Guide for submarine pipe line onto deep sea bed - uses cables from offset ships to apply lateral force to sleeve through which pipe slides

摘要

The system is used to pilot a submarine pipe line accurately into position on the sea bed, entailing the application of an approximately horizontal force to the pipe, and being suited to deep sea installations. The force is applied immediately prior to pipe placement, serving to control the point of deposition. Two or more ships apply force in the form of a lateral traction, being offset laterally relative to the pipe line, and acting on a sleeve through which the pipe line slides. One ship may apply the force by a cable traversing a ballast anchored pulley wheel, the ballast being lifted when the ship is in transit only. The sleeve may utilise rollers to aid the longitudinal sliding of the pipe line.