Hydraulic and earth engineering – Subterranean or submarine pipe or cable laying – retrieving,... – Submerging – raising – or manipulating line of pipe or cable...
Patent
1996-07-25
1999-02-09
Graysay, Tamara L.
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Subterranean or submarine pipe or cable laying, retrieving,...
Submerging, raising, or manipulating line of pipe or cable...
285 97, F16L 1710, F16L 3316
Patent
active
058685243
ABSTRACT:
A clamp system and method used to remotely connect or disconnect a submerged pipeline from another submerged pipeline or from a riser line or the like. When used with a riser line, the riser line end of the connector carries calipers that pivot open to receive or release the pipeline connection end. The mating connector end sections are radially enlarged and are provided with annular grooves that are in register when the sections are abutted to house an annular, hollow metal seal ring. With the calipers closed and securing the two connection end sections, a locking collar is moved over the free end of the calipers, and the seal ring is energized by applying high pressure fluid into the seal ring, causing the ring to expand and seal the mating connector ends, restrict lateral movement between the ends, and stress the connection to maintain the clamp. The ring structure is self-supporting in its expanded configuration to retain the seal and structural support when the pressure of the energizing fluid is released. The free ends of the calipers are equipped with hydraulically actuated push rods that force the calipers to pivot open to permit separation of the connector ends as required, for example, to replace a worn riser pipe. The expanded ring and flexible pipe end connector are retrieved to the surface and replaced with a new hose and unexpanded ring. Connection or reconnection to the pipe line, or release from the pipeline, may be accomplished with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Seal replacement and reconnection may also be performed by the ROV without retrieval of the connector to the surface.
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Graysay Tamara L.
Kuffner Kenneth E.
Mayo Tara L.
Nichols Jr. Nick A.
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