Protector for undersea pipelines - partic. against damage by ships anchors, incorporates gallery with articulated side-plates, lifting when caught by anchor-bill

摘要

A device for protecting an under-sea pipe-line against the damage caused by ships anchors incorporates plates on both sides of the pipe-line axis parallel to the axis of the pipe, fixed and articulated by their inner longitudinal edges to a sole-piece. The sole-piece is in the form of a longitudinal gallery enveloping the pipe-line. The outer edges of the plates rest on the sea bed while the plates are in the rest position. The length of each plate is about 12 m. Each constitutes an inclined plane over which an anchor moving along the sea-bed, can rise and clear the pipe-line. Difficulties associated with the bill of an anchor sliding under a plate, while the rod to which the chain is attached remains above the plate, are overcome. The plate is lifted in its rotation about its axis of articulation, the anchor rises with the plate until it becomes disengaged from it, but the pipeline is cleared.