GB2096721A - Articulated pipe coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe coupling assembly which comprises a pipe coupling, capable of being releasably clamped to a pipe or hose end, in use by means of clamps 22. Conduit means is provided including at least two elbows 16, 19 connected to the pipe coupling, each elbow having an associated swivel assembly connected thereto and a base plate assembly 10 for supporting the pipe coupling assembly. The arrangement is such that the pipe coupling is rotatably moveable, about a first of the swivel assemblies, from an operative downwardly facing in use position relative to the base plate assembly 10 to a rearwardly and/or upwardly facing part-retracted position relative to the base plate, and subsequently about a second of the swivel assemblies, by engagement between members 33, 34, from the part-retracted position to a fully retracted position in which the pipe coupling axis and the elbow 21 leading to the coupling are arranged generally parallel to the base plate assembly 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Enlprov ents in and relating to pips coupling The invention relates to pipe couplings and more particularly, although not exclusively, to such couplings which are suitable for mounting on a tanic vessel and/or an oil production or other platform for use in loading and/or unloading such tank vessel utilising the so called single point mooring technique.

According to the invention there is provided a pipe coupling assembly which comprises a pipe coupling, capable of being releasably clamped to a pipe or hose end, in use, conduit means including at least two elbows connected to the pipe coupling, each elbow having an associated swivel assembly connected thereto and a base plate for supporting the pipe coupling assembly, the arrangement being such that the pipe coupling is rotatably moveable, about a first of the swivel assemblies, from an operative downwardly facing position relative to the base plate to a rearwardly and/or upwardly facing part-retracted position relative to the base plate, and subsequently about a second of the swivel assemblies, from the part- retracted position to a fully retracted position in which the pipe coupling is arranged generally parallel to the base plate.

The base plate may also carry jaws which are arranged to releasably clamp a hose or pipe end in a position such that the pipe coupling can be releasably clamped thereto. The jaws may be hydraulically actuable by respective hydraulic ram means.

The base plate may have a framework attached thereto which supports a winch, above the pipe coupling assembly, having a cable attached thereto for winching a hose end to a position in which it can be clamped by said jaws.

Preferably means is provided for driving the pipe coupling between its operative, part-retracted and fully retracted positions. Such driving means may comprise a separate hydraulic rotary actuator, such as a vane motor, winch or fluid actuable ram means, associated with said first and second swivel assemblies and carried on said base plate.

Locking means may be provided for releasably locking the pipe coupling in its operative position.

The locking means may be hydraulically actuable, for example, by an hydraulic ram means.

Means may be provided, arranged in use, to cooperate with and control actuation of valve means located in a pipe or hose when coupled to the pipe coupling. Such means may be as disclosed in our copending United Kingdom patent application No.80386 1 9.

The pipe coupling may be fluid actuable.

The foregoing and further features of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a pipe coupling assembly, Fig.2 is an end elevational view of the pipe coupling assembly of Fig.1, and Fig.3 is a plan sectional view along the lines lil~Ill of Fig.1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a pipe coupling assembly comprising a base plate assembly 10, which, in use, is located above the deck of a tank vessel. A first pipe elbow 11 is supported by brackets 12 weldad to a base plate 13 which is bolted to base plate assembly 10. A swivel joint 14 is connected to one side of elbow 11 and an arcuate pipe 15 is connected to the other side of elbow 11 which extends to manifold (not shown) on the tank vessel. A further elbow 16 is connected at one side to the swivel 14 and at its other side is welded to a conduit extension 17.

The other side of the conduit extension 17 is connected to a further swivel 18 which is also connected to an elbow 19. The other side of elbow 19 is connected via a conduit extension 20 to an elbow 21. The other side of elbow 21 carries a pipe coupling comprising three hydraulically actuated clamps 22. Each of the clamps 22 may comprise an assembly as disclosed in copending United Kingdom patent application No.33431/77 (Serial No.

In the drawings, the pipe coupling comprising the clamps 22 is shown in the operative position clamped to the flange 23 of a hose end 24. An hydraulic actuator 25 is carried by elbow 21 and serves to actuate valving (not shown) in the pipe coupling and in the hose end 24. Such an arrangement is disclosed in our copending United l < ingdom patent application No.8038619. The hose end 24 is clamped in position to the base plate assembly 10 by a pair of jaws 26 which are pivotally mounted to the base plate assembly 10 and are retractable from the clamping position by respective hydraulically actuated rams 27 also carried by the base plate assembly 10.

