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BR-102024017752-A2 - Rotating device, method for mounting the rotating device, and method for rotating the rotating device.

BR102024017752A2BR 102024017752 A2BR102024017752 A2BR 102024017752A2BR-102024017752-A2

Abstract

The present invention develops a device capable of connecting different tool sections in order to promote rotation between them (angular movement) and thus allow the tool to perform its function, overcoming access difficulties arising from the limitations of an ROV manipulator or human arm, for example. To this end, the present invention comprises a rotation device comprising: two side caps; two side guides; a "T" joint; an internal structure; a "V" joint; at least three pins; at least two bushings; and a central shaft; wherein the central shaft internally and securely connects the two side caps; wherein the internal structure comprises at least three holes through which the at least three pins pass from the outer surface to the inner surface of the device; wherein the at least three pins each comprise a screw and a spring; and wherein the central shaft has a circular geometry with at least eight depressions. The present invention also describes a method for assembling the rotation device and a method for rotating the rotation device.

Inventors

  • Samuell Costa de Souza
  • JOAO PAULO URBANO

Assignees

  • Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20240829

Claims (14)

  1. 1. Rotating device (1), characterized in that it comprises: two side covers (10a, 10b); two side guides (11a, 11b); a “T” joint (12); an internal structure (20); a “V” joint (21); at least three pins (30); at least two bushings (40a, 40b); and a central shaft (50); wherein the central shaft (50) internally and securely connects the two side covers (10a, 10b); wherein the internal structure (20) comprises at least three holes through which the at least three pins (30) pass from the outer surface to the inner surface of the device (1); wherein the at least three pins (30) comprise in each pin (30) a screw (31) and a spring (32); and wherein the central shaft (50) has a circular geometry with a plurality of depressions.
  2. 2. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the two side covers (10a, 10b) are laterally opposite to each other, and in that the internal structure (20) is disposed in the middle of the two side covers (10a, 10b), wherein the internal structure (20) is movable relative to the two side covers (10a, 10b).
  3. 3. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two side guides (11a, 11b) are fixed to the two side covers (10a, 10b), wherein the side guide (11a) is fixed to the side cover (10a) and the side guide (11b) is fixed to the side cover (10b).
  4. 4. Rotating device (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that the side guide (11a) also has an opening in its upper part.
  5. 5. Rotating device (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the “T” joint (12) is fitted into the two side guides (11a, 11b) through the opening of the side guide (11a), so that it makes the connection between the two side covers (10a, 10b).
  6. 6. Rotating device (1), according to claim 5, characterized in that the “T” joint (12) comprises its threaded ends, wherein the “T” joint (12) is fixed to the two side guides (11a, 11b) by means of two nuts (13a, 13b).
  7. 7. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the “V” joint (21) is fixed to the surface of the internal structure (20).
  8. 8. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that each side cover (10a, 10b) comprises at least two bushings (40a, 40b), and in that the bushings (40a, 40b) are mounted in internal cavities of the two side covers (10a, 10b).
  9. 9. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the central axis (50) is fixed in the cavities of the bushings (40a, 40b).
  10. 10. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (32) is housed in the rear of the pin (30), and the screw (31) is fixed to the rear of the pin (30) and on top of the spring (32).
  11. 11. Rotating device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the “T” junction (12) comprises an upper surface (12a), and the “V” junction (21) comprises an upper surface (21a).
  12. 12. Assembling the rotating device (1), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: assembling a side cover (10a) on one side of the inner structure (20), and positioning a bushing (40a) in the space between the side cover (10a) and the inner structure (20); assembling the central shaft (50), and positioning the central shaft (50) in the bushing hole (40a); positioning a bushing (40b) on the central shaft (50), and assembling a side cover (10b) on another side of the inner structure (20); assembling the at least three springs (32) on the at least three pins (30), and housing the at least three pins (30) in the at least three holes located in the inner structure (20); tightening the screws (31) of the at least three pins (30), and positioning the at least three pins (30) in at least three depressions of the plurality of depressions; fix the two side guides (11a, 11b) to the side covers (10a, 10b), and position the “T” joint (12) on the side guides using the nuts (13a, 13b).
  13. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that after performing the steps, test the applied stress at the “T” junction (12) and at the “V” junction (21).
  14. 14. Method for rotating the rotating device (1), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: loosening the screws (31) of the at least three pins (30); rotating the structure composed of the two side covers (10a, 10b) in relation to the internal structure (20); and tightening the screws (31) of the at least three pins (30), and positioning the at least three pins (30) in at least three depressions of the plurality of depressions.

