Patent US3855835A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3855835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for laying pipelines
Assignee: Santa Fe International Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention embodies an apparatus for laying subsea pipeline from a reel or drum mounted on a movable floating vessel such as a barge or a workboat and straightening the pipeline in a manner that does not damage the coating of the pipeline. The reel is skid mounted and tied down to the vessel so that the pipeline can be unwound from the reel toward the stern of the vessel and into the water as the vessel is moved forwardly. Two sets of straightening rollers are positioned to reverse bend the pipe as it is unspooled from the reel to remove substantially all of the permanent curvature in the pipeline caused by winding on the reel in both the horizontal and vertical directions. These rollers are so constructed to straighten the pipe without damaging the protective coating that is put on the pipe to eliminate corrosion.
Inventors
- 👤 B Tisdale
- 👤 W Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:45
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C47/00; B21C47/16; B21C47/18; B21C19/00; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/202; F16L1/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
In an apparatus supported on a floating vessel for laying pipeline on a water bottom, pipeline straightening means comprising in combination: a. reel means mounted for rotation around a horizontal axis on said vessel for the dual function of reeling a pipeline on for storage and off for laying, and for defining a first rigid point of three sequential points between which a pipeline must be led to remove a curvature therein and place one thereon; b. a first set of rollers, adapted to vertical adjustment, and defining the second point of said three sequential points, said first set comprising a pair of peripherally opposed rollers mounted for rotation around parallel vertical axes, and a second pair similarly opposed and mounted for rotation around parallel horizontal axes, said pairs of rollers defining a pipeline passageway; c. a second set of rollers similar to the first set and spaced therefrom with its pairs of rollers reversed to define the third point of said three sequential points and a continuation of said pipeline passageway; d. a first platform mounted on said floating vessel adjacent said reel, the first set of rollers being fixed thereon and said platform being adjustably movable parallel to the horizontal axis of said reel for the horizontal adjustment of said first set relative to said reel; e. a second platform mounted for horizontal movement on said first platform, the second set of rollers being fixed on said second platform and spaced from said first set of rollers, the second platform being adjustably movable parallel to the horizontal movement of said first platform for the horizontal adjustment of said second set of rollers relative to said first set, whereby said first and second set of rollers are precisely alignable to direct a pipeline onto the reel to prevent excessive bending and coating damage, and off the reel straightened for laying.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
In an apparatus supported on a floating vessel for laying pipeline on a water bottom, pipeline straightening means comprising in combination: a. reel means mounted for rotation around a horizontal axis on said vessel for the dual function of reeling a pipeline on for storage and off for laying, and for defining a first rigid point of three sequential points between which a pipeline must be led to remove a curvature therein and place one thereon; b. a first set of rollers, adapted to vertical adjustment, and defining the second point of said three sequential points, said first set comprising a pair of peripherally opposed rollers mounted for rotation around parallel vertical axes, and a second pair similarly opposed and mounted for rotation around parallel horizontal axes, said pairs of rollers defining a pipeline passageway; c. a second set of rollers similar to the first set and spaced therefrom with its pairs of rollers reversed to define the third point of said three sequential points and a continuation of said pipeline passageway; d. a first platform mounted on said floating vessel adjacent said reel, the first set of rollers being fixed thereon and said platform being adjustably movable parallel to the horizontal axis of said reel for the horizontal adjustment of said first set relative to said reel; e. a second platform mounted for horizontal movement on said first platform, the second set of rollers being fixed on said second platform and spaced from said first set of rollers, the second platform being adjustably movable parallel to the horizontal movement of said first platform for the horizontal adjustment of said second set of rollers relative to said first set, whereby said first and second set of rollers are precisely alignable to direct a pipeline onto the reel to prevent excessive bending and coating damage, and off the reel straightened for laying.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |