High power laser offshore decommissioning tool, system and methods of use

• US 9,669,492 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Grubb, Daryl L., Faircloth, Brian O., Fraze, Jason D., Zediker, Mark S., Marshall, Scott A., De Witt, Ronald A., Deutch, Paul D., Linyaev, Eugene J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONG T
• Application Number:
  US13/966,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20130319984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 2191217, 21912172, 21912175, 21912178, 21912163, 21912164, 21912167, 2191216, 21912184
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/106 inside the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/38 by boring or cutting

Abstract

There is provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these tools and systems for cutting, sectioning and removing structures objects, and materials, and in particular, for doing so in difficult to access locations and environments, such as offshore, underwater, or in hazardous environments, such as nuclear and chemical facilities. Thus, there is also provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these systems and tools for removing structures, objects, and materials located offshore, under bodies of water and under the seafloor.

Claims

1. A high power laser decommissioning tool, the tool comprising:

a. a body, comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is rotationally associated with the second section;

b. the first section comprising;

i. an anchor assembly comprising;

a locking device for fixing the body in a location within a tubular;

an engagement surface for engaging against an inner surface of the tubular; and

a device for extending the engagement surface into engagement against the inner surface of the tubular;

ii. a first motor, operationally connected to the second section, whereby the first motor rotates the second section;

iii. a high power laser fiber; and

,

iv. a connector assembly for attaching a proximal end of the first section to an umbilical;

c. the second section comprising;

i. a second motor;

ii. a laser pad;

iii. a distal end of the high power laser fiber;

iv. the distal end of the high power laser fiber in mechanical and optical association with the laser pad; and

,

v. the second motor operationally associated with the laser pad, whereby the second motor causes an axial movement of the pad.

2. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind.

3. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind.

4. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind.

5. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind;

and the pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees.

6. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind;

and the pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees.

7. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, operably associated with legs, whereby the hydraulic cylinders extend and retract the legs into engagement with the tubular.

8. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, the first motor is proximal to the second motor.

9. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the second motor is operably associated with the laser pad, through a ball screw nut assembly.

10. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the second motor is operably associated with the laser pad, through a ball screw nut assembly operably associated with a four bar linkage.

11. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, comprising a plurality of high power optical fibers.

12. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind;

and the pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees;

wherein the anchor assembly comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, operably associated with legs, whereby the hydraulic cylinders extend and retract the legs into engagement with the tubular; and

the first motor is proximal to the second motor.

13. The decommissioning tool of claim 1, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind;

and wherein the laser pad comprises a heat sink.

14. A high power laser decommissioning tool, the tool comprising:

a. a body, comprising a first body section and a second body section, wherein the first body section is rotationally associated with the second body section;

b. the first body section comprising a first housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;

c. the second body section comprising a second housing having an outer surface;

a first portion of the second housing outer surface extending into the first housing, whereby the first housing inner surface overlaps the first portion;

a rotary seal located between the second housing outer surface and the first housing inner surface;

d. a third housing having an inner surface and an outer surface;

e. the third housing extending at least partially over the first body section and the second body section;

an annular passage defined by the inner surface of the third housing and at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the first and second housings; and

,

f. a high power laser fiber contained in the annular passage.

15. The high power laser decommission tool of claim 14, comprising a connector assembly for attaching a proximal end of the first section to an umbilical.

16. The high power laser decommission tool of claim 14, comprising a connector assembly for attaching a proximal end of the first section to an umbilical, wherein the assembly comprises an eye hole.

17. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind.

18. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind.

19. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind.

20. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind;

wherein the second section comprises a laser pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees.

21. The decommissioning tool of claim 20, comprising a motor operably associated with the laser pad, through a ball screw nut assembly.

22. The decommissioning tool of claim 21, wherein the motor is operably associated with the laser pad, through a ball screw nut assembly operably associated with a four bar linkage.

23. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind;

and the wherein the second section comprises a laser pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees.

24. The decommissioning tool of claim 14, comprising an anchor assembly.

25. The decommissioning of claim 24, wherein the anchor assembly comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, operably associated with legs, whereby the hydraulic cylinders extend and retract the legs into engagement with the tubular.