IP Library Granted Patent US 11,648,691
Granted Patent B2
US 11,648,691 · App. 16/254,293 · Granted May 16, 2023

Adaptive tooling interface

Inventors: Charles B. Hansen (Bryne, NO); Torleif Carlsen (Sandnes, NO)
Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
B25J15/0408B25J9/0009B25J19/0033B63G8/001B63G2008/002
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,648,691
App. No.
16/254,293
Granted
May 16, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adaptive tooling interface comprises a plurality of motors, disposed at least partially within a housing, which are operatively in communication with a controller and where a first power output is operatively in communication with a first motor of the plurality of motors and a second power output operatively in communication with a second motor of the plurality of motors. A drive interface, comprising a tooling adapter, is operatively in communication with the plurality of motors and configured to mate with and provide power to one or more tools, which comprise a matching subsea tool tooling interface, via the first power output and the second power output. The adaptive tooling interface may be connected to or otherwise integrated into a subsea vehicle system comprising a subsea vehicle.

Claims (40)

1. An adaptive tooling interface, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a controller;

c) a plurality of motors disposed at least partially within the housing and operatively in communication with the controller, a first motor of the plurality of motors comprising a high speed motor and a second motor of the plurality of motors comprising a high torque motor;

d) a first power output operatively in communication with and configured to provide power from the first motor of the plurality of motors, the first power output comprising a speed output operatively in communication with the first motor;

e) a second power output operatively in communication with and configured to provide power from the second motor of the plurality of motors, the second power output comprising a torque output operatively in communication with the second motor; and

f) a drive interface comprising a tooling adapter operatively in communication with the plurality of motors and configured to mate with and to further provide power via the first power output and the second power output to a tool which comprises a matching subsea tool tooling interface.

2. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first housing section and a separate second housing section mated to the first housing section.

3. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motors is integrated in an in-line configuration.

4. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the power from the drive interface comprises rotational power.

5. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the power from the drive interface further comprises hydraulic power.

6. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the power from the drive interface further comprises electrical power.

7. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the controller is disposed at least partially within the housing.

8. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:

a) a network interface;

b) an output data network pathway; and

c) control circuitry operatively in communication with the network interface and the output data network pathway.

9. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , further comprising:

a) a power interface operatively in communication with the controller; and

b) a communications interface operatively in communication with the controller.

10. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 9 , wherein the controller comprises:

a) a network interface;

b) control circuitry operatively in communication with the network interface, the power interface, and the communications interface; and

c) an output data network pathway operatively in communication with the control circuitry.

11. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 9 , wherein the power interface further comprises a pinless power interface.

12. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 9 , wherein the communications interface further comprises a pinless power interface.

13. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , wherein the drive interface further comprises a latch.

14. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 13 , wherein the latch comprises a ball lock, a fin latch, a gripper, a power screw lock, or a friction chuck.

15. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , further comprising a manipulator jaw operatively connected to the drive interface.

16. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 15 , wherein the manipulator jaw further comprises a brush tool, a soft line cutter, or a cathodic protection probe.

17. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 1 , further comprising a balancing weight.

18. The adaptive tooling interface of claim 17 , wherein the balancing weight comprises a selectively detachable clump weight comprising a predetermined size and density.

19. An adaptive tooling interface, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a controller;

c) a plurality of motors disposed at least partially within the housing and operatively in communication with the controller;

d) a first power output operatively in communication with and configured to provide power from a first motor of the plurality of motors;

e) a second power output operatively in communication with and configured to provide power from a second motor of the plurality of motors;

f) a drive interface comprising a tooling adapter operatively in communication with the plurality of motors and configured to mate with and to further provide power via the first power output and the second power output to a tool which comprises a matching subsea tool tooling interface; and

g) a manipulator jaw operatively connected to the drive interface, the manipulator jaw comprising a brush tool, a soft line cutter, or a cathodic protection probe.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2022
From: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; GRAYLOC PRODUCTS, L.L.C.; MARINE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, LTD.; OCEANEERING CANADA LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059783/0204 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62620150 · Jan 22, 2018
Related Publication 20190224858A1 · Jul 25, 2019