Submarine pipeline span correction by local axial tension release
US4909670A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1989 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L1/16
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of locally supplying slack to an axially tensioned length of pipeline spanning unsupported across an undulating seabed. During pipeline deployment, the pipeline is fitted with two weighted masses that will be positioned on either side of the undulation to be spanned. These masses will be spaced a predetermined distance from each other along the seabed, this distance being less than that between them along the pipeline. Also during deployment, the mid-region of this span is vertically deflected upward while retaining the axial tension in the pipeline. Once the pipeline is properly positioned, the vertical deflection of the pipeline is reduced thereby relieving the axial tension in the pipeline while also introducing sufficient pipeline slack such that the pipeline can closely follow the contours of the undulating seabed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.