US3765185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline positioning system and method
Assignee: Aqua Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1971-12-22
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A pipeline positioning system and method of accomplishing same for continuously laying pipeline beneath the surface of a liquid. The system includes a plurality of submersible vehicles which are moveably attached to the pipeline. The submersible vehicles may apply translative and rotative forces to the pipeline in order to achieve a predetermined contour of the pipeline beneath the surface of the liquid. A plurality of vehicle guidance mechanisms moveably fastened to all submersible vehicles in order to determine the spatial orientation of the pipeline and a remotely located controlling mechanism drives the submersible vehicles in a manner such that the pipeline is moved to the predetermined contour. The submersible vehicles may be translated along the pipeline to afford continuous laying of the pipeline beneath the liquid surface at any depth and under adverse weather and current conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 I Peck
- 👤 S Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16; F16L1/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including 1. means for releasably securing said submersible vehicle to said pipeline; and, 2. means for translating said submersible vehicle along said pipeline in a direction substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis of said pipeline, b. vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid; and, c. means for controlling sAid submersible vehicle responsive to a signal from said vehicle guidance means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including 1. means for releasably securing said submersible vehicle to said pipeline; and, 2. means for translating said submersible vehicle along said pipeline in a direction substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis of said pipeline, b. vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid; and, c. means for controlling sAid submersible vehicle responsive to a signal from said vehicle guidance means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
movably fastening said plurality of said submersible vehicles to a vehicle guidance mechanism,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
movably fastening said plurality of said submersible vehicles to a vehicle guidance mechanism,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for translating said submersible vehicle along said pipeline in a direction substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis of said pipeline, b. vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid; and, c. means for controlling sAid submersible vehicle responsive to a signal from said vehicle guidance means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for translating said submersible vehicle along said pipeline in a direction substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis of said pipeline, b. vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid; and, c. means for controlling sAid submersible vehicle responsive to a signal from said vehicle guidance means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for releasably securing said vehicle includes: a. holding means on said submersible vehicle, said holding means for engaging opposing boundary surfaces of said pipeline; and, b. securement actuation means for providing transverse movement of said holding means for engagement of said pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for buoying said pipeline within said liquid; and,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 2 wherein said holding means includes a pair of clamps for engagement on opposing surfaces of said pipeline, said clamps having a contour substantially equal to said engaging surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
determining said first pipeline contour through the spatial orientation of said vehicle guidance means, and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
determining said first pipeline contour through the spatial orientation of said vehicle guidance means, and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
vehicle guidance means fastened to said submersible vehicle for determining said spatial orientation of said pipeline beneath said liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
thrusting said pipeline responsive to said spatial orientation of said vehicle guidance mechanism, said pipeline being moved to said second pipeline contour.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
thrusting said pipeline responsive to said spatial orientation of said vehicle guidance mechanism, said pipeline being moved to said second pipeline contour.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 3 wherein said pair of clamps frictionally engage said pipeline peripheral surfaces when said securement actuation means provides a transverse movement of said clamps in a direction toward said longitudinal axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said pair of clamps includes at least one force sensing transducer attached to a surface of said clamp interfacing with said pipeline, said transducers for measuring the force between said pipeline and said clamp.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 2 wherein said securement actuation means includes a hydraulic cylinder piston for actuating said holding means, said piston having a substantially vertical movement for pivoting said holding means into engagement with said pipeline peripheral boundary.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said translating means includes hydraulic positioning means mounted on said submersible vehicle for moving said submersible vehicle relative to said releasable securement means in a direction substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said hydraulic positioning means reversibly drives said releasable securement means with respect to said pipeline.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as receited in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a plurality of clamps moveably mounted on said system for frictionally engaging said pipeline.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 32
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 33
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 34
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 35
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 36
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline for predetermining the contour of said pipeline when said pipeline is passed beneath the surface of a liquid, said pipeline being extended in a direction defining a longitudinal axis of said pipeline, comprising: a. a submersible vehicle releasably secured to said pipeline for spatially orienting said pipeline in said predetermined contour; said submersible vehicle including
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 12 wherein said propellers in said first and second pairs are substantially coplanar.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 13 wherein said means for thrusting includes: a. means for driving each of said pair of propellers about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis; and, b. means for rotating each of said pair of propellers about an axis substantially normal to said longitudinal axis of said pipeline.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for thrusting includes positional thrust control means connected to said control means for indicating positional location of said thrust means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 15 wherein said positional thrust control means includes a pair of potentiometers, said potentiometers positioned normal with respect to each other for spatially orienting said thruster means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for thrusting includes force level control means mounted to said propellers for indicating the force exerted from said thrust means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 17 wherein said force level control means includes at least one tachometer for measuring the rotational speed of said propellers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said vehicle guidance means substantially follows said contour of said pipeline throughout the depth of said pipeline extension beneath said surface of said liquid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 19 wherein said vehicle guidance means is moveably fastened to a pair of said submersible vehicles consecutively spaced along said pipeline.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 20 wherein said vehicle guidance means is flexibly maintained in positional relation to said pipeline.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 21 wherein said submersible vehicle translates with respect to said vehicle guidance means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 22 wherein said vehicle guidance means includes a flexible elongated member passing between a pair of consecutively spaced Submersible vehicles and secured thereto.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
47 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 23 wherein said flexible elongated member passes through a pair of displacement sensors mounted on each of said consecutively spaced submersible vehicles, said sensors for measuring the angular displacement of said vehicles with respect to each other.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
47 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 24 wherein each of said submersible vehicles includes a spring loaded take up mechanism connected to said flexible member for maintaining a predetermined force on said member in the direction of said extension of said flexible member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
The pipeline spatial orientation control system as recited in claim 25 wherein each of said vehicles is positionally aligned with respect to said flexible member through a pulley rotatably fastened to said vehicle, said flexible member contacting said pulley in moveable relation thereto.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline beneath the surface of a liquid including the steps of: a. determining a first pipeline contour of said pipeline beneath said surface of said liquid; and, b. changing said first pipeline contour to a second pipeline contour responsive to said determination of said pipeline contour, including the steps of;
Claim 52
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for controlling the spatial orientation of a pipeline beneath the surface of a liquid including the steps of: a. determining a first pipeline contour of said pipeline beneath said surface of said liquid; and, b. changing said first pipeline contour to a second pipeline contour responsive to said determination of said pipeline contour, including the steps of;
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the step of thrusting said pipeline includes the step of driving said plurality of submersible vehicles in a predetermined direction thereby moving said pipeline responsive to said movement of said submersible vehicles.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of driving said plurality of submersible vehicles includes the step of rotating said vehicles in a plane coincident with and parallel to a longitudinal axis of said pipeline.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 29 wherein the step of driving said plurality of submersible vehicles includes the step of translating said vehicles in a gravity oriented vector direction.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 30 wherein the step of driving said plurality of submersible vehicles includes the step of moving said vehicles in a direction normal said longitudinal axis of said pipeline.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 28 including the step of translating said submersible vehicles with respect to said pipeline in a direction along said longitudinal axis of said pipeline.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 32 including the step of controlling the movement of said submersible vehicles responsive to electrical signals from a control drive mechanism remote to said submersible vehicles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3262275A
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |