EP0896124B1 - System of multiple-purpose tools for the connection of pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The multi-tool system for inspection, cleaning and replacement of components in an oil installation, has a support (8) on which are mounted arms (9,10,17). These laterally displace at least two devices (22,29) in opposite directions, with at least one of these devices able to be driven in rotation about one of these directions.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-tool system usable for the connection of flexible or rigid pipes and, more especially for inspection, cleaning and replacement organs in underwater oil installations.

In the petroleum industry and more particularly in offshore oil exploitation, far from the coast, underwater installations are sometimes at great depths reaching 1000 m and even more. To make connections between various sets of underwater installations, without the need for divers or similar techniques, we are using more and more certain types of robots remotely controlled from the surface (ROV in English, acronym of Remotely Operated Vehicle) which are capable of transporting and / or moving more or less heavy loads and to perform various operations and varied such as connections between elements and installations submarines.

Known connection systems are designed so that the connection means are mounted in an end device which is integral with the fixed assembly. When the verification tests sealing performed before operational use of the pipeline or periodically in use, are defective, it is necessary repair or change the connection means and, in particular, the sealing members. Therefore, one or more complicated interventions and very expensive are essential because the organs requiring or the interventions are arranged inside the fixed assembly.

To remedy these drawbacks, the applicant has proposed, in an application filed on June 14, 1996 under No. 96 07 429 (FR-A-2 749 918), integrate the sealing and locking means in a cassette floating which constitutes an interface between the ends of the pipes to connect, said cassette also participating in guiding and centering of said ends to be connected.

However, users sometimes prefer to mount the means either on the fixed end before connection or on the two ends after connection.

A solution that takes this consideration of direct mounting of the sealing means while ensuring a connection correct of the ends of the pipes to be connected is described in another request of the applicant and bearing the number 97 06 314 (FR-A-2 763 636).

The subject of this last request concerns in particular a receptacle which is integral with the fixed structure on which is mounted a flexible pipe considered to be fixed, said receptacle receiving, at inside, the two ends of the fixed and mobile flexible pipes to connect. For this purpose, the receptacle includes a front wall and a rear wall for passage of pipe ends, dimensions internal of said receptacle being chosen such that the interior space is sufficient to completely move the locking means of the ends connected in their final connection position.

However, there is a need for inspection and / or cleaning the contacting faces of the ends of the pipes before placing in place and / or changing the sealing means and / or locking.

Indeed, until now, when we have to set up or change the locking means for any reason, for example example, as a result of premature or normal wear, said means of lock are simply brought into their proper position without having carried out an inspection of the ends to be connected. Of the same way, the sealing members that are used on at least one said pipes are, after wear or periodically, replaced by new sealing elements without prior examination of the support zones corresponding. However, due to the more or less corrosive fluids which can circulate in flexible pipes, it can happen that some parts of one or both flexible pipes, located in the area of connection, are otherwise damaged at least fouled. When a cleaning intervention, for example, must be carried out, there is, at At present, no solution is likely to meet this need. Even the box which is generally placed on the basis of the ROV and which, in principle, contains elements necessary for intervention on the site does not contain specific tools except those for handling certain parts of the underwater installation, as an example removal, installation of locking means or removal and fitting the sealing members.

The object of the present invention is to propose a multi-tool system or intervention unit, which can be ordered by the ROV when it is independent of the latter, that is to say not included in the ROV, or which can be integrated into the ROV, for example housed in the lower case if possible.

The present invention relates to a multi-tool system for the inspection, cleaning and replacement of organs in a petroleum installation, characterized in that it comprises a support on which are mounted means capable of moving laterally to at least two devices in opposite directions, at least one of said devices being capable of being rotated around a of said directions.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to inspect the elements or organs arranged in the receptacle when the fixed installation has one, before any intervention. Of course, the same system can be used in underwater installations and whether or not including a receptacle.

Another advantage of the present invention is that after the inspection, the system can carry out, if necessary, a cleaning said elements and / or members housed in the receptacle.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation et partiellement en coupe d'un premier mode de réalisation du système selon la présente invention et disposé dans un réceptacle équipant une structure fixe,
• la figure 2 est la même vue que la figure 1, le système étant dans une position de travail,
• la figure 3 est la même vue que la figure 1, le système étant dans une autre position de travail,
• les figures 4 et 5 sont d'autres vues latérales du système multi-outils des figures 1 à 3,
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus du système selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues de côté du système représenté sur la figure 6.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description of two embodiments according to the invention, as well as the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view in elevation and partially in section of a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention and disposed in a receptacle fitted to a fixed structure,
• FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1, the system being in a working position,
• FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 1, the system being in another working position,
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are other side views of the multi-tool system of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• FIG. 6 is a top view of the system according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• Figures 7 and 8 are side views of the system shown in Figure 6.

According to a first embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 5, the multi-tool system is intended to be implemented in a fixed underwater installation, said installation being shown partially and comprising a fixed structure 1 on which is mounted a receptacle 2 for receiving the fixed end 3 of a flexible pipe and the movable end 4 of another flexible pipe, said fixed 3 and mobile 4 ends having the same axis 36 and are shown in their non-connected state, the locking means 5 having been unlocked, via a locking device locking / unlocking 6, in order to allow the separation of said ends 3 and 4.

The multi-tool system 7 comprises a support frame or cassette 8 on which are mounted two arms 9 and 10 which pivot at one of their ends around pivot axes 11 mounted on a workpiece support 12 of the cassette 8. The end 13 of the arm 10 is inclined towards the interior and it is provided with an oblong hole 14. The end 15 of the arm 9 is also inclined towards the inside of the cassette and comprises also an oblong hole 16, the end 15 having a longer length as large as that of end 13. Arms 9 and 10 are moved laterally in opposite directions which are, in the examples shown, aligned with the axis 36 of the ends 3 and 4 of the pipes, at by means of a double jack 17 comprising two rods 18 and 19 connected arms 9 and 10 respectively. It is also possible to use two separate cylinders each acting on one of the arms 18, 19.

Two support assemblies 20 and 21 are slidably mounted in suitable runners which are fixed in the cassette 8 (figure 2). The support assembly 20 includes a device for changing and fitting 22 of a seal 23 mounted in the fixed end 3, a stud 24 being inserted into the oblong hole 16 and fixed at one end of an end piece 25. The change and setting elements place 22 includes three regularly distributed units, for example at 120 ° from each other, on a plate 26 (Figure 5). All support 21 comprises an end plate 27 provided with a stud 28 which is inserted into the oblong hole 14.

A device 29 comprises a plate 30 driven in rotation by a motor 31 and on which a camera 32 is mounted, at least one cleaning brush 33 and at least one nozzle 34 for propelling a jet of cleaning fluid (Figure 4). The motor 31 rotates the device 29 relative to the support assembly 21, the axis of rotation of the motor 31 being aligned for example with axis 36.

A handle 35 is fixed on the cassette 8 and allows the manipulation of the multi-tool system using an ROV, cassette 8 being likely to rotate around the axis 36.

The operation of this first embodiment of the Multi-tool system according to the invention is as follows.

After having separated the two ends 3 and 4 from each other, the multi-tool system is brought by the ROV into receptacle 2, with the two arms 9 and 10 in their close position, as shown in Figure 1.

