Patent US4330951A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3835655A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3835655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for connecting subsea flow lines
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1972-06-27
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed for remotely joining two subsea flow lines, such as two portions of a subsea pipeline. One of the pipeline portions is generally laid prior to connection with the other pipeline portion and a first marker buoy detachably supports a tow line portion passing from the marker buoy, through a guide member mounted on an end of said one pipeline portion and back to the marker buoy. A second tow line portion is connected between an end of the other pipeline portion to be laid and a second marker buoy. During the pipeline connection operation, the tow line portions are connected together, the to-be-laid pipeline portion lowered in the water until adjacent the first laid pipeline portion, and the connected tow line pulled until the pipeline portions are joined. Mating parts of a remotely actuated collet connector are provided on the ends of pipeline portions to be joined, and these parts are guided into place during joining for providing a sealed connection.
Inventors
- 👤 J Oliver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/002; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
Apparatus for remotely joining two subsea flow lines which are to be connected together at a substantially later time than the time at which the first laid of said flow lines is laid, comprising, in combination: guide means adapted to be mounted on the first laid of said flow lines for guiding a tow line; a first buoyantly supported member adapted to be positioned over said guide means substantially at the time that said guide means is mounted on said first laid of said flow lines and to remain in said position until substantially the time when said other flow line is connected to said first laid flow line, said member including means for detachably supporting at least one portion of such a tow line which portion is adapted, prior to joining of said flow lines, to pass from said member, through said guide means, and back to said member, and to pass during joining of said flow lines through said guide means to a towing device; and a second buoyantly supported member connected to said other flow line and including means for detachably supporting at least another portion of such a tow line which portion is adapted to be connected prior to joining of said flow lines between said other flow line and said second buoyantly supported member, and during joining of said flow lines between said other flow line and said one portion of a tow line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
Apparatus for remotely joining two subsea flow lines which are to be connected together at a substantially later time than the time at which the first laid of said flow lines is laid, comprising, in combination: guide means adapted to be mounted on the first laid of said flow lines for guiding a tow line; a first buoyantly supported member adapted to be positioned over said guide means substantially at the time that said guide means is mounted on said first laid of said flow lines and to remain in said position until substantially the time when said other flow line is connected to said first laid flow line, said member including means for detachably supporting at least one portion of such a tow line which portion is adapted, prior to joining of said flow lines, to pass from said member, through said guide means, and back to said member, and to pass during joining of said flow lines through said guide means to a towing device; and a second buoyantly supported member connected to said other flow line and including means for detachably supporting at least another portion of such a tow line which portion is adapted to be connected prior to joining of said flow lines between said other flow line and said second buoyantly supported member, and during joining of said flow lines between said other flow line and said one portion of a tow line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a collet hub adapted to be mounted on said one flow line, second guide means adapted to be mounted on said other flow line for mating with said first mentioned guide means during joining of said flow lines, and a collet connector adapted to be mounted on said other flow line for connection with said collet hub during joining of said flow lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including swivel means for providing a swivel connection between said second guide means and said other flow line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said swivel means includes a pipe having a first swivel joint at one end for connection with said second guide means, and a second swivel joint at the other end for connection with said other flow line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one flow line is a laid pipeline portion and further including a tie-in base for supporting said laid pipeline portion on the sea bottom, said guide means being connected to said tie-in base, and wherein said other flow line is a subsequently laid pipeline portion and further including means for buoyantly supporting said subsequently laid pipeline portion prior to joining with said laid pipeline portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said guide means includes two elongated guide tubes each of which are mounted on opposite sides of said tie-in base, and are supported spaced from and adjacent to one end of said laid pipeline portion, and wherein said other pipeline portion includes two male guide members for mating with said guide tubes during joining of said pipeline portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
As a subcombination, apparatus for preparing a laid subsea pipeline portion end for connection with a subsequently laid pipeline portion, comprising: a tie-in base for supporting said end on a subsea floor; an elongated feed-through guide means mounted on said base and adapted to be adjacent to and parallel along its length to said end of said laid pipeline portion, a collet hub mounted on said base for connection with said end, and a buoy supported member for detachably supporting a tow line for connection from said member, through said guide means, and back to said member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
As a subcombination, apparatus for preparing a laid subsea pipeline portion end for connection with a subsequently laid pipeline portion, comprising: a tie-in base for supporting said end on a subsea floor; an elongated feed-through guide means mounted on said base and adapted to be adjacent to and parallel along its length to said end of said laid pipeline portion, a collet hub mounted on said base for connection with said end, and a buoy supported member for detachably supporting a tow line for connection from said member, through said guide means, and back to said member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein two such guide means are provided with each being mounted on opposite sides of said tie-in base and disposed on opposite sides of said pipeline portion end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
As a subcombination, apparatus for preparing a buoyantly supported subsea pipeline portion for connection with a previously laid subsea pipeline portion comprising: a pipe section including a first swivel joint at one end for connection with said buoyantly supported pipeline portion and a second swivel joint at the other end; a collet connector connected to said swivel joint at said other end for connection with said laid pipeline portion; male guide means connected to said swivel joint at said other end for guiding said other end during joining of said flow lines; a buoy supported member for detachably supporting a tow line connected between said guide means and said member; and means for connecting said pipe adjacent said other end to said buoy supported member for buoyantly supported said other end in a body of water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
As a subcombination, apparatus for preparing a buoyantly supported subsea pipeline portion for connection with a previously laid subsea pipeline portion comprising: a pipe section including a first swivel joint at one end for connection with said buoyantly supported pipeline portion and a second swivel joint at the other end; a collet connector connected to said swivel joint at said other end for connection with said laid pipeline portion; male guide means connected to said swivel joint at said other end for guiding said other end during joining of said flow lines; a buoy supported member for detachably supporting a tow line connected between said guide means and said member; and means for connecting said pipe adjacent said other end to said buoy supported member for buoyantly supported said other end in a body of water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of joining two subsea pipeline portions comprising the steps of: mounting a feed-through guide means on an end of the first laid of such pipeline portions; passing a tow line from a marker buoy, through said guide means and back to said marker buoy and detachably connecting said tow line portion to said marker buoy; buoyantly supporting said other pipeline portion and towing said portion to position adjacent said first laid pipeline portion; connecting said tow line to a pulling device and to the end of said other pipeline portion to be joined to said first laid pipeline portion; and utilizing said pulling device to pull said tow line through said guide means until said pipeline portions are joined.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of joining two subsea pipeline portions comprising the steps of: mounting a feed-through guide means on an end of the first laid of such pipeline portions; passing a tow line from a marker buoy, through said guide means and back to said marker buoy and detachably connecting said tow line portion to said marker buoy; buoyantly supporting said other pipeline portion and towing said portion to position adjacent said first laid pipeline portion; connecting said tow line to a pulling device and to the end of said other pipeline portion to be joined to said first laid pipeline portion; and utilizing said pulling device to pull said tow line through said guide means until said pipeline portions are joined.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 10 further including the steps of mounting a male guide means adapted to mate with said feed-through guide means on said end of said other pipeline portion; passing a tow line from said male guide means to another marker buoy; and wherein said step of connecting said first mentioned tow line to said end of said other pipeline portion is provided by connecting said first mentioned tow line to said second mentioned tow line.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |