# US 2025/0146385 A1 · Subsea actuator and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0146385 A1 - Document ID: US20250146385A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/939,236 - Filed: 2024-11-06 - Published: 2025-05-08 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-06 - Assignees: Onesubsea, LLC - Applicants: OneSubsea AS - Inventors: Øystein Møgedal; Dmitri Volkov; Henrik Dishington Haldorsen; Geir Tandberg; Kent Havstein; Bård Meling Eriksen; Harald Nyhus; Emil Haugen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250146385A1 ## CPC - E21B 41/0007: {for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence)} - E21B 34/04: in underwater well heads - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract This invention relates to a subsea actuator with visual position indicators and associated methods for subsea energy infrastructure, such as in the oil and gas industry. The actuator may include a housing with a window, an actuation member, and a drive mechanism that moves the actuation member between at least two positions. The invention also relates to a method of that involves providing a housing with a window, connecting the actuation member to a drive mechanism, and indicating the position of the actuation member through the window. This visual inspection can be performed directly or via a camera, even in the event of a power failure, using a passive, unpowered indicator. The indication can be displayed on an ROV panel, ensuring reliable remote monitoring and operation of the subsea actuator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A subsea actuator comprising: a housing; an actuation member; a drive connected to the actuation member, wherein the drive is configured to move the actuation member between at least two positions; and a position indicator for providing an indication of a position of the actuation member, wherein the housing has a window for the position indicator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a visual indicator, viewable by a diver and/or a camera, and the window is located in sidewall of the housing so as to provide a lateral view of at least one of the two positions between which the actuation member is movable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuation member is viewable through the window when the actuation member is in both of the two positions and all intermediate positions therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the position indicator: a. comprises a passive, unpowered indicator; b. is provided without a dynamic seal; or c. comprises a static seal, with the window comprising a transparent window element attached to the housing with a static seal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a prismatic form; and the window comprises a longitudinal window, running axially along the housing, in a same direction as a direction of movement of the actuation member within the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the window is associated with a guide channel for guiding the movement of the actuation member therein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The subsea actuator of claim 6, wherein the guide channel comprises an anti-rotation guide channel and the actuation member is connected to an anti-rotation member, the anti-rotation member being axially movable within the guide channel to guide the axial movement of the actuation member; and wherein the anti-rotation member provides an indication through the window of the axial position of the actuation member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a movable marker associated with the actuation member; and at least one fixed indicia, scale or gauge, said indicia, scale or gauge having a fixed marking corresponding to at least one of the positions between which the actuation member is movable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the window comprises an opening in a sidewall of the housing; and a longitudinal indicator member connected to the opening, the longitudinal member extending from the opening at a proximal end of the longitudinal member to a display end at a distal end of the longitudinal member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The subsea actuator of claim 9, wherein the longitudinal member: a. is an optical member, for transmission of light between the opening and the display end; or b. is a mechanical member, for transmission of movement between the opening and the display end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the position indicator is configured to display the indication of the position of the actuation member on a ROV panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the window is configured to provide an indication of a housing integrity failure, such as a presence of water ingress into a housing interior. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The subsea actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electrically-driven actuator and the housing comprises a pressurised container, the housing being filled with an oil-filled compensated volume. ### Claim 14 A method of indicating a position of a subsea actuator member, the method comprising: providing a housing of the subsea actuator with a window; connecting an actuation member within the housing to a drive, such that the actuation member is movable between at least two positions; and a providing an indication of a position of the actuator member via the window in the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises a user viewing the position of the actuator member directly through the window or via a camera. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises viewing the actuation member through the window when the actuation member is in both of the two positions and all intermediate positions therebetween. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises providing the position indicator comprises as a passive, unpowered indicator, such that the method comprises indicating the position of the actuator member in an event of a power failure to the actuator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the method comprises displaying the indication of the position of the actuator member on a ROV panel.