GB2070541A

GB2070541A - Device for handling a gun-like apparatus and anchor

Info

Publication number: GB2070541A
Application number: GB8104470A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: NORTH SEA EXPLORATION SERVICES
Current assignee: NORTH SEA EXPLORATION SERVICES
Priority date: 1980-02-12
Filing date: 1981-02-12
Publication date: 1981-09-09
Also published as: DK61581A; NO800366L; NO146052B; NO146052C

Abstract

Device for use in handling a gun- like apparatus (11) to which an anchor (12) can be attached and lowered therewith to the sea bed and fired into the sea bed. The device comprises a stand (1) having at least one pulley (2) for lowering and hoisting said gun-like apparatus (11) by means of a cable and means (3, 6, 7) for releasably mounting said gun-like apparatus (11) pivotably suspended about a substantially horizontal axis in said stand (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for handling a gun-like apparatus and anchor The present invention relates to a device for use in handling a gun-like apparatus to which an anchor can be attached and lowered therewith to the sea bed, to be fired into the sea bed to embed the anchor. After the firing said gun-like apparatus is hoisted in order to be used again.

The gun-like apparatuses which are employed are usually heavy. Preferably they are provided with a reaction, for instance hemispherical, skirt, which in the submerged condition diverges upwardly, in order to act as a braking screen in the water during the firing operation.

Also the anchor which is attached to the gunlike apparatus prior to lowering to the sea bottom, is usually heavy, having a weight of, for example, 6001bs.

Moreover, a pushing plunger for the anchor is used. The plunger is placed before the gunpowder, and propels the anchor when fired. Also said plunger may have a substantial weight.

It is usual to use a crane for the lowering of the gun-like apparatus together with the anchor and for hoisting of the gun-like apparatus after the embedment of the anchor. By means of the crane the parts can be lifted from the deck of a vessel, swung out above the water and lowered.

The main problem by use of the above method is, however, the work necessary to make the parts ready for the lowering, namely the insertion of the plunger, the attachment of the anchor on the gunlike apparatus and the manoeuvering of the parts by means of a crane. The problems are particularly serious in rough water, and the work is very dangerous, because of the heavy parts which are to be coupled together on the deck of the vessel.

Moreover, there is a serious danger of damage to the parts suspended in the crane or to the vessel and injury to personnel when the parts start swinging together with the cable in rough water.

In fact the problems are so serious that it is preferred to wait for better sea conditions than trying to perform the work in rough conditions.

This, of course, is very unfavourable from an economy point of view, because high costs are involved in a vessel and its crew being passive or doing a fruitless trip.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in handling a gun-like apparatus to which an anchor can be attached and lowered therewith to the sea bed and fired into the sea bed to embed the anchor, said device comprisng a stand having at least one pulley for lowering and hoisting a said gun-like apparatus pivotably suspended about a substantially horizontal axis in said stand.

Thus, the stand is employed both for the lowering and hoisting and for keeping the gun-like apparatus in a suitable position of the insertion of a propellant charge, a plunger and attachment of an anchor prior to the lowering. Moreover, said stand may be formed in such a manner that the gun-like apparatus automatically will arrive in a correct position when hoisted and that the gunlike apparatus may be handled in a safe manner in the stand, without danger to the operators even when the water is rough.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a device according to the invention without the gun-like apparatus and anchor, Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in a front elevation, Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device provided with the gun-like apparatus and an anchor attached thereto, shown in a position for transport, i.e. ready to be moved horizontally to the position of lowering, Figure 4 shows a front elevation of the device of Figure 3, Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the device of Figures 3 and 4, with the gun-like apparatus and the anchor in a vertical position ready for lowering, wherein the stand has been moved to the end of guide rails, in such a manner that the gun-like apparatus and anchor are hanging outside of the gunwale of the vessel, or above a vertical aperture through the vessel hull, and Figure 6 shows a front elevation of the same embodiment as shown in Figure 5.

All of the Figures show a device comprising stand 1 which in the examples is constructed from beams and rests on rails 4 along which it is movable. The stand 1 is provided with a pulley 2 for lowering and hoisting of the gun-like apparatus 11 by means of a wire or cable 14 (Figures 5 and 6).

The stand 1 is provided with guides 3 each having a vertical groove 6, and it is presupposed that gun-like apparatus 11 is provided with trunnions 16 (Figures 3 to 6) which can be inserted in the grooves 6 and be locked against downward movement until the gun-like apparatus 11 with an attached anchor 12 is to be lowered.

The locking may be achieved by means of bolts 7 which are introduced into holes provided in the guides 3, so that the bolts 7 project transversely of the grooves 6 below the trunnions 1 6.

Figures 1 and 2 show applicances for use by the insertion of a plunger in the gun-like apparatus 11 when said apparatus 11 is being held as shown in Figures 3 and 4, i.e. having its main axis horizontal. Said appliances comprise an arm 8, 9 pivotably mounted on the stand 1 about a horizontal axis. The arm 8, 9 is adjustable in length, in that it is composed of a sleeve-like part 8 and a rod 9 which may be moved longitudinally inside the sleeve like part 8.At the end of said rod 9 is mounted a holder 10 for clamping a plunger which is to be inserted in the gun-like apparatus 1 The length of the arm 8, 9 may be adjusted such that the axis of the holder 10 is aligned with the axis of the gun-like apparatus 11, and the plunger may be pushed into the "gun-barrel" of the gun-like apparatus 11 after the arm 8, 9 has been suspended in a cantilever arm 5 on the stand 1 by means of a wire or similar.

The cantilever arm 5 may also be used to suspend the gun-like apparatus 11 in a horizontal position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which Figures the anchor 1 2 is shown attached to the gun-like apparatus 11.

Moreover, the gun-like device 11 may be provided with connecting means 13 for a wire 14, which may pass over the pulley 2 to a winch (not shown).

The device may be employed in the following manner: The trunnions 1 6 of the gun-like apparatus 11 is inserted in the grooves 6, and the bolts 7 are introduced below the trunnions 1 6. The device is then turned to a horizontal position (Figures 3 and 4) for the insertion of the propellant charge and the plunger by use of the appliances shown in Figures 1 and 2. An anchor 12 is placed between the rails 4, in a suitable position ahead of the stand 1, the rear of the anchor 12 sloping up. The gun-like apparatus 11 is then turned to a suitable inclined position, and the anchor 12 is attached.

Thereafter, the gun-like apparatus 11 is, together with the anchor 12, rotated upwardly to such an extent that the anchor 1 2 may pass the vessel's gunwale, for instance to a horizontal position, and the stand 1 is moved along the rails 4 to the lowering position. The gun-like apparatus 11 and the anchor 12 is rotated to a vertical position, and a wire 14 is connected to the connecting means 13 (Figures 5 and 6).

When the wire, chain or cable (not shown) which is to be anchored in the sea bed, has been connected to the anchor 12, the parts are ready to be lowered to the sea bed. The bolts 7 are removed to allow lowering.

Means may be provided for automatic firing the apparatus 11 when the anchor 12 has reached a predetermined, small distance from the sea bed, or firing may be effected for instance by pulling a rope.

After the embedment of the anchor 1 2, the gun-like apparatus 11 is hoisted, whereby the trunnions 1 6 enter the grooves 6, and the gun-like apparatus 11 is locked by introducing bolts 7 in the holes in the guide 3. The device will then be ready for immediate re-use, or it may be stored in the stand for later use of for being freighted to another area.

It will be understood that the stand 1 may be constructed substantially differently from what is shown on the drawings, and that different means may be used for locking the gun-like apparatus 11.

It may for instance have spring biased bolts which are automatically forced to their locking positions after the trunnions 1 6 have passed by. It is also possible to provide locking trunnions on the stand, said trunnions engaging holes in the skirt of the gun-like apparatus 11.

Claims

1. Device for use in handling a gun-like apparatus to which an anchor can be attached and lowered therewith to the sea bed and fired into the sea bed to embed the anchor, said device comprising a stand having at least one pulley for lowering and hoisting a said gun-like apparatus by means of a cable, and means for releasably mounting the gun-like apparatus pivotably suspended about a substantially horizontal axis in said stand.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said stand is movable along a substantially straight path along guides.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said stand is pivotably mounted.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said stand comprises means for releasably holding said gun-like apparatus, possibly together with an anchor, in a direction which deviates from the vertical direction.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said means for releasably mounting the gun-like apparatus suspended comprises two vertical grooves for receiving two trunnions provided on said gun-like apparatus, and means are provided to releasably lock the trunnions against downward movement in said grooves.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the lower entry end of said grooves is enlarged, in order to simplify the insertion of said trunnions.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pulley of the lowering and hoisting is situated above said means for suspending said gun-like apparatus in such a manner that said cable passes vertically from said pulley to the point of attachment on the gun-like apparatus when said apparatus is situated in position for lowering or hoisting.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for insertion of a plunger in the gun-iike apparatus, mainly by horizontal movement, when said gun-like apparatus is situated substantially horizontally.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which said arm means comprises an arm which is pivotally mounted on said stand, having a substantially horizontal pivot axis said arm carrying a holder for said plunger.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which said arm is adjustable in length. A

11. A device for use in handling a gun-like apparatus to which an anchor can be attached and lowered therewith to the sea bed and fired into the sea bed to embed the anchor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.