US4479656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for sealing a gap around a conductor pipe in an offshore oil platform
Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
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Filing: 1982-10-08
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2002-10-08
Abstract
Abstract Conductor pipes on an offshore drilling and production platform pass through openings in the decks of the platform. The openings are to be sealed off to prevent spreading of hot and/or noxious fluids from one deck to another. The sealing means consists of two annular elements arranged around a conductor and connected to the conductor and the deck, respectively, thereby forming an annular trough in which one of the elements protrudes. The trough is filled with a flexible substance, such as a silicone foam.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael H. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/002; E21B19/004; E21B17/00; E21B17/01; E21B35/00; E21B41/00; E21B41/0021; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/136; F; F16; F16L; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L5/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Offshore platform being provided with a conductor pipe passing through deck portion of the platform, thereby forming a gap in the deck portion around the pipe, wherein means are provided for sealing the gap, said means including a first and a second annular element member arranged around the conductor pipe and connected to the conductor pipe and the deck portion, respectively, one of the annular elements forming at least part of the wall of an annular trough with an open upper end, and the other annular element being arranged to protrude partly into the trough, the trough being filled with a flexible substance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Offshore platform being provided with a conductor pipe passing through deck portion of the platform, thereby forming a gap in the deck portion around the pipe, wherein means are provided for sealing the gap, said means including a first and a second annular element member arranged around the conductor pipe and connected to the conductor pipe and the deck portion, respectively, one of the annular elements forming at least part of the wall of an annular trough with an open upper end, and the other annular element being arranged to protrude partly into the trough, the trough being filled with a flexible substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein the trough is formed by the first annular element in conjunction with the conductor pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein the trough is formed by the second annular element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein each annular element consists of two complementary ring-sector shaped parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The platform according to claim 4, wherein the first annular element is clamped around the conductor pipe by means of a clamping ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substance in the trough is a silicone foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substance in the trough is a thixotropic liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substance in the trough is fire resistant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the sealing means is covered with a layer of fire resistant material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein said flexible substance in the trough is non-vaporizing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The platform according to claim 1, wherein said conductor pipe is mounted for non-rotational movement relative to said platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
Sealing means for sealing a cap between an offshore platform deck and a non-rotatable conductor pipe passing through the gap in the deck, comprising: an annular trough attached to the platform deck concentric with and having a radius greater than the gap between the pipe and the deck; an annular sealing element attached to the conductor pipe and extending partially into said trough; and a flexible sealing substance in said trough and sealingly contacting said annular sealing element to provide a seal which prevents fluid that passes through said gap in the platform deck from flowing around said pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
Sealing means for sealing a cap between an offshore platform deck and a non-rotatable conductor pipe passing through the gap in the deck, comprising: an annular trough attached to the platform deck concentric with and having a radius greater than the gap between the pipe and the deck; an annular sealing element attached to the conductor pipe and extending partially into said trough; and a flexible sealing substance in said trough and sealingly contacting said annular sealing element to provide a seal which prevents fluid that passes through said gap in the platform deck from flowing around said pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sealing means of claim 12 wherein said trough is welded to the deck and said annular sealing means is welded to the conductor pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said annular trough and said annular sealing element comprise complementary ring segment parts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said flexible substance is non-vaporizing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said flexible substance is silicone foam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said flexible substance is a thixotropic liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said flexible substance is fire resistant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sealing means of claim 12, wherein said conductor pipe is mounted for non-rotational movement relative to said platform.
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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) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |