| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus for cutting an object, such as a pipe, using a flexible cutting member, preferably a diamond wire, comprising clamping legs 16 that grip an object to be cut, and a frame 22 with guide members 30 (which may be pulley wheels) that carry and drive the sawing wire. The frame is moved relative to the clamping legs by a hydraulic motor (26 of figure 5) and a tension control device 34 ensures the tension in the wire does not get too great. The tension control device includes a valve (figures 14-15) that varies the flow of hydraulic fluid through the motor. If the tension in the wire gets too high guide member 30b moves against a biasing spring (42 figure 12) causing the valve to reduce the fluid flow to the hydraulic motor. This valve may comprise one inlet and one outlet and a linear actuator, preferably with a tapered portion, that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid between the inlet and outlet in response to linear movement of the spring. The frame moving means may comprise a worm screw 28 which the motor drives along. Preferably this apparatus is included in a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for use underwater.</p> |
