IP Library Granted Patent US 8,622,657
Granted Patent B2
US 8,622,657 · App. 13/658,020 · Granted Jan 7, 2014

Underwater device for ROV installable tools

Inventors: Rodney H. Masters (Houston, TX); Billy L. Griffith (Houston, TX)
Assignee: VIV Suppression, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,622,657
App. No.
13/658,020
Granted
Jan 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus for installing underwater devices on sub-sea structures. The apparatus can include a body having at least one pair of support members extending therefrom. At least one actuator, adapted to move in a linear direction, can be disposed on each support member. At least one connector can be disposed on each actuator. The connector can include at least one aperture disposed therethrough for receiving an attachment member.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus for installing an underwater device on sub-sea. structures, comprising:

a body having at least two support arms extending away from a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the support arms do not move independently of the body;

an actuator disposed on each support arm, wherein the actuators are adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independently of the support arms in a linear direction; and

a connector disposed on each actuator, wherein each connector includes at least one aperture disposed therethrough for connecting to the underwater device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is adapted to move in a direction that is perpendicular to the support arms.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a piston that is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independently of the support arms in the linear direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the connector is disposed on the piston.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment member disposed through the at least one aperture for connecting to the underwater device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the attachment member comprises a tie wrap, a wire, a string, a pin, or any combination thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the attachment member breaks when exposed to a force less than about 3 kN.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least two support arms are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuators are generally coaxial to one another.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the linear direction is along an axis that is offset from the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the support arms are in direct contact with the body.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the linear direction of each actuator is along an axis that does not pass through the body, and wherein the actuators are generally coaxial to one another.

13. An apparatus for installing an underwater device on sub-sea structures, comprising:

a body having first and second support arms extending away from a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the support arms do not move independently of the body;

a first actuator disposed on the first support arm, wherein the first actuator is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independently of the first support arm in a linear direction;

a second actuator disposed on the second support arm, wherein the second actuator is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independent of the support arms in a linear direction, and wherein the first actuator and the second actuator move collinearly; and

a connector disposed on the first actuator, wherein the connector includes at least one aperture disposed therethrough for connecting to the underwater device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first actuator comprises a piston that is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independently of the support arms in a linear direction.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the connector is disposed on the piston.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising an attachment member disposed through the at least one aperture.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the attachment member breaks when exposed to a force less than about 3 kN.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the attachment member comprises a tie wrap, a wire, a string, a pin, or any combination thereof.

19. An apparatus for installing an underwater device on sub-sea structures, comprising:

a body having first and second support arms extending away from a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the support arms do not move independently of the body;

first actuator disposed on the first support arm, wherein the first actuator is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independently of the first support arm in a linear direction;

a second actuator disposed on the second support arm, wherein the second actuator is adapted to move independently of the body and adapted to move independent of the support arms in a linear direction, and wherein the first actuator and the second actuator move collinearly; and

a connector having a first end coupled to the first actuator and a second end comprising first and second extensions extending axially therefrom, wherein the first and second extensions each have an aperture defined therethrough.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the apertures defined through the first and second extensions are aligned.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising an attachment member disposed through the apertures defined through the first and second extensions.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the attachment member couples the connector to the underwater device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the attachment member breaks when exposed to a force less than about 3 kN.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the attachment member comprises a tie wrap, a wire, a string, a pin, or any combination thereof.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2020
From: ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., D/B/A AIMS INTERNATIONAL
To: AIMS COMPOSITES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 051983/0883 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2016
From: VIV SUPPRESSION, INC.
To: ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, L.L.C., D/B/A AIMS INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 037593/0490 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: MASTERS, RODNEY H.; GRIFFITH, BILLY L.
To: VIV SUPPRESSION, INC.
Reel/Frame 030837/0533 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12272433 · Nov 17, 2008
Continuation In Part 12098744 · Apr 7, 2008
Related Publication 20130064607A1 · Mar 14, 2013