US3739592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conical stabbing guide and clamp system for riser pipe installation
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
•
Filing: 1971-09-29
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are herein provided for installing a riser pipe on an offshore platform. A plurality of vertically aligned female cone members may be clamped along the length of the platform. A monorail may be secured to the riser pipe and aligned along the axis thereof. Mating male cone members may be slidably mounted on the monorail of the riser and roughly positioned for insertion into the female cones. A guide line may be fun from a surface winch through a dead man ring or sheave mounted on the platform beneath a female cone member and up through the cone member to connect with the lower end of the mating male cone member. The riser pipe may be supported by a surface crane and disposed with the lower end of each male cone positioned generally above a female cone. The riser pipe is lowered so that the male cones are partially inserted within the female cones. In this step, the guide line may be utilized as a positive control means of bringing the cones into alignment for proper mating engagement. After the cones are properly engaged, locking pins may be inserted through the lower portions of the male cones and a frictional connection between each male cone and the monorail released to slide the riser pipe downwardly to its final position. The riser pipe may be jetted into the water bed in the conventional manner. With the riser pipe buried in the water bed in the final position, a diver may retighten the frictional connection to lock the male cones to the monorail. Additional means may be provided for universally adjusting the connection so as to cure minor misalignments after the riser is in a final position. The relationship of the male and female cone members may be reversed so that the female cone is slidably mounted on the monorail of the riser pipe and the male cone is mounted on the platform. In this last configuration, it may be preferable to mount the mating cone members so they extend in an upwardly direction.
Inventors
- 👤 W Plake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In an apparatus for attaching a riser pipe to an offshore platform wherein the platform includes structural member means and a clamp means for securing the riser pipe to the structural member means the improvement comprising: the clamp means including at least, a first pair of vertically alignable mating cone members, and a second pair of vertically alignable mating cone members, said first and second pair of mating cone members having variatn axial lengths, rail mdans fixedly mounted on either said riser pipe or said offshore platform and slidably secured to one member of each of said at least first and second pair of mating cone members; whereby the riser pipe may be positioned next to the offshore platform by pivoting said riser pipe about the longer of said first and second pair of mating cone members after partial mating engagement thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an apparatus for attaching a riser pipe to an offshore platform wherein the platform includes structural member means and a clamp means for securing the riser pipe to the structural member means the improvement comprising: the clamp means including at least, a first pair of vertically alignable mating cone members, and a second pair of vertically alignable mating cone members, said first and second pair of mating cone members having variatn axial lengths, rail mdans fixedly mounted on either said riser pipe or said offshore platform and slidably secured to one member of each of said at least first and second pair of mating cone members; whereby the riser pipe may be positioned next to the offshore platform by pivoting said riser pipe about the longer of said first and second pair of mating cone members after partial mating engagement thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 with the addition of: at least one guide line means attached at a first end thereof to one of said mating cone members of at least one of said first and second mating cone members and passing through the other of said mating cone members to a point adjacent the surface of said body of water at a second end thereof; whereby said second end of said guide line means may be manipulated to positively control the engagement of said vertically alignable mating cones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus for attaching a riser pipe to an offshore platform wherein the platform includes structural member means and a clamp means for securing the riser pipe to the structural member means the improvement comprising: the clamp means including at least one pair of vertically alignable cone members; rail means fixedly mounted on the riser pipe and slidably secured to one member of dach of said at least one pair of mating cone members; a ring means secured to the structural member beneath said vertically alignable mating cone members; and guideline means attached at a first end thereof to one of said mating cone members passing through the other of said mating cone members, passing through said ring means, and to a point adjacent the said surface of said body of water at a second end thereof; whereby the one of said mating cone members may be guided into an engagement with the other of said mating cone members in response to an upward pull on said guideline toward a second end thereof and whereby the riser pipe may be downwardly guided to a position within the bed of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus for attaching a riser pipe to an offshore platform wherein the platform includes structural member means and a clamp means for securing the riser pipe to the structural member means the improvement comprising: the clamp means including at least one pair of vertically alignable cone members; rail means fixedly mounted on the riser pipe and slidably secured to one member of dach of said at least one pair of mating cone members; a ring means secured to the structural member beneath said vertically alignable mating cone members; and guideline means attached at a first end thereof to one of said mating cone members passing through the other of said mating cone members, passing through said ring means, and to a point adjacent the said surface of said body of water at a second end thereof; whereby the one of said mating cone members may be guided into an engagement with the other of said mating cone members in response to an upward pull on said guideline toward a second end thereof and whereby the riser pipe may be downwardly guided to a position within the bed of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 with the addition of locking means for securing said at least one pair of vertically alignable mating cone members in engagement with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a locking pin inserted through a bore hole formed transversely through at leat one of said mating cone members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for attaching a riser to an offshore platform comprising: a casing coaxially surrounding said riser pipe, secured to said riser pipe and extending longitudinally along at least a portion thereof, rail means secured to said casing and extending longitudinally thereof; clamp means