US4251167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of welding together submerged pipe ends by means of a telescopic connection sleeve
Assignee: Total Compagnie Francaise des Petroles SA
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Filing: 1978-10-16
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1998-10-16
Abstract
Abstract In a method of welding together two submerged pipe ends, the pipe ends are spaced apart and introduced through orifices into a receptacle by which they can be isolated from the surrounding medium. The spaced pipe ends are connected by a connection sleeve and after isolation are welded to the connection sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe C. Nobileau
- 👤 Rene M. Dermy
- 👤 Guy J. Fleury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of connecting, by welding, the ends of two submerged pipes, said method comprising: surrounding said ends of said two pipes by a receptacle carrying internally a connection sleeve, making said receptacle watertight by connecting said receptacle to a submarine intervention unit, removing the water from said receptacle, and welding said pipe ends penetrating said receptacle to respective ends of said connection sleeve, and wherein said method further comprises the creation of a space between the ends of said pipes to be connected, with said space being less than the distance separating two opposed coaxial orifices provided in the wall of said receptacle and introducing the ends of said pipes successively within said receiptacle through said orifices by displacement of said receptacle in opposite directions such that the ends of said pipes are successively placed in welding position with respect to said connection sleeve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of connecting, by welding, the ends of two submerged pipes, said method comprising: surrounding said ends of said two pipes by a receptacle carrying internally a connection sleeve, making said receptacle watertight by connecting said receptacle to a submarine intervention unit, removing the water from said receptacle, and welding said pipe ends penetrating said receptacle to respective ends of said connection sleeve, and wherein said method further comprises the creation of a space between the ends of said pipes to be connected, with said space being less than the distance separating two opposed coaxial orifices provided in the wall of said receptacle and introducing the ends of said pipes successively within said receiptacle through said orifices by displacement of said receptacle in opposite directions such that the ends of said pipes are successively placed in welding position with respect to said connection sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including isolating said ends of said pipes from the external medium by operation of external sealing means at the periphery of said orifices in said receptacle, by operation of internal sealing means inserted in said pipes at the level of said orifice, by connecting said submarine intervention unit to an upper portion of said receptacle in a water-tight manner, and by evacuating water from said receptacle and replacing it with air at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, prior to the introduction of said pipes into said receptacle, said internal sealing means are situated on the axis of said orifices and are interlocked in an assembly which moves with said receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including moving said connection sleeve to cover said end of one of said pipes and to cover or come into contact with said end of said other pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein during introduction of said end of said pipe into said receptacle said end is driven into an end portion of said connection sleeve having a diameter larger than that of said one pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the other end portion of said connection sleeve has the same diameter as said pipes to be connected, said connection sleeve being moved back towards said orifice through which said one pipe was introduced during introduction of said other pipe into said receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, in which said assembly of the internal sealing means is dismantled before welding is effected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said internal sealing means are released from sealing against said pipes after said connection sleeve has been welded to said pipes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said internal sealing means are removed from the connected pipes by increasing the pressure in one pipe and thereby moving the sealing means to the other end of the other pipe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3473338A
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US3525226A
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US3641777A
Cited
US3967462A
Cited
US4076130A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |