Abstract: Proper alignment of threads when joints of casing are made up in hostile environments, such as on off-shore floating platforms subject to being buffeted by wave action, is provided the means of an improved box and pin connector. The pin has a substantially tapered threaded section whose small diameter end terminates in a cylindrical lower guide section and whose large diameter is adjacent a larger diameter cylindrical upper guide section. A stop above the upper guide section is provided by an upset. The box has a complementary section of internal oppositely tapered threads to mate with those on the pin as well as a smaller lower cylindrical receptacle to receive the lower guide section on the pin and a larger cylindrical receptacle to receive the upper guide section on the pin. The upper and lower guide sections on the pin and complementary receptacles in the box guide the threads into proper alignment.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a production casing (38) to a subsea wellhead (10) from a tensioned leg platform. A funnel (46) external to the wellhead, guides and aligns the conductor during installation and places a limit on the angular deflection of the conductor relative to the wellhead. The conductor includes at its lower end a tieback joint (44) which is pulled down, aligned, and sealed against the casing hanger (24) with a floating bushing (64) which also preloads the seal (66). The flexibility of the tieback joint (44) in relation to the angular deflection permitted is such that the surfaces of the seal (66) will not move; and preferably the preload on the seal is not removed.

Abstract: A holddown assembly is mounted on a hanger suspending a string of casing or tubing into a well. A shoulder on the hanger engages a seat in the bore of the wellhead and has passages therethrough for connecting the annular spaces above and below the seat. The holddown assembly includes a rigid, radially expansible locking ring having an upwardly facing tapered surface, and a cam ring having an annular tapered surface for camming cooperation with the locking ring surface. The locking ring is disposed on the hanger shoulder opposite an internal groove in the wellhead. The cam ring threadingly engages the hanger and is releasably attached to the running tool whereby upon rotation of the running tool, the cam ring moves downwardly on the hanger threads and no seals are associated with the holddown assembly. The holddown assembly provides a positive holddown and permits locking the hanger down before, during, or after the cementing operation.

Abstract: A fire hydrant nozzle assembly which permits a bronze fire hydrant nozzle to be readily and simply attached to a cast iron hydrant barrel without the use of lead caulking, screw threads, or other methods generally requiring machining. Un-intentional removal of the bronze nozzle as a result of the application of relatively high torque typically required to remove a protective cap is effectively prevented. To provide these features, a bronze nozzle member is retained within a hydrant boss member by means of a bayonet type or breech lock type mechanism involving cooperating lugs, and a resilient seal such as an O-ring is provided. For locking the nozzle member in its installed position, a pin element passes through a pair of corresponding apertures in confronting surfaces of the boss and nozzle members. The installed position is positively defined by respective locating engagement surfaces carried by the boss and nozzle members, which surfaces serve to limit rotation.

Abstract: A coupling system for detachably coupling an outlet port of a submergible pump to an inlet port of a discharge conduit is constructed by a single guide rail having at least two, and preferably, two guide portions extending along the length thereof, the rail being fixed at its lower end to the conduit; an arm attached to the pump so that it is guided by the rail; and first and second engaging means provided in the discharge conduit adjacent the inlet port and in the arm respectively so that the pump is held stationary when the pump is lowered and both the engaging means engage with each other. The whole system is made compact by arranging the orientation of the guide rail particularly when it is made of an angle bar. Also, further consideration is given to effect a line contact between the first and second engaging means to reduce the severe manufacturing tolerance necessary to achieve a satisfactory coupling between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A guide is provided for forming a pipe connection from a sub sea wellhead back to a surface platform which may not be in perfect alignment. The guide comprises a guide post and a cable on which it may be lowered through a pipe to the wellhead. The guide post has a radially expandable mandrel for temporary rigid attachment in the wellhead and an elongate portion having a rotatable sleeve over which the pipe may be lowered into engagement with the wellhead and rotation to form the connection desired. The rotation of the pipe to form the connection is possible because of the sleeve.

