Connection and Disconnection of Hydraulic Equipment in Hyperbaric Environments

摘要

A hydraulically-powered subsea tool system has a tool (26) and a tool power unit (12). The tool (26) communicates with a first connector element (30) on a hydraulic drive circuit (82). The tool power unit (12) has a hydraulic supply circuit (88) communicating with a second connector element (20). The connector elements are wet-mated with each other to connect the circuits for powering the tool. The circuits are pressure-compensated by respective compensators (136,90). When the circuits are connected, a valve (140) is operable to transfer pressure compensation of one of the circuits from the compensator (136) of that circuit to the compensator (90) of the other circuit. The valve (140) suitably transfers pressure compensation of the drive circuit from a drive circuit compensator to a supply circuit compensator.

主权项

1. A hydraulically-powered tool system for subsea interventions, the system comprising:
a tool communicating with a first connector element, the tool and the first connector element being on a hydraulic drive circuit; and a tool power unit having a hydraulic supply circuit communicating with a second connector element, the first and second connector elements being arranged to be wet-mated with each other to establish fluid communication between the supply circuit and the drive circuit for powering the tool when in use; wherein: the drive circuit is pressure-compensated by a drive circuit compensator; and the supply circuit is pressure-compensated by a supply circuit compensator; and the system further comprises at least one valve that, when the drive circuit and the supply circuit are in fluid communication, is operable to transfer pressure compensation of one of said circuits from the compensator of that circuit to the compensator of the other circuit.