US3860039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipelines
Assignee: BP PLC
•
Filing: 1973-05-11
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A pipeline having an outer diameter of at least 15 inches and a wall thickness of not more than 1 inch has a steel sleeve, whose wall thickness is from 1 to 1 1/2 times that of the pipe. The difference between the outer diameter of the pipe and the inner diameter of the sleeve is from 1 to 4 inches, and the annular space can be filled with cement or bitumen. The purpose of the sleeve is to arrest the propagation of a buckle.
Inventors
- 👤 John William Ells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L57/00; F16L57/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A length of steel pipe suitable for welding to other similar lengths of steel pipe to form an underwater pipe-line having an outer diameter of from about 14 to about 72 inches and a wall thickness of from about 1/4 to about 1 1/2 inches, and having a steel sleeve whose wall thickness is from about 3/4 to about 2 times the wall thickness of the pipe, whose length in relation to the outer diameter of the pipe is from about 1/2 :1 to about 5:1, and whose inner diameter is a maximum of about 6 inches greater than the outer diameter of the pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A length of steel pipe suitable for welding to other similar lengths of steel pipe to form an underwater pipe-line having an outer diameter of from about 14 to about 72 inches and a wall thickness of from about 1/4 to about 1 1/2 inches, and having a steel sleeve whose wall thickness is from about 3/4 to about 2 times the wall thickness of the pipe, whose length in relation to the outer diameter of the pipe is from about 1/2 :1 to about 5:1, and whose inner diameter is a maximum of about 6 inches greater than the outer diameter of the pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A length of steel pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the outer diameter of the pipe and the inner diameter of the sleeve is a maximum of about 4 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A length of steel pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the difference between the outer diameter of the pipe and the inner diameter of the sleeve is from about 1 to about 4 inches and the annular space therebetween is filled with a load bearing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pipeline composed of lengths of steel pipe welded together as claimed in claim 1 with a plurality of sleeves spaced at intervals of about 100 yards to about 1 mile along the pipeline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A length of steel pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wall thickness of the sleeve is from about 1 to about 1 1/2 times the wall thickness of the pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A length of steel pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the sleeve in relation to the outer diameter of the pipe is from about 1:1 to about 3:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A length of steel pipe suitable for welding to other similar lengths of steel pipe to form a pipeline having an outer diameter of from about 14 to about 72 inches and a wall thickness of from about 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, and having a steel sleeve whose wall thickness is from about 3/4 to about 2 times the wall thickness of the pipe, whose length in relation to the outer diameter of the pipe is from about 1/2 :1 to about 5:1, and whose inner diameter is a maximum of about 6 inches greater than the outer diameter of the pipe, the pipe including a weight coating, the outer diameter of the steel sleeve being substantially the same as the outer diameter of the weight coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A length of steel pipe suitable for welding to other similar lengths of steel pipe to form a pipeline having an outer diameter of from about 14 to about 72 inches and a wall thickness of from about 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, and having a steel sleeve whose wall thickness is from about 3/4 to about 2 times the wall thickness of the pipe, whose length in relation to the outer diameter of the pipe is from about 1/2 :1 to about 5:1, and whose inner diameter is a maximum of about 6 inches greater than the outer diameter of the pipe, the pipe including a weight coating, the outer diameter of the steel sleeve being substantially the same as the outer diameter of the weight coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A length of steel pipe as claimed in claim 7 wherein the wall thickness of The weight coating is from about 1 to about 4 inches.
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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |