US20020017041A1 - Apparatus - Google Patents

Apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020017041A1
US20020017041A1 US09/878,402 US87840201A US2002017041A1 US 20020017041 A1 US20020017041 A1 US 20020017041A1 US 87840201 A US87840201 A US 87840201A US 2002017041 A1 US2002017041 A1 US 2002017041A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fluid
jetting arm
section
housing
nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/878,402
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Erik Gloppen
Gosta Nilsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NORDIC OFFSHORE AS
Framo Flatoy AS
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to DYK & SJOTJANST AB reassignment DYK & SJOTJANST AB ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NILSSON, GOSTA
Assigned to FRANK MOHN FLATOY AS reassignment FRANK MOHN FLATOY AS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GLOPPEN, ERIK
Assigned to NORDIC OFFSHORE AS reassignment NORDIC OFFSHORE AS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DYK & SJOTJANST AB
Publication of US20020017041A1 publication Critical patent/US20020017041A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
    • E02F3/90—Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
    • E02F3/92—Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
    • E02F3/9206—Digging devices using blowing effect only, like jets or propellers
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/006—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes adapted for working ground under water not otherwise provided for
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
    • E02F5/10—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables
    • E02F5/104—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
    • E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
    • E02F5/10—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables
    • E02F5/104—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water
    • E02F5/107—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water using blowing-effect devices, e.g. jets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus and particularly to apparatus used for underwater trenching.
  • trenching systems utilises water jets to fluidise a localised area of the seabed.
  • a trenching unit is moved in the desired direction whilst fluidising the seabed in a localised area. This creates a channel, or trench, in the seabed wherein a pipeline can be laid.
  • Some systems capture a significant proportion of the displaced material and direct it rearward to cover the pipeline when located in the trench.
  • Other systems allow the displaced material to cover the pipeline through resettlement under the of action of gravity and tidal motion.
  • Water jets for such apparatus can be mounted on tubes, rotating discs and/or used in conjunction with mechanical cutters.
  • One such trenching system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,880 and uses a pair of laterally spaced vertical cutting members positioned at each end of the machine.
  • the cutting members comprise a series of water jets located at both ends of the cutting members.
  • the cutting members oscillate in a vertical plane to cut a relatively broad trench.
  • the fluidised material is removed from the trench through tubes and deposited away from the trenching operation.
  • the present invention aims to provide an improved trenching unit.
  • a trenching unit comprising: a jetting arm with a plurality of sections, each section having at least one nozzle; means for supplying fluid to nozzles in at least two sections; and means for separately controlling the flow characteristics of the fluid supplied to each individual section of the jetting arm.
  • the current invention uses two jetting arms in parallel.
  • the distance between the jetting arms may be adjusted.
  • the fluid flow characteristics comprise fluid pressure and/or fluid volume.
  • the means for controlling the fluid flow characteristics comprises a discharge manifold having at least one individually operated valve for each section of the arm for which the fluid supply is to be controlled.
  • the jetting arm has three sections.
  • the jetting arm is adjustably mounted to a housing which is movable over the medium to be trenched.
  • the trenching unit preferably comprises means for adjusting the position and the orientation of the jetting arm relative to the housing.
  • Means may be provided for setting and adjusting the angle which the arm subtends with the direction of motion of the unit.
  • the angle of the arm may be fully adjustable in any or all of three dimensions but preferably at least the angle subtended in the vertical plane including the direction of motion is adjustable.
  • the jetting arm is arranged to move reciprocally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion.
  • the jetting arm may bc fixed generally horizontally relative to the housing.
  • a communication means between a support vessel and the trenching unit for control signals to equipment onboard the trenching unit and the supply of power.
  • the communication means may be an umbilical arrangement or a transmitter and receiver means.
  • Trenching units can be constructed according to the current invention to be more efficient, to exhibit reduced operational costs and to provide a more flexible and controllable cutting apparatus, which can be more easily adapted to suit the material composition of the seabed.
  • an arrangement comprising at least two trenching units and a link connecting the two units in tandem, each unit comprising a jetting arm with at least one nozzle and means for supplying fluid to the or each nozzle.
  • the two trenching units are each according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the link may be adjustable to set the distance between the units, either during the trenching operation to optimise the fluidisation period with respect to different seabed characteristics, or it may be fixed before trenching begins.
  • the link is resilient.
  • the present invention can be used in a variety of applications, primarily underwater environments, such as seas, oceans, lakes or rivers, bat may also be adapted for use on land or in any environment in which trenches are required
  • the fluid used by the trenching unit is preferably water, and in underwater environments will usually be seawater. However applications can be envisaged where other fluids would be appropriate depending upon the material to be trenched.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a trenching unit according to one aspect of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of two trenching units linked together by an adjustable linkage, illustrating one embodiment of another aspect of the invention.
  • the trenching unit 12 of FIG. 1 has two jetting arms 3 in parallel adjustably attached to a housing formed as a frame 13 .
  • the second jetting arm 3 is obscured in FIG. 1 as it is set at the same angle relative to the base of frame 13 as the jetting arm 3 in view.
  • Water pump 1 is connected to a discharge manifold 10 by a flexible hose 2 .
  • the discharge manifold 10 houses three valves 4 , one connected to each of three individual sections of the jetting arm 3 Each valve 4 controls the water pressure and/or the volume of water supplied to its respective section of the jetting arm 3 .
  • the arm may comprise more than three sections thus more than three valves 4 may be used
  • the discharge manifold 10 may house as many valves 4 as is practicable and the water pressure to each of the individual sections of the jetting arm 3 may be controlled by more than one valve 4 .
  • the arm is described as having separate sections these need not be physically separated other than in connection with the fluid flow control.
  • the settings of the valves 4 may be altered during operation of the trenching unit 12 , from a support vessel via an umbilical (not shown) which also provides electrical power and other control signals. This provides further means for optimising the cutting efficiency of the device. For example, particular characteristics of the seabed may require that the majority of the water be supplied to one section of the jetting arm 3 to maximise cutting effect in a highly localised area whilst other situations may require a more even supply of water to each section.
  • Each section of the jetting arm 3 has a plurality of nozzles 8 connected to respective valves 4 via separate respective water conduits 9 .
  • Water from nozzles 8 impacts the seabed in a localised area and fluidises the seabed sediment.
  • Nozzles 8 are positioned along the length of the cutting arm. Preferably a majority of nozzles 8 are directed to face forwardly and a minority of nozzles 8 are directed rearward having regard to the direction of motion of the trenching unit.
  • the angle of the jetting arm 3 relative to the housing 13 may be altered by a hydraulic actuator 5 .
  • the vertical position of the jetting arm 3 , relative to the housing 13 can also be adjusted by a second hydraulic actuator 6 .
  • Angular and displacement settings can be set prior to submersion of the trenching unit 12 but can also be adjusted during trenching operations by signals from the support vessel via the umbilical (not shown).
  • the angular and vertical position of the jetting arm 3 affects cutting efficiency and the profile of the trench.
  • the jetting arm 3 can also be configured to move reciprocally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion. The distance between the arms 3 can be adjusted so as to alter the width of the trench.
  • the jetting arms 3 may be arranged such that they are angularly adjustable and/or moveable independently of each other or the jetting arms 3 can be arranged such that adjustments are made synchronously to both jetting arms 3 . So, for example, the jetting arms 3 may be raised in the vertical direction relative to frame 13 concurrently so that a shallower trench may be cut.
  • the jetting arm 3 can also be oriented to lie in a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion of the housing 13 , with the majority of nozzles 8 directed forwardly, and may be set at some angle between the vertical position and the horizontal, to facilitate cutting trenches with a variety of profiles.
  • a device 11 located at one end of the trenching unit 12 , for attachment to a pipeline or cable.
  • the device 11 can be used as a directional guide or to provide propulsion for the unit 12 to move along the pipeline or cable.
  • Means of moving trenching units along pipelines are well known in the art and a number of systems could easily be incorporated into the current invention.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,880 teaches a trenching unit that moves along the pipeline by driving a number of rollers Which are kept in contact with the pipe through biassing means. The rollers may also be used to stabilise the machine in its upright position.
  • Weight control may also be incorporated to maintain the unit 12 at a constant loading weight on a pipeline for example, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,880, which uses a flotation vessel adapted to have longitudinal tilt control, and fore and aft upper rollers, each having regulation devices for maintaining a selectively adjustable force between the flotation vessel and its attached frame and a pipeline.
  • the weight control apparatus may be controlled from the surface.
  • the trenching unit may alternatively be propelled using the nozzles.
  • two trenching units 12 are shown in tandem coupled by an adjustable linkage 7 .
  • the distance between the units is determined by the length of the adjustable linkage 7 .
  • the adjustable linkage 7 is sufficiently resilient to maintain the distance between the units.
  • the distance between the units can be set prior to submersion or during operations from a support vessel. This allows for an extended fluidisation of the seabed which is particularly useful in the situation when a pipeline is relatively stiff as it takes longer to lay the pipeline in the trench in the correct position. If the fluidisation period is not sufficiently long the pipeline may not be laid in the trench at the required depth making it more susceptible to damage.
  • the optimum fluidisation period is controlled by the distance between the units and is calculated to take into account the material characteristics of the seabed sediment to be fluidised and the capabilities and settings of the individual trenching units.
  • each of the trenching units are identical to the trenching unit 12 shown in FIG. 1.
  • other trenching units traditional forms or any new forms. could be linked in this way to provide an improved trenching apparatus.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
US09/878,402 2000-06-12 2001-06-12 Apparatus Abandoned US20020017041A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0014348A GB2363407A (en) 2000-06-12 2000-06-12 Trenching apparatus
GB0014348.7 2000-06-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020017041A1 true US20020017041A1 (en) 2002-02-14

Family

ID=9893497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/878,402 Abandoned US20020017041A1 (en) 2000-06-12 2001-06-12 Apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20020017041A1 (no)
EP (1) EP1167637A3 (no)
GB (1) GB2363407A (no)
NO (1) NO20012823L (no)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104024636A (zh) * 2011-12-22 2014-09-03 Ihc工程贸易有限公司 泵设备及水下沟槽挖掘设备
US20150266118A1 (en) * 2014-03-24 2015-09-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh Circular Saw Blade
CN105220726A (zh) * 2015-10-16 2016-01-06 上海交通大学 流量可控的喷冲破土装置
US10947695B2 (en) * 2018-04-08 2021-03-16 Zhoushan Electric Power Supply Company Of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company Submarine cable trencher
US20210172151A1 (en) * 2019-12-05 2021-06-10 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Apparatus for Locating Elongate Object in a Trench in a Floor of a Body of Water
US20220412046A1 (en) * 2021-06-28 2022-12-29 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Apparatus for Inserting an Elongate Object Into a Trench

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0022002D0 (en) 2000-09-07 2000-10-25 Global Marine Systems Ltd Method and apparatus for accessing underwater cables or pipes
DK175610B1 (da) * 2003-02-28 2004-12-27 Alcatel Submarine Networks Mar Spuleværktöj, der omfatter en krog med udlösermekanisme
GB2438405A (en) * 2006-05-22 2007-11-28 Nicholas Victor Sills Underwater trenching and excavation apparatus
GB201513484D0 (en) * 2015-07-30 2015-09-16 Ihc Engineering Business Ltd Underwater trenching apparatus and pumping apparatus

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1286521A (en) * 1969-04-10 1972-08-23 Nederlandse Offshore Co Method of burying sub-sea pipelines, cables and the like
GB1219879A (en) * 1969-05-23 1971-01-20 Shell Int Research A method and an apparatus for burying a pipeline in the bottom of a body of water
US3751927A (en) * 1972-02-22 1973-08-14 Brown & Root Apparatus for entrenching submerged elongate structures
NO145205C (no) * 1979-04-06 1982-02-03 Magne Prestegaarden Anordning til nedgraving av en ledning i havbunnen.
US4330225A (en) * 1979-09-24 1982-05-18 Santa Fe International Corporation System for entrenching submerged elongated structures
GB2075085A (en) * 1980-04-24 1981-11-11 Hoad Design & Eng Ltd Apparatus for cutting trenches
JPS57137531A (en) * 1981-02-20 1982-08-25 Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co Ltd <Kdd> Excavating method and device for ditch in bottom of water
IT1138764B (it) * 1981-05-04 1986-09-17 Snam Progetti Dispositivo per interramento o dissotterramento di condotte subacquee
JPS5820839A (ja) * 1981-07-31 1983-02-07 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 海底ケ−ブル埋設機
JPS5865824A (ja) * 1981-10-14 1983-04-19 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 海底掘削装置
US4516880A (en) * 1982-04-19 1985-05-14 Martin Charles F Underwater trenching apparatus
GB2247261A (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-26 British Gas Plc Method and tool for seabed excavation
GB2252776B (en) * 1991-02-14 1995-04-12 British Gas Plc Formation of a cavity in ground
NL9400605A (nl) * 1994-04-15 1995-11-01 Oord Acz B V Van Werkwijze en inrichting voor het onder water ingraven van een langwerpig voorwerp.

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104024636A (zh) * 2011-12-22 2014-09-03 Ihc工程贸易有限公司 泵设备及水下沟槽挖掘设备
US9719232B2 (en) 2011-12-22 2017-08-01 Ihc Engineering Business Limited Pump apparatus and underwater trenching apparatus
US20150266118A1 (en) * 2014-03-24 2015-09-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh Circular Saw Blade
CN105220726A (zh) * 2015-10-16 2016-01-06 上海交通大学 流量可控的喷冲破土装置
US10947695B2 (en) * 2018-04-08 2021-03-16 Zhoushan Electric Power Supply Company Of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company Submarine cable trencher
US20210172151A1 (en) * 2019-12-05 2021-06-10 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Apparatus for Locating Elongate Object in a Trench in a Floor of a Body of Water
US11613870B2 (en) * 2019-12-05 2023-03-28 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Apparatus for locating elongate object in a trench in a floor of a body of water
US20220412046A1 (en) * 2021-06-28 2022-12-29 Soil Machine Dynamics Limited Apparatus for Inserting an Elongate Object Into a Trench

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1167637A3 (en) 2002-05-15
NO20012823L (no) 2001-12-13
EP1167637A2 (en) 2002-01-02
GB0014348D0 (en) 2000-08-02
GB2363407A (en) 2001-12-19
NO20012823D0 (no) 2001-06-08

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DYK & SJOTJANST AB, SWEDEN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NILSSON, GOSTA;REEL/FRAME:012310/0853

Effective date: 20010807

Owner name: FRANK MOHN FLATOY AS, NORWAY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GLOPPEN, ERIK;REEL/FRAME:012311/0150

Effective date: 20010904

AS Assignment

Owner name: NORDIC OFFSHORE AS, NORWAY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DYK & SJOTJANST AB;REEL/FRAME:012492/0915

Effective date: 20011120

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION