The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1985
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1984
David S McKeehan, Houston, TX (US);
Frans Kopp, Houston, TX (US);
Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A remotely operable apparatus and method for determining from a remote location the distance and angular orientation between two structurally unconnected members, such as two sections of a subsea pipeline, is disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises generally two remotely releasable guide posts disposed, respectively, in known spaced relationships to the two structurally unconnected members and a remotely operable measuring template. The remotely operable measuring template is adapted to telescope axially and includes two ball and socket joints to compensate for misalignment or differences in elevation between the guide posts. In practicing the method of the invention, the remotely operable measuring template is positioned over and firmly attached to the guide posts. All movable joints of the template are then locked and the guide posts are remotely released. The guide posts may then be retrieved to the remote location in the same spaced relationship as originally disposed. The distance and angular orientation between the guide posts may then be measured at the remote location and the distance and angular orientation between the two structurally unconnected members may be computed from such measurement.