Secondary unlock tool for subsea connectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11614190-B2
Application number	US-202016993149-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 13, 2020
Priority date	Aug 13, 2020
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

A tool for mechanically unlocking a subsea hydraulic connector which is configured to releasably connect a first subsea component to a second subsea component. The connector includes a housing which is secured to the first subsea component, a locking piston which is positioned within the housing, and a number of locking jaws which are configured to be engaged by the locking piston. The locking piston is movable between a locked position in which the locking piston forces the locking jaws into engagement with the second subsea component to thereby secure the connector to the second subsea component, and an unlocked position in which the locking piston releases the locking jaws from engagement with the second subsea component to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component. The tool includes a number of transportable actuators which are positionable into an operable position adjacent the connector, and activation of the actuators causes the locking piston to move from its locked position to its unlocked position to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for mechanically unlocking a subsea hydraulic connector which is configured to releasably connect a first subsea component to a second subsea component, the connector comprising a housing which is secured to the first subsea component, a locking piston which is positioned within the housing, and a number of locking jaws which are configured to be engaged by the locking piston, the locking piston being movable between a locked position in which the locking piston forces the locking jaws into engagement with the second subsea component to thereby secure the connector to the second subsea component, and an unlocked position in which the locking piston releases the locking jaws from engagement with the second subsea component to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component, the tool comprising:
a number of transportable actuators which are positionable into an operable position adjacent the connector;
wherein activation of the actuators causes the locking piston to move from its locked position to its unlocked position to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component;
wherein each actuator comprises a stem which is configured to engage the locking piston and, upon activation of the actuator, move the locking piston from its locked position to its unlocked position; and
wherein the tool further comprises a frame on which the actuators are supported.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein each actuator comprises a hydraulic piston.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to position the actuators in the operable position.

4. The tool of claim 3 , wherein the frame comprises first and second arms which are positionable on diametrically opposite sides of the connector adjacent an end of the locking piston.

5. The tool of claim 4 , further comprising means for anchoring the tool in position relative to the connector.

6. The tool of claim 5 , wherein the anchoring means comprises first and second channel members which are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the connector, each channel member being configured to receive a corresponding arm.

7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to be transported by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

8. The tool of claim 7 , wherein the actuators are supplied with hydraulic fluid through the ROV.

9. The tool of claim 8 , further comprising a hot stab receptacle which is mounted to the frame and is configured to be engaged by a hot stab from the ROV, wherein the hydraulic fluid is communicated to the actuators through the hot stab and the hot stab receptacle.

10. A tool for mechanically unlocking a subsea hydraulic connector which is configured to releasably connect a first subsea component to a second subsea component, the connector comprising a housing which is secured to the first subsea component, a locking piston which is positioned within the housing, and a number of locking jaws which are configured to be engaged by the locking piston, the locking piston being movable between a locked position in which the locking piston forces the locking jaws into engagement with the second subsea component to thereby secure the connector to the second subsea component, and an unlocked position in which the locking piston releases the locking jaws from engagement with the second subsea component to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component, the tool comprising:
a transportable frame; and
a number of actuators which are mounted on the frame;
wherein activation of the actuators moves the locking piston from its locked position to its unlocked position to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component.

11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein each actuator comprises a stem which is configured to engage the locking piston and upon activation of the actuator moves the locking piston from its locked position to its unlocked position.

12. The tool of claim 11 , wherein each actuator comprises a hydraulic piston.

13. The tool of claim 11 or 12 , wherein the frame comprises first and second arms which are positionable on diametrically opposite sides of the connector adjacent an end of the locking piston.

14. The tool of claim 13 , further comprising means for anchoring the tool in position relative to the connector.

15. The tool of claim 14 , wherein the anchoring means comprises first and second channel members which are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the connector, each channel member being configured to receive a corresponding arm.

16. The tool of claim 11 or 12 , wherein the frame is configured to be transported by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

17. The tool of claim 16 , wherein the actuators are supplied with hydraulic fluid through the ROV.

18. The tool of claim 17 , further comprising a hot stab receptacle which is mounted to the frame and is configured to be engaged by a hot stab from the ROV, wherein the hydraulic fluid is communicated to the actuators through the hot stab and the hot stab receptacle.

19. A method for unlocking a subsea hydraulic connector which is configured to releasably connect a first subsea component to a second subsea component, the connector comprising a housing which is secured to the first subsea component, a locking piston which is positioned within the housing, and a number of locking jaws which are configured to be engaged by the locking piston, the locking piston being movable between a locked position in which the locking piston forces the locking jaws into engagement with the second subsea component to thereby secure the connector to the second subsea component, and an unlocked position in which the locking piston releases the locking jaws from engagement with the second subsea component to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component, the method comprising:
positioning a number of transportable actuators adjacent the locking piston; and
activating the actuators to move the locking piston from its locked position to its unlocked position to thereby disconnect the connector from the second subsea component;
wherein each actuator comprises a stem which is configured to engage the locking piston and, upon activation of the actuator, move the locking piston from its locked position to its unlocked position; and
wherein the actuators are supported on a frame.

Assignees

• Fmc Tech Inc

Inventors

• Mannarino Marcos Cantu
• Castro Trevisani Carlos Eduardo
• Da Silva Daniel Lucas
• Labes Alan Zaragoza

Classifications

• F16L37/002 Primary

  which can be controlled at a distance · CPC title

• F16L37/62

  pneumatically or hydraulically actuated · CPC title

• E21B33/038

  Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser · CPC title

• E21B33/0387 Primary

  Hydraulic stab connectors · CPC title

• E21B41/04

  Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads · CPC title