Abstract: A guide for use in connecting a riser pipe to a subsea riser base comprises a guide post and an expanding mandrel actuable by hydraulic pressure applied through a cable having hydraulic hoses in its core to lock the mandrel in a subsea riser base. The guide post is provided with buoyancy means to reduce its effective weight in water to enable it to be manipulated and manoeuvred by a remote controlled vehicle or diver.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device is provided for connection to a multi-line hose constituted by a plurality of hydraulic conduits bunched together. The coupling device comprises a casing, a plurality of plug pins housed within the casing, and a retaining disc for holding the plug pins. The plug pins are each connectible to a respective conduit of the multi-line hose. Each of the plug pins has a circumferential groove, and the plug pins are held against axial movement in radial slots in the retaining disc. Each of the radial slots has a first portion whose width is greater than the maximum external diameter of the associated plug pin, and a second portion whose width is less than that of the maximum external diameter of the associated plug pin, but which is greater than the diameter of the circumferential groove in that plug pin.

Abstract: A bellows-type spring seal has a flexible bellows with an upper sealing end adapted to mate with a bell housing of an air intake pipe. The seal provides an effective breakaway joint when the cab is tilted forward from over the engine. A means, such as coil springs, encircles the bellows to push upon the underside of the sealing end of the bellows to provide a positive preload sealing force. The seal is self-aligning in the vertical and horizontal planes to accommodate cab rocking and minor misalignment in manufacture of the truck.

Abstract: Seal means for communicating, aligned passages in telescoping insert and socket parts of an underwater connector for hydraulic lines. A seal means carrier, interposed between the parts, has a passageway aligned with and connecting the mentioned passages. An annular resilient seal ring fits snugly within and about the passageway and has opposite edge portions which, in the assembly of the connector, sealingly engage the surface portions of the insert and socket about said passages.

Abstract: A conductor tieback connector for connecting a conductor to a subsea wellhead includes a downwardly extending funnel. Two bearing rings within the funnel interact with the outside surface of the wellhead to generate bending forces to force the tool in alignment with the wellhead. Thereafter a separate lockdown nut secures the connector to the wellhead without rotation of the conductor.

Abstract: A rigid extension member, for use with a well-logging cable in a borehole, has a means for protecting the well-logging cable disposed along the length of, and on the outer surface of, a cylindrical tube. Means for detachably securing the well-logging cable within the protection means is also provided.

Abstract: A discharge outlet coupling and guiderail assembly for a submersible pump has at least two spaced guiderails to which the submersible pump is slidably connected by means of a rail mounting bracket so that the submersible pump is movable up and down the guiderails parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof to permit the discharge outlet of the pump disposed remote from the guiderail mounting brackets to be oriented and aligned for engagement and disengagement with the flanged inlet end of a discharge elbow in the discharge line of the associated fluid pumping system to which the submersible pump must be operatively connected. Orientation of the pump, the respective spaced guiderails, and the discharge elbow is controlled by means of a common base plate to which the respective guiderails and the discharge elbow are connected in predetermined spaced relation.

Abstract: A quick-coupling ball-and-socket joint for two rigid pipe lengths 1, 2, for instance of a dredging sludge pipe line, provided with a ball joint 3 affixed to the one pipe length 1, and with a ball socket 4, 5, 14 affixed in the coupled position integrally to the other pipe length 2, in which socket the ball joint 3 in the coupled position is omnilaterally pivotable, and which ball socket 4, 5, 14 comprises at least a two-part coupling body 4, 5 which is integrally omnilaterally pivotable with respect to the ball joint 3, and retained about said ball joint 3, and a separate sleeve 14 affixed to the other pipe length 2, said coupling body 4, 5 and sleeve 14 being adapted during the insertion for coupling the pipe lengths 1, 2 in the sleeve 14 of the ball joint 3 with coupling body 4, 5 retained therearound, for snapping together said sleeve 14 and said coupling body 4, 5 with mutual centering.

Abstract: Means are provided for latching a Vertically Moored Platform riser spacer to the riser pipes which connect a floating platform to a subsea anchor. This includes a spring loaded latch pin recessed in a hole in the riser donut housing which surrounds the riser and which is released by pulling a spring loaded latch release pin to let the latch pin move outwardly to a latched position where it is held in this position by a spring loaded shear pin. To disengage the latch pin, a hydraulic ram or other means can be used to shear the retaining pins and remove the latch pin.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connector for connecting a horizontal flowline on a seabed to a vertical riser. A flowline flange on the end of the flowline is held in a preselected location while a rigid tubular spool piece is stroked into sealing relationship therewith. The spool piece is rigid and has horizontally and vertically extending portions. It is guided so that the entire spool piece moves with the stroking and the vertical stab with the riser is made after the sealing stroke is effected.

Abstract: Special J-slot connectors have been devised for connecting concentric riser pipes and casing from a structure at the surface of a body of water to corresponding concentric casings set in the sea floor. This can be called a "tieback tool" for sealingly securing a first tubular member suspended from a vessel floating on a body of water to a casing hung in the wellbore in the bottom of the body of water. Special multiple axially aligned J-slot means are also provided together with means to assure proper "makeup" of the J-slots. Means are also provided for proper alignment of circumferentially spaced J-slot connectors. Special self-emergizing seals are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a drilling rig for rapidly attaching a blowout preventer sub to the upset female threaded end of drill pipe, including a collar removably attached to the blowout sub, a horseshoe member slidably positionable on the drill pipe below the upset end and engageable with upset end, a telescoping frame interconnecting the collar and horseshoe member and an arm and linkage means for moving the collar and blowout towards each other so that the blowout preventer sub is brought into engagement with the drill pipe upset end after which the blowout sub may be rotated to threadably engage it with the drill pipe. After threadable engagement of the blowout sub with the drill pipe the attachment means may be removed.

Abstract: In a remotely installed underwater well apparatus, a tubular body, typically a multiple string tubing hanger, is landed in a position oriented rotationally with respect to a reference point on the apparatus and a seal device is then energized by the same tool employed to land and orient the tubular body.

Abstract: A disconnectable union for fluid piping is provided in which a pre-load dependent first seal between disassemblable union members is coaxially related to a second seal operable independently of the pre-loading of the first seal such that the second seal independently contains any fluid that comes in contact with it even if such fluid contact is due to diminution of the pre-loading of the first seal. Various flange joint configurations and seal constructions are disclosed for both plastic lined and unlined metal pipe.

Abstract: A hollow body with first and second open ends is spanned between a dashboard and an instrument panel in such a manner that the first open end is open to a fresh air inlet opening formed in the dashboard and the second open end is supported by the instrument panel. A guide member is mounted on the mouth of the first open end of the hollow body to aid in locating the first open end during the connection of the same to the dashboard while allowing air to flow thereover to enter the hollow body.

Abstract: Towing suction device for a dredging craft, which device comprises at least one tube which extends in a dredging position at an angle of inclination with the horizontal outboard along side the craft, in which a displacable tube part is disconnectably coupled with a tube part that is fixedly arranged on board, which parts are disconnected in the non dredging position. A coupling tube section of the displacable tube part is fastened on a slide, which is displacable along a guide track, placed above the water line, between the coupled and the disconnected position. The guiding track is arranged on a deck of the craft, whereas the coupling end of the fixed tube part is arranged near the guide track on the deck. Preferably the slide-guide track unit extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the craft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic device for coupling pipe means having means to bring together and align the axes of the pipe means to be coupled.A stiffener 46 supports one end of a helical and semi-rigid coupling tube 20, at points 47, 48 spaced along which are articulated respectively the rod 51 of a jack 50 and the base of the jack. At the end of travel relative movement toward one another of manifold 52 and well head 1, the axes of the end 12 of fixed collector 19 and of the end 11 of pipe 20 come into alignment under the deformation of pipe 20.The device is applicable to pipe means with their axes vertical or horizontal and is particularly suited to the coupling collectors to well head manifolds in underwater petroleum wells.

Abstract: Multiple wall drill pipe adapted for use in a drill pipe string comprising an outer pipe member; an inner pipe member disposed within the outer pipe member; and means for releasably connecting the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member in fixed axial relationship under force loads applied in use during a drilling operation while enabling relative rotary movement between the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member during a rotary drilling operation to relieve torsional stress thereon, and for permitting the removal of the inner pipe member from the outer pipe member by relative axial displacement therebetween caused by application to the inner pipe member of only an axially directed force load in excess of the axially directed force loads applied to the inner pipe member in use during a normal drilling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising a liquid aeration apparatus having a carrier element 62 which can be guided to a position engaging an air distributing pipe 36 to raise same by means of a guide rod 66. The movement of the guide rod is controlled by a guide device 64 disposed on the free end of a boom 52 suspended vertically above the air distributing pipe, such that the movement of the guide rod is restricted to a plane perpendicular to the air distributing pipe, thus preventing contact with and damage to aeration tubes 38 extending from the air distributing pipe.

Abstract: An axially flexible sealing device connecting two pipeline ends which comprises a number of sealingly connected annular members, each annular member including an inner cylindrical member, two spaced apart outer cylindrical members, and separate flexible ring members connecting the outer cylindrical members to the inner cylindrical member, each outer cylindrical member having a portion extending axially beyond the adjacent end of the inner cylindrical member when the attached flexible ring member is in an untensioned state. The sealing device is designed for use in connecting two pipelines located beneath sea level wherein the end of one of the pipelines is located in a hollow structure and one of the sealing devices is connected thereto, whereas the other end of the sealing device is sealingly connected to one end of a penetration sleeve which is sealingly connected through the wall of the structure (the other end of the sleeve being connected to the end of the other pipeline).

Abstract: A junction for tubular elements comprising tapered and coacting male and female elements. The male element expands more than the female element which expands under conditions of use involving exposure to steam and heat to form a steam-tight joint.

Abstract: A firehose coupling device is provided for fixedly positioning and holding in place a set of opposed lugs on one coupling member of a firehose connection to permit quick and if desired one man coupling or uncoupling of the connection. The device includes a channel member, preferably with diverging leg portions, each leg having at least one cut out portion along the corresponding side edges of each leg so that the opposed lugs on one member are fixedly held in position and the other member may be rotated with respect to the first member.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a fluid cargo transfer hose to a marine tanker manifold, comprising a flow control valve and a flanged spool on the end of the hose, and a pipe coupler-valve operator assembly on the tanker manifold. In one embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted on an articulated pipe assembly and supported by a guide structure that facilitates moving the coupler into and out of contact with the spool flange on the end of the hose, and moving the valve operator into and out of engagement with the valve stem, during coupling and uncoupling operations. In another embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted in a fixed position on the tanker manifold, and the flow control valve and flanged spool are brought into coupling position by means of a winch and a guide assembly mounted on the tanker deck.

Abstract: A coupling for a vacuum system includes a socket member and a plug member. The socket member has a body defining a through bore opening at a front face. A cover supporting a gasket is pivotally carried on the socket member and adapted to cover and seal the through bore opening. The plug member includes a body defining a tubular nipple dimensioned to be received within the socket member through bore. A seal is carried by the plug member and positioned to engage the front face of the socket member when the nipple is inserted into the socket member. A lock pin is carried by the cover and dimensioned to fit within a recess defined by the plug member body.

Abstract: An improved device for securing a toilet to a soil pipe flange includes a flange fastening nut comprising a guide member and a retaining member connected by a shaft for slidably engaging a slot in the flange, the guide member being above the slot for guiding an opening in the base of the toilet into proper position over the fastening nut, the guide member including a tapped hole into which a bolt may be screwed from above the base of the toilet to secure the toilet to the flange. The invention may also be embodied in a soil pipe flange having a plurality of guide members each including a tapped hole fixedly attached to the upper surface of the flange in positions matching the openings in the base of the toilet.

Abstract: A manifold unit is connected to a running tool and pipe and run into position in a receptacle on a subsea template or platform to establish a flow path between fluid passages in the receptacle. Fluid supplied through the running pipe forces locking elements into locking engagement with the receptacle and the unit is forced into seating engagement in the receptacle to make a seal between the unit and the flow passages. The unit is retrievable by engaging another pipe in the unit and supplying pressure to release the locking elements.

Abstract: A corner watering circle move in which a line move and sprinklers thereon are stopped when the move comes to a corner portion of a field, an end section of the move then is swung to move a movable coupling member thereon into coupled engagement with a set coupling member, water then is supplied from the line through the coupling members to set sprinklers in the corner portion. After a predetermined sprinkling time, the line is cut off from the coupling sections, the sprinklers on the line are started, the end section is backed away from the set coupling member to a position aligned with the rest of the line and the movable coupling member is offset from the set coupling member, and the line move is moved to the next corner portion. The sprinklers on the line have differential pressure valve actuated by a pilot line on the line to control water supply to these sprinklers.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a first part with respect to a second part is characterized by a cylindrical guide respectively attachable to each part, a helical surface being disposed on each guide, each helical surface including a right hand half and a left hand half. A piston-cylinder is disposed on the second part, the piston being extendable to engage the guide on the first part to axially align the guides. After alignment, the piston is retractable to bring the helical surfaces into contact to generate a torque and align the parts. In another embodiment, the guide for the second part is formed on the piston while the guide on the first part has an axial alignment member projecting therefrom to engage the guide on the second part to align the guides. Once aligned, the helical surfaces contact each other with the piston extended. The contact between the helical surfaces causes the rotational alignment of the second part with respect to the first part.

Abstract: A stab type connector for large diameter pipe has a pin structure and a box structure held in interconnected relation by a locking and loading ring between a circumferential shoulder in the pin structure and a circumferential shoulder on a threaded locking and loading sleeve of the box structure with confronting circumferential pin structure and box structure seating surfaces loaded into engagement. The coengaged and loaded sleeve shoulder and ring and coengaged pin and box structure surfaces transmit axial forces through the connector and resist bending. The connector is useful as a conductor pipe or pile connector.

Abstract: A remotely controllable connector for releasably interconnecting the ends of two oil well flowlines. The connector comprises two coupling members, one of which is extended into engagement with the other by actuation of fluid cylinders, and ball joints in one or both coupling members to accommodate misalignment of the flowlines. A pair of mating cones mounted on the opposed ends of the two coupling members align the members into proper position during the connecting operation, and clamp means that are activated by remote control secure the two coupling members together in a fluid-tight connection. Seals are then set by remote control to seal all joints and to lock the coupling members in working alignment.

Abstract: Marine riser conduit section coupling means adapted to withstand high riser tension and bending loads in deep sub sea well drilling and production operations by preventing stress concentrations has upper and lower coupling members, each being mounted to an associated marine conduit section, and fastening means for securing the coupling members together wherein the outer surface configuration for each said coupling member comprises an effectively continuous arcuate surface extending circumferentially about substantially the entire outer surface of each coupling member from one axial extremity thereof adjacent the associated conduit section to an opposite extremity thereof adjacent outer marginal areas of the associated member flange. The fastening means include threaded bolts and means for preventing their inadvertent removal from a connector flange when disconnected from the mating flange.

Abstract: A heat sealed or welded pipe connection for thermoplastic pipes comprises a male pipe part which is sealed to the inner surface of a female pipe part, said female pipe part carrying centering abutment projections on its outer surface. The female pipe part may consist of a socket which starting from its openings has an outer circumference with an increasing size, the outside radius of curvature of the socket is 6 to 12 times the outside diameter of the male pipe part and the total length of the socket is equal to the outside diameter of the male pipe part.

Abstract: A hose coupling with an annular frame member fastened to a hose end for locking to a second hose end with a crosspiece fixed transversely in the frame member and a pin projecting out parallel to the center axis and having transverse holes therein including a hole in its projecting position. The crosspiece has an opening to receive a like pin from a second hose coupling, and a latch in a locking position engaging transverse holes in the pin from the second hose coupling and a transverse hole in the pin from the first mentioned hose coupling.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device for drawing and connecting two pipe flanges together, comprising a pair of clamps one of which is adapted for bolting the coupling device to one of the pipe flanges, and the other of which is movable towards and away from the first clamp by actuation of a hydraulic motor. An externally threaded spindle is connected to the motor and extends through an internally threaded bore in a sleeve on which the movable clamp is mounted, so that actuation of the motor causes the sleeve and movable clamp to slide lengthwise in the body bore as the spindle rotates. When the motor is reversed, the movable clamp swings radially away from the pipe to facilitate disconnecting the two pipe flanges. The coupling device also includes a hydraulic bypass switch to disable the hydraulic motor when the movable clamp arrives at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A self-locating sealing assembly in which a compressible sealing member and an encircling retainer ring make an assembly for sealing non-grooved joints. The sealing assembly has special application to a standard type pipe flange having a relatively projected sealing surface. The sealing assembly has clip type locating means which make a peripheral engagement with the projected sealing surface concentrically to locate the sealing assembly and to hold it located while the joint is being closed.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting an attachment to a vacuum cleaning device includes two connecting sleeves, one on the attachment and the other on the device. One of the connecting sleeves has an inner and an outer portion which together bound a groove in which a projecting portion of the other connecting sleeve is received in the assembled condition. The shapes of such portions are identical but the dimensions thereof are proportionately different. Each of the portions includes a part-cylindrical circumferential zone and a polygonal zone gradually merging with the part-circular zone and complementing the same into the respective circumferentially complete portion. The other connecting sleeve may have a transverse wall at the polygonal zone, which abuts against a corresponding transverse region of the one connecting sleeve, and a seal may be sandwiched therebetween in the assembled condition. Another seal may be accommodated in the groove in the assembled condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of connecting a flowline to a subsea station in which such a connection may be remotely controlled and the method employed is independent of water depth. A flowline connector apparatus which includes a receptacle connector supported by a subsea station and has its axis directed toward the approach of the flowline, an elongated connector mandrel on a proximate end of the flowline, a pulling means releasably connected to the subsea station adjacent the connector receptacle, and lock means on the receptacle for interlocking engagement with the mandrel to retain the mandrel in selected longitudinal position relative to the receptacle and with a connector end of the mandrel exposed inboardly thereof. A method of securing a flowline to a subsea station.

Abstract: A joint between adjacent ends of two pipes arranged to convey liquid under pressure, and which permits relative movement of the pipes, has a first sealing surface of annular form associated with one of the pipe ends and a sealing member supported by the other pipe and movable axially relatively thereto, and having a second sealing surface of annular form which co-operates with the first sealing surface, the sealing member being urgeable away from the first sealing surface by the pressure of liquid within the pipes against a restraining force to provide a clearance between the sealing surfaces which is adequate to permit relative transverse movement of the sealing surfaces to take place without sliding contact, but at the same time provides a high resistance to the flow of fluid between them.

Abstract: A tool joint for drill pipe which is particularly well adapted for large diameter drill pipe, comprises a pin section and a box section. Each section of the tool joint is adapted at a first end to be attached to the drill pipe by welding, or threads, as is conventionally done. The principal part of the tool joint is of larger diameter than the pipe and includes a plurality of longitudinal, circumferentially-spaced tongues and grooves in the form of a jaw clutch. The tongues in the pin section match the grooves in the box section and vice versa. Means are provided to polarize the tongues and grooves so that they fit together in only one angular position. A tubular extension on the second end of the pin section is adapted to fit into a bored opening or socket in the second end of the box section. O rings or other means, are provided to seal the tubular extension into the bored opening.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement between a pipe flange and a screw-on surface for the pipe flange, in which an abutment surface is provided at either the screw-on surface or the pipe flange which extends perpendicularly to the abutment surface of the flat seal in the direction toward the oppositely disposed abutment surface of the pipe flange or screw-on surface, and which is at least approximately tangent to the outer contour of the flat seal at a circumferential place outside of the point of intersection of a line of symmetry with the outer contour of the flat seal; rejection lugs are provided at the outer contour of the flat seal at those places which are disposed opposite the contact places between the abutment surface and the outer contour of the flat seal in relation to the line or lines of symmetry.

Abstract: A self-threading fitting having external threads at one end and tapered internal threads at the other end is provided with a snap-in tubular lining of insulating material which extends beyond the end of the fitting having the internal threads for insertion into a conduit to which the self-threading fitting is to be secured to thereby provide a guide which will insure axial alignment of the fitting with the conduit while insulating through wiring from the metal fitting.

Abstract: Use of a separate alignment ring to position a saddle relative to a main pipe makes possible first testing the saddle-main pipe seal, and then making a shift-free connection with the pretested seal.

Abstract: A new and improved pipeline coupling apparatus is disclosed. This apparatus incorporates an elongate support member having the form of an I-beam where the flanges of the I-beam serve as a guide for a traveling carriage. The traveling carriage is urged along the I-beam by means of a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod. The traveling carriage centers a pipe. It positions the coupling and forces the pipe into the coupling. The coupling itself is supported for sliding movement by a free moving carriage beneath the I-beam.

Abstract: Method of joining two pipelines underwater by, for example, flanges, involves supporting a first of the pipelines in a frame having supports for holding a second pipeline in alignment with the first pipeline and moving the end of the first pipeline (which is conveniently near an elbow in the pipeline) longitudinally into contact with the second pipeline and joining together.