Hydraulic Tool for Clamp Connector Axial Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp connector arrangements require complex manual operation and lack efficient mechanisms for quickly and simply maneuvering the operating shaft and locking nut, especially in subsea applications where remote operation is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic tool with a pulling element, hydraulic power unit, and torque unit that allows for axial movement of the operating shaft and rotation of the locking nut, enabling the clamp connector's clamping elements to be easily pivoted into a closed position and locked, using a rotatable actuating member and drive motor to engage the locking nut with a shoulder on the spacer sleeve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hydraulic tool is used to exert pulling and pushing forces on the clamp connector, then the operation speed and efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for integrated hydraulic and torque units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydraulic power unit and torque unit into a single integrated hydraulic tool. The hydraulic power unit exerts pulling force on the operating shaft while the torque unit simultaneously or sequentially applies torque to the locking nut, both through the same tool body. This merging of functions into one device improves operation speed and efficiency while managing the complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic tool is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both hydraulic actuation (pulling the operating shaft to close clamping elements) and torque application (tightening the locking nut) within a single tool structure. This universal design allows one tool to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate operations or devices, improving productivity despite the inherent complexity of incorporating multiple functions.
2Device complexity
If manual operation of the locking nut is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the time required for securing the clamp connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation of the locking nut with an automated torque unit. The torque unit, driven by a motor, automatically applies the necessary torque to tighten the locking nut after the hydraulic power unit has positioned the operating shaft. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention, significantly reducing the time required to secure the clamp connector while the integrated design manages the added complexity.
3Ease of operation
If separate mechanisms are used for pulling and pushing forces, then the ease of operation is improved through specialization, but the device complexity increases due to multiple separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic power unit (for pulling force) and the torque unit (for rotational tightening force) into a single integrated tool. The hydraulic power unit connects to the operating shaft to pull it and close the clamping elements, while the torque unit engages with the locking nut to apply tightening torque. This combination maintains ease of operation through specialized functions while managing complexity through unified tool architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple and quick operation of the clamp connector by exerting pulling and pushing forces on the operating shaft and spacer sleeve, allowing for efficient clamping and locking of tubular members, suitable for subsea use with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic power unit for moving the pulling element in an axial direction in relation to a spacer sleeve of the clamp connector so as to allow the hydraulic tool to exert a pulling force on the operating shaft and a pushing force on the spacer sleeve
Implementation Method 2
a drive motor for rotating the actuating member so as to allow the actuating member to rotate the locking nut and thereby move it into engagement with a shoulder on the spacer sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic tool for use with a clamp connector where a first clamping element and a second clamping element of the clamp connector are pivotable towards each other into a closed position by exerting a pulling force on an operating shaft and a pushing force on a spacer sleeve, and where said first and second clamping elements are lockable in said closed position by tightening a locking nut against a shoulder on the spacer sleeve. The tool includes a pulling element; a hydraulic power unit for moving the pulling element in relation to the spacer sleeve and thereby allow the hydraulic tool to exert a pulling force on the operating shaft and a pushing force on the spacer sleeve; a rotatable actuating member with a socket engageable with the locking nut; and a drive motor for rotating the actuating member to allow the actuating member to rotate the locking nut.