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US3747356A
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Method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-07
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1992-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for arresting the propagation of a buckle or other cross-sectional deformity which occurs in a pipeline during underwater pipeline laying operations. A substantially rigid buckle arresting means of sufficient strength to withstand the forces tending to propagate a buckle along the longitudinal axis of a pipeline is introduced into the interior of a portion of pipeline and in the event that a buckle occurs, the buckle arresting means engages with the buckle propagating therealong so as to arrest longitudinal propagation of that buckle. The buckle arresting means can remain engaged with the buckle and thereby prevent further propagation until repair operations are commenced. The buckle or non-buckle condition of the pipeline may be continuously monitored utilizing the buckle arresting means as a buckle detecting means.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lochridge
- 👤 T Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:52
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L57/00; F16L57/02; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline being laid on a submerged surface of a body of water from a floating vessel means, wherein the buckle is caused by overstressing an intermediate portion of the pipeline between an upper portion of the pipeline supported by the floating vessel means and a lower portion of the pipeline supported by the submerged surface, the buckle being generated along the intermediate portion of the pipeline and tending to propagate at least toward the lower portion of the pipeline, said method comprising the steps of: positioning buckle arresting means within the interior of at least one of the intermediate and the lower portions of the pipeline, said buckle arresting means being operable to prevent the propagation of a buckle from said intermediate pipeline portion to said lower pipeline portion and moving the floating vessel means relative to the pipeline to pay out the pipelines toward the submerged surface, while moving the buckle arresting means relative to the paid out pipeline, with the buckle arresting means providing impedance against the propagation of any generated buckles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline being laid on a submerged surface of a body of water from a floating vessel means, wherein the buckle is caused by overstressing an intermediate portion of the pipeline between an upper portion of the pipeline supported by the floating vessel means and a lower portion of the pipeline supported by the submerged surface, the buckle being generated along the intermediate portion of the pipeline and tending to propagate at least toward the lower portion of the pipeline, said method comprising the steps of: positioning buckle arresting means within the interior of at least one of the intermediate and the lower portions of the pipeline, said buckle arresting means being operable to prevent the propagation of a buckle from said intermediate pipeline portion to said lower pipeline portion and moving the floating vessel means relative to the pipeline to pay out the pipelines toward the submerged surface, while moving the buckle arresting means relative to the paid out pipeline, with the buckle arresting means providing impedance against the propagation of any generated buckles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said pipeline is overstressed so as to generate a buckle therein with said buckle tending to propagate toward said lower pipeline portion; and said buckle arresting means engages with said buckle forward of said lower pipeline portion so as to prevent the propagation of said buckle beyond said buckle arResting means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline being laid on a submerged surface of a body of water from a floating vessel means, said method comprising the steps of: supporting the pipeline with, an upper portion supported by the floating vessel means, a lower portion lying on the submerged surface, and an intermediate submerged portion supported in a water body between said upper and lower portions; providing buckle arresting means within the interior of at least one of said lower and intermediate pipeline portions, said buckle arresting means being operable to prevent the propagation of a buckle from said intermediate pipeline portion to said lower pipeline portion; moving said buckle arresting means through the interior of said pipeline between the commencement and termination of the laying thereof; overstressing said intermediate pipeline portion so as to generate a buckle therein, with said buckle tending to propagate toward said lower pipeline portion; and engaging said propagating buckle with said buckle arresting means so as to prevent the propagation of said buckle beyond said buckle arresting means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline being laid on a submerged surface of a body of water from a floating vessel means, said method comprising the steps of: supporting the pipeline with, an upper portion supported by the floating vessel means, a lower portion lying on the submerged surface, and an intermediate submerged portion supported in a water body between said upper and lower portions; providing buckle arresting means within the interior of at least one of said lower and intermediate pipeline portions, said buckle arresting means being operable to prevent the propagation of a buckle from said intermediate pipeline portion to said lower pipeline portion; moving said buckle arresting means through the interior of said pipeline between the commencement and termination of the laying thereof; overstressing said intermediate pipeline portion so as to generate a buckle therein, with said buckle tending to propagate toward said lower pipeline portion; and engaging said propagating buckle with said buckle arresting means so as to prevent the propagation of said buckle beyond said buckle arresting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said buckle arresting means is provided within the interior of said lower pipeline portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said buckle arresting means is provided within the interior of said intermediate pipeline portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 3 wherein: in the step of moving said buckle arresting means through the interior of said pipeline between the commencement and termination of the laying thereof, said buckle arresting means is attached to said floating vessel means so as to create relative motion between said pipeline and said buckle arresting means as said floating vessel means moves relative to said pipeline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 3 wherein: in the step of engaging said propagating buckle with said buckle arresting means so as to prevent the propagation of said buckle beyond said buckle arresting means, said buckle arresting means becomes lodged in said pipeline by said buckle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method of arresting the propagation of a buckle in a pipeline in accordance with claim 3 wherein: in the step of moving said buckle arresting means through the interior of said pipeline, said propagating buckle is engaged with said buckle arresting means so as to lodge said buckle arresting means in said pipeline; and further including the step of removing a flexible draft means attached to said buckle arresting means.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |