Mechanism for positioning a buoyancy module

Abstract

Buoyancy module 102 may be positioned and adjusted on umbilical 402 without needing to recover umbilical 402 to topside for removing or setting the position of the buoyancy module. Buoyancy module positioner 100 is deployed and buoyancy module 102 positioned into a predetermined position within parking frame 108 by using buoyancy module holder 104 to selectively spool out umbilical 402 until buoyancy module 102 reaches a predetermined position along umbilical 402 relative to parking frame 108 . Buoyancy module 102 can then be locked inside parking frame 108.

1 ) A buoyancy module positioner, comprising:
 a. a buoyancy module, comprising a two-part split design which comprises an umbilical locking mechanism;   b. an umbilical operatively connected to the buoyancy module;   c. a buoyancy module holder configured to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position; and   d. a buoyancy parking frame comprising a buoyancy module latch.   
     
     
         2 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined position of the buoyancy module may be changed multiple times by spooling the buoyancy module with respect to the buoyancy module holder and changing a desired locking position with the umbilical. 
     
     
         3 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy module holder comprises:
 a. a base frame, configured to provide support the buoyancy module holder; and   b. a main parking frame disposed at an upper end of the base frame and configured to at least partially contain the buoyancy module therein.   
     
     
         4 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 1 , wherein the parking frame comprises:
 a. a predetermined set of parking arms, each parking arm comprising a predetermined set of rollers affixed on a top of the parking arm; and   b. a base plate operatively connected to a portion of a predetermined subset of the predetermined set of parking arms, each parking arm mounted on the base plate to create a firm structure using the predetermined subset of the predetermined set of parking arms and the base plate.   
     
     
         5 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined subset of the predetermined set of parking arms comprises three parking arms. 
     
     
         6 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined set of parking arms are pivotally connected to the base plate, the parking frame further comprising a set of torsional helical springs corresponding in number to the predetermined set of parking arms, the set of torsional helical springs disposed between, and operatively connecting, the connection of the parking arm and the base plate. 
     
     
         7 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a. a set of closed helical springs corresponding in number to the predetermined set of parking arms, the set of closed helical springs and corresponding predetermined set of parking arms defining a parking holder for the buoyancy module; and   b. a set of mounting plates, each mounting plate operatively connected to a corresponding parking arm and its associated closed helical spring.   
     
     
         8 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 7 , wherein the parking frame further comprises an activation handle adapted to release a parked buoyancy module from the parking frame. 
     
     
         9 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 8 , wherein the activation handle defines a activation handle that comprises:
 a. a lift plate; and   b. a lever profile comprising a fulcrum at a connector disposed proximate the lift plate.   
     
     
         10 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 9 , wherein the lift plate is lifted upwards on activation of the activation handle which further lifts the buoyancy module upwards by expansion of the closed coiled helical springs due to the shape of the buoyancy module and the buoyancy module is release form the parking frame. 
     
     
         11 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 9 , wherein the buoyancy module comprises an umbilical locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the umbilical passing through the center of buoyancy module with the buoyancy module, comprising:
 a. a lock housing;   b. a umbilical lock movably disposed within the lock housing;   c. a spring is provided above the umbilical lock which keeps the umbilical lock down.   
     
     
         12 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 11 , wherein the umbilical lock comprises a plurality of balls adapted to lock the umbilical when the umbilical lock is first position and to disengage when the umbilical lock is in a second position. 
     
     
         13 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 11 , wherein the umbilical locking mechanism is fixed in the center of the buoyancy module. 
     
     
         14 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 11 , wherein the buoyancy module further comprises a predetermined set of threaded rods disposed in-between the locking housing and the buoyancy module on the other side. 
     
     
         15 ) The buoyancy module positioner of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy module further comprises a top cap. 
     
     
         16 ) A method of positioning a buoyancy module and adjusting a position of the buoyancy module on the umbilical, without needing to recover the umbilical to topside for removing or setting the position of the buoyancy module, the method comprising:
 a. deploying a buoyancy module positioner subsea, the buoyancy module positioner comprising:
 i. a buoyancy module, comprising a two-part split design which comprises an umbilical locking mechanism; 
 ii. an umbilical operatively connected to the buoyancy module; 
 iii. a buoyancy module holder configured to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position; and 
 iv. a buoyancy parking frame comprising a buoyancy module latch; 
   b. positioning the buoyancy module into a predetermined position within the parking frame by using the buoyancy module holder to selectively spool out the umbilical until the buoyancy module reaches a predetermined position along the umbilical relative to the parking frame; and   c. locking the buoyancy module inside the parking frame.   
     
     
         17 ) The method of positioning a buoyancy module of  claim 16 , wherein the buoyancy parking frame  108  further comprises an activation handle adapted to release a parked buoyancy module from the parking frame, the activation handle comprising a lever profile which forms a fulcrum at a bolt and a lift plate, and the buoyancy module further comprises an umbilical lock configured to lock and unlock the umbilical as it passes through a center of the buoyancy module, the method further comprising when it is desired to release a locked buoyancy module, pulling the activation handle to move the lift plate and, simultaneously, move the umbilical lock upwards, resulting in releasing of the buoyancy module from the parking frame. 
     
     
         18 ) The method of positioning a buoyancy module of  claim 17 , wherein the umbilical lock is movably disposed within a lock housing, the method further comprising:
 a. unlocking the umbilical using the upwards movement of the umbilical lock; and   b. once the buoyancy module leaves the parking frame, using the spring to push the umbilical lock downwards which locks the umbilical with the buoyancy module, thus moving the umbilical along with the buoyancy module.   
     
     
         19 ) The method of positioning a buoyancy module of  claim 17 , once the operation is completed, further comprising:
 a. retracting the umbilical back;   b. retracting the buoyancy module which is locked with the umbilical;   c. parking the buoyancy module in the parking frame;   d. once parked, deactivating the umbilical locking mechanism and allowing the umbilical to move inside the buoyancy module and to be reeled on a winch and be spooled back.