Patent US4432185A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3675432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3675432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline construction
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-02-28
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-02-28
Abstract
Abstract In order to insulate a pipeline from the earth in which it is buried, the pipe is surrounded by a mass of dry earth, sand and/or gravel and a water-impermeable membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Keene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/15; F16L59/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of laying a pipeline which comprises excavating a trench to receive the pipe; lining the trench with a waterimpermeable liner; drying a quantity of earth, sand and/or gravel to remove moisture therefrom; positioning pipe and the thus dried earth, sand and/or gravel within the lined trench so that the pipe extends longitudinally of the trench and is surrounded by the dry earth, sand and/or gravel; and sealing the edges of the liner to form a water-impermeable barrier around the pipe and dry earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of laying a pipeline which comprises excavating a trench to receive the pipe; lining the trench with a waterimpermeable liner; drying a quantity of earth, sand and/or gravel to remove moisture therefrom; positioning pipe and the thus dried earth, sand and/or gravel within the lined trench so that the pipe extends longitudinally of the trench and is surrounded by the dry earth, sand and/or gravel; and sealing the edges of the liner to form a water-impermeable barrier around the pipe and dry earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material removed duRing the excavation step is dried to form the dry material employed to surround the pipe in the trench.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the material is dried at an elevated temperature in the presence of oxygen to burn organic material contained therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a series of water-impermeable second barriers in the trench in spaced relationship with one another, each of said second barriers extending from the pipe to the surrounding liner; and sealing said second barriers to said pipe and the surrounding liner to form a series of water-impermeable compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pipeline comprising a pipe positioned in the earth; a mass of dry earth, sand and/or gravel free of organic material surrounding said pipe; and a water-impermeable membrane enclosing said pipe and surrounding dry earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pipeline comprising a pipe positioned in the earth; a mass of dry earth, sand and/or gravel free of organic material surrounding said pipe; and a water-impermeable membrane enclosing said pipe and surrounding dry earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pipeline of claim 5, further comprising a series of second water-impermeable membranes positioned in spaced relationship with one another, each of said second membranes being sealed to and extending between said pipe and said first-mentioned membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pipeline of claim 5, further comprising a sheath of heat insulating material surrounding said pipe and being positioned between said pipe and said dry earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pipeline of claim 5, further comprising a mass of heat insulating material positioned between said dry earth, sand and/or gravel and said membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the earth, sand and/or gravel is dried at an elevated temperature in the presence of oxygen to burn organic material contained therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of laying a pipeline which comprises excavating a trench to receive the pipe; lining the trench with a water-impermeable liner; positioning pipe and dry earth, sand and/or gravel which is free of organic material within the lined trench so that the pipe extends longitudinally of the trench and is surrounded by the earth, sand and/or gravel; and sealing the edges of the liner to form a water-impermeable barrier around the earth, sand and/or gravel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of laying a pipeline which comprises excavating a trench to receive the pipe; lining the trench with a water-impermeable liner; positioning pipe and dry earth, sand and/or gravel which is free of organic material within the lined trench so that the pipe extends longitudinally of the trench and is surrounded by the earth, sand and/or gravel; and sealing the edges of the liner to form a water-impermeable barrier around the earth, sand and/or gravel.
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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |