Subsea valve actuator assembly

Abstract

A locking nut for locking a subsea unit relative to a guide rod fixed to a subsea installation is described. The locking nut has a body with a bore. The body comprises first and second parts that are detachable from one another. An assembly incorporating the locking nut is also described.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A locking nut for locking a subsea unit relative to a guide rod, the guide rod being fixed to a subsea installation, comprising:
 a body with a bore, the body including a first part and a second part that are detachable from one another,   wherein the first part and the second part are held together with a removable fastening element.   
     
     
         16 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein the first part and the second part, together, define the bore. 
     
     
         17 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein the body is arranged to split longitudinally when the first part and the second part detach from one another. 
     
     
         18 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein the body extends between a first end and a second end thereof, wherein each of the first part and the second part extend between the first end and the second end of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The locking nut of  claim 18 , wherein the body includes a tapered contact surface that tapers outwardly from the first end towards the second end. 
     
     
         20 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first part and the second part has a substantially half cylindrical shape, wherein the first part has a first mating surface and the second part has a second mating surface, wherein the first mating surface and the second mating surface abut one another when the first part and the second part are attached, wherein the first mating surface of the first part has a male fastening portion projecting therefrom, and the second mating surface of the second part has a female fastening portion adapted to receive the male fastening portion. 
     
     
         21 . The locking nut of  claim 20 , wherein the male fastening portion comprises a first fastening aperture, and the second part comprises a second fastening aperture that connects the female fastening portion with an external surface of the second part, and wherein when the male fastening portion is received in the female fastening portion the first fastening aperture and the second fastening aperture align and the fastening element can be removably secured within the first aperture and the second aperture to fasten the first part and the second part together. 
     
     
         22 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein the fastening element is a pin. 
     
     
         23 . The locking nut of  claim 15 , wherein the locking nut comprises a locking element with an externally threaded portion located within the bore. 
     
     
         24 . The locking nut of  claim 23 , wherein the bore extends from an entrance thereof into the body, wherein the locking element is biased within the bore in a first direction by a biasing member towards the entrance of the bore. 
     
     
         25 . The locking nut of  claim 23 , wherein the whole locking element is located within the bore. 
     
     
         26 . The locking nut of  claim 23 , wherein the body has a multi-sided profile for interaction with an external tool. 
     
     
         27 . An actuator assembly for actuating a valve element of a subsea valve, the actuator assembly comprising:
 an actuator housing for housing an actuator;   a guide tube coupled to the actuator housing, the guide tube defining an elongate passage, the guide tube configured to receive a guide rod within the elongate passage, wherein the guide rod is coupled to a subsea installation; and   a locking nut configured to engage the guide rod such that the body of the nut bears against the actuator housing for securing the guide rod within the elongate passage.   
     
     
         28 . The actuator assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the elongate passage has an inlet and an outlet, wherein the guide rod extends through the elongate passage such that a protruding part of the guide rod extends beyond the outlet, and wherein the locking nut engages the protruding part of the guide rod. 
     
     
         29 . The actuator assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the locking nut further comprises a body with a bore, the body including a first part and a second part that are detachable from one another, wherein the first part and the second part are held together with a removable fastening element. 
     
     
         30 . The actuator assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the first part and the second part of the locking nut, together, define the bore. 
     
     
         31 . The actuator assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the body is arranged to split longitudinally when the first part and the second part detach from one another. 
     
     
         32 . The actuator assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the body extends between a first end and a second end thereof, wherein each of the first part and the second part extend between the first end and the second end of the body. 
     
     
         33 . The actuator assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the body includes a tapered contact surface that tapers outwardly from the first end towards the second end. 
     
     
         34 . The actuator assembly of  claim 29 , wherein each of the first part and the second part has a substantially half cylindrical shape, wherein the first part has a first mating surface and the second part has a second mating surface, wherein the first mating surface and the second mating surface abut one another when the first part and the second part are attached, wherein the first mating surface of the first part has a male fastening portion projecting therefrom, and the second mating surface of the second part has a female fastening portion adapted to receive the male fastening portion.