Arctic pipelaying

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 including operating at least some of the coupling assemblies to inhibit axial movement of the engaged pipeline therepast in a direction away from the make-up platform.

Claim 6

The method of claim 3 including making up the pipeline in a substantially horizontal attitude on the make-up platform whereby the pipeline between the make-up platform and the submerged surface on which it is to be laid has an overbend adjacent the make-up platform and a sag-bend adjacent said submerged surface, and wherein the length of the pipeline in which the coupling assemblies are engaged with the pipeline extends through the oVerbend at least partially toward the sag-bend.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4 including operating at least some of the coupling assemblies to inhibit movement of the pipeline therepast.

Claim 8

The method of claim 5 including moving the coupling assemblies relatively along the pipeline toward the make-up end thereof in conjunction with advancing the platforms along the line of the pipeline.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 wherein the step of moving the coupling assemblies relatively along the pipeline is performed by moving some of the coupling assemblies along tthe pipeline while operating others of the coupling assemblies to inhibit movement of the pipeline therepast.

Claim 10

The method of claim 3 including supporting the support platform on a cushion of air.

Claim 11

Apparatus for laying a submarine pipeline comprising a. a buoyant make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. a buoyant support platform, c. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line and to extend between the platforms above the water surface, and d. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for laying a submarine pipeline comprising a. a buoyant make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. a buoyant support platform, c. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line and to extend between the platforms above the water surface, and d. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein at least some of the coupling assemblies include selectively operable means for driving the coupling assembly in a desired direction along a pipeline continuum engaged thereby.

Claim 14

Apparatus for laying a submarine pipeline comprising a. buoyant make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. a buoyant support platform, c. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, and d. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, at least some of the coupling assemblies including a wheel arranged to engage a pipeline continuum engaged by the coupling assembly and rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the elongate extent of the engaged continuum, means for producing forceful contact between the wheel and the engaged continuum, and means for driving the wheel about its axis in a direction tending to produce movement of the wheel along the continuum away from the make-up platform.

Claim 15

Apparatus for laying a submarine pipeline comprising a. buoyant make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. a buoyant support platform, c. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, and d. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, at least some of the coupling assemblies including a wheel arranged to engage a pipeline continuum engaged by the coupling assembly and rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the elongate extent of the engaged continuum, means for producing forceful contact between the wheel and the engaged continuum, and means for driving the wheel about its axis in a direction tending to produce movement of the wheel along the continuum away from the make-up platform.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the wheel is disposed in the coupling assembly to contact an upper portion of an engaged continuum.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the wheel is disposed in the coupling assembly to contact a lower portion of An engaged continuum.

Claim 18

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line and to extend between the platforms above the water surface, and e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means.

Claim 19

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between the make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line and to extend between the platforms above the water surface, and e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 14 including means for supporting the support platform above the water surface on a cushion of air.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the horizontal extent of the apparatus along which said stations are spaced is substantially equal to the horizontal extent of a pipeline continuum extended between the make-up platform and a submerged surface along which the continuum is laid.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the coupling assemblies are adapted to engage a pipeline continuum extending between the make-up platform and a submerged continuum support surface at spaced locations along the continuum from the make-up platform at least partially toward a sag-bend in the continuum adjacent the continuum support surface.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein some of the support assemblies are disposed to support the continuum in the sag-bend of the continuum.

Claim 24

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, and f. means disposed rearwardly of and adjacent the make-up platform for diverting floating ice pieces laterally therefrom to provide an ice-free area of water surface rearwardly thereof.

Claim 25

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, and f. means disposed rearwardly of and adjacent the make-up platform for diverting floating ice pieces laterally therefrom to provide an ice-free area of water surface rearwardly thereof.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 19 including means for guiding a pipeline continuum from the make-up platform into the water through said ice-free area of water surface.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 19 including means for retracting said means for diverting floating ice pieces.

Claim 28

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, and f. means for coupling the bridge structure to the make-up platform and to the support platform and arranged to accommodate limited relative pitching, rolling, yawing, and heaving motions between the platforms.

Claim 29

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the support platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, and f. means for coupling the bridge structure to the make-up platform and to the support platform and arranged to accommodate limited relative pitching, rolling, yawing, and heaving motions between the platforms.

Claim 30

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, and e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the suport platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, each coupling assembly including a plurality of wheels each rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the elongate extent of a pipeline continuum engaged by the coupling assembly and each engageable with an engaged continuum, reversible power means for moving the wheels relative to each other between an open state in which the coupling assembly is disposed to engage a continuum and a closed state in which the wheels forcefully contact a continuum at positions spaced about the circumference thereof, and wherein at least some of the coupling assemblies include drive means for rotating at least one of the wheels in a direction tending to drive the wheel along an engaged continuum away from the make-up platform.

Claim 31

Apparatus for laying a pipeline under ice-covered waters comprising a. a make-up platform including means for connecting an increment of pipeline to a make-up end of a continuum of pipeline and for discharging the continuum rearwardly from the make-up platform along the line along which the pipeline is to be laid, b. means for supporting the make-up platform at a desired location over the line above the water surface and ice covering the same on a cushion of air at a pressure sufficient to cause breakage of the adjacent ice, c. a buoyant support platform, d. an elongate bridge structure adapted to be coupled between make-up and support platforms for disposing the support platform a selected distance rearwardly from the make-up platform along said line, and e. a plurality of separately operable support assemblies for supporting the continuum for a portion of its length rearwardly adjacent the make-up platform below the bridge structure and the suport platform, each support assembly including a coupling assembly releasably engageable about the continuum, cable means connected between the coupling assembly and a corresponding one of a plurality of stations spaced along the bridge structure and the support platform, and controllable means at each station for taking in and paying out the associated cable means, each coupling assembly including a plurality of wheels each rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the elongate extent of a pipeline continuum engaged by the coupling assembly and each engageable with an engaged continuum, reversible power means for moving the wheels relative to each other between an open state in which the coupling assembly is disposed to engage a continuum and a closed state in which the wheels forcefully contact a continuum at positions spaced about the circumference thereof, and wherein at least some of the coupling assemblies include drive means for rotating at least one of the wheels in a direction tending to drive the wheel along an engaged continuum away from the make-up platform.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the coupling assembly includes a single driven wheel arranged to contact an upper portion of an engaged continuum.

Claim 33

Apparatus accordinG to claim 23 wherein the coupling assembly includes a pair of driven wheels arranged to contact lower portions of an engaged continuum.

Claim 34

Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein each coupling assembly which includes a driven wheel further includes means interposed between the corresponding cable means and the wheels for maintaining a desired cooperation of the wheels with an engaged continuum throughout variations in the attitude of the engaged continuum.

Claim 35

Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the means interposed between the cable means and the wheels comprises a carrier member mounting the wheels thereto, a yoke member connected to the cable means, and pivot means mounting the carrier member to the yoke member for relative angular motion about an axis normal to and intersecting the axis of an engaged continuum.