Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anode clamp assembly for attachment to a submerged structure which is to be corrosion protected and comprising:

- an elongate bar shaped or cylindrical anode arranged on a rod having rod ends extending from each end of the anode,

- clamps being attached to the rod ends wherein

- each clamp comprises two first legs having an intermediate bore arranged for rotation around a first rotation axis,

- each of said first legs at a first end is provided with a griping jaw. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such assembly.

Background of the Invention

Galvanic or sacrificial anodes are widely used for cathodic corrosion protection of underwater structures. Such sacrificial anodes create the galvanic current which protects the submerged structure and are designed to corrode sacrificially. They accordingly must be properly electrically connected to the structure. Anodes are sacrificed and have to be added during the lifetime of the structure to ensure integrity.

Adding new anodes is done by divers or during yard stays. Typically, this is effected by removing the existing anode and replaces the anode with a new. For some underwater structures anodes could also be installed by submersibles or remotely operated vehicles. Divers, submersibles, such as manned submarines, or sophisticated remotely controlled robotic submersibles are extremely expensive to operate, and this is particularly true as the depth increases. The latter systems use robotic arms and even a diver has less than normal dexterity, particularly in a diving suit at significant depth. Such restraints also make many tools or power tools difficult to use. A clamp for a submersible anode is disclosed in US 5,902,463. This clamp comprises a structure based on C-shaped end plates connected to the anode and cooperating with a clamping bolt which is urged against the structure from a position at the other side of the center of the structure. The construction is not easy to operate as more actions (swinging of end plates and tightening of the clamping bolt) are needed for the attachment of the anode.

Furthermore a clamp of the type mentioned by way of introduction is disclosed in US 4,705,331. This clamp comprises two legs equipped with teeth for ensuring a tight grip around the subsea structure to be protected. There is neither a disclosure of a clamp being intended for attachment to a part connected to the structure to be protected nor a clamp that can be installed offshore by use of Remote Operated Vehicle.

Accordingly there exist needs for anodes which are easy to apply to the underwater structure and which could be placed by use of a Remote Operated Vehicle.

Object of the Invention

It is an objective of the invention to provide a general improvement in the art. Especially, it is an objective to provide an anode clamp assembly which is easy to use and is suitable for being attached to a submerged structure by means of a Remote Operated Vehicle having a simple construction.

Description of the Invention

This object is obtained with an anode clamp assembly mentioned by way of introduc- tion and being peculiar in that

- that said griping jaw is intended for attachment to a part connected to the structure,

- that each of said first legs at a second end is hinged connected to a second leg via first hinges having a second rotation axis,

- mat the second legs are hinged to each other via a second hinge having a third rota- tion axis for forming an over-centre acting knee joint together with the two first legs,

- that said first rotation axis is defined by the rod ends and

- that said first rotation axis and said third rotation axis are arranged in a common plane being a symmetry plane for the clamp. The new solution is an anode with an integrated clamp that can be attached to the existing anodes at its steel bar or tube. The attachment ensures structural connection and electrical connection. The advantage of the solution is that it can be installed offshore by use of Remote Operated Vehicle.

This minimizes the cost because yard staying is avoided.

The level of safety is higher because use of divers is avoided.

A special tool associate to a Remote Operated Vehicle may be used to attach the new clamp to the steel bar or tubes which are used for supporting an existing anode to the submerged structure. With the construction of the over-centre acting knee joint being symmetrical around a plane containing the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis make it possible to exert a force which is arranged in the symmetry plane and being perpendicular to the rotation axis in order to active or deactivate the locking of the clamp.

There is no need for movement in other directions in order to establish the electrical and structural connection between the new anode and the existing steel at the old anode.

Accordingly, the tool used for the connection need only to have one movement in one direction. This could e.g. be effected through a hydraulic piston.

According to a further embodiment a stop is provided at a first of the second legs in form of an end portion extending past the second hinge in direction against the first rotation axis. With such embodiment a simple construction is established in that one of the second legs have an extension which is used as a stop in order to establish the correct force when the clamp is activated. It is possible that such stop could be provided at a first and a second of the second legs. However, it is sufficient to provide a stop only at a first of the second legs. Seeing that the end portion of the second leg is provided with an extension passing the second hinge in direction against the first rotation axis the stop could cooperation with a bushing or material surrounding the intermediate bore arranged in the two first legs. This will provide an especially technical simple solution to obtaining a correct struc- tural and electrical connection.

According to a further embodiment said first of the second legs is L-formed and that said stop is provided by the short part of the L-formed leg. With an L-form of the second leg the stop would be constituted of the short part of the L-formed leg. The long part of the L-formed leg would substantially correspond to the second of the second legs.

Moreover, it is beneficial that the first of the second legs could be T-formed. In this situation the beam of the T would at one side be the stop, and at the other side a hole could be provided for attaching a tool used to activate and deactivate the locking of the clamp.

According to a further embodiment said rod is a hollow tube being closed in both ends.

If the rod passing through the anode is hollow and closed it is possible to control the buoyancy of the new anode and the two attached anode clamps. Hereby it is possible to have a reduction of the power to be used by the Remote Operated Vehicle in order to attach the new anode to a submerged structure.

According to a further embodiment said first legs comprise two leg parts being arranged under an angle being between 15 and 45° and wherein said bore is arranged at the connection between the two leg parts.

When the two leg parts of the first leg are angle in relation to another it is possible to have the leg parts at the first end which is provided with the gripping jaw arranged substantially parallel in the gripping position. This will ensure that the leg parts would be within the area of the anodes. This reduces the risk that the leg parts might interfere with other items at the submerged structure which is arranged near to the existing anode. Such interference with other parts on the submerged structure may cause a risk for correct structural and electrical connection. Simultaneously such angle could also ensure that the two first legs substantially would create a Y-form. Here the second legs could be arranged between the upper braches of the Y. This would also contribute to reduce the size of the clamps.

According to a further embodiment the anode is of aluminum and said rod is of steel.

Such construction is normal, seeing that steel is necessary in order to establish a strong and secure connection between the new anodes and the existing steel at the old anode. Normally the anode would be of aluminum. However, other material could also be used for the anode.

According to a further embodiment the first and second legs are made of metal plates, preferable steel.

When the legs are made of metal plates they are simple to manufacture. The plates could be interconnected through shafts passing through holes in the metal plates.

Steel is preferred material for the first and second legs; however, other suitable metals could also be used. Also other materials than metal could be used; however, such materials should also be conductive.

According to a further embodiment at least some of the legs are made of superposed metal plates between which the other legs made from one metal plate are arranged.

When some of the legs are made of two plates arranged with a mutual distance then the remainder of the legs could be made of metal plates arranged in the interspace superposed plates. Such construction is rather simple and will provide a strong clamp.

According to a further embodiment the clamp in the locked condition establish electrical and structural connection at the jaws and at the bores in the first legs. The electrical and structural connection would be established with the grip of the jaws when the clamp is locked. When the clamp is locked then a force would be exerted also on the rod ends being in contact with the bores due to the pressure exerted by the stop. Accordingly, electrical and structural connection is also established to the metal rod and thereby also to the new anode.

With the present invention an efficient method of attaching a new anode clamp to a submerged structure is possible. When using an assembly according to the present invention the gripping jaws are connected to a rod or a metal bar acting as a support for an existing anode and which rod has an end extending from each end of the exiting anode. The existing anode would normally be secure to the submerged structure to be protected against corrosion either by welding or bolting or other attachment means. Accordingly, a secure connection to the supporting rod on the existing anode would establish a secure attachment for establishing electrical and structural connection be- tween the new anode and the submerged structure.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a principle sketch of an anode clamp assembly according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates a detail of the anode clamp assembly according to Fig. 1 seen in one direction,

Fig. 3 illustrates the detail as shown in Fig. 2 however, from another direction, Fig. 4 illustrates the detail of Fig. 2 and 3, however, from a third direction,

Fig. 5 illustrates a partial view of a jack-up leg/spud-can with anodes attached, Fig. 6 illustrates different types of anodes c as ted around supporting steel bars, and Fig. 7 illustrates typical anodes casted around tube for the support of the anode.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Fig. 1 illustrates an anode clamp assembly 1 according to the present invention which is intended for attachment to a submerged structure 2 which is to be corrosion protected. The anode clamp assembly 1 comprises an elongate bar shaped anode 3 arranged on a rod 4 having rod ends S extending from each end 6 of the anode 3 and being closed by an end cover 38. Clamps 7 are attached to the rod ends 5. In Fig. 1 the anode 3 is a new anode to be attached. An existing anode 8 is illustrated. The existing anode has a steel bar 9 arranged with protruding end parts at each end of the anode 8, which steel bar 9 is used for the connection to the structure 2. In the present situation the attachment is established through welding. However, alternatively the steel bar 9 could be attached by bolting. The existing anode 8 is casted around the steel bar 9.

The anode 3 is provided with eyelets 10 which are intended for handling the anode with suitable tools for transport and attachment. Fig. 2-4 more clearly illustrates the structure of the clamp 7.

As seen in Fig. 2 each clamp comprises two first legs 11,11'. Each of the clamps has an intermediate bore 12 arranged in an intermediate position between the ends of the legs 11,11'. The intermediate bore 12 is arranged for rotation around a first rotation axis 13 which is defined by the rod ends 5. A locking disc 37 is secured to the rod end 5 in order to maintain the two first legs 11,11' in their position. The locking disc 37 could be secured by any suitable means including welding.

Each of the first legs 11,11' is provided with a gripping jaw 14,14' for attachment to the steel bar 9. The gripping jaws 14,14' are arranged at a first end 15 of the first legs. At the second end 16 of the first legs second legs 17,17' are connected through a hinge 18,18'. Each of the hinges 18,18' has a second rotation axis 19,19'. The second legs 17,17' are hinged to each other through a hinge 20 which defines a third rotation axis 21. This construction forms an over-centre acting knee joint.

The first rotation axis 13 and the third rotation axis 21 are arranged in a common plane which extend in the vertical plane as seen in Fig. 2 and extend in the elongate direction of the anode 3. This common plane would also be a symmetry plane for the clamp 7. The first 17 of the second legs are provided with a T-form. At one branch of the T an extension 22 is provided which constitutes a stop which is arranged in contact with the material 23 surrounding the bores 12. The other branch 24 of the beam of T-formed leg extends upwardly and is provided with a hole 25. This hole is intended for cooper- ation with the tool for activating and deactivating the clamp 7. As indicated with the double arrow 26 the force to be used for activating or deactivating the clamp 7 is extending in one direction. As a device for activating and deactivating the clamp could be a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) which is attached to the hole 25 and connected with a Remote Operated Vehicle which is also supporting the anode 3 through a grip in the eyelets 10.

It is noted that the leg 17 need only to have the L-form and that other construction could be used for activating or deactivating the clamp. As seen more clearly in Fig. 3 the first legs 11,11' comprise two leg parts 28,29; 28\29' being arranged under an angle 27 being between 15 and 45°. The bore 12 is arranged between the two leg parts. The two first leg parts 28,28' are arranged substantially parallel within the cross sections covered by anodes 3,8. The second leg parts 29,29' are arranged under a mutual angle 40 and between these two leg parts 29,29' the second legs 17,17' are arranged.

From Fig. 4 it occurs that me first leg 11 is made of two superposed metal plates 30 and it also occurs that the second leg 17' is made of two superposed metal plates 31. Furthermore, it occurs that the first leg 11 ' is made of one single metal plate 32, and that the second leg 17 is made of one single metal plate 33. Accordingly, the legs could be connected with each other in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4 and thereby have a rather limited extension.

The anode 3 is of aluminium and the rod is made of steel.

Fig. 5 illustrates a partial view of a jack-up leg 35 being provided with anodes 8. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate different types of anodes. It occurs that the anodes are made of aluminium casted around a steel bar 9 or a tube 36. The steel bar or tube acts as a support for the anode 8 and it is typically attached to a structure by welding or bolting.

Other forms of the anodes are possible.