Description

Field of invention [001] The present invention falls within the field of technologies related to pivoting links, rotating engineering elements, and arrangements for locking devices, more specifically, the present invention is applied in the area of tool joints and connections and, even more particularly, it refers to an angular rotation device to be coupled between two tool sections. Fundamentals of the invention [002] The difficulty of handling different tools is a reality that many professionals face, especially when it comes to accessing difficult areas, so that professionals are often forced to improvise and use ineffective methods to overcome this issue, which can result in delays, wasted time and even accidents. [003] The absence of a specific device to facilitate movement between different tool sections also directly impacts productivity and the quality of work performed, since professionals who depend on precision and speed in their tasks face constant obstacles when dealing with this limitation. In addition, the lack of accessibility to hard-to-reach areas can compromise the proper maintenance of equipment and structures, increasing operating costs and the risk of failures or damage. [004] An example of the situation described is the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), which are implements widely used to perform underwater inspection and maintenance operations, and which have two manipulators (mechanical arms), each with a gripper at the end to hold or manipulate equipment and tools. [005] Due to the limited size and degrees of freedom of the ROV manipulator, since such manipulators have characteristics to generally meet operational needs, it is not possible to access locations with a certain degree of access difficulty, such as certain cases that occur, for example, in subsea installations containing many pipelines close to each other, in hidden pipeline regions (for example, to measure the thickness of a pipeline on an opposite generatrix), among others. For such situations, dedicated tools would be needed, with a profile specifically designed for each application. [006] Thus, in the state of the art there is a need for the development of devices capable of connecting different tool sections, in order to promote rotation between them (angular movement) and thus allow the tool to perform its function, overcoming access difficulties arising from the limitations of an ROV manipulator or human arm, for example. State of the art [007] The search for historical background led to some documents that reveal matters within the technological field of the present invention. [008] US Patent 4,543,006 A discloses improvements in a multi-position folding ladder joint, in which one side of the locking disc of the second joint member is provided between each notch thereof and the common axial screw with cams capable of unidirectional rotation under the actuation action of the operating lever release element. US Patent 4,543,006 A further discloses a swivel system applied to ladders. This system allows two distinct portions to rotate/be folded around a central axis, placing the ladder in multiple positions. [009] US patent 3,643,292 A discloses a latch hinge that is commonly found in folding ladders, reclining chairs, etc., in which a pair of hinge arms are connected to each other, rotating around a common axis. [010] Document EP 0 911 716 B1 discloses an angular positioning and retention device especially for a windshield wiper lever of a vehicle switch control unit which is provided with a cam body that defines a plurality of seats and a retention element that can be coupled to the windshield wiper lever which can be rotated around a pivot axis to selectively engage the seats; at least one of the cam body and the retention element being provided with at least one resilient portion yieldable during rotation of the retention element around the pivot axis. [011] However, none of the prior art documents US 4,543,006 A, US 3,643,292 A and EP 0 911 716 B1 describe an angular rotation device for accessing remote locations, including via ROV, capable of providing different angular positions through independent rotation of its parts, capable of load adjustment through tightening of screws and also capable of providing a system connecting various tool sections (by means of T and V junctions), which can even be connected to the external portion of one of the covers of the external part of the device, as described in the present invention. Brief description of the invention [012] The present invention develops a device capable of connecting different tool sections, with the purpose of promoting rotation between them (angular movement) and thus allowing the tool to perform its function, overcoming access difficulties arising from the limitations of an ROV manipulator or human arm, for example. To this end, the present invention comprises a rotation device, comprising: two side caps; two side guides; a “T” joint; an in