Abstract:
A clamp for placement about a riser having an assembly with a housing for releasably engaging at least one strap, the strap having a first and second end wherein the first and second ends are releasably attached to the housing, a plate on the housing for selectively engaging the first and second ends of the strap; and a support operably connected to the housing for releasably holding MUX, IWOC and other umbilical cables used in subsea applications. The housing may have two straps for engagement to a riser that shorten and lengthen by the turning of a screw through a plate engaged to the straps. The clamp may also have a hinged or fixed circular member for attachment around the riser. The cables are held by a hinged attachment to the housing that forms cylindrical vertical openings upon closure of the hinge.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     Claim to Priority 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/299,547 entitled “Coupling Member” filed Jan. 29, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to coupling mechanisms for oil and gas processes and related apparatuses. More specifically the present application discloses an invention which is employed for coupling communication lines and other apparatuses which pertain to riser joints and those which allow control of blowout preventers (“BOP”) and other related wellhead control devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently mechanisms which bind various well control lines to drill strings fall short of effectively coupling components which are used in drilling and production of oil, gas, and other minerals. Components which supply communication to various portions of BOPs, well heads, subsea production trees, and associated members often do so through communication lines which supply fluid, pressure, electronic communication, and allow for physical manipulation of the BOP, well head, subsea production tree and associated tools. Unfortunately, communication lines inadequately couple to components which are run subsea. When communication lines are inadequately coupled to the riser string, the various components are at risk of being damaged and are rendered inoperable. 
         [0004]    In an underwater drilling rig riser, multiple lines are integrated in the rig riser. These include multiplexed (MUX) hydraulic lines, choke lines, boost lines, an Installation/Workover Control Systems (IWOCS) line, and other umbilical lines. In conventional installations, the failure of a riser or its release from the subsea installation due to tripping of a blowout preventer cuts these various lines as they are integrated in the riser. The present invention presents an improved riser clamp to securely hold the various lines in place typically as a retrofit as well as allowing for the selective release of the all important IWOCS line away from the riser for easy replacement or continued control of the subsurface wellhead assembly. 
         [0005]    Presently numerous coupling mechanisms fail to appropriately couple communication lines and allow for interference from physical damage, and sometimes even sea life in subsea applications. In certain instances, movement of communication lines and drill string through subsea currents are believed to attract aquatic life, and from time to time have been retrieved with bite marks. 
         [0006]    Sometimes, communication lines are attached to various segments of a riser. When a riser and various pipes are lowered and raised from drilling and/or work-over rigs a coupling mechanism is mounted to riser joints at inappropriate locations which causes extra pauses during the runs to attached said lines and therefore increasing the deployment times dramatically. Then, a communication line is subsequently coupled to the coupling mechanism. This is somewhat problematic, due to rig day-rate costs and auxiliary services employed in drilling and servicing oil wells. 
         [0007]    Floatation (Buoyancy) is fitted to the riser in deepwater drilling to reduce the overall weight of the riser string and allow deployment of such in a reasonable manner. In some cases “cutouts” or cavities are provided in the floatation to allow for the mounting of the control cable clamps at an appropriate location so that the cables/hoses can be attached in conjunction with the addition of the next joint of riser, but this is not always the case. Where the floatation is not supplied with this feature the clamps have to be fitted either above or below the floatation which adds an extra stopping point for each joint during the run, thus adding an inordinate amount of time to the riser run. The design of this clamp allows the positioning of the clamp along the full length of the joint without the need of a cutout or a cavity. This allows the positioning of the clamp to be coordinated with the landing point of each joint so that the cables/hoses can be attached simultaneously with the adding of the next joint of riser thus greatly reducing the run time of the riser. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention there is shown a clamp for placement about a riser having an assembly with a housing for releasably engaging at least one strap, the strap having a first and second end wherein the first and second ends are releasably attached to the housing, a plate on the housing for selectively engaging the first and second ends of the strap, and a support operably connected to the housing for releasably holding at least one cable. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention there is shown a clamp for placement about a riser having an assembly with a housing for releasably engaging at least one generally circular member, the circular member having a male protrusion to engage a rotating shaft in said housing, and a support operably connected to the housing for releasably holding at least one cable. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention there is shown a clamp for placement about a riser having an assembly with a housing for releasably engaging at least one generally circular strap, a mount in said housing for selectively engaging said strap; and a support operably connected to said housing for releasably holding at least one cable. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  shows an alternative perspective view of a portion of the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows another perspective view of a portion of the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows an overhead perspective view of the assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows another perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present application is illustrated. A coupling member  10  includes strapping assembly  20 , communication grasp  30 , and swivel assembly  42  for assisting in coupling a communication member (not shown) by communication grasp  30 . In a preferred embodiment of the present application strapping assembly  20  includes opposing straps  20   a  and  20   b  that align substantially parallel to one another and are disposed to circumferentially surround another member such as a drill string or pipe component. Straps  20   a  and  20   b  may be of any of a variety of materials including composite, rubber, synthetic, or metallic. Strapping assembly  20  includes a bracket member  22  for coupling one or more straps  20   a  and  20   b . Bracket member  22  includes receiving portions for drawing tension via straps  20   a  and  20   b . Bracket member  22  includes grooves for adapting one or more straps  20   a  and  20   b.    
         [0021]    Communication grasp  30  couples to bracket member  22  and is fashioned to receive one or more communication lines. Communication grasp  30  includes a clamping portion  32  that includes channels  34   a  and  34   b . Clamping portion  32  includes a hinging apparatus  36  for allowing communication lines having various diameters to be adapted to coupling member  10 . Components of clamping portion  32  are adapted to receive swivel assembly  42 . Swivel assembly  42  includes a swivel member  40  and a swivel member  44 . Swivel member  44  is optionally spring loaded to apply tension and couple communication lines about channels  34   a  and  34   b  of communication grasp  30 . 
         [0022]    In one mode of operation, straps  20   a  and  20   b  remain in an open position about strapping assembly  20 . Coupling member  10  is adapted about a substantially circumferential body. Straps  20   a  and  20   b  are then drawn around a substantially circumferential body in tension via strapping assembly  20  and optionally pulled or ratcheted to create additional tension about a substantially circumferential body. Communication lines are secured about communication grasp  30 . Communication grasp  30  receives communication lines via channels  34   a  and  34   b . Swivel assembly  42  is positioned to allow for containment of communication lines. Once communication lines are disposed within channels  34   a  and  34   b , swivel member  40  is pivoted towards swivel assembly  42 . Swivel member  40  is subsequently secured against swivel assembly  42 , via swivel member  44 . In an instance in which communication lines are not aligned with the direction of a substantially circumferential body, strapping assembly  20  and swivel assembly  42  are allowed to pivot about one another while securing communication lines and a substantially circumferential body. In the event that strapping assembly  20  and swivel assembly  42  need to be immediately separated from one another, in certain embodiments, their coupling methodology may allow for the severance of each component. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , a view of a strapping assembly  20  is illustrated. As is shown, strapping assembly  20  is illustrated having strap  20   a  and strap  20   b  in a “closed” position as if each were surrounding a circumferential component. Accordingly, set screw  21   a  and set screw  21   b  are positioned to retract and deploy first strap  20   a  and second strap  20   b . Once strap  20   a  or strap  20   b  is within the confines of channels  23   a  and  23   b , set screws  21   a  and  21   b  may be rotated, allowing tension to be drawn about straps  20   a  and  20   b . Straps  20   a  and  20   b  may be fitted with a grommet on each of the strap that engages screws  21   a  and  21   b  for selective movement of the strap thereby tightening and loosening the straps about the riser. Alternatively, straps  20   a  and  20   b  may have one end that is fixed to strapping assembly  20  and a second end that is fitted with a grommet for engagement to screws  21   a  or  21   b . In the event that it is desirable to draw tension about strap  20   a  and  20   b , set screws  21   a  and  21   b  may be rotated in order to draw straps  20   a  and  20   b  within the confines of channels  23   a  and  23   b  to tighten the strap about the riser. In the event that it is desirable to partially or fully release tension from straps  20   a  and  20   b , from the confines of channels  23   a  and  23   b , set screws  21   a  and  21   b  may be rotated to allow tension to be released from the detent in which each screw is selectively disposed. Screws  21   a  and  21   b  may be threaded through plates  26   a  and  26   b  respectively so that upon engagement of said screws, the plate moves inward and outward along the shaft of the screw. By doing so, the straps are pulled inward and tightened or loosened. Plates  26   a  and  26   b  may be of a variety of configurations including a tapered square wedge, as shown in the inset of  FIG. 2A , which facilitates locking the straps in place into a reciprocal void that may be tapered or not. 
         [0024]    As is readily apparent to one of ordinary skill, the straps may alternatively be engaged to the housing by other means including a ratcheting mechanism that engages the plate or straps alone to pull them inward to the housing. 
