Patents Assigned to Aker MH AS
  • Patent number: 9410384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe clamping device comprising a housing which has a tubular center in which a pipe is to be positioned. The pipe clamping device comprises at least three gripping devices for synchronous movement in towards the pipe. Each gripping device is disposed with a direction of movement in towards the tubular center, where each gripping device is arranged in order, in contact with the pipe, to provide a holding force. The pipe clamping device is provided with elongate flexible transmission elements, each of the elongate flexible transmission elements being attached to one of the gripping devices and running in contact with at least one support means to attachment to each of the other gripping devices. Upon movement of at least one of the gripping device, this movement is transmitted to at least one of the other gripping device by the associated elongate transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Bernt Olav Holen
  • Patent number: 9309727
    Abstract: A mousehole apparatus having a main body configured for holding a drill pipe or similar elongate element, includes a carrier connected to a deck structure and having a support region adapted for releasable supportive interaction with an abutment element on the main body. The carrier comprises guiding devices for the main body and movement means operable to move the main body with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aker MH AS
    Inventor: Roy Birkeland
  • Patent number: 9302748
    Abstract: A deck arrangement for a vessel or platform (1) configured for performing subsea operations, the vessel or platform having a main deck (2) and a working station (4a) and facilities (9b, 6; 28) for supporting activities in the working station, the working station further comprising a working area (4b). One or more deck elements (14a,b, 15) are arranged at an elevation different from than of the main deck (2) and at an elevation where upper surfaces of the deck elements (14a,b, 15) and the upper surface of the working area (4b) are on the same, or substantially same, level. Preferably, the deck elements are arranged above the main deck (2) and above one or more of the facilities (9b, 6, 28). The facilities may be a riser storage compartment, a BOP area and/or a pipe deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Aker MH AS
    Inventors: Geir Ingebretsen, Knut Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 9169701
    Abstract: An apparatus for restraining an assembly suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel, includes a movable carrier configured for controllable movement on a structure of the platform or vessel. A restraining member is movably connected to the carrier via a joint and the restraining member includes an abutment region for abutment with at least one element of the assembly. An assembly-locking device is provided for selectively and releasably locking at least one element of the assembly to the restraining member. A restraining device for a tensioner assembly which is suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel and extending into a moonpool, includes a pair of restraining apparatuses, arranged on opposite sides of the moonpool and individually movable on respective rails by a traction device in interaction with respective racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Aker MH AS
    Inventors: Kurt Andresen, Knut Halvorsen, Anders Chr. Hannevig
  • Patent number: 9163466
    Abstract: A fluid diverter system for a drilling facility comprises a diverter housing (15; 15?) fluidly connected to a tubular (3, 42, 43) extending to a subsea well. The diverter housing (15; 15?) comprising a movable diverter element (2) for closing off the diverter housing, a first fluid conduit (44) connected to a mud system and comprising a first valve (5), at least one second fluid conduit (20; 20?) leading from an outlet (46; 46?) in the diverter housing to an overboard location and comprising a second valve (1; 48), and a third fluid conduit (16) connected to a mud/gas separator (MGS) (13) and comprising a third valve (4). The MGS (13) is arranged below the outlet (50) of the diverter line, whereby riser fluids may be fed from the diverter housing (15) to the MGS (13) by means of gravity flow. The diverter valve (1; 48) on a leeward side of the drilling facility is configured to be open before the diverter element (2) closes around the tubular (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Dag Vavik
  • Patent number: 9140079
    Abstract: A motion compensation system is provided for controlling relative movements between a floating vessel and an elongate element, where the elongate element is suspended by the vessel at a first end and extends into a body of water below the floating vessel. An active motion compensator is connected to the elongate element first end via an element arranged in an upper region of an erect support structure and a passive motion compensator is connected to the elongate element first end via the element. The motion compensators are structurally and operationally separate and independent units and are configured for separate and mutually independent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Lars Pøhner
  • Publication number: 20150247510
    Abstract: A replaceable antenna assembly (1) for use with a piston accumulator (2) configured for supplying fluid to a hydraulic cylinder, the antenna assembly (1) comprises; a hollow manifold (3) for flow of fluid, and an antenna (4) connected into or onto the manifold (3) for emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, wherein the hollow manifold (3) is connectable to and configured to be in fluid communication with both the piston accumulator (2) at one end and a pressure line (5) at the other end, said pressure line (5) being connectable to an external high pressure gas bank, and wherein the antenna assembly (1) further comprises; at least one first bore (6) for transferring signals to and from the antenna (4), and at least two fluid channels (7) symmetrically displaced around the circumference of the antenna, thereby ensuring that most of or all, fluid flows on the radial outside of the antenna (4) during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Aker MH AS
    Inventor: Ketil André Arntzen
  • Patent number: 8939048
    Abstract: A device for rotation of a torque tong with at least two diametrically opposite circular arc-shaped segments and gripping devices for holding a pipe substantially perpendicularly to the torque tong's radial plane. To each segment and in abutment thereto there is provided at least one elongated flexible drive element operatively connected to support units and devices for movement of the respective drive element so that the torque tong is rotated in the radial plane. Each drive element is attached at first and second ends to respective securing portions and includes an engagement portion in engagement with and/or abutment against a segment. Rotation of the torque tong is implemented by performing a rectilinear movement of a first of said movement elements, and simultaneously implementing a rectilinear movement of the second of said movement elements in the opposite direction to and substantially parallel to the movement of the first movement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Aker MH AS
    Inventor: Bernt Olav Holen
  • Publication number: 20140251686
    Abstract: A mousehole apparatus having a main body configured for holding a drill pipe or similar elongate element, includes a carrier connected to a deck structure and having a support region adapted for releasable supportive interaction with an abutment element on the main body. The carrier comprises guiding devices for the main body and movement means operable to move the main body with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Roy Birkeland
  • Publication number: 20140186125
    Abstract: An apparatus for restraining an assembly suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel, includes a movable carrier configured for controllable movement on a structure of the platform or vessel. A restraining member is movably connected to the carrier via a joint and the restraining member includes an abutment region for abutment with at least one element of the assembly. An assembly-locking device is provided for selectively and releasably locking at least one element of the assembly to the restraining member. A restraining device for a tensioner assembly which is suspended by a structure on an offshore platform or vessel and extending into a moonpool, includes a pair of restraining apparatuses, arranged on opposite sides of the moonpool and individually movable on respective rails by a traction device in interaction with respective racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Aker MH AS
    Inventors: Kurt Andresen, Knut Halvorsen, Anders Chr. Hannevig
  • Publication number: 20140166360
    Abstract: A fluid diverter system for a drilling facility comprises a diverter housing (15; 15?) fluidly connected to a tubular (3, 42, 43) extending to a subsea well. The diverter housing (15; 15?) comprising a movable diverter element (2) for closing off the diverter housing, a first fluid conduit (44) connected to a mud system and comprising a first valve (5), at least one second fluid conduit (20; 20?) leading from an outlet (46; 46?) in the diverter housing to an overboard location and comprising a second valve (1; 48), and a third fluid conduit (16) connected to a mud/gas separator (MGS) (13) and comprising a third valve (4). The MGS (13) is arranged below the outlet (50) of the diverter line, whereby riser fluids may be fed from the diverter housing (15) to the MGS (13) by means of gravity flow. The diverter valve (1; 48) on a leeward side of the drilling facility is configured to be open before the diverter element (2) closes around the tubular (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Dag Vavik
  • Publication number: 20140137784
    Abstract: A deck arrangement for a vessel or platform (1) configured for performing subsea operations, the vessel or platform having a main deck (2) and a working station (4a) and facilities (9b, 6; 28) for supporting activities in the working station, the working station further comprising a working area (4b). One or more deck elements (14a,b, 15) are arranged at an elevation different from than of the main deck (2) and at an elevation where upper surfaces of the deck elements (14a,b, 15) and the upper surface of the working area (4b) are on the same, or substantially same, level. Preferably, the deck elements are arranged above the main deck (2) and above one or more of the facilities (9b, 6, 28). The facilities may be a riser storage compartment, a BOP area and/or a pipe deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventors: Geir Ingebretsen, Knut Halvorsen
  • Publication number: 20130195559
    Abstract: A seafastening apparatus includes a movable frame having an opening configured for receiving and at least partially supporting an equipment unit. A locking device is configured for selective locking and releasing of the equipment unit and hence controlling lateral movements of the equipment unit relative to the apparatus. The locking device includes wires configured for connection to the equipment unit and tensioners configured for controlling the tension in each wire, and a pair of extendible and retractable arms are configured for conveying and guiding at least on of the wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventors: Kurt Andresen, Rolf Bendiksen, Lars Pøhner
  • Publication number: 20130112421
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling movements of a free-hanging tubular suspended via at least a connector element by at least one compensator member connected to a buoyant vessel, the tubular extending into a body of water below the vessel. The apparatus includes a motion sensing device configured to sense movements of the compensator member and thus that of the vessel, and a position indicator device configured to sense the position of the connector element, and thus that of an upper region of the tubular, with respect to the compensator member. The apparatus further includes a data processor configured to determine one or more parameters regarding the movement between the vessel and the upper region of the tubular; and an adjusting device configured to control at least the stiffness and dampening of the compensator member; whereby the axial loads which are transferred between the compensator and the tubular may be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Lars Pøhner
  • Publication number: 20120111155
    Abstract: A device for rotation of a torque tong with at least two diametrically opposite circular arc-shaped segments and gripping devices for holding a pipe substantially perpendicularly to the torque tong's radial plane. To each segment and in abutment thereto there is provided at least one elongated flexible drive element operatively connected to support units and devices for movement of the respective drive element so that the torque tong is rotated in the radial plane. Each drive element is attached at first and second ends to respective securing portions and includes an engagement portion in engagement with and/or abutment against a segment. Rotation of the torque tong is implemented by performing a rectilinear movement of a first of said movement elements, and simultaneously implementing a rectilinear movement of the second of said movement elements in the opposite direction to and substantially parallel to the movement of the first movement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Bernt Olav Holen
  • Publication number: 20120111154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe clamping device comprising a housing which has a tubular centre in which a pipe is to be positioned. The pipe clamping device comprises at least three gripping devices for synchronous movement in towards the pipe. Each gripping device is disposed with a direction of movement in towards the tubular centre, where each gripping device is arranged in order, in contact with the pipe, to provide a holding force. The pipe clamping device is provided with elongate flexible transmission elements, each of the elongate flexible transmission elements being attached to one of the gripping devices and running in contact with at least one support means to attachment to each of the other gripping devices. Upon movement of at least one of the gripping device, this movement is transmitted to at least one of the other gripping device by the associated elongate transmission element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: AKER MH AS
    Inventor: Bernt Olav Holen
  • Publication number: 20110087474
    Abstract: A simulating system comprises an input device, intended to be operated by an operator, a simulator arrangement, and a display. The simulator arrangement is configured to read a signal representing an operation of the input device, and to simulate equipment using said input signal and pre-stored equipment characteristics. The equipment may be drilling equipment for use in offshore oil/gas exploration. The system results in a visual representation of the equipment, manipulated by the input device. The simulator arrangement comprises an equipment controller, connected to an environment simulator that provides the visual representation of the equipment. The environment simulator is connected to an object database comprising equipment objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Aker MH AS
    Inventors: Ole Paulsen, Bjarne Larsen, Ove Sandve, Jens Hodne