Pipeline recovery head
US5178429A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L1/166
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A recovery head for use in retrieving a submerged pipeline to the water surface. The recovery head includes a center of gravity arm attached to one end of the recovery head by a connecting pin. The center of gravity arm maintains the recovery head in a level orientation to allow divers or an ROV to more easily insert the head into the pipeline. After insertion into the pipeline, the center of gravity arm is removed from the recovery head. With the center of gravity arm removed, the recovery head does not obstruct or interfere with any steps involved in the actual retrieval and securing of the pipeline on the lay barge. The rear portion of the recovery head includes two T-posts which connect to oval links attached to the end of a retrieving cable. The links are such that, when placed over the T-posts and the retrieval cable is pulled to retrieve the pipeline to the surface, the links rotate. In this manner, the links are unable to slip off of the T-posts on the recovery head while the recovery head is being pulled to the water surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.