초록 ▼

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing underwater synthetic pipelines whereas the pipeline has single or multiple ballast tubes, attached to the pipeline through the use of a band or fabric strap to contain the pipeline components in a fixed bundle, around specifically shape

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing underwater synthetic pipelines whereas the pipeline has single or multiple ballast tubes, attached to the pipeline through the use of a band or fabric strap to contain the pipeline components in a fixed bundle, around specifically shaped primary ballast weights designed to impart the minimal amount of ballast weight necessary for sinking the pipeline to the sea bed. The pipeline and all of its parts are corrosion-resistant, and has the ballast weight reduced to the minimum required during launching and sinking phases. The final ballast weight is achieved after the pipeline has been positioned on the sea bed by filling the ballast tubes, attached to the pipeline, by injection or other means, with a mixture consisting of a substance which possesses a relative density that is greater than water. The invention also makes provisions for any ratio of final ballast weight to be applied to the pipeline, while still retaining the benefits of low weight during the launching and sinking. The invention makes further provisions to allow an increase or decrease of the amount of ballast weight applied, to specific sections, along the length of the pipeline. The invention also allows the pipeline to retain a specific orientation, relative to the sea bed, during the installation. The invention is particularly well suited for pipelines manufactured from synthetic materials, but may also be applied to pipelines manufactured from metal or other compounds.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An underwater pipeline installation apparatus comprising of; at least one ballast tube adapted to receive a ballast mixture and multiple primary ballast weights attached to the pipeline with multiple tensioned bands as a means of rendering said primary weights and said ballast tube and pipeline i

1. An underwater pipeline installation apparatus comprising of; at least one ballast tube adapted to receive a ballast mixture and multiple primary ballast weights attached to the pipeline with multiple tensioned bands as a means of rendering said primary weights and said ballast tube and pipeline into a fixed bundle for the disposition to the bed of a body of water,whereas the introduction of a ballast mixture, possessing a relative density which is greater than that of the water in which the said pipeline bundle is placed, is introduced into at least one of the ballast tubes, said ballast tube having been adapted to receive such a ballast mixture by the installation of single or multiple ports, said ballast mixture to establish the final ballast weight of the pipeline by displacing the water within said ballast tube, whereas said ports to act as a means of introducing said ballast mixture and venting of displaced water from within said ballast tube, said ports to be equipped with valves as a means of throttling the flow of said ballast mixture and vented water, whereas said ballast mixture to be contained within the said ballast tube by the use of a supply cap and end cap assemblies, whereas said supply cap assemblies are fitted with at least one supply port as a means of introducing said ballast mixture, whereas said ballast mixture is kept from mixing with the water, within the ballast tubes, by means of a piston, inserted into the ballast tube for this purpose, said piston make a seal between the wall of the ballast tube and the piston body and maintaining the seal while traveling ahead of said ballast mixture within said ballast tube, whereas the final ballast weight can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the internal diameter of the said ballast tube with the use of diameter transition adapters, whereas said diameter transition adapters comprise of a primary and secondary chamber, whereas said primary ballast weights having been designed and constructed to exert the minimal amount of weight sufficient to allow the said pipeline bundle to sink to the bed of the body of water.