US3766743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater pipeline installation
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1972-05-12
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for the installation of an underwater pipeline on the bottom of a body of water by towing a first elongated pipeline section having a trailing end mounted on a first underwater sled into position on the bottom of the body of water, pulling a second elongated pipeline section having a leading end mounted on a second underwater sled into position on the bottom of the body of water behind the first pipeline section and in longitudinal alignment therewith, moving the second sled into end-to-end engagement with the first sled, and thereafter connecting the leading end of the second pipeline section to the trailing end of the first pipeline section.
Inventors
- 👤 R Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for the installation of an underwater pipeline on the bottom of a body of water which comprises pulling a first elongated pipeline section having a trailing end mounted on a first pulling sled into position on the bottom of said body of water, pulling a second elongated pipeline section having a leading end mounted on a second pulling sled into position on the bottom of said body of water behind said first pipeline section, pulling said second sled into end-to-end engagement with said first sled by means of a cable extending from said second sled through a cable guide on said first sled to a pulling barge, and thereafter connecting said leading end of said second pipeline section to said trailing end of said first pipeline section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for the installation of an underwater pipeline on the bottom of a body of water which comprises pulling a first elongated pipeline section having a trailing end mounted on a first pulling sled into position on the bottom of said body of water, pulling a second elongated pipeline section having a leading end mounted on a second pulling sled into position on the bottom of said body of water behind said first pipeline section, pulling said second sled into end-to-end engagement with said first sled by means of a cable extending from said second sled through a cable guide on said first sled to a pulling barge, and thereafter connecting said leading end of said second pipeline section to said trailing end of said first pipeline section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said leading and trailing ends of said pipeline sections are connected by actuating a remote connector lowered into place from the water''s surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said leading and trailing ends of said pipeline sections are connected by actuating a connecting device carried on one of said ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said First and second sleds are latched together after said second sled engages said first sled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein a cable extending from said second sled is inserted in said cable guide on said first sled after said second sled has been pulled into position behind said first sled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined by claim 5 wherein said cable is inserted in said cable guide by a diver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined by claim 5 wherein said cable is inserted in said cable guide by means of a manipulator on an underwater vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined by claim 5 wherein said cable is inserted in said cable guide by connecting the cable to one end of a line extending through the cable guide to the water''s surface and thereafter pulling the cable into place within the guide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said first pipeline section is flooded with water after said first section has been pulled into position and before said cable is inserted in said cable guide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the ends of said second pipeline section are initially closed off to prevent the entry of water and said second section is flooded with water after said second sled has been pulled into engagement with said first sled.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |