Controllable Caliper

• US 20090093910A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oceaneering International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oceaneering International Incorporated
• Inventors: Grosz, Gregory C., Kros, Hans A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,744,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/002 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/02 Rulers with scales or marks for direct reading measuring tapes G01B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/20 Slide gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/205 provided with a counter for digital indication of the measured dimension
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/38 Gauges with an open yoke and opposed faces, i.e. calipers, in which the internal distance between the faces is fixed, although it may be preadjustable
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/08 for measuring diameters G01B5/0035 takes precedence; measuring radius of curvature G01B5/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B7/004, G01B7/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B7/30 takes precedence

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention is directed to an electronic caliper which combines positioning and measurement in one unit without the use of hydraulics for subsea use. In certain embodiments, several attachments can be affixed to accommodate a range of measurement tasks. In a preferred embodiment, one jaw is adjustable and the other, or opposing, jaw is fixed, e.g. by bolting it on to a mounting structure. The jaws typically allow for the removal and replacement of other attachments. In another embodiment, the unit communicates to computer software for position control, precise indication and clamping for adjustment. In a preferred embodiment, computer software displays all feedback via laptop computer on surface. The caliper is maneuvered to a position proximate an object and used to measure a predetermined physical characteristic of the object. The measurement can be displayed, e.g. at the surface, using a computer with control software.

Claims

1. A tool for measuring a physical dimension of an object, comprising:

a. a first rail;

b. a first jaw and a second jaw disposed about the first rail, at least one of the first or second jaws being adjustable in a predetermined plane with respect to the other of the jaws along the first rail;

c. a positioner operatively connected to the adjustable jaw, the positioner adapted to effect movement of the adjustable jaw;

d. a measurement sensor operatively in communication with the positioner, the measurement sensor adapted to measure a predetermined physical dimension of an object disposed in-between the jaws;

e. a pressure balancing compensator;

f. a data link connector; and

g. a power source link connector.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the positioner is adapted to effect stepless movement of the adjustable jaw.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the positioner further comprises:

a. an actuator operatively connected to the adjustable jaw; and

b. position monitoring electronics operatively connected to the actuator.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises an electronic linear actuator with position feedback.

5. The tool of claim 3, wherein the position monitor 3 comprises a position control module.

6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a data link operatively in communication with the positioner and the measurement sensor;

b. a computer operatively in communication with the positioner and the measurement sensor via the data link; and

c. control software resident in the computer, the control software adapted to effect a change in the positioner based at least in part on data from the measurement sensor.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the control software comprises a position control software module adapted to create data representative of a precise indication of displacement of the adjustable jaw and adjust displacement of the adjustable jaw.

8. The tool of claim 6, wherein the control software further comprises a feedback display software module adapted to create feedback information for display.

9. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an actuator attachment attached to at least one of the jaws at a predetermined actuator attachment point.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein the actuator attachment comprises:

a. a strainable member; and

b. a strain gauge mounted on the strainable member.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the electronic linear actuator further comprises:

a. a stepper motor;

b. a lead screw operatively in communication with the stepper motor; and

c. a linear potentiometer operatively in communication with the stepper motor or the lead screw.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the jaws can accommodate an object of around 16 inches in width.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein:

a. a predetermined one of the jaws is fixedly attached to the structure; and

b. the fixedly attached jaw is adapted to allow removal and replacement of another attachment.

14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the data link connector is a remotely operated vehicle compatible data link connector.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the power link connector is a remotely operated vehicle compatible power link connector.

16. A tool for measuring a physical dimension of a subsea object without the use of hydraulics, comprising:

a. a first rail;

b. a first jaw and a second jaw disposed about the first rail, at least one of the first or second jaws being adjustable in a predetermined plane with respect to the other of the jaws along the first rail;

c. an electronic positioner operatively connected to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw;

d. a positioning sensor operatively in communication with the electronic positioner;

e. a measurement sensor operatively in communication with the electronic positioner;

f. a pressure balancing compensator; and

g. a data/power link to ROV.

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the jaws are adapted to accommodate an object from around 0 inches to around 16 inches.

18. A method of obtaining a measurement of a physical dimension of a device located subsea, comprising:

a. maneuvering a tool for measuring a physical dimension of an object to a position proximate the object, the tool comprising a set of jaws;

b. positioning an opened set of the jaws about the object;

c. sending a signal from a position control module to a linear actuator operatively in communication with a position controller operatively in communication with at least one of the set of jaws;

d. changing a state [extends/retracts] of the linear actuator to a state [location] using a stepper motor translated to linear motion through a lead screw;

e. stopping the linear actuator, once jaws have made contact across dimension of interest;

f. relaying the location of the jaws through the position control module; and

g. displaying the location at the surface through a computer with the control software.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the changing of the state of the linear actuator occurs in a preselected discrete step.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the changing of the state of the linear actuator occurs in until a feedback measurement reaches a predetermined value.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising measuring a change in a predetermined physical characteristic during the changing of the state.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling the tool to provide a pre-selected amount of force to exert on the jaws, the force ranging from 0-100% of available force.