Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a cylindrical first member to a second member which may comprise: a tubular body attachable to the second member and adapted to receive one end of the first member; a gripping assembly carried by the body and movable from a radially expanded position, in which one end of the first member may be axially received and displaced from the body, to a radially contracted position gripping the exterior of the first member and preventing its axial displacement from the body; an annular seal assembly carried by the body and movable from a relaxed position, in which one end of the first member may be axially received therein, to a compressed position, sealingly engaging the first member; and an actuating assembly carried by the body and operable to move the gripping and seal assemblies to their contracted and compressed positions, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching by remote control a riser pipe to an offshore structure. The method includes installing one or more remotely operable pre-aligned jawed clamps upon the structure, suspending the riser pipe vertically over the side of the structure, guiding the pipe to a position between the open jaws of the clamps, and remotely closing the jaws about the riser pipe. The apparatus includes an arcuate seat rigidly attachable to the structure, a pair of arcuate jaws hingedly attached to the seat, and remotely controlled hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies to move the jaws between an open position to receive the pipe and a closed position to hold the pipe.

Abstract: A quick operating connector for pipe or the like including a pair of coupling members, each adapted to be connected at one end thereof to one of said pipes. The first coupling member has an annular radially outward extending flange having a forward side and a rearward side with a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. Both of the portions define the shape of a frustrum having a forwardly facing base, and the slope of the radially inner portion relative to the central axis of first coupling member is greater than that of the radially outer portion. The second coupling member has a housing for receiving the flange in mating engagement therewith. Disposed circumferentially about the housing is a plurality of self-locking cams which are radially inwardly and outwardly movable between a retracted position in which flange is receivable within the housing and an extended position in which the self-locking cams engage the radially inner portion of the flange in self-locking fashion.

Abstract: A subsea machine tool for preparing the end of a bare piece of pipe in a subsea location for receiving an overfitting coupling and includes a support assembly adapted for raising and lowering in a body of water. A pipe clamp is attached to each end of the support assembly for clamping the pipe. A split frame is supported by the support assembly for axial travel. A split ring gear assembly is supported by the frame for rotation therein and about the pipe section. The split ring gear is in the form of a spool assembly wherein an involute gear forms one flange of the spool and a face plate forms the other flange. The spool is supported about the exterior thereof by a split fixed ring which in turn is supported by the frame. The fixed ring has mounted thereon one or more hydraulic motors which are arranged for rotating the ring gear relative to the fixed ring. The face plate has mounted thereon for rotation therewith work means in the form of a milling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting by welding two axially spaced apart pipes which may be misaligned relative to each other, including butt welding between the pipe ends a pair of coupling members, each coupling member having a tubular portion and an end portion having a face which lies on a plane which intersects the axis of the tubular portion at a nonperpendicular angle and which describes the circle upon the plane. The faces of the end portions may be abutted, rotated, and welded together such that the axes of the tubular portions thereof intersect at various angles. In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling members are mounted in combination with a pair of tubes, each of the tubes has a radially enlarged ring near one end thereof, which end is butt welded to one of the pipe ends.

Abstract: A pipeline coupling adapted for mounting over a pipe to which connection is to be made. It includes an annular seal ring of elastomeric material supported by the coupling and adapted for deformation to a confined sealing position between the coupling and the pipe. Means such as a plurality of circumferentially spaced about and hydraulically actuatable pistons are arranged for applying a compressive force to the seal ring to thereby deform the seal ring to the confined sealing position. Means are provided which are operably associated with the seal ring for automatically accommodating increases and decreases in the volume of the confined seal ring to thereby reduce variations in the confined pressure of the seal ring caused by variations in temperature. One form of such automatic means includes springs arranged to apply substantially uniform counter forces to the aforesaid pistons.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a coupling member over the end of a pipe in a subsea location where the pipe is being supported in cantilevered fashion. The apparatus includes a frame arranged for lowering to and mounting generally adjacent the pipe end and with the frame supported on the seabottom. It includes a beam connected to the frame arranged to extend generally longitudinally over the pipe for supporting the coupling member. A carriage is mounted on the support means for longitudinal travel thereon. The carriage has connection means for holding the coupling member therebelow. The apparatus includes means for raising and lowering the coupling member relative to the frame and the pipe.

Abstract: A separable and at least partially pressure balanced safety pipeline connector. The connector is arranged to be included in a pipeline and provide a pressure balanced weak point whereby the connector will separate at a predetermined tension load but which will be insensitive or substantially insensitive to operating line pressure. It includes a housing having one axial end adapted for connection to the pipeline and with the other axial end open. The connector includes a pipe extension member having one axial end adapted for connection to the pipe-line for transmission of line fluids therethrough and with the other axial end arranged for being telescopically received coaxially in the housing in sealed relationship therewith. A shear disc is mounted between the housing and extension member for restraining the same against axial separation in response to axial tension forces applied thereto.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for breaking concrete from a concrete coated pipe comprising; a frame mounted on the pipe; means supported by the frame for engaging the concrete to break the concrete from the pipe and means for driving the engaging means against the pipe to impart massive forces thereto exceeding the strength of the concrete to thereby break the concrete from the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for rigidly interconnecting the ends of two pipes, such as two pipes whose axes are misaligned. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is adapted for connection at one end thereof to one of the pipes which are to be interconnected. One of the coupling members has attached thereto an annular radially outwardly enlarged portion having forward and rearward sides, with the forward sides being generally spherical shaped. The other coupling member has attached thereto a housing having a seat portion adapted for receiving the forward side of the enlarged portion in generally mating engagement therewith, to thereby accommodate axial misalignment between said coupling members. Gripping means, such as a plurality of slips or a split ring, are supported generally between the housing and the enlarged portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laterally maneuvering the ends of pipes supported on the seabed under a body of water. The method includes mounting a first support frame adjacent to one of the pipe ends and supporting the first frame on the seabottom. A connecting means is secured between the pipe and the first support frame and thereafter the adjacent pipe is raised by applying a lifting force to the connecting means. A second separate support frame is mounted adjacent to the other of said pipes and with the second frame being supported on the seabottom. Another connecting means is secured between the other pipe and the second support member and the other pipe is raised by applying a lifting force to the other connecting means. Thereafter, with both pipe ends thus supported in cantilevered fashion, the pipe ends are moved laterally and vertically relative to the support frame until the pipe ends are brought into positions where the axes thereof generally intersect.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking together two mutually telescoping tubular members against relative axial movement, the combination comprising; annular bowl means housed within one of the tubular members and including a pair of axially and oppositely tapered annular surfaces; a plurality of gripping elements circumferentially disposed within the annular bowl means, each gripping element including a pair of oppositely tapered surfaces mateably engaged with respective tapered surfaces of the bowl means; the bowl means and gripping elements being movable between a retracted position in which the tubular members are freely assemblable in the mutually telescoping relationship aforesaid and an extended and locked position in which the bowl means applies opposing forces against both tapered surfaces of each gripping element to squeeze the latter into tight gripping engagement with the other tubular member whereby both tubular members are locked against relative axial movement, and means for moving the bowl means and gripping e

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the ends of two pipes comprising; a pair of coupling members, each of which is connected at one end thereof to the end of one of the pipes; one of the coupling members having attached to the other end thereof an annular spherically-shaped enlarged portion having axially forward and rearward sides; the other coupling member having attached to the other end thereof a housing having an internal surface for receiving the spherically-shaped forward side of said enlarged portion in mating engagement therewith, thereby enabling the central axes of the coupling members to be inclined at an angle relative to each other for connecting similarly inclined pipe ends; seal means disposed between the enlarged portion and the housing for providing a fluid seal therebetween; a plurality of cam members supported in circumferentially disposed relation about the housing and movable axially and radially inward towards the internal surface between a retracted position in which the housing freely receives t

Abstract: A ball and socket type coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes which may be axially misaligned by as much as several degrees. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is arranged for connection to one of the pipes to be connected. One of the members has attached at the other end thereof a ball portion, and the other coupling member has attached thereto a housing arranged for receiving in mating relationship therewith the forward surface of the ball portion. Seal means are disposable between the ball and the housing member for providing a fluid seal therebetween.

Abstract: A pipe coupling which is mountable on the external surface of a pipe to which the connection is made. The coupling includes annular grip means mounted in the coupling and having an outer axially tapered cam surface and an inward gripping surface for gripping the external surface of the pipe to be joined. An annular bowl member is mounted radially outwardly adjacent to the grip members and is arranged for relative movement therewith and is provided with a tapered surface for engaging and camming the grip means radially inwardly. Annular seal means are provided in the coupling adjacent to the bowl means and an axially movable thrust member is mounted axially adjacent the seal means whereby the application of axial force to the thrust member actuates the seal means and the gripping means. The means for applying the axial force are preferably means operable from a position exterior of the coupling.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated coupling for effecting a connection to a pipe member or the like which has axially spaced apart pluralities of oppositely biased gripping slips which are continuously urged into gripping engagement between the housing and the pipe. This arrangement permits the pipe coupling to withstand both tension and compression forces thereon and to continuously maintain slips in positive engagement with the pipe. The coupling also has separate seal means which are separately operated by a thrust member which applies axial force to thereby radially deform elastomeric seal members into sealing engagement between the pipe and the housing. The separate actuation means for the slips and for the seal means provides a more fail-safe coupling and one which can be adapted to various pipe sizes and pressure requirements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for plugging a dry section of a pipeline in response to an influx of water into another section thereof while the pipeline is being laid on a sea bottom comprising; a carriage disposed in the pipeline and including a partition having forward and rearward sides with the forward side being exposed to water which may enter the other pipeline section; means for effecting a seal between the internal wall of the pipeline and the carriage; means for disengageably engaging the internal wall of the pipeline to lock the carriage against movement relative thereto, and means responsive to an influx of water into the other pipeline section on the forward side of the partition to procure actuation of the seal means and the engaging means independently of the partition to sealably lock the carriage in the pipeline with consequent plugging of the first mentioned pipeline section.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for making a coupling to a pipe or the like and which apparatus is provided with detachable and removable setting means in the form of hydraulic cylinders which may be reused to subsequently actuate other couplings. The coupling includes a housing which contains gripping and seal means for gripping and sealing with the pipe to which connection is to be made. Thrust means are provided and interposed between the aforesaid actuation means and the sealing and gripping means for urging the latter to the set position. Means in the form of either a split gripping ring or a plurality of gripping slips which are arranged for engaging the internal surface of the housing and retaining the first mentioned gripping means and seal means in the set position when the actuation means are removed.

Abstract: A dynamic pipe coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes so as to prevent axial separation thereof but which permits axial flexing therebetween. The coupling includes two coupling members, each of which is connectible at one end thereof to the end of one of the pipes. One member has attached thereto a ball-shaped portion and the other coupling member has a housing arranged to receive the ball portion thereinto. Further, the housing has an annular channel-shaped groove thereabout facing radially outwardly. The coupling includes a setting ring assembly mountable about the coupling members, with the ring having a portion with an internal surface for matingly engaging the rearward side of the ball and having another portion for receiving thereinto and radially surrounding at least that portion of the external surface of the other coupling member having the aforesaid annular recess.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the exterior surface of a pipe such as a pipe located in a sub-sea location having a coating of concrete or the like thereabout. The apparatus includes a generally longitudinal frame which supports a carriage for longitudinal traverse therealong. The carriage supports a high-pressure fluid nozzle which is arranged to direct the discharge thereof against the pipe coating which is to be removed. The carriage is arranged for longitudinal traverse along the frame, to thereby direct a high-pressure fluid stream into contact with the surface of the pipe. The frame is also arranged for rotation about the pipe, whereby a section of the pipe can be cleaned about its full circumference by a number of generally longitudinal runs along the pipe section being cleaned. The carriage may also support a wire cutter for cutting any re-enforcing wire after the concrete has been dislodged by the fluid nozzle.