US3645105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal tensioning system for laying pipeline
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
•
Filing: 1970-04-15
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for laying pipeline wherein the pipeline is externally clamped so as to be substantially fixed with respect to a floating vessel prior to connection of a new section of pipeline. After this connection, the pipeline is internally engaged by internal clamp means which is paid out with the pipeline being held under tension. Then the pipeline is again clamped externally and the internal clamp means is retrieved. A new section of pipeline is added and the payout operation is repeated. The internal clamp means may be fluid operated and may be provided with means for engaging both the existing pipeline and the new joint. The portion of the internal clamp means engaging the new joint is mounted for rotation and translation with respect to the remaining portion of the internal clamp means to permit alignment of the pipeline and the new joint. Power transfers means is carried by a mandrel of the internal clamp means for use in actuating and moving the clamp means as well as for possible use with other equipment utilized internally of the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde E Nolan Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/23; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53978
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface comprising: initially applying an external clamping force to the pipeline to fix the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel means; connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal clamp means and fixing the internal clamp means against longitudinal movement with respect to the pipeline; releasing the external clamping force applied to the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount, under tension applied to the internal clamp means; subsequently externally clamping the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel means; releasing the engagement of the pipeline by the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface comprising: initially applying an external clamping force to the pipeline to fix the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel means; connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal clamp means and fixing the internal clamp means against longitudinal movement with respect to the pipeline; releasing the external clamping force applied to the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount, under tension applied to the internal clamp means; subsequently externally clamping the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel means; releasing the engagement of the pipeline by the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 1 wherein the step of internally engaging comprises: internally engaging the new section of pipe with the internal clamp means prior to connecting the new section of pipe to the pipeline, the internal engagement of the internal clamp means with the new section of pipe permitting rotation and translation of the new section of pipe with respect to the internal clamp means in an amount sufficient to longitudinally align the new section of pipe with the existing pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 1 including the step of: propelling the internal clamp means into at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe prior to the step of internally engaging the pipeline with the internal clamp means, by power remotely supplied to a trolley means coupled to the internal clamp means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 3 wherein the internal clamp means includes a mandrel provided with fluid power transfer means and wherein the step of propelling further comprises: remotely supplying fluid power to the trolley means through the fluid power transfer means, and wherein: the step of internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with the internal clamp means includes the step of supplying fluid power through the fluid power transfer means to actuate clamping portions of the internal clamp means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: the step of retrieving the internal clamping means includes the step of longitudinally aligning, utilizing a guide means, the internal clamp means with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of internally engaging includes the steps of: engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal gripping means by remotely supplying power to activate the internal gripping means, and locking the gripping means in place so as to maintain the gripping means in engaging position independently of the remote supply of power thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 6 including the step of: applying radially to the pipeline, internally thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced forces, in addition to forces provided by the internal gripping means, so as to restore pipe roundness to the pipeline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the internal clamping means is provided with a first and second portion connected by a disconnect coupling and wherein the step of retrieving the internal clamp means includes: retrieving the internal clamp means, as a unit, by a first amount, anchoring the first portion of the clamping means, disconnecting the disconnect coupling, and further retrieving the second portion of the internal clamp means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
452 words
A method of laying pipeline provided with a coating from a floating vessel means into a body of water, the floating vessel means being provided with a plurality of work stations spaced longitudinally of the pipeline to be laid, at least one of the work stations comprising a welding station for welding new joints of pipe to the existing pipeline, at least another one of the work stations comprising at least one of a weld inspection station and a welded joint coating station, the method utilizing an external clamping means for clamping the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel, external pipe handling equipment adjacent said welding station for manipulating sections of pipe, and an internal pipeline tool including at least an internal clamp means for engaging at least one of the existing pipeline and a new section of pipe, the method comprising: externally clamping the pipeline with the external clamping means; placing a new section of pipe in general alignment with the existing pipeline adjacent the welding work station; securing the new section of pipe in position with the external pipe-handling equipment so as to place the end of the new section adjacent, and generally longitudinally aligned with, the existing pipeline at the welding work station; inserting the internal pipeline tool through the new section of pipe and partially into the existing pipeline whereby the internal tool is positioned at least in part in the existing pipeline; internally engaging the new section of pipe with a portion of the internal tool while permitting relative rotation and translation of the new section of pipe with respect to the internal tool; manipulating the new section of pipe with the external pipe-handling equipment so as to produce a desired welding root gap; welding thE new section of pipe to the pipeline to create a welded joint; internally engaging at least one of the new section of pipe and the existing pipeline with the internal clamp means so that the internal clamp means is fixed with respect to the pipeline; releasing the external pipe-handling equipment from the new joint and releasing the external clamping means from the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount while applying tension to the internal clamp means, the paying out of the increased length of pipeline being in increments, with the first increment placing the welded joint at the at least another one of the work stations, and a subsequent increment placing the end of the increased length pipeline adjacent the welding station; externally clamping the pipeline with the external clamping means; releasing the engagement of the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
452 words
A method of laying pipeline provided with a coating from a floating vessel means into a body of water, the floating vessel means being provided with a plurality of work stations spaced longitudinally of the pipeline to be laid, at least one of the work stations comprising a welding station for welding new joints of pipe to the existing pipeline, at least another one of the work stations comprising at least one of a weld inspection station and a welded joint coating station, the method utilizing an external clamping means for clamping the pipeline against substantial relative movement with respect to the floating vessel, external pipe handling equipment adjacent said welding station for manipulating sections of pipe, and an internal pipeline tool including at least an internal clamp means for engaging at least one of the existing pipeline and a new section of pipe, the method comprising: externally clamping the pipeline with the external clamping means; placing a new section of pipe in general alignment with the existing pipeline adjacent the welding work station; securing the new section of pipe in position with the external pipe-handling equipment so as to place the end of the new section adjacent, and generally longitudinally aligned with, the existing pipeline at the welding work station; inserting the internal pipeline tool through the new section of pipe and partially into the existing pipeline whereby the internal tool is positioned at least in part in the existing pipeline; internally engaging the new section of pipe with a portion of the internal tool while permitting relative rotation and translation of the new section of pipe with respect to the internal tool; manipulating the new section of pipe with the external pipe-handling equipment so as to produce a desired welding root gap; welding thE new section of pipe to the pipeline to create a welded joint; internally engaging at least one of the new section of pipe and the existing pipeline with the internal clamp means so that the internal clamp means is fixed with respect to the pipeline; releasing the external pipe-handling equipment from the new joint and releasing the external clamping means from the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount while applying tension to the internal clamp means, the paying out of the increased length of pipeline being in increments, with the first increment placing the welded joint at the at least another one of the work stations, and a subsequent increment placing the end of the increased length pipeline adjacent the welding station; externally clamping the pipeline with the external clamping means; releasing the engagement of the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 9 wherein the step of inserting comprises the step of: propelling the internal tool by power remotely supplied to a trolley means coupled thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 10 wherein the internal tool includes a mandrel provided with fluid power transfer means and wherein the step of propelling further comprises: remotely supplying fluid power to the trolley means through the fluid power transfer means, and wherein: the step of internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with the internal clamp means includes the step of supplying fluid power through the fluid power transfer means to actuate clamping portions of the internal clamp means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein: the step of retrieving the internal clamping means includes the step of longitudinally aligning, utilizing a guide means, the internal clamp means with the longitudinal axis of the pipeline.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method of laying pipeline according to claim 9 wherein the step of internally engaging at least one of the new section of pipe and the existing pipeline with the internal clamp means includes: engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal gripping means by remotely supplying power to activate the internal gripping means, and locking the gripping means in place so as to maintain the gripping means in engaging position independently of the remote supply of power thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 9 including the step of: applying radially to the pipeline, internally thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced forces, in addition to forces provided by the internal gripping means, so as to restore pipe roundness to the pipeline.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
In pipelaying apparatus including a floating vessel means, first means for engaging a pipeline to control the position of the pipeline with respect to the floating vessel means, movable clamp means for engaging at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe, so as to be fixed with respect to the pipeline, and means for paying out the pipeline under tension applied to said movable clamp means, the improvement wherein: said movable clamp means comprises means internally engaging said at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe so as to be fixed with respect to the pipeline for internally transmitting said tension to the pipeline during payout of the pipeline.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
In pipelaying apparatus including a floating vessel means, first means for engaging a pipeline to control the position of the pipeline with respect to the floating vessel means, movable clamp means for engaging at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe, so as to be fixed with respect to the pipeline, and means for paying out the pipeline under tension applied to said movable clamp means, the improvement wherein: said movable clamp means comprises means internally engaging said at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe so as to be fixed with respect to the pipeline for internally transmitting said tension to the pipeline during payout of the pipeline.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a pipelaying method utilizing a floating vessel means, and including the steps of engaging a pipeline with first means to control the position of the pipeline with respect to the floating vessel means, engaging at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe with movable clamp means, so as to fix the movable clamp means with respect to the pipeline, and paying out the pipeline under tension applied to said movable clamp means, the improvement comprising: internally engaging said at least one of the pipeline and a new seCtion of pipe with said movable clamp means so as to fix said movable clamp means with respect to the pipeline and internally transmit said tension to the pipeline during payout of the pipeline.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a pipelaying method utilizing a floating vessel means, and including the steps of engaging a pipeline with first means to control the position of the pipeline with respect to the floating vessel means, engaging at least one of the pipeline and a new section of pipe with movable clamp means, so as to fix the movable clamp means with respect to the pipeline, and paying out the pipeline under tension applied to said movable clamp means, the improvement comprising: internally engaging said at least one of the pipeline and a new seCtion of pipe with said movable clamp means so as to fix said movable clamp means with respect to the pipeline and internally transmit said tension to the pipeline during payout of the pipeline.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface comprising: applying a first restraining force to the pipeline; connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal clamp means and fixing the internal clamp means against longitudinal movement with respect to the pipeline; releasing the first restraining force applied to the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount, under tension applied to the internal clamp means; subsequently applying the first restraining force; releasing the engagement of the pipeline by the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface comprising: applying a first restraining force to the pipeline; connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe with internal clamp means and fixing the internal clamp means against longitudinal movement with respect to the pipeline; releasing the first restraining force applied to the pipeline; paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water by a given amount, under tension applied to the internal clamp means; subsequently applying the first restraining force; releasing the engagement of the pipeline by the internal clamp means; and retrieving the internal clamp means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface, the apparatus comprising: means for applying a first restraining force to the pipeline; means for connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; releasable and movable internal clamp means for selectively internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe so as to be substantially fixed with respect to the pipeline; and, means for paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water, by a given amount, under tension applied to said internal clamp means during payout of the pipeline with said internal clamp means internally transmitting tension to the pipeline, and for retrieving said internal clamp means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for laying pipeline from a floating vessel means to a submerged surface, the apparatus comprising: means for applying a first restraining force to the pipeline; means for connecting a new section of pipe to the pipeline aboard the floating vessel means so as to increase the total length of the pipeline; releasable and movable internal clamp means for selectively internally engaging at least one of the pipeline and the new section of pipe so as to be substantially fixed with respect to the pipeline; and, means for paying out the increased length of pipeline into the body of water, by a given amount, under tension applied to said internal clamp means during payout of the pipeline with said internal clamp means internally transmitting tension to the pipeline, and for retrieving said internal clamp means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |