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US4087119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid pressure operated duct coupling
Assignee: Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine Production SA
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Filing: 1976-06-18
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Granted: 1978-05-02
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Expires: 1996-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A device for connecting successive duct sections, especially between a sea-bed petroleum storage tank and a surface platform, comprising a flexible tubular joint secured at both ends to two cylindrical coupling units slidably mounted respectively within two duct sections to be coupled together, remotely operated means for anchoring each coupling unit within an end-shoe and remotely operated means for forming a tight seal between the external surface of the coupling units and the internal surface of the duct sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Capdebosc
- 👤 Michel Moinard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:23
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/08; E21B17/085; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/14; F16L1/15; F16L21/00; F16L21/02; F16L25/00; F16L25/06; F16L25/08; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A connecting device for providing a flexible fluid tight connection between the ends of two articulatable duct sections comprising: a flexible tubular joint; a cylindrical connecting unit having an axial passage therethrough secured to each end of said joint, each of said connecting units adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a duct section, each of said connecting units including; a fluid operable piston mounted for translation in an annular chamber formed in said connecting unit, said piston having a conical exterior surface portion and translatable along said axis between a first position and a second position; movable studs mounted in a bore formed in said connecting unit transverse to said axis and having an end in contact with said surface portion; said studs movable in response to translation of said piston from a retracted position when said piston is in a first position to an anchoring position when said piston is in its second position in which the other end of said studs project outwardly of said connecting unit to engage an anchoring channel formed in said duct section; a variable volume chamber defined between an end of said piston and said chamber to receive fluid under pressure from a fluid pressure source to cause translation of said piston along said axis from said first position to said second position and thereby cause said studs to anchor said connecting unit to said duct section; and a fluid inflatable seal disposed in a channel formed in the exterior surface of said connecting unit and which is in selective communication with said fluid pressure source to thereby inflate said seal to provide a fluid type seal between said connecting unit and said duct section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A connecting device for providing a flexible fluid tight connection between the ends of two articulatable duct sections comprising: a flexible tubular joint; a cylindrical connecting unit having an axial passage therethrough secured to each end of said joint, each of said connecting units adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a duct section, each of said connecting units including; a fluid operable piston mounted for translation in an annular chamber formed in said connecting unit, said piston having a conical exterior surface portion and translatable along said axis between a first position and a second position; movable studs mounted in a bore formed in said connecting unit transverse to said axis and having an end in contact with said surface portion; said studs movable in response to translation of said piston from a retracted position when said piston is in a first position to an anchoring position when said piston is in its second position in which the other end of said studs project outwardly of said connecting unit to engage an anchoring channel formed in said duct section; a variable volume chamber defined between an end of said piston and said chamber to receive fluid under pressure from a fluid pressure source to cause translation of said piston along said axis from said first position to said second position and thereby cause said studs to anchor said connecting unit to said duct section; and a fluid inflatable seal disposed in a channel formed in the exterior surface of said connecting unit and which is in selective communication with said fluid pressure source to thereby inflate said seal to provide a fluid type seal between said connecting unit and said duct section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a fluid control means to permit inflation of said seal means only after said studs have anchored said connecting units to said duct section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 2, wherein said fluid control means comprises: a first fluid passage formed in said connecting unit having an end communicating with said inflatable seal and having another end opening into said chamber; and a second fluid passage formed in said piston and having an end opening onto said one end of said piston defining said variable volume chamber and having another end opening onto another side of said piston such that said other ends of said first and second fluid passages are in registration with one another when said piston is in its second position to thereby provide fluid communication between said variable volume chamber and said inflatable seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a protective coating on said flexible tubular joint for accommodating tensile stresses arising during the installation of said connecting device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 1, further comprising: selectively operable valve means to selectively communicate said fluid pressure source with said variable volume chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a cylindrical tool insertable to said connecting units and said joint and having a duct formed therein communicating with said fluid pressure source; and means on said tool to operate said valve means to communicate said fluid pressure source with said variable volume chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 5, wherein said valve means comprises: a tubular sleeve defining a sidewall of said variable volume chamber; said tubular sleeve reciprocally slidable along said axis from a position wherein said variable volume chamber is closed off from said fluid pressure source to a position wherein said variable volume chamber is in fluid communication with said fluid pressure source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 7, further comprising: biasing means to resiliently bias said tubular sleeve to said closed off position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a cylindrical tool insertable through said connecting units and said joint and having a duct formed therein communicating with said fluid pressure source; and means on said tool to slide said tubular sleeve along said axis to said position wherein said variable volume chamber is in fluid communication with said fluid pressure source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 9, further comprising: means on said tool for selectively securing said tool to each of said connecting units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 10, wherein said securing means comprises: bayonet type elements selectively cooperable with a groove formed in each of said connecting units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 9, further comprising: flexible spring blades at both ends and on each side of said tool for centering said tool within said duct sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 9, wherein said fluid pressure source comprises: a hydraulic power unit at the upper end of said tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a detector head located at the lower end of said tool for detecting the position of said tool relative to said duct sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The connecting device claimed in claim 1, wherein: said duct sections are aligned along a substantially vertical axis; the upper end of the upper connecting unit has a funnel-shaped extremity; and the lower end of the lower connecting unit has a bullet nosed extremity of revolution.
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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) | 1981-05-01 | 1981-10-31 | 1982-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-01 | 1985-10-31 | 1986-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-01 | 1989-10-31 | 1990-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |