Key information

Title
A DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING EQUIPMENT TO A FLOOR OF A BODY OF WATER FROM A VESSEL, AND METHODS OF DEPLOYING AND RETRIEVING EQUIPMENT
Application number
20240318
Case type
National
Status
17.11.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
03.04.2024
Effective date
03.04.2024
Publicly available
06.10.2025
Next annual fee due
30.04.2027
Applicant
Allton Norway AS (NO)
Owner
Allton Norway AS (NO)
Inventor
Terje Nalum (NO) et al.
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
17.11.2025
Patent number
349252
Expiry date
03.04.2044

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part coupled with the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel using a deployment system according to the first aspect of the disclosure. According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel using a deployment system according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

Publications

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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 03.10.2026 13-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) APACE IP AS
 02.03.2026 12-01 Saksbehandling 20240318(349252) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20240318) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 19.11.2025 11-01 Saksbehandling 20240318(349252) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240318)
10.11.2025 02-01 Endring av søker/innehaver 2025/11439 UT GH Forespørsel HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 07.11.2025 01-01 Endring av søker/innehaver 2025/11439 INN Generell henvendelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.09.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT Intention to grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 25.08.2025 09-03 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Letter - TO BE FILED - 2025 08 25 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 25.08.2025 09-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Claims - Norwegian translation - TO BE FILED - 2025 08 25 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 25.08.2025 09-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 24.06.2025 08-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT Substantive examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2025 07-04 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Letter - TO BE FILED - 2025 04 10 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2025 07-03 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Amended specification - marked-up - TO BE FILED - 2025 04 10 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2025 07-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Amended specification - clean - TO BE FILED - 2025 04 10 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2025 07-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 22.10.2024 06-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT PT report 09:19:39
22.10.2024 06-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT Substantive examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 29.04.2024 05-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 Right to the invention HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 29.04.2024 05-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 11.04.2024 04-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT Infobrev til oppfinner HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2024 03-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 Letter_NIPO HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.04.2024 03-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 04.04.2024 02-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 UT Formal Examination 1 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2024 01-04 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Specification - TO BE FILED - 2024 04 03 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2024 01-03 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN P31204NO00 - Drawings - TO BE FILED - 2024 04 03 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2024 01-02 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN General Power of Attorney _ Håmsø_Allton _2305478 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 03.04.2024 01-01 Saksbehandling 20240318 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3492521A DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING EQUIPMENT TO A FLOOR OF ABODY OF WATER FROM A VESSEL, AND METHODS OF DEPLOYING ANDRETRIEVING EQUIPMENT5 TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, and related methods of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel and of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel.10BACKGROUNDOcean bottom nodes deployed on the sea floor are used for gathering detailed data on the geophysical, environmental, seismic, and/or mineral characteristics of the area surrounding their deployment site. Such nodes may be deployed in a traditional ‘dense 15 grid’ configuration, or in a ‘sparse grid’ configuration. In a sparse grid configuration, a reduced number of ocean bottom nodes are placed across a broader area of the seafloor compared with the dense grid configuration, and advanced data processing techniques are used to interpolate between the nodes, for example using bathymetry data to compensate for terrain changes which may influence measurements.20There are two well-known methods of deploying ocean bottom nodes from a vessel to the sea floor, and recovering such nodes back to the vessel.For example, Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) may be used to deploy and retrieve 25 seismic nodes on the sea floor. ROVs can be costly to operate due to the need for specialised support vehicles, and their operational limits may restrict the depths at which nodes can be deployed. Furthermore, when the seismic nodes are deployed in a sparse grid configuration, sometimes with hundreds of metres therebetween, ROVs can be tremendously time consuming to operate, either taking significant time to travel 30 underwater from one node deployment site to another or requiring significant resources and time to be recovered up to a vessel before travelling therewith to the next node deployment site and being deployed therefrom. These ROVs also require the use of large vessels with ROV-capacity installed. 3492522Another example of deploying and recovering ocean bottom nodes involves such nodes being fixed at pre-determined distances along a rope, in a set up known as ‘Node-On-A-Rope’ (NOAR). Once the nodes have been attached, the rope is spooled behind the vessel into the sea, and gradually makes its way down to the sea floor. One 5 issue with this solution is the lack of precision in the placement of the nodes on the sea floor, particularly in deep-water environments where there may be steep terrain changes. Furthermore, breakage of the rope, for example due to movement thereof on a rugged sea floor, may render sections of the rope with many nodes entirely irretrievable.10US2023146618A1, in accordance with a portion of its abstract, states: “An autonomous seismic node is configured for free-fall from a water surface to the seabed and is capable of rising from the seabed on its own. The seismic node is positively buoyant in water and is substantially tubular in shape, with a length to a diameter ratio 15 of 4:1 or greater.”US2021405237A1, in accordance with a portion of its abstract, states: “A seismic data acquisition positioning apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a seismic data acquisition unit. The unit can include a case having an internal compartment.” 20CN115792922A, in accordance with a portion of a machine translation of its abstract, states: “The invention provides a separable and recyclable underwater release device and a use method thereof.”25 CN116902761A, in accordance with a portion of a machine translation of its abstract, states: “The invention provides a device and method for laying and recovering underwater experimental equipment with adjustable buoyancy, and the device comprises a lifting tool module, a lifting guide module, an experimental frame module, a lifting rope, and a load rejection counterweight module. When the experimental 30 equipment is detected to land on the seabed, lifting equipment on the sea surface pulls a lifting beam module to translate towards the seabed at one side of the experimental frame”.The present disclosure seeks to address and/or at least ameliorate to a certain degree 35 the problems associated with the prior art. 3492523SUMMARYAccording to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment 5 system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part coupled with the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the 10 equipment.Advantageously, this may prevent the equipment from impacting the floor of the body of water in which it is deployed at speed, which could potentially damage cause damage thereto.15Optionally, the elongate part and/or the equipment are configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water such that the equipment trails behind the ballast weight.20 Optionally, the deployment system is configured such that the equipment and the ballast weight contact the floor of the body of water when deployed from the vessel.Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy releasably coupled with the ballast weight and 25 coupled with the elongate part, wherein the ballast weight is releasably coupled with the elongate part via the main buoy.Optionally, the equipment is a seismic node.30 Optionally, the elongate part is configured to be rotatable relative to at least one of the equipment and the ballast weight.Optionally, the elongate part comprises one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the 35 sea floor from the vessel. 3492524Optionally, the elongate part is rigid.Optionally, the elongate part is non-buoyant.5Optionally, the main buoy has a buoyancy greater than the combined weight in water of the elongate part and equipment.Optionally, the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a 10 second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an acoustic transponder; and/or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and/or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and/or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy.15 According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to the first aspect of the disclosure; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; and deploying the deployment system into the body of water from the vessel.20According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to the first aspect of the disclosure, when the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast 25 weight and a buoyant main buoy coupled with the ballast weight and releasably coupled with the elongate part, wherein the ballast weight is releasably coupled with the elongate part via the main buoy, on the floor of the body of water; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; releasing the main buoy from the ballast weight such that the deployment system floats to the surface of the body of water; and 30 retrieving the deployment system from the surface of the body of water to the vessel.According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part: coupled with 3492525the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another.Optionally, the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor 5 of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment.Optionally, the elongate part and/or the equipment are configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water such that the equipment trails behind the ballast 10 weight.Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy releasably coupled with the ballast weight and coupled with the elongate part, wherein the ballast weight is releasably coupled with 15 the elongate part via the main buoy.Optionally, the equipment is a seismic node.Optionally, the elongate part is configured to be rotatable relative to at least one of the 20 equipment and the ballast weight.Optionally, the elongate part comprises one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the sea floor from the vessel.25Optionally, the elongate part is rigid.Optionally, the elongate part is non-buoyant.30 Optionally, the main buoy has a buoyancy greater than the combined weight in water of the elongate part and equipment.Optionally, the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an 35 acoustic transponder; and/or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy 3492526body; and/or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and/or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy.5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a deployment system for deploying 10 equipment to the floor of a body of water from a vessel floating in the body of water;Figure 2A shows a first plan view of an elongate part of the deployment system shown in Figure 1.15Figure 2B shows a second plan view of the elongate part shown in Figure 2A.Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 on the floor of the body of water in a first position.20Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 on the floor of the body of water in a second position.Figure 5A shows a close-up side cutaway view of a main buoy, grappling buoy, 25 and ballast weight of a buoy assembly of the deployment system shown in Figure 1.Figure 5B shows a close-up perspective view of the main buoy shown in Figure 5A detaching from the ballast weight also shown in Figure 5A.30Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 floating up to the surface of the body of water after detaching from the ballast weight shown in Figure 5A. 3492527Figure 6B shows a close-up perspective view of the main buoy of the deployment system shown in Figure 1.Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the deployment system shown in Figure 5 1 reaching the surface of the body of water.Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 floating at the surface of the body of water, ready for retrieval.10 DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOverview of deployment system 100Figure 1 shows a deployment system 100 for deploying equipment 200 to a floor 51 of a body of water 50, for example a seabed or a lakebed, from a vessel (not shown), for example a ship. The vessel may be manned or unmanned, and is for delivering the 15 deployment system 100, and thus equipment 200, to predetermined positions on the floor 51 of the body of water 50.The deployment system 100 shown in Figure 1 has already been released from the vessel into the body of water 50, and is shown moving vertically downwards towards 20 the floor 51 of the body of water 50.The deployment system 100 comprises equipment 200, a buoy assembly 300, an elongate part 400 for ensuring that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another, and a connection system 500 for connecting the equipment 25 200 and the buoy assembly 300 with the elongate part 400.The connection system 500 comprises at least one connection feature 510, 520, 530 and in the present example comprises three connection features: first connection feature 510, second connection feature 520, and third connection feature 530. In the 30 present embodiment, each of the connection features 510, 520, 530 are in the form of a rope. The connection system 500 is explained in further detail below.In some embodiments, the first connection feature 510 and the second connection feature 520 may be in the form of one continuous part, extending through the main 3492528body 410 of the elongate part 400. Further, the second connection feature 520 and the third connection feature 530 may be in the form of one continuous part.Equipment 2005 The equipment 200 is an optional feature of the deployment system 100, as the deployment system 100 may be sold in a kit comprising only the buoy assembly 300, the elongate part 400, and the connection system 500.The equipment 200 comprises an equipment main body 210, and may be in the form 10 of a node, for example a seismic node. The node may be deployable in both dense and sparse grid configurations. The equipment 200 may further comprise an equipment attachment feature 220, for assisting attachment to the elongate part 400 via the first connection feature 510. In some embodiments, the equipment attachment feature 220 may not be required, for example because the first connection feature 510 15 may wrap directly around the equipment main body 210.The equipment 200 may be non-buoyant, as in the present example, to enable its resting directly on the floor 51 of the body of water 50 once deployed. For example, the equipment 200 may weigh under or over 20 kilograms in air, and under or over 10 20 kilograms in water, e.g. the equipment 200 may weigh 10 kilograms in air and 4 kilograms in water.Buoy assembly 300The buoy assembly 300 comprises a ballast weight 310 and a buoyant main buoy 330, 25 and may optionally comprise a buoyant grappling buoy 360.The buoy assembly 300 may be configured such that it has a higher terminal velocity in water than the equipment 200 and/or the elongate part 400.30 Ballast weight 310The ballast weight 310 is for ensuring that the deployment system 100 is sufficiently heavy to sink in the body of water 50 and maintain the position of the equipment 200 on the floor 51. The ballast weight 310 may have a higher weight in water than the main buoy 330. A density of the ballast weight 310 may be higher than a density of the 3492529equipment 200. A weight in water of the ballast weight 310 may be higher than a weight in water of the equipment 200.The main buoy 330 is releasably coupled, e.g. reversibly coupled, to the ballast weight 5 310.When the buoy assembly 300 is in a first configuration, the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 are coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in Figures 1 and 3 to 5A. If the grappling buoy 360 is present, in the first configuration it may be 10 retained between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330, as shown in Figure 5A.When the buoy assembly 300 is in a second configuration, the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 are not coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in 15 Figures 5B to 8. After moving the buoy assembly 300 from the first configuration to the second configuration on the floor 51 of the body of water 50, the main buoy 330 rises to a surface 52 of the body of water 50, pulling the elongate part 400 and the equipment 200 along with it, and leaving the ballast weight 310 behind on the floor 51. This can clearly be seen in Figures 6A, 7, and 8. Furthermore, moving the buoy assembly 300 20 from the first configuration to the second configuration on the floor 51 of the body of water 50, may, if the grappling buoy 360 is present and retained between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 in the first configuration, cause the grappling buoy 360 to be released from between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330.25 In the present example, the ballast weight 310 comprises a main ballast body 312.The main ballast body 312 comprises a base 314, a raised portion 322, and/or a buoy engagement feature 324.The base 314 comprises a lower surface 315 and an upper surface 316. The lower 30 surface 315 of the base 314 sits directly on the floor 51 when deployed. The raised portion 332 of the main ballast body 312 extends out from the upper surface 316 of the base 314. The base 314 may further comprise a recessed portion 318. The recessed portion 318 allows the grappling buoy 360 to be retained at least partially within the base 314 when the buoy assembly 300 is in the first configuration.35 34925210The raised portion 322 is for spacing apart the base 314 and the main buoy 330 such that the grappling buoy 360 may be retained therebetween. Furthermore, the spacing between the base 314 and the main buoy 330 may accommodate the buoy engagement feature 324 and/or a ballast engagement feature 332 of the main buoy 5 330 therewithin. This can be seen in Figure 5A. In the present example, the main ballast body 312 comprises four raised portions 322 arranged at four corners of the upper surface 316 of the base 314.In the present example, the buoy engagement feature 324 of the main ballast body 10 312 comprises a nub 325 arranged on an upper surface 323 of each raised portion 322, and a link 326 arranged in the centre of the upper surface 316 of the base 314. In other examples, the buoy engagement feature 324 may take an entirely different form, or not be present at all.15 As mentioned above, the grappling buoy 360 is retained between the main buoy 330 and the ballast weight 310 when the buoy assembly 300 is in a first configuration.Main buoy 330The main buoy 330 comprises a main buoy body 332. The main buoy body 332 20 comprises a first side 333 and a second side 334. When the buoy assembly 300 is in the first configuration, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 is arranged adjacent the ballast weight 310. When the buoy assembly 300 is in the second configuration and is rising towards the surface, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 leads.25 The main buoy 330 may further comprise an acoustic transponder 335, an illuminating feature 336, a GPS unit 337, a releasable ballast attachment unit 338, a plate 340, and/or a main buoy attachment feature 350. In the present example, the main buoy 330 comprises all of these optional features, and all are arranged on the main buoy body 332.30The main buoy attachment feature 350 comprises a first attachment feature 352 arranged on the second side 334 of the main buoy body 332 for assisting attachment to the elongate part 400 via the second attachment feature 520. The main buoy attachment feature 350 further comprises a second attachment feature 354 arranged 34925211on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 for assisting attachment to the grappling buoy 360 via the third attachment feature 530.The transponder 335 is for assisting a user to determine a location thereof and may 5 also be used to transmit other data. The transponder 335 may be an acoustic transponder, for example. As can be seen in Figure 3, the transponder 335 is arranged on the main buoy 330 such that it remains exposed in the first configuration of the buoy assembly 300, increasing its range compared with if it were located between the main buoy body 332 and the ballast weight 310. The transponder 335 is arranged on the 10 second side 334 of the main buoy body 332.The illuminating feature 336 is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 and is for assisting visibility of the main buoy 330 when the deployment system 100 is being recovered at the surface 53 of the body of water 50. It may be in the form 15 of an LED lamp powered by a portable battery.The GPS unit 337 is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332.The releasable ballast attachment unit 338 is for releasably attaching the main buoy 20 330 to the ballast weight 310, and in the present embodiment is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332. The releasable ballast attachment unit 338 may comprise an attachment feature 339 and an actuation mechanism (not shown). The attachment feature 339 may be in the form of a hook, as can be seen in the present embodiment in Figure 5A. The attachment feature 339 couples with the link 326 of the 25 buoy engagement feature 324 of the ballast weight 310.The plate 340 is for reinforcing the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332, where the main buoy body 332 interfaces with the ballast weight 310. The plate 340 is thus arranged at the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332. The plate 340 may be 30 constructed out of stainless steel, for example, and may comprise a main ballast body engagement feature 342 for engaging with the buoy engagement feature 324 of the main ballast body 312 of the ballast weight 310. In the present embodiment, the main ballast body engagement feature 342 of the plate 340 is in the form of four apertures for receiving the four nubs 325 of the ballast weight 310. The plate further comprises 35 a mounting portion 344 for mounting the illuminating feature 336, GPS unit 337, and 34925212second attachment feature 354 of the main buoy 330 thereon. This can be seen in Figure 6B. The plate 340 is attached to the main buoy body 332, for example by a nut and bolt.5 The main buoy body 332 is configured such that its centre of mass is closer to the second side 334 than the first side 333. This has the effect of causing the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 to face upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50, and this effect is exacerbated by attaching the elongate part 400 to the main buoy body 332 at the second side 334 such that the 10 non-buoyant equipment 200 drags behind. The first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 facing upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is advantageous as, when the illuminating feature 336 and GPS unit 337 are arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 and the main buoy body 332 is at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, the illuminating feature 336 and the GPS 15 unit 337 face upwards, increasing the visibility of the illuminating feature 336 and the strength of the connection of the GPS unit 337 to satellites orbiting the earth.Grappling buoy 360The grappling buoy 360 is typically smaller than the main buoy 330, and is configured 20 such that, due to having a higher buoyancy and/or smaller surface area than the main buoy 330, it initially rises faster than the main buoy 330. This causes the grappling buoy 360 to precede the main buoy 330 when rising from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50. The grappling buoy 360 is typically highly reflective and assists retrieval of the deployment system 100 from the surface 52 of the body of water 25 50.Elongate part 400OverviewThe elongate part 400 is for maintaining separation of the equipment 200 and the buoy 30 assembly 300.The elongate part 400 is rotatably and flexibly coupled with the equipment 200, when present, and the buoy assembly 300. The elongate part 400 is thus configured to be rotatable relative to the equipment 200 and/or the buoy assembly 300.35 34925213The elongate part 400 may be non-buoyant, or may be minimally buoyant such that the equipment 200 when connected thereto can rest on the floor 51 of the body of water 50 when the deployment system 100 is deployed. Non-buoyancy is preferable for the elongate part 400 to minimise its movement relative to the equipment 200 when 5 resting on the floor 51, for example while data is being collected by the equipment 200.The elongate part 400 comprises a main body 410, and may further comprise a stabilising feature 420 and/or an attachment feature 430. The elongate part 400 may be formed as one integral part, for example as a single polyurethane casting.10The main body 410 extends between a first end 412 and a second end 414. As can be seen in Figure 1, the first end 412 is coupled to the equipment 200, and the second end 414 is coupled to the buoy assembly 300. The main body 410 comprises a longitudinal axis 411, as can be seen in Figures 2A and 2B.15The stabilising feature 420 is for stabilising and guiding the trajectory of the elongate part 400 when falling the floor 51 from the surface 52 of the body of water 50. In the present example, the stabilising feature 420 is in the form of fins extending along the length of the main body 410. In other embodiments, the stabilising feature 420 may be 20 in different form, for example a vaned tail or a parachute attached thereto. The fins are angularly spaced around a longitudinal axis 411 of the main body 410. In the present example, the fins are angularly spaced by 90 degrees around the longitudinal axis 411, and as such there are four fins. Other examples may comprise fewer fins, for example 1, 2, or 3, or more fins, for example 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more. Furthermore, 25 in the present example, the fins extend more than half of the length of the main body 410, but in other examples may be shorter than half of the length of the main body 410. In the present example, the fins extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 411, but in other embodiments may be curved about the longitudinal axis 411, for example in a helix formation, such that the elongate part 400 rotates as it descends. This may 30 further add stability to the deployment system 100 when descending.Purpose of elongate part 400The elongate part 400 is sufficiently rigid to maintain the separation of the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300. In this context, the term ‘sufficiently rigid’ means that 35 the elongate part 400 maintains its shape and dimensions enough within normal 34925214operating parameters such that the equipment and buoy assembly do not contact each other. The term ‘normal operating parameters’ refers to a range of environmental and usage parameters within which the deployment system 100 can reasonably be expected to function safely and reliably. The elongate part 400 is thus configured such 5 that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another.It is important that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another for a number of reasons. For example, in some embodiments the equipment 200 may need to rest directly on the floor 51 of the body of water, for example if the 10 equipment 200 is a seismic node, rather than resting partially or fully on the buoy assembly 300 which could cause inaccurate readings and require the resourceintensive deployment of an ROV to remedy. Further, when the deployment system 100 is falling vertically towards the floor 51 of the body of water, the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 contacting one another could cause damage to either.15Preferred embodiment of deployment system 100In preferred embodiments of the disclosure, for example the embodiment of the deployment system 100 described above and shown in Figures 1 to 8, the deployment system 100 is configured such that the ballast weight 310 contacts the floor 51, of the 20 body of water 50 in which it is deployed, before the equipment 200. In the aforementioned embodiment, the ballast weight 310 is comprised by the buoy assembly 300, and so the equipment 200 contacts the floor 51, of the body of water 50 in which it is deployed, before the buoy assembly 300.25 The weight, size, and/or shape of one or more of any of the features of the deployment system 100 affect the deployment and landing of the equipment 200 and buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, on the seafloor.For example, the elongate part 400 and/or the equipment 200 may be configured to 30 produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water 50 such that the equipment 200 trails behind the ballast weight 310 when falling in the body of water 50; and/or, the buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, may be configured to produce sufficiently low drag when falling in the body of water 50 such that the equipment 200 trails behind the buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, when falling in the 34925215body of water 50. The values of “sufficient drag” or “sufficiently low drag” may vary depending upon the application.Other examples include configuring the ballast weight 310 to have a particular weight 5 in water, the main body 410 of the elongate part 400 to have a particular thickness, the elongate part 400 to have a particular surface texture, and/or the one or more stabilising features 420 of the elongate part 400 to have a particular shape.It is important to note that a combination of features can be used to configure the 10 deployment system such that the ballast weight 310 contacts the floor 51 before the equipment 200 when deployed. For example, a suitable shape of the elongate part 400 and surface texture of the ballast weight 310 may be used to achieve this.Method: deployment operation15 A typical deployment operation using the deployment system 100 to deploy equipment 200 will now be described.The vessel is provided in the body of water 50.20 The deployment system 100 is provided on the vessel, and comprises the equipment 200, the buoy assembly 300, including the ballast weight 310, the elongate part 400 and the connection system 500, all as described above. Initially, the deployment system 100 is in the first configuration.25 The deployment system 100 is then deployed into the body of water 50 from the vessel, for example by overboarding. The deployment system 100 in the descent from the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is shown in Figure 1. The ballast weight 310 is attached to the main body 330, and leads the descent such that the main body 330, elongate part 400, and equipment 200 subsequently trail, in that order.30The deployment system 100 then reaches the floor 51 of the body of water 50, as shown in Figure 3. When the ballast weight 310 touches the floor 51, the equipment 200 continues to descend. The elongate part 400 rotates due to the descent of the equipment 200, and the equipment 200 continues to the floor 51 as seen in Figure 4. 34925216The first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 is facing downwards, adjacent the ballast weight 310.Method: retrieval operation5 A method of retrieving the deployment system 100 from the floor 51 of the body of water 50 will now be described, following on from the deployment operation described above.The attachment feature 339 of the releasable ballast attachment unit 338 of the main 10 buoy 330 is then actuated, and the main buoy 330 is released/detached from the ballast weight 310 and begins to float upwards along with the elongate part 400 to which it is directly attached and the equipment 200 to which it is attached via the elongate part 400. The grappling buoy 360 is released from its position between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330, and begins ascending. The deployment 15 system 100 moving from the first configuration to the second configuration can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B.Due to the buoyancy of the main buoy 330, the main buoy 330 ascends past the elongate part 400 and the equipment 200. Due to the buoyancy of the grappling buoy 20 360, the grappling buoy 360 ascends past the main buoy 330. Due to the centre of mass of the main buoy body 332 being closer to the second side 334 than the first side 333, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 rotates such that it is then oriented upwards. The ascending deployment system 100 can be seen in Figure 6A (grappling buoy 360 not shown).25The grappling buoy 360 then reaches the surface 52 of the body of water 50, as can be seen in Figure 7, after which the main buoy 330 reaches the surface 52, as can be seen in Figure 8. The illuminating feature 336 and the GPS unit 337 are activated such that the deployment system 100 may be located.30The deployment system 100 is then recovered to the vessel. Data from the equipment 200 may then be downloaded, and the entire system 100 prepared for its next deployment, for example by attaching the main buoy 330 to a new ballast weight 310. 34925217Once at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, the deployment system 100 may be recovered using a known catching device of the vessel, for example a net.
Claims
34925218CLAIMS1. A deployment system (100) for deploying equipment to a floor (51) of a body of water (50) from a vessel, the deployment system (100) comprising:5 equipment (200);a ballast weight (310); andan elongate part (400)coupled with the ballast weight (310) and equipment (200); and configured to separate the equipment (200) and the ballast 10 weight (310) such that they do not contact one another, wherein the deployment system (100) is configured such that, when deployed to the floor (51) of the body of water (50) from the vessel, the ballast weight (310) contacts the floor (51) of the body of water (50) before the equipment (200); andthe elongate part (400) comprises one or more stabilising features (420) 15 configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system (100) when descending to the floor (51) of the body of water (50) from the vessel.2. The deployment system (100) of claim 1, wherein the elongate part (400) and/or the equipment (200) are configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in 20 the body of water (50) such that the equipment (200) trails behind the ballast weight (310).3. The deployment system (100) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a buoy assembly (300) comprising the ballast weight (310) and a buoyant main buoy (330) 25 releasably coupled with the ballast weight (310) and coupled with the elongate part (400), wherein the ballast weight (310) is releasably coupled with the elongate part (400) via the main buoy (330).4. The deployment system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the equipment 30 (200) is a seismic node.5. The deployment system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate part (400) is configured to be rotatable relative to at least one of the equipment (200) and the ballast weight (310).35349252196. The deployment system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate part (400) is rigid.5 7. The deployment system (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate part (400) is non-buoyant.8. The deployment system (100) of claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 7 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the main buoy (330) has a buoyancy greater than 10 the combined weight in water of the elongate part (400) and equipment (200).9. The deployment system (100) of claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the main buoy (330) comprises:a main buoy body (332) having15 a first side (333) and a second side (334); anda centre of mass closer to the second side (334) than the first side (333); andan acoustic transponder (335); and/ora GPS unit (337) arranged on the first side (333) of the main buoy body (332); 20 and/oran illuminating feature (336) arranged on the first side (333) of the main buoy body (332); and/ora grappling buoy (360) coupled with the main buoy (330).25 10. A method of deploying equipment (200) to a floor (51) of a body of water (50) from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of:providing a deployment system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9; providing a vessel floating in the body of water (50); and deploying the deployment system (100) into the body of water (50) from 30 the vessel.11. A method of retrieving equipment (200) from a floor (51) of a body of water (50) to a vessel, the method comprising the steps of:34925220providing a deployment system (100) according to any of claims 3, 8, or 9 or any of claims 4 to 7 when dependent upon claim 3 on the floor (51) of the body of water (50);providing a vessel floating in the body of water (50);5 releasing the main buoy (330) from the ballast weight (310) such that the deployment system (100) floats to the surface (52) of the body of water (50); and retrieving the deployment system (100) from the surface (52) of the body of water (50) to the vessel.34925221P a t e n t k r a v1. Utkjøringssystem (100) for utkjøring av utstyr til en bunn (51) av en vannmasse (50) fra et fartøy, utkjøringssystemet (100) omfattende:utstyr (200);5 en ballastvekt (310); ogen langstrakt del (400)koblet sammen med ballastvekten (310) og utstyret (200); og konfigurert til å skille utstyret (200) og ballastvekten (310) slik at de ikke er i kontakt med hverandre, hvor10 utkjøringssystemet (100) er konfigurert slik at, når det kjøres ut til bunnen (51) av vannmassen (50) fra fartøyet, kommer ballastvekten (310) i kontakt med bunnen (51) av vannmassen (50) før utstyret (200); ogden langstrakte delen (400) omfatter én eller flere stabiliseringsfunksjoner (420) konfigurert til å stabilisere og lede banen til utkjøringssystemet (100) når det synker ned15 mot bunnen (51) av vannmassen (50) fra fartøyet.2. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge krav 1, hvor den langstrakte delen (400) og/eller utstyret (200) er konfigurert til å fremstille tilstrekkelig dragsug når de synker i vannmassen (50) slik at utstyret (200) følger bak ballastvekten (310).3. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, videre omfattende en bøyesammenstilling20 (300) omfattende ballastvekten (310) og en hovedbøye (330) med oppdrift løsgjørbart koblet sammen med ballastvekten (310) og koblet sammen med den langstrakte delen (400), hvor ballastvekten (310) er løsgjørbart koblet sammen med den langstrakte delen (400) via hovedbøyen (330).4. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor utsty-25 ret (200) er en seismisk node.5. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor den langstrakte delen (400) er konfigurert til å være roterbar i forhold til minst én av utstyret (200) og ballastvekten (310).6. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor den30 langstrakte delen (400) er stiv.7. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor den langstrakte delen (400) er uten oppdrift.349252228. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge krav 3 eller et hvilket som helst av kravene 4 til 7 når avhengig av krav 3, hvor hovedbøyen (330) har en oppdrift som er større enn den kombinerte vekten i vann av den langstrakte delen (400) og utstyret (200).9. Utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge krav 3 eller et hvilket som helst av kravene 4 til 8, hvor ho-5 vedbøyen (330) omfatter:et legeme (332) av hovedbøyen som haren første side (333) og en andre side (334); oget massesentrum nærmere den andre siden (334) enn den første siden (333); og10 en akustisk transponder (335); og/elleren GPS-enhet (337) anordnet på den første siden (333) av legemet (332) til hovedbøyen; og/elleren belysningsfunksjon (336) anordnet på den første siden (333) av legemet (332) til hovedbøyen (332); og/eller15 en gripebøye (360) koblet sammen med hovedbøyen (330).10. Fremgangsmåte for utkjøring av utstyr (200) til en bunn (51) av en vannmasse (50) fra et fartøy, fremgangsmåten omfattende trinnene:å tilveiebringe et utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 9;20 å tilveiebringe et fartøy som flyter i vannmassen (50); ogå kjøre ut utkjøringssystemet (100) i vannmassen (50) fra fartøyet.11. Fremgangsmåte for å hente opp utstyr (200) fra en bunn (51) av en vannmasse (50) til et fartøy, fremgangsmåten omfattende trinnene:å tilveiebringe et utkjøringssystem (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene25 3, 8 eller 9 eller et hvilket som helst av kravene 4 til 7 når avhengig av krav 3, på bunnen (51) av vannmassen (50);å tilveiebringe et fartøy som flyter i vannmassen (50);å løsgjøre hovedbøyen (330) fra ballastvekten (310) slik at utkjøringssystemet (100) flyter til overflaten (52) av vannmassen (50); og30 å hente opp utkjøringssystemet (100) fra overflaten (52) av vannmassen (50) til fartøyet.
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Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesB63B 27/00B63B 21/66B63C 11/52B63G 8/00G01V 1/38G01V 1/16G01V 1/30E21B 41/04CPC classesB63B 27/00B63B 21/66B63C 11/52B63G 8/00B63G 8/001G01V 1/38G01V 1/3843G01V 1/16G01V 1/303E21B 41/04

Citations

US 2023/0146618 A1 (A1)US 2021/0405237 A1 (A1)CN 115792922 A (A)CN 116902761 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
Allton Norway AS
Vassbotnen 1 4313 SANDNES NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 888846832Inventors
Terje Nalum
Hummerbakkveien 270 3294 STAVERN NO (LARVIK Municipality, Vestfold county)
Aleksander Kristiansen
Fredrik Stangs gate 21 4317 SANDNES NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)
Aslak Myklebostad
Arendalsvegen 1539 4735 EVJE NO (EVJE OG HORNNES Municipality, Agder county)

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HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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Org. number: 918752900
Reference: P381NO00

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