Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for adjusting the tension of a non-supported portion of an underwater pipeline extending from a pipe laying vessel to an ocean floor, said method comprising: securing said pipeline to said vessel through variable pipe tensioner means for exerting an axial force on said pipeline having a magnitude determined by a pipe tensioning signal; determining the profile of the non-supported portion of said pipeline between said vessel and said ocean floor in a plane of reference; analyzing said profile to determine the minimum bending radius of said portion; and producing a pipe tensioning signal for the tensioner means indicative of said minimum bending radius to vary the tension of said pipeline thereby maintaining said minimum bending radius above a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for adjusting the tension of a non-supported portion of an underwater pipeline extending from a pipe laying vessel to an ocean floor, said method comprising: securing said pipeline to said vessel through variable pipe tensioner means for exerting an axial force on said pipeline having a magnitude determined by a pipe tensioning signal; determining the profile of the non-supported portion of said pipeline between said vessel and said ocean floor in a plane of reference; analyzing said profile to determine the minimum bending radius of said portion; and producing a pipe tensioning signal for the tensioner means indicative of said minimum bending radius to vary the tension of said pipeline thereby maintaining said minimum bending radius above a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pipeline profile is determined by providing two spaced apart vessel reference points on said vessel, providing a plurality of pipeline reference points spaced apart along the length of said pipeline, measuring the distances between each of said vessel reference points and all of said pipeline reference points, and processing said distance measurements to provide an indication of the profile of said pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said distance measurements are accomplished by transmitting acoustic signals between said vessel reference points and said pipeline reference points, measuring the transit times of said acoustic signals, and calculating a distance corresponding to each of said transit time measurements.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for adjusting the tension of a non-supported portion of an underwater pipeline extending from a pipe laying vessel to an ocean floor, said apparatus comprising: pipe tensioner means mounted on said vessel, said tensioner means exerting an axial force on said pipeline having a magnitude determined by a pipe tensioning signal; means for determining the profile of the non-supported portion of said pipeline between said vessel and said ocean floor; bending radius calculating means for analyzing said profile, determining the minimum bending radius of said portion and generating a pipe tensioning signal indicative of said minimum bending radius, said calculating means controlling said tensioner means to vary the tension of said pipeline thereby maintaining said minimum bending radius above a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for adjusting the tension of a non-supported portion of an underwater pipeline extending from a pipe laying vessel to an ocean floor, said apparatus comprising: pipe tensioner means mounted on said vessel, said tensioner means exerting an axial force on said pipeline having a magnitude determined by a pipe tensioning signal; means for determining the profile of the non-supported portion of said pipeline between said vessel and said ocean floor; bending radius calculating means for analyzing said profile, determining the minimum bending radius of said portion and generating a pipe tensioning signal indicative of said minimum bending radius, said calculating means controlling said tensioner means to vary the tension of said pipeline thereby maintaining said minimum bending radius above a predetermined value.