Patent ID: 8056633
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: B23D,E21B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for removing a subsea structure comprising: a housing, said housing having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of said housing being open, said housing defining a subsea structure receiving space within said housing; a jetting system attached adjacent the lower end of said housing, said jetting system being adapted to excavate subsea soil surrounding said subsea structure; a frame attached to said housing, said frame forming an opening through which said subsea structure can pass, said frame comprising a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, a first track assembly extending along said third side of said frame and a second track assembly extending along said fourth side of said frame, a first pillow block slidably mounted on said first track assembly and a second pillow block slidably mounted on said second track assembly, said first and second pillow blocks being reciprocally movable along said first and second track assemblies, respectively, there being a first pulley rotatably mounted in said first pillow block and a second pulley rotatably mounted in said second pillow block and there are third and fourth pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent said second side; a powered drive pulley operatively mounted on said housing, said powered drive pulley being driven by a motor; a first guide assembly attached to said housing, said first guide assembly including a first guide and a first guide frame slidably mounted on said first guide, said powered pulley and said motor being mounted on said first guide frame for longitudinal movement along said first guide in a direction generally transverse to a plane passing through housing; a cutter mounted on said frame, said cutter being movable from a first position on said frame to a second position on said frame across said opening.