US4015435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine pipelaying apparatus
Assignee: McDermott Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-30
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1995-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A marine pipelaying apparatus for supporting pipeline during undersea pipelaying operations from a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water. The apparatus includes a tapering and longitudinally extending pipeline support member secured at one end to the vessel in a cantilevered manner and extending into the water. The pipeline support member includes a plurality of demountable sections decreasing in diameter and having sufficient buoyancy to float. The support member is designed to bend as it supports the pipeline being laid providing a desired profile without exceeding the elastic limit of the pipe. A hydraulic clamp for releasably clamping the pipeline support member is mounted on the vessel to secure the pipeline support member in a fixed relation to the vessel. A plurality of variable buoyancy floats and roller cradle mechanisms for buoyantly and slidably supporting a section of pipeline are attached above the pipeline support member. The apparatus can impart a stabilizing force to the pipeline and create a uniform stress distribution along the pipeline being laid which is within its elastic limit.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence W. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16; F16L1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A marine pipelaying apparatus for laying pipeling on a submerged surface in a body of deep water from a vessel floating on the surface of the body of water and adapted to be transported between different locations on board the surface vessel and launched therefrom, comprising: a bendable, non-articulated pipeline support member, self-supporting over its entire length, secured to and extending from the rear of the surface vessel into water for supporting the pipeline in a profile that is within the elastic limit of the pipe. said pipeline support member having a tapered configuration wherein the upper portion of the support member secured to the surface vessel is of a larger cross section than is the unsecured lower end, and comprising a plurality of interconnected co-axial sections that may be disassembled for loading on the surface vessel and assembled for launching of the support member from the surface vessel; means for releasably clamping said pipeline support member in a fixed relation to the surface vessel; means for rendering the pipeline slidably movable above and along said pipeline support member; and a plurality of variable buoyancy float means providng buoyancy forces to reduce pipeline negative buoyancy to balance pipeline weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A marine pipelaying apparatus for laying pipeling on a submerged surface in a body of deep water from a vessel floating on the surface of the body of water and adapted to be transported between different locations on board the surface vessel and launched therefrom, comprising: a bendable, non-articulated pipeline support member, self-supporting over its entire length, secured to and extending from the rear of the surface vessel into water for supporting the pipeline in a profile that is within the elastic limit of the pipe. said pipeline support member having a tapered configuration wherein the upper portion of the support member secured to the surface vessel is of a larger cross section than is the unsecured lower end, and comprising a plurality of interconnected co-axial sections that may be disassembled for loading on the surface vessel and assembled for launching of the support member from the surface vessel; means for releasably clamping said pipeline support member in a fixed relation to the surface vessel; means for rendering the pipeline slidably movable above and along said pipeline support member; and a plurality of variable buoyancy float means providng buoyancy forces to reduce pipeline negative buoyancy to balance pipeline weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said float means are adjustable to permit selective spacing along said pipeline support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: guage means for determining water pressure at each of said support member sections and converting the reading to depth below the water surface thereby providing a profile reading of the pipeline support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for extending and retracting said pipeline support member to alter the unsupported length of the pipeline support member depending off the surface vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 1, wherein said variable buoyancy float means comprises: a metal float; and means for interconnecting said metal float with said means for slidably moving the pipeline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for rendering the pipeline slidably moveable is a roller cradle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for interconnecting the float and the roller cradle means is an inverted U-shaped hanger extending above said roller cradle means and pivotally connected thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 6, wherein said roller cradle means is a V-shaped member having rollers affixed therein and having a mounting bracket secured to the apex for attachment to said pipeline support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means mounted to said pipeline support member at a location beneath the water surface, for applying a force to said support member in a direction and with a magnitude sufficient to resist water current acting upon said pipeline support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for applying a force is a lateral thrust internal combustion engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The marine pipelaying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: elongated, rigid float members attached to said pipeline support member to effect a desired relation between the center of buoyancy and the center of gravity of said pipeline support member; and said float members disposed above the center of gravity of said pipeline support member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |