Apparatuses and methods for pressing

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for the underwater or dry dock repair of damaged articles, including structural steel members and associated appendages, as well as propellers of vessels. The disclosed embodiments include a pressing apparatus including a structural body, a ram, a first fixture plate, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control, and a working envelope. The ram is secured to the structural body and has a pressing surface. The first fixture plate is secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram and has a first working surface. The ballast tank is formed within the structural body. The working envelope is located between the pressing surface and the first working surface. The ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. The first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressing apparatus, comprising:
 a structural body;   a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface;   a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface;   a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control formed within the structural body;   a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface;   wherein the ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface,   wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structural body has a semi-circular or C-shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded insert located on the pressing surface of the ram, the threaded insert configured for insertion of attachments to assist the ram in pressing materials. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ram is a hydraulic ram capable of being operated by divers, topside personal, or a remote operated vehicle (ROV). 
     
     
         6 . A pressing apparatus, comprising:
 a structural body;   a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface;   a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface;   a ballast tank formed within the structural body;   a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface;   wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein multiple ballast tanks are formed within the structural body. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the structural body has a semi-circular or C-shape. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a base plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate is mounted on and secured to the base plate. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the base plate includes a series of grooves on its opposing sides, the grooves configured such that the first fixture plate can be moved along and attached to various points on the base plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the ram is a hydraulic ram capable of being operated by divers, topside personal, or a remote operated vehicle (ROV). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a second fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location adjacent to the first fixture plate, wherein the second fixture plate has a second working surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising an exterior plate enveloping an outer surface of the structural body, the exterior plate configured to provide additional rigidity to the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the structural body is made of titanium. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising attachment points located at various points on the structural body, the attachment points configured for mounting fixtures and tooling and balancing the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a single point lifting device projecting outwardly from an end of the structural body, the single point lifting device configured so that the apparatus can be lifted from the water by cable or other lifting mechanisms. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the working envelope has a length of approximately 33.5 inches. 
     
     
         20 . A pressing apparatus, comprising:
 a structural body;   a ram secured to the structural body, wherein the ram has a pressing surface;   a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram, wherein the first fixture plate has a first working surface;   a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface;   wherein the ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface,   wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a ballast tank formed within the structural body, the ballast tank configured to provide variable buoyancy control to the structural body. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein multiple ballast tanks are formed within the structural body. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus may weigh approximately 700 lbs. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the ram is capable of applying approximately 9800 psi or approximately 200 tons of pressure. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the ram is capable of applying approximately 4700 psi or approximately 100 tons of pressure. 
     
     
         27 . A method for repairing a damaged article underwater, comprising:
 submerging a pressing apparatus under a water surface by decreasing the buoyancy of the apparatus, wherein the pressing apparatus includes a structural body, a ram secured to the structural body and having a pressing surface, a first fixture plate secured to the structural body at a location opposite the ram and having a first working surface, a ballast tank having variable buoyancy control formed within the structural body, a working envelope located between the pressing surface and the first working surface, wherein the first fixture plate is adjustable in a plane parallel to the pressing surface;   moving the apparatus to a position adjacent to the damaged article;   placing the damaged article into the working envelope such that a damaged portion of the article is placed on the first working surface and positioned directly beneath the ram; and   repairing the damaged article by applying a force to the damaged portion of the article using the pressing surface of the ram.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 removing the apparatus from the article; and   raising the apparatus towards the water surface by increasing the buoyancy of the apparatus.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the ram is adjustable in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the first working surface. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising rotating a wheel positioned adjacent to the ram, the wheel configured to adjust movement of the ram.