Systems and methods for installation of clamshell devices around an element

Abstract

Systems and methods for remotely installing a clamshell device around an element, the clamp system comprising a body; and at least one set of clamps supported by the body, the set suitable for holding and releasing the clamshell device selected from the group consisting of vortex-induced vibration reduction devices and drag reduction devices, wherein at least one clamp comprises a cam surface adapted to engage the element and close the clamp about the element.

1 . A clamp system for remotely installing a clamshell device around an element, the clamp system comprising: 
 a body; and    at least one set of clamps supported by the body, the set suitable for holding and releasing the clamshell device selected from the group consisting of vortex-induced vibration reduction devices and drag reduction devices,    wherein at least one clamp comprises a cam surface adapted to engage the element and close the clamp about the element.    
   
   
       2 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of clamps comprises a first clamp comprising a first cam surface, and a second clamp comprising a second cam surface.  
   
   
       3 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a top and a bottom, wherein the at least one set of clamps is comprised of a first set of clamps and a second set of clamps, wherein the first set of clamps is supported by the top of the body and the second set of clamps is supported by the bottom of the body.  
   
   
       4 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein there are at least two sets of clamps.  
   
   
       5 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of clamps holds the clamshell device.  
   
   
       6 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a taller first height and is collapsible to a shorter second height for holding shorter devices or for storage of the clamp system.  
   
   
       7 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one clamp comprises at least one nipple, pin, screw, bolt, nail, adhesive, or other type of connector for anchoring the clamshell device to the set of clamps.  
   
   
       8 . The clamp system of  claim 7 , further comprising a release adapted to release the at least one nipple, pin, screw, bolt, nail, adhesive, or other type of connector so the clamshell device is not anchored to the set of clamps.  
   
   
       9 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of clamps comprises a cam surface.  
   
   
       10 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein each clamp comprises a cam surface.  
   
   
       11 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring or other biasing device to hold the at least one set of clamps in an open position.  
   
   
       12 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stop to limit the opening of the at least one set of clamps.  
   
   
       13 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , the body further comprising an ROV connection adapted to connect the body to an ROV.  
   
   
       14 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , the clamshell device comprising a fairing.  
   
   
       15 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , the clamp system is mounted to a rack with at least one other clamp system.  
   
   
       16 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp system is attached to an umbilical.  
   
   
       17 . The clamp system of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp system is attached to an umbilical, the umbilical attached to a subsea buoyancy device, the subsea buoyancy device adapted to isolate the clamp system from surface heave.  
   
   
       18 . A method of remotely installing a clamshell device having a longitudinal axis around an element, using a clamp system comprising at least one clamp with a cam surface, the method comprising: 
 positioning the clamp system adjacent to the element wherein the clamp system carries the clamshell device selected from the group consisting of vortex-induced vibration reduction devices and drag reduction devices;    moving the clamp system to position the clamshell device around the element;    moving the clamp system to engage the cam surface with the element to close the clamshell device around the element; and    securing the device in position around the element.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the clamp system may be mounted on a rack with at least one other clamp system, the method further comprising: 
 repeating the positioning, moving, moving and securing with the at least one other clamp system.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the clamshell device installed is selected from a fairing, a shroud, an ultra-smooth sleeve, and a strake.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the clamshell device installed is selected from a flotation module and a collar.