US3658366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater pipeline connection
Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service Corp
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Filing: 1970-04-23
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1990-04-23
Abstract
Abstract In an underwater pipeline connection system, a pair of swivelably interconnected pipes, supported in angular relation above the ends of a pair of pipeline sections, are provided with swivel connection members mounted on the free ends thereof which are adapted to be operably connected with taunt wire lines for guiding the swivel members and pipes from remote locations to positions adjacent the ends of said pipelines, actuator members connected between said swivels and said wires are adapted to move said pipes towards an aligned configuration when the swivels are thus positioned, thereby moving the swivels into engagement with the pipeline ends to form a completed connection therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Welch Jr
- 👤 George H Bolton
- 👤 John P Oliver
- 👤 Alfred W Wedel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5367
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An articulated pipeline assembly for interconnecting the spaced ends of two pipelines and an assembly support means holding said assembly in a generally inverted V-shaped configuration while the ends of the assembly are guided to positions adjacent the respective pipeline ends, said assembly comprising a pair of pipe sections each of which has first and second end portions, swivel means for interconnecting said first end portions of said pipe sections, said swivel means being located at the apex of said V when said assembly is held in said inverted configuration by said support means, and two connecting units mounted respectively on each of said second end portions for connecting each of said second end portions to an associated one of said, spaced pipeline ends, said swivel means being adapted to allow variation in the angular relation between said pipe sections to thereby vary the distance between said connecting units whereby said assembly is supported in said inverted V-shaped configuration between said pipeline ends by said support means and then extended to join the ends of said pipe sections with said pipeline ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An articulated pipeline assembly for interconnecting the spaced ends of two pipelines and an assembly support means holding said assembly in a generally inverted V-shaped configuration while the ends of the assembly are guided to positions adjacent the respective pipeline ends, said assembly comprising a pair of pipe sections each of which has first and second end portions, swivel means for interconnecting said first end portions of said pipe sections, said swivel means being located at the apex of said V when said assembly is held in said inverted configuration by said support means, and two connecting units mounted respectively on each of said second end portions for connecting each of said second end portions to an associated one of said, spaced pipeline ends, said swivel means being adapted to allow variation in the angular relation between said pipe sections to thereby vary the distance between said connecting units whereby said assembly is supported in said inverted V-shaped configuration between said pipeline ends by said support means and then extended to join the ends of said pipe sections with said pipeline ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An articulated pipeline assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting units comprise swivel means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
An articulated pipeline section as defined in claim 1 wherein said means swivelably interconnecting said pipe first end portions comprises, a double swivel connecting member adapted to limit each of said pipes to a 10* displacement about its swivel axis whereby a total differential displacement of up to 20* is obtainable between said pipes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections, comprising, a pair of pipe sections each of which has first and second end portions, means for swivelably interconnecting said first end portions, two connecting units mounted respectively upon said second end portions for connecting each of said second end portions to a respective one of said spaced pipeline connections, means supporting said pipe sections in a generally V-shaped configuration wherein said means for swivelably interconnecting said pipe sections is located at the apex of said V, and means for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration to increase the distance between said connecting units for connection thereof to said respective pipeline connections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections, comprising, a pair of pipe sections each of which has first and second end portions, means for swivelably interconnecting said first end portions, two connecting units mounted respectively upon said second end portions for connecting each of said second end portions to a respective one of said spaced pipeline connections, means supporting said pipe sections in a generally V-shaped configuration wherein said means for swivelably interconnecting said pipe sections is located at the apex of said V, and means for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration to increase the distance between said connecting units for connection thereof to said respective pipeline connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for moving said pipes comprises means adapted to be connected between each of said connecting units and its associated pipeline end for moving said connecting units towards said pipeline ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for guidIng said connecting units to positions opposite their associated pipeline ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said guiding means comprises, a plurality of taunt wire guidelines operably engaged with each of said connecting units and their associated pipeline ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipeline sections comprising, a pair of pipe sections having first and second end portions, a double swivel member interconnecting the first end portions of each of said pipe sections, a single swivel member mounted on each of said second end portions for connecting an individual second end portion to a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, means supporting said pipe sections and said swivels in a generally V-shaped configuration wherein said double swivel is located at the apex of said V, means for guiding each of said second end portions and said single swivels to positions opposite a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, and means for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby said pipes move in said swivels with respect to each other to increase the distance between said single swivels for connection thereof to said respective pipeline ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipeline sections comprising, a pair of pipe sections having first and second end portions, a double swivel member interconnecting the first end portions of each of said pipe sections, a single swivel member mounted on each of said second end portions for connecting an individual second end portion to a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, means supporting said pipe sections and said swivels in a generally V-shaped configuration wherein said double swivel is located at the apex of said V, means for guiding each of said second end portions and said single swivels to positions opposite a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, and means for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby said pipes move in said swivels with respect to each other to increase the distance between said single swivels for connection thereof to said respective pipeline ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprises an individual support platform fixed to each of said pipeline free end portions and a plurality of taunt wire guidelines fixed to each of said platforms and operably connected to said single swivels to guide said swivels and said second end portions to positions opposite said pipeline ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said moving means comprises, means operably connected between said swivels and said taunt lines for urging said swivels into engagement with their respective pipeline end whereby said pipes are moved towards an aligned position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said double swivel member is a 20* swivel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said single swivel members are 10* swivels.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections comprising, the steps of, swivelably interconnecting a pair of pipes having connecting members on the free ends thereof, holding said pipes in an angular relation about said swivel connection, positioning each of said connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spaced pipeline connections and moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby said connecting members are moved into engagement with said respective pipeline connections.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections comprising, the steps of, swivelably interconnecting a pair of pipes having connecting members on the free ends thereof, holding said pipes in an angular relation about said swivel connection, positioning each of said connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spaced pipeline connections and moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby said connecting members are moved into engagement with said respective pipeline connections.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipeline sections by means of an articulated pipeline section including a pair of swivelably interconnected pipes having connecting members mounted on their free ends, said method comprising, the steps of, holding said pipes in an angular relation about said swivel interconnection, positioning each of said connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, and moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby the distance between said connecting members is increased and said members are moved into engagement with said respective pipeline ends.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipeline sections by means of an articulated pipeline section including a pair of swivelably interconnected pipes having connecting members mounted on their free ends, said method comprising, the steps of, holding said pipes in an angular relation about said swivel interconnection, positioning each of said connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, and moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration whereby the distance between said connecting members is increased and said members are moved into engagement with said respective pipeline ends.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step of positioning includes the step of guiding said articulated pipeline section from positions remote from said pipeline sections to positions adjacent said spaced pipeline ends.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 15 wherein said step of guiding comprises the step of, moving said connecting members along a plurality of taunt wire guidelines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 16 wherein said step of moving comprises the steps of, operably engaging said connecting members and said guidelines and moving said connecting members with respect to said guidelines whereby said connection members are engaged with said respective pipeline ends.
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) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |