Flange CAPT

Flange Catching, Aligning & Closing Tool

Patent Pending

Provisional Patent Application

Number 2012902352

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The OSTS' Patent pending Flange Catching, Aligning and Closing Tool (The Flange CAPT) was designed to significantly reduce the time it takes to complete a subsea bolted flange connection.

The spool or subsea mechanical device such as a valve, Pig receiver/Launcher lands on the device where the OD's of the flanges, the bolt pitch circle and gasket groove are made concentric, the tool then closes the gap and rotates the flange so as all the bolt holes are concentric. The gasket is inserted during closing and once captured all bolts can be easily inserted ready for tensioning.

The Flange CAPT's use significantly reduces the requirement for lift bags to be installed on a spool as the forces generated far exceed the forces generated by the use of lever-hoists used through hole with C-Plates, as is the normal current practice to draw the flanges together.

The tool also significantly reduces manual labour, distances personnel from the closing flange so as they have an overall view of the operation and are at a safe distance from the pinch points. The Flange CAPT significantly reduces the time it takes to complete a bolted flange connection.

Trials with a 12" - 7m rigid spool (No swivel flange) weighing approx 1 MT have proven the Flange CAPT can close a spool with all 20 bolts inserted and run up within approximately 10 minutes from landing the spool, using one person.

Another significant consideration is the reduction of environmental impact because of being able to lower the asset into the final position with only axial movement thereafter.