US3720069A — Pipeline laying operation with explosive joining …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 316 words

A method of laying an underwater pipeline, formed from a plurality of weldingly interconnected pipe jointS, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing an inclined ramp pivotallY mounted on the veSsel and provided with at least one work station, the method comprising: slidably supporting a generally straight portion of a continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surfacE; releasably clamping the portiOn of the continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp; with a portion of the pipeline surrounded by the water, a. locating the end of the generally straight portion of continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp adjacent said at least one work station; b. positioning a section of pipe to be added to the continuous pipeline in generally longitudinal alignment with the generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline supported on the inclined ramp, and with one end of the section of pipe adjacent the end of the pipeline at said at least one work station, c. disposing a high intensity explosive charge, operable to effect explosive welding of the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added to the pipeline, in a welding position relative to the adjacent pipeline portion and pipe section located and positioned at said at least one work station; and d. detonating the explosive charge from the floating vessel to create a welded joint connecting the pipe section to the pipeline at the work station to increase the length of the continuous pipeline; releasing the clamped portion of the continuous pipeline; paying out the increased length continuous pipeline intO the body of water by a desired increment; and repeating the pipeline locating step, the pipe section positioning step, the explosive charge positioning step, and the detonating step with a further pipe section and explosive charge.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 316 words

A method of laying an underwater pipeline, formed from a plurality of weldingly interconnected pipe jointS, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing an inclined ramp pivotallY mounted on the veSsel and provided with at least one work station, the method comprising: slidably supporting a generally straight portion of a continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surfacE; releasably clamping the portiOn of the continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp; with a portion of the pipeline surrounded by the water, a. locating the end of the generally straight portion of continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp adjacent said at least one work station; b. positioning a section of pipe to be added to the continuous pipeline in generally longitudinal alignment with the generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline supported on the inclined ramp, and with one end of the section of pipe adjacent the end of the pipeline at said at least one work station, c. disposing a high intensity explosive charge, operable to effect explosive welding of the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added to the pipeline, in a welding position relative to the adjacent pipeline portion and pipe section located and positioned at said at least one work station; and d. detonating the explosive charge from the floating vessel to create a welded joint connecting the pipe section to the pipeline at the work station to increase the length of the continuous pipeline; releasing the clamped portion of the continuous pipeline; paying out the increased length continuous pipeline intO the body of water by a desired increment; and repeating the pipeline locating step, the pipe section positioning step, the explosive charge positioning step, and the detonating step with a further pipe section and explosive charge.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 316 words

A method of laying an underwater pipeline, formed from a plurality of weldingly interconnected pipe jointS, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing an inclined ramp pivotallY mounted on the veSsel and provided with at least one work station, the method comprising: slidably supporting a generally straight portion of a continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surfacE; releasably clamping the portiOn of the continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp; with a portion of the pipeline surrounded by the water, a. locating the end of the generally straight portion of continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp adjacent said at least one work station; b. positioning a section of pipe to be added to the continuous pipeline in generally longitudinal alignment with the generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline supported on the inclined ramp, and with one end of the section of pipe adjacent the end of the pipeline at said at least one work station, c. disposing a high intensity explosive charge, operable to effect explosive welding of the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added to the pipeline, in a welding position relative to the adjacent pipeline portion and pipe section located and positioned at said at least one work station; and d. detonating the explosive charge from the floating vessel to create a welded joint connecting the pipe section to the pipeline at the work station to increase the length of the continuous pipeline; releasing the clamped portion of the continuous pipeline; paying out the increased length continuous pipeline intO the body of water by a desired increment; and repeating the pipeline locating step, the pipe section positioning step, the explosive charge positioning step, and the detonating step with a further pipe section and explosive charge.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 316 words

A method of laying an underwater pipeline, formed from a plurality of weldingly interconnected pipe jointS, from a floating vessel and onto a submerged surface, the method utilizing an inclined ramp pivotallY mounted on the veSsel and provided with at least one work station, the method comprising: slidably supporting a generally straight portion of a continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surfacE; releasably clamping the portiOn of the continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp; with a portion of the pipeline surrounded by the water, a. locating the end of the generally straight portion of continuous pipeline on the inclined ramp adjacent said at least one work station; b. positioning a section of pipe to be added to the continuous pipeline in generally longitudinal alignment with the generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline supported on the inclined ramp, and with one end of the section of pipe adjacent the end of the pipeline at said at least one work station, c. disposing a high intensity explosive charge, operable to effect explosive welding of the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added to the pipeline, in a welding position relative to the adjacent pipeline portion and pipe section located and positioned at said at least one work station; and d. detonating the explosive charge from the floating vessel to create a welded joint connecting the pipe section to the pipeline at the work station to increase the length of the continuous pipeline; releasing the clamped portion of the continuous pipeline; paying out the increased length continuous pipeline intO the body of water by a desired increment; and repeating the pipeline locating step, the pipe section positioning step, the explosive charge positioning step, and the detonating step with a further pipe section and explosive charge.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 215 words

The method according to claim 1 wherein the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added are provided with complementarily configured male and female end portions and wherein: the step of positioning comprises: positioning the male end portion within the female end portion; and surrounding the positioned pipe section and pipeline with a collar having an inner wall extending longitudinally thereof in opposite directions frOm the end portions and spaced from the outer walls of the pipe section and pipeline; the step of disposing the at least one high intensity, explosive driving charge, comprises placing the charge in a welding position extending circumferentiAlly about at least one of the outer wall of the collar and the inner walls of the pipe section and pipeline, and with the charge also extending axially from a detonatiOn initiation location axially outward of the position of adjacency of at least one collar end and one of the pipe section and pipeline to at least substantially the location of the position of adjacency of the other collar end and the other of the pipe section and pipeline; and the step of detonatinG comprises detonating the high intensity, explosive driving charge to explosively effect a welded connection of the pipe section and pipeline to one another and to the collar.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 109 words

The method according to claim 2 wherein the collar is generally tubular and the male and female end portions are frusto-conical portions continuously tapered from the outer pipe section and pipeline walls to the inner walls thereof and wherein the steps of disposing the at least one high intensity, explosive driving charge with the charge extending to at least substantially the location of the position of adjacency of the other collar end and the other of the pipe section and pipeline comprises: extending the charge to a location axially outward of the position of adjacency of the other collar end and the other of the pipe section and pipeline.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 79 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the at least one driving charge is disposed in a position internally of the pipe section and pipeline, the methOd further including the step of: propagating the detonation from the detonation initiation end of the explosive driving charge located within the one of the pipe section and pipeline having the male end toward the end of the explosive charge within the other of the pipe section and pipeline having the female end.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 4 and including the step of: disposing, prior to detonation of the internal driving charges, a sealing member between and in engagement with the male and female end portions.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 195 words

The method according to claim 1 wherein the pipeline and the section of pipe to be added are provided with complementary frusto-conical male and female end portions continuously tapered from the outer pipe section and pipeline walls to the inner walls thereof and wherein: the step of positioning comprises positioning the male end portion within the female end portion; the step of disposing the at least one high intensity, explosive driving charge, comprises placing the charge in a position operable to produce generally radial driving forces to effect explosive welding of the pipe section and pipeline to one another at the zone of adjacency of the end portions, and with the charge also extending circumferentially and concentrically with the pipe section and pipeline and axially away from that zone of adjacency in two directions; and the step of detonating comprises detonating the driving charge to explosively effect a welded connection of the pipe section and pipeline to one another by propagating the detonation from a detonation initiation end of the charge to generate generally radial driving forces to act first on one frusto-conical end, the movement of which is resisted by the other frusto-conical end.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 343 words

Apparatus for laying an underwater pipeline and added pipe section from a floating vessel and into a submerged surface, one of the pipeline and pipe section being provided with a frusto-conical male end portion continuously tapered from the outer wall to the inner wall, and the other of the pipeline and pipe section being provided with a frusto-conical female end portion continuously tapered from the outer wall to the inner wall for complementarily receiving the male end portion, the apparatus comprising: an inclined ramp means, pivotally mounted on said vessel and provided with at least one work station, for slidably supporting a generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surface; support means for mounting the male end portion within the female end portion adjacent said work station; a generally tubular collar; support meanS for mounting the male end portion within the female end portion adjacent said work station; a generally tubular collar; mounting means for positioning said collar so as to surround said pipeline and pipe section with the inner wall of said collar extending longitudinally of said pipeline and pipe section in opposite directions from said end portions; spacing means for maintaining said inner wall of said collar spaced a predetermined distance from the outer walls of said pipeline and pipe section; at least one high intensity, explosive driving charge, operable to effect explosive welding of said pipeline and pipe section to one another and to said collar, disposed in a welding position extending circumferentially about at least one of the outer wall of the collar and the inner walls of said pipeline and pipe section and axially from a location axially outward of the position of adjacency of at least one end of said collar and one of said pipeline and pipe section to at least substantially the location of the position of adjacency of the other end of said collar and the other of said pipeline and pipe section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 343 words

Apparatus for laying an underwater pipeline and added pipe section from a floating vessel and into a submerged surface, one of the pipeline and pipe section being provided with a frusto-conical male end portion continuously tapered from the outer wall to the inner wall, and the other of the pipeline and pipe section being provided with a frusto-conical female end portion continuously tapered from the outer wall to the inner wall for complementarily receiving the male end portion, the apparatus comprising: an inclined ramp means, pivotally mounted on said vessel and provided with at least one work station, for slidably supporting a generally straight portion of the continuous pipeline aboard the floating vessel with a contiguous portion of the pipeline depending into the body of water and onto a submerged surface; support means for mounting the male end portion within the female end portion adjacent said work station; a generally tubular collar; support meanS for mounting the male end portion within the female end portion adjacent said work station; a generally tubular collar; mounting means for positioning said collar so as to surround said pipeline and pipe section with the inner wall of said collar extending longitudinally of said pipeline and pipe section in opposite directions from said end portions; spacing means for maintaining said inner wall of said collar spaced a predetermined distance from the outer walls of said pipeline and pipe section; at least one high intensity, explosive driving charge, operable to effect explosive welding of said pipeline and pipe section to one another and to said collar, disposed in a welding position extending circumferentially about at least one of the outer wall of the collar and the inner walls of said pipeline and pipe section and axially from a location axially outward of the position of adjacency of at least one end of said collar and one of said pipeline and pipe section to at least substantially the location of the position of adjacency of the other end of said collar and the other of said pipeline and pipe section.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said collar includes: an outer wall generally sloping adjacent each end of said collar.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 7 including: a sealing member with at least a portion thereof disposed between the male and female end portions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-03-12	1976-09-11	1977-03-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-03-12	1980-09-11	1981-03-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-03-12	1984-09-11	1985-03-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pipeline laying operation with explosive joining of pipe sections

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