Method for making a remote controlled sub-sea pipe connection

Claim 1

A method of repairing a damaged section of a pipeline on a sea bottom remotely controlled from the sea surface comprising the steps of: supporting a pipe cutter on a remote controlled first vehicle; lowering said first vehicle toward said damaged pipeline section with said pipe cutter supported thereon; cutting said pipeline on opposite sides of said damaged pipe section by remotely operating said pipe cutter via said first vehicle; lowering a remote controlled second vehicle toward said damaged pipe section; removing said damaged pipe section with said second vehicle to thereby expose a pair of spaced pipe ends; lowering with said second vehicle a pipe spool-piece having opposed ends disposable adjacent to said spaced pipe ends; providing two pairs of mateable coupling halves, each pair being capable of connecting together respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece; installing a coupling half of each pair onto respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece, and connecting said coupling halves of each pair together and to the respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece by remotely operating said second vehicle to thereby effect said pipe connection between said spaced pipe ends.

Claim 2

A method of repairing a damaged section of a pipeline on a sea bottom remotely controlled from the sea surface comprising the steps of: supporting a pipe cutter on a remote controlled first vehicle; lowering said first vehicle toward said damaged pipeline section with said pipe cutter supported thereon; cutting said pipeline on opposite sides of said damaged pipe section by remotely operating said pipe cutter via said first vehicle; lowering a remote controlled second vehicle toward said damaged pipe section; removing said damaged pipe section with said second vehicle to thereby expose a pair of spaced pipe ends; lowering with said second vehicle a pipe spool-piece having opposed ends disposable adjacent to said spaced pipe ends; providing two pairs of mateable coupling halves, each pair being capable of connecting together respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece; installing a coupling half of each pair onto respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece, and connecting said coupling halves of each pair together and to the respective ends of said pipe and said spool-piece by remotely operating said second vehicle to thereby effect said pipe connection between said spaced pipe ends.

Claim 8

A method for remotely connecting on a sea bottom a first pipe end to a second pipe end, said pipe ends being relatively misaligned, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench beneath the junction of said first and second pipe ends, said trench generally running parallel to said pipes; anchoring said first and second pipe ends to said sea bottom; installing upon said first pipe end a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; installing upon said second pipe end the second part of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; and engaging said first and second parts of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool, thereby connecting said first and second pipe ends.

Claim 9

A method for remotely connecting on a sea bottom a first pipe end to a second pipe end, said pipe ends being relatively misaligned, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench beneath the junction of said first and second pipe ends, said trench generally running parallel to said pipes; anchoring said first and second pipe ends to said sea bottom; installing upon said first pipe end a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; installing upon said second pipe end the second part of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; and engaging said first and second parts of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool, thereby connecting said first and second pipe ends.

Claim 10

A method for remotely connecting on a sea bottom a pair of relatively misaligned spaced apart pipe ends, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench beneath the junction of said pipe ends, said trench running generally parallel to said pipes; anchoring each of said pipe ends to said sea bottom; installing upon each of said pipe ends a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; placing a spool-piece between said pipe ends in substantial axial alignment therewith, said spool-piece having installed upon each end thereof the second part of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; and engaging said two part engageable pipe coupling tools to effect the connection of said spool-piece to said first and second pipe ends, thereby connecting said first and second pipe ends.

Claim 11

A method for remotely connecting on a sea bottom a pair of relatively misaligned spaced apart pipe ends, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench beneath the junction of said pipe ends, said trench running generally parallel to said pipes; anchoring each of said pipe ends to said sea bottom; installing upon each of said pipe ends a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; placing a spool-piece between said pipe ends in substantial axial alignment therewith, said spool-piece having installed upon each end thereof the second part of said two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; and engaging said two part engageable pipe coupling tools to effect the connection of said spool-piece to said first and second pipe ends, thereby connecting said first and second pipe ends.

Claim 12

A method for remotely repairing on a sea bottom a damaged section of pipe, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench under said damaged section, said trench running parallel to said pipe and having ends such that said damaged section is locted therein; anchoring said pipe to said sea bottom with a pair of pipe anchors, said pipe anchors being spaced so that said damaged section is located therebetween; severing said pipe on either side of said damaged section and between said pipe anchors; removing said severed damaged pipe section, thereby leaving a pair of pipe ends anchored by said pipe anchors; installing upon each of said pipe ends a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; placing between said pipe ends in substantial axial alignment therewith a spool-piece, said spool-piece having installed upon each end thereof the second part of said pipe coupling tool; and engaging said pipe coupling tools to effect the connection of said spool-piece to said pipe ends, thereby completing the repair of said pipe.

Claim 13

A method for remotely repairing on a sea bottom a damaged section of pipe, the combination of steps comprising: excavating a trench under said damaged section, said trench running parallel to said pipe and having ends such that said damaged section is locted therein; anchoring said pipe to said sea bottom with a pair of pipe anchors, said pipe anchors being spaced so that said damaged section is located therebetween; severing said pipe on either side of said damaged section and between said pipe anchors; removing said severed damaged pipe section, thereby leaving a pair of pipe ends anchored by said pipe anchors; installing upon each of said pipe ends a first part of a two-part engageable pipe coupling tool; placing between said pipe ends in substantial axial alignment therewith a spool-piece, said spool-piece having installed upon each end thereof the second part of said pipe coupling tool; and engaging said pipe coupling tools to effect the connection of said spool-piece to said pipe ends, thereby completing the repair of said pipe.