including vertically alignable mating cone members one of said cone members being slidably mounted on said rail means and the other of said cone members being connected to said offshore platform; locking means included on said clamp means and operable to fixedly secure said clamp means to said rail means; and whereby said riser pipe may be slidably guided in the vertically downward direction by supporting said clamp means in a fixed position and releasing said locking means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for attaching a riser to an offshore platform comprising: a casing coaxially surrounding said riser pipe, secured to said riser pipe and extending longitudinally along at least a portion thereof, rail means secured to said casing and extending longitudinally thereof; clamp means including vertically alignable mating cone members one of said cone members being slidably mounted on said rail means and the other of said cone members being connected to said offshore platform; locking means included on said clamp means and operable to fixedly secure said clamp means to said rail means; and whereby said riser pipe may be slidably guided in the vertically downward direction by supporting said clamp means in a fixed position and releasing said locking means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus comprising: male cone means; a generally C-shaped bracket base for supporting said cone means and extending generally longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal extension of said male cone means; a second C-shaped bracket member rigidly secured to said C-shaped bracket base member; said second generally C-shaped bracket member being generally perpendicular to the planar extension of said generally C-shaped bracket base member; a base portion of said male cone member being formed wtih a generally T-shaped cross-sectional area; said generally T-shaped cross-sectional base portion of said male cone member being slidably engageable within said generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration of said second C-shaped bracket member; locking means provided on said second generally C-shaped bracket member for fixedly securing said male cone to said second generally C-shaped member; whereby the position of thd axis of said male cone member may be adjusted with respect to the planar extension of said generally C-shaped bracket base member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus comprising: male cone means; a generally C-shaped bracket base for supporting said cone means and extending generally longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal extension of said male cone means; a second C-shaped bracket member rigidly secured to said C-shaped bracket base member; said second generally C-shaped bracket member being generally perpendicular to the planar extension of said generally C-shaped bracket base member; a base portion of said male cone member being formed wtih a generally T-shaped cross-sectional area; said generally T-shaped cross-sectional base portion of said male cone member being slidably engageable within said generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration of said second C-shaped bracket member; locking means provided on said second generally C-shaped bracket member for fixedly securing said male cone to said second generally C-shaped member; whereby the position of thd axis of said male cone member may be adjusted with respect to the planar extension of said generally C-shaped bracket base member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 with the addition of pad eye means disposed at a free end of said male cone member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: said locking means includes set bolts threadedly engaged through said second generally C-shaped bracket member and engageable with a surface of said generally T-shaped cross-sectional base portion of said male cone; wherein said locking means further includes through bolts inserted through slots formed in said C-shaped bracket member and said T-shaped base portion; and whereby said set bolts may be tightened to hold associated cone apparatus in a fixed position for the insertion and tightening of said through bolts in said slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus comprising: female cone means; said female cone means being generally hollow and open at the axial ends thereof; funnel means disposed about a first axial end of said female cone means; a portion of said funnel means being cut away to form an axial slot for the radial insertion of a male cone member into the area defined by said funnel means; clamp means for securing said cone means to a structural member of an offshore platform; said clamp means being slidable longitudinally of said structural member means; tightening means for fixedly securing said clamp means at a desired position along the longitudinal extension of said structural member means; whereby said female cone means may be positioned at any desired point along the longitudinal extension of said structural member means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus comprising: female cone means; said female cone means being generally hollow and open at the axial ends thereof; funnel means disposed about a first axial end of said female cone means; a portion of said funnel means being cut away to form an axial slot for the radial insertion of a male cone member into the area defined by said funnel means; clamp means for securing said cone means to a structural member of an offshore platform; said clamp means being slidable longitudinally of said structural member means; tightening means for fixedly securing said clamp means at a desired position along the longitudinal extension of said structural member means; whereby said female cone means may be positioned at any desired point along the longitudinal extension of said structural member means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus comprising: an upright structural member on an offshore platform; ring means adjustably mounted on said upright structural member; hollow female cone means adjustably mounted on said upright member above said ring means; stay line means secured to said female cone means at a first end of said stay line means and secured to another structural member of said offshore platform at a second end of said stay line means; said stay line means connected with said female cone means by a universally movable connector means; the second end of said stay line means attached to said other structural member is secured thereto by means of a universally movable connector means; and adjustment means is provided along the length of said stay line means for tensioning said stay line in response to rotation of said adjustment means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus comprising: an upright structural member on an offshore platform; ring means adjustably mounted on said upright structural member; hollow female cone means adjustably mounted on said upright member above said ring means; stay line means secured to said female cone means at a first end of said stay line means and secured to another structural member of said offshore platform at a second end of said stay line means; said stay line means connected with said female cone means by a universally movable connector means; the second end of said stay line means attached to said other structural member is secured thereto by means of a universally movable connector means; and adjustment means is provided along the length of said stay line means for tensioning said stay line in response to rotation of said adjustment means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: at least two longitudinally alignable male connector means having variant axial lengths mounted on said first elongatdd member; at least two longitudinally alignable female connector means having variant axial lengths mounted on said second elongated member; said at least two female connector means operable for sequentially receiving said at least two male connector means to form a coupling means; said at least two female connector means having axial lengths compatible with associated male connector means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; and said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between first and second elongated members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: at least two longitudinally alignable male connector means having variant axial lengths mounted on said first elongatdd member; at least two longitudinally alignable female connector means having variant axial lengths mounted on said second elongated member; said at least two female connector means operable for sequentially receiving said at least two male connector means to form a coupling means; said at least two female connector means having axial lengths compatible with associated male connector means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; and said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between first and second elongated members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mountEd on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; said second elongated member comprising an upright structural member of an offshore platform disposed within a body of water; guide line means attached at a first end thereof to said male connector means and passing through said female connector to a point adjacent the surface of the body of water at a second end thereof; and said guide line means being operable to guide said male cone means into engagement relationship with said female cone means in response to the movement of said guide line means at the second end thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mountEd on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; said second elongated member comprising an upright structural member of an offshore platform disposed within a body of water; guide line means attached at a first end thereof to said male connector means and passing through said female connector to a point adjacent the surface of the body of water at a second end thereof; and said guide line means being operable to guide said male cone means into engagement relationship with said female cone means in response to the movement of said guide line means at the second end thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted to a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; and locking means removably appliable to said coupling means for securing said male connector means and said female connector means against relative longitudinal movement therebetween after the engagement thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted to a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; and locking means removably appliable to said coupling means for securing said male connector means and said female connector means against relative longitudinal movement therebetween after the engagement thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 with the addition of ring means disposed beneath said female connector means; said guide line means passing from said male cone means generally downwardly through said female connector means and through said rng means to extend upwardly to a point above the surface of said body of water; and said ring means operable to provide a downward force to said male cone means in response to an upward force applied to said guide line means toward said second end thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; and adjustment means on said coupling means for adjusting the stand-off distance between said first and second elongated members in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted through a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; and adjustment means on said coupling means for adjusting the stand-off distance between said first and second elongated members in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted to a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; said male connector Means comprises said portion of said coupling means slidably mounted on said rail means; and locking means is provided on said male connector means for releasably fixing the position of said male connector means on said rail means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for coupling a first elongated member to a second elongated member comprising: longitudinally alignable male connector means mounted on said first elongated member; longitudinally alignable female connector means mounted on said second elongated member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; rail means secured to said first elongated member and extending longitudinally thereof; said rail means being slidably mounted to a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide relative longitudinal movement between said first and said second elongated members; said male connector Means comprises said portion of said coupling means slidably mounted on said rail means; and locking means is provided on said male connector means for releasably fixing the position of said male connector means on said rail means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said rail means comprises a monorail secured to said first elongated member; and said male connector means is slidably connected to said monorail means by a bracket base member being C-shaped in cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said locking means comprises set bolt means threadedly mounted through said bracket base member and engageable with a surface on said monorail and further includes through bolt means operably extending through slots formed in said male connector means and said rail means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for mounting a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising: at least two generally vertically alignable male connector members of different axial length mounted on one of said riser pipes and said offshore platform; at least two generally vertically alignable female connector means of different axial length mounted on the other side of said riser pipe and said offshore platform; said at least two female connector means operable for sequentially receiving said at least two male connector means to form a coupling means; said at least two female connector means having axial lengths compatible with associated male connector means; rail means mounted on said riser pipe and axially aligned therewith; and said rail means slidably mounted within a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide the generally vertical movement of said riser pipe with respect to said offshore platform.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for mounting a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising: at least two generally vertically alignable male connector members of different axial length mounted on one of said riser pipes and said offshore platform; at least two generally vertically alignable female connector means of different axial length mounted on the other side of said riser pipe and said offshore platform; said at least two female connector means operable for sequentially receiving said at least two male connector means to form a coupling means; said at least two female connector means having axial lengths compatible with associated male connector means; rail means mounted on said riser pipe and axially aligned therewith; and said rail means slidably mounted within a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide the generally vertical movement of said riser pipe with respect to said offshore platform.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 20: wherein each of said male connector means comprises a solid frustoconical shaped member; each of said female connector means comprises a hollow frustoconical shaped member; and wherein the shape of the internal surface of each said hollow female connector means corresponds with the outside surface of each said solid male frustoconical shaped member.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for mounting a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising: generally vertically alignable male connector means mounted on one of said riser pipes on said offshore platform; said made connector means comprises a solid frustoconical shaped member; generaly vertically alignable female connector means mounted on the other of said riser pipe on said offshore platform; said female connector means comprising a hollow frustoconical shaped member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; wherein the shape of the internal surface of said hollow female connector means corresponds with the outside surface of said solid male frustoconical member; rail means mounted on said riser pipe and axially aligned therewith; said rail means slidably mounted within a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide a generally vertical movement of said riser pipe with respect to said offshore platform; ring means secured to said platform beneath said female connector means; guide line means secured at one end to a lower portion of said male connector means; and said guide line means passing from said male connector means axially through said female connector means and downwardly through said ring means thereafter to extend upwardly toward the surface of said body of water; whereby the upward movement of said guide line means is operable to provide the insertable engagement of said male member within said female member from a position above the surface of said body of water.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for mounting a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising: generally vertically alignable male connector means mounted on one of said riser pipes on said offshore platform; said made connector means comprises a solid frustoconical shaped member; generaly vertically alignable female connector means mounted on the other of said riser pipe on said offshore platform; said female connector means comprising a hollow frustoconical shaped member; said female connector means operable for receiving said male connector means to form a coupling means; wherein the shape of the internal surface of said hollow female connector means corresponds with the outside surface of said solid male frustoconical member; rail means mounted on said riser pipe and axially aligned therewith; said rail means slidably mounted within a portion of said coupling means and operable to guide a generally vertical movement of said riser pipe with respect to said offshore platform; ring means secured to said platform beneath said female connector means; guide line means secured at one end to a lower portion of said male connector means; and said guide line means passing from said male connector means axially through said female connector means and downwardly through said ring means thereafter to extend upwardly toward the surface of said body of water; whereby the upward movement of said guide line means is operable to provide the insertable engagement of said male member within said female member from a position above the surface of said body of water.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 22: with the addition of adjustment means for adjusting the generally vertical position of said male member and said female member with respect to said riser Pipe and said offshore platform; and adjustment means provided adjacent said male cone means for adjusting the stand-off distance between said platform member and said riser pipe after the engagement of said male cone member within said female cone member.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
359 words
A method for installing and clamping a riser pipe to an offshore platform comprising the steps: installing a hollow frusto-conical shaped female connector member on the offshore platform; installing a cable pulling ring on the offshore platform in a position beneath said frusto-conical female connector member; providing a longitudinally extending rail means on the riser pipe; slidably attaching a frusto-conically shaped male member to said rail means on the riser pipe; providing set bolts for fixing the position of said male member on said rail means; threading a guide line from a free end of the male connector downwardly through the female connector and downwardly through the pulling ring and thereafter directing the guide line upwardly to a point above the surface of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform; attaching the second end of said guide line to a surface winch; supporting the riser pipe adjacent the offshore platform with the male cone members disposed generally above the mating female cone members; while supportiong the riser pipe so the narrow axial end of the male cone will clear the wide axial end of the female cone, pulling the male cone into the female cone by pulling upwardly on the guide line; lowering the riser pipe until the mating cones are slightly engaged; pulling on the guide line while lowering the riser so as to guide the male cone into the female cone; seating all the male cones within the female cones by relaxing the surface support of the riser pipe; installing locking pins 20 as to hold the male cones and female cones in engagement; removing the guide line; loosening said set screws which fixedly secure the male cone to the riser monorail; whereby the riser pipe slides downwardly into the bed of the body of water as the monorail slides through the slidable connection between the monorail and the male cone member; tightening the set bolts associated with the male member whereby the male member becomes fixed with respect to the riser pipe; and installing through bolts through slots formed in said cone members and said monorail to reinforce the holding capability of said set bolts.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
359 words
