Patent ID: 7640950
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A flexible pipe comprising an inner tubular layer, and an outer tubular barrier layer for containing fluid that is transported by the pipe, the barrier layer extending around the inner tubular layer in a coaxial relationship thereto, the inner layer conforming to a corresponding inner surface of the outer layer in an abutting relationship and having a thickness relative to a thickness of the outer layer that maintains a maximum allowable strain on the outer layer below a value that will cause damage to the outer layer when a cross-section of both the outer layer and the inner layer of the pipe collapses, into a buckled mode or post buckled mode or substantially flat form from an external hydrostatic load on the pipe, said cross-section taken along a plane that is perpendicular to the length of the pipe, wherein the inner layer exhibits sufficient elasticity to tend to recover from the collapse when the pipe is repressurized, wherein the pipe is configured for the transport of fluids underwater from a subsea location in an offshore oil or gas field.