Mechanism for coupling and supporting a bend stiffener with single external actustion

Abstract

The present invention relates to coupling / uncoupling and support mechanisms for connecting bend stiffeners to bellmouths, and aims to optimize pull-in and pull-out operations, reduce operating costs and times, and also completely replace shallow dives by operations without associated man-hours exposed to risk, such as those carried out using remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs). The proposed solution envisages a mechanism for coupling / uncoupling and supporting a bend stiffener, comprising a frontal actuation means, which has the feature of being easy to access and operate using ROVs, thereby replacing the multiple latch mechanisms used previously.

Claims

1. A coupling / decoupling and supporting mechanism for a Bend Stiffenerwith external drive, characterized in that it comprises:a drive means (M) consisting of an Articulated Yoke 3; andBearings 5 that are positioned at the interface of the Bell Mouth 1 with the Articulated Yoke 3.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the Articulated Yoke 3 pivots on an Axis 4 when varying between the closed position and the open position.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the pull-in operation, the Shaft 2 acts on the opening of the Articulated Yoke 3.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, after the connection with the Shaft 2, the Articulated Yoke 3 returns to its natural position with the aid of a Return Element 6.

5. The mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the Return Element 6 can be a coil spring.

6. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearings are selected with material with tribological properties specific to the function.

7. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a Safety Lock 8 installed on the Articulated Yoke 3.

8. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, for the pullout operation, a Drive Spindle 7 is coupled to the Articulated Yoke 3.

9. The mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the Return Element 6 is replaceable with a spring-return hydraulic cylinder.INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT / IB2023 / 061657A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER E21B 17 / 02(2006.01)i; E21B 77 / W(2006.01)i; E21B 19 / 00(2006.01)i; E21B 43 / 01(2006.01)i; F16L 57 / 054(2006.01); F16L 37 / 14(2006.01) According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) E21B; Fl<i. Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Base de donnees INPI-BR Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) Derwent Index Innovation C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A A A A A US 7967070 B2 (DEEP SEA TECHNOLOGIES INC [US]) 28 June 2013 (28.06.2013) The whole document 1-9 US 8573305 B2 (REDDY SANJAY K [US]) 05 November 2013 (05.11.2013) The whole document 1-9 WO 2019232605 Al (PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS [BR]) 12 December 2019 (12.12.2019) The whole document 1-9 US 2014138095 Al (VERGNE FREDERICK [FR]) 22 May 2014 (22.05.2014) The whole document 1-9 US 7293940 Bl (TECHNIP FRANCE [FR]) 13 November 2007 (13.11.2007) The whole document 1-9 X Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. x See patent family annex. Special categories of cited documents: later document published after the international filing date or priority "A” document defining the general state of the art which is not considered date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand to be of particular relevance the principle or theory underlying the invention "E" ejirlierapplicationorpatentbiitpublishedonorafterthe international document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be filing date considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive “L” document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is s^eP when the document is taken alone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or oilier r .- , , +t i ■ j + t document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be f viz considered to involve an inventive step when the document is 'X)'' document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other combined with one or more other such documents, such combination means being obvious to a person skilled in the art “P” document published pnor to the international filing date but later than document member of the same patent fami1v the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search 17 April 2024 (17.04.2024) Date of mailing of the international search report 23 April 2024 (23.04.2024) National Institute of Industrial Property (Brazil) Rua Mayrink Veiga, 9,6° andar, CEP 20.090-910 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brazil Authorized officer Marcilio Haddad Andrino Telephone No. 4-55 21 3037 4528 - 3037 3319INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT / IB2023 / 061657C (Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A BR PI0913772 A2 (PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA [BR]) 24 July 2012 (24.07.2012) The whole document 1-9 A WO 2013097007 Al (PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA [BR]) 04 July 2013 (04.07.2013) The whole document 1-9