SUBTERRANEAN CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR SUBMARINE WELLS

• US 3,741,517 A
• Filed: 02/09/1971
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ivo C. Pogonowski
• Original Assignee: Ivo C. Pogonowski
• Inventors: Pogonowski, Ivo C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gerard, Richard
• Application Number:
  US05/113,842
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 166/55,55.1 251/4-10,1 269/129,156 138/99 294/64BC,83R
• US Class Current: 251/5
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 29/08 Cutting or deforming pipes to control fluid flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a marine apparatus which includes a clamping device that is submergible beneath the water'"'"''"'"'s surface to be aligned with, and to squeezably deform the upstanding well casing of an uncontrollably flowing well. The apparatus includes a clamping yoke having spaced apart arms which define an opening or slip for registering about the upstanding well casing. A pair of displaceable cross members extend from the termini of the arms to interlock with each other and to engage the well casing. A hydraulic cylinder carried on the yoke is adapted to urge the clamping device into contact with the casing whereby to deform and crush the latter against the interlocked cross members.

Claims

1. A marine apparatus for deforming a subterranean flow line communicated with a pressurized fluid source and carrying an uncontrolled flow of said fluid therefrom, which apparatus comprises;

a. a yoke having a pair of spaced apart parallel arms depending therefrom, and defining a slip area therebetween, b. said arms forming an opening at the remote ends thereof to receive said flow line, c. means for controllably positioning said yoke at an under water location and in engagement with said subterranean flow line, whereby to dispose the latter within said slip area, d. an elongated beam removably extending from said respective arms and traversing said slip area, said beam comprising discrete cross members pivotally connected at one end to the respective arms, and being pivotally displaceable between a withdrawn position adjacent to said respective arms, and an extended position within said slip area whereby to engage the other of said cross members, and locking means on sAid respective cross members at the remote end from said pivot point whereby to releasably engage a corresponding cross member end.