Removable underwater fairlead and method
AssigneeOil States Industries, Inc.
InventorsDonald J. Wudtke, Robert C. Melder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a broad aspect, the invention relates to a new design for a fairlead that is capable of being remotely uninstalled from and then reinstalled on an offshore drilling and production vessel, while the vessel is in its moored position, in the event that the fairlead develops mechanical difficulties that require repair. Thus, the present invention discloses a fairlead that may be remotely uninstalled and reinstalled while the fairlead is underwater and without ballasting the vessel far enough to raise the fairlead above the water surface. The need for this invention primarily arises in connection with fairleads that are mounted to a vessel of the type where the ballasting process can be a very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process.
Claims15
An apparatus for remotely removing and installing a removable underwater fairlead, the fairlead including a fairlead body hingedly connected between a first and a second fairlead foundation support by a pivot pin, the first fairlead foundation support having at least one upstanding member having a ram landing surface, the pivot pin being connected to a pivot pin retainer having at least one twistlock aperture and at least one ram aperture, the apparatus comprising:
- a main plate having a first surface and a second surface;
- a connector arm secured to the first surface of the main plate;
- at least one twistlock having a main shaft, a head, a lever arm attached to the head, and a flange, the head and flange being disposed at opposite ends of the main shaft, the main shaft being rotatably disposed within a twistlock bore in the main plate;
- and
- at least one ram connected to the main plate and having a telescoping cylinder movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.
An apparatus for remotely installing under water a removable underwater fairlead between a first and a second fairlead foundation support, the first fairlead foundation support having at least one upstanding member having a ram landing surface and at least one flange having a foundation twistlock aperture, the at least one flange being spaced from the ram landing surface, the pivot pin being connected to a pivot pin retainer having at least one twistlock installation aperture, the apparatus comprising:
- a main plate having a first surface and a second surface;
- a connector arm secured to the first surface of the main plate;
- at least one twistlock having a main shaft, a head, a lever arm attached to the head, and a flange, the head and flange being disposed at opposite ends of the main shaft, the main shaft being rotatably disposed within a twistlock bore in the main plate;
- end
- at least one ram connected to the main plate and having a telescoping cylinder movable between a retracted position and a deployed position.
An apparatus for remotely removing and installing a removable underwater fairlead, the fairlead including a fairlead body hingedly connected between a first and a second fairlead foundation support by a pivot pin, the first fairlead foundation support being connected to an offshore platform and having a guiding sleeve, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a jack screw having a first end and a second end, and being disposed for longitudinal movement within the housing, and releasably engageable with the pivot pin;
- and
- a motor connected to the jack screw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.