Patent ID: 7445404

Claim:
A remotely controlled apparatus for use in forming a bolted connection between first and second flanges to connect the ends of respective first and second conduits in a subsea installation, each flange having a front face for meeting the other flange, a rear face and a set of holes at predetermined positions on a pitch circle, the apparatus comprising: a stud loading tool for handling a set of studs corresponding in number to the holes in the flanges and arranged to approach from the rear of the first flange to insert a free end of each stud so as to project through aligned holes in the first and second flanges; and a nut running tool including at least one rotatable socket for holding at a nut behind the second flange to receive one of the projecting stud ends and for running the nut onto a threaded portion of the stud end, wherein said stud loading tool comprises: at least one stud insertion actuator, adapted for gripping, inserting and releasing studs one at a time and supported so as to be movable to any of a plurality of hole positions within at least a segment of said pitch circle, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: stud storage means for storing sufficient studs for the holes within said segment and operable to present the studs for removal one at a time; stud transfer actuator for removing a stud from the stud storage means and transferring it to the stud insertion actuator for insertion at a desired hole position within said segment; and wherein the stud insertion actuator, the stud storage means and the stud transfer actuator are all supported on a common frame, the stud insertion actuator being moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the common frame to perform said approach and insert the free end of the stud, the stud storage means being mounted on the common frame separately from the stud insertion actuator so as not to move longitudinally with the stud insertion actuator.