Granted Patent B1

US 9,599,253 · App. 14/868,866 · Granted Mar 21, 2017

Abstract

Claims (37)

1. A wire saw apparatus comprising:

a) a frame having first and second sections configured to attach the first section to a target that is to be cut and a moving portion operatively connected to the frame;

b) an elongated beam mounted to the first section of the frame and extending away from the first section and target;

c) the moving portion including a pair of arms disposed on opposing sides of the beam, an open end positioned near the first section and a transverse bar that connects the arms opposite the open end;

d) the moving portion having a powered driver operably connected to the beam which driver effects non-rotational movement of the moving portion of the frame along the beam;

e) a plurality of roller guides on the moving portion of the frame including at least one roller guide mounted at the free end of each arm;

f) a drive roller on the moving portion, the drive roller being rotatable by a powered motor drive; and

g) a diamond wire wound upon the drive roller and guide rollers so that when the drive roller is rotated, the diamond wire travels around the moving portion and from one roller to another roller.

2. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the powered driver travels with the moving portion.

3. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning mechanism that enables adjustment of the tension of the diamond wire.

4. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diamond wire travels at a speed of between about 20 and 30 feet per second.

5. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rollers is marked with different patterns so that rotation of the rollers is visible even via underwater camera and remote monitor.

6. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm free ends are connected with a section of wire that cuts through the target as the moving portion of the frame travels along the beam and towards the first section.

7. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide rollers on the arm free ends are connected with a section of wire that extends across the open end of the moving portion.

8. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the moving portion carries a camera and light mount.

9. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide rollers are removably attached to the moving portion of the frame.

10. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein rollers and wire define a cutting plane and the linear beam includes a toothed rack and is below the cutting plane and a drive motor is operably connected to the toothed rack and also positioned below the cutting plane.

11. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arms are spaced apart a distance that defines the maximum thickness of a target that can be cut.

12. The wire saw apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm free ends and transverse bar are spaced apart a distance that defines the maximum thickness of a target that can be cut.

13. A wire saw apparatus comprising:

a) a frame having first and second sections configured to attach to a target that is to be cut;

b) an elongated beam mounted to the first section and extending away from the first section and target;

c) a moving frame mounted on the elongated beam and being movable along the beam, the frame including a pair of arms disposed on opposing sides of the beam, an open end positioned near the clamp and a transverse bar that connects the arms opposite the open end;

d) a motor operably connected to the beam which motor effects non-rotational movement of the moving frame along the beam;

e) a plurality of roller guides on the moving portion of the frame including at least one roller guide mounted at the free end of each arm;

f) a drive roller on the moving portion, the drive roller being rotatable by a second motor drive;

g) a diamond wire wound upon the drive roller and guide rollers so that when the drive roller is rotated with the second motor drive, the diamond wire travels around the moving portion and from one roller to another roller.

14. The wire saw apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the drive roller has a diameter that is more than two times any of the guide rollers.

15. The wire saw apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the diamond wire travels at a speed of between about 20 and 30 feet per second.

16. A method of cutting an underwater target, comprising the steps of:

a) lowering a cutting apparatus to a position that is next to an underwater target to be cut, the target having a longitudinal axis;

b) attaching the cutting apparatus to the target having first and second sections;

c) wherein in step “b” the cutting apparatus includes a frame that the first section configured to attach to a target that is to be cut and a moving portion mounting to the first section for movement relative to the first section, a beam mounted to the first section and extending away from the clamp and target, the moving portion includes a pair of arms disposed on opposing sides of the beam and an open end positioned near the first section and a transverse section that connects the arms opposite the open end and wherein a diamond wire is supported for travel upon the frame, the wire connected to a plurality of rollers including at least one powered drive roller that moves the wire;

d) advancing the moving portion toward the target while the diamond wire is traveling upon the rollers; and

e) wherein in step “d” a driver engages the beam, which engagement causes the advancement of the moving portion linearly in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the target.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the cutting mechanism is operated remotely from a vessel using a control panel.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein remote operation includes monitoring the cutting with an underwater camera that transmits a signal to a monitor on the vessel.

Assignments (19)