This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
As will be appreciated, oil and natural gas have a profound effect on modern economies and societies. In order to meet the demand for such natural resources, numerous companies invest significant amounts of time and money in searching for and extracting oil, natural gas, and other subterranean resources from the earth. Particularly, once a desired resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, drilling and production systems are often employed to access and extract the resource. These systems can be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of the desired resource.
To extract the resources from a well, a drilling riser may extend from the well to a rig. For example, in a subsea well, the drilling riser may extend from the seafloor up to a rig on the surface of the sea. A typical drilling riser may include a flanged assembly, and the drilling riser may perform multiple functions. In addition to transporting drilling fluid into the well, the riser may provide pipes to allow drilling fluids, mud, and cuttings to flow up from the well.
The riser is typically constructed by securing riser segments together via a flanged connection. Specifically, a first riser segment may be lowered from the rig into the sea. A subsequent riser segment may then be secured to the first segment, before lowering the entire stack. In this manner, a riser of a desired length may be formed. However, each riser segment may include multiple lines (e.g., pipes) configured to carry the various fluids toward or away from the well. Unfortunately, when extending lines along each riser segment, the lines may have different lengths and/or positions relative to the flanges.
Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
Drilling risers are constructed utilizing a number of riser segments that may be coupled to one another via flanges to ultimately form the drilling riser. Each riser segment may include a main line that may be utilized for drilling and/or returning hydrocarbons from the well to the surface. Additionally, each riser segment may include one or more auxiliary lines that are utilized to direct mud, drilling fluid, chemical injection fluid, and/or other substances to and from the well. For example, auxiliary lines may include choke lines, kill lines, hydraulic lines, glycol injection lines, mud return lines, and/or mud boost lines. The main line and the one or more auxiliary lines of the drilling riser segment may be referred to as a tubing assembly.
When coupling the riser segments to one another, it may be desirable to align each of the auxiliary lines with one another such that each auxiliary line of an individual riser segment extends a substantially equal distance from a surface of the riser segment (e.g., the flange). Accordingly, when coupling a first riser segment to a second riser segment, it may be desirable to cut each line (e.g., pipe) of the riser segment to include an equal height or distance from a surface of the riser segment. Aligning the heights of each line (e.g., pipe) of the riser segment may prevent leakage, breakage, and/or scarring of the lines due to movement of the riser (e.g., caused by waves and/or wind). Additionally, tolerances may be established regarding surfaces of the riser segments and/or the flanged assembly. Therefore, it may be desirable to utilize a tool to measure (e.g., indicate) the surfaces of the riser segments and/or the flanged assembly to confirm that each surface meets the established tolerances to ensure a secure connection between riser segments.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a cutting tool may be coupled to the riser segment and utilized to cut one or more of the auxiliary lines in order to substantially align each of the auxiliary lines with one another. It may be desirable for the cutting tool to include multiple degrees of freedom so that the cutting tool may be coupled to the riser, but still include flexibility to cut one or more auxiliary lines that may include varying diameters. For example, it may be desirable for the cutting tool to be adjustable both vertically and horizontally so that the cutting tool may cut each auxiliary line to a desired height and so that the cutting tool may reach (e.g., cut through) auxiliary lines having different diameters. Additionally, it may be desirable for the cutting tool to be mounted on a swiveling base (e.g., swivel joint) so that the cutting tool may rotate in a back and forth motion to cut through an entire perimeter of an auxiliary line. Therefore, in some embodiments, the multi-function tool may include a positioning assembly that may enable the multi-function tool to move with at least three degrees of freedom when mounted to the riser segment (e.g., vertical adjustments, horizontal adjustments, and swiveling or rotating in a back and forth motion to cut the auxiliary line).
Additionally, riser segments and/or the flanges that connect riser segments may include various surfaces such as flat surfaces, angled surfaces, round surfaces, inner diameters of pipes/conduits, outer diameters of pipes/conduits, spherical surfaces, tapered surfaces, portions of surfaces, or any combination thereof. In some cases, tolerances may be established for each surface of the riser segment and/or the flange. As used herein a “tolerance” may be an amount of variation in a surface parameter (e.g., flatness, uniformity, evenness, diameter, circumference, and/or thickness, among other parameters) that may be acceptable for construction standards (e.g., slight variations may enable a secure connection). Accordingly, a measurement tool that includes an indicator may be utilized to determine whether one or more of the surfaces of the riser segment and/or the flange conform to predetermined tolerances. As used herein an “indicator” may include a device used to accurately measure relatively small distances and/or angles to detect unnoticeable imperfections and/or inequalities in a surface. Utilizing the measurement tool may ensure that each riser segment and/or flange meets predetermined tolerances, and thus, ensure that a reliable connection between riser segments is established upon completion.
It is now recognized that it may be desirable to manufacture a single, multi-function tool capable of cutting the auxiliary lines of a riser segment as well as measuring one or more surfaces of the riser segment and/or the flange. Such a tool may reduce the amount of items brought to the construction and/or drilling site, which in turn, may reduce costs of construction. Additionally, the multi-function tool may enable enhanced cutting of the auxiliary lines (e.g., the multi-function tool may be quickly adjusted) and/or measurement of riser segment surfaces (e.g., multiple surfaces may be measured simultaneously).
To help illustrate the manner in which the present embodiments may be used in a system,
The wellhead assembly 12 typically includes multiple components that control and regulate activities and conditions associated with the well 16. For example, the wellhead assembly 12 generally includes bodies, valves, and seals that route produced minerals from the mineral deposit 14, provide for regulating pressure in the well 16, and provide for the injection of chemicals into the well-bore 18 (e.g., down-hole). In the illustrated embodiment, the wellhead 12 may include a tubing spool, a casing spool, and a hanger (e.g., a tubing hanger or a casing hanger). The system 10 may include other devices that are coupled to the wellhead 12, such as a blowout preventer (BOP) stack 20 and devices that are used to assemble and control various components of the wellhead 12.
A drilling riser 22 may extend from the BOP stack 20 to a rig 24, such as a platform or floating vessel 26. The rig 24 may be positioned above the well 16 and may include the components suitable for operation of the mineral extraction system 10, such as pumps, tanks, power equipment, and any other suitable components. The rig 24 may also include a derrick 28 to support the drilling riser 22 during running and retrieval and a tension control mechanism, among other components.
The wellhead assembly may include the blowout preventer (BOP) stack 20. The BOP stack 20 may consist of a variety of valves, fittings, and controls to block oil, gas, or other fluid from exiting the well in the event of an unintentional release of pressure or an overpressure condition. These valves, fittings, and controls are referred to herein as the “BOP stack” 20.
The drilling riser may carry drilling fluid (e.g., “mud”) from the rig 24 to the well 16, and may carry the drilling fluid (e.g., “returns”), cuttings, or any other substance, from the well 16 to the rig 24. The drilling riser 22 may include a main line having a large diameter and one or more auxiliary lines. The main line may be connected centrally over the bore (such as coaxially) of the well 16, and may provide a passage from the rig to the well. The auxiliary lines may include choke lines, kill lines, hydraulic lines, glycol injection lines, mud return lines, and/or mud boost lines. For example, some of the auxiliary lines may be coupled to the BOP stack 20 to provide choke and kill functions to the BOP stack 20.
As described further below, the drilling riser 22 may be formed from numerous “joints” or segments 32 of pipe, coupled together via flanges 34, or any other suitable devices. Additionally, the drilling riser 22 may include flotation devices, clamps, or other devices distributed along the length of the drilling riser 22. In certain embodiments, as the riser 22 is being assembled, a riser segment 32 may be secured to a spider by multiple dogs that engage the flange 34. A subsequent riser segment 32 may then be bolted to the riser segment 32 within the spider. The riser 22 may be lowered toward the well, and the next segment 32 is secured to the spider. This process facilitates riser construction by building the riser 22 one segment 32 at a time. The spider may be supported by a gimbal that enables the spider to rotate relative to the platform 26 as the platform moves with the wind and/or waves.
The auxiliary lines may pass through the segments 32 of the riser 22 via holes and/or openings in the segments 32 and/or the flanges 34. The auxiliary lines of each segment 32 may be coupled to one another by a coupling device (e.g., a pin and box connection) prior to the flange 34 being disposed over the two segments 32. However, in some cases, a first auxiliary line of the segment 32 may include a length greater than or less than a second auxiliary line of the segment 32. Accordingly, it may be desirable to utilize a tool to adjust (e.g., cut) a length of one or more of the auxiliary lines of each segment 32 so that each auxiliary line is aligned with the remaining auxiliary lines (e.g., uniform or equal position, height, etc. relative to the flange 34). As such, leakage, breakage, and/or scarring of the auxiliary lines may be substantially avoided. It may also be desirable for the tool to include additional features that may enable the tool to perform functions other than cutting the auxiliary lines. For example, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be desirable for the tool to include a measurement function (e.g., indicating) such that the tool may determine whether one or more surfaces of the segment 32 and/or the flange 34 fall within predetermined tolerance specifications.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a multi-function tool 50 that may be utilized to perform both cutting functions (e.g., of the auxiliary lines) and measurement functions (e.g., of surfaces of the flange 34). For example,
In some embodiments, the auxiliary lines 60 may extend a distance 62 beyond the surface 54 of the flange 34 such that a connection may be made with auxiliary lines (not shown) of another segment 32 of the riser 22. However, the distance 62 that each auxiliary line 60 extends beyond the surface 54 may not be equal, which may result in leakage, breakage, and/or scarring of misaligned auxiliary lines caused by stress due to movement of the riser 22, for example.
Accordingly, the multi-function tool 50 may be utilized to cut one or more of the auxiliary lines 60 such that the distance 62 that each auxiliary line 60 extends beyond the surface 54 of the flange 34 may be substantially equal. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of
Additionally, the multi-function tool 50 may be mounted to the base 66 via a universal mounting flange 74. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the base 66 may include one or more holes 76 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) that may receive a fastening device (e.g., a threaded fastener, a screw, a bolt, a clamp, or a rivet) to fasten the universal mounting flange 74 to the base 66. The universal mounting flange 74 may be disposed on a first side 78 of the base 66 and/or a second side 80 of the base 66. Therefore, the multi-function tool 50 may be configured to cut at least two or three different auxiliary lines 60 when the base 66 is mounted in any given position on the flange 34. In the illustrated embodiment of
To help clarify various features of the multi-function tool 50 when adapted for the cutting function,
Additionally, the spindle flange 64 may be selected from the plurality of spindle flanges, for example, to include a diameter larger than a diameter 102 of the auxiliary line 60 such that the auxiliary line 60 may pass through the spindle flange 64. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the spindle flange 64 may be sized for the specific auxiliary line to be cut. For example, the diameter 102 of the auxiliary line 60 may vary depending on the fluid the auxiliary line 60 is designed to carry (e.g., hydraulic fluid, mud, chemical injection fluid). Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the spindle flange 64 may be sized for a specific auxiliary line 60. In other embodiments, the spindle flange 64 may include a uniform diameter that may receive any sized auxiliary line 60.
The spindle flange 64 may also include a stabilization screw 104 to block movement of the auxiliary line 60 when cutting. For example, the stabilization screw 104 may be substantially loosened when positioning the auxiliary line 60 through the base 66 and the spindle flange 64. However, once the auxiliary line 60 is positioned through the spindle flange 64, the stabilization screw 104 may be tightened such that the auxiliary line 60 is substantially stationary (e.g., does not move along a vertical axis 106). It may be desirable for the auxiliary line 60 to remain substantially stationary with respect to the vertical axis 106 such that the multi-function tool 50 can cut the auxiliary line 60 evenly, thereby facilitating alignment of each auxiliary line 60 with one another (e.g., each auxiliary line 60 of the segment includes substantially the same distance 62 from the surface 54 of the flange 32).
In order to cut the auxiliary line 60, the multi-function tool 50 may include a blade 108 (e.g., a cutting blade) that may rotate in a circumferential direction 110 about an axis 107. In certain embodiments, the blade 108 may include a material that is harder (e.g., more abrasive) than a material of the auxiliary line 60 such that when the rotating blade 108 contacts the auxiliary line 60, pieces of the auxiliary line 60 may be chipped away, thereby cutting the auxiliary line 60. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the blade 108 may include a diamond-based material. To ensure that the blade 108 cuts the auxiliary line 60, the blade 108 may rotate in the circumferential direction 110 about the axis 107 at a relatively high speed. In certain embodiments, the blade 108 may spin at a speed of between 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 10,000 RPM, between 2000 RPM and 9000 RPM, or between 5000 and 7000 RPM. To rotate the blade 108 about the axis 107, the multi-function tool 50 may include a motor 112 (e.g., a drive) disposed on (e.g., coupled to) a first parallel plate 114 (e.g., a first plate) of the multi-function tool 50 via a mounting plate 115. In certain embodiments, the motor 112 may be a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or an electric motor. In other embodiments, the motor 112 may include any suitable motor configured to rotate the blade 108 around the axis 107 at a speed that may cut the auxiliary line 60. In addition to holding the motor 112, the mounting face 115 may also include a mounting feature 116 (e.g., threaded fastener, or nut) configured to couple to the blade 108, such that the blade 108 is coupled to the first parallel plate 114 (e.g., via the mounting plate 115).
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
In certain embodiments, the multi-function tool 50 may be adjusted along a plurality of different axes (in addition to rotation about the circumferential axis 111) such that blade 108 may reach the auxiliary line 60 to be cut, and so that the blade 108 may cut the auxiliary line 60 to the predetermined height (e.g., the height aligning the auxiliary line 60 with the remaining auxiliary lines 60 of the segment 32). Accordingly, the multi-function tool 50 may include a vertical adjustment feature 130 (e.g., first adjustment feature and/or first axial translation joint) that is configured to adjust a position of the blade 108 along the vertical axis 106. Additionally, the multi-function tool 50 may include a horizontal adjustment feature 132 (e.g., second adjustment feature and/or second axial translation joint) configured to adjust the blade along a horizontal axis 134. The vertical adjustment feature 130 and/or the horizontal adjustment feature 132 may be manually operated (e.g., manually adjusted by an operator) or operated by a power-generating device (e.g., an engine or motor). Accordingly, the multi-function tool 50 may include three or four degrees of freedom (e.g., movement along the vertical axis 106, movement along the horizontal axis 134, and rotation in the circumferential direction 110 about axis 111) to enable the multi-function tool 50 to access and cut auxiliary lines 60 having various diameters and disposed in various positions of the segment 32, such that the distance 62 that each auxiliary line 60 extends beyond the flange 34 is substantially equal. In some embodiments, a handle may be positioned on the vertical adjustment feature 130 and/or the horizontal adjustment feature 132 to facilitate movement of the multi-function tool 50 (and thus the blade 108) in the direction 121 about the axis 111.
In some cases, it may be desirable to move the blade 108 along the vertical axis 106 so that the auxiliary line 60 may be cut to the predetermined height (e.g., the height that places the auxiliary line 60 in alignment with each of the other auxiliary lines 60 of the segment 32). The vertical adjustment feature 130 may be configured to move the blade 108, the motor 112, the mounting plate 115 (e.g., mounting portion), and/or the mounting feature 116 along the vertical axis 106 with respect to the first parallel plate 114 (e.g., the first parallel plate 114 remains substantially stationary with respect to the vertical axis 106). Therefore, an operator may spin (e.g., in a direction 120 about an axis 109) or otherwise adjust the vertical adjustment feature 130 so that the blade 108 may contact the auxiliary line 60 at the predetermined height (e.g., a threaded rod may be configured to rotate in a threaded opening of the mounting plate 115 such that the mounting plate 115 moves along the vertical axis 106 as the threaded rod is rotated via the vertical adjustment feature 130). Adjusting the blade along the vertical axis 106 is discussed in more detail herein with reference to
Additionally, it may be desirable to adjust the blade 108 along the horizontal axis 134 such that the blade 108 may reach and cut an entire perimeter 136 of the auxiliary line 60. For example, in some embodiments, the multi-function tool 50 may be disposed on the base 66 and/or the flange 34 in an initial position where the blade 108 may not reach and/or contact the entire perimeter 136 of the auxiliary line 60. Accordingly, an operator may spin or otherwise adjust the horizontal adjustment feature 132 such that the multi-function tool 50 (and thus the blade 108) may be directed along the horizontal axis 134 to reach the auxiliary line 60.
For example, the horizontal adjustment feature 132 may be coupled to a threaded rod 138, which may be configured to move both the first parallel plate 114 and the second parallel plate 128 along the horizontal axis 134 with respect to a swiveling base 140 (e.g., swivel joint) mounted to the universal mounting flange 74. For example, the threaded rod 138 may be fixedly coupled to the second parallel plate 128 and disposed in a threaded opening 142 in the swiveling base 140. Accordingly, as the horizontal adjustment feature 132 is adjusted, the threaded rod 138 may move the second parallel plate 128 toward or away from the swiveling base 140. Additionally, the first parallel plate 114 and the second parallel plate 128 may be coupled to one another (e.g., and thus move together) via one or more rods 143 such that the first parallel plate 114 moves away from the swiveling base 140 when the second parallel plate 128 moves toward the swiveling base 140, and the first parallel plate 114 moves toward the swiveling base 140 when the second parallel plate 128 moves away from the swiveling base 140. Adjusting the first parallel plate 114 and the second parallel plate 128 along the horizontal axis 134 may enable the blade 108 to contact and overlap with the entire perimeter 136 of the auxiliary line 60 so that the distance 62 that the auxiliary line 60 extends from the surface 54 of the flange 34 is substantially uniform over the entire perimeter 136.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
The swiveling base 140 may include bearings and/or other components that may facilitate rotation in the direction 121 about the axis 111 and/or mounting to the universal mounting flange 74. For example,
In order to swivel (e.g., rotate) in the direction 121 about the axis 111, the swiveling rod 160 may be surrounded by an annular bearing 166 (e.g., a structure that includes a low friction material, rolling structures, or rollers) of the swiveling base 140 that is configured to rest on a ledge 168 (e.g., annular ledge, shoulder, or flange) of the swivel flange 144, for example. In certain embodiments, the annular bearing 166 may be disposed over the swiveling rod 160 such that the ledge 168 axially blocks movement of the annular bearing 166 along the vertical axis 106. Additionally, the annular bearing 166 may be further blocked from moving along the vertical axis 106 via one or more flanges 170 (e.g., threaded annular flanges) disposed at the top portion 164 of the swiveling base 140 (e.g., coupled to the swiveling rod 160). In some embodiments, the swiveling rod 160 may include threads configured to couple to the flanges 170 (e.g., threaded annular flanges). Additionally, the annular bearing 166 may be coupled to a top flange 172, which may be configured to secure a block portion 174 of the swiveling base 140 over the annular bearing 166. For example, it may be desirable to enable certain measurement features to be coupled to the swiveling base 140 to enable measurement of various surfaces of the flange 34. Such features may be coupled to the swiveling base 140 via openings 176 in the block portion 174 of the swiveling base 140. Accordingly, the block portion 174 may move about the annular bearing 166 in the direction 121 about the axis 111. In other embodiments, the block portion 174 as well as the top flange 172 may rotate with the annular bearing 166, when the annular bearing 166 is configured to move about the swiveling rod 160
In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to include a device that reduces friction between the one or more flanges 170 and the top flange 172. Accordingly, to facilitate movement of the swiveling base 140 in the direction 121 about the axis 111, a bearing 178 (e.g., a thrust bearing, a needle bearing, a ball bearing, a low friction material such as Teflon, plastics, etc.) may be disposed between the one or more flanges 170 and the top flange 172. In some embodiments, the bearing 178 may be a needle bearing that includes small cylindrical rolling devices (e.g., needles) to facilitate movement of the top flange 172 disposed between the stationary flanges 170. In other embodiments, the bearing 178 may be any suitable bearing that enhances movement between a moving component and a stationary component. As such, friction between the flanges 170 and the top flange 172 may be reduced, and movement of the swiveling base 140 may be facilitated.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
Additionally,
As discussed above, it may be desirable to adjust a position of the multi-function tool 50 in order to accurately and efficiently cut the auxiliary lines 60. For example,
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
As discussed above, it may be desirable to move the blade 108 along the vertical axis 106 such that the blade may contact the auxiliary line 60 at the distance 62 above the surface 54 of the flange 34. As such, the distance 62 that each auxiliary line 60 extends above the surface 54 may be approximately equal. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
Additionally, it may be desirable to adjust a position of the multi-function tool 50 along the horizontal axis 134 in order to accurately and efficiently cut the auxiliary lines 60. For example,
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
Additionally,
For example,
As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
In certain embodiments, the cross mount 296 may enable the multi-function tool 50 to be disposed over the main line 56 of the riser. As such, the multi-function tool 50 may rotate about the circumferential axis 110 such that the dial indicator 290 may measure the first surface 292 about an entire circumference 298 of the flange 294. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the dial indicator 290 may be configured to measure the first surface 292 such that an operator utilizing the multi-function tool 50 may determine whether parameters (e.g., flatness, uniformity, evenness, inner diameter, outer diameter, circumference, angle, curvature, and/or thickness, among other parameters) of the first surface 292 are within predetermined tolerance values for the first surface 292. The dial indicator 290 may be configured to measure a variety of surfaces such as a flat surface (e.g., the first surface 292, a second surface 300, a third surface 302), an angled surface (e.g., a fourth surface 304, a fifth surface 306), a round surface, an inner diameter of a pipe or conduit (e.g., a sixth surface 308), an outer diameter of a pipe or conduit (e.g., a seventh surface 310, an eight surface 312), a spherical surface, a tapered surface, and/or a portion of a surface (e.g., one or more indentations 314), among others.
In some embodiments, the dial indicator 290 may be re-positioned on the platform 270 so that it may measure (e.g., indicate) any of the surfaces 292, 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, or 314 of the raised-face flange 294. Additionally, the multi-function tool 50 may include multiple indicators coupled to virtually any part of the multi-function tool 50 (e.g., at the one or more indicator mounts 291). For example, the dial indicator 290 may be coupled to the platform 270. Additionally, a second indicator 316 may also be coupled to the platform 270. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of
For example, in certain embodiments, a third indicator 322 may be coupled to the second parallel plate 128 of the multi-function tool 50. Additionally, a fourth indicator 324 may be coupled to the second handle 126 of the second parallel plate 128. Further still, a fifth indicator 326 may be coupled to an opening 176 of the block portion 174 of the swiveling base 140. It should be noted that each of the openings 176 may include a separate indicator that each may be configured to measure (e.g., indicate) a separate surface. Accordingly, the multi-function tool 50 may include any suitable number of indicators to measure one or more of the surfaces 292, 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, or 314 of the raised-face flange 294. In some embodiments, the measurements may be taken simultaneously such that determination of whether each surface 292, 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, or 314 of the raised-face flange 294 meets predetermined tolerances may be performed with an enhanced efficiency.
In some cases, the one or more indicators 290, 316, 322, 324, and/or 326 may be utilized to accurately center the cross mount 296 over the main line 56. Centering the cross mount 296 may increase an accuracy of the measurements of the surfaces 292, 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, or 314 of the raised-face flange 294.
As discussed above, the multi-function tool 50 may include three or four degrees of freedom that may enable the multi-function tool 50 to be manipulated and adjusted to cut auxiliary lines 60 a desired height as well as to make the measurements using the indicators 290, 316, 322, 324, and/or 326. For example,
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the multi-function tool 50 may be mounted on the flange 34. Once the multi-function tool 50 has been mounted to the flange 34, the multi-function tool 50 may be adjusted along the horizontal axis 134 via the horizontal adjustment feature 132 such that the blade 108 may be configured to cut through the entire perimeter 136 of the auxiliary line 60. In some embodiments, the multi-function tool 50 may be adjusted about the axis 111 and along the horizontal axis 134 simultaneously. Additionally set screws (e.g., threaded fasteners, screws, bolts, etc.) may be utilized to fix the multi-function tool 50 in a position along the horizontal axis 134 such that the multi-function tool is substantially fixed with respect to axis 134.
As discussed above, it may be desirable to cut the auxiliary line 60 such that it extends the distance 62 above the flange 34 that is substantially aligned with the remaining auxiliary lines 60. Accordingly, the multi-function tool 50 may be adjusted about the vertical axis 106, 109 (e.g., via the vertical adjustment feature 130) such that the blade 108 is positioned at the distance 62. Again, a set screw (e.g., a threaded fastener, a screw, a bolt, etc.) may be utilized to substantially fix the multi-function tool 50 with respect to the vertical axis 106, 109 such that the blade 108 is at the distance 62.
Once the multi-function tool 50 is substantially fixed with respect to the axes 106, 109, and/or 134, the blade 108 may be rotated in the direction 121 about the axis 111 such that the blade 108 may cut through the entire auxiliary line 60, while the remaining components of the multi-function tool 50 remain substantially stationary. Accordingly, the auxiliary line 60 may be cut efficiently, accurately, and evenly by blocking at least some movement of the multi-function tool 50 (e.g., via the set screws) when the blade 108 cuts the auxiliary line 60.
While the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170145768 A1 | May 2017 | US |