Apparatus and method for offshore operations |
|||||||
| 申请号 | US36181073 | 申请日 | 1973-05-18 | 公开(公告)号 | US3851492A | 公开(公告)日 | 1974-12-03 |
| 申请人 | SEASCOPE SERVICES INC; | 发明人 | CANNON G; KRUGER J; SHORT T; JOBE B; | ||||
| 摘要 | A new and improved system, apparatus and method for performing operations on the floor of the sea or other underwater locations utilizes a combination of tension devices for maintaining work bodies in desired positions while also permitting viewing of such underwater operations by remote control television camera or other operations. | ||||||
| 权利要求 | 1. A method of anchoring a submarine pipeline beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a submerged position adjacent the pipeline; anchoring the pipeline with the earthen floor beneath the body of water; automatically controlling relative movement between the work platform and the pipeline during anchoring; and said step of controlling relative movement including: a. sensing the position of the work platform relative to the pipeline; and b. limiting movement of the work platform with respect to the pipeline in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby a stable anchoring operation independent of transporting vessel movement may be performed. 2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of: monitoring the anchoring operations in order to determine if such operations are proceeding properly. 2. means responsive to said means for sensing for regulating movement of said platform means with respect to the object or the floor of the body of water whereby said platform means is maintained in the desired position and movement of said transport vessel at the surface does not induce movement of the work platform relative to the pipeline. 3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of: storing a plurality of anchoring augers with the work platform wherein such augers are available in the submerged position adjacent the pipeline for the next anchoring operation after a preceding operation is completed, permitting the performance of a second anchoring operation without returning the work platform to the transporting marine vessel. 4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of: entrenching the pipeline preceding said step of anchoring wherein the pipeline is anchored beneath the earthen floor of the body of water. 5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of: uncovering the pipeline preceding said step of anchoring wherein the pipeline is firmly anchored with the earthen floor of the body of water. 6. An apparatus for controlling offshore work operations beneath a body of water, comprising: a. platform means for lowering from a transporting vessel to a submerged position adjacent the location of the work operation; b. means mounted with said platform means for performing the offshore work operations; and c. means for permitting relative movement between the transporting vessel and said work platform means comprising: 7. The structure of claim 6, further including: means for monitoring the work operations in order to insure that such operations are proceeding properly. 8. The structure of claim 6, wherein said means for performing offshore work operations comprises: a. auger means for anchoring a pipeline with a submaring earthen surface; and b. motor means for driving said auger means into the earthen surface. 9. The structure of claim 8, wherein said platform includes: means for storing a plurality of said auger means wherein said auger means are available without delay after completion of a prior anchoring operation to permit continuing anchoring operations. 10. The structure of claim 8, further including: means for entrenching the pipeline wherein the pipeline is anchored beneath the earthen floor of the body of water. 11. The structure of claim 8, further including: means for uncovering the pipeline wherein firm anchoring of the pipeline with the earthen floor is obtained. 12. The structure of claim 8, further including: means for positioning said auger means to be driven vertically into the earthen surface. 13. The structure of claim 8, further including: means for positioning said auger means to be driven obliquely into the earthen surface. 14. The structure of claim 8, further including: means for fluidizing the earthen surface beneath said auger means to facilitate uncovering and entrenching of the pipeline. 15. The structure of claim 6, further including: bathysphere means mounted with said platform means for permitting submarine control and observation of the work operations. 16. The structure of claim 6, further including: means for lowering said platform means from the vessel, comprising: cable means for suspending said platform means; winch means for adjusting the tension in said cable means; and said means responsive to said means for sensing for regulating movement including: adjustment means responsive to said means for sensing for controlling said winch means wherein relative movement between the vessel and said platform means is controlled to permit stabilized work operation. 17. The structure of claim 6, further including: a cable for supporting said work platform and piston means for stabilizing and controlling the position of said work platform with respect to the vessel to adjust the tension and torsion in the cable. 18. The structure of claim 6, further including: cable means movably supported by the transporting vessel and having weight means secured to one end and having the other end secured to the work platform for stabilizing said work platform with respect to the vessel tO adjust tension in the cable means. 19. A method for controlling and stabilizing work operations beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a position adjacent the location of the work operations; performing the work operation; controlling relative movement between the transporting vessel and the work platform for stabilizing the position of the work platform during the work operations; and said step of controlling relative movement including: sensing the position of the work platform relative to an object or the earthen floor beneath the body of water; and regulating movement of the vessel with respect to the work platform in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby stable and safe work operations may be performed. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of controlling further includes the step of: controlling relative horizontal movement between the transporting vessel and the work platform. |
||||||
| 说明书全文 | |||||||
QQ群二维码
意见反馈
意见反馈