Connector maintenance panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10193269-B2
Application number	US-201715606612-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2017
Priority date	May 27, 2016
Publication date	Jan 29, 2019
Grant date	Jan 29, 2019

Abstract

A predetermined set of connector maintenance functions may be accomplished subsea using a connector maintenance panel which comprises a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel. The connector maintenance panel subsea may be deployed and powered subsea, such as from an external source, and a predetermined set of connector related functions performed in a sequence by sequentially using the connector interface operable to perform a connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in the predetermined sequence.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel, the connector maintenance panel comprising a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel, the method comprising:
a. deploying the connector maintenance panel subsea;
b. powering the connector maintenance panel from an external source; and
c. performing a predetermined set of connector related functions by:
i. inserting a connector into a first selected connector interface of the plurality of connector interfaces, the first selected connector interface operable to perform a first predetermined connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in a predetermined sequence;
ii. performing the first predetermined connector related function; and
iii. if further connector related functions are required, inserting the connector into each subsequent selected connector interface of the plurality of connector interfaces, each subsequent selected connector interface operative to perform a subsequent connector related function in the predetermined sequence.

2. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , further comprising removing the connector from the connector maintenance panel after a final predetermined connector related function in the sequence has been performed.

3. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined connector related function sequence comprises seal related maintenance, the method further comprising:
a. positioning the connector proximate the connector maintenance panel;
b. inserting the connector into the first selected connector interface, the first selected connector interface configured for seal removal;
c. using the first selected connector interface to remove an existing seal from the connector using the first selected connector interface;
d. removing the connector from the connector maintenance panel;
e. inserting the connector into a second selected connector interface, the second selected connector interface configured for seal interface portion cleaning;
f. using the second selected connector interface to clean the seal interface portion of the connector;
g. removing the connector from the connector maintenance panel;
h. inserting the connector into a third selected connector interface, the third selected connector interface configured for seal installation;
i. using the third selected connector interface to install a new seal into the connector proximate the seal interface portion of the connector.

4. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein using the first selected connector interface to remove an existing seal from the connector using the first selected connector interface comprises:
a. actuating a cylinder of the first selected connector interface to push a mandrel of the first selected connector interface into a currently used seal present in the connector;
b. actuating an actuator of the first selected connector interface to move a seal retriever into the seal and lock the seal retriever into place to retain the seal; and
c. retracting a piston actuator of the first selected connector interface to remove the seal from the connector.

5. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein using the second selected connector interface to clean an existing seal from the connector using the first selected connector interface comprises:
a. moving a mandrel of the second selected connector interface into position proximate the seal interface portion, the mandrel comprising a surface cleaner, the mandrel operatively connected to a motor;
b. tightening a connector to preload the mandrel with spring force; and
c. actuating the motor, thereby cleaning the seal interface portion.

6. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein using the third selected connector interface to install a new seal into the connector proximate the seal interface portion of the connector comprises:
a. positioning a new seal onto a mandrel of the third connector interface;
b. actuating a piston of the third connector interface operatively connected to the mandrel of the third connector interface to push the new seal into a connector proximate the seal interface portion; and
c. retracting the piston, leaving the new seal in the connector.

7. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined connector related function comprises removing a seal, the connector comprises a connector guide, and the connector interface comprises a guide insertion channel and a guide locking channel disposed within the connector and oriented substantially orthogonally with respect to the guide insertion channel, inserting the connector into one of the plurality of connector interfaces further comprising:
a. inserting the connector guide into the guide insertion channel;
b. advancing the connector into the connector interface until the connector guide is situated within the guide locking channel; and
c. rotating the connector or the connector interface until the connector guide travels within the guide locking channel to a position preventing extraction of the connector from the connector interface.

8. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein deploying the panel subsea comprises deploying the panel as part of a mud mat.

9. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein deploying the panel subsea comprises mounting the panel to a subsea structure.

10. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein deploying the panel subsea comprises mounting the panel to an ROV cage.

11. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein deploying the panel subsea comprises deploying the panel such that the plurality of connector interfaces are fixed on a structure.

12. The method of accomplishing a predetermined set of connector maintenance functions subsea using a connector maintenance panel of claim 1 , wherein powering the panel from an external source comprises powering the panel from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hydraulic power source, powering the panel from an ROV manipulator, or powering the panel from a non-ROV subsea power unit.

Assignees

• Oceaneering Int Inc

Inventors

• Puskar Taylor
• Ross Benjamin
• Salhi Mohamed

Classifications

• H01R13/52

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases · CPC title

• H01R13/523

  for use under water · CPC title

• H01R13/46

  Bases; Cases · CPC title

• H01R13/5219

  Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal · CPC title

• H01R25/006 Primary

  the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle · CPC title