US3656310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for laying submarine pipelines
Assignee: Total Compagnie Francaise des Petroles SA
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Filing: 1969-11-13
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1989-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of laying pipes to form an underwater pipeline where pipes are floated to the point of immersion. A mud is injected into a floating pipe to sink the pipe to a predetermined level for connection with a submerged pipe. The pipe sections are connected by conventional means, and the procedure is repeated until the pipeline is finished. Traction arms and stoppers can be added to the pipe prior to immersion to assist in the laying of the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Brun
- 👤 Pierre P Orieux
- 👤 Louis Le Therisien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of laying pipes on an underwater ground level to form a submarine pipeline, comprising the steps of; a. connecting at least first and second pipe sections to first and second float members, the buoyancy of the float members permitting the pipe sections to be positioned at predetermined levels in the water; b. floating the pipe sections to a predetermined position in the water; c. injecting an immersion material having a density greater than the water into the first pipe section until the first pipe section begins to sink in the water; d. removing the first float member from the first pipe section to permit the first pipe section to be supported at one end by the ground and at a second end by the buoyancy of the second float member at a predetermined position in the water; e. sinking the end of the second pipe section until it reaches the same predetermined level in the water as the second end of the first pipe section; f. connecting the first and second pipe sections together at the predetermined level in the water; and g. forcing the immersion material in the first pipe section into the second pipe section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of laying pipes on an underwater ground level to form a submarine pipeline, comprising the steps of; a. connecting at least first and second pipe sections to first and second float members, the buoyancy of the float members permitting the pipe sections to be positioned at predetermined levels in the water; b. floating the pipe sections to a predetermined position in the water; c. injecting an immersion material having a density greater than the water into the first pipe section until the first pipe section begins to sink in the water; d. removing the first float member from the first pipe section to permit the first pipe section to be supported at one end by the ground and at a second end by the buoyancy of the second float member at a predetermined position in the water; e. sinking the end of the second pipe section until it reaches the same predetermined level in the water as the second end of the first pipe section; f. connecting the first and second pipe sections together at the predetermined level in the water; and g. forcing the immersion material in the first pipe section into the second pipe section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 including providing traction arms and cables on the adjacent ends of the first and second pipe sections and aligning the first and second pipe sections with a traction device attached to the cables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 where the steps of laying and anchoring a cable means covering the path of the pipeline precedes the laying of the pipes, the cable means including an assembly of pendants uniformly distributed over the pipeline course and suspended by floats, and attaching the floating pipe sections to the pendants prior to their immersion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 where the material injected into the pipe sections is mud having a density between 1 and 1.8.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 where the pipe sections are provided with attachment collArs and adjacent collars are connected by welding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 where the floats are removed by releasing detachable lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 where the steps of attaching a stop with an elongated housing at one end of a pipe section and inserting a stopper with a sensoring device are performed prior to immersion of the pipe; the sensoring device is lodged in the housing of the stop at the end of the filling of the pipe section with the immersion material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of checking the tightness of the pipeline and the subsequent refloating of the pipeline by pumping water into the pipe section to replace the immersion material if the pipeline is not fluid tight.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
277 words
A method of laying pipes on an underwater ground level to form a submarine pipeline, comprising the steps of; a. connecting at least first and second pipe sections to a first and second float members, the buoyancy of the float members permitting the pipe sections to be positioned at predetermined levels in the water; b. floating the pipe sections to a predetermined position in the water; c. inserting a stopper member into one end of the first pipe section; d. providing a removable stop means at the other end of the first pipe section. e. injecting an immersion material having a density greater than the water into the first pipe section until the first pipe section begins to sink in the water, the immersion material forcing the stopper member through the length of the first pipe section until it contacts the stop means. f. removing the first float member from the first pipe section to permit the first pipe section to be supported at one end by the ground and at a second end by the buoyancy of the second float member at a predetermined position in the water; g. sinking the end of the second pipe section until it reaches the same predetermined level in the water as the second end of the first pipe section; h. removing the removable stop means; i. connecting the adjacent ends of the first and second pipe sections together at the predetermined level in the water; j. attaching the removable stop means to the other end of the second pipe section, and k. forcing the immersion material and stopper member in the first pipe section into the second pipe section.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
277 words
A method of laying pipes on an underwater ground level to form a submarine pipeline, comprising the steps of; a. connecting at least first and second pipe sections to a first and second float members, the buoyancy of the float members permitting the pipe sections to be positioned at predetermined levels in the water; b. floating the pipe sections to a predetermined position in the water; c. inserting a stopper member into one end of the first pipe section; d. providing a removable stop means at the other end of the first pipe section. e. injecting an immersion material having a density greater than the water into the first pipe section until the first pipe section begins to sink in the water, the immersion material forcing the stopper member through the length of the first pipe section until it contacts the stop means. f. removing the first float member from the first pipe section to permit the first pipe section to be supported at one end by the ground and at a second end by the buoyancy of the second float member at a predetermined position in the water; g. sinking the end of the second pipe section until it reaches the same predetermined level in the water as the second end of the first pipe section; h. removing the removable stop means; i. connecting the adjacent ends of the first and second pipe sections together at the predetermined level in the water; j. attaching the removable stop means to the other end of the second pipe section, and k. forcing the immersion material and stopper member in the first pipe section into the second pipe section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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US3136133A
Cited
US3233667A
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US3467013A
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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) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |