Mechanism for positioning a buoyancy module
AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.
InventorsPer Christian EPLAND, Jens KLINGSHEIM
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Buoyancy module 102 may be positioned and adjusted on umbilical 402 without needing to recover umbilical 402 to topside for removing or setting the position of the buoyancy module. Buoyancy module positioner 100 is deployed and buoyancy module 102 positioned into a predetermined position within parking frame 108 by using buoyancy module holder 104 to selectively spool out umbilical 402 until buoyancy module 102 reaches a predetermined position along umbilical 402 relative to parking frame 108. Buoyancy module 102 can then be locked inside parking frame 108.
Claims19
1) A buoyancy module positioner, comprising:
- a. a buoyancy module, comprising a two-part split design which comprises an umbilical locking mechanism;
- b. an umbilical operatively connected to the buoyancy module;
- c. a buoyancy module holder configured to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position;
- and
- d. a buoyancy parking frame comprising a buoyancy module latch.
16) A method of positioning a buoyancy module and adjusting a position of the buoyancy module on the umbilical, without needing to recover the umbilical to topside for removing or setting the position of the buoyancy module, the method comprising:
- a. deploying a buoyancy module positioner subsea, the buoyancy module positioner comprising:
- i. a buoyancy module, comprising a two-part split design which comprises an umbilical locking mechanism;
- ii. an umbilical operatively connected to the buoyancy module;
- iii. a buoyancy module holder configured to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position;
- and
- iv. a buoyancy parking frame comprising a buoyancy module latch;
- b. positioning the buoyancy module into a predetermined position within the parking frame by using the buoyancy module holder to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position along the umbilical relative to the parking frame;
- and
- c. locking the buoyancy module inside the parking frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.