GB2099052A - Equipment for use underwater - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (2) for fitting spring clips (9) to an underwater installation (12) having a cylindrical surface comprises a supporting structure supporting a ram (10) for holding a plurality of spring clips and means for moving the spring clips (9) into register with the ram whereby they can be fitted individually to the underwater installation (12). The means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram can comprise a releasable holding means such as a hydraulic brake co-operating with a means for biasing the clips towards the register position. The supporting structure can comprise an arch-like framework (4) for resting on a pipeline (12) onto which the spring clip is to be fitted. The spring clips (9) can be of curved shape and extend over more than a half circle and conveniently the ends are turned outwardly to facilitate installation. The clip is similar in shape to a bicycle clip. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Equipment for use underwater This invention relates to an apparatus for use underwater for marking underwater installations particularly tubular members such as pipes and flowlines.

In the development and maintenance of offshore oil and gas fields it is often desirable to mark an installation at a particular point to facilitate relocation of that point at a later date. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to enable this to be done.

Thus according to the present invention an apparatus suitable for fitting spring clips to an underwater installation having a cylindrical surface comprises a supporting structure supporting a ram, the supporting structure having means for holding a plurality of spring clips and means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram whereby they can be fitted individually to the underwater installation.

The means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram can comprise a releasable holding means co-operating with a means for biasing the clips towards the register position.

The releasable holding means can be a hydraulic brake.

The supporting structure can comprise an archlike framework for resting on a pipeline onto which the spring clip is to be fitted.

The spring clip conveniently is of curved shaped and extends over more than a half circle and conveniently the ends are turned outwardly to facilitate installation. The clip is therefore similar in shape to a bicycle clip.

By the term "ram" in the present specification is meant any mechanical means suitable for exerting a force on the clip to force it, against its resilience, onto the installation.

Normally the clip will bear an appropriate mark such as a letter or numeral. Although described with reference to marking, the clip can alternatively or in addition have other uses, for example, supporting listening devices or accoustic sources.

The invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation showing the apparatus installed on an underwater pipeline.

Figure 2 is an elevation on a larger scale than Figure 1 in which the apparatus is viewed from the opposite direction to that in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation from a direction at right angles to that in Figure 2.

The apparatus indicated generally by numeral 2 comprises a supporting structure composed of detachable upper and lower parts 8 and 5 respectively and made up of a tubular steel framework and supporting a hydraulic ram 10 and its associated control equipment. The lower part 5 is in the form of a skid 4 to straddle the surface of a pipeline. The upper part 8 further includes a hydraulic power source (not shown) and means of transportation to and from an underwater worksite. A stock of spring clips 9 is pushed by means of a trolley 24 running on track 15, the trolley being biased by means of a tension spring 22 (Figure 2) towards rollers 28 which support each clip until the ram pushes it onto the pipeline 12. A hydraulic brake (not shown) can hold the clip adjacent to the clip in register with the ram in a chosen position.A tube 26 is provided to retain the clip when passing through a water surface, for example.

A pair of adjustable guides 30 engaging the insides of each clip are provided to assist in opening up each clip to facilitate installation.

In use the skid 2 is installed on a pipeline 12 as shown and the hydraulic ram 10 actuated to push spring clip 6 (Figure 1) onto the pipeline 12.

The apparatus is then moved to a new location on pipeline 12. By releasing the hydraulic brake holding the trolley 24, the next clip 7 is moved into register with the ram 10 which is then actuated.

The clips illustrated are provided with numbering in series and are installed at regular intervals along the pipeline 12. Clip 1 1 which has been previously installed on the pipeline supports an accoustic device 14, to facilitate relocation by a diver or submersible.

1. An apparatus suitable for fitting spring clips to an underwater installation having a cylindrical surface, said apparatus comprising a supporting structure supporting a ram and having means for holding a plurality of spring clips and means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram whereby they can be fitted individually to the underwater installation.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram comprises a releasable holding means co-operating with a means for biasing the clips towards the register position.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the releasable holding means is a hydraulic brake.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the hydraulic brake is arranged to act on the clip adjacent to the clip in register with the ram.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including one or more spring clips, each clip being of a curved form extending through more than half a circle.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the supporting structure comprises an arch-like framework for resting on an underwater installation onto which the spring clips are to be fitted.

7. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Equipment for use underwater This invention relates to an apparatus for use underwater for marking underwater installations particularly tubular members such as pipes and flowlines. In the development and maintenance of offshore oil and gas fields it is often desirable to mark an installation at a particular point to facilitate relocation of that point at a later date. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to enable this to be done. Thus according to the present invention an apparatus suitable for fitting spring clips to an underwater installation having a cylindrical surface comprises a supporting structure supporting a ram, the supporting structure having means for holding a plurality of spring clips and means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram whereby they can be fitted individually to the underwater installation. The means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram can comprise a releasable holding means co-operating with a means for biasing the clips towards the register position. The releasable holding means can be a hydraulic brake. The supporting structure can comprise an archlike framework for resting on a pipeline onto which the spring clip is to be fitted. The spring clip conveniently is of curved shaped and extends over more than a half circle and conveniently the ends are turned outwardly to facilitate installation. The clip is therefore similar in shape to a bicycle clip. By the term "ram" in the present specification is meant any mechanical means suitable for exerting a force on the clip to force it, against its resilience, onto the installation. Normally the clip will bear an appropriate mark such as a letter or numeral. Although described with reference to marking, the clip can alternatively or in addition have other uses, for example, supporting listening devices or accoustic sources. The invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation showing the apparatus installed on an underwater pipeline. Figure 2 is an elevation on a larger scale than Figure 1 in which the apparatus is viewed from the opposite direction to that in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an elevation from a direction at right angles to that in Figure 2. The apparatus indicated generally by numeral 2 comprises a supporting structure composed of detachable upper and lower parts 8 and 5 respectively and made up of a tubular steel framework and supporting a hydraulic ram 10 and its associated control equipment. The lower part 5 is in the form of a skid 4 to straddle the surface of a pipeline. The upper part 8 further includes a hydraulic power source (not shown) and means of transportation to and from an underwater worksite. A stock of spring clips 9 is pushed by means of a trolley 24 running on track 15, the trolley being biased by means of a tension spring 22 (Figure 2) towards rollers 28 which support each clip until the ram pushes it onto the pipeline 12. A hydraulic brake (not shown) can hold the clip adjacent to the clip in register with the ram in a chosen position.A tube 26 is provided to retain the clip when passing through a water surface, for example. A pair of adjustable guides 30 engaging the insides of each clip are provided to assist in opening up each clip to facilitate installation. In use the skid 2 is installed on a pipeline 12 as shown and the hydraulic ram 10 actuated to push spring clip 6 (Figure 1) onto the pipeline 12. The apparatus is then moved to a new location on pipeline 12. By releasing the hydraulic brake holding the trolley 24, the next clip 7 is moved into register with the ram 10 which is then actuated. The clips illustrated are provided with numbering in series and are installed at regular intervals along the pipeline 12. Clip 1 1 which has been previously installed on the pipeline supports an accoustic device 14, to facilitate relocation by a diver or submersible. CLAIMS

1. An apparatus suitable for fitting spring clips to an underwater installation having a cylindrical surface, said apparatus comprising a supporting structure supporting a ram and having means for holding a plurality of spring clips and means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram whereby they can be fitted individually to the underwater installation.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the spring clips into register with the ram comprises a releasable holding means co-operating with a means for biasing the clips towards the register position.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the releasable holding means is a hydraulic brake.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the hydraulic brake is arranged to act on the clip adjacent to the clip in register with the ram.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including one or more spring clips, each clip being of a curved form extending through more than half a circle.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the supporting structure comprises an arch-like framework for resting on an underwater installation onto which the spring clips are to be fitted.

7. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.