Patent US3667128A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3667128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for connecting pipelines
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-23
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1989-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining the spatial relationship between a pair of adjacent but separated conduit ends, reestablishing the spatial relationship thus determined at a remote environment, fashioning a conduit connecting segment at the remote environment and connecting the conduit thus fabricated to the spaced conduit ends.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/49771
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
387 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter means for registering with an end flange on one of the conduits; a first mechanical linkage, including a first collar surrounding said tubular support bar and being mounted for translation and rotation thereupon; locking means engageable with said first collar and said bar for adjustably locking said collar with respect to said bar; a first tubular arm extendiNg generally perpendicularly from said first collar; a second collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said first tubular arm; locking means engageable for said second collar and said first arm for adjustably locking said second collar with respect to said first arm; a second tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said second collar; a third collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said second tubular arm and for supporting connection to said first conduit flange adapter means; locking means engageable with said third collar and said second arm for adjustably retaining said third collar with respect to said second arm; a second conduit flange adapter means for registering with a flange on the other of the conduits; a second mechanical linkage including, a first collar surrounding said tubular support bar and being mounted for translation and rotation thereupon; locking means engageable with said first collar and said bar for adjustably locking said collar with respect to said bar; a first tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said first collar; a second collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said first tubular arm; locking means engageable with said second collar and said first arm for adjustably locking said second collar with respect to said first arm; a second tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said second collar; a third collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said second tubular arm and for supporting connection to said second conduit flange adapter means; and locking means engageable with said third collar and said second arm for adjustably rotating said third collar with respect to said second arm, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for accurately determing the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
387 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter means for registering with an end flange on one of the conduits; a first mechanical linkage, including a first collar surrounding said tubular support bar and being mounted for translation and rotation thereupon; locking means engageable with said first collar and said bar for adjustably locking said collar with respect to said bar; a first tubular arm extendiNg generally perpendicularly from said first collar; a second collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said first tubular arm; locking means engageable for said second collar and said first arm for adjustably locking said second collar with respect to said first arm; a second tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said second collar; a third collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said second tubular arm and for supporting connection to said first conduit flange adapter means; locking means engageable with said third collar and said second arm for adjustably retaining said third collar with respect to said second arm; a second conduit flange adapter means for registering with a flange on the other of the conduits; a second mechanical linkage including, a first collar surrounding said tubular support bar and being mounted for translation and rotation thereupon; locking means engageable with said first collar and said bar for adjustably locking said collar with respect to said bar; a first tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said first collar; a second collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said first tubular arm; locking means engageable with said second collar and said first arm for adjustably locking said second collar with respect to said first arm; a second tubular arm extending generally perpendicularly from said second collar; a third collar coaxially surrounding for rotation the free end of said second tubular arm and for supporting connection to said second conduit flange adapter means; and locking means engageable with said third collar and said second arm for adjustably rotating said third collar with respect to said second arm, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for accurately determing the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gauge as defined in claim 21 wherein: said tubular support bar is provided with a pair of sealing end plates, one at each end thereof, whereby the support bar when placed in a fluid denser than the fluid inside the support bar may experience a buoyant force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A gauge as defined in claim 1 wherein: said first and second tubular arms manually extending from said first and second collars respectively are sealingly attached to said collars, and said first and second tubular arms are provided with sealing end plates at the free ends thereof, whereby said first and second arms when placed in a fluid denser than the fluid within their interior may experience a buoyant force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gauge as defined in claim 3 wherein: said first and second tubular arms each are provided with first and second axially spaced bearing surfaces for the intimate cooperation with and axial retension of said second and third collar members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A gauge as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said holding means engageable with said first, second and third collars and said tubular support bar, first and second tubular arms respectively comprises: a plurality of set screws,whereby said collars and the tubular members surrounded thereby may be ruggedly but adjustably held in a desired relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A gauge as defined in claim 5 wherein: said first and second tubular arms are provided with bearing sleeves at each corresponding set screw location, whereby a maximum set screw load may be taken without scarring and damaging said tubular arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gauge as defined in claim 1 and further comprising: winch means mounted on said support bar for positioning said second collar with respect to said first collar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A gauge as defined in claim 7 wherein said winch means comprises: a winch collar fixedly surrounding one extreme end of said support bar; a first and second take-up spool normally extending on generally diametrically opposite pOrtions of said collar; a first cable extending from said first take-up spool to the linkage collar remote from said winch and passing through a shackle thereupon and returning for fixed attachment to the linkage collar adjacent said winch; a second cable extending from said second take-up spool, and fixedly attached to said linkage collar adjacent said winch, whereby rotation of said winch spools may serve to adjust one linkage with respect to the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
204 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter means for registering with an end flange on one of the conduits; a first mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said first flange adapter means for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, and said linkage means being positioned approximately at one end of said support bar; a second conduit flange adapter means for registering with a flange on the other of the conduits; a second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said second flange adapter means for translation and at least three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, said linkage means being positioned approximately at the other end of said bar, and a first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means for adjustably connecting said first and second flange adapter means with said first and second linkage means respectively with at least 1* of rotational freedom, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for accurately determining the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
204 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter means for registering with an end flange on one of the conduits; a first mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said first flange adapter means for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, and said linkage means being positioned approximately at one end of said support bar; a second conduit flange adapter means for registering with a flange on the other of the conduits; a second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said second flange adapter means for translation and at least three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, said linkage means being positioned approximately at the other end of said bar, and a first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means for adjustably connecting said first and second flange adapter means with said first and second linkage means respectively with at least 1* of rotational freedom, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for accurately determining the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gauge as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means is provided with: at least 2* of rotational freedom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
310 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter including, a generally flat circular plate, having a plurality of holes extending through said plate being both radially and circumferentially spaced to facilitate alignment with the apertures in a variety of conduit flange sizes, a plurality of removable fasteners extending normally from one side of said plate suitable for fastening engagement through a plurality of apertures in a conduit flange when aligned with the holes in said plate,and a plurality of fixed fasteners extending normally from the other side of said plate; a first mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said first conduit flange adapter for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, and said linkage means being positioned approximately at one end of the support bar; a second conduit flange adapter including, a generally flat circular plate, having a plurality of holes extending through said plate being both radially and circumferentially spaced to facilitate alignment with the apertures in a variety of conduit flange sizes, a plurality of removable fastenings extending normally from one side of said plate suitable for fastening engagement through a plurality of apertures in a conduit flange when aligned with the holes in said plate, and a plurality of fixed fasteners extending normally from the other side of said plate; and a second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said second conduit flange adapter for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, said linkage means being positioned approximately at the other end of said bar, whereby said first and second flange adapters may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduitS for accurately determining the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
310 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of two separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar; a first conduit flange adapter including, a generally flat circular plate, having a plurality of holes extending through said plate being both radially and circumferentially spaced to facilitate alignment with the apertures in a variety of conduit flange sizes, a plurality of removable fasteners extending normally from one side of said plate suitable for fastening engagement through a plurality of apertures in a conduit flange when aligned with the holes in said plate,and a plurality of fixed fasteners extending normally from the other side of said plate; a first mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said first conduit flange adapter for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, and said linkage means being positioned approximately at one end of the support bar; a second conduit flange adapter including, a generally flat circular plate, having a plurality of holes extending through said plate being both radially and circumferentially spaced to facilitate alignment with the apertures in a variety of conduit flange sizes, a plurality of removable fastenings extending normally from one side of said plate suitable for fastening engagement through a plurality of apertures in a conduit flange when aligned with the holes in said plate, and a plurality of fixed fasteners extending normally from the other side of said plate; and a second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting said second conduit flange adapter for translation and at least 3* of rotational freedom with respect to said support bar, said linkage means being positioned approximately at the other end of said bar, whereby said first and second flange adapters may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduitS for accurately determining