Abrasive Waterjet Cutting System For Subsea Operations

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-03-27
MILLER PAUL L +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Underwater work environments are among the most difficult and dangerous operating areas for cutting objects.
Problems relating to hydrostatic pressure, high liquid viscosity (compared to air), waters' high thermal and electrical conductivity, and the lack of visibility all hamper conventional cutting technologies.
None of these methods are easy to perform underwater and all have limitations that restrict their use.
They are also generally dangerous to use around hazardous and explosive materials that are all too frequently found in subsea environments.
Unfortunately, fish and marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and porpoi

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0025]By underwater, or under a body of water, we mean that the object to be cut is found resting or part of a structure secured to the bottom of a body of water. Non-limiting examples of bodies of water include oceans, seas, bays, rivers, as well as man-made bodies of water such as reservoirs and lakes. For purposes of the present invention the object to be cut will typically be at depths from about 30 ft (10 meters) to about 20,000 ft (6100 meters), preferably from about 300 ft (91 meters to 1500 meters) 300 ft to about 5,000 ft.

[0026]An abrasive entrainment waterjet has a distinct disadvantage as compared to abrasive slurry jet when used underwater because the abrasive transport and feed system is severely hampered, if not completely disrupted, by the hydrostatic backpressure of the surrounding water forcing its way under pressure into the abrasive system. Water entering the abrasive feed system will wet the abrasive. A wet abrasive mix will become a relatively coarse mud that ca...

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Abstract

An abrasive entrainment waterjet cutting system capable of cutting objects located underwater, particularly in deep subsea environments, wherein the abrasive system is comprised of an abrasive component suspended in a hydrophobic matrix component.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based on Provisional Patent Applications 61 / 705,420 filed Sep. 25, 2012 and 61 / 826,078 filed May 22, 2013.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to an abrasive entrainment waterjet cutting system capable of cutting objects located under a body of water, particularly in deep subsea environments, wherein the abrasive material is comprised of an abrasive component suspended in a hydrophobic matrix component.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There is a demand for underwater cutting of metals, stone, and other hard materials for such things as mining, salvage, rescue work, offshore platform removal, nuclear plant service, deep ocean rock sampling, infrastructure development, petroleum exploration and development, disposal of discarded military munitions, as well as environmental remediation. Underwater work environments are among the most difficult and dangerous operating areas for cutting objects. The developmen...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B24C3/00
CPCB24C3/00B24C1/045B24C3/12B24C7/0023B24C7/003B24C11/005
InventorMILLER, PAUL L.ROBERTS, IAN
OwnerMILLER PAUL L