         [0025]    Strapping assembly  20  includes stabilizing members  24   a  and  24   b  which align about straps  20   a  and  20   b . Stabilizing members  24   a  and  24   b  assist in aligning strapping assembly  20  both about the bottom and top of straps  20   a  and  20   b . Through including stabilizing members about the bottom and top of straps  20   a  and  20   b , drifting and walking of coupling member  10  is prevented when extraneous forces are exerted. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2   b , an alternative view of strapping assembly  20  as shown in  FIG. 2   a , is illustrated. Accordingly, detents or voids  25   a  and  25   b  are illustrated for communicating with set screws  21   a  and  21   b  (not illustrated). In certain embodiments, communication grasp  30  may be separated from strapping assembly  20  to allow for manipulation of set screws  21   a  and  21   b  (not illustrated). Similarly, an adapting member  27  for coupling communication member  30  (not illustrated) and strapping assembly  20  is illustrated. Adapting member  27  includes indentation  28 , for preventing slippage between communication member  30  and strapping assembly  20 . Adapting member  27  also includes aperture  29   a  which is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of communication member  30 . Adapting member  27  also includes aperture  29   b , which is disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of communication member  30 . Insert (not pictured) may be disposed within apertures  29   a  and  29   b  in order to allow removable coupling of communication grasp  30  and strapping assembly  20 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a view of communication grasp  30  is illustrated. As is illustrated, communication grasp  30 , includes a receiving aperture  31  for allowing coupling of strapping assembly  20  via adapting member  27  (shown in  FIG. 2   b ). When strapping assembly  20  couples to communication grasp  30 , indentation  28  (shown in  FIG. 2   b ) mates with ridge  33 . Ridge  33  allows for a slip fitting of communication grasp  30  and strapping assembly  20 . Once communication grasp  30  and strapping assembly  20  fully abut one another, a securing pin (not shown) may be inserted into aperture  29   b , while locking pin  35  may be disposed within aperture  29   a  (shown in  FIG. 2   b ) to securely couple strapping assembly  20  and communication grasp  30 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative view of coupling member  10  is illustrated. As is shown, communication grasp  30  includes parallel channels which are substantially cylindrical and hollow. Channel  34   a  incorporates a slightly smaller diameter than channel  34   b . Swivel assembly  42  secures communication and other lines (not pictured) via swivel member  44  and swivel member  40  through coupling components of hinging apparatus  36  in a substantially perpendicular manner. Strapping assembly  20  as well as straps  20   a  and  20   b  along with channels  34   a  and  34   b  are all substantially aligned. When swivel assembly  42  secures communication lines via hinging apparatus  36  in the depicted orientation, each of the communication lines align the substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation of swivel assembly  42 . 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternative assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Assembly  60  has clamp base  88  which is operably connectable to clamp assembly  63  and  65 . Clamp assembly  63  has side clamp  66  in hinged connection to side clamp  68 . Side clamp  66  has hinge section  74  that mates with side clamp  68  at hinge section  72 . Hinge sections  72  and  74  have reciprocal interleaved members but any of a variety of hinge mechanism may be employed. Pin  70  is inserted into hinge sections  72  and  74  thereby making a flexible hinge joint. 
         [0030]    Side section  66  has end section  99  that mates with end section  97  of side section  68  to form a male insert  100  for operable engagement to clamp base  88 . Male section  100  has a threaded opening  90  for insertion of screw  96  through aperture  92  into opening  90 . Screw  96  is inserted into lock washer  94  and tightened into opening  90  thereby drawing clamp assembly  63  into stable engagement to clamp base  88 . Pads  76  and  77  and  80  and  82 , are positioned on the inside circumference of clamp assemblies  63  and  65  respectively to provide cushioned support for the clamp when it is positioned around the riser. Alternatively, clamp assembly  63  could be configured of a single flexible piece of material in a circular configuration with end sections  97  and  99  mating to form male insert  100  and still have the same ability for stable engagement to clamp base  88 . 
         [0031]    Male inserts  100  and  101  are preferably configured with a tapered outer dimension so that upon engagement by screws  96  and  98 , each wedges into clamp base  88 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , male insert  100  is inserted into void  104  upon engagement of clamp assembly  63  being drawn into void  104  upon activation of screw  96 . As is readily apparent, a tapered shape to male insert  100  provide stable engagement with void  104  when fully inserted. Void  104  may be preferably tapered in a reciprocal manner to facilitate stable engagement to male insert  100 . Similarly, clamp assembly  65  is inserted into void  106  by male insert  101  and stably engaged. 
         [0032]    Clamp assemblies  63  and  65  may be composed of a variety of materials including composite, rubber, synthetic, or metallic. 
         [0033]    Assembly  60  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may be connected in similar fashion as previously described to communication grasp  30  for holding various lines including multiplexed (MUX) hydraulic lines, choke lines, boost lines, an Installation/Workover Control Systems (IWOCS) line, and other umbilical lines. 
         [0034]    It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
         [0035]    All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the structures and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to the structures and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention.