Apparatus and method for joining pipe sections underwater
US4832530A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 23, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/5367
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus for laying large pipe sections underwater without on-site manual participation. A beam is releasably attached to a pipe section that is to be lowered to the floor of the water body and attached to the open end of the previously laid pipe section. A positioning fork depending from the beam is settled onto the prior pipe section with the fork legs straddling the pipe and assuring alignment of the pipe ends. Positioning rams in cooperation with landing gears on the fork legs achieve concentric abutment of the end flanges. The flange on the new pipe section is rotatable and a positioner from the beam is releasably attached to the rotatable flange and rotated therby to align bolt holes through the flanges. A wrench carried on a rigging releasably attached to the new pipe section behind the flange is movable between the bolt holes and pushes bolts partially pre-inserted in the bolt holes through the flanges and into engagement with nuts pre-positioned behind the bolt holes of the fixed flange. Surveillance cameras enable an operator to view the operations and upon completion, the beam, flange positioner and rigging are released from the pipe and raised to the water's surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.