US3699692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for laying pipelines grouped in a bundle
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-02
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A pipeline laying operation wherein a continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of conduits is payed out from a floating vessel onto a submerged surface under the control of a tensioned flexible cable. The conduits are strapped to an alignment and spacer member at a plurality of longitudinally spaced bundling zones. The cable, the spacer and the pipeline bundle are placed in a force transmitting relationship, i.e., the weight of the pipeline bundle is transmitted to the cable at the spacer locations. Tension is applied to the cable at the floating vessel, to react the applied pipeline bundle weights at the spacers, maintaining the pipeline bundle conforming to a chosen configuration, which will keep the pipe stresses within a given level. Feed paths, defined by roller assemblies, for each of the conduits on the vessel maintain the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and induce convergence of the conduits toward a bundling station.
Inventors
- 👤 Leif H Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:57
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/03; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16; F16L1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable means at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable means at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing at least the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sections of the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal Force transmitting relationship by placing the spacer means and a portion of the conduit bundle in clamping engagement with the cable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by positioning a plurality of cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by positioning a plurality of cable clamps on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on the floating vessel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: the step of bundling comprises aligning and maintaining the plurality of conduits in a predetermined relative orientation with the spacer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein: the conduits are strapped to the spacer means with girding means surrounding the conduits and the spacer means, and wherein the step of operatively coupling the bundle to the cable means comprises positioning the cable means within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein: the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect to the lateral extent of the bundle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1 including the step of: providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vessel means, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths converging toward a bundling station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein: the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, and maintaining the conduits in a predetermined orientation by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means with girding means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship with the cable positioned within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the pipeline of the continuous pipeline of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending a tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, and maintaining the conduits in a predetermined orientation by strapping the plurality of conduits to conduit spacer means with girding means to place the pipeline bundle and the spacer means in force transmitting relationship; operatively coupling the pipeline bundle to the tensioned flexible cable at the longitudinally spaced bundling zones by placing the spacer means and the cable means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship with the cable positioned within the bundle envelope defined by the girding means; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the pipeline of the continuous pipeline of the continuous pipeline bundle; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing at least the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein: the spacer means and the cable means are placed in generally lonGitudinal force transmitting relationship by placing the two sections of the spacer means in clamping engagement with the cable means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein: the cable means is positioned generally symmetrically with respect to the lateral extent of the bundle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 12 including the step of: providing a feed path for each of the conduits on the floating vessel means, with each of the feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and with each of the feed paths converging toward a bundling station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein: the feed paths maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for spacing the conduits of the bundle; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle and interacting with said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for spacing the conduits of the bundle; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle and interacting with said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means comprise means for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predetermined orientation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means are comprised of two sections for clampingly engaging said cable means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein: said spacer means are comprised of two sections for receiving said cable means therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 21 and including: a plurality of cable stop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on said floating vessel means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 including: a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally and generally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vessel means; said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and each converging towards a bundling station.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein: said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predetermined spaced orientation; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means tRansmitted to said plurality of spacer means; and means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of conduit spacer means, positioned at bundling zones longitudinally spaced along the length of the continuous pipeline bundle, for aligning the conduits of the bundle in a predetermined spaced orientation; cable means extending from said floating vessel means along the continuous pipeline bundle; a plurality of girding means for strapping the plurality of conduits to each of said spacer means to place said spacer means and the continuous pipeline bundle in force transmitting relationship; payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means tRansmitted to said plurality of spacer means; and means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship; the generally longitudinal force transmitting interaction of the cable means and the spacer means, and the force transmitting relationship of the spacer means and the pipeline bundle together serving to react the weight of the pipeline bundle by tensile forces in the cable means at the bundling zones.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise a plurality of cable stop clamp means on the cable means adjacent the ends of the spacer means remote from the ends of the conduits on said floating vessel means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise said spacer means and a portion of said bundle in clamping engagement with said cable means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein: said means for placing said cable means and said spacer means in generally longitudinal force transmitting relationship comprise sections of said spacer means clampingly engaging said cable means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 25 including: a plurality of roller assemblies defining feed paths for laterally and generally longitudinally guiding the conduits on said floating vessel means; said feed paths maintaining the end portions of the conduits laterally spaced and each converging toward a bundling station.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein: said roller assemblies are arranged to maintain at least some of the conduits at different elevations along a portion of said feed paths.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing a tensioned, elongate, flexible cable means to which the pipeline bundle is operatively coupled, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending the tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by girding means surrounding the conduits and defining a bundling envelope; positioning the cable means so as to extend longitudinally of the bundle within the bundle envelope; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle operatively coupled thereto into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of laying an elongate, flexible continuous pipeline bundle comprised of a plurality of elongate, flexible, continuous conduits, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing a tensioned, elongate, flexible cable means to which the pipeline bundle is operatively coupled, the method comprising: supporting a portion of the plurality of conduits on the floating vessel with a further portion thereof depending into a body of water toward the submerged surface; extending the tensioned and elongate, flexible cable means from the floating vessel toward the submerged surface; bundling the plurality of conduits together, at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits, by girding means surrounding the conduits and defining a bundling envelope; positioning the cable means so as to extend longitudinally of the bundle within the bundle envelope; and paying out the flexible cable and the continuous pipeline bundle operatively coupled thereto into the body of water while controlling the tension in the flexible cable to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of girding means, surrounding the conduits and defining a bundle envelope, for bundling the plurality of conduits together at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits; cable means, extending from said floating vessel means longitudinally of the continuous pipeline bundle within said bundle envelope, said cable means being operatively coupled to said bundle; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for laying a continuous pipeline bundle, comprised of a plurality of conduits, onto a submerged surface comprising: floating vessel means from which the continuous pipeline bundle extends toward the submerged surface; a plurality of girding means, surrounding the conduits and defining a bundle envelope, for bundling the plurality of conduits together at a plurality of bundling zones spaced longitudinally along the conduits; cable means, extending from said floating vessel means longitudinally of the continuous pipeline bundle within said bundle envelope, said cable means being operatively coupled to said bundle; and payout means on said floating vessel means for imparting tension to said cable means to control the profile thereof and the profile of the continuous pipeline bundle.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |