Alexander B Lang

US Patent:

39824020, Sep 28, 1976

Filed:

May 5, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/574433

Inventors:

Alexander Craig Lang - Huntington Beach CA
Peter Alan Lunde - Houston TX

Assignee:

Santa Fe International Corporation - Orange CA

International Classification:

F16L 100
B63B 3504
B65H 7500

US Classification:

61109

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for use in laying a submarine pipeline from a pipe-laying vessel. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reel pipe-laying method for continuously laying a pipeline of up to 24-inch diameter without a stinger by (1) aligning a pipe portion as it is being paid out from the reel, (2) straightening the aligned pipe portion, (3) tensioning the pipe, (4) discharging the straightened pipe under tension into the body of water, and (5) changing for different water depths and pipe conditions the lift off angle of the pipe relative to the horizontal by pivoting a diverter about a horizontal pivot, the diverter supporting at least the straightener and the tensioner and extending from the horizontal pivot mounted near the aft end of the vessel, upwardly toward the reel.