Pipe support system with multiple clamps
AssigneeJ. Ray McDermott, S.A.
InventorJohn Duncan CRUICKSHANK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of holding high top tension pipeline (101) during pipe-lay from a rolling and pitching vessel (730). In one implementation, a clamp system (711, 712) for supporting a pipe on a vessel includes a first clamp for coupling to the pipe and a second clamp for coupling to the pipe. The second clamp is disposed above the first clamp. At least one of the first clamp or the second clamp is movable relative to the other of the first clamp or the second clamp.
Claims20
A clamp system for supporting a pipe on a vessel, comprising:
- a first clamp for coupling to the pipe;
- and
- a second clamp for coupling to the pipe, the second clamp disposed above the first clamp;
- wherein at least one of the first clamp or the second clamp is movable relative to the other of the first clamp or the second clamp.
A method of supporting a pipe on a vessel, comprising:
- coupling a first clamp to a pipe, the pipe comprising a longitudinal axis;
- coupling a second clamp to the pipe;
- and
- moving at least one of the first clamp or the second clamp relative to the other of the first clamp or the second clamp while the first clamp and the second clamp are clamped to the pipe.
A clamp, comprising:
- a plurality of clamping layers comprising one or more lower layers and one or more upper layers disposed above the one or more lower layers, each of the one or more lower layers comprising:
- one or more variable squeeze cylinders, and
- one or more actuating clamp members;
- and
- wherein a pressure within each of the one or more variable squeeze cylinders is maintained at a constant value when the one or more actuating clamp members are in contact with a pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.