With the pipe coupling assembly in the operative position as shown in the drawings, the conduit extension 20 is supported on a support means 28 carried by base plate assembly 10. The whole arrangement is locked in the operative position preventing movement about swivel 14 by a locking pin being engaged in a bracket 29 carried on conduit extension 17 and actuable by an hydraulically actuated ram 30.

An hydraulic actuator or vane motor 31 is carried on base plate assembly 10 and attached to elbow 16 for causing rotation about swivel 14. A further hydraulic actuator or vane motor 32 is carried on base plate assembly 10. Actuator or motor 32 has an output coupling 33 which is slotted to receive a member 34 carried on elbow 19 for causing rotation about swivel 18 when the assembly is in the part retracted position as will be more fully described hereinafter.

A A framework 35 is attached to base plate assembly 10 and carries a winch 36 and a rail 37.

In operation a hose end in the sea is attached to a cable (not shown) which passes over a pulley slidably mounted on rail 37. The winch 36 is actuated to pull the hose end 24 to the required height and the pulley is moved along rail 37 to locate hose end 24 between the retracted jaws 26. The hydraulic rams 27 are then actuated to clamp the hose end in position and subsequently the clamps 22 are actuated to clamp the pipe coupling to the hose end 24.

When loading or unloading of the tank vessel is completed, actuator 25 is actuated to close the valving within the pipe coupling and hose end 24.

The clamps 22 are released from the hose end 24 and actuator or motor 31 is actuated to rotate elbow 16 through 900 such that member 34 engages within the slot of output member 33 of actuator or motor 32 such that the pipe coupling is no longer facing downwardly with respect to base plate 10 and is in a part-retracted position.

The actuator 32 is then actuated to rotate elbow 19 about swivel 18 through a further 900 so as to bring elbows 19 and 21 parallel with base plate assembly 10 and lying at the same height from base plate assembly 10 as elbow 11. Hydraulic rams 27 are actuated to release jaws 26 and the hose end 24 is lowered by winch 36.

The assembly described is particularly for use on a tank vessel where the coupling can be retracted to a low and safe position relative to the decking of the tank vessel during transportation, but such assembly could also be used on oil production platforms or in other instances where it is required to load or unload tank vessels and loading arms cannot be used.

Claims (12)

1. A pipe coupling assembly which comprises a pipe coupling, capable of being releasably clamped to a pipe or hose end, in use, conduit means including at least two elbows connected to the pipe coupling, each elbow having an associated swivel assembly connected thereto and a base plate for supporting the pipe coupling assembly, the arrangement being such that the pipe coupling is rotatably moveable, about a first of the swivel assemblies, from an operative downwardly facing position relative to the base plate to a rearwardly and/or upwardly facing part retracted position relative to the base plate, and subsequently about a second of the swivel assemblies, from the part-retracted position to a fully retracted position in which the pipe coupling is arranged generally parallel to the base plate.

2. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base plate also carries jaws which are arranged to releasably clamp a hose or pipe end in a position such that the pipe coupling can be releasably clamped thereto.

3. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the jaws are hydraulically actuable by respective hydraulic ram means.

4. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base plate has a framework attached thereto which supports a winch, above the pipe coupling assembly, having a cable attached thereto for winching a hose end to a position in which it can be clamped by said jaws

5. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means is provided for driving the pipe coupling between its operative, part-retracted and fully retracted positions.

6. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said driving means comprises a separate hydraulic rotary actuator, such as a vane motor, winch or fluid actuable ram means, associated with said first and second swivel assemblies and carried on said base piate.

7. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means is provided for releasably locking the pipe coupling in its operative position.

8. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the locking means is hydraulically actuable.

9. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the locking means comprises hydraulic ram means.

10. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means is provided, arranged in use, to cooperate with and control actuation of valve means located in a pipe or hose when coupled to the pipe coupling.

11. A pipe coupling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pipe coupling is fluid actuable.

12. A pipe coupling assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.