US3795115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for joining subsea pipelines
Assignee: Canocean Resources Ltd
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Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for underwater laying and joining of pipeline segments, especially where such segments lie at depths of several hundred feet. The individual segments consist of a pipestring permanently attached to a joint chamber at one end. When submerged, the joint chamber is kept at atmospheric pressure and is utilized by personnel operating within it to bring a segment on the surface into proximity with the submerged segment and to join the two segments. A manned atmospheric pressure capsule operating from a surface vessel is used to reach the submerged chamber and to support the various operations conducted in the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hopkins
- 👤 A Bergquist
- 👤 R Blaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/002; E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/06; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16; F16L1/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A segment for a subsea pipeline, said segment comprising: a first pipestring; a joint chamber attached to one end of said pipestring; said chamber comprising a pressure hull and having port means opposite the first pipestring; piston means disposed in said first pipestring; fluid means for actuating said piston means; cable means attached to said piston means, said cable means being adapted to pull a second pipestring into the chamber through said port means; and means within the chamber for joining the first and second pipestrings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A segment for a subsea pipeline, said segment comprising: a first pipestring; a joint chamber attached to one end of said pipestring; said chamber comprising a pressure hull and having port means opposite the first pipestring; piston means disposed in said first pipestring; fluid means for actuating said piston means; cable means attached to said piston means, said cable means being adapted to pull a second pipestring into the chamber through said port means; and means within the chamber for joining the first and second pipestrings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A segment according to claim 1, wherein said chamber is maintained at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A segment according to claim 2, wherein said chamber has an access hatch means for entry by personnel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A segment according to claim 3, including a buoy contained in said hatch means, said buoy being adapted to be retrieved at the sea surface when the chamber is submerged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A segment according to claim 1, wherein said first pipestring protrudes within said chamber and is closed off with a packer assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A segment according to claim 5, including pipe means in said chamber for introducing ambient sea water to the first pipestring and actuating said piston means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A segment according to claim 1, wherein said port means comprises a substantially cylindrical internal portion and a flared external portion and is closed off with a pressure cap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A segment according to claim 7, including a buoy partially contained in said port means, said buoy being attached to said cable means and being adapted to be retrieved at the sea surface when the chamber is submerged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A segment according to claim 8, including pipe means in said chamber for introducing ambient sea water to the port means for equalizing sea water pressure on the buoy and pump means for expelling the buoy from said port means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of connecting pipeline segments in a subsea pipeline, said method comprising: providing a plurality of pipeline segments, each segment comprising a pipestring and a pressurized joint chamber attached at one end of said pipestring; laying a first segment on the seabed; utilizing a capsule to descend from the surface and to enter the submerged joint chamber; releasing a marking buoy from the submerged joint chamber to the surface, said buoy being connected by a cable to piston means disposed in the pipestring of said first segment; connecting the cable to a second segment on the surface; utilizing fluid pressure to actuate said piston means and thereby pull the second segment down to the submerged joint chamber; joining the first and second pipe strings within the chamber; and ascending to the surface with said capsule.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of connecting pipeline segments in a subsea pipeline, said method comprising: providing a plurality of pipeline segments, each segment comprising a pipestring and a pressurized joint chamber attached at one end of said pipestring; laying a first segment on the seabed; utilizing a capsule to descend from the surface and to enter the submerged joint chamber; releasing a marking buoy from the submerged joint chamber to the surface, said buoy being connected by a cable to piston means disposed in the pipestring of said first segment; connecting the cable to a second segment on the surface; utilizing fluid pressure to actuate said piston means and thereby pull the second segment down to the submerged joint chamber; joining the first and second pipe strings within the chamber; and ascending to the surface with said capsule.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of laying a subsea pipeline, said method comprising: providing a plurality of pipeline segments at the sea surface, each segment comprising a pipestring and a pressurized joint chamber attached at one end of said pipestring; attaching the initial segment at the free end to a shore installation; laying said initial segment on the seabed by progressively removing a series of buoys attached to the pipestring; utilizing a capsule to descend from the surface to the submerged chamber of the initial segment; releasing a buoy from said chamber to the surface, said buoy being connected by a cable to piston means disposed in the submerged pipestring; connecting the cable to a second pipeline segment on the surface; utilizing ambient sea water pressure to actuate said piston means and thereby pull the second segment down to the joint chamber; laying the second segment on the seabed by progressively removing a series of buoys attached to the pipestring; joining the first and second pipestrings within the chamber; and ascending to the surface with said capsule.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of laying a subsea pipeline, said method comprising: providing a plurality of pipeline segments at the sea surface, each segment comprising a pipestring and a pressurized joint chamber attached at one end of said pipestring; attaching the initial segment at the free end to a shore installation; laying said initial segment on the seabed by progressively removing a series of buoys attached to the pipestring; utilizing a capsule to descend from the surface to the submerged chamber of the initial segment; releasing a buoy from said chamber to the surface, said buoy being connected by a cable to piston means disposed in the submerged pipestring; connecting the cable to a second pipeline segment on the surface; utilizing ambient sea water pressure to actuate said piston means and thereby pull the second segment down to the joint chamber; laying the second segment on the seabed by progressively removing a series of buoys attached to the pipestring; joining the first and second pipestrings within the chamber; and ascending to the surface with said capsule.
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) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |