Waste cartridge for an underwater drilling assembly
AssigneeResolve Marine Group, Inc.
InventorsJoseph E. Farrell, III, Todd G. Holtz, Nolan B. Conway, Cody C. Kurtz, Petrus Maria Leonardus Van Der Sanden, Josephus Kuijs, Peter Theo Frank Van Poppel, Ewoud Anton Georges Goorix, René Timotheus Gerardus Witteman, Jeroen Mooij
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Abstract
Underwater drilling assemblies and systems are disclosed. The underwater drilling assemblies and systems include drill assemblies, frames for drill assemblies, and connection flange assemblies to be fastened to a ship skin. The underwater drilling assemblies and systems further include waste cartridges and automatic air-bleed valve assemblies.
Claims18
A method for flushing a drill cavity within an underwater drilling system, wherein the underwater drilling system comprises a connection flange assembly configured to be attached to a ship skin, wherein the connection flange assembly comprises an upper coupling portion, a lower coupling portion, and a knife gate, and wherein the method comprises:
- placing an underwater drilling system against a ship skin;
- securing the underwater drilling system to the ship skin;
- drilling self-tapping studs into the ship skin to affix the connection flange assembly to the ship skin;
- pressurizing the drill cavity to test a first seal between the connection flange assembly and the ship skin;
- advancing a primary drill shaft toward the ship skin to drill a primary hole in the ship skin;
- retracting the primary drill shaft through the ship skin;
- closing a knife gate of the connection flange assembly to provide a second seal between the upper coupling portion and the lower coupling portion;
- and
- purging fluid in the drill cavity into a waste cartridge.
An underwater drilling system, comprising:
- a frame comprising an upper coupler;
- a connection flange to be attached to a ship skin, wherein the connection flange comprises a lower coupler comprising a knife gate actuatable to provide a seal between the lower coupler and the upper coupler, wherein the upper coupler is separable from the lower coupler;
- a drill cavity, comprising:
- an upper drill cavity defined in the upper coupler;
- and
- a lower drill cavity defined in the lower coupler;
- a waste cartridge fluidically coupled to the drill cavity through the upper coupler;
- and
- a pump configured to purge fluid within the upper drill cavity into the waste cartridge.
An underwater drilling system, comprising:
- a frame comprising a base;
- a connection flange pre-attached to the base, wherein the connection flange comprises:
- a female coupler;
- a cavity defined in the connection flange, wherein the cavity comprises an upper cavity and a lower cavity;
- and
- a gate actuatable to provide a seal between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, wherein the frame is separable from the female coupler;
- a container fluidically coupled to the upper cavity;
- and
- a pump to expel fluid within the upper cavity into the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.