Joints and connections – Biased catch or latch – By separate spring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-09
2001-03-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Biased catch or latch
By separate spring
C403S322300, C405S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196757
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an anchoring mechanism for a guide post maintained in a seabed frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Guide posts are often used on seabed frames. Normally, four 203 mm (8″) posts are inserted in the frame at certain intervals. From the top of the posts a wire is run to the surface. The wires are kept tensioned. By means of the wires equipment can be lowered to the seabed frames and guide the equipment in position within given tolerances. The posts can be permanent or replaceable. There are two reasons for choosing a removable guide post. One reason is the costs in connection with making all the posts which are needed permanently down on the frame. The second reason is that they may block access for other equipment. The posts can be several meters long, for example, 3 to 4 meters. By making them replaceable, a much smaller number of posts is needed.
Prior art replaceable guide posts have relatively complicated and costly mechanisms.
A standard retrievable guide post has lockpins that are activated via a permanently installed wire within the post.
The patent GB A 2,225,798 discloses a replaceable guide post 17 which is lowered into a funnel 10 and temporarily locked by a lockpin 34. By lifting the guide post 17 upwards the sleeve 37 and the member 18 are slid upwards and the locking ring 40 and the lockpin 43 are moved upwards and lock the guide post 17 to the funnel 10.
The patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,035 discloses replaceable guide post A which is locked into the funnel 400 by means of a snap ring 120.
The object of this invention is to provide an anchoring mechanism of a simpler construction and thus at considerably lower manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this object, the guide post has an annular ridge which abuts against a funnel on the seabed frame. An anchor lock is provided, and the anchor lock has radially movable upper and lower dogs. A guide post lock is shaped like a sleeve. In the upper part of the guide post lock, the diameter of the sleeve is at its largest. The diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the guide post so that the lock may move within the guide post. In this upper region, the guide post has axial slots. In the lower part of the guide post lock, the lock has a smaller diameter. The smaller diameter is chosen so that the anchor lock may move within the guide post lock. The outside diameter of the guide post lock is stepped down from the upper portion to the lower portion. An annular groove is located on the inside surface of the guide post lock, and is placed so that it intersects a lower end of the axial slots. Lower lockpins with radial flanges are located in radial bores in the guide post lock. Upper lockpins are located in the axial slots, and have a flange. The flange is sized so that it cannot pass through the slots, but can pass into the annular groove.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3019840 (1962-02-01), Kennard
patent: 4004635 (1977-01-01), Marquaire et al.
patent: 4418770 (1983-12-01), Lambot
patent: 4439068 (1984-03-01), Pokladnik
patent: 4611953 (1986-09-01), Owens
patent: 4676696 (1987-06-01), Laursen
patent: 4717287 (1988-01-01), Laursen
patent: 4828035 (1989-05-01), McInturff
patent: 4877356 (1989-10-01), Bontenbgl
patent: 5318384 (1994-06-01), Malobertie et al.
patent: 5480251 (1996-01-01), Pavageau et al.
patent: 6003873 (1999-12-01), Solberg
patent: 2 225 789 (1990-06-01), None
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John
Kenyon & Kenyon
Kongsberg Offshore AS
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