CLAMPING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN A SUBSEA PIPELINE AND AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR

• Main Authors: DENIS, Bent Thomas, SKARNES, Gunnar
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 18.12.2019
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BLASTING; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; LINE CONNECTORS; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

The present invention relates to a clamping device (40) for providing an electrical connection between a subsea pipeline (1) and an electrical conductor (31). It comprises a clamp element (41) comprising a first leg (41a) having a first leg end (41c) and a second leg (41b) having a second leg end (41d). The legs (41a, 41b) are configured to be provided on respective sides of the pipeline (1). The clamping device comprises a releasable tensioning device (48) connected to one of the legs (41a, 41b). The clamping device (40) has a first state, in which the ends (41c, 41d) of the first and second legs (41a, 41b) are provided at a first distance (dl) away from each other. The clamping device (40) has a second state, in which the tensioning device (48) is tensioned, causing the ends (41c, 41d) of the first and second legs (41a, 41b) to be at a second distance (d2) away from each other, the second distance (d2) being larger than the first distance (dl). The clamping device (40) comprises a template hole (42) provided in one of the legs (41a, 41b). The clamping device (40) comprises a connector member (44) provided in the template hole (42). The connector member (44) is mechanically connected to the clamp element (41). The clamping device (40) has a third state, in which the tensioning device (48) is released, causing the connector member (44) to be pressed towards the pipeline (1). The present invention also relates to a system and method for providing an electrical connection between a subsea pipeline (1) and an electrical conductor (31).