Patent US3708990A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3708990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deep water drill pipe controlled manipulator
Assignee: Global Marine Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-09
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A manipulator for working on underwater oil drilling and production equipment and the like is supported on the lower end of a pendulous drill pipe suspended from a floating vessel. The drill pipe conducts hydraulic motive power to operate the manipulating arms of the manipulator. Hydraulic fluid is distributed by electrically controlled valves in a distribution manifold at the manipulator. Electric control signals are conducted to the control valves by a multi-conductor electric cable which is either secured to the exterior of the drill pipe or disposed within the interior of the pipe. Control signals alternately may be remotely transmitted by a sonar system for producing coded acoustical signals which are decoded at the manipulator and converted to electric control signals for operating appropriate control valves. Some motive power for operating the manipulator may be supplied by an electric cable led down the inside of the drill pipe, with control signals being carried by a low-voltage line either inside the drill pipe or secured to its exterior. The electric control signals may be multiplexed and decoded at the manipulator.
Inventors
- 👤 R Crooke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/04; B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/10; B25J9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Underwater manipulating apparatus comprising a manipulating device having at least one articulated manipulating member, a hollow conduit pendulously supported from a vessel floating on a body of water in which the manipulating device is to be used and supporting the manipulating device at its lower end independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water, and means for supplying motive power to the manipulating device from the vessel along the conduit for producing movement of tHe manipulating member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Underwater manipulating apparatus comprising a manipulating device having at least one articulated manipulating member, a hollow conduit pendulously supported from a vessel floating on a body of water in which the manipulating device is to be used and supporting the manipulating device at its lower end independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water, and means for supplying motive power to the manipulating device from the vessel along the conduit for producing movement of tHe manipulating member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulating device motive power is hydraulic power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including an open loop hydraulic system for supplying hydraulic fluid to the manipulating device, and wherein the hydraulic fluid is sea water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the manipulating device motive power includes electrical power.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of assembling underwater manipulating apparatus comprising the steps of making up a hollow conduit pendulously supported from the vessel floating on a body of water; connecting a manipulating device to the lower end of the conduit and disposing the manipulating device at a desired depth below the vessel so the manipulating device is supported independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water; and thereafter extending an electrical cable down the interior of the conduit and connecting it to the manipulating device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of assembling underwater manipulating apparatus comprising the steps of making up a hollow conduit pendulously supported from the vessel floating on a body of water; connecting a manipulating device to the lower end of the conduit and disposing the manipulating device at a desired depth below the vessel so the manipulating device is supported independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water; and thereafter extending an electrical cable down the interior of the conduit and connecting it to the manipulating device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
Underwater manipulating apparatus comprising a hollow pipe pendulously supported from a vessel floating at the surface of a body of water, and a manipulating device supported on the lower end of the pipe independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water, the manipulating device having at least one articulated manipulating member, the manipulating device being operative to perform manipulations of the manipulating member on the underwater equipment in response to receiving motive power conducted from the vessel through the interior of the pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
Underwater manipulating apparatus comprising a hollow pipe pendulously supported from a vessel floating at the surface of a body of water, and a manipulating device supported on the lower end of the pipe independently of the bottom of the body of water and of any elements connected between the vessel and an object submerged in the water, the manipulating device having at least one articulated manipulating member, the manipulating device being operative to perform manipulations of the manipulating member on the underwater equipment in response to receiving motive power conducted from the vessel through the interior of the pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the motive power is hydraulic power.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including an electric control circuit at the manipulating device for operating the manipulating device in response to receipt of a control signal, an electric cable extending through the interior of pipe for conducting the electric control signal, and means for coupling the cable to the control circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including an acoustical transmitter for transmitting an acoustical control signal, and an acoustical receiver at the manipulating device for receiving the acoustical control signal and converting it into an electrical control signal for regulating the motive power for operating the manipulating device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for coding the transmitted acoustical control signal, and means for decoding the coded acoustical signal when it is received and converting it into a decoded electrical control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including a multiplex transmitter for transmitting multiplexed control signals, and a multiplex receiver at the manipulating device for receiving the multiplexed control signals and decoding the signals to produce control signals for regulating the motive power for operating respective parts of the manipulating device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including an electric cable extending through the interior of the pipe for conducting electrical motive power to the manipulating device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |