US4386659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guides for forming connections
Assignee: Worley Field Services Ltd
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Filing: 1981-02-09
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Granted: 1983-06-07
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Expires: 2001-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A guide for use in connecting a riser pipe to a subsea riser base comprises a guide post and an expanding mandrel actuable by hydraulic pressure applied through a cable having hydraulic hoses in its core to lock the mandrel in a subsea riser base. The guide post is provided with buoyancy means to reduce its effective weight in water to enable it to be manipulated and manoeuvred by a remote controlled vehicle or diver.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Shotbolt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/10; E21B41/0007; E21B41/0014; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A guide for use in connecting a tubular member, to a subsea riser base, which guide comprises a guide post, having a reversibly radially expandable portion to locate in and rigidly attach the guide post to the subsea riser base, an elongate portion to be received in the end of the tubular member, and buoyancy means contained within the guide post to reduce the effective weight of the post underwater to a level at which it can be readily manipulated and manoeuvred.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A guide for use in connecting a tubular member, to a subsea riser base, which guide comprises a guide post, having a reversibly radially expandable portion to locate in and rigidly attach the guide post to the subsea riser base, an elongate portion to be received in the end of the tubular member, and buoyancy means contained within the guide post to reduce the effective weight of the post underwater to a level at which it can be readily manipulated and manoeuvred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A guide as claimed in claim 1 having an effective weight in water not exceeding 150 lbs (68 Kg).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A guide as claimed in claim 2 having an effective weight in water not exceeding 50 lbs (23 Kg).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guide post is of steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A guide as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an elongate portion rotatable about the axis of the post to be received in the pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radially expandable portion is remotely actuable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A guide as claimed in claim 6 wherein the radially expandable portion is hydraulically actuable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A guide as claimed in claim 1 bearing a line by which the guide may be suspended with the elongate portion of the guide post uppermost.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A guide post as claimed in claim 8 wherein the line is a cable having a hydraulic hose core by means of which cable the radially expandable portion is actuable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1300771A
Cited
GB1300772A
Cited
GB1494926A
Cited
FR2288264A1
Cited
US3967462A
Cited
US4133182A
Cited
GB2056009A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |