Flowline connection means
US4620818A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 1984 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L1/24
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure. A riser and flowline connection tool are deployed downwardly to the subsea structure and a flowline terminal head, which is at the end of the flowline, is pulled to the flowline connection tool by means of a pullcable. Then the flowline terminal head is secured to the subsea structure and the flowline connection tool is recovered to the surface. The flowline terminal head consists of a connector hub with clamping surface to which the flowline is welded, and a flexible carrier pipe of interlocking metallic rings into which the end of the flowline is inserted. The carrier pipe limits the curvature of the flowline as the terminal head is bent into alignment with a flowline receptacle of the subsea structure. The flowline terminal head may include buoyant encircling rings which keep it free of difficult terrain in the vicinity of the subsea structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.