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January 2010

Power Jacks Subsea Gearboxes Helps Drive ROV

Based in Scotland, Power Jacks is a leading supplier and manufacturer for precision linear actuation, power transmission and mechanical jacking.

At a depth 3000 metres below sea level, Power Jacks Neeter Drive, bevel gearboxes are in operation on subsea single bolt clamp connectors on subsea retrievable chokes.

The chokes are operated by Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Most have inline drive shafts for adjustment, however for some installations the clamp connectors adjusting drive shaft needs to be at 90° for ROV access. Rather than redesigning the complete clamp mechanism a “Neeter” gearbox solution is required.

The clamp connector is a three piece, double hinged, single bolt design based on field proven hub/clamp technology. This simple rotary clamp can be operated either by a diver or an ROV.

The Power Jacks Neeter Drive, bevel gearbox is used for ease of access to the choke drive from above for the ROV to facilitate maintenance.

The Neeter Drive bevel gearbox turns a mechanical drive line though 90° degrees with one or more shaft outputs and are available in solid or hollow shaft designs. Both types have been used on different clamp collar designs with the ultra compact construction of the Neeter Drive range of gearboxes proving ideal when fitting them into restricted spaces.

Retrievable subsea chokes are designed with a retrievable insert. The choke body is mounted on the Christmas tree or manifold. The insert is a unitised cartridge and actuator assembly, which is retrievable to the surface leaving the choke body subsea. The clamp connector is the critical device, which holds the cartridge in place.

For this application a special high torque, subsea variant of the Neeter Drive Range-N Series-39 gearbox was designed. The gearbox features precision spiral bevel gears, reinforced drive shafts and of course special subsea sealing with pressure compensation connections.

The Series-39 gearboxes operate on chokes used on subsea installations worldwide in sea water depths up to 3000 metres with operating temperatures of up to 200°C. The choke itself is a highly demanding application, which operates in extremely hazardous conditions. They are designed and built using high erosion resistance materials with a design life in excess of 25 years.

Power Jacks has recently announced a multi million pound investment programme to create a new purpose-built factory in Ellon, Scotland.

The investment follows accelerated growth with the company, over the last few years, which has seen it open operations in China this year.

Power Jacks’ international business continues to grow with more than half its business now coming from overseas, exports to more than 60 countries world-wide and has an international sales network of 22 distributors. The global demand for the companys products has made a significant increase in production and high profile projects, such as the recently unveiled Wimbledon roof, which demonstrates Power Jacks high level of expertise in providing engineered solutions.

The new manufacturing facility will allow the company to further expand and support its growing business, which has more than doubled in the last two years. Sales of Power Jacks products have increased by 40%, largely due to the expansion of overseas markets and the increasing demand for engineered product solutions.

The new factory will consist of a 40,000 square feet manufacturing and assembly facility with associated warehousing and 10,000 square feet of office space, which is anticipated to be fully operational by the summer of 2010.

Power Jacks is a leading manufacturer for precision linear actuation, power transmission and mechanical jacking. The company is based in Scotland where its history for supplying high quality engineered product dates from 1903. The product ranges are detailed on the website www.powerjacks.com and include screw jacks, electric linear actuators, mechanical jacks, bevel gearboxes, planetary roller screws, reduction gearboxes, winches and rotary unions. They can be supplied worldwide singularly or as complete systems, whether in standard or specially engineered designs.

Bruce Hamper
Customer Service & Marketing Director
Power Jacks Ltd.
Balmacassie Commercial Park
Ellon,
AB41 8BX
Scotland (UK)

Tel: +44 (0)1358 285100
Fax: +44 (0)1385 724105
Email us
www.powerjacks.com