A method for installing and clamping a riser pipe to an offshore platform comprising the steps: installing a hollow frusto-conical shaped female connector member on the offshore platform; installing a cable pulling ring on the offshore platform in a position beneath said frusto-conical female connector member; providing a longitudinally extending rail means on the riser pipe; slidably attaching a frusto-conically shaped male member to said rail means on the riser pipe; providing set bolts for fixing the position of said male member on said rail means; threading a guide line from a free end of the male connector downwardly through the female connector and downwardly through the pulling ring and thereafter directing the guide line upwardly to a point above the surface of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform; attaching the second end of said guide line to a surface winch; supporting the riser pipe adjacent the offshore platform with the male cone members disposed generally above the mating female cone members; while supportiong the riser pipe so the narrow axial end of the male cone will clear the wide axial end of the female cone, pulling the male cone into the female cone by pulling upwardly on the guide line; lowering the riser pipe until the mating cones are slightly engaged; pulling on the guide line while lowering the riser so as to guide the male cone into the female cone; seating all the male cones within the female cones by relaxing the surface support of the riser pipe; installing locking pins 20 as to hold the male cones and female cones in engagement; removing the guide line; loosening said set screws which fixedly secure the male cone to the riser monorail; whereby the riser pipe slides downwardly into the bed of the body of water as the monorail slides through the slidable connection between the monorail and the male cone member; tightening the set bolts associated with the male member whereby the male member becomes fixed with respect to the riser pipe; and installing through bolts through slots formed in said cone members and said monorail to reinforce the holding capability of said set bolts.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for installing a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secured to the riser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members and the riser pipe whereby the riser pipe may be slidably guided downwardly into a final position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe member thereafter.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for installing a riser pipe on an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secured to the riser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members and the riser pipe whereby the riser pipe may be slidably guided downwardly into a final position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe member thereafter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 25 with the additional step of attaching stay lines from the female cone members to platform structural members.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for installing a riser pipe upon an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secured to the riser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe to guide the riser pipe downwardly into a final position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe meMber thereafter; providing adjustment means for varying distance between the longitudinal extension of the male cone member and the axis of the riser pipe; and adjusting the stand-off distance between the riser pipe and the offshore platform after the riser pipe has been lowered into a rough final position in the bed of the body of water.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for installing a riser pipe upon an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secured to the riser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe to guide the riser pipe downwardly into a final position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe meMber thereafter; providing adjustment means for varying distance between the longitudinal extension of the male cone member and the axis of the riser pipe; and adjusting the stand-off distance between the riser pipe and the offshore platform after the riser pipe has been lowered into a rough final position in the bed of the body of water.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for installing a riser pipe upon an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secuted to the reiser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members and the riser pipe to guide the riser pipe downwardly into a inal position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe therafter; providing a guide line extending from each male cone member downwardly through each female cone member and upwardly to a point adjacent the surface of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform; and wherein the step of inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling includes a step of applying an upward force on the guide line.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for installing a riser pipe upon an offshore platform comprising the steps: providing female cone members on the offshore platform; providing male cone members on the riser pipe; the male cone members being slidably secuted to the reiser pipe; inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling; releasing the releasable connection between the male cone members and the riser pipe to guide the riser pipe downwardly into a inal position under the influence of gravity; tightening the connection between the male cone member and the riser pipe therafter; providing a guide line extending from each male cone member downwardly through each female cone member and upwardly to a point adjacent the surface of a body of water surrounding the offshore platform; and wherein the step of inserting the male cone members within the female cone members to form a coupling includes a step of applying an upward force on the guide line.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
123 words
In an offshore structure, including a platform and vertically extending rail means mounted on said platform, the addition of: at least two female cone means having different variant lengths; each of said female cone means being slidably mounted on said rail means; said female cone means arranged in order of increasing axial length; means for locking each of said female cone means in a fixed position on said rail means; at least one of said female cone means being adjsutable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of said rail means; and each of said female cone means being operable to receive corresponding male cone means having different axial lengths provided on a riser pipe to be mounted on said offshore platform.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
123 words
In an offshore structure, including a platform and vertically extending rail means mounted on said platform, the addition of: at least two female cone means having different variant lengths; each of said female cone means being slidably mounted on said rail means; said female cone means arranged in order of increasing axial length; means for locking each of said female cone means in a fixed position on said rail means; at least one of said female cone means being adjsutable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of said rail means; and each of said female cone means being operable to receive corresponding male cone means having different axial lengths provided on a riser pipe to be mounted on said offshore platform.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |