Subsea clamp connector emergency release tool and method
View Patent ↗A clamp connector emergency release tool designed for subsea operations, when normal release of a subsea clamp connector ( 14 ) is not possible, is shown and described. The tool is adapted to be handled and operated remotely by a work class ROV tool. The tool includes a clamp connector ( 14 ) adapter housing ( 7 ) arranged to engage with and connect to the clamp connector ( 14 ) body, a rotatable hole saw ( 11 ) mounted on the housing ( 7 ), a rotary motor ( 1 ) in driving connection with the hole saw ( 11 ) and a piston ( 3 ) and cylinder assembly ( 4,5 ). The piston ( 3 ) and cylinder assembly ( 4,5 ) enables advancing the rotatable hole saw ( 11 ) into the clamp connector ( 14 ) body around its jack screw, in order to separate the jack screw together with a threaded portion of said clam connector ( 14 ) in order to separate the jack screw from the clamp connector ( 14 ) body.
1. A clamp connector emergency release tool designed for subsea operations, when normal release of a subsea clamp connector is not possible, the emergency release tool being adapted to be handled and operated remotely by a work class ROV tool, the clamp connector emergency release tool comprising:
a clamp connector adapter housing arranged to engage with and connect to a clamp connector body;
a rotatable hole saw mounted on the clamp connector adapter housing;
a rotary motor in driving connection with the rotatable hole saw; and
a piston and a cylinder arranged to advance the rotatable hole saw into the clamp connector body
wherein, the rotatable hole saw cuts around a jack screw of the subsea clamp connector body, to separate the jack screw and a threaded portion of the clamp connector body from a remainder of the clamp connector body.
2. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary motor is hydraulically operated and driven and the piston and the cylinder assembly are hydraulically actuated.
3. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , comprising an upper pack box and a lower pack box for having a hydraulic fluid sealing arrangement.
4. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , comprising an indicator for indicating an engage position and a disengage position of the hole saw, with respect to the clamp connector body.
5. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , comprising a ROV handle arranged on the cylinder.
6. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , comprising guiding means arranged on the clamp connector housing for facilitating landing of the clamp connector housing on the clamp connector body.
7. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 6 , comprising a landing indicator for indicating correct landing of the clamp connector housing on the clamp connector body.
8. The clamp connector emergency release tool according to claim 1 , wherein the clamp connector is of the kind having two hinges and three links.
9. A method of emergency release of a subsea located clamp connector by use of a connector emergency release tool, when normal release of a clamp connector is not possible, which tool is handled and operated by a work class ROV tool, the method comprising:
operating the work class ROV tool;
advancing the work class ROV tool into a clamp connector body by cutting the clamp connector body adjacent to a jack screw of the clamp connector body,
cutting loose the jack screw together with a thread portion of the clamp connector body for separating the jack screw therefrom, thus ensuring perfect release of the subsea clamp connector.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the cutting takes place by use of a hole saw driven by a rotary motor and advanced by means of a hydraulic piston and a cylinder.