Adaptive tooling interface (tool changer) with a single motor
AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.
InventorsCharles B. Hansen, Torleif CARLSEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adaptive tooling interface comprises a single motor, disposed at least partially within a housing, which is operatively in communication with a controller and where a first power output and a second power output are operatively in communication with the motor. A drive interface, comprising a external tool interface, is operatively in communication with the motor and configured to mate with and provide power to one or more external tools, which comprise a matching subsea external tool external tooling interface, via the first power output and the second power output. The adaptive tooling interface may be connected to or otherwise integrated into a subsea vehicle system comprising a subsea vehicle.
Claims4
1) A method of selecting and using an external tool subsea, the external tool selected from a predetermined set of external tools, where at least one external tool comprises a mechanical power interface and an electrical interface, using an adaptive tooling changer, comprising a housing, a single motor disposed at least partially in the housing, a power connector operatively in communication with the single motor, a switch operatively connected to the single motor, a external tool changer interface comprising a first power output operatively in communication with the switch and operative to provide power to an external tool selected from a predetermined set of external tools and a second power output operatively in communication with the switch and operative to provide power to the selected external tool, and a power supply operatively connected to power connector, the method comprising:
- a) positioning a predetermined set of external tools proximate a subsea asset;
- b) positioning the adaptive tool changer proximate the predetermined set of external tools;
- c) maneuvering the adaptive tool changer to the predetermined set of external tools;
- d) selecting a desired external tool from the predetermined set of external tools;
- e) physically connecting the desired external tool to the external tool changer interface;
- and
- f) operatively interconnecting the selected external tool's mechanical power interface to the first power output and the selected external tool's electrical interface to the second power output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.