The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 05, 1977
Filed:
Jan. 30, 1975
Clarence W Shaw, Metairie, LA (US);
J. Ray McDermott & Co., Inc., New Orleans, LA (US);
Abstract
A marine pipelaying apparatus for supporting pipeline during undersea pipelaying operations from a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water. The apparatus includes a tapering and longitudinally extending pipeline support member secured at one end to the vessel in a cantilevered manner and extending into the water. The pipeline support member includes a plurality of demountable sections decreasing in diameter and having sufficient buoyancy to float. The support member is designed to bend as it supports the pipeline being laid providing a desired profile without exceeding the elastic limit of the pipe. A hydraulic clamp for releasably clamping the pipeline support member is mounted on the vessel to secure the pipeline support member in a fixed relation to the vessel. A plurality of variable buoyancy floats and roller cradle mechanisms for buoyantly and slidably supporting a section of pipeline are attached above the pipeline support member. The apparatus can impart a stabilizing force to the pipeline and create a uniform stress distribution along the pipeline being laid which is within its elastic limit.