# US 10,442,043 B2 · Torque tool, socket selection mechanism, and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,442,043 B2 - Document ID: US10442043B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/116,692 - Filed: 2015-02-05 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-05 - Assignees: Forum Energy Technologies (UK) Limited - Applicants: Forum Energy Technologies (UK) Limited - Inventors: Stephen Walton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10442043B2 ## CPC - B23P 19/069: {Multi-spindle machines} - B23P 19/065: {Arrangements for torque limiters or torque indicators in screw or nut setting machines (for hand tools B25B23/14)} - B25B 13/102: {composed of a plurality of sockets slidable in each other} - B25B 23/14: Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers (couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L) - B63C 11/52: Tools specially adapted for working underwater, not otherwise provided for - G05D 1/0011: {associated with a remote control arrangement} - E21B 41/04: Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The invention provides a subsea torque tool (10) for a subsea vehicle system (such as an ROV), a drive head selection mechanism (30), and a method of use. The tool comprises a tool housing and a plurality of torque drive heads (22, 24, 26). The drive mechanism (17, 18, 20, 28) is operable to rotate the plurality of torque drive heads, and the drive head selection mechanism is used to select a drive head to impart a torque to a subsea device. The drive head selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator (14, 32), and rotation of the rotary actuator effects axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. In another aspect, the drive head selection mechanism comprises an actuator operable from the exterior of the torque tool. In a preferred embodiment, the drive heads are sockets (22, 24, 26), and the selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator and a cam mechanism. The at least one socket may be permitted to rotate with respect to the cam mechanism when a driving torque is applied to the torque sockets. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A subsea torque tool comprising: a tool housing; a plurality of torque drive heads; a drive mechanism operable to rotate the plurality of torque drive heads; and a drive head selection mechanism for selecting a socket to impart a torque to a subsea device; wherein the drive head selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator, and wherein rotation of the rotary actuator effects axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive heads comprise sockets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The torque tool according to claim 2, wherein the drive heads comprise a plurality of nested sockets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive heads are surrounded by a nose cone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The torque tool according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is operable by rotation of the nose cone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The torque tool according to claim 4, wherein the nose cone is operable to be rotated by a standard remotely operated vehicle (ROV) torque bucket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable remotely. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable from the exterior of the torque tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive heads are rotationally keyed to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive head selection mechanism further comprises a cam mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The torque tool according to claim 10, wherein the cam mechanism is configured to translate rotary movement of the actuator to axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The torque tool according to claim 10, wherein the drive head selection mechanism comprises at least one drive head guide which couples the at least one drive head to the cam mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The torque tool according to claim 12, wherein the at least one drive head is configured to rotate with respect to the cam mechanism during operation of the driving mechanism to impart a torque to an operative drive head. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A subsea vehicle system comprising the torque tool according to claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The subsea vehicle system of claim 14, comprising a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). ### Claim 16 A drive head selection mechanism for a subsea torque tool, the drive head selection mechanism comprising: a plurality of drive heads; an actuator; and a cam mechanism which translates rotary movement of the actuator to axial movement of at least one of a plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position; wherein the at least one drive head is configured to rotate with respect to the cam mechanism when a driving torque is applied to the torque drive heads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The drive head selection mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of drive heads comprises a plurality of nested sockets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The drive head selection mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of drive heads are rotationally keyed to one another. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The drive head selection mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The drive head selection mechanism according claim 19, wherein the plurality of drive heads is surrounded by a nose cone and the actuator is operable by rotation of the nose cone. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The drive head selection mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the actuator is configured to be operable from the exterior of the torque tool. ### Claim 22 A method of operating a subsea torque tool, the method comprising: providing a subsea torque tool comprising a tool housing; a plurality of torque drive heads; a drive mechanism operable to rotate the plurality of torque drive heads; and a drive head selection mechanism comprising an actuator; rotating the actuator to effect axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, comprising rotating the actuator from the exterior of the torque tool. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, comprising operating driving mechanism to impart a torque to an operative drive head.