Fail free remotely operated vehicle

Abstract

A remotely operated vehicle comprising a flying lead orientation tool (1) and a mating tool (2), wherein the mating tool is connected to the remotely operated vehicle via the flying lead orientation tool, wherein said flying lead orientation tool comprises a first part of a locking mechanism (3), said mating tool comprises a second part of the locking mechanism (4), said first part engaging with the second part to secure the mating tool to the flying lead orientation tool in use, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a retaining means, said retaining means permitting the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a first position, said retaining means preventing the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a second position, wherein the retaining means is biased into the first position by a biasing means.

1 . A remotely operated vehicle comprising a flying lead orientation tool and a mating tool, wherein the mating tool is connected to the remotely operated vehicle via the flying lead orientation tool, wherein said flying lead orientation tool comprises a first part of a locking mechanism, said mating tool comprises a second part of the locking mechanism, said first part engaging with the second part to secure the mating tool to the flying lead orientation tool in use, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a retaining means,
 said retaining means permitting the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a first position,   said retaining means preventing the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a second position,   wherein the retaining means is biased into the first position by a biasing means.   
     
     
         2 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator operable to move the retaining means from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator requires a constant energy input to maintain the retaining means in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  2 , wherein the energy input is provided by electrical means. 
     
     
         4 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  2 , wherein the energy input is provided by hydraulic means. 
     
     
         5 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprises a latch. 
     
     
         6 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the first part contacts the second part at two separate points when they are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         7 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the second part comprises a guide for the first part. 
     
     
         8 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the guide comprises a slot that progressively narrows. 
     
     
         9 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the second part comprises an urging means configured to urge the first part away from the second part. 
     
     
         10 . A remotely operated vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the urging means comprises a spring ejector. 
     
     
         11 . A method of connecting a flying lead orientation tool of a remotely operated vehicle to a mating tool comprising:
 providing said flying lead orientation tool with a first part of a locking mechanism; providing said mating tool with a second part of the locking mechanism;   engaging the first part with the second part to secure the mating tool to the flying lead orientation tool;   providing the locking mechanism with a retaining means, said retaining means permitting the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a first position and preventing the disengagement of the first and second parts when the retaining means is in a second position; and   biasing the retaining means into the first position with a biasing means.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 providing the remotely operated vehicle with an actuator operable to move the retaining means from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator requires a constant energy input to maintain the retaining means in the second position.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  12 , wherein the energy input is provided by electrical means. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  12 , wherein the energy input is provided by hydraulic means. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the retaining means comprises a latch. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first part contacts the second part at two separate points when they are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second part comprises a guide for the first part. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the guide comprises a slot that progressively narrows. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second part comprises an urging means configured to urge the first part away from the second part. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the urging means comprises a spring ejector.