Pneumatiques, Caoutchouc Manufacture Et Plastiques Kleber-colombes

Charles Moreau

Jacques J Champleboux

Franck Tailhardat

A self-floating flexible pipe for use with off-shore petroleum installations, which includes an inner reinforced pipe for conducting fluids which is surrounded by a layer of cellular material for assuring permanent floatation of the pipe. In order to protect the cellular layer, an outer reinforcing sheathing formed of helically wound metallic cables embedded in a rubber layer is provided. These helically wound metallic cables are wound at a setting angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pipe in the range of 56.degree. to 68.degree. so as to minimize the effect of these armoring cables on the flexibility of the overall pipe construction. These armoring cables are also preferably resilient in a longitudinal direction, with preferred embodiments including undulated cables so as to further lessen the impact of these cables on the flexibility of the pipe. An outer covering layer of polychloroprene is provided on the rubber layer within which the cables are embedded for protecting this rubber layer.

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Clermont-Ferrand, France

Charles Moreau