# US 10,309,162 B2 · Techniques for coating pipes

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- Number: US 10,309,162 B2
- Document ID: US10309162B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/728,965
- Filed: 2015-06-02
- Published: 2016-01-07
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2010-07-05
- Assignees: Acergy France SAS
- Applicants: Acergy France SAS
- Inventors: Philippe Hoffmann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309162B2

## CPC

- F16L 59/20: for non-disconnectable joints
- E21B 17/015: {Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type}
- E21B 36/003: {Insulating arrangements}
- F16L 13/0272: {having an external coating}
- F16L 58/181: {for non-disconnectable pipe joints}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert has a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods, or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An insulating insert that is positionable around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint, wherein:
the insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link;
the links are flexible relative to the segments and defined by one or more flexible rods extending longitudinally between adjacent segments of the series to facilitate bending of the insert along the length of the insert by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series, the insert comprises two or more part-tubular shells that can be brought together around a field joint to form a generally tubular insert; and
one of the flexible rods defines a hinge rod that pivotably couples the part-tubular shells to each other to form a hinge between the part tubular-shells for relative clam shell movement.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the links are shallower than the segments in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The insert of claim 2, wherein the links are radially inboard of radially outer faces of the segments.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the links are of a more flexible material than the segments.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the links curve circumferentially between adjacent segments corresponding to said curvature of those segments.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The insert of claim 5, wherein the links are continuous along their circumferential extent.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The insert of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises first and second part-tubular shells, comprising segment portions that are spaced apart to define a gap, wherein the segment portions of the second part-tubular shell comprise a hinge plate that protrudes at least partially into the gap between adjacent segment portions of the first part-tubular shell, and the hinge rod extends between segment portions of the first part-tubular shell and the hinge plate to pivotably couple the shell sections to each other.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The insert of claim 7, wherein the hinge plate is sandwiched between adjacent segment portions of the second part-tubular shell.