the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A gauge as defined in claim 11 and further comprising: a plurality of radially extending spacer pads fixedly attached to the flat circular plates of said first and second conduit flange adapters for engagement with the conduit flange to dimensionally compensate for the absence of a seal on the flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A gauge as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means each comprise: a bifurcated extension of the respective ones of said first and second mechanical linkage means; a generally flat plate having a plurality of slots therein; a pair of tabs normally projecting from said plate; a pin for rotatably connecting said bifurcated extension and said tabs, and a plurality of screws for adjustably locking at least one arm of said bifurcated extension and at least one of said tabs, whereby said first and second flange adapter means when attached to respective ones of said plates may be pivotally adjusted with respect to said first and second mechanical linkage means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A gauge as defined in claim 13 wherein: said slots in said flat plate extend around the plate in generally circumferential segments, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be pivotally connected with respect to respective ones of said plates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
175 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of first and second separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar having a longitudinal axis; a first and second conduit flange adapter means for registering with the end flange of the first and second conduits conduits, respectively; a first and second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting each of said first and second flange adapter means for translation and at least 2* of rotational freedom with respect to the longitudinal axis of said support bar, said first and second mechanical linkage being positioned approximately on opposite ends of said bar; a first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means for adjustably connecting said first and second flange adapter means with said first and second linkage means respectively, with at least 1* of rotational freedom about axes generally parallel with said support bar longitudinal axis, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for establishing the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
175 words
A gauge for accurately determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of first and second separated but adjacent conduits comprising: a tubular support bar having a longitudinal axis; a first and second conduit flange adapter means for registering with the end flange of the first and second conduits conduits, respectively; a first and second mechanical linkage means for adjustably supporting each of said first and second flange adapter means for translation and at least 2* of rotational freedom with respect to the longitudinal axis of said support bar, said first and second mechanical linkage being positioned approximately on opposite ends of said bar; a first and second adjustable pivotal coupling means for adjustably connecting said first and second flange adapter means with said first and second linkage means respectively, with at least 1* of rotational freedom about axes generally parallel with said support bar longitudinal axis, whereby said first and second flange adapter means may be readily adjusted into register with the flange ends of the separated conduits for establishing the spatial relationship therebetween.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of first and second spaced conduits comprising the steps of: fastening a first and second adapter plate by removable studs to the flanges of the first and second conduit ends, respectively; adjusting a gauge member between said plates by, manipulating a first mechanical linkage carried by a support bar having three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation into firm engagement with said first plate, and setting said linkages with respect to their axes of rotation; manipulating a second mechanical linkage on said bar having three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation into firm engagement with said second plate, and setting said linkages with respect to their axes of rotation; removing said gauge member from said flanged pipe ends, by removing said removable studs from said flanges and plates, and lifting said gauge member from contact with said conduits flanged ends, whereby said gauge member thus removed accurately represent the spatial relationship between the flanges of said first and second spaced conduits.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of first and second spaced conduits comprising the steps of: fastening a first and second adapter plate by removable studs to the flanges of the first and second conduit ends, respectively; adjusting a gauge member between said plates by, manipulating a first mechanical linkage carried by a support bar having three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation into firm engagement with said first plate, and setting said linkages with respect to their axes of rotation; manipulating a second mechanical linkage on said bar having three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation into firm engagement with said second plate, and setting said linkages with respect to their axes of rotation; removing said gauge member from said flanged pipe ends, by removing said removable studs from said flanges and plates, and lifting said gauge member from contact with said conduits flanged ends, whereby said gauge member thus removed accurately represent the spatial relationship between the flanges of said first and second spaced conduits.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
164 words
A method of determining the spatial relationship between the flanged ends of first and second spaced conduits as defined in claim 16 and further comprising the steps of: setting the base of said first mechanical linkage with respect to said bar prior to manipulation of said first adapter plate into engagement with said first spaced conduit, and positioning said second mechanical linkage axially along said bar into approximately the final axial position of said second linkage prior to manipulation of said first mechanical linkage and said adapter plate into engagement with said first conduit end, by pulling said second linkage along said support bar in a first direction by a direct cable connection with one spool of a winch positioned at one extreme end of said bar, adjacent to said second linkage connection, and pulling said second linkage along said support bar in a reverse direction by a cable passing around said first mechanical linkage and returning to a second spool of said winch.
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) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |