Cutting apparatus and method
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.
1. 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.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises the step of actuating the cutting apparatus in a back and forth saw-like motion, the cutting apparatus cutting the structure in both the back and forth motion.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein step (c) comprises cutting the structure in a horizontal orientation.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein step (c) comprises cutting the structure in a vertical orientation.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein step (c) comprises cutting the structure at an angle.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cutting structure comprises a milled or a clad cutting structure.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cutting structure comprises teeth, the teeth on adjacent bushings being oriented in opposing directions.
8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the subsea submerged structure is a shipwreck.
9. 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.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the floating structure is a barge, or a liftboat.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein step (d) further comprises the step of actuating the cutting apparatus in a back and forth saw-like motion, the cutting apparatus cutting the structure in both the back and forth motion.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein step (e) comprises cutting the structure in a horizontal orientation.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein step (e) comprises cutting the structure in a vertical orientation.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein step comprises cutting the structure at an angle.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting structure comprises a milled or a clad cutting structure.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting structure comprises teeth, the teeth on adjacent bushings being oriented in opposing directions.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the subsea submerged structure is a shipwreck.
18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting apparatus further comprises a washer placed between less than the plurality of bushings, the washer located around the bolt joining adjacent bushings.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the washers placed between less than all of the plurality of bushings comprise a combination of rigid and flexible washers.