn lock, and
Wherein the sensor module dock is configured to mechanically engage with the sensor module to releasably retain the sensor module.