Patent US2565639A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4242813A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3729941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3729941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for laying pipeline
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
•
Filing: 1971-09-07
•
Granted: 1973-05-01
•
Expires: 1991-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for making a connection between conduits, either submerged or to be submerged, characterized by the provision of a telescoping terminus on a flowline. In some operations where the flowline is laid either toward or away from an underwater installation, it may be lowered, while maintaining the terminus substantially fixed with respect to the remainder of the flowline, to a submerged position where the terminus is spaced from the installation. Subsequently, the terminus is telescoped into engagement with an alignment means, such as a riser adapter, either through diver assistance, or by remote operation of a terminus moving means. This means may be provided by a flexible drawline, which may be threaded through the alignment means, attached to the terminus, and subsequently tensioned to telescope the terminus. Release of the drawline may be accomplished through the application of fluid pressure. Means are provided for latching the terminus into the riser adapter and for locking a slip joint between the terminus and the remainder of the flowline. Other connections between the terminus and an installation conduit may be accomplished adjacent the surface of the water. The conduit and pipeline may be lowered together, with the terminus locked, and after lowering the terminus may be freed to permit proper positioning of the installation conduit relative to the installation. Alternatively, the lowering operation may take place with the installation conduit in its proper position relative to the installation and with the terminus unlocked, whereupon relative movement of the telescoping terminus facilitates the operation of lowering the installation conduit and the connected flowline. After lowering the slip joint may be locked.
Inventors
- 👤 W Rochelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/002; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135; F16L1/00; F16L1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of laying pipeline carried by floating vessel means and provided with a telescoping conduit terminus, telescopingly movable with respect to a conduit body portion of the pipeline, the laying being either toward or away from an underwater installation provided with means for aligning the telescoping terminus with the underwater installation, the method comprising: connecting a flexible drawline to the telescoping terminus; lowering the terminal portion of the pipeline, including the telescoping terminus, from the floating vessel means to a submerged position adjacent the alignment means, while maintaining the terminus in a substantially fixed longitudinal position with respect to said body portion of the pipeline; and applying tension to the flexible drawline to move the telescoping terminus longitudinally with respect to said pipeline body portion and into engagement with the alignment means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of laying pipeline carried by floating vessel means and provided with a telescoping conduit terminus, telescopingly movable with respect to a conduit body portion of the pipeline, the laying being either toward or away from an underwater installation provided with means for aligning the telescoping terminus with the underwater installation, the method comprising: connecting a flexible drawline to the telescoping terminus; lowering the terminal portion of the pipeline, including the telescoping terminus, from the floating vessel means to a submerged position adjacent the alignment means, while maintaining the terminus in a substantially fixed longitudinal position with respect to said body portion of the pipeline; and applying tension to the flexible drawline to move the telescoping terminus longitudinally with respect to said pipeline body portion and into engagement with the alignment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method of laying pipeline according to claim 1, wherein the pipeline is laid toward the underwater installation, the method further including the step of: laying the major portion of pipeline, exclusive of the terminal portion including the telescoping terminus, toward the underwater installation and onto the submerged surface from the floating vessel means, prior to connecting the flexible drawline to the telescoping terminus; the connecting step then being accomplished at a surface location of the floating vessel means; and the lowering step then being performed to locate the telescoping terminus at a submerged position spaced from the alignment means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the pipeline is laid away from the installation, and wherein: both the lowering step and the pipeline laying are accomplished, at least in part, by slidably moving the floating vessel means with respect to the pipeline.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of effecting connection between first and second submerged conduit means one of which is provided with a telescoping conduit portion movable with respect to a conduit body portion, the method comprising: supporting said first conduit means above a water surface; submerging at least an end portion of said first conduit means by generally lowering said end portion of said first conduit means from support means located at least in part above said water surface; positioning said first conduit means at a submerged location in generally aligned relation relative to said second, submerged conduit means; telescopingly adjusting said telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in relation to said body portion and the other of said conduit means; locking said telescopingly adjusted telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in generally sealed, fluid communicating relation with said other of said conduit means; and locking said adjusted telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in generally sealed, fluid communicating relation with said other of said conduit means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of effecting connection between first and second submerged conduit means one of which is provided with a telescoping conduit portion movable with respect to a conduit body portion, the method comprising: supporting said first conduit means above a water surface; submerging at least an end portion of said first conduit means by generally lowering said end portion of said first conduit means from support means located at least in part above said water surface; positioning said first conduit means at a submerged location in generally aligned relation relative to said second, submerged conduit means; telescopingly adjusting said telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in relation to said body portion and the other of said conduit means; locking said telescopingly adjusted telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in generally sealed, fluid communicating relation with said other of said conduit means; and locking said adjusted telescoping portion of said one of said conduit means in generally sealed, fluid communicating relation with said other of said conduit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for effecting connections between submerged conduit means, the apparatus comprising: first and second conduit means, at least one of which is provided with a telescoping conduit terminus movable with respect to a conduit body portion; means for supporting at least one of said first and second conduit means above a water surface; means for lowering at least an end portion of said one of conduit means to a disposition generally aligned with said second, submerged conduit means; means for locking and sealing said telescoping terminus of said one of said conduit means, in at least partially telescopingly adjusted position in relation to said body portion and said other of said conduit means, in generally sealed, fluid communicating relationship with said first conduit means; and means for locking and sealing said telescoping terminus, in generally sealed, fluid communicating relationship with said second conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for effecting connections between submerged conduit means, the apparatus comprising: first and second conduit means, at least one of which is provided with a telescoping conduit terminus movable with respect to a conduit body portion; means for supporting at least one of said first and second conduit means above a water surface; means for lowering at least an end portion of said one of conduit means to a disposition generally aligned with said second, submerged conduit means; means for locking and sealing said telescoping terminus of said one of said conduit means, in at least partially telescopingly adjusted position in relation to said body portion and said other of said conduit means, in generally sealed, fluid communicating relationship with said first conduit means; and means for locking and sealing said telescoping terminus, in generally sealed, fluid communicating relationship with said second conduit means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus movable, within a range of movement, generally longitudinally with respect to a remaining body portion by an amount within that range, with the telescoping terminus defining an adjustable conduit section extending between and for providing communication between said body portion and the other of the pipeline and the conduit; connecting the telescoping terminus to the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipeline; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus movable, within a range of movement, generally longitudinally with respect to a remaining body portion by an amount within that range, with the telescoping terminus defining an adjustable conduit section extending between and for providing communication between said body portion and the other of the pipeline and the conduit; connecting the telescoping terminus to the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipeline; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein: the lowering step is performed with the telescoping terminus maintained in a fixed position relative to the pipeline and the installation conduit; and the telescoping terminus is subsequently telescoped to move the installation conduit to a position in engagement with the installation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein: the lowering step is performed while the telescoping terminus is permitted to telescope relative to the one of the pipeline and the installation conduit to which it is provided.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus; connecting the telescoping terminus to the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipe-line; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface, said lowering step being performed with the telescoping terminus maintained in a fixed position relative to the pipeline and the installation conduit; and said telescoping terminus being subsequently telescoped to move the installation conduit to a position in engagement with the installation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus; connecting the telescoping terminus to the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipe-line; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface, said lowering step being performed with the telescoping terminus maintained in a fixed position relative to the pipeline and the installation conduit; and said telescoping terminus being subsequently telescoped to move the installation conduit to a position in engagement with the installation.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus; connecting the telescoping terminus To the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipeline; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface, said lowering step being performed while the telescoping terminus is permitted to telescope relative to one of the pipeline and the installation conduit to which it is provided.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of connecting an underwater pipeline to an installation conduit, the method comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the installation conduit with a telescoping terminus; connecting the telescoping terminus To the other of the pipeline and the installation conduit adjacent the surface of the water while buoyantly supporting at least the pipeline; and lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface, said lowering step being performed while the telescoping terminus is permitted to telescope relative to one of the pipeline and the installation conduit to which it is provided.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a method of laying pipeline carried by floating vessel means toward or away from a fixed underwater installation, and wherein the method includes the step of placing the pipeline and a conduit for forming a portion of that installation in fluid communication, the improvement comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the conduit with a telescoping terminus movable, within a range of movement, generally longitudinally with respect to a remaining body portion by an amount within that range, with the telescoping terminus defining an adjustable conduit section extending between and for providing communication between said body portion and the other of the pipeline and the conduit; positioning the pipeline at a location relative to the fixed underwater installation wherein the pipeline and the installation are separated by an undetermined distance; telescoping said telescoping terminus, within its range of movement so as to accomodate for said undetermined separation distance between the pipeline and the installation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a method of laying pipeline carried by floating vessel means toward or away from a fixed underwater installation, and wherein the method includes the step of placing the pipeline and a conduit for forming a portion of that installation in fluid communication, the improvement comprising: providing one of the pipeline and the conduit with a telescoping terminus movable, within a range of movement, generally longitudinally with respect to a remaining body portion by an amount within that range, with the telescoping terminus defining an adjustable conduit section extending between and for providing communication between said body portion and the other of the pipeline and the conduit; positioning the pipeline at a location relative to the fixed underwater installation wherein the pipeline and the installation are separated by an undetermined distance; telescoping said telescoping terminus, within its range of movement so as to accomodate for said undetermined separation distance between the pipeline and the installation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the telescoping terminus is provided the pipeline as an internally telescoping terminus
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 11 including the step of locking the telescoping terminus with respect to the one of the pipeline and the conduit provided therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein: the pipeline and the conduit are placed in fluid communication adjacent the surface of the water by connecting the telescoping terminus to the other of pipeline and the conduit, and including the step of lowering the connected pipeline and installation conduit to a submerged surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein: the lowering step is performed with the telescoping terminus maintained in a fixed position relative to the pipeline and the installation conduit; and the telescoping terminus is subsequently telescoped to move the installation conduit to a position in engagement with the installation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein: the lowering step is performed while the telescoping terminus is permitted to telescope relative to the one of the pipeline and the installation conduit to which it is provided.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the pipeline is provided with the telescoping terminus and wherein the step of positioning the pipeline at a location relative to the fixed underwater installation wherein the pipeline and the installation are separated by an undetermined separation distance comprises: lowering the pipeline with the telescoping terminus located between its fully extended and retracted positions.
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) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |