US3648468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lambda supported pipeline for arctic use
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1970-02-11
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A stable pipeline in permafrost areas is achieved by supporting pipe on or from supports of lambda construction. The members of the lambda supports extend declivously into solidly frozen permafrost and so maintain a stable line of pipe that will not sink into ground thawed by summer warmth or by heat leakage from the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Bowers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A pipeline assembly comprising in combination: a. a series of spaced lambda-shaped supports, each support including a pair of vertically diverging members with the lower extending ends of each member of said supports installed in a diagonally outwardly downwardly extending hole in the ground, said ground comprising tundra and permafrost, and said lower extending ends extending into permanently frozen permafrost beyond a depth subject to seasonal freeze-thaw and furthermore beyond area subject to heat-introduced thaw, each pair of said spaced supports essentially converging at the upper extending ends of the members thereof and thereby forming said lambdashaped supports, b. means for sustaining a substantially rigid closed tubular pipeline, c. at least one substantially rigid closed tubular pipeline stably sustained by said series of said lambda supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A pipeline assembly comprising in combination: a. a series of spaced lambda-shaped supports, each support including a pair of vertically diverging members with the lower extending ends of each member of said supports installed in a diagonally outwardly downwardly extending hole in the ground, said ground comprising tundra and permafrost, and said lower extending ends extending into permanently frozen permafrost beyond a depth subject to seasonal freeze-thaw and furthermore beyond area subject to heat-introduced thaw, each pair of said spaced supports essentially converging at the upper extending ends of the members thereof and thereby forming said lambdashaped supports, b. means for sustaining a substantially rigid closed tubular pipeline, c. at least one substantially rigid closed tubular pipeline stably sustained by said series of said lambda supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pipeline hangs from said upper extending ends and between said members of said lambda supports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 2 further including a pipe suspending device selected from at least one of a loop, ring, sling, and tie rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spaced supports support said pipeline on said upper extending ends of said lambda supports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of said lambda supports include on the upper extending ends thereof pipe-saddles and said pipeline lies on said pipe-saddles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 1 wherein said lambda supports sustain at least two pipelines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pipeline assembly as a stable conduit for the movement of warm fluids in areas subject to permafrost, said pipeline assembly comprising in conjunction a pipeline and a support assembly therefor, said support assembly comprising a series of spaced support members constructed of substantially nonheat conducting materials and installed so as to sustain said at least one pipeline, each said support assembly essentially in the form of a lambda, and said spaced support members extending declivously relative to said at least one pipeline into said permafrost and beyond a zone of thaw induced by at least one of summer heat and heat release from said warm fluids contained in said pipeline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pipeline assembly as a stable conduit for the movement of warm fluids in areas subject to permafrost, said pipeline assembly comprising in conjunction a pipeline and a support assembly therefor, said support assembly comprising a series of spaced support members constructed of substantially nonheat conducting materials and installed so as to sustain said at least one pipeline, each said support assembly essentially in the form of a lambda, and said spaced support members extending declivously relative to said at least one pipeline into said permafrost and beyond a zone of thaw induced by at least one of summer heat and heat release from said warm fluids contained in said pipeline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pipeline assembly according to claim 7 further including a second pipeline laid upon and along the upper extending ends of said support assembly.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for laying a pipeline for the transport of warm fluids in the arctic area which comprises a. cutting a series of opposingly placed downwardly extending holes in the ground in said arctic area, said ground comprising tundra and permafrost, said holes extending declivously through the depths subject to seasonal freeze-thaw and into said permafrost beyond a zone of thaw induced by heat leakage from said warm fluids in said pipeline, b. installing in each of said declivously extending holes a support member such that each pair of opposingly positioned spaced declivously extending supports comprise and form a lambda support, c. sustaining at least one pipeline along said lambda supports.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for laying a pipeline for the transport of warm fluids in the arctic area which comprises a. cutting a series of opposingly placed downwardly extending holes in the ground in said arctic area, said ground comprising tundra and permafrost, said holes extending declivously through the depths subject to seasonal freeze-thaw and into said permafrost beyond a zone of thaw induced by heat leakage from said warm fluids in said pipeline, b. installing in each of said declivously extending holes a support member such that each pair of opposingly positioned spaced declivously extending supports comprise and form a lambda support, c. sustaining at least one pipeline along said lambda supports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein in said step (c) said pipeline is sustained by the apices formed by the series of lambda supports.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein a plurality of said lambda support members have a pipe saddle positioned at the apex of each pair of support members forming said lambda supports, and said pipeline is sustained along said pipe saddles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said at least one pipeline is laid along said guide collars and a further pipeline is suspended from the apices of said lambda supports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein at least one of said pipelines is covered with backfill.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein at least one said pipeline is further characterized as being insulated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |