ROV 7 function manipulator
A guide to ROV tooling
This guide to ROV tooling and accessories currently available and in use for ROVs (aka remotely operated vehicles), demonstrating the many uses ROVs have in many different industries. Subsequently, I have compiled below a comprehensive list of some of the most commonly used ROV tooling together with a brief description on what the tool is generally used for
Torque Tools
Latch Tools
Pumps and Water Jetters
Camera Booms and pan & tilts
Cutters and Grinders
Hydraulic Power Units
SubStations™
Manipulators
Back Seal Test Panels
Cleaning Tools
Hot Stabs
IHPU / DWP
Gasket Tools
Intensifier Panels
Control Systems
Fluid injection skids
ROV Baskets
Dredgers
What is a torque tool and what is it used for?
A torque tool in terms of an ROV is used for interfacing between an ROV and subsea manifolds enabling external valve control to perform subsea operations effectively.
What is a latch tool and what is it used for?
A latch tool is a connection tool that is fitted to an ROV enabling a stable work platform between the ROV and subsea control panels such as a manifold or subsea tree like a xmas tree.
What is a pump and water jetters?
Pumps and water jetters are generally used as a maintenance and cleaning tool in order to remove marine growth and other debris collected over time from on subsea structures.
What are camera booms and pan tilts?
Camera booms are hydraulic arms fitted to an ROV enabling auxiliary and adjustable camera positions generally used in pipeline and cable surveys for inspection purposes also attached to a boom is usually a pan tilt that gives extra versatility to camera positioning and angles allowing the camera to be tilted left to right and up and down.
What are cutters and grinders?
Cutters are generally used to cut through subsea obstructions starting from small rope and fishing net up to wire rope and subsea power cables up to 330mm diameter, most cutters range from a basic ROV Knife right up to hydraulically driven diamond cutters and beyond. Grinders are used for other varying subsea obstructions and are mainly used for cutting through steel structures.
What are Hydraulic power units?
Hydraulic power units (aka deck packs) are mainly used to give a hydraulic supply to ancillary deck equipment
What is SubStation™?
SubStation™ is an advanced deck pack combining hydraulic power supply, controlled oil filling and draining of ROV junction boxes, oil filtration and an integrated barrel system all in one. SubStation™ is manufactured and supplied exclusively by Fluid Marine Solutions Ltd and is not available anywhere else.
What are manipulators?
Manipulators or arms are mostly found on work class ROVs and generally consist of a dual combination of a five and seven function. Five function manipulators are used for grabbing on to subsea structures allowing a stable platform where as a seven function will perform the intricate tasks required.
What are back seal test panels?
Back seal test panels are a subsea gauge panel that is used in combination with a pressure testing hot stab for the purpose of testing interconnected seals on subsea structures such as manifolds and xmas trees.
What are cleaning tools?
ROV cleaning tools are perform all manner of subsea cleaning tasks, mainly for cleaning a well head sealing face prior to a gasket installation.
What are hot stabs?
A hot stab is often a subsea hydraulic coupling unit which sends hydraulic fluid originating from a topside hydraulic power device to energize subsea equipment. Basically, it’s a hydraulic quick-acting coupling created for the subsea application. Two main forms of stabs are used: Live stabs as well as plug stabs. Both mate to a receptacle – the living stab produces a route for hydraulic fluid to flow, and the plug stab generally functions as a placeholder on subsea tools to avoid water ingression in to the hydraulic system.
What is IPHU / DWP?
IPHU / DWP units are mainly used to supply an auxiliary power supply to subsea tooling or other fluid injection operations which are outside of the ROV’s own supply parameters.
What is a gasket tool?
Gaskets are sealing rings that allow connection between subsea trees to well heads. The gasket tool allows for controlled insertion of the gasket.
What is an intensifier panel?
An intensifier panel boosts the working pressure of the usable supply typically on a 5:1 ratio
What is a fluid injection skid?
A fluid injection skid is an ROV mountable auxiliary reservoir and pump system designed to interface with subsea manifolds to carry out pressure testing and valve controls.
What is an ROV basket?
An ROV basket is basically a tool holding basket used to store required tooling to be used for a particular job.
What is a dredger?
Dredgers are used to disperse sand and silt from around subsea structures or uncover cables, pipelines, and UXOs.