# US 2014/0191144 A1 · Separator for Mechanically Separating an Actuator and an Operator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191144 A1 - Document ID: US20140191144A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/125,049 - Filed: 2011-06-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-10 - Assignees: Onesubsea, LLC - Inventors: Norbert Lenz; Klaus Biester - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191144A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/0355: {Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads} - E21B 33/064: specially adapted for underwater well heads - E21B 41/04: Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The separator serves to mechanically separate an actuator and an operating mechanism, such as a choke, a valve, a blow-out preventer or the like, which is displaceable by said actuator, for use especially in the field of oil or natural gas production. The separator is adapted to be arranged between the actuator and the operating mechanism and comprises at least a first component associated with the actuator and a second component associated with the operating mechanism. These first and second components are displaceable relative to one another by means of at least one application part, which is connected to the first or second component, between an engagement position and a release position. The application part is adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with a displacement part which is suitable for handling by a user. This allows the actuator and the operating mechanism to be easily separated by the respective separator, without said separator leading to any structural modifications or enlargements of the actuator and/or operating mechanism. In addition, the separator is easily operable especially by an external user, and a predetermined displacement of the operating mechanism is made possible. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A separator for mechanically separating an actuator and an operating mechanism such as a choke, a valve, a blow-out preventer (BOP) or the like, which is displaceable by said actuator, for use especially in the field of oil or natural gas production, said separator being adapted to be arranged between the actuator and the operating mechanism and including: a first component associated with the actuator; a second component associated with the operating mechanism; an application part connected to the first or second component; a displacement part which is suitable for handling by a user; the first and second components being displaceable relative to one another by means of the application part, between an engagement position and a release position; and the application part being adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with the displacement part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the application part is pin-shaped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the application part includes a substantially annular application ring, which projects, in particular in the radial direction, at least at certain locations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A separator according to claims 1, wherein the displacement part includes a reception slot for the application part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A separator according to claim 4, wherein the reception slot includes a reception opening which widens towards the application part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the displacement part is operable by a remote operated vehicle (ROV) or the like. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the displacement part includes a rotatable displacement cylinder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A separator according to claim 7, wherein the displacement cylinder surrounds the application part. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, further including a push rod adapted to be connected to the actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the first and second components include clutch sleeves are adapted to be inserted into one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A separator according to claim 10, wherein each clutch sleeve includes a sleeve bottom and a sleeve reception opening located opposite to said sleeve bottom. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A separator according to claim 10, wherein one of the clutch sleeves includes a conically narrowing portion, said conically narrowing portion being in contact with an edge portion of the other clutch sleeve in the engagement position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A separator according to claim 12, wherein the edge portion includes, on an inner side thereof, a projection protruding radially inwards and adapted to be brought into engagement with a complementary circumferential groove of the push rod. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein an application part protrudes from each of the first and second components. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the application part includes an annular flange projecting radially outwards. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator includes a module retrofittable to the actuator and operating mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator includes a module housing that includes a passage at least in the direction of the displacement part. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, further including a guide unit for the displacement part. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A separator according to claim 18, wherein the displacement part includes a guide element for engagement with the guide unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A separator according to claim 18, wherein the guide unit includes guide sleeves for guiding rod-shaped guide elements. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein guide elements for engagement with the guide unit include a displacement plate arranged between them, each displacement plate including a displacement portion projecting in the direction of the application part. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A separator according to claim 21, wherein the guide elements are releasably fastened to upper and/or lower narrow sides of each displacement plate. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A separator according to claim 21, wherein the displacement part includes a handling end portion, and each displacement plate is fastened to the handling end portion in a releasable manner. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A separator according to claim 23, wherein each displacement plate and the handling end portions are fastened via elastic inserts. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) A separator according to claim 21, wherein the displacement portions are delimited by a displacement bevel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A separator according to claim 25, further including an application part associated with each of the first and second components, and wherein each displacement plate includes displacement portions and respective displacement bevels for each of the first and second components and associated application parts. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A separator according to claim 26, wherein the displacement portions each include two opposed first and second displacement bevels, the first displacement bevel cooperating with the application part of the first component and the second displacement bevel cooperating with the application part of the second component. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) A separator according to claim 21, further including multiple displacement plates arranged in pairs side by side with respective guide elements. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) A separator according to claim 21, wherein, in the direction of each guide element, the guide unit includes a widening reception opening. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) A separator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second components is acted upon by a spring, in particular in the direction of the engagement position.