Connector for an end of an underwater pipe

Arrangement for connecting and disconnecting two underwater pipes comprising

• a first pipe,
• a terminal secured to an end of the first pipe,
• a laying tool within and releasably secured to the terminal, said laying tool being attached to the end of a tension cable,
• a second pipe,
• a receptacle secured to an end of the second pipe,
• a guide funnel at the end of the receptacle and converging toward the receptacle,
• said laying tool comprising a tension chuck and a sealing plug connected together by an articulated connector,
• cooperating means on said chuck and terminal including locking means on said chuck, for releasably locking said chuck within said terminal against separation from the terminal upon application of a pulling force exerted by the tension cable,
• plug lock means on said plug for releasably securing said plug in said terminal behind said chuck to seal the terminal end of said first pipe,
• said tension cable being adapted to be thread through said second pipe to pull said terminal into said funnel and then into said receptacle in response to a pull exerted on said tension cable,
• reversible means on said receptacle for securing said terminal in said receptacle,
• reversible means on said receptacle for sealing said terminal in said receptacle,
• axially moveable means on said chuck, moveable between a first position in which said locking means lock said chuck in said terminal and a second position in which said locking means are withdrawn and unlocked from said terminal, in response to pressure applied in said second pipe, and
• means on said chuck for retaining said locking means in said unlocked position during pulling of the chuck through the second pipe by said tension cable,
• and means on said plug for releasing said plug in response to a pull exerted thereon by said articulated connector during pulling of the chuck by the cable after release of the chuck from the terminal, said connector pulling said plug through the second pipe behind the pipe.