US6012495A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corrosion protection for subsea lines
Assignee: Nexans SA
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Filing: 1997-08-01
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2017-08-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a subsea line comprising a number of fluid/gas conducting steel tubes (1, 3) and possibly other elongated elements (4) like electrical conductors and cables enclosed, and containing elongated sacrificial elements. At least one of the tubes (1, 3) is made of carbon steel and that at least one sacrificial element (2, 5) which is constituted by one or more tapes or strips made of a material less noble than steel is in substantially continuous contact with the surface(s) of at least one carbon steel tube. The line may include a sea water permeable outer cover (6).
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Eivind Antonsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; C; C23; C23F; C23F13/00; C23F13/02; C23F13/06; C23F13/08; C23F13/16; F; F16; F16L; F16L58/00; F16L9/00; F16L9/18; F16L9/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Subsea line comprising: (a) a plurality of elongated elements chosen from a group consisting of steel tubes, electrical conductors, electrical cables, optical fiber cables and combinations thereof, at least one of the elongated elements is a steel tube made of carbon steel; (b) at least one sacrificial element, which is constituted by at least one strip made of a material less noble than steel, in substantially continuous contact with the surface of the carbon steel tube, wherein the at least one sacrificial element is applied in at least one helical layer allowing penetration of seawater to the surface of the carbon steel tube; and (c) a seawater permeable outer cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Subsea line comprising: (a) a plurality of elongated elements chosen from a group consisting of steel tubes, electrical conductors, electrical cables, optical fiber cables and combinations thereof, at least one of the elongated elements is a steel tube made of carbon steel; (b) at least one sacrificial element, which is constituted by at least one strip made of a material less noble than steel, in substantially continuous contact with the surface of the carbon steel tube, wherein the at least one sacrificial element is applied in at least one helical layer allowing penetration of seawater to the surface of the carbon steel tube; and (c) a seawater permeable outer cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Line according to claim 1, wherein the sacrificial elements are tapes with a thickness of 0.1 to 5 mm and a width of 5 to 500 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Line according to claim 1, further including filler elements limiting free space between the plurality of elongated elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Line according to claim 1, further including a filler material chosen from a group consisting of bitumen and non-corrosive gel and filling substantially all interstices of the line in order to reduce corrosion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Line according to claim 1, wherein the material less noble than steel is chosen from a group consisting of zinc, aluminum and zinc/aluminum alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
Subsea line comprising: (a) a center steel tube; (b) a first layer of helical windings covering the center steel tube and chosen from a group consisting of zinc, aluminum and zinc/aluminum alloy; (c) a plurality of elongated elements arranged upon the first layer and chosen from a group consisting of steel tubes, electrical conductors, electrical cables, optical fiber cables and combinations thereof; (d) an outer layer of helical windings chosen from a group consisting of zinc, aluminum and zinc/aluminum alloy; and (e) a seawater permeable outer cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
Subsea line comprising: (a) a center steel tube; (b) a first layer of helical windings covering the center steel tube and chosen from a group consisting of zinc, aluminum and zinc/aluminum alloy; (c) a plurality of elongated elements arranged upon the first layer and chosen from a group consisting of steel tubes, electrical conductors, electrical cables, optical fiber cables and combinations thereof; (d) an outer layer of helical windings chosen from a group consisting of zinc, aluminum and zinc/aluminum alloy; and (e) a seawater permeable outer cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Line according to claim 6, further including filler elements limiting free space between the plurality of elongated elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Line according to claim 6, further including a filler material chosen from a group consisting of bitumen and non-corrosive gel and filling substantially all interstices of the line in order to reduce corrosion.
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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) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |