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Intelligent Load Shackle
A unique application of load measurement and through-water communications provides operators with an instant and direct measurement of the load on an anchor chain. An instrumented and calibrated load shackle directly measures the load on the chain, then transmits the data acoustically to the surface. Its applications range from a few tonnes, while safely measuring lifts to and from the seabed, to 1000 tonne FPSO anchor chain monitoring.
Intelligent Load Shackle
The Intelligent Load Shackle can interconnect chains, cable and mooring lines. It houses a load cell and acoustic data transmission system. Information from the load cell is collected and digitised close to the sensor improving overall accuracy. Depending on the application the data can then be relayed to the surface using the inbuilt acoustic modem or stored locally awaiting a daily data blast transmission. The second option reduces power consumption and gives the system a battery life of up to 10 years. The original concept was to monitor FPSO mooring lines, but there are configurations for a variety of applications including load monitoring during installation and retrieval of subsea equipment, and wave and tidal generator moorings.
