US Patent 10527198 Pipelay reel with flange chute and method of use

Novel and advantageous pipelay reel systems and methods for use in laying flexible or rigid pipe or tubing in on and offshore operations. The pipelay reel system may have a pipelay reel having a drum arranged between two flanges. At least one flange of the reel may have a chute configured to receive an adapter coupled to a starting end of the pipe to be spooled on the reel. An initiation line coupled to a winch and intersecting the flange chute may be used to position the adapter with respect to a receiving end of the flange chute, and the reel may be rotated to pull the adapter down the chute to a latching end of the chute. Moreover, a latch may be used to secure the adapter in the chute such that the pipe may be spooled onto the reel.