U.S. patent application number 12/870657 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for method and apparatus for through-cut verification.
Invention is credited to Heath L. Jones, Jerry Ross Landry, Jonathon D. Miller.
Application Number | 20110053458 12/870657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43625589 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110053458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Jonathon D. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2011 |
Method and Apparatus for Through-Cut Verification
Abstract
A method and apparatus for verifying the complete cut through of
a tubular member by a fluid cut through device. A follower runs in
the kerf created in the tubular member by the fluid cut through
device until the follower encounters an incomplete cut, or hanger.
The follower rotates away from the fluid cut through device when
the follower encounters a hanger, thereby disengaging a switch to
interrupt the fluid cut through device.
Inventors: |
Miller; Jonathon D.;
(LaFayette, LA) ; Jones; Heath L.; (Youngsville,
LA) ; Landry; Jerry Ross; (Youngsville, LA) |
Family ID: |
43625589 |
Appl. No.: |
12/870657 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61237607 |
Aug 27, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/2 ;
451/76 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24C 9/00 20130101; B24C
3/325 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/2 ;
451/76 |
International
Class: |
B24C 3/32 20060101
B24C003/32; B24C 3/06 20060101 B24C003/06 |
Claims
1. A method for verifying complete cut-through in a tubular member,
the method comprising: providing a fluid jet cut through device
that cuts a kerf in the tubular member as it is rotated; providing
a switch attached to the jet cut through device; providing a
follower, the follower swively mounted near the switch such that
the follower may extend into the kerf created by the fluid cut
through device while also engaging the switch; and rotating the
fluid jet cut through device in a direction to create a kerf.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: discontinuing the
operation of the fluid cut through device when the follower engages
a section of kerf that is incompletely cut.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: disengaging the switch
when the follower engages a section of kerf that is incompletely
cut.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: disengaging the switch
when the follower engages a section of kerf that is incompletely
cut; and discontinuing the operation of the fluid cut through
device when the switch is disengaged.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising: reversing the
direction of the fluid cut through device.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising: reversing the rotation
of the fluid cut through device until the follower engages the
switch; restarting rotation in the direction of the cut through
device.
7. The method of claim 4 further comprising: reversing the rotation
of the fluid cut through device such that the follower does not
engage the switch; retrieving the fluid cut through device; and
replacing the follower.
8. A device for verifying complete cut-through in a tubular member,
the device comprising: a fluid jet cut through device that cuts a
kerf in the tubular member as it is rotated; a switch attached to
the jet cut through device; and a follower, the follower swively
mounted near the switch such that the follower may extend into the
kerf created by the fluid cut through device while also engaging
the switch.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein: the follower is a removable
member.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein: the removable member is a
blade
11. The device of claim 9 wherein: the removable member is a
loop.
12. The device of claim 8 wherein: the follower engages the switch
while rotating freely in the kerf and disengages the switch when
encountering an incompletely cut kerf.
13. The device of claim 8 wherein: the fluid cut through device is
mounted on parallel arms to a structure allowing the deployment and
retrieval of the fluid cut through device.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority and the benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) from U.S. provisional patent application
61/237,607 for "Method and Apparatus for Through-Cut Verification"
filed Aug. 27, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to apparatus and
methods for confirming thorough cut-through of a down hole abrasive
fluid jet cutting device.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Down hole operations sometimes require a tubular string to
be cut with an abrasive fluid jet cutting tool lowered within the
tubular string. Where the cutting tool does not cut a full kerf
"hangers" are formed which may impede the down hole operation.
[0006] All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to
the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may
not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference
for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of
ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A method and apparatus for verifying the complete cut
through of a tubular member by a fluid cut through device. A
follower runs in the kerf created in the tubular member by the
fluid cut through device until the follower encounters an
incomplete cut, or hanger. The follower rotates away from the fluid
cut through device when the follower encounters a hanger, thereby
disengaging a switch to interrupt the fluid cut through device.
[0008] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and
detailed description that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of an abrasive fluid jet
cutting device in use;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing a clean cut;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing a hanger;
[0012] FIG. 2C is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing a follower engaging the hanger;
[0013] FIG. 2D is a close-up view of a follower as shown in FIGS.
2A-2C;
[0014] FIG. 2E is a close-up view of the removal of the blade of
the follower shown in FIG. 2D;
[0015] FIG. 2F is a close-up view of the blade removed;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a close up view of an alternatively mounted blade
follower;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing a clean cut and a loop-type second alternative
follower;
[0018] FIG. 4B is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing a hanger;
[0019] FIG. 4C is a close-up view of an abrasive fluid jet cutting
device showing the alternative follower engaging the hanger;
[0020] FIG. 4D is a close-up view of a follower as shown in FIGS.
4A-4C;
[0021] FIG. 4E is a close-up view of the removal of the loop of the
follower shown in FIG. 4D;
[0022] FIG. 4F is a close-up view of the loop removed;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of an abrasive jet cutting head in
use; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of a complete abrasive jet cutting
apparatus in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to
the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may
not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference
for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0026] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical mechanical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid
detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, the description may omit certain information known
to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is,
therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of
the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, an abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10
forms a through-cut 12 in a tubular 14. The direction of the
movement of the abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10 is indicated
by the arrow 16.
[0028] The abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10 is provided with a
follower 20. The purpose of the follower 20 is to detect portions
of the through-cut 12 which were not properly completed. When the
follower 20 detects a "hanger," the term used by those in the
industry to denote a section of the through-cut 12 that was not
properly completed, the follower 20 pivots away from the abrasive
fluid jet cutting device 10 thereby signaling the need for remedial
action.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates the abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10
and the follower 20 in greater detail. The follower 20 is pivotally
supported at 22 and a switch 24 is actuated whenever the follower
20 is pivoted away from its nominal orientation.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the abrasive fluid jet cutting
device 10 is forming the through-cut kerf 12 in the tubular 14. The
abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10 has previously failed to
function properly thereby resulting in a "hanger" 26.
[0031] When the follower 20 engages the hanger 26 the switch 24 is
activated thereby discontinuing the operation of the abrasive fluid
jet cutting device 10. The abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10 is
then moved in a direction of that opposite to that of the arrow 16
to a location beyond the hanger. The abrasive fluid jet cutting
device 20 is operated either during reverse movement thereof, or
during subsequent forward movement thereof, or both, in order to
remove the hanger and resume normal cutting operations.
[0032] FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F illustrate the "break-away" construction
feature of the follower 20. This feature has been designed to
ensure that the abrasive fluid jet cutting device is not trapped in
tubular if the kerf closes and traps the follower due to axial
compressive loads in the tubular. In the specific case of offshore
platform decommissioning, the axial compressive force is often a
result of structure dead weight. FIG. 2D shows the follower 20
mounted in the support structure 30. In the case where the blade 28
is trapped in the kerf 12, cutting operations will be discontinued
when the follower 20 is pivoted away from its nominal orientation.
Reversing the cutting head direction would not result in
de-energizing switch 24 as would be the case if a hanger had been
encountered. In such a situation, the operator would retract the
fluid jet cutting apparatus 10 and the verification arm 20 on
parallel arms 50 initiating the break-away of the follower 20 from
the support structure 30.
[0033] This is illustrated in FIG. 2E where the cutting head
retraction is prying the follower grip "fingers" away from the
support structure. FIG. 2F shows the follower configuration after
break-way.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative follower support
structure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that
follower 20 may comprise a variety of types and kinds of blades
which are removable from the associated support structure utilizing
various well-known techniques.
[0035] FIGS. 4A through 4F, inclusive, illustrate an alternative
embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the alternate
embodiment the follower 20 of FIGS. 1 through 3 is replaced by a
wire loop 40. Otherwise, the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 4A through 4F functions identically to the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 through 3 and described hereinabove in conjunction
therewith. FIG. 4D illustrates the engagement of the loop 40 with
its support structure 42. FIGS. 4E and 4F illustrate the
disengagement of the loop 40 from the support structure 42 if the
loop 40 were to be trapped in the kerf.
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the supporting and positioning
mechanism for the through-cut verification system of the present
invention. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the abrasive fluid jet
cutting apparatus 10 and the verification arm 20 are supported by
spaced apart pairs of parallel arms 50. The arms 50 function to
move the abrasive fluid jet cutting apparatus 10 and the
verification arm 20 perpendicular to the axis of the tubular 14.
Referring to FIG. 6, the parallel arms 50 and its support structure
are, in turn, supported on a structure 52 which assures that the
axis of rotation of the abrasive fluid jet cutting device 10 and
the follower 20 is exactly aligned with the centerline of the
tubular 14 that is being through-cut.
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