US3599436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline connections with underwater work chamber
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
•
Filing: 1969-04-18
•
Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1989-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for completing a connection of a pipeline to an underwater installation characterized by the use of an underwater work chamber to isolate the submerged termini of the pipeline and an installation conduit from the water body prior to welding the two into fluid communication.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe C Lochridge
- 👤 William R Rochelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/0061; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of connecting the terminal portion of an elongate flexible underwater pipeline extending from a floating vessel meanS to a conduit portion of a fixed underwater installation, the method comprising: positioning the terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means adjacent the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion, placing a work chamber into a body of water and lowering the submerged work chamber over the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion and the previously positioned adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means, so that portions of the underwater work chamber extend about opposite peripheries of the said terminal portions in response to lowering of the work chamber, isolating the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion and the adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means from the body of water in which they are submerged by providing a dry workspace within the work chamber and then securing, by welding within the work chamber, the terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means and the terminal conduit portion of the fixed underwater installation in fluidtight communication with one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of connecting the terminal portion of an elongate flexible underwater pipeline extending from a floating vessel meanS to a conduit portion of a fixed underwater installation, the method comprising: positioning the terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means adjacent the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion, placing a work chamber into a body of water and lowering the submerged work chamber over the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion and the previously positioned adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means, so that portions of the underwater work chamber extend about opposite peripheries of the said terminal portions in response to lowering of the work chamber, isolating the terminal portion of the fixed underwater installation conduit portion and the adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means from the body of water in which they are submerged by providing a dry workspace within the work chamber and then securing, by welding within the work chamber, the terminal portion of the underwater pipeline extending from the floating vessel means and the terminal conduit portion of the fixed underwater installation in fluidtight communication with one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein: the securing step is performed by welding a substitute conduit section between the spaced ends of the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline, after cutting away the termini thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 1 including the steps of: providing the underwater installation conduit with an alignment funnel, aligning the pipeline and the underwater installation conduit by telescoping the pipeline terminus into the alignment funnel, and clamping the work chamber about the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline prior to the securing step to maintain the two in alignment during the securing step.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: providing the underwater installation conduit with an alignment funnel, aligning the pipeline and the underwater installation conduit by telescoping the pipeline terminus into the alignment funnel, the alignment step comprising moving the pipeline into snubbed engagement within the funnel, isolating the terminal portion of the underwater installation conduit portion and the adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline from the body of water in which they are submerged by placing a submerged work chamber thereabout, and then securing by welding within the work chamber, the terminal pipeline portion and the terminal underwater installation conduit portion in fluidtight communication with one another, the securing step being performed subsequent to removing the alignment funnel and the telescoped portion of the pipeline, by welding a conduit section into aligned position between the spaced ends of the pipeline and the conduit portion of the underwater installation, and after clamping the work chamber about the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline to maintain the two in alignment during the securing step.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: providing the underwater installation conduit with an alignment funnel, aligning the pipeline and the underwater installation conduit by telescoping the pipeline terminus into the alignment funnel, the alignment step comprising moving the pipeline into snubbed engagement within the funnel, isolating the terminal portion of the underwater installation conduit portion and the adjacent terminal portion of the underwater pipeline from the body of water in which they are submerged by placing a submerged work chamber thereabout, and then securing by welding within the work chamber, the terminal pipeline portion and the terminal underwater installation conduit portion in fluidtight communication with one another, the securing step being performed subsequent to removing the alignment funnel and the telescoped portion of the pipeline, by welding a conduit section into aligned position between the spaced ends of the pipeline and the conduit portion of the underwater installation, and after clamping the work chamber about the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline to maintain the two in alignment during the securing step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein: the pipeline is telescoped into the funnel, by a tensioned draw line threaded through the funnel and attached to the pipeline terminus, while buoyantly supporting the pipeline and slidably moving the buoyant support with respect to the pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 5, including the step of: balancing the draw line tension by applying tension to the pipeline in a direction opposite to that of the draw line tension.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: providing the conduit portion of underwater installation with a pipeline receiving funnel terminus, telescoping the pipEline terminus into the receiving funnel, placing a work chamber about at least a portion of the underwater installation and at least a portion of the pipeline so as to isolate the telescoped receiving funnel and the pipeline terminus from the water, removing, within the work chamber, the pipeline terminus from the isolated portion of the pipeline and the receiving funnel from the isolated portion of the underwater installation, and welding a connecting conduit section to the remaining isolated pipeline portion and underwater installation portion to place them in fluid communication with one another.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: providing the conduit portion of underwater installation with a pipeline receiving funnel terminus, telescoping the pipEline terminus into the receiving funnel, placing a work chamber about at least a portion of the underwater installation and at least a portion of the pipeline so as to isolate the telescoped receiving funnel and the pipeline terminus from the water, removing, within the work chamber, the pipeline terminus from the isolated portion of the pipeline and the receiving funnel from the isolated portion of the underwater installation, and welding a connecting conduit section to the remaining isolated pipeline portion and underwater installation portion to place them in fluid communication with one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the conduit portion of the underwater installation comprises a riser, and including the steps of: threading a flexible draw line through the riser, connecting the draw line to the pipeline terminus, and tensioning the draw line to perform the telescoping step, while buoyantly supporting the pipeline and slidably moving the buoyant support with respect to the pipeline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 8 including the step of: snubbing the pipeline terminus within the receiving funnel upon telescoping the pipeline terminus into the receiving funnel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: telescoping the pipeline terminus into the terminus of the conduit of the underwater installation, providing a dry workspace surrounding the telescoped termini of the pipeline and the installation conduit, removing, within the dry workspace, the end portions of the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline, including at least the telescoped termini thereof, and securing within the dry workspace, the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline in fluid communication by installing a connecting conduit section between the spaced ends thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of connecting an elongate flexible underwater pipeline to a conduit portion of an underwater installation, the method comprising: telescoping the pipeline terminus into the terminus of the conduit of the underwater installation, providing a dry workspace surrounding the telescoped termini of the pipeline and the installation conduit, removing, within the dry workspace, the end portions of the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline, including at least the telescoped termini thereof, and securing within the dry workspace, the underwater installation conduit and the pipeline in fluid communication by installing a connecting conduit section between the spaced ends thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein: the securing step is performed by welding the connecting conduit section to the spaced ends of the pipeline and underwater installation conduit, and the telescoping step is performed by threading a draw line through the installation conduit, connecting the draw line to the pipeline terminus, and tensioning the draw line while buoyantly supporting the pipeline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline to a conduit of an underwater installation, the apparatus comprising: funnel means on the terminus of the conduit portion of the installation for telescopingly receiving the pipeline terminus, means on the pipeline terminus for snubbing the pipeline terminus within said funnel means, and habitat means for isolating the snubbed termini of the underwater installation and the pipeline from the water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline to a conduit of an underwater installation, the apparatus comprising: funnel means on the terminus of the conduit portion of the installation for telescopingly receiving the pipeline terminus, means on the pipeline terminus for snubbing the pipeline terminus within said funnel means, and habitat means for isolating the snubbed termini of the underwater installation and the pipeline from the water.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of connecting underwater conduits, the method comprising: telescoping, underwater, a first conduit means into a second conduit means, providing a gaseous working atmosphere about the telescoped conduit means portions, removing the telescoped portions, within the gaseous atmosphere while maintaining the first and second conduit means clamped, and connecting the clamped conduit means in fluid communicating relation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of connecting underwater conduits, the method comprising: telescoping, underwater, a first conduit means into a second conduit means, providing a gaseous working atmosphere about the telescoped conduit means portions, removing the telescoped portions, within the gaseous atmosphere while maintaining the first and second conduit means clamped, and connecting the clamped conduit means in fluid communicating relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |