Cutting apparatus and method
AssigneeBisso Marine, LLC
InventorsWilliam A. Bisso, IV, Tjerko Jurgens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of bushings are coupled to one another via a series of bolts to provide an interlocking, articulating cutter. The bolts have a cylindrical end and a convex end. The convex ends are seated inside a concave socket coupled to the bushings. The cylindrical ends are coupled to a convex nut seated inside another concave socket coupled to an adjacent bushing. The convex ends of the bolts are configured to articulate inside the seat of the concave sockets. A washer may be placed between the bushings to provide a desired amount of flexibility and/or rigidity. The outer surface of the bushing comprises a cutting structure, such as a milled or clad cutting structure.
Claims19
A method for cutting a subsea submerged structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) bringing a cutting apparatus into contact with the submerged structure, the cutting apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of bushings, a cutting structure on an outer surface of each bushing, each bushing having a bore therethrough, a concave interior socket coupled to each end of the bore;
- and a bolt joining adjacent bushings, the bolt having a convex shouldered end and a cylindrical end, the convex shouldered end being seated inside the concave interior socket while the cylindrical end of the bolt is coupled to a convex nut, the convex nut being seated inside the concave interior socket of the adjacent bushing, wherein the plurality of bushings are configured to articulate in relation to one another;
- (b) actuating the cutting apparatus along the submerged structure;
- and
- (c) cutting the structure using the cutting apparatus.
A method for cutting a subsea submerged structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a cutting apparatus, the cutting apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of bushings, a cutting structure on an outer surface of each bushing, each bushing having a bore therethrough, a concave interior socket coupled to each end of the bore;
- and a bolt joining adjacent bushings, the bolt having a convex shouldered end and a cylindrical end, the convex shouldered end being seated inside the concave interior socket while the cylindrical end of the bolt is coupled to a convex nut, the convex nut being seated inside the concave interior socket of the adjacent bushing, wherein the plurality of bushings are configured to articulate in relation to one another;
- (b) tethering each of both ends of the cutting apparatus to a floating structure;
- (c) bringing the cutting apparatus into contact with the submerged structure,
- (d) actuating the cutting apparatus along the submerged structure;
- and
- (e) cutting the structure using the cutting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.