In a first phase (FIG. 2), the jack 17 is actuated to extend the rod 18 which pushes the arm 9 while doing so pivot around its pivot axis 11 until the stud 24 comes into abutment at the bottom of the oblong hole 16. Then, under the action of the jack 17, the entire support 20 is translated on its guide rails up to that the device 22 comes into the appropriate position for removing the seal 23, gripping and 37 or placement members a new seal being provided for this purpose on the device 22. When the gasket has been removed, the assembly 20 is returned to its initial position and the assembly 21 is moved towards the movable end 4 under the action of the jack 17 and the rod 19 which pivots the arm 10 until the device 29 either in the inspection and cleaning position. In a first step, the camera 32 inspects the surface condition of the contact surfaces 38 of the movable end 4. When these scopes require cleaning, the device 29 is rotated so that the nozzles 34 project a jet of cleaning liquid, after which the brushes 33 are actuated to clean the entire surface of said surfaces 38.

After cleaning the surfaces 38, it is possible to proceed with the inspection and possibly the cleaning of the bearing surfaces 39 of the end fixed 3 once the seal 23 has been removed (Figure 3). In this indeed, the cassette 8 is extracted from the receptacle by the ROV which rotates it 180 ° to bring the device 29 opposite the fixed end 3. After what, the camera inspects the ranges 39 for possible cleaning.

Cassette 8 is extracted from receptacle 2 to evacuate the seal defective and recovery of a new seal. Cassette 8 fitted with a new seal, is introduced again, in its initial position, in the receptacle 2 for the installation of said new seal on the bearing surfaces 39.

Once cleaning is complete and a new seal 23 is set up the multi-tool system is removed by the ROV from receptacle 2. After which, the locking means are removed to allow the connection of ends 3 and 4 then actuated again to lock said ends 3 and 4 in their final position of connection.

Figures 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the multi-tool system according to the invention.

In the system shown in Figures 6 to 8, the cassette 8 is equipped with a frame on which are mounted a pair of devices 29 and 29a and a pair of devices 22 and 22a, the frame being capable of rotate, inside the cassette 8, around a vertical axis 40, so successively bring the devices concerned into their position work i.e. with regard to the elements to be inspected, cleaned or switch. Each device 29, 29a comprises a camera 32, nozzles for liquid propulsion 34 and at least one brush 33 and one motor 31. From the similarly, each device 22, 22a comprises means for receipt of a new seal 23a and means for removing seal 23 from the fixed end 3.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a new seal 23a is mounted on a device 22a while the other device 22 proceeds to removal of the gasket to be replaced 23.

In FIG. 8, the inspection and cleaning devices 29 ranges 38 and 39 of the movable and fixed ends are in action, the brushes 33 cleaning said staves.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-tool system for inspecting, cleaning and replacing members in a sub-marine oil installation, which system comprises a support (8) on which there are mounted means (9, 10, 17) capable of laterally shifting at least two devices (22, 29) in opposite directions, it being possible for at least one of said devices (29) to be rotated about one of said directions.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, which comprises at least one inspection and cleaning device (29).
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the devices (22) consists of means of removing and fitting a seal (23) mounted on one end (3) of a flexible pipe.
4. The system as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the shifting means consist of at least two arms (9, 10) each of which is moved toward one end (3, 4) of a flexible pipe, said ends (3, 4) of the flexible pipes being arranged facing one another and separated by a space, said ends having the same longitudinal axis (36).
5. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support consists of a housing (8) on which said arms are mounted so that they can pivot.
6. The system as claimed in claim 4, which comprises displacement means (17) acting on said arms.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the displacement means consist of a ram (17) with a double rod (18, 19), each rod (18, 19) interacting with one of said arms (9, 10).
8. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device (29) comprises a plate (30) on which there are mounted a camera (32) for inspecting the surfaces (38, 39) of the ends of the flexible pipes, and at least one brush (33) for cleaning said surfaces.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device (29) further comprises nozzles (34) for projecting a cleaning fluid.
10. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support is mounted so that it can rotate about an axis (40) perpendicular to the axis (36) of the ends of the pipes and which comprises two tools (22, 22a) for removing and fitting a seal (23) and two devices (29, 29a) for inspecting and cleaning the surfaces (38, 39) of the ends (3, 4) of the pipes.

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