US3744258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for connecting a pipeline terminus to an underwater installation
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-03
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1990-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for connecting a pipeline to an underwater installation wherein a conduit of the underwater installation is provided with a receiving funnel and a drawline is threaded through that conduit and through the funnel. The drawline is connected to pipeline terminus and is tensioned to draw the pipeline terminus through the water and into the funnel. During this tensioning the pipeline is buoyantly supported and the buoyant support is slidably moved with respect to the pipeline, the pipeline and underwater installation are subsequently secured in fluid communication. Drawline tension may be balanced by applying tension to the pipeline in a direction opposite to that of the drawline tension.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lochridge
- 👤 W Rochelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/002; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0061; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135; F16L1/00; F16L1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a method of underwater laying of an elongate flexible pipeline and securing the pipeline terminus in fluid communication with a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the improvement comprising: providing an underwater installation conduit with a receiving funnel, threading a drawline through the conduit of the underwater installation and through the funnel, connecting the drawline to the pipeline terminus, tensioning the drawline to draw the pipeline terminus through the water and into the receiving funnel, while buoyantly supporting a submerged portion of the pipeline being moved toward the underwater installation and slidably moving the buoyant support with respect to the pipeline, controlling movement of the pipeline through the water by tensioning the pipeline in a direction opposite to tension applied by the drawline to balance the drawline tension, and securing the underwater installation and the pipeline in fluid communication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a method of underwater laying of an elongate flexible pipeline and securing the pipeline terminus in fluid communication with a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the improvement comprising: providing an underwater installation conduit with a receiving funnel, threading a drawline through the conduit of the underwater installation and through the funnel, connecting the drawline to the pipeline terminus, tensioning the drawline to draw the pipeline terminus through the water and into the receiving funnel, while buoyantly supporting a submerged portion of the pipeline being moved toward the underwater installation and slidably moving the buoyant support with respect to the pipeline, controlling movement of the pipeline through the water by tensioning the pipeline in a direction opposite to tension applied by the drawline to balance the drawline tension, and securing the underwater installation and the pipeline in fluid communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
In apparatus for connecting a pipeline terminus to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the improvement comprising: funnel means on the underwater installation conduit for receiving the terminus of the pipeline, drawline means, threaded through the conduit and said funnel means and attached to the pipeline, for moving the pipeline terminus into engagement with said funnel means, floating vessel means for slidably supporting the pipeline, said floating vessel means including means for buoyantly and slidably supporting a submerged portion of the pipeline, and tension means on said floating vessel means for applying tension to the pipeline in a direction opposite to tension applied by said drawline means to balance the tension applied by said drawline means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
In apparatus for connecting a pipeline terminus to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the improvement comprising: funnel means on the underwater installation conduit for receiving the terminus of the pipeline, drawline means, threaded through the conduit and said funnel means and attached to the pipeline, for moving the pipeline terminus into engagement with said funnel means, floating vessel means for slidably supporting the pipeline, said floating vessel means including means for buoyantly and slidably supporting a submerged portion of the pipeline, and tension means on said floating vessel means for applying tension to the pipeline in a direction opposite to tension applied by said drawline means to balance the tension applied by said drawline means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |