Powered clamp closure mechanism

Abstract

A powered clamp assembly for use on managed pressure drilling rig comprising:a first jaw and a second jaw, each one of said jaws comprising a pivot extremity and a locking extremity, each one of said pivot extremity comprising a structural member jutting outwardly from its respective jaw and pivotally connected to a bridging means;each one of the locking extremities is connected to one another through a closure means;wherein the movement of said first jaw and said second jaw allows movement of said jaws between a proximal position in relation to each other and a distal position.

1 . A powered clamp assembly for use on a rotating control device on a managed pressure drilling rig comprising:
 a first jaw and a second jaw, each one of said jaws comprising a pivot extremity and a locking extremity, each one of said pivot extremity comprising a structural member jutting outwardly from its respective jaw and pivotally connected to a bridging means;   each one of the locking extremities is connected to one another through a closure means;   
       wherein the movement of said first jaw and said second jaw allows movement of said jaws between a proximal position in relation to each other and a distal position. 
     
     
         2 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said closure means maintains contact with the locking extremity of each one of said first and second jaw when such are in said distal position in relation to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising a load holding and locking means selected from the group consisting of: a threaded screw mechanism; and a breech lock mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said closure means are actuated remotely. 
     
     
         5 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the closure means comprise a linkage and cylinder arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the linkage and cylinder arrangement is solely used only to open/close the two clamp halves 
     
     
         7 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the means of load holding/locking and closure are two different components. 
     
     
         8 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the linkage is operated by a linear actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the linkage is operated by a linear actuator selected from the group consisting of: a hydraulic actuator; an electric actuator; and a mechanically-driven actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the load holding and locking means is operated by a rotary actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the load holding and locking means is operated by a rotary actuator selected from the group consisting of: a hydraulic actuator; an electric actuator; and a mechanically-driven actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising a threaded screw mechanism connecting the closing extremities of said first and second clamp jaw. 
     
     
         13 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a threaded screw mechanism comprises the sole load holding and locking component associated with the closure of said clamp. 
     
     
         14 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising an inner circumferential shape created by the first and second jaw when in a closed position such that it frictionally engages the tubing around which it is disposed. 
     
     
         15 . The powered clamp assembly according to  claim 13 , where an internal surface of the first and second jaw comprises at least one groove adapted to contour a specific type RCD accessory set-up.