# US 9,518,451 B2 · Assembly for connecting underwater pipes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,451 B2 - Document ID: US9518451B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/763,266 - Filed: 2014-01-24 - Published: 2015-12-17 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-25 - Assignees: Technip France - Applicants: Technip France - Inventors: Ange Luppi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518451B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/0107: {Connecting of flow lines to offshore structures (E21B43/013 takes precedence)} - E21B 17/01: Risers - E21B 17/012: {with buoyancy elements (E21B17/015 takes precedence)} - E21B 17/015: {Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type} - E21B 17/20: Flexible or articulated drilling pipes {, e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables} - E21B 19/002: {specially adapted for underwater drilling (E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence)} - E21B 19/16: Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints (E21B19/20 takes precedence) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An underwater connection assembly, and a connection method, for connecting a riser (12) and a flexible pipe (26). The riser (12) has an upper connection end (52) and the flexible pipe (26) has a lower connection end (30). The connection assembly includes a longitudinal frame (36) having a foot (46) rigidly connected to the upper connection end (52) and a head (42) linked to a float (20). A connector (34), and a curved pipe (32) having two opposing ends (62, 64). The opposing end (62) is rigidly connected to the lower connection end (30), and the connector (34) is mounted to the other opposing end (64), to be able to pull the connector (34) towards the upper connection end (52) in a direction oriented from the head (42) to the foot (46). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An underwater connection assembly for connecting, between a seabed and a sea surface, said assembly comprising a riser pipe extending from said seabed toward said sea surface, and a flexible pipe extending to said sea surface, said riser pipe having a connecting upper end and said flexible pipe having a connecting lower end; a longitudinal frame including a foot fastened to said connecting upper end and a head configured to be connected to a float; a connector; and a curved pipe having two opposite ends, said curved pipe being configured to connect said flexible pipe in a catenary manner to said riser pipe with the connector; wherein said frame comprises opposing guide ramps extending in a direction oriented from said head toward said foot, one of said opposite ends of said curved pipe is configured to be fastened to said connecting lower end of said flexible pipe while said connector is mounted at the other of said opposite ends of said curved pipe, wherein said connector is configured to be received between the opposing guide ramps to guide said curved pipe through said frame to drive said connector toward said connecting upper end in said direction oriented from said head toward said foot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said other of said opposite ends of said curved pipe comprises diametrically opposite guide studs configured to cooperate with said guide ramps. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guide ramps comprise two posterior uprights respectively adapted to receive said guide studs that bear on said guide ramps. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said guide ramps further comprise two anterior uprights respectively facing said posterior uprights to be configured to trap said guide studs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guide studs include longitudinal bearing surfaces extending parallel to an axis of said connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises a receiving carriage mounted to slide on said guide ramps to receive said other of said opposite ends of said curved pipe that bears on said receiving carriage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two opposite ends of said curved pipe define two axial directions substantially inclined one relative to the other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curved pipe comprises a connecting beam configured for connecting together said two opposite ends. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said connecting beam includes an arm extending cantilever fashion in line with said connecting beam opposite said other of said opposite ends relative to said one of said opposite ends. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The underwater connection assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said arm includes a removable part. ### Claim 11 A method of underwater connection, between a seabed and a sea surface, of a riser pipe extending from said seabed toward said sea surface and a flexible pipe extending to said surface, said riser pipe including connecting upper end and said flexible pipe including a connecting lower end; said connection method comprising providing a longitudinal frame having a foot fastened to said connecting upper end and a head configured to be connected to a float; a connector; and a curved pipe having two opposite ends and configured to connect said flexible pipe in catenary manner to said riser pipe with the connector; fastening one of said opposite ends of said curved pipe to said connecting lower end; mounting said connector at the other of said opposite ends, locating said connector between opposing guide ramps in said longitudinal frame; and driving said connector toward said connecting upper end in a direction oriented from said head toward said foot, to guide said curved pipe through said frame.