US 2016/0252202 A1Published application

Rapid release emergency disconnect system utilizing a linear subsea connector

AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.

InventorsGary R. Spexarth, Richard Allan Myers, Kyle William Gebhardt, Jorge Ramon Mesa, Jordan Ashley Carter

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Abstract

In various embodiments, fluid conduits such as high pressure hoses deployed in-between two sea-fairing vessels may be released during an emergency by using a rapid release emergency disconnect system as described herein, where the rapid release emergency disconnect system may engage with a hanger such as an industry standard frac hanger and be used in-line with fluid conduits such as high-pressure lines. Various skid embodiments are described which can be configured to interface with one or more of the described rapid release emergency disconnect systems.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An emergency quick disconnect system, comprising:

a. a connector comprising a first fluid interface and a second fluid interface in fluid communication with the first fluid interface;
b. a connector interface configured to receive the connector, the connector interface configured to be removably accepted into a hanger and support the connector when the connector interface is received into the hanger, the connector interface further comprising:
i. a retraction fork;
and
ii. a retraction fork actuator operatively in communication with the retraction fork;
and
c. a drop away assembly, comprising:
i. a valve, the valve comprising a third fluid interface and a fourth fluid interface in fluid communication with the third fluid interface, the valve configured to stop flow of a fluid in-between the third fluid interface and the fourth fluid interface, the valve disposed downstream with respect to and in fluid communication with the connector, the valve further configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid conduit;
and
ii. a vertical structural interface, comprising:
1. a support bucket configured to be removably connected to the hanger;
and
2. a structural interface configured to be received into and be supported by the hanger.

10 more elements

A method of using an emergency disconnect system, comprising:

a. terminating a downstream fluid hose with a hose terminator;
b. temporarily stowing the terminated fluid hose;
c. retrieving an emergency disconnect system, the emergency quick disconnect system, comprising:
i. a connector comprising a first fluid interface and a second fluid interface in fluid communication with the first fluid interface;
ii. a connector interface configured to receive the connector, the connector interface configured to be removably accepted into a hanger and support the connector when the connector interface is received into the hanger, the connector interface further comprising:
1. a retraction fork;
and
2. a retraction fork actuator operatively in communication with the retraction fork;
and
iii. a drop away assembly, comprising:
1. a valve, the valve comprising a third fluid interface and a fourth fluid interface in fluid communication with the third fluid interface, the valve configured to stop flow of a fluid in-between the third fluid interface and the fourth fluid interface, the valve disposed downstream with respect to and in fluid communication with the connector, the valve further configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid conduit;
and
2. a vertical structural interface, comprising:
a. a support bucket configured to be removably connected to the hanger;
and
iv. a structural interface configured to be received into and be supported by the hanger;
d. connecting the emergency disconnect system to the hose terminator;
e. positioning the emergency disconnect system and its connected hose terminator proximate a hanger;
f. securing the emergency disconnect system and its connected hose terminator into the hanger;
and
g. when activated, the following occurs:
i. closing the valve;
ii. opening the connector;
iii. retracting the fork;
iv. allowing the drop away assembly to fall away;
and
v. allowing the check valve to close automatically due to lack of pressure.

24 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/496,270Filed 25 Sep 2014
Priority: 27 Sep 2013
Published: 1 Sep 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

F16L 37/38
With fluid cut-off means: with fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings
B63B 22/00
Buoys
F15B 1/024
Installations or systems with accumulators: used as a supplementary power source, e.g. to store energy in idle periods to balance pump load
F15B 11/032
For controlling the actuating force: by means of fluid-pressure converters

Family

Application61/883,916Us provisional application · filed 27 Sep 2013
Application61/892,291Us provisional application · filed 17 Oct 2013
US 9,709,201 B2Related patent
US 2016/0252202 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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