US3861158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submerged pipeline stabilization
Assignee: REGAL TOOL AND RUBBER CO Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-07
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A submerged pipeline stabilizer in which an elastomeric casing structure has a saddle enveloping a portion of the pipeline and means to introduce a settable cement into said casing at least in part to control the shape of said stabilizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W Swain
- 👤 Clarence T Thomerson
- 👤 Tom C Waldrop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:49
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; E; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/32; E02D27/46; E02D27/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In combination with a pair of pipelines submerged beneath the surface of a body of water and crossing one another at a substantial angle, an improved system for maintaining vertical separation between the pipelines, which comprises: a. a submergible structure adapted for positioning between the pipelines while the upper pipeline is supported in a raised condition relative to the lower pipeline and comprising a lower member having a saddle for receiving and enveloping a top portion of the lower pipeline and an upper member having a saddle for receiving and enveloping a bottom portion of the upper pipeline, and b. load bearing means positioned between and coupled to said upper and lower members for maintaining a predetermined vertical separation between said members and thereby maintaining vertical separation between the pipelines following release of the upper pipeline into load bearing engagement with the saddle of the upper member, said load bearing means comprising a flexible casing adapted to be submerged evacuated and positioned between the pipelines and means for filling said casing with cement to assure maintenance of the predetermined separation between the pipelines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination with a pair of pipelines submerged beneath the surface of a body of water and crossing one another at a substantial angle, an improved system for maintaining vertical separation between the pipelines, which comprises: a. a submergible structure adapted for positioning between the pipelines while the upper pipeline is supported in a raised condition relative to the lower pipeline and comprising a lower member having a saddle for receiving and enveloping a top portion of the lower pipeline and an upper member having a saddle for receiving and enveloping a bottom portion of the upper pipeline, and b. load bearing means positioned between and coupled to said upper and lower members for maintaining a predetermined vertical separation between said members and thereby maintaining vertical separation between the pipelines following release of the upper pipeline into load bearing engagement with the saddle of the upper member, said load bearing means comprising a flexible casing adapted to be submerged evacuated and positioned between the pipelines and means for filling said casing with cement to assure maintenance of the predetermined separation between the pipelines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the upper and lower members comprise relatively rigid disks having the upper and lower saddles preformed therein, and wherein the flexible casing is connected betwEen said members and cement fills said casing to maintain a predetermined separation between the members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 1 further characterized by adjustable means securing said members to said flexible casing and for permitting selective adjustment of the angular relationship between the saddles of the upper and lower members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said members comprise flexible members defining the upper and lower surfaces of said casing, respectively, with means to introduce unset cement so that the saddles form in said members by deformation through contact with said pipelines when cement is received in said casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein: a. said members are relatively rigid disks having the pipeline receiving saddles preformed therein, b. said load bearing means comprises a third disk positioned between the upper and lower members, and c. coupling means between said members permits selective relative rotation between said members for selective adjustment of the angle between the saddle of said upper member and the saddle of said lower member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said coupling means comprises concentric telescoped pipe means extending from the lower surface of said upper member and the upper surface of said lower member with the larger of said pipes longer than the thickness of said third disk and the smaller of said pipes being shorter than the thickness of said third disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A stabilized pipeline crossing which comprises: a. a pair of submerged pipelines one crossing over the other, b. a flexible casing disposed between the pipelines filled with grout and having saddles formed on top and bottom partially to envelop said pipelines, said grout forming substantially rigid structure when set between said saddles for maintaining a predetermined vertical separation between said pipelines, c. said flexible casing being adapted for submerging in an evacuated state with means for attachment to the lower and upper pipeline when in predetermined vertical separation, d. a flow connection for filling said casing with cement to harden and maintain said saddles spaced apart, and e. an exhaust port in the upper surface of said casing for escape of entrapped air or salt water during introduction of said cement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A stabilized pipeline crossing which comprises: a. a pair of submerged pipelines one crossing over the other, b. a flexible casing disposed between the pipelines filled with grout and having saddles formed on top and bottom partially to envelop said pipelines, said grout forming substantially rigid structure when set between said saddles for maintaining a predetermined vertical separation between said pipelines, c. said flexible casing being adapted for submerging in an evacuated state with means for attachment to the lower and upper pipeline when in predetermined vertical separation, d. a flow connection for filling said casing with cement to harden and maintain said saddles spaced apart, and e. an exhaust port in the upper surface of said casing for escape of entrapped air or salt water during introduction of said cement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein: a. upper and lower relatively rigid elastomeric members have pipeline receiving saddles preformed therein, b. a resilient casing interconnects said elastomeric members, and c. a flow conduit extends through said upper member means for subsequently filling said casing with a cement which when set maintains a predetermined separation between said members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said casing is shaped to have a narrow neck secured to said upper member and a narrow skirt secured to said lower member with an enlarged waist portion therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A submerged pipeline anchor which comprises: a. a submergible flexible casing adapted to lay over said pipeline comprising a lower member contacting a top portion of said pipeline, an upper member, and a side wall member integral with said upper and lower members, b. means to fill said casing with cement to envelop the top portion of said pipeline and assist in maintaining a predetermined position of said pipeline, c. a screened opening in said upper member, and d. a grout supply line fixture means in said upper member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A submerged pipeline anchor which comprises: a. a submergible flexible casing adapted to lay over said pipeline comprising a lower member contacting a top portion of said pipeline, an upper member, and a side wall member integral with said upper and lower members, b. means to fill said casing with cement to envelop the top portion of said pipeline and assist in maintaining a predetermined position of said pipeline, c. a screened opening in said upper member, and d. a grout supply line fixture means in said upper member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said upper member has a pair of screened openings overlying said pipeline and two supply line fixtures, one on each side of said pipeline.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |